ISCS Summer Break Supports for Children, Youth & Families

 

Parenting Strategies For A Successful Summer Break

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School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week

 

It’s almost School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week! From Monday, June 5 to Friday, June 9, the City of Vaughan is celebrating and recognizing the dedicated team of 120 crossing guards who help students, parents and guardians travel safely to and from school each day. This School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week video showcases the passion and dedication the crossing guards have for their very important role.

 

The City recruits, trains and hires crossing guards, conducts pedestrian studies, selects crosswalk locations and installs appropriate signage and pavement markings. With more than 115 crosswalk locations throughout Vaughan, both permanent and standby crossing guards are needed to service all locations. Interested in becoming a school crossing guard? Visit vaughan.ca/CrossingGuard to learn more.

 

Please join us in celebrating our crossing guards by taking the time to thank them for what they do and by spreading the word!

Message from Our Trustee

 

June 2023

 

Dear families, 

 

As we approach the end of the school year and the start of the summer break, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for helping to make this school year a positive one. This is our first school year since 2018-2019 that has not been interrupted by closures as a result of COVID-19, and it has been such a pleasure to visit schools and school events over the past few months and see students, staff and families connecting and learning together. 

 

I think it’s important to acknowledge the effect the pandemic has had on students; and we have made it a priority to put supports in place for student learning, achievement, mental health and well-being. We also continue to work hard to create safe, inclusive and caring learning environments where our students know and feel that they matter and belong. 

 

June is also a time when we look ahead to transitions - students moving ahead to new grades, new schools and new adventures. Thank you to the school staff who support students through these transitions. Congratulations to all of our graduating students moving on to secondary school or post-secondary pathways. We are so proud of all that you have achieved, class of 2023, and wish you all the very best in what comes next. 

 

I also want to acknowledge all that you have done, as family members, to support your child and our schools - whether that’s asking your child about their learning, communicating with their educators, attending school events, reading the information that comes home from the school, sharing feedback, completing surveys, tracking down library books, volunteering on field trips and in the classroom, participating in school councils, and so much more. We are grateful for all of the ways you support your child’s learning and our public education system. 

 

Communicating with families remains an important priority for us. I have had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with many families throughout the school year and appreciate how important it is that we remain connected to you. In addition to communication from your child’s school, there are also many ways you can stay connected with what is happening in the Board, including our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and award-winning podcast. We were also very pleased to launch this year the Centre for Black Student Excellence Mailing List for families looking to receive information directly related to supporting Black students, celebrating Black excellence and dismantling anti-Black racism. 

 

As we approach the summer, we look forward to welcoming students who will be participating in our variety of elementary and secondary summer learning programs. I wish everyone a happy, safe and restful summer break. 

Estelle Cohen

Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5

Indigenous Trustee Greeting

 June 2023

Aaniin (Hello), I am Indigenous Trustee for the York Region District School Board and a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, the only First Nation in York Region and one you may recognize YRDSB acknowledging as their “partner in education” when providing land acknowledgements.

I would like to offer greetings for the month of June, the month when we recognize and celebrate the Indigenous People of Canada, our unique status as Canadians, our history on this land and our many significant contributions. In 1996, Governor General Romeo LeBlanc declared June 21 as National Aboriginal Peoples Day. He said, “On June 21^st, this year and every year, Canada will honour the native peoples who first brought humanity to this great land.” In 2017, the name was formally changed, and we now recognize this day as National Indigenous Peoples Day.

June 21 was chosen because it is summer solstice, a time of spiritual significance for Indigenous people. It is a time when the sun is at the highest point in the sky and we experience the longest day of the year, and the most amount of daylight. This is considered powerful medicine and is a time for practicing ceremonies that honour our interconnection with the land and the cosmos.

The Anishinaabe also recognize June as the month of the Strawberry moon, Ode’min Giizis. The beautiful red heart shaped strawberry offers us the teaching of reconciliation and forgiveness. It is the first berry of the season that brings us that sweetness for life. June offers us many special gifts and much to be grateful for.

People ask what they can do to celebrate Indigenous People Day and as Canadians support Indigenous people in Canada?

We can build our awareness by reading Indigenous books, listening to Indigenous podcasts, and attending Indigenous events. We can create positive change and promote public awareness by lending our support to Indigenous issues. We can also offer land acknowledgements as we do at the beginning of meetings and events in the YRDSB.

However, I believe most importantly to Indigenous people across this planet is to recognize our right to reclaim and practice our Indigenous languages and the important significance of the earth under our feet. Our traditional knowledge and our cultures exist in our languages and without the opportunity to learn them in our schools and speak them in our communities much of our ancestral knowledge will be lost forever.

Further, recognizing Indigenous relationship with the land and taking the time to build land awareness and connection is imperative. We must practice environmental stewardship and protect our greenspaces. Walk in nature, plant, or hug a tree, help a turtle across the road, sing to the water, just be with the land. It does little to offer a land acknowledgement if we do not acknowledge the earth on which we live. The earth is our mother, this is why we call her “Mother Earth” in our Anishinaabe creation stories. We are extrinsically interconnected; without her we would not exist. As her children we must care for her and protect her.  Stand with Indigenous people by honouring her, this is the most important land acknowledgement you can give.

Chi-Miigwech and Happy Indigenous People’s Day!

Your Indigenous Trustee, Lauri Hoeg

This is a good resource and activity guide for students

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-CIRNAC-RCAANC/DAM-PPLCOM/STAGING/texte-text/nIPD_activity_guide_2018_1528380426091_eng.pdf

Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools

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Friday, June 30, 2023 Early Dismissal in Elementary Schools

 

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being.  On Friday, June 30, 2023, an early release day will take place to allow elementary teachers and support staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day.  These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success. 

As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Friday, June 30, 2023 only.  Students will be dismissed early that day at 11:35 am.  Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bused to and from school will receive transportation at this time.  Parents/guardians whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

2023 Summer Learning Programs Available

 

2023 Summer Learning Programs Available

 

During the month of July, YRDSB continues to offer credit and non-credit summer school program opportunities for elementary, secondary and adult students. 

 

Registration is now open for the following programs:

 

Elementary Credit and Non-Credit Programs:

 

• Camp Black Brilliance (for Black Families entering JK or SK)
• Summer Institute (K-8)
• Elementary Summer School (Grades 6-8 non-credit reinforcement)
• Grade 8 Reach Ahead (credit)

 

Secondary Credit Programs:

• In-Person Learning
• Online Learning 

 

Adult Learning Programs:

• Adult Literacy and Basic Skills
• English as a Second Language
• Citizenship Classes

·        Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada

 

For more information about summer learning programs and registration please visit www.yrdsb.ca and follow us on Twitter @YRDSB.

CPS Eco-Club School Grounds Clean Up

 Dear Parents/Guardians, 

School grounds and community clean up events make a difference. These actions, although small, have significant positive impacts on the environment and demonstrate the power of working together. In fact, if only 5% of Canada’s population picked up 1kg of litter in one day, 1.4 million kg of garbage would not pollute our environment!

At Charlton Public School, we will be participating in a School Grounds Clean Up campaign on Thursday, April 27, 2023 to demonstrate our commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable world. Staff members will take their students outdoors to pick up litter on the school grounds. Each student will be asked to bring gloves (e.g., gardening gloves, dish gloves). Extra gloves will be provided to those who need them. Students will be informed of safe and proper procedures for collecting and disposing of litter. 

Participating in a School Grounds Clean Up will build environmental stewardship and teach students the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling to decrease the amount of waste we produce. They will also learn that litter in the environment can impact air, water, soil, and wildlife. Thank you for your support in our School Grounds Clean Up campaign and for making a difference for our environment! 

 

Sincerely, 

Charlton’s Eco Club

PEAC Regional Symposium: Parent Voice Matters!

PEAC Regional Symposium: Parent Voice Matters!

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

6:50 pm - 9:00 pm

Who May Register?

Community members who are representative of our diverse parent communities, in particular those who are representative of racialized or marginalized community groups. 

How to Register?

Please register by accessing the PEAC Regional Symposium webpage where you will find the registration form as well as more information about the PEAC Regional Symposium.

Questions?

Questions about the PEAC Regional Symposium may be directed to:

leadership.development.engagement@yrdsb.ca

Summer Institute

 

Summer Institute

 

Looking for summer learning and fun activities for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8? Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum. 

 

The program runs for five weeks during July and August. It is offered at 10 school sites around York Region. 

 

For more information on dates, programs and locations, please visit the Summer Institute webpage on www.yrdsb.ca.

 

Registration opens March 29, 2023 at 4:00pm.  Families can register online.

 

Proposed YRDSB 2023-2024 Calendar

Dear Families,

The proposed YRDSB 2023-2024 school year calendars have been sent to the Ministry for review and 

approval. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at:

https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar

Please note: Calendars are not official until they receive formal Ministry approval which is expected in 

late May 2023

Addressing Ant-Black Racism in Vaughan

The City of Vaughan is committed to fostering a community culture that is diverse, inclusive and equitable where all citizens, employees, businesses and visitors are provided with accessible opportunities to engage and participate. If you identify as a Black citizen living in Vaughan, bring your voice to the table. You can help identify and address anti-Black racism by providing input to improve City programs, policies, procedures and services. Details of surveys and focus groups are available on the City of Vaughan website.

Elementary Virtual School 2023-2024

The Ministry of Education (MoE) mandated for the 2022-2023 school year that school boards were to 

provide a virtual learning option for students. While we continue to await specific direction from the 

MoE, we plan to proceed with a virtual learning option as this continues to be in the best interests of 

our students, families and staff. This will also align us with the decisions of other boards. 

For the 2023-2024 school year, YRDSB will continue to offer Elementary Virtual School (EVS). For 

secondary students, we are currently assessing the viable options in how to best offer virtual learning, 

taking into account the projected enrolment.

Elementary Virtual School (EVS)

• Please note that due to limited enrolment, French Immersion programming will not be offered in 

EVS in 2023-2024.

• Families currently enrolled in EVS are being asked if they wish to remain enrolled next school 

year.

• Students currently attending in-person schools may contact their home school to request a 

transfer to the Elementary Virtual School for the entire 2023-2024 school year.

Every Student Counts Survey 2023

In the Spring of 2023, YRDSB will be engaging students in Grades K-12 in the Every Student Counts Survey.

From February 27, 2023 - March 10, 2023, parents or guardians of students in Grades 4-12 who do not wish for their child to receive the survey will have the opportunity to opt them out. Families who do not wish for their child to receive the survey can opt them out by filling out this form, or they can contact CCI Research by phone 1-866-450-4907.

Students in Grades K-3 will complete the survey at home with their parent or guardian. As such, families of students in Grades K-3 who do not wish for their child to fill out the survey do not need to opt-out. Families who do not want their child to fill out the survey can disregard the paper invitation, which will be considered a formal opt-out.

Families of students in Grades K-3 who require an accommodation (eg. paper survey in enlarged print) to complete the survey need to contact CCI Research by phone to make a request 1-866-450-4907.

The Great Gulp by CPS Eco-Club

Dear Charlton families, 

Simple daily actions, such as using a reusable water bottle, can have a big impact on the environment. 

On Thursday, March 9th, 2023, our school will be participating in The Great Gulp, by taking a drink of tap water from a reusable bottle. Through this simple action we hope to raise awareness about drinking water, access to safe and healthy tap water, and the importance of reducing single-use plastic waste in Canada. 

We encourage you and your family to join us in this initiative by organizing a Great Gulp with members of your household, or with family and friends virtually. You can also find other activities to do at home to extend this learning, by checking out the ecoschools.ca/thegreatgulp. 

We look forward to hearing about the unique ways your family participated in raising awareness and taking action! 

From,

Charlton’s Eco Club

Parking Lot Safety

 

Parents and guardians are welcome to use our parking lot to park their vehicles when they  walk their child (ren) on the yard. When doing this please check for other motorists backing out of parking spots as you pass between vehicles. This is extremely important as some of our community members have reported that others are not paying as much attention to this to stay safe. Thanks in advance for your cooperation and attention to safety. 

