Eastbourne Drive News

702 Balmoral Drive

Brampton, ON, L6T 1X3

Tel : (905) 792-2264

Fax : (905) 792-8486

November-December 2015 Principal: Stephanie Casey

Vice Principal: Amtul Ejaz

Superintendent: Michael Logue (905) 451-2862 Ext. 4230

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER: Dear Eastbourne Parent(s) / Guardians,

Everyone at Eastbourne is excited about the tentative agreements which have been reached by the various unions, associations and government. We are all enjoying returning to regular routines. As our Director Education, Tony Pontes, points out in his letter to school communities posted on school websites, activities will slowly return as soon as teachers, custodians and office administrative staff resume routines. Some annual school events, such as Education Week, Picture with Santa Day, Family Math Night, Jungle Gym, etc. may happen as usual and some may look a little different this year. Your patience and understanding as we navigated through the uncertainties presented during the labour sanctions have been very much appreciated. As we return to regular routines, we look forward to making this school year an exciting educational experience with you as partners in your child’s education.

Parent Teacher Interview Night:

I would like to thank all parents who attended our Parent Teacher Interviews in November. It was a great success and as educators, we value your commitment to your child’s learning.

Picture with Santa Day:

Ho-Ho-Ho-Santa is coming to Eastbourne on December 9th and will stay with us the entire day

and your child will have an opportunity to get his/her picture taken with Santa.

Progress Reports:

Progress reports will be sent on December 14th. Now is a good time to connect with teacher

about the progress of your child/children if you have not done so already. I know it is challenging to focus on learning goals when the Winter break is just around the corner, but it is essential for the success of our students that they are engaged and focused on their learning goals.

School Council Elections:

We will be holding an election for the school council on December the 14th

from 6:00pm to 6:30pm at the library. Please come out if you would like to nominate yourself for the chair, the trustee, or the secretary position.

Holiday Food Drive:

As we draw close to the end of another year, it is time for us to think about those in our community who are in need. In keeping with our tradition of supporting families in our community, Eastbourne will once again be running Holiday Food Drive. We appreciate your support and look forward to another year of Holiday giving!

(905) 792-2264

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In this Issue: Physed News Winter Bus safety Bus Cancellation &

Closing Schools due to Bad Weather

Bullying Awareness

Parent’s Guide to School

Attendance Special Technology

Offers Parent’s Resources December

Calendar

Eastbourne is going skating again this

winter! All students in grades 1-5 will be

going skating at Earnscliffe Recreation

Center in January and February. All

students are encouraged to participate in

this program. New skates

MUST be sharpened before

first use. We recommend a helmet

for safety. Bicycle helmets are not

suitable for this activity.

Physed News

School will resume on January 4, 2016.

Classes will be held as scheduled.

The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter months.

Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.

Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening.

Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow and ice.

Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on wet or icy steps or road surfaces.

Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm.

Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus.

Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street.

Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice and get hurt.

On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:

When possible, wait with your child for the bus.

Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or another trusted adult.

Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what a "safe" stranger is.

Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has someone to wait with for the bus.

Winter bus safety

Help your family stay warm this winter

Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing

hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:

Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an extra hat at school.

Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body. Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners, carry an

extra pair to replace damp ones or take an extra pair of socks. Invest in thick socks to keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of mittens to school, on outings, etc.

Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activities.

Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to hypothermia.

If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive sweating caused from an extreme change in temperature increases the risk of developing hypothermia.

Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins. A balanced diet will also help keep you warm and healthy in the winter.

If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.

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 busing 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.

Bus Cancellation & Closing Schools Due to Bad Weather

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week of Nov. 16 to 22, 2015.

This year, we ask the Peel community to #ChooseAction to Change the World. The Peel board would like to hear about the big and small actions, the pledges, the promises and the attitudes that our Peel community value, and ask that you take a moment to share your #ChooseAction moments on social media.

Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught to:

define bullying

identify forms of bullying

identify the shifting roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who bullies, the target, the bystander or the trusted advocate

determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying & harassment

understand that bullying is a relationship problem with relationship solutions

determine positive ways to interact with others in an accepting, inclusive way demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school communities

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting Schools Act, that came into effect on Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, visit: www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying/ or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.

Choose Action on

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Saadia Khalil, School Settlement Worker from Brampton Multicultural Community Centre (BMC) is at

your school to help provide youth, parents and your grandparents FREE services and information.

Services for ADULTS:

Employment, Learning English, Bridging gaps between parents and school, Education information regarding your children, Second career, Housing and social assistance, Immigration & Citizenship, your free local community resources and much more…

Services available for SENIORS:

Assisting with PR card application, CPP/Disability application, English Conversation Circle, Social Assistance, Healthy Eating, and much more…

Services for YOUTH (Students):

Information on Ontario School System and Graduation requirements, Bridging gaps between students and teachers, Volunteer Opportunities, Employment Opportunities, Post-Secondary Information, Scholarship Information, After school help and much more… Your Settlement Worker speaks English, Urdu, Hindi, Pashto and Punjabi and can also make arrangements for assistance in other languages.

For more information, Contact Saadia Khalil

Phone: 647-302-0278

Email: Saadia.khalil@bmccentre.org

School Availability: Thursday 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

You have a Settlement Worker in your School!

Elementary school is a wonderful time in the life of a child, a time of great strides in learning and in social and emotional development. Many things affect your child’s success, from the quality of his or her teachers, to the makeup of the class. One of the most important factors is your child’s regular and timely attendance.

Getting to class on time, and avoiding absences, are critical if your child is to get the most out of school. It seems obvious. But the fact is that elementary students tend to miss and average of eight or more school days during the year. What can you as a parent do to help ensure your child’s proper attendance?

Is your child missing more? Why does attendance matter? First, understand that getting to school–every day and on time–matters at every level, perhaps even more so in elementary school. That’s because important learning occurs daily, right from the start of class. And because you establish patterns early on. By being punctual and responsible, children are acquiring positive habits about school attendance. Some other things to consider:

By being late, children miss important social time with their peers before school begins.

Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

Late arrivals can disrupt the routine of the classroom.

A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get her to school in the wrong frame of mind.

Missing even five or 10 minutes of the day can make it harder for the student to understand the material being taught.

Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and knowledge base, cause the child to fall behind his peers and hurt his self-esteem.

Too many missed school days can increase isolation, as the child stands out from her classmates and misses opportunities to develop socially.

Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good rapport with the teachers.

When Time is Ticking

Few homes run like clockwork. The morning routine, especially, can be a mad scramble. But there are effective strategies for getting your little one up and out the door on time.

Get your child to bed at a reasonable hour.

Set realistic and consistent schedules and rules at home. Getting ready for school should be part of the child’s overall routine, something that’s expected of him every day.

The night before school, do whatever is necessary to shave time in the morning, such as setting out clothes, packing lunch, and setting schoolbags at the door.

Have a set morning routine that the child can easily follow, i.e washing hands and face, going to the bathroom, dressing, making the bed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast.

Avoid any distractions that can slow the child down, like TV or games.

If you’re running late regularly, set your alarm to get up earlier.

Time for school A parent’s guide to regular school attendance

Is it a sick day? Children do get sick sometimes – they are still developing natural resistance to certain infections, their hygiene behaviours are still developing and germs spread more easily in a classroom. So some missed school is unavoidable, for the child’s own well-being, and the protection of her classmates. But there are ways to cut down on sick days.

Teach your child about proper handwashing, after going to the bathroom, playing outside or wiping his nose.

Follow other healthy habits, from eating nutritious food to getting enough sleep.

Some symptoms make school attendance uncomfortable, like a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. But if you’re unsure whether your child is sick enough to miss school, talk to your doctor.

