October 27th, 2024

Dear families and care-givers:

Last week was wonderful! Our town hall was absolutely lovely—thank you to all the families who made time to attend. We will follow up with more information this week and share the contact details of those who presented during the town hall.

I’m thrilled to see how our students have stepped up to the challenge this week, especially in keeping our washrooms clear of vandalism. They have truly impressed Mr. Brayshaw, Ms. Haughton, and me.

Please see my weekly newsletter below for some important and exciting announcements!

Warmly,
Ms. Carolina Miranda

Halloween Considerations

As we approach Halloween, please refer to my message on School Day sent on October 27. A reminder that edible treats are not permitted at school to prevent allergy issues and to respect families with dietary restrictions or those who do not celebrate Halloween.

Students who wish to wear costumes for Halloween are welcome to do so, but please ensure that costumes are appropriate for school. Costumes should be comfortable, safe, and free of weapons or violent themes. We ask that all students refrain from wearing masks that could obstruct their vision and limit their ability to engage in activities, as well as costumes that may be offensive to different cultural groups.

Thank you for your understanding and support in creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students this Halloween! As a fun note, it’s the one day of the year when I LOVE wearing my Wonder Woman t-shirt!

Pizza orders for November are now open on School – Day.

This ordering period covers 4 Thursdays in November the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th. Ordering will close Thursday, October 31st

  • To order:
  • Click on “Products”
  • Select “Pizza Orders for November 2024”
  • Select EACH date you would like to order pizza and toppings
  • Add to cart
  • Repeat for each student
  • Click on your cart to check out

NOTE: If your child is absent on pizza, they will miss their order that day. The pizza will not be saved or re-distributed to friends or siblings. If you have any questions or concerns about your School – Day account or ordering pizza please contact the main office.

Immunization

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires Public Health to collect and review vaccine records for all students in Ontario schools. All students must be vaccinated against, or submit a valid exemption for, the following diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, and pertussis (whooping cough). Students born in 2010 or later also need a varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. Ms. Haughton has sent out a message on School-Day to all families whose children’s immunization records are not up to date (October 25). If you have not received this message, your child’s records are in order, and no further action is required.

NEW IEP Deadline: October 31

A reminder that all IEPs will be sent home by October 31st. Thanks for your understanding as the process has been delayed this year. Please read the full message on School Day (sent on October 24).

Parents for Children’s Mental Health

Parents for Children’s Mental Health is hosting a series of webinars on important topics related to children’s mental health. These sessions are a wonderful resource, and one particular webinar, in partnership with CPRI, focuses on “Leaky Breaks” and Tourette Syndrome—an issue that has come up in some of our recent conversations in Multi-Disciplinary Support Teams (MDST).

The webinars are free to attend and take place from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM – check the flyer here. I encourage you to check them out if you feel they could be beneficial for your family or someone you know. Registration is free, and you can find more information here: Webinar Registration Link

Art Supply Donations Welcome!

Do you have extra art supplies at home that are gathering dust? We are excited to announce that our school is now accepting donations of gently used or new art supplies! If you have any paints, brushes, paper, markers, or other materials in excess, we’d love to put them to good use in our classrooms. Our wonderful School Council Co-Chairs have kindly offered to organize and distribute the supplies, ensuring they find their way into the hands of our students and teachers. Your contributions will help support creativity and art education throughout the school.

Donations can be dropped off at the main office, and we sincerely thank you for your generosity!

 

What School Staff Are Learning: November 1 PD Day

Friday, November 1, 2024, is a professional development (PD) day for elementary and secondary school staff. 

  • Students will not attend school, in person or virtually
  • All board-operated Extended Day and Youth Development programs will be closed

PD days are held throughout the school year to provide learning opportunities for school-based staff. This professional learning focuses on providing educators and staff with the knowledge and skills needed to support and enhance student achievement and well being. 

Read more about what staff will be learning: Professional Development for School Staff

 

Mark your calendars: Join Us for Cambridge Unsilent Night on November 22nd!

We are thrilled to announce that our school will be participating in Cambridge’s Unsilent Night on November 22, 2024! This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to engage in a unique and immersive outdoor art experience, celebrating the season in a magical way. More details about the event can be found on our city’s website.

We extend special thanks to Gary Kirkham, a local visual artist and playwright, for his kind invitation. Gary is known for his work in both theatre and visual arts, having contributed greatly to the local arts community, including his involvement with the Cambridge Centre for the Arts​

A huge shout-out also goes to Ms. Brita Sherren for her leadership in organizing our school’s participation. We can’t wait to see you all there!

 

Community Flyers

The WRDSB offers community organizations and not-for-profits the opportunity to share information on their programs and services with our schools on our Community E-Flyers website. Each week we will share the most recent flyers shared with the Board in this newsletter in hopes that you share this information with your community if you deem it appropriate.

Dates happening this week: 

  • Halloween, October 31, 2024
  • Diwali, October 31, 2024
  • Samhain, October 31-November 1, 2024
  • Hindu Heritage Month, November 1-30, 2024
  • Financial Literacy Month, November 1-30, 2024
  • All Saints Day, November 1, 2024
  • Bandi Chhor Divas, November 1, 2024
  • Day of the Dead, November 2, 2024
  • All Saints Day, November 2, 2024