Walnut Grove PS
June Newsletter
Walnut Grove PS
Principal: P. Lone
Vice Principals: S. Bineesari, T. Maharaj
Superintendent: 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
It is hard to believe that June has arrived, and we are 4 weeks away from summer holidays! As the school year draws to a close, we look back with pride at some of our accomplishments. Our teachers have engaged in deep professional learning in Numeracy, and have implemented new and effective strategies and activities to support our students in problem solving, reasoning, thinking and communication. Our Numeracy focus included monthly Math Mania questions, Math Mania Day for students, and a new monthly “Growth Mindset” award. Our students successfully participated in a wide variety of intramural and competitive sports, making a proud and positive name for Walnut Grove Wolves. The Arts department continued to thrive with various activities such as Winter and Spring Concerts, Arts Night and Shakespeare, not to mention first and second place awards in the Peel Music Festival. Our French Immersion program hosted a Winter Carnival, and well as a French Café for the entire school. We went deeper with our focus on Mental Health, implementing mindfulness activities on a regular basis, and exploring ways to reduce stress and anxiety by maintaining a balanced mindset and lifestyle. Bullying Prevention and Intervention continue to remain at the forefront, as each morning begins with a bullying announcement/thought for the day, and ideas and strategies for students to use and implement when facing conflict (including W.I.T.S. and Zones if Regulation). As a school community, we continue our learning around Equity and Inclusion, not just around Day of Pink, but in our everyday practice. Next year, we will delve deeper in our understanding of Indigenous issues and rights. The “Your Voice Counts” survey was completed and we are so very proud of the results. I will send out a summary of the results before the end of June, but I want you to know that there was an overwhelmingly positive response to the work that we do, and to the amazing school community that we have created together over the past 4 years. Yes, we do have some areas to improve upon, and I thank all students, staff and parents for their honest feedback. We will use this feedback to implement ideas and changes to ensure that your voices are heard and honoured. The mural project is now complete, and the students of Walnut Grove have their mark on the walls of the school. Each grade level mural contains the art work of each student – they are simply outstanding, and we hope that in your visits to the school, that you take some time to enjoy the work of the students under the direction of the artist.
We wish our Grade 8 graduates the best of luck as they enter a new chapter of their lives. Secondary school is a very exciting time, and we know we have prepared the students well.
On behalf of our Vice Principals Mrs. Bineesari, and Ms. Maharaj, I would like to wish all of our families a safe and restful summer, and we look forward to seeing you on September 5, 2017.
School Council News
We would like to thank our School Council members for the great work they have done this school year. Thank you to Raj Kumar and Sandy Dhillon, our co-chairs, Bob Nagra, Secretary, Daizy Khattar, Treasurer and Nayan Brahmbhatt, Member.
There is no scheduled June meeting, HOWEVER, we will be holding a Parent Session on "Online Awareness for Parents" - a presentation by guest speaker Paul Davis. This is a session that all parents will want to attend. Social Media and Online activities are part of our children's everyday lives and, as parents, we need to know and understand what our kids are doing online. Please plan on joining us on Wednesday, June 14, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the school Gym for this informative session.
School Council Elections for the 2017-2018 school year will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Nomination forms will be sent home on September 11, 2017. More details will follow in September.
Character at Walnut Grove
This month the Character focus is Good Character. Our Equity focus is Circles and Cycles. When thinking about Good Character, we are looking at consistently showing good character throughout the year.
Things to consider when thinking about Circles and Cycles:
The concept of the circle is used to show students how they can continue to examine their own lives and the world around them. It can also show how, by learning, they can help others to learn, making an ever-widening circle of people who are open-minded and inclusive. What have students learned? What do they want to learn more about?
Character Trait Monthly WInners
Kindergarten: Ishika W., Aadi G., Sabiq A., Kareem W., Rafay Z., Garv S., Winston S., Prince U., Pranav V., Samaira P., AJ T., Eshaan K, Shaan N., Sounish M., Rishi, Ashir, Tejbir, Aiesha
Grade 1: Vrinda R., Harinash R., Aayan A., Jobind S., Shreya S., Aarib M., Matthew H., Kiara B., Zain N., Amber D., Manav D., Arani J.
Grade 2: Jovan H., Shiven S., Jasraj B., Swaraj S., Hamreet M., Daniel S., Suhani B., Elanah, Sahib B., Anabiya Z., Angadh A., Aramaan T.
