ParkwayPress

ParkwayPublic School, 24 Duncan Bull Dr.

Brampton , OntarioL6W 1H4

Tel: (905) 451-8440

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #4DECEMBER 2010

T. Lowe, PrincipalH. Mason,Superintendent905-451-2862

e-mail D. Green, Trustee905-495-7050


DECEMBER COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Spirit of Christmas by which people of all religions can abide is characterized by kindness, generosity and understanding. It is this spirit that we will strive to capture this month at Parkway.

This holiday season, the Community Team at Parkway Public School, is pleased to announce this year's focus: "The Christmas Food Train". Starting on November 30th,we are encouraging students to bring in non-perishable food items. These items are being collected for the Salvation Army's Food Drive.

The goal of the Food Train is for each class to collect a box of food which will be put together to make the 'Parkway Food Train'. The Salvation Army will be coming to pick up all the items collected on December 16th, 2010.

ELF PROGRAM

The Community Team at Parkway Public School's other focus is "Kids Helping Kids". During the month of December we are encouraging students to bring in new children's scarves, hats, mittens, or gloves. These items are being collected for the Salvation Army's 'Elf Program'.

The goal of the 'Elf Program' is to collect new winter outdoor items which are then distributed to less fortunate children and their families to stay warm during the winter months. The Salvation Army will be coming to pick up all the items collected on December 16th, 2010.

We are hoping that the students will bring in as many items as possible so that we at Parkway can help as many families in our community as possible. All contributions will be greatly appreciated.

THE WINTER BREAK

The last day of school for students is Friday, December 17th, 2010. School reopens on Monday, January 3rd , 2011.

Carol Sing Along

Parkwaywill continue to have it’s annual Christmas Carol Sing – A – Long on December 16th at 2:30 P.M and on Friday December 17th at 9:30 A.M in the gym. Feel free to join staff and students in singing some familiar Christmas songs.

SAFE SCHOOLS

Bussing Safety Reminders

With winter weather approaching, here are some reminders to enhance safety for our bussed students:

  1. It is the parents' responsibility to ensure that children are supervised at the bus stop. Busses/parents/caregivers may be late because of weather conditions or other circumstances. Partner with other parents or neighbours so that someone is available at the bus for the younger children if that is your practice.
  2. Review with your child what to do if you are not at the bus stop to meet him/her after school. Board policy mandates that only kindergarten children are returned to school if a caregiver is not present at the stop.

ATTENDANCE CHECK

905-451-8440

A reminder to all parents that the most effective and efficient way to report your child's absence is to call the attendance line at 905-451-8440. The line is in operation 24 hours a day.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

Regular attendance has a positive impact on student learning and success. Promptness is also an important life skill that should be encouraged.

Morning classes for all students begin at 9:10 A.M. for Grade K to Grade 6 and 1:00 P.M. for afternoon Kindergarten students. If your child comes to school after school starts, please come to the office to sign them in.

Please review your child’s attendance record as recorded on your child’s report card. Be sure to praise your child for developing good habits by maintaining a regular and prompt attendance record.

SICK CHILDREN

We are now in cold and flu season and many students get sick. Please make sure that when you send your children to school they are well enough to participate in all school activities including outdoor recess as we do not have the space or personnel to watch children during recess breaks. We also discourage medication being brought to the school. Peel District School Board employees are not permitted to administer medication without a 'Form A' (which is available at the school office). The Form A must be completed by a physician. This applies to non-prescription medication as well.

KEEP WARM THIS WINTER

Help your family prepare for the cold weather ahead!

To keep well this winter, it’s important to keep warm. As the weather gets colder, we are all more likely to catch colds. The best way to combat the cold weather is to keep warm and follow as healthy a lifestyle as possible. What you eat and drink, and the exercise you take, can make a big difference. As part of keeping well, it’s vital to keep your home warm and keep yourself warm when you go out. Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips before you and your family head outdoors:

  • Wear a warm hat. Most body heat is lost through the head.
  • Wear layered clothing. Proper clothing will help trap the warm air around the body.
  • Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have felt liners, carry an extra pair to replace damp ones. Mittens warm the hands more effectively than gloves. Carry an extra pair of these too.
  • Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activity.
  • Stay fit through good physical conditioning and good nutrition.
  • Try to stay in a heated environment, but not so hot as to cause excessive sweating.
  • Eat high energy food, such as nuts and raisins.

WINTER CLOTHING

The winter weather has finally arrived. It is important that children come to school dressed appropriately for the variety of weather conditions that can occur during the winter season ~ hats, gloves/mitts, winter coats, snow pants and boots. Along with these items, children should have a pair of indoor shoes and an extra pair of dry socks. Students are kept in during extreme cold weather conditions. Otherwise you should send your child to school prepared to go outside and get some fresh air.

