McBride Avenue Public School 974 McBride Avenue, Mississauga Ontario L5C 1L6

Phone: 905-270-6414 ⚫ Safe Arrival: 1-855-209-6155

http://schools.peelschools.org/1377

Important Dates May

16 - Ramadan Begins

18 - Forest of Reading trip

21 - Victoria Day holiday

22-25 - Grade 6 EQAO

28-31 - Grade 3 EQAO

28-31 - Bike Week

29 - Bicycle Officers visit

June

7 - Provincial Election here

15 - Eid-al-Fitr

26 - Graduation 9:30 am

Principal: Neil Ekels ⚫ Vice-Principal: Carol Coyle

Superintendent: Jamie Robertson 905-366-8800, ext 1308 ⚫ Trustee Ward 6/11: Robert Crocker 416-528-1312

May 2018 I will start by thanking all the families who made the Community Potluck a Great Success. We

did, however, learn a few things to help make next year’s event even better. Special thanks to Ms

Ghenwa, Ms Naila and Ms Sanaa. Another big shout out to Mr. Jarjour for ensuring we had a great line

up of talented performers.

Our other big event of the last month was the Move-A-Thon fundraiser. This was also a big

success (with some learning opportunities as well). I would like to Thanks Ms. Naila, Ms. Sanaa, Ms.

Ghenwa, Lisa Skeet, and Ms. Sunni for putting in the efforts needed to make an event like this work.

Our DJ Malcolm did a great job with the music Final details are still being tabulated, but it looks like our

community raised over $5,000 toward flexible learning environments, inside and outside the school!!

For next school year, we are discussing moving the fundraising event to October.

As we move through May and into June, we will get into the EQAO season for grade 3s & 6s,

observation of Ramadan for many of our families, and then special events for the year end including

McBride Idol and or Grade 6 graduation on June 26 at 9:30 am.

Thank you to all of the McBride Community who help make McBride a great place to come!!!!

McBride Moments

Every picture tells a story...

We were lucky to have a visit from Smart Wheels by MADD

Canada. We learned all about the dangers of driving while

impaired and talked about how we can make good choices as

both the driver and the passenger.

Day of Pink at McBride We had another very successful Day of Pink at McBride. Thank you to all the students and staff who participated and who

work every day to make McBride a more accepting and welcoming place for everyone. Together, we made a rainbow chalk

mural in our playground with positive messages about being yourself and loving who you are.

Information from McBride Avenue Public School

School Hours and Nutrition Breaks

Morning entry bell 8:40

Class instruction begins 8:45

Nutrition break #1 10:35 to 11:15

Nutrition Break #2 12:35 to 1:15

Dismissal 3:05

Lates: if you and your child are late for school, an adult MUST

come into the office and sign in the student, children MUST

NOT be sent into the school on their own, and not through back

doors

Lunches: if you are delivering your child’s lunch, please place it

on the table in the foyer. The lunch should be labeled with name

& Class. We will NOT be calling students to the office to pick up

lunches. This is a plan you must make with your child.

Safe Arrival Information

There has been a CHANGE in TIME for Reporting

Absences!

To report your child’s absence, call : 1-855-209-6155

OR

To report your child’s absence, visit:

pdsb.schoolconnects.com

YOU MUST call or login to REPORT your child’s absence

PRIOR TO 9:00 AM the day of their absence. After 9:00

am, you must call the school; 905-270-6414.

All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report

their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our

automated SafeArrival system.

Safe Arrival Changes - May 2018 Important changes coming to SafeArrival system on May 14, 2018

As you know, the Peel District School Board implemented SafeArrival, an automated absence reporting system for all students in its elementary

schools in September 2016. Recently, the service provider for our system was sold to a new company and so, beginning May 14, 2018, there will be

some slight changes on how you will report your child’s absence from school.

All families must set up a new SafeArrival account beginning May 1, 2018. The new system will be “live” as of Monday, May 14, 2018 so please

ensure your new account has been created by then. Please note: the new SafeArrival system CANNOT be used before May 14 to report any school

absences. You must use our current SafeArrival system until Friday, May 11, 2018. The phone number will remain the same, only the App and

website will change.

