Miss Trish's Weekly MESSAGES are here!
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Just a reminder that the bus loop is ONLY for bus drop off and pick up. When parents are parking and dropping off students in that area, it increases the safety risk significantly, which is why we ask families to respect our request not to use the loop to drop their children off.
Last call for Toonie Tuesday!! We will be drawing the winning names on Tuesday for the Principal of the Day winners. Tickets can be purchased up until Tuesday morning at school, but School Cash Online donations need to be completed by Monday to ensure those names get entered in the draws as well.
ELECTION DAY: ALC will be used as a polling station for the provincial election February 27th. There will be several election staff onsite along with a security guard to ensure that voters only access the gym for voting purposes.
Goulbourn Middle School Open House: for any Grade 6 students who will be heading to GMS in September, GMS will be hosting an Open House on March 27th from 6-7 PM. Students and families will have a chance to tour the school and meet the staff.
SWIM TO SURVIVE- is back! For the first time since the pandemic, our students will be participating in the Swim to Survive program! Starting in March through June, all of our students in Grades 3 will be participating in the Swim to Survive program.
What's the Swim to Survive Schools Program? The Society defines the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. These are expressed in a skill sequence in the Canadian Swim to Survive standard:
- ROLL into deep water
- TREAD water for one minute
- SWIM 50 metres
The Lifesaving Society aims to have every Grade 3 student in Ontario achieve the Swim to Survive Standard. More information can be found on the Lifesaving Society website.
Class specific information will be coming home as the dates get closer.
Celebrations in Our Community
Black History Month: In February, we celebrate Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people in the past and present, and challenge and examine issues of racism and discrimination.
By engaging classrooms in education surrounding Black history and excellence, we are able to empower our students to disrupt hate and centre joy and excellence in who they already are. In doing so, we are able to move beyond what is assumed about our students, and move towards what is possible.
Ramadan: This year, the evening of February 28th marks the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of fasting, prayer, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims all over the world. It is the Holiest month for Muslims as it is the month during which Quran started to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him). Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with a special prayer and celebrations over 3 days. Eid Al-Fitr may fall on March 29 or 30 of 2025.
CLUBS
- Coding
- Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
- Grade 6 Leadership Team
- Doodle Time- for students in Grades 4-6
- Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3
IMPORTANT DATES
FEBRUARY 24-28- BLUES IN THE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 25- TOONIE TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 25- DUCK FAMILIES
FEBRUARY 26- PINK SHIRT DAY
FEBRUARY 27- ELECTION DAY
FEBRUARY 28- FIRST PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY WINNER
FEBRUARY 28- LAST DAY TO ORDER YEARBOOKS
MARCH 7- SECOND PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY WINNER
MARCH 10-14- MARCH BREAK
MARCH 21- PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY WINNER #3
MARCH 27- GMS OPEN HOUSE
NOTE: According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days. DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION
ALC INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Just a reminder there is no school tomorrow or Monday! We hope everyone is able to enjoy the long weekend!
Every year, Pink Shirt Day falls on the last Wednesday of February. It serves as a reminder to renew our pledge to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and continuing the work to prevent all forms of bullying, hate, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and transmisogyny.
This year's theme centres on cultivating a community of kindness. When we centre kindness in our everyday actions, we become part of the creation of affirming and inclusive schools in the OCDSB and in society. Wearing a pink shirt on this day is a reminder to others to practice kindness and compassion, and stand up against bullying and hate in all its forms.
YEARBOOKS: We are now able to order 2024-2025 yearbooks online until February 28th! Click on the link here to order. Yearbooks are $30.43 plus tax and shipping which comes out to $33.95. Note Jostens’ web site charges an additional $2.99 handling fee.
The yearbooks are softcover and have 48 pages plus 8 blank pages for signatures.
