Bbbbbrrrrrr, it’s been cold out there.  Students are encouraged to dress warmly for these chilly days.  Hopefully, there is an end in sight.  On February 15, the Parents of Walsh will be holding their second brunch at the Vittoria Community Centre.  Please check this month’s newsletter tear-off section and fill it in if you are able to volunteer at the brunch.  We need 26 volunteers to ensure that the brunch runs smoothly.  We are looking forward to having a musical presentation for the students on February 19 - Bach to Beatles.  This should prove to be an entertaining event for all of our students.  The cost of this presentation is covered by school fundraising.

Junior Volleyball Team 
The junior volleyball team will be involved in their tournament on February 4.  

Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration will be held at Walsh Public School from Monday, February 9 to Friday, February 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   This registration is for new students, who have not been in attendance at kindergarten.  If you have a child who is eligible, or know of anyone who does, please have them register for the 2004-2005 school year during that time.  It is important to register during that week so that we can plan for class sizes.  Please remember to bring the child’s birth certificate, your 911 address, and lot and concession information with you.  

Grade 7 and 8 Winter Adventure
On February 13, the grade 7 and 8 students will be traveling to Camp Trillium for a day of activity involving rock climbing, skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  Sounds like a great day of adventure.  Permission forms will be sent home shortly.

Skating 
Grade 4 to 8 students will be skating on February 16 and March 5 at the Delhi arena.  Please ensure that you read the information that is sent home regarding the use of helmets on the ice.  
 

Brunch
Once again, the Parents of Walsh will be holding a brunch on February 15 at the Vittoria Community Centre.  If you are able to volunteer your time or baked goods, please fill out the tear-off portion of this newsletter and return it to the school.  Your help is always appreciated.  As I mentioned earlier, 26 volunteers are needed to ensure that the brunch can be run.  Our students benefit from this fundraiser as the Parents of Walsh support classroom programs through their donations of financial support.  

Grade 4 Swimming Program
The grade 4 swimming program will run from March 26 to June 7 this year.  This is a very worthwhile program for these students.  Thanks to the Parents of Walsh group and their financial support, we have been able to continue to provide this program for our grade 4 students.

Bach to Beatles
On Thursday, February 19, a small group of musicians will be coming to Walsh to take students on an educational  voyage through musical history.  The program will consist of music from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart through to jazz and the Beatles.  The students will be treated to humourous stories about composers and will experience first-hand the different styles of music.  We are looking forward to this worthwhile experience.

Secondary School - Grade 8 Visits
The local secondary schools are busy visiting our grade 8 students informing them of school activities and course selections for next year.  Many of the schools hold open house evenings for parents and students to visit the secondary schools.  On Wednesday, Feb. 11 Delhi District Secondary School will be holding their Grade 8 Information Night for Parents and Students.  The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.  Come out to meet the staff, tour the school and see what is happening!

Literacy Tips
I have included a few tips to help your child develop their literacy skills:
1.  Set aside a time each evening for reading in your home.  Children will enjoy a variety of reading materials - magazines, newspapers, novels and comic books. 
2.  Read out loud to your child at home.  This makes it easier for them in school and improves their vocabulary immensely.  Reading stimulates brain development.  Try to read to your child at least 20 minutes a day, every day.
3.  Play board games where reading is required.  
4.  Model reading.  Let your child catch you reading.  Read the mail, newspapers and recipes out loud so that your child knows that reading is a useful skill.
5.  Put reading first, before TV.  Have a family night of reading, read a chapter a night before dinner or bed.

Reading Facts:
Brain research shows that reading is a key part of the continuum that begins with baby talk and scribbles, and culminates in a child with a rich vocabulary and knowledge of the world.
The more types of reading materials there are in a home, the better students are in reading proficiency.  
Students who do more reading at home have higher reading, math and general knowledge scores.
Reading well is at the heart of reading.  Pick up a good book and enjoy!

Swiss Chalet Day - **Change of Date**
We had a Swiss Chalet lunch day on January 21.  From the reaction of the staff and students it was well received.  We will be holding our next Swiss Chalet day on February 11.  Please note that this is a change in day from February 4.  We had to change our dates due to the recent snow days.  Please use the original order form and ensure that they are returned to the school by Wednesday, February 4 for the lunch on February 11.

Soup Day
On February 18, the Parents of Walsh will be providing soup for lunch for our students.  This is part of our snack program that is offered.  

Save-a-Tape Program
Thank you for sending in your grocery tapes to help with our fundraising.  We will continue to collect these tapes for the entire year.  We appreciate your ongoing support.  

Everybody’s Drumming
On March 22 and 23, we will be having the Everybody’s Drumming presentation coming to Walsh for our students.  This is a hands-on, interactive musical program for elementary schools.  All students will have the opportunity to work with drums, bells and boomwhackers as they discover beat and rhythm.  The group will be working with each class on an individual basis in the gym so everyone will be able to participate.  Once again, the cost for this presentation for our students will be covered by our fundraising.  Sounds like a booming good time!