April - Teston Village Public School

Teston Village Public School
80 Murray Farm Lane, Maple, Ontario L6A 3G1
Tel: (905) 417-0555 Fax: (905) 417-8368
E-mail: teston.village.ps@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Website: www.testonvillage.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Principal
Mr. David Nimmo
Vice Principal
Mrs. Mary Oppedisano
Superintendent of
Schools
Mr. Robert Dunn
(906) 764-6830
Trustee
Ms. Anna DeBartolo
60 Wellington Street
West, Aurora, Ontario
L4G 3H2
(416) 969-7170
Ext. 2829
Inside this issue:
Literacy Corner 2
Parenting Corner 3
Health Corner 4
Eco Corner 4
Golden Garbage Can
Award
Character Corner 4
School Play & Yearbook 5
Attendance Award 5
Maple’s Closet 5
Summer Institute Program 5
Kindergarden Registration 6
Host Families Wanted 6
Important Dates 6
4
From the Office: April 2009
With the arrival of spring comes the wet and rainy days! Please
make sure that you have a conversation with your children
about fast flowing creeks and rivers. This is the time of year
that they can become very fast moving, very quickly with heavy
rains. Sometimes this can become a safety issue for children.
Also, for the younger children, please make sure you send a dry
change of clothes with your child just in case they get wet during
recess.
As we move into the third term we will continue to move forward
with our literacy initiative. We hope that many of you have noticed
the literacy sayings on our sign outside the school. Reading
continues to be a huge focus for our plan. It is so important
that you spend some quiet time each night reading with your
children. It doesn’t matter if it is in English or your own language,
you need to show your children that reading is important.
Now that the snow is gone . . . encourage your children to walk
to school. We ask this for two reasons; 1) your children need
20 minutes or vigorous exercise each day for healthy living and
2) We are trying to become an ECO School and reduce our carbon
footprint. Please remember that all students are encouraged
to be at school by 8:10 a.m.
Are You Moving?
Please let us know if you are planning a move. This
information helps us immensely when planning for next year. Please
notify the school office, or send a note in with your child as soon as
possible.
April Calendar 7

Teston Village Public School Page 2
Reading is Thinking at Various Levels… We Assess this Using the Achievment Chart...
The Achievement Chart is a standard province-wide guide that is used by teachers to make judgments about student work
that is based on clear performance standards. It helps teachers plan instruction for learning, as well as give meaningful
feedback to students.
The four categories of the Ontario Curriculum Achievement Chart are Knowledge and Understanding, Thinking, Communication
and Application.
After your child has finished reading a book, or a chapter of a book, here are some questions that could be asked that are
linked to levels of reasoning on the achievement chart. Giving you child opportunities to regularly respond to questions
from each of the categories on the achievement chart, gives your child opportunities to use various levels of reasoning.
Choose ONE Question From EACH Category below to Develop a FULL Range of Skills
Knowledge and Understanding
What is the main problem in your book? Use evidence
from the text and your own ideas to support your answer.
How is the main problem in this story solved? Explain
whether or not the solution is a good way to solve the
problem. Use details and examples from the story to support
your answer.
What form of writing is your text? Use evidence from the
text and your own ideas to support your answer.
What are the three main events or three main facts that
you learned from your text?
What do you predict may happen next in your text? Why?
Explain your answer.
Communication
What would be some questions you would ask the author
in an interview? Try to answer them.
Pick a scene in your story and re-write it, using another
character’s voice.
Create a poster to advertise your book. Use quotes and
scenes from your book in your poster.
Create a commercial to advertise your book. Perform it for
the class.
Which part of the story would you change? Why? How
would your rewrite it?
Thinking
How do the main character’s feelings change in your
book? Use evidence from the text and your own ideas to
support your answer.
Create a new title for your book. Why is it a good title?
Use evidence from the text and your own ideas to support
your answer.
Does the author include pictures in your book? Why? Use
evidence from the text and your own ideas to support your
answer.
What do you think was the most interesting part of your
book? Use evidence from the text and your own ideas to
support your answer.
What is the purpose of your text? Use evidence from the
text and your own ideas to support your answer.
Application
Choose a book we have read as a class. How is the main
character in your book similar to the main character in that
book we have read in class? How is he or she different?
Use evidence from the text and your own ideas to support
your answer.
What connections can you make with the text? How do
those connections help you better understand the text?
Pretend you are the main character. How would you solve
the problem in the story?
Does this story remind you of other subjects you are studying?
Explain.
How did your thinking change as your read the text?

