Walnut Grove PS
March Newsletter
Walnut Grove PS
Principal: P. Lone
Vice Principals: S. Bineesari, C. Dell
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
About Us
Walnut Grove’s Daily Schedule
Entry Bell 9:15
Period 1 9:15 - 9:55
Period 2 9:55 - 10:35
Period 3 10:35 - 11:15
Nutrition Break A 11:15 - 11:35
Nutrition Break B 11:35 - 11:55
Period 4 11:55 - 12:35
Period 5 12:35 - 1:15
D.P.A. 1:15 - 1:35
Nutrition Break C 1:35 - 1:55
Nutrition Break D 1:55 - 2:15
Period 6 2:15 - 2:55
Period 7 2:55 - 3:35
Dismissal 3:35
School Security
All parents and visitors entering the school during school hours must be buzzed in through the front doors and sign in and out at the office.
You are also reminded to wear a visitor’s badge while you are in the school. For safety reasons, it is important that we know who is in the school at all times.
Student Absences
Your child’s safety is very important to us, for this reason please make sure to call the automated attendance line at 1-855-209-6155 for each day that your child is going to be absent from school or will be coming in late.
An attendance call can be made at anytime however you need to call before 9 a.m. for the current school day. Safe arrival calls will be made each day for students that have an unexplained absence.
Late Arrivals
If a student arrives late to school, after the 9:15 a.m. entry bell, they must report to the office to sign in and receive a late slip before going to their class. Please help your child arrive to school on time up establishing and encouraging morning routines
Medication
If your child will require to take or have any medication (eg. Epi-pens, inhalers) while at school due to asthma, allergies or other medical conditions please inform the office. You will be given a medical form that will need to be completed by your family doctor and returned to school with the medication. No medication can be administered at the school without having a current medical form completed and on file at the school.
Birthdays
There are several students and staff who have severe food allergies in our school. For that reason, we ask to you please do not send any food items as a treat for a birthday or special celebration. If you wish to celebrate, sending materials to support learning in our school such as pencils, crayons, books, etc. would be appropriate. Thank you for your understanding.
Kiss and Ride
We understand that there are a lot of cars in the morning and after school using the Drop Off lane. We are asking for your patience and understanding and to follow the guidance of the teachers on duty.
Please note that children should never exit from the driver's side and even if they are seated behind the driver they should exit from the curbside.
Thank you for helping us in making Walnut Grove a safe school for all of our students
Nutrition Break Routines
We encourage all students to remain at school during both Nutrition Breaks, to participate in the variety of extra-curricular activities offered. However, we recognize that some families want their children to come home for lunch. In order to ensure student safety at all times, we have established some expectations for Nutrition Break Routines:
· parents/guardians will be asked to complete a form indicating their wishes for daily routines for lunch for their children – these will be kept on file to ensure that routines are being followed
·anytime that those routines are changed, parents/guardians will be required to contact the school (by phone or in writing) indicating the change in routine
· if students go home for lunch, they are expected to remain home for the entire break (40 minutes)
· students are expected to return ON TIME for next period
STUDENTS WILLL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE SCHOOL PROPERTY AT NUTRITION BREAKS EXCEPT TO GO HOME FOR LUNCH WITH PARENT PERMISSION. Students will not be allowed to go to the plaza across the street, nor are they allowed to go to a friend’s house for lunch.
Help protect students with severe allergies by keeping lunches, snacks
peanut-free
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects some children. We ask that you help us take care of these students by sending lunches and snacks for your child that are free from peanuts or nuts, because these foods are the leading cause of anaphylaxis.
Please read the label of any food you plan to send to school with your child. If the label says, "May contain nuts or peanuts," please do not send it to school.
You can get a complete copy of the Peel board's anaphylaxis guideline from the school office.
Supervision in Yard
Yard supervision for students begins at 9:00 a.m. Students should not be dropped off, or be arriving on school property, prior to 9:00 a.m. When outside, students need to play in their designated area and remain visible to the supervisor in the schoolyard.
Volunteers
Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community. At Walnut Grove, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community members, and are grateful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year.
To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal record check. This Criminal Record Check must have been completed within the last 6 months, must include a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) and must be an original copy. A police background check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this background check.
Once you have completed the process, you are on file with the Peel District School Board as being a school volunteer. All returning volunteers will be mailed an Offence Declaration Form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. You will not be able to volunteer with the Peel board until you have returned this form.
If you have any questions about criminal record checks or the offence declaration form, please call the board office at 905-890-1010 ext. 2832.
Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D.)
