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 ~

WELCOME TO OSCAR PETERSON PS!

Several months ago, we discussed creating a welcome sign that students, parents and visitors would see when they entered our school. The idea was to say “Welcome” in many different languages including all the languages represented by our students’ families. Ms. Eng volunteered to do some mock ups and decided on painting the different languages on the earth as a background. We selected a student from each grade and got together one morning in April to paint multicultural students on separate canvases. Ms. Eng was impressed with their talent and enthusiasm for the project. Lastly, Ms. Eng created a canvas that highlights our Board’s views on equity and inclusivity. When the paintings were revealed on Wellness Night, we saw several families looking for “Welcome” in their own language. How exciting!

ATHLETICS MEET

On Wednesday, May 16th, the students from Mr. Ferguson’s and Mrs. Bell's Community Classes traveled to the Stouffville arena to participate in the Students of Differing Abilities- Athletics and Activities Meet 2018. Students participated in events such as standing long jump, precision toss, obstacle course, ball toss, running, parachute games, bubbles, and Just Dance. The weather was amazing and everyone had a terrific time at the event.

Here We Grow Again!

The Garden Club has begun! We are working hard to set up our trees for a successful

growing season, and to prepare our garden beds for planting. Good work, gardeners!

JUNIOR-INTERMEDIATE ARTS NIGHT

SAVE THE DATE!

Junior/Intermediate Arts Night: Thursday May 24th, 6:30p.m.

Please join us in celebrating the Arts at Oscar Peterson on May 24th! A sneak peak of some of

the performances include: The Intermediate Band, Junior Dance Team, Jazz-Week Dance

electives, Grade 4 Bucket Drumming, Intermediate Drumming Group, Grade 4 dances, Grade 5

vocal performances, and small performance ensembles from various grades. All are welcome

to attend and we hope to see you there!

Oscar Peterson is an Allergy-Aware School

In collaboration with staff and School Council, we would like to remind everyone of our allergy-awareness policy

Any school celebration or class party that features a food component will be organized by the classroom teachers

and school staff. Staff will have the responsibility for providing the food (and may ask for a donation of money to

support the event) or will explicitly direct students on what packaged, labelled items to bring in (no home-

prepared food items). Packaged and labelled fruit and vegetables may be brought to school, however any

preparation/cutting of fruit/vegetables will be done at school. Families should wait for direction from the teacher

before sending in items for a class party or celebration.

Celebrations, or in-class activities, that involve the preparation/cooking of food will have the preparations done at

school under the direction of school staff, using only packaged/labelled ingredients purchased or inspected by

school staff. This may be, but is not limited to, curriculum-based food preparation and cultural celebrations.

On an on-going basis, we will communicate with the Oscar Peterson community about policies and procedures. As

needs arise, we will communicate directly with families when unsafe items are sent to school to ensure

understanding. Unsafe items will be sent back home. We ask that families make us aware of food restrictions due

to such things as life-threatening anaphylactic allergies, medical and/or cultural concerns.

Parent/Family Expectations

-we ask that parents/guardians/families do not send students in with any products that contain peanuts or nuts

-we ask that the needs of individual classrooms are respected where students have other food allergies such as

eggs, dairy, sesame seeds, seafood, etc. Classroom teachers will communicate with families regarding concerns

-families are not to send in food/treats to share with classmates unless under the direction from the teacher

-please ensure that whoever is preparing/packing lunches is aware of what foods are not acceptable at school, and

that food labels are read for any products you are unsure about

Student Expectations

-we ask that students be knowledgeable about their own safety/dietary needs as a first strategy

-students are expected to wear prescribed epi-pens at all times

-all students are not to share lunch items/food with anyone

-immediately notify an adult if they see a food that they believe contains an allergen, including anything in their

own lunch

MOVING? REGISTERING?

The staffing process for the 2017-2018 school year is well underway. As part of this planning process, it is essential that you communicate with your child’s teacher and the office if you plan to move, resulting in a possible change of school. Staffing of schools is based on specific numbers of students expected to attend. This includes students registering for Kindergarten. As a result, if you are aware of a family friend and/or neighbour that resides in our enrolment area, please encourage them to register at Oscar Peterson for the Full Day Every Day Kindergarten Program as soon as possible.

EQAO

For those parents with children in grades 3 and/or 6, please note that your child will be participating in the grade 3 and 6 standards based assessment, known as EQAO. This year students will be participating in the assessment between May 22 to June 1. Please ensure that you don’t book any family holidays and/or medical appointments during this time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school. As many parents and educators are aware, EQAO assessments are used in schools to plan for continuous student improvement in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy. The school-based results assist in developing goals for improvement by targeting areas in the curriculum which may require additional focus.

CLASS PLACEMENTS 2018-2019

As we create our classes for next year, our staff will make every effort to place students in the

best learning environment for each student to be successful. We take into account individual

needs, academic achievement, emotional and social development, number of boys and girls in

each class, and work habits. If parents would like to provide input into this process for their

child(ren), we ask that you please submit this input in writing to the principal by May 18, 2018.

The school does not accept requests for specific teachers. While your input is carefully

considered, the final decision about the students’ class placements rests with the school.

UPCOMING

Wednesdays: Subway lunch (if ordered) Fridays: Pizza lunch (if ordered)

May 20th: Pentecost (Western)

May 20th-21st: Shavuot

May 21st: Victoria Day—No school

May 22nd-25th: EQAO for Gr. 6 students

May 23rd: Declaration of the Bab

May 23rd: Welcome to Kindergarten 6:30-7:30pm

May 24th: J/I Arts Night

May 24-25th: Gr. 3 Swimming

May 28th: Ascension of Baha’u’llah

May 28th-June 1st: EQAO for Gr. 3 students

May 29th: Wesak

May 31st-June 1st: Gr. 3 Swimming

June 1st: Music Fest at Wonderland

Saturday June 2nd: FUN FAIR and 10th Anniversary Celebration

June 4th: PA Day (no school for students)

June 5th-8th: Bike-to-School Week (information to follow)

June 8th: Volunteer Reception (information to follow)

June 11th: Lailat-ul-Qadr

June 11th: Social Justice Presentations (gr. 6-8)

June 12th: Area Track and Field (junior)

June 13th: Area Track and Field (intermediate)

June 14th: Track and Field raindate

June 15th: Eid-ul-Fitr

June 16th: Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

June 19th: Regional Track and Field

June 20th: Day of Arafat (Hajj)

June 21st: Litha

June 21st: Gr. 8 Trip to Toronto

June 25th: Gr. 7 Trip

June 25th: Gr. 8 Graduation

June 29th-July 3rd: Ghambar Maidyoshem

June 28th: Last day of school for students

June 29th: PA Day (no school for students)

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.

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.

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.