A big thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers during 2009.

To all of the parents and carers who volunteered their time 

over the 2009 school year we say a big "THANK YOU!!"

We wish you a very happy holiday. Enjoy!!

SMH article looks at videos as part of game plan for happy kids.

Have video games a place in your child's life? 
Are you unsure of the value of video games?

This blog post at Bright Ideas is a good starting point for thinking about this issue.

We need your help....please

 Please go to the link below and sign the petition:

Our children deserve no less than a qualified TL in every school library.

Christmas Interactives for Kids

 You will find a great range of Christmas activities 

to interest and engage your kids over the holidays.

Enjoy!!

Cheers     :-)

Smartpreschooler

- A FREE Mathematics site  for Preschool Children
Smart Preschoolers helps preschool-aged children  begin learning the early concepts in mathematics.

Our children deserve no less than a qualified TL in every school library.

"Teacher librarians support and implement the vision of their school communities through advocating and building effective library and information services and programs that contribute to the development of lifelong learners."

The Teacher Librarian: 

• understanding learners and their needs;
• collaborating with teachers to plan and implement information literacy and literature programs;
• ensuring the school library collection supports the school curriculum and community;
• using technologies as teaching and learning tools;
• creating effective learning environments;
• participating in the school and wider learning community.

Our first 1000 signatures! at the Hub

Help make it more.

 

 

 

 

Please sign this petition 

and urge any other people you know 

who would be interested in 

ensuring that every school has a qualified TL to do so.

NSW DET video on head lice show you how to get rid of head lice.

HEAD LICE have unfortunately reared their ugly head again and are on the move. 

                                                                                                                                   Bites of head lice.

Image via Wikipedia

Recently we have had a number of children having to be sent home because of this.

Please check your child’s hair and if necessary apply a suitable product to remove the lice.

Sometimes you may need to reapply the lotion two or even three times. 

All eggs must be removed to successfully eradicate the lice.

We understand that it is a difficult and tiresome job to do but unless all the eggs are removed they can re-hatch over night.

Many thanks for your co-operation.

Are you interested in introducing your child to the sport of cricket.

Milo In2 Cricket 

is a fun introduction for both boys and girls into the brilliant world of cricket.

Image by Glamhag via Flickr

Milo In2 Cricket  is suitable for children aged 5-8.

The 10 week course costs $50.

For further information please contact Steve Meakins on 0419 977 980.

Your P&C needs you.

SBPS

Parents & Citizens Association meets
4th Monday of every month.

The next P&C meeting (the A.G.M.) is on 

Monday 23rd November 

at 7pm in the Staffroom. 

Immediately following the A.G.M. (say 7.30pm), there will be an Ordinary Meeting. At this meeting will be discussion around significant changes to the operation of the P&C run school canteen. 

Our school canteen may no longer be able to operate with a paid canteen supervisor. If so, the options will be to either (1) operate the canteen with volunteers, OR (2) close the canteen.

So if you and your friends are interested in giving the canteen a new start and are able to run it on a volunteer basis, come along to our next P&C meeting and talk about what you can or can’t do.

Any options (days/hours of operation, staffing, menu) will be considered because the alternative may have to be closure of the school canteen.

Interested in Cubs or Scouts?

 
1st Woolgoolga Scout Troop is looking for new members.

 

Image via Wikipedia

Cubs (aged 7yrs & 6 months to 10yrs & 6 months)

meet from 6.30pm to 8pm on Tuesdays

     Scouts (aged from 10yrs & 6 months to 15 yrs)

meet from 5.30 to 7pm on Wednesdays

 
If you are interested please phone Kate on 6654 7687 or Dianne on 6656 0728.

HOOK IN2 HOCKEY

If any child is interested in learning 

the basic skills of hockey 

there is a fun six week program to be held from 

10th November to 15th December

from 5.00 – 6.00pm 

at Marshall Fields, Coffs Harbour 

(opposite Southern Cross Uni). 

Suitable for children aged from 5 – 12 years.

Cost $30 and all participants will receive a stick, ball and shinpads or a t-shirt, bucket hat and a bag of hockey goodies.

