Bateman Bobcat Banner
Monday, December 12, 2022
Upcoming Events:
- Wednesday, December 14: Photo Retake Day
- Friday, December 16: Wacky Friday Spirit Day (Colourful.. Unmatched.. Inside out!)
- Friday, December 16: Grade 3 Field Trip to MacSkimming Outdoor Education Center
- Monday, December 19: Gr 1/2 EFI Field Trip to Conroy Fire Station
- Friday, December 23: Comfy-Cozy Spirit Day (Pajamas, slippers, etc)
- Monday, December 26 - Friday, January 6 : Winter Break (School Closed)
- Monday, January 9: First Day of School
Final Bateman Bobcat Banner of 2022
This marks the final Bateman Bobcat Banner of 2022. It has been a pleasure this fall to welcome back many students who had previously been in online learning, and to also welcome parents back into the schoolyard and the school.
For the next two weeks, we will continue with a regular school program covering the Kindergarten - Grade 6 curriculum, as teachers wrap up projects and units of study, and consolidate learning before the upcoming break. We appreciate all that you do as parents to ensure that your children are at school daily and on-time during these final two weeks.
Food Drive in Spring
In pre-COVID years, RBPS has traditionally run a Community Food Drive in December in support of the Pavillion Food Bank. After consulting with the Pavillion Food Bank, we have decided to run our RBPS Food Drive in the spring. This will provide the food bank with food during a time when they traditionally start to run short, while still teaching our students important lessons about giving back to the community.
Grade 5/6 Multi-Faith Prayer Space
A couple of weeks ago, some students in Mr Hirst's class approached me with a request that the school provide a place for them to pray during the nutritional break. The students in Mr. Hirst's class brainstormed ways that the school could provide a supervised prayer space during the existing nutrition break, while ensuring that all students still had time to eat, and staff were not given extra supervision duties. It was determined that the vacant class beside Mr. Hirst's class could be opened for the last 10 minutes of the 2nd lunch for a multifaith prayer space, supervised by the duty teachers who currently supervise Mr Hirst's class and the neighbouring class during the 2nd nutrition break. The class also wrote the rules for this space. For now, this space will be available to Mr Hirst's class only, since it was their initiative, but we are open to expanding it to other classes if there is interest in doing so.
On a personal note, I am impressed by the responsibility Mr. Hirst's students demonstrated in taking ownership of this initiative, and working through their recesses to make a plan and write the rules. Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions regarding this student-led initiative.
New Art Installation at RBPS in 2023
We are excited to share the news of a new art installation at RBPS that will be taking place in the New Year. In February 2023, RBPS will be partnering with local artist Claudia Salguero through the Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities (MASC) organization to create an art installation in the second-floor rotunda. This project will make creative use of the existing vaulted ceiling and skylights to create an installation that brings the space to life.
Under the skilled guidance of Ms. Salguero, every student from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will work on this project with their classes, painting aluminum panels (cut and shaped by Ms. Salguero) for installation in this space.
This project will be funded through a variety of sources, including OCDSB Arts Grant money for schools, a subsidy from the MASC organization, and RBPS funds for special events and guest presentations, which we were unable to fully spend during the last two years of COVID restrictions.
Stay tuned for more details on this exciting project!
Streetproofing Tips
With many children walking to and from school, I wanted to provide you with some safety tips about streetproofing to help you speak to your child and prepare them in the event of strangers or any difficult encounters.
The Ottawa Police recommends parents frequently review tips for children with respect to safety rules. Parents should teach kids what to do when approached by a stranger. Where possible, avoid walking alone. However, the following tips are offered to children walking alone:
- Ensure a family member or caregiver knows your route and arrival time;
- Do not talk to strangers;
- Do not accept rides from strangers;
- If an unknown adult is seeking your attention, do not approach them or the vehicle;
- If being followed, go to a public place, a known residence or shout for help.
Please note, should your child ever have any difficult or confusing encounters while walking to or from school, do remind them that they are encouraged to contact me, their teacher, or another trusted adult at school.