September 17, 2017

Doncrest eBulletin

Administrators’ Message

It is our pleasure to welcome our returning students and families and to extend a warm welcome to

our French Immersion students and to those who are new to our Doncrest school community. We

hope your summer provided you with time to relax and enjoy family and friends. We are looking

forward to many exciting events and activities as we begin the new school year, refreshed and

energized.

As the administrative team at Doncrest Public School, we are proud to work together with our staff,

students, School Council and the school community to provide a dynamic and engaging learning

experience that focuses on student achievement and well-being.

We have an exemplary team of professionals who work in a variety of academic and co-curricular

areas to support the needs of every student at Doncrest. Our School Improvement Plan provides

direction and focus and continues to guide our overall school vision. We believe that as educators, we

provide a learning atmosphere that is supportive, respectful, and inclusive, meeting the needs of all

students. We value inclusion and innovation and strive to promote a strong sense of character,

community, and global consciousness.

We would like to welcome our new Doncrest staff: Mme. Ghitulescu, Mme. Chan, Ms. Masciotra, Ms.

Jones, Ms. Chan, Ms. Perdikis, Ms. Prochilo, Mr. Saraga, Ms. Walach and Ms. Clavijo.

Last week we held welcome assemblies for all of our students to ensure we hold a shared

understanding of what it means to have a caring, safe and inclusive school. First and foremost,

students were taught that each person has the right to learn and work in an environment that is free

from discrimination and harassment and protects, promotes and supports human rights. Each class

then created a code of conduct based on these principles and students committed to promoting this

sense of inclusiveness throughout Doncrest. We are proud of this commitment and will work closely

with students to ensure our school is a safe and happy place for everyone.

We look forward to a collaborative and supportive partnership with our Doncrest families. Please feel

free to contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions about your child’s progress. We

are here to work together in the best interests of student learning, well-being and achievement. We

believe that every student and family plays a part in helping us reach these goals. Thank you for

being an active, respectful and responsible member of our Doncrest community.

CONTACT INFORMATION 124 Blackmore Ave. Richmond Hill L4B 2B1 Phone: 905-882-4480 Fax: 905-882-4558 Email: doncrest.ps@yrdsb.ca Office Hours: 8:30am - 3:30pm

PRINCIPAL Ruth Carmichael VICE-PRINCIPAL Lindsey Maclean SUPERINTENDENT Michael Cohen TRUSTEE Carol Chan

Click here

for our

calendar

http://doncrest.ps.yrdsb.ca

Please watch your email as we communicate a biweekly e-bulletin, full of important updates and

school information.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us….our doors are always open.

Ruth Carmichael, Principal

Lindsey Maclean, Vice Principal

Curriculum Night

Please mark your calendar for Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 28th,

2017. We look forward to welcoming you to our Curriculum Night at Doncrest

from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

To accommodate our FI families who have children attending Adrienne

Clarkson, our French Immersion Curriculum Night will take place from 5:00 –

6:00 pm. The evening provides an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and review expectations

for the school year.

School Council

We have very dedicated and committed parents in our school community. Council

members support our school initiatives in a variety of ways. School Council is a

helpful advisory group which offers suggestions and recommendations to the school

administration. As well, Council members organize many community events and

fundraising initiatives. Our first School Council meeting will be held on September

26th in the library. The meeting will be from 6:30—7:30 pm and we invite all of our parents to attend.

If you are interested in being a member of our School Council, please fill in the form sent home with

the school information package and return it to the office or bring it to the meeting. If we have a large

number of interested members, School Council will be determined by an election process on this

evening.

School Organization

As part of our school organization, we have several straight grade classes and some combined grade

classrooms. Combined classes group children from two consecutive grades (eg. grades 1 and 2), into

one classroom. We do this for many reasons that include organizing classes to meet school needs

and combining grades to balance class size. For more information about combined classrooms visit

www.edu.gov.on.ca.

Please note that there may be changes prior to the end of September 2017 as class sizes are

reported to the Ministry of Education. We will keep you informed of any changes to your child’s class

placement should the need arise.

If you have any questions regarding the Primary Class Size Reduction strategy, please visit the

Ministry of Education’s website at: www.edu.gov.on.ca and search for “Primary Class Size.”

