Owen Online Newsletter: Owen Family Update

Hello Owen Families,

Happy new year to all our wonderful Owen families! We hope you had an opportunity to unplug and spend some fun days as a family. We know this time has been very difficult with the lockdown but we know many families have come up with creative ways to keep busy over the break. We are so looking forward to hearing some of those stories directly from our students!

On behalf of Owen Staff, we would like to wish you all good health and happiness throughout the new year!

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Extending your Vacation?

If your child will be away after January 4th or will need to quarantine, please notify the office so we can mark the absence appropriately. Absences can be emailed at owenps@tdsb.on.ca.

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Remote Learning the Week of January 4th, 2021

Beginning January 4th, the ministry has indicated that all students in elementary will be learning remotely. Virtual students will continue with their schedule. In-person students will work remotely from January 4th - 8th 2021. At this time, we expect to return to school in person on Monday January 11th, 2021.

We have prepared for this pivot to remote learning prior to the break and will begin our regular timetable schedule for the day on Monday January 4th - DAY 3. We are hoping to maintain a similar time frame for our school periods to provide familiarity and consistency for our students. But don't worry! Monday will be a day to get everyone familiar with the technology and routines of switching classes, taking breaks, doing classwork and being active during teacher lessons.

If you are having difficulties connecting, please check with the Student Virtual Learning IT Support. Admin will be available after the Morning Announcements on the Zoom link for any support and questions until 9:45 am.

Attendance will be taken every day in the morning and after lunch as usual. Please make sure your child is in their class by 9:10 am and after lunch by 12:55 pm. Students late will be marked absent unless notified by a parent. Parents will receive a call from the system as usual. Please notify the office if your child is ill or will be absent for other reasons throughout the week.

Morning Announcements will continue as usual at 9:10 am. Due to the large numbers, students will be signing into Zoom. To join the Morning Announcements please have your child sign in with their TDSB student credentials at:

https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/93756047531?pwd=aE5WaTVIZ0UzMW9WRDNOa0JJN0RFdz09

Meeting ID: 937 5604 7531

Passcode: 748585

Only TDSB credentials will be allowed to sign into the meeting. For technical support for TDSB students you can go to Student Virtual Learning IT Support.

Our Daily Schedule:

Kindergarten schedules and AM/PM recesses may be adjusted. Homeroom teachers will clarify any modifications made to this schedule.

Recess time is a great time for students to have a snack/drink, take a washroom break and have a good stretch. Please encourage your child to take these breaks while keeping an eye on the time so they can rejoin the class in 15 mins.

ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF will be taking lunch at the same time. As they would at school, it would be great time to get at least 25 - 30 mins of outside time for some fresh air and exercise.

The school will be closed to students and office staff will be picking up voice and email messages remotely. If you have a question for the office, you can call the office to leave a message or email our safe arrival email at owenps@tdsb.on.ca, Caroline or Jamie.

Program Support staff will also be working remotely. If you were scheduled to meet this week with our School Psychologist, Speech & Language Pathologist or Social Worker, they will be in touch to either reschedule or discuss meeting remotely.

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Middle Immersion French Program

From January 4-29, 2021, current grade 3 students, not already enrolled in Early French Immersion, can apply to start Middle French Immersion in September 2021, their Grade 4 year. Information about this NEW program is available in 22 languages here.

Middle French Immersion offers 100% French instruction in grades 4 and 5. In grades 6-8, 75% of the instruction is in French with English and Science taught in English. If necessary, for timetabling, specialist subjects, like gym, may be taught in English. In high school, Middle and Early French Immersion students will be in the same immersion program and will do 10 credits in French.

Middle French Immersion is being offered at 40 elementary schools across the TDSB. All on-time applicants are guaranteed a placement in the program but are not guaranteed a specific school. Bussing or TTC tickets are provided for elementary students according to TDSB transportation policy and procedures.

Apply here.

Virtual information sessions are being held January 14, 21, 27, 2021. Details here.

Step 1: Apply between Jan 4-29, 2021

Step 2: Check the email you provided on the application regularly, including junk mail folders, for an offer of placement. Carefully note the deadline for responding in the offer of placement email.

Step 3: Accept the placement by the deadline.

Further French program information is here.

Note: the grade 4 entry Extended French program is no longer being offered. During January 2021, current grade 6 students can apply to enter the Extended French program in September 2021, their grade 7 year. Applications are made directly to the Extended French grade 7 school. Watch for details here.

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Staying Safe over the Break

We care about our Owen families and look forward to returning to school with staff and students healthy and all ready to go.

Please take a look at the School Information for Parents & Caregivers by TPH to help you understand symptoms and protocols if students are ill.

During the week, if you are reporting a case of COVID-19, please contact the TPH Health Connections Line at 416-338-7600.

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Toronto Public Library - Family Literacy Month

January 2021 is Family Literacy Month (FLM), where TPL celebrates the joy of families reading and engaging in literacy activities together. Family Literacy Month supports Family Literacy Day, a national initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada, that takes place on January 27th.

Details of this year’s celebration at TPL can be found on the FLM webpage, which includes a new online list of recommended reads and live virtual programs on Crowdcast:

Forest Trek puppet show presented by Applefun Puppetry (Jan 14)
Comic Workshop presented by Clayton Hanmer (Jan 21)
Author Nadia L. Hohn, who will present on her book A Likkle Miss Lou (Jan 25)

Happy Family Literacy Month!

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Student News!

If you have photos, student work or family activities you would like to share on the Owen Online for next week, please email them to jamie.parkes@tdsb.on.ca by Thursday of this week.

From the Rosenbloom family to yours, wishing you all a happy & healthy new year!