This week at Oscar Peterson P.S.

♦ Farooq Shabbar, Principal ♦ Vivienne Baines, Vice Principal ♦ Shawn Bredin, Superintendent of Schools (905) 895-5155 ♦ Loralea Carruthers, Trustee (905) 953-0562 ♦ OPPS Phone: (905) 642-1236 Fax: (905) 642-5938 ♦ Website: http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/oscarpeterson.ps

~ Printed copies of the weekly newsletter available in the office ~

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS

Tuesday, March 6th 6:30-7:30 pm (School Council Meeting to follow immediately after; all welcome to stay and attend)

The workshop is intended to educate parents/caregivers on mental health awareness, positive mental health and stigma reduction. Parents/caregivers will learn about what positive mental health is and how it is different from mental illness. The information covered will help parents learn how to support their children at home and how to increase resiliency and coping strategies. A Public Health Nurse will lead the discussion over the course of an hour. Parents/caregivers will have an opportunity to engage in discussions and ask questions as they learn about positive mental health. Topics covered within the workshop are:

• Understanding the difference of mental health and mental illness

• Adolescent Brain development

• How stress response affects the teen brain

• How to maintain positive mental health

• Signs of not coping

• Positive coping strategies

• Mental health resources available in the community

SIGNING STUDENTS OUT OF SCHOOL

When a student leaves school early (i.e. Illness, medical appointment, etc.) a parent/ guardian must come into the school and sign out their child in the yellow book.

Older students can sign themselves out only if the office receives verbal or written permission from a parent. Students who sign themselves out could call the office to tell us when they have arrived home safely (i.e. an intermediate student who gets permission to leave school early and walk home alone because they are sick).

Students who regularly walk home alone for lunch must follow proper sign out procedures daily and get parent permission if they are not returning in the afternoon.

When students who regularly go to the YMCA make alternate arrangements they must inform the YMCA and the teacher or office. YMCA students who are picked up early should sign out in the yellow book in the office.

Thank you!

SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Intermediate Girls came in 2nd place in Tier 2 at the basketball tournament this week, winning 3 out of 4 of their games. Congratulations!

ROBOTICS WINS!

The junior robotics team won silver and the intermediate robotics team won bronze at the York Region Skills Competition. Congratulations to both teams!

LUNCH LADY

Due to popular demand, the Lunch Lady will also be providing lunches on Thursdays as well as Tuesdays, starting after March Break. Please see attached flyer for information.

LEGO DONATIONS PLEASE

Our Oscar Peterson Library has a new LEGO WALL! Come check it out when you can. We are also looking for any donations of Lego that may be unused at home or need a new home! Thank you in advance!

Contribute to Strategic Planning at YRDSB - Upcoming Town Halls

York Region District School Board is re-visioning its Multi-Year Plan (MYP) and Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-being. The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic direction of public education in York Region public schools. The MYP incorporates the direction established by the Trustees with feedback received from all stakeholders, and will inform decision making at the Board in the years to come. Town halls will be taking place across the region and feedback collected from families and community members will inform the creation of a new MYP. Your voice is important and your input and feedback will help York Region District School Board support student achievement and well-being. There will also be other opportunities, including a survey available in April, to share your thoughts if you are unable to attend a town hall.

Save the Date!

TOWN HALL DATES AND TIMES LOCATIONS

Monday, April 16, 2018

7 - 9 p.m.

Keswick High School

100 Biscayne Blvd., Keswick

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

6 - 9 p.m.

Markville Secondary School

1000 Carlton Rd., Markham

Sunday, April 22, 2018

2 - 4 p.m.

Sir William Mulock Secondary School

705 Columbus Way, Newmarket

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Maple High School

50 Springside Rd., Maple

Saturday, April 28, 2018

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Bayview Secondary School

10077 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill

Summer Institute Looking for summer learning and fun activities for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8? Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum. The program runs for six weeks during July and August. It is offered at 11 school sites around York Region. For more information on dates, programs and locations, please visit the Summer Institute page on www.yrdsb.ca. Registration opens March 7. Families can now register online, as well as in person or by mail.

