ENGLEWOOD  SCHOOL NEWSLETTER        

                 

Number 1              September 6, 2007

Important Notice:  Allergy Alert! 

We are making the move to a peanut/nut and peanut/nut product free school due to severe life-threatening allergies (anaphylaxis).  As of September 2007 Englewood School will be a peanut/nut and peanut/nut product free school. 

We have a few students who have a life threatening food allergy to peanuts/nuts (anaphylaxis).  Exposure to even a small amount of the food substance (1/1000th of a peanut) could cause anaphylaxis and without immediate emergency medical assistance, loss of consciousness and death in students with peanut/nut allergies could occur.  A small amount of peanut/nut product such as peanut butter on the hands of a student or teacher who then touches a door knob, computer, water faucet, water fountain or other article and then is touched by a student severely allergic to peanuts could be enough to cause a severe reaction or the death of the student. 

As with any medical issue, the school has an obligation to provide a safe environment for all students.  Many products contain peanuts/nuts, peanut oil or may even contain ‘traces of peanuts’.  Therefore, it will be necessary to check all ingredient labels to see if a product contains peanuts/nuts, peanut/nut products or traces of peanuts/nuts.   Please do not send these products to school at any time (during or after school hours).   Our Home and School will be working with us to make our lunch program and canteen peanut/nut free.   

A large majority of schools on PEI are already peanut/nut free due to the increase in these types of life threatening allergies.  We know that these changes may be inconvenient for many families, however, it is a matter of life and death for people with these allergies.  Please keep in mind that if it was your child that had a life threatening allergy, you would want your child to be safe at school. We appreciate everyone (parents/guardians, students, teachers)  working together to provide a safe place for our students who suffer from anaphylaxis. 

Thank you.

Information concerning School Lunch Ideas is listed below; a number of alternatives to peanut butter sandwiches are suggested. 

School Lunch Ideas

Although no food is universally safe for all food allergic individuals, the following are some interesting suggestions for alternatives to peanut butter sandwiches. 

Sandwich Fillings:

chicken or turkey - sliced, smoked or chicken/turkey salad;

lean beef or ham - minced or sliced;

pork - sliced or chopped, try adding applesauce or relish;

lean luncheon or deli meats;

cheese spread or molasses;

sliced cheddar with jam or mayonnaise;

processed cheese with sliced apple, pickles, or crumbled bacon;

cream cheese with chopped maraschino cherries or chopped olives;

sliced meat loaf. 

Tired of plain bread?  Try:
whole wheat, oatmeal, rye, or pumpernickel, pita pockets or english muffins;

bagels, hot dogs or hamburg buns, soft tortilla shells;

hard rolls, sub buns, biscuits, croissants, crackers or rice cakes. 

Ideas for wide-mouth "hot" thermos:

spaghetti, macaroni, other pasta or rice dishes; soups, stews, and casseroles; chicken nuggets, or leftovers. 

Try these in a wide-mouth "cold" thermos:

potato salad or pasta salad with cubes of cheese or meat;

chef salad or vegetable salad with a separate dish of dressing;

fruit salad with cottage cheese;

cubes of meat or cheese to accompany crackers, carrot and celery sticks and a small container of dip. 

Miscellaneous other favorites:

pizza; whole grain muffins with yogurt or cheese;cooked wiener, split and stuffed with cheese; whole grain cold cereal - bring in separate covered bowl and add milk from a thermos or the school milk program. 
 
 
 

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:

Another school year is upon us.  I hope everyone had a great summer vacation.  To all Englewood students/families, I extend a warm welcome on behalf of all staff members.  It is great to be back!

Congratulations to Mrs. DeRoche who gave birth to a baby boy  (Jay) in August.

We have new staff members, as well as some changes in teaching assignments. 

Classroom Support - Rhonda Godfrey  (.25 until November)

Grade 2 - Amy Kelly until February, when Pam Kelly will return from a maternity leave.

Grade 3 - Carrie Ellsworth until December, when Jill MacCormack will return from a

     maternity leave.

Grade 4 - Judy MacDonald

Grade 5 - Rhonda Godfrey (in November)

Grade 8 - John Salter

Grade 9 - Meghan MacDougall

Guidance - Mary Johnston - available Tuesdays and Thursdays

E.A. - Paula Dixon

  

We welcome you to our Englewood family!

A complete handbook will go home during the first week of school with all Grade 1 students and any students new to Englewood; updated information will go home with students who would have been given a handbook last year.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.  Parents/Guardians play a vital role here at Englewood.  It is together that we strive toward a common goal...providing Englewood students with the best educational experience possible.

A synopsis of the Eastern School District’s Caring Places to Learn Policy is included in the complete student handbook.  For a more in-depth reading of this policy, please contact the school.  We do make every effort to provide our students with a safe and caring environment to learn and play.

Together we can make the 2007-2008 school year one full of success and pleasant memories.  Best wishes to staff, parents, guardians, and most importantly, Englewood students. 

