ECOLE VARENNES Page 1

22 Varennes Avenue

Wpg., Manitoba R2M 0N1

Tel: 204-253-1375

Fax: 204-253-7202

www.lrsd.net/schools/varennes

Principal

Joanne DeCruyenaere

Vice-Principal Andréa Léger

Administrative Secretary

Clarisse Daudet

Secretary Danielle Hince

Parent Committee

Sandi Schell President

evpc09@gmail.com

After School Program YMCA-YWCA 204-255-6201

Family Centre Shawna Crane 204-253-1375

shawna.crane@lrsd.net

Louis Riel School Division Board Office

900 St. Mary’s Road Winnipeg, MB R2M 3R3

204-257-7827

Transportation (Regular Inquiry)

204-253-2681 ext. 337

Administrators’ Message

January 2017

Happy New Year – Bonne et Heureuse Année!

We trust that everyone had a restful holiday and that you had the opportuni-

ty to spend time with family and friends. We look forward to a great 2017

filled with a variety of learning opportunities and experiences. Many thanks

to all who contributed to helping families in need through donations of coins,

mittens, toques, scarves and non-perishable food items.

We look forward to a great 2017 filled with a variety of learning opportuni-

ties and experiences. A number of special presentations and activities await

our students this month:

Our Grade 5-8 citizenship group that works with seniors in our com-

munity will be welcoming the elderly from Riverside Lions to our

school on January 23 for the afternoon for reading and playing games.

Our Grade 7 and 8 will showcase their talents at the first Band/Guitar

concert on January 31 at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain at 7

pm.

Grade 7 and 8 students will be leaving for Quebec on their exchange

trip on February 1st for one week.

Grade 4 students will be participating in ORFF day at Centre Culturel-

Franco-Manitobain on February 7.

NEW this year: Pancake supper! This will replace the pancake break-

fast. This event will take place on February 15 from 5-7 pm. Order

forms will be sent home soon.

It will certainly be a busy month!

The Parent Committee has worked hard at organizing various activities and

fundraising opportunities. These initiatives help support cultural activities

and learning across the curriculum. Find out how you can help our school

and how you can actively participate in École Varennes Parent Committee by

contacting Sandi Schell, president at evpc09@gmail.com.

Best wishes for 2017!

École Varennes

ECOLE VARENNES Page 2

Friday, February 3

Friday, March 17

Friday, April 21

Friday, May 12

Friday, June 16

Professional Development Days

2016-2017

Tuesday, January 24

Tuesday, February 28

Tuesday, March 21

Tuesday, April 25

Tuesday, May 23

Friday, June 30

Early Dismissal Days (Classes dismissed at 2:00 pm)

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, January 18 – Grade 4 immunizations

Thursday, January 19 – Family Fun Night: 6-8 pm

Tuesday, January 24 – Early Dismissal: 2 pm

Wednesday, January 25 – Grade 3 and 4 (Mme Muller Bulg-er and Mme Laurie) outing to Canadian Museum of Human Rights: 12-2:30 pm

Wednesday, January 25 – French Immersion Forum: 7 pm at Collège Jeanne-Sauvé

Friday, January 27 – Hot Lunch (Booster Juice and perogies)

Monday, January 30 – Grade 5/6 outing to Aviation Muse-um

Tuesday, January 31 – Grade 7 and 8 Band/Guitar Concert: 7 pm at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain

Wednesday, February 1 to Wednesday, February 8: Grade 7 and 8 Quebec Exchange trip

Friday, February 3 – Professional Learning Day: No school for students

Tuesday, February 7 – Grade 4 ORFF: Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain

Wednesday, February 15 – EVPC Pancake Supper: 5-7 pm

Monday, February 20 – Louis Riel Day: No school

Friday, February 24 – Hot Lunch

Monday, February 27 – Parent Committee Meeting: 6:30 pm in library

Tuesday, February 28 – Early Dismissal: 2 pm

Tuesday, February 28 – Kindergarten Information Evening: 7 pm in school gym

The Louis Riel School Board is inviting parents, staff, students, and

interested members of the community to attend a “French Immer-

sion Community Forum” being held in the Collège Jeanne-Sauvé

gymnasium (1128 Dakota St) at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January

25th, 2017. The Louis Riel School Board would like to gather the

community to share important information related to our journey

so far and, more importantly, where our journey is taking us. Some

of the goals of the forum will be to:

• Share a historical perspective of changes that have occurred in FI

in LRSD.

