YOU CAN FIND THE FULL THORNDALE NEWSLETTER ON OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE

Thinking. Learning. Creating.

Thorndale School Hours

Morning Entry: 9:00 a.m. Nutrition Break 1: 11:00 a.m. K Nutrition Break 1: 11:40 a.m. Nutrition Break 2: 1:20 p.m. K Nutrition Break 2: 2:00 p.m. Afternoon Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.

Thanks for getting your children to school on time.

May 2014

Principal: Ms. L. Adams Thorndale Public School Vice Principal: Mrs. R. Tulsi 133 Thorndale Rd., Brampton, L6P 1K5 Superintendent: Mrs. P. Daws Phone: 905-913-1490 Trustee: Ms. H. Malhi Phone: 905-913-0429 (Attendance Line)

HTTP://SCHOOLS.PEELSCHOOLS.ORG/1440

May Character Attribute is Responsibility “You take the responsibility for making your dream a reality”

- Les Brown

PLEASE GO CHECK IT OUT!

Dell Canada offers special rates for Peel board families

Does your family need a new computer? The Peel District School Board and Dell Canada are working to-gether to help make the purchase of new technology more accessible for Peel students and parents. To celebrate the launch of the relationship, Peel families will have access to 12-month interest free financing (on approved credit)* on purchases of $499 or more during the month of April. Exclusive Peel board offers include:

Venue 7 Tablet – $143.99, including one year of Accidental Damage Service and one year of Mail-In Service

Inspiron 15 Laptop – $383.99, including one year of In-Home Service and Premium Phone Support

Inspiron 11 Laptop – $412.79, including one year of In-Home Service and Premium Phone Support The Peel board’s relationship with Dell Canada is part of an ongoing effort to create greater equity of access to technology for Peel families and students. To purchase a Dell Canada notebook or tablet and see other devices offered, visit www.dell.ca/peel or www.peelschools.org/aboutus/21stCentury/byod/devices

Do you need support at home to help your child complete his/her homework?

Peel is here to help.

You can gain access to e-resources through PDSB.

BookFlix, PebbleGo, Naxos and Britannica Online are just some of the resources available for

students to gain the ability to search hundreds of resources right from their home computer.

All resources within these databases are evaluated for reading level and quality of information.

Please see the 'Accessing e-Resources' pamphlet coming home today with the school newsletter.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3

4 5

6

7 Pizza Day

Latin Fusion Dance Group Presentation

8 Right to Play Academy Pioneer Village Trip Grade 3

9 Scientists in The School Grade 2

10

11 Mother’s Day

12 Scientists in The School Grade 2 Police

Presentation

13 Police

Presentation

14

Pizza Day

15 Grade 1 Duffle

Bag Theatre

Math Adventure

Day

Movie Night

16 Jump Rope Kick-off Assembly

17

18 19 Victoria Day

20

21

Pizza Day

22 Forest Of Reading Celebration of Silver Birch Club @ Powerade Centre

23 24

25 26 EQAO May 26 -June 4

27

28 Pizza Day Grade 5 to Mandarin

29 Welcome to Kindergarten evening 6:00-7:30 P.M. Grade 5 Graduation Photo

30 Grade 5 ROM Trip Grade 1 Science Centre Trip

Thinking. Learning. Creating.

May

2014 CALENDAR

THINGS TO REMEMBER THIS MONTH:

May 4 to 10 is Emergency Preparedness Week

What is EP Week?

The first full week of May of each year is Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week.

This year, we will celebrate EP week May 4 to May 10. EP Week is a nation-wide initiative to

increase awareness about individual and family preparedness, emphasizing how the public

can reduce the risks and consequences of an emergency by being better prepared. During this

week, we promote, educate and bring about awareness concerning emergency management

planning and personal preparedness.

What is the purpose?

The purpose of EP Week is to educate students, parents and the community about the

importance of being prepared in the case of an emergency.

“Frozen” Coming To Thorndale

When: Thursday, May 15

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: Thorndale Gym

The right fit

children should be able to straddle the bike with both feet on the ground

a bike that is too big or too small can be a safety hazard

the helmet should fit—if it's too loose, it could fall off, if it's too tight, it's

uncomfortable

Get noticed

a young child's bike should be equipped with a bell and reflector

older riders should have a light and/or reflectors

Follow the rules

no riding on busy streets

no riding at night

stop for all STOP signs

Actions that cause injuries

driveway ride out—not stopping and looking both ways before entering the street

running the stop sign

turning without warning

cycling in the dark

following the leader—one child goes through a stop sign or misses a parked car but the

second cyclist doesn't

Here are some tips you can review with your child to ensure bike season

gets off to a great start

Help us keep students and staff safe in the

school parking lot

On any given school day, as many as 300-400 students are dropped off at Thorndale Public School within about 10

minutes. This number greatly increases during the winter months and on rainy days. As such, traffic congestion in front

of the school in the morning and at dismissal can create a dangerous situation for our students and staff.