SchoolMessenger app (free from Apple or Google Play)

1. Download the SchoolMessenger app

2. Tap Sign Up to create your account

Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.com

1. Go to the above website

2. Click Sign Up to create your account

Interactive Toll-free Phone

1. Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155

2. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence

Please Note:

May 1 – Parents begin to set-up new SchoolMessenger

accounts

May 11 – Last day to use current SafeArrival App or

pdsb.schoolconnects.com

May 14 – Use new SchoolMessenger App or

go.schoolmesenger.com

Phone number will remain the same: 1-855-209-6155

*Please be sure to delete the old Safe Arrival app

after May 11*

SchoolCashOnLine

Please make certain that you are registered for SchoolCashOnLine. All parents have been given a step by step guide on how to

register. The Peel District School Board would like to reduce the amount of cash and cheques coming into the schools. This

SchoolCashOnLine will be best for efficiency and safety.

Volunteers

If you are planning to volunteer (pizza program, class trips, in the school, etc.) you must have a Vulnerable Sector Screening

Criminal Record Check from the Peel Police Department. Please note these screening checks can take up to a month, so make

sure you apply now. Once your name is on file at the Peel District School Board, you are able to volunteer in any Peel school. If you

are interested in being a volunteer, please come into the school and see our Vice Principal. As of January 1, 2018, Criminal

Record Checks for adults, including those for volunteers, will cost $33

Pizza Lunches

Pizza Lunch Days are a hit! Please watch out for notification on SchoolCashOnLine for ordering details

and payments.

Birthdays

If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday with their class, you MUST coordinate with the teacher a few days in advance

of the celebration. Due to allergies and other dietary restrictions, it is important to plan something appropriate. Items must be easy

to distribute and involve minimal disruption and mess!!

A New Way to Share the Smile A new way to ‘Share the Smile’

In every Peel school and worksite, there are endless inspiring stories just waiting to be told. To help share the smile, the

Peel board will launch a new website on April 30 to showcase these amazing #PeelFam stories, people and creations.

Visit www.sharethesmile.ca to view some of the stories, people and creations we’ve featured so far. We encourage

students, staff, parents and the community to share the stories happening in their school community. In the top right corner,

you share by clicking ‘Share Your Story’.

Special Events at McBride Thank you for supporting our annual Move-a-thon!

Your generous donations will help create flexible learning environments (inside and outside) for the

students at McBride.

Congratulations to all the prize winners!

Thank you to all the families who joined us at our Community Potluck.

It was a wonderful evening with lots of delicious food. We love to see all of our McBride Family together.

Police Appreciation Week Peel schools honour police officers during Police Appreciation Week

The Peel District School Board will pay tribute to police officers by holding Police Appreciation Week from May 14 to 18, 2018. Peel

students and staff will show their appreciation for the tremendous job being done by police to protect schools, homes and communities.

Police Appreciation Week coincides with National Police Week. National Police Week pays tribute to the work of police officers across

Canada.

During this week, students, staff and parents in schools throughout Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga will honour the work of police

officers and thank them for enhancing public safety and security.

Thank you

Officer Billy!

Information from Peel District School Board

To learn more about the benefits of ParentConnect, visit our school website or

www.peelschools.org/parentconnect

ParentConnect

Online parent portal to access

important student information

The Peel District School Board is excited to

announce the launch of ParentConnect, an online

parent portal to access important student

information. The pilot program was introduced at

select schools and phased in to all Peel schools

on Feb. 23, 2018.

What is ParentConnect?

ParentConnect is a safe and secure website, created by the Peel District

School Board, that acts as a single point to stay informed and to access all

electronic services provided to Peel board parents and legal guardians.

The parent-friendly website will allow you to:

● view school-based alerts and information

● access real time absence reporting

● view current and historic elementary report card information

● get up-to-date busing information

● review secondary school credit history and diploma status

● and more

It's Time to Register Children Born in 2014 for Kindergarten!

We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2014, he or she can

start kindergarten in September 2018. You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the McBride Avenue

Public School during office hours to register.

