How we connect the classroom with AVIVA Community Fund

My principal work at the school is directly related to teaching and learning.  I have enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Lougheed's students in Grade 6.  Together, we have worked on particular reading and writing tasks.  In particular, one writing task is connected to the next round of voting in our AVIVA Community Fund application to revitalize our school yard.  I thought it would be appropriate to link a specific writing goal to our community connection with AVIVA.  Specifically, our teaching and learning goal related to writing is topic development, writing form and and writing style.  Grammar and punctuation are also very important.  The writing task I presented to our students in Grade 6 is "Our school yard is an important place to learn, to work and to play.  Think of 3 to 5 creative ways that our school yard can become an even better place to learn, to work and to play.  (How would this look?  How would this feel?  What is required?  What work is necessary?)  As I read student writing samples, I will share the ideas of our students with you.  These ideas, as well as other student work, will be used in our goal for AVIVA gold!  I also had the pleasure yesterday of visiting Mrs. Hutchinson's Grade 1 students.  They have created a comparison chart about what they would like to see on the school yard and what they do not want to see on the yard.  Other classes are also taking some interesting and creative approaches to support our votes in this round of the AVIVA challenge!

What the TECH?

Thank you to our guest presenter Michael from TakingITGlobal, to our SCDSB staff, school staff, students and families who attended What the TECH? this week at Collingwood Collegiate Institute.  We appreciate your time and your enthusiasm.  Michael's personal story is a very inspiring story to say the least.  For me, his personal achievement and success is credit to his dedication and commitment.  Anything is possible when we are motivated and engaged in what we do.  At each activity station, I appreciated the interest and expertise demonstrated by each facilitator.  The objective of the evening was to not only to share information about techonology but to inform and inspire.  We scored our goals related to digital citizenship and the effective use of technology to support teaching, learning and to provide opportunity for others.  Congratulations to our family of local School Councils for such an event.  Thank you to Mr. Chater for your help the other evening!

Our Learning Skills and Work Habits

It is extremely important for our students to develop and strengthen learning skills and work habits.  Throughout the school year, teachers provide instruction, assessment and evaluation of learning skills and work habits.  Such skills can guide and shape student success in all school subject areas.  Included with each of the 6 skills, I share with you some examples of what each skill can represent and mean for our students.

Responsibility

þ  I follow classroom and school rules and expectations

þ  I take care of my belongings and check lost and found for missing items

þ  I keep my desk neat, clean and tidy

þ  I listen to others

Organization

þ  I am ready and prepared for class

þ  I have my learning tools and materials ready for each class

þ  I use my time effectively and efficiently

þ  I use my agenda to keep track of important information and communication between my family and my school

Independent Work

þ  I follow my teacher’s directions and instructions

þ  I concentrate on my work

þ  I am on topic and on task

Collaboration

þ  I share classroom and school responsibilities with others

þ  I work as a team player with others

þ  I contribute my thoughts, ideas and opinions in a respectful and responsible way

Initiative

þ  I have a polite and positive attitude

þ  I do my best

þ  I can be a leader

þ  I welcome challenges and opportunities

Self-Regulation

þ  I am respectful to myself and to others

þ  I am responsible for my behaviour, my attitude, my actions and my words

þ  I stay on topic and on task until I complete a task to the best of my ability

The Halloween Howler

Thank you everyone for coming to our second annual Halloween Howler.  I thank our school council for planning and organizing this event for us.  The evening was well attended.  The costume parade and the haunted hallway were popular especially for our young gouls and goblins.  Thank you Cameron Street staff who were able to come and volunteer their time.  Mr. Comish's horse is safely back in its stable after a busy evening.  If your children are going out for Halloween, please encourage them to stay safe.  It is best to travel with friends and to cross at street corners rather than criss cross the streets.  Being safe, respectful and responsible in our community on Halloween night is extremely important for us all.  

A Day in the Country

Yesterday, students in Mrs. McFarlane's and Ms Boone's classes enjoyed a day in the country at the Giffen Farm.  Our day included a walking tour through the apple orchard and the gardens to learn more about apples, how apples grow, how they are picked and how they are stored.  Also, students had the opportunity to walk to the "top of the world" in the orchard.  We visited the storage, packing and produce distribution centre as well as the market.  The students made great observation about their surroundings and we compared rural and urban characteristics while on the tour.  There were great questions and great stories shared.  We enjoyed our day in the country.