TOONIE TUESDAY: Just a reminder we have started our fundraising for Toonie Tuesday! Students can be entered into a draw to be Principal for a Half Day, For every dollar donated, they will receive one ticket to enter into the draw. You can donate by using our School Cash Online system. We are trying to beat our $1463.92 raised from last year, so please help us to reach our goal.
SCHOOL COUNCIL: Our next School Council Meeting is on Wednesday February 19, 2025 at 7:00 in the Library at ALC. Everyone is welcome!
Celebrations in Our Community
Black History Month: In February, we celebrate Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people in the past and present, and challenge and examine issues of racism and discrimination.
By engaging classrooms in education surrounding Black history and excellence, we are able to empower our students to disrupt hate and centre joy and excellence in who they already are. In doing so, we are able to move beyond what is assumed about our students, and move towards what is possible.
Ramadan: This year, the evening of February 28th marks the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of fasting, prayer, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims all over the world. It is the Holiest month for Muslims as it is the month during which Quran started to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him). Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with a special prayer and celebrations over 3 days. Eid Al-Fitr may fall on March 29 or 30 of 2025.
CLUBS
- Coding
- Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
- Grade 6 Leadership Team
- Doodle Time: coming soon for students in Grades 4-6
- Creative Colourists- starting soon for students in Grades 1-3
FEBRUARY 14- PD DAY- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
FEBRUARY 17- FAMILY DAY- NO SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 24-28- BLUES IN THE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 25- TOONIE TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 26- PINK SHIRT DAY
FEBRUARY 28- FIRST PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY WINNER
FEBRUARY 28- LAST DAY TO ORDER YEARBOOKS
MARCH 7- SECOND PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY WINNER
MARCH 10-14- MARCH BREAK
NOTE: According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days. DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION
ALC INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca
FEBRUARY 7, 2025
Happy Friday!!
SAFETY PRACTICES: Each year, schools have a number of different safety protocols we need to practice with students. Through the year, we need to do 6 Fire Drills and 2 Lock Down Drills. We do 3 Fire Drills in the Fall, and 3 in the Spring. On Monday we will be having our first Lock Down Drill. On Monday morning, teachers will be reviewing the procedures we follow during a lockdown. Then at 3:00 we will run the drill. Students will be told it is a drill, but we still need them to follow the procedures as if it were an actual lockdown. While it is unfortunate that we need to practice lockdowns, it is important that we do. We do not expect that the whole process will take no more than 15-20 minutes.
Term 1 Report cards will be coming home via secure email next Wednesday. You will need your child’s OEN to access the report card.
ADDRESSING SCHOOLYARD ISSUES: For some time we have been seeing an increase in unkindness and physical altercations on the school yard. We have been trying a wide variety of strategies to support students in making expected choices on the yard, but for some change is slower to happen. Starting next week we will start using a Reflection Room for students who repeatedly struggle with regulating themselves on the yard. While removing recess time is not something we want to do, we also need to address repeated unexpected choices students might be making. In the Reflection Room we will be reviewing the 4 Square Problem Solving, making expected choices and the impact of unexpected choices on the relationships we have with others at school. Our goal is to support students in making more expected and positive choices so that everyone can enjoy their time outside at recess.
YEARBOOKS: We are now able to order 2024-2025 yearbooks online until February 28th! Click on the link here to order. Yearbooks are $30.43 plus tax and shipping which comes out to $33.95. Note Jostens’ web site charges an additional $2.99 handling fee.
The yearbooks are softcover and have 48 pages plus 8 blank pages for signatures.
TOONIE TUESDAY: Just a reminder we have started our fundraising for Toonie Tuesday! Students can be entered into a draw to be Principal for a Half Day, For every dollar donated, they will receive one ticket to enter into the draw. You can donate by using our School Cash Online system. We are trying to beat our $1463.92 raised from last year, so please help us to reach our goal.
SCHOOL COUNCIL: Our next School Council Meeting is on Wednesday February 19, 2025 at 7:00 in the Library at ALC. Everyone is welcome!
