Clearmeadow P.S. - New beginnings!

We hope that you are as excited as we are about all of the wonderful possibilities that this new year will bring. We’re very much looking forward to getting back into the swing of learning and play-ing, socializing and extending ourselves through new challenges, involving students, staff and our parent community.

We are pleased to see that a number of projects were completed over the summer such as the reimaging of our school technology, replacement of various blinds, and the superb scrubbing, clean-ing, waxing and polishing completed by our care-taking staff, Mr. Draper, Ms. Weber, Mr.

Wark and Mr. Yau. They have done stellar work in preparing the school for the return of our students, staff and parent community. Also

to be commended is the work completed by our office administrators, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. O’Reilly in assisting us with the very involved task of our September start up. Our teachers, E.A.’s, D.E.C.E’s, Daycare and volunteers have been working diligently with their planning, the preparing of curriculum materials and the decorat-ing of their classrooms in anticipation of the return of our students.

Our intent is to improve upon the strong tradition at Clearmeadow P.S. of providing thoughtful pro-gramming supported by engaging practical experi-ences. All our staff will be working together through planning, assessment and evaluation, and instruction, as part of our involvement with our ongoing S.I.P.S.A.(School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement), focusing on inquiry-based Numeracy, Literacy, Equity, Modern Learning and Mental Health foci. As part of their teaching assignments, Mrs. Horner and Ms. Burrows will continue as our literacy/numeracy teachers, responsible in consultation with the principal, Leadership Team and Staff, for overseeing the

continued work with teachers, students and par-ents through our inquiry-based, integrated ap-proach to technology, media, literacy, mathe-matics, social studies, science, Health.and Physi-cal Education and the Arts.

This will continue to guide us this year as we focus on improving the achievement of all students. As always, we are here to help and support you. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are looking forward to another superb year here at Clearmeadow P.S. We want to especial-ly welcome new families to our school communi-ty. We have a number of students coming to Clearmeadow P.S. from other schools, boards, provinces and countries and many Kindergarten students who are just beginning their formal school experience.

Parents often ask us what they can do to help their children develop a love of learning and really enjoy their school experience? Parents can do a lot to help their children feel good about school and about themselves. Here are some helpful suggestions:

1) Avoid being a source of pressure. 2) Share how proud you are on a regular basis. 3) Keep the lines of communication open. 4) Work with them to find solutions to their difficulties. 5) Keep the lines of communication with the teach-er open. 6) Encourage their independence. 7) Show your enthusiasm in what they are learning.

(Borrowed in part from the “The Month Ahead.”)

We would also like to welcome Mr. Draper (Interim Lead Caretaker), Mrs. Cristofoli (PREP), Ms. Hart (FDK), Mrs. Richards (DECE), Ms. Udris (ADH), Ms.. Williams (.5 Secretary) and Ms. Taylor Reed, (VP). And wel-come back to Mr. O’Reilly (caretaker).

We look forward to seeing you around school.

Mr. T. McElrea, Principal

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK . .

200 Clearmeadow Blvd., Newmarket, ON, L3X 2E4

Ph. (905) 868-8081 • Fax (905) 868-8392

SEPTEMBER 2018

T. McElrea, Principal

K. Taylor Reed, Vice Principal

J. Hall (EOAA), D. O’Reilly,

M. Williams, Office Administra-tion

S. Bredin, Superintendent (905) 895-5155

Martin Van Beek, Trustee (905) 830-6776

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

School Council 2

School Organization 3

A New Beginning . . 4

Safe and Supportive 5-7

School Start-up and Miscellaneous Items

8-10

September Calendar 11

Our “Meet the Staff Evening” has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 4, 2018. It will run from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Please plan to attend as this will be a great opportunity to connect with your child(ren)s teacher(s) as we begin with our 2018/2019 school year.

“The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic

point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never

dreamed of.”

