York Region District School Board

Principal

Ms. Angelina Faraone

Vice Principal

Mrs. Julia De Rose

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Clayton LaTouche

(905) 764-6830

Trustee

Mrs. Anna De Bartolo

60 Wellington Street West

Aurora, Ontario L4G 3H2

(905) 727-0022

Summer Institute 2016 2

WPS Dress Code 2

Character Matters 2

Safe Arrival 2

Education Week 2

Kindergarten Registration 2

Student Busing Eligibility 3

Grade 8 Graduation 3

Mental Health Week 3

Fight the Bite 3

EQAO Dates 4

Are You Moving? 4

Positive Parenting Tip 4

Monthly Eco Tip 4

Lost and Found 4

What’s Up at WPS? 4

PFLC News 5

May Calendar 5

Inside this issue:

From the Office May 2016

THE WOODBRIDGE WINDOW

Woodbridge Public School

60 Burwick Avenue, Woodbridge Ontario L4L 1J7

Tel: (905) 851-0102 Fax: (905) 851-4707

Email: woodbridge.ps@yrdsb.ca

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The vision of the YRDSB is to be a leader in public education by empowering all students to become engaged and caring citizens of the world. The world our students are growing up in is ever-changing; it is fast paced and more than ever, we experience rapidly chang-ing technologies that necessitate a different set of skills in order to be contributing mem-bers of a global and changing society. Modern learning is defined as authentic, relevant, deep learning that enables learners to create, to connect, to communicate, to share their learning with the world and be future ready (YRDSB). Our challenge as educators is to ensure that daily our classrooms reflect a growth mindset so that our students are ready for whatever their future brings. In order to promote a growth mindset, we must consider innovative practices and teaching so as to develop character and resiliency as well as a

sense of community.

Deep Learning speaks to innovative and personalized teaching that allows for flexible structures and experiential learning so that students see the relevance in what they are doing and are engaged in authentic tasks. Pedagogy and teaching should be enhanced by technology. It is essential that students learn in a way that encourages collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and communication. To this end, WPS teaching staff has recently participated in TED ED professional development to help us find different ways of

engaging learners.

As we prepare for the end of this school year and the beginning of the next academic year, teachers will soon begin the process of organizing classes for September. Parents, if you have information about your child that you would like us to consider, that you feel would help facilitate this process, please send a note to me no later than May 27th. At this time we are finalizing our staffing and our organization. We are partners in your

child’s education and value your input.

Finally, Mother’s Day is around the corner. To all of our mothers, grandmothers and care-givers we wish you much happiness and thank you. It takes strong women to make

strong children.

Angelina Faraone Julia De Rose Principal Vice Principal

Next P.A. Day:

Friday, May 6, 2016

Victoria Day Holiday:

Monday, May 23, 2016

Page 2 Woodbridge Public School

WPS Dress Code

Warmer weather has arrived! We would like to remind students of the appropriate clothing to

be worn at school during the warmer weather months.

Students are expected to dress in neat, clean clothing appro-priate for a school environment. Midriffs will remain covered at all times, and tank tops or tops with thin straps (less than 3 fingers in width) are not permitted. Shorts need to be at least finger tip length determined when arm hangs down at side. Offensive language or graphics on clothing, as well as cloth-ing referring to alcohol, drugs, smoking or sex is unaccept-

able.

Students should continue to wear comfortable closed-toe shoes (e.g. running shoes) while at school. Wearing flip flops

or open-toed sandals is deemed to be a safety issue.

We would also like to remind students that, as a sign of respect, all head gear (except for religious purposes) is to be

removed before entering the school building.

Summer Institute at Woodbridge P.S.

The York Region District School Board’s Summer Institute is

a program that offers academic, recreational and athletic

programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario

Curriculum for children and youth entering Senior Kinder-

garten to Grade 8.

Summer Institute will once again be offered at Woodbridge

Public School, from July 4, 2016 to August 12, 2016.

Programs run weekly from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with extended

YMCA before and aftercare programs available.

Program and registration information is now available on the

YRDSB website, www.yrdsb.ca. To access Summer Institute

information, click on the Summer Program icon on the

YRDSB homepage. Completed applications may

be dropped off at the school office.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration has begun for the 2016-17

school year. Registration forms are available from

the school office and on YRDSB’s website,

www.yrdsb.ca.

Children who turn four or five years old during 2016,

live within the school boundary and whose parents

are public school tax supporters will be eligible to

register for kindergarten. A kindergarten informa-

tion session for parents will be held on Thursday,

May 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit the YRDSB web-

site or contact our school office at (905) 851-0102.

Character Matters

The Character Trait for May is Perseverance.

“We stick to a goal and work hard even in the face of

obstacles and challenges. We complete all tasks and

assignments.” (YRDSB)

Safe Arrival and SchoolConnects

Thank you for making SchoolConnects a great

success! Please remember to report your child’s

absence before 8:55 a.m. on the day of the absence.

Parents may dial the toll free number, 1-855-203-

2994, or go online at yorkrdsb.schoolconnects.com

to report their child’s absence. SchoolConnects safe

arrival program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week.

Education Week

Education Week takes place during the first full

week in May. It is an annual event celebrated by

schools and school boards across Ontario. It is

a time for students, teachers and parents to

celebrate teaching excellence and student

achievement.

We have planned a variety of activities in which

the students will participate, including a Morning

DPA Groove-A-Thon, as well as a “Tinkerbowl”

in the Library where students will have the

opportunity to work together to design and engi-

neer buildings, mazes, and machines!

