1. education
2. school

Principal: Mrs. Janet Slaney Vice-Principal: Mrs. Michelle Relova
Admin. Assistant: Mrs. Kathy Senger Web site: www.dre.sd23.bc.ca
April
2015
We appreciate
your calls to
the school
office in the
morning
advising us if
your child will
be absent or
late.
ABSENCE
phone line
NUMBER
(250) 870-5117
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
With only 15 weeks left of school, we have a great deal yet to accomplish. Hold
on to your hats folks, the last few months will be busy ones indeed. After reading
almost five hundred report cards, I can assure you that we have made some incredible
strides, both academically and extra-curricularly these past few months. The students
were very proud to take home their second term progress reports, which reflected
hard work and dedication to their studies. Keep in mind with this onset of nice
weather, there will be competition with outside school commitments such as soccer
and other sports. Remember that our Davidson Homework Club (Personal Organization Place – POP) will continue to be open for our students Monday through Thursday
from 2:30 – 3:10, to provide them with a quiet place to complete their homework prior
to going home at the end of the day.
Considering that it is April, plans for our track and field season will soon be
underway. If any willing parents are able to help, it will make a huge difference in
the number of activities we can offer our students. If you have an interest in lending
a hand please let the school know. Our Apple Bowl for our intermediate students will
be Tuesday June 2nd this year. This is a day to mark down on your calendars to come
watch our gr. 4 – gr. 6 students in action, trying out different activities within an
official track and field venue.
Congratulations to our grade 6 basketball stars. Thanks to the coaching of Mrs.
Vecchio, Mr. Knight and Mr. Longman, the students participated in a great season.
The students' skills improved greatly and their great sportsmanship was consistently
demonstrated each and every game.
Congratulations are very much in order for our outstanding choir. Under the
tutelage of Mrs. Weiss, the choir has blossomed into something magical. The passion
and beauty of their voices is incredible. They performed for Education Week at the
Rotary Centre of the Arts, and will soon be competing in the Kiwanis Music Festival.
It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Mrs. Bell-Lowther and Mrs. Cameron
who have been at DRE covering short term contracts for Mrs. Churcher and Miss
Lemiski respectively. We wish them all the best and hope that our paths will cross
again as they both provided such incredible compassion and leadership for our
students. We are excited to announce that Mrs. Churcher has returned from her
maternity leave. Mrs. Churcher is back with all kinds of energy to keep our grade 5's
busy 'til June as too is Miss Lemiski, back full time now, after her graduated return to
work from her medical leave. We are sorry to say goodbye to our beloved custodian,
Mr. Buckingham. He has decided to retire after many, many years of keeping our
school spick and span, but also always going out of his way to support both staff and
students here at Davidson Rd. He was the type of custodian that on the coldest day of
the year will still go up on the roof to retrieve a lost ball. He will be greatly missed.
Happy Spring!
Respectfully,
Janet Slaney,
Principal
Page 2
Davidson Road News
Library News!
The following students won a prize in the 'No Overdues' library draw for March: Brooklyn in Ms. Crane's class, Payton
in Mrs. Sveistrup's class, Lauren in Mr. Knight's class, Peter in Mrs. Gregoire's class, Oren in Miss Olsen's class, Kya
in Mr. Prescott's class, Jessica in Ms. Langlois's class, Landon in Ms. Leverrier's class and Molly in Ms. Csatho's class
P.A.C. News
A Reminder to Students: Return or renew all of your books every library period for a chance to win awesome library prizes.
URGENT PAC UPDATE!!!
LET’S WORK TOGETHER!
Dear Parents,
As we arrive back from Spring Break, I realize we are in the home stretch of the school year. We have
many parents that hold positions on the PAC or help run programs with in the school that will be stepping
down from their positions at the end of the school year. I am writing to appeal to all our parents that we
are in need of people to help out. Many of you may not realize the programs, events or funding that is
done by the PAC or parent volunteers. Without parents to take over these roles, we may not be able to
continue the following programs.
1) Kiss & Drop - Having a person direct traffic before and after school allows for traffic to flow
smoothly thru the parking lot and ensures student safety.
2) 1:1 Reading Program - Volunteers take students that are in need of extra reading once a week
for 1:1 reading. This program is amazing and greatly needed and appreciated by the students who use it.
3) Hot Lunch Program - Provides a hot lunch to students 1 - 2 times a month.
4) Fruit & Veggie Program - Local Orchards donate seasonal fruits and vegetables at least once
a month to students.
5) PAC - Donates approx $10,000 of its Gaming Grant to help cut down field trip costs.
- Offers Bursary to GESS graduates who were former DRE Students.-Raises money to purchase needed
items for the school.
Over the past few years the PAC has installed a MIC system into each classroom, bought new sports
jersey’s for school teams, purchased books for the At-Home reading program, purchased sports
equipment for students to use at lunch time, reflectors for student backpacks.
- Puts on school events such as Movie Night, Back to school BBQ and Fun Fair.
These are just some of the things that go on around DRE and are run by parent volunteers.
Over the past few years we have seen parent participation decrease and we are now in a
position where if we can not fill the upcoming positions, these programs may not be able to
continue.
Please take a look at the positions that will be available for the 2015/2016 school year.
Executive PAC:
Non PAC Positions:
- President 1:1 Reading Coordinator
- Vice President 1:1 Reading Volunteers
- Treasurer Hot Lunch Coordinator
- Secretary Kiss & Drop Helper
- Members at Larger
For questions or concerns please contact the following:
1:1 Reading Program - Laura Wells at slwells@shaw.ca
Hot Lunch Program - Sandra Gesi at sgesi@shaw.ca
PAC - Jenny DeGelder at jr_focus@hotmail.com
Thank you,
Jenny DeGelder- PAC President
Page 3
Davidson Road News
WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT?
If your child had a vision problem, would she/he tell you?
For a child with a vision problem, there’s one small catch: they think that’s the way people are supposed to
see and they don’t know any different.
That’s why all children should have their eyes examined by the age of three and every year after. Given that 80 percent
of all learning happens visually, it’s a small step parents can take to ensure their children thrive at school and play.
And remember: a vision test at your child’s doctor is not a substitute for a thorough eye exam. An eye exam from an
