Here’s the BuzzFrom Briarwood Public School

NOVEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

Principal Mrs. Jaggi-Vaid Vice Principal Mrs. BraccoOffice Manager Mrs. Singh Office Assistant Mrs. Salema

1065 Mississauga Valley Blvd., Mississauga L5A 2A1 (905) 270-2597

Follow us on Twitter @Briarwood Buzz Visit us at http://schools.peelschools.org/1356/Pages/default.aspx

Superintendent of Education Mr. Darren Van Hooydonk School Trustee Mrs. Sue Lawton

Goodbye Mrs. Bracco!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Bracco our VP who is going to be returning back to her teaching position at the Toronto District School Board. We thank you for the passion, dedication and caring that you provided our Briarwood families while you were here. Good luck with your future endeavours, we will miss you!

We welcome Ms. Ottley who is a retired principal and will be our Acting Vice Principal.

We Enjoyed Meeting You!Thank you to all of the families who joined us for our annual Open House on October 6th. The halls were filled with smiling students who eagerly introduced their parents to their teachers. Students also showed parents their desks, gave a tour of their classrooms and proudly talked about the work displayed on the walls and bulletin boards. Thank you to the staff members who prepared a welcoming learning environment for their students and families.

Chocolate FundraiserA HUGE thank you to all the families who sold and bought chocolate during our annual fundraising campaign. Your support and the monies raised will enhance the learning of all students at Briarwood.

Dressing for Cold Weather

Please ensure that your children are coming with jackets, gloves and hats for the outdoor time.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER AT BRIARWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3CommunityPolicePresentations

4

5 6 7 8 9WorldSpeedStackingDay

10RemembranceDay AssemblyPhoto RetakeDayProgress ReportsGo Home

11RemembranceDay

12 13 14 15 16Parent/TeacherInterviewsEvening

17Parent/TeacherInterviewsMorning

18

19 20 21 Newcomer

Tea

22 23 24CustodialStaff Recognition Day

25

26 27 28Junior trip to see the movie Wonder

29 30Character Education Assembly

Celebrating Faith and Culture November 2017

DATECELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

November Freezing Moon Aboriginal SpiritualityNovember 1 All Saints Day ChristianityNovember 1 Samhain WiccaNovember 3 Qudrat (thirteenth month) Bahá'íNovember 4 Dev Diwali JainismNovember 4 Birth of Guru Nanak SikhismNovember 11 Remembrance Day CanadaNovember 16 Louis Riel Day Aboriginal SpiritualityNovember 22 Qawl (fourteenth month) Bahá'íNovember 24 Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur Sikhism

November 25 Day of the Covenant Bahá'íNovember 27 Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Bahá'íNovember 28 (J) First Day of Advent (Christmas

fast)Christianity

November 30 Milad-un-Nabi IslamNovember 30 Maun Agiyaras Jainism

Remembrance Day – Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day is an annual occasion when our country invites us to remember and honour the men and women who have fought in wars long ago to keep us safe. We also take the time on this day to acknowledge the contributions of our military who are currently working to achieve peace around

the world. Remembrance Day is always on November 11th as it marks the day that the World War 1 was over and there was peace again. We participate in 2 minutes of silence at 11:00 am on November 11th to be thankful and remember all the brave soldiers who gave us a country that is safe and free.

Briarwood will honour Canada’s veterans and military by holding an assembly on November 10th in the gym at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. Parents are invited to join us.

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Hallowe’en FunOn October 31st, our Briarwood classrooms were filled with princesses, butterflies and super heroes. The children enjoyed the day participating in fun activities, having some treats and seeing all of the different costumes in the school.

World Speed Stacking DayOn November 9th, Briarwood students in grades 1 to 5 will be participating in World Speed Stacking Day. They have been practicing their hand/eye coordination and dexterity in preparation for this exciting event. Search the rules of speed stacking on Youtube. Below are some links you may find useful.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F89vHYoM8XMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeklKtk1YYpghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC0oZZ7sYKl

Salvation Army Food DriveWe are collecting non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army. Food donations such as pasta, cereal and canned goods will be accepted until November 10th. Students and parents can place their donations in the large box located outside the office. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.

Lost and FoundHelp! The Lost and Found bin is overflowing.Is your child being sent to school wearing a jacket or a sweater, and then returning home at the end of the day without it? Chances are, their missing piece of clothing is in the Lost and Found bin. Please encourage your child to check the bin which is located in the front hall of the school.

School Bus Safety

Bus students are reminded of the importance of following all rules while riding the school bus. There have been many reports by the bus drivers of students standing and walking around while the bus is moving. When this happens, the bus driver has to stop until the students are seated and this causes the bus to be late. If your child rides the school bus, please review the safety rules and the importance of staying in the seat at all times.********************************************************************************************************** STOPR Bus Safety Rules

Listen to the driver when getting on and off the bus, especially when a road must be crossed

Go directly to their seat and stay seated until they are let off the bus Follow all instructions from the bus driver, especially about where they

sit and where to put their belongings Use quiet voices and do not talk to the bus driver while the bus is in

operation unless it is necessary

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Crossing Guards Mississauga Valley and Central ParkwayCrossing guards are employees of the City of Mississauga and are responsible for crossing students, parents and pedestrians of any age while they are on duty. Students and parents must cross on the side of the street

where the crossing guard is on duty and must wait until they are signaled before entering the crosswalk. Crossing guards are not permitted to supervise the other side of the road.

