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Principal's Message

Thank You
This summer has been a particularly challenging one. For many, the bushfires have been devastating. The loss of lives and national grief is unprecedented in the history of Australian bushfire experience. Sunday, February 22, was a National Day of Mourning-Together for Victoria.

The support and assistance rendered in these difficult times not only helps those in need, but allows others not directly affected to feel that they can contribute in meaningful ways. Thank you to all those individuals and families who have donated goods and money to assist the victims of this year's bushfire disaster.

Ruskin Park Primary School community can be proud of the efforts of children, parents and staff: Annette Fitzgerald who organised a goods drop off; Department of Education-Casual Dress Day which raised $989.80 which includes the individual donations of $60 from Naseem Constance and $100 from Shan Jin; Uniting Way Pancake Tea which raised approximately $400.

A special thank you goes to The Coolstore in Ferntree Gully for their generous donation of fruit for the Pancake Tea. Also, a big thank you to Sam and Steve Unsworth and other pancake flippers - Mrs. Beare, Miss Lucas, Miss Birch, Mrs. Rainbow, Miss Campbell, Mrs. Bloom, Mrs.Vistarini, Mrs. Elms, Mrs. McCallum, Mrs. Bickford and Ms. Kelly for all their support. To Mr. Murphy and the all parents and teachers who supported the fun and games during the evening, thank you for your efforts and time.

Congratulations to all the families who attended the recent Pancake Tea and those individuals who have donated in various ways. Your generosity and kindness during this disaster is greatly appreciated.

School Council 2009
Nominations for School Council closed on Tuesday, 17 February and the number of nominations equaled the number of positions available for parent representatives. Congratulations to the following parents who are newly elected councilors in 2009:
Mr. Stephen Unsworth; Mr. David Cook; Ms. Karen Driscoll; Mrs. Anna Lewis and Mrs. Merrilyn Davidson
Two newly elected teacher representatives are Mrs. Jennie Bickford and Mr. Greg Brown.

School Councilors who will continue in their final year of a two-year term are:
Mr. Asta Chitraker; Mrs. Sara Stelfox; Mrs. Lorna Dent; Mrs. Tracey Roberts; Mrs. Leanne Smith; Mrs. Lynn Williams and Ms. Mary Kelly

The first Annual General Meeting and first School Council meeting will take place on Monday, 16 March at 7:00 pm. I look forward to working closely with the school council to continue to provide all children at Ruskin Park Primary School with exceptional learning experiences and opportunities that will enable them to be successful and happy citizens of the future.

This and That
In the yearly school calendar the Year 4 Camp takes place from October 12-14 only. Please delete the year 4 camp dates in September. We apologize for this error.

Thank you to Mr. Martin Dankwort who spent all of Friday, 20 February cleaning away debris and undergrowth outside room 3 in preparation for the upcoming Working Bee on Thursday, 5 March from 4-6:30 pm.

Parent/Teacher interviews will take place during the week of March 2-6. All parents are encouraged to participate either in person or by telephone. This is an important first point of contact where information sharing can take place. Please see your child's classroom teacher if you have not yet arranged to chat.

Early Years Information Night for Year Prep parents will take place on Tuesday, 10 March from 7:00-8:00 pm and all new Prep parents are invited to attend and learn more about their child's learning journey during their first important year at school.

Schools Clean Up Day takes place on Friday, 27 February from 2:15-3:20 pm. All parents are welcome to join their children as we all clean up Australia. Remember that students must return a signed permission form in order to participate. Additional permission forms are available from the school office. Anyone wishing to donate towards the "Clean Up Our Climate Initiative' may do so by visiting http://www.gofundraise.com.au/ElleLaikve and go to the ‘Sponsor us now' button to donate.

Students are discouraged from bringing expensive electronic games, ipods or mobile phones to school. Please note that the school is not responsible for damage or loss of personal items brought to the school by children.

Celebrate Mooroolbark Street Parade and Banner Competition will take place on Saturday, 28 March. All interested children and families are invited to join the parade and walk behind the Ruskin Park Primary School banner. The parade starts at 10:00 am from Brice Avenue to the Community Stage. Thank you to Mrs. Frances Elms who is designing and coordinating the efforts of the children to prepare the banner for the parade and competition.