Parent/Caregiver Series Supporting Students of Chinese Heritage

Parent/caregiver series supporting students of Chinese Heritage.

The series will provide a number of parent/caregiver virtual events to build community, support mental health, and promote healing. 

The third session in the series is offered for any parent/guardian of students of Chinese Heritage. Parents, caregivers are invited to join this workshop and engage meaningful conversations that help students strive at school. Tips on ways that help strengthen family relationships and emotional wellbeing will be shared. This will be a free virtual event. 

Community Building and Engagement Event 

February 27th, 2023 at 7:00pm-8:30pm Cantonese Session

Registration for Cantonese Session 

March 6th, 2023 at 7:00pm-8:30pm Mandarin Session

Registration for Mandarin Session

The Centre For Black Student Excellence

Visit and Learn More at: www.yrdsb.ca/blackexcellence

 

Town Hall on Antisemitism

 

Black Excellence

YRDSB will be continuing our celebration of #BlackExcellence this year with Celebrating Black Excellence - Black Voices. This campaign aims to centre & elevate Black voices in our community through video submissions that will be shared on the Board Instagram. 

More: www.yrdsb.ca/celebratingblackexcellence

National Sweater Day

Dear Parent / Guardian,

Our school will be taking part in National Sweater Day on Thursday, February 2, 2023!

National Sweater Day is an annual event organized by World Wildlife Fund Canada. On

National Sweater Day, WWF asks Canadians to turn down thermostats by two degrees Celsius

at home, at school and at work to highlight the role that energy conservation plays in preventing

climate change.

Our school buildings will be a little chillier on February 2, so we are asking that all students wear or bring a sweater to school.

In addition to turning down the heat and turning up our sweaters, classes will be participating

in a number of activities designed to help students understand how everyday actions affect our

planet’s future.

We are looking forward to a cozy day in the classroom!

Sincerely,

Charlton’s Eco Club

Trustee Greeting

February 2023

I hope everyone has had a wonderful start to 2023, and enjoyed their winter break. 

 

One of the most important roles of school board trustees is communicating with the public. I hope to use this newsletter as one way to keep you updated on Board news, to communicate my role as trustee and how I can support you, and to answer some of the questions I am often asked as a trustee. 

 

Communicating with the public includes both sharing information and attending events to build relationships with families, but also ensuring I am available to you. If you have questions about Board policies or budget, concerns about your community, ideas and suggestions, or have a question and don’t know who to call, please feel free to reach out. I am happy to assist you. 

 

Our Board of Trustees is made up of 12 trustees elected during the municipal election process, and one Indigenous trustee appointed through a separate process. Eight of the 12 elected trustees are new this term, and we are all looking forward to connecting with families and fulfilling our roles to support student achievement and well-being. 

What do Trustees Do?

 

In addition to communicating with the public, we are also responsible for:

 

Establishing a Multi-Year Strategic Plan. This plan sets out our priorities as a school board and guides our direction and decision making as a system.

 

Setting policy. Policies govern the operation of our schools and organization, including field trips, school transportation, homework, caring and safe schools and much more. You can find out which policies are up for review in our meeting agendas, or which policies are out for comment on the website. Your participation in this process is important to ensuring our policies are serving our communities and align with our priorities. 

 

Setting an annual budget. I look forward to sharing more information about this process with you in the coming months as we engage in budget consultations. 

 

Participating on Board and Advisory Committees. You can find the dates and agendas for these meetings on the Board website. You are welcome to attend and observe any public Board, Advisory and Board Committee meetings. 

 

Hiring the Director of Education. This process is governed by the Director of Education Selection Policy, and we will keep you updated as this process progresses. In the meantime, I am deeply grateful to Interim Director of Education Scott Yake for his commitment and service.

 

Advocating for quality public education. I became a school board trustee because I believe in public education. I believe in the potential of each and every one of our students and our responsibility to nurture their learning, growth and achievement. Our decisions as a board are centred on our commitment to deliver the best for our students. 

What’s Happening in YRDSB

 

Kindergarten registration opened January 20 for families with children who will start Kindergarten in September 2023. 