During the winter months, inclement weather may cause the disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. This decision is usually made by 7 a.m. You can check the board website at or call 905-890-1010 for a recorded message.

You can also listen to any of the following radio stations for information:

CHIN, CHUM, CJCL, 680 NEWS, CHFI, CBC, CIAO, CFNY, CFRB, DC103FM, CHAY, JACK FM, MIX 99.9, Q107/AM640, CJMR, CHWO, CHEZ, CJBC (fr)

You will receive one of the following messages:

Buses are cancelled. This message means that schools remain open for students – but transportation services provided by the Peel District School Board are cancelled for the area(s) affected. Some fully bused schools are closed to students when buses are not running. Individual communities involved are aware of these schools.

The schools are closed. This message means that, due to bad weather conditions, schools are closed to students.

Schools and Peel board facilities are closed. This message means that, due to the severity of the weather conditions, schools and board offices are closed to students and staff.

QSP Magazines

Although Parkway is not formally participating in the QSP Magazine Fund Raiser this year. Families may still choose to take advantage of the reduced prices on yearly subscriptions that are offered. If interested go to :

qsp.ca and our school number is 8861.

VACATION REQUEST

DURING SCHOOL TIME

With an increase in the number of requests directed to the school seeking permission to withdraw students from school because of an impending family trip or vacation, we would like to provide the following information.

  • School personnel do not have the authority to sanction family vacations. This is a personal decision a parent must make.
  • While trips are educational and provide valuable language experiences for children, the demands of the Ontario Curriculum and expected outcomes are challenging. Taking trips at any time during the school year has a direct impact on student learning for all children especially if the trip is for an extended period of time.
  • No time of the school year is the best time to embark on a trip. Skills and concepts are introduced at all times, and with the demand of the Ontario Curriculum this will be even more critical, as teachers attempt to cover all the strands in each of the subject areas.
  • If a student is experiencing learning difficulties, it is even more imperative to think of whether the trip is necessary.
  • Although some parents ask for "work" for their child to complete while on the trip, it is unreasonable to expect parents to teach new skills and cover missed work during their vacation. It is not possible for parents to recreate the classroom environment where new skills are taught and reinforced in context throughout all areas of the curriculum.
  • Asking teachers to provide extra work does not make up for the valuable in-class experiences that accompany skill development. Many skills are taught in a cooperative environment, with the emphasis on problem solving, dialogue and discussion. For example, in math, students are often asked to "model", "transform", "infer", and "communicate their thinking" about a math problem.
  • Parents wishing to have their child review skills already taught may wish to consider having their child keep a "Travel Response Journal", practice math facts, or read daily. Parents may also wish to purchase commercially prepared workbooks which review and consolidate skills in math, reading and writing from the local store.

INTERACTIVE SITES ONLINE

The following are some educational sites that contain a variety of interactive math activities that your children might wish to try over the winter break. Kids can have fun and work on their math skills at the same time

Tumble Books

To log on go to

Username:parkwayps

Password:books

.

Regional programs and Extended French Immersion provide more options for students entering grade 7 in September 2011

Regional programs offered by the Peel District School Boardprovide an opportunity for students to develop and explore skills in a particular area of interest. All students may apply for the programs.

Busing

Transportation is not provided for students in regional programs. If students have been accepted into a regional program and they live within the school boundary, they are eligible for busing only if they meet the distance criteria outlined in the Peel board's transportation policy.

Fees

Most regional programs include an annual fee. The fee is specific to the program.

Information nights

Students and their families are encouraged to attend the information night for the program of their choice to receive more information about the program and application details. If you are unable to attend the information night, information and application details are available through the school.

Arts

Regional Arts programs are offered at the middle and secondary school level. Students who are accepted into theses programs will experience a comprehensive education in the arts discipline of their choice, while learning the Ontario curriculum. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of arts experiences including guest artists in the classroom, field trips and co-curricular activities.

For students living north of Highway 401, Regional Arts is offered at Earnscliffe Senior Public School starting in grade 6. Space permitting, students may enroll in the program in grade 7. Contact the school at 905-793-2903 for details.

Extended French

Extended French is an optional program that starts in grade 7 and provides a French immersion opportunity for students. Students spend half of their school day studying language arts, social studies and science in French. In high school, students take four credits in extended French and three credits in other subjects taught in French.

Extended French is offered at:

W.G. Davis Sr. Public School, 491 Bartley Bull Pkwy., Brampton, 905-459-3661

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program provides a stimulating academic environment that celebrates learning and connects it to the world outside the classroom. It emphasizes awareness and acceptance of all cultures and attitudes, and fosters an understanding of how and why we learn.