The Australian Government will soon initiate the Building the education revolution in primary schools. $12.4 billion has been allocated to build or renew large scale infrastructure in all primary schools. Priority will be given to construction of new libraries and multipurpose halls with a view to wider community access. A school the size of Ruskin Park PS may be eligible for up to $2 000 000. School Council has been in discussions since 2008 to develop a master plan that will allow for thoughtful restructuring of the school when this money is released.

We are looking for someone to take over the job of Safety House Coordinator for Ruskin Park Primary School. We are a designated Safety House School and this important job is one traditionally carried out by a volunteer parent. The job may be shared by two people and does not entail an excessive amount of time or effort. Interested parents are asked to call the school on 9723 3886 and speak with Elle May Laikve.

Elle May Laikve,
Principal

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PE News

Kilsyth Basketball Visit
Last week we had two players from the United States, currently playing for the Kilsyth Cobras visit our school for a Prep Basketball Clinic. Following the clinic all children received a free basketball.

Swimming Trials
Thank you to all parents who brought their children to Croydon Pool last Wednesday week for the school swimming trials.  A special thank you to Mrs.Vistarini for coming along to help.

Thank you,
Brendan Murphy

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Assistant Principal's Report

Headlice
It is important that parents regularly check their child's hair. Anyone can get head lice and given the chance head lice move from head to head without discrimination. People get head lice from direct hair-to-hair contact with another person who has head lice. This can happen when children play or work closely together.

A child with live head lice needs to get treatment immediately and once treatment has occurred the students are permitted to return to school. Please make sure that you inform the office if your child has head lice so that other parents of children in the grade can be encouraged to check their children's hair.

The easiest and most effective way to find them is to follow these steps:

Step 1	Comb any type of hair conditioner on dry, brushed (detangled) hair. This stuns the lice and makes it difficult for them to grip the hair or run around.
Step 2	Now comb sections of the hair with a fine tooth head lice comb
Step 3	Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto a paper towel or tissue
Step 4	Look on the tissue and on the comb for lice and eggs
Step 5	Repeat the combing for every part of the head at least 4 or 5 times

If lice or eggs are found the child's hair should be treated.

Treating head lice
Concentrate on the head-there is no evidence to suggest that you need to clean the house or classroom. Head lice products must be applied to all parts of the hair and scalp.  No treatment kills all of the eggs so treatment must involve two applications seven days apart. The purpose of the first treatment if to kill all lice, the second treatment is to kill young lice hatched over the next six days. There is no need to treat the whole family, unless they also have head lice. Only the pillowcase requires special laundering; either wash it in hot water (at least 60°C) or dry it using a clothes dryer on the hot or warm setting.

Preventing head lice
There is no product available to prevent head lice. Using the conditioner and comb method once a week will help you detect any head lice early and minimise the problem. Tying back long hair can help prevent the spread of head lice.

Regulations
Children with head lice are required under the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations to be excluded from school until treatment has commenced. A child with head lice can be treated one evening and return to school the next day, even if there are still some eggs present.

Mary Kelly
Assistant Principal

Working Bee

Just a reminder about our twilight working bee next week Thursday March 5th.  It will commence at 4pm and we have a variety of jobs to get through including weeding, mulching and a general clean up.

The evening will conclude around 6.30pm with a free sausage sizzle.
All parents from all grades are welcome

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Out of School Hours Childcare (OSHC)

Child Care Management System 
On the 9th of March the Oshc program will be transitioning to the new Child Care Management System (CCMS).  CCMS is the new way the payment of Child Care Benefit (CCB) fee reductions will be managed. 
We will be providing information directly to the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) via the Internet to allow calculation and payment of CCB fee reductions. 
Families will be able to access an online statement from the online services section of the Family Assistance Office (FAO) website to obtain details of their childcare and payments.
Information booklets outlining the new CCMS are available from the program.

Active After- School Communities (AASC) program
The children will now have an opportunity to participate in a Karate session on Friday afternoons. Please remember to complete a permission form so your child/children can participate.  Forms are available on the sign in/out table.

Payment of Accounts
Families may choose to pay accounts in the following way

• Cash or cheque payments can be made at the program. Please ensure the correct money is placed in the envelope provided and the amount and date are clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. Please make cheques payable to Ruskin Park Primary School.
• Cash, cheque or Eftpos can be made at the school office.
• By direct deposit - please see Oshc staff for further details.

