Sept/Oct News: James Grieve P.S.
Principal's Message
As we begin the 2019-2020 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to our James Grieve Learning community. The fall always brings a renewed sense of vigour, promise for great success and a feeling of excitement that is ever present in our school as you walk through the halls. It was certainly present at our Open House on September 26th! Students showed their families their classroom, introduced their teachers to family members and connected with the many community providers who were present in the gym like the local library, Parks and Recreation, and Brampton Transit. Thank you to our teaching staff for all their devoted time, thought and talents to ensuring that every child is safe, supported and successful.
Healthy relationships that are nurtured between home and school are essential in creating a school climate that thrives and develops. I encourage all parents and guardians to get involved in the life of James Grieve. Involvement may include: participating in School Council, attending our various school events or volunteering in our classrooms, to list a few! Participation in your child’s education is something we welcome at James Grieve and see as essential in enhancing your child’s school experience.
This year James Grieve P.S. is hosting the staff and students from the new school, Pte. Buckam Singh P.S.. We are excited to see the construction of their new building has begun! They hope to have the new school completed by the end of this school year. In the meantime, we are happy to provide a home away from home, #twoschoolsonefamily.
As you may have noticed, our school looks great due to the hard work and diligence of our custodial crew, under the leadership of Mr. Galvao. Their collective efforts in cleaning and renewing our school is very much appreciated by our entire learning community.
I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our office manager, Mrs. Anastasio who has single headedly worked to ensure a highly efficient registration and school opening. I thank you for your ongoing efforts in support of James Grieve!
I have been asked by students and their families how to order JG school wear. We have tshirts, hoodies, etc for you to choose from and at different price points. See the link below to order delivery right to your doorstep;
https://jamesgrievepublicschool.entripyshops.com
We look forward to a wonderful school year ahead at James Grieve. This year promises to be one filled with hope, happiness and success for all our students and staff.
Wishing you all a wonderful school year!
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday October 9 - Photo Day - bring your wonderful smile to school today!
- Friday October 11 - Professional Learning Day - students have no school
- Wednesday October 23 - Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- Wednesday October 30 - Director of Education visits James Grieve and Pte. Buckam Singh Public Schools.
Karate Kids at JG - Needs Parent Volunteers
Dear Parents,
Karate Kids Canada is looking for a Parent Volunteer at James Grieve and Pte Buckam Singh to join our classes as Karate Kids Boosters (cheerleading advocate for the students!)
We believe when you create a team activity where kids feel like they belong, are acknowledged and empowered by someone they respect, they will live into the best version of themselves
As a Karate Kids Booster, you will be part of a new initiative in our program and will have the chance to encourage, influence and empower our students alongside of our instructors!
The ideal volunteer is:
- Energetic, compassionate, caring and outgoing
- Enjoys working with children between the age of 6 and 11
- Available to commit to a once per week, 40-minute class ( Every Friday, 11:15-11:55 pm starting on October 4th)
- Able to obtain and submit a clean criminal record check
If you are interested, please email meagan@karatekids.ca.
In your email, please include a short paragraph about yourself and why this position would be interesting to you. We will call you for a quick chat to say hello and provide you with more information about the in class responsibilities and time commitment. Don’t forget to include your phone number and the best time for us to give you a call!
From the JG Guidance Department
Regional Learning Choice Program dates- please visit the makingmyway.ca website for information regarding RLCP Open Houses and application timelines.
Secondary Information Nights- please visit: http://www.peelschools.org/schools/informationnights/Pages/default.aspx for information regarding Open Houses at each Secondary School, including special programs.
Sandalwood Secondary School Open House: October 17 (7-8:30pm)
Mayfield Secondary School Open House: October 23 (6-7:30 pm)
Mayfield Secondary School Regional Arts Program Open House: October 29th (beginning at 7pm)
All Grade 8 students will be submitting grade 9 course selections for their home high school starting November 11, 2019. This will be done at school with the assistance of Mrs. Hind, the Guidance Teacher. More information will be coming home soon about this process.
Keeping Lunches and 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 at www.peelschools.org under the Parent tab, under Student Health.
Join our School Council – Share Your Ideas
Join our school council – share your ideas
Every Peel school has a school council—a group focused on helping students succeed. School councils provide a voice for parents and the community and offer advice to the school principal on a number of topics.
We have four meetings planned this year and are looking for parents interested in sitting on council. If you would like to know more or are interested in joining our council, please contact Ms.Dell.
Time for School - A Parent’s Guide to Reporting School Absences
All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our automated School Messenger SafeArrival system.
