Superintendent: Dan Wu: 905-940-7800 Trustee: Billy Pang 647-461-9965

Message from the Principal’s Desk

“An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it.” - Dee Hock The 9th Annual York Region Character Community Awards is the Character Community Foundation’s signature event held at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts in Richmond Hill. It recognizes individuals, schools, groups and businesses across York Region that demonstrate the following exemplary character attributes: • Compassion • Inclusiveness • Perseverance • Courage • Initiative • Respect • Fairness • Integrity • Responsibility • Honesty • Optimism. Two people who embody all of these charac-teristics are our wonderful office staff, Mrs. Sipidias and Mrs. Shiva. On April 29th, they were recognized at the York Character Community Awards ceremony for the amazing work they do for staff, students and families at Unionville Meadows Public School. Mrs. Sipidias and Mrs. Shiva were nominated by school staff for their unbelievable commitment to the well-being of every mem-ber of the Unionville Meadows community. They work tirelessly and do an amazing job at everything they do- all with a smile and a warm caring voice. We get so many comments from parents and visitors to our school about how welcoming and helpful both of these ladies are. They go above and beyond each and every day to make every member of our school feel special. They know the name of every student and make a point of saying hello to all of them. If a student comes to the office not feeling well they take care of them as if they are their own children. They hand out hundreds of band-aids, spoons, and snacks and do it all with a smile! They show the same care and concern for staff members. We are so pleased that they were nominated for this prestigious character award. Although we appreciate them each and every day, it is nice to know that they are being recognized in this offi-cial way by the York Region Community!

CONGRATULATIONS, MRS. SIPIDIAS and MRS. SHIVA!!! We are so proud of you and so lucky to work with you!

Leeanne Hughes-Fernandes & Marion Ahrens

Principal - Leeanne Hughes-Fernandes Vice Principal - Marion Ahrens Unionville Meadows P. S. 355 South Unionville Avenue, Markham, Ontario L3R 5C8

Phone: (905) 479-4795 Fax: (905) 479-1105 Website: www.unionvillemeadows.ps.yrdsb.ca

UNIONVILLE MEADOWS MESSENGER

May 2015

Mrs. Sipidias is special because… “She is always helping us.” - Isabella Gr 2 "Thank you for helping me feel better when my tummy was feeling bad."- Arianna M., Gr 1 “She is special because she gives us ice when we are hurt.” - Angela Gr 2 “She is special because she helps us to be safe.” - Michael Gr 2 “She helps to check our rooms to make sure we are safe during lock downs.” - Kathleen Gr 2 "Ms. Sipidias helped me when I got hurt." - Nicole Y., Gr 1 "Ms. Sipidias gave me ice when I banged my head on the bricks of the school." - Michael L., Gr 1 " Mrs. Sipidias helped me when I had a bleeding nose by bringing the garbage to me and making me feel all better!" -Adrian, Kindergarten “Mrs. Sipidias is the best office manager because she helps everyone!”- Tim, Gr. 4 “She is so intelligent. She is always calm. If something serious happens she always knows

what to do.”- Kris, Gr.3 “Mrs. Sipidias is caring because she gets me ice when I am hurt.” Gr. 2

“She gives me a band-aid when I need one.”- Grade 2 “Mrs. Sipidias loves everyone from the heart and respects us. When nothing is right you

turn it to shining light!” -Gr. 4/5 class

“Mrs. Sipidias gives us important notes like when we can’t bring allergy foods.” – Suri, Gr.1

“Mrs. Shiva and Mrs. Sipidias are very nice, they are not mean and they have a happy

spirit.” – Sage, Gr. 1

“Mrs. Shiva and Mrs. Sipidias always smile at people and say hello.” – Sadiq, Gr.1 “Mrs. Sipidias is selfless. She always drops whatever she is doing to help us. We always come first.”- Sandy, Gr. 8

Mrs. Shiva is special because… "Mrs. Shiva gave me a band-aid when I was hurt." -Natalie, Kindergarten “She is so nice and helpful.” - Flora, Gr 2 “She is so gentle and patient when talking with us.” - Mandy, Gr 2 “They give us late slips when we are late.” – Vanessa, Gr. 1 “She is special because she helps us when we are hurt.”- Noah, Gr 2 "Ms. Shiva always smiles at me."- Ethan Y., Gr 1 "They give us bandaids when we are hurt.", Emily Z., Gr 1 “Mrs. Shiva is helpful because she gives me spoons and forks when I forget mine.” - Gr. 2 “They always work really hard on the computer making sheets to go home.” – Max, Gr. 1

“She is kind because she helps me call my mom.” - Grade 2 student from Ms. Campbell’s class

"Mrs. Shiva called my mommy for me when I didn't have a lunch." - Naomi, Kindergarten "Mrs. Shiva and Mrs. Sipidias gave me ice when I was hurt and they let me speak to my mom when I asked her to come." -Max, Kindergarten “Mrs. Shiva is a smart young lady because she keeps the attendance straight for every stu-dent in the school.”- Tim, Gr. 4 “She is so nice and always says ‘hi how are you’ and is always so excited to see everyone.”-Kris, Gr.3 “She talks really nicely to us and gives us ice when we need it.” - Ms. Campbell’s Grade 2 class “When students are down, you turn their frown upside down.” “She does respect, she does

care, and we love her for what she does!” -Grade 4/5 class

“If it’s home time and your brother or sister are late to pick you up they make an announce-ment for you.”– Anam, Gr. 1 “Mrs. Shiva influences people to be happy and positive. She always looks at the brighter

side.” - Sandy, Gr. 8

Unionville Meadows Public School

Healthy and Effective Schools Committee Update

As part of Unionville Meadow’s continued commitment to student learning and success, our Grade 6, 7, and 8 students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities lead by Public Health nurses from the the York Region Public Health Unit. On Thursday, April 23rd, the students engaged in 100 minute workshops designed to promote conversations and action around the topics of Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Com-munication and Stress/Anxiety Management. During the sessions, students interacted in large groups as well as small groups facilitated by teachers and the Public Health nurses. Students left the workshops with a variety of strategies to manage stress and anxiety and ways to promote positive open communication and methods or techniques to work through conflict effectively. It was a wonderful day of dialogue and learn-ing!

Planning for the 2015/2016 School Year This is the time of year that we begin the planning proc-ess for the upcoming school year and determine how many classes we will have in each grade. If you are plan-ning on moving out of our area before September 2015, please let the office know (in writing) as soon as possible. Please include the last day of attendance and the school your child(ren) will be attending. Also, if you know of anyone moving into the Unionville Meadows area please also let the office know. Our Kindergarten registrations continue. If you know of anyone in the neighbourhood whose child was born in 2011, please remind them to come into the school as soon as possible to register their child for Junior Kinder-garten.

Baby News!!!

Congratulations to Ms. Kwan on the safe arrival of her baby boy, Darryl Li on April 2nd. Big sister Michele, mom, dad and baby are all enjoying getting to know each other. We wish them the very best during this special time!

MAY AT A GLANCE!

1- School Council Movie Night 7pm 14- Grade 4, 4/5 Water Festival Trip 4- Grade 2 Trip to Theatre School Council Meeting @ 6:30 in Library Camp Pine Crest Information Evening for Gr 7 Families 6:30pm 15- Arts Series Khac Chi Bamboo Grade 3-8 6- Grade 7 Transition Day at Markville 18- Victoria Day - No School 7- Spring Fling Concert/Little Red Riding Hood 7pm 19- Grade 5 Trip to Harbourfront Centre 8 - Grade 7 History Trip 20- Special Needs Track and Field Meet 11- Volunteer Tea 3:15 21- Badminton Regional Meet Welcome to Kindergarten Parent Evening 6:30 Welcome to Kindergarten Night (parents and children) 13- Spirit Day- Pajama Day & Healthy School Assembly 29- String Ensemble at Canada’s Wonderland

York Region District School Board

Student Surveys

In order to provide information for Board and School planning, York Region District School Board students in Grades 5 to 12 have been invited to participate in a school survey. The survey, which is anonymous and con-fidential, was conducted last week at UMPS. The infor-mation from this survey will be used to identify areas to be addressed, monitor progress and plan strategies to support student achievement and well-being. Aligned with Board priorities, the survey addresses topics includ-ing equity and inclusion, school safety, learning environ-ment, student well-being and other priorities. When we get the information back we will be working with the data provided by our students to make UMPS an even better school.

Scientist in the School visit Kindergarten

Classes at Unionville Meadows PS During the month of April the FDK classes at UMPS were very fortunate to learn about water through the Scientist in the School Program. We had so much fun learning! We learned about the life cycle of water, how water changes it's shape, how materials absorb and repel water and how different materials sink and float. We even got to make and float our very own boats! The kindergarten students had a wonderful time playing with water!