King George VI School
April News
Happy Easter
Say Hello to Spring!
Spring seems to have finally sprung and the warmer temperatures are here.The school has been very busy preparing for a number of different events that are coming soon. As always our focus in on helping our students achieve to the best of their abilities.
We continue to focus on literacy and reading in every grade. Our school wide writing program continues and we have concluded Narrative writing and we are well into Explanation writing. Please take the time when you visit the school to see the many, many examples of students work posted in the classroom and the hallways.
Our school wide writing continuum shows an example of each grade and how they have progressed through the writing form. With the help of the grade 7 and 8 students we have created a school wide honour wall to show our best efforts across all writing forms and in all subject areas.
The only way to improve at reading is to spend time practicing this skill and to READ, READ, READ. Please take the time to encourage your child to read for fifteen minutes each night, whether it be the sports page in the local paper, a magazine, a comic book, or a fiction book. Encourage fifteen minutes of reading for pleasure. As a parent, read to younger children daily. They enjoy the story and they enjoy spending quality time with you.
Junior Basketball
Regular season games are under way for our junior boys basketball teams. I have had the priviledge of coaching the boys this year and we truly have a fine group of young men. I would like to thank our student volunteer coaches, Dalton Kilmer and Liam Wright for their time, effort and interest in coaching this team. Team members are: Ethan Shackleton, Ty Espinola, Jake Trusler, Tim McNaughton, Chase Cope, Burke Roszell, Matthew Rankin, Chris Simeonakis, Dustin Morphew, Easton Klaudi, Logan Bremner, Justin Kirby, Seth Moore.
Our girls team is being coached by Mr. Smith. I would like to thank him for his time and dedication to education and sport. Team members are: Mackenzie Davis, Katrina Barnard, Danielle Smith, Diana Mainye, Payton Gleave, Julie Nethercott, Emma Swain, Kaylee Johnson, Sarah McQueen, Jamie Cobby, Gloria Gweon, Maggie Clark.
Ben Hazzard Presentation.
On Tuesday, April 14th Ben Hazzard, program consultant for the LKDSB, will be kicking off our King George VI Speaker series with a discussion of the works of Robert Marzano. The workshop entitled “Nine Ways to Grow your Child’s Brain”, promises to be an interesting and informative session highlighting current trends in education. We look forward to seeing as many parents as possible there. Please RSVP Janet Robbins as soon as possible
School Effectiveness Framework Review
Our school has been very busy preparing to celebrate our successes and progress as our District Review date approaches. On April 17th a team from the LKDSB will come and observe the progress we have made with ministry and board directives. The goal of the team is to review and make suggestions on improving our student achievement.
We welcome them and feel free to ask should you have any questions.
Upcoming Workshops for Parents at Cathcart Public School ....Thursday, April 23 -- Anger Only Makes Things Worse
We all know that anger can be destructive and can damage family relationships. Learn what to do about it so that it doesn’t effect your family.
Thursday, May 14 -- Hurried Children - Stressed Children
Expectations and an overload of activities impacts children - Learn how to de-stress and protect your children.
September -- Responsibility and Homework
Understand the connections between homework, problems solving and decision making skills and children taking responsibility done.
School Council Meeting Tuesday, April 14 6:30 p.m. School Library
All are welcome to attend
Spring Picture Day
On Monday, April 6 beginning at 9:00 a.m. individual school photos will be taken for all students. Parents may decide to order photos or not. There is no obligation to purchase. There will be NO RETAKE DAY in the event of absence or a spoiled picture. Parents of alternate JK/SK B day will have their pictures taken on the 7th of April.“Say Cheese!”
Congratulations to our Regional Spelling Bee Participants Darshan Parmar and Rabea Nadeem.
Excellent work gentlemen!
E.Q.A.O
The assessment for all students in Grade Three and Grade Six will take place between May 25 and June 5. A letter with more information will be forthcoming to the individual classes involved. We have scheduled the week May 25– May 29th for this assessment to take place.
New JK New SK Parent Information Night
There will be an information night on Wednesday May 6th from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the school library for parents with children new to JK or SK in Sept 09
Kindergarten “Grad” Pictures
This new program will happen on the 23rd and 24th of April. Our photographer will take photos and give each family a free 8x10 photo of their child. Additional photos are available.
Gr. 8 Excursion
Friday, June 19 is the date of the Toronto excursion. Plans are being finalized. A trip itinerary will be issued. Students will be involved raising funds to defray the cost of the excursion. Our thanks to the parent council for the donation of a portion of the Dance-a-thon to the cost of the trip.
Grade 8 Graduation
The date for the Grade Eight graduation is Thursday, June 25nd at the Village Inn. We are planning a sit down style meal. The group picture will be at 6:00 p.m followed by dinner and an awards ceremony. As the time draws nearer more information will follow regarding volunteers, number of guests, times and meal costs.
We are continuing with our Calendar reading program. Please initial the days on the calendar that you have read with your child and we reward your child with some really cool prizes.
Just hand the completed calendar into the office.
DANCE-A-THON
On Thursday April 30th we will be having our annual dance-a-thon at King George in the school Gymnasium. Last year was a huge success! We raised $7000 to complete our playground equipment initiative! With every $10 raised students will receive a ballot for great prises. Pledge forms will be collected starting the week of April 20th. Pledge sheets and donations will be collected until Thursday April 30.
If you are able to volunteer you help with this very special day would be greatly appreciated.
Please contact
Kelly Steeves, Fundraising
ksteeves1@sympatico.ca or 519-336-1486
Anita Trusler, Chair
atrusler@cogeco.ca or 519-337-6260
Tracey Machan, Co-Chair
ktmachan@cogeco.ca or 519-337-6617
King George VI Public School
585 O’Dell Ave.
Sarnia, Ontario
N7V 4H7
Telephone—344-2942
Fax—344-4426
E-mail:http//www.kinggeorgesixth.com
District Website:www.lkdsb.net/schoolInfo/default.htm
Principal: Mr. A. Miller
Secretary: Mrs. J. Robbins
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Adam Miller
Principal.
March 2009 News
Spring begins this month and many of us are looking forward in seeing what is really under all the snow we’ve had this year ! Enjoy all the special vacation days in March and stay safe.
Gr. 8 Retake Grad Pictures
Individual retakes and absent studentgrad photos will take place on Thursday, March 5th.
Dates to Remember
Pizza Days
Friday, April 17
Friday, May 15
Friday, June 5
March Break
March Break begins Saturday, March 15 –21. Students return to school Monday, March 23. JK/ SK Group B returns Tuesday, March 24.
School Council Meeting
The next School Council meeting takes place Tuesday, April 14 at King George VI. It begins at 6:30 p.m. in the library. All are welcome.
Report Cards
The JK/SK report cards go home Friday, March 27 for Group A JK/SK class and Thursday, March 26th for the Group B classes. Grade One to Grade Eight report cards will be sent home Friday, March 27th.
EQAO Assessment Gr. 3 & Gr. 6
To assist in your long rang planning the EQAO assessment for Grade Three and Grade Six students will take place the last week of May. If your child will be involved in this assessment please refrain from scheduling doctor , dentist or specialist appointments during this assessment window. More information will be forthcoming as the time draws closer.
Sports
The junior boys and girls basketball is just starting to get underway. Thank you to Mrs. Kilmer and Mr. Miller for coaching the boys and to Mr. Smith for coaching the girls.
Bus Bay Traffic and Safety
Parents are welcome to use the bus bay parking lot anytime before or after busses arrive and leave. Please do not drive and move your vehicle while students are boarding in the bus bay loading area. This is an issue of safety for our students. Your help would be greatly appreciated. This will ensure the safety of students boarding the bus or being dismissed to walk home.
Parking Lot
Parents using the south parking lot to drop off and pick up their children before and after school are reminded to please follow the parking lot regulations. This includes not parking in NO PARKING ZONES, blocking other vehicles in and double parking. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Weather Reminder
Our bus zone is ZONE 2. In the event of inclement weather or black ice and busses are canceled please listen carefully to your local radio station for information. When busses are cancelled in the morning due to snowy and icy weather they are also cancelled for the afternoon at end of day. Even with bus cancellation under most circumstances schools will remain openunless a morning radio announcement is made indicating school closures. Information will be available by 7:00 a.m. Please be aware that if busses are CANCELLED in the MORNING due to FOG once conditions have improved BUSSES WILL RUN IN THE AFTERNOON AND STUDENTS WILL BE PICKED UP IN THE AFTERNOON from school AND BUSSED TO THEIR DESIGNATED DROP OFF POINT.
Student Absence
Please continue to call the school in the event of your child’s absence. This helps Mrs. Robbins, our school secretary. Your child’s safety is our main concern.
FEAST FIT FOR A KING PROFIT WAS
$125.00 (Jan.)
Congrats to Mrs. Taylor’s class who won the pizza party!
Mr. A. Miller, Principal
February 2009 News
Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy New Year! We hope 2009 is shaping up to be great for everyone. It is good to see students wearing hats, gloves, mittens and warm sweaters to battle the cold winter weather. Students should be especially careful crossing roads. When snow is piled high, it can be very difficult for drivers to see children crossing busy streets. We are ZONE 2. Should school busses be cancelled due to icy or snowy conditions or a rare school closure please listen to the local radio stations for details.
Dates to Remember
Pizza Day: Friday, February 27
Student Council News
Through our Student Council we raised $489.00 for our World Vision Canada donations during privilege day and the candy cane drive. We wish to thank everyone who made a contribution. Our school community did a great job of pulling together and showing support. Also we brought in over 900 canned goods for the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
School Council Meetings:
Library
All are welcome to attend.
Tuesday, February 10, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 p.m.
FAMILY DAY
Monday, February 16, 2009 is Family Day
Students do not attend.
Enjoy Your Day
New JK/SK Registration for Sept. 2009
Registration was held Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28 in the school library from 9:00— 3:30 p.m. Please contact the school if you aware of new JK or SK registration in our area. It is important so that we may have accurate student numbers for new JK and SK students when we begin our school staffing. An information letter has already been sent. We continue to accept registrations throughout the school year.
Skating
We have rented ice time in order that our primary, junior and intermediate students can participate in skating as an extension of our daily quality physical education program. Bussing is provided to the arena and back for students only. Parents who would like to help tie skates are welcome to meet us at the arena. Unfortunately because of our numbers, siblings who are not in school cannot go on the ice. ALSO, it has been strongly recommended by our insurance provider, OSBIE, to tell parents that students should wear a hockey helmet with full cage in order to prevent head injuries. Skating will take place on:
Feb 5; Feb 26th - Primary Students
Feb. 12; Mar. 5th - Junior Students
Feb. 19; Mar. 12th - Intermediate Students
REMINDERS
All Grade Eight students should return their Grade Nine option selection sheets to the school once they have spoken with parents about appropriate course selection for grade nine.
Grade 8 Graduation Pictures
Grade 8 Graduation Pictures will be taken Friday, February 13 at 9:00 a.m. in the front foyer of the school.
Report Cards
The JK/SK report cards go home Friday, March 27 for Group A JK/SK class and Thursday, March 26th for the Group B classes. Interviews will be held on a needs basis at the request of the teacher or parent.
To assist you in your long term planning, the term two report cards for students in Grade One to Grade Eight will be sent home Friday, March 27th. Parent/teacher interviews are scheduled on a needs basis. If an interview has not been requested by your child’s teacher and you wish an interview, please contact the appropriate teacher to arrange a time that is mutually convenient. You may wish to arrange a telephone interview.
Feast Fit for a King
Thank you to all parents and friends of King George who supported our Domino’s pizza night on Wednesday, December 17th and Wednesday, January 28th.
The next Feast Fit For A King is Wednesday, February 25th..
DID YOU KNOW
Pizza Profit January
$ 111.06
Sports News]
Basketball Season has begun. The Intermediate Girl’s Team consists of: Cassidy Crowe, Courtney Brinksman, Alexa Leonard, Sidney Stewart, Kayla Smith, Taylor Lea, Keely Roszell, Kyraith De Shane, and Emily Whalen. Thank you to Mr. Murray and Ms. Moro for coaching the team and volunteering his time and preparing the girls for league and tournament play.
The Intermediate Boy’s Basketball team consists of: Liam Wright, Matt Mulholland, Dalton Kilmer, Bradley Nethercott, Ethan Shackleton, Rabea Nadeem, J.C. Ridgewell. We would like to thank Mr. D. De Shane our volunteer coach for preparing the boys’ team for league play.
Magazine Fundraiser Results
Cathy Brinksman a volunteer parent has organized this event last year and this year. This year our profit was $2,247.49 dollars.
January Calendar Reading Program
We have had several students and parents participate in the January Reading program. Awards and Prizes will be distributed during the first week of February.
Don’t forget to sign this months calendar and return it to the school at the end of the month.
Top 10 Ways to Improve Reading Skills
by Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S.
Nothing is more important to academic achievement than being a good reader. Parents know their children best and can provide the one-on-one time and attention that will lead them to success in reading. Here is a list of ways to help your children become more effective readers.
1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children every day.Studies show that regularly reading out loud to children will produce significant gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. Whether your children are preschoolers or preteens, it will increase their desire to read independently.
2. Surround your children with reading material. Children with a large array of reading materials in their homes score higher on standardized tests. Tempt your kids to read by having a large supply of appealing books and magazines at their reading level. Put the reading materials in cars, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even by the TV.
3. Have a family reading time.Establish a daily 15 to 30 minute time when everyone in the family reads together silently. Seeing you read will inspire your children to read. Just 15 minutes of daily practice is sufficient to increase their reading fluency.
4. Encourage a wide variety of reading activities. Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time when they could be waiting for appointments or riding in a car.
5. Develop the library habit. Entice your children to read more by taking them to the library every few weeks to get new reading materials. The library also offers reading programs for children of all ages that may appeal to your children and further increase their interest in reading.
6. Be knowledgeable about your children's progress. Find out what reading skills they are expected to have at each grade level. The school's curriculum will give you this information. Track their progress in acquiring basic reading skills on report cards and standardized tests.
7. Look for reading problems. Teachers do not always detect children's reading problems until they've become serious. Find out if your children can sound out words, know sight words, use context to identify unknown words, and clearly understand what they read.
8. Get help promptly for reading problems. Reading problems do not magically disappear with time. The earlier children receive help, the more likely they will become good readers. Make sure your children receive necessary help from teachers, tutors, or learning centers as soon as you discover a problem.
9. Use a variety of aids to help your children. To help your children improve their reading, use textbooks, computer programs, books-on-tape, and other materials available in stores. Games are especially good choices because they let children have fun as they work on their skills.
10. Show enthusiasm for your children's reading. Your reaction has a great influence on how hard they will try to become good readers. Be sure to give them genuine praise for their efforts.
Have a safe and enjoyable February.
A. Miller
Principal
December 2008
Dec. 18, 2008
The staff at King George VI would like to wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday.
Our Christmas Program was well attended Monday by parents, grand-parents and friends and we would like to congratulate the children and organizers for a terrific job.
We hope you were able to see the Christmas tree with all the food underneath it when you came to our Christmas Program. The food represents the generosity of our community and the hard work of the student council to organize and package the food. We have seen an amazing variety of food items, all of which will be donated to the Inn of the Good Shepherd. This was a great opportunity for our students to reach out to others who may use a helping hand over the winter months. Thank you for your willingness to share with others.
Message from Ms. Strickland
Dear Parents,
After much thought, I have decided to retire at Christmas. This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make. It has been a privilege to work with such enthusiastic students and supportive parents and colleagues. I will cherish my King George memories forever and I hope to see all of you often.
Most sincerely,
Patricia Strickland
Resource Teacher
We would like extend our congratulations and heart felt thanks for her tireless work and effort on behalf of students to Ms. Strickland on the occasion of Retirement. She has been a pillar in our community and has served King George for many years. We wish her all the best. We would encourage all members of the community to wish Patti well.
The Teacher in Your Heart
This year a trusted Knight
Pronounced her voyage soon to end
So we celebrate her
Trusted teacher, mother, friend.
In the classroom you have given much
But your greatest legacy lives on
Within the lives you have touched.
You embraced your role as teacher
And went the extra mile
Your caring and devotion
Showing all the while.
Troubled children grew responsible
With your encouragement
As you taught them composition
They grew strong and confident.
Perhaps because you cared so much
Which was plainly evident
By the way you gave your everything
Obviating your intent.
To challenge each and every child
Regardless of ability
Teaching them the value
Of believing in possibility.
Many of those children
Now with children of their own
Remain full of admiration
For the belief in them you have shown.
Congratulations on your retirement
Goodness knows it’s just the start
Of continuing life’s lessons.
For the teacher in your heart.
High School Visits Information Night
During the week of January 12th High School Guidance Teachers will visit our grade 8 students here at King George.
Northern Parent Information Night
There will be a meeting on Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. for parents of students in Grade 8 that plan to attend Northern in Sept. 2009.
St. Clair Parent Information Night
There will be a meeting on Wednesday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. for parents of students in Gr. 8 that plan to attend St. Clair in Sept. 2009.
Alexander MacKenzie Parent Information Night
There will be a meeting held on Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. for parents of students in Gr. 8 that plan to attend Alexander MacKenzie in Sept. 2009.
We wish to welcome to our staff Ms. Joanne Morris. Joanne will be with us starting January 5, 2009 until June 26, 2009 as our Resource Teacher. We also would like to welcome Ms. Shelly Brown who will be our Resource Teacher starting in September 2009.
Snow Day Expectations
Occasionally weather conditions are such that the buses are cancelled in the morning. In the event that buses are cancelled the school will usually remain open for the day and only in extreme weather conditions will the school close. Regular classwork will continue and an academic program will be put in place. Although new curriculum expectations may not be covered, such days are often an excellent opportunity to review concepts that have already been taught or to extend our knowledge in certain curriculum areas.
It is expected that if students, in their parents’ opinion, can safely attend school, they should do so. If parents determine that it is not safe for children to come to school on any given day, we would ask that you call the school and let us know that your child will not be in attendance and the reason for the absence.
King George Hockey …
Thanks to the dedication of parent volunteers Glen Knott and Fred Klaudi, students of King George (Grades 6 to 8) will have the opportunity to participate in the Elementary School Hockey League.
Although the league is outside of the LKESSA sports, it does give the opportunity to many students to build upon their skills in a “no hit” division. There are 10 league games in all.
For futher details visit the website: http://www.hockeypage.com/sshl
or pick up a flyer at the office.
