Supervision Begins at 8:45Entry at 8:50

Lunch at 12:00 Dismissal at 3:00

  UPCOMING EVENTSJan. 30/31 Badminton Tournament at

Allan A. Middle School

Feb 1-3 Albion Hills Trip with Grade 6 Students

Feb 3 ATP Applications and USB are due for current Gr. 5s

Indoor Soccer Tournament for Feeder Schools (all day)

Feb 8 Grade 7/8 Students Attend Spotlight on Black Heritage

Feb 9 Grade 6 Students Attend Spotlight on Black Heritage

Feb 9 First Term Reports Go Home Today

Feb 14 Dental Screening for Gr.8 and Valentine’s Day Dance in p.m. with choices(more info. to follow)

Feb. 15 Dental Screening for Gr.8

Feb 15 Jerk Chicken For Sale for Lunch

Feb 16 Winter Village Day(Snow Valley; Skating; Winter Activities and Art electives)

Feb 17 PL Day-No School for Students

Feb 20 FAMILY DAY-No School

FEB 23 Parents Reaching Out Grant-“Homework Help for Students in Grades 7/8” 6:30-7:30 please bring your child with you; Refreshments available

Morning Star Middle SchoolJanuary/February Newsletter

3131 Morning Star DriveMississauga, ON L4T1X3

Phone: 905-677-0300 Fax: 905-677- 1320

Student Absence Line: 1-855-209-6155

Principal: Ms. P. BondettVice Principal: Mrs. M. FrancisOffice Manager: Ms. J. IeraciOffice Assistant: Ms. M. MercuriSuperintendent of Education: Mrs. P. DawsSchool Trustee: Mr. R. WilliamsSettlement Worker: Ms. N. DhamiC: 647-838-9101 T: 905-677-6270

 

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The month of January passed with terrific momentum and the return from the Winter Break saw many changes for Morning Star Middle School. We welcomed Ms Francis, our new Vice-Principal as she began her assignment with great enthusiasm and energy. We wished Ms Antoine well in her new assignment as a centrally-assigned SERT and welcomed Ms Bains as the LTO supporting Grade 7 and 8 students in their classes as well as providing specialized reading support. Ms Sayed began her Instructional Coach role for the Daws Superintendency and Ms Crennian assumed her Literacy and Numeracy coaching role at MS. Ms Crennian remains in the Grade 7 ATP with Mr. Bunting and is joined by Ms Ruddock for the remainder of the school year who will also remain the Homeroom Teacher for a Grade 8 class. Field trips as extensions to the school curriculum are an integral part of MS and our Grade 6 ATP students went to the Aga Khan Museum and participated in a great learning experience that they built upon back at school. We also met with a full cafeteria of interested Grade 5 families from around Peel as they attended the Arts and Technology Program Information Evening. Please share with relatives or neighbours that the deadline for online applications and dropping off the USB devices with student portfolios is due this Friday February 3, 2017.

Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow from Grade 6 had a parent evening to learn more about the trip to Albion Hills Conservation Area; we are excited for our students as this is an overnight experience for our students. We also had our second School Council meeting and great suggestions and observations were shared; please join us for the next meeting on March 29th when our school trustee Rick Williams joins us from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sixty students went to view the McMichael Collection in Kleinburg in the Art program and had an enhanced opportunity to experience the various styles of artists’ displays. Our Grade 6, 7 and 8 classes attended the Hershey Centre and demonstrated great audience behaviour while watching the 905 Raptors compete. We are strongly advising students to leave devices and money at home during any field trips and their focus and attention has been

Reflections From the Office

 News from GuidanceHappy New Year!  What an opportune time to explore growth mindset.  Growth mindset is a concept that encourages us to believe that we can do anything. It's that mind shift  from "I cannot do it" to "I cannot do it yet, but I know I will get there." Students have been exploring growth mindset in social skills classes and are encouraged to continue to do so throughout the year. HPE UpdateThe 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. To get more information on how the HPE curriculum will be taught, please visit our website at www.peelschools.org/HPE.

School Success Update: Staff at MS are being provided with professional development around Numeracy while reflecting upon student work. Problem solving and communicating thinking continue to be our focus. Later this month Grade 7 and 8 teachers will be working with Grade 9 teachers from Lincoln to explore the transition from Middle School to Secondary and how to attain the necessary skills to be successful. Teachers also have the opportunity to meet with the Instructional Technology Coach to learn more about apps and the Google suite for use in their teaching.

Counting On You and OFIP After School Programs:The after school homework and Numeracy support for Grade 7 and 8 students has resumed and students are attending from 3:15 to 4:45 every Tuesday and Thursday. It is very important that they attend regularly as there are other students on the wait list that would benefit greatly and take their spot. After school help for Grade 6s will begin on Monday February 6th and occur every Monday and Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:00 for selected students. Attendance is expected to be regular and students will lose their spot if they are not attending each session. All after school support is taught by teachers from Morning Star.