Base Registration Weekly Fees:

York Region District School Board students: $105 (4 day weeks) $120 (5 day weeks)

Non- York Region District School Board students: $130 (4 day weeks) $155 (5 day weeks)

Increased Absenteeism Due to Illness in York Region Schools

York Region Public Health has noticed an increase in school absenteeism due to illness. When York Region Public Health receives reports of increased absenteeism, we support the affected schools by providing infection prevention and control measures as well as monitoring of absences in collaboration with the school.

Many viruses are active at this time of year in the community, including enteric viruses (like norovirus) and respiratory viruses (like influenza, commonly known as the flu.) Preventative measures can help reduce the spread of illness in the community.

Norovirus The most common symptoms of norovirus illness are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The illness often begins suddenly, about 24 to 48 hours after exposure, and the infected person may become very sick with frequent vomiting and/or diarrhea. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults.

To lower the spread of norovirus within our communities: • Anyone experiencing symptoms should continue to stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop • Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers and

before preparing, handling and eating food • Remove and wash clothes and linens that may be contaminated with vomit or feces • Keep sick individuals out of areas where food is being handled or prepared • Anyone who is sick should not handle or prepare food for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop • Take precautions to protect yourself when cleaning up vomit and diarrhea, refer to: Information for

Parents

Influenza Norovirus is not related to influenza, or “the flu”. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus which commonly starts circulating during the late fall and continues into spring.

Symptoms of the flu may include:

• sudden onset of headache • chills • cough • sore throat • runny nose

• fever • loss of appetite • muscle aches • fatigue

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur in children. Most people recover from the flu within a week to 10 days. People aged 65 years or older, pregnant women and individuals with chronic health conditions may be at greater risk of becoming ill and developing severe health problems such as pneumonia.

Young children and influenza Children under five years of age, especially those younger than two years of age, are at high risk of flu-related complications. These complications include pneumonia, encephalopathy (inflammation of the

brain), ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of medical problems like asthma or heart disease. In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death.

How to protect against the flu 1. Get vaccinated – The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu. Studies show the flu vaccine can prevent 70 to 90 per cent of illness in healthy adults and children. York Region Public Health recommends everyone six months and older get the flu shot. It’s not too late to get vaccinated.

Flu shots are available at:

• Physicians’ offices, for people six months of age and older • Pharmacies, for people five years of age and older • York Region Public Health clinics, for people three years of age and older

Visit ontario.ca/flu to find where you can get the flu shot. For more information about flu vaccines contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.

2. How can you reduce the chances of getting the flu?

• Keep sick children home from school or child care • Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water. If soap and water are

unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Choose an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains between 60% and 90% alcohol

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue out immediately

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth • Avoid people who are ill and stay home when you are sick • Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected. To learn more about preventing spread

of illness in school and home, visit york.ca/infectionprevention

How does the flu spread? The flu spreads through the air from coughing and sneezing. It also spreads through direct contact with surfaces, door knobs, unwashed hands, or objects such as toys and eating utensils that have been contaminated by the influenza virus.

A person with flu may be able to infect other people one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick.

For more information, visit york.ca/flu

Cleaning comes first

• Cleaning is the physical removal of visible dirt and organic matter.

• There are three steps to the cleaning process: wash, rinse, and dry.

• Wash with soap, water and friction, Rinse with water, and Dry by air or with a clean towel.

• All three steps must be done properly, prior to disinfecting.

Disinfecting is the second step

• Disinfecting is a process that destroys most micro-organisms that can cause diseases.

• Disinfectants are chemicals used for the process of disinfecting. To work properly, disinfectants must be applied to a clean surface, at the proper strength/concentration for the required contact time.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s directions. These will provide information on proper mixing directions and required contact time.

• Look for “disinfect”, “disinfection” or “kills viruses and bacteria” claims on the product label.

Ensure surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles, light switches and faucets, along with toilet seats and washrooms are routinely cleaned and disinfected.

