Live Healthy, Learn Well was this years theme for Education Week ~ March 4 – 10.

Many teachers incorporated discussion time into regular curriculum work and extra activity time was a must for all classes. The highlight of our week was Nutrition Fear Factor. Mr. Turpin and his grade six students sponsored a fun filled day with fearful fruits and vegetables. Students were invited to sample papayas, egg plant, prunes, gherkin pickles, sun dried tomatoes and much more. Ms Spratt’s grade five placed third with 92% of the students tasting the treats, Ms Clift’s grade six students were second with 95% and Mr. Turpin’s grade six class placed 100% with all students tasting ALL products. Mr Turpin’s class will be treated to a nutritious afternoon party and Ms. Spratt and Ms. Clift’s students enjoyed a free ice-cream recess. We will continue to promote the Education Week Theme: Live Healthy, Learn Well for the remainder of this school year.

Thank you to so many of our parents who attended our 2^nd Term Parent Teacher Interview day.

We had a wonderful turnout and appreciate the work that all of our parents are doing. Thank you for your support!

Thank you to all of our parents who supported our Scholastic Book Fair during March month.

It was a great success and it has provided us with funds to purchase much needed resources, magazines and books for our Resource Center. Once again THANK YOU!!!!

Our St. Patrick’s Day Elementary Concert was a GREAT success. Our grade 4 –5- 6 students out did themselves as they performed songs, skits, jigs and dance routines. The elementary choir completed the night with beautiful Irish music. Thank you to all who ensured this night was a great success.

We certainly enjoy the support of our community centers with after school and weekend programs.

Please encourage your children to participate in any activities that they offer during the Easter break and especially with homework club after the holiday.

There are times when the number of phone calls to the school in the afternoon is too numerous to count. We are requesting that you make arrangements with your child as to after school pick up or procedures prior to coming to school. Passing messages along to children in the afternoons means interrupting classroom teaching and instruction.

We do not permit students to use the phone to make arrangements to go to stay with a friend after school. We would appreciate your support!

We have quite a number of items building up in the front entrance area where we keep our lost and found. Please have a look for missing clothing on your next visit to the school. Please ensure to write your child’s name on all clothing items. All items will be donated to the goodwill if not collected by Easter.

Self Esteem Awards for March 2007

WOW!! Our parent representation at our monthly awards is fantastic. We appreciate your taking time away from busy schedules to participate in our assembly. It was wonderful to see our grade two students lead us in our Active School entertainment of the ‘Agagoo’. Maria Anthony and Karen Sherriffs from Active Schools were present and very impressed to see you in ‘Agadoo’ action!! Congratulations parents, grandparents and siblings who joined in the fun and got active with us!! A very special thanks to our guest presenter, Mr. Allister Dyke, Assistant Director of Personnel, of the Eastern School District. Thank you Mr. Dyke for taking your valuable time to be a special guest at Holy Cross Elementary.

Grade 6 – Mr. Turpin ~ Anthony Taylor, Chase Corcoran, Chantel Marsh, Adam Lambert

Grade 6 – Mrs. Clift ~ Ryan Haynes, Allicia Smith

Grade 5 – Mrs. Hare ~ Dylan Sheppard, Amber Brown, Kyle Hennebury

Grade 5 – Ms. Spratt ~ Ariel Howes, Joey Fitzpatrick,Kerri-lynn O’brien, Bradley Pearson

Grade 4 – Ms. Carew ~ Jesse Williams, A J Lucas, Zach Ducey

Grade 4 – Ms. Moore ~ Katelyn Leggo, Sean Hewitt, Amanda Chipman, Jessica Walsh

Grade 3 – Ms. AuCoin ~ Shea-Lynn Tucker, Samantha Squires, Cole Sheppard, Amber mulrooney

Grade 3 – Ms. Edwards/Ms. Donovan ~ Michael Conway, Brooklyn Horlick,

Grade 2 – Ms. Malone-Wight ~ Ricky Harding, Jay Haynes

Grade 2 – Ms. Davis ~ Jacob White, Leonard Brandt, Jessica Williams-Quick, Emily Newman

Grade 1 - Ms. Young ~Jessica Jack, Karissa Beck, Rebecca Leggo, Maria Mills, Kyle Wall

Kdgn ~ Ms. O’Brien ~ Madison Hennebury, Kathleen Crane, Jonathan Daley-Adams, Dillon Johnson

Skye Butler (February ~ Ethan Ebsary, Alyssia Connors)

Physical Education: Michael Conway, Ryan Tucker

Evergreen Recycling has advised us that a $20 charge will be added to our recycling every week because of operating costs. Therefore immediately following Easter we will be changing our recycling days to every second Wednesday, with the last Wednesday of each month a Blitz with prizes for the primary and Elementary division. We will post our recycling days on the HCE website and ask students to write in the homework agenda. We will monitor this new schedule and the recycling Committee will advise us of any changes. A sincere THANK YOU to our families for your continued support with the recycling program.

