Term 1 Week 9

26 March, 2009

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Friday, 27 March Last day to return High School Placement forms

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Mr Patterson has been offered the relieving School Education Director position in Network 8 for the rest of the year. He has accepted this position but assures us that he will return in 2010 to Carlton. Mrs Tollis will be the relieving Principal for the rest of the year from Term 2. Ms Rasmussen will continue in the role as Deputy Principal also for the rest of the year. Mrs Sadleir will be taking leave for the last two terms. It is pleasing for parents to know that Mr Patterson can be out of his school for a whole year and the school continues to thrive. That is the mark of a great leader!

GOOD DEED

Thank you to the very quick and caring mother who assisted one of our grandparents on Monday afternoon. The poor man’s leg started to bleed and this wonderful mother rushed to help stop the bleeding and get assistance from the Office. The ambulance officer said that her quick thinking had saved this man’s life. Fantastic community spirit from a Carlton parent!

HARMONY MUFTI DAY

This was indeed a very colourful event. The yellow and orange clothes indicated that parents and students are really taking Harmony Month issues seriously. Congratulations for raising enough money for the sponsorship of our world Vision student in Indonesia. We also had enough money to donate $150 to cancer research in the Relay for Life event. Any money still left over will be used for charitable causes.

STAGE RESOURCES

Thank you all the parents who have paid their class resources for 2009. I have asked all teachers to follow up their records for payment of stage resources. We would like all amounts to be finalised before the end of term. With this money the school pays for items like text books and other programs. We can only run these programs if parents pay their Stage Resources

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

I am pleased to report that the School Council is working to develop a “Nut Awareness” Policy for the school. We realize that we cannot declare Carlton a “Nut Free” school but we do aim to make everyone aware of the dangers for those with nut allergies. Included in this newsletter is some information of nut allergies.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Letters have been sent home for you to nominate a time that is convenient for parents to come to school to talk to the class teacher about your child’s progress and successes or any concerns that you may have. Please note that interview times are limited to about 10 minutes. Please be prompt in arriving for the interview and that there will most likely be other parents waiting for their time or the teacher may have to return to the class. We have had a very good response from parents this year. It is satisfying to see so many parents taking the time to come up to the school.

SECONDARY ENROLMENT FORMS

All Year 6 students now have received their High school expression of interest enrolment forms. The forms are due back at school by tomorrow, 27 March 2009.

NAPLAN

Many parents are anxious about the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). Included in the newsletter is an information pamphlet for parents about NAPLAN and also the NAPLAN website. If you miss this it can be found at www.naplan.edu.au

EARTH HOUR

NSW Government schools are supporting Earth Hour. The Earth Hour program encourages Sydney to switch off its lights for one hour this Saturday 28 March from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. This activity is a demonstration of how individuals and organizations can take action against global warming. Visit the Earth Hour website http://www.earthhour.org

MOTHERS’ DAY STALL

Our wonderful Community Club members are busy organizing the Mothers’ Day stall which will be held early next term (just after we return from holidays). We would appreciate donations from parents of suitable items that children might like to buy for their mums or special people on this day. Donations can be: perfume, deodorants, hair clips, jewellery, photo frames, ornaments, photo albums and frames, fancy soaps, crocheted/knitted coat hangers, bed socks, ornaments, make up purses etc. We can only accept brand new or as new items. Please do not send in any used items. We also need helpers to tie a ribbon on items or wrap them in cellophane during the school holidays. If you can help in this way please leave your name and address at the school office and Ms Jacobson will contact you.

MOTHERS’ DAY LUCKY CLASS

Each class will have a box in their room, for the collection of these donations, and the class that brings in the most will have a Hungry Jack Meal Deal voucher. Thank you to Mr Mick Holzer for this fantastic donation. For the other classes, there will also be a bag of lollies for the class in each grade that brings in the most items.

EASTER RAFFLE

Don’t miss out on your family’s chance to be a winner in the Easter raffle. The draw will take place in the whole school assembly on Monday 6 April, 2009. There will also be a lucky draw prize for a child who has returned the whole book sold.

SPORT TERM TWO FOR YEARS 3 - 6

Carlton Public School offers a wonderful choice of sports for students. Recently students would have received a number of notes about Basketball, Gymnastics, Swimming, Mini Tennis, Tennis, Netball, Soccer and Oz Tag. We would encourage students to be as active as possible and participate in sports. Most of the sports are filling up quickly. If you want your child to have their choice of sport you will need to send a note and money back to school as soon as possible.

PSSA TEAM SELECTION

All winter sports team selections have now been completed. Teams are selected after an extensive trial period process. Teachers assess skills, abilities, knowledge of the game and the capacity to participate in a team situation. Selections are highly competitive and priority is always given to Stage 3 and students who participate in weekend competitions. Congratulations and good luck to those students who have been selected for winter PSSA teams.

THE ENTERTAINMENT BOOK

The Entertainment book is a great discount book of vouchers that allows families and friends to dine, shop, travel at up to 50% off or gives you access to “two for one” deals. Many parents each year buy the book from the school. The cost of the book is $65 and I can guarantee you will save hundreds and hundreds of dollars throughout the year if you shop, dine out, travel or take your kids to the movies or use fast food outlets. Please complete the form and return it and money in a sealed envelope to school. We will have the books to you by 8 April 2009. If payment is made by 30 March 2009 you will receive an extra page of vouchers to spend. This is a tremendous offer.

ALL VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

This is a reminder to all parents who come to the school during the hours of 9am and 2.30pm Term 1 or 9am and 3pm during Terms 2-4. You must come to the front office, sign in and collect an orange visitor’s badge. Staff have the right to challenge you if you are on the premises without a badge. This policy is for the safety of your children.

