Peel District School Board Erin Mills Middle School

3546 S Common Crt, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 2B1 Tel: 905-820-9777 Fax: 905-820-1741 http://schools.peelschools.org/1324

February 2020 Newsletter

Maria Kalantzakos Principal Iona Newman-Jobity Vice-Principal Jasminka Pavlovic Office Manager Nina Jaiswal Superintendent Brad Macdonald Trustee Transportation www.stopr.ca 905-890-6000 Safe Arrival Parent Portal at pdsb.schoolconnects.com instagram@erinmillsms

Message from the Administration Team

The month of February is an exciting month of activities. Black History month begins with lots of great activities planned throughout the month. Please take a look at the insert with the calendar that highlights all the events during the month. Term 1 Report cards will not be going home. At the school level, we are having wonderful conversations with students about next steps, successes and goals. The interesting point is several measures that students and parents believe we measure include only: standardized tests, essay, multiple choice exams, observations, anecdotal etc., but these are not the only true measures of whether someone will succeed, be happy, and contribute later on. They don't measure creativity, resiliency, character, or executive functions -- which are all far better measures of a successful life than traditional rubrics. We do talk with our students about success in the present and future. As a parent and/or guardian, please ask your child(ren) their views on ‘success’, ‘failures’ and ‘overcoming obstacles’. You can reach out to the teachers to give you a more fulsome picture of how your child(ren) is progressing anytime. As admin, we understand your concerns about the union sanctions. We want there to be a speedy resolution and get back the ‘business as usual’. Thank you for your continued undestanding and please check our website for the most up-to-date information. As always, feel free to reach out to us anytime. Please take some time to review the newsletter with all of our exciting happenings and events to come.

EMMS Healthy Breakfast and Snack Program The Morning Morsel and Healthy Snack programs have been running at our school successfully. The food the children receive includes the required servings from Canada’s Food Guide with the emphasis on fresh fruit, dairy and grains. Many children arrive at school each day without any food to sustain them an entire school day. One in five children in Canada are deemed ‘hungry’ defined as lacking foods vital to their physical and emotional development. We know once healthy food is provided, a child’s world changes. They become more alert, able to concentrate, improve socially, physically and academically. This program is vital to our school community.

As outlined in the program guidelines, parents must be given the opportunity to donate funds. At this time, we are asking for parental contributions to help support our program. Parents, guardians and members of the community can donate to EMMS Healthy Breakfast and Snack Program online by visiting our school’s website (http://schools.peelschools.org/1324/Pages/default.aspx) and clicking the following:

This will take you to School Cash Online. We are also accepting food donations such as fruits, vegetables and boxes Cheerios. These items can be dropped off in the main office any time during school hours.

Thank you for your continued support of our program. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school (905-820-9777) and speak to the admin team.

On behalf of Erin Mills Middle School, we would like to thank the following families for helping to support our breakfast and snack program last month. Thank you so much for your generous donations. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of: Keanna 6ES Arsal 6JK Hannah 6JK Ethan 6JK Mohamed 6JS Sereen 6KF Tyler 6TL Smanathan 6TL

Sheena 7JM Tanaya 7LL Jack 7LL Raelyn 7MV

Isaac 8CD Emma 8JE Rebecca 8JE Mya 8NN Diego 8SW

Mark your calendar…..

Date Event

Celebrating Black History Month

Feb. 5th Grade 7 / 8 Immunization

Feb. 7th PL Day - no school for students

Feb. 11th B.R.A.V.E. education grade 8

Feb. 13th @ 6:30 Parent Information Session: Secondary and Elementary School

Options: Enhance your child’s school experience

Feb. 17th Family Day - no school

Feb. 24th School Council Meeting

School Council Our 2019-2020 School Council is as follows:

Chair/Co-Chair Falen Salloum - Chair Nathalie Laliberte - Co-Chair

Secretary Erica McBride

Teacher Rep Paul Marcanio

School Admin Team Maria Kalintzakos (Principal) Iona Newman-Jobity (Vice Principal)

Treasure/Co-Treasure Nathalie Laliberte

Non teaching staff Member

Community Rep

If you have some time to spare, then please attend our next school council meeting on February

24th, 2020 in the library at 6pm. If you would like more information about school council or have questions that you would like

answered at the next meeting, please contact your school council reps at

erinmillsms.coinil@peelsb.com.

Dates for upcoming meetings: Feb. 24th, April 6th, May 11th

Celebrating Faith and Culture February 2020 February Bear Moon Indigenous Worldview (First Nations) February 1 or 2 Imbolc Wicca February 3 Setsubun-sai Shinto February 7 to 25 Month of Mulk Bahá’í February 7 Lantern Festival/Magha Puja Buddhism February 15 National Flag Day Canada February 17 Family Day Ontario February 21 Mahashivratri Hinduism February 26 to 29 Intercalary Days Bahá’í February 26 Ash Wednesday Christianity

Reminders

Hot Lunch reminder: Lunch Box: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Pizza Nova: Tuesdays and Thursdays The goal is to provide a "Lunch Program" that allows a student to buy a hot and healthy lunch at school. Our lunch program will meet the Ministry Food & Beverage Policy guidelines. If busses are cancelled then lunches will not be delivered for that day (ie Snow Days ) credit will be applied. To support a safe climate, students are strongly encouraged NOT to go off school campus to South Common Mall or South Common CC during their lunch time. All 3 areas will ask student to exit their premises promptly during our lunch break. Please let us know how we can help if an emergency comes up and your child(ren) do not have lunch. We are here to help anytime.

Students with Medical Needs

All students who have a medical condition must alert the school immediately. Contacting the school at the beginning of the year alerts us to the condition and allows us to update our data. In cases where the condition is serious or requires medication to be kept at school, two forms will be sent home. The first allows us to keep the medication at school and second outlines the steps that the school will need to take in the event of an emergency. Both will need to be signed

by a doctor.

ALL students who require an EPi-Pens/Puffers will be required to wear them throughout the day in a fanny pack. Any student that does not have the EPi-Pen and/or Puffer on them will be asked to call home and one must be brought to the school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Ms NJ. Prescribed Medication In the event that your family doctor prescribes medication for your child at some time throughout the school year, a form must be taken to the doctor to be complete before we are able to give medication at school. Pls see the office for the prescribed medication form if needed. All medications must be kept at the office and students should not have medication in their locker or backpack. Students are NOT to self-administer medication for safety reasons.

Student Safety and Teacher Supervision At EMMS, teacher supervision begins at 7:55 a.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m. Students are encouraged to plan their morning routine around this arrival time and to leave school promptly at dismissal time so that we can be certain of their safety. At the end of the school day, staff is on duty until 2:25 p.m. to assist students with boarding the buses and to see that they are on their way home. Students and their families should review their routines for entry and dismissal and talk about a contingency plan should unusual circumstances occur. Students should go directly to the office for help should they miss their bus. We appreciate the many families who update us with their current phone numbers for home, work, cell phones and emergency contact so that the office may help students when needed. Important Kiss'n Ride Reminders - When picking up your child(ren), please find a parking spot and have your child(ren) meet you there. Parents and/or Guardians are using the bus lane as parking while waiting to pick up. This causes a delay for the busses to leave resulting in drop off times to be off and also the remainder of the runs for the afternoon. The staff on duty will ensure that all cars in the bus lane park in the parking spots.

Safe Arrival/Attendance at School - Accountability Step

All students are expected to attend school regularly. Students should be in line, ready to enter the

building at 8:05 a.m. for morning entry and 11:40 p.m. for lunch entry. If your child will be late or

absent from school, please contact the School Messenger at 1-855-209-6155 or go.schoolmessenger.ca

or download the School Messenger mobile app for Apple and Android users. This line is dedicated to

messages regarding late or absent students and is available 24 hours a day. When children return to

school after an absence, they are responsible for connecting with their homeroom teacher and their

rotary teachers to catch up with any missed work or assignments. All classrooms have a section of the

blackboard devoted to homework and assignment due dates and routines students follow when

absent. Students that are late must have a note from a parent explaining the reason for being late. The

conversations will begin with the students, then families and may result is additional supports

becoming involved to ensure that the lates and/or absences are being addressed.

Dress Code at EMMS

At EMMS, students are asked to dress in a manner that demonstrates respect for themselves and

others.

Students are expected to wear:

✔ Shirts that cover their entire torso and undergarments

✔ Shorts/skirts of a suitable length (i.e. when a student’s arms are by their sides the shorts/skirts

should touch their middle finger with no undergarments showing as students use stairs

✔ Tee shirts without questionable messages/logos/ captions

✔ Outdoor wear (gloves, hats, scarves, boots etc.) are not to be worn indoors; it important to have 2

pairs of shoes at all times at school

Please refer to the student agenda for any additional information. Inappropriately dressed students

will call home to have a parent/guardian bring a change of clothing or wear a clean t-shirt provided by

the admin team.

News from the Departments and Clubs ...

Black History Month – February Erin Mills Middle School puts the spotlight on Black Heritage

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the many contributions of Black Canadians and Black communities throughout the world who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous country we know today. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. During Black History Month, schools across Peel will recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, history, culture and contributions of Black Canadians as well as Black communities from around the world. As a result of the impact of current labour action, recognition of Black History Month may look different than it has in the past. Peel board schools will continue to integrate Black history and culture in all curriculum areas throughout the year.

Black History Month at EMMS

Every Wednesday for the month of February, Beef Patties and a Vegetable Spring Rolls will be available for sale during lunch. Beef Patty $2 Vegetable Spring Rolls 3 for $1

 Why Do We Celebrate Black Heritage? 

1. We have an opportunity to honor historic leaders of the Black Community.  

2. We have the opportunity to reflect on the past and set direction for the future.  

3. We have the opportunity to create awareness and have meaningful discussions about equality, equity, intersectionality and identity. 

 

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, Twitter @STOPRinfo 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

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

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 across Peel where you can get your flu shots:

§ Family Doctors’ offices

§ Walk-in clinics

§ Pharmacies

§ Peel flu clinics

· 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. 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 after they cough or sneeze.

For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit

www.peelregion.ca/flu.

Report your child’s immunizations to the Region of Peel online

When registering for school for the first time, parents and guardians are required to

provide up-to-date immunization information for their children. This includes registering

for kindergarten.

You can update your child’s immunizations online. The online immunization tool allows

you to attach a photo of the immunization record. When reporting online, an Ontario

Health Card is required.

Report immunizations online at: www.peelregion.ca/immunize

After you report your immunizations online you will be given a reference number. Keep

this number for your records. You will need to give this number to your child’s school

when registering.

If you do not have online access or your child does not have an Ontario Health Card,

take a copy of the immunization records to the school. Make sure your child’s name

and date of birth are visible on the record.

Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 if your child does not have an immunization

record or if you have any questions about immunization exemptions.

For more information, visit www.peelregion.ca/immunize

LET’S WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!

If you require a hard copy. Please see Mrs Newman-Jobity to receive a copy.