Page 1 MARCH 2015 - Pages - Homeschools.peelschools.org/1424/Lists/SchoolNewsLetters/March 2015-Newsletter.pdfUnlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always

WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel: (905) 791-4324

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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Well it has been quite a winter so far! Lots

of snow, wind and frigid temperatures! As

you know, our students must stay indoors if

the weather is colder than –20 with the

wind chill. There are usually lots of

activities happening indoors at lunch.

There is also sometimes a chance for

students to step in the door if it is -15

degrees, just to warm up. Please ensure

that your child is dressed for winter

weather as it is the only way to enjoy the

outdoors these days! Speaking of outdoor

fun….Ms. N. Patel organized the ski trips

this year and the students had a fantastic

time at Mansfield Ski Resort. Thank you

Ms. Patel for an experience our students

will never forget.

Many thanks for your cooperation and

support with our driveway! This was such

a dangerous spot for students, staff and

parents in the morning and after school.

Thanks to your changed practices and our

amazing supervision staff, things seem a

little better out there. Please continue to

use an alternate location for drop off and

pick up and encourage your child to walk

to school! Our By-Law Officers will be

coming by again soon.

During the month of March, students will

begin to work on their Term 2 learning

goals. It is essential that we encourage our

students to be resilient thinkers. It means

we must resist the temptation to solve

problems for them and instead encourage

them to ask deep questions and provide

thorough responses based on proof.

Our Board and School focus continues to

be on complete and thorough investigations

with explanations that verify thinking. Our

Mathematics program has an increased

focus on thinking of alternate solutions to

problems and moving from simple

formula computations to a deeper more

full understanding of the mathematical

concepts or problems and the possible

strategies to solutions. The focus is less

about the “correct” answer and more

about finding ways to justify all solutions

that make sense. Also check out the

EQAO website for sample Grade 6 and

Grade 9 math questions and the answer

scores.

In numeracy, our students will be

working on a number of rich, inquiry

based word problems and will be

communicating their thinking and then

applying their knowledge to real life

situations.

On Sunday, March 8th, Ms. Yehudaiff

will be taking the Williams Parkway

choir to the Marlies game in Toronto to

sing the national anthem at the game.

The band will also have the opportunity

to perform during the intermission.

Students are excited to perform and have

been spending a great deal of time

practicing during their nutrition breaks

and after school.

We are looking to change our school

hours for the 2015-2016 school year.

Currently we start classes at 8:10 am and

end at 2:30 p.m.. Many of you have

expressed concern with such an early

start, so we are thinking the new hours

should be from 8:30 a.m. until 2:50 p.m..

Please call the school if you have any

questions or concerns.

Our March Break will begin on March

16th and classes will resume on March

23rd. Please enjoy a safe and healthy

March Break!!

Sincerely,

Ozma Masood

Principal: Ms. O. Masood

Vice-Principal: Ms. T. Phipps

Guidance Counsellor:

Ms. S. Lindahl

School Trustee: Mrs. C. An-

drews

Superintendent of Schools:

Ms. Jan Courtin

School Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1424

Inside this issue:

Principal's Message 1

Symposium for Families of

Childred with special needs

2

Conference for Numeracy

& Beyond

2

Counting on You 2

French Advisory Committee 3

Visual Arts update 3

Jack Smythe Field Centre 4

Using Social Media safely 5

Adult ESL courses 6

Kite Festival 6

Calendar 7

MARCH 2015

WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel:(905) 791-4324

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Unique Symposium Addresses the needs of Families of

Children with Special Needs

This free family event is being held at West Credit Secondary School during the afternoon

of April 18th. Agencies such as Peel Children’s Centre, Erinoak, MotherRisk, CCAC will be

in attendance as well as presenters that will address the social/emotional and behavioural

needs of unique children. Parents will have the opportunity to ask psychiatrists, social work-

ers, speech and language and behavioural specialists, questions about community resources

and network with other parents. There is limited babysitting available.

This free event is open to parents of all grade levels. Please speak to your school

administrator for a registration form or e-mail [email protected] or call

905-824-0360 ext 402.

Conference helps parents make a difference in Numeracy and Beyond

The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April

18, 2015 at Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School in Brampton. This year, Numeracy &

Beyond: Parent Conference, will focus on numeracy—25 out of 60 workshops help with

math. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on other topics, including

literacy, special education and science.

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

Space is limited. Registration closes March 27.

Stay up-to-date!

For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/parents/conference.

COUNTING ON YOU

More than 80 students are taking advantage of our Grade 7 and 8 numeracy and

literacy program, Counting on You. Counting on You classes are winding down for

this term and the last class will be on Thursday, March 5, 2015. We will be starting

our final term on Tuesday, March 24th and this term will end on Thur., May 14, 2015.

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WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel: (905) 791-4324

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Apply for a position on the board's French as a Second

Language Advisory Committee

The Peel District School Board is currently seeking parent members for its first French as a Second

Language Advisory committee. The committee will meet three to four times during the school year

to provide input and feedback in an advisory capacity to the board regarding the development and

implementation of French programs and initiatives.

We are now in the process of inviting parents to apply for eight available positions on the

committee.

Members will be selected based on the following criteria:

demonstrates a keen interest in public education and French as a Second Language programs

understands the importance of parent, family and community engagement

has experience working with French language/cultural organizations

demonstrates advocacy and community development skills

has a present level of involvement in the education system

reflects the diversity of the community

If interested, visit www.peelschools.org/parents/involved/french for an application and more

details.

