April News

A) PAC News

Next PAC Meeting:

          April 16 - 6:30 in the Staff Room

Food Day:

            April 12 & 26 – Food Days

Got any great ideas for our PAC? We are beginning to plan for next year and are looking for new ideas and things to try. We always welcome new ideas and participation from our parent community. If you are interested in helping out in any way please contact Jamie MacLean.

B) Easter Weekend

Easter long weekend is April 5-9 this year. There is no school on Good Friday or Easter Monday. Enjoy celebrating your family traditions over this weekend!

C) Kindergarten Registration

Our Kindergarten Registration Day is Wednesday, April 4^th . Should you know of anyone having a 5 year old child who will be entering Kindergarten in September, please make sure they register their child as soon as possible. Thanks!

D) On the Move Challenge

Our “On the Move Challenge” was a great success again this year. We had 23 vehicles in the event. Our design winners were Jaden Bitz, Matthew/Jasmin Blacklock, Gabe Niewenhuizen, Ashley Bitz, Shawn Smelsky, and Emily Tichtner. Our distance travelled winners were Deja Salazar, Jolie Carruthers, Keigh-leanne Rufus, Brandon Puffer/Hill, Ashley Bitz and Trinity Blacklock. Well done to everyone who participated!!

E) Student Placement

We are beginning to think about student placements for next year. As a staff we take great care and much time to try to meet the needs of all our students when constructing classes. 

When it comes time to make decisions regarding student placement I will meet with the outgoing teacher and other staff working with the student.  The resulting placement will take into account the following factors:

a) diversity in development (academic ability)

b) unique learning needs                

c) gender balance

d) class chemistry

e) teaching styles

f) personality

g) family relationships       

h) social factors

i) parent information

All factors are discussed with your child’s teacher present at the school placement meetings. He/she will have a substantial amount of information to provide about your child’s needs and will make recommendations regarding the social dynamics of the proposed class.  Friendships may be important to your child, but part of the process of growth involves getting to know others and working with them. You do not have to make a request for next year’s placement, since your child’s teacher knows your child well enough to recommend the best placement for him or her.

If you have any information that would be helpful in determining the best possible placement for your child please put your thoughts in writing and send the note to Mr. Horton. Please keep in mind that the reasons for specific requests should be educational reasons. The final decision regarding the placement of students rests with the Principal.

F) Dressing for School

Students need to be comfortable to learn. At Sorrento School students are expected to wear clothes that are appropriate for school. A good rule of thumb we share with the students is that beach wear is not appropriate at school. Spaghetti strap tops and open mid-rift blouses should be saved for summer holiday wear. Likewise T-shirts with inappropriate language or illustrations should not be worn to school.

Thank you for sending your child with an indoor pair of running shoes and for sending him/her to school dressed to learn.

If you have any questions regarding the school’s dress code, please contact Mr. Horton.

G) Cross-country Running

Depending upon teacher job action our team should start training in the very near future. Students from grades 1 to 5 are welcome to join our school team. We will be practicing during lunch breaks. The team usually attends two runs held around the school district. Runners must attend practices in order to go to the events. Further information will be sent home with interested runners at a later date!

H) Head Lice

Each year we ask parents to check their child’s hair on a regular basis for head lice. September, January and April are often times when schools seem to have a greater incidence of head lice. Should you discover head lice on your child please inform us so that we can check the rest of your child’s class. Thanks!

I) Gymnastics

Our PAC sponsored gymnastics program starts Thursday, April 5. Shawnee from Momentum Gymnastics Club is doing the program. She will be with us on Thursdays and Fridays for the month of April. Please be sure your children come to school with a T-shirt and shorts every Thursday and Friday that we offer this special opportunity. Thanks.

J) Swim Lessons

Also starting this month are our swimming lessons. This year our PAC is paying for our Grade 3’s to have swimming lessons in Salmon Arm. Our lessons start April 5 and continue on Thursdays until the end of the month. Thank you PAC!!

K) Growth Planning/ Pro-d Day

Our next Growth Planning and Professional Development Day is Friday, April 20^th.  Students do not attend school on this day.

L)Monthly Math Problem

We had 28 entries in our math problem draw. The winners of the Math problem of the month draw were Sienna Kurz for the K-2 students and Adrianna McQuarrie for the Grades 3- 5 students. Congratulations!!

M)Lisa Rolland Literacy Fund

We have decided to have a used book sale and give all the proceeds to the fund in memory of Lisa Rolland our school trustee. We ask that you have a look through your children’s books and send (by April 18th) any you no longer use to the school for us to sell at our school book sale on April 24^th and 25^th at Lunch break. This will be a great opportunity for our students to get some new reading material for the summer.

Dates to Remember

April 4 – Kindergarten Registration

April 6-9 - Easter Weekend

April 10 - StrongStart P.A.L.S.

April 16 – PAC Meeting

April 17 – Cultural Event

April 20 – Growth Planning/Pro-d Day

April 28 – PAC Casino Night