SOURIS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER www.shsd.mb. ca Volume 30, Number 3 September 25, 2009 NEWS FROM THE OFFICE Thursday, September 24th, Souris School held their annual URIS Training.  Out of this training session the following information needs to be provided to you. Souris School is a nut, egg, fish and kiwi free school.  We promote that no primary component of these substances come in studentís lunches or snacks to school.  Mr. Wallmann has checked with what our canteen provides, and no primary components are offered at our canteen.  It is extremely important that we follow these guidelines as we have several severe cases at our school.  If we do not follow these guidelines, it could result in a fatality, so please help us in this policy.   Western Manitoba Youth Choir Will perform at Souris School October 17, 2009 ñ 7:30 p.m. $5.00 for adults $1.00 for students Children under 5 free We need to billet sixty choir members on the evening of October 17th.  If you are able to billet a choir member, please contact Louise Lawson at 483-2693 or Souris School at 483-2161 and dial 0. Just a reminder that Monday September 28th is a PD Day at Souris School.  Students return on Tuesday September 29th and it will be Day 3 for Early and Middle Years, and Day 1 for Senior Years.   To end this weekís newsletter I would like to talk about bus ridership and noon hour lunch period.  Students have a right to ride the bus and to stay for lunch at school, but both of these rights can be removed if a student does not follow the rules in these two part of the school day. If you have a school or community event, please email to sourisevents@gmail.com.  This will automatically get it on the Community calendar at the Town of Souris website.  This is a great opportunity to get your event advertised. Important Dates to Remember Jessieís BBQ September 27, Souris Park 4:00 ñ 6:00 p.m. Welcome the World BBQ Oct. 2, 6:30 ñ 8:00 p.m. Victoria Park School Pictures October 5th As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me directly at 483-6230. Have a great weekend and we will see you on Tuesday, September 29th.         ïMr. Bob Young BENEFIT BARBEQUE FOR JESSIE ROBBINS & FAMILY Sunday, September 27   4:00-6:00 p.m. Victoria Park, Souris  by the bandstand (if it is raining, come to the community hall). Rainbow & Silent Auctions Bring a lawn chair. Jessie is the daughter of Gary & Pam Robbins, and sister of Jeremy.   They live near Elgin.  She is the granddaughter of Lorna & Gary Doyle and Tom & Marg Robbins.  Jessie is fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma.   Proceeds from this fundraiser will help the family cover the costs of travelling to Winnipeg each week for Jessie's treatments. If anyone is interested in donating an item to the rainbow or silent auctions, please contact Jane Farmer (483-3419 or farmerz@mts.net) or Karen Pettinger (769-2406 or kdpet@wcgwave.ca) SICK CHILDREN Notes to stay in at recess do not help a sick child to have a good and productive day.  If a child is ill, we would recommend that they remain at home where they can receive the proper care, and where they will not spread their illness to others.  Most times, if a child is too sick to go out for recess, they are too sick to be in school.  This has always been an important issue, but with the threat of H1N1 virus it is even more so.    HAVE YOU LOST A RING? A ladies ring was found in the hallway.  If you think it is yours, you may claim it at the office.   TERRY FOX RUN Students from Souris School will be taking part in the annual Terry Fox Run Friday, September 25th.  Souris School has taken an active role in raising funds for Cancer Research through the Terry Fox Foundation.  Souris School has raised a total of $50,228.73 since 1997 collecting pledges and participating in the Terry Fox Run.  Last year, students and staff raised $5,523.58, which was our second highest total. We're hoping everyone will pitch in so we can have another successful campaign.  We ask that all pledge forms are returned to Souris School by Tuesday, September 29th.  Please make cheques payable to the Terry Fox Foundation.  Let's all join in the fight against cancer! ïMr. Yon MIDDLE YEARS NEWS Grade 7 & 8 Golf - On Wednesday, 24 of our grade 7 & 8 students travelled to Hartney to participate in our divisional golf tournament.  Our students did very well, with Krystal Adams placing first in the girlís competition and Brayden Rolfe placing first in the boys.  Congratulations!!  We would also like to thank DJ Laursen and Cheryl Brown for volunteering to chaperone this event and rearranging their schedules on such short notice to enable our students to participate! Grade 5 & 6 Golf - Thursday was our grade 5 &  6 studentís opportunity to participate in the divisional golf at Souris Golf Course.  A huge ìthank youî to Mr. Wallmann for organizing this event. We had 80 to 90 students participate.  