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11 Coppard Avenue, Markham, ON, L3S 2J4 Phone (905) 472-4050 Fax (905) 472-4299 E-mail: armadale.ps@yrdsb.ca Website: www.armadale.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Principal - Jay Wolkoff Superintendent - Erik Khilji (905) 940-7800
Vice-Principal - Fawzia Durrani Trustee - Juanita Nathan (416)885-
ARMADALE December 2015
Eye on
Message from the Administration As we reflect on our journey of the first three months of school together, it is our hope that you will remember the wealth of giving, learning and sharing that represents Armadale P.S.. All of the positives that take place here happen, of course, as a result of a combination of three factors: the professionalism, diligence, and dedication of our staff, the interest, creativity and many talents of our students, and the wonderful support and co-operation of our parents and community! We are very fortunate indeed to work and live in a community that is as culturally diverse as ours. Many of our students, parents, and grandparents have come from different parts of the world, bringing with them a variety of traditions and celebrations. We recognize, respect and value these traditions. This is a festive time of the year as our students and staff share stories and experiences about Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah, Kwanza and Christmas, to name a few. While these celebrations are distinct, there are common universal threads that bring us together as a human race. These celebrations are a time for reflection, a time for family and above all, a time for peace. Our first Gathering Under One Tree will take place on February 3rd, 2016. This is a signature event at Armadale where the community eats together, is entertained by our students, and we also have an opportunity to discuss relevant topics in education. Translation services is available and babysitting is provided for our school-aged children. On behalf of all of us here at Armadale, we extend to you and yours our sincerest wishes for a most relaxing and enjoyable time with family and friends. Best wishes to all as we look forward to 2016!!
Jay Wolkoff Fawzia Durrani Principal Vice Principal
ARMADALE HAS AN APP FOR THAT! That’s right, you can now keep up with all of the who, what, when and where for Armadale Public School through the Ar- madale Public School app by SchoolInfoApp available on all mobile devices! Click here or scan the QR code to download the Armadale Public School app by SchoolInfoApp on your iPhone, iPad, An- droid, Blackberry or Windows device. With our new app, you can:
Keep up with all of our latest news, information and announcements
Find out about events and activities
Contact teachers, staff and administration
Access school menus, our online gradebook system and more
Get important documents, picture galleries & other media
Track homework, tests and projects through a virtual assignment book
Help promote school safety through the TipLine
WINTER ACTIVITY DAY We are pleased to present our grade 4 - 8 students with our third annual Winter Activity Day. This program allows students the opportunity to complement and enhance the Physical Education curriculum and participate in a variety of different life skills that they may not get to experience otherwise. We suggest that students pick an activity they have not been exposed to before. This will provide them with different skills and enrichment to enhance their education. The WINTER ACTIVITY date is Wednesday, February 24
th , 2016. Students can choose from six options:
Option 1 – Winter Tubing Option 4 – Outdoor Skating @ Markham Civic Centre/Bowling Option 2 – Downhill Skiing Option 5 – Willowgrove Option 3 – Snowboarding Option 6— Beach Volleyball, Rock climbing & Obstacle Course
Space in these activities will be allocated on a first-come basis. PLEASE RETURN YOUR FORM TO Your HOME ROOM TEACHER by Wednesday December 16
th , 2015.
INCLEMENT WEATHER As the cold weather approaches, it is timely to start thinking about inclement weather reminders. Being physically active during winter is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and recess is one opportunity for students to have that activity. Students need to come to school dressed ready to play outside during recesses. It is advisable for children to bring an extra set of dry pants and socks to store in their back packs in case they get wet. We keep a close eye on weather conditions, including wind chill. When conditions necessitate, we may decide that students will remain inside for recess or sometimes go out for a shortened recess. In general, if students are well enough to attend school, they will be expected to go outside for outdoor recesses. We ask that parents be sensitive to the demands placed on our office staff and not call the school to inquire about indoor recess, but rather send their children dressed appropriately for outdoor winter play. If poor driving conditions necessitate the cancellation of school bus services, local and Toronto radio and television stations will broadcast the information. The cancellation of school bus service does not mean that schools are closed. In the rare event that the schools are closed, it will state this on local radio and television stations. We will also inform parents via our Armadale App.
A Message From Our Trustee It is that time of year when our schools brim with energy and excitement for the many diverse celebrations taking place across our region. I am always happy to join the festivities happening in our schools and appreciate the efforts of our students, staff and community members to bring the holiday season alive. As we wind down 2015, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and guardians for their support of our students and staff over the past few months. A school community is only as strong and welcoming as the people who make up that community. Our students, staff and community members have continued to demonstrate respect, character and commitment in their work and interactions over the last few months. As a trustee, I consider myself very fortunate to work with such supportive community and staff members. On behalf of all of the trustees and staff of the York Region District School Board, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy holiday season. All the best for 2016!
Juanita Nathan Trustee, Ward 7 & 8
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It’s Holiday Time in the PFLC!
Please join us in Room 128 for the following Special Events:
Pot Luck Party – December 11th
Art @ the Centre – Paper Sculpture – December 14th
Parent Worker: Inna Veprinska Open: Every school day
No cost or registration required Snacks are provided for the children
Positive Parenting TIP
As the weather starts to get colder, it’s natural to want to bundle up and stay indoors but according to the 2015 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, the biggest risk to our children’s health and well-being just might be keeping them bundled up inside! After conducting two systematic reviews of the best available scientific research, the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario along with 13 other organizations con- cluded that: “Children who engage in active outdoor play in natural environments demonstrate resilience, self-regulation
and develop skills for dealing with stress later in life.” “Outdoor play that occurs in minimally structured, free and accessible environments facilitates socialization
with peers, the community and the environment, reduces feelings of isolation, builds inter-personal skills and facilitates healthy development.”
