Owen Family Update - Week of January 31st, 2022

Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,

Last week we have experienced very extreme cold weather.  For recess and lunch time, students are kept indoors for recess and lunch time for a number of weather conditions. When temperature and wind chill measure -28C or lower, students are kept indoors. Recess and lunch may be shortened or cancelled if the temperature and wind chill reading is between -20C and -28C.  Outdoor play and physical education classes will continue outside when temperatures are above -20C.  Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather.

We would like to wish a Happy New Year  to our families who celebrate the Lunar New Year.  Ms Yu and students have put together one of our front displays to celebrate the Chinese Heritage month for February.

February is also African Heritage month.  Mme Morris and some students will be putting the display to celebrate African Heritage month.  If you have items from your family you would like to share, please contact melissa.morris2@tdsb.on.ca. 

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Sick Kids PCR Saliva Tests

Sick Kids has provided another 100 PCR saliva tests for Owen. The tests will only be available to students and staff this time as kits are limited.  Pick up at the school will be Monday/Wednesday/Friday at approximately 9:15 am.  Kits can also be dropped off at Sick Kids directly.

If your child is sick, you can ask the office for a PCR kit when you pick up your child from school. Please bring the Back to School form attached to the email to the office when your child returns to school.

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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:

• TPH Letter re: Returning to in-person school and COVID-19 Omicron guidance changes

• University of Toronto - Confused About COVID?

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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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Parking and Student Safety

It has come to the attention of the office that various people are parking and/or driving dangerously near our bus loop.  We have notified parking enforcement, and our student volunteers to monitor this situation.  Remember, we have some very young students at Owen, some who are not as high as the snow banks.  Please respect the rules we have developed as a school to ensure the safety of our kids!

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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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Kindergarten Registration

We are excited to welcome our new kindergarten students for September.  

Students registering for English JK/SK: 

The TDSB Online Registration links are available for current school year only. Please select the form called “20212022 TDSB Online Registration.”  TDSB will update this page on Tuesday February 1, 2022 with information for the 2022-2023 school year registrations. Online registration is for students new to the TDSB. 

After you have registered online, please call the school to make an appointment to complete the registration.  Registration week will be between Monday February 14th - Friday February 18th, 2022.

Students registering for French Immersion JK/SK: 

Parents who have accepted a French Immersion placement at Owen will receive a link directly from the board to complete the online registration.

Date for registration for French Immersion students will be given later once we have our list of students.

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       Student News

See what our students have been up to lately at Owen!

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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