From Briarwood
February 2017 Newsletter
PRINCIPAL MRS. JAGGI-VAID VICE PRINCIPAL MRS. Mc TAVISH
OFFICE MANAGER MRS. SINGH OFFICE ASSISTANT MRS. SALEMA
1065 Mississauga Valley Blvd., Mississauga, L5A 2A1 (905) 270-2597
Follow us on Twitter @Briarwood_Buzz Visit us at http://schools.peelschools.org/1356/Pages/default.aspx
SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION MR. ANTHONY EDWARDS SCHOOL TRUSTEE MRS. SUE LAWTON
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday1
Character Assemblies / 2
Pizza Day / 3
6
Kindergarten Registration (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) / 7
Kindergarten Registration (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Fitness Frenzy / 8
Kindergarten Registration
(9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) / 9
Pizza Day
Kindergarten Registration
(9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
(5:00 – 8:00 p.m.) / 10
Report Cards to be sent home
13 / 14
Dental Screening (JK, SK and Grade 2 students) / 15
Dental Screening (JK, SK and Grade 2 students) / 16
Pizza Day / 17
Professional Learning Day
(No school for students)
20
Family Day (No school for students) / 21 / 22
School Council Meeting
(6:00 p.m.) / 23
Pizza Day / 24
27 / 28
Celebrating Faith and Culture
February 2017
DATE / CELEBRATION / FAITH AND CULTUREFebruary / Buxwlaks & Bear Moon / Aboriginal Spirituality
February 1 / Vasant Panchami / Hinduism
February 1 or 2 / Imbolc / Wicca
February 3 / Setsubun-sai / Shinto
February 6 to 25 / month of Mulk / Bahá’í
February 10 to 11 / Tu B’Shevat (at Sunset) / Judaism
February 11 / Lantern Festival/Magha Puja / Buddhism
February 15 / National Flag Day / Canada
February 20 / Family Day / Ontario
February 24 / Mahashivratri / Hinduism
February 25 to 28 / Intercalary Days / Bahá'í
February 27 (J) / Clean Monday / Christianity
February 27 / Losar / Buddhism
Black Heritage Month
During Black Heritage Month, students, staff and parents from across Peel will participate in a number of activities that promote the understanding of the many contributions made by black Canadians.
Register Now for Kindergarten!
If your child was born in 2013, he or she can start Kindergarten in September 2017. We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in Kindergarten! Peel schools will hold a Kindergarten Registration Week with special registration activities during February 6 to 9, 2017. Visit from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February6, 7, 8 and 9 and from 5 to 8 p.m. on February 9. If you cannot make one of these times, no problem! You can register your child at any time during regular school hours.
For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/kindergarten
Dental Screening at Briarwood on February 14 and 15 (JK, SK and Grade 2 Students Only)
Why is oral health important?
· Good oral health is important to a child’s overall health.
· Untreated tooth decay may lead to pain and infection. It may lead to other problems such as difficulty chewing, difficulty concentrating, or the child may miss school.
Why is Peel Public Health conducting dental screening?
· Peel Public Health provides dental screening in select grades in Peel elementary schools as required by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
How are Parents notified about School Dental Screening?
The School Dental Screening process has changed and Peel Public Health will no longer be using paper exemption forms. Parents who DO NOT want their child to be screened are asked to call 905-799-7700 extension 5622 before the scheduled dental screening to exempt their child.
If a student missed the dental screening or the parents have other children who are not scheduled for dental screening at school, they can call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 to book a dental screening appointment.
What is a dental screening?
· It is a quick assessment by a Registered Dental Hygienist who will take a quick look inside the child's mouth. A separate, sterilized mouth mirror is used for each child.
· It identifies children who may be in need of emergency and/or essential care or preventive dental services. If a child is identified, a form will be sent home and the parent may be contacted by a dental staff member. A re-screening may be required.
· Eligible children will receive free dental services under Healthy Smiles Ontario.
· A dental screening does not replace regular dental visits.
What happens after the dental screening?
· The parent will only be notified if the child needs additional dental care.
· If the parent cannot afford to take their child to the dentist, the child may be eligible for free dental care with Healthy Smiles Ontario.
School Council
Please be advised that our next School Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Safety in the Kiss and Ride
Once again we would like to remind you about proper use of our Kiss ‘n Ride.
The Kiss and Ride program is only available to students who are able to disembark
INDEPENDENTLY.
The goal for our Kiss and Ride program is to provide a safe way to drop off and pick up your children on school property 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after school.
1. Please pull up as close as possible to the end of the Kiss and Ride lane when dropping off your children in the morning.
2. The driver should never exit the vehicle. The driver should never turn the vehicle off. The Kiss and Ride is not a Parking lot. If you need to exit your vehicle, find a place to park legally on or near school property.
