Walnut Grove PS
January 2021 Newsletter
Walnut Grove PS
Principal: M. Casciato
Vice Principals: S. Rofaiel, 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
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 - 11:55
Period 4 11:55 - 12:35
Period 5 12:35 - 1:15
Nutrition Break C 1:15 - 1:55
Period 6 1:55 - 2:35
Period 7 2:35 - 3:15
Flex Time 3:15 - 3:35
Dismissal 3:35
Principal's Message
Welcome back to all of our students and families! We are looking forward to a year filled with learning and exploring together as we work towards student success and achievement.
This is a great time of year to set goals for learning and other pursuits. The exercise of setting goals and selecting strategies to reach the goal(s) is an important part of learning. January is the beginning of the year, a great time to set new goals in all areas of learning.
We encourage you to stay connected with the school and the board by signing up for alerts of upcoming events and announcements.
On behalf of our Vice Principals Ms. Stephen and Mrs. Rofaiel, I would like to wish all of our Walnut Grove families a very happy and healthy New Year ahead!
School Council
School Council Meeting Dates
Hello Everyone,
Here are the upcoming dates for virtual meetings:
- February 3, 2021
- April 7, 2021
- June 2, 2021
As Council has only met once in October, meeting minutes have not yet been approved and are therefore not posted on the website yet. They should be approved and posted in February. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call the school office if you have any questions.
We welcome all of our parents to attend School Council meetings.
Walnut Grove School Success
Two School Success Goals in 2021
This year we are working on maintaining a safe and inclusive climate, characterized by an anti-oppressive, anti-racist stance, as a prerequisite to our academic area of improvement - numeracy.
Although it has been a challenging Fall, we have applauded our staff and students' resiliency and creativity. Our staff have worked with our Family of Schools Learning Environment Itinerant Teacher and Equity Coach to learn about Restorative Justice, and the power of community circles in promoting mental health and a safe environment for all. Our teachers also continue to learn about best practices in delivering the new math curriculum strands of Financial Literacy and Coding - all the while attending to our students' social-emotional development.
As students, staff and parents continue to navigate the new world of online teaching and learning, we are cognizant that sometimes we must go slow and deep to realize lasting gains in student progress. We also applaud our parents who often negotiate our students' learning on a daily basis. It takes a village to raise a child.
News from the Peel District School Board
Changes to inclement weather days to keep schools safe
This year, we have adjusted school routines in many ways to help reduce the spread of
COVID-19 and support the health and safety of our students, staff members and families. As we enter the winter months, we have made some important changes for days when buses are cancelled and/or school buildings are closed due to extreme weather conditions.
Bus cancellation days
This school year, when buses are cancelled for part or all of Peel region, school buildings will also be closed to all students in affected municipalities. Please do not send your child to school on these days.
Instead, students will learn at home through live, online classes, where possible. Students already enrolled in online learning will continue with their regular school routines. Contact your child's educator and/or principal for more information.
When buses are cancelled, child care programs will remain open. Contact your child care provider for details.
Full board closure days
In the very rare instance that it is unsafe to open schools due to severe inclement weather, we will announce that school buildings and board offices are closed to all students and staff for the day.
On these days, students who would typically attend school in person will learn at home through live, online classes, where possible. Students already enrolled in the online learning will continue with their regular school routines.
All in-person activities at board offices and schools, including child care, will be cancelled.
Communication to families
During inclement weather days, the decision to close schools or cancel buses will be shared by 6:15 a.m. If no closures or cancellations have been announced by 6:15 a.m., buses are running and schools are open.
How to find out if schools are closed or buses are cancelled:
· Peel District School Board’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media accounts.
· Student Transportation of Peel Region website: www.stopr.ca
· Peel District School Board’s website: www.peelschools.org. Subscribe to receive email alerts.
· School websites
· 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146
Speak to your principal to learn more. For more information and to view translations of this document, visit www.peelschools.org/parents/weather
Peel Public Health shares tips to help prevent the flu amidst a pandemic
It’s flu season and we want to make sure students stay as healthy as possible. Getting the flu shot this year is more important than ever, in order to reduce the chance of having an illness that can be confused for COVID-19. Influenza (flu) spreads easily from one person to another and Peel Public Health has some tips to help reduce the risk of catching the flu and spreading it.
