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Silverthorn Public School

3535 Cedar Creek Drive

Mississauga, ON

L4Y 2Y4

(905) 279—1651

School Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1160

Mrs. K. Dhillon

Principal

Mrs. A. Zaffino

Office Manager

Ms. C. MacDonald

Office Assistant

Mr. P. da Silva

Superintendent

of Education

905 366 - 8800

Ms. Sue Lawton

Trustee

Wards 3 & 4

905 625 - 8084

Peel District School Board

www.peelsb.com

October 2016

Absences and Late Arrival to School:

Parents/Guardians please be reminded that school begins promptly at 9:00 am.

The bell rings at 8:58 for entry. Please prepare to have your children arrive at

school between 8:45 and 8:55 so they are ready to enter the building at 8:58 with

their class.

Teachers are not on duty until 8:45 am. Children are not supervised before this

time. No children should be dropped off before 8:45 am, as this is a safety issue.

To assist the office staff with safe arrival, please follow the NEW safe arrival

procedures and call 1-855-209-6155, or go online at pdsb.schoolconnects.com,

or by downloading the mobile app for Apple and Android devices. For absences

longer than 5 consecutive school days, please contact the school

office.

success, confidence, and hope in each student.

Dear Silverthorn Families,

This school year has started off so Great! We had so many enthusiastic students

on the first day of school, waiting anxiously to see their teachers and friends.

September is a time for children to share their summer adventures and experi-

ences, and I was so lucky to hear so many great stories. Now that we are on our

way thorough this exciting journey of learning—we have lots to accomplish and

achieve.

This Month you will have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and see

where all the learning happens. We encourage all family members to join us on

October 6th. I hope to see each and everyone of you!

Sincerely,

Karen Dhillon

Principal

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Way to go sharks!

We raised $454 for the Terry Fox Foundation for

Cancer research.

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Important Dates in October

5th Soccer Tournament at Dixie

5th Teacher Appreciation Day

6th Photo Day

6th Open House

7th Professional Learning Day—No School

10th Thanksgiving Day—No School

12th Character Assembly @ 2:10

12th School Council Meeting 6pm at the school

18th Book Orders due

19th Bus Driver Appreciation Day

21st Dental Screening (jk,sk,2,4)

26th TA and DECE Appreciation Day

26th Take Me Outside Day!

31st Halloween

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IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR THIS YEAR

Report student absences through new SafeArrival system

Beginning Sept. 6, 2016, all parents/guardians need to report their

children’s full-day absences, late arrivals and/or early departures

from school via our new automated SafeArrival phone number at

1-855-209-6155, online at pdsb.schoolconnects.com, or by

downloading the mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

For absences longer than 5 consecutive school days, please con-

tact the school office.

Parents are encouraged to provide an email address to schools.

Parents who have an email address on file at school will receive

an email invitation from Synrevoice Technologies during the

week of August 29. The invitation will include login information.

Starting the week of August 29, parents who do not have an

email address on file at the school can visit

pdsb.schoolconnects.com and choose CREATE LOGIN to create

your account and receive login credentials that can be used online

or with the mobile app. Parents need to have a cell phone that is ca-

pable of receiving text messages to complete the setup process. The

cell phone number must be on file with the school. All three options

are available 24 hours a day.

There is no longer an absence reporting phone line at school. If you have any questions or require any assistance, contact the

school directly.

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VOLUNTEERS

We welcome volunteers at Silverthorn Public School. Volunteers help in the library, read with students, help provide supervision on field trips or assist with pizza days and other special events. If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact the school office. ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK. Applications are available from the school office. Processing by Peel Regional Police for the criminal reference checks for volunteers can take several weeks, so please apply early.

Offence Declaration Required for Returning Volunteers

Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school com-

munity. At Silverthorn, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community members, and are grate-

ful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year.

To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal record check. A police background

check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you

need this background check.

Once you have completed the process, you are on file with the Peel District School Board as being a school volunteer.

Beginning this year, all returning volunteers will be mailed an Offence Declaration Form that must be filled out and

returned to the board office each year. You will not be able to volunteer with the Peel Board until you have returned this

form.

If you have any questions about criminal record checks or the offence declaration form, please call the Board office at

905-890-1010 ext. 2488.

PIZZA DAYS SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

PIZZA DAYS are back. Every 2nd Friday, pizza will be available for your child’s lunch.

Please make sure you look for an order form to come home next week. The first term of or-

dering will run from the end of October until mid-February. One or two slices, cheese or

pepperoni – plus a snack. Deadline to order is Tuesday, October 18th, first pizza day will be

Friday, October 28th.

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FIRST SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12TH at 6:00pm

All parents are welcome to attend.

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ANY INFORMATION CHANGES?

It is very important for us to have current and updated information about our students and their families. We understand that moves take place, as do minor changes such as contact details etc. Please watch for forms coming home in the next few weeks so that you can keep us informed of any necessary changes. and so that we can update our school records

Check Your Child’s Agenda for Important Notices!

Silverthorn is an ECO School and we are trying to be more eco friendly. Important

communications from the school will still be sent home with your child. These communica-

tions will be placed in a plastic sleeve inside the front of the agenda.

Kindergarten students will have a plastic baggie. It is very important for parents to remove

and read the weekly communications sent home from the school. There are also many forms

that require your signature and have to be returned to the school.

Parents and Guardians are asked to please return all permission forms and money from school

start-up as soon as possible.

THANK YOU for your continued cooperation.

Picking Up and Dropping Off Your Children to and From School

& Changes to Entry Through the Front Doors

We ask parents to please have their students dropped off at school prior to 8:58 so that they can enter the school through

the doors that they use with their classes. Often children arrive just as the bell rings and try to come through the front

door. Parents also often wish to escort their children to class. THIS PRACTICE IS NOT PERMITTED !

All schools in Ontario have mandatory locks on the front doors. Each time you wish to enter the school you must buzz

the office staff , and then be let in. The office staff MUST also assign visitors badges for you to go any distance down

the hall. You can imagine how busy the office staff would be to accommodate the multitude of late arrivals we have

each day at Silverthorn. Bringing your kids to school at 8:45 would really assist in them being on time for class.

Several staff are assigned to yard duty at 8:45 am each day to supervise children in the morning and then at 3:30pm to

3:45 pm each day at the end of the school day.

Students should not exit the school at 3:30 pm via the front doors. Parents should meet their children at the back of the

school where there are staff on duty and walk to their car with their children. The parking lot is not supervised and can

be a safety risk to unaccompanied children.

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Celebrating Faith and Culture

October 2016 DATE CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

October Xlaaw and Falling Leaves Moon Aboriginal Spirituality

October 1 Sharad Navratri Hinduism

October 2 World Communion Sunday Christianity

October 2 New Year (Hijra) and Muharram Islam

Sunset of October 2 to 4 Rosh Hashanah Judaism

October 7 to 9 Jalsa Salana Islam

October 9 Durgashtami Hinduism

October 10 Vijaya Dashmi/Dassehra Hinduism

October 10 Thanksgiving Day Canada

October 11

Sunset of October 11 to 12

Ashura

Yom Kippur

Islam

Judaism

October 12 to 16 Ghambar Ayathrem Zoroastrianism

October 15 – November 3 The month of 'Ilm Bahá'í

October 16 Kathina, Pavarana, Anapanasati and Founders' Day

Buddhism

Sunset of October 16 to 23

Sukkot Judaism

October 18 Karva Chauth Hinduism

October 20 Installation of Guru Granth as Guru Sikhism

Sunset of October 23 to 25

Simchat Torah Judaism

October 29 or 30 Diwali Hinduism

October 30 Diwali/Lord Mahavir Nirvan Jainsim

October 30 Bandi Chhor Divas Sikhism

October 30 or 31 New Year’s Day/Day of Enlighten-ment

Hinduism/Jainsim

October 31 Halloween Canada

Sunset of October 31 - November 1

Samhain Wicca

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Get involved in your child’s education Research shows parent involvement positively affects student success. Becom-ing more involved brings many benefits. You will get to know teachers, the prin-cipal and other parents better. You will be able to share your talents, experienc-es and ideas. You will inspire youth—and be inspired by them. You will show your child how much you value education. You will gain insights that can help you to boost your child's learning. And you could develop skills and knowledge that can help you in your own career. There are many ways to be involved. Attending the Peel District School Board's annual parent conference on Saturday, April 1, 2016, volunteering at your child's school, talking to your teen about their school day and reading with your child at night are all forms of parent involvement. Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/involved to learn more.

Train More. Rehearse More. Learn More. New Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options for stu-dent athletes, artists Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes it diffi-cult to attend school regularly? The Peel District School Board’s new Peel Region High Performers Program will offer flexible timetabling to accommodate student athletes and artists with demanding practice, com-petition, rehearsal and/or performance schedules. Peel Region High Performers Program will open in September 2017, and will be offered at:

Britannia Public School (grades 4 to 5) Dolphin Sr. Public School (grades 6 to 8) Mississauga Secondary School (grades 9 to 12)

For more information and a program flyer, visit www.peelschools.org/HighPerformers

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.

Registration open – Continuing Education International Languages program for K-12 students

The opportunity to study a language in addition to English and French can benefit all students, society in general and an increasingly independent world, including: students with no prior knowledge of a particular language students whose first language is English or French and who wish to study their home languages as a second

or third language students whose first language is their home language

The International Languages program is based on oral communications, reading and writing in languages other than English or French. Grammar and language knowledge are incorporated into each of the three skill areas. Any student who is currently enrolled in a Peel District School Board elementary or secondary school is eli-gible to attend. Classes operate each Saturday from September 17, 2016 to June 10, 2016, except for holiday weekends and school vacations. Credit classes are 3.5 hours per day and run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Elementary classes are 2.5 hours per day and run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is currently open. In partnership with School-day, Continuing Education offers an online, cash-less registration process. Please visit www.peelschools.org/conted/il for further information.

Celebrate World Teachers’ Day Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Since 1994, parents and students from around the world have cele-brated World Teachers’ Day to commemorate the work of teachers and their contributions to society. On Oct. 5, take the time to let your child's teacher know he or she is truly appreciated. Thank your child's teacher and let them know they are making a difference.

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Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 19, 2016. The day will be celebrated with special activities and events that provide teachers, students and parents an opportunity to thank the people who safely transport over 36,000 students to and from school each day. If your child rides the bus to school, take this opportunity to thank the bus driver for his or her contribution and ask your child to do so too. The Peel board appreciates the important job bus drivers do each school day and Oct. 19 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.

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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 October 26, 2016. The Peel board appreci-ates the important work of teaching assistants and ECEs, and the contributions that they make in the lives of children, families and community members.

Oct. 19 opportunity to say 'thanks' to bus drivers

Oct. 26 – Celebrate Peel Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Educators’ Appreciation Day

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October is International Walk to School Month According to the 2015 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card, about 91 per cent of 5-to-17-year-olds are not meeting Canadi-an Physical Activity Guidelines to get at least 60 minutes of daily moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity. These declining activity levels are linked to obesity, illness and chronic diseases (i.e., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer). Using active transportation for the school journey is one of the easiest ways for students to get regular daily physical activity. Managing time to allow for the walk or bike ride to school will become a positive habit that leads to children arriving on time, refreshed and energized for the school day. In fact, University of Illinois research has found that just 20 minutes of easy walking boosts performance in the areas of the brain that support math and reading achievement. Walking to school also helps out the environment. Eliminating just four short trips per week can reduce emissions by up to 100 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Families that participate in active travel to school can prevent almost 1,000 kg of carbon dioxide per year and save money in fuel costs as well. Also, when more children walk to school and fewer parents drive their children, the areas near school zones become safer for pedestrians. That is why our school will be participating in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5. On that day—and throughout the month, if you can—walk, bike, blade, scooter, skip or hop to school….but don’t drive! International Walk to School month is part of the Active & Safe Routes to School program. Visit www.saferoutestoschool.ca/ for more information.

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Procedures help keep students safe at school Peel schools provide a safe environment for students and staff to learn and work. The board has many procedures to ensure safety ¾ including regular fire drills, evacuation plans, criminal record checks for new staff and volunteers and lockdown drills. Together with Peel Police and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board, the board developed a lockdown procedure to help keep schools safe during a potentially serious or violent incident. Every school will review the key points of the lockdown process with students. We rehearse the drill twice per year to make sure staff and students know what to do if we have to initiate a lockdown. During the rehearsal, the principal will make an announcement to "initiate lockdown procedure." The school bell will ring continuously for a period of time. Students and staff inside the school will: go to the closest room, close the door and lock it, if possible turn off the lights and lie down on the floor away from doors and windows remain on the floor quietly until further directions are given Students and staff outside the school will: move as far away from the building as possible remain outside until further directions are given Depending on the situation, students and staff outside the building may be directed to an evacuation site. When the rehearsal is over, the principal will make another announcement. During lockdown rehearsals or in a real lockdown situation, students and staff must not use cell phones. Cell phones can create a safety hazard by attracting attention to the area of the school where the phone is being used. In the unlikely event of an actual lockdown, police ask that parents do not go to the school. For safe-ty reasons, you will not be allowed to enter a school that is in lockdown. In some cases, police will designate a Parent Information Site for you to attend and get up-to-date, accurate information. To find your Parent Information Site or get further details during a real lockdown, visit www.peelschools.org or listen to local media. If you have any questions about our lockdown drill, or any of the procedures we have in place to keep students and staff safe, please call the school.

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Peel board launches new Plan for Student Success 2016-21 In August 2016, the Peel District School Board launched its new Plan for Student Success, a set of four goals that will guide decision-making during 2016-21 to help us achieve our mission to inspire success, confidence and hope in each student. Each goal, listed in no particular order, is key to student success.

High Expectations for Achievement: Set high expectations for staff and students to ensure all students achieve personal excellence. Parent, Community and Staff Engagement: Engage staff, parents and communities to support student suc-cess. Equity and Inclusion: Achieve inclusion for all through our continuous progress on equity. Safe, Positive Healthy Climate/Well-Being: Build safe, positive, healthy climates for learning and working to nurture student and staff well-being.

More information about the Plan for Stu-dent Success will soon be available at http://www.peelschools.org/aboutus/ourgoals/

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Give what you can on United Way Giving Day – Oct. 26, 2016 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 sup-porting communities after a crisis. That’s why we are holding a board-wide giving day in sup-port of United Way of Peel Region, a key partner and supporter of Peel families. This year, the Peel board has declared Oct. 26 as United Way Giving Day to raise much needed funds for United Way of Peel Region and the network of 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 of Peel Region offers hope and possibility to thousands in our community. A donation of: $2 may go towards a warm winter coat for a child. $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 matches a teen with a caring adult mentor who will meet with him or her several times

each month for fun activities. This is a completely voluntary campaign and any contributions are welcome. Whether you send a loonie, toonie or cheque made out to your child’s school, your contribution will make a difference. Pledges of $25 or more will automatically receive a tax receipt from United Way of Peel Region. To receive a receipt, you must fill out the pledge form on the back and send it to school with your donation by Dec. 16, 2016. Thank you for lending a helping hand to those who need it most. Together, we can Inspire Possibility!

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United Way Giving Day Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Make cheques payable to your local school All proceeds go to the United Way of Peel Region. Pledges of $25 or more will automatically receive a tax receipt if a complete address is provided below and pledge form is submitted to your school by Dec. 16, 2016.

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How to prevent litter at school

Did you know that litter is a safety hazard, discourages development, lowers property values and costs money? According to the Region of Peel, litter can attract animals and insects, harm pets and serve as a breeding ground for disease. Here are some tips for reducing waste at school:

Provide your child with a litter-less lunch which could contain:

refillable water bottle

returnable, reusable or refillable drink containers instead of plastic bottles and cans

snacks and sandwiches stored in plastic containers

fruit that requires no wrap such as bananas, apples, oranges

Put trash in the appropriate container. If a recycling bin isn't available, ask where you can find one and hold on to garbage until you can dispose of it properly.

Reduce and reuse as much as you can before you recycle. Reuse plastic bags, the other side of a sheet of paper etc.

If you see litter, pick it up!

Set a good example. Don't be a litterbug.

Take part in neighbourhood cleanups - litter prevention requires the community to work together.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tips for being a smart trick-or-treater

Halloween is a fun and exciting time, but safety should be the number one concern. Here are some safety tips for children:

Wear a properly fitted costume that is bright and non-flammable. Use reflective tape on your costume so you can be seen in the dark.

Use face makeup or enlarge the eyes on your mask so you can see well. When wearing a mask, push it up on your head while walking.

Teach children to visit the front door of well-lit homes and never go inside. Help your child plan a route and a time to be home. Remind children to always walk on the sidewalk, and obey traffic and pedestrian signals. Have an adult check treats at home before allowing children to eat them. Younger children should go trick-or-treating with an adult. Older children are reminded to trick-or-

treat in groups. Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become

lost.

Time for school - A parent’s guide to regular school attendance

Elementary school is a wonderful time in the life of a child, a time of great strides in learning and in social and emotional development. Many things affect your child’s success, from the quality of his or her teachers, to the makeup of the class. One of the most important factors is your child’s regular and timely attendance. Getting to class on time, and avoiding absences, are critical if your child is to get the most out of school. It seems obvious. But the fact is that elementary stu-dents tend to miss and average of eight or more school days during the year. What can you as a parent do to help ensure your child’s proper attendance? Is your child missing more? Why does attendance matter?

First, understand that getting to school–every day and on time–matters at every level, perhaps even more so in elementary school. That’s because important learning occurs daily, right from the start of class. And because you establish patterns early on. By being punctual and responsible, children are acquiring positive habits about school attendance. Some other things to consider: By being late, children miss important social time with their peers before school

begins. Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious. Late arrivals can disrupt the routine of the classroom. A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get her to school in the

wrong frame of mind. Missing even five or 10 minutes of the day can make it harder for the student to

understand the material being taught. Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and knowledge base, cause

the child to fall behind his peers and hurt his self-esteem. Too many missed school days can increase isolation, as the child stands out

from her classmates and misses opportunities to develop socially. Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good rapport with the

teachers.

When Time is Ticking Few homes run like clockwork. The morning routine, especially, can be a mad scramble. But there are effective strategies for getting your little one up and out the door on time. Get your child to bed at a reasonable hour. Set realistic and consistent schedules and rules at home. Getting ready

for school should be part of the child’s overall routine, something that’s expected of him every day.

The night before school, do whatever is necessary to shave time in the morning, such as setting out clothes, packing lunch, and setting schoolbags at the door.

Have a set morning routine that the child can easily follow, i.e. washing hands and face, going to the bathroom, dressing, making the bed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast.

Avoid any distractions that can slow the child down, like TV or games. If you’re running late regularly, set your alarm to get up earlier. Is it a sick day? Children do get sick sometimes – they are still developing natural re-sistance to certain infections, their hygiene behaviours are still devel-oping and germs spread more easily in a classroom. So some missed school is unavoidable, for the child’s own well-being, and the protec-tion of her classmates. But there are ways to cut down on sick days.

Teach your child about proper handwashing, after going to the bathroom, playing outside or wiping his nose.

Follow other healthy habits, from eating nutritious food to getting enough sleep. Some symptoms make school attendance uncomfortable, like a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. But if you’re

unsure whether your child is sick enough to miss school, talk to your doctor. Some children pretend to be sick to avoid school. Ask yourself is the child’s symptoms are vague, (i.e. a

headache, upset stomach, fatigue), if your child tends to miraculously recover just after school starts or ends, or if the illness is happening during stressful times at school or at home. Allowing your child to remain home when there’s no real illness sets a bad pattern.

If you decide to keep your child home, please report your child’s absence via the SafeArrival system quick-ly and conveniently in one of the three ways:

Call an automated, interactive toll free number – 1-855-209-6155 Report absences online by accessing the SafeArrival parent portal on pdsb.schoolconnects.com Download the SafeArrival mobile application for Apple and Android devices

Once you have reported your child’s absence, keep the child in bed or doing quiet, low-key activities. A day off from school shouldn’t be a holiday, it should be a time to recuperate from illness, so the child can return as soon as possible.

Set the right example Children follow the lead of their parents. If you place an importance on regu-lar and prompt school attendance, so will your child. Show interest in your child’s education by asking about the school day, cele-

brating school successes, attending school events and parent-teacher interviews, volunteering at school, and communicating with your child’s teacher. The more you value school, the more your child will.

Provide a home environment that encourages learning and curiosity. Treat the school hours with respect. If you have to make an appointment for your child, arrange it before

or after school or, if that’s not possible, at the very beginning or end of the day. When it comes to planning family trips, some parents will factor in the schedule in the higher grades, but

think little of pulling their child out of school. If anything, younger students can be affected more when they miss an extended period, finding it tough to relearn classroom routines and rejoin their peer group. Learning is cumulative, building on the skills and concepts that were introduced before. And this process is ongoing. Family trips can be wonderful learning experiences themselves. But if they must occur during the school year, please save them for scheduled breaks.

If your child resists going to school, for no apparent reason, talk to him or her about any possible problems with the school, teacher or other kids. However, don’t give in to coaxing, pleading or threatening and keep the child at home. That creates a bad precedent.

Need more information? If you have any questions regarding any of the issues raised here about lateness or attendance, or if you’re looking for other tips on getting your child to school, please talk to us. By working together, we can help support a more successful school experience for your child. Visit our website at www.peelschools.org.

Prevent the flu. It’s in your hands Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water when they are dirty. Clean your hands before: touching your eyes, nose or mouth

touching/preparing food or drinks

eating or drinking

caring for someone in your home who can easily get sick

(baby, elderly or someone who has an unhealthy immune system) first aid

Clean your hands after:

touching pets or other animals

touching raw meat, particularly chicken

touching surfaces such as a railing or grocery cart touching money

touching objects sick people have touched

touching blood or body fluids such as urine, vomit or feces

contact with those who have a cold, the flu, diarrhea or virus of any kind

changing diapers

wiping your own or a child’s nose

sneezing or coughing

using a facial tissue

using the washroom

removing gloves

cleaning

gardening

What to do when you cough or sneeze: cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve

put used tissues in the wastebasket clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer

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