3. Children should never exit from the driver’s side. Even if they are seated behind the driver they should exit curbside.
4. Children should have their backpacks with them and be ready to exit the vehicle.
5. Motorists should never pass other vehicles during the morning Kiss and Ride. Motorists should move up the lane once your children have exited the vehicle and exit using the thru lane.
6. If you need to walk your children, you must park and walk (off school property). Do not use the Kiss and Ride for this.
7. Pedestrians are reminded to use the sidewalks and crosswalks to safely access school property.
We ask that parents be patient and respectful as they drop off and pick up their children. Please act safely to ensure that all our children are safe!
Offence Declaration:
Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community. At Briarwood, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community members, and are grateful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year.
To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal record check. A criminal record check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this record check.
Once you have completed the process, you are on file with the Peel District School Board as being a school volunteer. All returning volunteers will receive an Offence Declaration form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. Completing the Offence Declaration will ensure that you can continue volunteering in the next school year. Expect to receive the form in February.
Head Lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp where they lay their eggs. They have three stages: the egg (nit), the nymph and the adult. Head lice do not spread diseases and cannot be spread between animals or pets and humans, only through direct contact between people.
Head lice spread easily, especially where people are in close contact. They are very common among school-aged children or children attending child care, where they spread through direct hair-to-hair contact or directly by sharing things like hats, combs, hairbrushes or headphones.
One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp. However, children can have head lice for several weeks with no symptoms. If you think your child has head lice, check their hair for nits right away, then again after one week and after two weeks.
What to do if your child has lice
Parents are advised to keep their child at home until they have been treated for lice. Students may only return to school if they are “nit-free.” If your child has live lice, ensure that they avoid head-to-head contact with other children until the lice are gone. Children should not share combs, hairbrushes, caps, hats or hair ornaments. You should also check all family members for head lice. Be sensitive to your child’s feelings and let them know that having head lice does not mean they are not clean.
Head lice can be treated with the following approved insecticides:
· pyrethrin (found in R&C Shampoo + Conditioner)
· permethrin (Nix Creme Rinse or Kwellada-P Creme Rinse)
· lindane (Hexit Shampoo or PMS-Lindane Shampoo).
Scientists In School
On Friday, January 13, 2017 our class had a Scientists in School Workshop on Rocks and Minerals. We were divided into four groups. There were four different stations: Rock Identification, Mineral Identification, Fossils and Mining.
The first station was on fossils. We were shown fossils and pictures which we labeled on a timeline. We also cleaned the fossils with brushes. It was very exciting!
The second station was on Rock Identification. We looked at samples of rocks and answered questions to figure out the name of the rocks. We learned that rocks come in many colours. Some react to acid and some are magnetic.
The third station was on Mineral Identification. We were asked questions and tried to guess the name of the minerals. Some minerals are very pretty!
The fourth station was on mining. We matched raw materials to the finished product. We also mined chips from a cookie and learned there are many costs of mining such as permits, equipment, wages and environmental clean-up costs. My mining company made a profit of $10. This was my favourite station because we got to eat the cookie at the end!
I thought the Scientists in School Workshop was very interesting. Kathy was the Scientist and taught us many facts aboutrocks and minerals. Some grade 5 students and my Mom also helped us. I had a fun day learning about rocks and minerals! By: Jenny
Register today for Adult ESL or LINC classes
Do you know an adult that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life?
Through the Continuing & Adult Education department, the Peel District School Board offers a wide variety of English language classes that help parents experience success in Canadian English in both listening/speaking and reading/writing. Courses are designed for a range of basic, intermediate and advanced English (Levels 1 to 7) as well as the more experienced learner needing to prepare for an IELTS exam.
Winter courses begin February 6, 2017.
All learners that complete a session will earn a certificate of learning from the Peel District School Board.
Classes operate from six locations in Brampton and Mississauga with three specially designed adult centres at:
· Bramalea - Adult Education Centre - 25 Kings Cross Road, Unit 3
· Brampton - Adult Education Centre - #300 - 7700 Hurontario Street
· Mississauga - Adult Education Centre - 100 Elm Drive West, Room 117
To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000. Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation or follow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL
Closing Schools Due To Bad Weather
During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather.
Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio and television stations listed below 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.
VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9 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 CTV
CITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS
One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only):
Peel District School Board buses are cancelled.
This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require bussing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care 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 child care, 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.
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.
Health And Physical Education Curriculum Supports The Physical, Emotional And Social Well-Being Of Students
Working together to keep our students safe and healthy
The Peel District School Board implemented the Ministry of Education’s revised Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in the 2015-16 school year. The curriculum is divided into four elements that work together to support the physical, emotional and social well-being of students:
· active living
· movement competence
· living skills
· healthy living
Peel staff will again teach the human development and sexual health component to students, beginning spring 2017. This provides time for teachers to develop strong relationships with their students prior to this phase.