For further information please contact Rhonda on 66 55 5142 or 0458 271 071

Parenting Workshops

Woolgoolga Neighbourhood Centre with Community Programs will host  

FREE parenting workshops 

at the centre in Woolgoolga.

 

 

 

ABCD Parenting - mornings 9.30 -12
Listening to our children, boundaries and communication

Dads on their own – afternoons 12.30 – 2.30
Support & parenting information.

Connecting with other Dads

Reflecting on the experience of being a Dad 

Valuing your abilities to survive and thrive

November 9, 16, 23 & 30

Please register early as these workshops are very popular.

You can either call into the centre 35 Beach St between 9 & 3pm or phone 6654 1598 to book your place.

8 Steps to Success.

:-)

“Talk About Art” at the regional Gallery on Saturday, 31 October.

A message from Judy Atkinson:

I hope that you might find the following event at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery (next door to Coffs Harbour City Library) of interest.

At 10.00 am Saturday 31 October John McDonald author, historian and art critic for the Sydney Morning Herald will be presenting “Talk About Art” in the Regional Gallery. John is an erudite and at times controversial speaker but he is always entertaining. Cost $5, payable at the door and this includes refreshments.

For further information, please contact the Art Gallery on 6648 4863.

Regards

Judy Atkinson

Library Programs Officer

Coffs Harbour City Library & Information Service

Do you or your children think differently?

Readers are leaders!
Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Grease babies entertain you...

 Can it really be?  Click to see: Grease Babies


 Enjoy your time with your children over the holidays!!


Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Enjoy the stage you're at.....

Cheers
:-)

Dates you will need to remember.

 Friday 2nd October:   Last day of Term 3-

Holidays start

Have fun being active!!

Have fun enjoying reading!!

Monday 19th October 

Students & Staff return to school 

(NO PUPIL FREE DAY)

Remember: Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

This weeks issue covers:

"These skills don't just happen, as students need lots of opportunities to prepare and present speeches as well as to listen and watch others speak."  Merrilyn Jenkins,

Principal, Penshurst West Public School,

Find out how you can help support and encourage 

your child to  become a confident speaker.

Check out this kid friendly search engine-All Safe Sites

 The following site looks like a great search engine for young kids:

  

AllSafeSites is a kid-friendly directory & search engine for fun, educational and most importantly, SAFE websites.

Each site in our directory has been personally reviewed and recommended by an elementary school teacher. There are many similar web sites for kids, but a couple of things set up apart.

First of all, we have no advertisements on our page. The primary reason is that most advertisement programs are deceptive in nature and attempt to lure the user away to another web site that is often not suitable for children.

Another differentiator is that AllSafeSites is designed with visual aids so that very small children, even those unable to read, can navigate the web site easily. Most other sites are primarily text-based, making them difficult for young children to use.

Resources  for parents 

Fun and Games

Technology

100 ways to show children you care.

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Do you want your children to be brilliant or geniuses?

 

  If you want your children to be brilliant, read them fairly tales. If you want them to be geniuses, read them more fairy tales. Albert Einstein

Kids' who read, succeed!!!

Cheers

:-)

Mrs. Nay's Internet Library Branch

Discover what happens in Sandy Beach Public School Library.


Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

NITBUSTERS!! to the rescue

NSWPublic Schools and NSWHealth present:

For further support and information go to http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/headlice

Help your kids fight W.A.S.T.E.

Wanted: Secret agents to save the planet from W.A.S.T.E...

FREE

FUN

EDUCATIONAL

Safe and Suitable for students 8-12 years old.

Energy Force is a fun and safe

interactive learning tool designed to reinforce energy efficiency messages.

Energy Force will go live on Monday 24 August, but students can register to play now at energyforcegame.com.au. Image via Wikipedia

Students will need parents to confirm their permission for participation via email. The mission has begun – we look forward to meeting your secret agents very soon.

Children's Book Council of Australia

 The 2009 Books of the year have been announced. Take a look.

 

                                                  suggests these websites for parents.

They can help you with questions you may have about your children's reading.
Jim Trelease is well known for his Read Aloud Handbook from the US
The National Literacy Trust is a UK charity which supports everything to do with literacy
Reading Rockets is a US site with lots of techniques and strategies for helping kids with reading


Remember: Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Pedagogs handy tips for parents.