Just a reminder that next Friday is a PD Day and Monday is Family Day. There is no school for students on both days.
Celebrations in Our Community
Black History Month: In February, we celebrate Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people in the past and present, and challenge and examine issues of racism and discrimination.
By engaging classrooms in education surrounding Black history and excellence, we are able to empower our students to disrupt hate and centre joy and excellence in who they already are. In doing so, we are able to move beyond what is assumed about our students, and move towards what is possible.
Ramadan: This year, the evening of February 28th marks the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of fasting, prayer, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims all over the world. It is the Holiest month for Muslims as it is the month during which Quran started to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him). Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with a special prayer and celebrations over 3 days. Eid Al-Fitr may fall on March 29 or 30 of 2025.
CLUBS
- Coding
- Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
- Grade 6 Leadership Team
- Doodle Time: coming soon for students in Grades 4-6
- Creative Colourists- starting soon for students in Grades 1-3
FEBRUARY 12- TERM 1 REPORT CARDS GO HOME
FEBRUARY 13- FRIDAY SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY 14- PD DAY- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
FEBRUARY 17- FAMILY DAY- NO SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 24-28- BLUES IN THE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 25- TOONIE TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 26- PINK SHIRT DAY
MARCH 10-14- MARCH BREAK
NOTE: According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days. DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION
ALC INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca
JANUARY 31, 2025
Apologies for the late message.
The OCDSB has a new updated website platform. At ALC, we are working on moving information from our old site to the new one. If you have suggestions on how we can make this new site more user friendly, please let us know. We appreciate your patience as we make the move!
YEARBOOKS: We are now able to order 2024-2025 yearbooks online until February 28th!
Click on the link here to order. Yearbooks are $30.43 plus tax and shipping which comes out to $33.95. Note Jostens’ web site charges an additional $2.99 handling fee.
The yearbooks are softcover and have 48 pages plus 8 blank pages for signatures. FAQs
Q: Why are the yearbooks softcover this year? Can I order a hardcover version?
A: A hard cover would increase the final yearbook price to $45 each. Yearbooks are printed as a batch and cannot be a combination of hard and soft cover.
Q: Why can’t I order a yearbook with personalization (my child’s name printed on the cover)?
A: Unfortunately, Jostens is not offering this option through their website.
Q: If I miss the deadline of Feb 28th to order a yearbook, can I still order one?
A: No, Jostens will not accept any more orders after Feb 28th.
Blues in the School- Blues in the Schools offers the opportunity for students of all ages to engage in multidisciplinary, whole-language learning using the study of music, math, language arts, history, anthropology, and sociology in a hands-on approach celebrating creative self-expression. By bringing the blues genre into the classroom, students are exposed to these traditional subjects, while breaking down racial barriers and opening dialogue about cultural diversity. We will be having the Blues in the Schools Program at ALC from February 24-28 working with all of our students from JK-Grade 6. The week after that, our Grade 6 students will be doing supplementary workshops with them further building on the skills they are introduced to in the first week.
MASC YOUNG READERS: The MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival returns to the Canada Museum of Science and Technology on April 8 and April 9, 2025. Students in grades 4-8 may sign up for one or two days of inspiring literary and drawing activities, including master classes, author readings, book signings and more. Registration closes on February 7th.
Visit the MASC web site for more details and to register for an unforgettable day! https://www.masconline.ca/event/masc-young-authors-illustrators-festival/
MASC can offer a limited number of fully subsidized spots to students in need of financial support. For subsidies, registrations are arranged through the school directly. To request a subsidized space for your student(s) or for other inquiries, please contact Valerie Fenske at: mascyoungauthors@gmail.com.
TOONIE TUESDAY: Just a reminder we have started our fundraising for Toonie Tuesday! Students can be entered into a draw to be Principal for a Half Day, For every dollar donated, they will receive one ticket to enter into the draw. You can donate by using our School Cash Online system. We are trying to beat our $1463.92 raised from last year, so please help us to reach our goal.