Safe Welcome Program

Our school doors, including the front door will be locked 15 minutes after the morning bell rings. The

doors will remain locked for the rest of the school day. Any visitors to the school must enter through

the front doors. This includes parents visiting classrooms, dropping off lunches, joining classes on

field trips. No parents should be entering the school through other doors.

For the safety of our students, it is important that adults in the building check in at the office and

obtain a visitor/volunteer badge that identifies them as a “safe” adult.

Parents picking up children during the lunch hour or at the end of the day should remain outside of

the building and meet their child at an agreed upon rendezvous location.

Birthdays

In keeping with our nut-safe policy, please do not send food to school with your child to

celebrate his/her birthday.

We will celebrate birthdays by announcing them on the morning announcements and by

giving students a birthday surprise.

Doncrest is a NUT SENSITIVE School

If your child has a life-threatening allergy or medical condition, please let

the office know immediately.

A number of our students have a life-threatening allergy to nuts. For this reason,

we are a nut sensitive school. Please help us ensure the health and safety of all

of our students by doing the following:

If your child has a life-threatening allergy or medical condition, let the

school know immediately and complete the necessary forms.

Practise measures to avoid allergens, such as:

Check the ingredients label on any food students bring to school.

Avoid sending nut products or peanut butter replacements.

Encourage your child to wash their hands thoroughly before

Message from our Trustee

As we begin the 2017-2018 school year, I want to take this opportunity to welcome

all of our new and returning students and families. This is an exciting time of year

and I hope you are starting this new school year as trustees are - with optimism and

a commitment to working together to continue advancing student achievement and

well-being.

An important part of that commitment is working together with staff members, families and

communities to ensure our schools provide an environment that is safe, welcoming and inclusive.

This takes on increasing importance given recent local and global events. We take pride in the

diversity of our communities and will continue striving to uphold the values of equity and inclusivity in

our system.

Trustees have had a busy summer, welcoming our new Human Rights Commissioner and beginning

the process for selecting a new Director of Education as we continue to move forward implementing

the Minister’s Directions.

An important part of the director selection process includes collecting input from students, staff,

families and community members - input that will be used to shape the job description, interview

questions and more. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts through the survey available in

September. We will continue to keep you updated as this work progresses.

Our schools are stronger when we work in collaboration with families and communities. Partnerships

with parents and families are essential to achieving the goals we have for our students, and I hope

that you will find opportunities to get engaged with the school and your child’s learning this year.

I wish you all the best for the upcoming school year.

Carol Chan

School Trustee

Cash Online items

All items due on September 28th

Art Series

Each class will attend a minimum of 4 performances throughout the year. To cover the cost of

these performances, please pay the amount of $20.00 per student at

yrdsb.schoolcashonline.com

Milk Program

Pizza Lunch

Pizza Lunches will begin on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 and will run until

June 26, 2018 (36 lunches). There are two options to choose from:

1. Cheese Pizza only: 36 wks x $3.50 = $126

2. Cheese Pizza, juice and snack combo: 36 wks x $5.50 = $198

**You have the option of paying the amount all at once or up to 6 monthly payments online. If you like to participate please pay online at yrdsb.schoolcashonline.com. Please note that no pizza will be delivered on a Snow Day – a makeup date will be

scheduled

Pasta Lunch

Pasta lunches will be held on 35 Thursdays, starting Thursday, October 5, 2017

and will run until Thursday, June 21, 2018. Each Pasta Lunch consists of: a 12oz

container of white enriched pasta in tomato sauce or meat sauce.

Pasta with Tomato or Meat Sauce Option: 35 wks x $5.50 = $192.5

**You have the option of paying the amount all at once or up to 6 monthly payments online.

If you like to participate please pay online at yrdsb.schoolcashonline.com.

Please note that no pizza will be delivered on a Snow Day – a makeup date will be

scheduled

Absent or Late?

We will be continuing to use the Safe Arrival System in this school year. It will allow

parents to report their child’s absence quickly and conveniently in one of three ways:

Parents can call into an automated interactive telephone system via a toll free

number (1-855-203-2994) through which absences can be reported.

Parents can log into yorkrdsb.schoolconnects.com to authenticate their Portal account to

report absences and update contact information.

Parents who have authenticated their accounts and have either an iOS or Android

device can download an app that can be used to report absences.

The system will be available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be

reported at any time.

