There is a Costume Drive that is going on at Just Imagine.
If your family has used kids Halloween costumes (in good condition) that you don't want anymore, you can donate them to needy children in our very own city. The store will be delivering them to inner city schools on Monday October 24th. Tennyson parents take them to Just Imagine this week at one of their two Vancouver locations (Granville Island Kids Market lower level/north east side), or their warehouse laneway between 7th and 8th Ave West and Manitoba/Ontario streets. Parking at back. They are open on Sunday. More info here. Thank you to the parents who came out to tonight's PAC meeting. Many who were in attendance wanted to talk about the implications of Education Minister Bernier's firing of the VSB trustees on the seismic upgrade schedule for Tennyson. We are concerned that this could slow down the schedule (we were expecting approval this October). A plan quickly came into place and we will be asking parents to sign a petition this week (Tue - Thu) when you come in for Parent/Student Conferences. We cannot take the petition onto school property so you will find us out front on 10th st under a canopy. Please come take a moment to say hi add your name to the list of concerned parents. We want our children to be safe! Here is the petition (for previewing). For the greatest effect, we would like parents to come sign the paper petition. Thank you!
If you can take a shift with the petition at the tent, please email Barbara. The school board was set to finally pass a balanced budget tonight, because the minister made it clear it was a requirement to receive seismic upgrade funding. Before the board could pass the budget, they were all fired.Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he was "extremely disappointed" with the minister's decision to fire the board. "It makes no sense when they were about to pass the budget," he said. "I believe [the elected trustees] can do the best job for our kids, and were fighting to keep our schools open." We need to make sure our voices as parents are heard loud and clear. Please take a moment to come sign our petition. Here is the petition so you can read it in advance and sign it in person. Thank you to everyone for their support. Friday, Oct 28th marks our 30th Anniversary – IT’S ALMOST HOWL TIME!!!
Only 9 school days left until we Howl and 8 days until we set up. All your favourites are returning, and we can’t wait to see your creations! PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST - bring your pumpkin on Friday morning (Oct 28th) at drop off - winners announced after lunch.
COSTUME CONTEST - from 6:30- 8:00 in the Photo Room on the night of the Howl.
CAKEWALK -
Our core Howl team is growing but there are still some key positions that we need to fill in to make it all work. TICKET SALES COORDINATOR - Without someone to take on this key role we can’t sell tickets!!! What’s involved? Organize the selling of tickets before and after school the week before the howl. You don’t have to do all the shifts yourself, just make sure it is all moving forward! We need FORTUNE TELLERS - this room is always such a great a hit with the kids, it would be a shame to have to close it down! If you have ever fancied yourself a purveyor of fine tales now is the time to step forward!! We need a VON SCHTINKO dad or two. This long-standing tradition continues but 2/3 of the Von Schtinko room are no longer Tennyson parents (actually, they have not been for years!). So it is time for a couple of dads who think they are funny (you don't need to be funny, you just have to "think" you are funny) to shadow this year's Von Schtinko brothers (or are they cousins?!?). Email ILoveVonSchtinko@lordtennyson.ca if this is you! You don't have to do much this year ... just come get free on-the-job training. PHOTOGRAPHERS - we need one more photographer for the Photo Room! LIGHTING DIRECTOR - we need someone available Friday afternoon to help set-up and check lighting in the rooms and hallways! If you can help in any of these key roles please email howlcoordinators@lordtennyson.ca Year 30 is going to be SPOOKTACULAR - come Howl with us. AAOOUUU!!!! Hi Tennyson families,
I hope you are staying dry this weekend. Here are Tennyson details for the following weeks: Kick-Start Campaign: new deadline! Donation Form If you are able to and would like to support Lord Tennyson PAC financially this year, the deadline has been extended until Thursday this week. Funds are used to bring in speakers and arts performances (examples from this year are Saleema Noon, iGirl & iGuy, Power of One Anti-bullying show, and more), add technology to the curriculum (a bonus purchase last year was a class set of wireless keyboards so that intermediate teachers can teach keyboarding), sports equipment (each division started the year off with a bin of sports equipment to be used exclusively for their class), science kits for primary and intermediate classes, funds for every division (to be used at the teacher's discretion), books, books, and more books, and so much more. Here is the 2016/17 PAC Budget Questions? Email Jane Thank you for the support! PAC meeting: Mon, Oct 17 at 7pm (childcare provided) see you there Cross Country: District Meet is this Thu, Oct 20 GO TIGERS GO! Here are the details from Coach Chris Goal Setting, Parent/Teacher Conferences Tue, Oct 18 - Thu, Oct 20 2pm dismissal Tue - Thu this week! Pro D Day: Fri, Oct 21 keep the lovely children at home! Tennyson Pumpkin Patch: Wed, Oct 26 just in time for the Howl Carving Contest Halloween Howl: Fri, Oct 28 Volunteer sign-up is OPEN!!!! Sign up once, twice, or as many times as you can. Baby-sitting Class: Thu, Nov 10 (no school) registration details here (Gr 6 and up) Enjoy your Sunday. Hi Cross Country Folks,
Please join the Cross Country Facebook Page! Here is a message from Coach Chris: Hi everyone – wow, 2 Practices left and then the BIG Meet this upcoming Thursday (see attached and info below. We have all the money & student-athlete info collected thanks to Sam, most of the Gear out thanks to Jacqueline, kids super fit and ready thanks to Carina and Ryan, lots of pictures on Facebook thanks to John, a team Feather Flag thanks to Jhen and David (& Pac via Jennifer?) and Toni & Tim for their communications and our Principal Claudette and Teachers Renee and Adrien [I hope I didn't miss anyone], and all of you great parents! Please note: Practices are rain or shine Monday and Wednesday.