Grade 3: Jamil, Taran, Ashraj, GIya, Sukhsahej, Harveer, Devanshi C., Nihsan G., Sahib U., Shaanvir S., Ashmeet B., Rayyan S., Evan S., Matilda D., Amaia J.,
Grade 4: Leila B., Rishan A., Ashon B., Anmol S., Palveer C., Arnav M, Divjot S., Parmavir K.
Grade 5: Ria R., Simran K., Rej S>, Safinn, Ayush, Jasmine C., David B., Tife M., Luvisha M., Navdeep B., Rattan M., Tanya D.
Grade 6: Ishan S., SImran S., Yasmin O., Cyrisse, Kiran, Rajit, Samreen, Rasika K., Mohamad A., Aditi S., Kory, Mehardeep, Japnam D., Naila H.
Grade 7: Akshay S, Jaiveer S., Diya G., Amareen S., Rishi P., Gurveer S., Jasmin K., Papa O. Rayjeanee
Grade 8: Krish P., Sahil A., Simran G., Manjot T., Feza, Tejman, Shayla
Growth Mindset Winners:
Arman D.,
Sreekar K.
Amayra M.
Arjun P.
Anujan S.
Eva
Varun K.
SImran B.
Kulnoor N.
Jasmeet B.
Raza Z.
Raena B.
Ria
Armaan A,
Gurman A.
Balroop M.
Tavish M.
Ruwanthi P.
Riya
Aqil
Ishawn
Arshdeep D.
Nyasa C.
Angeli B.
Satasha S.
Hodan A.
Colleen H.
Jasmine J.
Raphael A.
Navjot J.
Hursh D.
Tanya A.
Manisha S.
Kelvin S.
Sahil A.
Asia A.
Rishit B.
Harman S.
Nana W.
Sinthujan J.
Terrel O,
Simmar B.
Sohum S.
Palak G.
Umar C.
Harkaran P.
Joel B.
Dhir
What's Happening at Walnut Grove
End of the Year Reminders
If you are moving during the summer, please let the office know as soon as possible.
If your child has any medication or epi-pens stored in the office, those need to be taken home for the summer and returned with a new medical form in September.
Tea and Talk
Beginning in October 2017, Walnut Grove will be hosting a Tea and Talk once a month to invite families into the school to enjoy some time to read with their children and to learn about the diverse cultures that make up the Walnut Grove community.
We are asking for any parents that are interested in sharing a story from their culture at our Tea and Talk to contact Mrs. Bineesari.
Volunteer Appreciation
If you volunteered with us this year, please look out for your invitation and we hope to see you on the 15th!
EQAO
In preparation for EQAO, Harman S. in 6B was reviewing literary devices, and challenged himself to write a poem about perseverance. In light of our recent Mental Health Week, his teacher, Mrs. Jackson, wanted to share his poem with the Walnut Grove community in hopes that it will inspire those who feel like giving up.
FLY
By: Harman S. - 6B
I’d like to fly above the sky
where I shall lay and pray for a greater day.
When darkness comes I will not crumble
let the ground rumble I will not fumble
my speech for it has leached
somewhere deep where words can not reach.
When the storm roars I’ll seek the warm cores
of the wealthy-hearted.
NO matter WHAT they SAY
and NO matter how FAR I’d stray
I’d like to fly.
Math Mania Winners May 2017
Gurnoor
Gyan
Saheerthanan
Arvil
Praykshaa
Sukhmani
Jena
Neil
Math Mania Question for June
How many cheeseballs will fit on the large plate?
What’s too low?
What’s too high?
Estimate
What’s your reasoning? Justify your thinking using math vocabulary.
Eco Team News
June Eco Initiative: Bike to School
Let’s get rolling! Join students and teachers across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to celebrate Bike to School Week, May 29 to June 2, 2017.
LItterless Lunches
The Eco-team would like to thank all the students and parents for participating in the May “Litterless Lunches” Challenge. It was a huge success and we are grateful to everyone for helping Walnut Grove help the environment by reducing waste at our school.
Due to all the success we’ve had in May and the fact that we are now an Eco School, we are asking all students to bring litterless lunches starting in September. Remember that litterless lunches are healthier, cheaper and better for the planet!
News from the Music Department May 2017
Extra-curricular Activities –
Mlle Li’s Grade 2 and 3 Primary Choir will continue to meet on Day 2 at 1st NB. We will have our end-of-the-year party in a few weeks to celebrate our students’ on-going dedication to the choir.
Mrs. Locke will hold “Office Hours” NB1 for the intermediate grades to rehearse in preparation for the Grade 8 Grad luncheon.