The automated notification system will contact parents who have not reported their child absent at

multiple contact numbers, starting 8:30 a.m., until one of the designated contacts is

reached. If our system is unable to reach a designated contact after 20 minutes, office staff

will follow up.

By reporting your child absent in advance using the Safe Arrival toll free number, you will

NOT receive a call.

As of September 18th, all absence and late arrival reporting must go through the toll free

number. Please do not contact or send notes to the school or classroom teacher to report an

absence or late arrival.

Spoons and Forks

Parents, please remember to pack a

spoon and/or fork in your child’s lunch

as we do not provide cutlery.

Thank you!

Pick-up Routine

If you are picking up your child(ren), please

arrange to meet him/her/them at their dismissal

door. Please avoid picking your child up early as

every minute of learning counts.

If you plan to pick up your child early from school

you must call and arrive at the school before

2:30 p.m. Requests after this time will not be

honoured as they disrupt our dismissal

procedure.

School Hours Supervision begins Entry Recess Lunch Dismissal

8:20 a.m. 8:35 a.m 10:15-10:45 a.m. 12:25-1:25 p.m. 3:05 p.m.

Sep 25, P.A. Day – No School

Sep 28, Last day to pay online for Art Series, Milk, Pasta and Pizza Lunch

Sep 28, Curriculum Night

Sep 29, Terry Fox Run @ 1:30 pm

BUILD A BETTER FUTURE!

@YRDSB YRDSBMedia

FREE CLASSES• English as a Second Language/LINC• Academic Upgrading and Computer Skills• Citizenship and IELTS Preparation

Call 905-731-9557 to book an appointment

www.yrdsb.ca

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada

- English as a

Second Language (ESL)

- Language Instruction

for Newcomers (LINC)

- Academic Upgrading and

Computer Skills

- Citizenship and IELTS Preparation

Have a question? We are just

one phone call away!

905-731-9557

FREE CLASSES FOR ADULTS

BUILD A BETTER FUTURE!

www.yrdsb.ca

Please call 905-731-9557 or email uplands@yrdsb.cafor more information.

REGISTRATION IS ONGOING

York Region District School Board would like to acknowledge and thank our community partners for their ongoing support and contribution to the success of our language and skills training programs. We value and cherish your dedication to the needs of our community!

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

ESL Course DescriptionsLINC Course DescriptionsEmployment and Academic Preparation Course DescriptionsCourse Locations and Schedule

Page 2Page 4

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada

Courses are available from ESL Literacy to CLB 10Develop effective language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for daily life in Canada. Varied course offerings based on learner’s current CLB’s.

Listening & SpeakingFocus on listening and speaking to develop effective communication skills for daily life, employment, and academic study.

Reading & WritingFocus on reading and writing to develop effective communication skills for daily life, employment, and academic study.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

SKILL-BASED COURSES

EVERYDAY ENGLISH

SPECIALIZED COURSES

Single level courses based on learner’s current CLB’s in Speaking & Writing. This course is divided into two parts: Listening/Speaking & Reading/Writing.

Courses are available from CLB 3 to 10

Varied course offerings based on learner’s academic and professional needs and areas of interest.

2

Courses are available from CLB 2 to 8

Pronunciation

Learn to speak English with confidence and clarity by learning to form the sounds, use the natural rhythm and correct stress of the English language. Varied course offerings based on learner’s current CLB’s.

Courses are available from CLB 1 to 10

Conversation

Focus on listening and speaking to develop and enhance effective conversation strategies for success in Canadian society, education system, and workplace. Whether interviewing for a job, speaking to your child’s teacher, or speaking to any other professional, this course will enable you to communicate with more confidence and clarity of speech.Varied course offerings based on learner’s current CLB’s.

Minimum requirement of CLB 5

Workplace Preparation

Develop effective speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for success in Canadian workplaces. This course addresses original Resume and Cover Letter writing, successful interview and presentation skills, Health and Safety training, and computer skills for employment.

SPECIALIZED COURSES

CLB 6-9

Entrepreneurial World Of Business

Develop effective speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for success in the real world of business. This course addresses the language and concepts of good hiring practices, managing people effectively, team work, and starting your own business in Canada.

CLB 6-9

Professional Business English

Develop effective speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for success in the professional world of business in Canada including workplace related communication and computer skills.

Minimum requirement of CLB 5

IELTS Preparation

Take this course to become familiar with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam format, acquire effective test-taking strategies, and expand your academic vocabulary and communication skills.