• Share an accurate picture of the current FI situation in LRSD.

• Share long-term strategies that the LRSD would like to implement

to meet the demand for the FI program.

• Share the importance of the government partnering with us to

address the demands and the needs of our growing FI community.

• Mobilize the FI community (families, students, staff, and friends)

to advocate for the strategies going forward.

Please call 204-257-7827 to confirm your attendance.

French Immersion Forum

Hot Lunch Dates

Friday, January 27

Friday, February 24

Friday, March 24

Friday, April 28

Friday, May 26

Friday, June 23

ECOLE VARENNES Page 3

News Around the School

Winter Clothing

As winter is now fully upon us, we would like to remind

parents to label all outerwear, including:

Snowpants

Winter coat

Boots

Scarves, mittens, and tuques

When an outerwear item goes missing, recess can seem

long for students who are not well-dressed for the wea-

ther. Lost or misplaced labelled items can be quickly re-

turned to the rightful owner rather than be placed in the

lost and found box. Thank you for your cooperation in this

matter.

Library News

Every year around the time the snow starts, we have

come to expect to see some books that have fallen

out of backpacks. Over the last couple of weeks, how-

ever, we have had numerous books returned with

major water damage. Please help us by making sure

that your child’s book is safely put in his or her bag

and that if it is with a water bottle that the bottle is

empty or tightly sealed. We have started to remind

our classes how to properly take care of their books.

No one likes to read a book that is wrinkled or worse,

moldy. The books in our library belong to everyone

in our community (students, parents, and staff) and

we want to make sure that everyone has the chance

to enjoy them.

School Lunch Fees

A reminder for parents who have not yet paid

their lunch fees that payment is now due on Fe-

bruary 1, 2017.

Eating lunch at school could not be possible wi-

thout the presence of lunchroom supervisors.

These adults provide supervision to your children

in the lunchroom and outside. Lunch fees cover

the cost of employing supervisors. If you have

any questions or concerns regarding the lunch

program, please contact Mme DeCruyenaere

di-

Parent Committee News

The next Parent Committee meeting will take place on

Monday, February 27 at 6:30 pm in the school library. All

parents are welcome. Come drop by and find out what

the Parent Committee is all about. A free child care ser-

vice will be offered.

This year, we will be offering a pan-

cake supper! It will take place on

February 15 from 5-7 pm. Order

forms will be sent out in the very

near future. If you’re interested in

helping to set up, serve, or clean-up, please leave your

name with the school office.

To keep up on Parent Committee happenings, click on

the “Parent Committee” link on our main school web site

at http://www.lrsd.net/schools/varennes. Meeting agen-

das, minutes, and other related materials are all posted

there for your information. You may also like to check

out the bulletin board across from the main office.

ECOLE VARENNES Page 4

News Around the School

Grade 7 and 8 Quebec Exchange Trip

A total of 30 Grade 7 and 8 students from École Va-

rennes will be participating in an exchange trip orga-

nized by Expériences Canada. Our students will be

going to Warwick, Québec from February 1-8. They

will get to experience French culture with their 35

twins from École secondaire Monique-Proulx while

participating in a variety of activities: visit to Old Qué-

bec, skiing, dog-sledding, sugar shack, winter tubing

just to name a few. Students from Québec will be

visiting Winnipeg from May 3-10.

Fundraising for this trip will be taking place

throughout the remainder of the year. Stay tuned for

more informa-

tion.

Family Gym Night

What is it?

Children and their parents engage in physical activity in the

school gym.

Who’s Invited?

Open to all families. No previous experience

required. Parents must stay to supervise their children, i.e. children cannot be dropped off.

What’s Planned?

A variety of age-appropriate games.

When?

