Walnut Grove PS

Principal: P. Lone

Vice Principals: S. Rofaiel, T. Maharaj

Superintedant: Patrika Daws

Trustee: Carrie Andrews

Email: walnutgrove.ps@peelsb.com
Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1416/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 10 Pinestaff Road, Brampton, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-796-4572
Twitter: @WalnutGrovePS

Walnut Grove’s Daily Schedule

Entry Bell 9:15

Period 1 9:15 - 9:55

Period 2 9:55 - 10:35

Period 3 10:35 - 11:15

Nutrition Break A 11:15 - 11:35

Nutrition Break B 11:35 - 11:55

Period 4 11:55 - 12:35

Period 5 12:35 - 1:15

D.P.A. 1:15 - 1:35

Nutrition Break C 1:35 - 1:55

Nutrition Break D 1:55 - 2:15

Period 6 2:15 - 2:55

Period 7 2:55 - 3:35

Dismissal 3:35

School Security

All parents and visitors entering the school during school hours must be buzzed in through the front doors and sign in and out at the office.

You are also reminded to wear a visitor’s badge while you are in the school. For safety reasons, it is important that we know who is in the school at all times.

Student Absences

Your child’s safety is very important to us, for this reason please make sure to call the automated attendance line at 1-855-209-6155 for each day that your child is going to be absent from school or will be coming in late.

An attendance call can be made at anytime however you need to call before 9 a.m. for the current school day. Safe arrival calls will be made each day for students that have an unexplained absence.

Late Arrivals

If a student arrives late to school, after the 9:15 a.m. entry bell, they must report to the office to sign in and receive a late slip before going to their class. Please help your child arrive to school on time up establishing and encouraging morning routines

Medication

If your child will require to take or have any medication (eg. Epi-pens, inhalers) while at school due to asthma, allergies or other medical conditions please inform the office. You will be given a medical form that will need to be completed by your family doctor and returned to school with the medication. No medication can be administered at the school without having a current medical form completed and on file at the school.

Birthdays

There are several students and staff who have severe food allergies in our school. For that reason, we ask to you please do not send any food items as a treat for a birthday or special celebration. If you wish to celebrate, sending materials to support learning in our school such as pencils, crayons, books, etc. would be appropriate. Thank you for your understanding.

Kiss and Ride

We understand that there are a lot of cars in the morning and after school using the Drop Off lane. We are asking for your patience and understanding and to follow the guidance of the teachers on duty.

Please note that children should never exit from the driver's side and even if they are seated behind the driver they should exit from the curbside.

Thank you for helping us in making Walnut Grove a safe school for all of our students

Nutrition Break Routines

We encourage all students to remain at school during both Nutrition Breaks, to participate in the variety of extra-curricular activities offered. However, we recognize that some families want their children to come home for lunch. In order to ensure student safety at all times, we have established some expectations for Nutrition Break Routines:

· parents/guardians will be asked to complete a form indicating their wishes for daily routines for lunch for their children – these will be kept on file to ensure that routines are being followed

·anytime that those routines are changed, parents/guardians will be required to contact the school (by phone or in writing) indicating the change in routine

· if students go home for lunch, they are expected to remain home for the entire break (40 minutes)

· students are expected to return ON TIME for next period

STUDENTS WILLL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE SCHOOL PROPERTY AT NUTRITION BREAKS EXCEPT TO GO HOME FOR LUNCH WITH PARENT PERMISSION. Students will not be allowed to go to the plaza across the street, nor are they allowed to go to a friend’s house for lunch.

Help protect students with severe allergies by keeping lunches, snacks

peanut-free

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects some children. We ask that you help us take care of these students by sending lunches and snacks for your child that are free from peanuts or nuts, because these foods are the leading cause of anaphylaxis.

Please read the label of any food you plan to send to school with your child. If the label says, "May contain nuts or peanuts," please do not send it to school.

You can get a complete copy of the Peel board's anaphylaxis guideline from the school office.

Supervision in Yard

Yard supervision for students begins at 9:00 a.m. Students should not be dropped off, or be arriving on school property, prior to 9:00 a.m. When outside, students need to play in their designated area and remain visible to the supervisor in the schoolyard.

Volunteers

Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community. At Walnut Grove, 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. This Criminal Record Check must have been completed within the last 6 months, must include a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) and must be an original copy. A police background check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this background 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 be mailed an Offence Declaration Form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. You will not be able to volunteer with the Peel board until you have returned this form.

