CALVIN PARK UPDATE

Throughout the year, our students have been participating in a variety of activities that focus on well being and mental health. This week is Children’s Mental Health Week in Ontario and this week we will be focusing on different strategies that we can use to take care of our mental health. Well-being includes both our physical health and our mental health. We all need to take care of our mental health. Every day this week, we will announce one idea for students to think about and talk about in class and with your friends and family at home. The announcements that we will share each day are listed in the week ahead below. Students will also be given a link to a digital classroom which contains links to a variety of different mental health supports and resources.

May 3-9 is Mental Health Awareness Week

Monday, May 3 - Day 1

Virtual Learning Week #3
Mental Health Tip #1: It is good for our mental health to be positive! Think about all the things that are good in your life. Think about what you are thankful for every day and try to be optimistic about things. What are you grateful for and feeling positive about?

Tuesday, May 4 - Day 2

Mental Health Tip #2: It is good for our mental health to be active! Physical exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve our mood. Biking, walking, skipping and playing all kinds of sports are ways to be active that helps our mental and physical health and improves well-being. What ways do you stay active?
May the "Fourth" (Force) Be With You! Students and staff are encouraged to wear Star Wars clothing and costumes!

Wednesday, May 5 - Day 3

Mental Health Tip #3: It is good for our mental health to be connected! You can be connected to friends, family, pets and your community. Talking, sharing a meal, doing an activity or helping others are ways to stay connected with those around you. How do you stay connected to important people or pets in your life?

Thursday, May 6 - Day 4

Mental Health Tip #4: It is good for our mental health to be creative! Being creative can be a great way to express your feelings and reduce your stress. Some ways of being creative are drawing, playing music, painting, writing, dancing, singing, scrapbooking and taking pictures. What are some ways you are creative?
Virtual "Celebration of Dance" at 11:00 pm

Friday, May 7 - Day 5

Mental Health Tip #5: It is good for our mental health to be mindful! Being mindful means using all of your senses to really be present in your day. Relaxation exercises and deep breathing can really help you to be calm and alert and ready to learn. What helps you to be mindful, relax and breathe deeply?
Calvin Clothing Spirit Day - wear blue and red or your Calvin clothing. Show your Comet spirit!

UPCOMING DATES

May 24 Victoria Day Holiday

School Advisory Council (SAC) Executive for 2020-21:

Co-Chairs:

Claudine Elvidge (claudine_elvidge@hotmail.com)

Krystle Holton ( krystleholton@hotmail.com )

Secretary/Treasurer: Sarah Phinney

Thank you to those families who were able to attend the virtual presentation on Tuesday, April 27, from Laura Conboy, the Mental Health Lead in the Limestone District School Board. During the presentation, we learned about her role in the Board and some of the resources and supports that are available for our children.

Our Indigo and FlipGive fundraisers will be continuing until June 25th. For more information about these fundraisers, please view the Calvin Park School Advisory Council Update https://www.smore.com/beqxr Participation in these fundraisers is easy! Just sign up and a percentage of what you spend for regular purchases like groceries, gas, home products and gifts, will go to our school. All fundraising this year will be used to purchase new books for classroom libraries to reflect diverse lives and issues related to equity, racism, and inclusion.

FOOD AND CLOTHING SUPPORTS

Just a reminder to our families that food and clothing supports are available for your family through the school if needed. Please contact the office if we can assist you in any way (613-542-2796 or calvp@limestone.on.ca) Please leave a message if we do not answer the phone. Phones are monitored regularly from 8:00am - 3:00 pm on Monday to Friday, even when office staff are working from home.

BAYRIDGE SS COMPUTER CHALLENGE

Congratulations to our Computing Teams who participated in the Bayridge Secondary School Computing Challenge this year. Our Grade 7 Team won their division and our Grade 8 Team came in a tight second in their division. It was the first year that our students have competed. Well done, Comets!

VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF DANCE ON MAY 6 AT 11:00 AM

On May 6th at 11:00am EST, Calvin Park will be participating in the virtual Celebration of Dance, along with many other students from across our district! Information will be shared by their teachers before this event! Students can dance in their own homes by themselves or with family members. It might be a much-needed break for all to enjoy some activity time together! Many students have participated in the past and have fond memories of the event! If you wish, please share your pictures or videos with your child's teacher or post on social media using the hashtags #dancetogether2021and tag @DANCEPL3Y

GRADE 8 GRADUATION CEREMONY

We are excited to celebrate Grade 8 Graduation with our almost 200 Grade 8 graduates! In order to provide a memorable and safe event that follows health protocols and guidelines for our Grade 8 students, we have extended our Graduation Ceremony over two days, June 21 and 22. Our graduates will have the opportunity to come to the Graduation Stage in the cafeteria at a designated time to receive their graduation certificate, any awards, and take a photo in front of our special graduation backdrop!! Graduates are invited to wear their graduation attire for this if they wish. Each student will be allowed to invite a limited number of family members who are in their own "bubble." Classroom teachers will be sending out more detailed graduation information in May and contacting families to arrange a time for each student to graduate!

GRADE 8 GRADUATION PHOTOS

We were able to complete Graduation Photos for just 3 classes before the provincial shutdown of non-essential services in April. Lifetouch will be contacting us regarding a revised schedule when we return to school or next steps for families if we don't return to school. We will share that information once we receive it.

Ontario Government Support for Learners

The new COVID-19 Child Benefit announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget will provide direct payments to families and students to help with additional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you received a payment through the Support for Learners program, you do not need to apply. Starting on April 26, 2021, we will begin issuing additional payments of:

$400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12
$500 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs

If you missed applying for the Support for Learners program, you will have the opportunity to apply for this new round of payment. Applications will open from May 3, 2021 to May 17, 2021.Learn more on the government’s Support for Learners webpage liked below.

We recognize that these times are not easy for anyone and Covid fatigue and isolation is a real issue. Please access the resources in the links below to support your child's mental health during this time. The Maltby Centre is a local organization that supports youth mental health and has counselling and other supports available. The other links are for organization websites which contain helpful information and resources to support children and families during this time. In addition, please reach out to your family doctor, your child's teacher or to our office if you are concerned about your child's mental health.