Units –
Mrs. Locke’s grade 3-6s are beginning their Boomwhacker unit.
Grades 7 and 8 classes will plan their own Independent Study Unit. Students in grade 7 and 8 will select their own instruments from those that are available and plan a performance. The grade 8s will be invited to audition for a short performance at their graduation luncheon. Look on the google drive for shared video of their in-class performances.
Mlle Li’s Grade 6 FI classes are currently presenting their three-part percussion pieces. Watch out on twitter (mlle_li_musique) for a couple of the best performances to be featured. The Grade 2-4 FI students have been learning about some Asian music traditions around the world in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. In June, the students will be learning about Canadian folk song traditions to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday! The Grade 5’s have begun their guitar unit and will be continuing with this until the end of June.
This month, Miss Leaton's grade 1 students will be exploring boomwhackers and drumfit. As well as putting all of their skills to the test by listening to music to identify all the different things we have learned this year (e.g., loud/soft, fast/slow, instruments).
Congratulations to our Grade 1 and 2 performers, and the dance groups for their amazing performance at the Spring Concert in May! We are very proud of everyone and their hard work in preparation for the show.
Save the dates:
June 22, Character Assemblies
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
Shake It Up Shakespeare Festival Update
For the second year in a row Walnut Grove participated in the Shake It Up Shakespeare festival. This is a great opportunity to perform on a professional stage. This year Walnut Grove sent 43 students to the festival to perform As You Like It. We performed two marvelous shows! First, at a school matinee and then at The Rose Theatre.
The whole experience was unforgettable. Once we arrived at The Rose, we played drama games with our facilitators and then rehearsed our play, learned our finale song with three other schools, and then we also had an opportunity to watch the other schools perform.
Mrs. Buzckowski, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Leaton, Mrs. Locke, and Mrs. Puscas were thrilled with the hard work and dedication from our actors, actresses, dancers and singers. Both students and directors alike are looking forward to next year’s opportunity.
Kindergarten Concert
The Kindergarten Concert was a huge success. We would like to thank all of the families that came out to show their support for our school and our students.
Kindergarten Bussing
WELCOMING ALL KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN TO
YOUNG RIDER ORIENTATION DAY
Introduce your children to school buses prior to the first day of school
Saturday, August 26, 2017
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
We encourage you to participate by bringing your kindergarten children and elementary age siblings to a one hour program between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. Bus rides and a school bus safety video are only part of the informative fun!
To confirm your attendance and preferred time slot, please contact one of the bus companies listed below in June 2017.
East Mississauga
First Student Canada (Wolfedale Division)
905 270-0561
Philip Pocock SS
4555 Tomken Road
Mississauga, ON
Central Mississauga
Switzer-Carty Transportation Inc.
905 276-2224
Fr. Michael Goetz SS
330 Central Parkway W.,
Mississauga, ON
West Mississauga
Attridge Transportation
905 855-7771
John Fraser SS
3665 Erin Centre Blvd.
Mississauga, ON
Bramalea
Parkview Transit
905 857-9894
St. Marguerite d’Youville
10815 Dixie Road
Brampton, ON
Brampton
Switzer-Carty Transportation Inc.
905 362-1967
St. Augustine SS
27 Drinkwater Road
Brampton, ON
Caledon/Dufferin
Parkview Transit
905 584-0400
St. Michael SS
9130 Columbia Way Bolton, ON
News from the Wolf Den- May 2017
Hey Wolves! Spring is here, bringing a lot of outdoor activities for everyone! The Wolf Den has been bursting with enthusiasm and activity this month.
Teams at The Grove
Firstly, a big congratulations to the Boys and Girls 7/8 Football Teams. Both teams played with great sportsmanship and skill. The tournament was extremely aggressive and challenging. Our girls and boys teams did not give up until the bitter end. We are really proud of you, Wolves. Keep the hard work up! The grade 5/6 Girls and Boys Soccer Teams are preparing for their tournaments on June 6th and June 8th. The players have been very dedicated to their early morning practices for their respective tournaments at Sandalwood Heights Fields. Remember Wolves “ It’s hard to beat someone who never quits”. We are already really proud of you Wolves, just keep up the sportsmanship and best of luck! The Senior and Junior Track and Field teams are currently being chosen and organized for their meets - the juniors being held on June 14th and the seniors on June 21st. Track and Field is an extremely unique and fun experience. There are many different events that will take place on the tournaments. These events include long jump, triple jump, discus throw, 100m dash, 800m running, shotput, and many more. Carl Lewis (Track and Field Athlete) once said, “If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win”. Keep this quote in mind in all that you do, Wolves.