Walnut Grove students are welcome, with the permission of their parent/guardian, to bring a device from home to use at school for educational related purposes only. Students are expected to demonstrate good digital citizenship through the appropriate, responsible, legal and ethical use of technology. Parents are asked to sign a BYOD contract around the safe use of technology at school as outlined in the school’s code of conduct. Parents please look for this contract in your child’s agenda within the first few weeks of September.
If a student does not have access to a personal device, a school device (e.g., Net book, Chrome book, I Pad), may be made available for their use while on school property.
Principals' Message
February was a very busy month at Walnut Grove, and March promises to be the same.
I would like to thank Ms. Pham and the Numeracy Committee, for organizing an AMAZING Math Mania Day for our students on February 24th. Kindergarten – Grade 8 students participated in hands on activities that involved proportional and spatial thinking and reasoning, Dance and Patterning, QR codes and Coding, and learning math through obstacle courses (“math circuits”). The day was a huge success for all, thanks to the incredible planning by the Numeracy committee!
Family Fitness Night is back! We hope you are able to join us for a variety of fitness activities, with a focus on healthy living, including some strategies that promote physical and emotional wellness. Wear your running shoes and prepare for some fun! The evening will run from 6:15 – 8:00 pm, on Thursday, March 2nd.
Our School Council will be meeting from 6:30 – 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 8th. New members are always welcome!
Walnut Grove will be hosting a Grade 4/5 Basketball tournament with our family of schools, on March 10th – thank you Ms. Simone for organizing this huge event!
“Professor Jamz” is back as well! We are organizing a Move-a-thon fundraiser to be held on Monday, March 27th for the whole school. All money raised will go toward finishing off our Mural project, as well as bringing in presentations for all students to support our Bullying Prevention and Mental Health initiatives. The kick-off assembly will be held on March 6, and all pledge forms and details will be sent home that day. There will be incentives for top fundraisers!
Our French Immersion students in Grades 4-7 are participating in French speeches, and the winners at the school level will go on the represent Walnut Grove at the Peel District School Board competition at the end of the month. Congratulations to all students for their hard work on their speeches.
We wish all families and all staff a safe and enjoyable March Break!
School Council News
On Wednesday, February 8, the School Council hosted a speaker from "Beyond the Hurt." The focus was on bullying prevention and intervention strategies, and how parents can recognize the signs of bullying and how to help their children.
Wednesday, March 8th, is our next regularly scheduled School Council meeting, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. As always, all parents are invited to attend.
Your Voice Counts Survey
Character At Walnut Grove
For the Month of March, the monthly character focus is RESPECT. The Equity focus for this month is Untie the Knots of Prejudice.
Respect means: treating others, yourself, and the environment with high regard and value.
You show RESPECT when you:
· Be polite to everyone.
· Treat yourself and others with care and value.
· Honour the rules of your home, school, workplace and community.
· Demonstrate value for yourself, your body and your rights.
· Take care with other people's property and belongings.
Untying the knots means looking at our world closely and examining what we can do to make life smoother for
everyone. How can we help to eliminate the “isms”? By learning to identify and avoid the “isms” (e.g., anti-Semitism, ageism, sexism, racism, classism, ableism). Students can become aware of their own prejudices and those around them. Recognizing and celebrating diversity is the key to eliminating prejudice.
Character Trait Montly Winners
Kindergarten: Avleen N., Guransh, Audrina T., Arjun A., Alisha P., Niam M., Dilan J., Jaden N., Japreet J., Gurleen K., Shivam P., Anujan S., Aryan, Aiza, Jasraj
Grade 1: Krish M., Alex V., Simran B., Nikita S., Ekroop B., Arman U., Anaik K., Summer D., Angel K., Samarveer V., Samraj M., Gyan P., Raena B., Naamanjit S.
Grade 2: Aarya, Jasnam N., Dipesh J., Agamjot M., Tanvi P., Shelese C., Arjan N., Aryan P., Ira D., Abigail G., Gurleen B.
Grade 3: Harleen, Neev, Ahana G., Arjun K., Diajot, Massee, Sathishan T., Harshika S., Baltej B., Yashvini J., Ruhani B., Payam B., Deewan B., Satasha S.
Grade 4: Tyler P., Julie T., Ashmit M., Rithikha, Kismat, Kavleen, Praykshaa, Jasmehar, Navjot J., Samreet B.
Grade 5: Paulina D., Mikayla F., Josiah B., Vinaya S., Sarnoor G.., Agam, Avni, Diljot, Priyanka D., Navjeet S., Aseelah M., Ayub A., Zakiah A., Saleena B.
Grade 6: Ishva, Mehar, Aarchi, Joban D>, Manav G., Anmoal T., Piyush B., Khushi J., Vasharna T., Anthony D., Pendeza K., Baldeep P., Ennah O., Ling-Wei T.
Grade 7: Bansari S., Arleen S.,, Jasmine K., Akram M., Saloani S., Rishi P., Nana, Amik, Zayna, Karum
Grade 8: Supriya G., Sharan Y., Dhivya U., Jason J., Armaan G., Kirat K., Raveena S., Jasmeen B., Jason B.
Growth Mindset Award
What's Happening at Walnut Grove
The Great Gulp at Walnut Grove
The Region of peel and the Peel District School Board have invited all students to celebrate Peel tap water during Canada Water Week by taking part in a school wide synchronized drink of tap water.
The Great Gulp will take place at Walnut Grove on:
March 6th, 2017at first nutrition break and during period 4.
Help support this initiative by sending your child to school with a reusable water bottle or cup so they can make a toast to tap water. As a participating school, we will be entered into a draw for a water refill station for the school or reusable water bottles for each student. Peel tap water is a safe, clean and convenient choice that is good for your health and the environment. To learn more about Peel tap water visit:
Dental Screening At Walnut Grove
There will be a free dental screening offered to students in Grades JK, SK, 2 and 8 on March 29th and 30th.
All children in these grades will be screened by a dentist.
if you DO NOT want your child to be screened by a dentist, please visit www.peelregion.ca/dental/schoolscreening or call 905-799-770 extension 5622 by March 28, 2017
Scientists in the School
Monthly Math Mania Question
Choose 1 of the following to answer:
a) Would you rather be a triangle or square? Explain.
b) Would you rather be a straight line or an angle? Explain.
Math Mania Winners for February
Saachi
Khushpreet
Nyasa
Minrat
Sia
Harman
Simmar
Sana
Beyond the Hurt
On February 8th Walnut Grove families had the opportunity to attend a session on Bullying that was presented by the Canadian Red Cross. We would like to thank those families that came to the session to support this initiative and to gain a better understanding of what Bullying is and what it is not. Below are some important tips the presenter left us with:
Tips for Social Networking- The Five P Rules:
DO not publish anything that parents, principals, predators, potential employers and police shouldn't see.
Resources:
Kids help phone.ca: Canada's only 24/7 counseling and information service for young people 1-800-668-6868
PREVNet.ca: Canada's authority on research and resources for bullying preventions
MEdiaSmarts.ca: Canada's centre for digital and media literacy
TextED.ca: Texting and internet safety tips for youth and teachers
Peel District School Board: policies on bullying/harassment
Public Library: books and movies on bullying
Canadian Red Cross: information on what bullying is and what it is not, how to protect and support your children
Wellness at Walnut Grove
Children and youth can experience mental health problems that range from mild to serious. As a parent or guardian, you are well-positioned to observe changes in your child’s behaviour. It is often difficult to understand what the changes mean.
Parents may wonder if it is a stage that their child or teen is going through. When a problem lasts more than a few weeks, and interferes with his or her daily life it has become a concern that requires further help.
Getting help can be overwhelming for many families. It may be helpful to start with people who know your child or teen:
o Educators are well-positioned to partner with you and to share what they notice during the time that your child or teen is at school. All schools have assigned to them psycho-educational consultants, social workers and speech and language pathologists who you may access through your school's principal or vice-principal.
o Guidance counsellors, teachers and administrators are also there to help support students who may be experiencing difficulty or who are struggling.
o Your family doctor or paediatrician can ensure that there is not a medical cause for the behaviour you are observing. They may also be able to refer you on to resources in the community for additional support.
Faith-based supports may also be available at your place of worship.
Website resources
Families may wish to gather information about the concern they are experiencing by going online. The following websites provide information about student mental health and well-being:
Community Information Partner Peel
Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
Children’s Mental Health Ontario
The T.A.S.A.M. Program presented by Arts Express
On March 8th and 9th, the students at Walnut Grove will be participating in a program called T.A.S.A.M. that will be run by Arts Express. This program uses the Arts to give students strategies and tools that will help them with their everyday anxieties and stress. Throughout these 2 days, students will engage in a variety of activities including Visual Arts, Drama, Storytelling and Mindful Movement.
There will also be a parent session during Children's Mental Health Week, that will be held on May 9, from 6:30-7:30 which will be led by a child development expert and will talk about strategies and tips to help parents deal with shy, anxious our stressed children.
We hope to see our families at this very important session!
