Poirier E-News

Monday/lundi

Kindergarten Registration begins today at 8 a.m.  All children born in 2007 are eligible to enrol.  Please bring an original birth certificate (a copy will be made). Proof of residence (hydro bill, phone bill etc.) is required for students registering in English (Poirier Catchment).  We are the catchment school for French Immersion students.  One adult per registration please.  Please pass on this information to your friends and neighbours.

Tuesday/mardi

Guest Presenter – Dustin Anderson, aka the Purple Pirate, will be performing at our school today.  He teaches about the FUN-damentals of Fitness and healthy living.

9:30-10 -Kindergarten, gr. 1 and grade 1/2

10:45-11:30 – grades 2-5

11:45-12:15 – Basketball Teams

Field Trips – Mrs. Blatchford and Ms. McCallum’s classes are “slipping and a sliding” from 1:20-2:30 at SEAPARC. Mrs. Lovbakke’s class is “flipping-out” at Lion’s Pride Gymnastics.

Wednesday/mercredi

Thursday/jeudi

P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. Program Meeting for Parents – 4:30 – 6 in the Multi-Purpose Room. If your child has brought home a form stating they are part of this program, please attend.  If you would like to find out more about this home reading program, please leave a message in the office or email lszadkowksi@sd62.bc.ca.

Friday/vendredi

Popcorn Sales – Popcorn will be on sale today outside of Western Red Cedar Modular.  Bags of delicious popcorn will be available at lunch for $1.

Metis Project – Mme. Zeni, Mrs. Ridewood, and Mrs. Lovbakke’s classes will take part in the second part of their workshop on the Metis people of Canada.

Field Trips – Mrs. Ridewood and Mrs. Miller’s classes will be skating @SEAPARC 9-10 am.  Mme. Campbell and Mme. Buchanan’s classes will be skating from 10:20-12:15 pm.

Information:

Literacy Week – We had a busy and fun-filled week as students and staff Jumped into Learning during Literacy Week.  We gave away over 100 books and we have a few more to give away on Monday too!  Thank you to all the parents who helped by finding the favourite book under the bed, sending in the best cookies ever, and helping sew/build/find the costumes.  Merci for the donations for the READ-A-THON – donations will be taken in the office up until Friday.  We had many community members in to share their love of reading and explain how they use reading and writing skills every day in their jobs.

Mad Science – We were amazed by Mad Scientist Dr. AaaHa’s experiments on Thursday as she balance balls on hot air and lit things on fire.  If would like to find out more about the six week Afterschool Program offered at our school please go to www.madscience.org/vancouverisland and/or fill out the entry form sent home last week.  The first class begins on Tuesday, 2:50-3:50 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Quebec Trip – Watch for information coming home in March about an opportunity for our intermediate students to travel to Quebec during Spring Break 2013.  Our previous two trips, 2009 and 2011, gave students and up-close and personal experience in la belle province.  Both our English and French students who are currently in grade 4 or 5 (gr. 5 & 6 when you travel) are eligible to join Mme. Ryan on the trip.

New staff – We welcome Jennifer Mullen to our school as our new Noon Hour Supervisor.  Jennifer is replacing Dan, who has worked with our students for the last several years.  Dan has moved to John Stubbs, which is closer to his home.

PAC Information:

We had a great response to our request for snacks to add to the lost lunch program (such as snack bars or other packaged “healthy” items), therefore, we would like to place another reminder. Your donations to the office are appreciated.

Plans are already underway for the Fun Fair on April. If you happen to have access to any carnival-type activities, suitable for a fun fair, please email Laura R (laurareaney@me.com). We are also hoping to receive donations of small new or used toys for prizes/ fish pond giveaways. As well, we are requesting a source for bottled water, yogurt tubes, or juice boxes. All of these donations allow us to minimize the overhead of this fun event. Any other fun fair feedback or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Thank you to all of the volunteers for Friday’s pizza lunch. A huge thank you to Bev B and Dee V for their years of hard work in organizing and implementing the food days. Your contributions have resulted in creating a fun event for the kids as well as providing significant opportunities for our kids through the funds raised from the lunch program!!