If you have any questions about criminal record checks or the offence declaration form, please call the board office at 905-890-1010 ext. 2832.

Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D.)

Walnut Grove students are welcome, with the permission of their parent/guardian, to bring a device from home to use at school for educational related purposes only. Students are expected to demonstrate good digital citizenship through the appropriate, responsible, legal and ethical use of technology. Parents are asked to sign a BYOD contract around the safe use of technology at school as outlined in the school’s code of conduct. Parents please look for this contract in your child’s agenda within the first few weeks of September.

If a student does not have access to a personal device, a school device (e.g., Net book, Chrome book, I Pad), may be made available for their use while on school property.

December is always a busy and fun-filled month at Walnut Grove. As a school community, our collective spirit of “giving to others” comes alive in December. We have several different initiatives happening throughout the month, and we truly appreciate the support you give as we try to help others during this holiday season. Some of the things we will be doing this month include:

• The Giving Tree (donations of hats, mittens, scarves) – to be donated to a Shelter

• Toys for Tots

• Food Drive – donations to the Knight’s Table

As a family, we hope that you talk about the importance of helping those who are struggling and are in need of help, and perhaps choose one of these initiatives to support with your donations. Every little bit helps.

Staff and students have been busy preparing for our holiday evening events, and we are most thankful to our staff for the extra time they put into these activities. On December 12th, we will have our first Winter Concert, where students in Grades 3A, 3B, 3/4, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5Bwill perform. On December 13th, some of our French Immersion classes will be singing and dancing for their Holiday Concert. Those classes are: 1FA, 1FB, 2FA, 2/3F, 3FA, 3FB, 4FA, 4FB, 5FA, 5FB. As your “admission” to these events, we ask for a non-perishable food donation for our Food Drive.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Walnut Grove families for supporting the work that we do here. Our school community thrives because of your continued support. I wish a very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate Christmas. As well, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanza to those who celebrate, and to all of our families, Happy Holidays!

It’s hard to believe that winter break is almost here! Time certainly flies and it’s hard to believe that we are already in the month of December. As we wind down for the winter holidays, it’s important to reflect on how much has been accomplished so far in the 2018-2019 school year.

In my role as board trustee, I have had the pleasure of visiting schools and seeing how staff and students inspire hope. From fundraising for the Terry Fox Run, United Way Giving Day to coming together to share how we #ChooseAction, we all have the ability to unite for a common cause and help others in need. I am proud to see how many students and staff work together to inspire success, confidence and hope, each and every day. This holiday season, I encourage you to lend a helping hand, whether it is a kind gesture, a simple hello or a random act of kindness. These small actions can make a huge impact on those around us.

Thank you to students, staff and community members for your hard work during the first few months of school. Have a safe, fun-filled and relaxing winter break!

Please feel free to reach out to me.

Carrie Andrews

Trustee Brampton Wards 7&8

Our next School Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 , from 6:00 - 7:00 pm in the Staff Room. All parents are welcome to attend.

What are our goals this school year?

1. Our academic focus continues to be on further developing and deepening Numeracy skills. Students will continue to be engaged in problem solving, making meaningful connections and applications to the world around them, and to communicate their mathematical thinking and reasoning. Focus will also be on implementing Ministry expectations in numeracy, as well as maintaining our balanced numeracy program. Literacy skills also continue to be a focus and are integrated in meaningful ways throughout all areas of the curriculum.
2. Engaging Modern Learners at Walnut Grove incorporates Inquiry-based learning, collaboration and the responsible and effective use of technology, to help further develop critical thinking skills in our students. Students are always encouraged to bring their own devices (BYOD), as they engage in learning using a variety of tools and resources. A new area of focus this year will be on going deeper with our STEAM activities, and design thinking.
3. We continue to focus on and build upon our Bullying Prevention and Intervention plan, with student-led committees and activities, aimed at raising awareness and reducing/eliminating any instances of bullying at Walnut Grove. We have numerous extracurricular activities and programs aimed at developing positive student behaviour and effective problem solving skills. The “Your Voice Counts” survey results indicated that, while we are doing well in this area, we must continue to deepen and extend the work we are doing with students, staff and the community. Our GSA group will continue as well.
4. Mental Health and Well Being will continue to be a focus for students, staff and families of Walnut Grove. We will continue to provide opportunities for learning about, and deepening our understanding and practice of mindfulness and wellness, and encourage students to develop and maintain “balance” in academics, extracurricular activities and family life.
5. Our Equity and Inclusion focus will see a deepening awareness and understanding of Indigenous issues and rights, and respect and inclusiveness for all. As well, we continue to focus on We Rise Together, and anti-black racism.

