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We inspire everyone to reach their full potential to be successful life-long learners.

OCTOBER 2018

Principal: Mrs. D. Lataille-Herdsman Hickory Wood Public School

Vice Principal: Mrs. Sirpal 630 Ray Lawson Blvd.

Superintendent: Mrs. M. Stubbings Brampton, Ontario

Trustee: Mrs. K. McDonald Telephone: 905-451-3444

Dates to Remember

25th Anniversary

Hickory Wood PS Open

House – Wed Oct 3 –

5pm – 7

Scholastic Book Fair –

Oct 1-3

PD Day—Oct 5—no

school for students

Picture Day- Oct 26

Re-Take Day - Nov

14th

School Council

meeting Thurs Oct

25th at 5:30pm

Cooperation Student

Led Assembly – Oct

30th at 1pm

Pizza Days start Oct 3

to Dec 19 (every

Wednesday)

Milk Days start Oct 2

runs until Dec 20

(every Tuesday and

Thursday)

Celebrate World Teachers’ Day

Since 1994, parents and students from around the world have celebrated

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 they are truly appreciated. Thank your child's teacher and let them

know they are making a difference.

Peel board recognizes Peel Principals and Vice-Principals’ Day

for the first time on Oct. 10

In 2018, the board of trustees declared Oct. 10 as Peel Principals and Vice-

Principals’ Day. This day allows the community to recognize the important

work of principals and vice-principals, and to acknowledge their work in

supporting students, staff and their communities every day.

Oct. 24 – Celebrate Peel Teaching Assistant and Early

Childhood Educators’ Appreciation Day

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 24, 2018.

The Peel board appreciates the important work of teaching assistants and

ECEs, and the contributions that they make in the lives of children, families

and community members.

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Message from our School Trustee

Welcome back to all students, parents and staff. Where does the time go? The first month

has flown by so quickly and we have weathered all the hiccups and bumps along the way.

Reorg is over and most busing issues have been resolved.

As a system we are always seeking advice from our families as we journey together to

make your child be the best that they can be. So do not hesitate to voice your concerns or

offer your assistance and advice. Please remember parents and caregivers are always

welcomed into our schools. Volunteers are an important part of school life. Whether it's

reading to emerging readers, helping out on special lunch days or joining our school

council meetings we look forward to partnering with you. Simply contact the principal so

you can discuss how best to support student success at your child’s school.

Just a few reminders as students are settling into their routines. First and foremost,

remember it’s very important for students to come to school ready to learn and the best

way to do this is with a good night's sleep. Secondly, nutrition is very important, so

minimize unhealthy foods especially foods high in refined sugar and salt. Thirdly, please

stay connected to your child’s teacher. Teachers are just an email or other electronic

forms of communication, a phone call or an agenda note away. It is very beneficial to

students and to the family when a routine is established as this helps to facilitate a smooth

flow in your child’s daily routine. Above all, remember to enjoy each moment and each

learning experience as before you know it your little ones will be graduating.

Walk Good. Belle Marché.

Trustee Kathy McDonald.

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Oct. 17 opportunity to say ‘thanks’ to bus drivers

Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 17,

2018. 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

their contribution and ask your child to do so too. The Peel board appreciates the

important job bus drivers do each school day and Oct. 17 provides

an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.

Hickory Wood Public to recognize Orange Shirt Day on October 4th

First launched in 2013 in Williams Lake, Orange Shirt Day commemorates the history and

the legacy of residential schools, and the strength and fortitude of residential school

Survivors and their descendants.

Although Orange Shirt Day is on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, our school will

commemorate the day Thursday, Oct. 4. Students are encouraged to

wear orange shirts at schools in recognition of the day.

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The long and lazy days of summer are over. Fall is on its way and as the days get shorter and the

temperatures drop, it’s a great time for renewal and fresh starts. Focusing and concentrating on good

mental health is an important part of overall wellness. According to the World Health Organization,

mental health is "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can

cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a

contribution to her or his community." Mental health is something we all have. Just like physical health,

there are some things that you and your child can do to be mentally healthy:

Get enough sleep. Remember it takes the average person a complete hour to go from fully awake to fully asleep. If you do an hour-long bedtime routine pretty much the same way every night, your child’s brain will get the message that it is time to shut down for sleep.

Exercise daily - even a short walk makes a difference. Getting outside to exercise provides exposure to Vitamin D the “sunshine vitamin.”

Try to surround you and your family with positive, supportive people.

Eat plenty of nutritious foods.

Spend time everyday doing things that make you and your child feel good.

Take time to relax.

Be in touch with your feelings by being mindful of your thoughts and how you feel. Ask your child how they are feeling.

When there are problems or worries, try to actively work to solve the problem.

Try new things and encourage your child to get involved in school activities or new hobbies. Go offline. Make a commitment to limit screen time as a family.

Photo Day

Photo day will be on

Friday, October 26th.

