Pam Spero Principal

905-734-3208

Amy Morocco Vice-Principal 905-734-3208

Wes Hahn Superintendent 905-641-1550

Sue Barnett Trustee

905-734-7110

Diamond Trail - School Improvement Plan

LITERACY GOAL: To increase the number of students reading at or above grade level by implementing targeted small group instruction. NUMERACY GOAL: To develop life-long mathematicians who have the knowledge, thinking skills, confidence and perseverance to solve problems in their current and future lives.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE June 2014

Every child can learn mathematics. Mathematically literate students understand and value the mathematical information they

encounter in the world outside school, and have the knowledge and confidence to make sense

of this information.

To be successful in many occupations and function well in today’s knowledge-based

economy, the ability to process and interpret data, communicate effectively and apply

mathematical reasoning is essential.

Mathematics students are problem solvers Math involves solving problems and investigating mathematical patterns and relationships. A

successful problem solver questions, investigates, and explores new situations to gain new

understanding of a problem.

Mathematics students persevere Students who persevere through a problem when the answer is not readily available have a greater chance of success. Students are encouraged to recognize that there is probably more than one way to solve a problem and that there might be more than one correct answer.

2

y=mx+b

Mathematics students apply what they have learned

Students need to be able to apply mathematics

to everyday situations and recognize that

mathematics is present in the world around them.

Students who are able to make links with their prior

knowledge to help solve unfamiliar problems have a

greater chance of being successful in mathematics.

Mathematics students communicate effectively

Students need good communication skills to explain

mathematical ideas, listen to other people’s interpreta-

tions, and to use those ideas to increase their own under-

standing. Students who know the answer but cannot

communicate their solution strategies, usually have a

limited amount of knowledge and are likely to be

unsuccessful when working with new or more involved

problems.

Mathematics students have solid foundational skills

Certain mathematical skills have to be automatic in order to successfully investigate relationships and solve prob-lems. Students must have a thorough grounding in basic skills and concepts e.g., the ability to perform simple op-erations such as multiplication and division - as a founda-tion for more advanced exploration and problem solving.

2

y=mx+b

2

y=mx+b

Do engage in math related home activities;

Play games - Chess, Checkers,

Cribbage, Bridge, Euchre, Memory Games, Backgammon…

Play games - Chess, Checkers,

Cribbage, Bridge, Euchre, Memory Games, Backgammon…

Make puzzles.

Involve your child with shopping.

Engage in the mathematics of cooking and baking.

Plan and execute home renovations.

Do explore your child’s thinking process:

Why did you…?

What can you do next?

Do you see any patterns?

Does the answer make sense?

Tell me in a different way…

What would happen if…?

Do appreciate the value of not knowing

and use these occasions as opportunities for growth rather than anxiety.

Develop strategies and resources for getting help with the problems.

Do encourage your child to experiment with different approaches to a problem. We learn a lot from our errors when we examine them.

Source: EduGains, Ministry of Education of Ontario

Dreambox Learning

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Do you want to help teach your child math at home, overcome math anxiety,

boost math learning, erase math boredom, or just help your kids to love math?

You'll find the answer inside Dreambox Learning! Children think it's a fun adven-

ture game, but parents know it's a highly effective and individualized math pro-

gram.

Dreambox Learning provides your child with a deeply personalized online math

learning experience that differentiates content, pace, and sequence. This

adaptive program meets your child at the mathematical level they are at and

guides students to a deeper understanding and increased achievement in

mathematics. This program is perfect for all learners. Consider this program to

be your child's personal “math tutor” that will provide just the right lessons at the

right time.

Here at Diamond Trail PS we are fortunate to have a school Dreambox Learning

Math license for all our students. This program has been purchased by DSBN as

a highly proven strategy to help better students achievement in mathematics. In

our classroom students have access to the program on a daily basis. We try to

ensure that all students are on this program between 15-20 minutes per day.

However, this is not always possible due to scheduling. I strongly encourage you

to allow your child access to this amazing program at home for them to get the

most out of the program. Students can access Dreambox Learning 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week. The current license allows all of our students access until

the end of October 2014.

Students will be able to go on all summer long!!!

On the back you will find instructions on how to log in to Dreambox Learning.

Students can use Dreambox on a desktop, laptop, or iPad and student pro-

gress will be synced across all devices. Please be advised that this program is

tailored for each individual student to complete on their own. It adjusts as they

play based on their abilities. If you assist or help, the program will begin to give

your child games at a level that becomes frustrating. (P.S. Thanks to Mrs. Lafleur &

Mrs. Gotfryd for sharing)

How to Access Dreambox Learning From Home

Using a laptop or computer:

https://play.dreambox.com/login/42cv/diamondtp

Using an iPad:

download the free app from the app store and put in code: 42cv/diamondtp

Review our child's academic progress with a Dreambox Parent Account. Please

follow these steps to create your free parent account:

Go to http://play.dreambox.com/login/42cv/diamondtp

Have your child login to their profile just as they would at school.

Click Setup Parent Access at the bottom of the page.

