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1 S e l w y n A v e , E a s t Y o r k , O N , M 4 B 3 J 9

Website: http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/selwyn/

Email: Georgia.koziol@tdsb.on.ca

S E L W Y N E X P R E S S A p r i l 2 0 1 7

PRINCIPAL

Georgia Koziol

SUPERINTENDENT

Lucy Giannotta

TRUSTEE

Sheila Cary-Meagher

Principal’s Message

It is hard to believe that we are into the final term of this school year. We will be very

busy here at Selwyn over the next couple of months with many upcoming activities.

We have been engaged in multiple events this month such as Pink Day, Move-a-Thon

and a day of Art based workshops focusing on strategies we can use to cope with vari-

ous feelings and stresses. I am a firm believer that learning through various mediums

allows everyone an opportunity to connect and apply skills and strategies in multiple

ways. Together as a staff and school community the hope is that we continue to set

conditions to allow for opportunities of success. On May 3, 2017 our School Council

along side of our Parent Reaching Out committee will be hosting a Family Well Being

evening. The committee has secured Dr Gaston from the “Empowerment Project” to

talk about stress and anxiety and how we can use strategies as Adults to support our

children. In addition to the keynote, the students will be involved in a Tae Kwon Do

workshop, learning about how to use our body to relax and release stress. Would love

to see all families out for the event!

Thank you

Georgia Koziol

School Advisory Council April Showers Means..... Lots of Fun(d) Raising! The School Council is excited that we are well on the way to our fundraising goals, with lots of events to come! The fundraising efforts continue to support the students of Selwyn and thank-you to all the fami-lies that support the efforts! All of the Money's collected go directly back into Selwyn School to enrich the life at school and home for the students! Through the generous donations the SAC hopes to raise funds to introduce more comput-ers into the school, as well as more Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) opportunities into the school. MOVE-A-THON - Thank-you so much for all the help and support! I was lucky enough to join a session and the Kids had a blast! So many great dancers and movers! Including our very own Mrs. Koziol! Thank-you teachers, parents for the support! The SAC will update the totals on all the moneys collected shortly! Parents Night Out - May 6th - Rise & Dine Eatery -Book the sitter and come join your fellow parents in some adult fun! Tickets are $20.00 which includes a donation to the school and light appetizers will be served. Drinks are priced reasonable with partial proceeds back to the school. Come support the school and a great new local business. Spring Carnival - June 4th - Planning is underway to have a Spring Carnival at the school including a BBQ and many activates for the students and parents. This event hosts more than 250 parents, families and friends from the surrounding community. If you have a local business that can help with a donation or can help volunteer please contact us at selwynsac@gmail.com WEBSITE - The School Council has a website which will provide a great source of information for upcom-ing events not only from SAC but also the greater TDSB that parents would be interested in. selwynschoolcouncil.wordpress.com Other events coming soon - Check the website for other events also! May 6th - Parents night out June 4th - Spring Carnival - (helpers needed so please raise your hand) Next SAC meeting - Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 - 6:30pm If you'd like to speak to anyone on the SAC, please email SelwynSAC@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

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Curriculum Corner

As our children enter the upper elementary grades, new demands may lead many children to

believe that math has become much harder. This belief can affect their attitude and achieve-

ment in math class. Negative beliefs can increase stress and discourage learning. When stu-

dents are positive about math they tend to be more motivated to learn. It is important that

children learn to accept new ideas and try to persevere when trying more challenging tasks.

Children need to learn to take risks, and understand that by making mistakes learning can oc-

cur, this helps them to develop a Growth Mindset. Here is an inspirational chart that can be

posted in your child’s homework space. Refer to it when you child finds homework difficult,

loses interest, becomes negative or gets frustrated. Attitude is a key to success!

