Early Learning Program (ELP) – GVDPS to continue with full day learning  

In September, 2010, our Board began offering the full day kindergarten program in some schools as part of a province wide implementation plan. Our school is one of many schools in our Board that is offering full day kindergarten. This means that JK and SK children in our school attend all day every day. The full day program is delivered by a Teacher and Early Childhood Educator team. The program uses a play based learning approach that will support your child’s growth in all areas.

[ Read the full February newsletter and calendar (pdf) ] 
 

Parents: Would you like to know about local activities and services available to you, your family and for children of all ages?

Then please come to...
The Grand Valley Community Learning Fair

February 7, 2012  from 4:00-7:00pm

[Read the poster (pdf)]

Welcome Back!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. We want to thank all of our families for their continued support, and we wish each of you all the very best in 2012! January is a very busy month at GVDPS, so please check the updated calendar (enclosed) as well as this newsletter for important events, dates and times.
A few important reminders as we begin the new year. Student safety is our primary concern at GVDPS. Visitors are most welcome during the school day; however, we ask that all visitors report to the main office upon their arrival, and to sign in if necessary.

[ Read the full January newsletter and calendar (pdf) ]
 

It is difficult to imagine that the end of the calendar year is so close at hand. December is going to be a very busy month here at GVDPS. Please read through the newsletter for a description of the many upcoming events here at the school.
 

On behalf of the entire staff, we would like to wish each of you a very safe and restful holiday season, and all of the very best in the New Year! We look forward to an exciting year ahead for our school community! Thank you for the tremendous support you have shown our staff and our students.

[ Read the full December newsletter and calendar (pdf) ]
 

Friday, November 18th, 2011 is a Professional Development Day and is designated for parent teacher interviews. The purpose of the day is to allow parents and teachers ample time to discuss their child’s progress report. The staff at GVDPS also felt strongly that we should have an evening session open as well as many parents may be unable to make it to the school during the day. As such, we will also have parent interviews on the evening of Thursday, November 17th, 2011 from 3:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At these conferences, achievement during the first half of this term and specific goals for the remainder of the term will be discussed. Sign-up sheets will be going home shortly for each of these days. It is important that school and home work closely together in order to ensure that each child reaches his or her highest potential.

On November 11th, we will be honouring our fallen heroes with an assembly that will begin at 10:45 a.m. in our gym. This year we are looking for students who may have a family member or close friend who fought or was involved in a previous war or who may be involved presently in peace keeping initiatives.

[ View the full November 2011 newsletter and calendar (pdf) ]
 

The members of the DUFFERIN Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, would like to remind parents/guardians and children that Halloween can be a time of both excitement and potential danger; however to help prevent problems from occurring, we suggest the following Safety Tips be followed:
 

1.  Wear light coloured Halloween costumes, ones with reflective material on them (increases visibility);
2.  Use makeup instead of a mask (this allow you to see better);
3.  Wear short costumes (to avoid tripping);
4.  Walk, don’t run from house to house;
5.  Carry a flashlight;
6.  Do not criss-cross the street, go up one side and then down the other;
7.  Follow the “rules of the road” and remember to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN, before you cross the street;
8.  Never go out “trick or treating” alone
9.  Tell your parents/guardians your route. Better yet, take them!
10.  Never go inside houses to get your treat;
11.  Go only to home that are well lit and are participating in Halloween;
12.  Do not eat your treats before an adult has checked them;
13.  Know where the Safe Places are in your community where you can go to for help.

By following the above tips and using common sense you will not only have a scary Halloween but a safe one too!
For more safety and crime prevention tips, please visit our scary spider website at www.opp.ca. Boo