Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,
We've had a fun week with lots of things happening in our classrooms. For African Heritage Month many students have been learning about inspiring Black leaders through in class activities, morning announcement video clips, cultural displays at school created with items from staff and students and through our Making Waves virtual trip. This virtual field trip takes students to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada where they learn how jazz started and evolved over the past 100+ years; highlighting Canadian and International Black Artists that contributed to this art form. Students also enjoyed participating in TDSB's Afrikcore virtual dance session.
This week during our morning announcements, students will take a look at some of our athletes and their experiences being black at the Olympic games.
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Parent Council Meeting - Wed. Feb 9th 2022 @ 6:30 pm
Please join us for our parent council meeting for February 2022.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/95413994751?pwd=K1B5RThxR0o3Q0JYRG1HZDgwN1E1QT09
Meeting ID: 954 1399 4751
Passcode: 463003
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Meeting ID: 954 1399 4751
Passcode: 463003
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Valentine's Day Celebrations
Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate friendships. Students may be participating in class activities around this theme of friendship. Students may bring in cards or items to share with their classmates and we'd like to ensure a safe and inclusive way for everyone to enjoy the day.
- Any items to be shared on Valentine's must be brought to school on Friday February 11th so it may sit over the weekend.
- Treats and candy should be left at home to be enjoyed by the family.
- Remember all children in the class so everyone is excited about receiving a card.
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Sick Kids PCR Saliva Tests & Rapid 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.
The government will be providing schools with more rapid tests to be handed out only to students and staff who show symptoms and are leaving school ill. Like the PCR tests, these will only be distributed as students exhibit symptoms at school.
If your child is sick, you can ask the office for a PCR kit or rapid test 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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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- A Parent Point of View
Hello Owen Families,
Colleen Peskun here. I am a parent of three
Owen students and member of the Owen Caring and Safe Schools Committee. A
concern has been brought to the attention of the committee about unsafe driving
practices during school drop off and pick up. A reminder to please park in
designated marked areas. Give yourself extra time to safely find an appropriate
parking spot that does not put students at risk. If you witness unsafe
driving or parking practices, respectfully remind the person at the wheel, they
are in a school zone. Currently, the school is using up limited supervision resources to protect our kids. They have witnessed cars parked in the wrong direction, some entering the bus loop, and others just stopping and blocking bus routes or traffic. There are some people who have been spoken to, but refuse to follow the rules. If you would like to voice your opinion on the matter please contact our vice-principal Mr. Parkes (jamie.parkes@tdsb.on.ca)
As a community we have to make Owen Safer for our
students.
Additional note from Owen: Our traffic and parking enforcement officers have also noticed the violations, and will be making their presence felt for a period of time. Now might be the time to plan ahead, to avoid getting an unwanted ticket.
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Caring and Safe Schools
The Caring and Safe Schools Committee held our second meeting on February 1st. Key topics of conversation were parking, outdoor play and supervision, and mental health initiatives. The minutes of the meeting can be viewed here.
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Owen Spirit Wear
This will be the last week to purchase 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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_____________________________
_____________________________ See what our students have been up to lately at Owen!
Snow Play
Afrikcore Dance Session
Supporting our Canadian Olympians for Spirit Day
Some Great Student Work
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.
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