LARKSPUR PUBLIC SCHOOL Growing together today, for tomorrow

111 Larkspur Road Brampton, Ontario L6R 1X2 Phone: 905-799-2952 Fax: 905-799-8109 Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1477

FEBRUARY 2015 DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR February 4 School Council Meeting / Ontario’s Winter Walk to School February 5 National Sweater Day (Wear a sweater to school) February 6 Term 1 Report Cards go home February 9 Move-a-thon Kick off Assembly February 16 Family Day (No School) February 23 Pre-Order Forms and Pledge Forms for Move-a-thon due to the school February 27 Move-a-thon Day

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DATES (MORE INFORMATION BELOW)

February 2 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 3 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 4 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 5 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – STUDENT SAFETY KISS N’ RIDE PROGRAM AT LARKSPUR PUBLIC SCHOOL Many elementary schools offer a Kiss N' Ride program, where parents/guardians can drop off their children at a designated area on school property. The program was established to provide a convenient and safe option for our students and parents driving to school. To ensure the safety of staff and students, we ask all parents/guardians to please be mindful of the following guidelines.

MORNING DROP-OFF Parents are reminded of our Kiss N’ Ride lane located through the main parking lot of the school. We are asking that parents use extreme caution when travelling through our school parking lot in the morning. When dropping your child off please do not park in the parking lot. The Kiss N' Ride program is only available to students who are able to disembark independently. Please have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Students may only exit from the passenger (right) side of the vehicle. After dropping off your child, leave promptly so that others can get in behind you. Always respect traffic flow and abide all traffic laws and signs, and the direction of staff on duty. Be sure to take extra caution in the winter months as road conditions may be icy and your visibility distance may be reduced. Drive slowly and always watch for pedestrians

AFTERNOON PICK-UP We do not allow cars to enter our school parking lot at the end of the day. Please find an appropriate parking spot on the street unless you are accessing one of our handicapped parking spots with a proper permit. If you are parking, please do not let your car idle. Parents are asked to walk onto school property to get their children using assigned walkways and crosswalks. We have been advised by the City of Brampton that there will be random spot checks done by parking enforcement officers to ensure parents are observing and following posted signs with regards to stopping and parking. Please be diligent when parking, ensuring you use a space permitted for parking. There are also many “No Stopping” zones around Larkspur. Our primary concern during times of high traffic is Student Safety. Please help us ensure the safety of your child during these times by following proper procedures when dropping off or picking up your child from school.

LARKSPUR MOVE-A-THON We are excited to announce that we will be having our annual Move-a-thon fundraiser, hosted by Professor Jamz. On Friday, February 27th, our students will get to move and groove to their favourite music, and have lots of fun. Each grade level will have 40 minutes to move, dance and have fun to the delight of Professor Jamz’ music. We are challenging every student to raise $20.00 and again we will be offering 3 mini iPads for the students that raise the most money in Kindergarten/Grade 1, Grade2/3 and Grade4/5. Students can also pre-order glow products that they will receive on the day of the event. The Pre-order forms and Pledge forms will be given out at the assembly launch on February 9th and should be returned to the school by Monday, February 23rd.

We hope to have a successful event and raise funds for our school. School Council FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT On Wednesday, January 22nd, Larkspur hosted a Family Literacy Night. Students and their families joined us at the school to hear stories read by our guest reader, Mr. H. Singh (School Trustee) and our very own celebrity readers including, Mr. Teeter, Mr. Harris, Mr. Pileggi, Ms. Sareen, Ms. Weaver and Ms. Tingle. We enjoyed reading to the many families that came out to hear the wonderful stories. Thank you for participating in this wonderful evening!

ONTARIO’S WINTER WALK DAY - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4th On Wednesday, February the 4th, students at Larkspur are encouraged to take an active role in supporting Ontario’s Winter Walk Day. Students throughout the Peel Region will be walking to school on February 4th to demonstrate their commitment to

this initiative which underscores the importance of staying active during the often long winter months. To generate support and interest in Ontario’s Winter Walk Day, Larkspur has decided to create some friendly competition amongst the primary and junior grades. The class with the most number of students who walked on February 4th from both the primary and junior grades will be receiving free Brampton A’s basketball tickets. It should be noted that the Brampton A’s have been a great partner in support of our Walking Wednesday Program this year through multiple donations of tickets, wrist bands, lanyards and clothing bags.