The next lunch day, on Feb 10th, will be provided by Lunchalicious and it will feature a Valentine’s themed lunch. Information forms will be distributed this week. Melanie Norris is now the contact for lunch orders at our school.  Thank you to Melanie for taking on this position.  Contact Melanie at melanietravels@shaw.ca

We are still requesting a volunteer to organize the French book fair. Please let the office know if you are interested.

There have been some isolated incidents of lice during school scalp checks. Remember to check your child’s scalp regularly: “Once a week, take a peek”

Mad Science – Last Tuesday Mad Science came out and presented to a small group of students who braved the snowy conditions.  We have asked them to come back on Thursday and amaze the rest of our population!  Afterschool lessons will begin on Tuesday, January 31 from 2:50-3:50 for six weeks (last session March 6) for interested students.  Students have the registration forms and more will be available in the office on Thursday.  Please join us on Thursday at 9:15 if you would like to check out what Mad Science has to offer.

Monday

Literacy Week Begins – a paper copy of the schedule was sent home on “salmon” coloured paper on Friday.  The schedule is also available on our new website under Literacy Week.  Everyday has an event beginning with an assembly today.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Dragon

Tuesday

PAC Meeting Tonight at 7 pmin the Multi-Purpose Room

Wednesday

Christmas – 11 months and counting . . . .

Thursday

Journey Transition – Our French Grade Five classes are going to Middle School today to experience what it will be like to be a Journey Dragon.

Field Trip – All three of our Kindergarten classes will be skating today at SEAPARC as part of their P.E. program.

Kindergarten Information Evening – Please pass on an invitation to all parents who have children registering for Kindergarten in September 2012 to attend our Information Evening tonight at 7 pm.  This is an opportunity to find out the expectations are for children entering school and ask questions about English and French programs.  Kindergarten registration begins at 8 am sharp, Monday, January 30.

 Friday

PAC Pizza Day – This is our rescheduled pizza day from last week.  All students who had ordered for last Friday will be served a pizza lunch today.  Please send a lunch if you did not order pizza for today!

Information:

Floor Hockey – Students in grades 3-5 will have the opportunity to participate in our intramural program beginning next week.  Students should listen to announcements for information about how to sign up.  A team of grade five students will defend our championship trophy at a tournament hosted at John Muir on Tuesday, February 21.

 Mad Science – We are currently trying to reschedule another assembly.  Notices have gone home with the students to sign up for workshops afterschool. 

P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. – Mme. Schwartz will be hosting an evening for parents to learn more about the PARTNERS program we are hoping to expand at Poirier.  This program helps parents, help their children, with reading strategies and ultimately become better readers.  For more information contact your child’s teacher and/or Mme. Schwartz at sschwartz@sd62.bc.ca.

 Library Books – Please be vigilant in returning our library books.  If we lose just one book per student per year, we have lost $4000 worth of books. Your help is appreciated in helping to preserve the resources we have in our Bibliothèque.

PAC Information:

PAC meeting is this Tuesday at 7:00.  The agenda will be posted on our Facebook page and sent to all PAC class reps if you are interested in finding out what will be discussed.  

Pizza Day will take place Friday Jan 27.  Volunteers will be needed to help deliver the lunches at 11:25.  Please come to the school if you are available to help.  

The school dance will be held Feb 16th – please mark your calendars for this fun evening! 

There has been a lot of recent activity on our twitter account regarding the BC Education Plan.  All parents and guardians are encouraged to visit the website http://www.bcedplan.ca/ and contribute your questions/comments/concerns.  You can also search #BCEdPlan on twitter to find out what people are saying about the plan. 

 Reminder:

The Vancouver Island Parent Conference will be taking place Saturday February 11th, at Spectrum Community School, and all parents/guardians are invited to attend to be a part of the conversation about our children’s education. Registration for the Conference is now open at www.vipc.ca/registration. (Group rates may be available – contact the PAC if you are interested in going) This year’s conference has an incredible line-up of speakers and workshops. The keynote speakers are Dr. Martin Brokenleg and Dr. Stuart Shanker, both internationally renowned. The other workshops feature local talent in all aspects of student engagement and personalized learning. For workshop descriptions and speaker bios, visit: www.vipc.ca. Early registration rates close on January 31, 2012.

