Owen Family Update - Week of October 31st 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We have come to the end of October, routines are well established and most students have adjusted to school.  Some of our little kindies are still adjusting to school life and may want to stay home.  In order to develop confidence and routine for your child, work with the school to develop a plan to help your child stay at school.  If you are having difficulties getting your child to school, please contact your teacher or the administrators.

We would like to thank the many parents who have donated snacks for our students who forget their snacks or are hungry.  We are quite stocked up now and will put out another call for donations when our supply gets low.  Thank you so much for having these available to our students!

Halloween is a fun time for students and staff to dress up.  Dressing up is optional.  If your child will be wearing a costume, please see the tips below to enjoy a safe and happy Halloween.

~ Your Friendly Neighbourhood Admin Team

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Lunch and After School Programs

Our Owen community is excited to restart our lunch and after school programs.

 

Here are the pick up/drop off procedures:

 

Lunch

Before program – For the first session, all providers can meet in the hallway in front of the office at 12:20 pm.  Students will come meet their providers when the bell rings and together they can go to their classrooms.  Students will go to the classroom on their own for the rest of the sessions.

 

After program  – Students can return to their classrooms on their own once the bell rings.

 

After School

Before program - For the first session, all providers can meet in the hallway in front of the office at 3:35 pm.  Kindy staff will bring their JK/SK students to the providers.  Gr 1-5 students will come meet their providers when the bell rings.  Together they can go to their classrooms.

 

After program –

Providers will bring students to the hallway in front of the office and wait with students.

For students who go to childcare, childcare will come by to pick up their students.

For students who are being picked up by parents, providers are to hand off students to their parent/guardian at the front doors (Door 1). At this time of the day, providers are fully responsible for the students’ safety and return to parent/guardians. Any late pick ups are to be dealt with directly between provider and parent.  Students cannot be left in front of the office unattended.

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Hot Lunches (Optional)

Hot Lunches are back!  As we ease into the programs, we will start with just two days per week. If parents are interested in purchasing hot lunches for their child, please see the information below.

1) HERO BURGER : LUNCH DELIVERY START DATE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022

LUNCH DELIVERY END DATE: Monday, June 19, 2023

Kick Back to school: $0.25 per order

HERO BURGER Attachments: 

1) How to order Guide for Parents 

2) Parent Handout with ordering link

-Ordering is through the following link: www.lunchboxorders.net

-All orders must be placed 24 hours before delivery: 12pm (noon) on Sunday for Owen PS

2) KIDS KITCHEN: LUNCH DELIVERY START DATE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022

Attachments 

1) Kids Kitchen Menu

2) Owen PS flyer for parents

-Ordering is through the following link: https://www.kidskitchen.ca

-All orders must be placed 10am, the previous business day of delivery

All lunch orders are done directly through the companies, not the school.

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Hallowe'en Safety

The Halloween safety tips below are a direct quote from the City of Toronto article:

https://www.toronto.ca/news/halloween-safety-tips-from-the-city-of-toronto/

"Avoid slips, trips and falls
• Check the costume’s size to ensure a snug fit, with the costume no longer than ankle length.
• Consider makeup instead of a mask for your child. Masks can restrict vision and make it difficult to see approaching traffic.
• Turn on your porch light and clear walkways of clutter.

Prevent fires
• Keep candles, matches and lighters away from children.
• Keep lit pumpkins away from drapes, decorations or other flammable objects.
• Consider lighting your pumpkin with a flameless candle or glow stick.

Be visible
• Carry a flashlight.
• Attach a strip of reflective tape or apply reflective spray to your child’s costume.
• Wear light-coloured clothing instead of primarily dark colours.

Plan ahead to stay warm and dry
• Send your child out in layers of clothing – an extra layer under the costume will make a difference if a child is outside for an extended period.
• Place a hat and mitts in your child’s treat bag in case they are needed.

Follow basic safety rules
• Supervise small children when they are crossing a road.
• Wait for cars to come to a complete stop before starting to walk across the street at a stop sign, crosswalk or traffic light.
• Plan a meeting spot in advance in case friends/family members who are out together become separated.
• Check treats for signs of tampering or for candy that appears likely to be a potential choking hazard before allowing children to eat any treats.

Pet owners, keep the following tips in mind and celebrate Halloween safely with your pet:
• Make sure pets are wearing tags with ID and a City of Toronto pet licence.
• Ensure visibility with a reflective leash or bike light.
• Remember to supervise pets around jack-o-lanterns. Swallowing large pieces of raw pumpkin can create blockages in their systems.
• Trick-or-treaters can be scary. If a pet is not social, keep them away from the door.
• Keep treat bowl elevated and/or away from curious pets.
• Costumes can be fun and we love them, but pets may not. Make sure your pet is comfortable when wearing a costume." 

 

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Cultures are not Costumes

"For many, Halloween is an exciting time of year. For people whose cultures are caricatured and appropriated, it can be a difficult time."

Age appropriate discussions about cultural appropriation, stereotypes, and caricature have been happening at Owen PS and in schools across the TDSB. Parents and Guardians are asked to please also reinforce the message that we should avoid wearing costumes which are inappropriate and/or discriminatory to different cultures/peoples.

Here are some helpful TDSB resources on the subject:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Home/ctl/Details/mid/42863/itemId/28

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Home/ctl/Details/mid/42863/itemId/27 

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Friday was a Cozy Day at Owen!

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Pumpkin Painting Contest

Our annual Pumpkin Painting Contest closed on Friday . These amazing pumpkins which were submitted will be kept on display in the front hall for all to see. Classes will also have an opportunity to vote for their favourite pumpkin.

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About Catch Up Payments

You can get financial support to help with the costs of your child’s tutoring, supplies or equipment during the 2022–23 school year. Eligible applicants will receive a one-time payment of:

$200 for each student between kindergarten and Grade 12, up to age 18

$250 for each student with special education needs between kindergarten and Grade 12, up to age 21

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.EST.

Eligibility:

Who may apply

You are eligible to apply if you live in Ontario and are a:

-parent or guardian to a student from kindergarten to Grade 12

-secondary school student who is 18 years of age

parent or guardian to a student from kindergarten up to age 21 with special education needs

And

-go to a publicly funded school

-go to a private school

-go to a First Nation operated or federally operated school

are homeschooled

Both in person and remote learning students are eligible.

*Students of Adult and Continuing Education programs for individuals over 18 years of age are not eligible.

Definition of “special education needs”:

For the purposes of this payment program, a student with special education needs is any student receiving special education programs or services by their school board, or any student with a special education need.

APPLY:  

https://www.ontario.ca/page/catch-up-payments

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Photo Re-Take Day - November 1st 2022

You will also find a copy of this form as an attachment in the email.

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Virtual Community Fair for Families/ Caregivers who have Children with Special Education/Complex Needs

This Community Fair is open to all families who have children with Special Needs attending TDSB schools.  This includes children who are  integrated in classrooms in our schools, attending our Intensive Support Programs (ISP) located in schools across the TDSB, as well as students in our Congregated Schools.

·   First session: Monday November 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
·   Second session: Monday November 14th from 5:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.

Please read the attached flyer for further details.
Along with TDSB support staff, Surrey Place, Community Living Toronto, Family Services Toronto, and Connectability.ca presenting at the fair.
The Zoom link is embedded in the flyer.  The Zoom link is also provided below, if families are unable to connect to the link in the flyer.  
 
TDSB Virtual Community Fair
When: Monday November 7, 2022 from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.
           Monday November 14, 2022 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm           

Join Zoom Meeting
https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/98367378226?pwd=MW9yaDZTYnBoUTRmZEpGaXVmMVAxdz09
Meeting ID: 983 6737 8226
Passcode: 969515
One tap mobile
+16473744685,,98367378226#,,,,*969515# Canada
+16475580588,,98367378226#,,,,*969515# Canada
Dial by your location
        +1 647 374 4685 Canada
        +1 647 558 0588 Canada 
Meeting ID: 983 6737 8226
Passcode: 969515
If you have any questions, please contact Jill Elliott Brennan at Jill.ElliottBrennan@tdsb.on.ca 

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Congratulations Grade 5 Boys Soccer Team

Congratulations to Owen Grade 5 boys on won the Silver medal and Finalists banner from TDESAA Soccer and became on one of the best soccer teams out of 456 TDSB schools.

Thank you for coaching Ms Kuzic and Mike for this great opportunity and fantastic experience.

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Owen Spirit Wear Sizing Charts

Show your Owen Spirit by purchasing Owen Wear for the whole family!  Students who have grown out of the courtesy shirt can purchase one from here. Great quality products at super prices just in time for holiday gifting! Adults can purchase something too.

Please order directly on Cash On Line starting Tuesday October 25th, 2022. 

https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/

Deadline to place order is just 2 weeks away -  Monday November 7th 2022.

All orders received by deadline will be received before December Holiday break.

      

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Early French Immersion Information:

Applications for Early French Immersion "must be completed online between October 31 and November 25, 2022. 

Please note:

An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. 

Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student."

Visit the TDSB website for more information about Early French Immersion, Virtual & In-Person Information Sessions or the Application Process.

The first Information Webinar is on November 9, 2022  at 7 pm

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WEBINAR ON NOVEMBER 9

There will be another on November 16, 2022 at 10 am

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WEBINAR ON NOVEMBER 16

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Parent Council Meeting Dates (hybrid)

Save the Dates!

November 16, 2022

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please check the Owen Calendar for the zoom link for those participating virtually.

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Next Pizza Lunch is on Thursday November 3rd

The dates for Pizza Lunch are:

 Thurs Nov 3

Thurs Nov 10, 17 and 24

Thurs Dec 1 and 8

Thank you so much to the parent volunteers who came out to help with pizza lunch this past Thursday. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to the school. Our students were so happy. 

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Days of Significance

November is:

• Indigenous Education Month

• Hindu Heritage Month

We are always looking for families to create displays in our front foyer to share their special cultural holidays.  If you would like to share your special holiday, please contact the office and we'll arrange a time for you and some students to help with the display.

Some Days of Significance in the coming week are:

If you have a particular day that you would like to bring our attention to, please contact hella.richter-glinos@tdsb.on.ca. 

The list of Days of Significance that the TDSB recognizes can be found by clicking the link.

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Student News

See what are students have been up to lately

1st in a debate contest

Our Friday Fun Dance during Morning Announcements

Paying tax and trading money with the bank in Ms Burchell's Math Class

Grade 5 Students Vote

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 hella.richter-glinos@tdsb.on.ca . 

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