Mountain Ash Public School
February 2017
Principal’s Message
We wrapped up January with a wonderful character assembly lead by many students in Mrs. Joshi's Grad 4/5 class. In this assembly they showcased the character trait of "Respect" through spokenword, drama, and song. As we beginthe month of February and Term 2,Term 1 Report Cards and Kindergarten Summary of Progress reports will go home on Feb 10th. While there is no formal day for interviews, should you wish to discuss the progress of your child please touch base with your child's homeroom teacher.
We would also like to thank all of the families that utilize our Kiss and Ride for adhering to our new system and rules that allow you to park only in the lane closest to the sidewalk all along our parking lot. Thank you for not parking in "spots" (I know this sounds counter intuitive) as this creates pedestrian traffic and unsafe conditionsin our parking lot.
We have just recently made a significant purchase in the area of improvingaccess to technology at Mountain Ash. A big thank you to our School Parliament that purchased 16 Chromebooks for our school. We have placed an orderfor 48 Dell Chromebooks (total), 4 new computers for our lab, and some iPads toaugment our currentnumbers. While at this point the Chromebooks will be mainly for grades 6-8, we have been able to convert previously used PC's – or out-of-warranty PC's – toconnect wirelesslyfor student use. We have put some of these computers in the classrooms and hope to continue to do so. I would ask that if you have an older laptop or a PC that is not working efficiently, please consider donating it to the school. We would be happy to accept it at the office.
Sincerely,
Craig Cooper
Principal Mountain Ash P.S. / JPrincipal:
Craig Cooper
JVice Principal:
Brian Rasmusson
JSuperintendent:
Pat Noble
Stay connected by following us @MountainashPS
Pizza Days at Mountain Ash!
This month pizza days will occur on Thursdays February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2, 2017.
Pizza has been pre-ordered by students. Students cannot purchase slices at school. Pizza will arrive for consumption during second nutrition break, so please pack snacks and drinks for your child that day. Thank you!
Next order forms will be sent out Friday, February 24, 2017 (for March 9, 23, 30 and April 6 and 13, 2017). Deadline for forms to be returned is Friday, March 3, 2017.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Student Council will sell popcorn every Wednesday and Friday in Room 208 throughout the school year as part of our fundraising.
We have many delicious flavours such as Butter Salt, White Cheddar, Low fat Caramel and Ketchup. The cost is $2.00
Second Nutrition Break - Reminder
Lunch drop off is accommodated for students on our first nutrition break at 10:42 am.
We have had lunches dropped off at second nutrition break on some days. Please be advised that children check for lunches at first nutrition break only. We cannot guarantee that your child will receive the second lunch. At times, there are lunches left at the end of the day.
To avoid this, please drop off enough lunch for both nutrition breaks by 10:30 am.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Mountain Ash 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 is a list of events happening at Mountain Ash:
· Daily announcements and Black History Trivia
· School-wide Black History Trivia Contest
· Patty Day – February 14
· Black History as highlighted in February’s Assembly February 3rd
§ Speaker: Nadine Williams
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 www.peelschools.org/HPE.
Insπre. Gr23ness. 2gether.
Everyone is a math teacher, parents included
Parents and other adults in our students' lives are important partners in children's mathematics education. By engaging your children in thinking and talking about mathematics, you help support their numeracy success.
To help you with this, one great resource is the Ministry of Education'sDoing Mathematics with Your Child. You can find this guide for parents of children in kindergarten to grade 6 online at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideNumEn.pdf.
For more math tips and tools for parents of kindergarten to grade 12 students, visit the Peel District School Board’s Math Help site at www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/math.
Bus Cancellations – Parents Please Call SafeArrival
Please note that when the Peel District School Board cancels buses, all parents who keep their child(ren) home MUST report this using the SafeArrival system before the start of the school day. This includes bused and non-bused students and ensures the safety of all students. A call will go home to confirm the absence if the school is not notified.
Please call 1-855-209-6155 before 8:30 am.
It's time to register children born in 2013 for kindergarten
We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2013, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2017. You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the school he/she will be attending to register.
Peel schools will also hold a Kindergarten Registration Week with special registration activities during Feb. 6 to 9, 2017. Visit Mountain Ash Public School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb.6, 7, 8 and 9 and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 9.
What you will need to bring to registration
Proof of child's age (one of the following)
· Canadian birth certificate
· Canadianpassport
· citizenship card/certificate
· Permanent Resident Card
· confirmation of permanent residence
· work permit
· refugee permit
Proof of address (one of the following)
· Ontario driver's license
· utility bill
· bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution)
· credit card statement
· federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada documents)
· purchase agreement
Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement
Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated
COOKING WITH CAREGIVERS
Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers
We are inviting Caregivers and Children to take part in an exciting program that will get children and caregiver involved in the kitchen and make healthy meals together.
This program is called “Cooking with Caregivers” and will start on February 15th, 2017. This is a 10 week program that will take place every Wednesday after school from 3:30-5:00PM at Mountain Ash Public School.