Culturally Specific Language CirclesWork with others from the same background to improve conversation and pronunciation skills while networking and building relationships in your community.

Language Classes For SeniorsWork with others from your community to develop effective communication and language skills and become more independent in daily life.

Must be 18 years of age. Call to register!

905-731-9557

VISITING CANADA? TAKE ONE OF OUR COURSES!

3

Minimum requirement of CLB 3 in Speaking

Citizenship

This course will develop effective language skills in preparing learners to take the Canadian Citizenship test through a focus on specific vocabulary and necessary concepts.

CLB 6 - 10

Reading & Writing through Novel Studies

Enhance reading and writing skills and develop effective academic strategies through the study of novels.

4

Computer Skills Upgrading Develop practical computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, E-mail, Internet, Google) for success in Canadian workplace and post-secondary education. Work at your own pace to advance your computer skills for employment, college preparation, or use in daily life.

Basic Computer Skills Develop basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, E-mail, Internet) for success in Canadian workplaces and post-secondary education. Whether looking to upgrade your employability skills, prepare for college, or use computers in daily life, this course will build your confidence and abilities while working at your own pace.

Employment and Academic Skills UpgradingUpgrade your reading, writing, math, computer and/or soft skills in order to pursue a degree or career. Whether preparing for Adult Credit School, Apprenticeship or College, returning to work or education, this course will provide individualized instruction at your own pace.

Develop effective communication skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for successful integration in Canadian society, workplace, and academic study. Enhance language skills for Citizenship and employment preparation. Build important computer skills for life in Canada.

Literacy and Computer Skills for Adults with Special Needs

GED Preparation

Get individualized support and instruction while preparing for your GED. All subjects are offered.

Through individualized instruction and support, adults with varying levels of abilities build and enhance their employability and life skills for success and independence at their own pace.

LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA (LINC)

EMPLOYMENT ANDACADEMIC PREPARATION

CLB 2 to 5

MAPLE & VAUGHAN Morning Afternoon Evening SaturdayAhmadiyya Mosque √Al Palladini Community Centre √Discovery Public School √Dufferin Clark Library √Maple Library √Maple High School √North Thornhill Community Centre √Pierre Berton Resource Library √St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church √Woodbridge College √Woodbridge Library √Woodbridge Lions Club √Woodbridge Public School √ √MARKHAM & UNIONVILLEAngus Glen Library √ √Aldergrove Public School √Armadale Public School √Bridle Trail Baptist Church √ √Ellen Fairclough Public School √Markham Chinese Cultural Centre of FCCM √ √Markham Chinese Baptist Church √ √Markham South Welcome Centre √ √ √Milliken Gospel Church √ √Milliken Mills Library √Parkland Public School √Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School √Social Services Network √Unionville Alliance Church √ √Unionville High School √AURORA & NEWMARKETAlexander Muir Public School √Aurora High School √ √Bethel Church √RICHMOND HILLBayview Hill Community Centre √ √Bayview Secondary School √ √Richmond Hill United Church √ √Richmond Hill Chinese Baptist Church √ √Richmond Hill Christian Community Church √ √Rouge Woods Community Centre √ √STOUFFVILLEWhitchurch-Stouffville Museum and Community Centre √

EastRidge Evangelical Missionary Church √ √THORNHILLBathurst Clark Resource Library √ √Thornhill Baptist Church √Thornhill Community Library √ √Uplands Community Learning Centre √ √ √

COURSE LOCATIONS AND TIMESCITIZENSHIP Markham Chinese Baptist Church √

Richmond Hill Chinese Baptist Church √

Uplands Community Learning Centre √

COMPUTER TRAINING, GED PREP, SKILLS UPGRADING/LBSYork Works - Stouffville √ √Uplands Community Learning Centre √ √ √

Participation House √ √LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS (LINC)Uplands Community Learning Centre √

Click the table for specific location information and

directions.

@YRDSB

www.yrdsb.ca

YRDSBMedia

Are you...• 19+ and a resident of Ontario?• Working on upgrading your resume?• In need of high school credits or a GED?• Applying for an apprenticeship or second career?• Looking for computer skills for office administration?• Working on your soft-skills?

Take a free class! Improve your computer skills and prepare for work or school!

UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS AND BUILD A BETTER FUTURE!