Thanks to Mr. Penner for  arranging for several very capable senior students to help supervise these young athletes.  A good time was had by all. Congratulations to Drake Peaslee who competed in the Special Olympic Provincials on July 11th at the Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg,  Drake won bronze in the 25m backstroke. Danny Peaslee also competed in the Special Olympics Provincials on September 19th at Fantasy Lake (east of Winnipeg) where he won gold in golf.  Danny is the youngest to ever win the tournament.   Congratulations Drake and Danny on jobs well done.   Middle Yearís Drama The Middle Years Drama Club is proud to present  ì Way Out West in a Dress î a western comedy. You'll "dye" laughing at this wild western musical full of dynamic dialogue, double identities, criminal plots and a music score as wild as the Old West! With over 50 Souris Middle Years students involved in the production, you are sure to enjoy the performance. Two performance dates are set - Thurs. Oct. 29th and Fri. Oct. 30th at 7:00 p.m. in the Souris School gym.  Tickets will be available at the door. Come out and enjoy the show! CAREER EXPLORATION NEWS We would like to announce a correction to the Senior High Awards that were held Monday, September 14.  There were joint winners for the Grade 9 General Proficiency Award.  In addition to Jenna Coulthard, Nicole Harkness, also, receives this honor.   Congratulations to both girls.  Students who were not able to attend that night will receive their awards at the next assembly. A reminder to all Grade 12ís, nowís the time to be seriously considering your options for all post secondary plans.  Registering early gives one better opportunities. November 9 is our Post Secondary Day.  Universities and colleges will be in attendance.  Grade 11 and 12 students will have the choice of attending two post-secondary informative sessions and accessing display booths. Our two student computers are now ready for use.  Searching for post-secondary information, completing online applications or applying for scholarships can be done here.  Stop in anytime. New scholarships are arriving daily and many university academic scholarship entrance deadlines are coming due.  The Loran Award Scholarshipís deadline is October 20 as well as the TD Canada Trust Branch Scholarship.  The Wendyís Classic Achievers Scholarshipís is November 2.  Please see me for further information and assistance. ïMrs. C. Delaurier                                   SOURIS SCHOOL PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL SSPAC Meeting ~Monday September 21, 2009 ~ SSPAC regular meeting was called to order September 21, 2009 at 7 pm. ~ Present: Bob Young, Jaycee Thexton, Shelley Elliott, Belinda West, Heather Remillard, Jodi MacDougald, Carla Hebner, Bonnie Radcliffe, Glenn Wallmann, Mary Lovatt, Lara Bossert, Cheryl Roberts, D. Gerdun, Leanne Rolfe. ~ Cheryl moved, Jodi seconded, adoption of the agenda.~ ~ Reports: Secretary's report: Cheryl moved, Heather seconded, to adopt the minutes from the last meeting held Monday June 8, 2009. ~ Treasurer's report: Present balance is $649.70. Tentative budget as follows: Income from student fees: approx. $500 Approved Expenses: Staff appreciation breakfast $325 AGM and conference: registration fee: $100 ~Hotel: $100 ~Gas and meals: $80 ~Career night $80 ~ Principal's Report: Presently there is no specific time for ordering "school wear" eg. hoodies and T- shirts. If a number of parents, guardians, students, staff and others are interested, the school would be willing to put together a package.~ Currently there are specific orders eg. middle yearís volleyball.~ The approximate costs have been: T shirts $14, hoodies $20 - $35. ~ The Meet and Greet event this year probably had the lowest attending in 5 years.~ The school is interested in returning to serving supper, eg. hotdogs and drinks next year.~ Feedback and ideas on how to make this evening more successful are welcome and may be emailed to the school office.~ ~ Brian Hodkin is responsible for the upkeep of the school website.~ Redesigning content is limited.~ Michelle Blades is responsible for the school division website.~ Problems were experienced when clicking on school supply lists, pages could not be found.~ This will be looked into so future difficulties can be prevented.~ ~ School newsletters are sent home with the youngest child in the family, however, families with kids in kindergarten do not always receive the newsletter until the following Monday.~ Therefore, these families where a kindergarten student is the youngest, the newsletter will be sent home with the next youngest sibling.~ The only kindergarten students that will receive a newsletter are those with no other siblings in the school.~ ~ The school division has a policy in dealing with behavior related issues on buses.