We have been discussing the possibility of changing the daily schedule slightly to allow teachers more time each week to plan their instructional approaches as a team.   We know that this additional time to plan together will have a direct and positive impact on student success. 

 Many schools have now gone the direction of adding an additional 5 minutes to two class periods each day creating 10 extra minutes per day.  What this allows is one day per week that students are released earlier by 50 minutes.  Here at Belle Anse Elementary School it would be a release time of 2:05 pm once per week always on the same day every week.  So, if we decided that our early release day would be Thursday, every Thursday students would leave school or go to day care at 2:05 pm.  The 50 minutes that are gained each day are used to create this time for teachers to be present at school working together on class instruction, planning or school-wide projects that affect student learning.

 This change will not affect the types or frequency of after school programs that are offered at BAS, only the days on which they are offered.

Last Thursday was a success and we hope that it continues.  On Thursday May 17, students will be starting their seedlings.  We are asking that parents to send in little pots so that their child can start their seedlings (ex. yogurt containers, milk cartons, mushroom containers, etc)? Anyone is welcome to participate, so if you have not already signed up please call the school.

There is going to be a mini basketball tournament for grades 4-5-6 at Gaspe Elementary.  The cafeteria will be available all day.

Cultural Showcase is next week.  There has been a change of date for the show this year.  The performance will be held on Wednesday March 28^th. 

Parents, the Home & School Association will be having a gift bingo on Monday Feb.27, 2012 to help raise funds for the school.  The money raised will be used to fund activities we do with the students.  The Home & School Association is asking for families to donate a gift, around $10, to help fund the bingo (ex. a gift card).  Also, Home & School is looking for volunteers to make sandwiches and help out with running the bingo.  If you are interested, please contact Marie-France.  The bingo will take place at the Center on Monday Feb. 27 and will start at 7:00pm.  I hope to see you there.

This is a reminder that we are going tubing on Monday Feb. 20.  Please make sure that your child has extra clothing in case they are cold.  Students will be able to buy something from the canteen however; we need the money by Friday.  Please put the money in a baggie with your child’s name on it.  The reason for this is to decrease waiting time and confusion at the canteen.  With this list everything will be ready when the students come in for lunch. Parents and siblings (4 years old and up) are invited to attend.  The fee is $5 for sliding, if you are planning to attend please send in your money by Friday…thanks.

We would like to offer hot lunches again this year as it has been a huge success during the past years.  In order to offer this we need someone to prepare the hot lunches.  The hot lunches can be soup and a grilled cheese sandwich or hotdogs and fries.  If you would like to volunteer please contact the school and we can discuss possible dates and lunch ideas.  Your time would be greatly appreciated by the staff and the students.

School photos will be taken on Thursday, September 15th. If you wish to have family photos taken, call the school to make an appointment. Each family photo session will be alloted 15 min. maximum. If you do not have an appointment, you will have to wait until all the appointments have been concluded. Student photos will take priority over family photos.

We have a library, but we don’t have a librarian. However, we now have a fantastic computer program that will help us organize all the books and make work in the library easy and convenient.

We are looking for a volunteer(s) who is computer literate and loves books.

The job is in two parts. 

1. Organizing books (on shelves and on computer).

2. Maintain the library through the year on an occasional basis (scheduler to be discussed).

Spread the word so we can start using our library soon!