SCDSB County Cross Country Run Championships

Congratulations to our Cameron Comet Cross Country Running Team for participating in the 2011 County Championship yesterday at Mt. St. Louis ~ Moonstoone.  Here are all SCDSB Grade 4 Boys at the starting gate.  Tyler and Ethan represented us well.  Also Jayden, Ryan and Cree represented our school and thank you to them.  Special mention and congratulations goes to Tyler for his 4th place finish in his Grade category.  We are proud of our team members!

Thank You Tube

When you cast your vote today http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11585
for Cameron Street Public School , click on this link below and check out our own Nick and his mom Deb on Rogers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1yOXVDmkC0&hl=en&fs=1

Boys on the Move at Blue

This morning, Sam, Brayden and I finished the 5 km run at the 2011 Blue Mountain Half Marathon.  The weather for running was much better than I had expected.  After experiencing the wind and the rain on Saturday, and looking at the weather forecast for this morning, I thought for sure we would be running in the rain.  Thanks to Sam's mom, dad and brother and to Brayden's dad for cheering the boys across the finish line.  We enjoyed the run while working on our breathing and pacing throughout.  More important in my mind, is the sense of accomplishment - finishing what we started!  As run registrants, the boys received a take away bag with many goods and a running shirt they proudly wore.  They realized that they had too many layers on after the start!  One of our goals for the Boys on the Move, was to enter the 5 km run at this year.  I am pleased to say that we met this goal with the members of our team who could come and run.  There are many other commitments including hockey and family time on the weekend for our boys.  Thanks again to everyone who cheered us on!  It was a great run and a great morning.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  The weekend weather is forecast to be beautiful.  I am thankful for that.  Before you know it, we will be shoveling snow again, so we will take advantage of the weather while it lasts...Enjoy!

Today in my blog, I am sharing a message from our School Council with you.

 

We are writing to ask you to please take 1 minute and VOTE for Cameron St. Public School Yard Revitalization. Our school council is trying to win a grant for $100,000 from Aviva to revitalize the school yard.  It is an incredible school, great students, a fantastic staff, a very motivated and incredible school council, we just need to revitalize the outside, to make the outside match what goes on, on the inside! You can vote once a day, for up to 15 days (15 votes ).... Please help us get past the first round!

 

Click here (or copy and paste the link in your Internet browser) to vote! 

 

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11585

 

It really only takes 1 min to vote, and you could be helping children for YEARS to come! The first time you vote you will need to do a quick and easy registration - all you need is an email and a password....once you are registered it only takes seconds to vote - click on the link, then click the vote button and you're done!

 

Please share this link with everyone you know!  

Open House ~ Many Thanks

Thank you very much to you, our families, for attending our annual open house at the school last night.  On behalf of our staff and students, I also appreciate our community partners for coming.  We welcomed such partners as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Back Pack safety with Dr. Melissa, the Environment Network, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and 211 Community Resource.  Mrs. Palmer, our two CO-OP education students from CCI and our SNAC Kids (School Nutrition Action Committee) helped our students make healthy lunches they will enjoy today at break.  Thank you for making a donation to our School Council's Fall Decorations Fundraiser.  Enjoy your corn stalks, gourds and dried plants.  Remember, the annual CIBC Run for the Cure is this Sunday at Harbourview Park in Collingwood. 

Subject to Change

It was necessary to make some changes to class lists in Grades 4, 5, and 6 today.  Such change is directly related to the total number of students currently enrolled at our school.  We have been allocated an additional teacher and as a result, grade 4, 5 and 6 class sizes are reduced as we create a new Grade 4/5 class.  So our day today began with a Grade 4 and 5 class meeting in the gym to announce the changes.

Due to the reorganization, we have also had some changes in staffing assignments.  Mrs. Colbourne will be teaching the grade 4/5 class, Mrs. Angel will be teaching our French classes for all Junior and Intermediate students and we welcome back Ms. Butters-Mathews who will be teaching in the grade 4 classroom while Mrs. Berger is on maternity leave.  Mrs. Bulfon, one of our Special Education Resource Teachers, will also have additional responsibilities as a Planning Time teacher in Mrs. Colbourne's class.

