Journal

May 2020 Vol. 4 No. 9

3251 The Credit Woodlands, Mississauga, ON L5C 2J7 Telephone: (905) 279-7950 ● Fax: (905) 279-8098 ● Safe Arrival: 1 (855) 209-6155

Principal: Robert Stancu ● Vice-Principal: Miranda Murphy ● Office Manager: Cindy Knebel Superintendent: Darren Van Hooydonk ● Trustee: Robert Crocker

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Principal’s Message

Despite the current global pandemic, our Springfield students are actively engaging in online learning with our teachers. Many of our teachers have shared with me stories of how enthusiastically many of our children are participating in their online learning activities. The format of videoconferencing with students and groups of students is becoming more prevalent, and those teachers who have been utilizing it have reported to me that student enthusiasm and engagement in this format is quite strong. One of the approved digital platforms for student/teacher videoconferencing (or synchronous learning) is Google Meet, which is available within the Google Classroom. Some of our teachers have already taught some lessons “live” on Google Meet, with very positive results and high student engagement. This format of teaching and learning is new for all of us, so full implementation will take some time. Currently, Ontario schools are slated to remain closed until May 31. The Minister of Education plans to make an announcement in the second week of May regarding plans for Ontario schools in June. As soon as that information becomes available, we will share it with all of you.

Stay Safe and Healthy, Robert Stancu

Springfield Kindergarten

Registration is Online

We are still accepting registrations for Kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year. The registration process is currently happening online during our school closure. Please begin your registration process by visiting www.peelschools.org OR copying and pasting the following link in your browser: http://peelschools.org/parents/kindergarten/registration/Pages/default.aspx

What you will need for the registration process:

Proof of child's age

Canadian birth certificate

Canadian passport

citizenship card/certificate

Permanent Resident Card

confirmation of permanent residence

work permit

refugee permit Proof of address

Ontario driver's license

utility bill

bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution)

credit card statement

federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada documents)

purchase agreement Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated

Keep your Child Safe

on the Internet

Even without trying, children can come across materials on the internet that are obscene, disturbing, violent, hate-filled, racist or offensive in other ways. Here are some steps to help you ensure that your children use the internet as safely as possible:

make sure your children understand what sites are appropriate for them

keep the computer in a common area of the home like the kitchen or family room

discuss the meaning of an ‘unsafe’ site with your children

explain to your children what they should do if they reach an unsafe site

make exploring new websites a family activity

pay attention to the games your children may download or copy

look into software or online services that filter out offensive materials or sites It's important to review safety tips with children regularly. It is possible for children to meet unsafe strangers on the internet. Ensure your child knows the following rules:

never give out personal information (including name, address, phone number, age, school name or location)

never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online

never use bad language or send mean messages

never respond to e-mail messages that make them feel confused or uncomfortable

tell an adult immediately if something on the internet makes them feel uncomfortable

Using Social Media Safely With the growing number of social media sites, it is no surprise that social media is the most common form of communication for children and teenagers. Posts, status updates, comments, instant messages, video uploads, tweets and texts have become a regular part of their lives. While there are many positive benefits to using social media, including staying connected with friends and expressing your interests, students must be cautious in their use of these networks. Among the most popular social media platforms used are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and Whatsapp Messenger. Many of these platforms are free and are available on smartphones and other electronic devices. These platforms are easy to navigate and often allow information to be shared instantly, not only with friends, but with strangers. On social media, it is important to remember that the world is watching. Here are some tips, provided by the Canadian Safe School Network and GetSafeOnline.org, to keep your children safe and help them make smart choices when using social media:

Set some boundaries for your child before they get their first ‘connected device’ (mobile, tablet, laptop or games console). Once they have it, it can be more difficult to change the way they use it or the settings.

Have a conversation about what is appropriate online behaviour and what actions could have huge repercussions that could damage their reputation and be harmful to others.

Talk to your child about the kind of websites they look at. Encourage them to speak to you if they come across something they find worrying or upsetting on websites, games or social media.

Discuss with your child what is safe and appropriate to post and share online. Written comments, photos and videos all form part of their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by anyone and available on the internet forever, even if it is subsequently deleted.

Explain to your child that being online doesn’t give them anonymity or protection, and that they shouldn’t do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face. Users should only accept people they know in order to protect themselves from spammers, strangers and others who may be using social networking sites to commit crimes.

Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they think they do. Tell your children they must never email, chat, or text with strangers, and it’s never okay to meet a stranger in the real world.

Ensure your children set their privacy settings appropriately. Take the time to learn how privacy settings work on your children’s favourite sites, and teach them how to control their privacy.

Tell your children never to share personal and private information with anyone online. This includes, but is not limited to, his or her full name, age, birth date, address, phone number, social insurance number, credit card information and parents’ full names.

Limit the amount of time that your children spend on social media platforms and talk about the importance of healthy and appropriate use of technology.

From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

Many parents face difficulties getting their children back into regular sleep routines, especially after holiday breaks. Studies have shown that a lack of quality sleep in children can increase the likelihood of anxiety, depression, poor grades and school performance, and even physical pain. Research has proven that kids need a lot of sleep in order to function adequately during the day, and sleep deprived children often overcompensate for lack of sleep by becoming fidgety or even disruptive in school.

How much sleep does your child need every night? Children ages 5-8 need the most sleep, requiring about 10-11 hours every night. Children ages 9-12 need between 9.5-10 hours nightly. And teenagers 13-18 need between 8.5-9.5. Knowing how much sleep your child needs every night is key in establishing a proper bedtime. And it's important to remember that the above times aren't set in stone, but merely general approximations. Your child will have their own individual sleep needs, and you may need to fine-tune their bedtimes a little bit until you find your child less groggy and sleepy in the mornings, and more alert and aware.

Tips for getting your children on a regular sleep routine 1. Keep a regular bedtime schedule, including weekends.

2. Begin a relaxing bedtime routine such as baths, books, prayers, goodnights.

3. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime.

4. Bedrooms should be cool, quiet, dimly lit, comfortable and associated with sleep.

5. Limit caffeine and sugar intake after lunch and none within three hours before bed.

6. Make sure they eat healthy and have regular exercise.

7. Communicate with your children about why regular bedtimes are important.

8. Practice these tips yourself and set a good example.

For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel. Adapted from Alaska Sleep Clinic (2018)

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May 2020

Help Prevent the Spread of Covid-19.

Remember to practise Physical Distancing!