1. education
2. school

OCTOBER 2014 NEWSLETTER
Rowntree P.S.
Principal:
K.Kristensen-Irvine
“Mrs. K-I”
Vice-Principal:
Ms. S. Johnson
Acting Vice-Principal:
Mrs. M. Haslett
Office Manager:
Mrs. C. Rowley
Office Assistant:
Mrs. M. Hutchinson
Office Assistant:TBA
Inside this issue:
Peel District School
Board’s vision for 21st
century teaching &
Learning
School Council
Executive
2
World Teacher
Appreciation Day
Immunization
High School
Information Nights
Lunchroom
Supervisors
3
Morning
Announcements
French Immersion
Registration for
2015/2016
Walk to School
Boost Math
4
Prevent Litter
Halloween Parade
Bus Driver Thanks
5
5
5
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Students,and family members wear your Red Rowntree Party T-Shirt!
Families, come to have fun with the obstacle course, music, fire truck,
bicycle rodeo, petting zoo and pony rides !
Have your picture taken with a Red Tail Hawk!
Food vendors include Poutine, Pizza, Samosas, Candy Floss, and Beaver Tails
Music, Fun! Fun! Fun!
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3
3
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4
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Students of the Month 6
Celebrations
6
Upcoming Events
6
Attachments
ROWNTREE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
Please Join Us
Thursday, October 9th
4:30p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
To Celebrate Our 10th Birthday!
7-12
SCHOOL SUCCESS PLANNING
Our major focus will be math for the upcoming year. In tying in
to the Peel District School Board’s “Vision of 21st Century
Teaching and Learning” (see page 2) and the need to improve
Ontario students’ math scores in EQAO, Rowntree’s
goal is to focus on 3 areas of students success: 1. to
change students’ attitudes about math; 2. to make
students’ thinking visible; 3. to provide students with
strategies to tackle problem-based learning. At the
September 25th School Council Meeting we shared our
priorities with the community. Throughout the year we will continue to share our plans
and strategies with the community at School Council Meetings. We welcome your
feedback and hope that you will attend our meetings. Our next School Council meeting
is November 27th at 7 pm in the school library.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY - OCTOBER 10th
There will be no school for students on October 10th.
THANKSGIVING DAY - OCTOBER 13th
There will be no school on Monday, October 13th.
We wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving !
254 Queen Mary Drive., Brampton, Ontario L7A 3L6 Tel:(905) 905-840-4601
Peel District School Board
PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD’S VISION
FOR 21ST CENTURY TEACHING & LEARNING
ROWNTREE SCHOOL COUNCIL 2014-2015 EXECUTIVE
The first Rowntree School Council meeting was held on September 25, 2014.
We are pleased to announce the 2014-2015 executive members:
Co-chairs - Mrs. S. Smith and Mrs. J. Singh
Past chair - Mrs. C. Holland
Secretary - Mr. G. Jassal and Mrs. T. Sekhon
Treasurer - Mrs. T. Sharma and Mrs. C. Rowley
Administration: Mrs. K-I, alternate - Ms. S. Johnson
Teacher Rep - Mrs. S. Jackson-Lloyd, alternate - Mrs. D. Plews
Non-Teaching Rep - Ms. Fitzpatrick
Next meeting is November 27th, 7 p.m. in the school Library.
PHOTO RE-TAKE DAY - OCTOBER 23rd
Class pictures and individual re-takes will be on October 23rd.
WORLD TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
The first World Teachers' Day took place on Oct. 5, 1994. Developed by the United Nations, the day is intended to
commemorate the work of teachers and their contributions to society.
During the first week of October, take the time to let your child's teacher know he or she is truly appreciated. You
will be among parents and students from around the world observing World Teacher Appreciation Day.
On October 6th and 7th, Mrs. K-I will be posting students’ work (pictures and written work) sharing how they appreciate their teachers. Remember to thank your child's teachers and let them know they are making a difference.