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

It has been noticed that there are a number of parents allowing their children to climb up the poles of the shade cloth over the fixed equipment in the afternoon after school has finished. This is a dangerous practice and one that is not recommended. The school advises all parents that the school will not accept any responsibility for any child who is injured on the fixed equipment after school. Children should keep their shoes on when on the equipment and parents are asked to carefully supervise their children at all times.

STUDENT TOILETS

Parents, these toilets are for the use of the students. If you use the student toilets are you are putting yourself in danger of violating Child Protection procedures. If you have to use the toilet please use the ones in the hall.

CANTEEN PRODUCTS

The canteen is always trying to improve the quality of service and products on sale. Recently a new drink was introduced. This product is called LOL (Laugh Out Loud). The drink is 99% fruit juice with sparkling water. There is no added sugar, no artificial colours or flavours, no preservatives but there is extra vitamin C. Each can of drink equals one serving of fruit. If your children will not eat fruit this may be an alternative.

DISCIPLINE / LEVELS POLICY

Included in this newsletter is a copy of our Discipline/Levels Policy. It is important for parents to support the school when a child has not observed the school rules. For every action there is a consequence. Some consequences are very good and others are not. Part of growing up into a sensible adult is accepting responsibility for bad or inappropriate behaviour. When a child is sent to Time Out from bad playground behaviour or if a child is on a discipline level s/he must attend Time Out in the Basement room. The children are supervised usually by a senior teacher or a member of the Executive. Children are not allowed to eat during this time and must sit quietly and reflect on their behaviour and decide on a more acceptable form of behaviour.

Carlton Public School Discipline Levels System

Carlton public School’s Levels system complements the existing Fair Discipline Code. It makes consequences more immediate and relevant to the student’s unacceptable behaviour, while simplifying the supervisory tasks of those who monitor it.

Discipline Levels

Students are placed on discipline levels for inappropriate behaviour in the classroom, playground, at sport or during any school activity. Students are placed on these levels through the “Time Out” system, through Stage Supervisors, the Principal or Deputy Principal. They cannot receive Bronze, Silver or Gold awards until they have been off all levels. The names of students on levels or referred for inappropriate behaviour, will be recorded on a database for monitoring purposes.

Courage Perseverance Success

All students are expected to: * be cooperative, * work and play in a safe environment, *be polite and courteous, * try their best at all times, * think about the feelings of others, * show respect for the property of themselves and that of others, *take responsibility for their actions, * follow the school rules

Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Behaviours
o Sent to Time Out twice in 2 weeks for playground offences o Name in supervisor’s book twice in two weeks for – disrupting others, late for class lines, disobedience, rudeness, disrespect, back chatting, unsafe play o serious breach of school rules	o vandalism o stealing o fighting o swearing o serious bullying or harassment of others o arguing with school staff or parents o serious breach of school rules o Re-offending while on Level 1	o re-offending while on Level 2 o serious breach of school rules	o re-offending while on Level 3 o serious breach of school rules Automatic suspension will include: * possession of banned drugs at school * possession of a weapon of any type * extreme violence * swearing at a member of staff
Actions
Øseveral warnings given Øletter sent home Ø2 days in Time Out Ørestitution task Ø1 week without further misbehaviour Ø no bronze, silver or gold award given	Ø letter sent to parent and an interview with parent Ø card for Playground Ø5 days in Time Out Ø no participation in school events including sport Ø 1 week on Level 1 with no detention Ø no bronze, silver etc	Ø letter sent to parents and an interview with parents and key personnel Ø in-school suspension-5 days Ø no participation in school functions including sport Ø playground card Ø no bronze, silver etc	Ø interview with parents and key personnel, letter given to parents Ø suspension for specified period of time Ø parents and student attend interview for re-instated into school after suspension

ANAPHYLAXIS

What is it?

It is a severe allergic reaction. It can cause severe sickness or death! It can happen in seconds, minutes or even hours after someone has been exposed to the ‘allergen” (allergy source). Urgent medical treatment is required. Call OOO if you think someone is having anaphylactic reaction. If an EPI – PEN is available for the child they must be given the dose of adrenaline immediately!

Symptoms: any or all may occur

SKIN – Flushed face, hives, clammy sweaty. Tingling itchy or swollen lips, tongue, eyes.

BREATHING/CIRCULATION – Coughing, choking, voice change, increased heart rate, chest tightness, loss of consciousness

STOMACH – Cramps, vomiting, diarrhea

BEHAVIOUR – Dizziness, confusion, anxiety, fear

Nut Aware Snack Ideas (check labels)

Ø Yoghurt, cheese slices

Ø Fruit Bars, fruit, vegetables

Ø Cracker biscuit, bread sticks, popcorn, nacho chips

Ø Homemade muffins or cookies

Nut Aware Lunch Ideas (check labels)

ü Cheese sandwich with lettuce or sprouts

ü Bagel sandwiches with deli meat and cream cheese

ü Pizza pockets

ü Pita bread with cheese and sprouts

BREAD “COOKIES”

Cut plain whole grain bread into shapes with cookie cutters. Make faces or spell names with cream cheese and mandarin or orange slices and/or raisins

ANTS ON A LOG

Celery sticks with cream cheese and raisins

APPLE SANDWICH

Core and slice an apple crosswise. Make a sandwich with the apple, using cheddar cheese or ricotta in the middle.

In Nut Aware schools the children and families work together to develop a reasonable safety plan for the child. Allergy kits can be on hand and adults are trained to use them properly. Other children can be taught about respecting allergies and how to help a student in an emergency.

All children with severe allergies and with asthma must let the school know. We keep health care plans for the correct way to manage an allergy and an asthma register for those children with this problem.