Student Identification cards and Lanyards:All students have been provided with their lanyards and student identification cards and they are expected to wear them each day they come to school. This provides for all staff getting to know the students and ensures safety within the school. Please encourage your child to have them daily with their student handbook which should be coming to school daily. Thanks for your support as we assist your children with becoming more responsible for their learning materials. Indoor shoes are required during the winter months; outdoor footwear cannot be worn in classes or the library.

ATP UpdateArts and Technology Program Application Process (For Students Starting Grade 6 in Sept. 2017)

Morning Star has an exciting and innovative Arts and Technology regional program which students who are currently in grade 5 can apply for. If you have a child who is starting grade 6 in September of 2017, you may apply for this program. Please note the application timelines:Application Period: January 13 to February 3, 2017 Participation component of the application: March 2, 2017Offers accepted: April 19, 2017Second round offers: April 21, 2017Waitlist closes: June 29,2017

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This Month’s Character Trait Is…

Inclusive  Definition: Treating everyone fairly and equitably

You show INCLUSIVENESS when you:

~Welcome and engage others. ~Treat everyone with respect and dignity. ~Approach situations free of prejudice. ~Reach out to others in a fair and equitable manner.~Respect differences.

School Council Any questions please direct to

Ms Bondett (905)677-0300. Next Meeting: Wednesday March 29,

6:30-7:30 p.m.  

Parents and Caregivers:

The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual Parent Numeracy Conference on Saturday, April 1 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mississauga Secondary School. All Peel board parents are invited to attend this free conference to learn tips to help boost your child’s learning.

Parents must register to attend. Registration opens Feb. 1 at www.peelschools.org/parents/conference

LUNCHROOM SUPERVISORS NEEDED!

Who can be a lunchroom supervisor? What qualifications do you need? 

We're looking for lunchroom supervisors who have…  experience working with children the ability to ensure the safety and security of students the ability to communicate with staff, students and parents the willingness to work with students with different needs and capabilities the ability to work with students with different cultural and language backgrounds the ability to work as a team player a proven record of attendance and punctuality demonstrated commitment to working in a diverse school community and/or work environment an up to date Criminal Reference Check

What will lunchroom supervisors do?

As a lunchroom supervisor, you'll ensure the safety and security of students by providing supervision in the cafeteria and outside for a total of one hour each day.

What are the benefits of being a lunchroom supervisor? As a lunchroom supervisor, you will earn $13.50 an hour plus 4% vacation pay.

How can you apply?Drop in to the front office for more details!

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Morning Star Middle School Puts the Spotlight on Black Heritage

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.

During Black History 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. Here is a list of events happening at MSMS…

Activity Date of the Activity

Announcements – Members of PC8 will present a different fact pertaining to black heritage each day

Feb 1 – 28 – Daily

Morning Music – As the students enter the building

Feb 1 - 28 - Daily

Staff Resources – To be shared online with staff to support classroom programs

Feb 1 – 28 - Ongoing

BHM Art – To be displayed at the CBO

Feb 1 – Feb 28

Funky ‘Patty’ Fridays – KP8/KH8 sells patties at the cage for a small cost

Feb 3, 10, 24, and March 3rd

Spotlight on Black Heritage for grades 7 – 12 (9 students attending)

Feb 8

Spotlight on Black Heritage for grades 2 – 6 (4 students attending)

Feb 9

Special Lunch for Students – Jerk Chicken lunch to be sold in the cage for a small cost

Feb 15

Special Staff Lunch – Pot luck – bring in a dish that you share with your family or from your culture

Feb 24

A Heritage Minute – Students from Grade 6, 7, 8 ATP will create a Heritage Minute to be viewed on the announcements

Week of Feb 20th

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BHM Village Day – Details to be announced

Mar 3

What’s Happening in the MSMS Classrooms ?

Grade 8 ATP Interact Club donate undergarments to Our Place Peel Emergency

Youth Shelter, Transitional Program

Winter in Canada is not easy to manage without proper clothing and gear. We understand that jackets, hats, mittens, boots, etc are usually among the winter time donations. Undergarments and not that common. The Grade 8 ATP Interact Club was able to donate undergarments and socks through their Holiday Undergarment Drive to the Peel Youth Emergency Shelter. Thank you for your generous contribution.

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Grade 8 ATP students collaborate with EnvironFocus Inc. to help start the Youth and the 3Rs School Program in S-Tee International Secondary School in Festac Town, Nigeria

The Youth and the 3Rs School Program was inaugurated in Nigeria   on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at S-TEE International Secondary School, Festac Town, Lagos State, Nigeria. The Youth and 3Rs School Program is an innovative stewardship program run under Sustainable Waste Recycling Community of Nigeria (SWRC Nigeria) – an initiative of EnvironFocus Incorporated.The Grade 8 ATP Students participated via Skype. Students supported the program by sharing their research, and creating presentations regarding sustainability and the importance of the 3Rs- Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. Students also made a donation of $300.00 to help with the promotion of reusable bags.For details, check out:

https://environfocus.com/environbuzz/

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