1550 Green Glade
Phone: 905-822-8386
Fax: 905-822-9992
@peelgators
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 – E D I T I O N O N E
PRINCIPAL’s MESSAGE
Dear Parent(s):
Welcome to Green Glade Senior Public School where each student is encouraged to strive fourth towards achieving our goal to “be the best you can be”. It is truly my pleasure to be starting my fourth year as Principal of Green Glade – working with a very professional staff and a highly motivated group of students. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you at our many student activities and special events. I began my teaching career as an intermediate teacher-teaching special education, history and geography and guidance at Edenwood Sr. P.S. My administrative career began at Settler’s Green P.S. as Vice-Principal and later on as Principal. Just prior to arriving here at Green Glade Sr. P.S., I had the honour of opening McKinnon P.S. in the fall of 2007, a brand new elementary school in Peel. At McKinnon, we initiated a host of sustainability projects- a perfect fit with our strong connection here to the Rattray Marsh conservation area. Throughout my teaching and administrative career, I have always held a strong belief in the value of building strong school and parent partnerships. An open and trusting parent and school relationship is critical in ensuring student success. Building the self-confidence, learning skills and positive attitudes towards learning will enable all our students and your children to become life-long learners and contributing members of our global community.
This year, together, we will share the smile - both literally and figuratively, with each student and their families throughout the year. We believe that supporting students to improve their academic and social skills, will give each student and their families a reason to smile. The smile represents our goal in how we want your child(ren) to feel each day of the 2015-2016 school year - successful, proud, and happy! The entire staff shares our collective commitment to helping all students at Green Glade “be the best they can be”.
As always, we are here if you have any questions or concerns and I look forward to meeting you in the months ahead.
Norman Black, Simone Wallace,
Principal Vice Principal
WELCOME MRS. Wallace
We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Wallace is our new Vice Principal. Mrs. Wallace is an experienced educator and has been with the PDSB for 17 years. She has served in a variety of educational roles at various grade levels and positions such as ESL, ISSP, Librarian and Literacy Coach. She has experience working as a VP for over 2 years within a French Immersion school. She is looking forward to developing a strong partnership with staff, students, parents and the wider community to continue the school’s goal of creating a safe, caring, equitable and inclusive culture and environment.
Attention Grade 8 Parents
What is a course selection sheet?
What are my child’s options for secondary school?
What is a regional program?
What are the important dates I need to know?
What does Extended French look like at a secondary school?
Guidance is in full swing at Green Glade! Mr. Ferrin presented to the school during last week's "Gator Time" assembly to introduce himself to all new GG students. Students are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winning class for the Back-To-School photo scavenger hunt that took place over the past week. This activity was designed by Mr. Ferrin to help foster team building within each homeroom and promote student leadership and initiative. Judging by the flurry of activity in the halls this week, our students have not disappointed!
Each homeroom class will receive a regular guidance period in September. Grade 6 and 7 classes will be discussing fitting in at GG and getting used to their new surroundings and understanding social anxiety. Grade 8 classes will be working on setting goals and discussing opportunities to hone leadership skills as they head into their last year of elementary (middle school).
Mr. Ferrin's Guidance social media account on Instagram will be activated within the next week and will be shared with all students and their families. You do not have to be an Instagram user to access the information; the site will be public and available to everyone. The purpose is to have an avenue to get helpful information directly to students and, after having consulted our students on what the best way would be,it is clear thatsocial media is the way to go! Information shared will cover high school and course selection material, mental health and well-being, social skills, "netiquette" and anti-(cyber)bullying, selfconfidence and positive self-image, goal-setting and more!
Believe it or not, although we have just welcome our Grade 8 students back, we are already preparing them to begin their secondary school education. High school information nights and course selection on myblueprint.ca moves very quickly. Here are a few of the info nights for the most common high school destinations for our students...
Upcoming High School Information Nights for Grade 8 Students and their Families:
Clarkson Secondary School - Wednesday October 28th at 6:15pm
Lorne Park Secondary School - Wednesday September 30th - time TBD
Port Credit Secondary School -Wednesday October 21st at 6:30pm
Regional Programs:
Cawthra Park Secondary School (Regional Arts Program only) - Wednesday October 28th at 6:00, 7:00 or 8:00pm
(*Cawthra will be visiting Green Glade on October 20th to put on their "RAP Tour" show for all Grade 8 Students)
Port Credit Secondary School - Strings or Sci/Tech Program - Wednesday October 21st at 6:30pm
Gordon Graydon Secondary School - IBT and Graphic Design Program - Wednesday October 7th at 5:30 or 7:00pm
(*Gordon Graydon will be visiting Green Glade for a "Lunch&Learn" info session for interested students next week)
Details regarding other high schools' parent nights can be found at www.peelschools.org/schools/informationnights
For more information about Guidance at Green Glade, please contact Mr. Ferrin at or by calling the school
drive with caution
If you are driving your child to school, please drop them off at the far east end of the front driveway, and then have them walk to the back for morning entry. Please drive slowly and watch for students crossing the driveway. The side (west) driveway is reserved for buses only (we have 11 buses to unload every morning). Similarly in the afternoon, please do not use the side driveway as this is for busy loading, and we must ensure student safety. We ask for your patience during the first few weeks of school as it can be expected that there will be delays. Please note that transportation is provided for students who reside more than the following distances by road, path or walkway from the school.