~ When issues arise the bus driver has the option of filling out a bus conduct report, which outlines the 5 steps that will be taken to correct such issues.~ If wishing further information on the policy, contact your bus driver and / or the school administration.~ Parents are encouraged to contact their child's bus driver to promote communication.~ The new package of rules and regulations of bus ridership will be presented at the October SSPAC meeting. ~ A phone tree list will be put together concerning buses for the 2009/2010 school year and will require consent from parents to have names and phone numbers on it.~ In the event of a school closure, if your name and number is not listed your driver will not contact you.~ ~ Glenn Wallmann will check with Mike regarding what ingredients are in the food being served in the canteen, for clarification.~ ~ Mr. Quigley's class only have afternoon snacks every other day because they have gym class right before recess and there is not enough time to have a snack on those days.~ ~ Parents who were previously unable to send homemade baked goods will now be able to as long as they contain no nuts and egg is not the primary ingredient.~ ~ Fundraising efforts will be needed to fix the sound issues in the big gym.~ Mrs. McConnell should be contacted for more information. ~ At present there are no intramural sports at the school.~ Gym availability is a challenge because high school gym is not over until 12:30 and middle yearís classes begin again at 12:40.~ Middle years students have been previously surveyed and the majority want the free time at lunch break.~ There~ is a possibility that high school students may lead intramural sports for middle years as part of the leadership component of their gym class.~ ~ The school is trained in threat assessment.~ Five staff have been trained at level 2.~ For more information about the threat assessment policy in the school division, go to the school division website or follow this link: http://www.shsd.mb.ca/risk%20response%20manual/ ~ There have been concerns expressed regarding school supplies required in middle and senior years.~ This will be addressed for next year, eg. standard size binders throughout middle and senior years.~ Middle years is going to look into perhaps providing classroom dictionaries instead of having parents purchase them.~ ~ All grade 7 and 8 students, and 28-30 senior year students attended Rachal's Challenge.~ Feedback from students has been that it was an awesome presentation.~ ~ Concern was raised that some students are not being let out of class on time at the end of the day.~ This can pose a problem when a student has an after school event.~ Concerns regarding lateness will be looked into.~ ~ Business arising: The suggestion has been made that the school inform parents at the beginning of the school year, what funds will be needed for activities throughout the year, and potential fundraisers in the classroom.~ Jaycee is going to request a fundraising report from the school.~ Family Fun Night will be planned again for next year.~ ~ New Business: Room reps are needed each year for K-5 classrooms.~ The room reps in the K-3 classrooms are responsible to do the phoning for the microwave program and each class is responsible for one month.~ A room rep is a contact for parents and teacher in each of the classrooms.~ Room reps are as follows: Puhach: Shelley Elliott Farmer: Heather Remillard Thomson: Belinda West McGregor: Jayce Thexton Quigley: Shelley Elliott O'Brien: Bonnie Radcliffe Wallmann/Turner: Mary Lovatt Falloon, Hicks and Kempthorne still need room reps. ~ Dale Peake will be attending the October SSPAC regular meeting to discuss concerns and questions regarding the possible expansion of the daycare within the school.~ Many questions were raised at this meeting and Jaycee will be forwarding them to the school division office at the end of next week.~ It was suggested that anyone with additional questions or concerns email them to Jaycee so they can be included for Mr. Peake.~ ~ Effective communication is an important priority of SSPAC and one of the ways is via the school newsletter.~ Proposed agendas of meetings and meeting notes as well as contact persons are included.~It will be investigated to see if "PAC News" can be accessed on the town website.~ Jaycee will check with Darcee Semeschuk regarding the possibility of having PAC meeting notes in the Plaindealer. ~ Belinda compliments Jaycee on her leadership in conducting PAC meetings.~ Jaycee compliments her current executive team. ~ Meeting adjourned by Bonnie Radcliffe at 9:00pm Notes submitted by Mary Lovatt ~ Next meeting: October 19, 2009 at 7pm Executive for 2009-2010 President ñ Jaycee Thexton 483-3065 Vice-President ñ Shelley Elliot 726-1888 Secretary ñ Mary Lovatt 483-2717 Treasurer ñ Heather Remillard 483-7383 Early Years Representative ñ Cheryl Roberts 483-3034 Middle Years Representative ñ Cheryl Roberts 483-3034 Senior Years Representative ñ Pam Walker 483-3710 ìA community organization dedicated to the education and well being of children.