VISUAL ARTS

Many examples of student work have been posted on Edmodo for you to see. Grade 8 Monster

Faces, a large Grade 7 group work inspired by Wassily Kandinsky, Grade 7 Group of Seven

research projects and some Cell Explosion art by the Grade 8 students. So far during Term 2, the

following tasks have been assigned to your student:

Grade 8 Art

Identity Link Bank

Cell Explosion

3 Landscapes (pencil sketch, ink, scratch art)

Grade 7 Art

Identity Link Band

Group of 7 research project

Warm and Cool Colour Painting

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring that your student is up to date with work

completion.

____________________________________________________________________________________

WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel:(905) 791-4324

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Visit the Maple Syrup Sugar Bush at Jack Smythe Field Centre

Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. The Jack Smythe Field Centre

offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its Maple Syrup Sugar Bush. The

March Break program runs from Wed., March 18, to Sat., March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Sugar Bush program has been established for more than 15 years and provides families

with an educational activity and a hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel District

School Board teachers and staff during March Break.

Families are invited to get involved as spring comes to life in 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

visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out

of the chimney

The cost is $5/adult and $4/child 12 and under (cash only). Lunch will be available for

purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hot dogs for you to roast over an open

fire.

Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta:

North on Mississauga Road, left on King Street (you will see Credit View Public School on

your left), right on Winston Churchill Boulevard (you must pass Terra Cotta Conservation

Area on your left) and proceed to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site.

For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel: (905) 791-4324

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Using social media safely With the growing number of social media sites, it is no surprise

that social media is the most common form of communication for

children and teenagers. Posts, status updates, comments, instant

messages, video uploads, tweets and texts have become a regular

part of their lives. While there are many positive benefits to using

social media, including staying connected with friends and

expressing your interests, students must be cautious in their use of

these networks.

Among the most popular social media platforms used are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram,

WeChat, Vine and Kik Messenger. Many of these platforms are free and are available on

smartphones and other electronic devices. These platforms are easy to navigate and often allow

information to be shared instantly, not only with friends, but with strangers. On social media, it is

important to remember that the world is watching.

Here are some tips, provided by the Canadian Safe School Network and GetSafeOnline.org, to

keep your children safe and help them make smart choices when using social media:

Set some boundaries for your child before they get their first ‘connected de-

vice’ (mobile, tablet, laptop or games console). Once they have it, it can be more difficult to

change the way they use it or the settings.

Have a conversation about what is appropriate online behaviour and what actions could have

huge repercussions that could damage their reputation and be harmful to others.

Talk to your child about the kind of websites they look at. Encourage them to speak to you if

they come across something they find worrying or upsetting on websites, games or social

media.

Discuss with your child what is safe and appropriate to post and share online. Written

comments, photos and videos all form part of their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by

anyone and available on the internet forever, even if it is subsequently deleted.

Explain to your child that being online doesn’t give them anonymity or protection, and that

they shouldn’t do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face. Users should only accept

people they know in order to protect themselves from spammers, strangers and others who may

be using social networking sites to commit crimes.

Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re

actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they think they do. Tell your children they must never

email, chat, or text with strangers, and it’s never okay to meet a stranger in the real world.

Ensure your children set their privacy settings appropriately. Take the time to learn how

privacy settings work on your children’s favourite sites, and teach them how to control their

privacy.

Tell your children never to share personal and private information with anyone online. This

includes, but is not limited to, his or her full name, age, birth date, address, phone number,

social insurance number, credit card information and parents’ full names.

Limit the amount of time that your children spend on social media platforms and talk about the

importance of healthy and appropriate use of technology.

WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel:(905) 791-4324

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Register today for Adult ESL non-credit courses

Do you know an adult in Peel that is interested in improving their English language skills for work,

study or daily life?

The Peel District School Board offers Adult ESL courses at three locations in Brampton and Missis-

sauga. Winter courses begin February 2, 2015.

To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000. Registration is ongoing and continues after courses

have started.

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, visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation.

Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL

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KIDS’ CBC HOSTS A FREE FAMILY KITE FESTIVAL EVENT

ON MARCH 21ST AND MARCH 22ND

This free family event will feature an excitinlg day full of fun for kids as they

make kites, rangoli designs, spin tops, hear South Asian stories and enjoy a

digitial gaming zone and more. They will also meet and greet with their fa-

vourite kids CBC characters including host Patty, Daniel Tiger, Bookaboo and

Super Why!

The kids will have a chance to appear on camera, as Kids’ CBC camera crew

captures fun moments of the day to be featured on-air and on the Kids CBC

You Tube Channel.

Saturday March 21, 10 am—2 pm Sunday March 22, 11 am—4 pm

Mississauga Central Library Bramalea City Centre

301 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Mississauga 25 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton

WILLIAMS PARKWAY SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 1285 Williams Parkway, Brampton, ON L6S 3J8 Tel: (905) 791-4324

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MARCH 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

Pizza Day

4

5

Pizza Day

6

7

8 9 Forms for sub

orders due

IBT Assessment

night

10

Pizza Day

11

12

Pizza Day

13

Sub Day

14

15 16 17

18 19

20 21

22 23 24

Pizza Day

25

26 Tubing

Excursion

Pizza Day

27 28

29 30

31

Pizza Day