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Hand-washing is the single most effective method of reducing the spread of H1N1 and of reducing an individual’s chances of infection. Correct hand-washing techniques include:

· Put a small amount of liquid soap in the palm of one hand. Bar soaps are not as hygienic as liquid soaps because they stay moist and attract germs. If a bar soap is the only option it should be stored on a rack so that the bar doesn't sit in water.

· Rub your hands together for 20 seconds so you produce lather. Make sure you scrub between your fingers, under your fingernails and the backs of your hands.

· Rinse your hands well with clean running water for at least 10 seconds. Try not to handle the faucets once your hands are clean. Use a paper towel to turn off the water.

· Dry your hands with a single use paper towel. If you use a hand towel be sure to change it daily. During cold and flu season you may want to give each family member his or her own hand towel.

· Use hand lotion to put moisture back into your skin if your hands are dry.

· Model good hand-washing technique to your children. Have them sing a song like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while rubbing their hands together to teach them the amount of time it takes to clean their hands properly.

2. Cover your cough and sneeze - Sneeze and cough into your elbow or sleeve or use a tissue. After wiping or blowing your nose with a tissue, throw away the tissue and wash your hands. Keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth

3. Stay at home and avoid crowds when sick - If you are sick, avoid going to work and being in large crowds as you can spread influenza easily to others. You should also visit those who are sick only if necessary.

4. Keep common surfaces clean - Keep personal items separate if a household member is sick. Use a disinfectant to clean surfaces around a person who is sick with the influenza. Do not share personal items or drinks.

from August 31^st, 2009 ....................................

Dear Parents and students:
Welcome back to another exciting year at Eston Composite School! We would like to send an especially warm welcome to our new students and their families. It is great to see some new faces and know that our school and our community are growing together. We look forward to getting to know all of you! Community input is very important in our efforts to provide the best possible education for the students of this school. Please feel free to stop in at the school if you have any thoughts, ideas, questions or concerns.

The school has several projects currently underway including building improvements as well as celebrations of our past success. Please stop by and take a look at the new banners that are hanging in our Gymnasium! Our school community is so proud of our rich heritage and we would appreciate the opportunity of sharing our victories with you.

We have a few staff changes for the new year, as well as several new and returning staff members. I, Mr. John McPhee, am the new Principal of Eston Composite School (as well as teaching senior high History.) On behalf of the students and staff at ECS I would like to extend a warm welcome to: returning teachers Ms. Jodi Bjornerud (grade 4/5 and Special Education); Ms. Marea Olafson (Senior High Art and Accounting); and Mr. Norm Faraday (middle years); Mrs. Ellen Owens, our new Vice Principal (and teaching core subjects in the grade one classroom); New staff members: Mrs. Tawna Hansen, who will be teaching grade 5 as well as some grade 1 classes; Mrs. Donna Bendig, our new Special Education teacher; Ms. Dawn Gifford who will be teaching middle years Math, Science and French; and Mrs. Lorraine Betts, who will be helping staff and students with resources in her new role as Library Technician. As well, we welcome new staff who joined us midway through last year: Mrs. Lori Ann Thompson, one of our Educational Assistants; and Ms. Maureen Hassenstein and Mr. Neal Tessier, our school custodians. We look forward working and learning with all of our new staff members as each bring their own talents and opportunities for our students to ECS!

We would like to invite all families and students to our SRC's Annual "Welcome Back BBQ" on Friday, September 4^th beginning at 11:30 in the AU@ area. We are celebrating the beginning of a new year and encourage you to attend all the events and activities that we have planned throughout the year. This is a good way to see what your children are doing and talk with teachers in a less formal situation. Watch for notes home and check out our coming events on the school website www.sunwestsd.ca/eston/ Attached are several information items. Please note that early dismissals are listed on the calendar with our first one coming up on Monday, September 14^th. If you did not receive a copy of the school calendar, please contact the school. If you would like to discuss something with me, please call the school at 962-4423 and we can arrange a time or drop by and we can talk.

Yours in Education,
Mr. John McPhee, Principal

Attachment

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IMPORTANT POINTS OF INTEREST:

** Please complete and return any pertinent forms to the school by no later than Friday, September 4^th. Thank you. **

< School Website: cms.sunwestsd.ca/eston/

< ***** PEANUT and NUT-FREE CLASSROOM - The Grade 3 classroom has been declared PEANUT and NUT-FREE . This class has a student with a life threatening allergy and it is extremely important that all parents and students are aware of this and do their utmost to follow this rule at all times.

In addition, we are asking ALL PARENTS to help us to maintain a peanut and nut free atmosphere on ALL occasions in which our entire student body is taking part (ie. Cookie Sales, Christmas banquet, etc.). If you are bringing baking of any kind we ask you to remember that we do have students with severe nut and/or peanut allergies. Thank you for recognizing the importance of adhering to this request.

< SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS - only new students at Eston Composite School will be given a copy of this registration form. Parents of past students are asked to please let the office know if there have been any changes to pertinent information on past registration forms. (ie. new work or home phone numbers, CELL phone numbers, important health information, etc.)

< GRADE 7-12 BUS STUDENTS - PERMISSION TO LEAVE AT NOON FORMS - Bus students in grade 7 through 12 are required to return a signed copy of the parental permission form before they will be allowed to leave school property at noon hour. A copy of this letter is attached. Please sign and return it to the school with your child by Friday, September 4^th. K-6 bus students are not allowed to leave school property unless we receive a phone call from his/her parent.

< PARENT PERMISSION FORMS (Form 410.1c-1) - All parents in the Sun West School Division are being asked to sign a copy of this form and return to the school by Friday, September 4^th. The form gives permission for your child to take part in:

1. School Community Excursions within the community and surrounding vicinity (town library, museum, community complex, etc.).

2. Student Internet Use - All students and parents in the Sun West School Division are required to read and sign a copy of this form, thereby agreeing to and accepting the Internet usage conditions as set forth by Sun West School Division.

3.         Permission to publish - this section is broken down into separate areas covering:
a)         publishing student projects, photos and work on the
school and/or division website and/or the internet
b)         publishing pictures in the yearbook, school newsletter, local newspaper
c)         publishing student names in the yearbook, school
newsletter, local newspaper or on local radios, etc.
d)         publishing a student=s home phone numbers for home room groups, school community council events, etc.

See the Sun West Division form for more detailed information on all of the above.

< DRIVER AUTHORIZATION APPLICATION (Form 807.1b-1) All parents in the Sun West School Division who drive our students for any school activities or events (field trips, extra-curricular, etc.) are required to fill out and sign a copy of this form. A separate form must be completed for each driver, each school year. This form will be handed out by team coaches and as needed.

< GRADE 4-12 STUDENTS - SASKATCHEWAN HIGH SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (SHSAA) FORM - Students in grades 4 to 12 are to required to fill in and return this form before they are able to participate in any school extra-curricular activities. A copy of the form is attached.

<          SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR:   Magnetic school year calendars were sent home in June with report cards. A paper copy of the calendar is attached.

<          STUDENT FEES: Our compulsory student fees are as follows:
- Grade K to 9 students - $10.00 per student
- Grade 10-12 Students - $20.00 per student
- As per the Sun West School Division Policy, there is a total maximum charge of $50.00 per family. Cheques can be made payable to Eston Composite School SRC.   Please have your child give their fees to their homeroom teacher, who will issue receipts.

< PICTURE DAY: School pictures will be taken on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9^th, by Lifetouch Photography. More information regarding pricing, etc. will be sent home later in September. Any parents wishing to have their preschoolers picture taken can phone the school and leave their child's name with Mrs. Mohan. Preschool pictures will be taken at approximately 2:30 on picture day.

< MILK PROGRAM: We will be continuing with the noon milk program this year. Grade 5 - 12 students can purchase a milk card (of twenty milk) from the office at a cost of $13.00. Students keep their own milk cards and it is up to them to reorder when they choose. The K-4 students order may milk in 2-month blocks (see note attached) and noon supervisors will keep track of the milk records in the lunch room. We will send home notes when a new milk period is beginning in order for students to renew their milk program if they choose. Please send a separate cheque made payable to the Eston School SRC (by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4^th) if you would like your child to take part in the milk program. Our first milk day will be Tuesday, September 8^nd.

NOTE: Milk order form attached for grade 1 to 4 students; grade 5 - 12 students can order directly from the school office. (see Mrs. Mohan)

Booster Juice is Back!
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning
8:15 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. Home Ec Lab
For the month of September the following flavours will be served:

Tuesday
Strawberry Sunshine: Strawberries, passion fruit, guava, and bananas
200 calories/ 12 oz serving
Very Berry: Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries
182 calories/ 12 oz serving

Thursday
Breezy Banana: Bananas, Mango, passion fruit, guava, and peaches
181 calories/ 12 oz serving
Mango Hurricane: Mangos, Peaches, Passion fruit, guava, and strawberries
197 calories/ 12 oz serving

All smoothies are made with frozen fruit, sorbet, juice, plain yogurt and ice. They are healthy and nutritious to encourage a healthy breakfast.

Two ways to purchase:
1. Prepaid cards for $30 – 10 smoothies and get 2 free (we keep the cards)
All cards from the past year are valid and each person will be informed about how many they have left with a note to go home.
2. Purchase a smoothie for $3 each time

Prepaid cards – can be purchased anytime throughout the year.