Some children pretend to be sick to avoid school. Ask yourself is the child’s symptoms are vague, (i.e. a headache, upset stomach, fatigue), if your child tends to miraculously recover just after school starts or ends, or if the illness is happening during stressful times at school or at home. Allowing your child to remain home when there’s no real illness sets a bad pattern.

If you decide to keep your child home, inform the school and keep the child in bed or doing quiet, low-key activities. A day off from school shouldn’t be a holiday, it should be a time to recuperate from illness, so the child can return as soon as possible.

Set the right example Children follow the lead of their parents. If you place an importance on regular and prompt school attendance, so will your child.

Show interest in your child’s education by asking about the school day, celebrating school successes, attending school events and parent-teacher interviews, volunteering at school, and communicating with your child’s teacher. The more you value school, the more your child will.

Provide a home environment that encourages learning and curiosity.

Treat the school hours with respect. If you have to make an appointment for your child, arrange it before or after school or, if that’s not possible, at the very beginning or end of the day.

When it comes to planning family trips, some parents will factor in the schedule in the higher grades, but think little of pulling their child out of school. If anything, younger students can be affected more when they miss an extended period, finding it tough to relearn classroom routines and rejoin their peer group. Learning is cumulative, building on the skills and concepts that were introduced before. And this process is ongoing. Family trips can be wonderful learning experiences themselves. But if they must occur during the school year, please save them for scheduled breaks.

If your child resists going to school, for no apparent reason, talk to him or her about any possible problems with the school, teacher or other kids. However, don’t give in to coaxing, pleading or threatening and keep the child at home. That creates a bad precedent.

Need more information? If you have any questions regarding any of the issues raised here about lateness or attendance, or if you’re looking for other tips on getting your child to school, please talk to us. By working together, we can help support a more successful school experience for your child. Visit our website at www.peelschools.org.

Does your child need a computer or tablet for school? Equity of access to technology is a key priority for the Peel board. That's why we've worked with a number of technology companies to offer discounted devices to Peel families and staff.

Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) offers low-cost, quality refurbished computers to families with a low-income. Qualified applicants can purchase:

desktop for $60

laptop for $150

Prices include software, a two-year warranty and tax. For more information, contact RCT directly, call 905-795-0627 or visit their website at www.rcto.ca.

Peel families now have access to the following exclusive offers from VIG Solutions: Intel Dual Core, 2GB, 160GB computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor -- $110 10-inch netbook with 1GB ram, 160GB hard drive, Wi-Fi capability and Windows 7 -- $60. Taxes and shipping will be applied to product costs, and all items come with a six-month warranty. To purchase products, visit www.refurbitstock.ca/peel and enter peelregion before proceeding.

Microsoft

Microsoft offers reduced pricing on select products. For more information, visit http://pdsb.me/1X2RtMF.

The Peel board’s initiatives are part of the ongoing effort to create greater equity of access to technology for Peel students, parents and staff and do not represent an endorsement of any company or product. For all BYOD information, visit www.peelschools.org/aboutus/21stcentury/byod.

Special technology offers

for Peel board students, parents and staff

Parent resources help you support your child’s learning

At the Peel board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each child. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout his or her entire school experience.

Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to

parents. There you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web

pages on a number of different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and

mental health.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Day 3

2 Day 4

Pizza Day

3 Day 5 4 Day 1

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6 7 Day 2

Look Hear Screening

8 Day 3

Look Hear Screening

9 Day 4

Pizza Day

Santa’s Visit

10 Day 5

11 Day 1

12

13

14 Day 2

Progress reports sent home

15 Day 3

16 Day 4

Pizza Day

17 Day 5

Last Day – Food Drive

18 Day 1

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W

22

I N

23

T

24

E R

25

Christmas Day

26

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December 2015

Eastbourne Drive Public School

702 Balmoral Drive