Recycling Dates: April 4^th and April 25^th.

The ESD has surveyed all schools under their jurisdiction to see how many schools do not have a doorbell/buzzer system installed on the main student door. Our main door is situated away from the office area and we are unable to monitor who comes in and out of the building during the school day.

Just last week we did have an unknown person enter our building, steal money from the canteen and escape through the gym doors. Earlier this year another unknown person walked up the center stairwell and was intercepted by the music room. Therefore, for the protection and safety of all students we are in correspondence with the ESD Maintenance Department to install a doorbell/buzzer on the inside door of our foyer. We will keep you informed as this process proceeds.

On behalf of HCE staff we would like to send Best Wishes to our interns, Ms. Nicole Rose – Grade 6, Ms. Ashley Royal – Grade 6, Ms. Jennifer Kelly – Kdgn, and Ms. Michelle Ridgley – Guidance as they finish their internship with our school. It has indeed been a pleasure having these students join our staff and we wish them all the best in their future teaching careers.

We are very proud to inform you that HCE was delighted to welcome Corner Brook storyteller, Elinor Benjamin, on March 21 to tell stories to the primary division as part of WORLD STORYTELLING DAY, Ms Benjamin was in St. John’s as a special guest at THE ROOMS on Wednesday night. Juanita Bates, of CBC Radio, interviewed Ms. Benjamin as well as our grade three students and Ms. Spratt about World Storytelling Day and our Arts Smart Program. The interview aired on CBC radio that day. As well on March 30, our grade two students were taped singing a story of thanks to Mary Fearon who worked with our K – 2 students. This segment was aired at 4pm on Friday evening. Congratulations to Katlyn Harte who spoke so well on behalf of the grade two students and to Ms MacLeod for her support of the program.

Rotary Music Festival is an annual event that plays a pivotal role in the development and enhancement of music education in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Rotary Music Festival is a two-part festival. Students play in a clinic for two clinicians and also perform in a concert series. In the clinic, groups are provided with wonderful opportunities. Rotary Music Festival’s mandate allows for emphasis on providing a high-quality educational experience for all participating groups. Each group performs for two renowned clinicians who then work to improve the group over a 45-minute period. The group also receives both a written and a recorded adjudication from each clinician, a CD of their performance, and a group photo.

Holy Cross Elementary Beginner and Senior Band will be participating in an afternoon clinic and an evening concert. The festival runs from April 22 to May 3, 2007. A letter with further information will follow after Easter break.

Our next Kinder start session is scheduled for Friday, April 20^th.

We will once again begin our Aquatic Safety and Swimming program following the Easter break. A schedule will be sent home to you when we return. Thank you to Mrs. Roule who coordinates this program and completes the schedule for our students and classes.

Please join us at 1:30pm Thursday in the gym for an Easter Assembly as the students parade their Easter Bonnet creations and have a sing-a-long.

The last day of classes prior to Easter break is Thursday, April 5. This is a full day of school and we will dismiss at regular time.

There are many Easter camps around the city for you to participate in. We have been asked to share a few with you:

Easter Break Adventure Camp, Craigmillar Avenue, 579-0039

Anna Templeton Egg-ceptional Easter Camp, 739-7623

Remember we are an Active School ….. keep active during your break with your friends and enjoy the fresh air, a walk in the park, a hike on the gorgeous trails or feed the ducks at a pond. Just keep moving!!

On behalf of Ms. Spratt, the entire Holy Cross Elementary Staff and myself we would like to wish you a Happy Easter. Enjoy some time with your family, friends and loved ones.

April 3^rd ~ School Council Meeting

April 4^th ~ Recycling Day

April 5^th ~ Last day of classes, Easter Holiday

April 16^th ~ School reopens