École internationale primaire de Greenfield Park Greenfield Park

École internationale primaire de Greenfield Park
Greenfield Park Primary International School
Information Bulletin – April 2012
PPO News
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the great work our PPO has done for us this school year.
The PPO has helped the school in many ways and we are grateful for their hard work. At the beginning of the
year, the Entertainment book fundraiser raised over $9 000. We thank you for your support in purchasing
these books and we thank the PPO for organizing, following up with missing payments and completing the
paperwork. The money is being used to purchase a new computer for the library, for the Fun Day event
coming up in June, to help with graduation expenses and to provide us with walkie-talkies. The walkie-talkies
are used when your children are outside. Those on supervision can quickly communicate with the office and
can also contact each other if a child needs attention in some way. Furthermore, Phys ed teachers use the
walkie-talkie if they are outside with a class and need help from the office.
At the beginning of the school year, the PPO helped organize the Déjeuner communautaire. Back in October,
they contributed to organizing class and group photos with the photograph company, Caméléo Photo. They
provided the materials and encouraged children to make Christmas cards for children in hospital – and made
sure that the cards were delivered. During staff appreciation week, we were very well treated to snacks and a
special lunch – thanks to the PPO. They were ready to help with the Inukshuk day but unfortunately, the
weather didn’t cooperate. The PPO team is essential to our library program. They are faithful in cataloguing
books and replacing them on shelves when children come for their library period each week. Last year, some
of the funds raised by the PPO, were used to purchase two Smartboards. Smartboards are well used at our
school – both by teachers and by students. Some of you have seen even young children doing presentations on
units of inquiry with the aide of the Smartboard.
The Greenfield Park Primary International School is very fortunate to have dedicated PPO members and we
are always willing to accept new members.
Fees charged to parents
Every year, we send a list of fees that are charged to parents for school supplies, the socio-cultural activities,
noon hour supervision and expenses associated with the IB program.
We would like to thank all parents who have paid their fees at the beginning of the school year and we remind
parents who have not, to settle their account by the end of the month of May. Please take note that if the
payment is not sent in on time we will transfer this information to a collection agency.
Here is a description of the fees charged to parents:
The list B: School supplies bought by the school for use in class.
The socio-cultural activities: the school outings and the activities organized by the school such as theatre,
activities to develop self-esteem, concerts, activities celebrating Earth Day, authors at the school, etc.
Noon hour supervision: student supervisors’ salary
The IB program: This fee is called a donation, so parents are entitled to receive an income tax receipt through
the School Foundation. In reality, this fee is not a voluntary contribution as these funds are used to support and
make our International program possible.
Pedagogical Days (bad weather)
This year, the winter temperatures have been mild. We did not have to use the two days reserved for bad
weather. Thus, we must add two pedagogical days to our school calendar. Please note that May 18th and June
11th will be pedagogical days. Daycare will be open.
Mini-Volleyball
Danielle Dupuis is happy to congratulate the mini-volleyball teams for their great work during the 2011-2012
season. At the regional competition which took place in Quebec City on Saturday, April 28th, team #1 won first
place. Great work!
Riverside registrations
We still have some spaces available in each level for the Riverside School Board. Students must be eligible for
English instruction and must hold a certificate of eligibility.
SSIAA
Fitness competition – We are happy to announce that both girls and boys teams won first place.
Basketball competition – We did not place as winners however, all children played very well.
Science Fair at Centennial Regional High School
Many of our grade 6 students participated and won medals within their age group. Here is a list of our winners:
Labib
Ariane, Evan, Méganne
Navid
Liam, Willam
Cedric, David
Kalya, Tirza and Amanda
Gold
Silver
Silver
Bronze
Honourable mention
Honourable mention
Congratulations and thanks to the teachers and parents for encouraging students to participate.
Eco Green Club
The Eco Green Club had two great ideas this school year to recognize Earth Day in April. Students collected
pet food and other items which were then donated to the SPCA. We also had a two day visit from David
Merenger on whom the film Blue Butterfly is based upon. Mr. Merenger brought his collection of over 800
butterflies and talked to every grade level about his experiences as a child with health difficulties. He also sent
out a message to all students about the importance of respect toward each other. All students were well
prepared for Mr. Merenger’s visit because all teachers took the time to show the film Blue Butterfly in class.