Teston Village Public School
Page 3
Internet Safety for the Whole Family:
Do you have a computer in your home? Is it connected to the Internet? Has computing been integrated into family
routines? Too often the answers are yes,yes and no. Acquiring the technology these days is very easy. Learning how
to use it safely and effectively is another matter entirely.
Children & Parents need to be aware of the benefits and potential pitfalls of Internet technology in their homes and in
their school. We encourage you to discuss the uses of the family computer with your kids. How long should a child
be allowed to go online? Should your child be allowed to do MSN Chat? At what times of day should the computer be
left off. Keep the family communication lines open with regard to computing and the Internet.
Here are some tips to help the children in your home make the best use of the family computer:
- Educate yourself about the Internet, because even if you don’t have a computer at home, your children probably
have access to the Internet at school, the library, or a friend’s house.
- Place your computer in a central, open location, so Internet use can be supervised.
- Look at the sites your child visits.
- Consider installing a children’s search engine like Yahooligans.
- Teach your children to use the Internet safely and to never give out personal information about themselves or your
family. Help them understand the potential dangers of giving out personal information to strangers.
- Teach your children that talking to a stranger online is the same as talking to a stranger on the street.
- If your children are young, steer them away from chat rooms; older children should only participate in chat rooms
that you approve.
- Tell your children that if someone harasses them online or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way, they should
tell you or a trusted adult immediately. If your child begins to receive phone calls from strangers, get to the bottom of
it right away.
- Contact police immediately if your child receives child pornography, has been sexually solicited, or has received
sexually explicit materials from an adult.
For more information, visit the Media Awareness Network at
http://www.media-awareness.ca/ http://www.media-awareness.ca/
Other Children Internet Safety Sites:
Safekids.com
Child Safety on the Information Highway
The Smart Way to Safeguard Kids From Smut
Everything to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Articles about Child Safety on Online

Teston Village Public School Page 4
April 2009
Get dipping!
Looking for tasty and easy ways to get your children to eat plenty of
veggies and fruit? Kids love to dunk cut-up fruit and veggies in a
tasty dip. Serve bitesized broccoli, celery, carrots, cucumbers, bell
peppers or radishes with hummus or lower fat ranch dressing. For a
sweet treat, offer berries, bananas, pineapple or grapes for dipping in
tangy yogurt or creamy chocolate milk pudding.
For health related information call York Region
Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit www.york.ca.
April 2009
Be SUNSMART
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, one bad sunburn in
childhood can double the risk of developing skin cancer. Following
the Canadian Cancer Society SunSense guidelines can
help protect you and your family.
• Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. or
when the UV index is 3 or more
• Seek shade or create your own shade
• SLIP! on lightweight clothing that covers your arms
and legs
• SLAP! on a wide brimmed hat and UV protected
sunglasses with wraparound frames and even shading
• SLOP! on sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 15 or
higher and reapply every 2 hours
• Keep babies under one year out of the direct sun
Have fun this summer— be SUNSMART
For health-related information call York Region
April 22nd is Earth Day. Thousands of people around the world will participate in various activities to celebrate the Environment
and make change for the betterment of the Earth. T.V.P.S will be celebrating Earth Day the week of April 20-
24th. We will be undertaking many activities such as a yard clean-up, litterless lunch day, lights out day and a walk to
school day. We will also be selling Eco Grams that students can send to other students and teachers in an effort to
raise funds for trees and plants for our School Greening Event (please see below). The T.V.P.S Eco Club encourages
all families in our community to participate in Earth Day at home. Show your support and concern for the Earth by participating
in Earth Day!
The T.V.P.S Eco Club will be hosting a school wide greening event in late spring this year in hopes of beautifying and
greening our school yard. Besides making our school yard more appealing, trees and shrubs help reduce the amount of
carbon dioxide in our air and essentially help “clean” our air. Our hope is that families in our community will come out
and help us plant tress, shrubs and flowers on the school grounds. Since we are in the planning phase of this greening
project right now, we would like to ask any members of the community who wish to donate trees, plants, flowers, shrubs,
soil, gravel, etc. to contact Mr. Khan at 905-417-0555. We appreciate your assistance in helping make our school
grounds beautiful for our students and helping the environment at the same time.
Just a friendly reminder to please bring in your old cell phones, batteries and printer cartridges and deposit them in the
bin at the front of the office for proper recycling and disposal. The T.V.P.S Eco Club thanks you for your support!
GOLDEN GARBAGE CAN AWARD
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Mr. Brown’s Grade 8 Class
FOR THE CLEANEST CLASS FOR THE MONTH OF
March
Character Corner
APRIL: INTEGRITY
We are truthful and sincere. We ensure consistency between
what we say and what we do as well as between what we believe
and how we behave.

