The Falcon Flyer - Ferndale Public School

35 Ferndale Ave.
St. Catharines, ON
905-684-1101
The Falcon Flyer
Ferndale Public School Newsletter
April 2011
Easter
Please be advised
that schools will be
closed for the Good
Friday on Friday,
April 22nd and on
Monday, April 25th
for Easter Monday.
Inside this issue:
Kids Help Phone
1
DSBN Road Race 2
Education Week
2
Afterschool Read- 2
ing Club
Anaphalaxis
3
Niagara Kidsapalooza
3
Junior Basketball
4
Chess Clubs
4
Oral Health
4
www.dsbn.org/Schools/Ferndale
From the Vice-Principal’s Desk...
Courage is our Character In Action focus for April. When we are courageous,
we have the strength and ability to face challenges even when it might be
difficult or unpopular. We take initiative in that we act without being
prompted by others. “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of
it.” Fear is a natural response intended to protect us. Courage is acting
responsibly even though we are afraid. It is not courageous to do something
just because your friends are doing it. It is courageous NOT to do it.
Confronting bullies, walking away from temptation, and telling the truth
require courage and the resolve to do what is right no matter what anyone
else thinks. This is very difficult for children who count on their peer group for
affirmation.
On the evening of April 5, Ferndale will be having an information session about
the Balanced School Day. Parents are encouraged to attend and babysitting
will be provided. During the session, information will be given about the
balanced school day and questions may be asked. The purpose of the
information session is to help parents make an informed decision about
possible changes to our current timetable and school day structure. This
information session will be followed by a school council meeting.
Please join us at 6:45 pm on Tuesday, April 5 in the library.
Kids Help Phone
This year, Ferndale will be giving back to the community by raising funds for
the Kids Help Phone. Last year Ferndale collected over $1400 that went to
support the Kids Help Phone. All students in Grades 3 to Grade 8 are
encouraged to participate. Those students that pledge a minimum of $10 will
be invited to participate in a movie event (for Grades 3-5) or a video dance
party (for Grades 6-8) on May 5. Also, the class that raises the largest pledge
amount will receive a pizza party. Let’s show strong support for the Kids Help
Phone!
Page 2
DSBN Road Race
The 2011 DSBN Road Race takes place on
Sunday, April 17 at the DSBN Education Center.
You can be a ‘Learner in Action’ and help your
community at the same time. Last year,
$10,000 was raised to support programs in
DSBN schools through the Education
Foundation of Niagara and Niagara Nutrition
Partners. The Road Race is a fun family activity
that promotes a healthy lifestyle. In addition to
the 1 km fun run and 5 km road race, there will
be a BBQ and a fun fair. You can visit
www.dsbnroadrace.com for more information
and links to the participation forms. Ferndale is
once again entering a team of dedicated
runners, under the leadership of Mr. Schatz.
Now that the good weather has arrived, we will
see Mr. Schatz and his running group training
on a regular basis.
Afterschool Reading Club
Since October, we have been very fortunate to have had a group of very committed Brock
University students mentoring our Primary Students in our after school program. The
Brock school year is coming to an end and our tutors will be heading home for their
summer break after their exams. We thank our Brock volunteers for all of their hard work
and thank the students and parents involved for their commitment and support. We look
forward to continuing with the program again in the fall.
The Falcon Flyer
April 2011
Page 3
ANAPHYLAXIS (PLEASE READ!)
Anaphylaxis (anna - fill -axis) is a serious allergic reaction. It can be lifethreatening. Food is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, but insect
stings, medicine, latex, or exercise can also cause a reaction. The most common food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, egg and milk products.
At Ferndale School, we do have students with food allergies. To help protect children with severe allergies to peanuts/peanut oil, we ask that you
please not send any products containing peanuts or peanut oil to school
for lunches or snacks.
Given that anaphylaxis can be triggered by minute amounts of allergen, we
encourage all children to follow certain guidelines:
Eat only food which they have brought from home.
Do not share food, utensils or containers.
Wash hands before and after eating.
Avoid placing food directly on desk/table surfaces; use napkins etc.
Please communicate with your child’s teacher before sending any food
items into the classroom for any special occasion.
Please join
us on March
1 at 6:45 pm
in the library
for our next
School Council meeting.
Page 4
The Falcon Flyer
Junior Basketball
The Junior Boys and Girls Basketball season is now in full-swing. Both teams have
been putting forth tremendous effort and have shown great development of their
skills. Thank you to Mr. Penner and Mrs. Brochu for dedicating so much or their
time to coaching these teams. A full report will be included in the next newsletter.
Chess Club
Junior and Intermediate Chess Clubs have been happening since February. Juniors
practice on Tuesdays at lunch hour and Intermediates practice on Thursdays at
lunch hour. The following students have qualified to participate in our Area 4
Tournament which is being held on Wednesday April 6, 2011. The DSBN
tournament will take place on Monday April 11.
Grade 4
Jackson B.
Sean R.
Scott S.
Grade 5
Asmaa E.
Caleb L.
Grade 6
Kameron B.
Grade 7
Bayleigh W.
Bearick S.
Grade 8
Sajed H.
Wes L.
Nolan P.
Thank you to Mr. Wales for working with the chess clubs and best wishes to all of
our Ferndale chess players!
April is Oral Health Month
Although preventable, cavities are the most common chronic disease of children
aged 6 to 19 years. Cavities lead to difficulties sleeping, decreased school
attendance, pain, discomfort, and infection. Fluoride is not added into our water
supply. Therefore, it is recommended that all residents brush their teeth twice
daily with fluoridated toothpaste to prevent cavities.
Children three to six years of age should be assisted with brushing
their teeth by an adult using a pea-sized portion of fluoridated
toothpaste until they can tie their own shoe laces.
Regular flossing is the single most important thing you can do to
prevent gum disease. Most children will need help flossing until they
are about 8 to 10 years old.
Niagara Region Public Health has two programs to assist children and youth with no
insurance in getting the dental health care they need. For more information please
call the Public Health Dental Program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext.
7399.