Each day we are amazed at the number of personal safety risks we see people take in order to "save time." Walnut Grove has approximately 1014 students, and it DOES take time at entry and dismissal times for all students to enter and exit SAFELY. We ask that you review our safety protocols and be a role model for safety for our students.

Kiss and Ride

• always pull your car up as far as possible to allow more cars in the K&R lane
• Never let your children out of the car in the middle lane; students can only exit a vehicle from the K&R lane closest to the school
• Drivers must remain in their cars - this is not a parking area- pull up, students get out of the car, car leaves
• SLOW DOWN
• Enter to the right, NOT the left - please follow the arrows
• Always follow the directions of the staff who are on duty - they are there to help keep your children safe
• Be patient- if everyone follows the same rules, the K&R runs quickly and efficiently

Bus Lanes at the Front of the School

• this is NOT a pick up or drop off area for cars
• DO NOT enter this driveway while the buses are loading or unloading at the beginning and at the end of each day
• DO NOT run through the bus lanes to and from the street - this VERY DANGEROUS - use the sidewalks, as it only takes an extra minute or two

Traffic on Pinestaff and Tappett

• be considerate of the Buses - do not block their entry into the front driveway, and allow them out of the driveway and back on to the road
• Please model for children how to cross the street safely - darting in between moving cars on the roads is not only dangerous, it teaches kids to ignore safety
• Cross with crossing guards, and at the lights
• Do not block entrances and exits
• Slow down

Parking Cars on the Street

• obey the signs - many parents have received tickets for parking in areas that they shouldn't
• Do not block entrances/exits
• Use sidewalks to bring children to and from the school - never dart between buses

Overall, we have staff who are out on supervision duty in the morning and after school, to ensure student safety. We are asking for your help too. Please follow the directions of the staff on duty; they are thee to help keep you and your children safe.

Kindergarten: Samaira, Hukam, Leshana, Aryan, Aiza, Aadhya, Sahana, Karanveer, Arnav, Khashini, Gurfateh, Udhaybir, Khushleen, Vinamrbir, Deeta.

Grade 1: Tavisha, AJ T., Riana, Delonte, Elenah, Mehar, aggum, Ravneet, Ajay, Allinton, Keerat, Praijon, Aiesha, Gurvir, Kaden, Krishan, Nandini, Yuvraj.

Grade 2: Guransh, Saihaz, Jassica, japreet, Jabril, Riquan, Evan, Ishwa, Mananya, Gia, Ranbir, Jivin.

Grade 3: Riya, Baani, Abi, Ekroop, Abdul, Sekinah, Raza, Staphy, Anwar, Simran, Jotroop, Amber, Matthew, Khushpreet, Rehan.

Grade 4: Jina, Arviljot, Swaraj, Sahel, Pranay, Krish, Avia, Manroop, Venus, Suriya, Gurshaan, Ekam, Karam.

Grade 5: Ashaun, Neha, Jasman, Shaan, Sarina, Japnam, Massee, Nishan, ola, Arshia, Makai, Elina, Abhijeet, Asath, Arianna, Avin.

Grade 6: Jasmine, Samreet, Harsh, Sian, Nimrat, Ferdous, Joban, Palveer, Rithikha, Neiah, Inaaya, Jeevan.

Grade 7: Tanya, Saranyan, Avni, Iknoor, Kijot, Josiah, Tanpreet, Leon, Komal, Harman, Royston, Tanvi, Takshika, Aria, Bhavneet, Sajan.

Grade 8: Hudaa, Jay, Nana, Jishika, Simone, Rishit, Amjot, Kavisai, Joe, Amisha, Mehar, Makayla, Baldeep, Aujaa, Keianna.

All Stars in the Gym:

Ishmeet, Sukhjot, Harshini, Shamsi, Suraj, Leila, David, Tanvi

The character focus for the month of December is Cooperation. The Social Justice focus is Building Supportive Communities.

Cooperation is working together with others for one goal.

You show COOPERATION when you:

· Participate with your best effort.

· Assume positive intentions in others.

· Follow the rules made by the group.

· Respect the ideas and feelings of others.

· Value the contributions of others.

Building Supportive Communities involves thinking about others as well as yourself. For many cultures,

December is a month of giving. What can communities do to help support each other during this and other times of the year? How can students be supportive of each other within the classroom, and in the larger school? How can the school help support the larger community? This theme helps students to reflect on ways in which we can support and care for each other throughout the year.

DECEMBER NEWS FROM THE WOLF DEN

In the Gym:

This month at Walnut Grove, we are striving in variety of net-related sports, primarily introducing and engaging students to Volleyball. Starting off with the basics, the students gradually are progressing towards learning how to make successful passes utilizing the correct formations. This includes serving, passing and setting the ball using volleying and bumping, as well as attacking using the spike. Finally, at the end of the unit students are assessed on their level of skill knowledge and execution, spatial awareness and communication, and efforts through various fun activities and games.

Junior and Primary students in our school are actively participating in numerous net wall games similar to Volleyball, teaching them a variety of skills and forms to utilize for successful passes, tosses, catches.

Starting in December, Walnut Grove will be engaging in numerous fitness activities and choice stations. This incorporates the usage of various activities and materials that assist with the development of the human body. Our fitness unit promotes vigorous exercise - that many currently lack of - for the entire body, but primarily focusing on cardio. This includes skipping, step-ups, crunches and many other simple-but-effective exercises. Here at Walnut Grove we wish for the best of everyone to which we encourage effectual, robust and daily physical activity for the health and development of all.

Intramurals:

5 /6 Soccer Intramural League:

The ⅚ Soccer League is still underway and our Junior Students are really loving it! Some of our teams include Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps, LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union, New York City, and Chicago Fire. Stay tuned in the New Year to find out who our champions are!

Grade 7 Basketball League & Grade 8 basketball League Coming Soon!

Sign ups for these two separate leagues will take place in early December and we aim to start games before the Winter Holidays so that we can finish our championships in the New Year. We know how much students at Walnut Grove love Basketball and we are excited to have some great competition amongst our avid players!

What’s to Come in the New Year:

January will bring us a new year full of new intramural opportunities! We will start 2019 off with a 5-6 Basketball League as well as Grade 1 & 2 Sports Clubs. We are looking forward to lots of physical activity and fun, friendly competition in the gym.

Teams at the Grove:

Senior Girls and Boys Volleyball:

The Senior Girls and Boys Volleyball Teams headed to Southfields Village PS on November 27th and 28th to compete in our Divisional Tournament. Both teams made their coaches and entire school very proud with their efforts, enthusiasm, and most importantly SPORTSMANSHIP! We are always hearing from other teachers and principals in our community how well our student athletes represent our school. This is one of the most valuable things we gain from sport, and we are so proud our Wolves show integrity at the various sporting events in Peel and do this with smiles on their faces!

Junior Girls and Boys Volleyball:

Both of these teams have been practicing with their coaches to prepare for their Tripleball tournament, eager and working together to make successful contact with the ball, using proper form and strategizing, developing as players and most importantly having FUN!

All Stars in the Gym:

Congratulations to our November All Stars in the Gym. Each and everyone of them had demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and great perseverance in the gym. Their determination and extraordinary performances have continuously been acknowledged by their teachers and peers, earning themselves recognition in our Hall of Fame. Well done Wolves!

Ishmeet Punni (1B)

Sukhjot Sohi (2B)

Harshini Thanakumar (3FA)

Shamsi Agyeman (4FA)

Suraj Sharma (5A)

Leila Bansal (6FA)

David Berko (7C)

Tanvi Tejpal (8A)

A Note to Parents from the PE Teachers… You’re Doing Great!!

In the Gym, we get the amazing opportunity to work with your children in a fun-filled, inclusive, and sweaty environment! We see first hand the benefits of physical activity on mental health, personal development, and overall life satisfaction. We are so grateful that many of our students get the opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities outside of school and you are to be thanked for this. As children, we personally got these special opportunities and we know from experience how much they have allowed us to become well-rounded professionals who aspire to be successful. We recently came across an excerpt written by a parent, much like you, that we were touched by and wanted to share with you.

