Walnut Grove PS
April 2021 Newsletter
Walnut Grove PS
Principal: M. Casciato
Vice Principals: S. Rofaiel, H. Baxter (in for S. Stephen)
Superintedant: Patrika Daws
Trustee: Carrie Andrews
Email: walnutgrove.ps@peelsb.com
Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1416/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 10 Pinestaff Road, Brampton, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-796-4572
Twitter: @WalnutGrovePS
Principal's Message
Dear Walnut Grove Families,
Spring is here! The weather has been so wonderful, providing an opportunity for all of you to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Spring is a time of renewal and an excellent time for all students to engage in goal setting. If you can, review any goals your child has set for their learning, discuss what strategies are working and which strategies need to be changed so they meet the goals they have set for themselves.
As you know, we are currently under a stay at home order, and Peel school are closed until April 19, 2021. Please check your emails for any updates to the closure. If you haven't already signed up to receive board alerts, go to the following link: https://www.peelschools.org/aboutus/subscribe/Pages/default.aspx
The spring break is scheduled for April 12 to 16. There will be no class/no school for students. On April 22, 2021 our superintendent of education Ms. Patrika Daws is hosting a Town Hall. We have distributed a flyer with a registration link for all of you to participate.
During the month of April, Peel recognizes Sikh Heritage Month. Students will be engaged in a variety of instructional activities that explore Sikh heritage. Check out our Twitter feed for what is happening.
Stay safe everyone!
Walnut Grove News
Anti-racist and Anti-oppressive Education Professional Development for Staff
This month's work comes at the heels of our work on social location and personal bias last month, as we have begun to develop a critical consciousness with staff and students in our school.
Our Anti-Racist Working Committee has begun a Book Study Blog on The Little Book of Restorative Justice, to learn about the importance of attending to race, bias, oppression, and power dynamics when we come to support our students with conflict resolution.
Teachers have committed to 'Theories of Action' to focus on their own personal practice as educators. They have been reflecting and refining these as we continue to learn together to move this important work forward for our racialized and traditionally marginalized students.
We have lots more to do, but we've begun the process at Walnut Grove.
Our Focus on Mental Health and Wellness, and 'Brave' Presentations
We also enjoyed a presentation by 'Timothy Spokes' a young Black author and motivational speaker, who read his book "I Am Amazing" to our students. He delivered an uplifting message of self-affirmation, encouragement, and inspiration.
This month, students and staff will participate in a series of workshops focussing on mental health and wellness. Guest speakers from 'Brave', a local provider of workshops for Peel students, will facilitate the workshops to teach students to identify indicators of mental health and strategies to deal with stress and anxiety.
PDSB News
Walnut Grove goes pink on April 23
On Friday, April 23, 2021, Peel District School Board schools and worksites will recognize the International Day of Pink. Unlike Pink Shirt Day, which is meant to combat all forms of bullying, we celebrate International Day of Pink in Peel to specifically combat homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.
International Day of Pink began when a high school student in Cambridge, Nova Scotia, was bullied with homophobic language because he wore a pink shirt to school. The next day, hundreds of students at his school stood up to bullying and wore pink to school to show their support for equity and inclusion.
Celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Day on Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Peel schools will pay tribute to administrative professionals on Administrative Professionals’ Day on April 28, 2021. The day will be celebrated with special activities and events that provide teachers, students and parents an opportunity to thank the administrative staff who help support student success each and every day.
The Peel board appreciates the important job administrative staff do each school day and April 28 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.
April - Earth Month
Earth Month encompasses the international celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2021. This is the most celebrated environmental event worldwide. Initiated in 1970, this event has been considered the birth of the environmental movement.
Each year, more than 6 million Canadians join 500 million people in over 180 countries in staging events and projects to address local environmental issues. In Canada, Earth Day has grown into Earth Week and even Earth Month to accommodate the profusion of events and projects. Here are some ways that you can celebrate earth week with your family:
· create a backyard or schoolyard habitat
· plant a garden or tree
· start a recycling program at home
· pick up trash in your neighbourhood
· read a book about an endangered species
Keeping children safe in and around storm sewers, waterways
Rising and fast moving water in lakes, ponds and creeks is increasingly likely during spring. Melting snow combined with spring rainfall and frozen ground that is less able to absorb water can lead to higher and faster flowing water and unstable ice conditions. Children playing in and around storm sewers and watercourses, entering storm sewers through the outfalls, and entering storm sewers through access covers is dangerous.
The following information will help keep children safe:
· water flows in storm sewers and watercourses are unpredictable and may change quickly
· toxic gases may be present in and around storm sewers and watercourses
· access is restricted, making rescue attempts difficult
· tragic falls could take place
Be safe this spring and remember the following tips:
· Keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways.
· Unless an area is officially sanctioned for it, avoid all recreational activities on or around water and ice, especially near ice jams.
· Do not attempt to walk on ice-covered water or drive through flooded roads or fast-moving water.
· If you live close to the water, move objects such as chairs or benches away from the water’s edge to avoid losing them if water levels rise.
· Avoid walking close to or across riverbanks, shorelines and ice-covered water to prevent falling through. Riverbanks and shorelines can be slippery and unstable due to snowmelt and erosion.
· Rescuing a person or pet from icy water is dangerous. If you see anyone that has fallen through the ice call 9-1-1 for help immediately.
Please review this information with your children and let them know how dangerous storms sewers and waterways are.
Keeping your child’s teeth healthy
Oral health is important for overall health and wellbeing. Dental problems can lead to infection, problems with sleeping, eating and concentrating.
We can do simple things every day to prevent dental problems. Keep reading to learn about everyday oral health tips and the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.
Dental Tips Checklist:
· Brush it! Brush and floss teeth daily, make sure your child is brushing two times a day for two minutes each time.
· Check it! Check your child’s teeth monthly. Visit a dentist if you see broken or chipped teeth, holes in their teeth, bumps on the gums or any signs of pain or swelling.
· Nourish it! Offer less sugary foods and drinks to help prevent cavities and make water you child’s drink of choice.
· Schedule it! Schedule routine check-ups and cleanings with your child’s dental provider.
Healthy Smiles Ontario
Your child may be eligible for free dental care through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, to fill out an application and learn more parents can visit https://www.ontario.ca/healthysmiles.
Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 for more information about Healthy Smiles Ontario, help with completing the application, finding a dental provider or any other oral health questions.
Visit the Region of Peel’s website at https://www.peelregion.ca/health/dental-health/ for more information.
You are Your Child’s Best Role Model!
Remember that when you take care of your teeth and choose healthy options, your child will learn to do the same.