February Newsletter 2018 - schools.peelschools.orgschools.peelschools.org/1421/Lists/SchoolNewsLetters/F…  · Web viewThe month of February looks to be a ... this fun filled afternoon

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Mountain Ash Public School

FEBRUARY 2018Principalrsquos MessageThe month of February looks to be a busy and fun filled month of learning at Mountain Ash This month we will have a focus on Black Heritage our first Movie Night and a Winter Carnival conveniently timed with the Olympics that will promote sport and winter outdoor activity

Students will be engaged in activities school wide and in class that focus on Black Heritage this month such as learning about notable current and historical figures and contributors to their lives Our display cases will be filled with artwork and some of our grade 3 students will use their numeracy skills in creating a ldquofreedom quiltrdquo As a school we have been intentional on purchasing additional library and classroom print resources that will help students to learn more about Black Heritage We will have a ldquoPattyrdquo day that will fill our bellies and we have invited an arts group named ldquoBallet Creolerdquo that will warm our hearts with their artistic performance

On the evening of February 8th we invite you to the school as we watch the movie ldquoCocordquo The movie begins at 630 pm and we invite you to order pizza on-line that will be ready for you and your family at 600pm Please remember to bring a blanket and a pillow as seating will be in the gymnasium

Finally we are having a Winter Carnival on the 15th This will help your child get a feel for some winter games and friendly competitions in the spirit of sport With the winter Olympics this month this fun filled afternoon may spark some spirit and drive for future Olympians

We look forward to another fun month of learning together

Sincerely

Mr C CooperPrincipal

PrincipalCraig Cooper

Vice PrincipalBrian Rasmusson

SuperintendentPat Noble

2018

Stay connected by following us MountainashPS

Pizza Days at Mountain AshPizza days will occur on Thursdays February 1 February 8 and February 15

Pizza has to be pre-ordered by students Students cannot purchase slices at school Pizza will arrive for consumption during second nutrition break

so please pack snacks and drinks for your child that day

The next order forms will be sent out on Monday February 5 for February 22nd March 1 st 8 th 22 nd

and 29 th

NEW and IMPROVED PAYMENT METHOD(See page 3 on how to use SchoolCashOnline)

Please pay for pizza using your computer or smartphone through School Cash Online a safe and secure form of online payment Register or login at httpspeelschoolsschoolcashonlinecom and pay using an eCheck Visa or MasterCard This is now the preferred method of payment for all school fees at our school The deadline for payment of pizza is Tuesday February 13 2018

Birthday Celebrations Special OccasionsChildren love to have their birthdays acknowledged and parents enjoy sharing their special day with other children in the class Please be mindful that we cannot accept food of any kind for birthday celebrations ndash or any type of celebration Some children have allergies to milk wheat eggs and all sorts of foods other than peanuts Therefore if you would like to send a loot bag to school please fill it with pencils stickers etc for everyone to enjoy

Thank you for your co-operation

STUDENT COUNCIL

Student Council will sell popcorn every Wednesday and Friday in the Lower Atrium ndash Room 115 ndash during 2nd Nutrition Break throughout the school year as part of our fundraising We have many delicious flavours such as Butter Salt White Cheddar Kettle corn Low fat Caramel Dill Pickle Jalapeno Jack and Ketchup The cost is $200

Popcorn Sales - $200

Pay school fees onlinemdashregister today

For safety and efficiency reasons Peel District School Board would like to reduce the amount of cash amp checks coming into our school Please join the thousands of parents who have already registered and are enjoying the convenience of paying ONLINE It takes less than 5 minutes to register Please follow these step-by-step instructions so you will begin to receive email notifications regarding upcoming events involving your child(ren)NOTE If you require assistance select the SUPPORT option in the top right hand corner of the screen

Step 1 Register a) If you have not registered please go to the School Cash Online home page httpspeelschoolsschoolcashonlinecom and select the ldquoGet Started Todayrdquo option b) Complete each of the three Registration Steps For Security Reasons your password requires 8 characters One uppercase letter one lowercase letter and a number Step 2 Confirmation Email A registration confirmation email will be forwarded to you Click on the link provided inside the email to confirm your email and School Cash Online account