One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports”? Well I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my kids to to do sports. Personally, I couldn't care less about what sport they do.

So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?

- I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.

- I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go to their training but they go anyway.

- I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.

- I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment.

- I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.

- I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that placing or title they'd hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.

- I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.

- I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other athletes, officials and coaches.

- I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.

- I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.

- I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.

- I pay so that my kids can be out on the field or in the gym instead of in front of a screen...

...I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!

~Unknown

Have a wonderful, restful, and peaceful Holiday and we will see you all in 2019!

Sincerely,

The Physical Education Team

News from the Music Department

December 2018

SAVE THE DATES!

Winter Concerts:

A Pirate’s Christmas - December 12th, 6:30

Locke, Gianarakos

3A ,3B ,3/4 ,4A ,4B ,5A ,5B ,5C,

​Flakes! - December 13th, 6:30

Leaton

1FA, 1FB, 2FA, 2/3F, 3FA, 3FB, 4FA, 4FB, 5FA, 5FB

(tickets are available through your child’s teacher. The “cost” of admission is a donation to the food bank. Please only canned meat, fruits, vegetables or canned NON-condensed milk)

Units:

Mrs. Locke is completing her BLUES RECORDER UNIT. Please have a listen to our podcast here:

Recorder, Kuehn's class, rough copy

Grades 3-5 students are also working on our WINTER CONCERT PERFORMANCES, stay tuned for more details.

Grade 8s are finishing their PASSION PROJECTS.

Miss Leaton:

• Grade 1-2 students are learning all about rhythms. Check out some rhythm performances below!

• Grade 3-8 students are continuing their unit on the Ukulele. We are reading TAB (a different way of reading music) and soon we will learn how to play songs using chords.

• Grade 1-5 students are also working on our Winter Concert performances, stay tuned for more details. Check out the video below!

2FA and 23F working on their Concert Song

Ms. Gianarakos:

-Grade 1 and 2 students have begun learning the First Steps of Music Program

-Within this program, students are learning call and response echo songs, simple rhythms, story songs, and are getting opportunities to compose their very own songs

- Grade 3 and 4 students have also begun learning the First Steps of Music Program, Section 3

-They are working on Boomwhacker (rhythm) and story song compositions, as well as, preparing for the Winter Concert happening on December 12th

-Grade 1 Choir has begun!

- This is a special opportunity where all Grade 1 students come to Ms. Gianarakos room on Day 1s during First Nutrition Break to sing!! Woo hoo!

-Stay tuned for a special Sing-a-long assembly that will be happening on December 21st, more details to come

Save the dates:

Character Assemblies: Link to the Assembly Schedule for the year

Next assembly:

Thursday, December 20 - Please feel free to join us!

9:30 - Grades 2,4,6,8, FDK

10:20 - Grades 1,3.5,7, Splits

Please follow us on Twitter:

@musicatthegrove

@missleaton

@MsGianarakos

Shoe and Sock Drive 2018

We congratulate our students, parents, and staff, once again, for a super successful Shoe and Sock Drive this year. We are absolutely overwhelmed with our community’s generosity.

It's truly heart-warming to read some of the messages that students have written on letters and cards for their chosen children.

We have collected 40 pairs of shoes and raised enough cash to buy socks for everyone. All proceeds will go to a First Nations Community School in Ontario.

This has been a wonderful way to give back a little of the blessings we all share this season.

Way to go Walnut Grove!

Donate a new, unwrapped toy ...

Winter Food Drive

Each year we contribute many, many boxes of food to the local food drive. Walnut Grove’s community is VERY generous. Two years ago, the RAK student committee was able to personally deliver the food to the food bank. We learned a lot from that adventure. Most importantly, we learned that the food bank does NOT need more canned beans of any sort. They are very low in canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit and canned 2% milk. Below are some pictures we took while we visited.

Notice the empty stores of milk, meat and fruits and vegetables.

..and the WALL of beans:

Please consider donating canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables and canned 2% milk (not condensed milk). When we know better -- we do better!

Thank-you Walnut Grove Community!

Reminder to K-3 parents to return your Student Census questionnaire

Please remember to return your completed Student Census questionnaire to your child’s teacher, if you haven’t already done so.

Be sure to place your questionnaire in the provided envelope, removing the middle page with your child’s name on it. Seal the envelope closed and return it to your child’s teacher.