C. S. Lewis

School Council News Council Corner – Nutrition Program We are pleased to confirm that Clearmeadow P.S. will continue to run our very successful Nutrition Program which serves many of our students daily through a variety of initiatives. Each classroom receives a bucket of fresh seasonal fruit every Monday, for students to enjoy throughout the week. Offerings include “kid sized” apples, clementines, bananas and more. Students who are having a “hungry day” and need a little something extra (or who have forgotten to pack a snack/lunch), can visit the H.U.B. classroom where staff will help set them up with a nutritious snack or meal. We strive to accommodate cultural and food allergy requirements and always welcome your feedback and/or inquiries. Last year our program provided more than 36,000 snacks/meals to students which translates to roughly 90 snacks/meals per student during the course of the 2017/2018 school year. Our Nutrition Program is a significant expense, and is funded by community partners, and by School Council fundraisers such as the Coyote Fund through School Cash Online (more details to follow – stay tuned!). Thank you to our Clearmeadow P.S. families for supporting School Council fundraising efforts which make this program possible! We Love Volunteers! Join Us! There are a number of opportunities to volunteer with the school, which is a great way to help out and also get to know the many wonderful school families who are a vital part of our Clearmeadow community. Some of the areas you can help are: · Nutrition Program · Jump Rope for Heart · Fundraising (Coyote Fund, Special Projects etc) · School Events (BBQ, etc) · Classroom help · Pizza Fridays · Grade 8 Graduation Committee , , , and more! We understand that life is busy. Some of our parent volunteers offer an hour here and there, once every few months, or on a more regular basis – you decide what suits you and your family schedule. A Volunteer Form is located in the Forms! Forms! Forms! Package which goes home with your student(s) this week. Please feel free to complete this form with your contact information, or get in touch with one of our council members directly - Cari Pickford (Parent Volunteer) at (905) 716-4578. Penny Lawson-Cameron, Council Chair – Clearmeadow P.S.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2018-19

Labour Day: Monday, September 3, 2018

Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 8, 2018

Winter Vacation: Monday, December 24, 2018 to Friday, January 4, 2019

Family Day: Monday, February 18, 2019

Mid-Winter Break: Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15, 2019

Good Friday: Friday, April 19, 2019

Easter Monday: Monday, April 22, 2019

Victoria Day Monday, May 20, 2019

SCHOOL WEBSITE

The Clearmeadow School Website will be updated on a consistent basis. It is an excellent source of communication for students and parents. Please make sure that you check the site for new updates and sign up for receiving the electronic messages throughout the year.

http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/clearmeadow.ps

September 2018 School Council Meeting: Wednesday, September 26th – 6:30 pm

Clearmeadow Library

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAYS 2018-19

Monday, September 24, 2018

Friday, October 22, 2018

Friday, November 23, 2018

Friday, January 18, 2019

Monday, February 1, 2019

Monday, June 3, 2019

Thursday, June 27, 2019 (pm)

Clearmeadow P.S. Staff (2018/2019)

Home-School Communication

Early communication between home and school is an important step in assur-ing that your child gets off to a positive start in his/her educational year. The student agendas for this school year are available for many of our students (they have been paid for by our School Council). This edition of the agenda is colourful and fully illustrated, and full of helpful information relevant to learning, time management, Board Policies and school expectations, including our Code of Behaviour. They are an excellent tool for communication be-tween your child and the school as well as the development of student organi-zational and goal setting skills. Students can record homework activities, par-ents and teachers can communicate and there is a pocket in front of the agen-da for important notes and/or homework assignments. We highly recom-mend that students make use of some form of agenda.

Student Agendas and Google Classroom are both an excellent communication and learning tool for students.

Our expectation is that all Gr. 1-8 students will use some form of an agenda, and many Intermediate students will have access to Google Classroom as an organizer to record daily homework and manage their time and efforts.

JK/SK Kristin Grant (T)/ Sue Shaw (DECE)

JK/SK Wendy Roberts (T)/ Terri Bell (DECE)

JK/SK Amanda Hart (T)/ Lori Hunter (DECE)

JK/SK Stephanie Scobbie (T)/ Amanda Richards (DECE)

SK/1 Doreen Crocker (T)/ Nikki Lewis (DECE)

Gr. 1 Angela Ahrens

Gr. 1 Meg Goodman

Gr. 2 Laura Ferguson

Gr. 2 Rebecca Lance

Gr. 2 Terri Kell

Gr. 3 Janell Speers

Gr. 3 Kathy Kenny

Gr. 3/4 Sarah Horner

Gr. 4 Charlene Delaney

Gr. 4 Chris Dinsdale

Gr. 5 Jenn Burrows

Gr. 5 Vesna Rakovski

Gr. 5/6 Robin Glasser

Gr. 6 Murray Mako

Gr. 6 Jennifer Grant

Gr. 7 Alison Norman

Gr. 7 Nicole Sellers

Gr. 7 Jennifer Stewart

Gr. 8 Laurie Afonso

No Changes to the Structure of Our Day

Start and end times will be the same, as will the period lengths. There will still be three 100 minute learning blocks with a 20 minute recess break between blocks 1 and 2, and a 60 minute lunch break between blocks 2 and 3.