Mr. Murray and the King George Great Skate!
Mr. Murray will once again be organizing skating activities for the winter months. We have not yet been able to finalize the details however we are very pleased to say that we are going to try for at least one skate per month for the period from January to March. Thanks to Mr. Murray for his efforts.
The Christmas Assembly.
Thanks to all the teachers especially Mrs. Davis and parents who participated in celebrating the season with us. The assembly was very well attended and the kids did a terrific job with their skits and songs.
Violence in the Media Presentation January 20th at Cathcart.
In coordination with our school council, the administration of King George School is pleased to provide an important opportunity for all parents.
Although media can positively inform and entertain it also has the powerful ability to persuade. Mass media, and specifically popular media, influences the ideas and actions of the audience. Violent messages frequently are presented via the Internet, video games, television, film and music. Come to the Cathcart gym on Jan 20th @ 6:00 to hear an informative presentation about this compelling subject. Learn what you need to know to protect and educate your children.
The objectives of this presentation are to become more informed about the media behaviors and habits of today's youth, introduce preventative measures, discuss critical literacy skills and provide a possible plan of action.
Helping our Children Achieve
In response to some concerns raised regarding the EQAO scores the staff and school council will be beginning some innovative techniques to assist parents in helping their kids achieve. An ad hoc committee was established and were able to identify some areas of need and where we will be trying some new ideas.
Calendar Read Program.
We are encouraging all parents to read to their children on a regular basis. The EQAO statistics, based on the kids responses, stated that only 14% of grade three and only 8% of grade six students read with someone on a regular basis.
To encourage parents and siblings to read regularly with their children we would like parents to sign the calendar and return it at the end of January. If you are able to read with your kids for 15 nights in January and return your calendar then we will reward your efforts with a prize from one of our local business partners. Movies, gift certificates and treats are some of the selections we are using to encourage both kids and parents to take time to enjoy reading.
2. Our Math Back Packs
We will be starting a new “Math Back Pack” Program for students in Grades 1 to 3. Included in the backpacks will be various mathematical tools and a challenge activity that will both be interesting and fun to share with parents. Five backpacks will be provided per class and will rotate throughout the room. Students will have the opportunity to take the backpacks home and start to work right away.
Although we will be starting with just these two initiatives we are looking forward to also exploring the following ideas …
1. After School Numeracy Program for Junior Students.
2. How Boys Learn. Providing professional reading for Teachers and Parents of our male students.
3. Kinesthetic Learning and How to Create “Boy Friendly” Classrooms.
EQAO Results for King George VI School are available at
WWW.EQAO.COM and follow the links to LKDSB-King George VI
New School Website
I am very pleased to announce that we are just about ready to launch our new school website. A much improved look and access to information about King George Activities and information will soon be available. Thanks so much to Mrs. Snider for her efforts on behalf of us all. The new website address will be www.kinggeorgesixth.com
Literacy/Numeracy Tips—The ABC’s of Reading
A sk your child questions about the story you're reading to ensure comprehension.
B ook family time to read with your children every day.
C reate a special reading place in your home, with your child's favorite books within reach.
D onate funds to a literacy cause.
E ncourage children to read words on TV, street signs, mugs and T-shirts.
F ind new stories to read with your children every week. Vary their length and subject matter.
G ive your time to read aloud to a child.
H ave a child read a book to you.
I nternational Literacy Day is held on September 8 every year. Celebrate the day by picking up a book and reading to a child.
J anuary 27 is Family Literacy Day in Canada and November 1 in the United States. Find out how to create an event in your corner of the world.
K eep teens reading. Give them books, newspaper articles and magazines about things that interest them – music, movies, TV and computers.
L et children count out the change when making a purchase. Reinforce the importance of math in everyday life!
M ake every day a learning day. Ask your children to make a shopping list, read recipes together or help them make a calendar of their weekly activities.
N ewborns benefit from reading too!
O rganize a children's book club with friends in your neighborhood.
P ick one night a week to make a regular visit to the library.
Q uiet, cozy reading spaces are good places for your child to read independently.
R emember that children learn by example – if you recognize the importance of reading, your children will too!
S tart early! It's never too early to read to your children.
T reat a child to a story a day.
U se reading time to create a special bond with a child.
V olunteer your time. Family literacy groups in your community could use your help with tutoring adults, reading to children and helping out with administrative tasks.
W rite a letter.
X ercise your mind! Reading ability is like a muscle, if you don't exercise it often, you will not maintain the same level of reading ability as you get older. So – "use it or lose it"!
Y ou are the key to improving a child's reading ability by placing a high priority on reading in your home.
Z ap off the TV - pick up a book instead!
On Behalf of the staff at King George VI School I would like to wish everyone in the community a safe and Happy Holiday.
Adam Miller
Principal
Merry Christmas
Dec. 1, 2009
Dress For the Weather
The cold weather is here. We have had to break out the winter coats, snow pants, scarves, hats and mitts.
Parent / Teacher Interviews
The home and school connection is very important for the educational success of each and every student. We would like to say “thank-you” to all parents for checking their child’s planners diligently on a nightly/daily basis and support home-work being completed. The curriculum is meant to both challenge and inspire children to be the best they can be.
Gr. One to Grade Eight will go home Friday, December 5th. Interviews are slated for Monday, December 8 from 3:45 to 7:30 and Tuesday, December 9 from 3:45 to 7:30. for all students including JK/SK.
Many students will be given the opportunity to direct part of the interview using the “Student-Led Conference” model. This model encourages students to take personal responsibility for their academic progress and results.
Use your Student Planner daily. It is a life skill!
REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY
“Lest We Forget”
Our Remembrance Day assembly took place on, Tuesday, November 11th. The students and teachers of King George VI School did an excellent job of capturing the importance of the day. Thank you to Ms. Dent, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Knott who organized this event and to the classes that participated.
SNOW DAYS
Students and Parents are reminded that when there are bus cancellations due to inclement weather conditions the school will often remain open for the day.
The expectation is to continue with our regular academic program. Although new material is often not presented, review and extension of academic programs will take place. The expectation is for children who are able to SAFELY attend school to do so. After taking into consideration the weather as well as road and sidewalk conditions, Parents are responsible for making the decision whether to send their children to school. If your child is not going to attend on a “Snow Day” please call and leave a message.
SPORTS NEWS
Volleyball
Our girls and boys volleyball teams have completed their season. The tournament was held at Cathcart Blvd School. Both team showed some solid skill and good sportsmanship but were unable to outplay strong competition. The boys’ team members are: Liam Wright, Avery Hansen, Josh Huard, Theo Karaouzas, Trenton Lowe, Shea Armstrong, Jake Theoret, Colton Knott and Matt Mulholland. The girls’ team members are: Jessica Guerette, Nigar Abdullazada, Emily Fontaine, Melanie Lumby, Kayla Bressette, Courtney Brinksman, Grace Gweon, Heather Hobday, Brooke Causley, Kyraith DeShane, Caitie Brown, Cassidy Crowe and Anjali Rawat. Thank you to Mr. Miller & Mrs. Murray for volunteering to coach the girls team and to Mr. Hazzard for volunteering to coach the boys team.
Feast Fit for a King
Thank you to all parents and friends of King George who supported our Domino’s pizza night on Wednesday, Nov. 16. It was a great success. This school fundraiser raised $235.00.These funds will go to support, excursion entry fees, special presentations, plays, and transportation costs.
Christmas Assembly
On Monday, December 15th we will have a Christmas Assembly for parents at 9:30 in the morning and at 1:50 in the afternoon for the students . Many of our classes will participate by doing a presentation involving music, drama or language arts. Thank you to Mrs. D. Davis for organizing this event and to the classes that participated.
Absences
If a student is going to be absent, please notify the school at 344-2942. You may also choose to leave a message on our voice mail. It is essential for safety reasons, that we are aware of when and why your child is absent from school. Communication between the home and school is very important for this reason alone. Our school secretary will be ready for your calls. beginning at 8:00 a.m. You may also leave a message on our answering machine. We will make every effort to contact the parent when a student is absent. If contact does not occur between the home and the office, please send a note to the classroom teacher upon the student's return. For students to be successful at school, good attendance and punctuality are very important. If a student is late, he/she is requested to report to the office before being admitted
Student Council Projects for December
Canned Food Drive
We are entering a time of the year where it is important to think of others less fortunate. The Christmas season is a time of giving. If you can spare dried goods or canned goods, please send it in with your child. We intend to make a donation on behalf of the students and staff of King George School. The food drive will run from Monday, December 1 until Monday, Dec. 15. We intend to make a donation to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
World Vision
Our Student Council has decided that they will sponsor a World Vision Project. On December 12th students in grade 4 to 8 will participate in a Privilege Day. Each Privilege costs $1.00. Students may also bring in a donation for World Vision.
Weather Reminder
Our bus zone is ZONE 2. In the event of inclement weather or black ice and busses are canceled please listen carefully to your local radio station for information. When busses are cancelled in the morning due to snowy and icy weather they are also cancelled for the afternoon at end of day. Even with bus cancellation under most circumstances schools will remain open unless a morning radio announcement is made indicating school closures. Information will be available by 7:00 a.m.