Take precautions to protect yourself when Cleaning Up Vomit and Diarrhea

• To reduce the risk of spreading illness, it is important to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as rubber/ disposable gloves, an apron and a mask when cleaning up vomit and diarrhea.

• Consider purchasing PPE if you do not already have it at home.

• Soak up the vomit/diarrhea with paper towels and discard the contents into a garbage bag.

• Clean area with soap and water. Rinse the soap off and then dry the area.

• Disinfect the area with a disinfectant for the recommended contact time.

• Wipe up excess disinfectant after the contact time has been achieved and discard paper towel.

• Discard any used, disposable PPE into the garbage.

• Wash hands properly with soap and water.

• If the PPE is reusable equipment such as rubber gloves and cloth aprons, ensure they are properly cleaned and disinfected or properly laundered after use.

• Always wash hands after the clean-up.

It is important to teach your child about infection prevention and control practices, such as proper hand hygiene and the appropriate way to sneeze and cough into sleeve or a tissue, so they can help to stop the spread of illness.

If your child is ill, please keep them at home.

For more information on infection prevention and control, visit york.ca/infectionprevention

TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS: PLEASE READ

February 8th, 2018

Dear OPPS Families,

As many of you are aware, recently there was a tragedy at a Toronto school that took the life of a 5-year old girl in a school drop off zone. There have been follow-up stories in newspapers and on the radio that highlight the unsafe behavior of drivers in and around school zones. We are always grateful to the many Oscar Peterson PS families who drive with added caution and care when they are dropping off or picking up their children. Unfortunately, we also see impatient and unsafe driving on a daily basis and as a result, we want to remind everyone of the importance of following the rules of the road to ensure student safety.

In January, the Toronto Star published an article entitled, “Stop Driving Children to School: It Could be a Lifesaver”. The article sites unsafe driving behaviors including cars crowding into school-bus only zones, performing U-turns in traffic, pulling in and out of parking lots and spots without looking, and dropping kids off in the middle of the road or on the wrong side of the road; all things we see at OPPS every day. The article asks parents to stop driving their kids to school, or to park a few blocks away and walk from there. It also recommends leaving the house a few minutes earlier so that you aren’t rushing. We recognize that the Kiss And Ride can be congested, however, if everyone can try to be focused, courteous drivers, it will mean that all of our children arrive and leave school safely. If you are interested in learning more about the safety issues in drop zones, please visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/the-risks-of-school-drop-off-zones-1.4490886

Drop Off and Pick Up Reminders:

• If you must drive your son or daughter to school, we ask that you use the KISS AND RIDE only. Enter the KISS AND RIDE at the parking lot entrance on Sandiford Drive. Wait, and pull up as far as possible and allow your child to get out of your car safely. Staff are supervising from 8:35-8:50, and are able to escort Kindergarten Students to their play area. The driver should remain in the car at all times.

• The parking lot on the east side of the school is for daycare only. Cars are not permitted to enter and exit between 8:35-8:50 and 3:20-3:35. Please do not park in the main parking lot before or after school in order to pick up your child.

• The bus loop at the front of the school is for bus drop off and pick up only. Cars are not permitted to enter the loop before or after school. This is also a fire route.

• There should be no parking on Hoover Park Drive in front of the school at drop off and pick up times.

• Supervision at OPPS begins at 8:35 a.m. Please drop off your children after this time. The kiss and ride is far less congested at 8:35 than it is at 8:50.

• DO NOT turn around in private driveways or make U-turns on Hoover Park Drive.

• DO NOT pull out from the curb without indicating as well as checking your blind spot

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep OPPS safe.

DOGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

While we welcome your dogs on leashes walking with you to drop off and pick up students, we ask that you kindly keep them off of the playground and away from other students as some students have fears, allergies, etc.