There are students who have moved to a different class with a different teacher today.  There are teachers who changed grades and assignments today!  We thank everyone for their assistance and cooperation during the move!

Cameron Street Community Open House is this Wednesday!

Our annual Open House is this Wednesday at the school from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Join us...you are more than welcome.  Community partners including the Health Unit, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Environment Network will be here.  There will be an USBOURNE Book Fair in the Library.  Our SNAC Kids (SNAC is our School Nutrition Action Committee) will help students make a healthy lunch that they can pack and bring to school the next day.  Visit our Outdoor Classroom, meet our staff and School Council and pick up some fall decorations.

Andrew Grottoli from the Environment Network will be at our Open House to share information about The 'Crew'.  This is an exciting new after school pilot program beginning this fall at Cameron Street. It is aimed at providing male youth (Grade 7 and 8) in our school the chance to connect with other youth once a week and create a sense of belonging. The objective of 'The Crew' is to work with these young men and help them realize their self worth and potential by giving them the tools needed to help improve their nutrition, physical fitness and confidence.

Programming will cover a variety of topic areas including healthy living, positive behaviour as well as self respect, self-esteem, respect for others and concern for their community and environment. The ten week pilot program is free to all participants and runs from October 13 to December 15.  Boys in Grade 7 and 8 are welcome to participate.

For more information on The Crew, contact Andrew @ the Environment Network
at 705-446-0551 or community@environmentnetwork.org

Great Northern Exhibition

The Great Northern Exhibition is back.  This Friday you and your family are invited to a special Agriculture Education Day.  There will be free admission to the GNE grounds from 9am until 12 noon for any group of at least one adult with up to 6 children, an adult accompanied by at least one child will receive free admission.
www.greatnorthernex.com/

On the Run at Cameron Street

I am pleased to announce a new team of enthusiastic, energetic young men...I call
Boys on the Move.  This team consists of boys in Grade 5 and Grade 6 who are interested in physical fitness, endurance, nutrition and healthy living.  We met the other day after school.  Our guests were Town of Collingwood Fire Fighters Jesse and Chris.  Our team met their team at our Cameron Street Outdoor Classroom.  We talked about physical fitness and endurance and what this means to firefighters and the work they do.  Then, we walked up to the fire truck parked at the front of the school.  Jesse and Chris showed us much of the equipment they use to fight fires, perform rescues and save lives.  Some of the equipment is very heavy.  For firefighters, it takes their personal physical strength, force and motion to handle such equipment in a safe and secure way while on the job.  After that, the boys and I ran a series of laps around the school.  Next week, we plan to run again and create fresh fruit smoothies to enjoy after the practice.  One goal we are working toward is learning to run so that we may complete the CIBC Run for the Cure, October 2 in Collingwood.  This is very exciting for us.

Today, our Cameron Comets participated in the Terry Fox Walk and Run for Cancer Research.  Thank you for sending in your Toonies in Terry's memory and in memory of Terry's mother who passed away this year.  Mrs. Hammond and I ran with our Boys on the Move, Girls on the Run and members of the Cameron Comets Cross Country Running Team.

Mr. Comish and I will take our Junior Team to the Cross Country Fun Run next Tuesday at Fisher Field in Collingwood.  We are happy to coach the team.

Have a great weekend.

Welcome Back...We're on the Run

Hello everyone and welcome back to school.  We are coming out of the gate running so to speak.  This Friday is our Terry Fox Run and we also are excited about our Cameron Comets team in this year's CIBC Run for the Cure.  Please take a moment to read this message from Jen Nichol.  We would love to have you run with us that day. 

Jennifer Nichol

Last year I took on the role of the Fundraising Coordinator on the Cameron Street School Council and have had a blast helping raise money for the school.  

FUNdraising has been what I have been doing for the past 4 years.  It seems that I eat, sleep and breathe fundraising!  

I am a Volunteer Run Director for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in Collingwood.  I have been for 4 years now, and this year I have entered a Cameron team in the run, with one of my hopes being that I am able to hand over the school award to Cameron Cares this year!  

A Collingwood elementary school has never won the school award and I am hoping that changes this year!  