This month the Wolf Den hosted Walnut Grove’s first Right to Play Charity Basketball Game. Our amazing staff and students put on an awesome show of skill and competition and, in doing so, raised $100 to donate to Right to Play! The money earned will fill a classroom with resources and equipment in a country that is affected by poverty, conflict, and disease. Thank you to all the boys and girls who came to watch the game and donated a loonie. The small deed you have done will go a long way.
In the Gym
P.E. classes have just finished the Football Unit. The unit was a blast! Who knew it could be so fun making and running different football plays? Up next, various Track and Field events are being practiced during Phys-ed classes. The nice weather outside has been really supportive in helping us get the full experience of the Track and Field events. Ultimate Frisbee is on its way! Ultimate Frisbee is a very popular sport worldwide and it is a ton of fun for any age group. To wrap up the year we will also be reviewing all the sports we’ve played during our time in the gym at Walnut Grove.
Get Outside and PLAY!
The time we have all been waiting for is finally here. The warm weather has finally made its way to Canada. Enjoy the weather by going outside and playing! There’s only a billion things to play outside so take advantage of our beautiful weather and endless opportunities to be active with friends and family. Now’s the chance to play street hockey, soccer, baseball, football, freeze tag, biking, running, and anything your heart desires. Now’s the chance to do anything you ever wanted to do for the past long, cold winter months. Don’t waste it because it’s not long until those winter months will be back. Eddie Harris Jr. once said, “The sooner you step away from your comfort zone; the sooner you’ll realize that it really wasn’t all that comfortable”. So get those legs moving, Wolves, and challenge yourself to be the best version of you.
Until next time! Yours truly,
The Wolf Pack
News from the Peel District School Board
ParentConnect is coming to YOUR school this fall!
The Peel District School Board is excited to announce that ParentConnect, our new parent portal, is launching this fall at your student’s school. ParentConnect is a safe and secure application that provides access to electronic services for your Peel student(s).
From alerts to busing, absence reporting to earned credit history, ParentConnect offers easy and convenient self-service access to important K-12 student information. Best of all, ParentConnect is mobile friendly so you have access when you’re on-the-go.
Registration is easy. With the Student ID Number and a ParentConnect token passcode, you can access information about all of your children from one website, virtually any time!
Watch for your unique ParentConnect token passcode via email, then go online and register.
Want to learn more? Visit YouTube.com and search ‘Welcome to ParentConnect.’
Peel board recognizes Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on June 13
The Peel board will recognize the contribution of school crossing guards on Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, June 13. The board encourages students, parents and staff to take a moment to thank the neighbourhood crossing guards who help to ensure a safe journey to and from school for thousands of students every day.
Religious accommodation available to all faiths, reflects board commitment to inclusion
All Ontario school boards are legally required to offer religious accommodation (as per the Ontario Human Rights Code) and have a religious accommodation procedure in place (as per the Ministry of Education’s 2009 Provincial Equity and Inclusive Education strategy). While the Peel District School Board has been providing religious accommodation to its students and staff for over 15 years, the board has revised its formal Religious Accommodation Operating Procedure, which has been in place since 2012.
The Peel board recognizes and values the religious diversity within its community and is committed to providing a safe, respectful and equitable environment for all, free from all forms of discriminatory or harassing behaviour, including those based on religion.
Who can make a religious accommodation request?
Parents of Peel students or staff of any faith background can make a religious accommodation request.
How can a student or staff member make a religious accommodation request?
Parents of Peel students or staff should contact their school principal or site supervisor in early September (or as early in the school year as possible) to submit a religious accommodation request.
What religious accommodation can be requested?
For many students and staff in Peel schools, there are a number of areas where the practice of their religion that may result in a request for accommodation:
•observation of major holy days, ceremonies, commemorations, and celebrations
• school opening and closing exercises
• prayer and rituals
• dietary requirements
• fasting
• religious attire
• modesty requirements
• religious leave
• participation in daily activities and curriculum
For more information on religious accommodation, visit our website at www.peelschools.org/aboutus/equity.
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
Three steps to quality summer child care for your child
If you have a school-age child, finding summer child care can be a real challenge. But you can follow these three simple steps to help you choose a program that’s best for your family. It will mean a summer full of fun and learning for your child—and peace of mind for you.
