Rick Williams, Trustee

Patrika Daws,

Superintendent

Sunita Joshi, Principal

May 2019 Newsletter 3700 DUNRANKIN DRIVE

MISSISSAUGA, ON, L4T 1V9

Telephone: 905-677-2202

Trustee: Susan Benjamin

Superintendent: Patrika Daws

Principal: Sunita Joshi

Vice Principal: Kathryn Bray

Office Manager: Dil Anderson

Dunrankin Drive Public School

Follow us on Twitter

@DunrankinPS

Visit our website at: http://

peelschools.org/1108/Pages/

default.aspx

The Month of April brought a variety of learning activities for our staff, students and parents.

At Dunrankin Drive, we recognized “Day of Pink” on April 10th. Students were engaged in age

appropriate activities. We celebrated 2 spirit days, which always helps us to strengthen

Dunrankin’s spirit.

We also kicked off staff, students and parents’ wellness week on April 29th. Thanks to parent

volunteers for making this week successful. We also organized a kick off assembly for Jump

Rope for Heart on April 12th, so our school will be involved in fundraising for this

organization.

A group of our students performed at Lincoln during our Family of Schools "Celebration of

Arts" on Monday April 11th. It was a proud moment for all of us. Thanks to all those students

and Ms. Salmon for making this event possible.

We are looking forward to the exciting months of May and June. In the month of May, we are

organizing exciting Dances for our grades 4 and 5 students. Our EML parents’ night is sched-

uled on May 1st at 5 pm. It is Asian Heritage Month. We will keep you posted with more

information on all these upcoming events. Stay tuned!

Thank You all for working together to ensure success for our students.

Principal’s Message

Math Fair May 1 5-6 pm

Lifetouch Gr. 5

Graduation Group Photo

Rescheduled from May 1 to

June 3

Mother’s Day

Celebration May 10

Look Hear Co. visit May 21

Kindergarten “Start with a

Smile” May 23

Gr. 3 EQAO May 28, 29

and 30

Dunrankin Family

Barbeque June 20

Gr. 5 Graduation June 26

Kindergarten

Graduation June 24

Upcoming Events

Time for school - A parent’s guide to reporting school absences

All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our automated School Messenger SafeArrival system.

Use one of the following methods to set-up your new SafeArrival account. Please ensure the number and email address that you are using to report your child’s absences are those that we have on file

at the school.

SchoolMessenger app (free from Apple or Google Play)

Download the SchoolMessenger app

Tap Sign Up to create your account

Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.ca

Go to the above website

Click Sign Up to create your account

Interactive Toll-free Phone

Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155

Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence

Please report your child’s absence before 8:30 a.m.

As always, please report your child’s absences before the start of the school day. Late arrivals and/or early departures should be reported as soon as possible. If your child’s absence is not reported in advance, the automated notification system will contact you and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence. By reporting your child absent in advance on the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or SchoolMessenger mobile app, you will not receive a call. As always, if you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the school.

How to report absences when School Messenger is experiencing technical issues

Recently before the Winter break, the SafeArrival system, provided by School Messenger, experienced problems reporting absences through the App and website. While School Messenger works diligently to fix any technical issues, parents/guardians are reminded that absences can al-ways be reported by calling the School Messenger toll-free number 1-855-209-6155 even when the App and website are inaccessible.

Dunrankin Drive PS Community Connections

Parents Welcome on Monday March 4th and Monday April 1st for Breakfast and Chat. Join us on May 6

for conversation with the Vice Principal between 9—10 a.m. Then…….

Join us for our Thursday Conversation Circles at the same time and place.

In the month of May we will be focusing on:

May 2: Asian Heritage Month—Why Equity is Important

May 9: Empowering Modern Learners

May 16: Health, Physical Education and Well-being

May 23: Understanding EQAO

May 30: Keeping your child safe on the Internet

In the Month of June we will be focusing on:

June 6: Malton Recreation Center—Resources for Summer Holidays

June 13: Understanding Special Education

*Going forward we will be trying to match our focusses on what you, our parents, are interested in learning

more about to help you better support your children with school

The Three R’s: Raising

Responsible, Respectful,

Resilient Children

Parents have a common bond, children. Many of us want to raise happy children who are responsible, re-spectful and resilient. This course is designed to assist you with creating more satisfying, productive rela-tionships with your children. The following topics will be covered: Understanding your child’s behaviour Communicating effectively Supporting your child’s development Speaking the language of encouragement