optometrist* is the only way to determine your child’s eyes are growing and functioning as they should.
*Annual eye exams are covered by MSP until a child reaches the age of 19.
Submitted by Drs. Karla Reimer & Stephanie Strawn, Lake Country Optometry Clinic
From the Heart.
Thanks to all the families that have returned their child’s report card envelope signed.
Our thanks to all of our Kleenex contributors! The last lucky winner of our Newsletter Kleenex draw was Donovan from
Ms. Langlois' class. We certainly appreciate everyone pitching in to help with the 'sneezing season'. Our need for tissue
has not dried up yet, so any further contributions would be graciously accepted.
Our sincerest thanks for all the parents that are able to volunteer within our classrooms. From pancake breakfasts, to
paper cutting, field trip chaperoning, and bulletin board organization, everyone's help is so very much appreciated.
Huge kudos to our One to One Reading volunteers who faithfully come and read with our students. Not only are the
students improving their reading skills, they are gaining confidence and a love for literature. There is no greater gift!!
I cannot express how moved I was when I learned that the staff of DRE was holding a
fundraiser for me to help cover ongoing costs related to my MS. I am filled with gratitude at the outpouring of generosity and support that has been extended to me from the
school and community. I would like to thank each and every one of you who either came
to the fundraiser to show support or who have come up to me in the hall to offer words of
encouragement. This has been an incredibly difficult year and it is knowing that I am surrounded by
such an amazing community that makes this road a little easier. Thank you so much.
Ms. Bryanna Lemiski
Davidson Road’s KLEENEX TIME
WE ARE OUT OF KLEENEX...Continuing with the “cold & flu” season, we need to again have a Kleenex Draw. Bring
a box of Kleenex to the office, and your name will be entered in a draw for a SURPRISE!! We will hold the draw on
Fri, April 24,2015. Cut & fill in the entry form below, or pick up an entry form at the Office. Thank you.
KLEENEX DRAW
Name: ________________________________________
Teacher: ______________________________________
Page 4
Davidson Road News
Breakfast for Learning
Our school’s nutrition program is proudly funded by Breakfast for Learning. Thanks to their support, we are able to offer
our students a healthy meal or snack during the school day.
Breakfast for Learning is a national charity that is committed to ensuring students attend school well nourished and ready
to learn, giving them the best chance of success in life.
In the 2013/14 school year, Breakfast for Learning funded 2,402 breakfast, lunch and snack programs, served 251,531
children and youth and provided over 40 million nourishing meals and snacks.
Since 1992, Breakfast for Learning has helped serve over 510 million meals to children and youth across Canada.
For more information, please visit breakfastforlearning.ca.
Kaylee Temperton, a past student of Davidson Road Elementary, needs our help. At only
13 years of age Kaylee has been recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. If
you are able to help, visit GO FUND ME to make a donation. Your support would be
more than appreciated.
Counsellor’s Corner
-Kids have stress too!
Kids say their stress comes from many different things. Changing homes and schools,
fighting or arguing among family members or classmates, trouble with schoolwork, being yelled but most of all it is stressful
when kids feel lonely and unloved.
Stress in children shows up in many ways: physically - headaches or tummy aches; emotionally – they may be sad, whiney,
angry, or panicky; behaviourally- sleep changes, eating changes, lack of interest, and behaviour changes. These may look like
not wanting to go to school, sometimes having trouble getting along with family and friends. Some children won’t show their
stress while other may show it by behaving badly.
There are ways you can help your child when they are stressed:
Ask them – talk to them
Help them find ways to calm down – deep breathing, quiet/down time, listen to music, read
Spend time with them and show them the love and affection they need with words, hugs and kisses
Exercise is a great way to burn off stress
Sleep is essential
Healthy food helps the body cope with stress more easily
Develop routines at home – routines for before bed and in the morning
Have fun together
Adapted from the Psychology Foundation of Canada
“How do you spell love? T-I-M-E!”
Page 5
Davidson Road News
Poetry from Ms.
Csatho’s Grade 4 Class
Spring into Action
What an Amazing Day!
Flowers blooming,
Busy boisterous birds and bees
Trees walking around the hot sun.
flying through the magical trees.
Grass greener than emerald.
On the tree is a white bud
The sun wakes up for a morning walk
on the ground plenty of mud.
Around the corner an incredible
Because of all the weather changes
Cute little bunny hops around a
from rain to sun it comes in stages.
Humongous tree.
Sun to rain
In the forest, flowers are calling my name
Then it starts all over again!
A deer is playing with a little butterfly.
Trees are tumbling, telling on toys.
Curious baby animals peaking out
Soft wind is racing across my face,
thinking and wondering about.
Ladybugs redder than cherries
Flowers whisper in the breeze
Are eating really green leaves.
just like the blossoms on the trees.
The soft rich sand on the beach feels so good.
Then Boom, Crack, you see lightning on the hill.
Incredibly amazing ice cream cools you down.
Finally, there is a thrill,
The smell of roses comes through the wind,
a storm is here!
Up in the tall trees,
It ends and the sky is clear.
blue or red birds are chirping.
That's what the first season is,
It is glorious here!
if you live here.
Author Caitrin Burke (grade 3 )
Author: Danica Arseneault (grade 4)
The Sweet, Songtastic Season
The First Season
Once in a land, without color or grass,
Things are springing from the ground.
the birds begged for this season to come.
Huge animals weighing thousands of pounds.
Then Boom!
Exquisite things prancing around.
A land full of grass and color came.
The birds chirp a happy tune.
Flower in a variety of vibrant colors bloom
And there is lots of music too.
The music fills the air, the air, the amazing air.
It fills your mind with joy,
same as the colors popping up.
Guess which season?
I am sworn to secrecy.
It smells like violet oil and lavender
and it tastes like honey.
Everyone in nature loves this season!
Author Kammy Kuang (Grade 4)
Fluffy bears dance around,
Illnesses are going down.
Ruffled rabbits moving round,
end up in a mound.
Season's greetings,
time for less eating.
Season of green,
eating candy like jelly beans.
All the sprouts are not yet seen,
so there's no stress on my mind.
Oh well, at least none that you can find.
Now that's basically all, but there'll be more in fall.
Author Ryder Monteith (Grade 4)
Davidson Road News
Page 6
Important Dates coming up . . .