The Caregivers and Children will learn:
❏ The skills they will need to cook healthy, low-cost snacks and meals
❏ That cooking is fun
❏ How to make healthy food choices
❏ To feel empowered in making healthy choices together.
**Please note this program is facilitated by the school Settlement worker and School health Nurse and is free of cost! This program is open to both Mountain Ash Public School and Eagle Plains Public School and is open to children aged 5 and up and their caregivers (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle etc.)
If you are interested in registering yourself and your child, please send back this slip to the school by February 10th, 2017
Please Contact Ms. Ridhim Mehta for more information and to register.
Phone #: 647-302-1950
E-mail:
Yes, am interested in registering in the “Cooking with Caregivers” session
Caregiver Name: ______
Child’s name: ______
Phone #______
E-mail: ______
PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE
DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Keaton Centre, 5685 Keaton Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario. L5R 3H5
Phone: 905 890-6000 Fax: (905) 890-6033
1 800 668-1140 www.stopr.ca
SAVE THE DATE!
January 2017
Dear Parents,
On Saturday, August 26, 2017 we will be holding our twenty-fifth annual YOUNG RIDER ORIENTATION DAY for ALL Kindergarten children. The intent of the day is to introduce children to school buses in an informal setting prior to the first day of school.
We encourage you to participate by bringing your kindergarten children and elementary age siblings to a one hour program between the hours of 9:00 am and 12 noon. Bus rides and a school bus safety video are only part of the informative fun. All Young Rider Days have been tremendous successes.
We look forward to having a wonderful time with each of you and your children.
Detailed information concerning site locations will be provided in April.
Sincerely,
Tom Howe,
Manager, Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR)
WELCOMING ALL KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN TO
YOUNG RIDER ORIENTATION DAY
Introduce your children to school buses prior to the first day of school
Saturday, August 26, 2017
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
We encourage you to participate by bringing your kindergarten children and elementary age siblings to a one hour program between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. Bus rides and a school bus safety video are only part of the informative fun!
SAFETY TIPS YOU CAN USE
Statistics prove that students are at far greater risk of serious injury outside the school bus than they are while aboard. Whenever possible, reduce that risk by supervising children at and en route to or from, their bus stops. There is simply no substitute for an adult’s vigilance. And please share this information with student passengers; it may one day save a child’s life.
Ø Get to the bus stop in plenty of time so you don’t have to run
Ø Wait for your bus in a place that’s away from traffic in the road
Ø Bus stops are not appropriate places to push or wrestle with your friends
Ø Let the bus stop before you try to get on
Ø If you can touch the bus, you’re too close
Ø Remember if you can’t see the bus driver, then the bus driver can’t see you
Ø The driver will let you know when it’s safe to approach the bus
Ø Take the steps one at a time, holding onto the handrail
Ø Go right to a seat, and sit quietly, without blocking the aisle
Ø Listen to your bus driver, and obey any requests
Ø Leave the bus in single file, holding the handrail
Ø Walk away from the bus without running, and never go behind it
Ø If you have to cross the street to leave or board your bus, you need to be 10 giant steps away from the front of the bus. Watch for overhead red lights to flash, and wait for your driver’s signal before crossing
Ø If you ever drop something underneath the bus or in its path, leave it there! Never, never, stop to pick it up.
Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) is a consortium, operating on behalf of both the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, which provides bussing service for thousands of students each year.
Riding the school bus is a new experience for kindergarten children and some French Immersion students. The following information will help you prepare your child to ride the school bus.
Who may ride the school bus?
Kindergarten students who live more than one kilometre from the school, and eligible French Immersion students, qualify for transportation.
What you should know?
· Because central pick-up and drop-off locations are used, children have to walk from their home to the school bus stop.
· Your child’s school will inform you of bus times and bus stop locations. Schedules are approximate, so students should be at bus stops at least five minutes before the designated time.
· Sometimes bus drivers can’t enter new subdivisions because of construction activity. In this situation, you are responsible for taking your child to the nearest bus stop.
Meeting your child at the bus stop
You are responsible for your children before they step on the bus and the moment they step off the bus.
If no one meets your Kindergarten child at the bus stop, the bus driver is required to take the child back to school.
Special safety features
The following safeguards will assist kindergarten students during the first few weeks of school:
Primary protocol for transported students:
The primary protocol for transported students has been implemented in order to enhance the safety of those Kindergarten and Grade 1 students who are transported home by bus at the end of the school day. All junior and senior kindergarten students must be met by a parent/caregiver at their designated stop. Students who are not met will be returned to the school by the driver at the end of the bus run or route. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that these students are met daily. In order to ensure that this procedure is successful, we need the cooperation of school administration, bus drivers and parents.
Identification tags
The school will give identification tags to kindergarten students identifying their school, bus run and bus stop location. This ensures that children get off the bus at the right place. Please make sure that your child wears the identification tag.