May 4, 2019 – June 1, 2019 (Saturdays, 4 Weeks – no class May18th for Victoria Day Weekend)

9:30am – 1:30pm

Family Education Centre, 4 Sir Lou Drive, Brampton

Call 905-452-0332 or visit www.familyedcentre.org to register

Family Education Centre Main Office:

4 Sir Lou Drive, Suite 104

Brampton, ON L6Y 4J7

Phone: 905-452-0332 Fax: 905-452-0717 E-mail: info@familyedcentre.org

Peel schools honour police officers during Police Appreciation Week The Peel District School Board will pay tribute to police officers by holding Police Appreciation Week from May 13 to 17, 2019. Peel students and staff will show their appreciation for the tremendous job being done by police to protect schools, homes and communities. Police Appreciation Week co-incides with National Police Week. National Police Week pays tribute to the work of police officers across Canada. During this week, students, staff and parents in schools throughout Brampton, Cale-don and Mississauga will honour the work of police officers and thank them for enhancing public safety and security.

Next year, 2019-2020, we will be changing the structure of our school day to a more balanced one, with nutrition breaks. Please see chart below for changes.

Some suggested benefits of nutrition breaks are:

Fewer behaviour problems

More uninterrupted instructional time with fewer transitions

Greater task completion for both students and educators

Improved student concentration and energy levels

2018—2019 (This school year) 2019-2020

(Next school year beginning September 2019)

Dunrankin Drive puts the spotlight on Asian Heritage

In December 2001, the Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially des-ignate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

Throughout May, students, staff and parents from across Peel will participate in a number of activi-ties that promote the understanding of the many contributions made by Asian Canadians.

Here is a list of Asian Heritage Month events happening at Dunrankin Drive:

Showcase in front foyer

Bulletin Board’s celebrating different Asian countries

Asian Heritage Assembly Friday May 24th

May 15 – Celebrate Peel IT Support Staff and

Media Support Services Appreciation Day

This year, the Peel District School Board will recognize the contributions of its IT support staff and media support services on May 15, 2019. The Peel board appreciates the important work of these individuals to ensure that innovative, reliable and adaptable solutions are available to support stu-dent success through equitable access to technology. We thank them for providing quality service and for supporting students and staff every day.

What is an IEP?

Education is full of acronyms and IEP is one of many that a parent/guardian of a child receiving spe-cial education support will encounter.

An IEP is an Individual Education Plan. Developed at the beginning of the school year, it lays out the accommodations and modifications to the regular curriculum that help your child learn and be suc-cessful. No formal identification is needed but you, the parent/guardian should be involved in the development as you provide valuable input. It can be overwhelming so there are pamphlets, webpages, and Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) representatives who can help you understand and make informed contributions.

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. Let's thank the professionals who help our children with their speech and language challenges.

For more information, please visit www.peelschools.org/parents/specialed/iep

We Welcome the World Centres

The Peel District School Board’s We Welcome the World Centres located in Brampton, Malton and

Mississauga, are the first point of contact for all newcomer families to become familiar with the educational system in Peel. The centres are open all year—including the summer months— from

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to providing literacy and numeracy assessments, the We Welcome the World Centres provide newcomers with a host of services including: reception, orientation, interpretation and re-ferrals.

At each centre, parents/guardians and students will discover:

Settlement service information

Age and grade appropriate educational and related program resources

Information about various community supports

Translation of materials to support the reception and assessment process

Computer portals—providing information on Peel resources

For more information about the We Welcome the World Centre and the services they provide, call 905-366-8791.

Register today for Adult ESL or LINC classes

Do you know an adult who 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 adult learners 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 8) as well as the more experienced learner needing to prepare for an IELTS exam.

Classes are ongoing - Register anytime.

All learners who complete a session will earn a certificate of learning from the Peel District School Board. Certificates of completion at Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 and greater can be sub-mitted as proof of language proficiency for Canadian Citizenship applications.