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Student Voice

Congratulations to the winners of the Pink Door Contest! The winner of the Kindergarten section is Mrs. War-wick’s class! The winner of the Primary section is Ms. Vavala’s class! The winner of the Junior section is Ms. De Marco’s class! Congratulations to the winners, they will have their own class party! Also, a special thanks to all the participants/classes who had decorated their doors! All of the doors were unique and amazing! The Move-a-thon was really great! Thanks to many people who brought in their money for the freezies! We collected a lot of money. Also, a BIG thanks to the SAC (and the volunteers) and to the many students and teachers who wore different types of pink! Some people wore hot pink, neon pink and red. Even if you did not wear pink, thank you for participating in the festivities. UniquePink Day is about not bullying and we did that very well, Selwyn! Pink Day was first celebrated on February 25, 2009. Near that time in Central Rural High School, Cambridge, King’s County, Nova Scotia, a kid was being bullied by a group of peo-ple (just for wearing a pink t-shirt). Two kids around the same age named David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw him being bullied. They felt bad for him. So, they decided to make the whole school wear pink, to stand up against the kid. Ever since then, it’s been a tradition. It’s okay if you wear pink. We all wore pink rainbow loom bracelets on Pink Day. speaking of pink rain-bow loom bracelets... a HUGE thanks to Angie and her team for the awesome rainbow loom bracelets for the whole school! Amazing, right?! Thank you, Selwyn for participating in our An-nual Pink Day! Written by three of our Social Justice Committee Members:

Azan, Justin and Roman

Ms. Vavala’s class went on a field trip to Ripley’s Aquarium on April 13, 2017. We got to see many different cool fish as we walked through Dangerous Lagoon. The jellyfish were changing colors from pink to orange to blue to green at Planet Jellies. Some of us got to touch Stingrays, Sharks and Horseshoe Crabs and our sleeves got really wet. Sharks and fish swam around us when we crawled through the tube. At the Discovery Center we went into a submarine that gave us a great view of Dangerous Lagoon. I was surprised to see a big blue lobster because I always thought they were small and red. As we were leaving, we got to see the sharks being fed. That was so cool. Ms. Vavala’s class had fun and we hope we will go there again.

By Demi Gr. 2

Ripley’s Aquarium

PINK Day @ Selwyn!

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Tackling Anxiety Stress And Mindfulness (T.A.S.A.M)

Here is a little review about the 3 workshops of T.A.S.A.M (Tackling Anxiety Stress And Mindfulness) at Selwyn.

One of the workshops focused on using visual arts. We started off by writing or drawing when we feel anxious or

stressed. Or, what makes you feel stressed or anxious. Then we ripped the paper. I think this was to get rid of those

feelings! We then began making something called “sleep warriors”. If you have trouble sleeping because you worry

too much, this is for you. We made these sleep warriors out of clothespins, yarn, and coloured pipe cleaners. First,

we made a face and a secret message. Then we picked out our pipe cleaners and colours of yarn. Thirdly, we went to

the hot glue station and wrapped our yarn around the clothespin. It was really fun and exciting.

The next workshop was the storyteller Mr. Benji and his cool Australian accent, reading a book. (It was called

“Milton's Secret” by Eckhart Tolle, Robert S. Friedman, and was illustrated by Frank Riccio). The story was about a

boy named Milton learning to “live in the now”. He learned that after facing his fear of a bully named Carter. In a

dream a lady from the ice cream parlor showed him a light that shined through everything. It was amazing!

The last workshop was the drama center. We did the mannequin challenge! It would be how we would look if we

were stressed or anxious, and what we do to relieve stress and/or anxiety. We then played a game of family feud.

We talked about some symptoms of stress and anxiety, and for every correct answer, we got a point. You should try

it too! It is really amazing, cool, and relaxing. As well as fun.

Other schools should try it as well because it helps students know that they are not alone facing things like anxiety

and stress. During the drama

activities, we had to be hon-

est and move if we had

that issue. In conclusion, I

would rate T.A.S.A.M

(Tackling Anxiety Stress And

Mindfulness), 4 and a half

stars. (4.5 stars). By Selena

Grade 5 Graduation Update

Graduation Day - Another school year will soon be coming to a close and the Grade 5 Graduation will be upon us. This year the

Grad will be held on June 27th @ 10:15am followed by a celebration cake and photo opportunity with parents. The family celebra-

tion will wrap up around 12 noon. After parents leave, the students will have a group lunch and ‘dance party’ to celebrate.