@armadaleps
Winter safety: Advice for parents and kids
Highlights Winter is a great season for outdoor activities, such as sledding and skating. Cold weather, ice, and snow can be fun but also dangerous for children. The following tips will help parents and children enjoy winter activities safely.
In general:
Children shouldn’t play outside alone. Establish a buddy system with one or more
friends and have them look out for one another. Children younger than 8 years of age should always be supervised outside. Check every so often on older children who are playing outdoors for a long time.
Check often to see that your child is warm and dry. Younger children should take
regular breaks and come inside for a warm drink.
Never send children outside in extreme weather conditions such as snowstorms.
Do not send your child outside to play if the temperature or the windchill is
reported as -27oC (-16oF) or lower. At these temperatures, exposed skin will begin to freeze.
Help children choose play areas with a warm shelter nearby (e.g., near home or a
friend’s home).
Apply sunscreen to exposed skin, even when it’s cloudy.
Clothing
If your child’s feet and hands are warm, what they are wearing is usually good. If your child is dressed too warm, she could sweat and feel colder when she stops playing.
Dress your child in layers of clothing that can be put on and taken off easily.
Wear a hat because a lot of body heat is lost through the head.
Keep ears covered at all times to prevent frostbite.
Wear mittens instead of gloves so that fingers can be bunched together for
warmth.
Wear warm, waterproof boots that are roomy enough for an extra pair of
socks and to wiggle toes.
Remove drawstrings from clothing that could catch on climbing or play
equipment. Use Velcro or other snaps instead.
Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf, and mitten clips instead of a string to
prevent choking.
Remove wet clothing and boots immediately after playing.
Infants being pulled in a sled need extra bundling. Because they aren't moving, they can't generate body heat the way a playing child can.
Young children gen-
and taken off eas-
bundling. Because
playing child can.
Winter Play
Active games, making snow angels and building snowmen will help to keep your child warm. Teach your children a few important rules to go along with winter play.
Stay away from snowplows and snow blowers.
Choose play areas away from roads, fences and water.
Take extra caution when crossing roads. It might be hard for drivers to
see you playing if they have snowy or frosty windows. Icy roads can also make it difficult to stop.
Snowballs should never be aimed at people or cars. They are
especially dangerous when the snow is hard-packed or icy. Instead, throw snowballs at safe targets, like trees or telephone poles.
Building forts and tunnels can be fun, but this activity should always
be supervised by an adult. Forts and tunnels can collapse and suffocate you.
Don’t play on roadside snow banks. Snowplow drivers or other drivers
may not see you.
Don’t put metal objects in your mouth. Lips and tongues can freeze to
the metal and cause an injury.
Don’t eat snow, which can be dirty.
Tobogganing/Sledding
Children under 5 years of age should never go down a hill alone. Always wear a ski or hockey helmet –
not a bicycle helmet – while sledding. Bicycle helmets are only tested up to -10ºC (14ºF) and need to be replaced after one crash. If you use a hockey helmet, make sure it meets the Canadian Standards Association standards.
Never use a sled with sharp or jagged edges. Handholds should be secure.
Use a sled you can steer rather than a snow
disk or inner tube. It will provide better control.
Always sit up or kneel on a sled. Lying down
can increase the risk of injury to the head, spine and stomach.
Never sled on or near roadways. Look for
shallow slopes that are free of trees, fences or any other obstacles.
Avoid sledding on crowded slopes.
Sled during the day. If you sled at night, make
sure the hill is well lit.
Sleds that are lifted up onto skis (e.g., GT
Racers) are not recommended because they can reach dangerous speeds.
Slide down the middle of the hill and climb up
along the sides. Remember to watch for other sledders and move quickly out of the way once at the bottom of the hill.
Always wear a properly fitted, CSA approved hockey helmet
while skating. Ski/snowboard and bike helmets are unsuitable since most are designed to protect you against a single crash and must then be replaced.
Skates should be comfortable, with good ankle support to avoid twists, sprains or breaks.
Whenever possible, skate on public indoor or outdoor rinks.
Obey all signs posted on or near the ice. Yellow signs usually
mean skate with caution, and red usually means no skating al- lowed.
Never assume it’s safe to skate on a lake or pond. An adult should make sure the ice is
at least 10 cm (4”) thick for skating alone or 20 cm (8”) for skating parties or games. Do not walk on ice near moving water. Ice formed on moving water, such as rivers and creeks, may not be thick enough to be safe.
Skiing/snowboarding
Children should take lessons from a certified skiing or snowboarding
instructor. Be mindful that a child’s coordination is not fully developed until 10 years of age.
Equipment should be checked every year for proper fit and condition.
Bindings should be checked annually by a qualified technician.
Children should always wear a helmet with side vents so they can
hear. Earphones should never be worn when skiing or snowboarding.
Children should watch for other skiers, snowboarders, and other obstacles on the slopes.
Wrist guards should be worn when snowboarding to reduce the risk of wrist injuries.
Goggles should be worn to protect eyes from bright sunlight and objects, like tree
branches.
Children should always control their speed when
skiing or snowboarding. Many injuries result from losing control. Stunts and fatigue can also lead to injuries.
Icy hills should be avoided. The risk of falls and inju-
ries increases in icy conditions.
Children should always stay in open ski areas and on marked trails
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