GLENDENNING PUBLIC SCHOOL 135 ARMITAGE DRIVE, GLENDENNING NSW 2761

NEWSLETTER August 12, 2010

Phone

02 9832 8555

Fax

02 9832 8724

Email

glendennin-p.school

@det.nsw.edu.au

Website

www.glendennin-p.

schools.nsw.edu.au

Before

& After

School Care

0414 811 196

P & C

Association

meets 3rd Monday

of each month

at

7.30pm.

All parents

are invited

to attend.

Office Hours:

Mon - Fri

8.30am to 3.15pm

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) The role of the HSLO in schools is to monitor the attendance of students and, if necessary, to intervene to assist parents/caregivers to improve their child’s attendance. This intervention generally consists, in the first instance, of a meeting held at school between the parent/caregiver, the Assistant Principal in charge of attendance (currently Miss Rox) and the HSLO. At the meeting, any issues related to your child’s attendance, and ways in which the school or the HSLO can assist, are discussed. In extreme instances, the HSLO may need to initiate legal proceedings to ensure that students attend school regularly. We do understand that, at times, children become sick and we encourage all parents/caregivers to keep their children home if they are unwell. It is important, however, that children attend school as often as possible. If you need assistance or further information regarding this topic, please contact Miss Rox. The HSLO for our school is Anna Beattie. Anna works with a number of schools and as a result of her support and intervention, students who have not been attending regularly are now back in schools and tackling their day-to-day learning programs. It is important to understand that even the smallest number of absences can affect the continuity of a child’s learning and for that reason, all parents are encouraged to have their children attend school regularly. Community Software Program (CSP) The Community Software Program has been advertised through the school. Flyers were sent home last week. The CSP is an opportunity to gain educational software programs at discounted prices. Some of the programs are used at GPS and, if purchased, this would allow students to use them at home. There is a variety of literacy and numeracy games and programs available through the CSP. This will be the last time that the CSP will be offered as the company is changing its operations and will begin selling its products through stores. The closing date here at school has been extended from Friday August 13, to Monday, August 16. Should you wish to order, please note that all payments are via a card system and no money should be sent to school.

Playgroup/Pre-School Visits have become very successful. Over the last few weeks, Miss Rox and Mrs Rowe have been meeting with mums and their children. This week we were really pleased to see a dad come along and participate. If you have a pre-schooler who you would like to attend, please come along on Wednesdays around 10am. These opportunities assist children to mix socially and to experience different games and play situations that they might not get at home. They also help them to get to know children they will be seeing next year and perhaps, to make friendships that will assist them in settling into school. We are aware that a number of pre-schoolers go to their pre-schools on Wednesdays. If you would like to attend these meetings on a Friday, please phone the school and leave your details for Miss Rox to contact you.

Pediculosis (Nits) Sadly, just recently, we have had some cases of nits reported, Normally, it is during humid, windy weather that these outbreaks occur, but I imagine they can occur at any time. The eggs that the lice lay are typically what we call ‘nits’. Students who ‘catch’ nits need to have their hair treated. Whilst students find the occurrence annoying, it can be a very frustrating matter for parents whose children seem to contract nits very easily. At school, when we find a case of nits we will send home a letter to all students in the class. Please parents, check your child’s hair and, if necessary, visit your chemist to get a treatment. If all parents undertake this check and treatment (when necessary), we should be able to keep the problem to a minimum.

Chicken-Pox has been confirmed in a number of students. We also recently had a diagnosed case of ‘slap-cheek’. These are relatively minor childhood illnesses, but they can have adverse effects on people with particular medical conditions (such as pregnancy). We will keep all families aware of the prevalence of any of these illnesses through the newsletter. I would ask all parents who have their child diagnosed with any specific illness, to contact their child’s teacher so that we can take any precautions necessary at school, as well as notifying the community through the newsletter.

The School Spectacular will be held later this year. It is held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and involves a cast of hundreds of students from all around NSW. This is a great spectacle for students to see and an even greater one for those performing. More information can be found on the internet. Yours faithfully, D Meaney Principal

Monday to Friday

August 16 August 27

Swim Scheme

Friday August 20 Final payment due for K-2 “Floating on a Sea of Stories’

Friday August 27 K-2 “Floating on a Sea of Stories’

SCHOOL CAR PARK

Parents are reminded that the school car park is for STAFF PARKING ONLY. Parents are asked not to park in, or walk through the car park. There is a gate near the administration office for pedestrian access. PAYMENTS

When sending payments to school please ensure the CORRECT AMOUNT of money is enclosed in a separate envelope for each child, clearly marked with:

• your child’s name

• your child’s class

• name of activity – one activity per envelope

• & please put the permission note inside the envelope Please endeavour to make payments before the due date as paying late will result in your child missing an activity. All money is to be deposited in the slot in the door at the Admin Office. If additional envelopes are required, they are available at a cost of 20cents each. When sending payments to school (for excursion, PSSA etc) please ensure Australian coins ONLY are sent. We are unable to accept foreign currency. EARLY LEAVERS

When signing children out early of an afternoon, for appointments etc, parents are asked to do so before 2.45pm. Students will not be signed out after this time. MESSAGES REGARDING LATE COLLECTION OF STUDENT

Please phone before 2.30pm with any messages if you will be late picking up your child. APPOINTMENTS WITH TEACHERS

Parents wishing to speak with their child’s teacher are asked to make an appointment. Parents are unable to visit classrooms during school hours as this is teaching time. SCHOOL CANTEEN

The canteen operates on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday each week. Any payments or orders for the canteen should be taken direct to the canteen.

LUNCHES

If parents need to bring lunches to school after 9am, we would ask that you wait until 11.15am, when you will be able to gain a pass to your child’s class and then be able to take the lunch to your child.

NOTES SENT HOME

All notes for parents are sent home on Thursdays', please remember to check your child’s bag for notes. TUTORING

Parent, from time-to-time have inquired, to the school, about tutoring for their child. It is Department of Education and Training policy that teachers do not engage in tutoring outside of school hours with students from their school, as this can be misconstrued as a conflict of interest. The University of Western Sydney has organised with Blacktown city libraries FREE TUTORING ON-LINE for students who are members of the

DAFFODIL DAY 2010 – MERCHANDISE AND MUFTI DAY The SRC are selling Daffodil Day merchandise to raise money for the Cancer Council charity. Items include lapel pins, awareness wristbands, pens and hacky sacks, ranging from $2 - $5. Items are available to buy, each day until Daffodil Day (August 28), from 8.30am - 8.55am and first half of lunch, outside the staffroom door. As part of the fundraising, there will be a gold coin donation mufti day, on Wednesday, August 25, where students are asked to wear yellow to show their support. Miss Howard and the SRC.

PBL UPDATE This week’s value is ‘I am a Learner’ and it involves all members, both inside and outside of the classroom. Students demonstrate being a learner in the classroom by completing work to the best of their ability and trying to learn new things everyday. It is very important to listen and follow teachers’ instructions and respect others working within the classroom. We also encourage students to be a learner by ‘having a go’ at School Events, such as carnivals and other sporting activities. Have a Lovely Week!

TRANSPLANT AUSTRALIA – MUFTI DAY THANKYOU FROM THE FAMILY OF OLIVIA STEELE On behalf of Olivia, we would like to say a big thankyou for you donation and helping our little daughter/sister to compete at the games later this year. It is only through the generosity, prayers, thoughts and support of our family and friends that Olivia is able to live a happy, healthy, fantastic life filled by people that love her. We thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts for helping Olivia to achieve her goals. Love always Lisa, Brendan, Corey and Ryan xxx