Privilege Day: Friday Dec. 12..... Proceeds to World Vision
Candy Cane Drive $0.50.... Grade 1 - Grade 8..... December 8—December 16.... Delivery December 19th
BUS SAFETY RULES
The safety of all our students at King George is important to us and recently a number of concerns have been raised with students who ride our buses. With winter weather upon us, we feel it important to let each household know of the concerns on our buses and the rules that should be followed :
1."Follow directions the first time they are given.”
2.“Your behaviour will not cause harm to any one in anyway.” (This also includes distractive behaviour as it may cause the driver to have an accident and injure the others.) Bus drivers do give out warnings before they issue a report, but when a bus driver and the bus company do report an incident to the school, the typical action plan is as follows:1.One discipline report = student visit to the office and parent is notified 2.Two discipline reports = a letter is sent home reminding parents of the consequence if a third report occurs. 3.Three discipline reports = suspension of bus privileges for a period of time.
Parents, we would appreciate your support in speaking to your children about their behaviour on the bus and let them know how important it is to sit in their seats quietly especially as the roads become snow covered and icy. If you have any questions you would like addressed, please feel free to contact the school.
Bus Bay Traffic and Safety
Parents are welcome to use the bus bay parking lot anytime before or after busses arrive and leave. Please do not drive and move your vehicle while students are boarding in the bus bay loading area. This is an issue of safety for our students. Your help would be greatly appreciated. This will ensure the safety of students boarding the bus or being dismissed to walk home.
Parking Lot
Parents using the south parking lot to drop off and pick up their children before and after school are reminded to please follow the parking lot regulations. This includes not parking in NO PARKING ZONES, blocking other vehicles in and double parking. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Feast Fit for a King
Thank you to all parents and friends of King George who supported our Domino’s pizza night on Wednesday, Nov. 26
The next Feast Fit For A King is Wednesday, December 17th.
Fundraising
The profit for our Family Magazine Reading Program has not been finalized yet. Thank you to all who supported the program. A special thank you to Mrs. Brinksman, who coordinated this event.
Christmas break – OUR LAST DAY IS Dec. 19 2008 and we will return to classes on January 5, 2009.
DID YOU KNOW??????
Pizza Profit...Oct./Nov....$80.90
Next School Council Meeting....Tuesday, January 9th .....6:30 p.m......Library
NEW JK/SK Registration 2009-2010......It seems early to be thinking about the fall, but it is time. Kindergarten registration will take place Tuesday, January 27th and Wednesday, January 28th. Please contact Mrs. Robbins to set up an appointment.
Be Nut Aware......Parents and Students are reminded that we have several children who have severe allergies to nut products. We also have students who have allergies to egg and red dye. If you are aware of a student in your child’s class that has an allergy please do not send products that may cause a reaction to school. Although this may not be convenient for some families, it is a small sacrifice to keep our children safe.
Pizza Day Friday, December 12
At King George the Student’s Job is:To Learn as much as you can everyday
Congratulations to all of our Winners of the Sarnia Sting Sponsor Tickets. We have had several children and their families benefit from the generosity of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who have sponsored King George VI School with a pair of season tickets. Children are selected by demonstrating excellent behaviour at school.
Student Absence
Please continue to call the school in the event of your child’s absence. This helps Mrs. Robbins, our school secretary Your child’s safety is our main concern.
Seasons Greetings,
On behalf of all of the staff of King George VI School I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday & A Happy New Year!!!!!
Mr. A. Miller
Principal
King George VI Public School
585 O’Dell Ave.
Sarnia, Ontario
N7V 4H7
Telephone—344-2942
Fax—344-4426
School Web Page: http//www.Sarnia.com/schools/kinggeorge
District Website:www.lkdsb.net
Principal: Mr. A. Miller
Secretary: Mrs. J. Robbins
November 2008
Dear Students & Parents,
After a great fall the colder weather is starting to arrive. It is time to break out the sweaters, heavier coats, mittens and scarves, if you haven't already done so.
Weather Reminder
Our bus zone is ZONE 2. In the event of inclement weather or black ice and busses are canceled please listen carefully to your local radio station for information. When busses are cancelled in the morning due to snowy and icy weather they are also cancelled for the afternoon at end of day. Even with bus cancellation under most circumstances schools will remain open unless a morning radio announcement is made indicating school closures. Information will be available by 7:00 a.m.
Fog Delay: Please be aware that if fog conditions exist in the morning buses will be cancelled immediately. There will be no bus delays. Even when the morning buses are cancelled, students will be bussed home in the afternoon. Please listen to the radio in the event of FOG or log on to: www.schoolbusinfo.com. The following stations will carry this news: AM CHOK (1070); The Fox (99.9); KISS (106.3).
School Bus Evacuation Program
A school bus evacuation and bus safety program will take place on Wednesday, November 5 for students in JK to Gr.8 and on Thursday, November 6 for JK/SK “B Day”.
Nano Robotic Team
Gloria Gweon, Taylor Lea, Jamie Davies, Mackenzie Davis, Harsh Pardeshi, Jon Lewis, Steven Crossman, Phil Haggsma, Niki Croteau and Andrew Esser are involved with the Robotics Challenge.
The First Lego League competition is on November 4, 2008 at Errol Rd. Public School. The competition consists of two parts: a project and the robot game. The project is to address a problem in our local community that occurs because of our climate. In addressing the problem the students must come up with a potential solution and demonstrate how the solution would work. The problem we are attempting to address is lower water levels in the lake and river and the effect on marinas and other docks. The students have designed a lock system and are in the process of building model to demonstrate this.
The robot game consists of several "missions" defined by the FLL organization. There are actually eighteen defined missions, the catch is there is a time limit (2.5 minutes) to complete as many as you can. The missions are essentially moving objects from one location to another or opening/closing/switching on/off various stationary models in the model field.
Special thanks to Mr. Hayles, Tevin Hayles, and Mr. Murray for putting the extra time after school hours to supervise and assist these students.
Cross County Results
Our Canatara District Cross Country results are as follows: Cassidy Crowe won the gold medal in the 11 year old girls, Max Steeves, Jake Trusler, Jacob Theoret, Katrina Barnard, Emily Sparham, Maddie Stewart, Alexa Leonard and Sidney Stewart all finished in the top 20 overall. Congratulations to all our cross country runners. Thank you to Mr. Murray and the parent volunteers that assisted and supported their children. This is what King George is all about.
Student Council Elections
Student Council election results are as follows: Grade 4: Keturah Mainye, Angela Wang; Grade 5: Sawyer Osborne, Ty Espinola; Grade 5/6: Connor Gunn, Julie Nethercott; Grade 6/7: Emily Sparham, Chris Mulholland; Grade 7/8: Phillip Haagsma, Allison Sparham; Grade 8: Heather Hobday, Nigar Abdullazada. Excutives are: CoPresidents: Jayme Davies, Taylor Lea; Co-secretaries: Maddie Stewart, Cassidy Crowe; Co-Tresurers: Anjali Rawat, Sharon Yi. Thank you to Ms. Strickland and Ms. Therriault for being the teacher reps and organizing the Student Council.
Volleyball
Our girls and boys volleyball teams have just begun there season. The boys’ team members are: Liam Wright, Avery Hansen, Josh Huard, Theo Karaouzas, Trenton Lowe, Shea Armstrong, Jake Theoret, Colton Knott and Matt Mulholland. The girls’ team members are: Jessica Guerette, Nigar abdullazada, Emily Fontaine, Melanie Lumby, Kayla Bressette, Courtney Brinksman, Grace Gweon, Heather Hobday, Brooke Causley, Kyraith De Shane, Caitie Brown, Cassidy Crowe and Anjali Rawat Thank you to Mr. Miller for volunteering to coach the girls team and to Mr. Hazzard for volunteering to coach the boys team.
REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY–Lest We Forget”
Our Remembrance Day assembly will take place on, Tuesday, November 11 at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the gymnasium. A special thanks to Ms. Dent who co-ordinated this activity. Students are reminded to bring a donation for a poppy to assist us in remembering the many brave soldiers who gave their lives to keep us free.
STUDENT PLANNERS
Our Student Planners were given to students in Gr. 3 to Gr. 8. Encourage your child to use the learning support material located in the back of the student planner. Please ask your child to bring his/her student planner home nightly so you can be aware of upcoming school events as well as any classroom tests or assignments that may be due. These kinds of communication skills, time management skillsand organizational skills are necessary life skills students need to develop in order to be successful. These skills take time to learn.
REPORT CARDS, INTERVIEWS
To assist parent planning, report cards for students in Gr. One to Grade Eight will go home Friday, December 5. Interviews are slated for Monday, December 8 from 3:45 to 7:30 and Tuesday, December 9 from 3:45 to 7:30. for all students including JK/SK.
We encourage all parents to attend these interviews. We will make every effort to accommodate parents with more than one child in the school. More details will be forthcoming.
FEAST FIT FOR A KING
Domino’s Pizza is proud to support King George VI Public School. $5.00 per order will be donated to King George when ordering a “Feast Fit For a King”. A Feast Fit for a King includes a large 3 topping pizza, order of cheesy bread, 2L bottle of coke for $19.99 + tax. The class with the most response wins a FREE Pizza Party! Please see dates below.
Thank You!
Our 2nd annual “Meet the teacher” barbeque and book fair was another huge success. We were able to raise over $1400 at the barbeque!
