What's Happening At Sheridan	June 2010 Newsletter

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Thank you to our Volunteers

Each year at this time we take a moment to show our wonderful volunteers just how much we appreciate them. Whether you come to help once a year at a special event or are here every day, you make a huge positive difference.

Sheridan volunteers help students with reading, writing, math and a variety of other subjects. You keep our students well fed and run activities to help students understand themselves better and get some great exercise. You plan, arrange, organize and pay for special events at the school and you help supervise events that take our students away from school on trips or athletic adventures. You keep our Webpage up to date and looking great so that our community remains well informed about all Sheridan happenings. You raise funds to pay for added value resources and activities like SMART board systems, field trips and in-school learning activities. Volunteers wrap gifts at our Holiday Bazaar, attend School Council and EcoSchools meetings, and run after-school programs. Volunteers make sure that all of our kids arrive at school safely and do as well as possible on assessments. This year, volunteers have also been responsible for the Ground Greening part of our EcoSchools initiative.

Clearly, the school experience for Sheridan students is greatly enhanced by the help of our wonderful volunteers. We hope to see many of you at our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, June 16 at 12:30 p.m. in the Library. Please call the office to let us know if you are able to attend.

Report Card Information

To: Parents/Guardians of HDSB Grade 1-8 students

The Ontario government has revised the provincial report card and the report card dates.

Previously your child has received three term report cards in November, March and June. Starting in September 2010, all Grade 1-8 students in Ontario will be bringing home an Elementary Progress Report Card in November and an Elementary Provincial Report Card in February and June.

The first Elementary Progress Report Card you receive in November will not contain grades or numerical marks. The focus of this progress report will be on six learning skills: responsibility, organization, independent work, collaboration, initiative and self-regulation. These learning skills create the foundation for success and are essential in the preparation for post-secondary education and the world of work. The focus of subject reporting will be on describing a student's general progress in working toward the achievement of the curriculum expectations. These will be communicated and organized as strengths and next steps. This Elementary Progress Report Card will be followed by a parent/guardian, student (as appropriate) and teacher conference on November 12, 2010.

You will receive Elementary Provincial Report Cards in February and June that contain grades or numerical marks along with descriptive comments. This Elementary Provincial Report Card will also contain the same six learning skills.

For more information visit: www.edu.gov.on.ca

Healthy Snack

Our third year providing healthy snacks to Sheridan's students is coming to an end! The Sheridan Healthy Snack Team's mandate is to make sure that students are being provided with a healthy snack option twice a week. We also want to ensure that no Sheridan student goes hungry during the school day so this year we implemented the Sheridan Healthy Basket program which has been a great success!

Did you know that studies indicate that students who are hungry have difficulty concentrating, may display behavioral problems, and are less alert and often lethargic? We know that what children eat profoundly affects their ability to learn. Working families, demanding schedules, or simply a child's lack of interest in eating breakfast are some of the reasons children come to school hungry. We've noticed that the students are often trying something new (even picky eaters will join in because they see their classmates enjoying the food.

The final snack day will be Thursday, June 10th. For the month of June we will not have a formal menu as we use up our existing stock- applesauce, crackers & cheese, cream cheese & melba toast, as well as lots of fruits and vegetables will be served. It has been a wonderful year and we believe that all of the students at Sheridan have enjoyed their Wednesday and Thursday snack.

We'd like to thank the Halton Food for Thought organization for providing funding to make sure that we are able to feed our students. And of course the program wouldn't be possible without the amazing Healthy Snack Team volunteers: Ann Carbray, Sherri Coutts, Mayling Chung, Heather Brooks, Jill Sprawson and Hanlie Jacobs as well as Mrs. Dionisio's 4th Grade Class who enthusiastically show up every week to help deliver the snacks to each of the classrooms. We'd also like to thank Mr. Ferreria for his help in making sure we were all set up in the kitchen every Wednesday and Thursday!

It takes a lot of people to make this program work and we're always looking for volunteers. If you'd like to volunteer for the 2010-2011 school year (either as part of the team which creates the menus, a snack shopper or as kitchen preparation help (Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 9:15AM to approximately 11AM), please feel free to contact me at four_fergusons@hotmail.com or (905) 582-9160.

We wish everyone a happy & healthy summer holiday!

Danielle Ferguson,
Sheridan Healthy Snack Co-ordinator

Sheridan staff and students extend a huge thank you to Danielle Ferguson for coordinating this highly valued program.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

Staff Appreciation Luncheon

One of school council's favourite events is celebrating the Sheridan staff. The Sheridan staff are a pleasure to work with and we applaud their commitment to educating and inspiring our children. This year, we have set aside May 31st to host an appreciation lunch. Thank you to all the Sheridan parents that have signed up to provide a donation to make this event possible. School Council would like to also extend a special thank you to Karen Curtis for organizing the event.

Next Council Meeting

We invite all Sheridan parents to get involved in the life of our school and in the processes that shape it. Our monthly meetings are an excellent way to do so.

Please join us at our next council meeting scheduled for Monday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the staff room. We will be voting on the updated constitution as well as discussing funding items such as a die cut machine and an additional SMART board system.

All Sheridan parents are welcome to attend and participate in our discussions.

Hope to see you there.

Eco News

Eco FAST FACT

Did you know that 2010 is the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity?

Saturday, May 22 was the annual International Day of Biodiversity. To find out about biological diversity go to:http://www.biodiversitydayinfo/  You may also watch an 8 minute video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1VYmpTikgw

Interested in Conservation?

There will be an Oakville Conserves Energy Fair at the Oakville Town Hall, at 1225 Trafalgar Road, on Saturday, May 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Visit www.oakville.ca for more details.
You may also telephone 905-845-6601, ext. 391.

Annual Back Pack Drive

For the third year, Panago Pizza is partnering with local schools and organizations to provide backpacks and school supplies to needy children around the world.

Kids can drop off their gently used pack backs at Panago pizza located at 2460 Neyagawa Blvd. for a coupon for a small pizza, redeemable at any Panago pizza location.