Friday, June 9, 2023

Dear First Avenue Families,

I am excited to announce that we are adding a second Kindergarten next year. So far, we have about 42
registrations for next year, and we will be opening the new class across the hall!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that we will see many of you tonight at our drama performance!

Sincerely,

Tim Brock - Principal

Tonight’s Performance - All Welcome:

Our amazing drama club, Mme Chloe and Ms. Ward will present
the debut performance of The Strange Little Man tonight at 5:30
pm. Tickets are based on what you choose to donate to the
production, and there will be a canteen with treats for purchase.

The cast gave two performances to the students from Mutchmor

and one performance for First Avenue already this week. The
reviews are rolling in and the critics are raving about this year’s
production.

This event is open to the whole school community, but feel free to
also invite family, friends and neighbours!

Use of Cell Phones at School:

Recently, we have had a few incidents of students using their cell phones during nutrition break and on the
yard before school and during recess. This is a new phenomenon at First Avenue, so we want to approach this
from an educational perspective. As parents/caregivers, it would be helpful to reinforce the following
expectations regarding the use of cell phones and smartwatches during school hours:

1. If cell phones are not required as a communication

device, it’s best to keep them at home to avoid
damage, theft or the temptation of using them during
school hours
2. Students who bring them to school are expected to keep
cell phones secure in their bags and out of sight
3. If a students requires the use of their phone to
communicate with you, they must request permission
from staff and use them in the office
4. Students are expected to refrain from using
smartwatches to text and communicate during school
hours - if they need to use them to connect with you,
they may do so in the office
From the Library:

This was our last week to check out books. All books are due next week. I have to switch the days that I'm here
next week so those students who normally visit the library on Tuesdays will be coming on Monday.

Classes visiting on Monday are: Classes visiting on Thursday are:

Ms. McKay's 1/2 Mr. B's 5/6

Ms. Ward's 3/4 Mme Chan's 5/6 and
Ms. Murdock's 2/3 Ms. Murdock's 2/3 French class with Mme Chloe
Mme Chloe's 4/5
Ms. Wilson's 5/6

Thank you so much for encouraging your child to return their library books. It keeps our collection together so
that other students can enjoy our wonderful books.

From the Book Sale Committee:

Thank you to all those families who dropped off

used books this week for our Fall Book Sale. We're
off to a great start!

In June we're accepting book donations:

● during morning drop-off

● at the June 9th drama production
● at the Carnival and BBQ on June 15th
● with Miss Kelly in the library

Students will receive a raffle ticket for their donation

(one ticket per student per week). We'll have a
weekly draw for a $25 gift card to Octopus Books
on June 9th, June 16th and June 23rd (please note
the change of raffle dates from last week's
newsletter - these new dates are locked in). Winners
are selected from the raffle tickets given out for that
week - a donation each week means that you
have a chance of winning each week!

We're accepting books published in the last 20

years and puzzles - both for any age.

● Proceeds from our Book Sale will be used

to purchase some awesome comfy
seating for the library, enhance our library
collection and fund some other great
projects at the school.
Plant Sale:

First Avenue will be hosting a plant sale after school next week on June 12th and June 13th.

● Tiny Tim Tomatoes $3 per pot OR 2 pots for $5

● Cucumbers $3 for 1 pot OR 2 pots for $5
● English Lavender $3 for 1 pot OR 2 pots for $5
● Rosemary $3 for 1 pot OR 2 pots for $5
● Basil $3 for 1 pot OR 2 pots for $5

By Donation:
● Aubrieta seedlings
● Hollyhock Fiesta seedlings
● Giant Delphinium seedlings

All proceeds go to re-stocking sensory items for the

Body Break room.

Summer Learning for Students in Grades 6-8:

Registration is still open for summer learning programs for students in grades 6, 7 and 8! This 17 day program runs
from July 5th- 27th and is offered at four different OCDSB schools: Broadview PS, Steve Maclean PS, Jack
Donohue PS and Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS. Visit our website for more details, and reach out to your child’s teacher if
you think your child would benefit from this program.

Launch of OSTA’s Empty Seat (Seat Availability) Program with Online Form:

The Empty Seat Registration is now open for the 2023-2024 school!

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is pleased to announce the launch of its Empty
Seat (Courtesy Seating) Program.

Students who are in the walk zone due to distance to the school,
attending a cross-boundary school
or any other logistical reason can apply for an empty seat
through OSTA. Parents and guardians are
asked to complete the online application form and only submit
one empty seat application per
student in your household. OSTA is responsible for managing all
applications, approvals and
assignments for empty seats (courtesy seating) for OCDSB and
OCSB students.

While empty seat applications are accepted throughout the school year, parents/guardians applying
for transportation during the annual October review must submit their applications no later than
Friday, September 22, 2023.

For more information about the Empty Seat (Courtesy Seating) Program or to submit an application,
visit the OSTA website: www.ottawaschoolbus.ca/empty-seat/
Upcoming Dates:

● School Council Carnival - Thursday, June 15 - 4 pm to 7 pm

● You can find the entire OCDSB Elementary School Calendar - HERE
● You can find all school specific dates on our website - HERE.