Student Activities

Food Day Friday, October 28th, plus a few other reminders

/ Ross Road PAC

Just a reminder that Friday, October 28th is our first Food Day for 2011-12! Yay, a day off from packing lunches! Flying Wedge pizza is on the menu this Friday.

A few other reminders:

  • Last chance to be included in the Ross Road School Directory! Please submit your PAC Contact Permission Form by Monday, October 31st. Click here for more details.
  • If you’d like to advertise in the Ross Road School Directory, please submit your ad by Monday, October 31st. Click here for more details.
  • CPF Membership drive wraps up on Monday, October 31st. You can join anytime, but this is the last chance to be entered in the contest for fabulous prizes! Click here for more details.

And a note from the office about the Halloween Parade:

On Monday October 31st we will be holding our annual Halloween Parade, starting at 2:00pm.  Parents are welcome to come and join in the fun.  Please be aware that we need to keep the parade route clear for students, consequently, we are asking that parents take up position either in the gym outside the cones, or on the office side of the Foyer behind the cones.  Please do not stand in the hallways or by the front door as this will block the student’s progress.

Children may come to school in their costumes or dressed in black and orange.  Just a reminder that if fake weapons or any other sharp objects are part of the costume, we would ask that students leave those at home.

Many of you will be taking photos so just a reminder that we cannot post photos of students at school events on blogs or facebook etc. without their parents’ express consent.

Thanks so much for your cooperation in these matters
Have a spooky day!
–Eileen Hood

Ross Road Food Bank Initiative: November 1st-15th

/ Ross Road PAC

This year Ross Road will be collecting food for the Food Bank.  Unlike most years, we are starting the collection early: November 1st to 15th, in order to get the collected food to the Food Bank in time for the Christmas rush.  Below is a list of the food they will and will not accept.  Everything donated is very much appreciated and needed.  The Food Bank has had a 20% increase in demand this year alone.  40% of the Food Bank users are children.

Each class will receive 4 boxes to fill.  If you are out shopping and can pick up some extra items to donate, that would be wonderful.

Here is a list of the food items that are most needed:

  • Canned meat/fish
  • Peanut butter
  • Bags of whole wheat pasta/rice
  • Pasta sauce
  • Canned fruit/vegetables
  • Cereal
  • Baby formula
  • Baby food

The following items are NOT accepted:

  • Homemade items
  • Expired baby food
  • Products containing alcohol
  • Open packages of food

Note to Class Reps:  Could you please keep an eye on the boxes in your class?  If it is full, I have extra boxes to put in the class.  I will pick up the boxes and move them to a spot where they can be sorted/packaged for pick up.  Can you please let me know asap when you need a box as I don’t want the teachers to feel that they are now responsible for this “fundraising” while they are in a job action situation.  I have arranged a pick up date for November 18th at the school so we need to have everything organized by then.  If you can’t keep an eye on the boxes, can you please find a parent to help.  If no parent helps, please let me know and I will figure out what to do.

Thanks in advance,
Susan Chalmers
susananddale@shaw.ca

Halloween parade is on at Ross Road School!

/ Ross Road PAC

Just to repeat the message from the school office:
“It has come to our attention that the Ross Road community was disappointed to see the traditional Halloween Parade go by the way side.  Consequently, the staff has been consulted and would like to let you know that a decision was made to proceed with the Halloween parade as in previous years.  Children can wear costumes or, if they choose, orange and black.”

Looking forward to seeing our ghosts and goblins parading around Ross Road School on Monday, October 31st!

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

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

Bike To School Week – May 31st to June 3rd

/ Ross Road PAC

Ride to school (or scooter or walk!) and be counted in your class; the class with the most participants at the end of the week will win a Flying Wedge lunch!
Enter your name into a daily draw for anyone that rides (or gets to school without their car) Live too far away??? – drive part way and then ride. Don’t own a bike??? – scooter, skateboard, walk and be included in your class count

Escape Adventures (Wednesday) will rotate students through two stations; one for helmet fit and road safety; the other is an obstacle course
Don’t own a bike??? – bring your helmet and walk your way through the various stations

Ryan Leech (Thursday) is a professional trials bike rider; he does some amazing balance tricks on his bike and he speaks to students about decisions, success, obstacles, criticism, beliefs and potentials; trialsoflife.com – check it out!!

Lynn Valley Bikes owner Rick Loader (Friday) will answer any questions you have about your child’s bike  (what sort of repairs does my child’s bike need; is my child too small/too big for this bike; does this helmet fit properly) – meet Rick in the primary playground area – he is our neighbourhood expert on bikes.
Rick will teach 30 of our Grade 7 students how to change a bike tire in 30 seconds or less and how to perform a safety bike check on your bike when you are out on the trail

To wrap up our bike to school week……..

Escape Adventures will have a booth at the Ross Road Carnival with ramps, teeter-totters and other challenging obstacles
Bring your bike to the carnival!!!

Click here for more info!

Environment Club – Edible Garden

/ Ross Road PAC

Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream.
—Debby Boone

Peas and beans and lettuce “Oh my!” 
The Environment Club were busy this week planting seeds in their egg carton containers.  With careful watering and lots of sunlight these seeds will soon be ready to plant outside in our gardening pots.  Over the last few weeks of school the children will be able to reap the benefit of their soil and munch on some healthy vegetables.  Thank you so much to the enthusiastic members of the Environment Club, Mrs. Hood and Layne Christensen for all of their hard work and knowledge.  If all grows well – next year’s garden will be bigger and better and will flourish along with the children.

— Gillian Gorton

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RR Km Club – last day Monday, May 16th

/ Ross Road PAC

Km Club 2011

Congratulations to all our runners this year, it’s been an amazing turn-out.  Sadly it is coming to an end with the last day being Monday, May 16th.  As per last year, this will be a make-up day or just an additional day, so all are welcome.

Let’s finish it with a splash!
— Your Km club organizers
Keith, Angela and Lynda

Litterless Lunch this week: May 9-13

/ Ross Road PAC

The Student Council members have been telling Ross Road students about the Litterless Lunch campaign that they have been organizing for this week (May 9-13), but we thought we’d better advise the family lunch packers/food buyers as well!

Ask your child for more information about how to go garbage-free with their lunches!