Sunday 13 February 2022

Owen Family Update - Week of February 14th, 2022

Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,

We've enjoyed the milder weather this past week and we have noticed less lates in the morning.  Thank you for bring your child on time to their classroom doors.  We want to get students to class as soon as possible to they are not missing their instructional time.

The traffic at school, particularly in the morning, is becoming a very big safety issue.  It is unsafe for our students and parents walking their children into the grounds.  We have put extra staff to supervise and direct traffic however parents are not listening to staff or other concerned parents.  We appreciate the parent support in identifying cars not in the proper places.  We are however extremely shocked by the rude behaviour and safety risks these parents are taking with our students.

We are asking EVERYONE to do the right thing, park on the street in a legal spot and walk your child into the school yard.  Leave extra time in the morning to enjoy the walk with your child.

Front Loop:
If you are not able to walk your child, you may drive through the front loop, let your child out and they can walk to their classroom door. Drivers from Owen or Childcare are not allowed to park in the loop.  Cars who are doing a drop off are rushing out and trying to pass other cars.  We will be merging the loop to one lane to avoid cars from parking.

Please continue to help us make our Owen grounds as safe as possible for our students.

 ________________________________

Happy Valentine's Week

Wear Valentine's colours on Monday and add a Canadian flag to support our Canadian Olympians too!

Happy Valentine's!  We enjoy celebrating friendships at school and our Valentine's will be celebrated throughout the week.  Many have sent their cards on Friday but not all were able to and will bring them on Monday.  We've also had several students sick or isolating at home so cards will be distributed throughout the week.  Just a reminder that food to hand out is prohibited.

Here are 120 Valentine's Day cards the FI-5 class made for the health care workers at Humber River Hospital to show their gratitude for the work they have done.

________________________________

Long Weekend

Just a reminder that Friday February 18th is a PA Day for staff.  There is no school for students.  Monday February 21st is also Family Day and the school will be closed.

Enjoy the long weekend celebrating this special family time.

 ________________________________

Report Cards & Interviews

Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday February 16th.  If you have questions about your child's progress and would like an interview, please contact your child's teacher.

 ________________________________

COVID Data

During out parent council meeting, some were asking about data available related to vaccinations.  Please see the following link for some information.

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. 




________________________________

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. 

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.
 ________________________________



Join us for our next Conversation! This presentation is in collaboration with the African Heritage Month Committee and the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.   

 

The Pursuit of Educational Freedom for Black and Racialized Students, with Dr. Bettina Love

 

Thursday, February 17, 2022

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Dr. Bettina L. Love is an award-winning author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia. Her writing, research, teaching, and educational advocacy work meet at the intersection of education reform, anti-racism, carceral studies, abolition, and Black joy. She is the author of We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom. Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/conversation

_____________________________
       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.
________________________________


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 ...