Eagle Plains Newsletter January 2014 Eagle Plains Public School 40 Eagle Plains Drive, Brampton, ON L6R 2X8 Telephone # (905) 793-4969 (Press 1 for Attendance Line) Fax # (905) 793-7636 School Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1441 Principal: Lynn O’Halloran Office Manager: Sonia Broadway Principal's Message 2014! A new year unfolds. An unspoiled page in the book of time. An opportunity to practice what you have learned about life in the last twelve months. A chance to dream of things that you didn’t dare do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have. The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. This is the time of new beginnings and the celebration of life. New Year’s resolutions may include hope that the year be filled with all things that are truly good; the comfort of warmth in our relationships; the strength to help those who need our help: the humility and openness to accept help from others; the belief that each day we do nothing to make the world of others poorer but rather the possibilities inherent in touching others with peace and joy and love. Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work, hope, kindness an understanding heart, a sense of humour and the power to laugh, and a few moments of quiet, silent meditation. ~~~~~~~~~~ The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to “the person who shall have done the most or best work for the fraternity between nations for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promoting of peace congresses”. In 1993, the Nobel Peace Prize was given to Nelson Mandela, for his work in the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime and for keeping the foundations for a new democratic South Africa. Vice-Principal: Aamer Zuberi Office Assistant: Rose Cavaleri “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right”. Our human compassion binds us to one and other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learned how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future”. Nelson Mandela ~~~~~~~~~~ 525,600 minutes; the measure of a year. Let’s celebrate and remember a year in the life of friends. Remember love. Share love. Give love. And Spread love. Remember the path others have lit for us; the quiet voice of courage; and the people who left the world a better place. Nelson Mandela, Peach Prize winner Gerda Lerner, feminist and historian Jon Sheardown, Canadian diplomat Johan Wilkinson, guitarist Eugene Patterson, civil rights activitist Pauline Friedman Phillips, the original Dear Abby Donald Hornig, scientist Ceija Stojka, Holocaust survivor Andre Cassagnes, inventory of Etch A Sketch James Gandolfini, actor Seamus, poet Barbara Parks, children’s author Lou Reed, signer and musician Tom Clancy, novelist Scott Carpenter, astronaut Cory Monteith, actor Important Dates Safety January 6 January 13 Please adhere to our School Rules and do not walk past the front of the school to pick-up your children in the a.m./p.m. This is a bus loading zone. January 20 January 23 January 31 School Resumes 5:30 p.m. School Council Meeting Assessment/Professional Activity Day (No School for Students) February Milk Orders Due 4:00 p.m. - Deadline for Grade 1 French Immersion Registration at Fairlawn Public School (Please see insert for details) We appreciate your assistance in maintaining consistency by having ALL WALKERS use the pathway adjacent to the Kindergarten and gymnasium. Thank you for your cooperation. Bus Zones / Kiss’n Ride / Driveway Eagle Plains is a Scent-Free School We ask parents and visitors to adhere to the no parking in Bus Loading Areas, the Kiss’n Ride and blocking the entry and exit driveway. The Peel District School Board, and its schools, are designated as “scent-free”. The intent of this program is to encourage staff, volunteers, visitors and students to use non-scented personal care products while on school premise and to refrain from using colognes and perfumes. By law, this is not permissible. The safety of our children is paramount. To help remind everyone of this program, posters are in place in washrooms and around the school. So if you plan on visiting the school, please be mindful of our “scent-free” environment. When dropping off children in the Kiss’n Ride, just stop and drop. Students should be ready to quickly exit from the passenger side of the car. Parents, do not get out of your car to assist your children. Please be aware that Brampton Parking Enforcement has already issued tickets to illegally parked cars and cars which are stationery in a no parking zone, both before and after school. Allergies - Peanut/Nut Free School Again this year we have students at our school with severe, life-threatening allergies to products containing nuts. We ask for your co-operation in eliminating all food products containing traces of nuts from your child’s lunches. Birthdays We would also like to remind parents that sending food to school to celebrate your child’s birthday is not permitted (for example, please do not bring or send cakes, muffins, Timbits, or candy). When it is your child’s birthday, the school will acknowledge their special day during the morning announcements and their teacher will present them with a birthday card from all the staff and students. Please help us ensure the safety of our students by not sending peanut/nut products in school lunches. 2 The Grade 3 Dictionary Program Eagle Feathers Students at Eagle Plain are recognized for their good character each month at our assembly. Staff honour the respectful, and responsible manner in which students behave by giving Eagle Feather Awards. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Brampton for their generous support of literacy at Eagle Plains. All Grade Three students have received a free dictionary! These awards were given to students by our colleague, Mrs. Diana Reid from Sandalwood Heights S.S. Congratulations to the following students who won an Eagle Feather award in November 2013: Mario Miller (1PC); Arshvir Jagpal (2AB); Bibek Chugh (3SF); Mehak Aulakh (3CK); Simran Marzara (3CK); Subhgun Bedi (4GA); Vibhav Gogna (4GA); Chanarshpreet Ghuman (4MF); Gurman Purba (4MF); Gurvir Grewal (4BR); Jashbir Kaur (4BR) Coat Drive As you know, Eagle Plains students were asked to collect coats for our first ever Coat Drive! In just one week, we collected 3 vests, 5 hats, 9 snowsuits, 9 pairs of snowpants, 42 light jackets/sweaters and 121 COATS! The idea for the Coat Deive came from Subrina Bhullar from Ms. Ruschiensky’s class. Toonies for the Homeless During the month of November, the Grade One staff and students organized a “Toonies for The Homeless” campaign. The Eagle Plains community responded very generously and at our December 6th Caring Assembly, we presented a cheque in the amount of $390.95 to a representative of the Knights Table. The Knights Table helps those in need by providing a food bank, hot meals and other related assistance to the citizens of Brampton who deal with the daily issues of hunger, poverty and homelessness. Last year, the Knights Table served over 56,000 meals 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. After watching the video “The Greatest Man on Earth”, she got inspired to do something to help others. She decided since the weather was getting colder and colder, a Coat Drive was the best idea. With the help of Mrs. O’Halloran, Mr. Zuberi, Ms. Ruschiensky’s grade four class and the entire Eagle Plains community, we were able to surpass our goal of 100 coats and make a difference in other people’s lives. The coats will be distributed to those in need by Regeneration Outreach Brampton. Thank you Eagle Plains staff, students and families for your extreme generosity. Thank you Eagle Plains students and families for your generous donations. 3 Kindergarten News Character of the Month for January - Inclusion Kindergarten Parents - we are now on-line! Please check out [email protected] to find out what we are learning in Kindergarten. All important dates and information will be posted there as we will not be sending paper newsletters home anymore. Eagle Plains Public School is a place where we can proudly say we welcome many diverse children and their families. As part of our Character Education, we are focusing on “Inclusion” for the month of January. Inclusion is an important way in which we can help our children learn that we are all the same regardless of where we come from, where we worship or what kind of traditions we hold dear to us. The differences that we see reflected in our school help to show our children that although people may not be the same as us, we can still work together to make Eagle Plains the best school possible. Portfolio Day On February 5, 2014, Eagle Plains Public School will be hosting our Portfolio Day. This is an opportunity to see your child’s growth since September through samples of their work. These conferences are student led in your child’s classroom. Soon, a letter will be going home with your child asking you to confirm that you will be attending. There are several ways we can help our children learn to be inclusive, but the best way is by modelling positive behaviour. While many of us are most comfortable with people or activities that we are familiar with, it is important to branch out from the familiar in order to expand our knowledge of other people, places, celebrations and traditions. There is an option to come to the school between 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and a second option from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. We ask that you choose one of the two times or indicate that you will not be attending. There are many ways we can help our children learn to be inclusive, but the best way is by modelling positive behaviour. By working together we can certainly do our best to pass this inclusive attitude down to our children. By working together we can give our children the best start to being inclusive throughout their lives. After School Program PLASP Child Care Services operates an After School Program at this school. The After School Program begins once school is dismissed and goes until 6:00 p.m. Children participate in recreational activities, are served a nutritious snack daily and have time for homework. Children learn a great deal from what they see or hear. Let’s make sure they see and hear things that include everyone in a positive light. Register Today! Fee assistance is available. School Council Meeting Visit www.plasp.com and register your child online today or call 905.890.1711. Our January School Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 13th at 5:30 p.m. 4 Eagle Feather Awards Congratulations to the following students who demonstrated "Caring" in the month of December. NAME STUDENT STUDENT Kindergarten AM Malia Dixon Nicholas Hackett Kindergarten PM Leah Hinds-Peart Rihanna Rudder Kindergarten AM Arujan Kathirkanthan Rashmie Kishore Kindergarten PM Aliya Carmino Mariam Malik Gibson, Brandy (Ms.) Kindergarten AM Tegbir Kalsi Jocelyn Wong Harrold, Jen (Ms.) Kindergarten AM Lexxi Fray Seher Dhaliwal McCann, Jackie (Ms.) Kindergarten AM Janya Chhatwal Japnoor Sandhu Kindergarten PM Asiya Rifaa Gurshaan Saggu Cochrane, Peter (Mr.) Grade 1 Kobisha Kamaleswaran Muriah Walters Ironside, Howard (Mr.) Grade 1 Ripudamen Cheema Ashmeet Sidhu Toepp, Marlin (Mrs.) Grade 1 Sahjdip Ghumman Judianne Rodney Warden, Shannon (Mrs.) Grade 1/2 Simrat Brar Hannan Elmi Bloxam, Amy (Mrs.) Grade 2 Gavin Dhillon Geetaz Mavi Dobbin, Jaclyn (Ms.) Grade 2 Harleen Aulakh Thanesh Kamaleswaran Law, Jen (Ms.) Grade 2 Maya Carmino Mya Hans Brigido, Jeanette (Ms.) Grade 3 Thanusha Kamaleswaran Brian Singh Charnley, Craig (Mr.) Grade 3 Arshjot Jatana Ellakiya Rudda Kelloway, Cindy (Mrs.) Grade 3 Wesley Giang Nicholas Moodie Kerr, Jackie (Mrs.) Grade 3 Sahij Kular Cambria Running Antonopoulos, George (Mr.) Grade 4 Armaan Hans Mariamen Kistama Fisher, Marc (Mr.) Grade 4 Chanarshpreet Ghumman Nadia Ramkellawan Ruschiensky, Brooke (Ms.) Grade 4 Joshua Adams Rosie Khumi Bingham, Kay (Mrs.) Grade 5 Gurraj Mann Ravneet Sajjan Morose, Terry (Mr.) Grade 5 Gursahib Dhatt Sarvin Jeevakaran Scordino, Kristina (Mrs.) Grade 5 Gurleen Grewal Shubhjeet Manoria Morson, Melanie (Mme.) Core French Okeilia Platt (4MF) Sangeeta Mangra (5TM) Mrs. Pixie Schmitz Mrs. Sabrina D’Angela Tersigni, Danielle (Mrs.) Pepper, Sue (Mrs.) GRADE Lynn O’Halloran and Aamer Zuberi 5 It's time to register children born in 2010 for kindergarten Register at