You will need the following information in order to register:

Proof of child's age (one of the following)

· Canadian birth certificate

· Canadian passport

· citizenship card/certificate

· Permanent Resident Card

· confirmation of permanent

residence

· work permit

· refugee permit

Proof of address (one of the following)

· 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

Mental Health Minute Activity

For Children’s Mental Health Week, let’s try a Mental Health Minute

Activity.

Grateful seeing - Look FIRST for what’s good and working for us in life.

Ask your child to share one (or two) good things about their day. Make

sure you share what’s good about your day too!

“We’re going for a walk!” - Exercise relieves anxiety for up to several

hours as it burns excess energy, loosens tense muscles and boosts

mood. If your child can’t take a walk right now, have them run in place,

bounce on a yoga ball, jump rope or stretch.

Three hugs, three big breaths - Hug your child and take 3 deep belly

breaths together. Share a smile and move on with your day. This is a

quick way to pause, connect and be in the moment together.

Experiment! - Together with your child you might: try a new recipe,

write a poem, paint something, or play a new game.

Creative expression and

well-being are linked.

What is an IEP?

Education is full of acronyms and IEP is one of many that

a parent/guardian of a child receiving special education

support will encounter.

An IEP is an Individual Education Plan. Developed at the

beginning of the school year, it lays out the

accommodations and modifications to the regular

curriculum that help your child learn and be successful.

No formal identification is needed but you, the

parent/guardian should be involved in the development

as you provide valuable input. It can be overwhelming so

there are pamphlets, webpages, and Special Education

Advisory Committee (SEAC) representatives who can

help you understand and make informed contributions.

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. Let's thank the

professionals who help our children with their speech and

language challenges.

For more information, please visit

www.peelschools.org/parents/specialed/iep

School Doors Remain Locked During the School Day

We wanted to share a reminder with our school community. The front doors of our school will be locked during the school day. This is part

of the Safe Welcome program, originally announced by the Ontario Government in December 2012, for all elementary schools in Ontario.

As part of this program, portable doors will also be locked during the school day.

A camera and buzzer unit is located by the front door and will be linked to a monitor in the main office of the school. Anyone who wishes

access to the school once the school day has begun—parents, Peel board staff and visitors—will request entry by pressing the buzzer.

Staff in the main office will be able to see and speak to the person, and release the door lock to provide access.

We have long had the practice for Peel schools that all outside doors, with the exception of the front door, would be locked during the

school day. While we acknowledge that locking doors will not in itself prevent all risks to the safety of students and staff, it is an important step in providing an additional level of security. Thank you for your continued support for the safety and well-being of all students and staff

in our schools.

Using Social Media Safely

With the growing number of social media sites, it is no surprise that social media is the most common form of communication for children

and teenagers. Posts, status updates, comments, instant messages, video uploads, tweets and texts have become a regular part of their

lives. While there are many positive benefits to using social media, including staying connected with friends and expressing your

interests, students must be cautious in their use of these networks.

Among the most popular social media platforms used are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and Whatsapp Messenger.

Many of these platforms are free and are available on smartphones and other electronic devices. These platforms are easy to navigate

and often allow information to be shared instantly, not only with friends, but with strangers. On social media, it is important to remember

that the world is watching.

Tips for Using Social Media Safely

Here are some tips, provided by the Canadian Safe School Network and GetSafeOnline.org, to keep your children safe and help them

make smart choices when using social media:

● Set some boundaries for your child before they get their first ‘connected device’ (mobile, tablet, laptop or games console). Once

they have it, it can be more difficult to change the way they use it or the settings.

● Have a conversation about what is appropriate online behaviour and what actions could have huge repercussions that could

damage their reputation and be harmful to others.

● Talk to your child about the kind of websites they look at. Encourage them to speak to you if they come across something they find

worrying or upsetting on websites, games or social media.

● Discuss with your child what is safe and appropriate to post and share online. Written comments, photos and videos all form part of

their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by anyone and available on the internet forever, even if it is subsequently deleted.

