Sunday, 14 February 2021

Owen Family Update - Week of Feb. 16, 2021

Hello Owen Families,

We are very excited about returning to school on Tuesday February 16th 2021.  We miss our students and look forward to seeing them in person at 9:10 am.  All students should be entering their classroom 

We would like to welcome our students who are returning to Owen from the Virtual School.  It will be an adjustment for them but we know our Owen community will help both students and parents through this transition.  

If you have requested to move to the Virtual School and have not heard from the school, we look forward to seeing your child at Owen on Tuesday.  The board will still be working on finding space at the Virtual School.  Families will be notified by Friday is there is space.  If you have changed your mind and would like to stay at Owen, please let Ms Rosenbloom know. 

Please read through all the health and safety procedures and remind your child of the routines they did at school to keep everyone healthy and safe.  We've done a great job of keeping our school healthy.  Let's continue the good work we've done!

We have also provided families with devices to borrow during remote learning.  All devices, school and central, need to be returned on Tuesday.  We will need to wipe down devices to prepare them for classroom use.  Many of our classes, particularly in the junior grades rely on the chromebooks during class.


We would like to wish all our families celebrating the Lunar New Year happiness and prosperity.  Happy Valentine's and Happy Family Day!  Lots of love this weekend! Enjoy this special family time together.  With all the online we've all been experiencing, maybe playing one video game WITH our kids would be a great way to end remote learning.




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Absent on Tuesday?

If your child is absent on Tuesday or will be away due to illness or quarantine, please notify the school through our safe arrival at owenps@tdsb.on.ca or by phone at 416.395.2740.

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STUDENT AND STAFF SAFETY

New TPH Screening Tool for Students

One of the most important things we can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, is for 
students to screen themselves daily for any symptoms of COVID-19 and also follow the circumstances in which they should stay home. Toronto Public Health (TPH) has revised its screening tool for students, effective immediately. The update is that everyone in a household must now complete the updated COVID-19 screening daily.  The TDSB Health App have been updated with this change.


Just a reminder that parents need to complete the Daily Health App everyone morning between midnight and 8:45 am.  The issues of siblings and multiple users has been resolved.  Parents should be able to sign out of the app with one child and sign back on with another.  Students who are not clear either because,
  • they show one or more symptoms or
  • parents have not completed the health app
Students will be directed to go to the office and Talia and Elizabeth will call home to confirm the health status of your child.
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Qualities of a Good Cloth Mask

  • Masks should be made of at least two layers of tightly woven fabric (such as cotton or linen), and, if possible, a middle “filter” layer. A three layer mask can provide added protection.
  • For masks with a pocket, add a disposable coffee filter, paper towel, or reusable filter cloth.
  • For masks without a pocket, cut/unstitch one end and tuck a filter in between the two layers.
  • Your mask should fit your face, covering your nose, mouth and chin without gaping.
  • Your mask should be comfortable, easy to breathe through, and not limit your vision.
  • Mask and ties/ear loops should fit securely to avoid adjusting during use.
  • Choose fabric that can support a high temperature wash (e.g. cotton). Avoid stretchy material.
  • Choose fabric that maintains the mask shape after washing and drying.

For more information about masks, here is a great link to talks about masks.
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Continued Health and Safety Practices

Please remind your child of the continued importance of hand washing, physical distancing and mask wearing, which is required for all staff, visitors and students JK to Grade 12. Although the ministry has mandated mask wearing for the younger kids, Owen has been wearing masks for all grades inside and outside since the fall.

Please remember that parents and students are not to congregate in the school yard, and, outside of school, students should not gather with others, even with those in their cohort.  Remember to respect the Stay at Home order issued by the ministry.

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STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

A message from the Toronto Student Transportation Group:

Good Afternoon Transportation Families

As most of you are already aware we will be restarting transportation services for our families in Toronto next Tuesday February 16th.  Most of the bus routes remain the same as they were prior to the Christmas break.  All students who are in virtual learning or are finding alternatives to get to and from school have been removed from the bus routes.  It is important that if you require transportation later this year or for next school year that you contact your local school to ensure your application is submitted to our office.  Prior to our re-start on Tuesday we ask that parents review the Covid safety protocols used on the bus so your children are aware of expectations.  These protocols along with video shorts are highlighted on our spotlight page on the Transportation Website:


We hope that you have been staying safe and look forward to serving you as the schools and Province re-open.  

Regards,
Toronto Student Transportation Group

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What to Pack for School

As you prepare for our return to school, please remember to bring the following items:
  • iPad or Chromebook if you borrowed one from the board or central department
  • indoor shoes/boots for outside
  • extra clothes - hat, mitts, snow pants, extra socks, extra pants and underwear 
  • sweater/layers as windows will be opened a bit in classrooms for extra air circulation
  • healthy snacks - We will be eating outside for snacks as much as possible to reduce the amount of time masks are off inside.  Please pack easy to eat finger foods.
  • healthy lunch - Have your child help prepare their lunch.  They will be more willing it eat it.
  • water bottle - Students are able to refill their bottles with water at the refill station.
  • multiple masks - Try different masks to find the most comfortable fit. With the cold weather, masks get wet and should be changed throughout the day.  If students run out or don't have a mask available, we do have some extras students can use.  If you do not want them to wear masks from the school and students don't have extras, we will have students call home for parents to bring extras.



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Kindergarten Registration

TDSB online registration  for Kindergarten September 2021 is now available.  After you have completed the online registration, please call the office to schedule the follow up Virtual Face-to-Face Registration.  Virtual Registration will take place February 18 - 25, 2021.