School is open.  Check School District 62 website for some bus route changes.  Make the decision that is safe for your child.

School is open.  Parents , as always, can make the decision if it is safe to travel from their neighbourhood.

Poirier is CLOSED today due to dangerous driving conditions.  No one will be in the building – DO NOT drop your child off.  Be safe today.

Superintendant, Jim Cambridge, has declared schools OPEN for today, Tuesday, January 17, 2012.  Parents can always make their own choice regarding their children.  Buses are NOT running.

The PAC Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 17 has been postponed until next week, Tuesday, January 24 at 7 pm.

Monday

Presentations – Eric Wong will be speaking to our Intermediate classes in the  Library this  morning about racism and differences.  Eric is a member of the First Nations Steering Committee and you can find out more about him and his work at ericwong@telus.net.

 Field Trip - Divisions 13, 14 & 15 Skating @ SEAPARC

 Renovations – Our Main bathrooms located by Undersea Gardens and Space Station are closed this week for renovations.  The bathrooms by the gym are now open.

Tuesday

Assembly – We have a Mad Science assembly today at 11 am.  The whole school will captivated by the educational and fun experiments.  Information about afterschool programs will be coming home and it is also available @ madscience.org.

PAC Meeting – See you tonight in the Multi-Purpose Room.  Come out and support your PAC – ask questions, and have fun.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

PAC Pizza Day – If your child has pre-ordered a pizza lunch remember not to send one today.  They will still need a recess snack.

Information:

Weather – Please listen to C-Fax 1070 for school closures.  We will also update the blog as soon as possible.  Ultimately it is always up to parents to keep their children home if they feel the road conditions are unsafe in their neighbourhood.

 Clothing – Please help your child dress appropriately for the weather and our school yard.  We believe that children need to have outdoor breaks and unless the rain is coming down sideways, we generally send them out to play.  Some children are “fully meeting” or “exceeding expectations” when finding mud to play or slide in.  A change, or two, of complete clothing (yes, I mean underwear too) is often needed during our wet winter months.  This cuts down on long line ups to use the phone and our popular parking lot.

Kindergarten Registration – Children born in 2007 are eligible to register for kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year.   Poirier will offer full day kindergarten in English and French.  If you would like to know more about the kindergarten program, an information night will be held on Thursday, January 26 at 7 pm.  You can call our school 250-642-0500 or email lszadkowski@sd62.bc.ca for more information.  Registration begins at 8 am, January 30.   Please also pass on this information to families who have eligible children and/or may be new to our area.

Literacy Week – Our annual Literacy Week begins Monday, January 23,  and one of our activities is a used book exchange.  We would greatly appreciate any gently used books you donate to our school.  Every child will receive a book during the week.  Another one of our popular events, which needs parent support, is the Dress Up as Your Favourite Literary Character.  A calendar of events will be coming home on Tuesday.

 PAC Information:

The Parent Information Session (Born to Buy) on January 17th has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.  Therefore, January’s PAC meeting will begin at 7:00 on Tuesday January 17th.  Free babysitting available for parents or guardians who would like to attend. 

 The Vancouver Island Parent Conference will be taking place Saturday February 11th, at Spectrum Community School, and all parents/guardians are invited to attend to be a part of the conversation about our children’s education.  Registration for the Conference is now open at www.vipc.ca/registration. (Group rates may be available – contact the PAC if you are interested in going)  This year’s conference has an incredible line-up of speakers and workshops. The keynote speakers are Dr. Martin Brokenleg and Dr. Stuart Shanker, both internationally renowned. The other workshops feature local talent in all aspects of student engagement and personalized learning. For workshop descriptions and speaker bios, visit: www.vipc.ca.   Early registration rates close on January 31, 2012. 

Tuesday

Last Day for PAC Pizza Orders –  The pizza lunch is on January 20.  Sorry, no late orders will be accepted.