Questions? Ready to register? Courses and locations are always being added! Call 905-731-9557 today to learn more.

This program is right for you if you are a resident of Ontario (19+) and need to:

• Enhance your employability skills• Gain or upgrade computer skills for the workplace• Prepare for college, university or apprenticeship programs• Prepare for a High School Credit program or GED• Gainconfidenceinlife,workandstudies

Our iWIN Program will help you reach your goals faster! Get individualized support from a highly qualified and experiencedinstructor and create a class schedule that works for you.

The iWIN Program is offered at no cost to eligible learners by the York Region District School Board, with support from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

DESIGN YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS

@YRDSBwww.yrdsb.ca

YRDSBMedia

From the list below, select what you need help with in order to find or secure sustainable employment:

Finding and using information Communicating ideas and information Understanding and using numbers (math)

Using digital technology (computer skills)Managing your learning (goal setting and action plans)Engaging with others (“soft skills” such as customer-service)

Date: ___________________ Time: _________________________

Book your assessment today!

Select the program(s) you’d like to learn:

Getting to Know a Computer - Terminology - Hardware and software - Mouse skills - Keyboarding

Getting Started with Email - Setting up a new address - Sending/receiving email - Attaching a document

(résumé, picture, etc.)

Internet Searches - Conducting searches - Making searches more effective - Choosing reliable sites

File Management - SavingfilestoaharddriveorUSB - Creating folders - Movingfiles

Basic Text and Image Skills(in MS Word)

- Working with documents - Movingtext - Inserting pictures, clip art, shapes - Formatting images and shapes - Creating a basic chart/table - Using spell-check - Inserting, editing and removing a

header/footer

Basic Computer SkillsMinimum time commitment - 8 classes

MathMinimum time commitment - 8 classes

- Basic arithmetic - Money math - Time (time sheets, calendars) - Math for college

English Language SkillsMinimum time commitment - 8 classes

- Grammar: parts of speech, word order, parts of a sentence

- Mechanics: punctuation, capitalization, spelling

- Writing complete sentences - Verb tenses, agreement

Employment and Academic Skills Upgrading

Microsoft Office Skills Intermediate to Advanced

- Word: working with tabs, bullets and numbering, drawing objects, using building blocks,tables,mailmerge,macros.CreatingflyersusingWordArt,imagesandtables

- Excel:conditionalformatting,sortingandfilteringdata,pivottablesandcharts,security features, larger orders and charts

- PowerPoint: slide show view, animations, inserting sound, charts, tables and objects. Creating presentations using animation and sound. Delivering presentations to a group.

- Publisher : using master pages, customizing schemes, page set-up and layout. Creating an original tri-fold brochure and other business stationary such as gift certificateandflyers

- Outlook:tasks,folders,mailboxoptions - Access: queries, creating forms, form and report controls, macros

Microsoft Office Skills Introduction

- Word:creatingandeditingoriginaldocuments,usingproofingtools,templates,setting page layout

- Excel:enteringdata,formattingworksheets,settingworksheetlayout,creatingformulas,exercises

- PowerPoint: creating simple presentations - Publisher :creatingbasicpublications,formattingobjects,duplicatinganexisting

tri-fold brochure - Outlook: making contacts, using the calendar - Access:creatingrelationaldatabasetables,fieldproperties

Computer Skills for Employment and Further EducationBlended learning using training software and instructional support Minimum time commitment - 8 classes

Get individualized support and instruction while preparing for your high school credit program or GED (high school equivalency). All subjects are offered.

High School Credit or GED Preparation

Email for Employment - Subject line - Address: to, cc, bcc - Reply, reply all, and forward - Body of email - Howtoattachafile - Formal/informal tone - Purpose of email

Résumés and Cover Letters - How to format - Salutations and closings - Purpose of letter - Appropriate language and tone - Inserting, editing and removing a

header/footer - Applying to positions online

Digital Technology for Effective Job Searches and Online ApplicationsMinimum time commitment - 8 classes

Conversation Group - Weekly topics for discussion - Appropriate language and tone

- Workplace culture and etiquette - Body language - Enhanced pronunciation - Confidencebuilding

Soft Skills and Successful Oral CommunicationOnce a week

Increasing Keyboarding Speed

Google at WorkOnce a Week

- Gmail - Calendar - Drive

- Sharing documents- Hangouts