Lancaster Lightning !

Peel District School Board November 2019

From the Principal’s Desk

During the month of November, we look forward to meeting with parents to discuss student progress. This is an important opportunity to work together with your child and the teacher to set learning goals for the rest of the term. On November 15 and 16, we will also have our annual Student-Led Learning Walk on display. Your child can lead you through the gym to view and discuss the curriculum showing learning from Kindergarten to Grade 5. This year, our focus will be on our work related to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as we engage students in learning about Indigenous histories, perspectives and current contributions to Canada. Each grade has chosen a storybook written by an Indigenous author, as a springboard to involve students in learning expectations, and to foster intercultural empathy and understanding. Through this important work, students become advocates for Indigenous issues, and recognize that all have a role in working towards truth and reconciliation.

Joanne Redhead

Lancaster Public School

7425 Netherwood Rd. Mississauga, Ontario

L4T 2N7 Tel: (905) 677-5844

www.peelschools.org

@Lancaster_PS

Principal Ms. J. Redhead Vice Principal Mr. B. Harris Office Manager Mrs. A. Armstrong Office Assistants Mrs. R. Campbell Office Assistants Mrs. F. Patel Superintendent Mr. H. Aujla School Trustee Ms. S. Benjamin School Council Mr. B. Jairam

Building the future one child

at a time.

No School: Friday November 15th - PA Day

Book Fair at Lancaster

The first Scholastic Book Fair for 2019-2020 was a great success! Thank you so much to all the families who came to Open House with their children and purchased books to support our love of reading. We sold over $2,600 worth of books and other merchandise. Scholastic gives us a percentage of the sales either in books or cash to support our school library. This means we are able to purchase over $1,400 of new books and activities for our Library Learning Common. Congratulations to our grade 1 winner Alice in 2B1 and Ms. Aujla. They both won $25 worth of books from the book fair.

A special thank you goes to Ms. Marshall and Ms. Calabria for their help on Open House Night!

A great big thank you goes to Ms. Gordon for arranging the book fair!

Hiring Supply Lunch Room Supervisors!

Join the Lancaster team as a Supply Lunch Room Supervisor. The position requires commitment and the love of working with young children. Please stop by the school office with your resume and availability.

Our nutrition break times are: 11:05 am - 11:50 am & 1:10 pm - 1:50pm.

Read-A-Thon

Lancaster is having an exciting Read-a-thon on Monday, November 25. Students will collect pledges from family members and friends of the family in order to support this school fundraiser! On the Read-a-thon day, students may dress up as their favourite book characters, and will “drop everything and READ!” Prizes include a pizza party for the winning K, P and J classes, and free pizza and books for the top fundraising students!

See the Read-a-thon flyer for further details. Funds raised will support LCD installations, special events, levelled reading books, Phys. Ed equipment, extracurricular activities and library resources. Support Lancaster by making a donation to the Read-a-thon!

Character Education & Apple Awards

For the Character Attribute Recognition Award, each classroom teacher chooses two students from the class who consistently demonstrate the character attribute for the month. For the Apple Award, each classroom teacher chooses one student who demonstrates the Curriculum skill focused on during the month. The Apple Award

recipients will be presented with a charm which they can wear as a necklace. As the students collect more charms they can hang them from their necklaces and wear them with pride. Award recipients will be acknowledged the first

Thursday of each month’s regularly scheduled assembly. Parents are welcome to attend the short presentation. Next month’s Character Education Award will recognize Respect and the Apple Award will

honour excellence in Reading and Oral Language. If your child has the necklace chain, they are asked to wear it, so we can add the new charm.

CHARACTER EDUCATION ATTRIBUTE

The Character Education attribute for the month of October was: Responsibility

Students are expected to: Follow the rules, be prepared and ready to learn.

APPLE AWARDS

The Apple Award focus for the month of October was: Visual Arts

Students are expected to: Exhibit excellence in the Arts.