We will continue to have full, engaging days for our students so it will be imperative that students eat a good, healthy breakfast and bring a nutritious snack for morning recess to hold them through to lunch.

Daily Schedule

Entry Bell 9:00 am

Per. 1 9:00 - 9:50

Per. 2 9:50 - 10:20

Per. 3 10:20 - 10:40

RECESS 10:40 - 11:00

Per. 4 11:00 - 11:20

Per. 5 11:20 - 11:50

Per. 6 11:50 - 12:40

LUNCH 12:40 - 1:40

Per. 7 1:40 - 2:30

Per. 8 2:30 - 3:00

Per. 9 3:00 - 3:20

Dismissal 3:20 pm

Bus Departure 3:30 pm

Safe Arrival Program

Every morning we contact the parents of students who are absent from school and for whom we have had no prior notification.

If you know that your child is going to be absent for a medical appointment etc., please contact the school office through Edsby, by note or a phone call the day be-fore. Call the school at (905) 868-8081. For your conven-ience, please use our answering machine. The machine goes on at 4:00 p.m., and messages are taken off after 8:15 a.m. This considerably reduces the number of calls to parents that we have to make in the morning. If your child is sick when they get up in the morning, please call the school before 9:00

a.m., if at all possible. Please make sure that you leave us the student’s name, please spell it, if necessary, the teacher’s name and the reason they are not attending school .

Gr. 8 Brendan Rawlins

Gr. 8 Bob Cook

PREP Shelley Stacey

PREP Yolanda Cristofoli

Core FSL Sandy Hillier

Core FSL Melissa Richardson

Library Jennifer Campbell

Music Brendan Rawlins

Phys. Ed. Phil Boley

RR Lesley Loveless

RR Michaela McKeown

Primary Dave Parke SSC/ELL

Jun. SSC Lee-Ann Lear

Inter. SSC Katherine Simpson

ASD-CC Amy Ward

EA Katie Dawson-Dee

EA Tracey Sandercock

EA Michelle Willemse

EA Kelsey Udris

EOAA Julie Hall

Secretary Diane O’Reilly

Secretary Megan Williams (.5)

Lead Care. David Draper (C. McPhail)

Caretaker Terry O’Reilly

Caretaker Donald Wark

Caretaker Dena Weber

Principal Terry McElrea

V Principal Kim Taylor Reed

Greetings families of Clearmeadow P.S.

This week, our students and staff engaged in conversations around caring, safe and inclusive school environments. In a school assem-bly, we discussed the elements of a Caring and Safe School that would support the academic achievement and well-being of all stu-dents, including:

Demonstrating positive character attributes (such as empathy, courage and respect for human rights and inclusivity)

Items and behaviours that are not allowed on school property (such as e-cigarettes, cannabis and scented products)

What happens in situations of discipline

Standing up for each other in bullying situations, including methods of reporting incidents of bullying:

Use the YRDSB’s “Report It Button” (located on our school website)

Tell a caring adult

Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)

For more details on each of these items, please read the YRDSB Start-Up Guide (or your school’s Start-Up Package) given to our stu-dents following the assembly (along with a sign-off sheet that must be returned by Monday, September 10, 2018

You can also visit the YRDSB’s Caring and Safe Schools website for details and resources for families to continue the conversation.

We hope that you have a wonderful week and thank you for supporting our safe, positive and inclusive school community.

Starting Well

Research indicates that students who have a good start in school tend to be more successful during their entire school careers. We value and welcome the input of parents and guardians in making sure that our students have a great year. Here are some things which you can do at home.

Hold reasonably high expectations for your child

Help your child stay organized and effective with time management. Encourage daily use of the Agenda/Communication Book

Encourage your child to become involved in extracurricular activities. The more students get involved, the more connected they will feel, resulting in greater commitment, pride and confidence

Establish a regular work time for your child to complete homework and study

See to it that your child attends school regularly and on time

Notify the school of changes in your contact information, or of changes in your child’s health

Consult the school if you have concerns about your child’s progress

Familiarize yourself with school expectations, codes and procedures

Get involved in the School Council

On behalf of the staff at Clearmeadow P.S., we welcome you to our school community and thank you for your continuous involve-ment. Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming years bring much success and fulfillment to your child’s goals and dreams.

Physical Conduct

In order to prevent physical injury and because of our concern for student safety, students at Clearmeadow P.S. are expected to avoid activities that involve aggressive play and touching. Activities that are not acceptable include wrestling, piggy-backing, tripping, pushing, shoving, body-checking, poking, punching and other forms of play in stairwells, hall-ways and playgrounds. During recess breaks, students are able to play organized games such as basketball and soccer as well as activities such as skipping and tag. In order to help our students with this issue and encourage respectful student interaction, we follow a “HANDS OFF” program at Clearmeadow P.S.

