April News

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Laurel Barrett
6 years ago
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1 The Queenston Drive Herald Mission: A community of critical thinkers creating a positive change in our world. April 2018 Trustees: Robert Crocker Sue Lawton FOLLOW US ON April News Hello Spring! We are very excited for the changing season and we are ready to say goodbye to winter. The days are getting longer and brighter and recess has once again become a time when students are playing a variety of games without their heavy winter clothing. The students and staff at Queenston have continued to develop their skills in the area of technology. At school, our students have access to desk top computers, ipads, and Chromebooks. With the wide variety of programs and applications, students are able to learn and present their learning in multiple ways. Be sure to ask your child, What s up? in the area of technology in their classroom and be amazed with what they might share. We are also discussing with students the importance of digital citizenship. We need to ensure that they have the social skills that are necessary in the world of technology to stay safe. We encourage parents to supervise and monitor their child s online activities at home and we will continue to monitor at school. We will celebrate Education Week starting April 23 rd. More information will be coming home regarding special events during the week. April 11 th marks the International Day of Pink. It is a day when communities across the country, and around the world, unite to celebrate diversity and raise awareness to stop homophobia and all forms of bullying. The international Day of Pink was started in Canada, and the message is clear: anyone can bully, anyone can be victimized by bullying, but together we can stop it. We hope your child will join the millions of people wearing pink to remember that positive actions make a difference. If your child does not have any pink clothing but wishes to participate, consider a pink bandana, bracelet, ribbon, scarf or hat. Classes will be involved in stories, discussions, lessons and activities centered around all forms of bullying and discriminatory behaviours and what we can do to be proactive, inclusive and respectful of everyone! Thank you for your support as we continually strive to make Queenston Drive Public School and our community an inclusive place that celebrates diversity. Ken Diana Principal Scott Richards Vice Principal

Queenston Dr. Cultural Celebration Thursday, April 26th, 2018 6:00-8:00pm We are pleased to announce that Queenston Drive is hosting its second Cultural Celebration.

The goal of this event is to celebrate our cultural diversity, embrace our differences, and to have fun learning about the various cultures found in our own community.

Children/students will be able to taste foods, if they are accompanied by a guardian/parent.

2 Queenston Dr. Cultural Celebration Thursday, April 26th, :00-8:00pm We are pleased to announce that Queenston Drive is hosting its second Cultural Celebration. The Queenston Drive Cultural Celebration is an opportunity to celebrate our diverse community. The goal of this event is to celebrate our cultural diversity, embrace our differences, and to have fun learning about the various cultures found in our own community. We will have a number of activities throughout the evening. We hope that you will support this special event by coming out with your family. You will be able to taste foods from around the world. Children/students will be able to taste foods, if they are accompanied by a guardian/parent. Thank you to all the students, families, and staff members that have been working hard to prepare various cultural fashions, arts, literature, artifacts, foods, and performances. We hope to see you there! News From the Library Learning Commons The Forest of Reading program which began in January has continued in full force. The kindergarten-grade 2 students have almost completed reading the 10 Blue Spruce titles. The students in grades 3 to 8 are challenging themselves to read at least five of the Silver Birch or Red Maple titles. This is in preparation for voting day in April at which time they will vote for their favourite book. As well, on May 18 th, at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Peel will host its own Celebration of Reading featuring some of the nominated Canadian authors from these programs. Queenston students who have read the required number of titles will be eligible to attend this celebration. It s back! Queenston will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in the library during Education Week from April 23 rd to April 27th. Proceeds from the Fair will be used to purchase more wonderful reading materials for our Queenston students. Please note that cash payment is preferred. At Queenston, WE LOVE READING! Ms. M. McCubbin Teacher Librarian

Hello Queenston families, This year Queenston will be participating in Autism Ontario s Raise the Flag on World Autism Awareness Day, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 (due to April

3 Hello Queenston families, This year Queenston will be participating in Autism Ontario s Raise the Flag on World Autism Awareness Day, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 (due to April 2 nd being Easter Monday). What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that may affect an individual socially, emotionally and cognitively. People with ASD, range in symptoms and therefore represent a spectrum of individuals, ranging from high functioning to high needs. What is Raise the Flag? Autism Ontario s Raise the Flag campaign unites families, schools, communities, government and professionals in recognizing World Autism Awareness Day. This initiative helps build stronger, more inclusive communities for people with ASD and helps them achieve quality of life. Who is Autism Ontario? Autism Ontario is the province s largest collective voice representing the autism community and supporting thousands of families across the province through its 25 Chapters. Last year, over 20,000 people, including individuals with autism and their families, accessed Autism Ontario services and supports. You can visit for more information. About Autism Ontario - Peel Chapter The Peel Chapter is directed and managed by a dedicated core of (mostly) parent volunteers. Being a not for profit organization, the chapter does not receive any government funding. All Chapter administrative functions are supported by volunteers, donations from the community, and fundraising initiatives. In addition to providing resources, support and funding, the Peel Chapters also runs about 100 events per year. What can the Queenston Community do to Help? This year our ASD contained classroom will be doing an Autism Awareness Assembly on Wednesday, April 4th. We are asking Queenston students to bring in a Loonie on or before April 4 th to help the fundraising efforts of Autism Ontario and support Peel families living with ASD. Thank you in advance!!

4 ParentConnect Online parent portal to access important student information The Peel District School Board is excited to announce the launch of ParentConnect, an online parent portal to access important student information. The pilot program was introduced at select schools and phased in to all Peel schools on Feb. 23, What is ParentConnect? ParentConnect is a safe and secure website, created by the Peel District School Board, that acts as a single point to stay informed and to access all electronic services provided to Peel board parents and legal guardians. The parent-friendly website will allow you to: view school-based alerts and information access real time absence reporting view current and historic elementary report card information get up-to-date busing information review secondary school credit history and diploma status and more To learn more about the benefits of ParentConnect, visit our school website or Important changes coming to SafeArrival system in May 2018 The Peel District School Board is currently using the SafeArrival system by Synervoice Technologies. As Synervoice has been sold to West Communications, there will be slight changes to our SafeArrival system and how you will report your child s absence from school. The phone number to report your child s absence will stay the same, but there are a few other changes. Beginning May 14, 2018, all elementary school parents/guardians need to report their child s full-day absences, late arrivals and/or early departures from school via our new School Messenger SafeArrival system. The phone number will stay the same: Website has changed to: go.schoolmessenger.ca Download a new app: School Messenger App (from Google or Apple) (please be sure to delete the old Safe Arrival app after May 11) Please continue to use our current Synervoice system until Friday, May 11, The new School Messenger SafeArrival will be live on Monday, May 14, Important to note: The transition to a new company and system will require parents to set up a new account with School Messenger SafeArrival as data will not be transferred from the old system to the new. More information on how and when to set-up your new account will be coming in the next month.

5 DATES TO REMEMBER Monday April 2 Easter Monday No School Wednesday April 4 th Autism Awareness Assembly Thursday April 5 th - MADD Presentation in RV Wednesday April 11 th Day of Pink Monday April 16 th Queenston Art Gala Monday April 23 rd 27 th Book Fair

PARKVIEW NAVIGATOR CHARTING OUR FUTURE

W N E PARKVIEW NAVIGATOR CHARTING OUR FUTURE S Parkview Elementary School September 12, 2017 Bradley W. Landgraf, Principal PARKVIEW MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Parkview Elementary School is to provide