Over the past 6 years our Collingwood Run Site has raised over $800,000 for a future without breast cancer.  I have no doubt that this year, our 7th year as a run site, we will reach ONE MILLION dollars raised!  A huge milestone for our site!

It is my hope that we have a large Cameron Cares team!  Staff, Students and their families are all more then welcome to join, the more the better!  

http://www.runforthecure.com/ 

Location Collingwood, Team Name : Cameron Cares 

Thanks so much,

 Cameron Street School - Fundraising / Social Media Coordinator  &

 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, Run Director 

Hitting the Trail

Thank you to George and Ruth for leading the way Tuesday on the Collingwood Trails system.  This week, students from Mrs. Hare's, Mrs. Angel's and Mrs. Hall's class enjoyed our walk, learned some very interesting facts about our local, natural environment as well as found out what poison ivy looks like...the safe way...at a distance!  At Central Park, we enjoyed our picnic lunch as well as games thanks to the Environment Network staff.  Thank you so much!

DARE ~ Helping Kids to Resist Drugs and Violence

Each year, the Collingwood OPP offers a special program to Grade 6 students.  This program is known as DARE (Drug and Alcohol Resistence Education).  Throughout the program, students learn the potential risks and the dangers that both drugs and alcohol can pose.  The DARE program is designed to teach students ways to make decisions that are safe and appropriate.  Case studies, questions and responses as well as role playing take part in this 14 week program.  Police Constable Marcey Rivers also discussed such issues as bullying and cyber bullying with our students this year.  Last night, we held our DARE Graduation Ceremony.  On behalf of Miss Kitchener, Mr. Irion and PC Rivers, I thank the parents, family members and friends who attended the ceremony last evening.  Thank you to Brenda from TD Canada Trust, a sponsor the program and an Auxilary Officer herself.  Honourable mention goes to Morgan, Dylan and Hailey for presenting their DARE essays to the audience.  Well done, students!  Congratulations to all.

The Cameron Carnival is Here

Tomorrow is the Cameron Carnival.  I thank every School Council member and volunteer who has worked tirelessly to plan and organize this year's annual event.  Please come to the school between 5:00 pm ~ 8:00 pm and take your Family Passport to Carnival fun.  The admission price ($5.00 per child ~ adults are free) includes carnival activities and games.  There will also be a silent auction and raffle draw.  Elephant Thoughts will be here as well as Crafts with the Collingwood Public Library, Cupcake decorating with Loblaw Great Food, OPP Radar Baseball, Collingwood Gymnastics Club ~ and much much more.  You can eat dinner at the Carnival as well.  Men with Knives will be catering a BBQ and have different meal options for your family.  Bottled water will not be available for sale.  Instead, you are asked to bring in a reusable water bottle and enjoy the mobile hydration site, thanks to Quench Buggy.  Our Cameron Street Public School Global Club will have decorated cloth bags available for purchase.  Plan to be here...don't plan on missing it!  See you tomorrow at the Carnival.

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Soon, hopefully soon, we will bask in the sunlight.  We definitely need it to warm up a little...or a lot!  Next week the weather is supposed to improve.  Also, next week our Grade 8 students will be spending time in the nation's capital.  That's right, we are heading to Ottawa to see the sites, experience the culture and study history as we know it today.  In the meantime, our Grade 6 students will begin the EQAO provincial assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics.  This standardized assessment takes place each year at this time.  Keep in mind that next Friday June 3 is a Professional Activity Day, so there is no school for our students.  The following week, our Grade 3 students will take their opportunity to complete the EQAO assessment.  Our Track and Field event has been postponed to June 6.  It is hard to believe it is almost June.  For now, have a wonderful weekend.

School's in for Summer! Registration 2011

Elementary school students entering grades 7 or 8 in September 2011 may be interested in attending summer school in order to prepare for the up-coming school year.  This summer, students are invited to further develop and strengthen Numeracy skills in an interactive and engaging learning environment.  The program runs Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, August 15-26, 2011.  Summer school sites are established in six locations throughout the county and limited bussing is available.  Here in Collingwood, the program will take place at the SCDSB Collingwood Learning Centre.  Register online at http://www.scdsb.on.ca/.  Please contact Mr. Comish or me for additional information and computer login instructions.