The confirmation link will open the School Cash Online site prompting you to sign into your account Use your email address and password just created with your account If the link does not work copy the link and paste it into your web browser

Step 3 Find Student This step will connect your children to your account a) Enter the School Board Name b) Enter the School Name c) Enter Your Childrsquos Name amp Birth Date d) Select Continue e) On the next page confirm that you are related to the child check in the Agree box and select Continue f) Your child has been added to your account Note you may be required to enter your childrsquos student number Step 4 View Items or Add Another Student If you have more children select ldquoAdd Another Studentrdquo and repeat the steps above 8 children can be added to one parent account If you do not wish to add additional children select ldquoView Items For Studentsrdquo option A listing of available items for purchase will be displayed

Support is available at 1-866-961-1803 or email parenthelpschoolcashonlinecom

Kiss N RideIn an effort to keep our students and parents safe we ask the following during the morning kiss n ride times

1) Parents ndash stay in your car a staff member will help the children exit the car and direct them to the appropriate door2) Have your children exit from the curb side so that they are not walking out into traffic3) Use the kiss n ride whenever possible and not park in the parking lot where you will need to walk through the moving traffic

For the afternoon kiss n ride1) Park in the curb lane only when waiting for your children ndash double parking creates an unnecessary and inconsiderate obstruction to the traffic flow ndash please think of others2) Use the sidewalk even when on the far side of the parking lot ndash accidents are most likely to happen when parents and children are cutting through the parking lot3) Have your children enter your vehicle through the curb side door4) If possible do not park in a parking spot as this will require you to be walking through live traffic and creating a possible dangerous situation for all5) If there are no parking spots along the curb circle the lot and find a spot as others leave ndash or you may need to park on a side street

We want to make the kiss n ride area a safe area for all and the best way to do that is to not have students and parents walking between moving cars

WHATrsquoS HAPPENING IN MOUNTAIN ASH PUBLIC SCHOOL

CarnHiverLympiqueIn celebration of the Winter Olympics and Flag Day we will be having a Winter Carnival at

school that will include both indoor and outdoor activities such as tug of war snow fort building snow soccer and sledding You can also take photos with Bonhomme for $1 warm up with a cup

of hot chocolate for $1 as well as treating yourself to some goodies at the Snack Shack The countdown is on for the big day on February 15th 2018

Happy Valentines Day

Looking for an opportunity to send good wishes and some candy to a friend to celebrate your friendship Student Council and Me-to-We will be selling Candygrams from February 1 to February 13 everyday during 2nd nutrition break for only $1 How many people are you planning to spoil

MOUNTAIN ASH MOMENTS

Intermediate Students at Mountain Ash Brave the Cold

Intermediate students from Mountain Ash braved the cold on January 15 or 16th during our field trip to Humber Arboretum Grade 7rsquos engaged in a nature hike and learned about forest river and meadow ecosystems They had the opportunity to experience first hand the impact of invasive species when observing a section of forest that had all the ash trees removed to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle Grade 8rsquos discovered the importance of wetlands to healthy water systems while hiking through and observing the Humber River Watershed Both groups made connections to sustainability when competing in a ldquorecycling challengerdquo and while creating and throwing ldquoseed bombsrdquo to spread native species as a protective measure against invasive plants in the area

White-tailed deer

ldquoTamarackrdquo talking to grade 7rsquos about forest ecosystems

Volunteer Criminal Record Checks to cost $33 as of January 1 2018Peel Regional Police have advised us that as of January 1 2018 Criminal Record Checks ndash Vulnerable Sector Check for adults including those for volunteers will cost $33 students and seniors will remain at the current cost of $25 Processing of CRCs for volunteers is free until the end of December 2017 with Form A provided by the school

CRC application forms are available in the lobby of Peel Regional Police Headquarters and at the Square One Community Station or online by accessing the link on the Peel Regional Police website httpswwwpeelpolicecaenservicesvulnerablesectorcheckasp

Conference helps parents empower modern learners

The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference co-presented by the Peel Elementary Teachersrsquo Local on Saturday March 24 2018 at Mississauga Secondary School in Mississauga The conference will focus on Empowering Modern Learners Parents will have the opportunity to attend workshops on topics including numeracy literacy special education technology and science