Follow instructions to create a new login and password.

Read terms of use and privacy policy, and then click “submit”.

Log into your home account after set up:

Go to http://play.dreambox.com

Enter your email address and password.

To see student progress, click the “Parent Dashboard” button.

For more information please feel free to contact me!

EQAO TESTING

Just a reminder to parents of our Grade 3 & 6 students that we will be holding our annual administration of the EQAO Assessment from Monday, May 25 through to Friday June 6. All Grade 6 will write the assessment May 26 to 30 first block and all Grade 3 students will write the assessment June 2 to 6 first block (8:50 am to 10:30 am). It is very important that all grade 3 & Grade 6 students are at school and on time during these days. Please remember that students perform to their best ability with lots of sleep and a good breakfast.

APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE

FOR WARM WEATHER

With the warm weather approaching we would ask that you please review appropriate dress with your child while at school. You can refer to our school’s Code of Conduct on our website and/or your child’s agenda. EXTRA CLOTHING: In effort to limit calls home and interruptions at work we encourage parents to consider providing your child with extra socks etc. during this time of year. Although we try to make appropriate decisions not to let the students play in the field when it is extremely wet, sometimes accidents happen. SHORTS: If students are wearing shorts, we request that the shorts be worn to at least the length of your son/daughters arms while they are at rest at the side of their body. SLEEVELESS TOPS: If sleeveless tops/halter tops are being worn to school the width of the straps must be equal to the width of your son/daughters three fingers. Dressing for success means that no staff member or student should be showing undergarments/underwear at anytime. If the dress attire is not appropriate then the individual will be asked to change their clothing and/or clothing will be provided.

Reminder to families that we have supervision beginning at 8:35a.m. and students should not be arriving on

school property prior to this for their own safety.

STUDENT PICK UP & DROP OFF

DOGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

While we love dogs, it is also the Policy of the DSBN that pets are not to be accompanying families on the

school property when they drop off / pick up their children. Unless the dogs are kept in the cars, please

refrain from bringing your dogs to the school.

SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLERBLADES

Long-boards, skateboards, rollerblades, etc. are not permitted on school property as per the Diamond

Trail School Code of Conduct. If these items are brought to school the school is not responsible if

they are lost or stolen. They are to be fastened up and used off of school property only.

BICYCLE SAFETY

As the nice weather approaches we are aware that students are anxious to ride their bicycles to

school. It is important to remember the importance of bike safety and proper use of the safety

regulations and school practices when travelling to and from school.

Walk your bike at busy corners and on school property

Obey all traffic signs and signals

Drive on the right hand side of the road

Drive single file on the road

Carry parcels in your carrier

Never ride with two on a bicycle

Be sure to give correct hand signals when you are going to stop or turn

Lock your bike to the bike rack, preferably with a combination lock

Stay away from parked bicycles during the day

Safety helmets are required by students riding to and from school

PIZZA LUNCH

Check out the monthly calendars to see when we will be offering our pizza days. Reminder that pizza is pre-ordered, forms go home on Friday and are due back first thing Monday morning. Pizza is $1.00 per slice. Our Pizza days are usually held on Wednes-days but some months may change so please consult your calendar.

Reminder to all parents/guardians: DO NOT PARK in the school bus loading zone, we have many parents pulling up and dropping their child/ren closest to front door, this is for BUSSES ONLY so please use other parking areas. We have received many complaints recently and we are asking for your cooperation in this matter.

ALLERGIES!!! Please be advised there are a number of students attending our school this year with severe allergies which can cause an anaphylactic reaction. An anaphylactic reaction is an allergic reaction so severe that in some cases, it can be life threatening. At this time, we are insisting that no products containing nuts be sent to the school and if these products are consumed at home that students wash their hands and brush their teeth thoroughly prior to arriving at school. It is crucial that we work together.

RECOGNITION AWARD ASSEMBLY THURSDAY, JUNE 5 @ 11:30 am.

Snack Shack Thursdays Reminder: the snack shack is open every Thursday during both breaks in room 108. All items are $1 and the selection includes a variety of baked chips, popcorn, goldfish, trail mix and more!! Proceeds are used to assist the class with their trip. Thank you for your continued support. The last day for snack shack is June 12.

The sun is back! The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside to

play! But before you run outside, make sure you re-

member your 5 S’s…

Slip: on some clothes that will protect your skin from

the sun (loose-fitting and tightly woven are best).

Slop: on some sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and

filters UVA & UVB rays (broad-spectrum). Put sun-

screen on 20 minutes BEFORE you go outside, so it

can soak in. Don’t forget your ears, nose and feet if

you are wearing sandals! Lips should also be pro-

tected with SPF 30 lip balm.

Slap: on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face,

ears and neck

Seek: shade when outside between 11am-4pm

Slide: on some sunglasses that have 100% UVA &

UVB filters.

Attention moms, dads, coaches and caregivers:

sun damage can happen quickly, so make

sure youth remember sunscreen for lunch

break, gym class, track and field and other

outdoor activities.

For more information, talk to your school nurse.