Eagle Plains Public School on February 4, 6, 7 & 8 We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2010, he or she can start full day kindergarten in September 2014. Registration will be held at our school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 4, 6, 7 & 8 and 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 7. *** Please call (905) 793-4969 starting January 6th to book your appointment. *** What you will need to bring to registration: Proof of child's age Canadian birth certificate Canadian passport Citizenship card/certificate Permanent Resident Card confirmation of permanent residence work permit refugee permit Proof of address Ontario driver's license utility bill bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution) credit card statement federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada documents) purchase agreement Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated Important information about immunization In order to attend school in Ontario, your child must have an up-to-date immunization record. When you register your child for school, you must provide a copy of your child's immunization record and the school will send it to Peel Health. After registration, keeping your child's records up to date is your responsibility. Peel Health reviews immunization records regularly. Students who are not completely immunized and do not have a valid exemption may not be allowed to attend school. For information about immunization, or to get a copy of your child's record call Health Line Peel at 905-799-7700; Caledon residents can call toll-free at 905-584-2216. Translation services are available. 6 STUDENT TRANSPORTATION OF PEEL REGION (STOPR) BUS CANCELLATIONS/SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO BAD WEATHER 2013 – 2014 SCHOOL YEAR During the winter months inclement weather may cause disruption of bus transportation and regular school operations. A decision to cancel school transportation and/or to close schools is usually made by 6:30 a.m. and will be announced on the following radio and television stations: VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 CHUM AM1050 CFTR AM680 CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1 CFRB AM1010 EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860 FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107 CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS CTV We will be communicating one of four standard messages to the radio stations. The four announcements and their effect on the transportation system are as follows: (Please note that the highlighted text only will be communicated by the radio stations). 1. “DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES SERVING ST. ANDREW, ST. BENEDICT AND ST. PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND R.F. HALL SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE CANCELLED FOR TODAY.” 2. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES IN THE TOWN OF CALEDON AND THE COUNTY OF DUFFERIN ARE CANCELLED”. This means that all runs listed under announcement #l PLUS the following are cancelled.  All schools in the Town of Caledon and all school runs that begin in the Town of Caledon.  Individual schools will be notified if this cancellation affects their school. 3. “THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BUSES ARE CANCELLED.” This means that: ALL Transportation services provided by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and The Peel District School Board, including buses, vans and taxis have been cancelled for the entire day. 4. “THE SCHOOLS AND OFFICES OF BOTH THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ARE CLOSED.” This means that: ALL Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and Peel District School Board schools and offices are closed to all students and staff. Note: For Secondary School students riding Public Transit, cancellation of service will be communicated by the respective transit property over the radio. Please be advised that Public Transit rarely cancels and that the level of service on days with inclement weather is unpredictable. 7 Closing schools because of bad weather Reporting process for February report card (grades 1 to 8) Peel board supports student success with ongoing communication throughout the year During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of bad weather. Continuing this year, there will be no school-wide parent/teacher interview day scheduled for the February reporting period - report cards will be sent home February 7, 2014. Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio and television stations listed on page 7 of the newsletter 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. One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only): You will receive a letter with the February report card that indicates if your child is meeting expectations. Should your child’s progress be of concern, the teacher will contact you to discuss ways to work together to further support his/her learning needs. Our teachers are committed to providing parents with the information they need to support their child’s success and will continue to communicate with parents throughout the school year. There is a progress report card and two report cards each year and they provide an overview of your child's progress over a period of time. The best way to see how your child is progressing in school is through the ongoing communication you receive. Some of the ways you may keep up-to-date about your child's progress include the following: Peel District School Board buses are cancelled. This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require busing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, daycare 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 daycare, 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.  talk to your child about school  review your child's homework and agenda  receive copies of marks your child has received on assignments and tests  ongoing communication with your child's teacher. If you have questions, please contact the principal, Lynn O’Halloran. 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. 8 Lynn O’Halloran Aamer Zuberi Principal Vice-Principal