2017 / The ellwood eagle
NOTES AND NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Believe it or not, we have reached the half way mark for this school year and you soon will be receiving your child’s first term report card. We are now beginning the planning process for the 2017-2018 school year.
One of the first steps in preparing for next year is registration for our newest Ellwood members. The week of February 6th is dedicated to Kindergarten registration. If this affects your family or someone you know, registration packages are available in the office. The office will be open on Thursday, February 9th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for registration, in addition to regular daytime hours from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
If you have not subscribed to our website, please consider doing this. If there is any time sensitive information e.g., a Hold & Secure event or if we have to go into a Lockdown situation, you will automatically receive an email from the website containing all the pertinent information. Also, if you are wondering about all the great activities that are taking place at Ellwood, please consider following us on Twitter at EMPSEagles and LCannonLibrary. EMSPEagles can be viewed from our school website.
Our very busy Home and School Association volunteers are working on upcoming community events – Movie Night will be taking place on Friday, May 5, 2017 in Ellwood’s gymnasium and there will be a parenting workshop on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Watch for more information on these events in the coming months.
Many thanks go out to our Home and School Association once again for putting on a terrific Breakfast with Santa event. We fed over 300 people and many children had the chance to get their picture taken with Santa.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Shoebox Project drive. It has been so much more successful than we ever anticipated. The members of the Me to We Club were overcome with the level of generosity. What a great experience!
On behalf of all the staff, I wish you a wonderful Family Day long weekend.
Andrew Greenhow
Principal
In an effort to leave a smaller footprint on our environment, Ellwood will soon be moving to online newsletters. You can view this month’s newsletter HERE
Eagle of the Month
We continue to celebrate the demonstration of good character at our monthly Eagle of the Month assemblies. Various classes highlight a Peel Character trait at each assembly. What does it look like in school, at home and in the community? What does it sound like? What does it feel like? These are good discussion topics for both classroom and family talks. The 6 Peel Character Traits highlighted in all Peel schools include:
Responsibility Respect Inclusiveness Caring Cooperation Honesty
The January recipients were:
Kindergarten: / Aris, Dayna, Simona, Ronin, Ana, Eowyn,Grade One: / Aris, Isaiah, Sofia, Valentina, Kyla / Grade Four: / Jake, Rylee, Charlotte,
Grade Two: / Addison, Samuel, Josh, Lee, Levi,
Valentina / Grade Five: / Jesse, Sehansie, Pravpreet,Julia,
Grade Three: / Ayden, William, Chantal, Tyler, Hannah / French / Charlotte (Grade 4), Jalal (Grade 5)
Music / Aleigha, Michael, Monica, Gurpinder
Check it out: Lots of Parent Resources
School Hours:
Please note that our day begins promptly at 8:50am. There is an early bell at 8:48am which tells students to line up on the pavement and prepare to enter the building. All students should be in the play area by 8:48 to ensure they arrive in class on time. Students arriving on time should be entering by the appropriate entry door.
NOTES AND NEWS FROM THE PEEL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
Register now for kindergarten!
If your child was born in 2013, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2017
We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! Peel schools will hold a Kindergarten Registration Week during February 6 to 9, 2017.
Visit Ellwood Memorial from 9am to 3pm on February 6, 7, 8 and 9 and from 5pm to 8pm on February 9, 2017. Please pick up a registration package from the school office and complete it before coming to register.
If you can’t make one of these times, no problem! You can register your child at any time during regular school hours.
For more information, visit
Winter bus safety
The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter months.
- Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.
- Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening.
- Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow and ice.
- Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on wet or icy steps or road surfaces.
- Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm.
- Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus.
- Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street.
- Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice and get hurt.
On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:
- When possible, wait with your child for the bus.
- Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or another trusted adult.
- Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what a "safe" stranger is.
- Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has someone to wait with for the bus.
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 Ellwood Memorial, 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 criminal record check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this record 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 receive an Offence Declaration form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. Completing the Offence Declaration will ensure that you can continue volunteering in the next school year. Expect to receive the form in February.
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 announced on radio and television stations listed below and posted at and Information will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.
VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9CHUM AM1050CFTR AM680
CFNY FM102.1/AM640CJCL AM590CHFI FM98.1
CFRB AM1010EZ ROCK FM97.3CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Z103.5FM93.1FM Q107
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540CBC99.1CTV
CITYPULSEGLOBAL NEWS
One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only):
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 bussing 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 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 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 Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
Ellwood Memorial puts the spotlight on Black Heritage
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.
During Black History Month, students, staff and parents from across Peel will participate in a number of activities that promote the understanding of the many contributions made by black Canadians. Here at Ellwood Memorial, students will be part of a presentation called “Yamo Yamo- Greetings from West Africa”, which will take place on Thursday, March 2nd in the gymnasium for all grade levels from K to 5.
Health and Physical Education Curriculum supports the physical, emotional and social well-being of students
Working together to keep our students safe and healthy
The Peel District School Board implemented the Ministry of Education’s revised Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in the 2015-16 school year. The curriculum is divided into four elements that work together to support the physical, emotional and social well-being of students:
- active living
- movement competence
- living skills
- healthy living
Peel staff will again teach the human development and sexual health component to students, beginning spring 2017. This provides time for teachers to develop strong relationships with their students prior to this phase.
Advance notice letters will be sent home with students two weeks prior to the human development/sexual health lessons. Families can submit religious accommodation requests at any time prior to the lesson by contacting the school directly.
To get more information on how the HPE curriculum will be taught, please visit our website at