Who ya gonna call?

Our number remains the same 705-445-2902 and now when you call Cameron Street Public School, you will be invited to select from a series of prompts including leaving a message for Safe Arrival, calling the Library, our Custodial Services, our Main Office, me or Mr. Comish.  Select from the various prompts and follow the steps.  All staff members have a voice mail box.  If you wish to leave a message for a staff member you will be invited to spell the surname and you can leave a message. You may press "0" to transfer to the office if you require immediate assistance.  If you are leaving a message for your child, please contact the Main Office and speak with Mrs. Plyley.

Education Week

Education Week is May 2 to 6, 2011.  The Simcoe County District School Board invites everyone to celebrate public education during this time.  Schools throughout the SCDSB will be marking the week with a wonderful range of special events and programs.  At our school, we are pleased to participate in the SCDSB Robotics Fair next Monday.  As well, our students will participate in the 7^th Annual Music Monday, a special event promoted by the Coalition for Music Education.  Like other students across the country, we will lead our students in the song “Tomorrow” by Luke Doucet.  The song was co-commissioned by the CBC and the Coalition for Music Education. It was recorded and produced in the CBC Vancouver Production Centre.  Through iTUNES, the song was downloaded for our use.  Proceeds from each download are directed to the Coalition for Music Education.  On Tuesday, our Primary and Junior students will meet Sharon Jennings up close and in person.  Jennings, the author of “C’mere Boy”, a 2011 Blue Spruce selection, is also a teacher and parent.  As I understand it, her three children used to be the inspiration for her many picture books and novels for young readers but then they had the nerve to grow up.  Fortunately, one of them brought home a puppy!  Our Annual Area Music Fest will take place Wednesday at Connaught Pubic School.  We are pleased to have many of our Primary students and their teachers attending the event which will showcase student choirs from many local schools.  Each Thursday in May, the Ontario Early Years Centre will host “Getting Ready for Kindergarten”, a program for parents whose children are making the transition from home or child care centres to the public school system.  This program will feature special presentations and discussion related to aspects of academic, social and physical growth and child development.  We are pleased to offer this program at our school.

Happy Earth Day

Please see Mr. Comish's blog for more information about our eWASTE fundraiser.  The cheque has been cut and we now have $587.60.  This is incredible.  At our EARTH DAY assembly earlier this morning, Mrs. Hall has asked staff and students to discuss ways we can use this money at our school.  Thank you to Metro Ontario Inc. and in particular, Collingwood Store Manage John for coming today to extend special recognition to our school.  The School Council had applied to the Green Apple School Program, a Metro Initiative.  We have $1000.00 to put toward our Outdoor Classroom.  Happy Earth Day tomorrow and Happy Easter to those who celebrate this special occasion.

Planting the SEEDs for EARTH DAY

I take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Hare, Miss Kitchener, members of the Environment Club and the Media Club for their dedication and commitment to our eWASTE initiative.  By the end of the school day last Friday, our trailer was completely filled with used and outdated electronic items.  Imagine a trailer filled with items that will be recycled and not end up in land fill.  We hope to soon have the results of our work – in terms of waste weight generated.  As you may have seen in last week’s Collingwood Connection, our school and our story was featured in the newspaper.  Mrs. Hall has contacted the SEEDS Foundation and because we have recorded 2000 green projects, we have now received EARTH SCHOOL 2 status.  This is the most perfect timing because we set this school goal and we have achieved it.  This year, EARTH DAY is Friday April 22 – Good Friday.  To celebrate,  members of our Environment Club and students from Mrs. Hall’s and Mrs. Hare’s classes will participate in a special presentation next Wednesday 12:45 p.m. at the Gayety Theatre.  On Thursday, we will honour our environment at our Cameron Cares Assembly scheduled to begin shortly after 9:00 a.m.  Because we care about our school yard, we welcome our Adopt the Yard program.  Check the School Council blog for additional information.  We all have a responsibility to ensure our yard is as neat, clean, tidy and garbage free as it can be!  Next Wednesday afternoon between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., our friends at Mountain View School will host an Earth Day Celebration.  You are invited to use reclaimed materials to make your own Robot Sculpture with artist Kevin MacLean.  This make and take craft is FREE and materials are provided.  Happy EARTH DAY.

