Administrators’ Message Cedarwood is buzzing with activities and experiences for deep learning for our students. There continue to be multiple opportunities for students to join extra-curricular activities, such as our junior basketball teams, primary choir and art-tech club, run by dedicated members of our staff. The grade 7 students and teachers are in the midst of creating a rich mural through the Artists-in-Residence program. The mural represents their recognition and appreciation for the land upon which our school was created. Our Student Leadership Council has been promoting many important focal points of learning for the entire school, building awareness around racial discrimination, the rights and contributions of women and bullying awareness. Our Healthy Schools team has been implementing their plan to promote a healthy lifestyle for the entire Cedarwood community. We are very pleased to see more and more students making a conscious effort to walk to school and to make healthier dietary choices. We’re moving in a positive direction indeed! In April, some of our intermediate students will be attending student leadership conferences presented by the York Region District School Board. This year, the focus of Our Voice: Take Action student-led conference is on looking at the relationship between mental health, bullying and well-being and how we can develop safe spaces in schools. The Together We’re Better student conference is focused on building students’ understanding around issues of equity and inclusivity. We are excited to have students attending both conferences and sharing their learning through action back here at Cedarwood. A planning committee of students, staff and community members is busy organizing our 10th Anniversary celebration which will be held on Wednesday, May 7 from 5-7 pm. Please save-the-date and come and enjoy the celebration of “10 Years of Awesome” at Cedarwood— the theme for this event! It’ll be a great opportunity for members of the Cedarwood community, past and present to come in and reconnect with another as you get a chance to see how our school has grown over the last 10 years. With the coming of Spring, there are many significant days that we recognize and value. Thanks to our staff, our showcase display highlights the students’ learning about Nowruz, Easter and Passover. Also, to all those who celebrate Vaisakhi, we would like to wish you and your families a very happy celebration! Mr. Paul Battler Ms. Fawzia Durrani Principal Vice– Principal

Cedarwood Public School 399 Elson Street, Markham, ON L3S 4R8 (905) 294-5756

April 2014 Paul Battler, Principal Fawzia Durrani, Vice Principal

Rashmi Swarup, Superintendent of Schools Juanita Nathan, Trustee

(905) 471–2553 (905) 940‐7800

School Website: www.cedarwood.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

School Council email: cedarwood.ps@yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Documents required for registration include: ♦Proof of child's age (birth certificate/passport) ♦Proof of residency (for child and parent/guardian) ♦Citizenship and immigration status (for child and parent/guardian where applicable) ♦Direction of school support form

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL PLANNING Our school organization and planning for the 2014-2015 school year has started! If you are moving out of the Cedarwood Public School area and will not be attending our school in September, please let the office know as soon as possible.

DROP-OFF REMINDERS We would like to thank our parents who drive their children to school for following proper drop-off procedures. There continues to be a few items that require some additional attention: ♦Vehicles should not be left unattended or parked in the Kiss ’n Ride drop-off loop during the morning entry, at lunch and during after school dismissal. ♦At all times, please be extra cautious of students who are walking to school.

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION For parents of students newly registered for Junior Kindergarten or new to Cedarwood for Senior Kindergarten in September, we will be hosting a Kindergarten Orientation evening to acquaint them with kindergarten pro-gram on May 21st, from 6:30 to 8:00pm.

GRADUATION On Tuesday, June 24th a graduation ceremony recognizing the achievements of our departing Grade 8 students will be held at the Middlefield Collegiate Institute. Our graduates are looking forward to a very special evening that will mark the end of elementary school and the beginning of the next phase in their education and in their lives. Further details will be shared with students and families as they become available.

EQAO (Grade 3 & 6 Assessment) EQAO assessment dates for Grade 3 & 6 students will take place at the end of May and in the first week of June. If your child is in Grade 3 or 6, please ensure your s/he is at school during the assessments.

BOOK FAIR - For the Love of Reading During the first week of May, we will be holding a Book Fair. Students will have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair and select from a wide variety of texts to add to their personal reading collection.

REMINDER Spring is here! We remind parents to ensure their children are dressed ap-propriately for the wet spring weather. Extra socks in your child’s school bag is always a good idea as well as splash pants or rain pants.