Tuesdays evenings, 6:00-7:00 pm

What’s Needed? All equipment is provided. Please bring non-marking indoor

shoes. No food or drink other than water are permitted.

Cost? This is a free program offered by Community Liaison Worker,

Paulette Côté

Please spread the word to other families with young chil-dren living in our area.

Come check out our Facebook page and watch for updates on all of our upcoming projects

and events. You’ll also be able to discover new music, books, movies, games, as well as oth-

er fun French language events taking place across Manitoba!

Visit the French for Life Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FrenchForLife; don’t forget to

“Like” us before you leave and spread the word! You can also follow them on Twitter at

@frenchforlife2

Parents, teachers, administrators and students can also

visit our blog at www.frenchforlife.ca to learn about cul-

tural events and other upcoming opportunities taking

place en français in Manitoba.

ECOLE VARENNES Page 5

Kindergarten Information Evening

An information meeting will be held for par-

ents of children who will be entering Kin-

dergarten next fall. The meeting will take

place on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 7:00

pm in the school gym.

If you know of people who may be interest-

ed in attending the meeting in order to find

out more about the immersion program,

and, more specifically about École

Varennes, please let them know about this

information meeting.

Kindergarten registration will take place

during the week of March 20 to March 24

from 8 am to 4 pm, with hours extended to

8 pm on March 23. Children born in 2012

are eligible to register. The child’s birth cer-

tificate or Manitoba

Health card is required.

Please call 204-253-1375

for further information.

Bus Transportation During Cold Weather

During extreme cold conditions, buses can-

not operate safely. If the Environment Can-

ada weather station at the Forks indicates

a wind chill or air temperature of –45 or

below at 6:00 am, the superintendent will

cancel school bus transportation and com-

municate his decision to the media.

Schools will remain open, however.

Please remember that if buses are can-

celled in the morning, they are also can-

celled in the afternoon. If you drop your

child off at school, kindly make arrange-

ments to pick them up at 3:00 pm.

International Student Program

The International Student Program is accepting homestay family application forms. Throughout

the school year there is a need for families willing to host both male and female students. For the

current academic year, there is a higher demand for families willing to host male students. All

homestay family applicants are welcome, however. We are looking for both short and long term placements.

If you are considering hosting an international student and would like more information, please call the Homestay

Coordinator, Evelyn Sieben, at the International Education Department. Please reach her at 204-223-0674 to discuss

further details. You can also send your questions or application request by email to

evelyn.sieben@lrsd.net to see how this program could fit with your family. You can view full program information

online at http://isp.lrsd.net where applications are available.

ECOLE VARENNES Page 6

Student Services News

You can access fantastic Math resources through the Department of Education website. These documents in particular

are valuable resources for parents:

1) Math Matters: A Parent’s Report on What’s New in Math

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/parents/mathmatters/index.html

This report shares how the new math curriculum was developed as well as some features of the new mathematics frame-

works. It also discusses ways how parents can help their child learn.

2) Helping Your Child Learn Math: A Parent’s Guide

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/parents/learn/math.pdf

This guide suggests simple activities that parents can do with their child at home.

3) Early Years Mathematics and Games

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/math/games/index.html#home

These activities and games are in MS-Word and Adobe PDF files. They include information for parents.

Have fun browsing!

How Can You Raise a Reader?

Most parents will do almost anything to keep their children from going hungry. Similarly, they must honour the importance of

providing children with “food for thought” and stock up on good books. And not just any books will do. If the content is going

to speak to kids, it needs to be age-appropriate.

Grownups can see what appeals to beginning readers. In your child’s favourite book, notice these characteristics:

Size of print

Number of words per page

Type of story that satisfies your child

Look for more of the same and make it available until your young reader reaches the next ability level in reading.

Reaching the Reluctant Reader

If your child avoids reading, try stocking up on the high-interest types of books that attract even the most reluctant reader:

Joke and riddle books

Comics and graphic novels

Nonfiction books about your child’s favourite subjects

Hobby and sports magazines

Humourous stories

Celebrity and athlete biographies

Beginner mystery stories

“Best bets” that always turn your child on Adapted from: Raising Kids Who Read – YMCA Canada

ECOLE VARENNES Page 7

Staying Active as a Family Throughout Winter

Some people feel that the bitter cold of winter makes it difficult to stay active. But our bodies need physical

activity year round in order to stay healthy.

