March news!!

A) PAC News

Next PAC Meeting:

                   Monday, April 16; 6:30 pm

Soup Day:

                        None planned

Food Day:

None Planned

B) Spring Break

We have 2 weeks for Spring Break again this year. Our last school day is March 9^th and we start up again on Monday, March 26. Enjoy your break!!

C) Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration will take place at Sorrento School Wednesday, April 4, from 8:30 – 2:00 pm. If these times do not work for you, please call the school to make alternate arrangements. Please pass this message along to any one you know who has children who will be entering Kindergarten next year. Thanks.

D)Lisa Rolland Literacy Fund

Thank you to those of you who have already donated to this fund. We thought that we should do something as a school to raise funds to honour Lisa. We have planned a used book sale for April and are looking for someone to organize this for us. If you can help with this fund raiser please call the school at 675-2311. Thanks.

E) On the Move Challenge

Our school wide Design Technology Challenge will take place shortly after Spring Break. Included in this newsletter is the “Challenge” description. We thought we should send the challenge out now so that those of you who would like to could work on your vehicle over the holiday period. The actual challenge day will be Thursday, March 29^th during our lunch break.

F) School District Art Fair

The School District Art Fair will take place March 2-9. The location is again in the Piccadilly Place Mall. Our school will have a display of our student’s art work in the Mall all week. We will be sending 25+ Grade 4 or 5 students to the Artist Workshops on Wednesday, March 7 from 9:00 until 2:00. Should you be in town during the week, be sure to stop by and have a look at some of the amazing art work our elementary schools are doing!!

G) Report Cards

This message is from our Superintendent

Mr. Dave Witt. “Due to the uncertainty surrounding teacher job action, decisions regarding the format and distribution of 2^nd term report cards will be delayed until after the March Break.”

H)Library News

Thank you to all families and staff who purchased books at the Book Fair.  Our net sales were $3200.77, and we earned a 60% commission!  A BIG THANK YOU also to the parent volunteers who made this fundraiser possible: June McAleese, Patty Kimmie, Steph Manningham, Andrea Ruckle, Jamie MacLean, Jodi Daburger, Patty Boyes, and Miranda Petersen. Because our students were able to raise more than $3000 Mr. Horton will be having his hair cut off!! We will do this Friday, March 9. 

I) Spring Fling Early Years Fair

North and South Shuswap pre-schoolers are invited to attend the Spring Fling Early Years Fair. This year’s fair features the Children’s entertainer ‘Kiki the Eco Elf’. The fair is planned for Tuesday March 6 in our school gym from 10:30-12:30. Come join the free fun!!

J) French Immersion

If you have a child in Grade 5 and are interested in enrolling them in the Late French Immersion program at Shuswap Middle School there will be a parent information meeting Tuesday, March 5; 7:00 pm at Shuswap Middle School.  Registration Day for this program is April 4^th from 7:00am until 10:00am at the District Education Centre. For more information call our secretary Mrs. Cassman.

K)Monthly Math Problem

We had 20 entries in our math problem draw. The winners of the Math problem of the month draw were Georgia Clarke for the K-2 students and Alyssa Andreasen for the Grades 3- 5 students. Congratulations!!

Dates to Remember

March 7 – Art Fair Workshops

March 9 – Last Day

March 26 – Back to school

February News

A) PAC News

Next PAC Meeting:

          Feb. 20 - 6:30 in the Staff Room

Food Day:

            February 9 & 23

Soup Day:

            February 1, 15, & 29

B) School Attendance

One of the most important factors in student learning is attendance at school. That is why it is important for students to attend on a consistent basis.

Being on time is also an important life skill that students learn at school. When students arrive late they miss out on the start-up activities which get students primed for the learning that will take place that day.

Thank you to those of you who ensure that your children attend school consistently and are punctual; you are helping your children to develop positive life skills and attitudes.

C) Fruit and Vegetables Program

Every couple weeks a delivery of fresh fruit or vegetables arrives at the school. It is then placed in trays for the different classrooms and the teachers distribute it to the students at their leisure. There is enough product for each student to have at least two servings. The program aims to allow our students to have a nutritious snack and try things they might not necessarily have the opportunity to experience at home.

