Emily Carr
February 2018
Message from Administration
2018/19 School Year - Students Leaving Emily Carr and New Registrations
Our staffing for the 2018 school year depends on registrations at the school prior to the beginning of March. If you know that your family will be leaving our school prior to September 2018, please contact the office.
Please register new students for JK and SK now! If you have friends or neighbours in our catchment area with children who will be starting Kindergarten in September 2018, please encourage them to register at the office Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., as soon as possible. Also note that immunization records are no longer required at registration.
Medication at School Reminders
Any medication brought to school (including medication available over the counter) must be formally prescribed by a regulated health care professional.
Students are not allowed to carry any type of medication or keep medication with them (except for epi-pens and inhalers). All medications must be stored in the school office in a locked cupboard. Should your student require medication, one or both of the following forms must be completed and signed by both a parent/guardian and the regulated health care provider:
- ‘Authorization of Self-Administration of Prescribed Medication by Student’ (e.g. epi-pen or reliever inhaler)
- ‘Request for School Personnel to Administer Prescribed Medication’ (e.g. epi-pen, antibiotics or other medication). If your child has been prescribed an antibiotic and needs school personnel to support the administration of the medication, we now require the completed ‘Request for School Personnel to Administer Prescribed Medication’ form before we can do so.
Please print and take the form(s) to any medical appointment where your child may be prescribed medication to be taken at school.
Parking Lot Reminders
For those parents that are occasionally using the parking lot, we would like to extend a friendly reminder to follow the rules of the road. If you need to park, then please use the designated parking spots. There are 2 accessible parking spots that require an Accessible Parking Permit. By-law officers regularly patrol our parking lot. We also want to stress the importance of remembering that the parking lot is an extension of the school and there are many students walking in the parking lot. Together we want to continue to work to keep Emily Carr a safe and happy community. Thank you for your support!
Bus and Fire Route
The Bus and Fire Route Loop at the front of the school is not for parking. This is a friendly reminder to not park or leave your car in the loop at any time. Municipal By-Law Officers regularly patrol the neighbourhood. Parking in the Bus and Fire Route can result in a ticket infraction of well over $100.
Have Your Say: HDSB Engagement Survey
Board invites students, staff, parents/guardians and community members to complete Engagement Survey
Beginning February 5 and running through March 9, 2018, students, staff, parents/guardians and community members are invited to participate in the Halton District School Board’s community engagement survey: Have Your Say. The survey will be available via https://www.haveyoursayhdsb.ca/.
Your input is important to us.
Black History Month
Also, our Black History Month Trivia Contest has a new look this year that is compatible with our new online announcement format. A series of pics will be posted to the announcement page each week and clues will be added daily. At the end of each week, a link will be posted and classes will complete a Google form online to submit the answers for their class. The spirit trophies will go to the top class in each division and a pizza lunch is up for grabs for the class with the most correct answers.
Grade 5 Trip - Cedar Glen
Grade 7 Intramural European Handball
Intramural Sports at Emily Carr
Healthy School Family Night
Looking forward to seeing the families of Emily Carr PS joining us for our 5th Annual Healthy School Night on Wednesday February 28th. We have an entertaining evening planned including Student Performances, Live STEEL Drum Music, Family Team-Building Challenges, Soca Dancing and more.
Inviting All Newcomer Parents and Families
Please join us in the Emily Carr Library on Friday, February 9th from 8:15 - 9:45 am for our Emily Carr Newcomer Parents Group! Come and learn about the school, the February report card and other topics of interest. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and make connections with other parents. Our Emily Carr ESL teachers and Settlement Specialist will be there to share information and answer your questions.
Light refreshments will be provided.
8:15 - 8:30 am - Arrival
8:30 - 9:30 am - Information Sharing
9:30 - 9:45 am - Questions & Answers
Even if you could not join us for our last session, please come -- all are welcome to attend!
To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Lisa Hassall (hassalll@hdsb.ca).
A Musical Note from Jean Barber
The Grade 8 Band is working hard as they prepare for the competition at the Provincial Golden Horseshoe Music Festival on Thursday, February 22nd at Redeemer University. They perform at 1:30 p.m. Families may attend to watch. There is no cost for this event. Band members are to check Google Classroom for weekly rehearsals.
The Blue Jays’ Choir is waiting to hear what date they have been given for performing the National Anthems at a spring game.
Our Interlink Choir meets each week as they prepare for their spring concert on Wednesday, April 18th at the school. This will be 30 years since Mrs. Barber started the Interlink Choir in Oakville.
This year we will have a grade 4 to 6 Choir performing with other Halton School Choirs at the Halton Showcase in Hamilton on April 12. This choir meets Wednesday at second break. Mrs. Barber will be conducting the Finale for the Showcase which will feature a choir of 600.
Su Ah and Haaniya will be representing our school in the Halton Intermediate Winds. They will be rehearsing with other students from the Halton Board and will be performing at the Halton Showcase in April.
Classes from grades 5 to 8 have been drumming on earth balls for the last 2 weeks. They have been creating rhythmical pieces in forms from rounds to rondo. We appreciate Mrs. MacDougall for booking them through the phys. ed. department.
Emily Carr Student Ambassador Group
Emily Carr is pleased to have 25 members in our Student Ambassador Group. This is a group of Grade 6, 7 and 8 students, led by our Grade 8 Leader Ambassadors. There are 15 languages represented in our group. Our students use their amazing first language skills, experiences and cultural knowledge to help newcomer students at Emily Carr and in the Halton District School Board. Many of the student ambassadors participate in First Language Google Hangouts with students at other schools, who may not have anyone to speak with in their home language and who are learning English. They also participate in school tours for new students. This month, our Student Ambassadors have organized a First Language Games Break. They invite students who speak a certain language to come and play some different games with our Leader Ambassadors. In February, we are offering Urdu, Arabic, Punjabi/Hindi and Spanish/Portuguese for Grades 2-5. We look forward to continuing to celebrate our languages and diversity at Emily Carr!