Thanks to everyone that contributed their time or supplies to help us pull off the event. If you helped flip the burgers or hotdogs… sold tickets… set up or tore down… whatever your part, it MADE A DIFFERENCE and we are so very grateful! See you at the dance-a-thon in May!
Parent Council
Feast Fit for a King Dates
November 26, 2008
December 17, 2008
January 28, 2009
February 25, 2009
March 25, 2009
April 29, 2009
May 27, 2009
June 24, 2009
October 29, 2008 Feast Fit for a King We raised $205.00 Great Job Gang!
Congratulations to Ms. Lamb’s class for having the most orders and winning the FREE Pizza Party!!
FLU SHOT - Gr.1 to Gr.8 November 19 a.m. Permission forms to follow. This is voluntary.
Being Bully Smart
1. Teach and show a cooperative attitude.
2. Teach and model nonviolent conflict -solving methods.
3. Encourage students to focus on the problem not the person.
4. Don’t let students get into name calling. Keep going back to the issue.
5. Encourage students to tell the other person how their behaviour has affected them.
6. Use statements like I don’t like this because
7. Stay calm and don’t act upset or angry. Bullies love to get a reaction.
8. Don’t fight back. If you fight back, you could be blamed for starting the trouble.
9. Try to calmly withdraw from the situation. Walk away, it is hard, but it does work
10. Don’t be afraid to tell an adult you trust, like a teacher or a parent.
11. Don’t play the blame game. Talk about taking responsibility for behaviour
12. Bullies take time to change their behaviour. There is no magic wand. It is an other kind of social learning.
Sincerely,
A. Miller
Principal
October 1, 2008
Mr. A. Miller –Principal Mrs. Janet Robbins Sectretary
Phone (519) 344-2942 Fax (519) 344—4426
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
We were very pleased to meet with so many parents who visited with us at our BBQ, Book Fair and Open House on Thursday, September 18. It was great to see so many supportive families and parents. Thank you to School Council and the volunteers who did such a great job to make our BBQ and Book Fair such a success. The weather was perfect. The hot dogs and hamburgers were excellent.
It is essential that parents, guardians, teachers and students communicate clearly and work together in the best interest of our young people. Education is a shared responsibility. It is a partnership that must exist between the home and the school. Together with your support and interest in your child’s learning, we can provide him/her with the abilities and skills to be an independent, life-long learner.
Parents - please ask to see your child’s student planner on a regular basis. Encourage him/her to write in their planner and bring his/her planner home daily. It is essential students’ record homework, projects, tests and assignments as well as special days and events. As students move into the older grades this is one more way children take more responsibility for their learning as well as fostering greater independence. Organization and time management are life skills. We are all stakeholders in our children’s future.
Book Fair
The Book Fair was a huge success. The profits return to the school in the form of books for our students. We would like to thank the King George VI School families for helping to make our annual Book Fair a huge success. Since seventy percent of the profits from the sales remain in the school as books, we were able to acquire over $2,200.00 in books for the library and individual classrooms. Thank you to the Book Fair volunteers: Mary Blakey, Pam Lockhart, Heather Prior, Suzanne Lockhart, Christine Cooke and the student helpers. Hope Horton in Ms Murtha’s classroom won the $25.00 Family Night Draw. Ms Murtha also received $25.00 in books for her classroom. Congratulations to all the students that won a poster.
Classrooms will soon begin to plan Halloween activities. Pumpkin art, ghost, goblin, witch recipes and poetry are in the works. To assist you in your planning we intend to encourage students to wear their costumes to school Wednesday, Oct. 30. No masks please. Kindergarten teachers will communicate costume attire for the JK SK A and B days. As directed by the teacher some classes may choose traditional black and orange dress.
World Teachers’ Day
The Lambton Kent District Board of Education is recognizing October 3, as World Teachers’ Day. Teachers are being recognized internationally for the dedication and commitment that they bring to students each day in classrooms around the world. At King George VI Public School, we are very proud everyone of our teachers and E.A. support staff. Each day, our teachers demonstrate their caring and concern for our young people. We wish to acknowledge the important role they play in the lives of children, parents and guardians. We appreciate all that they do, especially in the face of the challenges of these changing times.
Monday, October 13th is Thanksgiving. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you enjoy this family time together. Students WILL NOT ATTEND school on that day.
Family Reading Magazine Program
Again this year we are planning to sell magazine subscriptions as our first school fundraiser. A letter with more information will follow. Our kick off assembly will take place October 7th in the afternoon. A special thank you to Cathy Brinksman for organizing and co-ordinating this school fundraising activity. Please contact Mrs. Brinksman at 542-2137.
EQAO
Last year’s EQAO results for Grade Three and Grade Six students who participated in the assessment in 2007 08 will be released soon. Our school results have been shared with staff, students and parents and are available on the Lambton Kent District School Board Website. Each student that participated will receive an Individual Student Report.
Celebrating Success!
Great Things Happening at King George VI Public School ! Terry Fox Walk/ Run
Our Terry Fox Walk/Run took place on Friday, September 26. We would like to thank everyone for your support of the Terry Fox Run. We would especially like to thank Ms. Therriault for coordinating this worthwhile event for the students. We raised $2,938.09. Great Job.
Sports News
Our Senior Boys and Girls Soccer team participated in a Soccer Tournament on September 25th . Boys team members: Shea Armstrong, Josh Huard, Matt Mulholland, Austin Wilson, Liam Wright, Jacob Guerette, Iain Fauteux, Shaun Haisman, Lucas Maenpaa, John Millsap, Grant Peters, Craig Gunn, Ryan Kennedy, Kolton, Knott . Girls team members: Cassidy Crowe, Maddie Stewart, Emily Sparham, Sidney Stewart, Alexa Leonard, Allison Sparham, Samantha Schoch, Keely Roszell, Grace Gweon, Heather Hobday, Nigar Abdullazada, Anjali Rawat, Nikki Windover, Summer Catt, Caitie Brown, Taylor Lea, Courtney Brinksman, Kayla Bressette, Jayme Davies, Melanie Lumley. Well done boys and girls. A special thank you goes to Mr. Smith and Ms Dennis for preparing these students for tournament play.
Cross Country
Mr. Murray has begun training the students for Cross Country. Our students will be involved in the Petrolia Optimist Cross Country Meet in Petrolia on Wednesday, October 8th. The city meet will take place on Tuesday, October 14th at Canatara Park. Special thank you to Mr. Murray. Our cross country team members are: Amber Sisi, Chloe Kennedy, Jordyn Miller, Autumn Dearin, Meaghan Pearson, Hope Torton, Megan Hunking, Suzanne Lockhart, Payton Gleave, Emily Nickerson, Emily Sparham, Maddie Stewart, Kris-Lynn Mirault, Cassidy Crowe, Katrina Barnard, Anjali Rawat, Keely Roszell, Samantha Schoch, Caitie Brown, Alexa Leonard, Brooke Causley, Summer Catt, Melanie Lumby, Sidney Stewart, Max Steeves, Aden Al-Kinani, Vaughan Landon, Brad Hunking, James Sung, Slater Bailey, Burke Roszell, Varun Pardeshi, Tanner Dunn, Craig Machan, Alec Trusler, Matt Lewis, Connor Gunn, Dawson Shackleton, Jake Trusler, Ty Espinola, Chris Simeonakis, Ethan Shackleton, Matthew Rankin, Easton Klaudi, Adam Riddell, Kolton Knott, Blair McFarlane, Trenton Lowe, Craig Gunn, Liam Wright, Josh Huard, Jacob Theoret.
Grade Seven Hepatitis B Dose
The Grade seven students will receive their first Hepatitis B shot on Wednesday, October 15th . Medical permission forms have already been sent home.
Grade Eight Girls HPV
This vaccine shot will be Wednesday, October 15th. Medical permission forms have already been sent home.
Dental Screening
The Lambton Health Unit will conduct dental screening for select grades. The date and grade levels have not yet been determined. If you DO NOT wish your child to be involved with this brief (approximately 30 seconds) oral examination, please contact the Lambton Health Unit.
School Council Members
We look forward to a productive school year. The parent members are: Anita Trusler (chair), Tracey Machan, Kelly Steeves, Sharon Nethercott. Teacher rep is: Ms. Therriault. Thank you to all parents who have come out and shown their support. The next school council meeting is Tuesday, October 21st at 6:30 p.m
Flu Shots
Voluntary flu shots, for students in Grade One to Grade Eight, the date has not been announced yet. Permission and medical forms will be sent home at a later date.
Student Council Elections
Student Council Elections have not yet taken place. Thank you to Ms. Strickland and Ms Therriault for being the teacher reps and organizing this election.
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING DATES 2008 09
Our first General meeting of the School Council was held on Tuesday, September 9th in the school library. Future meeting dates are:
Tuesday, October 21 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 13 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 10 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12 6:30 p.m.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
September 2008
Mr. A. Miller –Principal Mrs. Janet Robbins Sectretary
Phone (519) 344-2942 Fax (519) 344—4426
Welcome Back!!!
Welcome Back Students and Parents:
On behalf of the King George VI Public School staff we would like to take this opportunity to welcome the children, parents and all members of our community to the 2008 - 2009 school year. Hopefully everyone enjoyed the beautiful summer weather that we have experienced during the past few months. We look forward to working with all of you throughout the school year to help our students develop their potential and to meet new challenges successfully. There have been many staffing changes over the summer and we are excited about starting the school year.
