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PWS UPDATE
Park West School Newsletter
Phone: (902) 457-7800 E-mail: parkwest@hrsb.ns.ca Website: parkwest.ednet.ns.ca
Principal: Mr. D. Carter
Vice Principals: Ms. S. Masih Mr. B. Melanson
April 20, 2015
Receive the PWS Update electronically! You can receive the PWS Update electronically via e-mail. If you wish to be among the first to receive the latest editions of our school
newsletters by having it sent to your e-mail address simply e-mail your request to Mr. Carter at dcarter@hrsb.ns.ca The PWS Update is published approximately every two weeks.
A Day Off for Students: There will be no school for students on Wednesday, April 22. In the morning staff will be engaged in professional
development (learning how to better support our students to be successful). A parent-teacher interview session will be held in the afternoon.
Let’s Talk About Student Progress: On Wednesday, April 22 (1:00 – 3:30 pm) and Thursday, April 23 (5:30 -7:30 pm)
parents and teachers will be meeting to discuss student progress. Teachers, including specialists (French, music, band, resource,
phys. ed., guidance, learning centre, EAL, etc.), will be available to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress. Elementary
teachers will meet in their classrooms with parents by appointment. Parents of elementary students were given the opportunity to
request appointment times with their child’s teacher. Junior High teachers will meet with parents in the gymnasium on a firstcome/first-served basis. Jr. High parents are encouraged to take advantage of the availability of afternoon meeting times when
possible, as the evening tends to be busier. To accommodate all parents most appointments will be for ten minutes each. If more
time is required to discuss your child’s progress then a longer appointment can be made for another time. Information (including
confirmation of appointment times) were recently sent hom with elementary students. Some teachers may feel it is not necessary
to meet with you at this time. If that is the case then you will be contacted by telephone by the teacher to review your child’s
progress. If you feel an in-person meeting with the teacher is preferred then you will be accommodated with an appointment time.
During Parent-Teacher Interviews on April 22 and 23 all items in our HUGE Lost & Found collection will be
on display in our lobby. Please check it out when you’re here and search for ‘lost treasures’. On April 24 all remaining items will be donated to
charity.
Lost & Found Is Overflowing:
On Time for School: At Park West School students are expected to be on time. Our new Protocol for Late Students is now fully implemented.
The number of students arriving late for school has been significantly reduced (from 100+ per day to less than 10 per day last week). We want to
acknowledge the cooperation and efforts of parents in supporting us in getting their children to school on time. Students must arrive at school by
8:25 am and 12:50 pm to be considered on time. If students arrive late they must proceed directly to the office to check-in. To be eligible for an
“excused late” parents must write a note to the school stating the reason the student is late. Excused absences include: medical appointment,
family emergency, unavoidable situation, or other exceptional circumstance. Students who arrive late for school may be required to serve a recess
(elementary) or after-school (junior high) detention.
Limited Parking Now at Park West: A lot of snow has melted and we have reclaimed some of our parking spaces. Limited parking is
now available on our school property for parents and visitors in the following areas: marked visitor parking spaces on the south side of the traffic
loop, and in the parking lot on the south side of the school building. Parents and visitors should not park in the staff parking lot, in fire lanes, in
the “stop & go” area of the traffic loop,or in the school driveway. Please be aware of the presence of students at all times. The speed limit in
school zones is 30 km/hr. The speed limit on our school grounds is 15 km/hr. Student safety is our prime concern at all time.
Last Chance to Order a Yearbook: Only one book captures this year’s incredible events and experiences at Park West School…….the
2014-2015 Yearbook. This year’s theme is “A Galaxy of PAWSibilities”. Our professionally produced full-colour Yearbook includes all students
and all grade levels (primary to nine). Preserve your child’s memories for the 2014-2015 school year at Park West by purchasing a Yearbook for
only $25. Order forms were recently sent home. You may pay by cheque or cash…or order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com (yearbook code:
12112615). You may also order by dropping by our school office (Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 3:30 pm). Only a limited quantity will be
produced, so don’t forget to place your order now before it’s too late. We are getting close to selling out…so don’t delay.
Come to the Book Fair: Park West will be having a Spring Scholastic Book Fair Tuesday, April 21 - Thursday, April 23 in the art room (behind
the stage). The Fair will be open during the day for students and their classes to view and make purchases, as well as any parents who would like
to drop by. It will also be open for the afternoon and evening Parent-Teacher Interview sessions. Books make great gifts and promote literacy. All
profits from the Book Fair are used to purchase new books for our library. Parents/ guardians who would like to volunteer at the fair can email
Ms. Comeau at acomeau@staff.ednet.ns.ca. or phone the school (457-7800).
Grade 9 Trip to Toronto:
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Final preparations and plans are just about complete for this exciting trip. Airline tickets have been purchased, hotel rooms reserved, and our
itinerary is set.
The final payment ($230) for the grade 9 trip was due on April 15. By now the full amount ($1350.00) should be paid. If you haven’t done so
please make your final payment as soon as possible. All student accounts must be up-to-date before boarding the plane for Toronto. Account
information is available by contacting Ms.Valerie Bodnarchuk, one of our school admin assistants, at 457-7800 or bodnarchukv@hrsb.ca.
Completed forms are now due to Mr. Carter. These include: roommate requests for hotel; Behaviour Compliance Agreement; and Participant
Information. These must be submitted by all participating students.
An important information meeting for student participants and their parents, with all the final details, will be held on May 13 at 8 pm.