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
Important information about your child's immunization record
Peel Public Health is currently reviewing the immunization records of all students at our school. In
order to attend school in Ontario, your child must have a complete immunization record. It is your
responsibility to make sure your child's record is updated.
If Peel Public Health does not have complete immunization records for your child, you will have received a letter in the mail telling you that your child's record needs to be updated.
If you do not update the record by the date indicated on your letter, or you do not have
a valid exemption, your child will not be allowed to attend school.
An incomplete record does not necessarily mean that your child has not been
immunized - what it means is that Peel Public Health does not have a record of your
child's immunizations. Your doctor does not send a record of this immunization to Peel
Public Health - you must report this information directly.
If you haven't already done so, you can update your child's record in one
of three ways:
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Go online to www.immunizepeel.ca and click on 'Report your child's immunization'
Fax the record to 905-502-7109
Phone 905-799-7700 (Toll free: 1-888-919-7800). Translation services are available.
To find out if your child's record is complete, and for information about free immunization clinics for students who
do not have OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) or a record of immunization, call Peel Public Health at 905799-7700. Caledon residents can call toll-free at 905-584-2216.
Peel high school information nights start this fall
Learn about the Peel District School Board advantage and your local Peel board secondary school at an upcoming
parent information night. For dates and times, visit www.peelschools.org/schools/informationnights or call the
school directly. To find out which secondary school your teen will attend, call 905-890-1010/1-800-668-1146 ext.
2212 or visit www.peelschools.org/schools/findyourschool.
**Please note that dates and times are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please contact
the secondary school directly
LUNCHROOM SUPERVISOR
Please contact Ms. Johnson, Vice-Principal at 905-840-4601 if you would like to be hired as a
supply Lunchroom Supervisor.
STUDENTS HELP WITH MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Students in Grades One to Five will be given the opportunity during the year to announce the date during the
morning announcements. In addition to English, there are approximately 30 different languages spoken by the
families of Rowntree students. To celebrate this diversity, we would like to have students announce the date
each morning, one in English , one in French and one in another language. Students will be given a practice
sheet indicating their presentation date and the language in which they have chosen to speak. You can help by
marking the date on the calendar at home, translating the date into your home language if necessary, and helping
your child practise. We hope to get many students involved and many languages represented. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to develop confidence in public speaking and for all Rowntree students to celebrate and appreciate languages from all over the world. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Nielsen.
REGISTER FOR FRENCH IMMERSION BY JANUARY 30, 2015
Register for French immersion by Jan. 30th
Are you thinking of registering your child for French immersion? For the 2015-16 school year, parents must now register
children for entry into grade 1 French immersion or grade 7 extended French by 4 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2015.
Students who register after the deadline will be placed on a waiting list.
Register your child at the French immersion school your child would attend. The immersion school for our area is Rowntree
P.S. The phone number is 905-840-4601.
If you are interested in French immersion, a brochure called "Is French immersion right for my child?" is
available at all schools or on the Peel board website. For a complete list and maps of French immersion schools, go to
www.peelschools.org and click on "French immersion" in the "Schools" section.
You can also visit the website of Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) at www.cpfont.on.ca.
OCTOBER IS INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL MONTH!
Our school is participating in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 8th. On this day, walk, bike,
blade, scooter, skip or hop to school…..but don’t drive. International Walk to School month is part of Green Communities
Canada’s Active & Safe Routes to School Program. Visit www.saferoutestoschool.ca for more information.
BOOST MATH SKILLS WITH ONLINE HELP
Math Online - www.mathonline.peelschools.org—is a collection of math-oriented websites for
parents and students provided by the Peel board.
The website features topics by grade and math strand such as:
* number sense measurement
* geometry and algebra
* patterning
* data management and probability
These online tools are selected by teachers and sorted according to Ministry of Education learning expectations.
There are also resources, homework tips and math tools such as patterning blocks and
calculators.
FROM THE LIBRARY
Currently the library is unavailable for students signing out books as it is being used by classroom teachers while
we await the opening of portables.
BIRTHDAY GIFTS: Be a part of Rowntree’s library history by purchasing a dedication book plate for your child
for $5.00 at any time during the year.