Step 1
Call Child Care Info Peel
905-890-9432 or 1-888-836-5550
Child care experts provide specific information about summer camps and other child care providers in your neighbourhood. They can answer your questions and give you information to help you choose the program that’s right for your family.
It’s a good idea to call the info line early to give yourself enough time to investigate potential programs and make your decision before the program fills up.
Step 2
Schedule an appointment to meet with the program director or to speak over the phone, so that you can get more information about the program. If possible, visit the program or the facility in which it will be held. The more information you have, the better you will be able to decide if this program is a good "fit" for your child and your family.
Step 3
When you are checking out summer programs, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions—it’s the best way to make sure you have all the information you need. In general, you will want to ask questions about the program, staff, health and safety practices, food provided, and costs.
For more information, call Child Care Info Peel or visit www.cdrcp.com/ccip.html.
The safety of our students is our top priority
Throughout the school year, incidents in our school communities happen. Our staff take precautions to emphasize street-proofing skills with your child. However, we feel that it is important that you take an opportunity to review safety procedures with your child.
Peel Police have provided the following safety guidelines if your child encounters a stranger:
Tell your children to never go anywhere with a stranger, not to talk to strangers and never take anything from them. You also have to teach them what a "safe stranger" is in case they need help. A safe stranger includes a police officer, a cashier, a fire fighter, etc.
Remind your child to never walk alone—always walk with a group.
Develop a "what if" game for the kids to get them thinking of how they would respond if they felt threatened or afraid.
Know who your children play with and where they go. This includes keeping a list of their friend's addresses and phone numbers.
Remind your children not to take short cuts through parks, ravines, or other secluded areas.
Your child's body is private. Tell your child that no one may touch the area their bathing suit covers. If someone does or tries to touch them, they should advise you immediately.
Teach your children to talk to you immediately when someone does anything that makes them feel strange or uncomfortable. Listen when your children are trying to tell you about something that bothers them and provide them with support and understanding.
Tips for riding the bus:
Take a seat as quickly as possible, put belongings under the seat and stay seated.
Never stick anything out of the window, including part of your body.
Refrain from eating on the bus. If a choking incident occurs, the driver may not be able to help immediately.
Wait until the school bus stops before standing up to exit the vehicle.
Tips for exiting the bus:
When getting off the bus, take two large steps away from bus. If you have to walk in front of the bus, do so at least three metres (10 giant steps) away from the bus.
The driver must be able to see students exiting the bus and will give a signal when it is safe to cross. If more than one student is crossing in front of the bus at the same time, they should cross in single file.
Children must never reach for something that is under the bus without the driver’s permission. Let the driver know that something is under the bus or wait until the bus moves out of the way.
Tips for walking to school:
Help your child establish a safe, direct route to school. Avoid potential safety hazards such as train tracks, busy intersections, and reinforce what safety precautions to follow.
Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road and walk facing traffic.
Cross streets at intersections and at crosswalks and learn to look to the left, the right, and the left again before proceeding.
Wait until traffic comes to a stop before crossing. Make sure drivers see you before you cross. Don't assume the driver will stop for you.
On the road again—how to keep your cyclist safe
Here are some tips you can review with your child to ensure bike season gets off to a great start:
The right fit
- children should be able to straddle the bike with both feet on the ground
- a bike that is too big or too small can be a safety hazard
- the helmet should fit—if it's too loose, it could fall off, if it's too tight, it's uncomfortable
Get noticed
- a young child's bike should be equipped with a bell and reflector
- older riders should have a light and/or reflectors
Follow the rules
- no riding on busy streets
- no riding at night
- stop for all STOP signs
Actions that cause injuries
- driveway ride out—not stopping and looking both ways before entering the street
- running the stop sign
- turning without warning
- cycling in the dark
- following the leader—one child goes through a stop sign or misses a parked car but the second cyclist doesn't
Preparing for the summer sun
Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to health concerns such as sunburn and skin cancer. As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, it is necessary to apply sunscreen to protect ourselves from too much sun damage and burns.
In summer, we are exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) rays. This exposure is a risk factor for developing skin cancer and cataracts later in life. The UV index is the measure commonly used in Canada to assess the strength of the sun’s UV rays risk on a given day.
What is the UV Index?
The index scale ranges from 0 to 10. The higher the value, the more intense ultraviolet rays.
The UV index is calculated daily by Environment Canada using ozone and weather information. It can vary from day to day with changes in the ozone layer – the thinner the ozone layer, the higher the index reading.
How to protect your family from the sun?
