April 1, 2011

THE HAWK
THE ROBARTS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF monthly
1974
A. Potma, Principal
S. Harrison, Secretary
Phone: (519) 453-4400
Fax: (519) 453-7943
1090 Highbury Ave, London, ON, N5Y4V9
Volume 7 Issue 7
Message from the Principal
1999
C. Zinszer, Superintendent
www.robartsschool.ca
April 1, 2011
to June 10. Annual Program Review
Meetings (APRM) with parents will begin
on April 7 and continue until the end of
May.
Hawks Soar On
Yours in Community Partnership,
Providing Bilingual
American Sign
Language and
English Education
for Deaf and Hard
of Hearing
children in
Southwestern
Ontario
Mr. Arnold J. Potma
Principal
The Robarts School
for the Deaf
2010-11
School Improvement
Goals
1. To enhance students’
expressive and receptive
American Sign
Language.
2. To increase students’
literacy abilities.
3. To increase
students’ numeracy
abilities.
4. To develop and
implement a school
wide safe school
Policy, in accordance
with Bill 212 and the
Ministry’s anti-bullying
initiative.
This year we have seen how our
community partners have come together
and worked very hard in our efforts to
make the 2011 Deaf Children’s Festival
one of the most successful ever. Recently
we surpassed our fundraising goal of
$15,000 and we are hopeful that we will
end up in the neighbourhood of 17,000 or
$18,000. This is phenomenal considering
our student population is 40. It is not
possible to list all our supporters in this
newsletter but the main ones have been
the Lions’ Club (close to $5,000), the Deaf
Community, Royal View Deaf Church,
Walmart, and the tremendous efforts of
our amazing staff, students and parents.
Planning for the two days on May 25 and
26 are coming together and we are
looking at a day full of fun activities and
experiences. Hopefully Deaf children will
come away with many memories of new
friendships made.
This past month has been a busy one for
assessments with SAT-HIs being
conducted for students Grade 2 and up.
The results will be summarized in report
form and placed in the OSRs. EQAOs for
Grade 3 and 6s will take place on May 30
Upcoming Events
APRIL: Citizenship
April 1
April 7
April 8
April 16
April 20
April 21
April 22
April 25
Maple Sugar Farm trip (JK/SK)
Ball Hockey Tournament (Milton)
Trip to Dentist (JK/SK)
Walmart BBQ Fundraiser
Provincial Swim Meet (Brantford)
Easter Bake Sale (Gr. 8)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
MAY:
Courtesy
May 2 - 6
May 18
May 20
May 23
May 25
May 26
Education Week
School Council Meeting @ 6:30
Storybook Garden trip (JK/SK)
Victoria Day
Deaf Children’s Festival Opening
Performance @ 7:00 pm
Deaf Children’s Festival
Learning
with Spirit
Student Success
Let’s Talk Science
st
I would like to extend thanks to parents who have come to
Robarts School to attend the secondary school student
transition meetings. These meetings have provided the
Student Success Team with valuable information about your
son/daughter’s post-secondary plans. With open
communication between the school, student, and parents we
are able to provide comprehensive academic support and
programming and to prepare students for important life
transitions, like the transition from school to work, or living in
the community. We hope that you also found the meetings
worthwhile, and that they have provided you with a wealth of
information about services and programs that you can access
in the community.