Lunch Procedures

Lunch is from 12:40 - 1:40 p.m. Students who stay at school for lunch eat in their own classrooms from 12:40-1:00 p.m. School Assistants and teachers supervise combinations of classes or areas. Outdoor lunch recess is from 1:00 -1:40 p.m. All students are ex-pected to go outside unless they are involved in a supervised special activity.

Students must behave appropriately and share the responsibility of the clean-up of their areas. Inappropriate behaviour at lunch will be responded to as per the Clearmeadow P.S. Code of Behaviour. Stu-dents are expected to:

1. Enter the room quietly and find a seat;

2. Remain seated during lunch and behave with courtesy and re-spect;

3. Use the washroom prior to lunch;

4. Ask permission if it is necessary to leave the room;

5. Obey the school assistant and wait until the school assistant dis-misses them;

6. Remain on school property for the duration of the lunch hour.

7. Leave the classroom clean and tidy.

Students are not allowed to go to local restaurants without signed parent permissionn (see 2018-2019 Lunch Arrangements permis-sion form).

We ask that parents and caregivers refrain from dropping off lunches for students where possible. The constant inter-ruptions to classrooms, informing students of lunch deliveries, in-terferes with valuable instructional time. If it is absolutely neces-sary, please do so at the beginning of lunch (12:40 pm).

Besides ensuring that your child eats a healthy breakfast and brings a good lunch, please encourage them to bring a nutritious snack for morning recess break. Please remember: No Nuts or Nut products!

Lunch Box Tips

School lunches can be fun, nutritious and safe. Try some of these suggestions:

Add crunchy vegetables to sandwiches; warm food in a thermos; try mini pitas, tortilla wraps or bagels.

Include food from at least 3 food groups (ie., grains, fruits and vegetables, proteins such as fish, chicken).

Send favourite healthy foods.

Avoid chips, pop, or candy. If you must, send these only as an occasional treat!

Include water, milk or juice (milk is available for purchase every-day through the milk order program).

Involve children in the making of their own lunches.

Creating Safe and Healthy Schools We have several students at CPS with se-vere peanut/nut allergies. At Clearmeadow P.S. we strive to be a peanut/nut safe envi-ronment. While we take every step to cre-ate a risk-free environment, school staff and parents can take important steps to mini-mize potentially fatal allergic reactions as there are implications for the whole school, not just individual classrooms. In order to maintain safety for all children we ask that you carefully check labels and do not send to school any food item that may contain any traces of nuts or peanuts. A substitute peanut butter product is being marketed to consumers as a safe alternative for children to bring to schools in place of peanut butter. We ask that parents re-frain from including these kinds of products in your child’s lunches or snacks. These products tend to look, taste, and smell very much like peanut butter. While the product is nut free, it mimics a known allergen that causes anaphylaxis in some chil-dren to the degree that it is indistinguishable from the allergen. It is a convincing substitute, opening up the possibility that it can be confused as peanut butter, or worse yet, peanut butter could be confused as this soy-based product.

The safety and well-being of our students is our first priority, which is why our schools have procedures in place to minimize risk of anaphylaxis reactions in our students. We

sincerely appreciate your cooperation in avoiding the use of these products to assist in our continued efforts to create a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment for all students.

If your child has any allergies or medical concerns please alert our office staff as well as your child’s teacher. Please remember that students are not allowed to carry any medication, unless directed by a doctor.

If your child requires any medication, you must fill in a ‘Self Admin-istration of Medication’ form and the office staff will keep the medica-tion in the office. All medications, including cold medi-cines and headache tablets must be in the original con-tainer, clearly stating the child’s name, medicine name & dosage. A new form must be completed each school year or when the prescription changes.

Pets on School Property

A reminder to parents/guardians who walk their pets to school: • All dogs must be on a leash and kept outside the school. • Consider leaving your pets at home. Larger animals sometimes intimidate smaller children. • Fenced in Kindergarten play areas are off limits to pets. • Excrement must be removed by pet owners. Please help keep our property clean and healthy. (This does not apply to service animals.)

Health & Safety Week

The York Region District School Board is committed to providing safe learning environments for all students. To support this endeavour, the week of Friday, September 21 - Friday, September 28, 2018 has been designated “YRDSB Safety Awareness Week”. All public Elementary and Secondary schools across the region will be featuring activities and events that highlight various facets of safety at school and in the commu-nity.

In addition, and as part of the Safety Week activities, all schools in the York Region District School Board will be conducting emergency preparedness exercises. All YRDSB schools will be implementing the required lockdown and hold-and-secure school emergency responses.

Lockdown: A school emergency response to the presence of an armed intruder or other similar violent threat within the school.

Hold-and-Secure: Protective measures applied in school buildings under circumstances of security concern due to threats to school occupants from events occurring near the school.

The purpose of the lockdown and hold-and-secure responses is to minimize risk to students and staff and to facilitate the work of emergency personnel in the case of a serious emergency for which school evacuation is not a practical solution. A lockdown drill will be run on the morning of September 26, 2018. In advance of the drill, we will review proto-cols and expectations during an emergency with all staff, students, and affected partners. Please avoid calling the school at this time and be aware that the school doors will be locked during this drill.

Freedom of Information

Throughout the school year, your child’s identity and other information may be shared beyond the classroom and the school (e.g., fundraising events with media attention, recordings/displays for events such as Arts Nights, seasonal celebrations, etc.). Please notify the school in writing if you wish to restrict the use of your child’s personal information (e.g., display of work in the hall, photos, interviews by press, etc.).

Clearmeadow P.S. Dress Code

“Appropriate Dress defines a standard of dress that meets the school community’s expectations of modesty and decency and promotes a safe and respectful learning environment. Compliance to the Appropriate Dress Policy is of a mandatory nature (Extract from Procedure P635.0)”

A reasonable standard of dress and language which identifies school as a place of dignity and learning is required at all times. Wearing of clothes which contain “put downs”, offensive symbols and inappropriate messages displayed or implied are deemed unaccepta-ble for a school setting. The manner of dress and language should be appropriate for a formal school setting.

If a student’s clothing is deemed inappropriate, he/she will be asked to change. Bare midriff, tank tops or tops with thin bra-like straps (underwear must be covered) are not permitted in Grades 1-8. Parents/Guardians may be notified to either pick up their child or bring in a change of clothing.

As a sign of respect, please be advised that all head gear (except for reli-gious purposes) is to be removed before entering the school building.

A Caring and Safe School

YRDSB is committed to creating and sustaining caring and safe schools which promote student learning, achievement and well-being. Each student has the right to learn in positive and respectful surroundings free from harassment and discrimination. Inclusive, accepting, respectful and healthy relationships allow individuals to reach their full potential.

Building a caring and safe school climate is complex. It requires supportive leadership, effective teaching practices, healthy relation-ships, a systematic approach to addressing behaviour, and the in-volvement of parents/guardians and the broader community.

Behaviour occurs in context, is learned, serves a function and can be changed over time. All students benefit from clear, consistent be-havioural expectations with positive modeling.

To enhance caring and safe school climates, positive student behav-iour supports are provided and inappropriate behaviour is addressed taking into account mitigating and other factors, using a progressive discipline approach.

Parents/guardians play a critical role in the education of their chil-dren and in supporting their social, emotional and academic growth. Students, families and schools face complex and challeng-ing issues that often require Board supports and collaboration with external agencies to access resources that contribute to positive outcomes for all students and families.

Remember . . . Character does Matter!

Attribute Month Celebrated

Respect September

Responsibility October

Honesty November

Integrity December

Compassion/Empathy January

Courage February

Inclusivity March

Fairness April

Optimism May

Perseverance June

Initiative July-August

Electronic Devices - An Important Rule

With the exception of morning recess and lunch, unless specifically related to an educational activity that has been requested and will be supervised by a staff member, all electronic devices need to be turned off and kept in “classroom parking lots” during the instructional day, 9:00 am to 3:20 pm, Please see the student agenda for more information.

School Assistants at Clearmeadow P.S.

As always, we need School (Lunch) Assistants. This is a paid position. Just a reminder that our School Assistants are staff members. We are confident in our School Assistants’

abilities to handle situations as they arise. They fulfill an essential role and as such, students are to give them the same respect as they would to teachers, caretakers, office administrators and educational assistants. (Please remember to address school-related issues with School Assistants at school during school hours).

LET’S GET OUR KIDS SAFELY OFF TO SCHOOL AND BACK HOME AGAIN!

It has been a long, hot summer, but the school season is now upon us and it’s time to start thinking about school safety. The beginning of the school year is a whole new experience for some young children and for others, it’s a great time to review safety tips. Getting children to and from school safely should be a major concern to everyone in the community and here are some safety messages for all to think about:

For Children:

Look in all directions before crossing the street

Cross only at marked crosswalks, intersections, or with the assistance of a crossing guard

Wait for the walk signal if there is one

Dress to be seen and for changing weather

Walk in well-travelled areas and avoid short cuts

Try to walk with others whenever possible

Do not talk to strangers and do not accept rides from people without your parent’s permission

If you are approached by a suspicious person, tell an adult you trust immediately

Walk your bike across the street, at crosswalks, or at intersections and always wear a helmet

For Parents:

Review street-proofing tips with your children on an on-going basis

Ensure your children wear proper bike helmets if cycling to and from school

Make sure you know the route they take to and from school

Try to arrange for them to walk with a friend

Ensure your children wear reflective clothing if travelling in the dark and make sure the clothing is safe – no drawstrings or anything else that can get hooked on objects

For Drivers:

Slow down and drive with care. Imagine a child darting in front of your car and ask yourself this: Would I be able to stop if I had to?

Give children the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections and obey the direction of crossing guards

Pay attention to school bus signals and stop arms. Failing to stop for a school bus may result in a loss of six demerit points and a fine, but

even worse, the injury or death of an innocent child

Residents are reminded about the Safe Streets, Nice Neighbourhoods philosophy, which encourages drivers to take matters into their own hands and drive responsi-bly. York Regional Police has found that 80 per cent of drivers stopped for speeding or running stop signs live within a five-kilometre radius of where they were pulled over. For more information on street-proofing your children, contact the York Regional Police Community Services Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7907. (Prepared by: Constable Kim Kirby, August 31, 2011)

School Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in volunteering your time to support our school, please call your child's homeroom teacher or Mrs. O’Reilly at (905) 868-8081.

Clearmeadow Twoonies

for Terry Fox Run

The Clearmeadow P.S. Terry Fox Run will take place on the afternoon of Friday, September 21st. Please support this worthy cause and bring in your toonies.

PAGE 8 York Region Dental Screening

Each school year dental services staff provide dental screening to children in Grades JK, SK, 2, 4, 6 and 8 and others as required. This service con-sists of a quick look in the mouth by a dental hygienist, using a separate, sterilized mirror for each child. If a child needs to see a dentist, parents/guardians will be notified. If your child is not in one of these grades and you would like to have him or her screened please contact Dental Services at one of the numbers listed .

If a child needs to see a dentist for treatment, does not have dental insur-ance and if the cost of care would be a financial hardship, treatment may be covered through the Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) program.

Also, if a child is to be excluded from screening, parents/guardians are requested to notify Dental Services in writing with the child’s name, school and grade. The address is: York Region Health Services, Public Health, 22 Prospect Street, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 3S9. For more information contact Dental Services at: Tel: (905) 8995-4512 or 1-800-735-6625 or Fax (905) 895-7520.

School Bus Information

Student Transportation Services

If you wish to access transportation information, please use www.schoolbuscity.com. During the first few weeks of school, please ensure students arrive at their bus stop ten minutes early. After which, it is anticipated each bus route will develop its regular rou-tine and service times. Student Transportation Services of York Region would like to thank you for your cooperation as we focus on providing safe, efficient transporta-tion for students.

Message From Our Trustee - Martin Van Beek I am pleased to welcome all of our students and families to the start of the 2018-2019 school year. This is an exciting time of year. I hope every-one had an enjoyable summer and is looking forward to the months ahead.

York Region District School Board is committed to advancing student achievement and well-being. The Trustees’ new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, developed based on feedback from the community, outlines four priorities that will guide this work: Foster Well-Being and Mental Health, Champion Equity and Inclusivity, Build Collaborative Relation-ships and Empower Ethical Leadership. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts. Our schools are stronger when families are en-gaged. There are many different ways families can support their child’s learning and get involved in life at the school, and I hope that you find opportunities to get engaged.

I wish you all the best for the upcoming school year.

Reporting to the Main Office

We continue to require that all visitors report to the main office upon entering the school. This step will as-sist us in securing a comfortable and safe environment for all children at Clearmeadow P.S. All doors will be locked during the day. If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, please wait in the front foyer of the school or outside, where your child will meet you. If you are visiting with the expectation of accessing the building, you are required to kindly buzz into the office, sign-in and wear a visitor badge issued by the office staff. This will assist staff in redirecting unidentified visitors to the office. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to provide a safe and secure environment for all students at Clearmeadow P.S.

Electronic Posting of Digital Images and Video Throughout the year, many of you try to capture class and school-wide events with digital cameras or video recorders. Please be aware that what you do with those images can be of concern to parents of other children and to us at school. In the past, video and still images of Clear-meadow P.S. events have been posted to the internet through social networking and video sharing websites. Rest assured that the nature of the postings will not likely cause risk for anyone; however, while these internet resources can be a wonderful way to share with family and friends who are not able to attend our many events, it also makes these images available to anyone around the world! I urge you to carefully consider what you post on-line. You should not post images of children other than your own without their permission. You should also avoid any mention of names (visually or verbally) and, avoid using or sharing the name of the school. Thank you for considering the privacy and safety of all of our students and staff. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Edsby Parent Information Evening

We have planned for an Edsby Information Evening for parents on Thursday, September 20th, running from 6:30 –7:30 pm. This will be an opportunity for parents to learn more about our new YRDSB communication platform.

Morning Announcements and National Anthem continues to be at 10:25 am

Our morning entry bell is at 9:00 am, and students should be in class at 9:05 am. 9:00 am is when our stu-dents are expected to enter the building to begin their day of learning. We will have our “hurry-up” music be-ginning at approximately 9:00 am, and attendance will be taken by 9:10 am. Students are expected to be in class with learning materials and ready for the day’s activities by this time. We look forward to having productive be-

ginnings to our school day with stu-dents consistently arriving on time. Also, the Canadian National Anthem will be played at 10:25 am, followed by our morning announcements.

REMINDER: Healthy & Safe Classroom Celebrations

We will be continuing with our Health & Safety Classroom Cele-bration program again this year at CPS. For those parents/guardians who wish to acknowledge their child’s birthday in the classroom by supplying a food item, they should first consult with the classroom teacher to discuss possibly bringing the following: air popped popcorn, baked chips or pretzels, cheese cubes with whole wheat crackers or fruit (e.g., fruit kabobs). For other classroom celebrations (Halloween, Winter Break, Valentine’s Day, End of Year) considerations still need to be made to promote healthy eat-ing practices by bringing in a balance of foods (“treats” and healthy food choices). Please remember that we are a Peanut/Nut Sensitive School - no peanut or nut products at CPS! Thank you for your cooperation with this health and safety

If you are driving your child to school and arrive between 8:45-9:00 am, please be prepared to wait. The first school entry bell is at 9:00 am.

To avoid the rush, do not wait until 8:45 a.m. to drop off your child. We have staff members on duty at 8:40 a.m. to help alleviate the congestion!

Did you receive these documents this week?

Please make sure you have received (and in some cases signed and returned back to school) the following documents:

Agenda:

Clearmeadow P.S. Start-up Package with Signature Page

YRDSB Safe & Supportive Schools

Other sheets/forms:

Student Insurance Agreement

Student Agendas (1-8)

YRDSB 2018-2019 Learning Guide

Classroom Newsletter

School Council Candidate Nomination Form

Volunteers in our School Form

Milk Program

Our Milk Program will begin the week of October 1st. More information about ordering through CashOnLine will be sent via email next week.

Students Driven to School Please be patient and careful if driv-ing and dropping your child off at school in the morning. The safety of our students is our first priority!

Update from The Learning Commons

Book Exchange

The Learning Commons (library) is up and running, students are welcome to exchange books daily during class time as well as morning recess (Mon. - Thurs.)

Teachers will be booking a weekly book exchange time with their classes in the third week of September

Please encourage your child to return his/her book when it is finished, there is no need to wait a week before getting a new book!

Volunteers Needed

I am looking for volunteers in the library this year, one hour per week (or more) and high school students are welcome

Please contact me if you are interested jennifer.campbell@yrdsb.ca

Upcoming Events The Forest of Reading is a program geared for all students (K-12) and encourages the love of reading. The books are chosen by The Ontario Library Association to celebrate Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers. More than 270 000 people take part across Canada each year. Clearmeadow has had the opportunity to participate in this meaningful program for many years due to the generosity of our Parent Council. Nominations will be coming out next month, more information to follow. Please see the link below if you are interested in learning more about the program: http://www.accessola.org (J. Campbell - Teacher-Librarian)

PROMOTING SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS OF FIRST NATION, MÉTIS AND INUIT ANCESTRY

The York Region District School Board provides an opportunity for students with First Nation, Métis and Inuit ancestry to self-identify. The process is voluntary and the information gathered will be kept confidential.

The self-identification process is the first step in providing:

Culturally specific learning opportunities or activities;

Additional support for academic achievement and well-being,

including designated support staff;

Communication between schools, First Nation, Métis and Inuit

Education staff, Aboriginal students and their families;

Connections to post-secondary institutions, community groups,

service providers and other partners;

More learning opportunities for all members of the school com-

munity to develop a greater understanding of Aboriginal perspec-

tives, cultures and histories.

New students can self-identify when they register with the Board. Current students can complete an Aboriginal Self-Identification Form which can be obtained from their school.

For further information, please see the “Information for Parents and Students with First Nation, Métis and Inuit Ancestry” brochure available from the school or speak with the school principal.

Student Supplies

We do our best to supply our students with the necessary equipment for full participation in our school activities. Often parents wish to add to their child(ren)'s available materials by obtaining additional educa-tional tools. Here are some suggestions by staff if you are so inclined:

Pencil crayons Scissors

Glue sticks Pencils

Erasers Pens (red, blue)

Pencil case 30 cm ruler

Calculator Binders, dividers

8.5 x 11 lined paper

Note: Some of these items would be optional for the Primary grades.

Valuables

Clearmeadow P.S. and YRDSB will not be held liable for theft or damage to personal property. Therefore, parents and students are strongly encouraged to leave all valuables at home. Card collections are not to be brought to school. Note: Again, any theft or damage to personal items will not be the responsibility of the Clearmeadow P.S. or the YRDSB.

Taking Care of Our School

Please remember to make full use of our waste and recycling contain-ers conveniently placed both in and outside the school. We are work-ing hard to be good caretakers of this planet which we have been lucky enough to access through our lifetimes. Remember: every little thing that we do contributes to the whole of who we are. Every-where that you travel to should prove to be a bet-ter place because you have been there.

Locks and Lockers

Lockers are available for students in limited quantity for students from Grade 6 to 8. Students are to purchase a Dudley lock, and those who

purchased a Dudley lock in previous years can contin-ue to use it. Lockers are to be locked at all times and no valuables should be stored in them. Lockers are to be kept free from vandalism such as writing, scratches and dents. Students who do not use school-approved locks will be asked to remove their locks and purchase a school lock. It is our experience, that school locks

with serial numbers assist in discouraging students from switching locks, and sometimes the destruction and theft of locks. It is also easi-er to return a lock to its rightful owner.

Students and parents are reminded of the Board’s right to search and seizure where reasonable concern over the presence of materials deemed inappropriate for the school environment are suspected, and that appropriate consequences based on the Board’s Safe Schools Policy will be initiated. If in doubt regarding the appropriateness of particular items for the school environment, students and/or parents should contact the school principal.

Early Dismissal of Students

When a student needs to leave early for an appointment, a note from a parent or guardian is required to be handed in at the office. Adults picking the child up are asked to report to the office and sign the child out in the appropriate binder.

Playground Supervision After School

We love to see the community using the playground after school. However, parents are responsible for supervising their own children who stay to play on the yard after our 3:20 pm dismissal. There is no supervision by staff at that time.

Just a Few More Reminders

* Please encourage your children to treat school materials with care. They are very expensive to replace. Students who lose or damage school materials (beyond normal wear and tear) will be required to reimburse the school.

* Label your children’s clothes. Every year large amounts of clothing and footwear are unclaimed in our lost and found.

* Call the school office if your child is absent from school.

SEPTEMBER 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

26 27 Clearmeadow P.S. office open for business this week.

28

29

30

31 1 First Parkash

2 Sri Krishna Jayanti

3

Labour

Day

4 Day 1 First day of School!

5 Day 2 3:30 pm: Staff Mtg.

6 Day 3 Caring, Inclu-sive and Safe School Assem-blies (AM)

7 Day 4 Fire Drill (AM)

September news-letter sent home.

8

9 10 Day 5 Muharram Rosh Hashanah

11 Day 1 Coptic/Ethiopian Orthodox New Year

Rosh Hashanah

12 Day 2

Ganesh Jayanti

13 Day 3

14 Day 4 15

16 17 Day 5 Milk begins the week of Oct. 1st

18 Day 1

19 Day 2 Yom Kippur

20 Day 3 6:30 pm: Edsby Parent Infor-mation Evening

21 Day 4 Ashura YRDSB Safety Week begins . . .(Sept. 21-28)

Terry Fox Run

22 Mabon

23 24 Day 0 PA Day No classes for stu-dents. Teachers participating in professional learning

Anata Chaturdasi Sukkot begins.

25 Day 5 YRDSB Safety Week 3:30 pm: Leadership Team Mtg.

26 Day 1 Lockdown Drill

(AM) School Council Mtg. (6:30 pm - Library)

27 Day 2 Fire Drill (PM)

28 Day 3

29

Meet the Staff (3:30-5:00 pm - Thurs., Oct. 4th)

Student registration all this week!