Mr. Giffen

Thank You - Together, we have the POWER

On behalf our the Cameron Street Environment Club, and our school, I would like to thank you for submitting your EARTH HOUR ballot.  We continue to receive the ballots and have exceeded the required number we needed.  Yes, more than 49 ballots have been returned.  We have now reached our goal of EARTH SCHOOL 2 STATUS.  Please continue to submit your ballots if you haven't done so.

From April 4 to April 8, you can drop off your electronic waste at Cameron St. Public School.  GreenGo Recycling Depot will donate money for waste collected. You can help the environment and support your local school all at once! 

We will accept anything with a cord, circuit board, or battery associated to it. This does not include any large appliances. A list of acceptable items will be available online at cam.scdsb.on.ca.

Listen for us on THE PEAK FM CHATS program next Tuesday morning, April 5.

Power Down - The Power of One

This morning on our announcements, Briar and Tristan from the Environment Club shared this message with us:

"On Friday everyone will be getting a form that asks you what you did at home for Earth Hour.  Fill in the form and get it signed by your parent.  Return the form to school by Wednesday March 30 and Environment Club members will collect it for you.  Every form that is signed and returned will count as another Green Project.  Help Cameron Street become an EARTH SCHOOL 2 with 2000 GREEN projects and initiatives completed.  Each form will be entered into a draw for prizes.  The prizes are T-Shirts, activity booklets and stickers.  Each person does make a difference.  This is our school, our town, our country and our planet - let's keep it GREEN by using less energy.  So remember 'TURN IT OFF!'".

What a great message.  We look forward to receiving your form letting us know what you did at your house to recognize EART HOUR this Saturday evening, March 26.  Power down non essential lighting in your home for one hour this Saturday evening.  That is as simple and easy as it can be!  The power of one can be powerful for all of us!  Happy EARTH HOUR.

Mr. Giffen

Turn it Off, Turn it Off!

Welcome back.  I hope that you had some quality time with your family this March Break.  My family and I enjoyed our time together. 

This Friday afternoon, we are turning out the lights for an hour!  The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) launched an unprecedented campaign in Sydney, Australia in 2007 encouraging all citizens to turn off all non-essential lights for one hour.  When over 2 million people participated WWF decided to take the campaign world-wide.

Simcoe County District School Board has participated in this event for the past three years, and continues to see improvements and long-lasting effects from this event.  Earth Hour is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to environmental education. Not just by turning off the lights, but by turning on young minds.  We use Earth Hour as a learning opportunity, and a school project that will count to our EARTH SCHOOL 2 status (2000 environmental projects).  Our school goal is to reach this status by EARTH DAY in April.

This year’s Earth Hour lands on March 26^th for the world, how can you make a difference at your house?  Good luck!

The Big Crunch

 FoodShare invites us to take the Big Crunch challenge this Thursday afternoon at 2:30. I will bring apples for students to enjoy. FoodShare is an organization that promotes health and nutrition and a better understanding of local and global initiatives related to food production and consumption. It is important that we stay well fed and well nourished. Our students will enjoy a locally grown apple. From the blossom to the bushel basket, apples provide a healthy and nutritious snack for millions around the world. FoodShare was founded in 1985 by then Mayor of Toronto, Art Eggleton, and others concerned about the growth of hunger and food banks that had taken place in the wake of the recession of the early 1980’s. FoodShare’s original mandate was to co-ordinate emergency food services, and to collect and distribute food. For more information, please visit www.foodshare.net

Keep Active, Have Fun and Stay Safe

In keeping with our theme Keeping Active, Having Fun and Staying Safe, students throughout the school have been working with particular stories and articles related to winter activities for children and how to help children actively participate and at the same time, reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and manage personal safety and the safety of others.  Responding to the story, Grandpa Dan's Toboggan Ride by Suzan Reid, Kindergarten students in Ms Nicholl's class shared their thoughts about how the characters in the story could be more safe and their reasons why.  First, the students had to identify unsafe situations on Page 10 of the story.  Well done students!  Their fine work is posted on display in the main hall.  Come by and see!