Get your annual flu shot: The flu shot is your best defense against the flu. The flu virus changes frequently so you need to get the vaccine every Fall. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots by appointment only:
§ Family Doctors’ offices
§ Walk-in clinics
§ Pharmacies
Remember to physically distance and wear a mask at the clinic to help protect yourself and others.
Be sure to contact your healthcare provider to book an appointment, as walk-ins are not accepted due to COVID-19 safety measures.
Keep children home when they’re sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe.
Practice good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw tissues in the trash. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow, if they don’t have a tissue. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.
Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze.
For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.
Student Immunization for Grades 7 and 8
Due to COVID-19, Peel Public Health will not be holding immunization clinics in schools during the 2020-21 school year. Students that need a vaccine will be able to book an appointment with the Peel Public Health Immunization Program in a Brampton or Mississauga location.
There will be a phased approach for immunization clinic based on grade:
· Grade 8, 9 & 12 will be targeted first for immunization
· Grades 7, 10 & 11 will be targeted second for immunization. Peel Public Health will notify families when they can start booking for immunizations.
For current Grade 7 students who have not yet started their immunizations, Peel Public Health will notify you when to start booking for the missed immunizations. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
If you have not yet submitted a consent form for your child to receive their immunizations, you will have the opportunity to complete one when booking your student’s appointment.
For current Grade 8 students who missed their immunizations in the spring (while in grade 7) due to school closures you will have the opportunity to select a date and time to schedule an appointment that is convenient for you. Current grade 8 students can book an appointment online using Google Chrome: https://peelregion.inputhealth.com/ebooking.
If you are unable to access or complete the e-booking, please call 905-799-7700 for assistance.
Report your child’s immunizations to the Region of Peel online
When registering for school for the first time, parents and guardians are required to provide up-to-date immunization information for their children. This includes registering for kindergarten.
You can update your child’s immunizations online. The online immunization tool allows you to attach a photo of the immunization record. When reporting online, an Ontario Health Card is required.
Report immunizations online at: www.peelregion.ca/immunize
After you report your immunizations online you will be given a reference number. Keep this number for your records. You will need to give this number to your child’s school when registering.
If you do not have online access or your child does not have an Ontario Health Card, take a copy of the immunization record to the school. Make sure your child’s name and date of birth are visible on the record.
Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 if your child does not have an immunization record or if you have any questions about immunization exemptions.
For more information, visit www.peelregion.ca/immunize
Keep your child’s eyes healthy
Did you know that vision problems in children often go unnoticed because kids don’t know any different? As many as 10 per cent of preschoolers will have vision difficulties that can affect the development of their sight if not treated. However, if caught by the age of 5, treatment will be most effective.
The Region of Peel recommends regular eye exams for your child to help find eye problems early and get the right treatment.
The best way to ensure good eye health is to have your child’s eyes checked by an optometrist. Yearly eye exams for children 19 and under are covered by OHIP.
What to expect at your child’s eye exam
An optometrist will complete:
- General vision testing in both eyes.
- Eye muscle testing.
- Eye coordination testing.
- A general health assessment of the front and back of the eyes.
If needed, the optometrist will write a prescription for glasses for your child.
For information on overall vision health, common signs of a possible eye problem and the programs available to you within Peel, visit www.peelregion.ca/vision-health
Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options for student athletes, artists
Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes it difficult to attend school regularly? The Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High Performers Program will offer flexible timetabling to accommodate student athletes and artists with demanding practice, competition, rehearsal and/or performance schedules.
Peel Region High Performers Program is offered at:
- Britannia Public School (grades 4 to 5)
- Dolphin Sr. Public School (grades 6 to 8)
- Mississauga Secondary School (grades 9 to 12)
For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/HighPerformers or contact the school.
Is Extended French right for my child?
If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2021, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the Extended French (EF) program.
To find out the EF school your child would attend, visit www.peelschools.org/French or
call the school in your area.
Grade 7 Extended French dates for the 2021-22 school year
Information night Details about the information night will be shared with families soon and made available at www.peelschools.org/French Nov. 26, 2020
Applications open Apply at www.peelschools.org/French Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.
Application deadline Applications received after this date will be put on a waiting list. Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
A random selection process is used to determine which students will be offered spaces in the grade 7 EF program. Applications for grade 7 Extended French will only be considered for students who are currently registered in an English program and have not been previously in a French Immersion program. Students currently enrolled in grade 6 French Immersion will continue grade 7 in the French Immersion program.
For more information
· visit www.peelschools.org/French
· call your nearest Extended French school
· connect with families who have children in the Extended French program
· visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca
Is French Immersion right for my child?
If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2021, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the French Immersion (FI) program.
To find out the FI school your child would attend, visit www.peelschools.org/French or
call the school in your area.
Grade 1 French Immersion important dates for the 2021-22 school year
Information night Details about the information night will be shared with families soon and made available at www.peelschools.org/French Nov. 26, 2020
Applications open Apply at www.peelschools.org/French Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.
Application deadline Applications received after this date will be put on a waiting list. Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
The Peel board has a limited number of spaces available for students interested in grade 1 French Immersion. A random selection process is used to determine which students will be offered spaces in the grade 1 FI program.
For more information
· visit www.peelschools.org/French
· call your nearest French Immersion school
· connect with families who have children in the French Immersion program
· visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca
It's time to register children born in 2017 for kindergarten
We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2017, they can start kindergarten in September 2021.
Starting January 1, 2021, families can register online for the 2021-22 school year by visiting www.peelschools.org/Kindergarten
Documents required for registration
Families will be required to upload scanned copies of the following documents while completing online registration.
Proof of child's age and legal name (one of the following)
- Birth Certificate/Birth Registration Card
- Citizenship Card / Certificate / Passport / Permanent Resident Card / Confirmation of Permanent Residence
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Refugee/Convention Refugee Permit
Current proof of address (one of the following)
- Agreement of Purchase and Sale of House
- Latest Municipal Tax Assessment (MPAC) / Tax Bill
- Phone / Cable/ Internet Bill
- Utility Bill (water, hydro, gas)
- Bank Statement / Letter from Financial Institution / Credit Card Statement
- Government forms (e.g. Canada Post, Service Canada documents)
Proof of Citizenship/Immigration Status (if applicable)
Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement.
Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated.
Regional Learning Choices Programs empower students to unlock their passions
Regional Learning Choices Programs offered by the Peel District School Board empower students by providing them with opportunities to develop and explore skills in a particular area of interest. Regional programs are open to all students who meet the criteria for acceptance. Students and families are encouraged to visit www.peelschools.org/regionalprograms to learn about the programs, application details and how supports are available to help families choose the program(s) of their choice.
New self-identification process: All African, Black, First Nations, Inuit and Métis students who self-identify on the application form and meet the criteria for admission, will be accepted into the program without participating in the random selection process. Learn more.
Transportation is not provided for students in regional programs. If students have been accepted into a regional program and they live within the school boundary, they are only eligible for busing if they meet the distance criteria outlined in the board’s Transportation Policy #39.
All regional programs include annual fees, including a non-refundable $40 application fee. Please note that supports are available for families who are interested in applying and may require financial assistance – please speak with your principal.
Your Path. Your Choice. The Transition to High School
High school course selection will occur in the Fall of your child’s grade 8 year using myBlueprint, with assistance from school staff. The myBlueprint program is a pathway planning tool that offers families a way of communicating course selections to the school. Together with your child, you will make all decisions for your child’s pathway and you will have the opportunity to provide final approval for the courses selected in myBlueprint.
Getting Ready for Grade Nine
Students in grade 9 select eight courses - six of which are compulsory and two of which are elective. The six compulsory courses are required, which means that students must study these courses. The two elective courses allow students to pursue their interests. These eight courses are spread out over two semesters in one school year, where students study four courses at a time.
To further explore myBlueprint as a pathways planning tool:
- Go to www.peelschools.org
- Click BYOD Login (use Peel student username and password)
- Click View all Apps in the BYOD portal
- Click myBlueprint (under Learning Resources)
- Click High School Planner to view courses available at your child’s high school
Your child’s school will be in contact with you soon for more information regarding high school course selection in myBlueprint.