Re-Take Day is Nov 14th.

Dress to impress and don’t forget your smile!

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Conference helps parents empower modern learners

The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference, co-presented by

the Peel Elementary Teachers’ Local, on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Mississauga

Secondary School in Mississauga. After hearing from participants and staff, we are

changing the traditional workshop model to an "un-conference" model, where

attendees will create their own agenda, and explore all subject areas and experts, as if

they were visiting a museum. This format will allow parents to visit and interact with

each area and Peel board facilitators.

This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels.

Our keynote presentation will be delivered by Will Richardson, co-publisher of

ModernLearners.com, who converges and shares knowledge on modern learning.

Will’s talk—Schools on the Brink: How Classrooms are Being Reimagined for a World

of Networked Learning—will be split into two sessions during the conference. Parents

will learn about the schools, districts, provinces, and countries that are leading this

profound redefinition of what it means to be fully educated today.

Reserve your spot starting Oct. 1, 2018

Stay up-to-date!

For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/parents/conference.

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Regional Learning Choices programs unlock passions

Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options for

student athletes, artists

Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes

it difficult to attend school regularly? The Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High

Performers Program will offer flexible timetabling to accommodate student athletes and artists

with demanding practice, competition, rehearsal and/or performance schedules.

Peel Region High Performers Program is 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, visit www.peelschools.org/HighPerformers.

School Council Meeting

Our next school council meeting will take place on Thursday,

October 25th at 5:30pm in our library learning commons. Come

out and share your ideas!

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Regional Learning Choices Programs, offered by the Peel District School Board, empower students by providing them with opportunities to develop and explore skills in a particular area of interest. Regional programs are open to all students who meet the criteria for acceptance. Students and their families are encouraged to attend the information night for the program of their choice to receive more information about the program and application details.

Transportation is not provided for students in regional programs. If students have been accepted into a regional program and they live within the school boundary, they are eligible for busing only if they meet the distance criteria outlined in the board’s Transportation Policy #39.

All regional programs include a non-refundable application fee and an annual program fee. All RLCP application fees are $40 annual fees, except the Truck and Coach program which is offered at no cost. IMPORTANT DATES

ELEMENTARY SECONDARY

Applications open Jan. 28, 2019 at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 5, 2018 at 12:01 a.m.

Applications close Feb. 11, 2019 at 3 p.m. Nov. 21, 2018 at 3 p.m.

REGIONAL LEARNING CHOICES PROGRAMS OFFERED

Programs Starts in grade: 6 7 9

Actively in Motion (AIM) – Royal Orchard MS

Advanced Placement – Central Peel SS, John Fraser SS

Arts – Earnscliffe Sr. PS (starts in grade 6), Queen Elizabeth Sr. PS (starts in grade 7), Cawthra

Park SS, Mayfield SS

Arts and Technology – Morning Star MS

Graphic Design Management – T.L. Kennedy SS

International Baccalaureate – Bristol Road. MS, W.G. Davis Sr. PS, Erindale SS, Glenforest SS,

Harold M. Brathwaite SS, Turner Fenton SS

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International Business and Technology – Allan A. Martin Sr. PS, Lisgar MS, Williams Parkway. Sr.

PS, Meadowvale SS, North Park SS, T.L. Kennedy SS

International and Executive Leadership Academy – T.L. Kennedy SS

Regional Skilled Trades – West Credit SS (starting in September 2019)

SciTech – Centennial Sr. PS, Macville PS, Tomken Road. MS, Chinguacousy SS, Port Credit SS

Sports – Applewood Heights SS

Strings – Central Peel SS, Port Credit SS

Truck and Coach Engineering and Technology – Bramalea SS

For more information about program information nights, busing, fees and the application

process/dates, visit www.peelschools.org/RegionalPrograms

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Get involved in your child’s education

Research shows parent involvement positively affects student success. Becoming more involved brings

many benefits. You will get to know teachers, the principal and other parents better. You will be able to

share your talents, experiences 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, 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.

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 eligible to

attend.

Classes operate each Saturday from mid-September to mid-June, except for holiday weekends and school

vacations. Credit classes are 3.5 hours per day and run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Elementary classes are 2.5 hours

per day and run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Registration is currently open. In partnership with School-day, Continuing Education offers an online, cashless

registration process. Please visit www.peelschools.org/conted/il for further information.

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Getting your questions answered

Do you have questions about your child’s education? Here are some helpful people to contact to ensure you

get the answers you need as quickly as possible.

Your child’s teacher: If you have questions related to your child’s education, the first person you should

speak to is your child’s teacher. They can assist you with homework and assessments, instructional strategies,

classroom rules, and questions about the classroom/school.

Your school principal or vice-principal: If you require additional assistance, or if your question extends

beyond the classroom, speak with your school principal or vice-principal. They can assist you with School

Council, school safety, registration, student schedules, report cards, the Student Code of Conduct, and

student discipline, along with many other school-wide topics.

Your school’s superintendent of education: If you still have unanswered questions or concerns after speaking

with your child’s teacher and principal, you can talk to your local superintendent for assistance. Their contact

information is available on the ‘About Us’ section of your child’s school website.

Your local trustees: Trustees are elected representatives and can assist you with suggestions for the school

board, board agenda items, board polices and board budget. You can learn who your trustee is by visiting

http://www.peelschools.org/trustees/meetyourtrustee/Pages/default.aspx

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.

1) 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.

2) Teach children to visit the front door of well-lit homes and never go inside. 3) Help your child plan a route and a time to be home. 4) Remind children to always walk on the sidewalk, and obey traffic and pedestrian signals. 5) Have an adult check treats at home before allowing children to eat them. 6) Younger children should go trick-or-treating with an adult. Older children are reminded to trick-or-treat in

groups. 7) Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become

lost.

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Schools use many strategies to keep children safe

Peel schools provide a safe environment for staff and students to work and learn. The board has many

procedures to ensure safety. To keep students safe, schools use many strategies including:

requiring all parents and visitors to check in at the main office and obtain visitor passes

the use of a "buddy system" – students can only leave the classroom if accompanied by another student (for example, going to the washroom)

assigning teachers to supervise inside and outside the school during recesses, before and after school

locking all exteriors doors, including the main entrance, during school hours [elementary schools only]

encouraging staff to regularly review street proofing skills with students

expecting staff and students to report unidentified individuals to the office immediately

holding fire drills and "lockdown" rehearsals

having evacuation and bomb threat plans in place

ensuring that all staff and volunteers have up-to-date criminal record checks or have completed Offence Declarations

working with the police to provide education on street-proofing

We feel that it is important that you also take this opportunity to review safe procedures with your

child. Peel Regional Police have provided the following safety guidelines:

Tell your children to never go anywhere with a stranger, not to talk to strangers and never take anything from them. You also have to teach them what a "safe stranger" is in case they need help. A safe stranger includes a police officer, a cashier, a fire fighter.

Develop a "what if" game for children to get them thinking about how they would respond if they felt threatened or afraid.

Know who your children play with and where they go. This includes keeping a list of their friend's addresses and phone numbers.

Do not leave your child in unsupervised locations, such as cars, parks, public washrooms, arenas, malls and plazas, etc.

Teach your children where and how to get help. Go with them on their regularly travelled routes.

Your child's body is private. Tell your children that no one may touch the area their bathing suit covers. If someone tries to touch them, they should tell you immediately.

Teach your children to talk to you immediately when someone does anything that makes them feel strange or uncomfortable. Listen when your children are trying to tell you about something that bothers them and provide them with support and understanding.

Communicate to your children the importance of following the teacher’s instructions during a lockdown, hold and secure, bomb threat, shelter in place or fire drill and to not use cell phones to ensure their own safety.

For more information about safety at your school, review your school handbook or speak to your

principal or teacher.

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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 Canadian 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 10. 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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Celebrating Faith and Culture

October 2018

DATE HOLY DAY(S)/HOLIDAY FAITH AND CULTURE

October Xlaaw and Falling Leaves Aboriginal Spirituality

Sunset of Sept 30 to October 1

Simchat Torah Judaism

October 7 World Communion Sunday Christianity

October 8 Thanksgiving Canada

October 9 Sharad Navratri Hinduism

October 12 – 16

Ghambar Ayathrem Zoroastrianism

October 16 – November 3

The month of ‘Ilm Bahá'í

October 16 Durgaashtami Hinduism

October 18 Vijaya Dashmi/Dassehra Hinduism

October 20 Installation of the Guru Granth as Guru Sikhism

October 24 Kathina Ceremony/ Pavarana Day Buddhism

October 27 Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment (Pravrajya)

Buddhism

October 27 Karva Chauth Hinduism

October 29 Arbaeen Islam

October 31 Halloween Canada

Sunset of October 31 to November 1

Samhain Wicca

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Staff on duty for Supervision 8:35 a.m.

Entry Bell rings to Enter School 8:45 a.m.

Must report to the office with parent for a late slip if the student is not in class by 8:50 a.m.

School Starts – classes begin 8:50 a.m.

Morning Recess 10:10 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.

Lunch Hour 11:35 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.

Afternoon Recess 1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

School Ends - Dismissal 3:20 p.m.

It is important for all parents to understand that the schoolyard is only

supervised by staff 15 minutes before the start of the school day. Children

sent to school earlier than 8:35 a.m. will not be supervised by an adult

member of the staff and a call will be made to you. The Office staff are not

responsible to supervise students who are dropped off before 8:35 a.m.

Please pick your children up on time as school dismisses at 3:20 p.m. After

3:35 p.m. there is no supervision for children remaining at school.