Calico P.S. Newsletter

Volume 2October, 2013

Working Together to Ensure Student Success
In order to ensure the best possible education for your child, it is necessary for them to attend school regularly. A student’s academic progress depends on regular class attendance. Research also indicates that attendance patterns and attitudes are developed at an early age. Students are expected to fully participate in learning opportunities and complete all homework assignments and tests when they are absent.
We would like to encourage families to plan extended vacations when school is not in session. Extended absences can result in gaps in student learning. Students in Grades 3 and 6 may have particular difficulty during the provincial assessments (EQAO) when they have been absent during the school year and have missed a large portion of the curriculum taught. Regular student attendance and punctuality is important in order for students to be successful at school.
You can help ensure your child’s success by:
• being involved in your child’s education;
• knowing the school’s schedule;
• communicating regularly with classroom teachers (use your child’s planner to send notes to the teacher);
• calling the school if your child is going to be absent;
• writing a note if your child is late due to an appointment;
• ensuring that your child gets a good night’s sleep so that they have the energy they need for the next day.
Let’s work together to ensure student success!

Realignment

The month of September was full of new beginnings and changes for our students. Due to mandatory caps on class sizes, some children were moved from the class that they started in. These changes are not easy for anyone especially the child and we don’t make these changes easily. Those of you involved in that process, we thank you again for your cooperation and understanding.

From The Snack Program

We have been fortunate to receive funding from the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, however, we will be asking for a contribution of $5.00 per student per month. It is necessary to collect these funds from all families to help supplement the cost of the program. Please contact Mr. Bonavota if you are able to volunteer in our snack program.

New School Advisory Council Executive

Our new school council executive for 2013-2014 was elected at our first school council meeting. The co-chairs are Mike RocchettiHinna Zafar. Karen Clark will be the treasurer and Fatuma Ali will be the secretary. Please feel free to communicate with them via the school council mailbox in the main office. Our next meeting is November 19th at 6:30 p.m. Please consider joining us. We’d love to see you!

Keeping Kids Safe

Drivers are reminded to do their part to keep children safe near school buses.
Drivers should follow these tips:

• Stop and never pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.
• Leave space around school buses and avoid blocking school bus loading zones so children can enter and exit safely.
• Be prepared to stop for a school bus at any time, not just during school hours.
• Always obey the rules of the road and watch for children, especially in school zones.
• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and school crossings.
Parents can also help keep their children safe by reminding them to be aware of their surroundings when they are on or near school buses.

Our Community Support Worker

Calico’s CSW is Sabri Essa. Sabri’s job is to provide resources and supports for parents. He also will be working to develop partnerships in the community. You may contact him at 416-884-2916 or leave a message at the school.

Fire Prevention Week 2012
It’s time for Fire Prevention Week, and from October 6-12. Our local fire department reminds local residents to ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires.' During this year's fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires--most of which result from unattended cooking—and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

Here are some safety tips to consider:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
  • If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
  • If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three away from the stove.
  • When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves.
  • Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop.
  • Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops.

Toronto Fire Services will be stepping up their ongoing Fire Prevention & Public Education throughout our schools and community centres.
For more information, call Toronto Fire Services at 416-338-9185 or visit Toronto.ca/fire/prevention.

Halloween TRICK OR TREAT SAFETY

If parents are concerned about trick or treating, here are some basic safety rules to follow:
• Children should NEVER eat any treats until parents have had a chance to go through them and inspect them. Parents should look for tampering of packages and discard any they believe to be unsafe or unknown.
• Have your child carry a flashlight.
• NEVER go into a stranger's house.
• NEVER trick or treat with people you do not know.
• Trick or treat only at homes you know.
• Children should always stay in groups if no parent is present.
• Younger children should ALWAYS be accompanied by an older person.
• Accompany your child when trick or treating.
• If you cannot accompany your child then know the route your child will take.
• Flame resistant (retardant) costumes are in order. Keep costumes short and remind children to stay away from pumpkins with candles in them.
• Remind children to stay away from pets they do not know.
• Remind children of road safety rules. Cross only at corners. Do not criss-cross the road. Go up one side of the road and down the other side. Never cross between parked cars. Walk facing on-coming traffic if there is no sidewalk
• If adults are driving their children, drive slowly, with lights on and be cautious when pulling to the side of the road.
• Children should wear their own shoes when trick or treating. Wearing costume shoes/boots can be dangerous and uncomfortable.
• Remind children that not everyone celebrates Halloween, and to avoid any homes that have no lights on. Also remind children not to run through neighbours yards or gardens.
• With older children, be sure to know what other events (such as parties) they plan on attending.
• Set time limits when children should return home.