Classes operate from six locations in Brampton and Mississauga with three specially designed adult centres at:

Bramalea - Adult Education Centre – Bramalea Secondary School, 510 Balmoral Dr, Brampton,

Door #33

Brampton - Adult Education Centre - #300 - 7700 Hurontario Street, Brampton

Mississauga - Adult Education Centre - 100 Elm Drive West, Mississauga, Room 117

To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000, then press 2

Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation or follow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL

Celebrating and Promoting Children’s Mental Health

Children’s Mental Health Week is happening May 5-11 in Ontario. It’s a time to focus on the important ways we can promote and nurture the mental health and well-being of our children.

Mental Health: A State Of Well-Being

Did you know that we ALL have mental health? It is more than just the absence of illness. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community (World Health Or-ganization). Indigenous teaching reminds us that mental wellness is a balance of the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional parts of ourselves and is enriched when individuals experience purpose, hope, belonging and meaning in their lives (First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework). A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health when it comes to success at school, in friendships and in life.

Here are some key tips and strategies to nurture your child’s mental health and resilience from your PDSB Mental Health Resource Team:

Safe, responsive relationships between adults and children is our greatest tool for promoting positive develop-ment and mental health in youth. When a child has consistent, caring adults in their life both at home and in the community, when they know they are loved and valued no matter what, and have someone trusted they can turn to when a problem arises, their resilience is bolstered.

Listen and validate feelings. Encourage children to talk about their thoughts and feelings, and show lots of love and acceptance. Keep the conversation flowing by asking open-ended questions and spending quality time together at mealtimes and by participating together in activities your child enjoys.

Help Your Child Develop a Positive Sense of Self. A child’s self-perception is linked with their mental health. Help them set realistic goals; praise them for effort as well as achievement by providing genuine, realistic praise. Foster positive connections with their cultural or faith community. A child with high self-esteem believes they are a good person, understands their positive qualities and strives for a successful, happy life.

Model and Teach Healthy Ways to Manage Stress. While it’s important to try to protect your child from over-whelming or toxic stress, not all stress is bad. In fact, some stress helps us motivate and prepare us to perform our best, and there is bound to be some stress after a disagreement with friends or being cut from a sports team. Give your child the tools they need to cope with stress and big feelings in a healthy way: establish healthy habits includ-ing exercise, getting enough sleep and proper nutrition; practicing gratitude and deep breathing, journaling or talk-ing with a trusted adult are just a few examples.

Notice Changes and Reach Out for Help. If you notice signs that your child feels sad or overly anxious about nor-mal situations like going to school or meeting new people, take note. A change in mood or behaviour that lasts more than two weeks, impacting social problems, academic issues or family problems could be sign of a mental health concern. Keep the lines of communication open with your child’s teacher and other caring adults in their life to discuss observations. Remember, there is no age too early for a child or family to see a mental health pro-vider; in fact, it might benefit the whole family by providing resources and support to caregivers who may be struggling, too.

Where Can I Get Help?

At school, your child can reach out to their teacher, coach, guidance teacher or school administrator as a starting point, to talk about their mental health. Every PDSB school is also assigned Social Work and Psychology staff to provide consultation and direct service to students, and assist students and families to get connected to helpful resources in the community.

In the community, visit www.WhereToStart.ca to access mental health services for children and youth in Peel. For a quick guide to mental health resources, visit bit.ly/PeelYouthResources.

For more tips on building mental health and resilience, visit bit.ly/ResiliencyTips

For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel.

Adapted from Caring for Kids (2019) and Very Well Family (2018).

LOOK HEAR Co.

Hearing & vision Screening Services Since 1995 Tel: 519-853-0554

Take advantage of this opportunity! A hearing and vision technician from LOOK HEAR Co. will be visiting Dunrankin Drive PS on Friday May 21st. Although eye examinations are covered by OHIP annually, while they are in the school they will be happy to screen your child’s vision for no additional fee when included with a hearing screening for $15.00. The screening fee of $15.00 will apply to vision screening on its own. This is a convenient and easy way to have your child’s vi-sion and hearing tested. It is recommended that all school chil-dren have their vision and hearing tested every year to ensure there have been no changes to either that would hinder their learning.

Watch for the purple forms that will be sent home. Please complete and return to the school.

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 com-munication 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 de-vices. 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 repercus-

sions 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 for-ever, 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 com-

mit 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.