Character Education Award

Radio Annoucers Mahad & Harry Ms. Chatwal & Ms. Dhillon KA Jasmine & Kayla

Ms. Latham & Ms. Allen KB Arleen & Yadesh

Ms. Bryant & Ms. Williamson KC Harkamal & Alisha

Ms. Jakobmeier & Ms. Anjum KD Umm-E Kulsum & Shasmika

Ms. Bhardwaj 1A Saanvi & Vaida

Ms. Asare 1B Habiba & Fiona

Ms. Saini 2A Fatima & Mahveen

Ms. Aujla 2B Jeena & Sheba

Ms. Watt 2C Aarav & Veena

Ms. Roddau 3A Inderpreet & Zakariya

Ms. Osahan 3B2 Nitika &

Ms. Dupuis 3C Angad & Dayyan

Ms. Giusti 4A Srimayi & Nyamat

Ms. Merrill 4B Nathaniel & Saisha

Mr. West 5A Judisha & Kirman

Ms. Joshi 5B Aditya & Rishita

Apple Award

Ms. Chatwal & Ms. Dhillon KA Dillan

Ms. Latham & Ms. Allen KB Aadya

Ms. Bryant & Ms. Williamson KC Jaishnavi

Ms. Jakobmeier & Ms. Anjum KD Isabella

Ms. Bhardwaj 1A Kairah

Ms. Asare 1B Keerthan

Ms. Saini 2A Aliza

Ms. Aujla 2B Alice

Ms. Watt 2C Ashleen & Neha

Ms. Roddau 3A Ahanya

Ms. Osahan 3B2 Melody

Ms. Dupuis 3C Gurnaaz

Ms. Giusti 4A Simrit & Amrit

Ms. Merrill 4B Navjot

Mr. West 5A Dominique

Ms. Joshi 5B Tinisha & Kayla

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Celebrate Peel Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Educators’ Appreciation Day

In 2014, the board of trustees declared the last Wednesday in October as the Peel Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Educators’ (ECE) Appreciation Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Nov. 7, 2019. The Peel board appreciates the important work of teaching assistants and ECEs, and the contributions that they make in the lives of children, families and community members.

Say ‘Thanks’ for Peel Custodial and Maintenance Workers’ Day

In 2014, the board of trustees declared the last Friday in November as the Peel Custodial and Maintenance Workers’ Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Take this opportunity to thank the important work of custodial and maintenance workers and their hard work and commitment to well-being and safety.

Lancaster Celebrates Indigenous Heritage Month

Schools across Peel will participate in a number of activities in November to recognize, celebrate and honour the rich heritage, culture, contributions and diversity of First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada.

On June 19, 2019, as part of the board’s commitment to equity and inclusion and to help better reflect student identity, trustees approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month in the month of November. This month includes several dates of significance, including, Treaty Recognition Week, Indigenous Veterans Day, Louis Riel Day, and the Peel Community Cultural Indigenous Celebration and Pow Wow.

In addition to Indigenous Heritage Month, the Peel board has also approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Islamic Heritage Month in October, Hindu Heritage Month in November, Sikh Heritage Month in April and Jewish Heritage Month in May. The board will continue to recognize Black History Month in February, Asian Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June.

The House of Commons officially recognized June as National Indigenous History Month following a unanimous motion in 2009. In the month of June, Peel board schools and worksites will raise and/or display the flag of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in the spirit of equity, inclusion and reconciliation. The raising of this flag is only one of the ways we help to create spaces that are inclusive, welcoming and safe for students, staff and families.

Lancaster Celebrates Hindu Heritage Month

During Hindu Heritage Month, schools across Peel will participate in a number of activities that recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, history, culture and contributions of Hindu Canadians as well as Hindu communities from around the world.

On April 9, 2019, as part of the board’s commitment to equity and inclusion, the Peel board approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Hindu Heritage Month in November. In addition to Hindu Heritage Month, the Peel board also approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Islamic Heritage Month in October, Indigenous Heritage Month in November, Sikh Heritage Month in April and Jewish Heritage Month in May. The board will continue to recognize Black History Month in February, Asian Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June.

The Province of Ontario declared the month of November as Hindu Heritage Month in 2016. The month of November was chosen in recognition of “Deepawali” or “Diwali”, which is a significant festival in the Hindu community.

On October 4, 2018, a Member of Parliament introduced a Private Member’s Bill (PMB), Bill C-416 in the House of Commons to designate the month of October as Hindu Heritage Month in Canada. The bill is currently going through several stages to become law.

Peel Public Health Shares Tips to Help Prevent the Flu

It’s flu season and we want to make sure students stay as healthy as possible this year! Influenza (flu) spreads easily from one person to another and Peel Public Health has some tips to help reduce the risk of catching the flu and spreading it:

Get your annual flu shot: The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots: Family Doctors’ offices, Walk-in clinics, Pharmacies, Peel flu clinics.

Keep children home when they’re sick: I f your child develops flu -like signs and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe.

Practice good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth w ith a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw tissues in the trash. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow, if they don’t have a tissue. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.

Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often w ith soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze.

For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

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& Early Years Hub

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Bus Cancellations & Closing Schools Due to Bad Weather

During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather.

Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio, television stations and will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Twitter @STOPRinfo, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.

One of the following messages will be announced: Peel District School Board buses are cancelled This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require busing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and other activities in schools will operate as usual. All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closed This means that all schools and Peel board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in schools and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits. All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed. All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

Give What You Can on United Way Giving Day

At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each student – each and every day. Yet we know that there are many needs in our community that we can’t address on our own, like providing food for families that may go without or supporting communities after a crisis. That’s why we are holding a board-wide giving day in support of United Way Greater Toronto, a key partner and supporter of Peel families.

This year, the Peel board has declared Nov. 14 as United Way Giving Day to raise much needed funds for United Way Greater Toronto and the network of local, Peel social service agencies it supports. Whether it’s providing shelter for a mother and her children in Brampton, matching a child who is at risk with a mentor in Caledon, or funding a breakfast program in Mississauga for youth that would otherwise go hungry, United Way offers hope and possibility to thousands in our community.

A donation of:

$2 may go towards a breakfast program for a child from a low income family.

$10 supports a child with interactive, recreational outings for one year, including healthy snacks and transportation, to help them build their social skills and self-esteem.

$25 is enough to provide a daily homework club that gives children and youth access to computers, peer support and mentors.

This is a completely voluntary campaign and any contributions are welcome. Whether you send a loonie, toonie, cheque made out to United Way Greater Toronto, or donate through school cash online, your contribution w ill make a difference. Pledges of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt from United Way Greater Toronto. To receive a receipt, you must fill out the pledge form on the back and send it to school with your donation by Dec. 13, 2019. If you donate through School Cash Online, attach a copy of your receipt to your completed pledge form.

Thank you for lending a helping hand to those who need it most.

Healthy Relationships Bolster Mental Health & Resilience

When it comes to mental health, connectedness - the sense of caring for others and being cared for - is one of the most powerful protective factors. A positive ‘environment of relationships’ is essential for healthy brain development, which forms the foundation for lifelong outcomes such as interpersonal skills, academic performance and mental health and well-being.

Here are some tips for families to help build strong, caring relationships:

Comfort your child when they’re upset. They won’t feel alone with their big emotions and it helps to strengthen your bond with them.

Give your child love and affection - this helps your child feel loved and valued.

Listen attentively to your child’s feelings, thoughts and ideas. Help to label and identify your child’s emotions (e.g. scared, frustrated, angry, sad).

Be a role model by taking care of your own mental health and modelling healthy coping strategies. Talk about your feelings. Make time for things you enjoy.

Ensure your home is an emotionally and physically safe and secure environment, where children are protected from harm.

Build in quality time. Spend some time together each night around the dinner table. Have fun together!

Show your children how to solve problems that arise through your modelling, and collaborating with them to help solve their own problems when they arise.

Updates & to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel.

#chooseACTION on Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, November 17 to 23, 2019.

Bullying is a form of harassment. The World Health Organization says, “Bullying…demands the concerted and coordinated time and attention of health-care providers, policy-makers and families.” (Prevention of Bullying, 2010) Bullying is a relationship problem, with relationship solutions.

Each year, across the Peel board, students, staff and families engage in learning and programming opportunities focussed on actively disrupting bullying, by creating positive and safe Climates for Learning and Working, built on a foundation of healthy relationships.

This year the Peel board community will ‘#chooseACTION to STOP hate’ in their classrooms, offices, schools and communities, in order to make these spaces better places for everyone.

Establishing and maintaining a positive Climate for Learning and Working requires all of us to actively intervene on assumptions, stereotyping, bias, discrimination and hate. We must proactively act and speak in ways that are inclusive, accepting of others and values difference.

Throughout the week, we will be highlighting the importance of being an upstanding bystander by acting to stop hate:

Step 1: Stop the Action Step 2: Name it Step 3: Explain the impact/harm Step 4: Ask the person causing the harm to change their behavior Step 5: Support the person harmed.

The Peel board would like to hear about the big and small actions, pledges, and promises our Peel community values, and ask that you take a moment to share your #chooseACTION to STOP hate” moments on social media.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting Schools Act, that came into effect on Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.

Is French Immersion Right for my Child?

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2020, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the French Immersion (FI) program.

To find out the FI school your child would attend, visit www.peelschools.org/French.

Grade 1 French Immersion important dates for the 2020-21 school year

The Peel board has a limited number of spaces available for students interested in grade 1 French Immersion. At this time, the grade 1 FI enrolment cap is set at 25 per cent of all Peel students enrolling in grade 1. A random selection process is used to determine which students will be offered spaces in the grade 1 FI program.

Information night Attend the information meeting at the French Immersion school your child would attend

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 at 7 p.m.

Applications open Available at www.peelschools.org/French

Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.

Application deadline Applications received after this date will be put on a waiting list.

Friday, Jan. 31, 2020

Engage. Educate. Empower. Speaker Series

After 18 years, the Peel District School Board is revamping its annual parent conference. After hearing from participants, we are changing the traditional full-day workshop model to a multi-evening speaker series focused on a specific subject, where parents and caregivers will hear from a keynote speaker followed by a panel who will take audience questions. We will also invite Peel board departments, groups and community partners to share their information in an exhibitor area.

The Engage. Educate. Empower. Speaker Series is co-presented by the Peel Elementary Teachers’ Local. Without their support, this free learning event for parents/caregivers would not be possible.

Monday, November 4, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. - HJA Brown Education Centre, 5650 Huriontario St. , Mississauga Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - Chinguacousy Secondary School, 1370 Williams Pkwy., Brampton Wednesday, February 26, 2020 - Mayfield Secondary School, 5000 Mayfield Rd., Caledon East

*These free events are open to all Peel board parents of students at all grade levels.

Reserve your spot for the first session starting Oct. 7, 2019 at www.peelschools.org/parents/conference.