al”

Education is “Centr
hool News
Dundas Central Sc
73 Melville Street B. Morlog, Principal
L9H 2A2 cipal
Du ndas, On tar io
62 7-3522 J. George, Vice-Prin
1 Fax (905)
Phone (905) 627-352
ntraldundas
www.hwdsb.on.ca/ce

January 2010

From the Principal’s Desk - “Good things

For an electronic version of
this newsletter (and to keep
up to date with current DC
Public news) please go to the
website, and click on
subscribe.
Inside this issue:
Making Music in the 1
Community
Ideas for Fun Family 2 arriving for the New Year. We are also addressing the
Activities During the
Making Reading 3
Resolutions in 2010
Annual School Play 3
Auditions
January Book Fair 3 November the Parkside staff introduced themselves and the school by meeting with our grade eight’s
Survey Contest 4 on Thurs. Dec. 15th and will present an Option Sheet explanation on Jan. 5th at 9 a.m. A Parent
Winners
happening at Central.”
1. Facility Improvements Update
Things are moving along! The contractors are completing
the replacement of pipes, valves, thermostats, upgrades to
heat and ventilation. We are currently replacing all the
lights in the gymnasium to make it brighter and energy
efficient. This Saturday December 19th, we will begin
replacing the windows the older section of the school (both
floors). This project will continue throughout the holidays. If
all goes well it may be completed by the first week in
January. These windows are energy efficient, tinted for the
sun’s intensity and screens will be constructed in January/
February to be installed in March. Two Smart Boards will be Mrs. Lawson’s JK/SK class prepares for the
Holiday concert.
heating unit for the gym, exploring stripping the gym floor
and putting together a proposal for new hallway lighting throughout the school. It is fantastic to see
the Board’s and Province’s investment in our school and the “face lift” of this historic grand old
building.
2. Grade Eight Transition to Parkside
We have been working with Parkside to assist our students with transition to secondary school. Back in
on the 10th and hosting a Parent / Student Open House on the 30th. They introduced Course Streaming
Information Night will be hosted at Parkside on Thurs. Jan. 21st at 7 p.m.

Home and School 4 3. Holiday Festivities

Update Many thanks must be extended to all those involved with our concerts and presentations during the
last week of December. Thanks to our staff members for their classroom presentations, to Mrs. Waller
for the musical presentations by the band and choir along with Mrs. Shupe’s middle school drama

Making Music in the Community

The grade 4 choir performed for the residents of the Dundas Residents of the centre celebrated the
Retirement Centre on December 15th. They sang a variety of season (and thanked the students)
songs under the direction of music teacher Mrs. Waller and after the performance with holiday
her fabulous assistant Miss Moulden (student teacher), treats.
accompanied by parent volunteer Mrs. Thomlinson on the
Many thanks to our Mr. Bell and
piano.
Mr. Varady for their support on
The song “A Christmas Wish” was a particular highlight and the sidelines!
included a solo by flautist Danniella Waller.
Page 2 Dundas Central School News Education is “Central”

From the Principal’s Desk (cont’)

presentations. They were well received by our school community. It was also great to see our myself. It was also great to see our
choir perform for the senior citizens at the Dundas Retirement Home on the afternoon of Tues. Dec. 15th.
Lastly, we wish to take this opportunity to thanks the students, staff, parents, Home and School for their efforts with the Food for Thought
Program, canned food and toy drive and the gift basket program. Thumbs up to our Cougar Community! It is better to “give than receive”
and follows a school and Rotary Club motto: “Service Above Self”.
4. Director’s Visit
On Thursday January 7th, our Director John Malloy will visit our school. Tentatively, he will tour our school and It is better to
discuss Provincial, Board and School thrusts with Ms. George and myself. We hope he enjoys his visit and we can “give than
benefit from our discussions.
receive” and
5. Next School Year – 5 Day Schedule follows a school
We need to announce to our families that the Board’s Administration is looking to have schools move to a 5 day and Rotary Club
rotational schedule. Some schools in our Board are currently utilizing this schedule and others have adopted this motto: “Service
in September or October of this year. Our school has traditionally been on a Monday to Friday schedule. Starting
Above Self”.
on Tues Sept. 7 /10 we will begin with Day 1 and that following Friday will be Day 4. The following Monday will be
Day 5 and Tuesday will be Day 1 again. This schedule shifts by a day when we have a holiday or P.A. Day.
There are a number of factors that have resulted in the change and uniformity among schools. Some of the issues pertain to equitable and
consistent program delivery, schools sharing teachers and loss of teacher preparation time (e.g. same classes get missed because of
holidays and P.A. Days) Other Boards of Education (like Halton) have moved to similar types of scheduling shifts. At this time, we are
uncertain how kindergarten classes will operate. They may still continue with the A / B format or an alternative will be chosen by the
Board. We felt it was important to inform you of these up coming changes so you can plan ahead. We will continue to update you as this
process evolves.
6. Happy Holidays
On behalf of our staff, we wish you a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy the time with family and
friends. We’ll see you on the first day of school on Monday January 4, 2010!

Ideas for Fun Family Activities During the Winter Break

The holiday break is festive, fun – and hectic! It can also be a
great time for the whole family to spend some time together.
Make exercise a family affair! Here are some easy ways
Here are some simple ideas to create some great family memories
and traditions. to help your children become more physically active:
Active children become healthy adults. To learn more about how
• Look through the family archives or the local video store for a
to be active, check out www.kelloggsnutrition.com/live-healthy/
great family favorite. Find a holiday special or just a movie
activity-ideas. Health Canada recommends that children between
the family used to watch years ago. Make some popcorn and
the ages of 6- 14 years old should gradually increase the time
cuddle up for the show.
they currently spend being physically active to at least 90 minutes
• Complete a huge puzzle, charades or play a board game. of physical activity daily.
• Play video games. Whether dusting off the old X box or play- • Take the dog for a walk together.
ing the latest Wii game, video games are always good enter-
• Shoot hoops, toss a football or play tennis in the driveway.
tainment. Sometimes playing a game that hasn't been played
Focus on enjoyment, not competition.
for years brings back fond memories and old competitions.
• Put some music on and dance around the living room.
• Make sure the cooks get out of the kitchen and play too.
• Play hide-and-seek instead of watching TV.
• Check out what activities are available around the town. Most
towns have both indoor and outdoor events available and • Go to the park and play tag.
listed in the local newspaper.
• Go skating at the local community rink.
Enjoy the magic of Christmas lights. Go for a walk or drive to an
area of town that is all decked out for Christmas. • Go skiing, hiking or tobogganing!
 Page 3

January Book Fair—Mme Cohen Umbrella Family and

It’s book fair time again! The book fair students in these classes are welcome to
Child Centres of
will run from Wednesday, Jan20 to come to the book fair with their child Hamilton
Friday, Jan 22. Wed, Thurs or Friday at any time.
The students will visit the fair with The hours are: Good care educates. Good edu-
their class on Wednesday and fill out cation cares.
‘wish lists’ to take home. On Thursday
they will have a chance to purchase
Wed Jan 20 Thur Jan 21 Fri Jan 22 The Umbrella daycare still has
the books with their class. Friday the spaces!
8:40 am– 8:00 am— 8:00 am—
fair is open
for anyone For more information please call
who still Linda 905.973.7472
As in past years we will need parent
wants to buy
volunteers to help out. The fair cannot
books. JK and
run without your help. Last year we
SK do not
were able to purchase $2, 500 worth of
have set
books for our library from Scholastic
times to visit
with profits from the book fair. More
the book fair.
details will follow after the winter break.
Parents with
Happy holidays!
Wanakita Parent
le
Annual Night Q&A
g a ll M id d
Callin School Play Tues. Jan. 5th
ts!
o l s tuden
Scho
6:00 –7:00 pm
Auditions Rm 202
All Middle School students are invited
to try out for the school play starting in
January. The play will be performed the first
week in May.
We practice every day (usually first nutrition
break) except Friday so students need to be
aware of the time commitment.
Students are asked to listen carefully and
read the bulletin board outside the gym to
find out if/when they are 'called back'.
Students will have a number of opportunities
to audition in the month of January. All try-
outs occur during nutrition breaks except
the dance auditions.
There will be ONE dance audition in January
on a Friday night. Since dance practices
take place most Friday nights from 3:00pm to
4:45pm students are asked to consider
previous commitments before coming out for
this extra curricular activity. ( A safe way
home at the end of each practice is
imperative also.)
It should be noted that any Middle School
students who want to be part of the school
play will be included......even if they do not
have 'speaking roles'!
 rs
est Winne
rv ey C o nt
Su A BIG HELLO FROM HOME &
The winners of the Tim SCHOOL
Horton's gift cards, for
Who are we… busy parents
filling out the survey and just like you!
sending it in, are:
What we do… keep the ‘fu
• Rylee Green in Mrs. n’ in fundraising
Pierce's room
whilst learning about our ch
ildren’s environ-
ment, so that the children
• Lexi Weir in Mrs. and families of
Dundas Central benefit fro
Groves' room m improved edu-
cational facilities and com
munity.
Thank you to all
families who sent in Why we do this is because
their school is a major
part of our children’s lives.
information
of how they
access the How we do this is by weav
ing what little time
school we can spare into activities
H&S are hosting.
newsletter.

Why Not Join Us?

Home and School Update
QSP update
The prizes are in and going out this final week of school! Well done
QSP team! $1563.45 represents one third of the value made by
H&S and was handed over to Mr. Morlog for the benefit of the
children, at our last H&S meeting. The remainder will provide some
budget for coming years H&S functions, but predominantly will be
used on School Wish List Items.
Forest Reading Programme
The Programme has 4 levels, which cover all age groups, the
younger ones having the books read to them. These are the
top 10 Canadian books of the year with enough copies for all years
to have a chance to read them. A student that reads at least five of
the ten books can vote for their favourite.
Mme Cohen runs this scheme for the children and we have had the
opportunity to support this wonderful programme using H&S funds
to the tune of $842.57.
This Elf campaign is progressing well!! If we achieve this, photos
will follow! Keep up the excellent work everyone. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Holiday Baskets
Ticket Sales have been going well. Thursday and Friday together
totalled £308… Wow! Our aim is $1000 for the Food 4 Thought
programme to help keep our children’s minds healthy and working
hard during school. The draw took place on Wed. 16th—thank
you to all those who participated.
Come on
out!
Food 4 Thought 2010
New Year helpers are badly needed as some of our
year long elves go on to different commitments and we thank
them and wish them well. So, if you have a couple of hours on
Monday mornings or Fridays, 1pm onwards, please contact our
Food 4 Thought Team Lead: Mary Gillis (SK/JK teacher).

Wreaths & Poinsettias H&S Seekers

We hope that everyone who ordered is enjoying their Wreaths and
Poinsettias this year. They were excellent value! Only one store
managed to meet our Poinsettia price after taxes and then they only
had red ones. We had a lovely range of colours and the prices were
up to $5 less than most shops! WOW! Our total profit was $637.20
although the Graduation Fund portion of this has yet to be
calculated. The H&S portion will go towards the School Wish List.
H&S is pleased to present our new ‘Seeker Team’ lead by Parrish
Crawford.
This team of bargain seekers are checking out gently used items
that are on our Teacher’s board games/toys list. In just a few
weeks they have got all that has been requested into classrooms –
amazing work! These items will be particularly helpful during wet
Recess’.

Salvation Army Food & Toy Drive On behalf of Home and School thanks to everyone who supports
If the target is reached Mr Morlog has pledged to dress as an Elf. our activities and Happy Holidays, From the whole team!