Summer Information From June 30 to August 22, Diamond Trail School will be closed for summer vacation. For parents new to kindergarten information will sent directly to your home in early August with details about starting school. For transportation inquires please visit www.nsts.ca or call 905-346-0290. For other DSBN information please visit www.dsbn.org or call 905-641-1550 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. We thank you for your cooperation.

Nutrition Program/Breakfast Club/Special Lunches Our Nutrition Program and Breakfast Programs is offered to the students at Diamond Trail. Our breakfast program begins at 8:25am so please do not send your children in until this time. Our nutrition program is held daily during our first nutrition break. Students are provided with healthy snacks. These snacks are available for all students; however students may choose to bring their own ‘nut free’ snacks. The snacks provided are from 3 food groups usually consisting of a grain, fruit/vegetable and dairy. SPECIAL NOTE: Volunteers are needed for these programs to help prep and serve. If you are interested and would like to help us out, please contact Sherri at the office.

Absenteeism Thank you for your cooperation in calling the school when your child is going to be away. If your child is going to be from school, please call the school to provide a reason (i.e. sick with flu, cough, cold, appointment, etc.) Please note the answering machine is always available for parents to call in absences. If your child is sick, please do not send them to school, this will help avoid the spreading to other children and staff.

BREAKFAST and SNACK PROGRAM Reminder

Our breakfast and snack program will finish on June 12 for the school year. That means breakfast and morning snack will not be served the last two weeks of school (from June 16 - June 27). Our breakfast program and snack program has been a huge success this year. We serve an average of 70-80 breakfasts every morning and we serve approximately 250 morning snacks everyday. This would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. We are so very thankful to have such a dedicated group of volunteers. The work they do with our breakfast and morning snack program has a direct impact on the learning that happens in the classroom. Please take the time to thank these people when you see them in school or in the community. They are all involved in some aspect of the buying, planning, preparing, delivering and/or cleaning of our programs. Thank you; Rose Colombe, Pamela Doyle, Devon Keddy, Dee Comfort, and Harold Cook. We would also like to thank our Educational Assistant Team for helping with Breakfast Club in the morning everyday.

Campbell’s Soup Labels

Diamond Trail Public School is collecting Campbell’s soup labels. The bin is at the office so please send your Campbell’s label’s in with your child. For more than 38 years, the Labels for Education®program has been committed to helping schools earn FREE educational merchandise, like art supplies, sports equipment, classroom resources and much more. Please remember that the labels must have the barcode on them.

Have you visited Welland Public Library’s Diamond Trail Branch yet? Public Library Hours

Monday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Tuesday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Wednesday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Thursday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Friday - Closed, Saturday 11:00am to 3:00pm Upcoming Events @ the Library

Safe as Houses Book Club (ages 9-12) Thursdays, April 3 to May 29: 6:00-7:00pm What would you do if in the middle of a stormy night, while you were babysitting two children, the whole neigbourhood was suddenly flooding and within a few hours, the whole house is under water? Read this book and share your ideas on what you would do. Pyjama Storytime (Family) Wednesdays, April 2 – May 28: 6:30-7:00pm Families cuddle together as we read stories, sing songs and get ready for a good night sleep. Drop-in, no registration required.

Grade 8 Grad

Grade 8 graduation will be held on June 25 @ 6 pm in the Diamond Trail

gymnasium. The ceremony will begin promptly @ 6pm with the presentation of

graduation certificates, followed by all awards. Immediately following the

ceremony parents and grads are invited to the main foyer of the school to cele-

brate with a light snack.

On Tuesday, June 24th we will have a light luncheon for our grade 8 grads

followed by an intermediate dance.

We are very excited to celebrate the first grade 8 graduation here at Diamond

Trail.

If you are a parent (guardian) of one of our grade 8 students, please plan on

attending our ceremony and enjoying this event.

DSBN Silver Birch Celebration of Literacy

Student Conference

Members of our 2014 Silver Birch Book Club travelledto Club Roma in St. Catharines to participate in a full-day student conference. They joined 400 students from across the DSBN to participate in workshops ranging from Rocket Launching to Ice Cream Making, and Kite Crea-tions to Mmm Chocolate. Highlights of the day included keynote speeches by ultramarathon runner David Carroll, author of Ultra, and Marsha Skypruch, author of One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way.

Eight Diamond Trail students spent the day in fun-filled workshops that were created as an extension of the books that were read in our book club. Two students even stayed to run 8 kilometers with ultra-marathoner – David Carroll. The ride back to our Dragon's Den was filled with the excited voices of students talking.... about the books they bought.... their favourite workshops and..... the authors they got to meet!!! This was one very special event that these students are sure to remember for a long time.

Thank you to our Family Fun Night Sponsors:

Fresh Co.

Dempsters

Niagara Nutrition Partners

Book Outlet

Cheryl - Green Acres Thanks to your generous support the night

was a smashing success!

library books

Distinguishing marks: a diamond trail,

Mathews, Crowland, or welland public

library barcode

location of barcode: on the cover, the

first page or the back of the book

Return them to the school

as soon as possible