The dedication plate will be placed in a library book to be seen for years to come. What a great birthday
gift!
HOW TO PREVENT LITTER AT SCHOOL
Did you know that litter is a safety hazard, discourages development, lowers property
values and costs money? According to the Region of Peel, litter can attract animals and
insects, harm pets and serve as a breeding ground for disease.
Here are some tips for reducing waste at school:
Provide your child with a litter-less lunch which could contain:
 refillable water bottle,
 returnable, reusable or refillable drink containers instead of plastic
bottles and cans
 snacks and sandwiches stored in plastic containers,
 fruit that requires no wrap such as bananas, apples.
Put trash in the appropriate container. If a recycling bin isn't available, ask where you can find one and hold
onto garbage until you can dispose of it properly.
Reduce and reuse as much as you can before you recycle. Reuse plastic bags, the other side of a sheet of
paper etc.
If you see litter, pick it up!
Set a good example. Don't be a litterbug.
Take part in neighbourhood cleanups - litter prevention requires the community to work together.
HALLOWEEN PARADE - October 31st, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
Classes will participate in our Halloween parade after the lunch hour.
We will parade around the school block from Queen Mary to Thimbleberry to Beaver
Valley to Kanata to Queen Mary and then back to school. Parents and families are welcome to
come and take pictures. Halloween is a fun and exciting time, but safety should be the
number one concern. Here are some safety tips for children:
1. Wear a properly fitted costume that is bright and non-flammable.
Use reflective tape on your costume so you can be seen in the dark.
2. Use face make-up or enlarge the eyes on your mask so you can see well. When wearing
a mask, push it up on your head while walking.
3. Teach children to visit the front door of well lit homes and never go inside.
4. Help your child plan a route and a time to be home.
5. Remind children always walk on the sidewalk and obey traffic and pedestrian signals.
6. Have an adult check treats at home before allowing children to eat them.
7. Younger children should go trick-or-treating with an adult.
Older children are reminded to trick-or-treat in groups.
8. Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
SAY THANKS TO BUS DRIVERS - OCTOBER 29th
Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 29th. The day will be
celebrated with special activities and events that provide teachers, students and parents an opportunity to thank the
people who safely transport over 36,000 students to and from school each day.
If your child rides the bus to school, take this opportunity to thank the bus driver for his or her contribution and ask
your child to do so too. The Peel board appreciates the important job bus drivers do each school day and Oct. 29th
provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER 2014
Mrs. Alderman Ms. Chamberlain Ms. Gilpin
Mrs. Kornblum Mrs. Laidlaw
Ms. Li
Ms.. Mayer
Mark A-D
Sariah H.
Alisha U.
Nyah H.
Rayan B.
Vivek L.
Ravnet G.
Eniola A.
Dory S.
Aamna B.
Aariya
Daniel
Demitre A.
Marlin M.
Mlle McGurrin Mrs. Elder
Mrs. Cadeau
Ms. Felker
Mrs. Paul
Mrs. Atkison
Mrs. Jackson-Lloyd
Eshaan G.
Victoria B.
Eishita C.
Anshvir M.
Keerat T.
Hanusma R.
Angel B.
Mohamad D.
Ms. Kristensen Mme Millar
Mlle Rama-
Mrs. Redpath
Mrs. Medd
Mr. Belliveau
Ms. O’Hanlon
Mahnoor S.
Nipuna C.
Maya
Naysa
Saira I.
Nicholas K.
Zubinder K.
Rudra P.
Harnoor S.
Aryan N.
Andaas
Saksham
Japneep B.
Josh R.
Mme Handa
Ms. Schmidt
Ms. Stinson
Mrs. Vidad
Mr. Bara
Mr. Carr
Mrs. Mathur
Isa R.
Arllen L.
Alex
Rebecca
Daniel A-D
Swathi T.
Jiya
Chloe A.
Tara F.
Avneet V.
Johton B-G
Alim H.
Janae B.