On Friday April 1 we are lucky enough to have Jeff from “Let’s Talk
Science” give a presentation to the Grade 5 science class. “Let’s Talk
Science” is a volunteer group consisting primarily of Masters and
Ph.D. students from Western University that offer their services and
expertise free of charge to the schools and students in London in an
attempt to better educate and spark interest in science. Jeff was
here at Robarts once already giving a fantastic presentation to the
whole school on the interesting and fun applications of science. This
visit Jeff will be focusing on the Grade 5 curriculum by giving a
presentation “Matter, Matter’s”; an interesting and interactive
presentation on the states and changes of states of matter. Robarts
is very lucky to have Jeff here and can’t wait to see what he has in
store for us.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ms. Leah Cesarini (Student Success Teacher)
Mr. M. Anderson
Ball Hockey
Due to inclement weather the annual Provincial Schools ball
hockey tournament was postponed until Thursday April 7th,
2011. While the students were disappointed about the
rescheduling it has given our team the opportunity to continue
our skills development and to improve our team work and
understanding of the game through practices Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday. The team is enjoying some young
talent in Sabrina S. and Haven M.; while the older students of
Zach I. , Danny Z., Hope H., Dante W., Cody H., and Mitchell
G. are continuing to develop their skills while providing some
fantastic leadership. On behalf of myself and Daniel Santos I
want to thank the parents for their support of the team and
your flexibility in the scheduling of the tournament. This has
been a great year for the ball hockey team and we are all
looking forward to competing in the tournament next week and
catching up with some old friends. If you see any of our players
next week please wish them luck in the tournament!
Thanks again for the support,
Mr. M. Anderson
Easter Reminder
Friday, April 22nd is Good
Friday and Monday, April
25 is Easter Monday.
Schools are closed and
there are no classes that
day. Enjoy the weekend
with your family.
Intramural Volleyball
We have now completed our basketball season ending in 4th
place. However, the students worked extremely hard and
really improved their game. Congratulations to Dante for
earning the most improved player award. Congratulations to
Hope for earning the sportswomanship award, and
congratulations to Cody for all around best player award,
along with congratulations to the other members of the team
for being supportive and trying their best. One really great
play that happened in one of the last games was when Haven
accomplished a great steal from one of Amethyst’s top
players. Our whole team cheered and congratulated him on
such an amazing play. We will be starting intramural soccer
around the middle of April, so let’s hope that this weather
warms up and dries the mud.
Mrs. L. Plant
Sr. Boys Residence Visits Art Gallery
Science is Fun
and learns about language. My friends, Ben, Andrew, Jesse and I
went to the Strand Fine Art Services (Gallery) on Thursday,
March 23, 2011. Mike drove us and Mrs. McMillen and Jane
came too.
We met the artist, Mr. David Bobier, who created the show we
went to see. Mr. Bobier’s two children were former students at
our school. Mr. Bobier told us his art work used ASL handshapes.
We saw many pictures and a huge map that showed what the
world looked like in 1651. Mr. Bobier embossed old English
words on the surface of the map. Did you know that people
used gestures to communicate long, long ago? Many cultures
still do! Not just Deaf people!
We also saw a picture of the human brain made of bees wax
and different spices. We smelled the art!
I was surprised to see the art work showing hands tied up like
slaves from long ago. Mr. Bobier explained that was his way to
show how Deaf people were not allowed to use sign language
to communicate. He explained each piece of art and we asked
him questions.
He also had eight (8) tuning forks that we could hit to make
vibrate. These forks made individual musical notes. Then we put
our faces or hair close to the forks to feel the vibration.
We were grateful Mr. Bobier made special arrangements to
come to meet us and explain his art work. We also liked
meeting the four Dwarf cats that live in the Gallery.
The grade 1/2 class recently finished a Science project. It revolved
around our study of how you can take different materials and turn
them into something else.
Each student collected “Kool Aid” drink bags, washed them, dried
them and sewed them into a beautiful bag with the help of Mrs.
Crockford. The students were so proud of their work and excited to carry their lunch to the cafeteria in their own special bag.
Mrs. S. Enright
By Joshua T.
Residence Report
By: Mrs. Ju-Lee Barr, Residence Coordinator
It has been a very busy and snowy few months in the Robarts Residence.
Senior Boys Zone acquired a new residential student who is a day
student. He visited the residence and gradually stayed over in the
residence for a few days. It has been a successful change and everyone
adapted well. This experience has been positive for the day student who
always looks forward to going to the residence.
White Zone Girls have been very busy with cooking, arts & crafts,
games, social skills, and outings to Tim Hortons and the Boys and Girls
Club.
Blue Zone Boys enjoyed playing outside in the snow, cooking for their
dorm dinners, doing social skills to earn an outing and going to Subway
and the Boys and Girls Club.