“Families don’t have to hibernate in the winter, as long as they’re dressing for the weather,” says Lisa

Scharf, Physical Activity Manager at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Experts recommend that

we get 30-60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Here are some ways to stay active as a fa-

mily during the winter time:

Go skating: Every year The Forks builds a skating trail along the Assiniboine and Red Rivers, and it is

one of the longest trails in the world. And there are many other outdoor and indoor places to skate

across the province. Ice skating will strengthen your heart and lungs, and tone your muscles.

Build a snowman: Make it a family tradition to go out and build a snowman every winter. Or even

better: build a snowman “family”. It takes teamwork to build a snowman, so not only will your family

be getting the heart healthy benefits of physical activity, but you will be bonding as a family.

Take a walk: The outdoors will look very different when everything is covered with white, but it is still

beautiful, so go for a walk as a family. Bring a camera, and capture lasting heart healthy memories to

put in the photo album. If the weather is too cold to walk outdoors, walk indoors at a mall or a gym.

Go tobogganing: Take your sleds out, and go to a hill as a family. Climbing up a hill is a great physical

activity, and sliding back down again is great fun.

It is important to remember to dress for the weather during outdoor activities over the winter. “Dress in

layers, and be sure to wear proper clothing such as toques and mitts,” says Scharf. “Make sure you go out in

the daylight, that you go out as a group, and that people know where you’re going.”

According to Scharf, participating in physical activity builds quality family relationships. “This winter, sche-

dule in some physical activity to do together as a family. Your body, and your heart, will thank you.”

Community Connections…

We wish the Varennes Community a happy and

healthy New Year in 2017!!!

Riverside Lions Visit – Our choir was such a hit with the Riverside

Lions community! Both the choir students and the citizenship group

members assisted in creating a very memorable day for the seniors.

Riverside Lions hosted us with gingerbread cookie decorating for

everyone after the carols were sung and the student helpers assisted

in distributing a healthy snack for all! The next event will take place

at École Varennes on Monday, January 23rd when we will once again read to the seniors

and play games in the library. A very big thank you to Mme Boetcher, Mme Fiola and

Twila MacNair for your work in planning and making the day successful!

Food Bank Update – Joan Boone presented to the students on December 15th to

welcome volunteers back to the food bank on Wednesday afternoons. Special thanks

to Emma, Whitney, Rachel, Luke, Calli, Brayden, Samantha, Kyla, Jeremy, Lyric, Rylan,

Sheridan, Deja, Finley, Melat, Mary and Rhianne for generously offering to volunteer

their time to help out in our community! The grades 5 to 8 students asked many

discerning questions as they learned more about the food bank support that is

available to folks living in our community. Joan also expressed gratitude for the food

that was donated recently from our school. The plan is to

begin volunteering Wednesday, January 18th and will

continue until the end of May. Students and their

families are encouraged to contact St. Mary’s Road United

Church if they are interested in volunteering during the

summer months.

Family Gym Nights – Family gym nights have started up again on Tuesdays from 6 pm

to 7 pm. I have received feedback from some families that they are coming directly

from daycare and need to stop for fast food on the way. As we are wanting to

encourage folks in their quest to lead healthier lifestyles and to make

things easier for them to do so, we willhave a bowl of fruits and

vegetables available for folks to munch on prior to entering the gym.

We will also have Rachel Tessier, RD out on January 31st from Sobey’s

when she will share some fun ideas for vegetables in your children’s

lunches after gym time as well bringing a tasty snack with the

community. Please note on your calendar February 28th gym night is cancelled due

to Kindergarten Information Evening being held on the same night in the gym.

Growing our Garden – If parents are interested in starting

seeds at home for the community garden before the planting

season, feel free to contact Paulette Côté for seeds at

paulette.cote@lrsd.net . Check out

http://www.motherearthnews.com/ for tips on indoor gardening.