Grade 6 2.0 km
Grade 7 & 8 3.2 km (English and Extended French students)
Bus passes have been distributed to all eligible students, and they will be required to show the driver their pass before boarding the bus in the morning and after school.
If your child is not eligible to ride on the school bus and there is an existing stop close to you, you may apply for a seat by filling out a "courtesy seat" form. You will be notified when these forms are available. You should also be aware that this privilege is given on a yearly basis and ends at the completion of each school year. Seats are limited and priority will be given to age and distance from the school.
Parents are encouraged to access bus information on the web: www.stopr.ca.
school council
If you are interested in being part of our School Council, this information is for you! New members are always welcome! Please note our first meeting will be on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 p.m. Here are some important dates:
Friday, Sept. 25th Nomination Forms Sent Home
Friday, Oct. 2 nd Nomination Forms due in Main Office
Monday, Oct. 5th School Council Elections (if necessary)
Monday, Oct. 5th First School Council Meeting
getting the most out of middle school
This monthly article will provide some helpful hints for parents to negotiate the new world of middle school. Students and parents are usually more successful when they know what to expect. Here are few new “learning experiences” your child can expect this year:
· New Things to Adjust to- lockers, lunch periods, and frequent class changes keeps your child “on the move” throughout the day
· New Teachers and new Classmates- we have students from over 30 elementary schools across Peel. Meeting and working with new friends and classmates is part middle school life.
· Greater Academic Demands- More homework, assignments coming from different teachers, some with short timelines, others are more long-term. They will be expected to do more work on their own.
· People to go to for help- your homeroom teacher, subject teachers, guidance counsellor, social worker, classmates and friends can give some good advice to help you through some rough patches. And Mr. Black and Ms. Wallace are always available- via phone or in person. If you have questions- don’t wait, just ask!
our children’s safety
Medical Concerns
It is very important that you notify the office immediately of any medical concerns. A
medical form must be completed to communicate this information to their teachers. Please contact Mrs. Ciotti, the office manager, if a form is needed. If your child has any type of medication at school, [e.g., puffers, epi-pen, etc.] the school staff must be made aware to ensure your child’s safety.
Peanut and Kiwi Fruit Allergies
We have several students with this life threatening concern. Please refrain from sending peanut butter or any items containing peanuts and peanut products and drinks containing kiwi fruit to school. Green Glade is a Peanut Aware school.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Student Council meets once a week to organize extra-curricular activities for the student body and staff at Green Glade. Students in each homeroom are eligible to run for two available positions (as a class representative and an alternate class rep) and sit on the council for the entire year.
Student council events and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: school dances, talent show, spirit days, skating day and candy grams and social justice awareness. This is an excellent opportunity to take part in school activities and develop leadership skills. Thank-you Mrs. Adamson, Mrs. Manente and Ms Simoes for your support with this exciting program.
pizza days
Once again this year, we will have Pizza days on Tuesday and Thursday. Slices are large and cost $2. Students can purchase cheese or pepperoni slices. At Green Glade, we do not pre-order, as we have a cash only system. All pizza sold complies with the Food and Beverage Policy. Our first Pizza Day is Tuesday, September 15th.
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
Our first day of school ran very smoothly as teachers have been working with students to ease the transition back into school routines. Your assistance in reviewing the student agendas has also helped in this transition. The student agenda is an important communication tool - all students are urged to bring their agenda to school each day. If you have not yet purchased this invaluable tool for success, I encourage you to do so immediately, as it contains very important school information including your Parent Handbook. This school year promises to be a very busy one and in order to help everyone stay informed, I will be sending home a Newsletter at the beginning each month. You can also stay current by accessing our dynamic school website. This site contains important school as well as Peel Board information, and all of our Newsletters, School Council information are posted there as well.
http://schools.peelschools.org/1308/Pages/default.aspx.
NEED HELP WITH MATH
Get free online math help for Grades 7 to 10 with Homework Help. Math tutors available 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm Sunday – Thursday. Register for free:
· Chat with math tutors
· Get 24/7 resources
· Use math learning tools and much more!
Check out the online Open House-
October 6-9, 2015 9:00 am – 2:00 pm https://homeworkhelps.ilc.org
WalLi Shah rock concert
Our school year got off to a rocking start with a live rock concert from rapper Walli Shah. His musical numbers combined with messages of making a difference in the world, kindness and the power of hope, both within our school and around the world. Even.
Lunchroom Supervisors NEEDED
We are looking for individuals who are interested in working as a "Lunchroom Supervisor". This paid position ($14.79 per hour) would require you to be available from 11:30-12:30 to supervise students eating in the gym and then going outside for the lunch recess period. If you are interested, please call the school office at 905-822-8386. A Police check is required.
music instrument news
As part of the music program at Green Glade, students in Grade 7 and 8 will all learn to play a musical instrument!
In order to take part in the instrumental music program, students will require their own instruments. These can be purchased privately or rented on an annual basis. We will be renting our instruments from Long and McQuade Ltd, an excellent and reputable company with locations in Toronto, and across the country. We have negotiated a new price for the instrument rental and book. Look for more information later this month.