STUDENT PLANNERS
Students in Gr. 3 to Gr. 8 in our school will be provided with a Student Planner to assist them in organizing their schedules and learning time management skills. The first pages of the planner contain information about school policies and procedures that may be helpful. We are requesting $2.00 from each child for each planner to help defray the cost. The additional $4.00 costs have been subsidized by the school through our fund raising activities. Organizational skills and time management skills are essential life skills. This is an excellent form of communication between home and school. Take time to ask to see your child’s planner each day. This will help children get into the routine of taking the planner back and forth from school to home. Please see the student planners for additional school information. We welcome comments from our parents about the Student Planner.
The 2008 –2009 Staff— King George VI
A. Miller—Principal
J. Robbins—Secretary
D. James — Jk/Sk
M. Murray — Jk/Sk
J. Lamb — Gr. 1
J. Platt—Gr. 1/2 (Fri. P.M.)
J. Nicholson — Gr. 1/2
K. Davis — Gr. 2
C. Hirtle – Gr. 2/3
A. Moro — Gr. 3/4
V. Taylor — Gr. 4
S. Murtha — Gr. 5
J. Smith — Gr.5/6
D. Dennis — Gr. 6/7
M. Dent — Gr. 7/8
L. Therriault — Gr. 8
M. Murray—SysOp/Phys. Ed./Librarian
Mme. Seabrook—F.S.L.
Ryan Hazzard—CYW
D. Davis—Music/Arts
P. Strickland—Resource
S. Daly—E.A.
J. Shanks.—E.A.
R. Taylor—Custodian
New School Bell Times.
9:10—10:50 First Period
10:50—11:30 First Nutritional Break/Recess
11:30—1:10 Second Period
1:10—1:50 Second Nutritional Break/Recess
1:50–3:30 Third Period.
3:30 Dismissal
TERRY FOX RUN
The Terry Fox Walk/Run for our school will take place on Friday, September 26th. Students from Gr. 4 to Gr. 8 will walk in the afternoon from 1:30 - 3:30 at Canatara Park. JK/SK to Gr. 3 will walk at the school in the afternoon from 2:20 - 3:20.
PICTURE DAY
Please see the school calendar for picture day dates for our school. Our school class and individual picture days are scheduled forTuesday, September 22 for Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Group B JK/SK and on Wednesday, September 23 for JK SK Group A. Picture retake day is Wednesday October 29th, in the a.m.
DISTRICT INSURANCE
Please be aware that the District does not provide accident insurance for students. A separate insurer offers a variety of coverage. This information is sent to the school by the insurer for approved distribution by the District. They will be distributed to students when they arrive.
CONSENT FOR AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICATION
If it is necessary for a student to take medication at school, District policy requires us to have a Medical Physician complete a consent form. Please request the blank form from our school secretary. Students should place any medication in the teacher's hands as soon as they arrive at school with it.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL PREPAREDNESS FOR BUS CANCELLATION, FOG DELAYS, CLOSURES OR EARLY DISMISSAL - WE ARE IN ZONE TWO
Please be aware that if busses are CANCELLED in the MORNING due to FOG once conditions have improved BUSSES WILL RUN IN THE AFTERNOON AND STUDENTS WILL BE PICKED IN UP THE AFTERNOON from school AND BUSSED TO THEIR DESIGNATED DROP OFF POINT. In the event of an emergency circumstance or severe weather, announcements will be made on local radio stations. An announcement will be made prior to 7:00 a.m. whether busses will be late or cancelled or whether schools are open or closed in each ZONE. SCHOOLS WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY ZONES ONLY. WE ARE IN ZONE TWO. THEREFORE AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL STATE THAT BUSSES IN ZONE TWO ARE CANCELLED BUT THE SCHOOLS IN ZONE TWO ARE OPEN. Early dismissal of students will be determined as the situations dictate. The following stations will carry the news AM CHOK (1070); CKTY (1110); CFCO (630); CFPL (98); FMBX (92.7); CFCX (99.9) THE FOX; CBC 1550 ( 90.3); FM 96 (95.9). In the event of SEVERE WINTER WEATHER, BLACK ICE or other unsafe conditions and busses are cancelled in ZONE TWO BUT SCHOOLS ARE OPEN, parents/guardians may decide not to risk their children's safety and NOT SEND their children to schol. If parents decide to send their children to school even though busses are cancelled, parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from school. Parents and guardians need to be aware that in the event of severe weather some teaching staff MAY NOT BE ABLE to drive to the school to carry out their teaching duties. If circumstances dictate early dismissal from school, we will telephone parents/ guardians of students from Grade JK/SK to Grade Six. Older brothers or sisters may be released if they are within a reasonable walking distance from the school or we receive a telephone call that a parent is picking them up. We would ask parents to discuss with their children what their family plan is, should school be dismissed early. This would ensure that children are familiar with where they should go and who will be looking after them.
SCHOOL ABSENCES
If a student is going to be absent, please notify the school at 344-2942. You may also choose to leave a message on our voice mail. It is essential for safety reasons, that we are aware of when and why your child is absent from school. Communication between the home and school is very important for this reason alone. Our school secretary will be ready for your calls. beginning at 8:00 a.m. You may also leave a message on our answering machine. We will make every effort to contact the parent when a student is absent. If contact does not occur between the home and the office, please send a note to the classroom teacher upon the student's return. For students to be successful at school, good attendance and punctuality are very important. If a student is late, he/she is requested to report to the office before being admitted to class.
BUSSING
As you are aware, due to minor changes in bus routes and bell times some students may be bussed at a different time or to a different drop-off or pick-up location. Initially, it will take some time before things are running as smoothly as we would like them to. Please be patient. According to district policy, bus transportation is provided for those students only who are eligible to ride and live a distance JK to Grade 8 of more than 1.6 km from the school. This means, it is the parents' responsibility to arrange their own transportation for birthday parties, visiting and working on projects. In the past, parents have done an excellent job of assisting us in this regard. Obviously, this means that a family may have younger children who are eligible to ride and older children who are not. If you have any questions, about eligibility, please contact our school bus website at www.schoolbusinfo.com or the transportation department. All students must follow safe bus behaviour.Inappropriate behaviour can result in a loss of transportation privileges to and from school for a period of time. Please refer to the student planner and our school handbook regarding safety and appropriate bus behaviour.
PERMISSION FORMS
We are required to have written permission from the parent or guardian for any school activity or excursion that takes place away from the school grounds. In the event that the form is lost, a parent may substitute a signed handwritten note. Students have been very helpful in returning the notes by the required dates.
SCHOOL DISMISSAL
As a prudent safety measure all students should report directly home (or to a prearranged sitter) at dismissal at 3:30 p.m. to check in. If a student is requested to stay after school for any reason, the teacher will contact the parent or leave a message. Busses will leave promptly at 3:30 p.m. to allow co-ordination of transportation with other schools. Parents picking their children up at school are encouraged to meet with their children outside of the school building at a predetermined place. Congestion in the hallways during dismissal can pose a safety issue if the numbers are high enough. Parents are also strongly cautioned to go slowly as they leave the school area in their vehicles. Safety of the students of King George is this school’s highest priority. Since many students have allergies and animals pose a safety concern for many students, parents are requested to not bring any animals onto the school property without the direct permission of administration.
ELECTRONIC REPORT CARDS
This year our school will continue to report to parents using the electronic report card. Each term students in grade one to six will receive letter grades A, B, C, D, based on the Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 outlined in provincial guidelines and descriptors in the provincial curriculum. Each term, students in grade seven and eight will receive number grades based on the Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 outlined in provincial guidelines and descriptors in the provincial curriculum. At this point, we intend to report to parents at the three traditional times, late November or early December, early March and June end, using the electronic report card. JK/SK students receive report cards in February and June. Page three of the report card in each term should be returned to the school with your child. Parents are urged to talk with their children about their academic progress especially at the end of each term and establish an action plan of how they can assist their children in their learning at home.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK & PEANUT ALLERGIES
Please be aware that we have some students, who have allergic reactions to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils and nut by-products. Any exposure to these kinds of nut products could result in a life threatening reaction. Even minute amounts can trigger a severe reaction. Therefore, we are urging all parents and guardians to refrain from sending peanuts, peanut butter sandwiches or any nut product to school. Our goal is to provide a safe school environment for every child. Reading label packages will help identify those “hidden ingredients” in cereals, chocolate bars and granola bars and the like. If you could monitor your child’s lunch and recess snack to assist us it would be most helpful. Your assistance in keeping all our students safe is much appreciated. Even with increased awareness we are unable to guarantee students will not inadvertently bring a peanut or nut by-product to school. We recognize it is not possible to reduce the risk to zero but your support and assistance is a vital step in reducing this risk. All parents and guardians who have children in these classrooms will receive an individual classroom letter requesting their support and assistance as well.
Lunch, Recess and Balanced Day.
Students may stay at school to eat their lunch in a supervised setting. Please send a note to the classroom teacher if you wish your child to go off the school property for lunch. Students will not be released to go off the property for lunch without a note from a parent. Your child’s safety and whereabouts are our primary concern. We will be sending a note home about planning for balanced day lunches in order to assist you and your child in preparing for the new balanced day program. We are looking forward to the changes and eating and learning better.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT
If you wish your child to be excluded from photographing, audiotaping, or videotaping as a part of activities such as outlined in the attached form, please notify the Principal of the school in writing as soon as possible. Otherwise the school will assume your consent.
