Hello Owen Families,

We have 3 weeks until the holiday break. If you are leaving for an early break, please notify the office at owenps@tdsb.on.ca of the date you are leaving and date you are returning if it is after January 4th, 2020. If you are leaving the country, please remember there is a quarantine time period when you return. Students can still connect through their classroom's online platform. Connect with your classroom teacher for more information.

________________________________

Holiday Hampers - ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS TO DONATE!

ON HOLD FOR THE MOMENT AS OUR PAYMENT METHOD MAY BE

CHANGING. MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SENT OUT.

Every year Owen has put together Holiday Hampers for St. Vincent de Paul to support some of our Owen families and families within the community. During this pandemic holiday season, we will continue to support these families with gift cards to various retailers to help them through the holiday season.

If you’d like, you can donate each week for a different gift card or choose one of your choice. They will be in denominations of: $10 or$25 or $50. You can also donate multiple denominations. Fundraising will begin Monday November 23^rd 2020 ONLY through School Cash-Online.

Week of Monday November 30^th – No Frills/Metro/Walmart

Week of Monday December 7^th – McDonalds/Tim Hortons

Thank you for sharing the holiday spirit and lending a helping hand!

~ Owen Office Staff

________________________________

Donation Ideas:

During the COVID-19 pandemic there is a greater need for goods and services. One way to support individuals, families and the community is to donate money, or new and gently-used items to a charitable organization. Donations by credit card, gift card, cheque, or e-transfer allow organizations to purchase the goods they need, often at better prices. This way of giving is also safer for the donor, staff and volunteers.

DONATING GOODS

Do not donate items if you or someone in your household is unwell.
Call or visit the organization’s website to find out what items they need or will accept.
Follow directions from the organization on how and where to make the donation.
If delivering the donation in-person, stay six feet from others and wear a mask.
Wash your hands before and after handling donation items.

DONATING NON-FOOD ITEMS

Check the donation items to make sure they are in good condition.
- Clothing should be clean, without stains or rips, and all buttons and zippers should be working.
- Electronic goods should be in working order.
- Dishware should not have chips or cracks.

DONATING ITEMS TO FOOD BANKS

Donate items that reduce the risk of food-borne illness, such as:
- Non-perishable food items, as they can be kept for a long period of time.
- Pre-packaged food such as cereal, rice or pasta, and canned goods.
- Personal care items such as soap, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products.
Food products must be in their original/sealed packaging and in good condition. They should not be past the best-before or expiry date.

________________________________

Winter Jacket Drive

Dear Owen Family,

I am very honoured and happy to have been invited to share the information below in search of warmth this time of the year.

If you feel the need to donate an old jacket, please contact my good friend Mariya at grozolcho_bg@yahoo.com and she will make sure to come and pick it up from you.

Mariya is a police officer who is trying to collect 100 jackets for the homeless this winter season and will deliver them personally to the people on the streets.

Please read her message below. If you would like to know more about Mariya you can visit this TPS page: http://tpsnews.ca/stories/2020/08/new-officer-focused-most-vulnerable/?fbclid=IwAR1r_tfe5CsLK06SiZs0lfpBn4LNC2f-zGZI8qp4gCJ0xtUg3_FM6TYqyTM

Thank you for your generosity!

Ms Talia

________________________________

Grade 5 Parent Grad Committee:

The parent grad committee has started to gather ideas for ways to celebrate our grads. Please add your name to the link below so they can collect information and connect with the parents of the graduating class.

https://forms.gle/qgzb3c4KqZtwgyLW9

_______________________________

Article from our Social Worker

Here are some articles that might be useful for your family.

________________________________

Cultural Displays

One of our strengths at Owen is our cultural diversity. Student love seeing and hearing about traditions that are different from their own. Last year our Owen parents came and decorated our display cases to share and educate our students about their family traditions and holidays. If you'd like to contribute items to be displayed for a few weeks to celebrate a holiday or share your cultural traditions, please have your child come see us in the office and we can arrange it.