Mountain Ash Public School

November 2015

Principal’s Message

What a great way to end October with some Hallowee’en Fun! It was great to see so many students dressed up and enjoying themselves with the planned Hallowe’en activities and school wide parade today. Stay safe if you are going out Trick-or-Treating on the weekend and thank you to the many students and families that supported our “Me to We initiative by bringing in a canned good as part of our Food drive!As promised last month, I would like to congratulate Mrs. Campagnola’s class (3A), Mr. Kirkwood (5A), Mrs. Munroe (7A) and Ms. Train (6A) for all their numeracy work related to our Terry Fox run/walk. These classes all won a class pizza party!This month our Flag football teams had great showings with our Girls team finishing a respectable 4th and our Boys bringing back a “Finalist” banner to be displayed proudly!Please be sure to continually check our school website for the latest information and feel free to follow us on Twitter @MountainashPS for news.

Sincerely

Mr. C CooperPrincipal

 Principal:Craig Cooper

 Vice Principal:Brian Rasmusson

 Superintendent:Pat Noble

Bus cancellation & closing schools due to bad weather

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

VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9 CHUM AM1050 CFTR AM680CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1CFRB AM1010 EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CTVCITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS

One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only):

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

Winter bus safety

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.

Is French Immersion right for my child?

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the French Immersion (FI) program.

What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program? One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the French Immersion school your child would attend.

To find out the FI school your child would attend: visit our website www.peelschools.org/French call the school in your area call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212

Online application

The application form for Grade 1 French Immersion for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French on Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.

The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after that date will be put on a waiting list.

A French Immersion enrolment cap is in place. This means that a specific number of spots are available for students entering grade 1 French Immersion. A random selection process will be used to identify students gaining entrance into the program. For more information about the random selection process visit www.peelschools.org/French.

Important dates

Information meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at 7 p.m.Registration opens Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.Registration deadline Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m.

For more information visit www.peelschools.org/French call your nearest French Immersion school talk with parents who have children in the French Immersion program visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/

Is Extended French right for my child?

If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the Extended French (EF) program.

What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program? One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the EF school your child would attend.

To find out the EF school your child would attend: visit our website www.peelschools.org/French call the school in your area call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212

Online application

The application form for Grade 7 EF for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French on Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.

The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after that date will be put on a waiting list.

Important dates

Information meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at 7 p.m.Registration opens Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.Registration deadline Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m.

For more information visit www.peelschools.org/French call your nearest Extended French school talk with parents who have children in the Extended French program visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/

Choose Action on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week of Nov. 16 to 22, 2015.

This year, we ask the Peel community to #ChooseAction to Change the World. The Peel board would like to hear about the big and small actions, the pledges, the promises and the attitudes that our Peel community value, and ask that you take a moment to share your #ChooseAction moments on social media.

Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught to:

define bullying identify forms of bullying identify the shifting roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who bullies, the

target, the bystander or the trusted advocate determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying & harassment understand that bullying is a relationship problem with relationship solutions determine positive ways to interact with others in an accepting, inclusive way demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school

communities

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting Schools Act, that came into effect on Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, visit: www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying/ or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.

Subscribe to receive news from the Peel board

Take advantage of our electronic subscription service to automatically receive updates from the Peel District School Board. Subscribing is easy just visit our website at www.peelschools.org and click on the subscription link under "Quick Links."

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 posted at www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca.

You can also subscribe to receive:

News releasesKeep up with the news at the Peel board. Subscribe to receive Peel board news releases to learn more about board news and school events.

Board agendasLearn more about Peel board meetings by subscribing to receive agendas. Meetings of the board are open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Board highlightsBriefing is a newsletter with highlights of decisions made by trustees at board meetings. It is sent out on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and immediately following any special board meetings.

Job postings for non-teaching staffLearn about each new non-teaching job that is posted on the Peel board's Job Board.

