Should I continue this blog?

I have received some recent feedback that really got me to thinking.   A parent was disappointed that  I had let the updates lapse since last spring.  Due to recent changes to the software and some overlapping of technology and communication,  I had taken a break from updating this blog.   I am more than happy to, if it is helpful for our school community.   Last year, we began to heavily use our school website for the frequent updates and record of forms etc.   While my blog and the school website have slightly different purposes, they intertwine in our efforts to keep communication open and flowing with our school community.  

We also have a supportive school council who is using FACEbook and an email list to get info out.

Before I continue with my work on this blog, I would love to hear directly from parents either by voice, email or in person.  So- please let me know if this is a helpful tool and if I hear from enough folks, I will continue to use this format and try hard to keep it updated, at least bi-weekly.

I love to write and to communicate, but I am always mindful that we can often over-do it too, so please let me know in any format that you are comfortable with.  I will decide by October 1st, which direction I shall go regarding this blog.

Thanks to those who have followed this style of communication (via my blog).   As Mrs. Simon returns to work and catches up, she will be getting our school website up to speed .   We appreciate your patience this fall as we do the best we can to get the word out about upcoming events and changes.

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

At the end of our second week of school, I can honestly say that our Southwold Cougars have had an amazing start up to school.   The students have re-settled into good work and learning routines.  So far, we have been lucky to enjoy a dry playground.

Very soon, we will see some safety fences go up and the construction of our new FDK (Full Day Kindergarten) wing begin.   It will be a year of construction, learning and preparing for this new program as well as communication.  So, as we grow and I learn more about this exciting opportunity for our families and students, I will share anything I can with you.  Exciting times.   As they say, "Here we grow again!".

Bus Safety Reminders

As a school that is 100% bussed, we often need to remind students of expected and appropriate behaviour while riding the school bus. We rely on parent support to teach our students these rules. Please take a moment and remind your children that riding the school bus is a privilege and the rules are there for their own safety. We have wonderful drivers who are hired to drive the bus safely. The drivers will report any misconduct to us and Vice Principal will follow through with appropriate discipline. We expect all students to enter the bus quietly, sit in the seat appropriately and demonstrate respect to their driver most of all, and secondly to the other students on the bus. Any student who is unable to do so, will meet with us to review rules and possibly lose their bus privileges. We recognize that this may cause an inconvenience to some parents, but both home and school needs to work together to help our Southwold Cougars remember how to behave on the bus. As always, our discipline decisions are based on: a) safety first b) progressive consequences. Thank you in advance to all parents, for reviewing these expectations as we head into our final 3 months of school.

SMART Technology all around!

Thank you to our School Council's initiative, for now we have received the final 6 smartboards. Once they are installed, we will have every classroom completed with Dataprojectors and Smartboards. This is exciting and VERY appreciated! Kudos to everyone who participated in this program. Our staff and students are thrilled. We hope to have every board up and running by September 2011.

Balanced Day Information

Balanced Day- What is it all about?

An Instructional day = 300 program minutes plus recess and lunch break. (following either traditional or balanced day). We are currently on a traditional timetable. Balanced Day is intended to improve the learning day on many fronts.

A Balanced day timetable = 3 learning blocks (100 minutes each) + 2 breaks.
Brain compatible research supports the balanced day as it optimizes student focus on the learning task, and maintains adequate nutrition levels.

Students are not expected to sit still for 100 minutes. The blocks give teachers flexibility to integrate curriculum. Within the blocks, teachers provide ample movement and changes to keep students engaged in learning.

Both Breaks (called Lunch #1 and Lunch #2) include 20 minutes eating, 25 minutes outdoor time. Same start (9:30) and dismissal times (4:00) due to bussing.

Recess times are usually fully used (students go out for 25 minutes- play hard and get in with fewer students Alosing it@.) Instructional time is protected.

Environmentally, the timing of outdoor breaks helps to avoid high noon sun and allows for more fun wintertime time breaks

Less time is lost from instructional time since students are Agetting ready@ for recess 2X instead of 3X. (Especially in snow-pant weather) Less time is wasted going up and down hallways and getting dressed.

Healthier eating habits are encouraged through 2 small lunches (instructional time is not lost to snack times). Students eat lunch at 11:10 and 1:30.

A few of the schools on Balanced Day are: John Wise, Mitchell Hepburn, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Sparta, DunwichBDutton, West Elgin Sr. Elementary, Lockes St.

We need 75% of returning families to respond by survey by March 10th. Of that, we need 80% in favour. For more information check out Mrs. Bandeen=s blog at www.bandeen.blogspot.com or contact her at the school with your questions.


We need to receive your family’s ballot by March 10th.