You support your child in the lifelong learning process when you:

• show your child that learning is interesting and fun    
• help your child talk about his or her experiences and feelings at home and at school
• encourage your child to be independent and responsible at an early age
• provide a quiet, well lit place for your child to complete homework assignments
• help your child set attainable daily, weekly and monthly goals
• ensure your child has a good sleep and a proper breakfast before coming to school
• take time every day to talk with, listen to and read with your child

We have a shared responsibility to provide your child with the best possible education in a safe and supportive environment.

Thank-you for continuing to work collaboratively with the  Fairman staff to help support and promote your child’ssuccess. — D. Marton

Our character trait for the month of January is perseverance. This trait has been defined as the power of continuing to dosomething in spite of difficult times. It is staying with a task and not giving up, remaining focused on the goal and demonstrating self-discipline. Perseverance looks like spending time completing homework and projects, saving money and making sacrifices to buy something, learning from past mistakes and avoiding the same mistake in the future.  At home you can show perseverance with your child by sticking to a task even when everyone wants to give up, setting achievable goals and celebrating when they are met. You can discuss a role model and how he or she has persevered to achieve their goal / dream. Encourage your child to persevere by discussing the importance of planning, prioritizing, organizing and managing time and strategies to achieve their goals. We hope that these will help open the lines of communication at home around this months ‘character’ of perseverance!

Beginning in Grade 1, the Durham District School Board offers, at no additional charge to parents, a French Immersion program for non-Francophone students.  To find out more about the French Immersion program, please join us at an information meeting at one of the following French Immersion schools:  Brooklin Village PS  905-655-8959,  Capt. Michael VandenBos PS   905-665-2001,  Julie Payette PS   905-665-2001.  All French Immersion program information meetings will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.  Pre-registration will begin following the meeting and will be available at the schools thereafter.  For more information regarding your child’s school designation, please contact our Property and Planning Department via e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone 905-666-6421 or 1-800-339-6913 ext. 6421.  For more information regarding French Immersion at the Durham District School Board, please visit us at:  www.durham.edu.on.ca

There are many examples of excellence in Ontario's schools, boards and licensed child care settings, and just as many reasons to nominate someone for a Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence.  These awards celebrate educators and support staff who make remarkable contributions to Ontario’s education system.  Many staff employed in Ontario’s publicly funded schools and boards can be nominated. There are eight award categories:  Nominations are open until February 6, 2012.  Award recipients will be announced in the spring and recognized at a special awards ceremony during Education Week in May.  To learn more about the awards and how to nominate, visit www.ontario.ca/teachingawards.

Telephone pre-registration for the Junior Kindergarten program for 2012 begins Tuesday, January 17th, 2012.  Parents should phone our school after 9:30 am on January 17th to pre-register their child at 905-668-2251.  Pre-registrations will not be completed prior to this date / time.  When you pre-register your child, you will be invited to come in to the school with proof of the child’s birth date, immunization record and address. It is not necessary to call regarding students who are already enrolled in Junior Kindergarten at E.A. Fairman this year. A reminder that we will continue to offer half day kindergarten programs next year, with classes in the morning and then classes in the afternoon.

For further information about Junior Kindergarten pre-registration, please contact E.A. Fairman P.S. at 905-668-2251.

To attend Junior Kindergarten in September 2012 a child must be four years of age by December 31, 2012.

To attend Senior Kindergarten in September 2012 a child must be five years of age by December 31, 2012.