This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels

Our keynote presentation will be delivered by Dwayne Matthews a life and education strategist who converges and shares knowledge on modern learning disruptive technology and the evolution of work Dwayne will present Learning in the 21st century Why its different why it matters and how to help children thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world

Registration opens Feb 5 2018Stay up-to-dateFor more information visit wwwpeelschoolsorgparentsconference

Bus cancellation and closing schools due to bad weather

During the winter months we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather

Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio and television stations listed below and will also be available on Twitter Peelschools Facebook at wwwfacebookcompeelschools wwwpeelschoolsorg and wwwstoprca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146

VIRGIN RADIOFM999 BREAKFAST TELEVISIONNEWS AM680CFNY FM1021AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM981NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM973 CJBC (FR) AM860FM Z1035 FM931 FM Q107CHIN FM1007AM1540 CBC991 CITYPULSEGLOBAL NEWS CITY NEWS CTVCFRB ndash (Bell Media)

One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only)

Peel District School Board buses are cancelledThis means that schools remain open for students and staff but buses are cancelled Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities Buses will remain cancelled all day All activities that require busing will also be cancelled Permits night school classes child care and other activities in schools will operate as usual

All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closedThis means that all schools and Peel board offices are closed to students and staff All activities in schools and board offices are also cancelled including child care night school and permits

All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelledThis means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled including continuing education courses and events The buildings will be closed

All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelledThis means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled including continuing education courses and events The buildings will be closed

Help your family stay warm this winter

Peel Public Health recommends the following cold weather guidelines for preventing cold-weather injuries

1 Reduce amount of time children (grade 8 and under) spend outdoors when the temperature is ndash20 degrees Celsius or colder with or without the wind chill

2 Keep children indoors when the temperature is -25 degrees Celsius or colder with or without wind chill Some medical conditions may increase sensitivity to cold Parents should consult their physician (Source Environment Canada)

3 Allow indoor breaks if children say they are feeling cold or during extreme temperatures

4 Ensure children are dressed warmly covering exposed skin insulated boots winter weight coats mittens hats and neck warmers

5 Change wet clothing or footwear immediately

6 Although these conditions are unlikely to occur during the school day ensure that all staff are able to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia Given plenty of warm fluids to prevent dehydration

7 When children are outside be watchful for shivering or signs of numbness in faces ears hands or feet

8 Educate children in dealing with cold weather drinking plenty of fluids dressing warmly and recognizing signs of cold injury

Mountain Ash Public School puts the spotlight on Black Heritage

In December 1995 the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament the Honourable Jean Augustine

During Black History Month students staff and parents from across Peel will participate in a number of activities that promote the understanding of the many contributions made by black Canadians Here is a list of events happening at Mountain Ash Public School

Ballet Creole February 23 2018 930 am ndash 1030 am Patty Day February 23 2018Black History Climate Assembly February 28 2018 905 ndash 1030 am

Its time to register children born in 2014 for kindergarten

We inspire success confidence and hope in each studenthellipand it all starts in kindergarten If your child was born in 2014 he or she can start kindergarten in September 2018 You can register your child at any time during regular school hoursmdashjust visit the school heshe will be attending to register

Peel schools will also hold a Kindergarten Registration Week with special registration activities during Jan 29 to Feb 2 2018 Visit Mountain Ash Public School from

Jan 29 to 31 2018 ndash from 9 am to 3 pm Feb 1 2018 ndash from 9 am to 3 pm and 5 to 8 pm Feb 2 2018 ndash from 9 am to 3 pm

What you will need to bring to registration

Proof of childs age (one of the following) Canadian birth certificate Canadian passport citizenship cardcertificate Permanent Resident Card confirmation of permanent residence work permit refugee permit

Proof of address (one of the following)

Ontario drivers license utility bill bank statementclient slip (directly from financial institution) credit card statement federal government forms (eg Social Insurance Number Service Canada documents) purchase agreement

Proof of custody ndash children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement

Proof of immunization ndash proof that your child has been immunizedvaccinated

What you need to know about head lice

What is head lice

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp where they lay their eggs They have three stages the egg (nit) the nymph and the adult Head lice do not spread diseases and cannot be spread between animals or pets and humans only through direct contact between people