Pizza Days On Thursday October 26th, students enjoyed the first Pizza Day of the year! Pizza Day is every Thursday. Parents, need to order pizza for their child(ren) online, as Briarwood is a cashless school. Orders needs to be placed for the entire month. Order are now being accepted for the month of December.

Lunchroom SupervisorsDo you, or someone you know, enjoy working with children? Have you ever considered working in a school? Briarwood is currently looking for people to supervise our students during the nutrition breaks. If you are interested in applying for a Lunchroom Supervisor position, please contact the office.

#chooseACTION on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week of Nov. 20 to 24, 2017.

This year, we ask our Peel community to ‘#chooseACTION to be inclusive’ in their classes, offices, schools, or communities, in order to make these spaces better places for everyone. The Peel Board would like to hear about the big and small actions, the pledges, the promises and the attitudes that our Peel community value, and ask that you take a moment to share your #chooseACTION moments on social media.

Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught to:

define bullying identify forms of bullying identify the shifting roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who

bullies, the target, the bystander or the trusted advocate

determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying and harassment

understand that bullying is a relationship problem with relationship solutions determine positive ways to interact with others in an accepting, inclusive way demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and

safe school communities

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting Schools Act, that came into effect on Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.

Is French Immersion right for my child?

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2018, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the French Immersion (FI) program.

What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program? One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the French Immersion school your child would attend.

To find out the FI school your child would attend: visit our website www.peelschools.org/French call the school in your area

Online application

The application form for Grade 1 French Immersion for the 2018-19 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m.

The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. Applications received after that date will be put on a waiting list.

A French Immersion enrolment cap is in place. This means that a specific number of spaces are available for students entering grade 1 French Immersion. A random selection process will be used to identify students gaining entrance into the program. For more information about the random selection process visit www.peelschools.org/French.

Important dates

Information meeting Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m.Application process opens Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m.Application deadline Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m.

For more information visit www.peelschools.org/French call your nearest French Immersion school talk with parents who have children in the French Immersion program visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca

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, 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 (highlighted text only): Peel District School Board buses are cancelledThis 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 closedThis 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 cancelledThis means that all activities in schools and Peel 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 cancelledThis means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

Train More. Rehearse More. Learn More.Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options for student athletes, artists

Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes it difficult to attend school regularly? The Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High Performers Program will offer flexible timetabling to accommodate student athletes and artists with demanding practice, competition, rehearsal and/or performance schedules.

Information nights will be offered as follows:

Grades Information Night Location4 to 5 Nov. 8, 2017 Britannia Public School

1145 Swinbourne Dr. in Mississauga6 to 8 Nov. 30, 2017 Dolphin Sr. Public School

18 Brookside Dr. in Mississauga

The Peel Region High Performers Program is also available to students in grades 9 to 12 at Mississauga Secondary School. For more information about Mississauga’s program, please call 905-564-1033.

Applications open Nov. 6, 2017

For more information and applications, visit www.peelschools.org/HighPerformers.

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.

Prevent the flu. It's in your hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water when they are dirty. Clean your hands before:

i. touching your eyes, nose or mouthii. touching/preparing food or drinks

iii. eating or drinkingiv. caring for someone in your home who can easily get sick (baby, elderly or someone who

has an unhealthy immune system)v. first aid

Clean your hands after:

i. touching pets or other animals ii. touching raw meat, particularly chicken

iii. touching surfaces such as a railing or grocery cart iv. touching money v. touching objects sick people have touched

vi. touching blood or body fluids such as urine, vomit or feces vii. contact with those who have a cold, the flu, diarrhea or virus of any kind

viii. changing diapersix. wiping your own or a child's nosex. sneezing or coughing

xi. using a facial tissuexii. using the washroom

xiii. removing glovesxiv. cleaningxv. gardening

What to do when you cough or sneeze:

i. cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeveii. put used tissues in the wastebasket

iii. clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer

For more information call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

Winter bus safety

The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter months.

Allow extra time to get to your bus stop. Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening. Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow

and ice. Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on wet or icy steps or

road surfaces. Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm. Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus. Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street. Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice and get hurt.

On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:

When possible, wait with your child for the bus. Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or another trusted

adult. Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what a "safe" stranger

is. Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has someone to wait with for

the bus.

Peel schools to rehearse drill for bomb threat or suspicious device/substance this fall

In accordance with the Ministry of Education, the Peel board worked together with Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police and school boards in the Peel region to develop protocols for critical situations including bomb threats, lockdowns, hold and secure, shelter in place in order to help keep schools safe during a potentially serious or violent incident.

Schools will review key points of the bomb threat process with students and will initiate a drill once per year, in the fall, to ensure that staff and students know what to do in the event of a real bomb threat or suspicious device/substance.

During the rehearsal, students inside the school will remain with or return to their supervising teacher immediately. Students are requested to turn off their cell phones during these emergency procedures. Police have advised that cell phone usage can cause more safety risks and danger than benefits.

Students and staff outside the school are requested to move as far away from the building as possible and remain outside until further directions are given and the rehearsal is complete.

The safety of our students is our top priority. Visit the “Safe Schools” page on the school website to learn more about the emergency procedures in place to keep students and staff safe. If you have any questions, please contact the school principal.

Nov. 24 opportunity to say 'thanks' to 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 recognition day falls on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. Take this opportunity to thank the important work of custodial and maintenance workers and their hard work and commitment to well-being and safety.