Maple Green Elementary Spenser Drive Surrey, B.C. V3S 7K7 Telephone: (604) Fax: (604)

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1 Maple Green Elementary Spenser Drive Surrey, B.C. V3S 7K7 Telephone: (604) Fax: (604) Maple Green is a community of learning and belonging where children can grow to be successful and respectful citizens May 31, 2016 Newsletter Principal Message It is hard to believe we are almost down to the last month of school. This school year has gone quickly. I hope the weather will stay warm but not too hot for the many fun activities in June. Our Sports Day last week was a huge success. The Steel Band played well at the Instrumental Festival and very soon they will be going on their school tour to showcase their skills. Our Track mini meet went well - now on to the big event on June 2. I know our team will have a good time. This is also the time of year where we start planning for next year. On May 30 - school staff met to talk about our focus for next year. We have been working on student Self-Regulation for the past two years, and there have certainly been improvements made in that area. Please watch the June newsletter for updates on this. During the last month of school, teachers have planned activities to help end the year on a fun note. Please watch for notices from your teachers. I know June will be a busy, but rewarding month. I hope you all enjoy it. New Reporting For June Report cards will look different for the final term of the school year. The report card we have used for the last few years is no longer available, and a new one has been developed. Teachers will be using this one for the final term this year. It allows for students to comment on their learning (increasing ownership of their learning), a place for teachers to update you on what they have covered during the term as well as a section for personal comments on your child s learning. There will be letter grades on this final one, although next year - this has been mandated out of the report cards. Reporting in BC is still being changed at a Provincial Level - so we may see some differences next year also, but chances are it will look similar to what you will be getting in June. While it is different - it does provide a good overview of your child s learning in an easier to read format. 2016/17 Staffing Updates I am pleased to announce that Maple Green will be getting a Vice-Principal next year. Ms. Cutway, who is currently the V.P. at Walnut Road Elementary, will be joining our staff. She has been the Vice-principal there for the past three years, and will bring a

2 fresh dynamic to our school. She will also be teaching in the upper intermediate level. I would like to thank Mr. Buhler for yet another great year with us. He worked hard for our students and brought a fun energy to the team. We hope he finds his own classroom in which to work his magic, and also hope that one day we will have him back at Maple Green as a permanent staff member. He will be missed. Mrs. Orth once again dedicated her time to her grade ones, and helped out around the school whenever she could. We wish her the best as she looks for a permanent classroom of her own. Ms. Hundal did a wonderful job teaching French to our intermediate students this year. She made it fun and also helped out with numerous coaching groups. Good luck to her as she also looks to find a classroom of her own. Ms. Brown joined our Education Assistant team this year, worked hard for the students, but will be moving to a new school in Sept. Good luck to her in her new role and thank-you for your great work here. Mr. Mackenzie has officially announced his retirement. He has been at Maple Green since it opened in Mr. Mackenzie has been an outstanding member of the teaching team and will be greatly missed. He also coached every sport there was for our students. A proper good bye will happen in June, but please feel free to stop by and thank him for his many years of service to Maple Green. Sports Day What a fun day for all. The weather was perfect, the stations were fun and the smell of Hot Dogs brought back memories for all of us. The tug-of-war competition was wonderful, but the teacher water balloon toss was the highlight as the teachers all threw their balloons at Mr. Mackenzie in honor of his last Sports Day. We raised a total of 24 boxes of food for the Surrey Food Bank - a huge success as last year we raised 16! Well done to all teams. The standings were: The Blue Jays taking first place, the Red Volcano Surfers coming in second, the Yellow Minions in third place, and the Green Shrek Squad following in fourth place. Everyone cheered loudly all day long - way to go Maple Green. Thanks to all the teachers for their creative fun stations, and Mrs. McAllister for organizing this event. Classroom Organization for September Staff will be organizing students into their classroom divisions in September once the final numbers are in, but there will be many different combined classes next year. This is required for several reasons, and is also great for students. Please see the attached memo regarding combined classes. District Calendar Our Board of Education voted to continue with the District Calendar again this year. This means that there will be five school closure days (a two week Spring Break) and all Pro-D days will be District wide. Please