Programs
These programs are planned in consultation with the children and highlight "Special "activities based around the children's interests and requests.  We aim to repeat these activities during each week to ensure all interested children have an opportunity to participate. 
Other activities available every day include: Dramatic Play, Construction, Music/DVDs, Game boys and Computers, Drawing, Junk Construction, Puzzles and Board Games, Quiet Area for Reading and Homework, Sports Equipment and Outdoor Games. 

What's on at Before School Care

Monday 2nd  - Friday 6th March 2009 Cooking: Savoury Scrolls   Craft: Butterfly Painting Games: Celebrity Heads Outdoor Fun: Skipping

Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th March 2009 Craft: Bugs & Beetles Cooking: Hubble Bubble Slice Games: Hit the Target Outdoor Fun: Hoola Hoop Challenge

What's on at After School Care

Monday 2nd - Friday 6th March 2009 Cooking: Banana Cup Cakes| Craft: Spinning Snakes Outdoor Fun: Dinosaur Hunt Sports: Soccer (Monday), Karate (Friday)

Tuesday 10th- Friday 13th March 2009 Cooking: Fruit Pikelets Craft: Bugs & Beetles Outdoor Fun: Vortex Challenge Sports: Soccer (Monday) AASC Sports Activities: Calisthenics (Last one)

Thank you,

Sharyn, Benita, and Merrilyn
Out of School Hours Child Care (OSHC)

Choir in 2009

We are excited to announce Choir rehearsals are now being conducted during the first half of lunch in the G.P room.

We have attached the official form for your child to join the choir to this edition of the newsletter. We request that ALL STUDENTS who wish to be members of the Ruskin Park PS choir in 2009 complete and return this enrolment form to the office promptly.

It would be wonderful to see our experienced choir members return in 2009 to support our younger members. We already have a number of exciting events planned.  

Remember to return your Choir form to the school office as soon as possible.  Preps are invited to join our school choir too.

We look forward to seeing you all on Monday at lunchtime in the GP Room.

Ann Craig, Alaine Beare, Elyce Birch
Choir Coordinators.

Some benefits of being involved in the Ruskin Park school choir:

INVOLVEMENT: As a choir member you are supported by and within the group to develop confidence when performing and interacting with others. You can also develop and share your passion for singing.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: As a choir member your child will represent our school in the wider community at local festivals, nursing homes, musical events and special commemorative services and competitions.

ROLES OF RESPONSIBILITY: There are opportunities for older students to become our Choir Captains. This role is given to members who have demonstrated responsibility and loyalty to the choir, they are selected each term. We are looking forward to announcing our new Choir Captains for term 1 in the next newsletter.

COMMITMENT: The commitment of students who are involved in the choir for a year are acknowledged and choir badges are presented at our final music concert.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone and we are delighted to inform you that we are again inviting students to be part of the Ruskin Park Primary School Choir in 2009.

Choir provides students with an opportunity to develop their musical skills, make new friends and to develop confidence when performing. We have lots of fun and we are looking forward to a productive year filled with a range of performance opportunities.

The choir is open to all students from Years Prep-6 and is free to join. Choir rehearsals are held at lunchtime on Mondays in the GP ROOM for half an hour. This allows students to enjoy free time during the second half of lunchtime.

Members of the Choir are expected to be prompt and regularly attend rehearsals, so we are able to make the most of our time together.

If your child would like to join our choir please complete the form below and return it to the office. We are planning to perform in a number of venues this year, so it is imperative that students attend rehearsals. This will enable them to learn a range of new songs and sound their best at our formal performances.

The choir is required to wear "choir uniform" at all formal performances and parents will be notified on these occasions. The Choir Uniform is as follows:  Girls - Yellow School Polo, Black Pleated Skirt, Long White Socks and Black school shoes.  Their hair should be neatly tied back and ribbons are supplied by the school. Boys - Yellow School Polo and Black pants, black school shoes.

If at anytime your child no longer wishes to be part of the Choir, we ask they return a note signed by their guardian, otherwise they will be expected to attend choir rehearsals. This policy develops your child's understanding that they are making a commitment to be part of the Choir. We are looking forward to working with our choir members and to many wonderful performances this year.