 

French Immersion registration is open from January 20-February 6 for students entering Grade 1 in September 2023. 

 

Student trustee elections are currently underway. All students in Grades 5-12 will have an opportunity to vote for the student trustees who will represent them next school year. 

 

In February, we recognize Black History Month, celebrating the contributions of Black people to the fabric of our society. I encourage you to visit the Board’s Centre for Black Student Excellence webpage and newsletter to learn more about upcoming events during Black History Month and what’s happening in the Board to celebrate Black excellence. 

 

Family Day and the March Break are also approaching and we hope everyone enjoys the break.

 

There are a number of other events for families coming up and I encourage you to check the Board calendar.

New Schools

 

One of the other questions I am asked, particularly in growing communities is about new schools or capital projects. I can let you know that in our municipality the following capital projects have received approval:

·        Blue Willow Public Sch​​ool Kindergarten Addition, proposed to open January 2025. 

·        Kleinburg/Nashville Elementary Sch​​ool, proposed to open September 2024. 

·        E.J. Sand Public Sch​​ool replacement, proposed to open September 2023.

There are many ways you can stay up-to-date with what’s happening in our school board. Visit the newsroom or website homepage at www.yrdsb.ca. Listen to our podcast. Follow the Board on Twitter, Instagram or YouTube. Read your school newsletters and emails. I look forward to staying connected with you. 

Best regards,

Estelle Cohen,

Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5

estelle.cohen@yrdsb.ca

Virtual Go Girls! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York

 

Hello there!

 

My name’s Andrew Hunter and I’m a Caseworker at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York. I wanted to share with your school’s staff two no-cost group mentoring opportunities for girls across Peel Region and York Region. These programs are facilitated via Zoom on weekday evenings.

 

Go Girls! is a free group mentoring program designed to connect and empower female-identified youth. Facilitated by trained female volunteer mentors aged 18+, participants are provided with the opportunity to engage in fun and interactive discussions and activities from the comfort of their home. The program promotes physical activity, balanced eating, self-confidence and stress management. It is delivered once a week during the evening for 6-7 weeks.

 

Full program dates and times are listed below:

 

Virtual Go Girls! (girls aged 10-14) on Fridays 6:00-7:00pm:

Session 1 Friday February 3  6:00-7:00pm

Session 2 Friday February 10  6:00-7:00pm

Session 3 Friday February 17  6:00-7:00pm

Session 4 Friday February 24  6:00-7:00pm

Session 5 Friday March 3  6:00-7:00pm

Session 6 Friday March 10  6:00-7:00pm

March Break (OFF)

Session 7 Friday March 24  6:00-7:00pm

 

Virtual Little Go Girls! (girls aged 7, 8 and 9) on Mondays 6:00-7:00pm:

Session 1 Monday February 6  6:00-7:00pm

Session 2 Monday February 13  6:00-7:00pm

Family Day – Monday February 20 (OFF)

Session 3 Monday February 27  6:00-7:00pm

Session 4 Monday March 6  6:00-7:00pm

March Break (OFF)

Session 5 Monday March 20  6:00-7:00pm

Session 6 Monday March 27  6:00-7:00pm

 

Note: Both groups will have a maximum of 15 girls. Therefore, parents/caregivers will be contacted one-on-one should their child be accepted to the program. Acceptance is a first come, first served basis.

 

If you’re interested in sharing this virtual group mentoring opportunity with your school’s parent/caregiver population, the student registration link can be found here: https://york.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/online-go-girls/

 

If you have any follow up questions, don’t hesitate to call me at (647) 556-3985 ext. 326 or connect via email at Andrew.Hunter@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca. Parents/caregivers are welcome to do so as well.

Free Bilingual - Ukrainian Newcomers to Canada Information Sessions

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The Centre For Black Student Excellence Newsletter

 

For access to all active links including the December Newsletter

Creating Identify Affirming Spaces and Practices to Support Muslim Learners

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Three Part Series on Poverty in YR 2023

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Mindful Parenting Series

Register: Being a Parent

Register: Ride the Waves