Have an active, fun and safe weekend.
Mr. Giffen

Keeping Active, Having Fun and Staying Safe

February is Fun-tastic.  If you like winter then you can accept and appreciate the weather that comes with it.  Even though we may not see the sun as much as we would like, the winter months still have a lot to offer.  Many of our students participate in organized winter sports and activities like skiing, snow boarding, skating, hockey while others simply enjoy hiking, playing and building outdoors in the snow.  Keeping active, having fun and staying safe is important to us and this belief has become our school theme this month.  I believe it is important to encourage children to keep active and have fun, especially in winter.  At the same time, it is important to teach children and remind them of the particular safety risks associated with their activities and their playtime.  Helping students to manage their personal safety, the safety of others and to reduce the risk of injuries are very important lessons.  I say to students that accidents are less likely to occur at all when we behave, be appropriate and be safe. 

February is Fun-Tastic.  This month, we celebrate active and healthy living.  This is one of our school goals.  Thank you Mrs. Hare's class for leading the way in the iWalk Winter Walk to School Day last Wednesday.  Thank you to the Canadian Ski Cross Team for coming to Cameron Street this week and for treating our staff and students like VIPs at the competition at Blue Mountain.  What a great experience!

This coming week our Grade 7 students will keep active, have fun and learn more about staying safe outdoors in winter at the Mansfield Education Centre.  We also invite you to our Active Family night on Wednesday February 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Bring a headlamp or flashlight and join us in an evening snow shoe on the school property.  Receive a passport and visit the displays and demonstrations we have to offer.  Join our Healthy Lunch How To and help your child make lunch for school the next day.  We hope to see you there.  So remember, keep active, have fun and stay safe.

It's Elementary - Rogers Television

We're on the air!  A reminder that the program, "It's Elementary" will air this Sunday February 6 at 7 p.m. and again Monday February 7 at 6 a.m.  I understand that a DVD copy of the program will be sent to the school.  If so, then we can make it available for families to borrow, watch and return. 

Have a great weekend.

We Appreciate our Custodians

Cameron Cares about our Custodians, Mr. Fifield and Mr. McQueen.  Next week is Custodian Appreciation Week throughout the Simcoe County Districk School Board.  Our Director and Chairperson of the Board also recognize our SCDSB Custodial Staff.  Here is their message I want to share with our school community.

Thank You SCDSB Custodians!

The Simcoe County District School Board’s Custodian Appreciation Week takes place February 7 – 11.

This special week provides all of us with an opportunity to formally recognize SCDSB custodians for the many services they provide to create safe and supportive environments for learning and working. Through their conscientious efforts and commitment, our custodians play key roles in Simcoe County’s public education community. Custodian Appreciation Week is designed not only to thank our custodial staff for their exceptional work, but to highlight the importance of the contributions they make in our schools and facilities every day.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration, we invite all staff, students, and school communities to join us in celebrating our custodians.

********

Dear SCDSB Custodians,

Thank you

for your dedication,

for your skills,

for your team approach,

for your many acts of generosity,

for your support of staff and students,

for your commitment to a job well done,

for everything you do with so much pride in the service of public education.

Please enjoy your week!

With our heartfelt appreciation,

Debra Edwards, Chairperson
& Kathi Wallace, Director of Education,

On behalf of the entire SCDSB team!

Keep Active, Have Fun, Stay Safe

Active Family Night

Cameron Street Public School

Wednesday February 16, 2011

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm

Evening Snow Shoe...(snow shoes provided)

Power for Bones...

Dance Dance Revolution...

Elephant Thoughts Gyroscope...

          Collingwood Gymnastics Club...

           A Healthy Lunch ‘How to make your own’

          Cameron Comet Dancers…

Healthy, Nutritious Snacks available for purchase

Family Literacy Day is tomorrow...Let's Get Reading

Claire in Mrs. Wegner's class recommends the Spider Wick Chronicles (fantasy) by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black because of the fun creatures, magic and Mallory.  This story is about three ordinary kids who have a magic book their uncle made.  If they step out of the circle of mushrooms, then they can get hurt by goblins!

Brianna from Mrs. Hall's class recommends you read Zoo Break (fiction) by Gorden Korman.  This book is about a monkey who was stolen by a zoo keeper and was put on a floating zoo.  Her owner and friends plan a zoo break for all the animals and put them in their house instead of another zoo!  Brianna says the book, "has humour and it will teach you a lesson if you own a zoo, take care of animals properly or else something bad could happen."

Thank you Claire and Brianna for sharing your love of reading and recommending good books to others.  Your ballots have been entered into our Read All About it Draw.  We will announce our winner at this month's CAMERON CARES ASSEMBLY (Friday afternoon at 12:15).

Read All About It

Thank you Mrs. Thompson for submitting your Read All About it Ballot. 

My Name:  Mrs.Thompson

Book Title:  Wounded

Book Author:  Eric Walters

Type of Book:  (Realistic Fiction) From our Red Maple program for grades 7 and 8 students ..Thanks to our School Council for Providing Our Funds for the Tree Programs!

This book is about a group of students who go to school together.  Their families are all somehow involved with peace keeping in Afghanistan. 

Wounded is an action packed novel told by two friends who both have Dads who are Canadian peacekeepers.  This book deals with some of the emotions and wounds of peace keepers and their families. 

I would recommend this book to anyone (beyond grade 7) who is interested in family and group dynamics through crisis.  This is a quick read that is action packed.  I would give this book two thumbs up! 

It's Elementary

Rogers Television Collingwood is at Cameron Street Public School this week.  We are pleased that our school will be featured in an upcoming episode of the the program “It’s Elementary”.  Earlier in the school year, our Media Club, under the direction of Miss Kitchener and Mrs. Berger had invited Rogers Television to come to Cameron.  So here they are, to visit and to find out everything Cameron!  We have student hosts, special guests and features to show our television audience in that Cameron Cares.  Taping today went very well.  Our students were very cooperative and very helpful.  More taping will occur tomorrow to get the 'full story' of just how great Cameron Street Public School is.  I believe the program will air in early February.  Check your local listings.

Read All About it

Family Literacy Day

Thursday January 27, 2011

Cameron Street Public School

Presents

Read All About It!

WHO:    Our students, our staff and our families

WHAT:  Let’s  Read All About It! That is the smart thing to do.  We read to learn.  We read to imagine.  We read to communicate.  We read for fun!

WHERE:  Hand in your entry to Mr. Giffen’s mailbox or email Mr. Giffen mgiffen@scdsb.on.ca .  Mr. Giffen will share your entry with the school and place your name into the draw to receive a Read All About It! prize.

WHY:  It is important to share good books with other people and to communicate our reasons why we recommend such books to others.

HOW:  Tell Mr. Giffen what you are reading right now.  Name the author, the illustrator of a book you have recently read and recommend.  Write a brief summary of the book to tell why you recommend it.

WHEN:  Hand in or send your entry to Mr. Giffen to celebrate Family Literacy Day by Thursday January 27, 2011.   On his blog, Mr. Giffen will share your entry with others and will make the Read All About It! prize draw on Friday January 28, 2011.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let’s Get Reading!

Read all about it Ballot

My name: __________________    Book Title: __________________________

Author:     __________________    Type of Book: _______________________

This book is about ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I recommend this book because ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clip, complete and return to Mr. Giffen or email mgiffen@scdsb.on.ca

Go Gameron Comets...Go Green!

Cameron Street Public School is a proud and hard working member of The Green Schools Program.  The Green Schools Program is easy and exciting for our staff and students.  Our school has been very active in taking environmental action. The GREEN Schools Program provides recognition and focus to that effort. Our goal is to build a strong school image in the community. This program encourages students to be environmentally responsible and to take personal action at school and with their families. Classes undertake projects to communicate about or to enhance the environment. Classes then log their project results and report them to The Green Schools Program. By keeping records of our achievements over the years, we worked towards 100 projects to become recognized as an environmental Green School.  We achieved Jade status (250), then Emerald status (500) and ultimately Earth School with 1,000 completed projects. There are 261 Earth Schools in Canada.  To date, we are just 162 projects shy of Earth School 2 status (2,000).  We want to meet our goal of achieving Earth School 2 status this Earth Day in April.  We know we can do it!  Take time to speak to your children about some of the projects and initiatives they have completed on our journey.  Your ideas and your help to meet our goal are more than welcome.  We are on this journey together with our school community.

(Program statistics show that over 563,650 projects have been completed under this program at more than 8,000 Canadian elementary schools.)