The IB program is designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, a non-profit Swiss-based educational foundation. It was formed in 1968 with an initial goal of establishing a common curriculum and university entry credentials.

W.G. Davis Senior Public School

491 Bartley Bull Pkwy

Brampton, ON L6W 2M7

905-459-3661

Information night: Feb. 3, 2011

Application deadline: March. 1, 2011

For more information, contact the school or visit

International Business and Technology

The International Business Technology (IBT) program builds on the traditional curriculum by providing students with a challenging program in all academic areas. Students enrolled in the program will explore subjects from a global perspective.

Allan A. Martin Senior Public School

1390 Ogden Ave., Mississauga ON L5E 2H8

905-278-6104

Information nights: Jan. 12, 2011

Application deadline: Feb. 16, 2011

More program and application information is available at or by contacting the school.

More regional program information at

For information about these opportunities and regional programs beginning in grade 9, go to and click on the 'Regional Programs' link in the 'Schools' section.

Tips for preventing slips-and-falls on snow and ice

It's getting colder outside. And that can only mean that winter is just around the corner.

Here are a few tips to help prevent slip-and-fall accidents this winter:

  • Shovel, salt and/or sand stairs and paths to clear ice and snow.
  • Don’t forget to clear the stairs. Since people are at risk of falling on stairs—especially stairs with snow and ice on them—remove snow and ice from all outdoor stairs. A slip or fall on stairs could lead to serious injuries.
  • When walking on slick or wet surfaces, move slowly, so you can react to traction changes. If a walking surface is slippery or wet, shorten your stride, walk with your feet slightly turned out for better balance and make wide turns. Wear slip-resistant shoes or boots and dry off your shoes as soon as possible after entering a building.
  • Pay particular attention to known problem areas. You may be aware of an area that continually freezes over despite your efforts to de-ice and sand it. Pay particular attention to these problem areas.
  • Provide enough lighting at night. Make sure the areas outside your home are lit so that your family can see where they are stepping at night.

Slips happen when there is not enough friction between your foot and the walking surface, causing you to lose your balance. They are most commonly associated with a sudden change in surface conditions.

Icy surfaces are an obvious risk, but what about the snow and ice you track inside on your shoes? Pools of water on the floor can be as dangerous as any ice patch. Here are a few safe falling techniques from the Peel Board's wellness website –

  • When you feel yourself start to fall, let your body go limp. This will allow your body to naturally roll into the fall. Many injuries are caused when you twist your back to fight the momentum of the fall.
  • Keep your wrist, elbows and knees bent. Don't try to break your fall. Landing on a small area, like a wrist or elbow will cause serious injury.
  • Tuck your chin in and throw your arms up to protect your head.

Parent Tip Sheet

Help your child have a happy holiday break

Help your child have a happy

holiday

Be active

  • If there's snow, be sure to toboggan, build a snow family, cross country ski or snow shoe
  • Go skating at a local arena or outdoor rink.
  • Take a walk around your neighbourhood to enjoy the holiday decorations.
  • Go swimming or play basketball at a local community centre.

Get Organized

  • As holiday greeting cards arrive, ask your child to record the names and addresses of the senders.
  • Ask your child to organize photographs in an album by date or activity. Save newspaper or magazine photographs of favourite athletes or role models to create a scrapbook.
  • Suggest that your child swap paperbacks, comics or magazines with family and friends.

Develop a sense of responsibility

  • Involve your child to help with holiday decorating and clean-up.
  • Ask your child to take charge of family recycling (get containers, wash the jars, stack the papers, etc.)
  • Have your child plan all aspects of a party. Your child can help decide on the guests, phone or send invitations, plan the food, get the house ready, greet and introduce the guests, and clean up.

Bolster core learning skills

  • Recommend that your child keep a diary—a journal of the family’s activities.
  • Take time every day for the whole family to read by themselves or together. Even 10 or 15 minutes is fine.
  • Take your child to the local library.
  • Have your child follow a favourite newspaper comic strip all week.
  • Encourage your child to write holiday greetings or thank you cards to cousins, grandparents and friends.
  • Review cash register receipts. Ask your child to check them for accuracy when you’re unloading groceries.
  • Have a family discussion about goals for 2010. Help your child develop a plan to achieve them.
Teach good citizenship
  • Check the newspaper for volunteer opportunities. For example, you and your child could help out at a food bank, pay a visit to an elderly person living alone or volunteer your services at a community event.
  • Visit the animal shelter, the fire station or a hospital to show your child what happens at these places.

Understand history and explore different cultures