EQAO Testing Dates for Grade 3 and Grade 6
Students are assessed on their Reading, Writing and Math skills at the end of the primary and junior level years. The dates for the writing of the EQAO test for Grade 3 and Grade 6 are:
Grade 6:
Tuesday, May 22
Wednesday, May 23
Thursday, May 24
Grade 3:
Friday, May 25
Monday, May 28
Tuesday, May 29th
Dates to Remember
Friday, February 2nd - PD Day - No school for students
Monday, February 5th - Black History Month Kickoff Assembly
Monday, February 5th - School Council Meeting
Monday, February 5th to Friday, March 9th - Have Your Say Survey
Wednesday, February 7th - Winter Walk to School Day
Friday, February 9th - Newcomer Families Meeting
Wednesday, February 14th - Red, White and Pink Day
Friday, February 16th - PD Day - No school for students
Monday, February 19th - Family Day - No school for students
Thursday, February 22nd - Grade 8 Band Provincial Golden Horseshoe Music Festival
Monday, February 26th - Report Cards Home
Wednesday, February 28th - Healthy Schools Night
Emily Carr Public School
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/hdsb.ca/emily-carr/home
Location: 2255 Pine Glen Road, Oakville, ON, Canada
Phone: (905) 827-3928
February 2018 - Holidays, Celebrations and Observances
February 1 - Black History Month Begins
In the 1950's the Canadian Negro Women's Association brought the celebration to Toronto, Ontario. By 1978, Ontario Black History Society successfully petitioned the City of Toronto to have the monthly celebration formally recognized. This celebration is currently proclaimed across Canada.
But why have a Black History Month? African Canadian students need to feel affirmed; need to be aware of the contributions made by other Blacks in Canada; need to have role models; need to understand the social forces which have shaped and influenced their community and their identities as a means of feeling connected to the educational experience and their life experience in various regions in Canada. They need to feel empowered. The greater Canadian community needs to know a history of Canada that includes all of the founding and pioneering experiences in order to work from reality, rather than perception alone.
As a people, with roots dating back to 1603, African-Canadians have defended, cleared, built and farmed this country; our presence is well established, but not well-known. The celebration of Black History Month is an attempt to have the achievements of Black people recognized and told.
February 8 - Nirvana Day (Buddism)
Parinirvana Day — or Nirvana Day — is observed primarily by Mahayana Buddhists, most commonly on February 15th. The day commemorates the death of the historical Buddha and his entry into final or complete Nirvana. Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha’s teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats. Some Buddhists spend the holiday reading passages from an ancient text that chronicles the last days of the Buddha, but most celebrate by meditating or going to temples or monasteries. While celebrations vary around the world, in monasteries, Nirvana Day is typically treated as a social occasion when people can bring presents and food to share with others.
February 13 - Shrove Tuesday (Christianity)
This day is also known as Pancake Day in some parts of Canada. Pancakes are traditionally eaten on this day and are sometimes served with maple syrup. Carnivals or Mardi Gras festivals are also held around this time of the year. The tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink and be merry dates back to the start of the French colony in Canada. Shrove Tuesday occurs 40 days before the beginning of Easter and the tradition was that families would use up all the treats in their kitchen cupboards before giving up something for the period of Lent until the Easter holiday.
February 13 - Maha Shivarati (Hinduism)
Shivaratri is great festival of convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri according to South Indian calendar. However according to North Indian calendar Masik Shivaratri in month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. In both calendars it is naming convention of lunar month which differs. However both, North Indians and South Indians, celebrate Maha Shivaratri on same day. Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism.
February 14 - Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lenten discipline for many Christian churches. It is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer as part or preparations for Easter. For some Christians, Lent is a time to think about life’s choices and possible life directions. It is also a time of goodwill for many people. There are also those who chose this time of the year to donate to charities or take part in charity events as a way to get close to God.
February 14 - St. Valentine’s Day
Many people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing appreciation for the people they love or adore. Some people take their loved ones for a romantic dinner at a restaurant while others may choose this day to propose marriage or get married. Many people give greeting cards, chocolates, jewelry or flowers, particularly roses, to their partners or admirers on Valentine’s Day. It is also a time to appreciate friends in some social circles and cultures. Children often exchange Valentine cards or small treats with their friends and classmates.
February 16 - Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year
According to the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac cycle, the Chinese year beginning in 2018 is the year of the Dog. Each Chinese zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year's Day. Dog years are believed to be the most unlucky for people born in previous years of the Dog. Chinese New Year, also known as the "Spring Festival" in modern Mainland China, is China's most important traditional festival, celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, which consists of both Gregorian and lunar-solar calendar systems. Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February. China's Spring Festival public holiday starts on the Chinese New Year, and lasts for 7 days.
February 19 - Family Day (Canada)
Family Day is observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan on the third Monday of February. In British Columbia, Family Day falls on the second Monday of February. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities. On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry.
As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends.
February 20 - World Social Justice Day
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability. The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.
February 21 - Int. Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
February 25-March 1 Intercalary Days (Baha’i)
Baha’is around the world will celebrate four days of festivities, gifts, parties, service projects and charitable humanitarian work during the Baha’i holidays called Ayyam-i-Ha. That Persian phrase designates the Baha’i Intercalary Days, describing the four or five days in the annual Baha’i calendar that don’t fall into any given month. Baha’is set aside those days for joyous celebrations and preparation for the Baha’i fast that always follows Ayyam-i-Ha.