BERWICK & DISTRICT SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

November 2016 Berwick & District School is a scent, coconut oil, shellfish&

nut aware school. Please do not bring or have these products in our school.

Thanks very much. We appreciate your help.

Follow us on Twitter @BerwickSchool

Check out the website http://www.berwickschool.ednet.ns.ca/

Early Dismissals/No School:

Friday, November 11th, 2016 NO School – Remembrance Day

Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 Early Dismissal @ 11:45 am

Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 NO School – Regional In-Service

Day

Principal’s Message:

For me, the month of November is a somewhat sombre time of the year. The last traces of

summer have left, the newness has worn off the school year and winter begins to show us that it is

just around the corner. At the same time we take time, this month to remember and give thanks to

those who fought and died to help protect our freedoms and our way of life. November, for many

of us, is a time of reflection, of community and of gathering together.

As we enter November I continue to feel encouraged and impressed by the learning opportunities

and activities our students are involved in at Berwick and District School. There are many

examples of student leadership and community building at our school. During the past month

students, staff and parents participated in the FCC Drive Away Hunger program. This year’s

program was a huge success and Berwick and District School was a big part of that success. This

year a record 6.75 million meals were collected for food banks across Canada. This year our

school collected over 600 pounds of non-perishable food items. That’s an amazing feat, with a

huge impact on a great number of people in our own community.

Just as we teach our students to give back to their community it is important for them to learn that

they are not alone and are indeed a part of a greater community. Last month we held an assembly

to announce that Wilson’s Pharmasave is sponsoring our school music program to the tune of

$3500. At the assembly we talked about how being part of a community means that we are never

alone and that we always look for ways to help each other. Thanks and recognition to Wilson’s

for stepping up to help an important part of our curriculum and school community.

Another way that our students learned that they are part of a wonderful community was through

the fun Family Dance put on for both students and parents by the PTSA. This year we had the

largest crowd ever for the Halloween Family Dance. A healthy amount of money was raised by

PTSA which will be used to fund special projects at the school.

This year, as last year, the Berwick Legion will be holding their Remembrance Day ceremony at

BDS on November 11. We will have two students from the SLC representing the school at this

ceremony. They will be laying a wreath in memory of fallen Canadian soldiers. Please consider

coming to the ceremony and bringing your children so they can participate in this very important

community event.

November also means that the first set of student report cards will be going home. These reports

give you a window into your child’s learning as well as an opportunity for communication with

your child’s teacher about how and what they are learning and developing. Please take advantage

the opportunity to read these reports with your child and to make an appointment during parent

teacher to discuss them with your child’s teacher.

Thank you all, again, for the ways that you support your children and this school.

Sincerely

Bill Doucet

Just a few reminders:

BDS is a scent free school. Please be conscious that there are a number of staff and students who

are very sensitive to strong scents and students and visitors should not wear perfumes or strong

smelling hand cream, shampoos, body lotions etc, while at school. We thank you for your

understanding and cooperation in this matter.

The bus loop is not open to cars from 8:00 am til 8:45 am and from 2:30 pm til 3:05 pm. At

this time only our busses may be in that area. We ask that parents please enter and leave through

the parking lot entrance during this time.

SCHOOL NEWS:

Photo Retakes will take place on Friday, November 4th in the am.

Primary Registration: If you have a child turning 5 on or before December 31st, 2016 and

you live in the Berwick & District School catchment area, please contact the school to register for

our upcoming Primary Registration at 902-538-4720

PTSA Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15th at 6:30 pm.

Craft Fair: Berwick and District School’s Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, November

5th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

Cafeteria News: Thank you Parents for filling out your child's pre-order slips! Just a

reminder if your child is ordering an item that has condiments please select what they would

like! It makes doing our orders easier! We send home notices when meal card funds get low so

they don't end up owing money! Thank you

Remembrance Day BDS Service: The Remembrance Day Service for Berwick &

District School will be held on Tuesday, November 8th at 1:15 pm in the School’s Gym. The

Community Legion Remembrance Day Service will be held on November 11th in the school gym.

Magazine Campaign will come to a close on November 17th. All students attended a

“Magazine Kick Off” assembly on October 27th and received their campaign envelope. Our

Online ID# is 3783040 and the Access Code is 4466868.

Report Cards will be sent home on Thursday, November 24th, 2016.

Middle Level Dance will take place on Tuesday, November 29th at 6;30pm.

AVRSB Survey on French Immersion: Parents/guardians, students and school

community members are invited to share comments on French Immersion in AVRSB through an

online survey in November. The feedback collected through this survey will be considered during

a review of the board’s French Immersion policy and administrative procedures over the coming

months. Throughout November, any interested individuals can go to

http://fluidsurveys.com/s/avrsb_immersion to complete a survey, or visit an AVRSB school to

access the survey.

Makery News: "Mondays are Open Make Nights! These are open nights where you have

two options: Learn something new – you can learn from what others are working on, and we

will always have a few things set out to feed your curiosity. Bring a project you’ve been

working on, or have been afraid to start, and work on it in a supportive and friendly environment.