FLU SHOT DATE
Flu shots administered by the Lambton Health Unit for our school will take place later this year for students and staff. This is a free service. Flu shots are voluntary. Consent forms will be forwarded when they become available. The target group for this flu shot is Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 only. No dates have been determined yet.
KG SCHOOL COUNCIL – NOMINATION INFORMATION
We are looking forward to a productive year and we are strongly encouraging all of our parents to take an active interest in their child’s school. Our first School Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 9th, 6:30 p.m. in the Library. All are welcome to attend.
If you wish to participate as part of our School Council nomination forms are attached. You must have a child attending this school to be eligible as a School Council member. Please see the attached nomination form that can be completed and returned to the school.
“If you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm.”
FUND RAISING
To be able to provide extra experiences and opportunities for the students, fundraising is an integral part of our activities. We have many active parents and would like to thank all of our volunteers both past and present for doing such an excellent job of making King George an excellent place to learn and grow. Volunteers are always welcome. Drop by the office or talk to any parent council member to find out how you can be involved.
Smile Check
As part of the School Health Services, dental hygienists from the Lambton Health Unit do annual dental screenings in certain grades. The screening uses individualized presterilized mirrors and takes only 30 seconds per student. The program allows the Heath Unit to inform parents of any child needing individual care. Information about assistance is provided to help families locate dental care if it is required. The hygienists checked over 9,000 “smiles” last year. If you DO NOT, as a parent/guardian, wish your child to be involved with this health program, please write a note to the school with your child’s name, grade and teacher to indicate this.
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT& BOOK FAIR
Thursday, September 18, 2008–more information to follow. Our Book Fair arrives September 17- 24. We expect to have displays and books available for purchase.
PA Day is on September 29, 2008. Check your monthly event calendar for special days.
An interesting thought for September.
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Anne Frank (1929 - 1945) Diary of a Young Girl 1952
Have an excellent start to the school year and a wonderful September.
Adam Miller
Principal
Message from Chris Hadfield-Sept. 4, 2008
Please pass my best wishes to the students as they begin this new year together. I will visit every chance I get, even if just by phone. Please tell them that I'm studying all year too, in preparation for my final exams in Kazakhstan in late May, as Bob Thirsk's backup for launch on the Soyuz rocket to ISS. Still a student!
All the best on a fine German evening, from Köln
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut
King George Student
Message from Chris Hadfield- July 4, 2006
This was his response to the students when asked about the New Canadian Coin minted in his honour in
June 2006.
Dear King George Students – when I was a student at King George I never, ever dreamed my picture would be on a Canadian coin. What an incredible honour! It has made me, my friends and my family very proud. This is a great example of the amazing things that can happen if you do your work, keep in shape, and pursue your dreams. King George is a great place to start!
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut, King George student
Message from Chris Hadfield - June 19, 2006
Dear fellow King George students
Many thanks for the update on your end-year activities. It sounds like you have been very busy at school and in charitable work, being good Canadian citizens. Special congratulations to William for the excellent spelling!
Thanks also for mentioning the new coin. It has been a tremendous honour for my family.
We are getting ready to launch a Space Shuttle very soon, planned for the afternoon of Canada Day. Between that, maintaining the Space Station and building a new Moon spaceship it is a very busy and fascinating time to be an astronaut.
All the best, and have a great summer vacation
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut
King George student
Letter to Chris Hadfield - June 14, 2006
June 14 06
Dear Colonel Chris Hadfield,
All of our students have experienced a fulfilling school year at King George VI School. As our school year is coming to a close, we felt that you would enjoy learning about some of the events that have taken place throughout the course of the year.
Our school was actively involved in a variety of fund-raising events. Most recently, we held a Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart. This event benefited the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This day proved to be a success. Grades five to eight students participated in three on three basketball and the primary students jumped rope. In April, we found our students involved in the Toonies for Autism Month, educating our students on the effects of Autism. We have also held a cookie dough fund-raiser,and bake sale to help raise funds for building a new climber and to purchase history and geography textbooks.
April advanced our literacy skills, as during the entirety of the month our students participated in Drop Everything And Read, or D.E.A.R time. Students at King George, worked tirelessly during April and May in preparation for the Lip Sync and the Intermediate Drama Club production of "KGTV". Both events were great successes as we were able to showcase the many talents of students, from singing and dancing to Australian accents. We truly saw it all during the month of May.
Our school has also had a wide variety of sports going on throughout the school year, both on teams and intramural house-league. The primary grades participated in pinball, while the junior grades participated in two-pitch, and new comb. The intermediate grades participated in intramural soccer and basketball. The school also had all-star teams for basketball, soccer, golf, volleyball, track and field, and cross country.
The underlying theme throughout the entire school year was students learning as much as possible everyday. Students in Mrs. Lamb’s Grade One class have taken this to heart as they have read 1160, books since March Break alone. Many classrooms have also read books in cooperation with Scholastic books. For every hundred books read, children in need would receive books in turn. One of our students, William Lindsay, recently became regional champion while representing our school at a spelling bee.
Student Council has been quite active within the school doing such things as Garbage Pick-up Program for points, a Challenge Week, a Canned Food Drive, and a Privilege Day with the profits of this event were given to World Vision.
It is evident that at King George that no matter what grade our students are in, we always find a way to contribute to making our school a better place.
Congratulations on your new coin! We read an excerpt of an article in the Sarnia Observer over the morning announcements. The article is on our newspaper bulletin board.
Sincerely,
Morgan Matthews and Laura Raiger on behalf of the King George students
Student Council Presidents
Message from Chris Hadfield - Oct. 9, 2005
Dear King George Students,
I hope you're having a great Thanksgiving. Remember to take the time to thank someone who has helped you.
I am in Salt Lake City at the Congress of the Association of Space Explorers, a gathering of over 60 astronauts and cosmonauts. The group includes Alexei Leonov, the first human being to do a spacewalk. He did that while I was a student at King George!
You can see details of what we're doing, on the Web at: http://www.space-explorers.org/
Have a wonderful long fall weekend.
Warmest regards,
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut
King George Student
Letter to Chris Hadfield - Dec. 14, 2004
Dear Col Hadfield,
The students of King George VI have undertaken two humanitarian projects this Christmas season and all of the students have been invited to get involved. On Dec.1st, our annual canned food drive began. All students from Grade 1 to 8 have been contributing to this cause. Our goal this year is to accumulate one ton of canned or boxed food. Our donations will be picked up by the Inn of the Good Shepherd on Dec. 16th.
Our second Christmas initiative is a contribution to World Vision. On December 10th, students from Grade 4 to 8 will be holding a "Privilege Day". Twenty-five cents will buy one privilege for one-quarter of the day. All money raised will be sent to World Vision to be used for one of their worthy causes.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season,
The 2004-2005 Student council at King George VI
Message from Chris Hadfield - Dec. 17, 2004
Dear Judy
Please pass my best wishes to the Student Council. That is a very worthy pair of endeavours, and from the pile under the tree, it looks like they are well on their way to a tonne!
Season’s Greetings
Chris Hadfield
Astronaut
Letter to Chris Hadfield - Dec. 14, 2004
Dear Colonel Hadfield,
Hello! Bonjour! Howdy! This is Grade Four reporting from King George VI Schoolin Room 3. There are 12 days till Christmas so we'd like to tell you about 12 great days we've had this school year.
First Day - We had a medieval feast with Nicole as our Queen.
Second Day - Brass Rubbings we'll do on 16th.
Third Day - Mr. Dowswell, a visiting lord, taught us about medieval ways.
Fourth Day - We enjoyed "Annie" at the Sarnia Imperial Theatre.
Fifth Day - Our Remembrance Day play taught us that sharing, loving and caring is the only way to be.
Sixth Day - Mrs. Nethercott taught us about protecting our habitats at the Lorne C. Henderson Conservation Area in Petrolia.
Seventh Day - Four in our class represented King George VI with great speed at a Cross Country Meet.
Eighth Day - For World Vision our class raised the most money on Privilege Day.
Ninth Day - Our report card day showed us what we do well and what we can improve in.
Tenth Day - We made and used pulleys successfully to move loads across the classroom.
Eleventh Day - When we participated in a Domino's Pizza fundraiser, our class won a free pizza lunch.
Twelfth Day - Our laps at Canatara Park in October helped raise money for the Terry Fox Run/Walk.
Now you've heard about our 12 special days, we hope that you have as many or maybe more in 2005.
Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad!
From the grade 4 students and teacher Mrs. Taylor.
Message from Chris Hadfield - Dec. 17, 2004
Dear Judy – please pass the best of my Season’s Greetings to Mrs. Taylor and Grade Four students. In Russian: s’razhestvom!
I really like your 12 days. A great mix of science, community, history and fun!
From a King George grad in Houston
Chris Hadfield
Astronaut
Letter From Chris Hadfield - October 31, 2004 after the students sent Hallowe'en notes and pictures
HAPPY HALLOWE'EN
Many thanks for all the ghoul and goblin photos. I'm spending Hallowe'en with my sons at University in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Hi to all my fellow students at King George!
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut
King George Student
Letter to Chris Hadfield - April 7, 2004
Greetings Col Chris,
I sent a couple of pictures from the KG VI School.