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Moving out of Owen?

As we begin to start preparing for our September 2021 school year, we would like to gather information to help us know how many students will be returning to Owen.

If your child will be moving to another school in the fall, please fill out the following form to help us know where to transition the Ontario Student Records and transfer them to their new school.


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STUDENT NEWS


Laundry Art Challenge:

Here are some of the amazing creations of our students in the Laundry Art Challenge.  To see these innovative artistic wonders, click on the links below:

 Laundry Art 1

 Laundry Art 2



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 by Thursday of this week.
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Please click here for the latest updates and newsletters. 

                                                                                                                              

Sunday, 7 February 2021

Owen Family Update - Week of Feb. 8, 2021

Hello Owen Families,

We are very excited about returning to school on Monday February 16th 2021.  We miss our students and look forward to having a break from Remote Learning.

We are currently contacting families this week that have requested in the December survey with the board, a switch from either Virtual School to In-Person or vice-versa.  Space in the Virtual School is very limited.

We would like to thank our staff for the creative programming and technical skills they have learned throughout this time.  We have learned a variety of ways to teach arts and physical education, use Google Classrooms as Breakout rooms, create Google Slides for interactive sharing, use Zoom for our puppet shows with Ms. Mehri, Zumba with Ms Lupita and Sing- Alongs with Mr LJ.  We also had many small group and individual reading sessions with our lunchroom supervisors, SNA's and EA to help our struggling readers.

Puppet show with Ms Mehri


Zumba with Ms Lupita


Sing-Along with Mr LJ

It was also so great to see many of our students and parents during our morning announcements.  We will miss aspects of our Remote Learning but look forward to learning back at school with our staff and students.

A special thank you to our parents!  We know it was difficult managing work, family life and school and we appreciate everything you were able to do to help keep your child engaged in learning.

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Report Cards & Interviews

Reports are being sent out electronically by the board this week.  Look for it in your email.  If you have not received it by Friday of this week, please call the office on Monday February 16th.  Teachers will be setting up interviews for those parents who would like to discuss their child's progress.
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Parent Concern Protocols:

Who do we contact when we have questions about classroom programs or student concerns?When reaching out to your School, Principal and Superintendent this is the process we follow (Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns). 

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Kindergarten Registration

TDSB online registration  for Kindergarten September 2021 is now available.  After you have completed the online registration, please call the office to schedule the follow up Virtual Face-to-Face Registration.  Virtual Registration will take place February 18 - 25, 2021.
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Moving out of Owen?

As we begin to start preparing for our September 2021 school year, we would like to gather information to help us know how many students will be returning to Owen.

If your child will be moving to another school in the fall, please fill out the following form to help us know where to transition the Ontario Student Records and transfer them to their new school.


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Spirit Day - Thursday February 11th, 2021

This weekend there is lots to celebrate.  Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day and Family Day.
Wear RED, PINK or GOLD on Thursday to represent friendship and family.

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Laundry Art Challenge:

Only one more week for the Laundry Art Challenge.  I look forward to seeing everyone.



You can upload your Laundry Art photo at 


Only images are accepted
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Happy Chinese New Year

Year of the Ox - Friday February 12th

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Join us in Celebrating 211 Day!


The purpose of 211 Day is to let people know what 211 is and how the service can support people looking for help. 211 is a free, confidential helpline that is available 24/7, 365 days year (including holidays) in 150+ languages. 211 Central serves the Central Ontario Regions of Toronto, Peel, York and Durham.

When someone calls 2-1-1, they reach a 211 Service Navigator who will help them navigate the complexities of the human services system quickly and easily, equipping them with the information and referral they need to access programs and services in their communities. In Central Ontario, the 211 service is available by phone and online via 211Central.ca, as well as by text, chat and email. It might not be a surprise that, with the country dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to flatten the curve, calls to 211 have increased by 30 per cent.

1) Download our 211 Day Toolkit!

Image Text Reads: It's 211 Day! Remember, you're not alone. Help starts with 211.

Image Text Reads: Life can be hard. Finding help can be easy. Dial 2-1-1 to find help for all of life's challenges. Financial Assistance. Food. Employment. Housing.

We've crafted plug and play social media graphics with captions that you can use on February 11 to join the 211 Day celebrations. Remember to use #211DayCanada in your posts and tag @211Central on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn! 211 Day key messaging for newsletters and websites can also be found in our 211 Day Toolkit.

 

2) Download and print the 211 Day Colouring Sheet and post your own colourful 211 logo creation on social media using #211DayCanada or in your front window to inform your neighbours about 211.



3) United Glow – 211 Day Illuminations across Central Ontario

Image Text Reads: United Glow for 211 Day

 

To celebrate 211 Day and the national expansion of 211, the buildings, monuments, and landmarks listed below will be participating from Central Ontario in our nationwide United Glow by illuminating their facades in 211 colours (red and white). Be sure to keep an eye out if you live near one of the landmarks listed below.

  • Mississauga – Civic Centre Clock Tower
  • Newmarket – Riverwalk Commons and Fred A. Lundy bridge
  • Toronto – CN Tower
  • Toronto – City Hall Towers
  • Toronto – 3D Toronto Sign


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Family Tech Support for Online Learning

The TDSB is providing support for families who may be having difficulties with helping their child navigate through their online learning.  By clicking the link below, you can gain access to support on using google classroom and Brightspace, logging into a student account, tdsb device support, and live web chats.



There is also a phone number you can call Monday- Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm for support.

416 396 9100

Owen teachers are also able to help with their learning platforms.  You can contact them by email.

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Student News!






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 by Thursday of this week.
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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 ...