S

We inspire success by nurturing engaging relationships and well-being

within the Osprey Woods community.

Dear Parents/Guardians:

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Hands United in Peace Winter Concert. Your gift of presence to your children is so invaluable. A huge thank you to all the staff involved in making the concert such a success. Both the students and the teachers are to be congratulated for putting on such an inspiring performance. It really helped us kick-off the holiday season. Thank-you to Mrs. E. Suliman for organizing a booming marketplace on the very same evening. The funds raised through the cost of the tables will support our end of year Grade 5 trip and celebrations. 35 small businesses were represented at the marketplace, including a table of our very own Me to We student representatives.

As we break for the holidays, we are reminded of those who are less fortunate, this year we collected a tree full of hats, mittens and scarves to donate to the Elizabeth Fry Foundation. Your contributions to our Mitten Tree were very much appreciated. Our Grade 4 and 5 students and Mr. Dessureault and his team of teacher helpers, also ran a very successful Candy Cane fundraiser. We raised $900.00. Thank you to all who were able to support these Me to We fundraising initiatives.

Heading into the holidays we'd like to take a few moments to reflect and highlight some of our exciting Fall experiences. September 5th marked the start of our new school year. Students, parents and staff were excited as they reunited with 'old friends' and took on opportunities to meet new ones. During the month of September we also participated in our very first Family Play Day event. In October, we kicked off our Scare Hunger campaign. In the month of November we took time out to honour our heroes at our Remembrance Day assembly. Our Grade 5 students also participated in excursions to Crawford Lake and the Riverwood Conservancy. Many students participated in a number of extracurricular activities like Quidditch and volleyball. These events coupled with our Spirit Days help us create and celebrate a positive school climate.

Our next School Council meeting is on January 10th. We hope to see you in our school library.

In January, we also hope to see many of our parents at the annual Student-Parent Quidditch game on January 25th. Please review our January calendar included in this newsletter for upcoming school events. We so look forward to 2018 and would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families an enjoyable and restful holiday.

Kind regards,

Clelia Trinca – Principal

A Message From School Council...

Hello Parents,

I would like to start by welcoming you all back for the winter term at Osprey Woods. I hope you all had restful and memorable break. Last term ended on an exciting note with the popular Christmas Market, back for the 8th year and a heart-warming winter concert performed by our wonderful 1st and 2nd graders. I am sure you will all join me in congratulating our dedicated faculty and staff who worked tirelessly to deliver an inspiring performance and instilling confidence and joy in our children.

We are a brand new parent council composed mainly of first timers and as a relatively new parent with a son in grade 1 French immersion, I personally was amazed by the commitment and level of engagement displayed by parents at Osprey woods. Our school is thriving because of parents like you. I thank all parents who volunteer their time, during school hours and beyond and to the community in general that enthusiastically support various fundraising ventures to enhance our school resources and environment and provide the best possible experience for our primary school students.

I would like to continue the tradition set by our predecessors and make a meaningful contribution to the school community and I invite you to join us at our next council meeting on January 10th 2018 at 6.30 PM in the library to share your suggestions on how we can improve and address any pertinent issues that may require our attention.

On behalf of the 2017-2018 Parent Council, I wish you all a Happy New Year and urge you to stay tuned for more exciting events coming up this term.

Regards,

Mehereen Bhaijiwala, PhD

Chair, Parent Council

Osprey Woods Public School

Message from the Library

Learning Commons

Hello Osprey Woods! In January, we're hoping to run the Forest of Reading program once again. Details are still being worked out, but rest up and come back ready to READ!! Mme Pratter

School Success Goals 2017 – 2018:

Empowering Modern Learners – Theory of Action

  • Models of Learning – If we implement a variety of learning models (e.g., sketch notes, PWIM, visuals, hands-on learning, maker space inquiry), then students will be empowered to construct knowledge, make their thinking visible and communicate their learning.
  • Learning Culture – If teachers increase opportunities for accountable talk, then students will develop their reasoning skills and the capacity to articulate and communicate their thinking clearly.
  • Informative Assessment - If we provide simple and specific descriptive feedback based on co-created success criteria through our “stars and arrow” format, and have students use a journal TO regularly reflect on their learning needs THEN students will independently use the feedback to set goals and demonstrate growth in their learning.

