THE FERNFORESTER
The Monthly Newsletter for Fernforest Public School
HONO
HONOUR LEARN BUILD
OCTOBER 2013 Visit our websitehttp://fernforest.peelschools.org OCTOBER 2013
From the Principal’s desk...
Many thanks to all of the students and their parents and to our teachers for the smooth transition for Re-organization. Our classes are now balanced (as per board direction).
Please come out and meet all of our staff on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013 at our Open House at 6:30 pm. Please visit the Book Fair with your children.
Our EQAO scores went up 15 points overall and 10 points in Reading. We are asking that parents continue to read every day with their children Please continue to access RAZ Kids! Thank-you to everyone for their continued hard work with the children. Mrs. S. Whaley
PARENT GROUP
We had a wonderful attendance at our first meeting. Alka Burman shared “Reading With Your Child At Home”. Over 80 parents were in attendance.
Our next meeting is on November 25th at 6:30 pm. Please come out and learn about your school and your child’s learning.
Free workshops for families offered by the Region of Peel
At Fernforest Public School
The Family Literacy Program is for families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Families come together for story times, snack, and activities. Research from the University of Toronto has shown this program makes an impact to a child’s Early Literacy skills along with their family’s support.
The program is held in the Library on Tuesday nights, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Starting October 1st running until November 29th. We welcome all families with children under 6 years, as well as older children in your family. Please register by calling 905 791 1585 x 7222 or visit our website at www.peelregion.ca , click on Child Care/Workshops/Family Literacy.
We hope to see you thereJ.
Celebrating Faith and CultureOctober 2013
Date
/ Celebration / Faith and CultureOctober / Xlaaw / Aboriginal Spirituality
October 5 / Sharad Navratri / Hinduism
October 6 / World Communion Sunday / Christianity
October 11 or 12 / Durgashtami / Hinduism
October 12 - 16 / Ghambar Ayathrem / Zorastrianism
October 13 or 14 / Vijaya Dashmi/Dassehra / Hinduism
October 14 / Thanksgiving Day / Canada
October 14 / Waqfatu’Arafat / Islam
October 15 or 16 / Eid-ul-Adha / Islam
October 16 – November 3 / The month of 'Ilm / Bahá'í
October 18 / Kathina, Pavarana, Anapanasati and Founders' Day / Buddhism
October 20 / Birth of the Báb / Bahá'í
October 20 / Installation of Guru Granth as Guru / Sikhism
October 22 / Karva Chauth / Hinduism
October 31 / Halloween / Canada
Sunset of October 31 - November 1 / Samhain / Wicca
Oct. 16 opportunity to say 'thanks' to bus drivers
Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 16. 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. 16 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.
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 Fernforest Public 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 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. Forms will be mailed in November.
If you have any questions about criminal record checks or the offence declaration form, please call the board office at 905-890-1010, extension 2488.
Celebrate World Teacher Appreciation Day
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Since 1994, parents and students from around the world have celebrated World Teacher Appreciation Day to commemorate the work of teachers and their contributions to society. During the week of October 5, take the time to let your child's teacher know he or she is truly appreciated. Thank your child's teacher and let them know they are making a difference.
October is International Walk to School Month!
Our school is participating in International Walk to School Day on Wed. Oct. 9. On this day, walk, bike, blade, scooter, skip or hop to school….but don’t drive!
International Walk to School month is part of the Active & Safe Routes to School program. Visit www.saferoutestoschool.ca/ for more information.
Walking Wednesday’s
In addition to Walk To School Month, Walking Wednesday’s start the first week of October. We can help save our air by all students walking to school on Wednesday’s. Wouldn’t it be great to have the teachers who work the Kiss and Ride just stand there with nothing to do on Wednesday’s? Let’s make it happen!
How to prevent litter at school
Did you know that litter is a safety hazard, discourages development, lowers property values and costs money? According to the Region of Peel, litter can attract animals and insects, harm pets and serve as a breeding ground for disease.
Here are some tips for reducing waste at school:
· Provide your child with a litter-less lunch which could contain:
o refillable water bottle
o returnable, reusable or refillable drink containers instead of plastic bottles and cans
o snacks and sandwiches stored in plastic containers
o fruit that requires no wrap such as bananas, apples
· Put trash in the appropriate container. If a recycling bin isn't available, ask where you can find one and hold on to garbage until you can dispose of it properly.
· Reduce and reuse as much as you can before you recycle. Reuse plastic bags, the other side of a sheet of paper etc.
· If you see litter, pick it up!
· Set a good example. Don't be a litterbug.
· Take part in neighbourhood cleanups - litter prevention requires the community to work together.
Tips for being a smart trick-or-treater
Halloween is a fun and exciting time, but safety should be the number one concern.Here are some safety tips for children:
1) Wear a properly fitted costume that is bright and non-flammable.Use reflective tape on your costume so you can be seen in the dark.
2) Use face makeup or enlarge the eyes on your mask so you can see well.When wearing a mask, push it up on your head while walking.
3) Teach children to visit the front door of well lit homes and never go inside.
4) Help your child plan a route and a time to be home.
5) Remind children to always walk on the sidewalk, and obey traffic and pedestrian signals.
6) Have an adult check treats at home before allowing children to eat them.
7) Younger children should go trick-or-treating with an adult.Older children are reminded to trick-or-treat in groups.
8) Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
Safety reminders ensure safe travel to and from school
School bus safety week is Oct 21-25
According to the Canada Safety Council, it is 16 times safer per kilometre to travel on a school bus than in a family vehicle. However, while bus transportation is safe, accidents do occur and many of these incidents involve individuals outside the bus. To ensure children stay safe in and around school buses, it is important to reinforce the following safety reminders:
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.
For more information about school bus safety, visit www.elmer.ca or www.safety-council.org.
Procedures to keep students safe
Peel schools provide a safe environment for students and staff to learn and work. Staff have been trained on what to do if faced with an emergency situation. Here are the responses schools may take to an emergency situation, depending on the type of threat.
A school will initiate a lockdown if there is a major incident or threat of violence in or near the school. During a lockdown 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
Every school will review the key points of the lockdown process with students. The drill is rehearsed twice per year to make sure staff and students know what to do in the unlikely event of a real lockdown.
The term hold & secure will be used when it is necessary to secure the school because of a situation outside and not related to the school. During hold & secure, classes continue normally inside the school, with the exception that all exterior doors and windows are locked and no one enters or exits the building without approval from police or the school. This means parents/guardians will not be allowed to enter the building.
The term shelter in place will be used for an environmental or weather-related situation where it is necessary to keep everyone within the school to protect them from an external situation. During shelter in place, no one will be allowed to exit the building.
Peel board students have choice
Explore program options at makingmyway.ca
Students have different needs, interests and abilities—our schools offer great educational opportunities to help all students achieve. For students looking for a more focused, specialized program, here are some options:
Regional programs start in grades 6, 7 and 9
Students in regional programs still complete all of the requirements of the Ontario curriculum, but there is an increased focus on an area of interest. Information nights for students applying to start programs in September 2014 begin this November. Programs include:
· Arts
· Flexography (package print technology)
· International Baccalaureate
· International Business and Technology
· SciTech
· Strings
· Truck and Coach
·
Specialist High Skills Major programs start in grade 11
Specialist High Skills Major programs allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector, while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. Students gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training. The programs support the transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Peel board schools offer Specialist High Skills Major programs in the following areas:
· Arts & Culture
· Business and Entrepreneurial Studies
· Construction