Governing Board Meeting
The meeting taking place on May 28th has been cancelled. The next Governing Board meeting will be on
Monday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the staffroom. The public is always welcome to attend.
Speaker (second and third cycle)
On June 11th a speaker named Jimmy Sévigny will come and speak to our second and third cycle students. Mr.
Sévigny will talk about perseverance, motivation and bullying.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to read a very interesting document on bullying. This
document is found on the MELS website:
http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/sections/publications/publications/EPEPS/Formation_jeunes/Adaptation_scolaire/
IntimidationCaVautLeCoupAgirEnsemble_a.pdf
Day Camp
Please take note that there will be no day camp this summer. When we receive information from the city day
camps and the Preville Fine Arts program, we will send it home.
Student Writing
Unit of Inquiry on Insects
By Isabella-Rose 3AA
The water strider eats living insects or dead insects. For example, it eats larvae, mosquitoes, dragonflies and
worms. When it captures food, it uses its front legs. The water strider’s habitat is on quiet water. It lives in
small coves and also in protected ponds and lakes. - Jason
Katydids are primarily leaf eaters, so they love leaves from trees and bushes. They eat fruits, vegetables,
flowers, dead insects and plants. The katydid lives in the jungle, forests and parks. Wherever there are leaves
in the world you can find a katydid. What It Means To Be an International Student
By Jeanne 6A
Every International student is lucky enough to have been infected by a virus. This virus is extremely
contagious. I was infected at the age of six years old. Over the past six years, teachers from GPIS have infected
us with positive bugs: the learner profile traits and attitudes.
International students work on multiple team projects during the year, in French, English and Spanish. We
share ideas, respect each other`s opinions, commit to part of the workload and show tolerance towards each
student`s learning strengths and weaknesses. Se nos anima a ser apasionados y entusiasmados por
aprender.We never give up, we overcome obstacles; we are risk-takers!
International students also have strong writing skills. We are taught to be critical, analytical and reflective on
written work.
Nous sommes de grands communicateurs et des jeunes à l’écoute. Nous avons eu la chance inouïe d’aller à
Radio Canada pour enregistrer un bulletin de nouvelles. Les étudiants ont posés des questions sur leur tâche
comme un tout bon investigateur. Chacun a appris qu’il fait un travail essentiel pour produire un bulletin de
nouvelles. Esto también es válido para la escuela y la vida en general.
Keep spreading the IB virus. I find myself very fortunate to have been infected at such a young age. I’ve had
the opportunity to explore my interests and be passionate about learning.
What it means to be an International Student
By Florence 6A
Incroyable mais vrai, nous serons au secondaire dans 5 mois! Les derniers 6 ans ont passé tellement vite, mais
fréquenter la meilleure école au monde, l’École Internationale de Greenfield Park a ce résultat .Tout petit, à 6
ans, nous sommes arrivés les yeux brillants et les joues rosées, sachant à peine compter jusqu’à dix ou écrire
notre nom et maintenant nous pouvons lire et écrire en Anglais, Français et même en Espagnol. Nos amitiés
tissées au cours des ans, espérons continueront. Préadolescents, sur le chemin de nouvelles aventures, c’est un
nouveau chapitre qui débute pour nous.
Aprendimos conceptos matemáticos, y como funcionan las divisiones largas. Aprendimos fracciones, y lógica,
aunque no siempre era lógico para nosotros, y aprendimos geometría, y mucho más”
But most important of all, we learned how to be caring, understanding, tolerant and open-minded people.
GPIS nous a appris que la coopération gagnait toujours et non la violence. La vie nous a aussi démontré que
parfois nos opinions divergeaient, mais qu’en se respectant et en travaillant ensembles nous trouvions une
solution.
In conclusion thanks to our great school, we look forward to helping other people every day and making the
Earth a better place one day and one person at a time.