Ms. Kergan
Mrs. Nelson
Mlle Riccardi
Mr. Morton
Ms. Waite
Ms. Sandilands
Mrs. Burnett
Malaika C.
Jordan P.
Allan N.
Asia P.
Ashyana S.
Simranpreet S.
Zeryab A.
Aliyah K.
Sofiyah I.
Manjot S.
Areifa H.
Bethany S.
Hadia M.
Simran
Nichelle
Dymond F.
Aidan S.
Mme Schrier
Ms. Campbell
Ms. Caissie
Mr. Fink
French
Art
Music
Ashton
Zachary
Bronson
Zaki A.
Nabil S.
Jasrin B.
Jaydn R.
Aidan M.
Soha
Siman
Deshawn
Olivia M.
Izasyis P.
Mrs. Schrier’s Class
Computers
Phys. Ed.
Usaid G.
Azma B.
Bryanna J.
Imaan S.
Minal B.
Gurneet M.
Nolan B.
Emily R.
Tanraj D.
Allyson B.
Joshua B.
DAYS OF COMMEMORATION
Bahà’i
Oct. 20
Birth of the Bàb
Sikhism
Oct. 20
Installation of the Guru Granth as Guru
Buddhis Oct. 8
Pavarana Day
Oct. 12
Oct. 23 Bandi Chhor Divas
Kathina Ceremony
Hisduism Oct. 1 or 2 Durgashtami
Oct. 22 or 23 Diwali
Oct. 3 or 4 Vijaya Dasmi/Dassehra
Oct. 24
New Year
Islam
Oct. 3
Waqfatu;Arafat
Oct. 4 or 5 Eid-ul Adha
Oct. 25
Judaism
Oct. 4
Yom Kippur
Oct 9 - 15
Oct. 16 - 17 Simchat Torah
Jainism
Oct. 23 Diwali/Lord Mahavir Nirvan
Oct. 28 Gnan Panchami
Sukkot
Oct. 11
Karva Chauth
New Year (Hijra)
Oct. 24 New Year/Enlightnment day of Fautamswami
Canadian Holidays Oct. 13 Thanksgiving Day
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 6
Student Lunch Pizza
Nov. 7
Progress Reports Go Home
Nov. 7
Move-a-thon
Nov. 11
Remembrance Day Assembly
Nov. 11
December Lunch Letters Go Home
Nov. 13
Student Lunch Mr. Sub
Nov. 13
Nov. 14
Nov. 18
Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Nov. 20
Nov. 27
Evening - Reporting to Parents
NO SCHOOL (reporting to parents)
December Lunch $ and orders due
BasketBall Tournament @CCCC
French Immersion (2014-15)Meeting 7.00 p.m.
Student Lunch Druxy’s
Student of the Month Assembly (Crazy Hat)
Prevent the flu. It’s in your hands.
Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water
when they are dirty.
Clean your hands before:
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touching your eyes, nose or mouth
touching/preparing food or drinks
eating or drinking
caring for someone in your home who can easily get sick
(baby, elderly or someone who has an unhealthy immune system)
first aid
Clean your hands after:
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touching pets or other animals
touching raw meat, particularly chicken
touching surfaces such as a railing or grocery cart
touching money
touching objects sick people have touched
touching blood or body fluids such as urine, vomit or feces
contact with those who have a cold, the flu, diarrhea or virus of any kind
changing diapers
wiping your own or a child’s nose
sneezing or coughing
using a facial tissue
using the washroom
removing gloves
cleaning
gardening
What to do when you cough or sneeze:
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cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve
put used tissues in the wastebasket
clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer
For more information call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.
Celebrate World Teacher Appreciation Day
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Special technology offers for Peel board students, parents and staff
Does your child need a computer or tablet for school? Equity of access to technology is a key priority for the Peel board. That's
why we've worked with a number of technology companies to offer discounted devices to Peel families and staff.