Use one of the following methods to set-up your new SafeArrival account. Please ensure the number and email address that you are using to report your child’s absences are those that we have on file at the school.
SchoolMessenger app (free from Apple or Google Play)
Download the SchoolMessenger app
Tap Sign Up to create your account
Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.ca
Go to the above website
Click Sign Up to create your account
Interactive Toll-free Phone
Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155
Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence
As always, please report your child’s absences before the start of the school day. Late arrivals and/or early departures should be reported as soon as possible. If your child’s absence is not reported in advance, the automated notification system will contact you and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence. By reporting your child absent in advance on the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or SchoolMessenger mobile app, you will not receive a call. If you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the school.
ParentConnect -Online parent portal to access important student information
What is ParentConnect?
ParentConnect is a safe and secure website, created by the Peel District School Board, that acts as a single point to stay informed and to access all electronic services provided to Peel board parents and legal guardians.
The parent-friendly website will allow you to:
view school-based alerts and information
access real time absence reporting
view current and historic elementary report card information
get up-to-date busing information
review secondary school credit history and diploma status
and more
To learn more about the benefits of ParentConnect, visit our school website or www.peelschools.org/parentconnect
What you 'Need to Know' about Busing
Eligibility for Transportation is based on distance criteria established by the Peel District School Board. Under the Board’s Policy, students residing within their school’s attendance boundary and living in excess of the following distance criteria from their school are eligible for transportation:
Kindergarten to Grade 1: 1.0 km
Grades 2 to 4: 1.6 km
Grades 5 to 8: 2.0 km
Grades 9 to 12: 3.8 km
Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) is responsible for administering the transportation policy for both the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
STOPR Web Site:
We recommend that you take a moment to review STOPR’S website as it is available to you 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at: www.stopr.ca
STOPR’S website is your source for the most up to date transportation information such as bus delays and cancellations as well it can provide you with important information such as “what school do I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation”.
In addition, from STOPR’s website www.stopr.ca, you can also access important school bus safety information as well as “Transportation Procedures”, “Forms”, Courtesy Seats” and “frequently asked questions concerning student transportation”.
Parents can also access their children’s bus route information and details through the website by clicking on the “Your Child’s Busing Information” tab located on the main page. You will need your child’s Ontario Educational Number (OEN), home address, school and grade in order to retrieve your child’s bus information from the web site.
Parents can now sign-up to receive automatic e-mail notifications of delays or cancellations for their children’s bus run. Parents should go to www.stopr.ca and click on the “bus delays and cancellations” link and then click “subscriptions” to sign-up for this service.
Contacting STOPR
STOPR operations are divided into 3 defined zones, East, West and Special Needs Transportation. The East and West zones manage all regular home to school busing for all of Peel Region and the dividing line between these zones is generally Kennedy Road.
When calling STOPR for school bus information, please make sure that you have your child’s Ontario Educational Number (OEN) available. The OEN number can be found on your child’s report card or is available from your school.
STOPR staff will ask for your child’s OEN to ensure your child’s personal transportation information is secure and is shared only with the appropriate person.
Telephone contact: (905) 890-6000 (East, West and Special Needs Transportation)
Toll free: 1-800-668-1140
Fax: (905) 890-6033
Twitter:
Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) will begin Tweeting as of September 1, 2019. Please follow us @STOPRinfo to receive information on safety programs/initiatives, bus cancellations, STOPR updates and more.
Bus Stop Locations and “Primary Protocol”:
Please note that “door to door” or “home bus stop” locations are not generally provided. STOPR establishes bus stops in safe and appropriate locations that can service multiple families and students. Typically these stops are located at intersections or “group” locations that provide an area for all students/parents to wait for their bus away from the roadway.
Please note that Parents/Guardians are responsible for the safe conveyance of their children to and from the bus stop location and it is expected that all transported kindergarten and grade 1 students are always met by a parent/guardian at the end of the day at their bus stop location. There is simply no substitute for an adult’s supervision at the bus stop as this is the most critical moment for student safety. Students in kindergarten and grade 1 must always be met at their bus stop each day under STOPR “Primary Protocol”.
For more information on school bus safety and the “Primary Protocol” please go to www.stopr.ca
Requests for changes for a Student’s Transportation:
STOPR is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of approximately 68,000 students each school day. Please note that during school start-up in September, the STOPR office is extremely busy and staff are focused on critical issues such as eligible students requiring transportation, bus overloads and route timing issues.