In February, all dorms had a special trip to John Labatt Centre (JLC)
where they were given complimentary tickets to watch a “Disney on Ice”
performance. Everyone had a wonderful time.
As we approach warmer weather, we look forward to being outside more,
playing soccer, having BBQ dinners, walking to various places and
exploring the city of London.
Since the winter break Mrs Schneider, Mrs Plant and Ms Pinnell’s classes have been working
together on a number of traditional stories. As winter came to an end, we read and learned
about several versions of Stone Soup. Stone Soup is always a story of communities coming
together and making small contributions to create something great to share with everyone.
We made stone soup this week and had a lot of fun cooking up our own version. Each
student brought something from home to contribute to the soup. Washing, chopping, peeling,
straining and opening the cans were just some of the jobs we shared while we make our soup.
Hope: “ I loved the soup.”
Wesley: “ I like watching Mrs. Crockford retell the story.”
Cassie: “ I loved, loved, LOVED the soup and the bread.”
Haven: “I liked watching the ASL version on the smart board.”
April, 2011
The staff and community families of Robarts School for the Deaf and the London
Centre of the Deaf community are still very busy fund-raising in the hopes that this will
be the most successful Deaf Children’s Festival.
Royal View Deaf Church will be organizing a YARD SALE on
Saturday, May 7th
218 Clarke Road
London, Ontario
We are asking for your help. When you begin your Spring cleaning please consider donating any gently used items to DCF.
We will accept your donation at the school and deliver it to Royal View Church.
CONTACT
Susan Crockford
[email protected]
Gwenda Andison
[email protected]
or call Robarts School office
519-453-4400 Ext. 1349
Thank you for your support towards this very worthwhile event.
9 th B I E N N I A L D E A F C H I L D R E N ’ S F E S T I VA L
"Hands Around The World"
Wednesday, May 25 & Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Robarts School for the Deaf, London
Grab your passport PASSPORT
and
enjoy an experience of a lifetime.
wednesday
May 25th
thursday
May 26th
• ASL Rapper
• ASL Storyteller
John Warren
• Arts & Crafts
• Face Painting
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
• Clowns
Robarts School
(activity room)
• Splish, Splat! Book Signing
• Jumping Castle/obstacle course
• Petting Zoo & Exotic Animals
• Learn Signs from "Around
the World"
• Ethnic Foods
• Cotton Candy & Snowcones
• Concession Booths
(Harvey's & Domino's Pizza)
• Free Goodie Bags
Deaf Actor
free
admission
lunch
May 26th
pay cash
on site
from
harvey's or
domino's pizza
For more information, contact School Office at 519-453-4400 ext. 1349 or darren.holst@ ontario.ca
Dear Parents,
Dear Parents,
SPLISH, SPLAT! the newest book will be celebrated at the 9th biennial Deaf
Children’s Festival, hosted by The Robarts School for the Deaf on May 25th and
26th. This book is written by a Deaf author, Alexis Domney and illustrated by a
Deaf illustrator, Alice Crawford. Both Alexis and Alice will come to our school
to do the book signings all day on Thursday, May 26th.
SPLISH, SPLAT! the newest book will be celebrated at the 9th biennial Deaf
Children’s Festival, hosted by The Robarts School for the Deaf on May 25th and
26th. This book is written by a Deaf author, Alexis Domney and illustrated by a
Deaf illustrator, Alice Crawford. Both Alexis and Alice will come to our school
to do the book signings all day on Thursday, May 26th.
A fun introduction to the world of ASL
A fun introduction to the world of ASL
• 24 Pages
• Ages 4-8
• 8.5” x 8.5”
• Hardcover with Jacket
• $12.00 tax included
regular price: $15.95
$
SAVE
• 24 Pages
• Ages 4-8
• 8.5” x 8.5”
• Hardcover with Jacket
• $12.00 tax included
regular price: $15.95
3.95
$
You can find out more about this book at
3.95
You can find out more about this book at
secondstorypress.ca/books/216-splish-splat
secondstorypress.ca/books/216-splish-splat
This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to own an autographed book
by an author and illustrator. If you would like to order a book/books, please fill
out the form below and include cash or a cheque for $12.00 (tax included) for
a hardcover copy of SPLISH, SPLAT! made out to The Robarts School for the
Deaf. Please return the form and money to Darren Holst or Tina Vrantsidis by
FRIDAY, APRIL 29th.