Your responses will help us better understand and capture the voices of all students and their families. The more responses we receive, the more effective the data will be to help inform and improve programming and instruction.

For more information, please visit www.peelschools.org/studentcensus

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 available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. It is usually also announced on the radio and television stations listed below

VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 BREAKFAST TELEVISION NEWS AM680

CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1

NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860

FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107

CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSE

GLOBAL NEWS CITY NEWS CTV

CFRB – (Bell Media)

One of the following messages will be announced:

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 busing 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 Peel 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 Peel 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 Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

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.

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.

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2019, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to consider grade 1 French Immersion (FI).

The application form for grade 1 FI for the 2019-20 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French as of Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 at 1 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 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 Walnut Grove PS. The phone number is (905) 796-4572

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 enrolling 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

1. Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French.

2. Call Walnut Grove at (905) 976-4572

3. Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/.

Train More. Rehearse More. Learn More.

Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options for student athletes, artists

Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes it difficult to attend school regularly? The Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High Performers Program will offer flexible timetabling to accommodate student athletes and artists with demanding practice, competition, rehearsal and/or performance schedules.

The Peel Region High Performers Program is available to students in grades 4 to 12 at Britannia Public School, Dolphin Senior Public School and Mississauga Secondary School.

Applications are open

For more information and applications, visit www.peelschools.org/HighPerformers.

All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our automated School Messenger SafeArrival system.

Use one of the following methods to set-up your new SafeArrival account. Please ensure the number and email address that you are using to report your child’s absences are those that we have on file at the school.

SchoolMessenger app (free from Apple or Google Play)

1. Download the SchoolMessenger app

2. Tap Sign Up to create your account

Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.ca

1. Go to the above website

2. Click Sign Up to create your account

Interactive Toll-free Phone

1. Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155

2. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence

As always, please report your child’s absences before the start of the school day. Late arrivals and/or early departures should be reported as soon as possible. If your child’s absence is not reported in advance, the automated notification system will contact you and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence. By reporting your child absent in advance on the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or SchoolMessenger mobile app, you will not receive a call.

As always, if you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the school.

The Attitude of Gratitude

From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is all about focusing on what’s good in your life. It is paying attention to the things that we can sometimes take for granted, especially when we are feeling stressed. There are many different words that can describe feelings of gratitude, including feeling thankful, lucky, or fortunate. An attitude of gratitude involves actively choosing to acknowledge and appreciate the things you are thankful for in life. By making a focused effort to reflect on the positive parts of your day, the stressors you face can begin to feel a little less overwhelming.

Why Does Gratitude Matter?

Practicing an attitude of gratitude can make a BIG difference on your overall outlook on life. Gratitude has been shown to BOOST both physical and mental health outcomes by helping people to:

• Improve their self-worth and esteem

• Balance their negative emotions

• Experience other positive emotions linked with gratitude (e.g., happiness)

• Build better relationships with others

Give Gratitude A Go

Feel like an attitude of gratitude could benefit your family? Here are a few suggestions to get you started!

1. Keep a Journal: Each family member should write down three things they are thankful for each day (big or small). As a family, make a little time each week to review some of the entries. When an individual family member feels stressed or overwhelmed, encourage them to reflect on their recent journal entries.

2. Create a Photo Album: Take photos of things that make you and your family happy. Regularly add the photos to an album. Schedule a little relaxation time each week to review your entries.

3. Fill a Jar: Reflect on the things you and your family members are grateful for at the end of each day. For each reflection, add a marble to a jar to symbolize your gratitude. Monitor how long it takes to fill the jar.

4. Pay It Forward: Put together a gratitude box for someone else...why not one for each family member? On colourful pieces of paper, write several entries to let the person know what you appreciate about them. Try: ‘Thank you for…’ or ‘I love you because….’ Once the box is complete, wrap it and present it as a gift.

5. Say Thank You: As often as you can! Make a concerted effort to say thank you to other people. By thanking others, you will begin to notice things that you appreciate in the moment.

Remember!

Like any skill, gratitude is one that needs to be practiced. Anyone who spends time with children and youth knows that they are are mimics and they learn by watching how we deal with life's stresses and opportunities. By mindfully modelling gratitude and bringing our children and youth into this practice, we are promoting their healthy development for life!

For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel.

Adapted from Reach Out Australia (2018) and The Optimistic Child (1995).