Information on our District Meet Thursday Oct 20th (Trout Lake). The District Meet maps attached are approximate course routes and may need to be adjusted once our set up crew gets to Trout Lake on Thursday morning for the meet set up. Important Notes to pass on to your parents and participants: No tents are to be set up near the Marshalling area or the start and finish lines – we have found that the last few years, these areas are becoming very congested and are now a safety issue. As discussed at the organizational meeting, we need to do a better job of trying to marshal the athletes to the starting line. The meet organizing committee is looking at ways to implement new procedures to address the safety concerns and chaotic energy that is present at the marshalling and starting areas. We will need your assistance to ensure that everyone (runners, staff and parents) are helping us to ensure that everything runs in a smooth, orderly and safe manner. Only participants will be permitted in the marshalling area and on the course – please let your parents know that we will not allow them near or at the starting line. All athletes should have run in your zone meets so the athletes should feel comfortable running in a large race. If there are concerns, then maybe the younger athletes can be paired up with a ‘buddy’ and they can run together. Parents and coaches are not allowed to pace ( run or bike beside) runners at any point on the course. All spectators (adults and children) must watch the races from outside the course boundaries (we have areas roped off for the safety of the runners and the meet official). Last year our meet ‘rabbit’ was involved in an accident when someone ran out in front of him as he was coming down the hill toward the finish line. Luckily he was not seriously injured but it could have been a devastating incident. All pets must be under control and leashed and away from any course boundaries including marshalling, start and finish lines. No parents in the finish line area – they must wait outside the roped area to collect/congratulate or take photos of their runners. Anyone who has been to previous meets will know that the finish area is a constant wave of runners from the first race to the last. Extra bodies in the area is once again deemed a safety issue. First Aid will be available in the finish area but all schools are asked to bring their own first aid kits as well. Washroom facilities are available in the park facility on the south side of the lake. Additional porta potties will also be on site near the caretaker’s house. All vehicles should be legally parked in the parking lots or on the streets– at past events, vehicles have been ticketed or towed. First race starts at 1:00 pm – subsequent races are every 8 minutes. Times are approximate, spectators should error on side of caution if they are trying to estimate what time their child is running. Let's hope the weather cooperates with us on the 20th. P.S. If you have any parents or staff that would be interested in helping out with the meet, please have them contact me by email – we could definitely use the help of extra volunteers at the marshalling area and starting lines. District Meet Routes District Meet Info Package What a beautiful day for a run! With the final mini-meet under their belt, our Cross Country Running Team is ready for the District Meet next week. Thank you to the Zeibin Family for designing and ordering the new Tennyson flag. I do not have all of the results but I hear Rachel (Gr 5) placed 2nd for Gr 5 girls and Astrid placed 6th for Gr 7 girls. Feel free to send more results to blog@lordtennyson.ca. Red Cross Babysitting Course
So you want to be a babysitter? Or, your parents want you to take this course so they feel confident leaving you at home alone? Babysitting with First Aid Hero emphasizes learning through real life scenarios. information covered includes: Exploring the business of babysitting, creating safe environments, safely caring for ages 0-12, and first aid skills. Red Cross Babysitting Course Tennyson, Nov.10th*, 2016, 8:30-3:30 *there is no school on Nov 10 Grade 6+ $60 + GST online registration http://www.firstaidhero.com/babysitting-vancouver.html Happy Thanksgiving Tennyson parents. Enjoy your weekend!