3 see the attached draft calendar with tentative dates for next year. Requests for Class Placement All requests for class placement must be submitted in writing to Mrs. Mrak by June 23. Please complete the attached form and return it to the office. Please do not request specific teachers, but rather note educational reasons to be considered in placement. It is not appropriate to request that your son/daughter be placed with a specific teacher or with particular friends. These requests will NOT be considered. School Fees In keeping with the School District Policy, here is a list of fees for students for the next year: Planners: $5.00 Grade Seven Band: Students / parents are required to purchase or rent their own musical instrument in order to participate in band programs from grades School Supplies: Parents have the option of purchasing their child's supplies on their own utilizing the grade supply list which will be sent home with report cards or for your convenience you may wish to purchase supplies as a package through School Start. Payment can be made directly to School Start online or sent to the school by May 31. Please note that all items on the list are required. School Start online orders will be accepted until September 16, 2016 but a $5 late fee will apply after August 1, Costs for supplies vary based on grade. Fieldtrips: During the course of the year all classes will be participating in educational trips outside the school grounds. As in years past, notices will be sent home explaining costs involved with each trip and the amount students need to contribute. In school activities: During the course of the year, specialized groups may come to the school to work with students (ie. Gym Sense, Rollerskating, Dancing). These groups may be school wide or for specific grade groups. Notices will be sent home explaining costs involved with each activity and the amount students need to contribute. As always, there are options available for students who are experiencing financial difficulties. The costs of each activity will be reflective of the actual costs of the activity. Bell Schedule for Next Year Our bell schedule for next year is as follows: 8:30 Warning Bell 8:35 Classes Begin 10:15 10:30 Recess 11:38-12:20 Lunch 12:25 Classes Begin 2:25 Dismissal Moving?? Please advise the school if your children will not be attending Maple Green next year. This information is helpful as we make plans for next school year. Leaving Early on Vacation? If your children will be leaving early, before June 23, please be sure to advise the office and the classroom teacher. Also arrangements should be made for report cards. We do not mail report cards unless

4 a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided. Otherwise, report cards will be placed in the student s file until September at which point they can be picked up. Footwear Reminder: Open toe sandals and flip/flop summer shoes are not appropriate footwear for students at school. Accidents can happen unexpectedly to unprotected feet while walking or running. Also there are bees/wasps on the grass fields outside that would love to sting bare feet. Lost and Found There are many items in the Lost & Found box. Please check the hallways during the week of June Any items that are not claimed will be donated to a local charity. Track and Field The big day is nearly upon us. Students are very excited about the annual District Track and Field day at Bear Creek Park. On Thursday June 2, many students in the school will be representing Maple Green at this event. Students have been training hard for the past month to hone their skills, and will spend Thursday competing with their agegroup peers. It is a wonderful day at the track. Feel free to come watch the kids in action!! Thanks to all the teachers who coached the students to get them ready for their big day: Mr. Reid, Mr. MacKenzie, Mr. Naidu, Mrs. Orth, Ms. Hundal, Mr. Buhler, Mrs. Smitherman, Mr. O Malley, Mrs. Sandhu and Mr. Insell. Good luck to all the athletes!! Instrumental Festival Highlights On May 3 the District sponsored a Music Festival at the Bell Center. Our Steel Drum players, led by Mr. Fernandes, performed at this event. The District provided the buses for students to be transported to and from this event, but Mr. Fernandes and his team of players worked very hard to prepare for it. They did an outstanding job, and represented our school very nicely. Many thanks to Mr. Fernandes and his Steel Band Players! Reminder of Kindergarten Registration Registration for children entering Kindergarten in September is ongoing. Any child born in 2011 is eligible to start kindergarten in September Documents required to register are: Child s birth certificate or passport, parent proof of citizenship, proof of guardianship, and proof of address, care card and record of immunization.

