Mountain Ash Public School
SEPTEMBER 2016
Principal’s Message
Happy New (School) Year Mountain Ash P.S. families!
Once again on behalf of the entire staff of Mountain Ash we would like to welcome all of our families back for another great school year. Hopefully you had a great summer by trying to stay cool in, or near water, perhaps watching the summer Olympics, or (like me) going on many “Pokemon” walks while your child searches for the various characters!
As the nights get cooler and the sun sets earlier, it is a reminder of the exciting time of “Back to School”. The classrooms look great and we are excited to welcome and feel the energy of our students back in the school this week. This year we will support your child to “Engage in Awesome” through an environment that supports character, creativity and critical thinking!
We will continue to “Be awesome” by reflecting on our school and board values consisting of being caring, honest, cooperative, inclusive, respectful and responsible. Through daily classroom interactions and monthly thematic assemblies these values are taught and modeled for students. Academically, students can “Do Awesome” through their hard work, goal setting and engagement in school and class activities. Finally, we aim for students and staff to “Inspire Awesome” by celebrating student accomplishments while pursuing their passions and interests. It is our hope this year that students will help to build each other up and support one another in and out of the classroom so that we can all “Engage in Awesome”!
I look forward to a great school year
Sincerely,
Craig Cooper
Principal Mountain Ash P.S. / JPrincipal:
Craig Cooper
JVice Principal:
Brian Rasmusson
JSuperintendent:
Pat Noble
Welcome Back!
Stay connected by following us @MountainashPS
Happy new school year!
Welcome to the 2016-17 school year—opportunities to learn, grow and succeed await you and your child!
At thePeel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each student. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal.
We value your involvementand want you to knowit's appreciated. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout their entire school experience! Reach out to your child’s teacher to find out how you can get involved. Together, we have the incredible opportunity to inspire a smile in each student.
On behalf of the Peel board, I wish you an amazing school year.
Tony Pontes,
Director of Education
Peel District School Board
SAFE ARRIVAL (Reporting Student Absences)
The Safe Arrival Pilot programundertaken by Mountain Ash and a few other Peel schools has been successful.As with last year, student absences are no longer reported on our school phone. Please ensure you report all absences by calling the toll-free line at 1-855-209-6155. Parents can also visit http://www.pdsb.schoolconnects.com to report absences via the web or to download the mobile app.
Please note that all late arrivals are considered an absence and will be called out to parents if parents have not reported a child as late. This is to ensure that parents are aware when their child or children arrive to school late (especially in the case of students who walk to school on their own). The purpose is to work with parents to ensure the safe and timely arrival of all students.
Help protect students with severe allergies by keeping lunches, snacks peanut-free
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects some children. We ask that you help us take care of these students by sending lunches and snacks for your child that are free from peanuts or nuts, because these foods are the leading cause of anaphylaxis.
Please read the label of any food you plan to send to school with your child. If the label says, "May contain nuts or peanuts," please do not send it to school.
You can get a complete copy of the Peel board's anaphylaxis guideline from the school office.
Protect your kids—and your finances
The Peel District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school property or during school activities including extracurricular sports. Each year, many of our families spend thousands of dollars when their children are injured at school, on field trips, while participating in non-school activities, or at home. If a student is injured, parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for any costs not covered by provincial health care or their employer’s health plan. Please check with your provider regarding your coverage.
The provincial health care system does not cover costs which are commonly related to accidents including dental work, ambulance fees, casts and crutches, and physiotherapy. All of these are covered by Reliable Life’s student accident insurance plan.
It is strongly recommended that all families consider this coverage, especially if your child participates in extracurricular activities. Annual plans, which provide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year coverage, range from $13.50 to $32 per year. Through the application only you can be covered for the school day only as low as $8 per year. Family rates for three or more children are available.
The insurance agreement is between you and Reliable Life Insurance Company.
You can apply for coverage through paper application or online at www.insuremykids.com. For more information call Reliable Life Insurance Company toll free at 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).
