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.

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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:

  

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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)
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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

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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. 

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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.
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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

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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.
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