Many schools and jurisdictions look at anti-bullying campaigns to assist in

making community aware of how to deal with a person who continuously uses

strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker. There is much

research to support the idea of raising resilient children, teaching them the

tools they need to respond to the challenges of childhood and to develop these

skills into adulthood. Resiliency is much more than simply dealing with con-

flict, it focuses on the skills necessary to deal with many situations, in which

we all encounter.

Today’s families are under tremendous stress with the potential to damage both

physical and psychological well-being.

This year we will continue to examine the 10 Tips for Building Resilience in

Children and Teens provided by Sue Cook, Family TLC Divorce Coach and

Family Specialist. So far we have examined: Making Connections, Help your

child by having them help others, Maintain a daily routine, Take a break,

Teach your child self-care, Move towards your goals, Nurture a positive self-

view, Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook and Look for

opportunities for self-discovery. This month’s tip is: Accept that change is part

of living.

Accept that change is part of living

Change often can be scary for children and teens. Help your child see that

change is part of life and new goals can replace goals that have become unat-

tainable. In school, point out how students have changed as they move up in

grade levels and discuss how that change has had an impact on the students.

BYOD implementation Gr. 5 and Gr. 6 for 2016/17

The feedback that you provided during Parent Teacher Student Interviews last month, with regards to

Namao School implementing “Bring Your Own Device” for students in Grades 5 and 6 next year, was

very valuable. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive while parents and students had many ques-

tions. Parents, students and teachers are very excited about the many opportunities that having your own

personal device for learning at school and at home will provide. At our next Parent Council Meeting on

April 19 at 6:30 pm in Namao School’s Learning Common, we will have guests from Gibbons School

come and speak with parents and answer any questions they may have regarding their own experiences

with BYOD. Gibbons School has implemented a BYOD program for the last 4 years from Grades 5 to 9.

At school we would promote the effective, ethical and educational use of technology with our students.

This means that students would bring their own personal devices to school as part of their educational sup-

plies.

This exciting opportunity does not come without some obstacles. Together we would be responsible to

educate students on the proper use of the device, the educational opportunities, internet safety, responsible

use, care and maintenance.

We understand that families are always having to plan ahead and save. In consideration of this, we want

you to take advantage of the time to start putting money away, purchase for birthdays or other special

events in anticipation of an October 2016 start. Teachers would take the month of September to establish

classroom rules and routines prior to introducing the Chromebooks in October.

Considerations:

When considering purchasing a device for school, that you consider a Chromebook. This is the most

cost effective option to meet your child’s educational needs while at Namao School.

The BYOD would be in all Grades from 5 to 9 eventually, hence your child will use the Chromebook

for the remainder of their educational experience while at Namao School.

Safety and protection of the device is never guaranteed, so your child would be responsible to secure

the device in a locked locker or in the charging space in the classroom. Damage and loss prevention

protection would be the responsibility of the family.

For those who are not able to purchase a Chromebook, we would have a few loaners available that

could be signed out.

You can purchase a Chromebook from your own source or see the information provided on the next page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school at 780-973-9191.

BCOM Computer Centre 15051 118 Ave. Edmonton, AB

T5V 1H9

Your Representative:

Sheldon Barton 780-485-8800 Ext.400

Sheldon.Barton@bcom.ab.ca

Stay Connected

Lenovo N21 Chromebook

$229.95*

Intel Celeron N2840 Dual Core processor

11.6” HD LED Anti-Glare screen 4GB DDR3L SDRAM

Chrome OS 16GB Solid State Drive

1.0MP 720p HD camera 1 Years BCOM Same-day

Warranty

*While quantities last

Sturgeon School Division On-line portal

A unique access code is required to for the SSD #24 web portal

School Access Code:

3n8D2rF4

Access Portal

Lenovo N22 Chromebook

$259.95*

Intel Celeron N3050 Dual Core processor

11.6” HD LED Anti-Glare screen 4GB DDR3L SDRAM

Chrome OS 16GB Solid State Drive

1.0MP 720p HD camera 1 Years BCOM Same-day

Warranty

*Pre-order only ETA May

2016

1C 1M 2W 2B 3T 3B

Cross L. Waylon B Tyson D. Tia J. Barrett H. Jadeyn H.

Michael M. Chase F. Natanis P. Aliciah K. Ava L. Brayden P.

Rayna Y. WINNER OF THE NEON BOWLING: TYSON D.

UPDATE! GROCERY CARD PERSONAL FUNDRAISER

If you are purchasing ‘grocery gift cards’ from NAMPA, or if you

would like to start, then please be aware of the following infor-

mation:

Grocery “Personal Fundraiser” Gift Cards that have/ or will be

purchased in the month of March 2016 can still be put towards the

Advanced Band trip this year.

If you purchase Gift Cards after March 31st, then your account

will continue to grow and you can use your funds for future costs

in the 2016-2017 School Year.

Grocery Cards will continue to be sold into the Spring. SOBEY’S gift

cards have been SOLD OUT!

If you would like to ask how this program works, please email Mr.

Swenson at kyle.swenson@sturgeon.ab.ca or phone Namao

School at 780-973-9191 to inquire.

To access the purchase form, you can visit www.namaoschool.ca

click ‘Files’, then select the file titled “NAMPA Grocery Card Order

Form”.

Here’s the direct URL link:

http://www.namaoschool.ca/Schools/Namao/Documents/

NAMPA_Grocery_Card_Order_Form_3577.pdf

FINAL BAND DEPOSITS DUE APRIL 8/16

If you require to pay after April 8/16 , then you must bring in cash or a certificated bank cheque or you will not be allowed on the bus. Contact Mr. Swenson at the school if you need a reminder of your owing balance with your grocery card fund. (Personal fund-raising accounts can only use credit that was built up before April 2016 — anything fundraised after April 1/16 will carry over to the next year).

PARENT REQUESTS FOR

STUDENT PLACEMENT

in 2016/17

At Namao School our primary responsibility

is to form the best learning groups which will

provide all students with the opportunity for

success. In doing so, we take a number of

factors into consideration. These factors may

include the following: the range of ability in

each class, student learning needs and

supports required, gender balance and class

size. Therefore requests for specific place-

ment become problematic. Please know that

teachers spend time in collaboration and

consideration when creating a class list. We

will not consider placement requests to keep

friends together. Having said this, if you do

have a specific request based on an

educational need please submit your request

to Mr. Harnish, Principal, no later than

May 31, 2016.

HOT LUNCH PROGRAM

Please be advised that our last

day for our Hot Lunch Program

will end on Thursday, April 28th!

Hot Lunches will begin in

October, 2016

Band News

Congratulations to Namao Schools JH Beginner Band, AND Advanced Band for BOTH receiving the highest mark of "Honours with Distinction" at the Fort Saskatchewan Music Festival.

Here are the SARMF (St. Albert Rotary Music Festival) dates for April:

Gr.6 Band performs at 10:00am on April 11th (Monday)

JH Beginner Band performs at 11:30am on April 11th (Monday)

(We are still looking for a Parent with a large vehicle to help us transport large instruments - Contact Mr. Swenson if you can help)

As an added note:

JH Advanced Band performs at 10:35am on April 12th (Tuesday)

JH JAZZ Band performs at 1:00pm on April 12th (Tuesday)

These performances are FREE to the public at the "ARDEN THEATRE" in St. Albert. We hope to see those who can make it attend this wonderful music performance.

Grade 3-6 Choir and JR. High Bands

Grade 3-6 Choir and the JR High Bands will be performing at the Sturgeon Night of Music at the Winspear Centre on Monday, April 25.

The doors will open at 6 pm, the main concert begins at 7 pm. The deadline for ticket requests has now passed and very shortly those requests will be processed. Additional information will be sent out the week of April 6th. As always, if you have specific questions or concerns, please contact the school.

Thirty choir members have been rehearsing weekly to learn 2 pieces for this big event. Keep up the good work choir members!

Runner’s Corner

Congratulations to our Junior High Mixed Team who made it through two

levels of competition in the Running Room Indoor Games this month!

Individual runners Alex, Corben and Teagan ran strong individual 200m

races with Teagan making it all the way to the semi-finals. The 2016 relay

competition season was a great success for Namao athletes. Well done

runners!

Our Namao Run Club spring 5km training opportunity is scheduled to begin April 7. All interested runners in grades 4 to 9 are encouraged to join!

Indoor/Outdoor Greening Project

Spring is here and Namao students and staff are eager to continue

developing our indoor/outdoor greening project! Thanks to your

hard work and generosity, last year’s project was a great success.

We are excited about next steps and are asking for your help to

ensure the momentum continues. If you are able to donate any of

the following please contact Ms. Kleespies at:

bkleespies@sturgeon.ab.ca or at 780-973-9191. Thank you!

Namao Indoor/Outdoor Learning Space Tools and Materials List:

Large containers/pots/planters for indoor and outdoor gardening (clay, wood, plastic)

Small plastic pots and plastic plant trays (the kind your yearly annuals come in)

Used tools (wheelbarrows, shovels, watering cans, hoes, pruning

shears)

Grow lights

Trellis/Lattice for climbing plants

Peat moss

Composted manure

Top soil

Potting soil

Bags of leaves collected in fall/spring (to be used for lasagna gardening beds)

Plants:

Fruit bearing plants, bushes/trees: Saskatoon, currant,

strawberry, blueberry

Hardy ornamental perennials and vines

Perennial indoor and outdoor food plants and herbs

2016 BADMINTON ROSTER

Senior Teams:

Teagan T. Graeme G.

Ayden H. Logan B.

Paige S. Zack L.

Brooklyn K. Samuel W.

Gurjeet D. Connor C.

Emily R. Nolan R.

Sierra B. Alex S.

Ava B. Seth B.

Jaycee T. Daylin V.

Junior Teams:

Maggie M. Kai W.

Zoe C. Iain G.

Paige L. Max M.

Kianna M. Eryn L.

Katrina M. Vince L.

Alayna R. Joe W.

Olivia L. Adam B.

Laura J. Caelum H.

Jump Rope for Heart Wrap Up

Namao School blew our $2500 fundraising goal out of the water! Thank you to all the Grade 1 to 6 students who participated in fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. We raised over $6500! Prize earners will be receiving their prizes in the coming weeks. It was really wonderful seeing students working together to learn new jump rope tricks and to keep their hearts healthy.

Namao School is honored to invite our appreciated volunteers to a

special Volunteer Tea Celebration to be held on Tuesday, May 3rd,

2016 from 1:30-2:30 pm in our School Gym.

If you or any of your family members has volunteered in any ca-

pacity at Namao School this year, (or plan on volunteering before

the end of June) please join us for this special celebration.

Our Junior High students will be preparing and serving delicious

baked goods. You will be delightfully entertained by the Primary

and Elementary students during the celebration.

Please RSVP by April 28th via email or telephone and include the

number of attendees. The phone number is 780-973-9191 and

email is: carol.rusinko@sturgeon.ab.ca.

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your commitment to

inspiring our children.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PARENTS

Annual General Meeting and Elections for the 2016-2017

Namao School Council

will be held on May 17, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

The Namao School Council will consist of the following :

Voting Members:

- 1 parent of children enrolled in grades 1-3

- 1 parent of children enrolled in grades 4-6

- 1 parent of children enrolled in grades 7-9

- any parent “at large” attending the meeting that have children enrolled in any grade at Namao School

- 1 representative from Namao LAC which will be appointed by the LAC executive

- 1 teacher who is elected by their peers

Non-voting members:

- 1 representative appointed by the Namao School Fundraising Association

- 1 representative appointed by the Namao Music Parents Association

- 1 representative appointed by the Namao Agricultural Society if they so desired

- up to 2 community members who will be appointed by the school council as desired

- principal

- 2 teacher representatives

- school board trustee for Namao School

Note: all executive positions are nominated and voted in from amongst the newly

formed council

Elections will be held on May 17, 2016 for all positions held by parents. All parents of children

attending Namao School are eligible to volunteer or be nominated for the school council. Voting

will take place by secret ballot and ALL parents of students attending Namao School are eligible

to vote for the school council candidates. Candidates for school council can be nominated or vol-

unteer to stand for nomination. All nominees must agree to let their name stand for nomination

before they will be accepted as a candidate. All volunteers and nominations must be in by May

3, 2016 (two weeks prior to the May 17, 2016 election meeting). Nominations and volunteers will

only be accepted from the floor if there is an insufficient number of candidates prior to the

meeting. Call the school at (780)973-9191 if more information is required.

“BE INVOLVED”

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PARENTS

Annual General Meeting and Elections for the 2016-2017

Namao School Fundraising Association

Will be held on May 17, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. The Namao School Fundraising Association will consist of a Board of Directors whom will be elected at the

meeting as follows:

- President

- Vice-President

- Secretary

- Treasurer (or Secretary/Treasurer)

- plus three Directors

Elections will be held on May 17, 2016 for all positions. All persons residing in Alberta and being of

the full age of 18 years, have children attending Namao School may become a member of the

Namao School Fundraising Association. Any member in good standing shall be eligible to any

office in the society. Voting will take place by secret ballot and ALL members in good standing are

eligible to vote for the school society Board of Directors. Candidates for society board of directors

can be nominated or volunteer to stand for nomination. All nominees must agree to let their name

stand for nomination before they will be accepted as a candidate. All volunteers and nominations

must be in by May 3, 2016 (two weeks prior to the May 17, 2016 election meeting).

Nominations and volunteers will only be accepted from the floor if there is an insufficient number of

candidates prior to the meeting. Call the school at (780)973-9191 if more information is required.

Fill out the form on the reverse side to volunteer or nominate someone for the next school council

and return to the school office by May 3, 2016. Come out and elect next year’s society board on May

17, 2016.

Namao School Fundraising Association Nomination/

Volunteer Form

I, ________________________________________ hereby nominate/volunteer

________________________________________ as a candidate in the election

of the Namao School Fundraising Association for the 2016-2017 school year.

________________________________________ is a parent/guardian who will

have one or more children attending Namao School during the 2016-2017 school year.

in Grade(s) /_______/_______/_______/ and agrees to be a candidate for election.

_______________ ____________________________ _____________________

Date Signature of Nominator/Volunteer Signature of Nominee

Namao School Council Nomination/Volunteer Form

I, ________________________________________ hereby nominate/volunteer

________________________________________ as a candidate in the election

of the Namao School Fundraising Association for the 2016-2017 school year.

________________________________________ is a parent/guardian who will

have one or more children attending Namao School during the 2016-2017 school year.

in Grade(s) /_______/_______/_______/ and agrees to be a candidate for election.

_______________ ____________________________ _____________________

Date Signature of Nominator/Volunteer Signature of Nominee

Primary Care Network (St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan and Redwater) - Mental Health

Support

There is a strong relationship between mental health and physical well-being. Your mental

health determines your ability to cope with the normal stresses of life and how you function

day to day.

Our mental health therapists provide short term individual and group therapy treatment for

many common mental health concerns, like stress management, depression, and anxiety

disorders for adults, couples, families, and children.

To setup an appointment or for more information please view the following website:

http://www.albertaheartlandpcn.com/Services/MentalHealth/Pages/default.aspx

There will be an office opening in Redwater sometime in March or April 2016. Mental

Health services available for children 4+ and adults.

Earth Day 2016!!

In honor of Earth Day (Friday, April 22nd) Namao School will be participating in a

Waste-less lunch. Students will be encouraged to help make their lunch (at home the night before) and

decide on the choices that would be best for the environment. Our aim is to have all students bring lunches

that do not contain any garbage. Plastic re-useable containers and anything that can be recycled is encour-

aged. Through this activity your child is learning a valuable lesson; which is lessening their effect on the

environment.

Thank you for your participation on this very important day.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Spring Break

No Classes

2

3

4

Spring Break

No Classes

5

CLASSES

RESUME

6

7

Badminton

Namao @

Guthrie

GR 5/6

Telus World

of Science

8

9

10

11

12

Gr. 1 Swimming

Lessons

12:30-1:30 pm

NAMPA Meeting

7:00 PM

13

14

15

PD/STAFF

MEETING

NO

CLASSES

16

17 18 19

Gr. 1 Swimming

Lessons

12:30-1:30 pm

NSFA @ 5:30pm

NSC @ 6:30 pm

20

21

Badminton

Namao @ LS

22

EARTH

DAY

23

24 25

Sturgeon Night

of Music

Winspear

Centre @

6:00pm

26

Gr. 1 Swimming

Lessons

12:30-1:30 pm

27

28

Last Day

for Hot

Lunch

29

30

Badminton

Division

Finals

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

Gr. 1 Swimming Lessons

12:30-1:30 pm

Volunteer Tea

1:30—2:30pm

Gymnasium

4 5 6

7

8 9 10

Gr. 1 Swimming Lessons

12:30-1:30 pm

NAMPA Mtg.

@ 7:00pm

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Grade 9 Immunization

Elementary Track Meet

Gr. 4-6

NSFA @ 5:30pm

LAC @ 5:45pm

NSC @ 6:30pm

18 Grade 5 Immun-

ization

Junior High Track

Meet

Gr. 7-9

19

20 PD/Staff Mtg.

No classes

21

22 23 VICTORIA

DAY

NO

SCHOOL

24

RAINOUT for

ELEMENTARY TRACK

MEET

Gr. 4-6

25

RAINOUT for

JUNIOR HIGH

TRACK MEET

Gr. 7-9

26

27

Grade 9

Farewell

28

29 30

31

Sturgeon Track Meet

Jr. High @ Redwater

Elementary @ MPES