Student Busing Eligibility

Did you know that students’ busing eligibility changes throughout

their school career? Your son/daughter’s eligibility to ride the

school bus may change according to their grade and distance

from home to school. Below are the provisions for eligibility identi-

fied in the Board’s Transportation Policy #680:

-All YRDSB students in Grades JK-3 who live within 1.2 km of

their school are not eligible for Board-provided transportation

-All YRDSB students in Grades 4-8 who live within 1.6 km of

their school are not eligible for Board-provided transportation

-All YRDSB students in Grades 9-12 who live within a public

transit served area are not eligible for Board-provided transpor-

tation.

To view Board Policy #680 Student Transportation, please visit

www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca. For more information about bus transporta-

tion and to determine your child’s eligibility please visit

www.schoolbuscity.com.

Mental Health Week May 2-6, 2016 Just Notice, Listen, Connect

In Ontario, it is estimated that one in every five children in a typical classroom will be dealing with some type of mental health difficulty. Mental health issues are more common than people realize. The YRDSB’s Just Notice, Listen, Connect Mental Health Awareness Campaign is a tool to support our ongoing

efforts at stigma reduction. We all have mental health.

Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect all of us. Keeping mentally fit helps us to manage the challenges of everyday life. When adults and children are not mentally well, everyday activi-ties such as getting up for work or school, doing things with others, completing schoolwork, homework, housework or having

fun with your family can seem overwhelming.

There is no single factor that causes mental illness; however, understanding the signs can be helpful to get help early and avoid more significant problems. It is never too early to learn how to recognize the signs of mental health problems and indicators

of stress that can contribute to mental health problems.

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, take your child to see a family physician or pediatrician or have your child seen by a mental health professional, like a psychologist, social

worker, or psychiatrist.

Adapted from the Mental Illness and Mental Health Awareness web page,

YRDSB

Page 3 Woodbridge Public School

Grade 8 Graduation

The Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony will take place on

Monday, June 27, 2016 at the Woodbridge Banquet

and Convention Centre, 4000 Steeles Ave. W.,

Woodbridge, ON. Further details will follow.

Page 4 Woodbridge Public School

Positive Parenting TIP

There are many benefits for our mental health and well being by getting outside and connecting with na-ture. These experiences can help us to lead happier, healthier and more creative lives! Now is the perfect time to explore the community and beyond. The many signs of the joys of Spring are all around us!

“According to a David Suzuki Foundation

survey, if youth spend time outside when

they’re young, they’re 20 per cent more

likely to take part in outdoor programs or

to explore nature on their own when

they’re older.”

For more information, please go to: http://getbackoutside.ca

EQAO Administrative Dates

Between May 25, 2016 and June 8, 2016 students in Grade 3 and Grade 6 will be taking part in the provincial Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division (Grades 1–3) and Junior Division (Grades 4-6).

This assessment is administered to all Grade 3 and Grade 6 students in Ontario’s publicly funded school system by the Education Quality and Accountability Of-fice (EQAO), an independent agency of the Government of Ontario. While the exact dates for the administration of Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division and Junior Division have yet to be final-ized for the school, we would kindly ask that you avoid planning appointments, vacations or breaks that may make your child absent during this two week period.

We thank you for your support.

Are You Moving?

We are now planning for our staff and students for next school

year.

If you will be moving out of the school attendance area before

September, please inform the school office.

Lost and Found

Please remind your children to check the “Lost and

Found” boxes for misplaced hats, boots, shoes, sweat-

ers and coats.

Labelling clothing with your child’s name is always a

good idea. Any found items like rings, keys, watches and

valuables are held in the office.

Unclaimed articles from the Lost and Found

boxes are donated to a local organization

on a regular basis.

What’s Up at WPS?

For the most current information on what is happening at Woodbridge Public School, please visit our school website, www.yrdsb.ca/schools/woodbridge.ps. From the WPS home page you will have access to our

blog, monthly newsletters, tweets by @Woodbridge_PS, School Cash Online, Career Cruising, and much more!

Page 5 Woodbridge Public School

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5

MS Carnation Sale

Dress Loud Day

6

PA Day (no school for students)

7

8

Mother’s

Day

9

10 11

Badminton Tournament

@ Maple H.S.

12

Gr. 5 Students to YMCA

Cedar Glen Outdoor Cen-

tre

13 Movie Night

3:30-5:30 p.m.

14

15 16

17

Gr. 1 Community Walk

Gr.4 & 5 students to

Cold Creek Conserva-

tion Area (a.m.)

18

19

Welcome to Kindergarten

Night @ 6:00 p.m.

20

21

22 23

Victoria Day

Holiday

(school closed)

24

Swim to Survive (p.m.)

Gr. 3 students

Stavrakis/Thomson

25 Special Needs

Track and Field Meet@

Stoufville

Swim to Survive (p.m.)

Gr. 3students

Stavrakis/Thomson

26

Swim to Survive (p.m.)

Gr. 3 students

Stavrakis/Thomson

27

Spring Dinner Dance at

Veneto Centre @ 6:30

p.m.

28

29 30

31

“Surviving High

School” seminar for gr.

8 students (a.m.)

Swim to Survive (p.m.)

Gr. 3 Tsirlis/Thomson

May 2016

News from the Woodbridge Parenting and Family Literacy Centre

Parent Worker: Samina Mohiuddin Snacks are provided for the children

No cost or registration required Open every school day from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.