Owen Online Family Bulletin - Week of December 4th, 2023

  

Dear Owen Families,

It was amazing to see the happy faces of our grade 4's and 5's as they attended the Raptors 905 Trip on Friday.  Thank you to the teachers who made this possible and the parent volunteers who helped us with supervision to improve safety.

This week we are continuing the Owen Tradition of making the holidays brighter for many families in need through our Holiday Hampers initiative and our Daily Bread Food Bank collection.  Your generosity will make a huge difference!

On Tuesday December 5th at 6:30, we are looking forward to celebrating the Winter Fun Concert.  We hope to see you all there!

- the Admin Team

 

Acting-Principal - sima.naymark@tdsb.on.ca

Vice-Principal - hella.richter-glinos@tdsb.on.ca 

Office Administrator - nahid.vashghani@tdsb.on.ca 

AM Secretary - vesna.bozic@tdsb.on.ca

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Upcoming Dates:

Mon Dec 4th - Fri. Dec. 11th.

-  Holiday Hampers

        Tues. Dec. 5th

- Winter Fun Concert & Daily Bread Foodbank Collection 6:30 PM 

Thurs. Dec. 7th

- Hour of Code in the Library

          Fri. Dec. 8th

          - PA Day - No School

Fri. Dec. 23rd

          - last day of school before winter holidays 

Mon. Jan. 8th

- return to school 

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Holiday Hampers

This coming week is the annual kick-off of our Holiday Hampers initiative! This charity event will help very needy TDSB families and some Owen neighborhood families. The collection will begin on Monday, December 4th and end next Monday, December 11th. There is a different category for each day to ensure a variety of items are collected for the families. Each class has been assigned a family. Please bring brand new items in their original packaging to the school next week. Please do not gift wrap any of the items. 

Here is the school's list of gift suggestions. You do not need to stick to the schedule; all donations are appreciated every day of the week! These categories were created to ensure that a variety of items are collected for the families.

Monday, Dec. 4	Hygiene items: Toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, lotion
Tuesday, Dec. 5	Nut-free candies and/or cookies (in its original sealed packaging) and Gift Cards ($10 McDonald's or Tim Horton's)
Wednesday, Dec. 6	Brand new hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, nail polish, hair accessories, jewellery.
Thursday, Dec. 7	Toys, puzzles, board games, etc. (No stuffed animals)
Friday, Dec. 8	Gift Cards ($25 Wal-Mart, No Frills, Food Basics, Metro, Longos, or Winners)
Monday, Dec. 11	Additional gift cards or items still needed for each class.

• Every item should be in their original packaging, unopened and unwrapped. Only brand new items will be accepted at this time.

• You may also send a bag that represents all days, or just gift cards for the family.

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Winter Fun Concert & Non Perishable Food Collection

For weeks, Owen students have been preparing for the Winter Fun Concert. Now it is almost here. Please plan to join us on Tuesday from 6:30 PM.

That evening we will have bins where we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Daily Bread Food Bank. "With 2.53 million food bank visits between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. That is a 51% increase year-over-year, and the highest annual increase ever."

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Snack Program 

Morning snacks are available through the generosity of the parent council. The intent is to help those students who are in need. If you are able to provide snacks for your child, please ensure that you include sufficient snacks for both morning and afternoon snack time. 

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Caring and Safe Schools 2023 2024

Thank you to the students, teachers, caretaker and parents who joined us for our first Caring and Safe Schools meeting.  The next date will be a Tuesday in the new year.

Here are the minutes of the meeting:  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IM8vd2A8ZmYQE40HOKWNMpoivI55FkSZWTTEX4wcmgg/edit?usp=drive_link

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Reminder of Parking Zones around the School:

Parents and Guardians are all asked to be considerate of our neighbours please.  We have received some complaints that people are using private driveways to pull into when dropping off and picking up their children.  We also have lots of people parking in the no-parking zone in front of the school.  The area in front of virtually any school is a no-parking zone so that if a child were to step into the road there visibility will not be affected by the  parked cars. Periodically we put in a call to Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement but it would be best if parents would obey the signs without us having to do that. Please use only the areas shown on the map below when parking to walk your child to school.  

If you are dropping off your grade 1-5 child, please use our kiss and ride.  Please follow all instructions from the staff on duty.  They are trying to keep your children safe. Drivers are asked to stay in the car while their child exits on the school side of the vehicle.

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Hero Burger School Lunches

Service days for Owen Public School: Monday and Friday every week

-Orders are easily placed through schoolcashonline.com

SchoolCashOnline.com: Welcome

SchoolCash Online

schoolcashonline.com

-Ordering Deadline: The ordering deadline for lunches is Sunday at 12:00 NOON for the upcoming delivery week. 

Here is a folder with Hero Burger Information in which you will find:

1. Hero Burger flyer

2. How to order Guide for parents/ guardians

3. Lunchbox parent/guardian FAQ's

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Pizza Lunch

Pizza Lunch will continue on Thursdays until December 14th.

Lunch Timings

Main Lunch: 11:55 AM - 12:30 PM

Kindergarten Lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Would you like to Volunteer?

Parents will supervise the Grade 5 students distributing the pizzas to ensure a smooth process. Each parent volunteer will oversee multiple classes.

Note: If you're interested in volunteering, please ensure you have a police clearance before signing up.

Sign Up Here: https://signup.com/go/wvPnZMu

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TDSB Days of Significance

In order to be equitable and respectful to all of our students and their families, we would like to provide and share information and insight into any day of significance through the Owen Online, our message board, and morning announcements.  

Days of Significance in the Coming Week are:

Hanukkah: 

Saturday	02	International Day for the Abolition of Slavery	United Nations	https://www.un.org/en/observances/slavery-abolition-day/messages
Sunday	03	International Day of Persons with Disabilities	United Nations	https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities
Sunday to Sunday	03 – 24	Advent	Christianity (Western)	https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/what-is-advent.html
Wednesday	06	National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women	Government of Canada	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique_massacre
Friday	08	Bodhi Day – Buddha’s Enlightenment	Buddhism	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi_Day

The list of Days of Significance that the TDSB recognizes can be found by clicking the link.  If you have a particular day to which you would like to bring our attention, please contact hella.richter-glinos@tdsb.on.ca. 

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See what has been going on at Owen this week:

                              

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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