CALVIN PARK UPDATE
Week of September 28-October 2, 2020
We have been very lucky that September has brought such lovely weather and we have had lots of opportunities to go outside for learning and recess. The weather this week is looking rainy so please take a minute to remind your child to check the forecast and come to school dressed appropriately for the weather. We will still try to be outside as much as possible, even in wet and cold conditions.
Please see the information below if you are interested in becoming a part of our School Council. We will begin the year with a virtual meeting on October 5 at 6:00 p.m. Please complete the Google form if you wish to be sent the meeting link and/or be nominated for an executive position.
This week we are looking forward to a number of significant events, beginning with our Terry Fox Run/Walk. Rather than a school-wide walk as we have done in the past, each class will take time during one of their gym periods this week to complete laps in Terry's honour. The theme of the Terry Fox events this year is "What is your 40?" since it is the 40th Anniversary of Terry's Run. Please see the link below to donate on-line or students may bring in loose coins and donations to their classrooms to support cancer research.
On September 30 we also recognize Orange Shirt Day to honour residential school survivors and to learn more about the lasting impact of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities. We encourage all staff and students to wear orange on Wednesday to collectively show our support.
September 30 is the last Wednesday in September which is also designated as Rowan's Law Day. Rowan’s Law and Rowan’s Law Day were established to honour the memory of Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player in Ottawa, who passed away as a result of a series of concussions. Rowan's Law Day is acknowledged to bring attention to concussions and concussion safety.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we navigate through this unusual year. We continue to adapt to our new routines and we are looking forward to another wonderful week with our students!
Thank you, please take care of each other and stay well,
Mrs. Elizabeth Suriyuth, Principal suriyuthe@limestone.on.ca
Ms. Wilma Pettingill, Vice-Principal pettingillw@limestone.on.ca
DAILY SCREENING FOR COVID -19 SYMPTOMS
THIS WEEK AT CALVIN PARK
Monday, September 28
Day 1
- Terry Fox Activities - please bring in coins to collect for Terry
Day 2
- Terry Fox Activities cont'd - please bring in coins to collect for Terry
Wednesday, September 30
Day 3
- Terry Fox Activities cont'd - please bring in coins to collect for Terry
- Orange Shirt Day - to honour residential school survivors and their families
- Rowan's Law Day - to bring attention to concussion safety
Thursday, October 1
Day 4
Friday, October 2
Day 5
- Calvin Colours Spirit Day - Show your school spirit every Friday and wear blue/red or your School Clothing (info about purchasing school clothing will be shared soon)
UPCOMING DATES
October 5 School Council Virtual Meeting and Elections 6:00 p.m.
October 12 Thanksgiving Monday
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IMMUNIZATIONS
Information about immunizations for students who are currently in Grade 7 will be sent out to families in an email communication this week.
REMINDER - NO VISITORS ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL AT THIS TIME
A reminder to our families that parents/guardians are not allowed to enter the school at this time without an appointment. This is to limit outside contacts for our students. If you need to drop off something for your child or pick up your child early, please call the school office or send a note with your child. We will meet you outside in the front of the school. It is very important that we continue to work together in a collective effort to prevent community spread in order to keep our schools open.
NEW BUS LOOP
Potential Increase in Bus Delays/Cancellations
Tri-Board Student Transportation has indicated there will likely be more bus delays and cancellations this year due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transportation to and from school is not guaranteed. Families should have a backup plan to transport their student(s) to school, and to arrange child care where required, if their bus is cancelled for any reason and they cannot transport their student to school.
Families should ensure they are signed up to receive direct notifications, either by email, or Tri-Board’s app. Delays and cancellations are also posted to Tri-Board’s Twitter account.
· Subscribe by email to specific bus routes
School Council
We welcome all parents/guardians of our students to be part of our School Council. During School Council meetings, we share what is happening at our school, through reports from various committee members and administration, and as well, we plan for ways to support learning at our school. Our meetings will be held virtually until such a time that parents/guardians are allowed on-site. Our first School Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and we will begin with elections for those who are interested in Executive Positions. Please see below for a brief description of the responsibilities and duties of each executive position. You don't need to be in an executive position to attend School Council - you may wish to attend to hear more about what is happening at Calvin Park. Please complete the google form below if you are interested in attending the School Council Meeting on October 5th, and we will share the meeting link. In addition, on the form please indicate whether you are interested in one of the Executive Positions or would like to nominate someone else.
CHAIR - chief administrator of Parent Council - creates meeting agendas, liaisons between parents, school, administration and staff. Coordinates and supports volunteers, publishes newsletters, chairs Council meetings, keeps in touch with all coordinators.
VICE CHAIR - Duties of Chair could be split with Vice-Chair if deemed appropriate by Council. Vice Chair chairs any Council meeting that the Chair is unable to attend. The Vice Chair will also take meeting notes in the event that the Secretary is not available. If Co-Chairs are elected than the two parties will share the duties.
TREASURER - duties include handling all council money, produces financial statements/reports and presents these at monthly meetings.
SECRETARY - duties include attendance at Council meetings, recording minutes at monthly meetings and distribution to appropriate parties, maintains records as necessary.
And while we don't vote on the following position, MEMBERS AT LARGE play a very important role. Every parent/guardian is welcome to attend any and all Parent Council Meetings throughout the year!
MEMBERS AT LARGE - along with the executive, Parent Council relies on the parent community to come to meetings and have a say in issues that affect our students. We need parent representation to vote on how our fundraising efforts are allocated and to volunteer at various events and initiatives throughout the school year.
SAFE ARRIVAL - REPORTING A STUDENT ABSENCE
There are three options to use to report a student absence:
- call the automated attendance phone line at 1-855-257-9349 **Always enter "lates" as a full day even if the child will only be absent for half a day. It will adjust automatically once the student arrives.
- use the SchoolMessenger App on your phone.
- use the SchoolMessenger website portal.
For more information on how to report an absence please click on the link below.
SCHOOLMESSENGER
Our school uses a broadcasting tool called SchoolMessenger to communicate important school information with families via text, email or phone message. We will also use it for sharing Weekly Updates to Families.
It is important that parents/guardians ensure schools have the most up-to-date contact information at the beginning of the school year. If your contact information changes during the school year, parents/guardians are asked to contact the school with the updated information.
More information about SchoolMessenger can be found by clicking the button below.
BORROWED IPADS AND CHROMEBOOKS
If your child is participating in remote learning, students who already have a device from last year may keep them to use for online learning. A reminder that school Chromebooks are to be used for learning activities and are not for personal use.
STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Please continue to check these Limestone District School Board platforms for the most up-to-date information from our Board.
LDSB Website https://www.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Twitter: https://twitter.com/LimestoneDSB
LDSB Facebook https://tinyurl.com/wbhjtku
LDSB Instagram https://instagram.com/limestonedsb/
In addition, please follow our:
Calvin Park Twitter account: @CalvinPark_LDSB or https://twitter.com/CalvinPark_LDSB
Calvin Park Website: https://calvinpark.limestone.on.ca/
Calvin Park Public School Office: (613) 542-2796
Ms. Gale Martin, Office Administrator