Requests for a change in a bus stop location will be addressed after school start-up is completed later in September.
Procedures Help Keep Students Safe at School
Dear Families,
Peel schools provide a safe environment for students and staff to learn and work. The board has many procedures to ensure safety ¾ including regular fire drills, evacuation plans, criminal record checks for new staff and volunteers, and lockdown, hold and secure and shelter in place drills. Together with Peel Police, OPP and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board, the board developed procedures for critical situations.
Every school will review the key points of the lockdown process with students. We rehearse the drill twice per year to make sure staff and students know what to do if we have to initiate a lockdown.
During the rehearsal, the principal will make an announcement to "initiate lockdown procedure." The school bell will ring continuously for a period of time and our goal is to make the school appear vacated.
Students and staff inside the school will:
go to the closest room, close the door and lock it, if possible
turn off the lights and lie down on the floor away from doors and windows
remain on the floor quietly until further directions are given
Students and staff outside the school will:
move as far away from the building as possible
remain outside until further directions are given
Depending on the situation, students and staff outside the building may be directed to an evacuation site. When the rehearsal is over, the principal will make another announcement.
Important Things to Note when an Emergency Occurs;
Students and staff must not use cell phones
In these critical situations, safety is our number one priority. During rehearsals or in real critical situations, Peel Police have advised that cell phone usage can cause more safety risks and the following consequences:
Cause signal delays for emergency services to attend to the situation.
Prevents police from being able to communicate with each other and other important personnel in a timely manner.
Public posts and messages may identify where individuals are in the building and a pose a safety risk.
Can attract attention to the area of the school where the phone is being used.
Parents are requested to NOT call the school or your child’s cell phone during emergency procedures.
Parents can get updates during emergency procedures on their school website
Parents are requested NOT to go to the school
In the unlikely event of an actual lockdown, hold and secure, shelter in place or bomb threat, police ask that parents do not go to the school. For safety reasons, you will not be allowed to enter a school that is in lockdown, hold and secure or shelter in place and students and staff cannot leave the school. In rare cases, police will designate a Parent Information Site for you to attend and get up-to-date, accurate information. Please monitor your child’s school website and do not come to the school unless requested to do so.
If you have any questions about our lockdown drill, or any of the procedures we have in place to keep students and staff safe, please call the school.
Videotaping on School Premises
While on school premises, the Peel District School Board is responsible for the protection of students and their privacy. In honour of our commitment to privacy and safety, we request that the use of audio and/or visual (video) recording equipment not be permitted unless authorized by school teaching or administrative staff prior to the recording being made. This includes the use of cellphones for recording your child on school property. We thank you kindly for your continued cooperation.
Oct. 23 Opportunity to say ‘Thanks’ to Bus Drivers
Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 23, 2019. The day will be celebrated with special activities and events that provide teachers, students and parents an opportunity to thank the people who safely transport over 36,000 students to and from school each day.
If your child rides the bus to school, take this opportunity to thank the bus driver for his or her contribution and ask your child to do so too. The Peel board appreciates the important job bus drivers do each school day and Oct. 23 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.
Get Involved in Your Child’s Education
Research shows parent involvement positively affects student success. Becoming more involved brings many benefits. You will get to know teachers, the principal and other parents better. You will be able to share your talents, experiences and ideas. You will inspire youth—and be inspired by them. You will show your child how much you value education. You will gain insights that can help you to boost your child's learning. And you could develop skills and knowledge that can help you in your own career.
There are many ways to be involved. Attending the Peel District School Board's annual parent conference, volunteering at your child's school, talking to your teen about their school day and reading with your child at night are all forms of parent involvement. Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/involved to learn more.
Peel Board Trustees - Accountable to the Community
The Peel District School Board, like every public school board in Ontario, is governed by a board of trustees. They are elected by public school taxpayers every four years during municipal elections and are directly accountable to the community. The current 12 trustees have been elected to serve from Dec. 3, 2018, to Nov. 30, 2022:
Our Trustee is;
Stan Cameron (Chair)
Caledon
905-880-1162
What do trustees do?
advocate for the needs of the community
help members of the community address concerns about the school system
govern and set policies for the board
explain the policies and decisions of the board to the community
evaluate and review the board’s achievement of its goals, objectives and strategic plan
participate in budget development, approve budget decisions and monitor its progress
protect the future of the board by always considering the long-term effects of decisions
Visit www.peelschools.org and check out the ‘Meet Your Trustee’ section to subscribe to board meeting agendas and minutes and read highlights from board meeting.