- Wear a hat (preferably with a broad brim), sunglasses and protective clothing on sunny days.
- Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater whenever you're outdoors.
- Encourage your children to play in shady areas if they are outside for a long period of time.
- Remember that sunburn can occur even on a cloudy day, as up to 80 per cent of UV rays can penetrate light clouds, and 40 per cent of UV rays can bounce back from sand, water or concrete.
Summer activities that boost learning
Kindergarten to grade 4
Sorting and stacking – Teach classification skills with dinnerware. Ask your child to match and stack dishes of similar sizes and shapes. Also have your child sort flatware – forks with forks, spoons with spoons. This is like recognizing the shapes of letters and numbers.
Comic strip writing – Use comic strips to help with writing. Cut the segments of a comic strip apart and ask your child to arrange them in order. Then ask your child to fill in the words of the characters (orally or in writing).
Float and sink – Encourage hypothesizing (guessing). Use several objects – soap, a dry sock, a bottle of shampoo, a wet sponge, an empty bottle. Ask your child which objects will float when dropped into water in a sink or bathtub. Then drop the objects in the water, one by one, to see what happens.
Grades 5 to 8
Follow the news – As a family, choose an important news event to follow for a day or two. Ask each person to find as much information on the topic as possible – read newspapers, look at online news webpages, listen to the radio and watch TV news. Then talk about what everyone learned.
Pro and con: what do you think? – Make a family game of discussing a special issue. For example, "Teenagers should be allowed to vote," or "There should never be any homework." Ask your children to think of all the reasons they can to support their views. Then ask them to think of reasons opposing their views. Which views are most convincing? For variety, assign family members to teams and have them prepare their arguments pro and con.
Stretch, run, walk – Ask your child to do at least one kind of exercise every day. For example, run or walk briskly for 10 minutes. Walk, when possible, instead of driving, for any distance less than a mile. Have your child make a week-long exercise plan. Try to think of a modest reward for sticking to the plan and exercise with your child.
Let your voice be heard – Promote good citizenship. Help your child write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper about an issue affecting children – for example, suggest that a bike path be built near the school or that a city event be planned for youngsters. Children are citizens, and their ideas are worth hearing.
We Welcome the World Centres
The Peel District School Board’s We Welcome the World Centres located in Brampton, Malton and Mississauga, are the first point of contact for all newcomer families to become familiar with the educational system in Peel. The centres are open all year—including the summer months— from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to providing literacy and numeracy assessments, the We Welcome the World Centres provide newcomers with a host of services including: reception, orientation, interpretation and referrals.
At each centre, parents/guardians and students will discover:
computer portals— providing information on Peel resources
settlement service information
translation of materials to support the reception and assessment process
age and grade appropriate educational and related program resources
information about various community supports
For more information about the We Welcome the World Centre and the services they provide, call 905-366-8791.
IDLE-FREE Zone
Our school is working to protect the health of our students and the health of our environment. We ask you to show your support by turning off your engine while dropping off or waiting to pick up your child at school.
The emissions that come from our tailpipes harm all of us, especially children who breathe more and at a faster rate than adults. By turning off your car, our students, teachers and parents won't breathe in unhealthy fumes as they enter school.
Air pollution also poses particular risks for our children with asthma. So, if you're going to be sitting still for more than 60 seconds, remember to turn your car's engine off. You'll not only improve our air, you'll also save money in fuel and vehicle wear and tear costs—then we can all breathe easier.
40 hours to graduate – Start this summer
Since 1999, all students in Ontario secondary schools are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement in order to receive a diploma. The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the various roles they can play in their community. Students are encouraged to start accumulating community involvement hours in the summer before they enter grade 9.
Research shows that early involvement in community service helps students build a spirit of civic responsibility which can be expanded as they move through secondary school. The aim of the 40-hour requirement is to encourage students to become actively involved in making positive contributions to their community.
The community involvement component is an opportunity for students and parents to work together, independent of the school. With parent support, your teen is responsible for finding and completing 40 hours of community service.
Parents should provide assistance to their teen in the selection of community involvement activities. Here’s how to get started:
Spend some time with your teen going through the list of eligible and ineligible activities in the Peel District School Board’s “40 Hours” brochure. You can obtain a copy of the brochure from your school or online at www.peelschools.org/students/40hours/
View online resources and volunteer opportunities at www.peelschools.org/students/40hours/
Please note that the selection of the activities should take into account the age, maturity, and ability of the student, and the location and environment of the proposed activity.