Esker Lake P.S. November Newsletter

Lorraine Adams, Principal Daniel Elias, Vice-Principal Susan Fealy, Office Manager Helen Gallantry, Office Assistant Dana Sheahan, Superintendent Will Davies, School Trustee

Esker Lake P.S. 10420 Heart Lake Rd.

Brampton, ON L6Z 4S2

Main Office: (905) 840-5442 School Messenger: 1-855-209-6155 @EskerLakePS

Director of Education PeterJoshua Visits Esker Lake P.S.

On October 23rd, Peter Joshua visited us at Esker Lake P.S. He was so very impressed with student performances at the Responsibility assembly, and with the strong collaborative feeling in the school community. When visiting with students in class he was happy to see students engaged with inquiry learning and students developing creative ways to answer questions in their problem solving work! Thank you Mr. Joshua for your visit and kind words.

Important Dates

TA/DECE Appreciation Day Th. Nov. 7th Remembrance Day Assembly Mo. Nov. 11th Photo Retake Day Th. Nov. 14th Pizza Day We. Nov. 20th Berenstain Bears Fr. Nov. 22nd

It has been a fantastic month of October and we’re looking forward to a great November ahead! Highlights from October include a visit to our school from director of Education Peter Joshua, a great Character Assembly on the theme of Responsibility, and completion of safety drills such as fire and lockdown drills; safety is our number one priority! To close off the month we had a fun, fantastic Halloween spirit week with lots of safe and inclusive activities: the students (and staff) enjoyed Pajama day, dress as your favourite character from a book and of course our fun, fabulous Halloween parade! For November we are at work preparing for our Remembrance Day presentation . We’re all looking forward to a great performance of the Berenstain Bears on the 22nd . Mark your calendars for photo retake day on Thursday the 14th—don’t forget to look fabulous!

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Parent Parking for Student Drop Off

Our Kiss and Ride is working well for students

who can independently exit vehicles safely. To

support students who are still developing this

independence, we are designating parking in the

north parking lot, by the Kiss n’ Ride, for parents

who need to park and take time to help children

leave the car safely. Six spots are available

beside our three disability parking spaces. Please

use this area, and then walk with the staff member

at the crosswalk to access the school grounds.

Parking Lot Safety

Esker Lake P.S. has many buses , both large and small, to transport many of our young learners to school each day. We have noticed that parents and students sometimes cross in between these buses which could be dangerous. We encourage parents and students to cross in front of buses, where the driver can easily see you, and our kind and caring staff on supervision can help to keep you safe. Thanks for your help and cooperation in keeping everyone in our community safe while coming to, and leaving the school.

Peel Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Educators’ Day is on Nov. 7th—Let’s all say Thank You! In 2014, the board of trustees declared the last Wednesday in October as Peel Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Educators’ Appreciation Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Nov. 7, 2019. The Peel board appreciates the important work of teaching assistants and ECEs, and the contributions they make in the lives of children, families and community members.

Peel District School Board sup-ports Treaties Recognition Week

Treaties Recognition Week was introduced in 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. This year, Treaties Recognition Week will take place from November 4 to 8, 2019. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) has issued 94 Calls to Action, which include calls for schools and communities to teach students about Treaties. Addressing the TRC’s Calls to Action are embedded in Peel’s ongoing commitment to achieve inclusion for all through our progress on equity. This commitment is included in Peel’s Plan for Student Success. The Peel District School Board is proud to support Treaties Recognition Week to bring awareness to students and staff about their collective treaty obligations in Canada. For resources and information on Treaties, please visit the Government of Ontario website as well as The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Asso-ciation of Ontario website.

School Council Meeting — Mark Your Calendar for Wed. Nov. 6th

Parents and Guardians please take note, our next school council meeting will be on November the 6th. We look forward to seeing you. Our meeting will be held at 6:00 pm in the School Commons. Please come to the front of the school to gain entry and signs will direct you within the building. See you on Wednesday, November the 6th for our November meeting!

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Nov. 29 – Say 'thanks' for Peel Custodial & Maintenance Workers’ Day

In 2014, the board of trustees declared the last Friday in November as the Peel Custodial and Maintenance Workers’ Day. This year, the day of recognition falls on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Take this opportunity to thank them for all of the great work they do and their commitment to well-being and safety of all in our buildings.

Remembrance Day Ceremony: November 11th

On Monday November 11th, Esker Lake P.S. will be honouring the service of Canadian veterans by organizing a ceremony for students and our school community. The ceremony will take place at the start of period 3 (10:15 am). Our choir and glee clubs are hard at work preparing for this important annual event.

Parents and Guardians from the community are of course welcome to attend.

Mrs. Brown leads students during our fun Halloween walk. Students enjoyed the healthy walk and showing off their fabulous costumes! Staff enjoyed the walk around the halls as well!