We understand that many families need to drive their children to school, but that doesn't mean that safety needs to be put

at risk. Based on ongoing concerns about the safety of our students and staff, we are asking for your co-operation and

assistance in following the safety rules in our parking lot. These rules have one purpose—to ensure that every child

arrives and departs from school safely each day.

Drive slowly and with caution on and near school property. Adhere to the posted speed limits on Thorndale

Public School, Thorndale Road and any surrounding streets used by students on their way to and from school.

Always yield to pedestrian traffic. Wait for students, staff members and parents to cross before driving past

them.

There is no parking and no waiting in the Kiss and Ride lane, parking spaces for persons with a disability, bus

lanes or fire lanes.

You must keep your car engine running while in the Kiss and Ride lane. Pay attention to the traffic in front of

you and pull forward as cars move forward.

Do not leave your car if you are waiting for your child. If you get out of your car, park in a lined parking space

or on the street.

Do not double park or do anything else to block traffic or draw your child off the curb and into traffic. Do not

take shortcuts over curbs.

Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Say goodbye to your child before you enter the

drop-off area.

Students must be dropped off and picked up at the crosswalk in front of the office. Please ensure that your

children exit through the passenger side of your vehicle. If you choose to park in the parking lot, please escort

your child to or from the nearest foot patroller and use the main crosswalk.

During regular drop-off times, students are to remain in the car until it is safe for them to exit the car.

If your child is not waiting for you at the main crosswalk at the end of the day, please circle the parking lot and

rejoin the line or park in a designated parking space to wait.

After picking up or dropping off your child, leave promptly so that others can get in behind you.

Follow the directions of staff or volunteers on duty in the school parking lot and treat staff, students,

volunteers, passengers and other drivers with respect.

Consider parking off site and walking a short distance to school. This will give you time to talk to your

children about their day, review new vocabulary words, math concepts, etc.

As you may know, the by-law enforcement officers for the City of Brampton have the authority to hand out tickets on

school property. Thorndale Public School assumes no responsibility for drivers parking where they shouldn’t park.

The above parking lot rules have been implemented for the safety of our students and their families. Please

follow them when dropping off your children, picking them up or parking at the school. Your co-operation and

patience is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

Thank you for working with us to keep Thorndale Public School a

safe place for students, staff and the community.

Here are some ways you can help to keep students and staff safe in

the school parking lot

11 Tips for Helping Children Cope with Fears & Anxieties

Parents can help children learn techniques to manage anxiety. Here are some

tips to try

Reduce stress: Excessive stress and tension in your home can have a negative effect on your child. Look for

ways to reduce stress by doing calm activities together and deal with conflict as it arises, avoiding raised

voices or arguing around children.

Make a routine: A regular routine for meals, homework, quiet time and bedtime can be

comforting to an anxious child.

Give consequences: Anxiety does not excuse inappropriate behaviour. It is important to set

limits and expectations and follow-through with realistic consequences, rewards and praise.

Children are happier when they know what the rules are and what will happen if they break them.

Be supportive: It is difficult for children to face their fears. Don't laugh at your child or

minimize your child's fears. Let your child know it is normal to have fears and listen to your

upset child and let them know it is okay to talk about feelings. Help your child figure out ways to

handle difficult situations. Ask, "How can we make this easier for you?"

Encourage independence: Although it is tempting to do things for your child when they are anxious or

fearful, it is much more beneficial to help children learn to do things for themselves and take some risks. By

doing this, you will help your child develop the skills and abilities to cope with life. This can include giving

your child responsibilities around the house or brainstorming ideas for solving problems. Be supportive but

don't take over.

Avoid giving excessive help and reassurance: Giving constant help and reassurance can

prevent your child from learning how to cope on his own. Teach your child to answer their own questions and

model problem solving for them.

Build self-confidence: Praise your child for their accomplishments in facing their fears. Involve your child in

activities that help him feel proud.

Have realistic expectations: It is important your child is taking steps forward, even if they are small steps.

Help your child set and achieve goals that can be more easily met, perhaps at a slower pace. Have realistic

expectations for your child.

Take care of yourself too: It can be very difficult dealing with an anxious child. Make sure you manage

your own reactions and take care of yourself. Remember the basics of eating well, getting enough rest and

give yourself permission to take some time off.

Take risks: Model brave behaviour for your child by trying new things together. Anxious

children need to try new things and take some risks in order to develop increased confidence and skills.

Avoid avoidance: Anxious children want to avoid things that cause them anxiety. Although this temporarily

decreases distress, it also allows fears to grow and can make coping more difficult in the future. It is better to

support your child in facing their fears-small steps at a time.

Source: Anxiety BC website (www.anxietybc.com)