Lunch Ordering If you would like to make sure your child receives the first lunch on Wed, Oct 12, you must place your order by today (Saturday). Ordering will remain open but orders will take a week to come into effect after today. Full details here. Kick-Start Campaign - deadline is Fri, Oct 14 Thank you to everyone who has made direct donations to enhance the education and support of students at Lord Tennyson. Donations are tax-deductible. Details here. Power of One: Anti-bullying show - Wed, Oct 12 This Wednesday, both primary and intermediate students will see an anti-bullying show (sponsored by PAC ... thanks for the donations!). At the end of the show a pledge poster will be presented that will be passed around the classes for student signatures. The poster will be displayed in the school as a reminder of our pledge to follow the steps to prevent/discourage bullying. Pumpkin Patch - Wed, Oct 26 The pumpkin patch will return again this year - come buy a pumpkin ($5) after school on Wed, Oct 26 (just in time for the carving contest on Fri, Oct 28). Thank you, once again, to Michael Tudorie for sponsoring Tennyson's Annual Pumpkin Patch. Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you to everyone who came out to our first PAC meeting on Thursday, September 22nd. It was great to see so many new parents. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and professional PAC executive working with us to support our students, parents and school initiatives. Lord Tennyson is known for the strong parental involvement, which work closely with staff to ensure the best possible experiences for the students. We are most appreciative of the on-going support we receive. Thank you to parents who attend our Meet the Teacher night on Thursday, September 28th. We hope your session with your classroom teacher was informative and helpful in fostering a working relationship, as the parent-teacher relationship is vital in ensuring a successful year. If ever you have questions or concerns about your child, your classroom teacher is the first person you should communicate with. A huge thank you to Jacqueline Crummey and the team of parents for organizing and volunteering at our Welcome Back BBQ! We appreciate all your hard work in ensuring that this important community building event ran smoothly. Merci! It was my first BBQ at Tennyson and I enjoyed the many conversations and laughter we shared. I look forward to many more. Thank you for your continued warm welcome as I get familiar with the many traditions at our wonderful school. Mme Alain Principal Agendas If your child’s class is using an agenda this year, please ensure that you review the Code of Conduct, which is included at the front of the agenda. We also ask that you and your child sign the commitment page also included in the agenda. For classes that are not using the agenda, a copy of the Code of Conduct was sent home along with the commitment page. Terry Fox Run The Terry Fox Run on Thursday, September 28th at 2:00 pm was a huge success. The primary students ran around the grass field, while the intermediate students ran around the perimeter of the school grounds along the sidewalk. They ran for 30 minutes with enthusiasm and gusto! Tennyson raised $540 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Thank you to Mme Kulokas and Mme Lorieau for organizing such a great event. Also, a big thank you to all the teachers and parents for cheering our students on. Well done Tennyson! Summer Watering of the Tennyson Garden We would like to thank the dedicated parents who watered the garden at the front of the school this summer. With the hot weather, I am sure they were kept very busy. We really appreciate their time and effort Hall and Playground Monitors A big thank you to our Grade 6 and 7 students who have put their names forward to be hall and playground monitors. It is rewarding to see so many of our students who are eager to help out. Our younger students absolutely love their big helpers and it really is a beautiful sight seeing the interactions between the younger and older students. We are so proud of our big helpers, who volunteer their recess time to ensure our students are safe on the playground and when entering the school. Fire Drill We will be having a scheduled fire drill on Friday October 7th. All schools are required to hold 10 drills, which include earthquake and Code Red drills, in the school year. Lord Tennyson has a comprehensive Emergency plan based on the VSB guidelines for Emergency Evacuation, Fire, Earthquake and Intruders. Staff have these guidelines in their staff handbook and are reviewed on a regular basis. Adventure Playgrounds Please be advised that the large adventure playground located in the front of the school is only for students in grades 4 to 7. Our primary students are not allowed to play on this structure during the day as this playground was only built for the older students. The older students are aware that the small adventure playground located in the back of the school is off limits to them. We ask for your support in ensuring that your children, who are in the primary grades, not play on the large adventure playground after school during supervision time: 3:00 to 3:15 pm. Staff who are supervising after school will ask primary students to get off the structure for their own safety! BC Fruit and Vegetable Program Once again, Tennyson will be participating in the BC Fruit and Vegetable Program. This is a government initiative whereby fruit and vegetables are provided to our students, free of charge, every two to three weeks. Ideally, the students will have the opportunity to enjoy the offerings together as a class. If you do not wish for your child to participate in this program, please let your classroom teacher know. A big thank you to Toni Botham for championing this program. For more information, along with delivery dates, please consult the volunteer page. Request from Mme Nona If you received a package of summer reading materials from Mme Nona and are no longer using the booklets, she would appreciate if you returned them so they could be used for other students next summer. Thank you. Annual Kickstart Fundraiser It is the time of year when the PAC starts fundraising, with the annual “Kickstart” fundraiser. Your child should have come home with an orange sheet, in their book bag, last week. Our 2016-17 PAC budget requires that we raise $ 28,445. Along with the spring “math-a-thon” or “spell-a-thon", these make up the PAC’s main fundraising initiatives. Last year, the Kick-Start raised $16,585!! The funds helped buy ipads, sound equipment for assemblies, speakers including Saleema Noon, science kits, a green house ... If it is within your means, we are asking for a minimum donation of $50/family. The Kick-Start contribution is the only tax-deductible means by which to donate to the PAC this school year (tax receipts will be issued by the Vancouver School Board). Forms can be found outside the office or on the website. Please return it, with your contribution, to the designated drop box outside the office, by October 14, 2016. Renfrew Library Programs Here are some upcoming programs at Renfrew Library that may be of interest to your students and families:
While some of our programs require registration, many are drop-in and all are free. The library offers a physical space for children and families to connect, play, and discover. We remain committed to early literacy development and family literacy and to promoting the use and enjoyment of our public library services, collections, and programs. IMPORTANT DATES
Check out this upcoming free event:
"The Art of Raising Resilient Children" Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Location: The Chan Centre Auditorium, located in the Child & Family Research Institute Building, BC Children's & Women's Hospital, 950 West 28 Avenue Details and registration information here. |
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