R. Reardon       

Principal 

FIRST WEEK INFORMATION: 

The students are taking home a package of important information and forms to be filled out.  These forms must be completed in order for your daughter(s)/son(s) to be involved in all areas of daily activity here at Englewood.  Parents/Guardians are requested to carefully read through the materials and return signed forms by Monday, September 10th.   The package should include:

1) E.S.D. Information - Consent Form - Complete and return to the school - make

sure you include any new address or phone changes and civic numbers

2) Participation, Release and Idemnification for Low Risk Activities - Complete

and return to the school.

3) Internet Use Agreement Form (Gr. 4 and any new students in 5-9) 

STUDENT FEES: (GR.5-9)

The annual fee for grades 5-9 will be: $16 per child (cost of agenda included)

$36 family rate, 3 or more children

We can assure you that all monies collected will be directed entirely for general student activities and benefit.  We would greatly appreciate if this student fee (Gr.5-9) and the supply fee (Gr. 1-4 - $35) could be completed as soon as possible.  Tremendous thanks! 

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT will be held on Monday, September 10th.  Grade 1 parents are asked to meet in the Grade l classroom for 6:30 (This will be their only classroom session) and then

proceed to the gymnasium for 7:00 p.m.  Parents of Grades 2-9 are asked to meet in the gymnasium for 7:00p.m. and their sessions will follow. 

CANTEEN: The school canteen will be in operation again this year, beginning Monday, September 10th (not all products will be in place but a few will be available).  We do have microwaves available for students to heat up lunches...however we do request that parents limit the number of  "hot" lunches you send.  Please do not send frozen dinners (such as Michelena’s) as they take up to 4 to 5 minutes and this does cause problems with students waiting to use the microwaves.  Students will not be permitted to use the microwaves for popping popcorn.  Because of the lack of nutritional value, coupled with the fact that it is very messy on our classroom floors... "Mr. Noodles" will also not be permitted for lunches. 

SCHOOL MILK: The school milk program will continue this year, with a slight increase in cost from the dairy company.  White Milk: .40 cents, Chocolate Milk: .60 cents.  Milk will be available on Monday, September 10th.  

HOME & SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM: Home and School members are busy preparing for this year’s lunch program.  A sign-up sheet will be in the foyer at Monday’s Meet The Teacher Night for those able to help out with the daytime preparation of food at the school.  Keep a look out for the first order sheet for lunches -  Until then - boxes lunches are the order of the day! 

WALKERS/BIKERS/MOTORIZED VEHICLES: We remind parents that walkers and bikers must fill out a WALK OR BIKE form to let us know that your child does have permission to leave the school grounds by other means than the bus.  With the school being located on the Trans Canada in a high traffic area, we ask students to please wait until the busses are dismissed from the property before heading out on bikes or walking. Motorized vehicles of any kind (dirtbikes, ATV’s etc.) are not allowed to be taken to school by students 

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY: We remind you that if your child does not have a note to leave the school property early, a phone call must be made to the school.  Please speak to someone in the office area - many parents are directing their messages through their child verbally and by pay phone and we need to speak to a parent.  Thank you. 

S.O.S. SAVE OUR SUBSCRIPTIONS: Just a reminder that September 12th Englewood will be once again running the QSP Readers Digest Magazine Sale.  Please renew your Magazine subscriptions at this time or purchase new ones.  Gift subscriptions will also be available.  Thank you for your continued help and support. 

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Skate PEI : Registration for Skate PEI will take place on Saturday, September 8th from 9:00 a.m. to ll:30 a.m. in the main lobby of the Charlottetown Civic  Centre.  Open to both male and female skaters at all levels (Novice, Development, Competitive and Recreational).  Skaters who have participated in other ice sports are welcome to join.  For information go to our website at www.isn.net/speedskating.  For more information, please contact Mike Connolly at Sport PEI, Room 265, Phone 368-4985 or by email at mconnolly@sportpei.pe.ca. 

Merry Pop-ins Childcare Centre is accepting registrations for their before/after school program.  We also accept children on PD Days.  For more information and to register call 658-2560. 

Charlottetown Ringette Association will be holding registration for the 2007 season on the

Charlottetown Civic Centre - Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 am - l2 noon

         - Saturday, Sept. l5 from 9 am - l2 noon

Sherwood Maple Room - Wednesday, Sept. 12 - 6-9 p.m.

               - Saturday, Sept. l5 from 9 am - noon 

"Please note that there is only one evening registration."

Charlottetown Ringette Assoc. invites everyone from the ages 6 years and up to "Come try ringette" on September 9th, 2007.  For more information please visit www.cometryringette.com 

Parents of Allergic Children Together (PACT)

PACT is a group for parents and caregivers of children with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis.  We offer support through monthly meetings, video and print resources.  If you have a child with life-threatening allergies, we can help.  E-mail Shellee Mann at pactpei@gmail.com for more information.  PACT FACT:  Did you know that one-thousandth of a peanut is enough to cause a serious allergic reaction a susceptible child?