5 Maple Green Elementary Spenser Drive Surrey, B.C. V3S 7K7 Telephone: (604) Fax: (604) SCHOOL CALENDAR September 6 September 26 October 10 October 21 October 31 November 3 November 3 November 4 November 10 November 11 December 9 December 19-January 2 January 3 February 13 February 17 March 3 March 7 March March 27 April 14 April 17 April 26 April May 5 May 22 May 29 June 29 June 30 School Starts Thanksgiving Interim Week Early Dismissal Remembrance Day Report Cards Issued School Closed/Winter Break Back to School Family Day Report Cards Issued Early Dismissal Spring Break Back to School Good Friday Easter Monday Early Dismissal Interim Week Victoria Day Report Cards/Early Dismissal/Summer Break Administrative Day, School is closed BELL SCHEDULE 2016 / :30 First Bell 8:35 10:15 Morning Session 10:15 10:30 Recess 10:30 11:38 Morning Session 11:38 12:20 Lunch 12:25 2:25 Afternoon Session 2:25 Dismissal Bell

6 MAPLE GREEN ELEMENTARY Class Placement Request for school year 2016/17 Staff assignments to specific grade levels will not be finalized until enrollment data is confirmed in September. Students are assigned to classes based on the following educational and social criteria: 1. Academic ability 2. Social compatibility 3. Behavioural considerations 4. Learning styles 5. Equal numbers of each gender 6. Class group dynamics 7. Teaching styles 8. Special needs considerations 9. Teacher contract guidelines Information provided on this form will be considered providing it fits with the stated criteria. Please do not request a specific teacher or comment on other children. Simply outline the program you feel would best meet the academic/social needs of your child(ren). You may wish to include: learning style, teaching strategies, curriculum emphasis, parental involvement, social / emotional considerations, etc. Name of child: Present Grade: Present Teacher: Gender: Grade in September: Program Characteristics Requested: Educational Reason for Request: Parent Signature: Date:

7 School District #36 (Surrey) Combined Classes Combined-grade classes are not new or unusual in elementary schools. They have been in existence for years and will continue to be a fact of school life. There is a good chance that most Surrey children will have the experience of being in a combined-grade class two or three times during their elementary school years. If your child is not in a combined class this year, it is likely that he/she will be in one next year. The Surrey School District is committed to creating classes of mixed abilities where balance exists among the classrooms in terms of student performance levels and student behavioural characteristics. As well, we must abide by the class size clauses contained in the teachers contract with the Board. Being in a combined class can be a most beneficial experience for students. Placement in one should not be looked upon with worry, but rather should be viewed as a normal and expected experience. Dr. Joel Gajadharsingh, of the University of Saskatchewan, is the leading North American investigator of combined classes. In 1991, the Canadian Education Association summarized his findings and concluded that children in combined classes get just as good an education as in single grade classes. Students learn as much in combined classes. Their ability to learn and to get along with other people is as good as or better than students in single grades. Research has shown that combined classes: Let students learn from one another Provide models for younger students Let older students see what they ve already learned Provide a curriculum suited to each student Encourage students to work together Help students to become independent Teach students to respect one another Achievement levels of these students are as good as and usually better than the achievement levels of students placed in single-age classes. Students in combined classes are not held back to the level of younger students, nor are they expected to handle work beyond their ability. In every classroom there is a wide range of abilities, talents and performance levels. Children mature at different rates in various aspects of development. Teachers are aware of these individual differences and structure learning activities according to the need of each learner. In combined classes the range of abilities is not significantly different from that of a single grade class. Within the combined class there will be children of both grade levels with similar levels with similar levels of performance. Whether a child is gifted or one needing much assistance each will be challenged towards excellence as much in a combined class as he/she would be in a regular class. Findings also show that children in classes where there is more than one age level learn to become more independent, responsible learners and develop a greater degree of social responsibility. Mature younger students are often in a more acceptable social setting in a combined class; likewise some older students may be more comfortable socially with younger students. Students in combined classes generally develop a greater sense of belonging, support and confidence. Children learn continuously; their intellectual, social and personal development does not occur in compartmentalized, grade-specific segments. Teachers of students in combined classes, like those in singlegrade classes, employ their skills and strategies so that each student is challenged at the level at which he/she can succeed. Our primary concern as advocates for children is to provide a stable, effective learning environment for all students in our care.

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