Hello Wonderful Lorenville Community, · Lorenville has many events happening over the next while which include: March 1 – Lunch Supervisor Appreciation Day March 5 – From Challenges

Lorenville Public School March 2019

Hello Wonderful Lorenville Community,

It is hard to believe it is March already. For me, as soon as that first warm day hits, I am in full swing celebrating the fact that spring is almost here. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year, but there’s something about it that makes you want to open the windows when you’re home, and spend as much of your off time outside. This brings me to my next thought…walking to school.

Thank you, first of all, for your patience and understanding as we continue to establish our Lorenville parking lot protocol. My first priority is your child/ren’s safety. Now that the nice weather is almost upon us, it would be awesome if more families could walk to school. We are a large school with limited parking spaces. Let’s all work together to reduce the congestion in the lot. Walking to and from school would increase your child/ren and family fitness regime. You would be amazed at the conversations that you can have with your child while walking. Often times at Lorenville, I walk and talk with children inside and at nutrition breaks. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Your help would be much appreciated. Enjoy the chats, the sights and the humour that each child brings as you walk to and from school.

In support of our Healthy Schools Action Plan, we are looking for parents/guardians who would be willing to join our “School Travel Planning Team” to help with organizing initiatives to help increase the number of students/families who walk to school. If you are interested, please contact me at your earliest convenience. I would love to have you on the team!

As I have shared with many, one of my goals as your Principal is to increase parental involvement in our school. Our next School Council meeting is on Monday, March 4th at 6:30pm in the Library. Please come join us as we always welcome new members. In addition to Monday’s meeting, we have a parent group that is meeting on Tuesday, March 5th from 6-8pm in the Library. The goals of this meeting are to:

Strengthen your relationship with your child; Improve cooperation in your home; Increase your child’s positive behaviour and; encourage your child’s success at school

Pizza, snacks and daycare will be provided. If you are interested, please give us a call and let us know so we can plan accordingly.

I enjoy every moment within our Lorenville Community. I hope to see you soon in or around the school.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dwyer

Principal

Lorenville Public School 10 Lorenville Drive

Brampton, ON L6X 2Z9 Phone: 905 453-7091

Fax: 905 453-4516

http://schools.peelschools.org/1508 http://www.twitter.com/LorenvillePS

Principal: Norma J. Dwyer Vice Principal: Darryl Jones Vice Principal: Vivilyn Lewis

Office Manager: Maryanne Antonacci Superintendant: Gale Solomon-Henry

Trustee: David Green

Lorenville has many events happening over the next while which include: March 1 – Lunch Supervisor Appreciation Day March 5 – From Challenges to Triumps (6-8pm) March 11-15 – March Break – No School March 18 – 28 – Dental Screening March 20 – Gr. 8 Grad Photos March 27 – Lil Lynx – 9:00 AM in the Library

We have sent a comprehensive newsletter to you by email. (If you didn’t

receive it please let us know so that we can update your email

information). It is also posted on our school website.

The following information is available in the comprehensive newsletter:

Lunchroom Supervisors Appreciation Day on March 1

Peel board celebrates public education during Education Week – April 8 to 12

ParentConnect

March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Centre

Peel Learning Foundation

Sleep Tips for Parents, Children & Teens

Smoking and Vaping Prohibited on School Property

Peel Public Health tips to prevent and beat the flu

Bus cancellation and closing schools due to bad weather

Lunchroom Supervisors Appreciation Day on March 1 In 2017, the board of trustees declared the first Friday in March as Lunchroom Supervisors Appreciation Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Friday, March 1, 2019. Take this opportunity to thank the important work of lunchroom supervisors, and their support and commitment to helping to ensure that students are safe and secure.

Peel board celebrates public education during Education Week – April 8 to 12 The Peel District School Board will host hundreds of celebrations, activities and events across its 257 schools and worksites to celebrate Education Week from April 8 to 12. On April 15, the Peel board will host Showcase of Excellence, an evening to honour recipients for their outstanding contributions to public education. The theme for this year's Education Week is We Inspire. In addition to inviting parents and community residents to visit their classrooms during the week, Peel schools are hosting open houses, plays/musicals, storytelling, environmental activities, awards assemblies, talent shows and much more. More than 1,000 individuals will also be honoured during Education Week with Awards of Distinction for their contributions to their school or workplace. Schools and worksites will use social media to showcase their Education Week celebrations and events using the hashtag #WeInspire.

ParentConnect

Online parent portal to access important student information

Last year, the Peel District School Board launched ParentConnect, an 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

March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Field Centre Open House: Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its maple syrup bush. The March Break programs run from Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16. The open house begins at 10 a.m. and the last presentation of the day will be at 3 p.m. This year marks the 50-year anniversary of the Peel District School Board’s Sugar Bush program, which provides families with outdoor, educational activities and hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel board staff during March Break. Families are invited to get involved as Spring comes to life through the following activities:

help tap trees and empty sap buckets.

sample some freshly-made maple syrup.

hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand.

learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations.

experience the Indigenous roots of sweet water.

visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney. The cost is $5.00/adult and $4.00/child 12 and under. Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hotdogs for you to roast over an open fire. Please note that all payments are “cash” only. Jack Smythe Field Centre is located at 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd. in Terra Cotta. Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre: Head North on Mississauga Rd.

