JANUARY 2018

Principal: Troy Comish Vice Principal: Lisa Saunders

Senior Administrative Support: Tricia Vermilyea Website: cam.scdsb.on.ca

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January 8 WELCOME

BACK TO

SCHOOL!

Grade 7

Curling

January 9 FI Information

Night 6pm

January 11 Comic

Workshop—

Grades 2 to 5

January 15 &

17

Groove

Dancing

January 17 Hockey

Tournament—

Good luck

Comets!

January 22 FI Application

online 9am

Kindergarten

Registration

begins

January 24 &

29

Rocks & Rings

January 25 Plaid Day

Honesty

Assembly 2:25

January 26 PD DAY

(no school for

students)

January 30 Speeches

9am—Grade 4

to 8

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018! We hope

you had a wonderful holiday break and are ready

to make this year one of new learning, growth

and discovery. We welcome Mr. Lang to our

Cameron Street community as our new Grade 4

teacher, and look forward to the many new

initiatives and activities that await our students this year! Please take

a look through our newsletter to see!

From our Primary and French Immersion classes—thank you to our families,

the students, and staff for your wonderful support of our Holiday Concerts! It

meant so much to share our songs and performances with you, and we

appreciated your enthusiasm for all we did!

From our Intermediate students—thank you to students and staff for

supporting our Movie Buy Out event!

From our Spirit Squad —thank you for the overwhelming support of our Can-

dy Cane Fundraiser last month! We were able to raise over $600. for outdoor

enhancements that will make our school yard a wonderful place to be! What

a sweet way to show your caring spirit Comets!

From our School Council—once again, you made our Giving Tree something

special with all your wonderful donations of items for My Friends House.

From all of us—thank you to our families and students for the generous

donations of food items once again during the month of December! Once

again, we were able to donate many boxes to the Heritage Church. Thank

you for helping us make a difference in our community!

MAKE 2018 THE YEAR OF WALKING!

We are excited to share that our Walking School Bus

continues this year! Through the partnership of Healthy

Kids Community Challenge and the Environment

Network, we are able to offer a safe and active way to

school each morning for our students.

We are always looking for more to join the “bus” at 8:40am each day, meeting

at Walnut and 10th Street. Make this year the one you walk Comets!

FRENCH IMMERSION INFORMATION NIGHT AND REGISTRATION

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) offers French Immersion (FI) at select schools Simcoe County

beginning in Grade 1. The goal of the FI program is to enable students to communicate in French with a high level of

proficiency, enabling them to function with ease in both French and English. Upon graduation from the program, students will

communicate in French with confidence in a wide variety of real-life situations.

An information session for parents of Senior Kindergarten students will be held Tuesday January 9th at Cameron Street P.S. at 6pm.

The FI online application form will be available from 9 a.m. on Monday January 22nd until 9 p.m. on Wednesday January 24th, 2018 at

www.scdsb.on.ca under Programs, French as a Second Language.

While every effort is made to accommodate all FI applications, available space and staffing will determine how many students can be registered

in the program. Applications will be processed in the order they are received electronically.

Please contact the school if you do not have Internet access at home or require assistance accessing the online application.

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT IS

COMING!

Is your child starting Grade 9 next year? High school

information nights happen this winter. Information

nights give an overview of what’s new and what to expect, and are a

chance to ask questions.

High school is an exciting time—there are so many programs, clubs and

activities for students to try. Attend an information night to find out

what’s offered at your local high school.

Collingwood Collegiate will be offering their Grade 8 Night on Tuesday

January 16th at 6:30pm.

For more information, please visit the SCDSB’s website at

www.scdsb.on.ca/highschool.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Do you, or someone you know, have a child

who was born in 2014? If so, it’s almost time

to register them for Kindergarten in SCDSB!

Beginning on Monday January 22nd, Simcoe

County’s public schools will be registering

children for Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year.

Required registration documents include birthdate

documentation, proof of address, and record of

immunization.

For more information, please visit www.scdsb.on.ca/

kindergarten or call our school office 705-445-1827.

ART CLUB RETURNS!

Calling all Grade 4-8 artists! Art Club is back and begins on

Wednesday January 10th at 3:30pm in Ms. Murphy’s

room. Come get creative with us!

CHARACTER TRAIT

FOR JANUARY

HONESTY

Honesty is the first chapter in the

book of wisdom…

-Thomas Jefferson

SAFE WELCOME AND YARD EXPECTATIONS

We thank our families for such a positive start to the

new yard expectations there were introduced last

month at Cameron Street. As our school is

considered a safety zone for children, we remind parents/guardians that

they are not allowed on the yard during supervision and instructional

times from 8:40 am to 3:30 pm each day. We also ask that students do

not arrive on the school yard until 8:40am when supervision begins by

staff.

Finally we share a friendly reminder that to ensure your child has the

best possible start to their day, that our Entry Bell rings at 8:55am and

we are looking for students to be on time for learning. Being late—even

10 minutes—can impact their readiness for that day’s activity. If

students are late and arrive after the bell, they must sign into the office

for attendance and Safe Arrival purposes.