!
SAVE
This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to own an autographed book
by an author and illustrator. If you would like to order a book/books, please fill
out the form below and include cash or a cheque for $12.00 (tax included) for
a hardcover copy of SPLISH, SPLAT! made out to The Robarts School for the
Deaf. Please return the form and money to Darren Holst or Tina Vrantsidis by
FRIDAY, APRIL 29th.
!
SPLISH, SPLAT! BOOK ORDER FORM
SPLISH, SPLAT! BOOK ORDER FORM
Please include payment with your completed form. Make cheque payable to ROBARTS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
Please include payment with your completed form. Make cheque payable to ROBARTS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
Student’s Name:
Student’s Name:
School’s Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Parent’s phone number or email:
School’s Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Parent’s phone number or email:
# of copies of SPLISH, SPLAT! :
# of copies of SPLISH, SPLAT! :
Total amount enclosed: $
deadline:
CHEQUE o
Friday, April 29th
CASH o
Total amount enclosed: $
deadline:
CHEQUE o
Friday, April 29th
CASH o
Dear Staff,
Dear Staff,
SPLISH, SPLAT! the newest book will be celebrated at the 9th biennial Deaf
Children’s Festival, hosted by The Robarts School for the Deaf on May 25th and
26th. This book is written by a Deaf author, Alexis Domney and illustrated by a
Deaf illustrator, Alice Crawford. Both Alexis and Alice will come to our school
to do the book signings all day on Thursday, May 26th.
SPLISH, SPLAT! the newest book will be celebrated at the 9th biennial Deaf
Children’s Festival, hosted by The Robarts School for the Deaf on May 25th and
26th. This book is written by a Deaf author, Alexis Domney and illustrated by a
Deaf illustrator, Alice Crawford. Both Alexis and Alice will come to our school
to do the book signings all day on Thursday, May 26th.
A fun introduction to the world of ASL
A fun introduction to the world of ASL
• 24 Pages
• Ages 4-8
• 8.5” x 8.5”
• Hardcover with Jacket
• $12.00 tax included
regular price: $15.95
$
SAVE
• 24 Pages
• Ages 4-8
• 8.5” x 8.5”
• Hardcover with Jacket
• $12.00 tax included
regular price: $15.95
3.95
$
You can find out more about this book at
3.95
You can find out more about this book at
secondstorypress.ca/books/216-splish-splat
secondstorypress.ca/books/216-splish-splat
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to own an autographed book by an
author and illustrator. If you would like to order a book/books, please fill out
the form below and include cash or a cheque for $12.00 (tax included) for a
hardcover copy of SPLISH, SPLAT! made out to The Robarts School for the
Deaf. Please return the form and money to Darren Holst or Tina Vrantsidis by
FRIDAY, APRIL 29th.
!
SAVE
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to own an autographed book by an
author and illustrator. If you would like to order a book/books, please fill out
the form below and include cash or a cheque for $12.00 (tax included) for a
hardcover copy of SPLISH, SPLAT! made out to The Robarts School for the
Deaf. Please return the form and money to Darren Holst or Tina Vrantsidis by
FRIDAY, APRIL 29th.
!
SPLISH, SPLAT! BOOK ORDER FORM
SPLISH, SPLAT! BOOK ORDER FORM
Please include payment with your completed form. Make cheque payable to ROBARTS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
Please include payment with your completed form. Make cheque payable to ROBARTS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
Name:
Name:
School’s Name:
Position:
Phone number or email:
School’s Name:
Position:
Phone number or email:
# of copies of SPLISH, SPLAT! :
# of copies of SPLISH, SPLAT! :
Total amount enclosed: $
deadline:
CHEQUE o
Friday, April 29th
CASH o
Total amount enclosed: $
deadline:
CHEQUE o
Friday, April 29th
CASH o