Turn left on King St. (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left)

Turn right on Winston Churchill Blvd. (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left)

Head to the top of the hill and turn left into the Jack Smythe Field Centre site. For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

Peel Learning Foundation aims to create hopeful tomorrows for Peel board students

In partnership with the Peel District School Board, the Peel Learning Foundation was created to enable Peel board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources to help them overcome barriers.

In its first year, the foundation will support Peel board students through:

Student Emergency Needs program Depending on the need, the foundation will support individual students with food and clothing, medical supplies, eyeglasses and transportation costs, or where there is an emergency situation that requires a compassionate response.

Student Backpack program The foundation will provide backpacks filled with school supplies that students need to fully participate in regular classroom work. The backpacks will be provided to students in need in a respectful and confidential manner. They are tailored for students in kindergarten to grade 3, grades 4 to 8, and grades 9 to 12.

Individuals or organizations who are interested in learning more about and supporting the foundation can visit www.PeelLearningFoundation.org. You can also follow the foundation on Twitter and Facebook and use the hashtag #CreateHope to join the conversation.

Sleep Tips for Parents, Children & Teens From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

Many parents face difficulties getting their children back into regular sleep routines, especially after holiday breaks. Studies have shown that a lack of quality sleep in children can increase the likelihood of anxiety, depression, poor grades and school performance, and even physical pain. Research has proven that kids need a lot of sleep in order to function adequately during the day, and sleep deprived children often overcompensate for lack of sleep by becoming fidgety or even disruptive in school.

How much sleep does your child need every night? Children ages 5-8 need the most sleep, requiring about 10-11 hours every night. Children ages 9-12 need between 9.5-10 hours nightly. And teenagers 13-18 need between 8.5-9.5. Knowing how much sleep your child needs every night is key in establishing a proper bedtime. And it's important to remember that the above times aren't set in stone, but merely general approximations. Your child will have their own individual sleep needs, and you may need to fine-tune their bedtimes a little bit until you find your child less groggy and sleepy in the mornings, and more alert and aware.

Tips for getting your children on a regular sleep routine 1. Keep a regular bedtime schedule, including weekends.

2. Begin a relaxing bedtime routine such as baths, books, prayers, goodnights.

3. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime.

4. Bedrooms should be cool, quiet, dimly lit, comfortable and associated with sleep.

5. Limit caffeine and sugar intake after lunch and none within three hours before bed.

6. Make sure they eat healthy and have regular exercise.

7. Communicate with your children about why regular bedtimes are important.

8. Practice these tips yourself and set a good example.

For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel. Adapted from Alaska Sleep Clinic (2018)

Smoking and Vaping Prohibited on School Property

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) came into effect on October 17, 2018. This law aims to protect the health of Ontarians by regulating the sale, supply and use of tobacco and vapour products (electronic cigarettes), and the smoking and vaping of cannabis. Under the SFOA, 2017 it is illegal to smoke (tobacco or cannabis) or vape on:

School grounds (both inside the school and on the outdoor grounds, including the parking lot and sports fields)

Public areas within 20 metres of school property.

New signs are being posted at our schools to notify users that smoking and vaping is prohibited in these areas. The smoking and vaping prohibition is always in effect and applies to staff, students and visitors.

Region of Peel - Public Health enforces the smoking and vaping prohibition and has been working with school administrators to keep our schools smoke and vape free. Individuals found smoking and/or vaping in a prohibited area may be subject to a fine.

For more information on how the SFOA, 2017 applies to schools, contact Region of Peel - Public Health at 905-799-7700. For more information on the health effects of smoking and vaping visit the Health Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco.html.

Peel Public Health tips to prevent and beat the flu During the winter season, it’s important to take precautions to avoid and help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses such as influenza or “the flu.” Influenza is a disease that affects the airways and the lungs. The flu can spread from person to person and can sometimes cause severe illnesses. Peel Public Health has provided these tips to help reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading the flu: Get your annual flu shot: It’s not too late to get your annual flu shot. Visit your physician, a walk-in clinic, a pharmacy or find another location near you that is offering the free influenza vaccine. Stay home when you're sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms, (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe. Practise good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after it’s used. If they don’t have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their sleeve or elbow. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way. Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots:

Peel flu clinics

Family Doctors’ offices

Walk-in clinics

Pharmacies For more information, call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

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 available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. It is usually also announced on the radio and television stations listed below

VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 BREAKFAST TELEVISION NEWS AM680 CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1 NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860 FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107 CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS CITY NEWS CTV CFRB – (Bell Media)

One of the following messages will be announced: Peel District School Board buses are cancelled This 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 closed This 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 cancelled This 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 cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

What if my child does not go to school due to a bus cancellation or inclement weather? If your child will be absent as a result of a bus cancellation or you choose to keep your child home due to inclement weather, parents/guardians must report the absence using one of the following methods:

For elementary K-8 students: report it through SafeArrival by calling 1-855-209-6155 or visiting go.schoolmessenger.ca

For secondary students: call the school office directly