Let’s Play! Kids are ‘on the ball’ during Nutra-breaks

Thanks to Mrs. Byrne, Mrs. Cross and our lunch room supervisor Mrs. Chahal, our students have been using some ‘gently used’ sports equipment at Nutra-breaks in their play. The students have greatly enjoyed using skipping ropes, utility balls, basketball balls, soccer balls and hoola-hoops, all during their outside time. What a great way to support their overall fitness, and for students to engage in safe play with one another. Special thanks to students Devianna, Priscilla, Mariam and Lagandeep for their help handing out and gathering back equipment. Thank you to all students for your cooperation and responsible habits in choosing equipment quickly, bringing back equipment and making sure it is tidy in the blue racks before going back to class. Way to go Esker students and keep up the good work!

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Esker Lake celebrates Hindu Heritage

Month in November

During Hindu Heritage Month, schools across Peel will participate in a number of activities that recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, history, culture and contributions of Hindu Canadians as well as Hindu communities from around the world. Here is a list of events happening at Esker Lake:

Posters celebrating Hindu heritage hung throughout the school

Ongoing student announcements celebrating the Hindu culture throughout the month

On April 9, 2019, as part of the board’s commitment to equity and inclusion, the Peel board approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Hindu Heritage Month in November. In addition to Hindu Heritage Month, the Peel board also approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Islamic Heritage Month in the month of October, Indigenous Heritage Month in November, Sikh Heritage Month in April and of Jewish Heritage Month in May. The board will continue to recognize Black History Month in February, of Asian Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June. The Province of Ontario declared the month of November as Hindu Heritage Month in 2016. The month of November was chosen in recognition of “Deepawali” or “Diwali”, which is a significant festival within the Hindu community. On October 4, 2018, a Member of Parliament introduced a Private Member’s Bill (PMB), Bill C-416 in the House of Commons to designate the month of October as Hindu Heritage Month in Canada. The bill is now currently going through several stages to become law.

Esker Lake celebrates Indigenous Heritage Month in November Schools across Peel will participate in a number of activities in November to recognize, celebrate and honour the rich heritage, culture, contributions and diversity of First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. On June 19, 2019, as part of the board’s commitment to equity and inclusion and to help better reflect student identity, trustees approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month in the month of November. This month includes several dates of significance, including, Treaty Recognition Week, Indigenous Veterans Day, Louis Riel Day, and the Peel Community Cultural Indigenous Celebration and Pow Wow. In addition to Indigenous Heritage Month, the Peel board has also approved a motion to recognize and celebrate Islamic Heritage Month in October, Hindu Heritage Month in November, Sikh Heritage Month in April and Jewish Heritage Month in May. The board will continue to recognize Black History Month in February, Asian Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June. The House of Commons officially recognized June as National Indigenous History Month following a unanimous motion in 2009. In the month of June, Peel board schools and worksites will raise and/or display the flag of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in the spirit of equity, inclusion and rec-onciliation. The raising of this flag is only one of the ways we help to create spaces that are inclusive, welcoming and safe for students, staff and families.

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Bus cancellation and closing schools due to bad weather

During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather. Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio, television stations and will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Twitter @STOPRinfo, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. One of the following messages will be announced: Peel District School Board buses are cancelled This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require busing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and other activities in schools will operate as usual. All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closed This means that all schools and Peel board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in schools and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits. All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including our continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed. All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including our continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

Peel Public Health shares tips to help prevent the flu It’s flu season and we want to make sure students stay as healthy as possible this year! Influenza (flu) spreads easily from one person to another and Peel Public Health has some tips to help reduce the risk of catching the flu and spreading it:

Get your annual flu shot: The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. There are many locations in

Peel where you can get your flu shots such as a doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics and pharmacies.

Keep children home when they’re sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms (fever,

cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school.

Please contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe.

Practice good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering

their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and

throw tissues in the trash. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow, if

they don’t have a tissue. They should also avoid touching their eyes,

nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.

Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with

soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially when they cough or

sneeze. Encourage them to do the sleeve-sneeze!

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Character Attributes in Action—Responsibility Assembly

On October 23rd our many of our students took part in presenting a great responsibility assembly, and all students (and many of our parents) took part! Our director of education, Peter Joshua was the guest of honour and was very impressed with the work of the students. Highlights of the assembly included mindful moments and exercise, a responsibility chant, a video display of a day in the life at Esker, songs from our Glee club and a special presentation to director Joshua. A big thank you to all the community members, parents and guardians who came out to support students and to enjoy the big, big show! A big thank you to all staff and students who took part and worked so hard to make the performance a memorable one. Mark your calendars, our next assembly will be all about cooperation on Friday, November the 29th!

Our Book Fair Raises $4,000! Thank you Esker Lake Community!