SCHOOL WEBSITE Visit the Cedarwood website for more information about our school, special events, School Council Meeting and teacher links. http://cedarwood.ps.yrdsb.ca

SUMMER INSTITUTE For more information, go to yrdsb.ca > Programs & Initiatives > Summer Programs > Summer Institute

Kindergarten’s Trip to the Community Safety Village! During the month of March, the Kindergarten students had the opportunity to visit the York Region Community Village located at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park. During our visit, the students learned about water safety, reasons to call 911 and the role police officers and fire fighters play in our lives. The students were able to sit in a police car, visit a pretend jail and wear their own fire fighter uniforms. It was a wonderful experience!

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is held annually on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements. March is also the month where we highlight the trait of respect. To us, respect means a world in which women and girls can work openly for their

rightful place in society. So, we take this time to honour the con-tributions women and girls have made and continue to make – both in Canada and around the world. We created a bulletin board dis-play to recognize girls who have created positive change. It teaches us that we may be young, but we can make a difference. Written by: Student Leadership Council

Character Matters Theme for April is RESPONSIBILITY

Ms. Kassabian / Ms Husain Annaya I, Maulik R, Harsha V, Pai P. Ms. Mawhinney / Ms. Thakur

Lathush V, Zainab W, Harissha R, Gerajini N, Jessan Antony J.

Ms. Prashar ‐ Gomes / Ms. Aruna Momin S, Thusaa S, Rabia A, Humam S, Neerujaan J. Mr. Chen / Ms.Visvalingam Sujith S, Sijal K, Varshana S. Ms. Abichandani / Ms. Patel Abisha J, Erin L, Sheema S, Serena Z. Ms. Persaud / Ms. Abbasi Maahi P, Yasiywini S, Abinaya K, Dua S, Rojeen K, Farwa F,

Ms. Balasubramanium Samiksha S, Shamrutha T, Sammaya S,

Ms. Ganeshan Roshan S, Fatima H, Raghangi G.

Ms. Syed Akshayan S, Shruti L, Mahnoor W, Jeremy P, Ruksan N.

Ms. Pagliaro Suhas S, Janani R.

Ms. Colabawalla Raghavi N, Haley P, Pirabeena G.

Ms. Park Farwa R, Alamdar M, Jenani E.

Ms Singh Marmar T, Animika R, Raafay A,

Ms. Doboz Rohan B, Isra H, Naaz K, Rehan S.

MS. Parsons Khurram A, Thiviyan S, Anjali P.

Ms. Kutty Aaryan B, Abinash R, Aswina S, Sukaina R.

Mr. Nana Navalan P, Hisham S, Sriram P, Ahalya R.

Ms. Irani Ragul G, Rushi P, Sahil R.

Ms. McDonald Rayyan A, Dilan J, Ruthushan R, Omar T.

Ms. Hamawi Nerjhaa S, Tisha P, Sruthy B, Ashveen K.

Mr. Sasaki Aaron M, Tyler T, Shana S, Sukena Z.

Ms. Yeung Archana S, Mathushan R, Abina C.

Ms. Bhatt Kavi G, Abishake A, Sujaney R, Reishaan K, Rida A.

Ms. Anderson Barruni B, Sharangan C, Jason C.

Ms. Lazarevski Ashwin R, Yusra F, Sakina F,Magilnan T.

Ms. Szatmari Amar G, Charmella G, Nithan R.

Mr. Malo Maheen K, Gerthan S.

Ms. Domingo Dilan J, Shomiyaa K, Haryshake A.

Ms. Gulamali Shreya P, Abdullah I.

Ms. Karnad‐Jani Lavan S, Mithusa S, Harashdeep M.

Ms. Kim Celina H.

Ms. Nedanis Sakeesan B.

Ms. Jean‐ Philippe Sana G, Arun H, Dharini M, Nicole K, Nandini P, Gurmanajeet B, Fahad A, Shakthyveena M, Karthika R,Shana S, Esther M, Anujan N.

Lear

Tuesday,

May 13th,

2014

6:30 p.m. –

8:00 p.m.

Armadale

Public School

Register Early! Space is limited!!

Supporting Our Children’s Success in School

LearnhowDifferentiatedInstruction

andTechnologycanhelpeverychild

succeedacademically.

Lightrefreshmentswillbeserved.

Childcarewillbeprovidedforchildrenaged3–12.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecallShebaJoshuaat

905‐472‐4050ext.241

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Pleasedetachthissectionandreturntoyourchild’sschool

byMay6th.