Kobo
Peel families now have access to the following exclusive offers from Kobo:

kobo arc 7” HD - $135 with free shipping
kobo arc 10” HD - $199 with free shipping
To learn more, or to purchase a Kobo product visit
www.kobo.com/peel
or
www.peelschools.org/aboutus/21stCentury/byod/
devices and enter
promo code KOBOPEEL at
Dell CanadaDell Canada Inc. offers reduced pricing and extended warranty benefits on select laptops and tablets. From Sept.
15 to Oct. 15, parents will have zero per cent financing for one year on all purchases of $499 or more. For more information, visit www.dell.ca/peel.
Visit ROWNTREE’S website
The Peel board’s initiatives are part of the ongoing effort to create greater
equity of access to technology for Peel students, parents and staff and do not
represent an endorsement of any company or product.
Want to keep up to date with what’s happening at [insert school name]?
Check out our school website where you'll find:
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the latest school news
contact information for school administration, superintendent and trustee
calendar
enrolment data
school hours
mission, vision and values
registration information
printable forms
frequently asked questions
volunteer information
EQAO reports
Keep up to date with our website subscription service
Our new website also features a subscription service where you can sign up to receive email notifications for school
news, calendar events and volunteer job opportunities. You can also choose to be notified via email and/or text mes-
Safety reminders ensure safe travel to and from school
School bus safety week is October 20 to 24
According to the Canada Safety Council, it is 16 times safer per kilometre to travel on a school bus than in a family vehicle.
However, while bus transportation is safe, accidents do occur and many of these incidents involve individuals outside the bus.
To ensure children stay safe in and around school buses, it is important to reinforce the following safety reminders:
Tips for riding the bus
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Take a seat as quickly as possible, put belongings under the seat and stay seated.
Never stick anything out of the window, including part of your body.
Refrain from eating on the bus. If a choking incident occurs, the driver may not be able to help immediately.
Wait until the school bus stops before standing up to exit the vehicle.
Tips for exiting the bus:
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When getting off the bus, take two large steps away from bus. If you have to walk in front of the bus, do so at least three
metres (10 giant steps) away from the bus.
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The driver must be able to see students exiting the bus and will give a signal when it is safe to cross. If more than one student is crossing in front of the bus at the same time, they should cross in single file.
Children must never reach for something that is under the bus without the driver’s permission. Let the driver know that
something is under the bus or wait until the bus moves out of the way.
Tips for walking to school:
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Help your child establish a safe, direct route to school. Avoid potential safety hazards such as train tracks, busy intersections, and reinforce what safety precautions to follow.
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Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road and walk facing traffic.
Cross streets at intersections and at crosswalks and learn to look to the left, the right, and the left again before proceed-
Continuing Education International Languages program for K-12 students
The opportunity to study a language in addition to English and French can benefit all students, society in general and an increasingly independent world, including:
Students with no prior knowledge of a particular language;
Students whose first language is English or French and who wish to study their home languages as a second or third language;
Students whose first language is their home language.
The International Languages program is based on Oral Communications, Reading and Writing in languages other than English
or French. Grammar and Language knowledge are incorporated into each of the three skill areas.
Any student who is currently enrolled in a Peel District School Board elementary or secondary school is eligible to attend.
Classes operate each Saturday from September 20, 2014 to June 13, 2015, except for holiday weekends and school vacations.
Credit classes are 3.5 per day and run from 9:00am to 12:30pm. Elementary classes are 2.5 hours per day and run from
10:00am to 12:30pm.
Registration begins in mid-August and runs until March Break for elementary classes and until October 16, 2014 for credit
classes. In partnership with School-day, Continuing Education offers an online, cashless registration process. Please visit the
website at www.peelschools.org/conted/il for further information.
Time for school - A parent’s guide to regular school attendance
Elementary school is a wonderful time in the life of a child, a time of great strides in learning and in social and
emotional development. Many things affect your child’s success, from the quality of his or her teachers, to the
makeup of the class. One of the most important factors is your child’s regular and timely attendance.
Getting to class on time, and avoiding absences, are critical if your child is to get the most out of school. It seems
obvious. But the fact is that elementary students tend to miss and average of eight or more school days during the
year. What can you as a parent do to help ensure your child’s proper attendance?
Is your child missing more? Why does attendance matter?
First, understand that getting to school–every day and on time–matters at every level, perhaps even more so in
elementary school. That’s because important learning occurs daily, right from the start of class. And because you
establish patterns early on. By being punctual and responsible, children are acquiring positive habits about school
attendance. Some other things to consider:
By being late, children miss important social time with their peers before school begins.
Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
Late arrivals can disrupt the routine of the classroom.
A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get her to school in the wrong frame of mind.
Missing even five or 10 minutes of the day can make it harder for the student to understand the material being
taught.
Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and knowledge base, cause the child to fall behind his peers
and hurt his self-esteem.
Too many missed school days can increase isolation, as the child stands out from her classmates and misses opportunities to develop socially.
Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good rapport with the teachers.
When Time is Ticking
Few homes run like clockwork. The morning routine, especially, can be a mad scramble. But there are effective
strategies for getting your little one up and out the door on time.
Get your child to bed at a reasonable hour.
Set realistic and consistent schedules and rules at home. Getting ready for school should be part of the child’s
overall routine, something that’s expected of him every day.
The night before school, do whatever is necessary to shave time in the morning, such as setting out clothes, packing lunch, and setting schoolbags at the door.
Have a set morning routine that the child can easily follow, i.e washing hands and face, going to the bathroom,
dressing, making the bed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast.
Avoid any distractions that can slow the child down, like TV or games.
If you’re running late regularly, set your alarm to get up earlier.
Is it a sick day?
Children do get sick sometimes – they are still developing natural resistance to certain infections, their hygiene behaviours are still developing and germs spread more easily in a classroom. So some missed school is unavoidable,
for the child’s own well-being, and the protection of her classmates. But there are ways to cut down on sick days.
Teach your child about proper handwashing, after going to the bathroom, playing outside or wiping his nose.
Follow other healthy habits, from eating nutritious food to getting enough sleep.
Some symptoms make school attendance uncomfortable, like a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. But if you’re unsure
whether your child is sick enough to miss school, talk to your doctor.
Some children pretend to be sick to avoid school. Ask yourself is the child’s symptoms are vague, (i.e. a headache,
upset stomach, fatigue), if your child tends to miraculously recover just after school starts or ends, or if the illness
is happening during stressful times at school or at home. Allowing your child to remain home when there’s no real
illness sets a bad pattern.
If you decide to keep your child home, inform the school and keep the child in bed or doing quiet, low-key activities. A day off from school shouldn’t be a holiday, it should be a time to recuperate from illness, so the child can
return as soon as possible.
Set the right example
Children follow the lead of their parents. If you place an importance on regular and prompt school attendance, so
will your child.
Show interest in your child’s education by asking about the school day, celebrating school successes, attending
school events and parent-teacher interviews, volunteering at school, and communicating with your child’s teacher.
The more you value school, the more your child will.
Provide a home environment that encourages learning and curiosity.
Treat the school hours with respect. If you have to make an appointment for your child, arrange it before or after
school or, if that’s not possible, at the very beginning or end of the day.
When it comes to planning family trips, some parents will factor in the schedule in the higher grades, but think
little of pulling their child out of school. If anything, younger students can be affected more when they miss an
extended period, finding it tough to relearn classroom routines and rejoin their peer group. Learning is cumulative,
building on the skills and concepts that were introduced before. And this process is ongoing. Family trips can be
wonderful learning experiences themselves. But if they must occur during the school year, please save them for
scheduled breaks.
If your child resists going to school, for no apparent reason, talk to him or her about any possible problems with
the school, teacher or other kids. However, don’t give in to coaxing, pleading or threatening and keep the child at
home. That creates a bad precedent.
Need more information?
If you have any questions regarding any of the issues raised here about lateness or attendance, or if you’re looking
for other tips on getting your child to school, please talk to us. By working together, we can help support a more
successful school experience for your child. Visit our website at www.peelschools.org.