MAPLE WOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL
Learning Today....Leading Tomorrow
Neil Garraway – Principal Gale Solomon-Henry - Superintendent 905.366.8800
Leanne Hope – Office Manager Nokha Dakroub - Trustee (Ward 9/10) 647.707.7320
Telephone (905) 826.3902
2650 Gananoque Drive
Mississauga, L5N 2R2
http://schools.peelschools.org/1554/Pages/default.aspx
Twitter - @maplewoodps
Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education
SEPTEMBER 2016 newsletter
Welcome back to all of you this school year. We certainly hope that you enjoyed your summer vacation and that everyone has safely returned rested, relaxed and renewed.
It’s a joy to see the smiling faces of students and parents and we appreciate all the well wishes, thank-you’s and ‘welcome backs’ from you parents and students. We definitely look forward to another exciting year at Maple Wood Public School. Of course there is always a special welcome to our Junior Kindergarten students and families joining us for the first time!
We wish Mr. Chaudhry well as he starts his new position at Springbrook PS and we also bid a farewell to Mrs. Joan Wilkinson (TA) and Mrs. Mabel Francken (DECE) as both of those positions have been excessed from the school. We are pleased to announce that joining us this year is Ms Andrea Allen as our new ISSP teacher. Ms. Allen brings in wealth of knowledge in effective teaching strategies and we are happy to have her join us as a new Maple Wood Learning Leader!
Leadership through the implementation of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (The Leader in Me) continues to underpin everything we do. You will continue to see House Points, spirit days, and other engaging activities that will promote a positive learning environment.
At Maple Wood we have a great team of Learning Leaders and we are committed to doing everything we can to foster success for your children.
Let’s leap together into another school year!
The Maple Wood PS Leading Learners
T-Shirts (The Leader in Me House Teams)
All new students will receive a Leader in Me House t-shirt at no cost. These are worn on special spirit days or on other school events! Students who have lost or misplaced their Leader In Me House T- shirt may purchase a new replacement t-shirt at a cost of $10.00 each – T-shirt order forms will be sent home shortly.
UPCOMING Maple Wood events!!
First Day of School 8:30 Tuesday September 6th
Open House 6:30 Thursday Sept 29th
Leader in Me Assembly 9:00 Friday Sept 30th
School Council Meetings 6:30-7:30 Thursday Sept 15th Nov 10th, Jan 26th, Mar 9th, May 18th
Photo Day T.B.A.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS
For the 2016-2017 school year, please note the following dates on your calendar; students do not come to school on these days:
Tuesday, September 27 Reorganization Day
Friday, October 7 Professional Learning Day
Friday, November 18 Reporting to Parents
Monday, January 23 Report Card Writing/Assessment Day
Friday, February 17 Professional Learning Day
Monday, June 12 Report Card Writing/Assessment Day
HOLIDAYS
Monday October 10 Thanksgiving
Monday Dec26-Jan6 Winter Break
Monday Feb 20th Family Day
Monday Mar 13th-17th March Break
Friday April 14th Good Friday
Monday April 17th Easter Monday
Monday May 22nd Victoria Day
SCHOOL SUCCESS PLANNING
We will continue our focus on numeracy with our Numeracy Action Plan focussed on Collaborative Math. Staff will continue to learn and use strategies such as Number Talks, 3-Part Lesson plans, Growth Mindset and Balanced Mathematics programming to engage students and foster improved learning. To help us track students’ Math progress, two of our staff will learn a diagnostic tool called PRIME. Diagnostic tools provide a snapshot of how the students are performing
MEET-THE-TEACHER/OPEN HOUSE-Thursday, Sept 29th
We would like to invite all our students to bring their families to our Meet-the-Teacher/Open House on Thursday, September 29th, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity for parents to meet their children's classroom teacher and other staff members as well as to mingle with other parents and neighbours. We look forward to seeing everyone again as we kick off another exciting year at Maple Wood!
UPDATED PROCEDURES FOR ANAPHYLACTIC STUDENTS
In order to create a safe school environment for staff and students, new procedures have been implemented for students with anaphylactic allergies.
All staff must be informed of students who have been prescribed an Epi-Pen, Epi-Pen Junior or Allerject. Two Epi-Pen/Allerjects should be available: one is stored in an accessible location for staff and students, and the other is kept with the student at all times.
Please remind your child that Epi-Pens should not be shared with other students. Epi-Pens are to be shared only in the case of an anaphylactic emergency.
LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES
We have several students and adults who have life-threatening allergies; students and staff for whom we also want our school to be safe and welcoming. We are proud that students are taking the responsibility of watching what they eat and minimizing their exposure to several allergens especially nuts and peanuts.
· Do not send peanut or nut products to school.
· Establish with your child a no food sharing policy.
· Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and especially after eating.
· Do not send in food treats for birthdays
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A LUNCHROOM SUPERVISOR?
Please let us know. It is a great way to make an added connection with the school and no experience is necessary. Lunch Supervisor is a paid position. Please call the office or Mr. Garraway at 905.826.3902
KISS N RIDE SAFETY
We welcome parents and guardians to use the Kiss n Ride at arrival and dismissal times. To keep the line moving, please do not park in the K n R. If you wish to walk your child into the school, the safest option is to park on the street in front of the school.
As students and families walk through the staff parking, it is unsafe to park in that area at arrival or dismissal times.
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
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).
Understanding your child’s Ontario Student Record
The Ontario Student Record (OSR) is an ongoing, confidential record of a student’s education progress. Authorized by the Education Act and protected by the Freedom of Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act, an OSR is established for each student enrolled in an Ontario elementary or secondary school. The record is housed at the student’s current school and moves with the student as they transition from one school to the next. If a student leaves Peel to attend another school in Ontario, the OSR is forwarded to the new school upon request. If the OSR is not requested or the student leaves Ontario, the OSR is housed in the last Peel school that the student attended.
The OSR contains familiar documents that parents can view at any given time. OSR contents include:
· biographical data
· documentation file, containing (if applicable): verification of a custody arrangement, change-of-name order, placements decisions, suspension letters, psycho-educational assessment report, identification and placement decision letters, and registration forms
· information concerning special health conditions
· name(s) of student’s parent(s) or guardian(s)
· Ontario Student Transcript (secondary school only) – the cumulative record of a student’s successful completion of secondary school courses
· photographs may also be attached
· record of the student’s accumulated instruction in French as a second language, if applicable
· report cards
· school(s) attended
Every student, and parents or guardians of students under 18 years of age have the right to examine the student’s OSR and receive a copy of its contents. Supervisory officers, school administration and teachers may also access a student’s OSR for the purpose of improving the instruction of the student. Written permission is requested for any outside agency or personnel to access the OSR.
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 streetproofing 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.
Visit Maple Wood Public School’s website
Want to keep up to date with what’s happening at Maple Wood P.S.
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.
Keep students safe in school parking lots
Many elementary schools offer a Kiss N’ Ride program, where parents/guardians can drop off and pick up their children at a designated area on school property. The program was established to provide a convenient and safe option for our students and parents driving to school. To ensure the safety of staff and students, we ask all parents/guardians be mindful of the following guidelines: