ADJALA CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2019

School playgrounds

are closed for the

winter Every winter, school playground structures are closed. Students are made aware of this during school hours through announce-ments and staff reminders during breaks. This may not be well known throughout the community, despite signs indicating that playground structures are a winter hazard and are closed. The Canadian Standards Association regulations make recommenda-tions for the depth of ground cover required to minimize injuries (e.g. sand, pea gravel or wood chips). These surfaces cannot be maintained when the ground freezes. Injuries from falling would be more significant on frozen ground. We strongly recommend that you do not allow your children to play on any structures while the ground is frozen.

Principal’s Message

Well, the wintery weather came a bit earlier this year, but has allowed our students to build many wonderful forts out on the yard. This is such a great time of the year as our students are settled and well into the routines of the year, working hard on the myriad of activities they are challenged with. It is also nice to feel the festive spirit in the school at this time of year. The holiday season is such a wonderful time. Regardless of what you celebrate, I hope you all have the opportunity to rest and relax over the holidays and that you get to enjoy time with your children, family and friends. All the best for a prosperous New Year. Sincerely, Mike Pattison Principal

November Absenteeism 9.09% During the month of November 442 instructional days were lost due to absenteeism. 137 times students arrived late

creating classroom interruptions.

ADJALA CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DECEMBER 2019

MONTHLY CHARACTER TRAIT

EMPATHY: We strive to understand and appreciate the feelings and actions of others.

Days of Awareness and

Recognition taking place

in December Throughout the year, there are many awareness days that focus on different causes and recognition. The Simcoe County District School Board has developed a list of these days as a guide for schools. Schools may participate in recognizing some or all of these days in various ways. This list is not exhaustive. Following are the days of awareness and recognition that the SCDSB will recognize during the month of December: Dec 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Register now for Night School

(Semester Two) to complete high

school, prepare for post-secondary

education Night school at the Barrie Learning Centre offers secondary school credits in a variety of subjects for students completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and for students who are preparing for post-secondary education. Subjects include math, English, chemistry, biology, physics, social science and history. All night school courses are offered face-to-face, two nights per week, and run given sufficient enrolment. Learn more and register at: www.thelearningcentres.com.

Cold Weather Concerns

We have only had a taste of winter so far but it is here! Please make sure your child is properly dressed for outdoor recess i.e. warm coat, hat, mittens, boots. Students will go outside for activity breaks on most days. It is also a good idea to pack an extra change of clothes in your child’s backpack in case they get muddy or wet during outdoor play. All clothes should be labeled with names.

All schools in Simcoe County follow the recommendations from the Canadian Pediatric Society that suggest we should consider keeping children indoors if the temperature falls below –25c or if the wind chill is reported as being –28c or greater. We monitor weather conditions throughout the day and make our decisions based on these guidelines.

Health Canada warns Canadians about the potential danger of children being seriously injured or strangled by drawstrings on children’s outerwear. Drawstrings, especially on snowsuits, jackets and sweatshirts, can become caught on fences or other objects.

Suggestions:

Remove cords and drawstrings from children’s hoods, hats and jackets

Tuck in all clothing that can get caught

Wear a neck warmer instead of a scarf For more information, pleases contact Safe Kids Canada at 1-888-723-3847 or visit

High school info nights coming

to a school near you! Is your child starting Grade 9 next year? High school infor-mation nights happen this fall and winter. This event gives an overview of what’s new, what to expect, as well as a chance to check out the school and ask questions. Attend our local high school information night to find out what’s offered: Banting Memorial High School, 203 Victoria Street East, Al-liston info night is Wed Jan 8 from 7:00-8:30pm Check out the full schedule of info nights and more information at www.scdsb.on.ca/secondary/planning_for_high_school.

ADJALA CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DECEMBER 2019

MONTHLY CHARACTER TRAIT

EMPATHY: We strive to understand and appreciate the feelings and actions of others.

How to stop the spread of germs to

help us all stay healthy this school

year Colds and influenza spread easily from person to person. These germs can spread directly from person to person when someone coughs or sneezes, or indirectly when germs land on hard surfaces like door knobs, desks or keyboards, and then are touched by some-one else. These germs can then enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.

The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and stop the spread of germs to others is wash your hands! Wash with soap and warm running water for at least 15 seconds (or try singing “row row row your boat”). If your hands are not visibly dirty, you can use alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) for 15 seconds. You can also get your flu shot, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze and stay home if you are sick. Teach your kids to do the same!

For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year, contact Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.

Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Ditch digital devices

and plug into play This winter, swap screen time for play time together. Children need play to learn, grow and be healthy. Unstructured child-led activi-ties, or ‘free play’, make a world of difference. There are many ways to play together as a family:

Get outdoors by taking a winter hike, making a snowman, or building a snow fort

Make your own musical instruments and move to the music

Play hopscotch, tag or hide and seek

Play dress up together

Set up an obstacle course using couch cush-ions for your child to navigate

Encourage your children to lead the way and experience fun from their perspective!

For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year, contact Health Con-nection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit the health unit’s website

at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.

Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

December 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 Day 2 3 Day 3 4 Day 4 5 Day 5 6 Day 1 7

Tiffin Visit with

Gr 3/4/5

Popcorn Day

Poinsettia

Pick up

3:30-5:30pm

Pizza & Milk Chicken

Chunks & Milk

8 9 Day 2 10 Day 3 11 Day 4 12 Day 5 13 Day 1 14

Pizza & Milk

Gr 8 Banting

Info Session for

Parents 5pm

Subs & Milk

15 16 Day 2 17 Day 3 18 Day 4 19 Day 5 20 Day 1 21

Popcorn Day

Winter Concert

Dress Rehearsal

12:00pm

Evening

Performance

6:30pm

Food Drive Pick

up

Pizza & Milk Winter Concert

Snow Date

Panzerotti &

Milk

FI Applications

Close

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Winter Break

29 30 31

Winter Break

Next Month: Jan 6: Classes Resume

Jan 13-20: Moving Art

Jan 23: Gr 3/4/5 to Tiffin Centre

Jan 24: PA Day

Adjala Central Public School

9091 County Road 1

Loretto, ON L0G 1L0

Phone: 905-729-2624

Fax: 905-729-3683

Website: adj.scdsb.on.ca

Email: adjalacentral@scdsb.on.ca

Twitter: @adjalacentral