D) School Blog

Our school now has a blog site for our newsletters and assundry other information. Should you not wish to receive a paper copy let Colleen know and we will no longer send you a paper copy.  Our blog may be found at the following url. http://sorrentoelementaryschool.blogspot.com/

E) School Reading Room

Our School Reading Room is up and running again this year. We have hired an extra Lunch Hour supervisor using our LINK Grant funds that we applied for in September. This supervisor takes 15 – 20 students into the “Loft” to read and snack!! Students must sign up on Friday or Monday prior to the day they wish to read instead of going outside.

F) School Spirit Event

Our School Spirit Event for this month is a “Jersey Day”. We will have “Jersey” Day on Thursday, February 17.

G) Anxiety Awareness Workshops

These workshops are intended to provide information, insight and strategies for anxious children. With this in mind School District #83 is offering workshops at North Shuswap El. School from 2:00 -3:00 Mondays, March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. If you are interested in attending please call North Shuswap School.

H) Community Forums

Our School Board and Superintendent are travelling around our school district to get information from parents about what parents think education should look like in the 21^st century. The discussions will focus around the question, “How might schools better engage learners?” The Carlin/Sorrento Forum is Tuesday, February 21 from 7:00-8:30 at Carlin School. See you there.

I) Making Sense of Discipline

Making Sense of Discipline is a video course and discussion group facilitated by Marie Chernen. This three hour course speaks to the question of what to do when…, but does so in the larger context of what is required to raise children to their full potential. The course will take place Jan 30, February 6 and 13 from 6:30-8:30 at Salmon Arm Recreation Center Room #3. For more info call 250-832-9578.

J) Cultural Event

Our third cultural event for this year is a performer who attended Salmon Arm Secondary School and has won two Juno Awards, Greg Sczebel. Greg will be performing for us February 28 at 9:15. You are welcome to join us for this lively performance!

K) Parents As Literacy Supporters

Our first PALS session was a great success! Thank you, Mrs. Ruckle, for a great morning of fun activities for our parents and their children. Our second session of Kindergarten P.A.L.S. will take place on February 24 from 9:00 until 11:00 am. Our PALS program is very well attended and we look forward to seeing you here.

L) Students Do Not Attend

Teachers will be attending a Regional Professional Development Day on February 17^th. Our region runs from Salmon Arm to Penticton. This is a great opportunity for our staff to network with teachers from other School Districts and to be taught by experts in the teaching profession.

M) Winter Fun Days

We have split the school into two groups for our Winter Fun Days this year. Mrs. Ruckle’s, Mrs. Zinck, Mrs. Blacklock, and Mrs. Tyssen’s classes will have their fun events Wednesday, Feb 29 from 10:15 until 11:45. Mrs. McManus, Mrs. Hadath and Mrs. Hall’s classes will compete on March 1^st from 10:15 until 11:45.

N) Parking Lot Safety

The parking lot at Sorrento School gets very busy at the start and end of each day. Please do not block the bus loading and unloading zone at the front of the school at any time.

If you pick up your student(s) make sure they use the cross walk and do not run through the bus zone to get to your vehicle.

Please be patient and very careful when picking up your children especially at this snowy and icy time of year.  Thanks.

O)Monthly Math Problem

We had 24 entries in our math problem draw. The winners of the Math problem of the month draw were Kyle Sheehan for the K-2 students and Trinity Blacklock for the Grades 3- 5 students. Congratulations!!

P) Minor Baseball Registration

         Thursday, March 1, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

         Saturday March 3, 10:00am – noon

Registration to take place at Sorrento Preschool, 1148 Passchendaele Rd., across the street from Sorrento School. Call Steve 675-5269 for more information.

Dates to Remember

Feb. 16 – Jersey Day

Feb. 17 – Pro-D Day

Feb. 20 – PAC Meeting

Feb. 21 – Community Forum @ Carlin School

Feb. 24 – Kindergarten P.A.L.S.

Feb. 28 – Cultural Event 9:15