î FOOTBALL The Southwest Sabres had a total team effort to beat the visiting Parkwest Outlaws 46-14 last Friday.  The Sabres are now 1 and 1. The JV football team played the Neelin Spartan JV team on Wednesday and were victorious 26 - 16.  The team was able to move the ball on offense convincingly from start to finish and the defense played hard doing a great job of tackling their opponents.  The JV team also went to Swan River on Saturday and played four games finishing the day with a 1 and 3 record.  As a result the V team  is 2 - 3 this year. VOLLEYBALL Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Volleyball team who had another great tournament this past weekend.  In pool play the girls had wins over Neelin, Erickson, Elton and Boissevain to finish first in their pool.  In the semis, they defeated Virden and went on to face Elton in the final.  They lost 2-1 in the best of three match. Best of luck in Weyburn this weekend. SCHOOL COMING EVENTS September 27      Shaveathon and Fundraiser         BBQ for Jessie @ Souris         Park 4:00 ñ 6:00 p.m. 28      PD Day ñ No Classes 29      Day 3, K-8, Day 1 ñ S.Y. October 5       School Pictures will be taken 12      Thanksgiving-No Classes 23      SAG ñ No Classes 29 & 30 Middle Years Drama         Performance 7:00 ñ 9:00 p.m.         ìWay Out West in a Dressî COMMUNITY EVENTS If you have any messages for Community Events please email it directly to: conniem@shmb.ca Everyone Welcome Free BBQ Friday October 2, 2009 @ Victoria Park From 6:30pm-8:00pm In the Bowl All new people to this community Come out and meet your new neighbours Souris and Glenwood Community Development Corporation wants to ìWelcome the Worldî to Souris.  A celebration of what makes our community great whether you are new or already a resident. Program & Entertainment, Face Painting. Tattoos Bring the Kids It is not too late to register for CanSkate lessons!  If your child is interested in learning to skate or continuing to develop their skating skills, or if you'd like more information, contact Jane at 483-3419 or farmerz@mts.net     Lessons begin on Wednesday,  September 30. Referee Clinic October 4th ñ 8:00 a.m. ñ 4:00 p.m. Ages 13 & older as of December 31, 2009 Contact Kathy Hainsworth @ 483-4002 for info or to register. UPCOMING RECREATION HAPPENINGS Souris Valley Recreation Commission 483-5214, 483-2538 fax Shake Rattle & Roll Preschool Activity Program Ages 2-4 Thursdays September 17 ñ October 8 2:00 ñ 3:00 pm Souris Curling Club Cost:~$4 drop in Fee~or $15 for all classes Class size will be limited ~Yoga Come join us for a night of relaxation and exercise Tuesdays September 15 ñ December 15th Cost:~ $10.00 per evening 7:30pm ñ 8:30pm Souris & Glenwood Memorial Complex AVALON THEATRE G FORCE Starring: Nicholas Cage     Rated  P.G.  1hr.30mins Armed with the latest high-tech spy gear, a guinea pig named Darwin and his team of specially trained rodents are often the last line of defense against chaos and destruction. But when the government shuts them down and ships them off to a pet shop, Darwin and his gang will have to find a way to break out and prevent a mad billionaire  from taking over the world. SOURIS HARVEST FOOD BANK Open first and third Thursdays of each month from 5:00 p.m. ñ 7:00 p.m. It is located at St. Paulís United Church and please use the NE entrance. QUESTIONS ABOUT  IMMIGRATION? A representative from Citizenship & Immigration Canada will be available to answer enquiries on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Service Canada Centre, Govít of Canada Building, 1039 Princess Ave., Brandon ñ by appointment only.  Call 726-7623 ñ 8:30 ñ 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.  If required, please bring an interpereter. REVISED FOOTBALL SCHEDULE West            East Birtle          Dauphin Souris          Neepawa Virden          Stonewall September 25      Virden at Neepawa         Parkwest at Dauphin         Bye:  Stonewall/Southwest 30      Parkwest at Virden         Stonewall at Neepawa October 1       Dauphin at Southwest 4       Dauphin at Stonewall         Bye: Parkwest/Neepawa 5       Virden at Southwest 9       Southwest at Parkwest         Neepawa at Dauphin         Bye:  Stonewall/Virden 16      Neepawa at Stonewall         Southwest at Virden         Bye:  Parkwest/Dauphin 21      Dauphin at Neepawa         Stonewall at Parkwest         Bye:  Southwest/Virden 25      Virden at Parkwest         Stonewall at Dauphin 26      Southwest at Neepawa 31      East 2 at West 1         West 2 at East 1         West 3 vs East 3 @ Wpg. Stad. November 7       Championship Game ENJOY YOUR LONG WEEKEND! SEE YOU AT JESSIEíS BBQ ON SUNDAY!