John Norquay Elementary School
4710 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC V5R 2A1
Telephone: 713-4666    Fax: 713-4668

Date: September 30, 2003   Newsletter #2
Area Superintendent - Mr. Tom Grant  604 713-4590
Principal - Ms. Gail Wynston
Vice-Principal - Ms. Kim Nemetht
Liaison Trustee - Mr. John Cheng
School Consultative Committee Chairperson: Mrs. Anne Miller
Visit Norquay School on the Web at norquay.vsb.bc.ca

COMING UP  AT NORQUAY...
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2ND - PHOTO DAY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

Norquay Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 7th, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Staff Room
Childcare will be provided

Some of our agenda items will be:
•       Mrs. Green, Principal of Gladstone, will be coming with some Gladstone parents to talk about the programs and the school.
•       Discussion of Gaming Funds spending
•       Principal’s Report
•       December Scholastic Book Fair
•       Election of Secretary for the Parent Advisory Committee
All parents are invited to attend

CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Our Cross Country season is underway with over thirty students in Grades 5, 6 and 7 participating.  The coaches are Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Lovering and Ms. H. Paris.  This team is a great experience for intermediate students who like to run.

GYMNASTICS CLUB
Mrs. McIlwaine and Ms. Magee are once again inviting students in Grades 2 to 5 to join.  Practices are on Wednesday afternoons, 3:10 - 4:00 p.m., and Friday mornings, 8:15 - 8:55 a.m.  Students should:
•       wear short-sleeved t-shirts and leggings, shorts or track pants
•       have long hair tied back.
They should not wear jeans, belts, jewellery, watches or extra clothing.  New members are very welcome during October, but after that, regular attendance is expected.

CHINESE PARENTING GROUP
We’ve had good response to our first two sessions in Cantonese for Norquay Parents.  The last session, given by our school nurse, Mrs. Chan, will be Mon. Oct. 6 – Understanding your School-Aged Child. The session will be held 2 -3 p.m. in the Staffroom.   There is no charge.

MENINGOCOCCAL C IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR GRADE 6 STUDENTS
NEW this year, Vancouver Community Health is offering an additional free immunization for GRADE 6 students ONLY.  Along with Hepatitis B (2 doses), we will offer Meningococcal C (one dose) vaccine in the school program.  Meningococcal C vaccine protects against meningitis caused by meningococcal C bacteria.  Two consent forms will be sent home with your Grade 6 child with more information about each vaccine.

Please sign and return the consent forms as soon as possible to the school.  With your permission, the community health nurse will give the students TWO shots in opposite arms - Hep B #1 and Men C - at the first school clinic, and ONE shot Hep B#2 in the spring.  If you have any further questions, please call your local community health nurse, Mrs. Chan, at 604-707-3603.

LUNCH
We have so many students who stay for lunch that we do not have room for parents and younger children to join us.  Please help your children learn to be independent by leaving them to eat on their own.  We encourage parents to take their children home for lunch.  If you live too far from the school to do this, then please send the children to school in the morning with their lunches, or give them their lunches and let them be responsible for bringing the  food containers home themselves.

If you want to kindle your child’s intellect, concentrate on warming his heart

It’s hard for kids to be motivated in school if they don’t feel good about themselves.

Show your pride.  By acknowledging your child’s success, you’ll help build her confidence.

Genuine praise.  It’s possible to be positive even when your child is having difficulties.  Try phrases like “That  was a good try,” or “You got part of it right.”

Stay strong.  Don’t give in to the temptation to bribe.  The reward for school success should be increased self-respect and a renewed enjoyment of learning – not a new skateboard.

Celebrate individuality.  Don’t make comparisons.  Harping on an elder sibling’s success or that of a classmate will only alienate your child.

Respect your child’s frustration.  If your child is struggling, don’t say, “Oh come on, that should be easy.”  Say, “Gee, that assignment is tough, “ and praise his persistence.

Encourage self-reliance.  Doing your child’s work for her sends the message that you don’t think she’s capable of doing it herself.  (Watching while he eats lunch and waiting for the empty food container says that you don’t think he is responsible.)

SCHOOL CALENDAR
Thurs. Oct. 2           School Photo Day
Fri. Oct. 3             Professional Day (No school for students.)
Tues. Oct. 7            Parent Advisory Committee meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Oct. 13            Thanksgiving Day (School closed)
Fri. Oct. 24            Professional Day (No school for students)
Tues. Nov. 11           Remembrance Day (School closed)
Wed. Dec. 3 &  Thurs. Dec. 4   Report Card Conferences (Students dismissed at 2:00 p.m.)
Dec. 22 - Jan. 02       Winter Vacation