Alaine Beare, Ann Craig & Elyce Birch
Choir Coordinators

Please download the form for Choir here: in Pdf   in MS Word

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Debra's Dancing

Debra's Dancing will be commencing on Tuesday the 3rd of March, with classes starting at 4pm.
NEW COMERS MOST WELCOME!
In each class we cover various types of dance including ballet RAD method, Jazz - Hip Hop, and Tap.
Phone Debra at home on 9725 0101, or on mobile at 0425 620 310.

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Thank You

Thank you to everyone involved in the collection in the park at Sebato Street on Tuesday 10th of February for the bushfire appeal.
The community response was awesome, a 6.5 tonne truck was filled within the hour and half that we were at the park.

The salvation army had John Anderson (Corporate Donations Manager) attend, he was overwhelmed by the community spirit, and proceeded to open the salvo store in Ringwood at 9.30pm that night to accept the goods.  

John called us on Thursday to inform us that all the food, toiletries, bedding and most of the toys went to Kinglake on Wednesday morning.

Julie Thompson

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Walking

Walking School Bus
Ruskin Park Primary School currently has two active Walking School Buses, which run in the morning.

Julie Haertel conducts one bus every morning except Fridays and Tracey Roberts conducts the other bus once a week alternating Tuesday mornings and Wednesday mornings.

Children from any age group are welcome to join the buses and enjoy walking to school with their friends from home in the morning. It's lots of fun and keeps you healthy and fit!

For more information please see the Walking School Bus notice board in the office area or contact Mrs Vistarini in room 9. Remember, ‘It's cool to walk to school!'

Walking Club
Meet Samantha Hilet on the bottom basketball court and join the walking club every morning. It's a fantastic way to start the day!

Walk or Ride to School Day
On Thursday 26th February we had a Walk or Ride to School Day. The theme was ‘silly socks'. Students were able to wear their silly socks and either walk or ride their bike to school.

Those students who walked or rode received points for their house colour and by wearing silly socks they also gained a bonus point for their house.

This event and our Walking School Bus promote a generally healthy lifestyle.

Details regarding the day will be written up in the next issue of the Ruskin News.

Stay Active!

Mel Vistarini

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Bushfires and Asthma

With the devastating Bushfires that have occurred throughout Victoria and with fires still burning across the State, there is an increased risk of asthma.  Parents and carers of children with asthma should remain alert and ensure the child carries their blue reliever medication with them at all times.

Tips to minimise the effects of Bushfire smoke:

• Smoke and increased air pollution from fires can cause people with asthma to experience increased symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath.
• Children are one of the first to feel the effects of smoke and particle pollution for this reason extra care needs to be taken.
• Always follow the child's written Asthma Action Plan.
• Parents and teachers need to be aware of the additional risk and be prepared.
• Ensure the child has access to blue reliever medication and continue use of preventer medication.
• When smoke is in the air, but fire is not directly threatening, keep children indoors, and close all windows and doors.
• Avoid doing physical activities outdoors.
• If a child develops symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately.
• If the child's blue reliever medication is not reducing asthma symptoms, start Asthma First Aid and seek medical attention without delay.

For further information, please call the Asthma Telephone HelpLine on 1800 645 130 or visit The Asthma Foundation of Victoria's website http://www.asthma.org.au/ or http://www.asthmafriendlyschools.com.au/

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Back to School Spike

Back to school time presents a phenomenon called the ‘February Epidemic', which is a well-documented occurrence of an increase in asthma hospital admissions in children. This trend occurs two weeks after school goes back, with the spike generally occurring in mid to late February.

• An increased exposure to colds and flu, the most common triggers for asthma, can explain the peak.
• Schools can ensure that all students with asthma have a written Asthma Action Plan that outlines their asthma management, including details of medication, emergency contact details, asthma triggers and what to do in an asthma emergency.
• Knowing the probability of an asthma attack is higher during this time of year, it is vital that parents ensure their children take their prescribed preventer medication and carry their blue reliever medication at all times.

For further information, please call the Asthma Telephone HelpLine on 1800 645 130 or visit http://www.asthma.org.au/ or http://www.asthmafriendlyschools.com.au/

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The Ruskin Park Primary School Vision

Every student at Ruskin Park Primary School can develop their natural curiosity and imagination through new and engaging approaches to teaching and learning.

The encouragement of a positive attitude within a friendly community of learners will promote success today, tomorrow and into the future.

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