News from the Wolf Den
MARCH
NEWS FROM THE WOLF DEN
Hey Wolves! March will be another active and fun month in the Wolf Den. We hope to see many families at Walnut Grove for Family Fitness Night on Thursday, March 2nd. We will have fitness circuits, healthy smoothies for tasting, drum fit, yoga, mindfulness, salsa dancing, and even a little bit of Zumba. Come prepared to get sweaty!
In the Gym:
After completing a Floor Hockey unit, we are currently working on our fitness in the gym by doing fun fitness blasts. Exercise is a fantastic way to prevent illness and disease and it keeps our minds and bodies happy. In the Spring, we look forward to learning about Baseball, Cricket, Football, more Fitness, and Ultimate Frisbee.
In Sports Teams:
Firstly, a special congratulations to the grade 7/8 Girls and Boys Basketball Teams for their success at the Divisional Tournaments in February. The grade 4 and 5 co-ed Basketball Teams have been chosen and are preparing for their tournament at our school on March 10th. Good luck to them! The grade 6 boys and girls’ Basketball Teams are also underway and their tournaments will be in late March. Go Wolves!
In Intramurals:
The grade 7’s and 8’s finished a regular season of B-ball intramurals with our Warriors and Spurs making it to the championship game next week. May the best team win, and may everyone have fun in the process! The grade 3 sports club and the grade 6 Basketball League will be continuing after the March Break. We hope everyone stays active over the March Break!
The March Athletes of the Month are:
Vaishvi (1FC)
Gaurav (2/3)
Lakshman (3FA)
Sonya (34F)
Manreet (5FB)
Ling-Wei (6FB)
Thanuja (7C)
Harmann (8B).
We congratulate these students and encourage them to keep on shining.
Yours truly,
The Wolfpack
News from the Music Department March 2017
Clubs – Mrs. Locke continues rehearsing for Shake It Up Shakespeare. This year we will be performing “As You Like It”. The performance will be in May.
Mlle Li’s Grade 2 and 3 Primary Choir has started. We meet on Day 2 at 1st NB. As well, the Junior Ukulele Club has started up again and meets on Day 4, NB1.
Units –
Mrs. Locke’s grade 3-8s will begin their strings unit. Grades 3-4 will play the ukulele and grades 5-8 will continue their studies in guitar. Please ask your child to share with you some of the rough copy performance videos from google drive. Here is an example of what you may see: Djembe Warm-Up from Mrs. Mak’s class,
Mrs. Shergill's Class Sharing Djembe Beats
This month, Mlle Li’s Grade 3 FI classes as well as the Grade 5 FI classes will continue preparing for their respective choral performances at the Peel Music Festival in April. The performances will take place at Eden United Church in Mississauga between April 11-13. If your child is performing, stay tuned for the exact date and time!
This month, Miss Leaton's grade 1 students will continue learning about different instruments and how they sound. We will also begin to learn our songs for the spring concert on May 4.
Save the dates:
March 31, Character Assemblies
Thursday May 4, Grade 1 and 2FI concert, 6:30-7:30
April 11, 12, 13- Peel Music Festival Choral Performance
Mid-May - Shake It Up Shakespeare at The Rose Theatre (tickets $10 and available through Mrs. Locke)
Each monthly assembly is filled with wonderful performances from our Walnut Grove students. Teachers put a huge amount of work into these performances. If you are free to come and see, please do so! Celebrate the arts with us!
9:30 - Grades 2,4,6,8, FDK
10:20 - Grades 1,3.5,7, Splits
Follow us on Twitter:
@musicatthegrove @Mlle_Li_musique @missleaton
Walnut Grove Celebrates a Week of Kindness
Famly Fitness Night is coming to Walnut Grove!
Black History Month at Walnut Grove
Winter Carnaval!
News from the Peel District School Board
Bus delays, cancellation information available on STOPR website
At the Peel District School Board, we are committed to providing safe and efficient transportation services for our students to and from school every day. Transportation staff do their best to ensure that buses arrive and leave on time, but sometimes, delays happen.
Information about delays may not always be available through the school, especially if they happen outside of the school day. The best place for find information about bus delays and cancellations, as they happen, is the Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) website at www.storpr.ca. To find information specific to your child's bus, you will need the bus route number.
March Break Maple Syrup Days at Jack Smythe Field Centre
Open Wednesday, March 15 - Saturday, March 18
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as Spring blossoms. Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its maple syrup bush. The March Break programs runs from Wednesday, March 15 to Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Sugar Bush program has been established for more than 15 years and provides families with an educational activity and a hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel District School Board teachers and staff during March Break.
