February 2013
Ryerson P.S.
749 Grand Valley Drive
Attendance Line: 519-570-8123
653-55 32 Principal: Mr. Peter Berndt Vice Principal: Mrs. Beverlie Stewart
X 3726
Schoo l L ine 51 9-
Head Secretary: Ms. Wendy Knowles Secretary: Mrs. Milivojevich
School Council President: Mrs. Amy Willard-Brown
Principals Message
It has been a real joy to see so many 3 and 4 year olds come to school for the first time this past week and register for the upcoming school year. At times you do forget what such an experience is like for the first-time student and also for his/her parents going through this process. Their eagerness to come to school reminds me of the power of teaching and the importance of the role we have as educators to foster quality learning both academically and socially. As many of you may already know, I will be leaving Ryerson at the end of the month to take the position of Principal at Forest Hill Public School in Kitchener. I am leaving with an excitement for a new challenge in my career but also with a significant sadness to leave a place that I love and people who have become such a part of me. What an honour it has been for me over these past 6 years to work alongside the students, parents and staff here at Ryerson in the pursuit of quality learning! These new Kindergarten families that I met this week will thrive at our school. We have built a building that is truly one of the best equipped schools in the country. The quality is evident in the technology that we use to teach with and the science used to construct and operate it. The staff is an AllStar selection of the finest educators in the Waterloo Region, who work so well together as a team, tirelessly striving toward effective learning. Kudos to you parents for the wonderful job you are doing in raising your children as they are respectful and dedicated students who value learning; you have instilled in them such wonderful strength of character that we all enjoy in them every day. I will miss Ryerson and all it has to offer. I wish you all the best as you move forward into a new phase and I look forward to staying in touch in the future. Sincerely, Mr. Peter Berndt
Special Dates
February 5 & 6 Kindergarten Registration
February 6
Pita Lunch 1st NB
February 8
100th Day of School
February 11
Report Cards go home
February 13
RMi Lunch 1st NB
February 13
School Council @ 6:45 pm
February 18
Family Day no school
February 28
Last Day at Ryerson for Mr. Berndt
March 1
First Day at Ryerson for Mrs. Duncan-Peacock
March 11 15 March Break no school
March 29 April 1
Easter Break no school
April 19
PD Day no school
students who are dropped-off will be escorted by staff to their classroom. If items are required to be given to students, they will be delivered by the staff or the student will be called down to obtain the item themselves. Please do not by-pass the office to go directly to portables. Following these simple procedures will help ensure that our school is a safer place for all our students and staff. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM A reminder for parents to please notify the school 519 570-8123 ext 3726 # if your child is ill or will be late due to an appointment. Please state your name, your childs name (spelling the last name), grade and teachers name and the reason for the absence. Please contact the school EACH day your child is absent unless you know they will not return until a certain date. If a student is absent and no phone call/note has been received, a phone call home will take place to ensure the childs safety.
Twitter
Mrs. Stewart is on Twitter! You will now get-to-to date school news items and information through our new school Twitter feed. You do not need to have a Twitter account to read our tweets. You can read our Twitter feed as it can be viewed on our school website near the bottom of the welcome page. You can also go to http://twitter.com/RyersonVP to see what we are tweeting. You do need an account to reply or tweet back to us! This is a great place to check for upcoming events (such as a fundraiser or PD day) and last minute news items (such as a bus delay or school emergency).
Pizza, Milk, Pitasand more!!
Proper nutrition supports positive learning for students. We are pleased to announce that Ryerson will begin a more convenient and efficient method for you to order your childs healthy lunches. You may continue to purchase milk from our current provider, RMi, until March 8th. Our last lunch with RMi will be Wednesday, February 27th. After the March Break, we will be ordering milk, pizza, pitas, and other food items through Elementary School Nutrition Services. Specific information regarding registering for the program, payment methods, and food selections will be coming home with your child soon.
Safe
and Secure Schools
When visiting Ryerson, please be reminded that you need to check in at the office to indicate your arrival. We ask that you do this each and every time you come to school during the school day to either drop-off a student or an item of their belongings. Visitors are asked not to go beyond the office/main foyer area during the school day unless they have been given specific permission to do so by office staff. Kindergarten
Mrs. Smith - Krish K. Mrs. Kiefer-Cox - Simraj K. Miss McMullen - IssayT. Miss A. Bates - Laura E. Mme Claus - Ainsley P. Mrs. Piraino-Crandon - Aarib S. Ms Roberts - Emma P. Mrs. Roberge - Nikki G. Miss L. Bates - Thivyan S. Mr. Grant - Aaron T. Miss Nichol - Alec D. Miss Gill - Shelby D. Congratulations to all the winners! The next key of the month is Commitment. By Ms. McMullen
Inclement Weather
If weather forces schools to close, follow the Emergency School closing information that was sent home. Local radio stations (CHYMFM 96.7, CKGL AM 570, KICX FM99.5, DAVE FM 107.5, The Beat FM 91.5) will broadcast the cancellation of transportation or school closing information. You will also find bus delays and cancellations at www.wrdsb.on.ca
IBA Action - it's Fannntastic!
A junior intramural league has started back up open to all junior boys and girls: the IBA (Indian Basketball Association). The league has over 100 junior participants divided into five teams: the Mercury, Fever, Shock, Lynx, and Storm. Each team will play four games in a roundrobin schedule, then there will be a semi-final featuring the top four teams, and then a championship game between the winner of each semi-final. As always, these games are followed by some thrilling announcements over the P.A. lead by Mr. Berndt, where game highlights are read with enthusiasm and all students gain a "sporty" nickname to distinguish their skills. Ask your child about their nickname! The benefits of intramurals are numerous, ranging from increasing the physical activity level and strategizing of our kids to improving their sense of selfesteem and self-worth. Looking forward to a great IBA season for the month of February! By Mr. Grant
When ONLY transportation is cancelled by the school board, our school will still be OPEN for those students who are still able to make it to school that day. When transportation is cancelled in the morning, it will be cancelled at the end of the day as well. If you personally drive your child to school on such a day, please ENSURE that you make arrangements to pick them up at the end of the day as well.
Character Education at Ryerson
The Students of the Month for the key of Balance were: Mrs. Fowler & Mrs. Warburton - Tegan W. Mrs. Haefling & Mrs. Shergill - Trenton G. Mrs. Edgell & Mrs. Sanderson - Samita R. & Michael N. Ms Monroe & Mrs. Gute - Noah T. Ms Campbell & Ms Hodgson - Cadance L. Mrs. Kewley - Gracie G. Mrs. van Rees - Emmeri B. M. Hoyte - Bradley C. Mrs. McKinnon - Nathan F.
Regardless of improvement in the weather, there will be no transportation provided home by the school on that day.
A big thank you to Parent Council for the new books to add to the Primary Home Reading program. Most of these books are sporting the bookplates purchased thoughtfully by many of our school community. The staff and students thank you.