Participating students and a parent/guardian must attend. Please contact Mr. Carter if you have any questions or concerns.
New Primary Parents: A meeting for parents of students entering grade primary in September 2015 will be held on May 13 at 6:30 pm in
the cafetorium. New grade primary students may participate in a Vision Screening here at the school on May 20 (by appointment) and in an inclass orientation session on that same date (2:45 – 4:00 pm). More detailed information will be mailed out to parents soon. If your child lives
within our school boundaries and will be five years old on or before December 31, 2014, then he/she is eligible to attend grade primary at Park
West School next year. Please make sure you register at our school office as soon as possible.
Registration Info Verification: In preparation for the 2015-2016 school year, on Monday, April 27, we are sending home copies of the
original registration forms we have on file here in our school office for each of our students. Parents and guardians are asked to review the
information on the forms and make any corrections/changes necessary. There may be errors in the information recorded or information may have
changed. It is essential we have accurate information for each student registered in our school; especially contact information for
parents/guardians and addresses. PLEASE NOTE: only students who actually live within the Park West School boundaries are eligible to attend
this school. If you no longer live within our boundaries you must register your child(ren) at the school serving the area in which you now live. You
are strongly encouraged to complete the SELF-IDENTIFICATION section of the registration form (if you have not already done so). This information
enables the Department of Education and the Halifax Regional School Board to have a greater awareness of the diversity of the student
population and the communities served in order to better meet the educational needs of students. Please leave the cover letter attached to the
front of the registration form. Complete the bottom section, and provide your signature and date. Return the updated registration form, with
attached letter, to your child’s teacher by Thursday, April 30. Thank you for your assistance in updating our student information.
Staying for Lunch Next Year? In accordance with the Education Act of the Province of Nova Scotia all students may remain at
school for lunch without fees. However, all students who wish to remain at school over the lunch period must be registered for the lunch
supervision program. Once registered it is essential that student participation remain consistent with the registration information provided by
parents. We will strive to meet the recommended HRSB supervision ratios of 1 monitor for every 25 students (elementary), and 1 monitor for
every 100 students (junior high). Ratios at the elementary level may exceed the recommended ratio if monitors are unavailable and the
supervision space allows for additional students to be accommodated safely. Lunch supervision will be provided by monitors, not teachers. Once
the cafeteria seating reaches capacity students may have to eat their lunches in classrooms. Students may bring lunches from home or purchase
from the cafeteria. Full cafeteria service will be available to all students with sandwiches, soups, salads, drinks, snacks, and hot lunch choices for
purchase. Menus and order information will be provided in early September. Students must register for the lunch program for next year (201516) if they wish to participate. Registration forms will be sent home with all students (grades primary – 8) on April 27. Completed forms are due
back to teachers on April 30.
EXCEL Registration Information For 2015-2016: Families who are interested in registering their children in the 2015/2016 EXCEL
program are encouraged to mark the following important dates on your calendars:
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April 27th - Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on April 27 current participants of the 2014/2015 EXCEL program may submit an application for the coming
school year via the online application system, by email, or by fax. Current participants will receive a letter in mid-April identifying a user name and
password providing them exclusive access to the online application system. Current participant families that have additional siblings that will be
registering for the first time with EXCEL may register all eligible children in their family during this early registration period.
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May 4th - General Registration begins for all EXCEL Before & After school programs at 8:00 a.m. on May 4 . Applications may be submitted via
the online system or the EXCEL office at 25 Alfred Street, Dartmouth. Individuals paying by Pre-Authorized Payment, MasterCard or Visa ONLY
may register on-line. Go to https://secure.hrsb.ns.ca/excel to access.
We encourage parents to submit their applications in a timely manner to ensure the greatest opportunity for entry into the program as demand often
exceeds capacity. Notifications for acceptance into the program will be forwarded to applicants as per the following schedule:
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ENTRANCE PRIORITY
Before & After
5 days/week
After Only
5 days/week
Before & After
< 5 days/week
NOTICES TO PARENTS:
Notifications for BA-FT applications to be processed beginning April 28th, 2015
Notifications for A-FT applications to be processed beginning June 1st, 2015
Notifications for Part-Time applications to be processed beginning June 29th, 2015
Come to the Movies: Our PTA is hosting a Family Movie Night on Friday, April 24 (6:30 – 8:00 pm). Doors open at 6:15 pm. The movie being presented is
Big Hero 6. Admission is $5 per person, and includes popcorn and a drink.
accompanied by an adult.
Sweet treats and hot chocolate will be available for $1 each.
Children must be
Dates to Remember:
April
22
22
23
23
24
29
May
1
5
5
7
8
13
13
14
No school for students
Parent – Teacher Interviews
Symphony Nova Scotia concert at PWS (made possible with funds from student fees)
Parent – Teacher Interviews
PTA Family Movie Night
Junior High Band Concert
Diversity Assembly - we’re unveiling our new Park West School Diversity Statement
National Teacher Appreciation Day
Spring Photo Day - our school photographer will be here to do photo sittings for our students
Strings Night at the Forum
“Odd Sock” day at Park West
- wear mismatched socks to school
New primary parents meeting
Grade 9 Trip Meeting
- mandatory for participating students and a parent/guardian
PTA Family Dance
1 – 3:30 pm
9:30 am
5:30 – 7:30 pm
6:30 pm
6:30 pm
10:30 am
Evening
6:30 pm
8:00 pm
Evening