Families are invited to get involved as spring come to life in the following activities:
help tap trees and empty sap buckets.
sample some freshly made maple syrup.
hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand.
learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations.
visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney.
The cost is $5.00/adult and $4.00/child 12 and under. Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include hot chocolate, cookies and hotdogs for you to roast over an open fire.
Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta:
North on Mississauga Rd, left on King Street (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left), right on Winston Churchill Blvd (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left) to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site.
For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.
Register today for Adult ESL or LINC classes
Do you know an adult that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life?
Through the Continuing & Adult Education department, the Peel District School Board offers a wide variety of English language classes that help parents experience success in Canadian English in both listening/speaking and reading/writing. Courses are designed for a range of basic, intermediate and advanced English (Levels 1 to 7) as well as the more experienced learner needing to prepare for an IELTS exam.
Classes are ongoing - Register anytime.
All learners that complete a session will earn a certificate of learning from the Peel District School Board.
Classes operate from six locations in Brampton and Mississauga with three specially designed adult centres at:
Bramalea - Adult Education Centre - 25 Kings Cross Road, Unit 3
Brampton - Adult Education Centre - #300 - 7700 Hurontario Street
Mississauga - Adult Education Centre - 100 Elm Drive West, Room 117
To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000
Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation or follow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL
REGISTER TODAY
Mississauga Secondary School, Mississauga
The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Mississauga Secondary School in Mississauga. Once again, the conference will focus on numeracy—30 out of 60 workshops help with math. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on other topics, including literacy, special education and science.
This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels. Child care will not be provided.
The conference includes:
- a powerful keynote presentation focused on math success
- your choice of 60 practical workshops facilitated by Peel board staff
- a display area with educational exhibits from local organizations
- free lunch and an opportunity to meet Peel parents
Register online at www.peelschools.org/parents/conference
Using social media safely
Among the most popular social media platforms used are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and Whatsapp Messenger. Many of these platforms are free and are available on smartphones and other electronic devices. These platforms are easy to navigate and often allow information to be shared instantly, not only with friends, but with strangers. On social media, it is important to remember that the world is watching.
Here are some tips, provided by the Canadian Safe School Network and GetSafeOnline.org, to keep your children safe and help them make smart choices when using social media:
Set some boundaries for your child before they get their first ‘connected device’ (mobile, tablet, laptop or games console). Once they have it, it can be more difficult to change the way they use it or the settings.
Have a conversation about what is appropriate online behaviour and what actions could have huge repercussions that could damage their reputation and be harmful to others.
Talk to your child about the kind of websites they look at. Encourage them to speak to you if they come across something they find worrying or upsetting on websites, games or social media.
Discuss with your child what is safe and appropriate to post and share online. Written comments, photos and videos all form part of their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by anyone and available on the internet forever, even if it is subsequently deleted.
Explain to your child that being online doesn’t give them anonymity or protection, and that they shouldn’t do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face. Users should only accept people they know in order to protect themselves from spammers, strangers and others who may be using social networking sites to commit crimes.
Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they think they do. Tell your children they must never email, chat, or text with strangers, and it’s never okay to meet a stranger in the real world.
Ensure your children set their privacy settings appropriately. Take the time to learn how privacy settings work on your children’s favourite sites, and teach them how to control their privacy.
Tell your children never to share personal and private information with anyone online. This includes, but is not limited to, his or her full name, age, birth date, address, phone number, social insurance number, credit card information and parents’ full names.
Limit the amount of time that your children spend on social media platforms and talk about the importance of healthy and appropriate use of technology.
Health and Physical Education Curriculum supports the physical, emotional and social well-being of students
Working together to keep our students safe and healthy
The Peel District School Board implemented the Ministry of Education’s revised Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in the 2015-16 school year. The curriculum is divided into four elements that work together to support the physical, emotional and social well-being of students:
active living
movement competence
living skills
healthy living
Peel staff will again teach the human development and sexual health component to students, beginning spring 2017. This provides time for teachers to develop strong relationships with their students prior to this phase.
Advance notice letters will be sent home with students two weeks prior to the human development/sexual health lessons. Families can submit religious accommodation requests at any time prior to the lesson by contacting the school directly.
To get more information on how the HPE curriculum will be taught, please visit our website at www.peelschools.org/HPE.
Parent resources help you support your child’s learning
Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to parents.
There you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web pages on a number of different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and mental health.
Parent resources help you support your child’s learning
At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each child. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout his or her entire school experience.
Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to parents.
There you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web pages on a number of different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and mental health.