Meet your new 2011/12 PAC Executive!

/ Ross Road PAC

We would like to introduce you to your new PAC Executive for 2011/2012, which was elected at our AGM on May 25th!

  • Carolyn Sluis (Co-Chair)
  • Lene Burgmann (Co-Chair)
  • Madeleine Tattersall (Co-Treasurer)
  • Sherry Beryani (Co-Treasurer)
  • Nancy Barton (Secretary)
  • Jen VanderMye (Co-Communications Officer)
  • Caroline Leonard (Co-Communications Officer)
  • Lisa Birrell (PAC Website Coordinator)
  • Jane Ince (Past Co-Chair)
  • Gillian Gorton (Parent-Teacher Liaison/Environment Club)
  • Michele Ferguson (Member-at-Large/English)
  • Judy Campardo (Member-at-Large/French)
  • Julie Dunsterville (Member-at-Large)
  • Janice Sardari (Member-at-Large)
  • Naomi Palm (Member-at-Large)
  • Bettina Harris (Member-at-Large)

…and extend a big Thank You to Jane Ince, Past PAC C0-Chair!

Jane Ince, Past PAC Co-Chair

“After two years as PAC co-chair par excellence, Jane Ince has decided to move on to other challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jane for all her hard work, her sense of humour, her ‘can-do’ attitude and her amazing organizational and motivational skills!

On behalf of all us on the 2010-2011 PAC Exec., I would like to extend a very warm THANK YOU to Jane for everything she has done for the school in the last two years and to wish her the best of luck with her future endeavours.

Jane has graciously agreed to stay on the PAC as a M.A.L. (Member-at-Large) for another year, which everyone is thrilled about! Jane ROCKS!!!”

– Carolyn Sluis

Environment Club Update – The Edible Garden of “Eat-In”

/ Ross Road PAC

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Academic research shows that learning in the outdoors benefits students intellectually, psychologically and socially.

Hands-on contact with nature – rather than a text book – has a positive effect on a student’s ability and retention level.  By integrating the garden into the school’s existing curriculum, the children have an opportunity to learn about science, math, health studies, climate changes, international trade routes and global economics – all in their own backyard.   89% of Elementary School Principals gave academic instruction as their number one reason for a school garden.  We call it “Vegucation.”

As a result, the seed has been planted into our minds to the numerous possibilities here at Ross Road.  The Environment Club children have already started their work from the “ground up” and have planted some vegetables in the front garden.  Each of them eagerly got their hands dirty and carefully began the growing process.  Their minds are bursting with ideas on the possibilities of next year’s garden and their newly awaiting “life laboratory”.   And now we wait….

– Gillian Gorton

Calling All Ross Road JERSEYS

/ Ross Road PAC

If your child was involved in track & field, basketball, volleyball or any other team sport in the past year, please do a quick search for any wayward Ross Road Jerseys.

George Quan has requested that they be returned to the school (washed) by Friday, June 24th, in order to complete the inventory for the end of the year.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Gillian Gorton
Parent-Teacher Liaison

“Project Safety” Valet Service will continue in September!

/ Ross Road PAC

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We are happy to announce that due to the success of the Project Safety pilot project, the Project Safety valet service will be offered throughout the next school year!

Thank you to all the parent and student volunteers who showed up each morning and courteously and safely helped students out of their cars, and also to drivers for supporting this service and helping to keep the traffic flowing smoothly during the busy morning drop-off period.

Volunteers are always welcome! If you are interested helping out next school year, please contact Nancy Barton: nancybinbc@hotmail.com.

Thank you,
Nancy Barton

Petition Signing Opportunity

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear Parents:

There have been many parents asking if the school funding petition is still available for signing. Realizing that many people were unable to sign during the carnival the petition is being made available for this week during after school pick-up outside of Mr. Prentice’s class (North West corner of the building). Look for someone holding a bright yellow folder.

Click here for petition details.

Thank you for your support,
Advocacy Ross Road
—Colette Anderson, Lene Burgmann and Janice Sardari

Fun Day/Food Day – Friday, June 10th!

/ Ross Road PAC

Just a reminder that Friday is Fun Day AND Food Day!

A few reminders, plus the schedule of events:

  • Kids can bring their decorated bikes for the parade!
  • Wear your favourite sport jerseys!
  • Send a loonie or two with your child to buy snacks at the concession (cold drinks, chips, cookies and hot drinks for parents will be available for sale)
  • The Advocacy Ross Road petition will also be available to sign (near the PAC concession booth)
  • Don’t forget that students will be dismissed at 12:30

8:45
• Bell rings – students report to classes for attendance

8:55 – 9:15
• Students called to field
• Opening remarks and bicycle parade on field
• All decorated bikes welcome!!!

