Smarter, more confident kids

A workshop on how to raise smarter, more confident kids? Count me in. Details on the Clairlea school blog. (It's next Tuesday evening, Nov 3.)

Also, kids may wear their costumes to school on Friday, if they wish.

Help support SATEC pool - open house tonight

The swimming pool at SATEC (WA Porter) high school has been on the verge of closure for many months. The pool can stay open if it has sufficient support from the community - so everyone is encouraged to book the pool for exercise activities, sporting events and birthday parties.

There is an open house tonight, Oct 27, at 7:00 pm at SATEC, 40 Fairfax Cres., one block north of Warden & St. Clair. Learn about permits, life guard contacts & schedules of available times.

School Council meeting - Wed Oct 21

A reminder that the School Council meets tomorrow, 7pm at the school. Childcare is available at the gym. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you are an "official" voting council member.

Here's what's on the agenda:

- Principal's report (Ms. Persaud)

- Vice-Principal's report (Mr. Frenette)

- Treasurer's report (Ann Silver)

- Teacher's report (Ms. Rule)

- Magazine sales (Hope)

- Fun Fair (Irit Hartman)

- Movie Night (Christina Mark)

- Baseball Tournament (Ann Silver)

- Dance a thon (Rob McMaster) *apologies, I had the names mixed up earlier

- New business (all)

If there is anything you'd like to add to the agenda for future meetings, please email the School Council Chair, Ginnie; or raise it during new business. Meetings must end at 8:30 sharp so the Chair appreciates your patience if some items must be deferred to the next meeting.

See you tomorrow!

So what's with all the fundraising?

Terry Fox...Unicef...magazine sales...Scholastic orders...school pictures...pizza day...movie night... parents might wonder why there are so many requests for us to open our wallets in October.

Some of these (Terry Fox, Unicef) are fundraisers for worthy causes that are separate from our school. These efforts teach kids that giving is important and that they have the power to make a difference in their world. Over the year, you may also notice various opportunities to raise money for Free The Children or other charities.

Scholastic orders are a service offered to parents to allow us to buy inexpensive books for our homes. Owning books is a wonderful feeling for children, and is a great way to promote literacy. When we order from Scholastic, the teachers receive free books for the classroom.

Other fundraisers (pizza days, movie nights, magazine sales, Clairlea spirit-wear, and a possible dance-a-thon later this year) are organized by parent volunteers and School Council, and these raise money directly for Clairlea Public School. They also contribute to a sense of school spirit and community. A lot (lot, lot) of work goes into organizing these activities. Proceeds go the School Council account and funds are distributed based on motions made and votes taken at School Council meetings. This money buys items for the school and classrooms, pays for school trips, grade 8 graduation, and for improvements to the school environment.

None of these fundraisers are ever mandatory, and we appreciate everyone's participation at any level.

If you're interested in getting involved in fundraising for the school, please attend the next School Council meeting on Wednesday Oct 21 (7:00pm). There are lots of opportunities to help or lead fundraisers.

O Canada

Today, my son asked me to sing O Canada with him in French. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't know all the words. I thought some others might be in the same position, so here, courtesy of Google and the Government of Canada, are the lyrics - and links to the audio files in français and English in case anyone needs a bit of help with the tune.

« O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!

Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée Des plus brillants exploits.

Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. »

And in English:

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.