Friday 28 September 2018

September - Week 4

Connect with Us!

We are continuing to encourage all parents to sign up to receive school communication here: http://bit.ly/OwenParentContactInformation 

Please forward to anyone you speak to who is not receiving our weekly communication.


Our school website can be found here:  http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/owen/ with links to our school calendar, classroom websites and much more information about our school.



Follow us on Twitter! See what is happening @owenpublic

We will continue to use the Remind App to keep parents informed of any delays or busing issues. Please join our list by going to https://www.remind.com/join/buscont or you can text @buscont to (647) 496-4359
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Early French Immersion Program: 
The application process for the Early French Immersion program opens on Oct. 29 and the deadline is Nov. 26. Applications are made the year a child is in Junior Kindergarten (or is of Junior Kindergarten age) for entry in Senior Kindergarten. It is an entirely online process.

Orange Shirt Day - Monday, Oct. 1
While officially the TDSB has Orange shirt day today, with so much happening at our school this week we will be recognizing it on Monday, Oct. 1. We will be wearing Orange Shirts to recognize the harm that the Residential School System did to First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and to recognize that every child matters.

"Orange Shirt Day is a movement that officially began in 2013 but in reality it began in 1973 when six year old Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, BC. The date, September 30, was chosen because that was the time of the year the trucks and buses would enter the communities to “collect” the children and deliver them to their harsh new reality of cultural assimilation, mental, sexual and physical abuse, shame and deprivation. The impact of residential schools affects every Canadian."
(Bob Joseph, Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples, 2015)

New Ward Boundaries: 
On Dec. 1, 2018, new ward boundaries will come into effect for the Toronto District School Board. To view the new map and to see which schools belong to each ward, please visit New Ward Boundaries on tdsb.on.ca.



NEW BOOKS WANTED FOR OUR LIBRARY!    


Hello Owen families! Below you will find a link to our Owen Public School book donation registry. Please consider purchasing a new book to help enrich our school library. Thank you for your support! You can also find our registry by visiting the Indigo website, clicking on registry and search for registry Owen Public School.




Terry Fox Walk/Run
Thank you to all our staff, students and volunteers at the Terry Fox Run on Thursday. The weather was fantastic and the video of Owen students for the Terry Fox Foundation is something we should be proud of! Check it out here... new Terry Fox video


Lunch & After School Programs 
Registration for lunch and after school  programs is still going until Friday September 21st.

OSAC Update
Owen School Advisory Council (OSAC) is looking for new or gently used Point and Shoot Digital Cameras to be donated to the school. The cameras will be used by teachers, students and parent at assemblies, class trips and other special events to take photos for the Owen PS yearbook. If you have a new or gently used Point and Shoot Digital Camera that you would like to donate, then please drop it off with its battery and charging cable in the school office.

Thanks for your support!
OSAC


Skate Drive
Need to replace your skates or helmets for the next season?  If so, why not donate your gently used skates and helmets to help others learn to skate.

Grenoble Public School has a vibrant skating program for it's students. Over many, many years, used skates and helmets were donated and many applications for grant money were completed. The result is a vibrant program where students go skating at the Angela James Arena. For many, it is their first time on the ice. These skates and helmets are lent out to community families over the weekend as well, so that they can continue to participate in the free skate time at the arena with their children. It is such an incredible initiative. 



Let's get Owen involved to help Grenoble replenish some of the skates and helmets that are now beyond their expiry date.  Please bring any used skates and helmets to school and we will collect them in the office for a delivery to Grenoble PS.

Hot Lunch Program
Kids Kitchen will be providing lunches this year. To order lunches click here:  http://www.owenpublicschool.ca/lunch/

Calling all Parent Volunteers!
There are many ways to get involved at Owen. For more information, check out the school website:


Pizza Lunch - Online extension!
As part of our school fundraising initiatives, the Owen School Advisory Council is once again organizing pizza lunches for students. Full-day Kindergarten students are also able to participate. Please visit the school cash website to order Pizza Lunch today. https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com
(Online until Oct. 3)

Volunteers are needed on each pizza lunch day from 11:15am to 12:00pm. Please consider signing up for a classroom to help serve pizza to the students at Owen. We couldn’t do it without all our amazing parent volunteers.

Don't forget to check our school calendar for our pizza dates.


Lunch Milk Program 
Did you know that your student can get milk at lunch? The milk program is going to start on Tuesday, September 18th. You can purchase tickets for milk at  http://www.schoolcashonline.ca The tickets will be available for sale on a monthly basis.  
  • September tickets - on sale now - Sept 13, delivered Sept 17th 
  • October tickets - on sale Sept 28 - Oct 4, delivered Oct 8th 
  • November tickets – on sale Oct 26 – Nov 1, delivered Nov 5th 
  • December tickets – on sale Nov 23 – 29, delivered Dec 3rd 
Would you consider helping with the milk program? We need two more adult volunteers to share the supervisory duties. We are looking for adults to fill the following spots:  
  • alternating Tuesdays 11:20-12:00 or 
  • alternating Thursdays 11:20-12:00 
If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to owenmilkprogram@outlook.com  and please include your child's name, grade and teacher.  
Thank you,  


The milk team 

Bus Information
As many of you know, busing has been a challenge this week. We continue to work with our Transportation Department to ensure that your child gets home and to school safely. In the case of cancellations, please we aware the school staff will continue to supervise students at school until they can be picked up. Thank you for your understanding.


Empty seat applications will be accepted by the Transportation Dept. on Sept. 30 for those students who are interested in riding the bus to and from school.


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School Clubs and Committees:
Extra curricular activities are offered by teachers outside instructional time to enhance students' learning and to create opportunities for leadership and community building.  Student clubs and committees are offered throughout the year.  This chart will be kept up to date of any new clubs/committees added throughout the year.













Wednesday 19 September 2018

September - Week 3

Connect with Us!

We are encouraging all parents to sign up to receive school communication here: http://bit.ly/OwenParentContactInformation 

Please forward to anyone you speak to who is not receiving our weekly communication.


Our school website can be found here:  http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/owen/ with links to our school calendar, classroom websites and much more information about our school.



Follow us on Twitter! See what is happening @owenpublic

We will continue to use the Remind App to keep parents informed of any delays or busing issues. Please join our list by going to https://www.remind.com/join/buscont or you can text @buscont to (647) 496-4359

Terry Fox Walk/Run is here!

Date: Thursday, September 27th @ 9 a.m.

Dear Parents,

Every year, schools across Canada hold a Terry Fox event to raise money for cancer research. We are pleased to announce that Owen's Terry Fox Run/Walk is here!

We appreciate parents' generosity over the years and this year we will continue with past tradition in asking for parents and students to collect pledges from family and friends. You will have an option of filling in the pledge forms that will be sent home on September 25th, or donating online through Owen's dedicated donation page:  https://www.terryfox.ca/OwenPSNorthYorkON

OUR GOAL IS TO REACH $10,000 (students will have until October 15th to collect all donations and return them to school)

We would appreciate any help you would be able to give us in support of this event. If you would like to volunteer on the walk with your child's class, please contact your child's teacher directly.

Some junior students in the school will be running the entire 3 km. If you are willing to run with that group, please notify Mrs. Moreau (Daiana.Moreau@tdsb.on.ca).

If you are interested in staffing a post along the route during the walk, please email Ericka Goldstein (Ericka.Goldstein@tdsb.on.ca).
All helpers need to be available between
8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Thank you again for your continued support and generosity!

Terry Fox Committee


Allergy Alert at Owen!

We have many students here at Owen with severe anaphylactic reactions to nuts, particularly peanuts and walnuts, but include all other kinds. Please be aware when packing snacks and lunches that nuts are not included and examine products like granola bars to ensure they are nut free. Also please discuss with your child the importance of not sharing food with others at school as this poses a serious health risk to some students.

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be life threatening. This medical condition can cause a severe reaction to specific foods or other materials, and can result in death within minutes. Although foods such as peanuts, milk, eggs, and sesame seeds are the most common cause of anaphylaxis, insect stings, medicine, or latex can also cause a reaction. In recent years, anaphylaxis has increased dramatically among students. The TDSB is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for all students and works with Toronto Public Health and other partners to ensure the successful implementation of Sabrina's Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2006. 


Students who have severe allergies to such food substances are exposed to a severe health risk when such products are consumed in their environment or shared with them. As prevention is the best approach, we ask that you speak with your child about not sharing their snacks or lunches with other students and please do not send any snacks or lunches with your child that contain nuts.


If your child has health problems of any kind, please inform your child's teacher or office staff immediately so that the necessary health protection steps may be taken and to ensure everyone's co-operation for a safe learning environment. 


Whether you are living with the allergy yourself, caring for someone who is, or concerned about people in your community, more information about life threatening allergies is available on Food Allergy Canada’s web site at http://foodallergycanada.ca/. More information about anaphylaxis will also be available at our Curriculum Night.


Eye Examinations
Did you know that 1 in 4 school-age children may have a vision problem that could affect their ability to learn?  An eye exam is the best way to help detect a vision problem and it is covered by OHIP every year for children and youth age 19 and under.  Some signs that your child may be having difficulty seeing include:
  • Squinting or holding objects close up
  • Turns or tilts the head when viewing objects or covers one eye
  • Excessive blinking, rubbing or itching eyes
  • Complains of blurry or double vision



Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists
To find an optometrist near you visit www.optom.on.ca
For more information, visit Toronto Public Health website or call Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600 and speak with a Public Health Nurse.

Was an eye exam on your child's back to school checklist?
  • Eye exam done
  • Immunization up-to-date
  • School supplies purchased
Make your child's eye exam a part of the back to school routine.  An eye exam is the best way to help detect a vision problem and is covered by OHIP every year for children and youth age 19 and under. To find an optometrist near you visit www.optom.on.ca
For junior kindergarten students, the Eye See Eye Learn program provides an eye exam as well as a free pair of eye glasses if required.

Is your child ready for learning this school year? Help prepare your child for success by booking an eye exam with an optometrist. It's covered by OHIP for all children and youth age 19 and under.

Did you know?
  • 1 in 4 school-age children may have a vision problem that if undetected could affect their ability to learn
  • Some vision problems are much more easily treated when detected at a young age
  • For optimal health and learning, a comprehensive yearly eye exam is recommended for all students 
  • OHIP covers an annual eye exam by an optometrist for children and youth up to 19 years old


Locate an Optometrist near you.

For more information, visit Toronto Public Health website or call Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600 and speak with a Public Health Nurse.


Lunch & After School Programs 

Registration for lunch and after school  programs is still going until Friday September 21st.

Curriculum Night 
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 - 6:15pm
Join us on Wednesday, September 26 at 6:15pm to meet your child's teacher and learn about the upcoming school year. The agenda will be as follows:
6:15 - 6:35 welcome from admin
6:40 - 7:10 session 1
7:15 - 7:45 session 2

Please note that this is not a parent/teacher conference, but an opportunity to learn about the curriculum being taught this year and meet your child's teacher. 

Cross Country
Cross Country begins Monday, Sept 10 and is open to students in Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5!
Practices are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8am.
Grades 2 and 3 will run on the Primary Yard/City Park.
Grades 4 and 5 will run on the Junior Yard.

There are 10 practices before our big event at Earl Bales Park, on Oct 3.
Students are required to attend 7 of the 10 practice to be on the team AND students must be on time!
(Religious Holidays and regular absences will not be considered a missed practice)

For more information, please check the bulletin board outside the gym or email Ms. Kuzic


OSAC Update
Owen School Advisory Council (OSAC) is looking for new or gently used Point and Shoot Digital Cameras to be donated to the school. The cameras will be used by teachers, students and parent at assemblies, class trips and other special events to take photos for the Owen PS yearbook. If you have a new or gently used Point and Shoot Digital Camera that you would like to donate, then please drop it off with its battery and charging cable in the school office.

Thanks for your support!
OSAC


Skate Drive
Need to replace your skates or helmets for the next season?  If so, why not donate your gently used skates and helmets to help others learn to skate.

Grenoble Public School has a vibrant skating program for it's students. Over many, many years, used skates and helmets were donated and many applications for grant money were completed. The result is a vibrant program where students go skating at the Angela James Arena. For many, it is their first time on the ice. These skates and helmets are lent out to community families over the weekend as well, so that they can continue to participate in the free skate time at the arena with their children. It is such an incredible initiative. 



Let's get Owen involved to help Grenoble replenish some of the skates and helmets that are now beyond their expiry date.  Please bring any used skates and helmets to school and we will collect them in the office for a delivery to Grenoble PS.

Hot Lunch Program
Kids Kitchen will be providing lunches this year. To order lunches click here:  http://www.owenpublicschool.ca/lunch/

Calling all Parent Volunteers!
There are many ways to get involved at Owen. For more information, check out the school website:


Pizza Lunch
As part of our school fundraising initiatives, the Owen School Advisory Council is once again organizing pizza lunches for students. Full-day Kindergarten students are also able to participate. Please visit the school cash website to order Pizza Lunch today. https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com

Volunteers are needed on each pizza lunch day from 11:15am to 12:00pm. Please consider signing up for a classroom to help serve pizza to the students at Owen. We couldn’t do it without all our amazing parent volunteers.

Don't forget to check our school calendar for our pizza dates.


Lunch Milk Program 
Did you know that your student can get milk at lunch? The milk program is going to start on Tuesday, September 18th. You can purchase tickets for milk at  http://www.schoolcashonline.ca The tickets will be available for sale on a monthly basis.  
  • September tickets - on sale now - Sept 13, delivered Sept 17th 
  • October tickets - on sale Sept 28 - Oct 4, delivered Oct 8th 
  • November tickets – on sale Oct 26 – Nov 1, delivered Nov 5th 
  • December tickets – on sale Nov 23 – 29, delivered Dec 3rd 
Would you consider helping with the milk program? We need two more adult volunteers to share the supervisory duties. We are looking for adults to fill the following spots:  
  • alternating Tuesdays 11:20-12:00 or 
  • alternating Thursdays 11:20-12:00 
If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to owenmilkprogram@outlook.com  and please include your child's name, grade and teacher.  
Thank you,  


The milk team 

Bus Information
As many of you know, busing has been a challenge this week. We continue to work with our Transportation Department to ensure that your child gets home and to school safely. In the case of cancellations, please we aware the school staff will continue to supervise students at school until they can be picked up. Thank you for your understanding.


Empty seat applications will be accepted by the Transportation Dept. on Sept. 30 for those students in Grade 5 who are interested in riding the bus to and from school.

Online Permission Form Pilot

TDSB will be moving to the Online Permission Forms system that other boards are currently using.  This will allow schools who are using School Cash Online to pay for trips or events as well as give permission (in lieu of the paper permission form).  Owen has been chosen as a pilot program to give parents an opportunity to try it out and provide feedback to the company, @permissionclick to improve the system to be ready for full implementation in September 2019.
Many of you may have received an email from the company with instructions.  You will see a medical form, which you already submitted to the school.  This form is just for you to see what this is like as we will eventually be moving towards this system.  
Owen will continue to provide paper permission forms and will throughout the year try some of the features to help our community transition as we are all on the learning curve.


Please see the following attachment sent to all schools involved.

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School Clubs and Committees:Extra curricular activities are offered by teachers outside instructional time to enhance students' learning and to create opportunities for leadership and community building.  Student clubs and committees are offered throughout the year.  This chart will be kept up to date of any new clubs/committes added throughout the year.



Owen Online Family Update - Week of December 18

  Dear Owen Families, As we approach the holidays, we are often reminded to count the ways in which we are fortunate.  While there are many ...