Conference helps parents empower modern learners

The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference, co-presented by the Peel Elementary Teachers’ Local, on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Mississauga Secondary School in Mississauga. Once again, the conference will focus on Empowering Modern Learners. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on topics, including numeracy, literacy, special education, technology and science.

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

Our keynote presentation will be delivered by Dwayne Matthews, a life and education strategist, who converges and shares knowledge on modern learning, disruptive technology, and the evolution of work. Dwayne will present Learning in the 21st century: Why it's different, why it matters and how to help children thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Registration opens Feb.5, 2018

Stay up-to-date! For more information, visit .

2018 Kindergarten Registration Week

We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student … and it all starts in kindergarten. If your child was born in 2014, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2018. Come to Osprey Woods School for registration between :

  • Jan. 29 to 31, 2018 – from 9-11:30 a.m. or 1-3p.m.
  • Feb. 1, 2018 – from 9-11:30 a.m., 1- 3 p.m. or 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Feb. 2, 2018 – from 9-11:30 a.m. or 1- 3 p.m.

Registration packages will be available by mid-January at the office.

Apply for French Immersion by Jan. 26, 2018

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2018, one of the important

choices you will make is whether you want to consider grade 1 French Immersion (FI). To find out more about the program, visit The application form for grade 1 FI for the 2018-19 school year is available online at as of Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be included in the random selection process and will be placed on the school’s waitlist.

The FI school for our area is Osprey Woods Public School. The phone number is 905-785-9687.

Enrolment cap and random selection process

The Peel board has a limited number of spaces available for students interested in grade 1 French Immersion. At this time, the grade 1 FI enrolment cap is set at 25 per cent of all Peel students enrolled in grade 1. A random selection process is used to determine which students will be offered spaces in the grade 1 FI program. It is important to note that applicants are not offered space in grade 1 FI on a first come, first serve basis. A computerized random selection process will randomly assign a rank to each application that is received by the deadline. Once students have been assigned to all available spaces, remaining students will be placed, again in rank order, on the school's waitlist. Each school has its own waitlist. ​ How to get more information

  • Visit the Peel board website—.
  • Call Osprey Woods Public School at 905-785-7749.
  • Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at .

Middle School Regional Learning Choices Program

Students in Grade 5 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. Please see January school calendar for dates and times. If you are unable to attend the information night please visit to learn more about our programs, application process and transportation eligibility.

Bus cancellation & 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 and posted at school websites and Information will also be available on Twitter (@Peelschools), Facebook ( or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.

This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

Nutritious lunches help children learn

Use Canada’s Food Guide to help your child get nutrients and energy needed to have a successful school day.

  • Try to give your child some choice about what to take for lunch. If possible, get your child involved in preparing meals.
  • Give your child a variety of healthy choices. Keeping your child interested in lunch is the first step to making sure it is eaten.
  • Make the food easy to eat. If it will take your child a few minutes to unwrap a sandwich, it may be skipped.
  • Resist the temptation to routinely send sweets, pop, chips and cookies in your child's lunch. Save treats for special occasions.
  • Try to avoid fast food or pre-packaged, convenience lunches, which are often high in salt and fat.
  • Do your best to role model healthy eating behaviours for your family.

To speak to a registered dietitian about healthy food choices, call EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102.

For more information about the policy, visit http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools. If you have questions about how we are implementing the School Food and Beverage Policy, please call the school.

Help your family stay warm this winter

Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:

  • Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an extra hat at school.
  • Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body.
  • Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners, carry an extra pair to replace damp ones or take an extra pair of socks. Invest in thick socks to keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of mittens to school, on outings, etc.
  • Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activities.
  • Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to hypothermia.
  • If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive sweating caused from an extreme change in temperature increases the risk of developing hypothermia.
  • Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins. A balanced diet will also help keep you warm and healthy in the winter.
  • If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.