WINTER WEATHER As you know, our students are provided with recess from 10:30‐11:00 a.m. and 12:40‐1:40 p.m. (lunch). Part of this break time is allocated for exercise in the fresh air. It is important to the health and well‐being of each student that they exercise and have outdoor activity. Students need to come to school dressed to play outside during recesses (hats, gloves/mittens, snow pants, boots, etc.). It is advisable for children to bring extra pants and socks in case they get wet, and to ensure they have indoor shoes at school. Being physically active during winter is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. The office staff keeps a close eye on weather conditions, including wind chill. When conditions necessitate, students will remain inside for recess, and/or reduced outdoor recesses may take place. If a student is well enough to attend school, then he/she will be expected to go outside for recess. We ask that parents be sensitive to the demands placed on our secretaries and not call the school to inquire about indoor recess, and that parents send their children dressed for outdoor play and ensure that students have all of the necessary clothes before coming to school to minimize interruptions in the office and to classrooms. We strive to balance winter fun and student safety, yet must always err on the side of safety. For this reason, we need your support reminding students that snow must stay on the ground. Students are not permitted to throw or kick snow or ice at each other, and are not to play on icy patches. We do encourage students to express their creativity by building snow structures/people/statues/animals, and enjoy the winter weather in a manner that keeps everyone safe.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Every Tuesday morning at 8:35 am - 8:50 am, just outside of the staff room. Students enter doors by the YMCA and exit through the Primary doors. All students are welcome to come and grab a healthy snack.

Upcoming…

March 2nd-20th: The Baha’i Fast

March 6th: Mental Health Awareness Presentation 6:30pm Library

March 6th: School Council Meeting (following presentation) 7:30 pm Library

March 7th: Subway Lunch (if ordered)

March 9th: Pizza Lunch (if ordered)

March 12th-16th: March Break (no school for students)

March 14th: Sikh New Year’s Day

March 17th: Ghambar Hamapasthmaedem

905-713-2535 FAX: 905-713-2533

Web site: www.schoolbuscity.com

School Bus Cancellation Notice To ensure the safety of students, school bus service may be cancelled due to inclement weather, extreme temperatures and/or poor road conditions. In these cases, parents and students should develop alternate care/transportation arrangements. Cancellation decisions will only be made after thorough consultation with the Safety Officers of school bus companies servicing York Region and are based on several factors including precipitation, air temperature, road conditions and weather forecast. Please note the following;

• A decision to cancel school bus service will be region-wide meaning all school buses, vans and taxis will not operate.

• School bus routes may be cancelled when severe weather may not be affecting all municipalities in York Region. Both the YRDSB and YCDSB operate many regional educational programs. Students attending these programs are transported over large attendance areas encompassing several municipal boundaries. This limits the ability to cancel bus service using a municipality or zone methodology.

• When bus service is cancelled all school tests and/or examinations will be cancelled and rescheduled.

• Student trips involving the use of school buses will also be cancelled. • Unless otherwise stated, schools will remain open and parents can make arrangements

to transport their children to and from school even if school bus service is cancelled. If buses are cancelled in the morning, they will not operate in the afternoon. Therefore students transported to school by parents will require the same transportation home.

Parents, students and school staff are asked to access the following radio and television stations after 6:00 a.m. to receive bus cancellation information: RADIO 590 AM 640 AM 680 AM 860 AM 1010 AM 1050 AM 1540 AM 1580 AM 88.5 FM 89.9 FM 92.5 FM 93.1 FM 94.9 FM 95.9 FM 97.3 FM 98.1 FM 99.1 FM 99.9 FM 101.1 FM 102.1 FM 104.5 FM 100.7 FM 105.9 107.1 FM TELEVISION CITY TV CTV Barrie CTV Toronto CP24 GLOBAL NEWS A bus cancellation message will also be available at www.schoolbuscity.com and by calling 1-877-330-3001, or by following @YRDSB and @YCDSB on twitter

ME TO WE – MILK BAG COLLECTION

The students at Oscar Peterson are encouraged to bring in clean, washed milk bags that will be made into mats by the students at SDSS. Please see the mat in the front foyer. Let's help the environment, our students at SDSS, and individuals in need around the world. Milk Bags can be deposited into the box in the office.