Thursday, April 2nd– HOT LUNCH– L’Isola Bella

April 3rd-GOOD FRIDAY– NO SCHOOL

April 6st -Easter Monday: —NO SCHOOL

April 7th– YEARBOOK Order Forms Go Home This Week.

Wednesday, 8th- School Planning Council Meeting 4:30 pm / PAC Meeting 6:00 pm

Thursday, 9th- Jump Rope For Heart Kick Off Assembly—(am)

Thursday, 9th Choir Performance @ Kiwanis Music Festival @ Rotary Centre For the Arts -1:00pm

Friday April 10th-Davidson Road Dance Extraveganza-Gr1,1/2 &6 12:30-1:30

Wednesday, 15th Class Pictures & Full School Panorama @ 11 AND Hot Dog Day!

Thursday, 16th– Battle of the Books –Zone Competition @ Ellison Elementary

Friday, April 17th, Safety Awareness Fire Education Gr. 3’s @ 9:00 am

Wednesday, 22nd– School Spirit Day– WEAR A CRAZY HAT DAY

Thursday, 23rd—Battle of the Books– DISTRICT FINALS– Hot Lunch-Jugo Juice

Friday, 24th-Student Assembly-Ezra-African Drumming/ (Safety Awareness –Fire
Education- Gr 3’s @ 9am)/PAC MOVIE– Movie TBA (movie & popcorn-$4)

Friday, 24th, Jump Rope for Heart info goes home

Tuesday, April 28th, DAVIDSON DYNAMO DAY-wear your DRE t-shirt!!!!

Thursday, April 30th– BC Children’s Hospital “JEAN’S DAY”
HOT LUNCH: Osho/ LAST DAY TO ORDER A YEARBOOK
KIDSPORT
We believe no kid should be left on the sidelines.
To get involved or apply for support call 250.766.1485
or visit: kidsportlakecountry.com
PLEASE CALL US!!!!!
If your child is going to be away from school due
to illness OR for any other reason,
please call (250)870-5117
Leave us a message letting us know:
1. Child’s Name 2. Child’s Teacher 3. Reason