 9:15 – 10:15
• Stations: students circulate as they choose.
• They will each have a ‘passport’ and should collect a stamp/sticker/initial from each station.

10:15 – 10:30
• Recess break: students return to classrooms to get their snack (provided)
• then they mingle/play outside as per normal

10:30 – 11:15
Stations:  continued

11:15 – 11:30
• Students clean up field and put stations away.

11:30
• Everyone gathers on field for preschool race and hula hoop contests; students called by grade to participate

12:00 
• Tug-o-war wrap up

12:15
• Students return to classes for food day lunch (pizza)

12:30
Dismissal

Thank you from the 2011 Spring Carnival Committee!

/ Ross Road PAC

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>> Click here to view more Spring Carnival photos courtesy of the North Shore News.

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The 2011 Carnival Committee wants to thank EVERYONE who came out to the 2011 Spring Carnival on Friday, June 3rd. We estimate we had about 800 people at the event. The Ross Road Community is the Best!

The music was GREAT. The decorations were wonderful and the food was delicious (and healthy, but don’t tell the kids). The best part was seeing the faces of all the children. It is always so much fun to see the kids running and smiling while their parents have time to talk to friends and neighbours.

Our goal for the 2011 Spring Carnival was to make at least $2000 for the 2011/12 PAC budget. This year our net profit was $7200!!! WOW! Can you believe that we sold 10,000 tickets? That is truly amazing. So, to all of you who brought your children, bought tickets and had fun at the Carnival, thank you for sharing your evening (and your $20 bills) with us!

If you see your class rep, could you please say a special thank you to them. They work VERY hard at getting volunteers to help out. Please acknowledge their hard work.

For those of you who brought cakes and mystery bags, all we can say is WOW! We made $1800 on the cake walk alone! Mystery Bags lasted longer than usual this year. We always run out before the end of the Carnival, but this year we lasted well into the second hour! Many thanks for your donations!

On behalf of the Carnival Committee, we say “Thank you Ross Road Parents! You are truly wonderful!”

– Jane Ince, 2011 Spring Carnival Coordinator

Advocacy Ross Road – Petition available for signing at Carnival ticket booths

/ Ross Road PAC

Just a friendly reminder that we will have the school funding petition available for signing during Carnival ticket pre-sales today (after school in the lobby) as well as at the ticket booths during the Carnival itself this evening from 5:00-8:00pm.

If you would like to read through the petition at home beforehand, click here.

We would appreciate input and insight from all concerned parents and citizens. Please check out the Advocacy Ross Road section on the PAC website for more information and free to email advocacyrossroad@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support!
—Advocacy Ross Road co-chairs,
Colette Anderson, Lene Burgmann and Janice Sardari

A few more Spring Carnival reminders, then it’s time to have some fun!

/ Ross Road PAC

One more day until the much-anticipated Spring Carnival! Here’s how you can help make the event a success and lots of fun for the kids!

  1. Sign up for a shift at your class station! Check the sign-up sheets on your child(ren)’s classroom door or connect with your class rep to sign up for a half-hour shift. It’s fun and easy and a great way to catch up with other parents!
  2. Cake Walk: Please drop off a cake or cookies or brownies or cupcakes or squares at the office on Friday June 3rd (during school hours), and in M. Prentice’s classroom (far end of primary wing) after 3pm. Where possible, please do not put nuts in your “baking”! Store bought “baking” is always welcome!
  3. Mystery Bags: Bags can be dropped off at the office on Friday June 3rd as well. The children LOVE these fun bags. Bags should have an approximate value of $5 per bag. Everything in the bags should be NEW. Please, no old Halloween candy or used toys. The bags should include fun things for primary aged children – kids’ costume jewelry, silly sun glasses, gum, small candy boxes or bags, pencils, dollar store toys. You get the idea. The “bag” can be anything you like… brown lunch bag, goodie bag, gift bag. All styles are welcome and fun! Please indicate on the bag if it is suited for a boy, a girl, or either boy/girl.
  4. Beat the rush and buy your tickets in advance! Tickets are available for sale after school in the lobby. Click here to see the price list.

Thank you to everyone for your time, energy, baking and mystery bags! See you at the Carnival on Friday!

—Spring Carnival Committee