We have lots of tools and resources, maybe we have what (or who) you need! Open Make

GrandMa’s Kitchen If you would like to help out by donating to the Breakfast Program, the

following items are always needed:

Multi grain Cherrios

Frosted Mini Wheats

Apple Juice/Orange Juice

Monetary Donations (This allows GrandMa to purchase other needed

items as well)

Nights are run by a volunteer Makery Program Facilitator in the HIVE (Family Studies Room of

Berwick District School) from 6-8 pm. For more info call call 538-0520; or visit

https://theberwickmakery.wordpress.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/theberwickmakery/

The theme for November is “Cooking” and the Topic schedule is as follows: November 7th

“Canning and Preserving”; November 14th Fast Treats; November 21st “Gluten Free; and

November 28th “Christmas Cookies”. Cost is $2.00 per session.

COMMUNITY NOTICES: Items in this section announce activities in which students or their family members are likely to participate. These are activities,

which the school does not sponsor nor necessarily encourage – they are here for your information only.

Orchards Away: 25th Annual Ticket Auction and Christmas Tea will take place on Sunday, November 27th, 2016 at the Royal Canadian Legion Ortona #69 – Main St. Berwick. Doors open at Noon and the Draw’s start at 2:00 pm. Admission is Adults $3.00; School Age Children $2.00; and PreSchoolers $1.00. Admission includes Tea/Coffee, sandwiches and desserts. Tickets are $1.00 per envelope (20 tickets per envelope). 50/50 tickets will also be available, and Raffle Tickets on sale for Various Draws. For more information call 902-538-7790.

KEYSS: Kings Early Years Screening for School: KEYSS Clinics are a community partnered program and offer parents valuable information on child development, preschool behaviors, school readiness, healthy living, physical activity, child safety and community resources. Our expertise provides an interactive experience for children and their parents. Screening includes preschool development, hearing, speech, gross and fine motor and vision. Our professionals are able to inform families about available programs and services in Kings County. A total of nine KEYSS Clinics take place during October and November each year at various Kings County elementary schools. The clinics are not school specific so you may attend which ever location or date is most convenient for you and your family. Any three year old living in the area is encouraged to register and make valuable community connections. Please call 902-678-6111 or register online at www.valleychilddevelopment.ca

Mary’s Islanders Dance Studio is hosting an Elf Party at Santa’s Workshop on November 19th from 12=4:00 pm at Roo’s Playhouse in Greenwood Mall. Cost is $5.00. There will be Craft Cookie Decorating, Photo Booth, Face Painting, Grinch Juice and a Colouring Contest.

Berwick & District Nursery School - A non-Profit Parent co-operative 538-9680 berwickpreschool@eastlink.ca is now accepting Registration for The 2016-2017 School Year! Morning classes available and Afternoon classes are Dependent on enrolment. Your Child will…….be nurtured by a well planned environment. ….begin working with numbers & letters.….build a positive self-imagE. ….participate in arts, crafts AND SHARING TIME.….have fun! Fully qualified and trained ECE staff: Get your child ready for elementary school!

Efficiency NS: Free Product install<http://www.efficiencyns.ca/energy-solutions/home-installation-solutions/> - Absolutely FREE, Trinity will install energy efficient products in your home such as: LEDs or other efficient lighting; LED nightlight and Smart Power Strip. If you currently heat your water with electricity, you may also receive: Water saving shower heads and aerators & Electric hot water tank & pipe wrap Call Trinity Inspections Service 1-855-695-3010tel:1-855-695-3010 Home Warming Program<http://homewarming.ca> - FREE energy assessment and FREE home upgrades to income-qualified homeowners. Call Efficiency Nova Scotia at 1-877-434-2136<tel:1-877-434-2136>. Based on max household income on line 236 on Notice of Assessment: 1 person $20,952; 2 to 4 people $38,931; 5 or more people $55,444

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP - WOLFVILLE!!! Third Wednesday each month, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Starting October 15th. Boardroom, KC Irving Science Centre Building, Acadia University Campus, Wolfville... If you are a caregiver of a child, teen or adult with autism and would like to get together with others to share your experiences, consider stopping by for our first meeting on October 15th. The group will be led by Annapolis Valley Chapter of Autism NS Co-Chair, Valerie Wohlmuth. If you'd like to attend, just drop us a quick RSVP at 375-3031 or avautism@gmail.com so we know how much coffee, tea and snacks to bring!

The AVSSC, Annapolis Valley Speed Skating Club: We would like everyone to know that AVSSC will be holding an after-school program which is FREE to all school aged kids! It will be taking place at the Credit Union Centre Kingston on Fridays starting November 18th from 4:45-5:45pm. We supply the skates but ask that children bring their own helmet, thick mitts and warm clothes to wear on the ice! We have a few helmets to lend if needed. If you are interested in trying the sport or just love to go fast, we would love to see you there!!! valleyspeedskate@gmail.com

Do you find it hard to help your children with homework? Would you like to improve your reading and writing skills? Do you wish your math skills were stronger? Is your spelling a little too “creative”? Do you have trouble filling out forms? The Valley Community Learning Association is committed to help adults reach their learning goals. If you want to upgrade your skills, get your GED, or become involved as a volunteer, contact the Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) at 679-5252, or toll free 1-866-898-7323. All our programs are free! www.vcla.ca

Healthy Living Feature

Berwick & District School is a scent, coconut oil, shellfish&

nut aware school. Please do not bring or have these products in our school.

Thanks very much. We appreciate your help.

Head Lice, although a nuisance, is no longer considered a health issue in today’s society. One preventative

measure is to check your child/children on a regular basis, every two or three days. If you find lice, please

treat your child/children and then return them to school.

Cut and Clip Recipe