 Do you or your friends have young children?

  If so, this site is worth checking out especially parents who are looking for guidance with children about to go to "big school."

 I discovered this cute and  appealing website developed by the pedagogs team.

It includes handy tips for parents and ideas to help parents prepare their children for school.

Videos for kids

Looking for suitable videos for your children aged 2-10 years-Try Kideos.
Kideos goal is to empower parents to feel comfortable allowing their child to spend time on Kideos, while also making sure children have a thoroughly entertaining experience.

There are many categories including: Cute animals, Songs and Wiggles

NSW DET monthly online newsletter

School Parents: Helping Mums and Dads with school life

Lively and visually appealing, this is a monthly online newsletter produced by the NSW Department of Education.

Topics covered in the current issue include:

* Going Green: Tips to reduce your child's carbon footprint at school
* Starting high school
* Talking to your child about ethics
* Whooping cough
* In search of the Perfect Lunchbox
* Help your child with Public Speaking
* Homework for K-2: is it really necessary?

Read more

You can subscribe online
from Family School & Community Partnerships Bureau

What difficult things have children asked you?

Here's a selection of the best - along with suggested answers from a philosopher and from experts from the Science: So what? So everything campaign.

Your answers to 10 tricky children's questions from BBC Magazine

Evian Roller Blade Babies Hit the Pavement

Watch the Evian Roller Blade Babies video.

Can we believe: all we see these days? any of what we see?

Blogs for Dads

Dad's Blogs

Books With Positive Views of Fathers & Fatherhood




Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Great ideas for Reading Aloud

No. 1 best piece of advice:

"Fall in love with the pause." Mem Fox

Reflecting on what is read, on what we hear, on what we've learned during a task.....is vital.
It is how we create NEW LEARNING-new understandings!!

Reading Aloud by Mem Fox,

"Reading aloud is an art form in which the eyes and voice play important parts." Mem Fox

Listen to Mem explain the importance of reading aloud

"We can do at least seven things with our voices to keep our listeners engaged. Six of these seven vocal gymnastics are contrasts: loud and soft; fast and slow; and high and low. And we can p-a-u-s-e!!!!" Mem Fox

"If children love the words, they’ll use them delightfully in their own speaking and in their own writing. If they love the sounds of the words, they’ll understand them better when they come to read them later." Mem Fox

For Fourteen Fantastic Hints on Reading Aloud click The Book Chook

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Thoughts to consider at Parent Teacher Interview Time

It’s just as important for parents to tell teachers about issues at home that may affect school performance as it is for teachers to report how children are doing in the classroom.

Students do best when parents and teachers work together as partners. The start of a new school year is a great time to open a dialogue with your child’s teacher. If you haven't already, then sharing this information with a teacher will help her better understand your child’s needs and lay the groundwork for a cooperative relationship throughout the rest of the school year.

1. Health conditions: If your child is diabetic, uses an inhaler, is allergic to peanuts, or has a serious health condition, or been diagnosed with a condition which may affect behaviour and concentration her teacher should know.
   

2. Family issues: Advise the teacher if your family is going through a major change that could affect your child, such as a divorce, a death in the family, or a move. Even if your child seems to have adjusted well, alert teachers so they can watch for behavioral changes.

3. Personality traits or behaviour issues: It’s best to make teachers aware of any worrying issues e.g., painful shyness or throwing tantrums, before they become a problem at school.
   

4. Strengths and weaknesses: If you tell teachers these things up front, they’ll have more time to help your children improve in the areas they need it most.

5. Learning style: You’ve spent years teaching your kids, from potty training to tying shoelaces, so you have a good idea of their learning styles. If your child learns better through hands-on activities than through listening to explanations, mention that to his teacher.
   

6. Study habits: Tell teachers about your childs' study habits and any issues they face in completing the work. Teachers often can offer suggestions to make homework time go more smoothly.

7. Special interests: Let the teacher know about your child’s hobbies or interests as it can help the teacher forge connections in the classroom.
   

Adapted from: Sharing key information about your child can help teachers make a connection. by Emily Graham

Keep on reading!
Kids' who read, succeed!!!

Are you looking for maths links to suit your children?