Teston Village Public School Page 5
School Musical
The Wizard Of Oz
A Literacy through the Arts
Performance
Directed by: Mr Gernstein
ATTENDANCE AWARD
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Ms. D’Armiento’s Tues/Thurs
Kindergarden Class
FOR BEST ATTENDANCE FOR THE MONTH OF
March
Date: Thursday May 7, 2009
Time: 7 :00 p.m.
Location: Teston Village P.S. GYM
Ticket order forms will be sent home with students.
Additional forms will be available
through the office.
CAPTURE THE ACTION THIS
YEAR AT
TESTON VILLAGE P.S.
Order your Yearbook Now!
The Yearbook Committee has been working all year with
Mr. Chan to create a yearbook which captures all classes
and memorable events & activities this year at Teston
Village P.S.. Not to mention, they have included some
fun and exciting surprises for those who purchase to see &
enjoy!
Yearbooks are being sold for $ 13.00 each. Cheques can
be made payable to Teston Village Public School. Order
forms are available through your child’s teacher or
through the office. Place your order ASAP...
yrdsb Summer Institute Program
The Summer Institute is a program that offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links
to the Ontario Curriculum for children and youth from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Weekly programs run from July 6, 2009
to August 14, 2009. Registration fees begin at $115 per week for students enrolled in our schools.
Please download registration packages on the Board’s website www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca (click on Michael Cranny E.S.)
You can drop off registration forms and payment at Teston’s school office or at Michael Cranny E.S. Please note that registration
is NOT guaranteed. You will receive a phone call confirming your registration. For more information, call 905-832-4922,
ext. 444

Teston Village Public School
Junior/Senior Kindergarten Registration for
September 2009
Children born in 2005 are eligible to attend Junior Kindergarten in September, 2009. Children born in 2004, and
not currently attending public school, are eligible for senior kindergarten in September.
Documents required for registration include:
• Proof of child’s age (birth certificate/passport)
• Proof of residency (for child and parent/guardian)
• Citizenship and immigration status (where applicable)
• Direction of school support form
Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis starting on Monday, January 12th, 2009. If
you require further details, please telephone the school.
Host Families Wanted by Homestay Services
Page 6
Last year over 500 international students attended York Region public schools in either school year or summer programs and the
numbers will increase this year. Some students are requesting to live with Canadian families to experience Canadian culture while
improving their English skills.
If your family can provide a caring, comfortable and secure home for an international student either during the school year or for the
summer program, please contact Jennifer Recine, Homestay Coordinator at 905-883-0047, ext. 306 or email to jennifer.recine@yrdsb.edu.on.ca.
…..Important Dates …..
April 20-24 –Pause to Play
20-26 –Pitch in Canada Week (Save the Earth)
21 -Samosa Day
22 -Earth Day
24 -Pizza Day
27 -Jr. Boys Basketball Areas @ Michael Cranny P.S.
28 -Jr. Girls Basketball Areas @ Michael Cranny P.S.
29 -Jr. Boys Basketball Finals
-Spring Photo Day for M/W Kindergarden
30 -Jr. Girls Basketball Finals
-Spring Photo Day for the whole school
-Good News Assembly
May 1 -PA Day
6 -Welcome to Kindergarden 9-11 AM
7 -School Play—The Wizard Of Oz 7:00 PM
SIGNIFICANT FAITH DAYS - APRIL
April 9—Passover (Judaism)
April 10—13 Easter (Christianity Western Calendar)
April 17—20 Easter (Christianity Eastern Calendar)
April 14th—Baisakhi (Sikhism)
April 21st—Ridvan (Baha’i Faith)
EQAO
Primary and Junior Division
Assessments of Reading,
Writing and Mathematics
May 25 to June 5, 2009
PAUSE TO PLAY: APRIL 20-24
Children and youth from all over York Region will be encouraged to put television, video
games and computers on PAUSE for one full week.
Visit http://www.york.ca/Services/Public+Health+and+Safety/Healthy+Schools/
Pause+to+Play.htm