Thank you Esker Laker community for your awesome support of our book fair! All the money goes to support school needs, and of course your support in buying fun and engaging reading material for our young learners is always appreciated. Our young students took part in suggesting items to be added to the library collection — what fantastic student voice! Mrs. C. thanks you all from the bottom of her heart for all the support. Our library will be open on November 4th; students can’t wait to get in there for inquiry lessons. Stay tuned for: new graphic novels, Indigenous picture books, new picture books, novels and more!

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Bus Patrollers help keep Bus Students Safe!

In October our Esker Eagles taught us about responsibility at the assembly. On the buses for Esker Lake, our bus patrollers show responsibility every day! On October 8th, many bus patrollers went to Peel Safety village and were trained by Peel Police officers. What a treat! Thank you to Madam Barclay for making all the arrangements. Our bus patrollers had to listen attentively, and then show their responsibility

by taking part in drills to help keep kids safe in the event of an emergency. Our bus patrollers can tell you all about the ‘Hydro Hop’ and how to evacuate a bus in case of an emergency. Thank you bus patrollers for all your hard work, and congratulations in passing your test to become a bus patroller! You make us all proud to want to keep bus students safe. Thank you Faith, Jordan , Princedeep, Taranjot, Lisitha, Tejpal, Najayla, Ekam, Anum, Zoryanna, Rivka and Lagandeep. Keep up the great work!

Our work has just begun.

The Peel Learning Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to enable Peel District School Board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources that help them overcome barriers. We officially launched in February 2019, and to date, the foundation has supported more than 200 students.

Did you know that 1 in 5 students in Peel Region face barriers related to poverty.

That’s more than 27,000 Peel board students. Through the Student Emergency Needs program and Student Backpack program, support provided can be as simple as providing funds for food or transportation, a winter coat, or a backpack filled with school supplies. This type of support can enrich a student's school experience and help them achieve success. Any teacher, staff or support person can speak confidentially to their school’s principal, vice-principal or supervisor when they encounter a student in need, who will then reach out to us to ask for help. There are many ways that you can support the foundation. A gift will help us achieve great things for students. To learn more, visit www.peellearningfoundation.org/how.

You can help us create hopeful tomorrows.

www.PeelLearningFoundation.org l 905-890-1010 ext. 2461 l foundation@peelsb.com

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Give what you can on United Way Giving Day – Nov. 14, 2019

At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each and every student – each and every day. Yet we know that there are many needs in our community that we can’t address on our own, like providing food for families that may go without or supporting in our local communities after a crisis. That’s why we are holding a board-wide giving day in support of United Way Greater Toronto, a key partner and supporter of Peel families.

This year, the Peel board has declared Nov. 14 as United Way Giving Day to raise much needed funds for United Way Greater Toronto and the network of local, Peel social service agencies it supports. Whether it’s providing shelter for a mother and her children in Brampton, matching a child who is at risk with a mentor in Caledon, or funding a breakfast program in Mississauga for youth that would otherwise go hungry, United Way offers hope and possibility to thousands in our community. 5

A donation of:

$2 may go towards a breakfast program for a child from a low income family.

$10 supports a child with interactive, recreational outings for one year, including healthy snacks

and transportation, to help them build their social skills and self-esteem.

$25 is enough to provide a daily homework club that gives children and youth access to computers, peer support and mentors.

This is a completely voluntary campaign and any contributions are welcome. Whether you send a loonie, toonie, cheque made out to United Way Greater Toronto, or donate through school cash online, your contribution will make a difference. Pledges of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt from United Way Greater Toronto. To receive a receipt, you must fill out the pledge form on the back and send it to school with your donation by Dec. 13, 2019. If you donate through School Cash Online, attach a copy of your receipt to your completed pledge form.

Thank you for lending a helping hand to those who need it most. Together, we can help those in poverty which wouldn’t be possible without your continued support – your local love can change lives.

#chooseACTION on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, November 17 to 23, 2019. Bullying is a form of harassment. The World Health Organization says, “Bullying…demands the concerted and coordinated time and the attention of health providers, policy-makers and families. (Prevention of Bullying, 2010) Bullying is a relationship problem, with relationship solutions. Each year, across the Peel board, students, staff and families engage in learning and programming opportunities focussed on actively disrupting bullying, by creating positive, safe Climates for Learning and Working, built on a foundation of healthy relationships. This year the Peel board community will ‘#chooseACTION to STOP hate’ in their classrooms, offices, schools & communities, in order to make these spaces better places for everyone. and speak in ways that are inclusive, accepting of others and values difference.

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Mark your calendars!

Remembrance Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11th - P3 ,10:15 am - Community members welcome

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Photo Retake Day - Thursday, November 14th, 2019

Individual photos

Stay Tuned! Coming Soon to Esker!

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