PROPOSED 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR

CALENDAR

The Simcoe County District School Board

invites public school communities to

submit input regarding the proposed school year calendar for

next school year (September 2018 to June 2019). Starting

January 9th, input can be provided by visiting

www.scdsb.on.ca, then clicking the link on the ‘School Year

Calendars’ page under the ‘Schools’ menu. All stakeholders

including staff, school council members, parents/guardians,

students and members of the school community are invited

to provide input.

The deadline to submit input is January 31st.

WINTER PARKING

Due to the snow, we now find that parking in and around our

school is limited. We remind you that the Plaza across the

street is not to be used for parking when you are dropping and/or

picking up your children. Again, we encourage the use of our Walking

School Bus running daily each morning at 8:40am.

OHIP+ PROVIDES FREE PRESCRIPTION

DRUG COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN

Beginning January 1st, the province will

provide free prescription drug coverage for children and youth

aged 24 and under, regardless of family income. Under OHIP+,

Ontario children and youth will have access to over 4,400

medications and other drug products. Enrolment in OHIP+ will be

automatic, based on age. There are no upfront costs, no

co-payment and no annual deductible. Those who are eligible for

OHIP+ will only need their health card number and a valid

prescription from their doctor or nurse practitioner when they

visit their pharmacist.

For more information, visit www.ontario.ca/page/learn-about-

ohip-plus.

SPECIAL EDUCATION INFORMATION SESSIONS

The SCDSB is hosting a series of information sessions

for parents/guardians to learn about special education

in the SCDSB, and how to support students with special

education needs.

January 22nd—Assessments in Special Education: Psych Ed and

other assessments

February 19th—Transition Planning Grade 8 to 9

March 19th—Accessing Supports in the Community

April 16th—Understanding Alternative/Non-Academic IEP Goals

All sessions take place from 6 to 7pm at the SCDSB Education Centre,

located at 1170 Highway 26 in Midhurst. No registration is required

to attend any of these sessions.

STAY HEALTHY THIS SCHOOL YEAR!

Colds and influenza spread easily from person to

person. These germs can spread directly when

someone coughs or sneezes, or indirectly when

germs land on hard surfaces like door knobs,

desks, keyboards or wet tissues and then are

touched by someone. These germs can then enter the body through

the eyes, nose or mouth.

The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and

stop the spread of germs is wash your hands with soap and warm

running water for at least 15 seconds. If your hands are not visibly

dirty you can use alcohol based hand sanitizer for 15 seconds. Cover

coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough into your sleeve or upper

arm and stay home if you are sick. Teach your kids to do the same!

For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year,

contact Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit the health unit’s

website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.

WINTER CANCELLATIONS

Winter has arrived in Simcoe County, and with it

comes the possibility of severe weather, challenging

winter driving conditions, and as a result, possible bus

and school event cancellations.

All information regarding cancelled buses in Simcoe County is

posted on the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium’s

bus information website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca. This

link is also found on our school website under Bus Information.

OUR SCHOOL IS IN THE WEST ZONE. When buses are cancelled,

please remember that schools are still open (unless otherwise

noted) for student learning for those that can safely make it to and

from home. Our website (www.cam.scdsb.on.ca) and our Twitter

feed @CameronStPS will also post information about bus and

event cancellations when we receive them.

The Consortium, in conjunction with the bus operators, will make

the decision to cancel school buses before 6 am, and as such, will

make every effort to post announcements between 6 and 7 am.

Parents should also note that inclement weather cancellations are

effective for the whole day, and buses and events cancelled in the

morning will not run at the end of the day.

You can also subscribe to receive bus delay notifications here:

https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions and you can follow the Consortium

on Twitter @SCSTC_SchoolBus.

REMINDER ABOUT SLEDDING SAFETY

We want to inform parents that students are not to

be bringing sleds (hard or soft, two-person) and

snow racers to school with them. Student safety is our first priority

and we thank you for your cooperation with this matter.

DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER

In Ontario, we can expect very cold and snowy

conditions...it is part of our winter. Students go outside

until the air temperature is –25C and/or wind chill

is –28C.

For this reason, students need to come to school each day prepared

to go outside, wearing the right winter gear. Please ensure your child

has appropriate clothing, boots, hats and mittens every day.

Also, we recommend that students have extra mitts and socks in their

backpacks for those days when it is cold and things get extra wet.

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

Our next School Council meeting will be on Monday

February 5th at 7pm. Please join us!

UPDATE YOUR CHILD’S IMMUNIZATION

RECORD

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is required

to keep up-to-date immunization records for all students who

attend elementary or secondary school in the County of Simcoe

and the District of Muskoka. Parents are responsible for

reporting immunizations to the health unit each time their child

receives a vaccine from their health care provider. The

immunizations that the health unit requires records for include:

diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella,

meningococcal, pertussis and chickenpox for those born in 2010

or later. Go to www.smdhu.org/immsonline to update your

child’s record today.

CAMERON STREET HAS SPIRIT!

We are starting 2018 with one of our

most favourite spirit days of the year—

Plaid Day! Find that favourite shirt or

outfit as we start the new year

together and come together to celebrate the character trait of

Honesty on Thursday January 25th! Start planning now Comets!!!

REMINDER: SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS ARE

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER

Every winter, all school playground structures are

closed. Students are made aware of this during school hours

through announcements and staff reminders during breaks. This

may not be well known throughout the community despite signs

indicating that playground structures are a winter hazard and are

closed. The Canadian Standards Association Regulations make

recommendations for the depth of ground cover required to

minimize injuries (eg. Sand, pea gravel or wood chips). These

surfaces cannot be maintained when the ground freezes. Injuries

from falling would be more significant on frozen ground. We

strongly recommend that you do not allow your children to play on

any structures while the ground is frozen.

CHANGES TO ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRES

In February 2017, the Ontario government

announced the transformation of the delivery of

early years programs for children and families. Starting in January,

Ontario Early Years Centres, Parenting and Family Literacy Centres,

Child Care Resource Centres and Better Beginnings, Better Futures

centres will be collectively be known as EarlyON Child and Family

Centres. These EarlyON Child and Family Centres will be open to all

families across Ontario, and provide support, parenting programs,

personal connections and a network of resources as well as

play-and inquiry-based programs for young children.

Effective January 1st, Child and Family Programs currently in

schools will be relocated to the community. These four agencies

will now manage EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Simcoe

County:

OEYC Simcoe North (www.oeycsimcoenorth.ca)

Simcoe Community Services

(www.simcoecommunityservices.ca)

E3 Community Services (www.e3.ca)

La Cle (Francophone) (www.lacle.ca)

For specific days and hours of operation, please contact your local

lead agency. Information can be found by visiting

www.scdsb.on.ca—’Schools’ - ‘Before & After School Care.’

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH

Health Connection offers free, confidential

health information from nurses and health

inspectors on:

How your child is growing, parenting tips, fast and healthy

meals, safe food and water, common illnesses, keeping kids

safe, fun family activities

Health unit programs such as vaccinations and dental care

Community resources for parenting, mental health, addictions

and quitting smoking

Contact Heath Connection at 1-705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm or http://

www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/.

SMARTKIDZ YOGA AT CAMERON STREET

SCHOOL!

Looking for ways to help your kids focus in school

and regulate their emotions? Mindfulness is a huge movement in

the school system right now and Nancy Cox wants to help the kids!

Nancy is passionate about helping children learn breath

awareness, stretching, and learning to recognize

emotions. She helps kids create more feelings or calm, focus and

well-being. She offers a unique blend of yoga, breath-work and

Brain Gym exercises to help children feel better and get along

better with their friends.

Who? Nancy Cox, Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Life Coach

What? Smartkidz Yoga

When? Tuesdays after school for 12 weeks starting January 23rd.

3:30-4:30 PM

Where? Cameron Street School Library

Why? To help kids feel better, improve flexibility, dry-land training,

or just have fun!

How Much? $119 for 12 weeks. There will be one extra class at the

end of session to make up for illness and/or snow day.

Need more information? Go to www.smartkidzyoga.com.

FRIDAY JANUARY 26th

PD DAY FOR STUDENTS

CAMERON STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL FAMILY FUN SKATE

Come join us on

Saturday February 3rd

2:00-3:00pm

at the Central Park Arena

(85 Patterson Street—Collingwood)

Sponsored by Abaza Contracts

Refreshments will be provided for Cameron Street families.

*Note: there is a public skate from 1:00-2:00pm*

JANUARY 2018

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

2

HOLIDAY

BREAK

3

4

5

6

7

8

WELCOME BACK!

Grade 7 Curling

9

FI Information

Night 6pm

Popcorn Sales

10

Booster Juice Day

Art Club 3:30

11

Pizza Day

Comic Workshop

Grades 2-5

12

13

14

15

Grade 7 Curling

Groove Dancing

16

Popcorn Sales

17

Booster Juice Day

Art Club 3:30

Groove Dancing

Hockey

Tournament

18

Pizza Day

19

20

21

22

Grade 7 Curling

FI Registration

begins online

K Registration

begins today

23

Popcorn Sales

Yoga 3:30

24

Booster Juice Day

Art Club 3:30

Rocks & Rings

25

Plaid Day

Pizza Day

Honesty

Assembly

2:25pm

26

PA DAY

27

28

29

Grade 7 Curling

Rocks & Rings

30

Popcorn Sales

Yoga 3:30

Speech

Competition

Grades 4 to 8

31

Booster Juice Day

Art Club

3:30

MAKE 2018 THE YEAR TO WALK!

OUR WALKING SCHOOL BUS RUNS AT

8:40am EACH MORNING FROM 10th &

WALNUT STREET.