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The Citizen, 2015-12-10, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015. PAGE 13. Maitland River ES to get new vice-principal By Principal Angela Cowley Like always, there is so much to choose to write about at Maitland River Elementary School (MRES) so I thought I would narrow it down to things that we are building. Have you heard of the Building Bridges to our Future Campaign? The goal of this community-based campaign is to provide playground equipment at Maitland River Elementary School, to put in place an environmental learning grounds, and to revitalize the track and sports fields at F.E. Madill Secondary School. Ensuring that the track is fully accessible is a key component of the plan. Both schools are used by the community a lot. The ultimate goal is that both sites would have much more to offer the students who use them every day and as well to community members. Some work has already been done. For example, phase one of the playground equipment at MRES is complete. There is beautiful new equipment that our primary students are enjoying. The campaign’s plan includes the potential installation of equipment for our junior students. We can imagine how terrific it will be to have this in place. Aspects of the learning grounds are also in place. For example, gorgeous trees and shrubbery have been planted and our “sitting circle” is started. Last time I wrote to you I shared that we were beginning to build a community closet. It is built! In our front lobby there are racks with warm coats and snow pants, there is a bin with many hats to choose from, and another with an abundance of mittens. Thank you to everyone who donated. Know that the closet has been used a lot. We are building a foundation in reading and writing. We have adopted four main purposes for reading and writing: to inform, to persuade, to narrate and to describe. Teachers will anchor all writing lessons and assignments to these four purposes; form, audience, and topic will be explored from them. We are building courage to say goodbye to our wonderful vice- principal, Mrs. Marie McDade. She has worked hard to meet the requirements, both academic and practical, necessary to become a principal in the Avon Maitland District School Board and in January she will begin a new role as principal of Clinton Public School. We will miss her kind spirit and her gentle nature. Mrs. Lori Stevens, who is currently a teacher at Clinton Public, will be our new vice-principal. This will be her first administrative role. The excitement of Christmas is building! It is getting harder and harder to focus on school work. Luckily we have our Holiday Show (Christmas Concert) coming up. It will take place on Dec. 16. We have staggered the performance times based on grades to ensure that there is sufficient parking and seating accommodations for our guests. The kindergarten classes will perform at 9:30 a.m., students in Grade 1 will perform at noon, and finally our students in Grades 2 and 3 will perform at 6:30 p.m. I want to personally wish you a great holiday. My hope is to spend some quality time with my family and I hope that you get to do the same. Take time to do whatever it takes to rejuvenate your soul and rekindle your spirits so that you are ready for the challenges and the celebrations of 2016. Until next time, know that Maitland River Elementary School remains a great place to be. Brussels 519-887-6277 www.mcdonaldhomehardware.com McDonald Home Hardware Building Centre Work Wear Lug Bags and Accessories Melissa & Doug Toys Kuraidori Cooking & Baking Products Giftware and Home Décor Christmas Decorations NO TAX on the following regular priced items Until December 31 Save on Something for Everyone Dunlop Thermo+ Boots $19999 Specialty Coffees & Espresso Bar 430 Queen St., Blyth 226-523-9720 Wi-Fi access • queensbakery@tcc.on.ca Lunches, Fresh Pie, Buttermilk Biscuits, Cake, Muffins, Cookies & Squares Local Artisan Cheese, Ontario Wines & Craft Beer Licensed (under AGCO) RESERVATIONS 226.523.9720 queensbakery@tcc.on.ca After hours phone: 519-523-4590 or 519-525-8007 QUEEN’S BAKERY SUITES 430 Queen Street 409 QUEEN STREET SUITES 409 Queen Street BLY T H Main Street Accommodations After hours: 519-523-4590 519-525-8007 Call now for your gift baskets or gift certificates 44229 Amberley Road west of Molesworth 519-291-4643 www.old86famersmarket.com Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm Sunday 10 am - 5 pm Christmas Shopping Specials December 12 &13 only Nostalgic Tin Signs $1199 reg.$1599 All other Unique Sayings Signs 20% off Fresh cedar roping, wreaths and Christmas patio pots Give a BOOK for Christmas We have the perfect solution for the hard-to- buy-for person on your list. Drop in and check out our great selection of books for all ages. The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 Holiday Gift Guide