Picture One ... we raffled off a 5 lb chocolate bar and this is a picture of the winner.
Why do we have two students you ask...
The one on the left, Ben Hunking, had one ticket and won the draw ... the boy on the right, Duncan Gibson -Lockhart (Toronto Maple Leaf), gave him the ticket to put into the draw.
Picture Two ... these four intermediate students won the Lambton County lungs for life competition...anti smoking message.....they developed a video....designed T- shirts.. song and poem. They competed against several other schools.... Jim Froubister (red jacket) a City County councilman presented certificates and each won $50.00. Students were from left: Hillary Clarke, Karlie Best, Hillary,Erin M'Larkey, Chantelle Roberts
From your first school,
Wishing you safe space journeys,
Principal
King George VI Public School
585 O'Dell Ave.
Sarnia, N7V 4H7
Letter from Chris Hadfield - April 13, 2004
Dear Larry,
Thank you for the photographs. I am looking at them while flying high over
Europe enroute to Russia. Nice to see the touch of home. Please pass my
congratulations to Chantelle, Hillary, Karlie and Erin, as well as happy
sharing to Ben and Duncan.
I enclose 2 recent photos: one of me in the space-walking suit at the
Neutral Buoyancy Lab, and the other playing guitar in Galveston, TX with Bob
MacDonald of Quirks and Quarks. Both activities are fun!
All the best
Chris Hadfield
Astronaut
King George Student
Letter to Chris Hadfield -February 5, 2004
Dear Chris,
On February 2, 2004, King George VI School had an assembly for Literacy Month. It was called "Reader's Cafe". In this assembly, most of the teachers, the principal, resource teachers, the librarian and the custodian read an excerpt from their favourite book to kick off Literacy Month. The readers dressed up as a character from their favourite book. Some of the books that they read from included: The Velveteen Rabbit, Ann of Green Gables, Your School Custodian (I think you can guess who read this excerpt? However, our custodian emphasized the word, "she", in the place of "he" as she read it.) and various Dr. Seuss books including, Oh The Places You'll Go.
Each of these books had a lesson that could be learned from it. This assembly was meant to get people interested in books for February, the designated literacy month, and hopefully for the rest of their lives. Now everyday after morning recess, Mr. Babcock comes on the P.A. system and tells us to "drop everything and read". Every student in the school must then get out a book and read for fifteen minutes. When the time is up Mr. Babcock comes on the announcements again, and tells us we can now go back to our regular classes. Mr. Babcock explained all of this at the assembly, and it was a good idea to have parts of books read by teachers because it provided students with ideas for books that they might like to read themselves.
Do you have a favourite book? We would love to hear about it if you do. We hope you have a great Literacy Month and are able to find the time to read an interesting book.
Sincerely,
King George VI School
(letter written by Jessica Woodrow, grade 7)
Message from Chris Hadfield - March 12, 2004
Dear Jessica,
Many thanks for the note, and the update on activities at King George. Sorry it has taken me so long to write back to you. I trust you had a good and book-filled Literacy Month. This past month I have been reading a couple books (a thriller and a travel writer's book), many magazines, technical articles, and lots of email. I read the news every morning on-line as well.
Please say Hello to all my friends at King George. Have a great March Break!
Your astronaut friend and fellow King George student,
Chris Hadfield
Astronaut
Message from Chris Hadfield - December 17. 2003
Please pass a huge Happy Holidays! to all my friends at King George.
All the best
Chris Hadfield
Letter to Chris Hadfield - November 25, 2003
Dear Chris Hadfield,
King George has had a very busy fall. We have had a Terry Fox Run, a Cross-country Run at King George and at Canatara Park and also Spirit Days. We wanted to send you some pictures from our Hallowe'en Spirit Day, but we had problems with the computer and the digit pictures. Last week we had a Canadian Author/Illustrator, Ian Wallace from Toronto, visit our school. He shared 2 of his picture books with us. He was quite funny and interesting. Here are some pictures we took using Mrs. Salt's digital camera.
From the King George Students ...... Happy US Thanksgiving Day!!!!
From Col Chris Hadfield - November 26, 2003
Dear King George Students,
Thank you for the photographs, and the update from my school. I guess the leaves are off the trees with the cold and big winds you have had, and people are starting to look forward to the Christmas holidays. Work hard in the weeks of school between now and then, there are so many interesting things to learn in the World. Down here in Houston people are celebrating Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for so many things, including the great start in life that I was given at King George School. Until I get a chance to visit again, I wish you all the best of hard work, happiness and success.
Chris Hadfield Astronaut
Letter to Chris Hadfield - October 7, 2003 - From the Student Council Co-Presidents
Dear Chris Hadfield,
Hi, our names are Sarah Cook and Erin Powell. We are the new grade eight co-presidents of the King George VI Student Council. You may remember Erin from a phone conversation you had with her in March at the 50th anniversary assembly for our school. We would like to congratulate you for having your face printed on a new Canadian stamp. We have heard all about it. You have our best wishes for your new position with the Canadarm robotics. We know in the future it will be taking pictures of the space shuttle to view for damages. Last year we raised enough money to build a shed, which will be placed at the side of the school. It will hold all the kindergarten bikes, extra balls and outdoor sports equipment. Best of luck with your future endeavors, Sarah Cook & Erin Powell
From Col Chris Hadfield - October 10, 2003
Dear Erin and Sarah
Thank you for the update on activities at King George, and congratulations on becoming grade eight co-presidents. That is an honour and a responsibility for you both. Having my face on a stamp is also an honour and a responsibility. It is also a great compliment in the trust and respect that others have for our Canadian Space Agency, and for the things that we all believe in. When I next get near Sarnia, I will come by to see the shed you had built. I look forward to it!
All the best
Chris Hadfield Colonel, Astronaut
King George Student
Letter to Chris Hadfield - June 11, 2003 - From the Student Council Co-Presidents
Dear Col Chris Hadfield,
This is just a letter to thank you for your involvement with our school this year. It was such a privilege to be able to keep in touch with you throughout the last 10 months. Your visit on November 6th was definitely a highlight of many student's school year. The conference call that we received from you during the day of our 50th Anniversary Celebration was also a very special time. We would like to say an additional special thanks for all the times that you emailed King George, and kept us informed of what was going on in your life. It was an interesting experience for many of the students to be able to communicate with you from places such as Star City, Russia. It was very nice of you to take time out of your busy schedule to include the people at King George VI School. You are a role model to us all, teaching us to go for our dreams and that "the sky is not the limit." Many fond memories were established around you, Chris. We are looking forward to keeping in touch with you in the future. We hope you have a great summer holiday! Thank-you once again for your interest in our school.
On behalf of the students and staff at King George VI School,
A. Raiger K. Filip (Grade 8 Student Council Co-Presidents)
P.S. The grade eight graduate students saw you in an Imax film at the Ontario Science Centre during their grad trip to Toronto. They thought that it was really neat to see somebody that they met, on the big screen.
From Col Chris Hadfield - June 12, 2003
Dear Amelia, Kristyn, and all students and staff at King George VI,
Many thanks for the very nice note. I really enjoyed the November visit, and was glad to have a chance to participate during the year via telephone. I wish all of you success as the school year ends, and a fine, relaxing summer.
All the best!
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut
King George VI student
From Col Chris Hadfield - March 25, 2003
Larry Babcock, Principal
King George VI Public School
585 O'Dell Avenue
Sarnia, Ontario
N7V 4H7
Dear King George VI staff, students and families,
In 1964, my Mom and I walked from our home on Flamingo Drive to King George VI Public School. I had just turned 5 years old, and was nervous and excited to finally be starting school following in the footsteps of my older brother Dave. It was a huge red building with an endless playground, and I had long looked through the fence and dreamed of what I was going to do there.
Since that day I have been a nervous new student many times - at high school, university, flying school, test pilot school, and astronaut training. Every time, I have thought back to where it all began for me, walking through the doors at 585 O'Dell Avenue, firmly holding my mother's hand.
King George is where I learned to read. It's where I learned to work and study with other students. I learned basic math and science, and I learned that if you throw snowballs at someone, you need to apologize and accept your punishment. It's where I first performed on stage as the shoemaker in The Shoemaker and the Elves. King George is where so many of my thoughts and memories were born.
For 50 years King George has been teaching, helping, guiding and inspiring young Canadians, preparing them for the more complicated life of adolescence and adulthood. To all the teachers and staff who have made King George such a wonderful place over those 50 years, I say "Thank You".
Twice I've had the chance to hold a big weightless camera, point the long lens down at Earth, and take pictures of the St. Clair and Sarnia. It's impossible to see your home from space and not immediately think of the places you've lived, the friends you've made, and all the people who have helped you get to that wondrous vantage point. In a sense, you take them with you, as they made you who you are.
When I last soared high above Sarnia, I brought some maple leaves from the tree out front of King George, and floated them in the Space Shuttle beside me. They were a vivid, personal reminder of the school and all my friends there. The things I learned while a student at King George helped me travel to that distant place, and will help today's students explore further into the universe, into the unknown.
On behalf of all former students, and on behalf of the Canadian Space Agency, I wish King George VI a very happy and well-earned 50th birthday.
All the best in the years to come,
Chris Hadfield
Colonel, Astronaut, King George student
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