Sunday 24 October 2021

Owen Family Update - Week of October 25th, 2021

Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,

We are at the end of the month and can't believe the winter is coming soon!  Please remember to dress your child warm as they will be outside for morning, lunch and afternoon recess as well as gym and other times when classes are exploring outside.

Thank you again to all parents who have changed practice for drop off and pick up to keep all students safe.  Unfortunately a student at a TDSB high school was not as fortunate and our hearts go out to her family.

Birchmount Park CI (Death of a student - traffic fatality)

Woman charged with careless driving after 17-year-old Toronto girl dies crossing road

Global News (October 22)
Summary: Toronto police say a 40-year-old woman is facing two charges, including careless driving, after a 17-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle earlier this week.

Driving safely keeps it safe for all students, staff and families.  Please continue to support safe driving in our neighbourhood. 


 
________________________________

Going away or absent from school?

Our safe arrival process allows us to know who is in school and know who is absent that day or for a few days.

If you are absent or will be away for an extended period of time, please email owenps@tdsb.on.ca to report the absence.  Please indicate a reason for the office to input into our system.  Any absences without a reason will receive a call from our automated system.

Just a reminder that students returning from a trip outside of Canada do need to stay at home for 14 days.  If parents are both vaccinated, they do not need to isolate (can go to the park, grocery store, movies etc) but are not allowed in vulnerable areas such as schools, long term care homes, etc. for 14 days.  If parents are not vaccinated then the family is to isolate based on Federal travel rules.

 

If students are travelling, parents are responsible for their child’s programming.  If students are away for more than 15 days, students are demitted from Owen.  Please contact the school if your travels are more than 15 days.


If students are in isolation due to illness or other covid related restrictions, please contact your child's teacher to access work on the class Google Classroom/Brightspace.

 ________________________________

Reading Mentors - Volunteers needed!

For English and French

Reading is a life skill and our goals in TDSB is to have all students reading by the end of Grade 1.  With the pandemic and online learning, students may not have had the same opportunities for reading as they do in person at school and therefore we do see gaps in children's reading.

We are looking for parent volunteers to read to students regularly for 10-15 mins at school in both English and French.  All volunteers must show proof of vaccination to Ms Rosenbloom or Mr Parkes prior to the start of volunteering.

If you are interested, please complete the following Reading Mentor Form.

 ________________________________

Halloween - Friday October 29th, 2021

Halloween is a fun time to dress us as your favourite character or get creative and make your own costumes. Similar to last year, there are some health and safety protocols to consider.

This year Owen will acknowledge Halloween on Friday October 29th. Here are some guidelines below.

  • Halloween dress up is optional.
  • Parents and children should discuss the costumes to ensure:
    • they are appropriate and respectful to everyone, keeping in mind that our little kindies do scare easily
    • students can easily move, see and hear in the costume.
    • masks must be worn underneath costume masks
    • costume masks will be worn only for a short time during class but not during outdoor play.

  • Students can bring their own healthy, peanut free treat to school for themselves but cannot share with others.  Treat bags for the class will not be permitted to bring to school this year.




________________________________

Pumpkin Mania!

It's time to get creative while reading Owen Online!

This year, we will be hosting a Pumpkin Painting Contest based on your favourite book characters. 

All pumpkins submitted will be kept on display in the library for all to see. Classes will also have an opportunity to vote for their favourite pumpkin, so get your creative juices flowing! 

Some pictures/examples are below.

Some rules to remember:
1) Pumpkins should be painted, not carved, as they will be kept on display.
2) Please include your child's name, class, and the character and book that the pumpkin is based on. This can be written in sharpie on the bottom of the pumpkin.
3) As parents/visitors are not permitted inside the school, pumpkins should be able to be held independently by your child.
4) All pumpkins must be submitted by Friday October 29th.




Any questions please email Ms Tobin at Michelle.Tobin-Krofchick@tdsb.on.ca

________________________________

Saliva Kits at Owen PS

The saliva PCR kits have arrived at Owen this week.  Students, staff or household family members who are ill and exhibit covid symptoms may take a kit to test themselves.  If you are given a kit for your child, please conduct the test at home, return it in the bio hazzard bag and drop it off in the bin that will be found just inside of Door Entry 1.  Results will be notified to the parents, not the school.

________________________________

Photo Day - Information

If your child has misplaced their photo card with their code, please contact Clear Images.

Students in VL FI 2/3 - Mme Nowell's class will be given separate instructions for their class photos.
________________________________

Helping Students with ADHD

Positive Kids, Inc provides holistic and innovative ADHD treatment to children and families under a unified model that considers all the challenges presented with an ADHD diagnosis. Their program is designed to improve the quality of life for children and youth who have been diagnosed with ADHD and to help their parents, educators, and those involved in their lives.  If you have any questions or to find out more about their program visit their website at www.adhdhelpforkids.ca .
________________________________

Hispanic Heritage Month

By proclaiming the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month in Ontario, the province recognizes the rich contributions of Hispanic-Canadians to our social economic, political and multicultural fabric.

____________________________

Islamic Heritage Month

At the Toronto District School Board, Islamic Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of October. On June 22, 2016, the TDSB passed a motion to recognize Islamic Heritage Month in October. Subsequently, in 2016, the province of Ontario established October as Islamic History Month (IHM) through the Islamic Heritage Month Act, “proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. This new understanding will in turn help combat anti-Islamic sentiment.

____________________________

Somali Heritage Month

Since June 2016, the TDSB has had the privilege to recognize Somali Heritage Month. 

There are many Somali who immigrated to Canada who continue to participate and to educate others in their traditions within their new environment. Music has always been an integral part of Somali tradition, and one well-known Somali-Canadian artist who has been sharing his love of songs on the world stage is Keinan Abdi Warsame (K'naan). K’naan was born in May 30, 1978 in Mogadishu which is located in the southeastern Banaadir province of Somali and later moved to Toronto’s Rexdale community as a young teenager with members of his family. K’naan is identified as a poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist; however, he is renowned for his song “Waving Flag” as it was chosen as Coca-Cola’s promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup that was hosted by South Africa. 

________________________________

____________________________

Student News



Pajama Day
















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.
________________________________


Please click here for the latest updates and newsletters. 

Monday 18 October 2021

Owen Family Update - Week of October 18th, 2021

Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,

It was a short week that went extremely fast! Have have a busy week end of October.  Please keep an eye out on the calendar and upcoming events.

Our traffic flow has been improving thanks to our many parents, staff and community police for patrolling and helping keep our students safe.  Tickets have been issued for illegal parking, entry to the bus loops that are not allowed and unsafe driving such as making u-turns in the intersections.  Driving safely keeps it safe for all students, staff and families.  Please continue to support safe driving in our neighbourhood.

 ________________________________

Thank you for your Terry Fox donation.

Thank you to everyone who donated to Owen's annual Terry Fox Walk. As of October 15, our community has raised $491. If you would still like to donate, please do so by Tuesday, October 19, 2021 using the following direct link:

  

 ________________________________

Virtual Parent Council Meeting 

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday October 20th from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Please register if you are able to attend so we know how many will be on the virtual call.



To join the Parent Council Zoom Meeting:

Meeting ID: 954 1399 4751
Passcode: 463003
One tap mobile
+16475580588,,95413994751#,,,,*463003# Canada
+16473744685,,95413994751#,,,,*463003# Canada

Dial by your location
        +1 647 558 0588 Canada
        +1 647 374 4685 Canada
Meeting ID: 954 1399 4751
Passcode: 463003
Find your local number: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/u/acUbzxeucp

Join by SIP
95413994751@zoomcrc.com

Join by H.323
162.255.37.11 (US West)
162.255.36.11 (US East)
115.114.131.7 (India Mumbai)
115.114.115.7 (India Hyderabad)
213.19.144.110 (Amsterdam Netherlands)
213.244.140.110 (Germany)
103.122.166.55 (Australia Sydney)
103.122.167.55 (Australia Melbourne)
149.137.40.110 (Singapore)
64.211.144.160 (Brazil)
149.137.68.253 (Mexico)
69.174.57.160 (Canada Toronto)
65.39.152.160 (Canada Vancouver)
207.226.132.110 (Japan Tokyo)
149.137.24.110 (Japan Osaka)
Meeting ID: 954 1399 4751
Passcode: 463003

________________________________

Photo Day - Thursday October 21st, 2021

This year Clear Images will be taking individual photos in our library for photo day.  all health and safety protocols will be followed.  At this time there won't be group photos but a class composite will be created to include all students in the class.  Further instructions will be sent to Mme Nowell's Virtual Learning class.  

________________________________

Saliva Kits at Owen PS

The saliva PCR kits will be arriving at Owen this week.  Students, staff or household family members who are ill and exhibit covid symptoms may take a kit to test themselves.  If you are given a kit for your child, please conduct the test at home, return it in the bio hazzard bag and drop it off in the bin that will be found just inside of Door Entry 1.  Results will be notified to the parents, not the school.

________________________________


Self Service Password Reset for Grades 5 and 6


Last spring IT Services activated the Self-Service Password reset feature for all staff and students in Grades 7-12. We will be expanding this service to students in Grades 5 and 6 starting next week.

Grade 5 and 6 students will be prompted to register for the Self-Service Password Reset tool upon login to online tools such as Brightspace or Zoom. Students will be able to register the method to reset their password such as security questions, email, phone call, text message or “authenticator” smart phone app. Students have the ability to skip registration, but will be prompted to register upon the next login.

Students and their Parent/Guardian will be provided the following step-by-step guide and demo video upon registering for the Security questions method.

________________________________

Hispanic Heritage Month

By proclaiming the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month in Ontario, the province recognizes the rich contributions of Hispanic-Canadians to our social economic, political and multicultural fabric.

____________________________

Islamic Heritage Month

At the Toronto District School Board, Islamic Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of October. On June 22, 2016, the TDSB passed a motion to recognize Islamic Heritage Month in October. Subsequently, in 2016, the province of Ontario established October as Islamic History Month (IHM) through the Islamic Heritage Month Act, “proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. This new understanding will in turn help combat anti-Islamic sentiment.

____________________________

Somali Heritage Month

Since June 2016, the TDSB has had the privilege to recognize Somali Heritage Month. 

There are many Somali who immigrated to Canada who continue to participate and to educate others in their traditions within their new environment. Music has always been an integral part of Somali tradition, and one well-known Somali-Canadian artist who has been sharing his love of songs on the world stage is Keinan Abdi Warsame (K'naan). K’naan was born in May 30, 1978 in Mogadishu which is located in the southeastern Banaadir province of Somali and later moved to Toronto’s Rexdale community as a young teenager with members of his family. K’naan is identified as a poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist; however, he is renowned for his song “Waving Flag” as it was chosen as Coca-Cola’s promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup that was hosted by South Africa. 

________________________________

____________________________

Halloween Protocols


Halloween is a fun time to dress us as your favourite character or get creative and make your own costumes. Similar to last year, there are some health and safety protocols to consider.

  • Halloween dress up is optional.
  • Parents and children should discuss the costumes to ensure:
    • they are appropriate and respectful to everyone, keeping in mind that our little kindies do scare easily
    • students can easily move, see and hear in the costume.
    • masks must be worn underneath costume masks
    • costume masks will be worn only for a short time during class but not during outdoor play.

  • Students can bring their own healthy, peanut free treat to school for themselves but cannot share with others.  Treat bags for the class will not be permitted to bring to school this year.

Toronto Public Health will share information early next week.
____________________________

Pumpkin Mania!

It's time to get creative while reading Owen Families!

This year, we will be hosting a Pumpkin Painting Contest based on your favourite book characters. 

All pumpkins submitted will be kept on display in the library for all to see. Classes will also have an opportunity to vote for their favourite pumpkin, so get your creative juices flowing! 

Some pictures/examples are below.

Some rules to remember:
1) Pumpkins should be painted, not carved, as they will be kept on display.
2) Please include your child's name, class, and the character and book that the pumpkin is based on. This can be written in sharpie on the bottom of the pumpkin.
3) As parents/visitors are not permitted inside the school, pumpkins should be able to be held independently by your child.
4) All pumpkins must be submitted by Friday October 29th.





Any questions please email Ms Tobin at Michelle.Tobin-Krofchick@tdsb.on.ca

________________________________

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.
________________________________


Please click here for the latest updates and newsletters. 

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 ...