MARCH 2019 DOLPHIN NEWS

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1 MARCH 2019 DOLPHIN NEWS EMPOWERING MODERN LEARNERS AT DOLPHIN SR. Peel Board's goals include setting high expectations for achievement, programming for equity and inclusion, and ensuring a safe and positive climate for student well-being. One approach is through EML: Empowering Modern Learners. This involves exploring 6 elements of curriculum delivery: Learning Culture, Access to Technology, Learning Environments, Informative Assessment, Models of Learning, and 21st Century Competencies. At Dolphin SPS, instructional staff have formed six collaborative teams, each exploring one element in depth. The purpose is to address student needs with modern learning approaches. At monthly staff meetings each EML team shares their ongoing learning journey so that we may collectively develop teaching strategies to support all students in achieving personal excellence. An example of this professional development is the Access to Technology Team. This group of teachers are helping students move from digital consumers to creators. To support learning and enhance curriculum delivery, students are exploring software (e.g., Google Read and Write, Mindomo, Screencasts), robotics (e.g., Makey Makey, Microbits), online games (i.e., BreakOut Edu) and apps (i.e., goit). If we intentionally and sequentially teach students the skills to use a variety of technological tools, they will be empowered to use these technologies across the curriculum. Together, we are enabling them to build their digital toolboxes! The 21st Century Competencies Team focus is to challenge students to think critically about the world and take action locally and globally. What are 21st Century skills? Peel DSB identifies them as Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship, Critical-Thinking, Creativity, and Learning to Learn. If we encourage students to share their stories and help them see concepts, issues, themes, and conflicts from multiple perspectives then they will have the self-awareness to apply these competencies to become change agents and design innovative solutions for real problems. Examples include participating in the school-wide studentvote.ca municipal election in the Fall of 2018, as well as the Kairos Blanket Exercise as part of Indigenous Education. There is something for everyone at Dolphin SPS and every program, every classroom, every teacher, and every student is engaged in Modern Learning initiatives! To learn more about Modern Learning initiatives across the Peel Board, tune into the modernlearners.ca weekly podcast or check out the Adobe Spark webpage:

2 March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Field Centre Open House: Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16 from 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its maple syrup bush. The March Break programs run from Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16. The open house begins at 10 a.m. and the last presentation of the day will be at 3 p.m. This year marks the 50-year anniversary of the Peel District School Board s Sugar Bush program, which provides families with outdoor, educational activities and hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel board staff during March Break. Families are invited to get involved as Spring comes to life through the following activities: help tap trees and empty sap buckets sample some freshly-made maple syrup hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations experience the Indigenous roots of sweet water visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney The cost is $5.00/adult and $4.00/child 12 and under. Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hotdogs for you to roast over an open fire. Please note that all payments are cash only. Jack Smythe Field Centre is located at Winston Churchill Blvd. in Terra Cotta. Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre: Head North on Mississauga Rd. Turn left on King St. (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left) Turn right on Winston Churchill Blvd. (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left). Head to

3 My Life Online Parent & Student Presentations On February 22, 2019, Dolphin s students attended the My Life Online presentation which focused on teaching kids to be kind, smart and safe online. They were reminded of the positive benefits but also the negative impact of using social media. My Life Online empowers students with a clear set of values, principles and social skills to guide their lives online. Please review these guidelines with your child. Parent were also invited to participate in the same webinar on Feb 20th in which the presenters shared great advice of how to be aware of, and the discussions you should be having with your child of how to be responsible online. If you missed the discussion, please follow the link below for the parent presentation. LINK TO PARENT WEBINAR REPLAY Keep your child safe on the Internet Even without trying, children can come across materials on the internet that are obscene, disturbing, violent, hate-filled, racist or offensive in other ways. Here are some steps to help you ensure that your children use the internet as safely as possible: make sure your children understand what sites are appropriate for them keep the computer in a common area of the home like the kitchen or family room discuss the meaning of an unsafe site with your children explain to your children what they should do if they reach an unsafe site pay attention to the games your children may download or copy look into software or online services that filter out offensive materials or sites It's important to review safety tips with children regularly. It is possible for children to meet unsafe strangers on the internet. Ensure your child knows the following rules: never give out personal information (including name, address, phone number, age, school name) never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online never use bad language or send mean messages never respond to messages that make them feel confused or uncomfortable tell an adult immediately if something on the internet makes them feel uncomfortable

4 Smoking and Vaping Prohibited on School Property The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) came into effect on October 17, This law aims to protect the health of Ontarians by regulating the sale, supply and use of tobacco and vapour products (electronic cigarettes), and the smoking and vaping of cannabis. Under the SFOA, 2017 it is illegal to smoke (tobacco or cannabis) or vape on: School grounds (both inside the school and on the outdoor grounds, including the parking lot and sports fields) Public areas within 20 metres of school property. New signs are being posted at our schools to notify users that smoking and vaping is prohibited in these areas. The smoking and vaping prohibition is always in effect and applies to staff, students and visitors. Region of Peel - Public Health enforces the smoking and vaping prohibition and has been working with school administrators to keep our schools smoke and vape free. Individuals found smoking and/or vaping in a prohibited area may be subject to a fine. For more information on how the SFOA, 2017 applies to schools, contact Public Health at For more information on the health effects of smoking and vaping visit the Health Canada website: Bus cancellation and 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 available on Facebook at and or by calling or It is usually also announced on the radio and television stations. Reporting absences when School Messenger is experiencing technical issues Parents using the SafeArrival system, provided by School Messenger have experienced problems reporting absences through the App and website. While School Messenger works diligently to fix any technical issues, parents/guardians are reminded that absences can always be reported by calling the School Messenger toll -free number even when the App and website are inaccessible.

5 MARCH CALENDAR Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Grad photos (Grade 8) 2 Dolphin Sr. Girls Basketball Dolphin Sr. Day Day 4 6 Ski trip Day 5 Red Cross Babysitting Course begins (2:30-4pm) 7 Dolphin Jr. Girls Basketball Dolphin Sr. Day 1 8 Cops for Cancer vs Dolphin hockey game (AM) \ School dance (PM) Spring Break Covenant House presentation (Gr 8 s only) 19 Ski trip 20 Red Cross Babysitting Course (2:30-4pm) Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 1 World Water Day :Fuse 6:30-8:30 pm 24/ Day 3 Day 4 Harbour Front trip -802, 805, 8HP, 78C (Gr 8 s only) Red Cross Course (2:30-4pm) School Council 6:30 pm 28 Day 5 Day 1 Harbour Front trip- 801, Harbour Front trip -803, 804, 678, 78E (Gr 8 s only) 30 Gr 6 Hockey Tournament