MESSAGE FROM COUNCIL: Did you know that you can both keep plastics out of the landfill and help ALC fundraise at the same time? ALC fundraises with Terracyle and accepts the following items:
Any Brand Squeezie Pouch (Emptied and Clean Exterior)
Any Brand Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Deodorant Container
Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn Bags
Ethical Bean, Nabob and Maxwell House Coffee Bags
Crest and Oral B Dental Floss Cases or Dental Sticks
If you are interested in collecting and to learn more about drop off, please email ecowestenders@gmail.com
Celebrations in Our Community
Black History Month: In February, we celebrate Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people in the past and present, and challenge and examine issues of racism and discrimination.
By engaging classrooms in education surrounding Black history and excellence, we are able to empower our students to disrupt hate and centre joy and excellence in who they already are. In doing so, we are able to move beyond what is assumed about our students, and move towards what is possible.
Ramadan: This year, the evening of February 28th marks the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of fasting, prayer, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims all over the world. It is the Holiest month for Muslims as it is the month during which Quran started to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him). Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with a special prayer and celebrations over 3 days. Eid Al-Fitr may fall on March 29 or 30 of 2025.
CLUBS
- Coding
- Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
- Grade 6 Leadership Team
- Doodle Time: coming soon for students in Grades 4-6
- Creative Colourists- starting soon for students in Grades 1-3
IMPORTANT DATES
FEBRUARY 3-7- PICKLEBALL WORKSHOPS (GRADES 1-6)
FEBRUARY 12- TERM 1 REPORT CARDS GO HOME
FEBRUARY 13- FRIDAY SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY 14- PD DAY- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
FEBRUARY 17- FAMILY DAY- NO SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 19-SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING- 7PM
FEBRUARY 24-28- BLUES IN THE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 26- PINK SHIRT DAY
MARCH 10-14- MARCH BREAK
NOTE: According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days. DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION
ALC INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca
January 23
This week have certainly felt the bitter sting of winter! Unfortunately this has meant a few days with limited opportunities to go outside. Educators have done a great job of ensuring that students get lots of body breaks, and the vinyl sensory path that Council purchased this year is getting lots of use!
Great Kindness Challenge: Next week is the Great Kindness Challenge, and ALC is getting in the action! We have several activities for students to participate in to spread kindness around the school! From Kindness Bingo to Kindness Katchers, there are lots of ways to be kind! Attached is a checklist families can use at home to bring kindness into the whole school community!
Toonie Tuesday: Each year, the Education Foundation supports so many students and families within the OCDSB. In recent years, the demand for support has far exceeded the resources available, yet the foundation responds to every request with “yes”. Toonie Tuesday is an opportunity for school communities to show our support through donations. Last year, ALC raised more than any other school community and we are going to try to do that again!
Principal for a Day is an easy way to show your support! For each $1 donated, students will have their name entered into a draw to take over Ms. Trish’s job for half of the day! This year we will draw 3 names. Each winner will have some special activities planned, a lunch with a friend, and have the opportunity to welcome a special guest and give them a tour of the school!
LEARNING CORNER:
MATH FACT FLUENCY: Similar to reading, fact fluency is an important skill for learning in mathematics. Regular practice of math facts helps students build automaticity and fluency.
https://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards
MATH FACT FLUENCY ACTIVITIES
Celebrations in Our Community
JANUARY 29- Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars or, informally but more widely, lunisolar calendars. Lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates.
- Coding
- Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
- Grade 6 Leadership Team
- Doodle Time: coming soon for students in Grades 4-6
- Creative Colourists- starting soon for students in Grades 1-3
JANUARY 23-School Council Virtual Meeting 7:00 PM
JANUARY 24 -PD DAY- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
JANUARY 29- KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHT
FEBRUARY 3-7- PICKLEBALL WORKSHOPS (GRADES 1-6)
NOTE: According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days. DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION
ALC INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca