Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,
We are looking forward to seeing our students in person on Monday January 17th 2022. In meeting with some of the classes online, it seems they are too!
We are ready for our first day back of 2022 and will continue with our diligent health and safety procedures as we did before the break. Please read over the information below and review them with your children this weekend. This will help remind them of the routines, health and safety measures we want to strongly uphold as we return to in-person learning.
Many are excited and fearful but by working together and looking for the rainbows, we can have a safe and fun school year.
When it rains, look for rainbows!
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Returning Devices
We are fortunate to be able to lend out devices during remote learning. Now that we are returning to in person learning, students will be required to use the devices at school.
Please return the chromebooks and iPads to school on Monday January 17th. Some of the devices were borrowed from other classrooms and will be needed at school. If students will be in quarantine and require one to use while at home, please talk to your teacher and we an arrange a device during this time.
Please remember to return the following:
- chromebook or iPad
- charger
Students are to bring the devices back to their classrooms where they will be checked off to indicate it has been returned. Please do not bring them to the office.
Before you return the devices, please clean the devices so they are ready to use at school.
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Extending Your Break or in Quarantine?
Some families are still in quarantine from travelling or being ill. If your family is returning from outside of Canada, there is a
14 day quarantine and students cannot come to school until the isolation period is over.
Other families have decided to wait a week before they return in person. Please continue to email owenps@tdsb.on.ca if you child will be absent. Teachers will be teaching back in person. Students at home can access their Google Classrooms/Brightspace to access work for asynchronous learning
and check in with their teachers regularly.
If you plan on being away for a week or two, please let your teacher know and cc owenps@tdsb.on.ca . ________________________________ Masks and Social Distancing
Students, staff, parents and visitors are expected to continue to wear a mask while on school property. Ensure masks are clean and 3-ply or wear two masks. The mask must fit snuggly around cheeks, and cover nose and chin. Supply a mask extender/ear saver if the masks are too big.
Maintain social distance inside and outside of school as much as possible.
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Daily Health App and Screening Tool
Complete the Daily Health Screening between midnight the night before school and 9:00 am the day of school. Staff will continue to check students QR codes at their outside entrance door in the morning.
Students whose daily screening did not clear will be sent to the office to do the Onsite Screening. A phone call home will be made to ensure their child is healthy enough to be at school and to remind parents to complete the screening before school.
For more information, please see the following websites:
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What If My Child Has Symptoms?
Should your child(ren) become sick throughout the day, they will wait for you in the Wellness Room until you are contacted for pick up.
PCR tests are now only available for students and staff. Your child will be given a saliva PCR test (while supplies last) from Sick Kids. Pick up will be on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Children must stay home for 5 days if they or a household member has symptoms.
Students and staff will be provided two Rapid AntigenTests to use at home if they exhibit symptoms. Please reserve these for when students have symptoms at home.
________________________________Elementary Switch (Virtual <--> In-Person)
We understand that families may be concerned about the return to In-Person learning on January 17 and may be contacting schools with questions.
There is no movement of any students between Virtual Learning and In-Person classes from now until February 22 as any movement by a school principal will impact the reorganization of classes (opening, consolidation, and closing) by the Virtual Learning team and Employee Services.
This applies to:
- Students who are new registrations
- Parents/guardians/caregivers who did not or were unable to complete the Elementary Switch Form while it was open from December 3 to January 7
Any new registrations/requests for Virtual Learning received after January 20 will be considered for placement AFTER the February 22 start date if there is available space.
If you are interested in switching, please email caroline.rosenbloom@tdsb.on.ca by January 20 2022. The Elementary Switch date is still February 22nd, 2022.
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Transportation
Would you like your child to ride the bus?
If so, click here and see if you are eligible. If you are, send our vice-principal an email at jamie.parkes@tdsb.on.ca. He will then provide you with the application forms.
What should I do if the bus is late?
If the bus is late arriving at its stop, you can sign up for gps updates straight to your phone, or find out using your computer.
Sign up here and register within the parent portal. This will provide you with locations of the bus, delays, and when it might be arriving.
Due to many mitigating circumstances, the bus is sometimes late, and it is natural to become worried. Put your mind at ease by signing up for these alerts.
*Current riders can still sign up for these alerts as well.
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Owen Spirit Wear
In November all students received a Owen Dry Fit shirt sponsored by Barry Cohen. We are delighted that all students can show their Spirit every day!
Another way to celebrate Owen is by purchasing Owen Spirit Wear. Please see the attached for the sizes then go to School Cash Online to order. Orders will be available for purchase until February 11th, 2022. Students and parents can purchase items.
Go OWEN Go!
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OT/PT Parent/Caregiver Support Groups on January 26, 2022
After a successful first session in November, TDSB’s occupational therapists and physiotherapists are excited to offer our second support group session for parents/caregivers of students with special/complex needs. This month, there will be two sessions that will occur during the lunch hour (12:30-1:30pm) and after school (4-5pm) on January 26th, 2022. TDSB OT/PTs will provide a brief education session followed by an open forum where parents/caregivers of children with special/complex needs may ask questions and receive generalized strategies to support their child(ren). This month’s discussion will focus on “picky eating and healthy habits” and future sessions will occur in March and May 2022. Translated versions of the lunch hour and after school flyers may be downloaded by educators for distribution to families through the subfolder: Flyers – Jan. 26th; translation services may be made available by request – please refer to the flyers attached above for more details. We look forward to seeing you there!
For any further information, please contact Jocelyn Lai, Manager of OTPT at Jocelyn.lai@tdsb.on.ca ________________________________
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for all TDSB Regular Kindergarten programs begins in February. Families have the option of registering their child online using the PowerSchool Enrolment module at www.tdsb.on.ca/kindergarten or via a virtual (Zoom/Google Meet) face-to-face meeting with their school (by appointment).
New this year is the French Immersion Junior Kindergarten registration. French Immersion caregivers will have completed the application process for their child(ren) to enter the French Immersion program. French Immersion registration information will be emailed directly to the caregiver from TDSB Registration (noreplyregistration@powerschool.com). Please note a virtual (Zoom/Google Meet) face-to-face with the French Immersion school by appointment may also be an option. They are NOT to use the New Student Registration link.
Regardless of which process caregivers select, a virtual meeting with the school (via Zoom or Google Meet) will be required to validate registration information.
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Middle French Immersion Application & Timeline
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide Middle French Immersion Program (begins in Grade 4), we offer an online process to apply. To apply for the Middle French Immersion Program (Grade 4 entry) for September 2022, applications must be completed online between January 3 and January 28, 2022.
An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants and will be made in the weeks following the close of the application window.
Please note: Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.
For more information about the Middle French Immersion (Grade 4) application process, please join us for a Virtual Webinar Session on one of the following dates:
DATES, TIME & LINK TO WEBINARS | ALTERNATE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE |
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January 17, 2022 – 7 pm CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WEBINAR ON JANUARY 17 | Webinar ID: 998 7090 8992 Phone one-tap: Canada: +16473744685,,99870908992# or +16475580588,,99870908992# Dial: Canada: +1 647 374 4685 or +1 647 558 0588 |
Information about the Middle French Immersion Program is available in multiple languages. For details, please see the information package. For more information about French programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french or click on Application Process.
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True Roots proudly facilitates discussions to shatter the shame and silence of the Black Community's mental health experience. Please click on the link below to explore this topic further
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Tamil Heritage Month
Tamil Heritage Month is recognized nationally since October 2016, provincially since March 2004 and by the Toronto District School Board since January 2016. The month of January was chosen as it coincides with one of the most important celebrations for Canadians of Tamil heritage, the Thai Pongal harvest festival. Millions of Tamil people around the world irrespective of their religion celebrate Thai Pongal and offer thanks for an abundant harvest.
Below is a poster created by TDSB Students last year.
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Student News
See what our students have been up to lately at Owen!
Live Morning Announcements with our Announcers:
Nigel, Tanner, Karina and Wynn
Art with Lupita
Owen Spirit Day - Sea of Blue
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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