Schools use many strategies to keep children safe
Peel schools provide a safe environment for staff and students to work and learn. The board has many procedures to ensure safety. To keep students safe, schools use many strategies including:
· requiring all parents and visitors to check in at the main office and obtain visitor passes
· the use of a "buddy system" – students can only leave the classroom if accompanied by another student (for example, going to the washroom)
· assigning teachers to supervise inside and outside the school during recesses, before and after school
· locking all exteriors doors, including the main entrance, during school hours [elementary schools only]
· encouraging staff to regularly review street-proofing skills with students
· expecting staff and students to report unidentified individuals to the office immediately
· holding fire drills and "lockdown" rehearsals
· having evacuation plans in place
· ensuring that all staff and volunteers have up-to-date criminal record checks
· working with the police to provide education on street-proofing
We feel that it is important that you also take this opportunity to review safe procedures with your child. Peel Regional Police have provided the following safety guidelines:
· Tell your children to never go anywhere with a stranger, not to talk to strangers and never take anything from them. You also have to teach them what a "safe stranger" is in case they need help. A safe stranger includes a police officer, a cashier, a fire fighter.
· Develop a "what if" game for children to get them thinking about how they would respond if they felt threatened or afraid.
· Know who your children play with and where they go. This includes keeping a list of their friend's addresses and phone numbers.
· Do not leave your child in unsupervised locations, such as cars, parks, public washrooms, arenas, malls and plazas, etc.
· Teach your children where and how to get help. Go with them on their regularly travelled routes.
· Your child's body is private. Tell your children that no one may touch the area their bathing suit covers. If someone tries to touch them, they should tell you immediately.
· Teach your children to talk to you immediately when someone does anything that makes them feel strange or uncomfortable. Listen when your children are trying to tell you about something that bothers them and provide them with support and understanding.
For more information about safety at your school, review your school handbook or speak to your principal or teacher.
Want to keep up to date with what’s happening at
Mountain Ash?
Check out our school website where you'll find:
· 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 message for critical news, such as school closures due to bad weather. Click on the subscribe link on the left-hand side of the main page of our website.
Visit Mountain Ash’s website
http://schools.peelschools.org/1421/Pages/default.aspx
What you need to know about busing
Peel District School students may access transportation services if their primary address is within the school's attendance boundary, at a distance of more than:
· kindergarten and grade 1 students – 1 km
· grades 2 to 4 students – 1.6 km
· grades 5 to 8 students – 2 km
· grades 9 to 12 students – 3.8 km
Eligibility distances are calculated using appropriate roadways and pedestrian walkways and are measured from home property line to school property line using Board approved software to ensure a consistent and equitable assessment of distance for all students and all schools within the Board. It is also important to note that parents are responsible for safely getting their children to and from school.
How do I know if my child is eligible for transportation?
Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) has a website, www.stopr.ca, where you can find information concerning transportation including bus safety, procedures, late buses, cancellations, and frequently asked questions and as well whether your child is eligible for transportation based on your home address. Click on "Am I Eligible for Transportation" and enter your information.
In addition, if your child is eligible for transportation, beginning the last week of August to the end of June each year, at www.stopr.ca you can securely access your child’s specific transportation information, including bus stop location and pick-up and drop-off times. Click on “Parent/Student Login” and enter the information required. To ensure privacy of information you will be required to enter the Ontario Education Number (OEN), which can be found on your child’s report card.
Parents can now sign-up to receive automatic e-mail notifications of delays or cancellations for their children’s bus run. Go to www.stopr.ca and click on the “bus delays and cancellations” link and then click “subscriptions” to sign-up for this service.
September 2016 Attendance Line:
1-855-209-6155
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5
Labour Day
No School / 6
First Day of School / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 . / 17
18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
Climate Assembly& Terry Fox Run / 23
Rain Date for Terry Fox Run / 24
25 / 26 / 27
PA Day
No School / 28 / 29
Welcome BBQ & Open House 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Class Visits 6:30pm-7:30pm / 30 / 1