SWEATER DAY National Sweater Day is a fun way to learn about the importance of saving energy, and inspire you to use less heat all winter. Heating accounts for 80% of residential energy use in Canada, and is a significant source of emissions. If all Canadians lowered their thermostats by just 2 degrees Celsius this winter, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 4 megatons – equivalent to shutting down a 600 mega-watt coal-fired power station. We will be having an extra spirit day in support of the Green Club on February 5th. We will be turning down the heat, by 2 degrees Celsius, in the school and asking everyone to wear a sweater as part of the World Wildlife Fund's National Sweater Day. Turning down the heat will help us save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SWEATER/SWEATSHIRT DRIVE We will be holding a sweater/sweatshirt drive from January 26th until February 13th. The sweaters will be donated to the Salvation Army.

GREEN CLUB The Green Club has been busy working on educating the school about what can be placed in our recycling bins. We would like to make sure that we reduce the waste our school produces as well as keep the recycling free from contaminants so that it does not end up in the landfills. As part of the Earth Rangers “Battery Blitz Mission,” Larkspur is continuing to collect used batteries. When you recycle batteries properly, you are helping to keep toxic materials out of the environment and prevent them from hurting animals.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE PLANET BE HEALTHY? Did you know that in a recent audit, the Brampton Guardian reports that only 48% of Peel Residents are using their organics collection program. Too many of us are putting green waste in the regular garbage. Organic waste can be turned into compost instead of adding more (harmful by-products) to our strained landfills.

WINTER WEATHER This is a reminder to parents that Larkspur students go outside for nutrition breaks during the morning and afternoon. Please ensure your child brings warm clothing; hat, mitts/gloves, snow pants, winter jacket, scarf and boots so that they are warm during our outside time. In the event of an extreme cold weather alert, we will be keeping students inside during these regularly scheduled outdoor times.

It's time to register children born in 2011 for kindergarten Register at Larkspur Public School on Feb. 2, 3, 4 & 5 We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2011, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2014. Registration will be held at our school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 2, 3, 4 and 5 and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 5 What you will need to bring to registration Proof of child's age

Canadian birth certificate Canadian passport citizenship card/certificate Permanent Resident Card confirmation of permanent residence work permit refugee permit

Proof of address

Ontario driver's license utility bill bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution) credit card statement federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada documents) purchase agreement

Proof of custody

children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement

Proof of immunization

proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated Important information about immunization In order to attend school in Ontario, your child must have an up-to-date immunization record. When you register your child for school, you will provide copy of your child's immunization record and the school will send it to Peel Health. After registration, keeping your child's records up to date is your responsibility. Peel Health reviews immunization records regularly. Students who are not completely immunized and do not have a valid exemption may not be allowed to attend school. For information about immunization, or to get a copy of your child's record call Health Line Peel at 905-799-7700; Caledon residents can call toll-free at 905-584-2216. Translation services are available.

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Everyone is a math teacher, parents included Parents and other adults in our students' lives are important partners in children's mathematics education. By engaging your children in thinking and talking about mathematics, you help support their numeracy success. To help you with this, one great resource is the Ministry of Education's Doing Mathemathics With Your Child. You can find this guide for parents of children in kindergarten to grade online at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideNumEn.pdf. For more math tips and tools for parents of kindergarten to grade 12 students, visit ABC 123 at www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/tips/ and the Peel District School Board’s Math Help site at www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/math. ____________________________________________________________________________

REGISTER TODAY

Saturday, April 18, 2015 – 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton

Plan to attend our annual, free conference for Peel District School Board parents on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Take one day to enjoy:

a powerful keynote presentation focused on math success

your choice of 60 practical workshops facilitated by Peel board staff

a display area with educational exhibits from local organizations

free lunch, sponsored by Kidssentials, and an opportunity to meet Peel parents

This year, a large number of morning workshops will provide parents with strategies to help you support math success at home. Flyers are being sent home with Peel students now—look

for yours. Register today at www.peelschools.org/parents/conference.

Bus cancellation & 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 and television stations listed below and posted at www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca. Information will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9 CHUM AM1050 CFTR AM680 CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1 CFRB AM1010 EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860 FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107 CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS CTV

One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only): 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 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 Board offices are cancelled, including 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 Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

Help your family stay warm this winter

Peel Public Health recommends the following cold weather guidelines for preventing cold-weather injuries:

1. Reduce amount of time children (grade 8 and under) spend outdoors when the temperature is –20 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without the wind chill. Keep children indoors when the temperature is -25 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without wind chill. Some medical conditions may increase sensitivity to cold. Parents should consult their physician (Source: Environment Canada).