● Explain to your child that being online doesn’t give them anonymity or protection, and that they shouldn’t do anything online that

they wouldn’t do face-to-face. Users should only accept people they know in order to protect themselves from spammers, strangers

and others who may be using social networking sites to commit crimes.

● Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they

think they do. Tell your children they must never email, chat, or text with strangers, and it’s never okay to meet a stranger in the real

world.

● Ensure your children set their privacy settings appropriately. Take the time to learn how privacy settings work on your children’s

favourite sites, and teach them how to control their privacy.

● Tell your children never to share personal and private information with anyone online. This includes, but is not limited to, his or her

full name, age, birth date, address, phone number, social insurance number, credit card information and parents’ full names.

● Limit the amount of time that your children spend on social media platforms and talk about the importance of healthy and

appropriate use of technology.

Traffic Safety in Our Community

Safety is a top priority at our school. Here is a list of traffic tips to keep students, staff and parents safe while commuting to and from school.

● Respect traffic signs and road markers around the school.

● Drive slowly and with caution on and near school property. Adhere to the posted speed limits on any surrounding streets used by

students on their way to and from school.

● Always yield to pedestrian traffic. Wait for students, staff members and parents to cross before driving past them.

● When dropping your child off at the school, use the Kiss'n'Ride area. This is a supervised area that is designed to keep students safe.

● Do not double park or do anything else to block traffic or draw your child off the curb and into traffic. Do not take shortcuts over curbs.

● Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Say goodbye to your child before you park at the curb to let your child out

of your car.

● During regular drop-off times, students are to remain in the car until it is safe for them to exit the car onto the curb.

● Follow the directions of staff or volunteers on duty in the school parking lot and treat staff, students, volunteers, passengers and other

drivers with respect.

● Consider parking off site and walking a short distance to school. This will give you time to talk to your children about their day, review

new vocabulary words, math concepts, etc.

● Remind your child to only cross the street at an intersection or crosswalk. They should never “jaywalk” by crossing in the middle of the

street.

● Students who bike to school should always wear a helmet, and follow all traffic laws.

● Students should only cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection—never in the middle of the road.

Keeping Children Safe in and Around Storm Sewers, Waterways

Rising and fast moving water in lakes, ponds and creeks is increasingly likely during spring. Children playing in and around storm

sewers and watercourses, entering storm sewers through the outfalls, and entering storm sewers through access covers is dangerous.

The following information will help keep children safe:

● water flows in storm sewers and watercourses are unpredictable and may change quickly

● toxic gases may be present in and around storm sewers and watercourses

● access is restricted, making rescue attempts are difficult

● tragic falls could take place

Please review this information with your children and let them know how dangerous storms sewers and waterways are.

Help us to encourage and enhance parent involvement in Peel - Apply for a position on the board's Parent

Involvement Committee

The Peel board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) meets regularly throughout the school year to review the board’s plans for

parent involvement as they relate to parent, family and community engagement, and to make suggestions to schools, councils and the

board regarding additional parent outreach.

● As mandated by the ministry, the purpose of Peel board's PIC is to:

● support, encourage, and enhance meaningful parental involvement within schools and across the district, including, outreach to

parents who find involvement more challenging

● work collaboratively with the school board to support student success

● seek out the advice and ideas of school councils, and other parents and partners as they plan and implement strategies to

involve more parents at the regional level

● develop strategies for enhancing parental engagement and outreach

Parent application packages will be made available by April 11,2018 at www.peelschools.org/PIC.

Register today for Adult ESL or LINC classes

Do you know an adult that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life?

Through the Continuing & Adult Education department, the Peel District School Board offers a wide variety of English language classes

that help parents experience success in Canadian English in both listening/speaking and reading/writing. Courses are designed for a

range of basic, intermediate and advanced English (Levels 1 to 8) as well as the more experienced learner needing to prepare for an

IELTS exam.

Classes are ongoing - Register anytime.

All learners that complete a session will earn a certificate of learning from the Peel District School Board.