Fundraising - The Grade 5 students have been actively fundraising to achieve our $2500 target . Over the last 3 weeks they have

raised $700, so we’re well on our way to achieving the goal. The committee wants to give a shout out to Oak Leaf Confections for

donating some of the gum for our Gum Day last week, everyone had a blast!

Bake Sale - This Friday April 28th, we’ve got a Bake Sale & Samosa Sale at lunch and afternoon recess, everything for $1 or $2. Par-

ents we’re looking for nut-free donations for the bake sale (cupcakes, cookies, etc), please drop them off at the office on Friday

morning.

Other Upcoming Activities - Other fundraising activities in May include Hat Day on May 9th and Candy Kabob Sale on May 18th.

Parents We Need Your Help - Parents we still need a DJ for 1- 2 hours for the grad Dance Party on the afternoon of June 27th. If you

know of anyone who is willing to donate their time or someone who is affordable and specializes in Tweens we’d love to hear from

you. We are also looking for a donation of two large flowering plants for the grad stage. Please send a note to lenore-

brooks@hotmail.com or tell Ms. Koziol if you are able to assist the Grad Committee with either of these items.

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Upcoming Dates/Events (Please check our school website for regular Calendar updates)

Latin-America History Month

Latin-America History Month at the TDSB is recognized during the month of April. Across the TDSB, we have over 5000 students

and over 21 countries from Latin-America that will be represented as we learn and celebrate the diverse ethnicities, nationalities,

cultures and languages of Latin-America. Linguistically, the diversity of peoples with Latin-America ancestry sees over 500 hundred

languages spoken, which encompasses Indigenous and African languages such as Kuna and Garifuna.

This year, we will elaborate on the concept of Abya Yala, a decolonized term from the Kuna Language, referring to geographical

region of Latin-America as Indigenous Land and explored through the Indigenous Prophecy of the Eagle and Condor. This diversity

is not easily accessed in mainstream sources of knowledge nor are the experiences of students from Latin-America. The TDSB is

leading the equity work in transforming schools to equitable spaces where images, words and actions alike uplift students and

their families of Latin-America!

April

12– Pink Day/ Jump Rope for Heart

13-Rms. 2,3,4 &10 to Ripley’s Aquarium

14—Good Friday

17—Easter Monday

21– Pizza Lunch

26—Silver Birch Voting

May

2 Comic Art Wkshop

3 Mental Health Family Workshop 6:45pm –7:45pm

4 Track/Field @Birchmount

9 Jr Boy’s Soccer Tournament

12 Pizza Lunch

16 Gifted Open House

Folkfest @ EYCI

18 Folkfest Raindate

19 Family Movie Night

29—2nd Gr 3 EQAO

30 Family Literacy Night

Sikh Heritage Month

On March 22, 2016, Trustees voted to designate April of each year as

Sikh Heritage Month, making TDSB the first school board in Canada

to do so, and matching recognition by the Province of Ontario in

2013. As stated in the Sikh Heritage Month Act, 2013, c. 12, s. 1.:

"Sikh Canadians have lived in Ontario since the middle of the twenti-

eth century. They represent a growing and dynamic population.

April is an important month for the Sikh community. In this month,

Sikh Canadians celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of the

Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. The Province of Ontario recog-

nizes the important contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to

Ontario’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric."

As Canada marks its 150th birthday, it is a time to reflect on both

the struggles and accomplishments of the many communities that

contribute to Canada’s rich cultural mosaic. From being turned away

on Canada’s shores during the historic Komagata Maru incident in

1914 to the many Canadians, such as Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan,

who serve the nation today, we must continue to progress.

Equity is the foundation of achievement and well-being.

Our TDSB community is invited to participate in a work-ing session to develop strategies and to improve equity in your school. These highly interactive sessions are an opportunity to share what’s working well, consider so-lutions for challenges and develop an action plan that will benefit everyone.

Tuesday, May 9 6:30-8:30 pm Danforth CTI, 800 Greenwood Ave.

Food, refreshments and childcare are provided.