IwouldliketoattendthesessiononMay13that

ArmadalePublicSchool.

Name:___________________________

PhoneNumber:________________________

Email:______________________________

Ineedchildcareforchildrenages_________________________

Youwillbecontactedtoconfirmyourspot.

The York Region District School Board’s Parent Symposium will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Representatives from the Cedarwood School Council will be attending the workshops that evening. Ms. Karnad-Jani and Ms. Cola-bawalla, teachers from Cedarwood Public School are facilitating a workshop on Par-ent Engagement at this Sympo-sium as well.

NEW!!! Follow us on

Twitter @CedarwoodPS

Cedarwood Public School Website http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/cedarwood.ps/Pages/default.aspx

Take a look at our refreshed school website. You will find valuable information about our school website, including upcoming events and School Council news.

June 26th, 2014—Early Dismissal in Elementary Schools All students have received a copy of the 2013‐14 Learning Calendar. Please note that on Thursday, June 26th, 2014 an early release day will take place to allow elementary teachers and support staff to partici‐pate in activities in the afternoon of that day in support of student achievement and school planning. Students will attend school during the morning of Thursday, June 26th, 2014 only. Students will be dis‐missed at 11:00 am. IF students normally take the school bus home, buses will pick up at 11:00 on this day. More details will follow closer to the date.

Su

n

Mo

n

Tu

e

We

d

Th

u

Fri

S

at

1 Sc

ient

ists-

in-t

he-

Sch

ool

2 M

s. K

utty

’s C

lass

Sw

imm

ing

3 4

Ms.

Par

son’

s C

lass

Sw

imm

ing

5

6 7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14 ♦

Vais

akhi

15

♦Pe

sach

16

17

18

♦G

ood

Fri

day

(N

o Sc

hool

)

19

20

East

er S

und

ay

21 ♦

Rid

van

(

No

Scho

ol)

22 P

C4L

Ass

embl

ies

RESP

ON

SIBI

LITY

Ea

rth D

ay C

lean

-Up

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Ced

arw

ood

Pub

lic

Sch

ool

Tel:

(90

5) 2

94 5

756

Fax

: (90

5) 2

94 3

453

Web

: w

ww

.ced

arw

ood.

ps.y

rdsb

.edu

.on.

ca

Em

ail:

ced

arw

ood.

ps@

yrds

b.ed

u.on

.ca

ap

ril

2

014

Jum

p R

ope

& H

oops

for

H

eart

Ass

embl

y A

.M.

BU

LL

YIN

G P

RE

VE

NT

ION

WE

EK

/ JU

MP

RO

PE

& H

OO

PS

FO

R H

EA

RT

WE

EK

Not

e: A

ful

l cal

enda

r is

on

our

new

web

site

and

is

upda

ted

regu

larl

y fo

r yo

ur

conv

enie

nce.

READING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND

EMERGING READERS 10 Ways to Make Reading Fun: 1. Point out words that are all around you—on cereal boxes, street signs, maps,

posters, books. 2. Let your children choose books themselves. 3. Subscribe to a magazine for your child (in print or online). 4. Read with drama—use different voices, make puppets, act out the story. 5. Give clues about a mystery word you are thinking about. Choose a word related to something you and your child have done together. 6. Make cards to play matching games—match letters and words to pictures. Play board games that include making words and reading the words on a card. 7. Finger-paint words or letters. Spell words with alphabet cereal. Make and bake words to eat. 8. Encourage relatives and friends to give books as gifts. 9. Play memory games. Place objects on the floor, and ask your child to look at them for a minute and then cover them. Ask your child to name as many items as possible from memory. 10. Read all kinds of texts—stories, poems, information books, posters, magazines, newspaper articles and comics. Literacy Resources for Parents

Encyclopedia Britannica is an on-line encyclopedia, and a valuable tool for doing research and for reading non-fiction text. Students can choose from a variety of reading levels, and have the informa-tion read to them. There are tools for completing research projects, and links to other websites relevant to a specific topic.

http://school.eb.com

BookFlix pairs classic fictional video storybooks from Weston Woods with non-fiction eBooks from Scholastic to rein-force reading skills and develop essen-tial real-world knowledge and understanding. For Kindergarten to Grade 3.

http://www.scholastic.ca/education/bookflix_ontario/

The username and password is the same for both sites. username: dsbyork password: dsby7692