Classes operate from six locations in Brampton and Mississauga with three specially designed adult centres at:

● 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 or to register, call 905-270-6000, then press 2

Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation

Follow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL

We Welcome the World Centres

The Peel District School Board’s We Welcome the World Centres located in Brampton, Malton and Mississauga, are the first point of

contact for all newcomer families to become familiar with the educational system in Peel. The centres are open all year—including the

summer months— from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to providing literacy and numeracy assessments, the We Welcome the World Centres provide newcomers with a host of

services including reception, orientation, interpretation and referrals.

At each centre, parents/guardians and students will discover:

• settlement service information

• age and grade appropriate educational and related program resources

• information about various community supports

• translation of materials to support the reception and assessment process

• computer portals— providing information on Peel resources

What is Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a legislated committee that makes recommendations to the board on matters affecting

the education programs and services for students with special needs. SEAC meets monthly during the school year and consists of three

trustees and representatives from organizations within Peel.

An important focus for SEAC members is to bring forward the views of their organizations and assist parents in navigating the school

system. You can reach out to your trustees or the appropriate organization to discuss any matters regarding special education or join us at

one of our monthly meetings. All meetings are open to the public and includes a set time for questions from the community.

For more information about SEAC and the meeting schedule visit, http://peelschools.org/parents/specialed/specedac/Pages/default.aspx

F

For more information about the We

Welcome the World Centre and the

services they provide, call 905-366-

8791.

Connect With Us! Subscribe to receive news from the Peel Board

Take advantage of our electronic subscription service to automatically receive a

list of activities by email on a monthly basis. Subscriptions are sent the last week

of the month, plus bonuses throughout the year. Subscribing is easy; just visit the

board’s website at www.peelschools.org and click on the subscription link under

"Quick Links."

You can also subscribe to receive:

News releases

Keep up with the news at the Peel board. Subscribe to receive Peel board news

releases to learn more about board news and school events.

Board agendas

Learn more about Peel board meetings by subscribing to receive agendas.

Meetings of the board are open to the public and are held on the second and

fourth Tuesday of the month.

Board highlights

Briefing is a newsletter with highlights of decisions made by trustees at board

meetings. It is sent out on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and

immediately following any special board meetings.

Community Corner

Stay up-to-date with community-based

opportunities

The Peel District School Board is pleased to

introduce an electronic resource page on

www.peelschools.org called, Community Corner,

which contains links to information and resources

in the community that may be of interest to

students and their families. This site replaces our

previous method of sending promotional materials

about community clubs, camps, contests,

fundraisers and events home with students on a

regular basis.

How you can access Community Corner

1. Visit

www.peelschools.org/parents/communitycorner

2. Click on the “Community Corner”

button, found on the main page of school websites,

as well as on www.peelschools.org.

Job postings for non-teaching staff

Learn about each new non-teaching job that is posted on the Peel board's Job Board.

Visit McBride’s Website http://schools.peelschools.org/1377

Want to keep up to date with what’s happening at McBride?

Check out our school website where you'll find:

● the latest school news

● contact information for school administration, superintendent

and trustee

● calendar

● enrolment data

● school hours

● mission, vision and values

● registration information

● printable forms

● frequently asked questions

● volunteer information

● EQAO reports

Keep up to date with our website subscription service

Our new website also features a subscription service where you can sign up to receive email notifications for school news, calendar events

and volunteer job opportunities. You can also choose to be notified via email and/or text message for critical news, such as school closures

due to bad weather. Click on the subscribe link on the left-hand side of the main page of our website.

Our own Mr. Ekels was featured on the Peel Board website!

Follow us on Social Media!

Social media is the easiest and fastest way to stay connected to the amazing things happening in the Peel District School Board.

Follow @Peelschools on Twitter to:

· learn about our schools and programs

· find out if buses are cancelled during bad weather

· share the Peel smile

At McBride, we use Twitter as a way to connect with the world and share all of the amazing learning that is happening in our classrooms.

Check it out @mcbrideaveps!

Follow @Peelschools on Instagram where we share motivational and inspirational #PeelProud moments.

Follow @mcbridememories and @mcbridekindklub on Instagram to see pictures of the exciting things going on at our school.

Follow Peel schools on Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools.