Sir John A. Macdonald
Middle School
250 Centre Street, Brampton ON, L6V 2R4
905-457-5535
Mrs. K. Flear, Office Manager Mrs. R. Manners, Principal Mrs K. Dhillon, Vice-Principal
Please find our newsletter online at our webpage http://schools.peelschools.org/1540/Pages/default.aspx
Message from the Principal and the Vice Principal
Welcome! Bonjour! We are looking forward to a great school year and to inspire greatness together. Please refer to your child’s school agenda for Sir John A. policies and procedures.
Mrs. R. Manners, Principal
Mrs K. Dhillon, Vice-Principal
Dates to Remember
Date / EventTuesday September 23 / Re-Org Day (no school for students)
Friday September 26 / Terry Fox Run
Tuesday September 30
Tuesday September 30 / Photo Day
School Council Meeting 6 p.m.
Monday October 6 / Babysitting Course starts (11:36-12:36)
Wednesday October 8 / School Open House (6 p.m.-7p.m.)
Friday October 10 / PD Day (no school)
Monday October 13 / Thanksgiving (no school)
Tuesday October 21 / Bhangra Dance Classes begin for students 3:15pm
Friday November 7 / Progress Reports Go Home
Dropping off lunches & school work?
Please make sure your child’s name & class are written or attached to the item. A table is located outside the office to place your child’s lunch for pickup at lunchtime.
If Your Child Will be Absent or Late from School
A reminder to all parents to please call the school to notify us if your child will be absent or late from school. If a child is absent or arrives late without parental notification (phone call or note), you will receive an automated phone call from the school.
Student Information Sheets
Student Information sheets (OSOR) will be sent home in a few weeks. Please ensure all information is accurate and updated. If there are any changes, please send the form back to your child’s teacher with all corrected information as soon as possible.
A Warm Welcome To Our Staff of 2014-2015
Mrs. Manners, PrincipalMrs. Dhillon, Vice Principal
Mrs. Flear, Office Manager
Mrs. H. Morrison, Office Assistant
Mrs. C. Morrison, Guidance/Contact
Mrs. R. Cooper, Librarian/Contact
Mrs. Pavlovic, Head Custodian
Mr. Downer, Assistant Custodian
Ms. Holmes, 6A
Mrs. Mitchell, 6B
Mr. D’Alessandro, 6C
Mrs. Borsato, 6D
Mrs. Pilania, 6E
Mrs. Henderson, 7A
Miss. Stansfield, 7B
Mr. Redmond, 7C
Mr. Metelnick/Mr. Pasqua, 7D
Mr. Lapiccirella, 7E
Mr. Nanitelamio, 7F
Ms. Lochrie, 7G
Mr. D. Cooper, 7H
Ms. Ogurian, 7X8
Ms Alexis, 8A
Mr. Marentette, 8B
Mrs. Piwowar, 8C
Ms. Rawes, 8D
Mr. Dybel, 8E
Ms. Narinesingh /Mr. Kopel 8F
Mrs. Swan, 8G
Miss.Smereczynski, 8H
Mr. N. McClung, ELC
Mr. Morgadinho, ESL
Mr. Jeffery, ASD
Mrs. Carlone, Music
Ms. Dorani, Music/Drama
Mr. Leung, Art/Computers
Mr. Lindsay, ISSP
Mrs. Ridley, ISSP
Ms. Schad, Phys.Ed
Mr. Robb, Phys. Ed.
Ms. Welsh B.T.A
Mrs. Rowsell, TA
Mr. P. McClung, T.A
Mr. Poudel, T.A
Ms. Leworthy/ Ms. Palmieri T.A
Consent to receive electronic communication
Dear Families:
As you may know, Canada’s new anti-spam law came into effect on July 1, 2014. This law requires the Peel District School Board and its schools to have consent from you before we send you any electronic communication (e.g. synrevoice texts, email) that contains commercial information.
While the majority of Sir John A. MacDonald’s electronic communication to families is about school and/or Peel board initiatives and activities, we may also include commercial information, such as details about fundraisers, field trips, sale of yearbooks, student pictures, book sales, event tickets, special offers for Peel students and families, or similar events and offers.
Although we may have previously collected your email address, in order to be compliant with the new law, we must receive your consent (in writing) to receive electronic communication from our school.
If you wish to receive information, including school newsletters, from our school via email or other electronic communication, please provide your consent by providing the information required below and returning this form to your child's teacher by October 1, 2014. If you do not provide your consent below, you will not receive any electronic communication from Sir John A MacDonald.
You may also choose to provide your consent by filling out and submitting an online form, which will be available as of Tuesday, Aug. 26 athttp://subscribe.peelschools.org
You may withdraw your consent and unsubscribe from our communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any future email. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 905-457-5535
.
**Please note this consent request is separate from our school website’s subscription service. Even if you have already provided consent to receive emails from our school website, you must still complete and submit this form in order to receive information updates from the school via other electronic means.
CONSENT TO RECEIVE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION FROM SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL.
I hereby consent to receive electronic communication from Sir John A MacDonald at the email address I have provided below. I understand this consent will be effective for the duration of my child’s education at Sir John A. MacDonald. I understand this information may be shared with the School Council (co-)chair(s) for the purposes of sending School Council information to me via email.
Date:______Name(s): ______
I am/We are the parent(s)/guardian(s) of ______
______
(include full names and grades of all students)
Email address(es): ______
______
Parent/Guardian signature(s):______
Please note: If you do not provide your express consent, you will not receive any electronic communication from Sir John A. MacDonald.
Celebrating Faith and CultureSeptember 2014
The Peel District School Board is a mosaic of many cultures and faiths from all over the world. To commemorate this diversity, the board recognizes the special faith and culture days of our communities. September 2014 has several special faith and culture days to celebrate and remember.
Date / Celebration / Faith and Culture
September / Genuuqwilkw / Aboriginal Spirituality
September 1 / Installation of Guru Granth Sahib / Sikhism
September1 / Labour Day / Canada
September5 / Farvardegan / Zoroastrianism
September 8 to 26 / the month of `Izzat / Bahá'í
September 7 or 8 / Anant Chaturdashi / Hinduism and Jainism
September 9 / Kshamavani / Jainism
September 11 / Nayrouz / Christianity
September 12 to 16 / Ghambar Paitishahem / Zoroastrianism
September 19 / Powley Day / Aboriginal Spirituality
September 22 / Shuki-Sorei-Sai / Shinto
September 23 / Mabon /Harvestide / Wicca
Sunset September24 to 26 / Rosh Hashanah / Judaism
September 24 / Sharad Navratri / Hinduism
September 27 to October 14 / the month of Mashi'yyat / Bahá'í
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.
Contact your school principal for details of the procedure to review your child’s OSR.
If you would like to learn more about your child’s OSR, visit the Ontario Ministry of Education web site at www.edu.gov.on.ca.
Getting your questions answered
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about your child's education, or about education in general, anyone with the Peel board is happy to help. Here are some of the people who can help you:
· If you have specific questions or concerns about the education of your son or daughter, the first person to talk to is your child's teacher. If possible, arrange a personal interview with the teacher to discuss your concerns and attempt to resolve the matter. Your child's teacher or principal can also give you more information about specific strategies being used to monitor your child's progress.
· If you need extra help, or have more general questions, your school principal is there to assist. Your school principal can help if you have been unable to resolve the issue with your child's teacher. All curriculum material is available in your child's school.
· If you still have unanswered questions or concerns, talk to your superintendent of education.
· If you have general questions about curriculum, call Curriculum and Instruction Support Services at 905-890-1010 ext. 2559.
· If you have questions about special education programs or services, contact Special Education Support Services at 905-890-1010 ext. 2345.
Of course, your local school trustee is elected to represent your interests and is always ready to hear and discuss your suggestions or concerns. If you don't know the name of your trustee, check the 'Meet your Trustee' section of the board's website at www.peelschools.org.
If you still have questions, please email or call Communication & Community Relations Support Services at 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2809.
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
· 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.
Subscribe to receive news from the Peel board
Take advantage of our electronic subscription service to automatically receive a list of activities by email on a monthly basis. Subscriptions are sent the last week of the month, plus bonuses throughout the year. Subscribing is easy¾ just visit our website atwww.peelschools.org and click on the subscription link under "Quick Links."
You can also subscribe to receive:
News releases
Keep up with the news at the Peel board. Subscribe to receive Peel board news releases to learn more about board news and school events.
Board agendas
Learn more about Peel board meetings by subscribing to receive agendas. Meetings of the board are open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Board highlights
Briefing is a newsletter with highlights of decisions made by trustees at board meetings. It is sent out on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and immediately following any special board meetings.
Job postings for non-teaching staff
Learn about each new non-teaching job that is posted on the Peel board's Job Board.
Procedures help keep students safe at school
Peel schools provide a safe environment for students and staff to learn and work. The board has many procedures to ensure safety ¾¾ including regular fire drills, evacuation plans, criminal record checks for new staff and volunteers and lockdown drills. Together with Peel Police and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board, the board developed a lockdown procedure to help keep schools safe during a potentially serious or violent incident.