Family Fun Night – We are pleased to be hosting over 200 Varennes family members

for our Family Fun Night on Thursday, January 19th! A snack will be offered in the

gym between sessions. Enjoy!!!

Junior Chef Training – Grades 5 and 6 students…Sign up for cooking classes with Mme

Paulette and Mme Amy-Leigh. We will be taking six students/session on a first

come/first serve basis. If we have enough interest, we will run a second session

after spring break and again in the fall. The final class will involve an invitation to

parents to share in their junior chefs’ experience!

Thank you to our parent community!!! Special thanks to the Mukaniks, the Sachers, Mme

Andréa, M. Kyle and the MacDonalds for the

use of their mixers for our gingerbread

house activity. Also thanks to Rayette Giles,

Megan MacDonald, Mme Duncan, M. Kyle, and

Tanya Shuturma for all their help with making

the icing. Special thanks to M. Kyle for help in organizing and to Mme Shawna and Mme

Kristine for all their help during the event. Thank you to Kristy Thibodeau and Rayette

Giles for help with the distribution of fruit bowls last month. If you are a parent who

would like to help out with events at school, please contact Paulette to have your name

added to the list. With your support, we can do much!

Indigenous News – It was so much fun to join in

with Mme Duncan’s Indigenous Citizenship Group

who are learning about the Seven Sacred

Teachings with Mme Andrea Leach from LRSD’s

Indigenous Department. The first teaching was

on Respect and how the buffalo supplied the

First Peoples with clothing, shelter and utensils

they needed to survive. She told us a story of

how the two are tied together and encouraged the students to think about how each

of the buffalo’s parts could be useful in everyday life. The students listened closely

to her story and then came up with some very creative ideas!!!

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

Gym N Play

8:45-11:00am

Stay N Play

12:30-2:45pm

2

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

3

Closed

Inservice

6

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Baby N Me

1:00-2:30pm

7

Gym N Play

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

8

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Stay N Play

12:30-2:45pm

9

Gym N Play

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

10

Closed

Professional

Development

13

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Baby N Me

1:00-2:30pm

14

Valentines

Party

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

15

Gym N Play

8:45-11:00am

Stay N Play

12:30-2:45pm

16

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

17

Gym N Play

8:45-11:00am

Closed PM

20

Closed

Louis Riel Day

21

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

22

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Stay N Play

12:30-2:45pm

23

Sledding at St.

Vital Park

10am-2pm

*Weather

Permitting

24

Family

Breakfast

9:00-11:00am

Closed PM

27

Stay N Play

8:45-11:00am

Baby N Me

1:00-2:30pm

28

Gym N Play

8:45-11:00am

Coffee Time

1:00-2:30pm

February Calendar

Calendrier de Février

Family Centre

Centre Familial

February Newsletter

Bulletin de Février

Family Centre/Centre Familial

On February 23rd, we will be Sledding at St. Vital Park from 10am-2pm. This

will be a come and go event. We will supply hot chocolate and fruit! Bring your

toboggans, sleds or whatever you’d like to use and even your lunch if you’d like

to stay and eat there! This event will be weather permitting and we will

reschedule if necessary. Regular Stay N Play (morning) and Coffee Time

(afternoon) will occur if we need to cancel that day. ALL ARE WELCOME TO

ATTEND! COFFEE TIME-Join us Tuesday and

Thursday afternoons for coffee, talk

and play. This is an unstructured

event where parents and children can

play and chat. ALL ARE WELCOME

TO ATTEND!

We will be doing lots of outdoor play

as the weather cooperates. Please

come prepared to go outside and play!

On February 14th, we will have our

Valentine’s Day Party. We will have

themed activities, snacks and FUN!

If you’d like to bring a treat, just

ensure it is nut free!

Stay N Play- is a program for parents

and children 0-5! We do activities,

songs, stories and provide a healthy

snack. Mornings are 8:45-11:00am

and afternoons are 12:30-2:45pm.

Shawna Crane-Family Centre Co-ordinator shawna.crane@lrsd.net 204-253-1375

Kristine Bettercourt-Family Centre Assistant kristine.bettencourt@lrsd.net

Paulette Cote-Community Liaison Worker paulette.cote@lrsd.net