Dates to

Remember:

Jan. 9 - Welcome to our

visiting Korean Stu-

dents

Jan . 9 - Registration

opens for French Im-

mersion Registration

Jan. 12 - Mad Science

Assembly Grade 1-6

Jan. 12 - French Immer-

sion Open House

Jan. 13 - Intermediate

Trip to Train Clean

Jan. 15 - Last Day to

Purchase tickets for our

Family Day at the Niag-

ara River Lions Basket-

ball Game

Jan. 19 - Movie Night

Jan. 20 - PA Day

Jan. 23 - Korean Stu-

dents’ Last Day

Jan. 24 - School Council

Meeting 6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 2017

Sometimes this happens because your child

has reached a point in the curriculum that has

fewer options. The best way to address this is

to simply have your child work through the

area as best as he or she can.

In other cases this happens when a child is

avoiding a particular lesson. Specific points in

the DreamBox Learning curriculum require

children to demonstrate that they are fluent in

a specific skill before they are allowed to

move forward. If they are fluent, then Dream-

Box issues them more complex lessons that use

this new knowledge. If they are not fluent,

then DreamBox Learning can give them lessons

that will help them learn the skill. However, if

your child does not confirm his or her level of

fluency by completing a required lesson, then

DreamBox is unable to determine what lesson

should be offered next. Eventually, as your

child completes all other lesson paths, the les-

son or lessons that your child has been avoid-

ing become the only option available.

If this happens to your child, encourage him or

her to complete the lesson to the best of his or

her ability, even if he or she has to guess or

make mistakes. Completing the lesson gives

DreamBox Learning the data it needs to issue

the most appropriate follow-up lessons and

keep your child moving forward!

DreamBox - What if My Child is Getting Only One or Two New Lessons?

curriculum. The topics will be

different this year than when

Mad Science was last at the

school. The Club will take

place on Wednesdays during

second break beginning Janu-

ary 25th and ending March

1st. If you have any questions

please do not hesitate to con-

tact Mad Science at 905-937

-1878.

Mad Science, the world’s

leading provider of educa-

tional and entertaining sci-

ence programs for children is

coming to Orchard Park on

January 12th! They will be

getting our Grade 1-6 stu-

dents excited about science

with fun, entertaining and

exciting activities and demon-

strations.

The assembly will be educa-

tional, entertaining and also

the kick off to the Mad Sci-

ence Club. The Club is a 6-

week science enrichment pro-

gram offered to students in

grades 1-6. Students who

join the Science Club will go

on a voyage to discovery

designed to support the On-

tario Science and Technology

Mad Science

“DRIVE IN” MOVIE NIGHT

Let’s forget about this cold and recreate summer in our school! Get a cardboard box and get creative!

Anyone that comes in with a “car” of our “Drive In Movie” will be entered into a draw for some great

prizes! Admission to the movie is free and we will have a concession stand with popcorn, drinks and treats

for a minimal fee.

When: Thursday, January 19th - Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. and movies begin at 6:30 p.m.

Presenting: The Wizard of Oz (in the Learning Commons) and Scooby Doo’s Greatest Mysteries (in the

gym)

Thank you to our School Council for hosting a fun, family event for the OP community!!

3691 Dorchester Rd.,

Niagara Falls, ON

905-354--3916

Principal -

H. Nunnenmacher

Secretary -

S. Mannella

ORCHARD PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL

Did You Know?

That since the first day of school our stu-dents have completed over 13 000 les-sons and Mrs. Anderson’s class completed the most with over 1 800 lessons.

Keep up the good work everyone!!!

FRENCH IMMERSION The French Immersion program (offered at John Marshall) is open to all students in Senior Kindergarten. If you want your child to

develop high proficiency and fluency in Canada’s two official languages, French Immersion has a great deal to offer.

Features of the French Immersion program:

Develops French language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing from Grades one to twelve;

Designed to be a second-language program for children whose first language is NOT French;

Current enrolment of over 2,000 elementary students;

Certificate of French Immersion Studies awarded upon successful completion of the elementary and secondary immersion pro-

grams;

Promotes understanding of different cultures;

Provides additional opportunities for employment using French as the working language;

Increases the ability to communicate and interact with confidence in French.

Registration will open January 9th, 2017

For more information about French Immersion in the District School Board of Niagara visit www.dsbn.org/fi or speak to your school

principal.

A Parent Information evening will be held on Thursday, January 12th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at John Marshall Public

School (3910 St. James Ave., Niagara Falls).

FOOD DRIVE

A BIG thank you once again to the Orchard Park Communi-ty!!! Thanks to your donations we were able to donate an abundance of food to Project Share to ensure everyone had

a happy holiday season!

A special thank you to the Student Voice team who ran this event and to Ms Priest, Ms Pavone and Mr. Mannella for

guiding them.