Head lice spread easily especially where people are in close contact They are very common among school-aged children or children attending child care where they spread through direct hair-to-hair contact or directly by sharing things like hats combs hairbrushes or headphones

One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp However children can have head lice for several weeks with no symptoms If you think your child has head lice check their hair for nits right away then again after one week and after two weeks

What to do if your child has lice

Parents are advised to keep their child at home until they have been treated for lice Students may only return to school if they are ldquonit-freerdquo If your child has live lice ensure that they avoid head-to-head contact with other children until the lice are gone Children should not share combs hairbrushes caps hats or hair ornaments You should also check all family members for head lice Be sensitive to your childrsquos feelings and let them know that having head lice does not mean they are not clean

Head lice can be treated with the following approved insecticides pyrethrin (found in RampC Shampoo + Conditioner) permethrin (Nix Creme Rinse or Kwellada-P Creme Rinse) lindane (Hexit Shampoo or PMS-Lindane Shampoo)

Healthy Body Healthy Mind

When we invest in our physical health will be able to combat stress and anxiety with greater success This includes being

Well-rested Well-nourished Well-exercised

Some Tips

Set a Sleep Schedule ndash Set an alarm to go to bed Our body likes a regular schedule Bedtimes and wake times should not vary by more than one hour from one day to the next

Drink plenty of water - Many of us go through life dehydratedmdashcausing tiredness low energy and headaches Itrsquos common to mistake thirst for hunger so staying well hydrated will also help us make healthier food choices

More steps ndash Step side to side Start by doing it 10 times per foot Do this while watching TV working on your computer or brushing your teeth Do it with your children to make it fun

Offence Declaration required for returning volunteers

Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community At (insert name of school) 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 A criminal record check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip you need this record 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 receive an Offence Declaration form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year Completing the Offence Declaration will ensure that you can continue volunteering in the next school year Expect to receive the form in mid-February

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 amp 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 listeningspeaking and readingwriting 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

Winter courses begin February 5 2018

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 Course registrations are ongoing till the end of the semester

Also visit wwwpeelschoolsorgadulteducation or follow us on Twitter PDSBLearnESL

Celebrating Faith and Culture January 2018

DATE CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

February Buxwlaks amp Bear Moon Aboriginal SpiritualityFebruary 1 or 2 Imbolc WiccaFebruary 3 Setsubun-sai ShintoFebruary 6 to 24 month of Mulk BahaacutersquoiacuteFebruary 13 Mahashivaratri HinduismFebruary 14 Ash Wednesday ChristianityFebruary 15 National Flag Day CanadaFebruary 16 Lunar New YearMaitreya

Bodhisattvarsquos BirthdayLosarBuddhism

February 19 (J) Clean Monday ChristianityFebruary 19 Family Day OntarioFebruary 25 to March 1 Intercalary Days Bahaacuteiacute

February 2018 Attendance Line

1-855-209-6155Sunda

yMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturda

y1 Pizza Day

Jr boys Basketball Tournament

2 Popcorn Sales

Crazy Hair Day

3

4 5Pizza letters go home or your net order

6 Sr Girls Badminton

Tournament

7 Popcorn Sales

Senior Boys Badminton Tournament

8 Pizza Day

Reports go home

9Professional Development Day (Holiday)

10

11 12 13 14 Popcorn Sales

Valentinersquos Day

15 Pizza Day

Winter CarnivalOlympic Day

16 Popcorn

Sales

17

18 19

Family Day (Holiday)

20

Scientists in school-Grade 2

OFIP Tutoring for students

21 Popcorn Sales 22 Pizza Day

Self-Regulation (mindfulness focus)

3-4 pm - Kindergarten Family Discovery Night at

23 Popcorn Sales

Ballet Creole Presentation 930 - 1030 am

Grade 7 Immunizations

24

25 26Grade 4 Rocks and Minerals Workshop

Scientists in school-Grade 4A amp 4B

27 28 Popcorn Sales

Climate Assembly at 900 am

1 Pizza day 2Popcorn Sales

BandString Club Trip

3

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