District School Board of Niagara

From the Principal’s Desk...

Many children love computers, and in terms of literacy education, there is a growing body of research showing that electronic talking books (ETB’s) can help children learn to read through support features offered, such as narrations, feedback and sound effects. ETB’s can also encourage children to read. It has been established that reading at home is linked to higher achievement in reading (Allington, 2006). Further, family literacy is an important facet of children’s literacy learning, and the staff at Greendale School feel very strongly that there needs to be a relationship between

websites that have EBT’s and other wonderful tools to engage your child in reading at home: storynory.com; raxkids.com; www.roythezebra.com ; www.storylineonline.net. Our Learning Commons also has a large selection of Playaways in stock for students to borrow.

April 2017

Spring is Here The nice weather is approaching and students are anxious to ride their bicycles, roller blades and skateboards to school. Please be reminded of a few rules: bicycles, skateboards and roller blades must

be walked on school property. Students are not allowed to ride their bicycles, skateboards and

roller blades on school property Police.

bicycles must be locked in the bike racks. that he/she

be accompanied by an adult to and from school.

Gator Gazette

Student of the Month

Congratulations to the fol-lowing students who were selected as “Students of the Month” who demonstrated perseverance which is being stead-fastness in doing something despite difficulty or de-lay in achieving success

KDG 1— Elisa N., Makaiia B., Noah W.

KDG 2— Kailyne B., Ayra S., Damon M.

KDG3— Violet W., Logan W., Abby B.

1-1— Jaden H.

1/2— Robbie D., Quinntin R.

2-1— Grant B., Madison K.

3-1— Kaylie W.

3-2— Maya B., Mason W.

4-1— Hunter T., Alyse W.

5-1— Elizabeth D., Kristine N., Aidan N.

6-1— Gavin B., Arham M., Damian Z.

7/8-1— Danish M., Amanda H., Alex N.

7/8-2— Matthew B., Alivia C., Matthew P., Elena M.

SEFS— Sam S.

Greendale’s Junior Coding Club

code using coding computer programs and robots called Ozobots. The Coding

for Coding Club meet times.

Grad Photos April 4th, 2017

TRACK AND FIELD for Grades 4 to 8

Park in Niagara Falls. (We do not have a rain date scheduled yet.) Once the bus has picked us up at Greendale, we will start at Oakes Park thereafter. Our day finishes at 3pm when the bus returns to Oakes Park and drives us back to Greendale in time for regular dismissal. ALL parents and extended family are encouraged to come out and support their son/daughter. We ask

of a race for instance. If you have any questions on the day of the event, please direct them to staff members or administrators that are not running an event at that time. It is important that ALL students in grade 4 to 8 sign up for 2 track and 2 field events. Some eager students sign up each event!

The categories are: Atom (up to 9 years old as of December 31st,2016)

Peewee (10 to 11 years old as of December 31st, 2016) Bantam (12 years old as of December 31s, 2016) Midget (13 years old as of December 31st,2016)

The events are:

* Track: 100 M, 200 M, 400 M, 800 M, 1500 M, and 400 M Relay

During the month of April to prepare the students, the events will be introduced to the grade 4 students and a review to the older grades during their gym classes.

A few reminders to our students...

· Snack Bar...will be open and will have a variety of goodies · Water bottles...will NOT be sold at the Snack Bar so students will need to bring their own water bottle with

their name on it · Attendance...will be taken at each event and if a student is not at their event they

will be marked absent ·

and near the snack bar building ·

at the ribbon table (for instance...if your child came in 1st in the long have completed

their 3 jumps.) · Food...students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks and to clean up after themselves · Track and Field Assembly: We will once again give special recognition to the student in each division

(top boy and top girl) at an assembly (usually at the Student of the Month Assembly). · Regional Track and Field: A second Track and Field Meet will be held at Oakes Park on Thursday, May

11th. However, ONLY the top TWO athletes per event, per age group will advance and ONE relay team, per age group.

If parents have any questions or concerns, please contact the school.

Track and Field ~ Wednesday, April 26, 2017 ~ Oakes Park

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Public Health—Dental Department

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy

Children can receive a free fluoride varnish application from the Niagara Region Public Health dental program. Fluoride varnish is a protective coating that is painted onto the teeth with a tiny brush. It helps reduce cavities if applied twice a year.

Why do we recommend fluoride varnish?