Here's a few to get you started:

If your child likes art try:Patty Paints-Multiplication game (Stages 1-3)
You can choose which tables to play.
After each section you get to spray paint a vehicle.
The amount of time you get depends on how well you do!

Multiplication game- go to Multiplication Tables then scroll down to Moon Maths


KidsKnowIt Network

ICT Numeracy Games

Learning Planet Maths Games

Looking for help with Maths homework?

If you need some help or support try this website : Math: Master the Basics

Videos and tutorials explain basic operations and help with the mastery of math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division--essential building blocks for success in mathematics.

Further resources are found at the bottom of the page including the Harcourt Maths Glossary.

Take care with Wikipedia as anyone can edit it.

PARENTS WARNED OF WIKIPORN RISK
Parents have been warned not to let children use the website Wikipedia unsupervised after an entry on a popular children's book was edited to contain pornographic material.
Sexual and violent acts between characters were added last week to the online plot summary for Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIMH, which is recommended for students in years 5 to 9.
The edited page for the book, on the list for the Premier's Reading Challenge, was visible for about an hour before it was changed to the original text.
NSW Parents Council executive officer of communications, Michelle FitzGerald, said "all parents" should be concerned.
"It is a concern to the council that the internet, if used inappropriately or not supervised, can lead children into areas where they really should not be," she said. "It really comes back to parental supervision on the internet."
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/05/23/1242498976065.html

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Improve your online security.

How long is it since you changed your passwords?

National Change Your Password Day, 5 June

Australians are being encouraged to take some simple steps to improve their online security as part of National E-security Awareness Week, June 5 - 12 2009.

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Literacy Lava launched

Literacy Lava is a free digital magazine (in pdf format) for you to read, download and use, share with others, or print and keep. The combined work of a brilliance of bloggers, Literacy Lava is erupting with great tips for parents, and suggestions for literacy activities to share with kids.

"Literacy Lava doesn’t promote expensive pastimes or passive
entertainment. Those things have a place in many kids’ lives. Our focus is
on low-cost activities parents can do with kids to promote literacy.
Our hope is that with Literacy Lava, you and your kids will have fun, while
building the skills they need to read, write and communicate successfully."

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Director-General's Message for National Reconciliation Week 2009

The theme for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) this year is ‘See the person, not the stereotype’
Reconciliation Australia

Take a look and have a listen to NSW Director General:
:-)

How can I help my child with maths?

Go to: http://youcandomaths.com.au/

Wellbeing of mothers and children

Australia is the third best place in the world to be a mother, a new global report that rates the wellbeing of mothers and children has found.

State of the world's mothers report

Our new library plans are now available.

Building the Education Revolution (BER)
Our new library plans will be displayed at the P&C meeting next Tuesday.
Come and check them out!!




Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Sandy Beach Bookfair-Liam Morrison

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)

Jurassic Park Bookfair Competition

BOOKFAIR

Thursday, May 28 from 8am-6pm in SBPS library.

JURASSIC CREATURE COMPETITION

Help us create our very own Jurassic Park in SBPS library.

To all our families artistic and creative opportunities await you!!

Make a creature from the Jurassic period and send it to school by next Thursday May 21st.

It can be an “air”, “land”, or “sea” creature.

It can be 2D or 3D.

It is not an assessment task so all the family can share their skills and talents.

Yunnanosaurus

Coelurosauravus

Ornitholestes

.

Plenty of prizes for participants.

3 x $10 book fair vouchers

5 “pick a poster” prizes

These websites may be helpful:

http://www.kidsdinos.com/

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/dino_Jurassic.htm

http://www.thelearningpage.org/dinosaurs/dinosaur_facts.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/mesozoic/Jurassic.html

http://dsc.discovery.com/dinosaurs/jurassic-period.html

http://www.prehistory.com/timeline/jurassic.htm

Jurassic animal printouts:

Download a dinosaur:

Designer Dinosaurs - paper maché

3D papercraft kids series-Dinosaurs of the Jurassic

Dinosaur Papercraft -Jurassic 2

Dinosaur Papercraft -Jurassic 3

Dinosaur Papercraft- Jurrasic 4

Kids' who read, succeed!!!
Cheers
:-)