Peel board students have choiceExplore program options at www.makingmyway.ca

Students have different needs, interests and abilities—our schools offer great educational opportunities to help all students achieve. For students looking for a more focused, specialized program, here are some options:

Regional programs start in grades 6, 7 and 9

Students in regional programs still complete all of the requirements of the Ontario curriculum, but there is an increased focus on an area of interest. Programs include:

Actively in Motion (AIM) Advanced Placement Arts Arts and Technology Graphic Design Management: Flexography International Baccalaureate International Business and Technology International and Executive Leadership

Academy SciTech Sports Strings Truck and Coach Technology

Specialist High Skills Major programs start in grade 11

Specialist High Skills Major programs allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector, while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. Students gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training. The programs support the transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Peel board schools offer Specialist High Skills Major programs in the following area.

Arts & Culture Business and Entrepreneurial Studies Construction Environment Health and Wellness Hospitality and Tourism Information and Communications Technology Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services Manufacturing Non-Profit Sports Transportation

More options for Peel board students

co-operative education programs provide workplace experience extended French starts in grade 7 dual credit programs allow student to earn college credits at the same time as secondary school credits alternative programs are available for students who need flexible school hours, are dealing with unique situations, or require

more support

Our guidance counsellors can help students determine which courses will best meet their needs, interests and abilities—contact the school to make an appointment.

For more information about regional programs, Specialist High Skills Major programs and other programs of choice available to Peel board students, visit www.makingmyway.ca.

Traffic safety in our community

Safety is a top priority at our school. Here is a list of traffic tips to keep students, staff and parents safe while commuting to and from school.

Respect traffic signs and road markers around the school. Drive slowly and with caution on and near school property. Adhere to the posted speed limits on

any surrounding streets used by students on their way to and from school. Always yield to pedestrian traffic. Wait for students, staff members and parents to cross before

driving past them. When dropping your child off at the school, use the Kiss'n'Ride area. This is a supervised area

that is designed to keep students safe. Do not double park or do anything else to block traffic or draw your child off the curb and into

traffic. Do not take shortcuts over curbs.

Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Say goodbye to your child before you park at the curb to let your child out of your car.

During regular drop-off times, students are to remain in the car until it is safe for them to exit the car onto the curb.

Follow the directions of staff or volunteers on duty in the school parking lot and treat staff, students, volunteers, passengers and other drivers with respect.

Consider parking off site and walking a short distance to school. This will give you time to talk to your children about their day, review new vocabulary words, math concepts, etc.

Remind your child to only cross the street at an intersection or crosswalk. They should never “jaywalk” by crossing in the middle of the street.

Students who bike to school should always wear a helmet, and follow all traffic laws. They should only cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection—never in the middle of the road.

Parent resources help you support your child’s learning

At the Peel board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each child. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout his or her entire school experience.

Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to parents. There you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web pages on a number of different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and mental health.

Celebrating Faith and CultureNovember 2015

DATE CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURENovember Gwilatkw Aboriginal SpiritualityNovember 1 All Saints' Day ChristianityNovember 1 Samhain WiccaNovember 4 -22 The month of Qudrat Bahá'íNovember 10 or 11 Diwali HinduismNovember 11 Diwali/Lord Mahavir Nirvan JainismNovember 11 Bandi Chhor Divas SikhismNovember 11 Remembrance Day CanadaNovember 12 New Year’s Day/Day of

EnlightenmentHinduism and Jainism

November 13 Birth of the Bab Báhá'íNovember 14 Birth of Baha’u’lláh Báhá'íNovember 16 Louis Riel Day Aboriginal SpiritualityNovember 16 Gnan Panchami JainismNovember 23 - December 11

The month of Qawl Bahá'í

November 24 Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur

Sikhism

November 25 Dev Diwali or Lokashah Jayanti Hinduism and JainsimNovember 25 Birth of Guru Nanak SikhismNovember 26 Day of Covenant Bahá'íNovember 28 Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Bahá'íNovember 28 (J) or 29 First Day of Advent (Christmas

fast)Christianity

November 29 First Sunday of Advent Christianity

November 2015 Attendance Line: 1-855-209-6155

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11Remembrance Day

12 Jersey DayReporting to Parents - pm

13Reporting to ParentsTeacher-parent interviews

14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27Crazy Hair Day

28

29 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5

Please note picture re-take day is currently being re-scheduled.