Tooth decay is the number one chronic disease of children In the 2015/2016 school year over 25,000 school-aged children

children were identified having as having cavities. Untreated cavities can lead to difficulties eating and sleeping, self-esteem issues, decreased school performance and attendance, pain, discomfort, infection and poor overall health Fluoride is not added to Niagara’s drinking water

Tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy…

Brush teeth two times per day Use a pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste Spend two minutes brushing each time with help from an adult Floss daily Provide a healthy diet and limit sugary drinks, sticky candy and snacks. Water is best. Schedule regular dental checkups at least once a year (cleaning, fluoride varnish application and sealants).

For more information on dental services and programs please call the Dental Health Line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7399 or visit www.niagararegion.ca/health.

REMEMBER TOOTH DECAY IS A PREVENTABLE DISEASE!

Greendale Public School

Pink Shirt Day: February 22

and bullying prevention.

a time when they were either bullied or witnessed an incident of bullying and on how we together can STAND UP to bullying.

Blue Spruce Book Club

in a weekly book club. For the past 10 weeks, students have been listening to and discussing 10 different picture books. On

picture book and have an ice cream party

would like to thank all of the Blue Spruce members for their dedication to the book club.

Over the past few months many junior and intermediate students have been participating in the Silver Birch

to promote reading for enjoyment and to increase awareness of quality Canadian literature. Students meet during breaks to read and discuss many fiction and non-fiction books. Next

On May 5th several students may have the opportunity to attend a Silver Birch and Red Maple Student Conference.

Page 4 Gator Gazette

and hard fought games. The team has improved in their dribbling and shooting and displayed

, Dayna, Abby V., Katarina, Abby T., Eden and Ruba.

Junior Girls Basketball ...

At Greendale we are committed to supporting growth in the whole child. Both mental and physical well being are important parts of your child's success at school. As our society becomes more and more fast paced it is important for students to know they also need to take the time for themselves and their emotions. Below are websites/Apps that can be used at home to support your child mental health and well being. Stop Breath & Think Meditation (with options for specific topics ie. kindness) Go Noodle.com (movement break, yoga, calming/flow activities) calm.com (relaxing music, guided meditation)

Minds on! Mental Health ...

Silver Birch and Red Maple Reading Club …

· This year at Greendale, our basketball season was a lot of fun. Even though we lost most of our games, we improved greatly and tried our best. (Joevince & Arham)

· We've been practicing and working hard. You can see that in our style of play. (Aldin, Andrew & Bao) · The basketball season has been great and the team has been very nice to practice with. (Kade) · We fought very hard as a team, and were proud for each point and no one shot in our own net this year...Damian! (Ethan & VQ)

· Thank you to our Junior coaches, for their dedication and coaching skills. (Hau V., Joshua B. and Jake W.)

, Hoa V. #30, Joevince Q. #7, Joseph B. #18, Kade M. #19, Logan K.#24, Olivier B. #38, Tyler S. #8, Va'Quwyen B. #21 Signing out for another year, Ms. D. & Ms. H.

Boys Jr. Basketball ...

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Dreambox Challenge for March …

a classroom challenge. The class that has the highest average of lessons completed will win a pizza and ice cream party!

and practice.

· Talk about math in a positive way. A positive attitude about math is infectious.

· Encourage persistence. Some problems take time to solve.

· Encourage your child to experiment with different approaches to mathematics. There is often more than one way to solve a math problem.

· Encourage your child to talk about and show a math problem in a way that makes sense (i.e., draw a picture or use material like macaroni).

· When your child is solving math problems ask questions such as: Why did you...? What can you do next?

about mathematics.

· Connect math to everyday life and help your child understand how math influences them (i.e. shapes of traffic signs, walking distance to school, telling time).

· Play family math games together that add excitement such as checkers, junior monopoly, math bingo and uno.

· with your child. Dreambox is a perfect computer math program that supports the Ontario Math Curriculum and our teachers can cater the program to support individual students.

· Talk with your child’s teacher about difficulties he/she may be experiencing. When teachers and parents work together, children benefit.

Adapted from information provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Helpful Math Tips for Parents and Guardians ...

Breakfast Club ...

Breakfast Club runs Monday through Friday and opens at 8:40 a.m.

Students enjoy eating alongside their peers a variety of breakfast items such as: grilled cheese, bagels, muffins, yogurt tubes and cereal, all meeting Canada’s Food Guide Criteria.

If you would like to donate to Breakfast Club, please contact Mrs. Rindfleisch.