DSBN ACADEMY DSBN Academy is a Grade 6 to Grade 12 public school designed to support and em-

power students to be the first in their family to graduate from college or university.

Come learn more about the opportunities offered at DSBN Academy. All families are welcome! A Parent Information Session will be held at Valley Way Public School on January 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The DSBN Academy will host an Open

House on January 31st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

http://academy.dsbn.org/home

PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE IN THE PARKING LOT!!

When dropping off or picking up your children, parents are reminded…

To please park in designated parking spots.

To please enter and exit the parking lot according to the signage.

To not park in bus drop off and loading areas.

To please not park in handicapped parking spots. We have parents who require their use.

That parking is not permitted in any designated fire zone.

To not leave your car idling.

To drop off and pick up children at the cross walk.

Remind your children not to run between the busses into the parking lot.

There may be times during the school year where inclement weather or other situations could cause transporta-

tion cancellations or school closures.

At times when student transportation has been cancelled and schools remain open, the decision of whether or

not to have children in school on that day rests with the parent or guardian.

Should you decide not to send your child to school in the event that transportation is cancelled but schools re-

main open, or if your child is ill or late, please ensure that you call the school to inform them of your child’s ab-

sence.

A key resource in any emergency is the DSBN Emergency Information form that you filled out at the beginning

of the school year. Please let us know of any changes in contact information or procedures you wish to be fol-

lowed throughout the school year.

Information about transportation cancellations and school closures will be available as soon as it is available

through the following channels:

Websites: www.dsbn.org www.nsts.ca

Subscription Features: DSBN Facebook, Twitter, NSTS Transportation Delay or Cancellation Alerts

Phone: Niagara Student Transportation Services 905-346-0290 Voice Auto Attendant

Radio Stations: CKTB (610 AM) St. Catharines, CHTZ-FM (97.7 FM) St. Catharines, CHRE (105.7 FM) St. Cath-

arines, CKEY (105.1 FM) Niagara Falls/Fort Erie

Television Stations: Cogeco Channel 10

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES

Winter is a time of wonder for many children; many enjoy the crisp air, the freshly fallen snow

and participating in a whole host of exciting winter sports and activities.

Although we feel it is important for students to spend some time outside each day exercising and

socializing with their peers, there are times when bitterly cold temperatures and other inclement

weather conditions require that we keep children inside.

Because Niagara is such a large geographical area, and weather conditions may vary from one municipality to

the next, the decision whether or not to hold recess outdoors is made by the individual school principal. When

making this decision, principals will often consult with neighbouring schools and if the decision to send children

outside is made, yard duty staff have walkie-talkies so that they can communicate with the of-

fice to sound the bells to bring students in earlier.

The health and well-being of our students is a top priority at DSBN, and if it is determined that

the weather conditions pose a risk to their safety, students will be kept indoors. Extreme cold

weather alerts issued by the Niagara Region are often good indicators that students will stay

inside.

Even when temperatures are not low enough to necessitate an indoor recess, it still may be quite cold outside.

Here are a few tips to help ensure that your child stays warm during the cold winter months.

• Try to send children to school with plenty of layers, such as long underwear, sweatshirts, sweaters and pullo-

vers. Layering their clothing will allow them to add or remove items depending on the weather.

• Students should have a warm winter coat that repels the snow, sleet and rain, while blocking the wind.

• Warm socks and boots will keep their feet warm and dry in the snow and slush.

• Hats are one of the most important parts of dressing warmly in the winter. A thick winter hat will keep students

from losing too much of that essential body heat.

• Put on a good pair of gloves or mittens that are water-resistant as well. Gloves will keep kids’ hands toasty

warm and protect their skin from becoming damaged by the wind and chill.

If you have any questions about our inclement weather procedures, please visit our website dsbn.org, or contact

the school.

Students are not kept in at breaks due to illness as fresh air and exercise are essential to a

healthy mind and body. If your child is well enough to be at school, we consider him/her well

enough to be outside. Colds and coughs will not be affected if the student is properly dressed

and does not over-extend him/herself. We feel very strongly that if the child is too ill to go

outside during the break, it would be in the child’s best interest to remain at home for the day.

If you believe your child is an exceptional case, please contact Ms. Nunnenmacher to discuss the

situation.

WINTER REMINDERS

Check out our Website!!

http://orchardpark.dsbn.org/

If you have changed your

phone number or your

email address please

make sure to inform the

office. We want to ensure

we have your most

current

information.

WELCOME TO OUR KOREAN VISITORS

For the month of January Orchard Park will be hosting 6 students from grades 5-8 visiting from Korea. They will be immersed into our daily routine, learning our culture and working on their English skills. We are excited to have them visiting us and hope they enjoy their time

here!

The school supplies were greatly appreciated by the students at Village of Hope in Africa!! Thank you Orchard Park community for brightening lives on the other

side of the world!!!