Wednesday

Division 2, Mme. Campbell’s class will enjoy a pizza lunch supplied by the Sooke Harbourside Lions Club for collecting the most money in the annual Change for Diabetes Campaign.  In total our school raised just over $1100 to support research for Juvenile Diabetes.

Friday

 Field Trip  – Divisions 10 & 11 are skating from 10:30-12:15 @ SEAPARC

Happy Friday the 13^th.

Information:

Bathroom Update – Our bathrooms are having new floors installed over the next few weeks.  There will always be bathrooms open for students to access; however, it may not be the one they regularly use.  Teachers will keep students informed about which bathrooms are open.

Literacy Week – Watch for information coming home regarding Literacy Week January 23-27.

Popcorn Sales – The next popcorn sale is Friday, January 27.

PAC Information:

Hope everyone had a great start to 2012. 

We would like to thank everyone who supported PAC events and fundraisers in 2011, especially during the busy month of December!

Our next PAC Parent Information Session will be on January 17th – the topic is “Born to Buy”.  Please see the PAC website for more information.  The next PAC meeting will take place immediately following the presentation.

We are in the process of forming a “Health and Nutrition Committee”.  The goal of this committee is to compile a list of online resources using “Livebinders.com” and to liase with a nutritionist from healthlinkBC regarding healthy fundraisers.  If you would like to participate in this committee, please email Melanie Norris at melanietravels@shaw.ca .  Your input is welcome, even if you are unable to attend the PAC meetings!

This year’s dance will be held February 16th – mark your calendars for what’s sure to be a fun-filled evening. If you are able to volunteer, we could use your help. 

Have a great week! 

Community Information:

Sooke Minor Fastball Registration

    Last Chance Dates! Don’t Miss Out!

                 Saturday January 14, 28 and

                   Saturday, February 11

                       10 am to 2 pm at SEAPARC

                We are registering all players,

             5 years and up, for the 2012 season!

              Learn new skills!  Have fun!

Sooke Minor Fastball aims to offer a fast paced season where the focus is on fun, skill building,

teamwork, and healthy competition, for children as young as 5 yrs, and young adults up to 19 yrs!  

             See you at the ball-game!

The Victoria Junior Field Hockey Association offers a Spring Field Hockey League forplayers aged 4 to 18.

• 10 week season, starting 31 March 2012

• Divisions for boys and girls

• Come Try the Game Free Days! UVIC Turf Fields near McKinnon Gym

- Sunday, 5 February 2012

- Sunday, 4 March 2012

For more information, please visit www.victoriajuniorfieldhockey.ca or email

info@victoriajuniorfieldhockey.ca Registration opens 12 January 2012.

 CITY OF LANGFORD

Affordable Housing Program

Accepting Applications to Purchase

2-Bedroom Condos

$130,447.88 (includes net HST)

The City of Langford is accepting applications from qualified applicants wishing to purchase a two-bedroom condominium under the City’s Affordable Housing Program. There are three (3) brand new condominiums available for purchase. There will be restrictions placed upon the resale of the unit.

Successful applicants to the program will be chosen on a points system, based upon pre-selected criteria. The identities of applicants will be kept confidential and will not be made available to the public nor to any member of the Affordable Housing Committee or Council.

Any information provided in an application for Affordable Housing is collected for the purpose of administering the City’s Affordable Housing Program under the authority of the Community Charter and the Local Government Act. Further information about the collection of the information is available from the City’s Information and Privacy Coordinator.

Application packages are available on the City’s website at www.cityoflangford.ca or at the City of Langford Planning Department, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC, during office hours, 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. You may also reach the City of Langford Planning Department by telephone at 250.474.6919.

Please read the entire application package and pay special attention in reading the minimum eligibility criteria for all successful applicants to the program. Ensure that you have received a Pre-Mortgage Approval that you can submit with your application.

Planning staff at the City of Langford are happy to assist you in completing the application process.

Please submit applications to:

Leanne Taylor, MCIP

Senior Planner

City of Langford

2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue

Langford, BC V9B 2X8