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From the Principal

As you are aware, the government has set February 16th as our return date for Face to Face learning. We

really miss all of your children and we cannot wait to welcome them back! Once again, the newsletter is

full of amazing and important information. Please read it carefully.

As well, we will be having a Virtual Parent Presentation on March 4th from 6:45- 8:00 p.m. This will be a

workshop for parents focusing on Supporting Children: Social Media and Mental Health. Please see the

flyer below. Details will follow.

Your child’s Term 1 Elementary Report Card report will be distributed electronically between

February 18 - 24, using their GAPPS accounts.

Please reach out to me if you have any comments, questions, concerns or compliments. Stay well!

Heather Purcell

Principal

heather.purcell@yrdsb.ca

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On Monday, February 8th, there will be a School Council Meeting. We hope you can join us! Here is the link:

School Council Meeting

Mon, Feb 8, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EST) Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/379391061 You can also dial in using your phone. (For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.) Canada: +1 (647) 497-9373 - One-touch: tel:+16474979373,,379391061# Access Code: 379-391-061

Included in this Weekly Newsletter:

Social Media and Mental Health Workshop - March 4th Presenter: Scott Ste. Marie

Student Council Contributions

Indigenous Learning

Kindergarten Registration Information

Mental Health Supports

Services available to those in need

211 Assistance Fact Sheet

Adult ESL Classes

Red Cross Babysitting Course

Red Cross Stay Safe Course

Battery Recycling Programme Information

Community Partnerships Information

Executive Functioning Workshop

Learning Disabilities of York Region – On-line Social for students

Managing Challenging Behaviour - Workshop for Parents

Covid Screening Information

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Greensborough’s School Council Presents:

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Black History Month:

Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present.

During Black History Month, Canadians celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today. People of African descent have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.

The role of people of African descent in Canada has not always been viewed as a key feature in Canada’s historic landscape. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were people of African descent, or of the many sacrifices made in wartime by soldiers of African descent as far back as the War of 1812. Few Canadians are aware of the fact that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now Canada, or of how those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society.

Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions of Black Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada, and about the diversity of Black communities in Canada and their importance to the history of this country. The commemoration of Black History Month dates back to 1926, when Harvard-educated African American historian Carter G. Woodson proposed setting aside a time devoted to honour the accomplishments of African Americans and to heighten awareness of Black history in the United States. This led to the establishment of black History Week in 1926. Celebrations of Black history began in Canada also shortly thereafter.

During the early 1970s, the week became known as Black History Week. It was expanded into Black History Month in 1976. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons. In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

Student Council

Contributions

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National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – February 7, 2021

By: Jannah (Student Council)

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day CANADA (NBHAAD) is observed annually on February 7 to increase awareness, spark conversations, and highlight the work being done to reduce HIV in Black or African American communities globally to show support for people with HIV in these communities. In February 2019, a new national initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for Canada (EHE), was proposed. The plan calls for intensified efforts to diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond to HIV infections in Canada, with an overall goal of reducing new HIV infections by 90% by 2030.

PROMINENT BLACK CANADIANS: (Jasmine, Dilpreet, Arav)

Jean Augustine:

Jean Augustine is an exemplary political leader, tireless social activist and educator who has achieved many incredible “firsts” in Canada. Born in St. George’s, Grenada, Jean Augustine lost her father at a young age and was raised by her loving grandmother. Jean came to Canada in the 1960’s where she pursued her career as a teacher and became active in Toronto’s community as a social advocate for women’s and minority rights. In 1993, she entered politics and made history when she became the first Black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. Two years later, she proposed a motion to recognize February as Black History Month which passed unanimously. Since then, Jean has continued to open doors for Black Canadians and other visible minorities by serving as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, member of the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada, and member of the Citizenship and Immigration Committee.

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Viola Desmond:

After Halifax-born entrepreneur Viola Desmond found success in running her own hair salon, the trained beautician opened a beauty school where she was a mentor to many black Canadian women. But across the country, Desmond is remembered for bravely challenging segregation: while at a movie theatre in 1946 in New Glasgow, N.S., she was forcibly removed after sitting on the ground floor—the whites-only section. Although Desmond offered to pay the one-cent difference in tax, she was still arrested and sentenced to 30 days in jail and charged a $26 fine. In 2010, the province of Nova Scotia apologized to and pardoned Desmond, who died in New York in 1965. Last year, she became the first Canadian woman to appear on the face of a Canadian banknote.

The Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year typically falls sometime between January 21 and February 20, annually. Lunar New Year 2021 is on February 12, and it's the Year of the Ox. It's called the Lunar New Year because it marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars traditional to many East Asian countries including China and Vietnam, which are regulated by the cycles of the moon and sun. "A solar year—the time it takes Earth to orbit the sun—lasts around 365 days, while a lunar year, or 12 full cycles of the Moon, is roughly 354 days."

In China, the 15-day celebration kicks off on New Year's Eve with a family feast called a reunion dinner full of traditional Lunar New Year food. Many dress up in cultural wear called a Red Cheongsam, but they can come in many different colours. But many will find themselves celebrating the Lunar New Year very differently this year. Wishing you a very safe, and healthy Lunar New Year.

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Kisaan Protest:

Student Council members: Jasmine and Dilpreet

In the middle of 2020, the Prime Minister in India (Modi) and the government decided that they would be giving Farmers more freedom. The farmers in India are concerned that the new laws will make their product prices go down. These Farmers have nobody except themselves to help. On August 9th 2020, the Kissans (Kisaan’s are farmers) began to protest. Some have not seen their families since. That same protest is going on to this very moment. Their goal is to get minimum support for being Farmers instead of possibly losing all their savings. Protesters are being threatened with tear gas, water sprayings, and possibly nittings by batons. The farmers have walked across many borders in India that have been blocked by the government. They still continue to fight for what they need. On January 26th 2021, some joined a tractor protest. That protest was the largest tractor protest in all of history. Seniors are being threatened, beaten up and have been walking and protesting a lot.

The farmers have been in multiple hunger strikes since the beginning of the protest. In late February, the government had put up spikes on the floor to stop the Kisaan’s from continuing to pass borders, those spikes are now fully broken. About a week before the spikes were put up, the Government shut down all of the internet in Delhi which is where they’re doing their protest. They cut off the internet because they wanted the people there to not be able to show what’s going on and overall to make the government look better. Side protests have been going on globally, for example, the UK, Australia, Toronto, Scarborough, Brampton, Mississauga. As these Farmers have been saying,“No Farmers, No Food”.

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Primary Student Council:

Prime Minister: Jannah (Grade 8)

Deputy Prime Minister: Aaditya (Grade 8)

Parliamentary Secretary: Suha (Grade 8)

Minister of Social Justice: Ruby (Grade 8)

Athletic Director: Thiviyaa (Grade 7)

Minister of School Spirit: Indy (Grade 7)

Finance Minister: Dilpreet (Grade 7)

Junior/Intermediate Student Council:

Prime Minister: Ryan (Grade 8)

Deputy Prime Minister: Arav (grade 7)

Parliamentary Secretary: Heydyn (Grade 7)

Minister of Social Justice: Jasmine ((Grade 7)

Athletic Director: Suhnny (Grade 7)

Minister of School Spirit: Vanessa (Grade 8)

Finance Minister: Indrina (grade 7)

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Greensborough Spirit Day! Gator Proud!

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