2. Allow indoor breaks if children say they are feeling cold or during extreme temperatures.

3. Ensure children are dressed warmly, covering exposed skin: insulated boots, winter weight coats, mittens, hats, neck warmers.

4. Change wet clothing or footwear immediately.

5. Although these conditions are unlikely to occur during the school day, ensure that all staff are able to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Given plenty of warm fluids to prevent dehydration.

6. When children are outside, be watchful for shivering or signs of numbness in faces, ears, hands or feet.

7. Educate children in dealing with cold weather: drinking plenty of fluids, dressing warmly, and recognizing signs of cold injury.

Conference helps parents ‘make a difference in numeracy and beyond’ The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School in Brampton. This year, Numeracy & Beyond: Parent Conference, will focus on numeracy—25 out of 60 workshops help with math. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on other topics, including literacy, special education and science. This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels.

Registration is now open. Register at: www.peelschools.org/parents/conference/register

Stay up-to-date! For more information, look out for the conference flyer at your child's school in February or visit www.peelschools.org/parents/conference.

Offence Declaration required for returning volunteers

Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community. At Larkspur Public School, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community members, and are grateful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year. To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal record check. A criminal record check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this record check.

Once you have completed the process, you are on file with the Peel District School Board as being a school volunteer. All returning volunteers will be mailed an Offence Declaration Form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. You will not be able to volunteer with the Peel board if you do not return this form. Forms will be mailed home in February.

Visit the Maple Sugar Bush at Jack Smythe Field Centre Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. The Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its Maple Syrup Bush. The March Break programs runs from Wed., March 18, to Sat., March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Sugar Bush program has been established for more than 15 years and provides families with an educational activity and a hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel District School Board teachers and staff during March Break. Families are invited to get involved as spring comes to life in the following activities:

help tap trees and empty sap buckets

sample some freshly made maple syrup

hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand

learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations

visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney

The cost is $5/adult and $4/child 12 and under (cash only). Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hot dogs for you to roast over an open fire. Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta: North on Mississauga Road, left on King Street (you will see Credit View Public School on your left), right on Winston Churchill Boulevard (you must pass Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left) and proceed to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site.

For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

What is head lice? Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp where they lay their eggs. They have three stages: the egg (nit), the nymph and the adult. Head lice do not spread diseases and cannot be spread between animals or pets and humans, only through direct contact between people. Head lice spread easily, especially where people are in close contact. They are very common among school-aged children or children attending child care, where they spread through direct hair-to-hair contact or directly by sharing things like hats, combs, hairbrushes or headphones. One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp. However, children can have head lice for several weeks with no symptoms. If you think your child has head lice, check their hair for nits right away, then again after one week and after two weeks.

What to do if your child has lice Parents are advised to keep their child at home until they have been treated for lice. Students may only return to school if they are “nit-free.” If your child has live lice, ensure that they avoid head-to-head contact with other children until the lice are gone. Children should not share combs, hairbrushes, caps, hats or hair ornaments. You should also check all family members for head lice. Be sensitive to your child’s feelings and let them know that having head lice does not mean they are not clean. Head lice can be treated with the following approved insecticides:

pyrethrin (found in R&C Shampoo + Conditioner)

permethrin (Nix Creme Rinse or Kwellada-P Creme Rinse)

lindane (Hexit Shampoo or PMS-Lindane Shampoo).

Register today for Adult ESL non-credit courses Do you know an adult in Peel that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life? The Peel District School Board offers Adult ESL courses at three locations in Brampton and Mississauga. Winter courses begin February 2, 2015. To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000. Registration is ongoing and continues after courses have started.

Bramalea Adult Education Centre 25 Kings Cross Road, Unit 3

Brampton Adult Education Centre #300 - 7700 Hurontario Street

Mississauga Adult Education Centre 100 Elm Drive West, Room 117

To learn more, visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation. Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL

Celebrating Faith and Culture February 2015

DATE

CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

February Buxwlaks Aboriginal Spirituality

February 1 or 2 Imbolc Wicca

February 3 Setsubun-sai Shinto

February 3 Magha Puja Buddhism

Sunset of February 3 to 4 Tu B’Shevat Judaism

February 7 to 26 month of Mulk Bahá’í

February 15 National Flag Day Canada

February 15 Nirvana Day Buddhism

February 16 Heritage Day Canada

February 16 Family Day Ontario

February 17 Mahashivratri Hinduism

February 18 Ash Wednesday Christianity

February 19 Lunar New Year/Maitreya

Bodhisattva’s Birthday

Buddhism

February 23 Clean Monday (J) Christianity

February 26 to March 1 Intercalary Days Bahá'í