PARKINSON CENTENNIAL
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
P AOLA A RGENTINO , P RINCIPAL • K AYE M ARTIN , V ICE P RINCIPAL • A TTENDANCE (519) 941-2461 E XT . 100
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
Another great start to the school year! September has been a busy month at Parkinson Public
School! Once again, because our student population increased since the end of last year, we
found ourselves re-structuring classes and adding a new class (Kindergarten) to our school
population. Thanks to the parents, students, and staff who demonstrated flexibility, and a positive
attitude, when changes had to be made. A special shout out to Mr. van der Wijst, who within a few
days transferred to PCPS from Princess Margaret, set up a classroom, met students, and jumped right
into Kindergarten, and to Mrs. Martin our new Vice-Principal who is also learning on the go at our
busy school!
The School Council has also had a very active month. Tammy Filsinger is returning as school council
co-chair, with Tabitha Irwin newly elected to the co-chair position and Tanya Young was acclaimed
as treasurer. Thanks to all the returning parent representatives. Our council kicks off their number one
fundraiser – the sale of World’s Finest Chocolates. Funds raised from this event are dedicated to our
playground improvement project (a five year plan). School council meets the first Monday of each
month in our Learning Commons (Library) at 6:30. You are always welcome to attend!
This month has been filled with meetings and planning for school improvement and student
achievement. Along with academic success, at Parkinson Centennial we are also concerned with
the whole child. Character Education is a cornerstone of who we are and this is emphasized in class,
in the halls, at our assemblies, and on the yard. We are continuing to encourage students to be
gritty which means making an effort when things get tough and never giving up. Research shows
that a child’s ability to persevere in the face of challenges is a great predictor of future success, both
academic and life success. Be sure to praise your child for effort because effort matters!
Our junior soccer team participated in a tournament and demonstrated great heart and grittiness!
Later this month Cross Country running and intermediate soccer are scheduled to take place.
We are moving to a paperless newsletter in November; please see page 2 for details.
I would like to acknowledge everyone from the staff, students, parents and community members
who have helped to kick off a great year at Parkinson Centennial Public School. Your dedication,
hard work, and enthusiasm are appreciated.
Enjoy the fall and the colours of the season!
P. Argentino,
Principal
PAPERLESS NEWSLETTERS
In an effort to reduce paper consumption and costs, Parkinson Centennial will be going paperless for
newsletters starting with our November newsletter. All newsletters are currently available online, but by
signing up for the electronic notification, you will receive an alert when they are posted and you can
then easily view them online. We will also inform you about important school events or news in this same
manner.
The Upper Grand District School Board is CASL (Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation) compliant. Please be
aware that by registering for this service you are expressly consenting to the possible receipt of
commercial messages from the school (e.g., information on school trips, fundraisers, year books, team
uniforms, photo-days, pizza days etc.)
If you wish to receive the above communications from us, please visit our CASL registration website at:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/CASL
If you have any questions or if you wish to withdraw your consent at any time, please visit the same site
and click on "Unsubscribe" to remove your name from your contact list.
If you wish to continue receiving a paper copy of the newsletter, please inform your “youngest or only”
child’s teacher and we will be sure to send a copy home with them.
SAFETY REMINDER
The roundabout in front of the school is a no parking zone. The circular drive is meant for school busses. We would
appreciate it if parents could encourage students to walk, and if this is not possible, please park/stop along the road to
drop off your child. Busses are often unable to enter or exit our roundabout because it is being used as a parking area.
For the safety of all our children please refrain from doing so!
Life Threatening Allergies
While many children have allergies, some children have life-threatening food allergies. We understand
that many parents are becoming increasingly concerned about foods that can cause severe, adverse,
allergic reactions and rely on your support to ensure the safety of all students.
Please help us to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all students, by not sending any
snacks or lunches that contain nuts or nut products.
We appreciate that it is difficult at times to find a variety of items for student lunches, however, we ask for your
understanding and support in this situation.
On September 22nd, the Junior soccer team went to Centennial Hylands for the
inter-school tournament. During each match, every player tried their hardest and
never gave up, no matter what the challenge.
The last game that they played was fantastic. It was a well-earned victory,
capped off with a great header by Brad. That goal turned out to be the game
winner. This was another example of the grit and determination demonstrated by
everyone who proudly represented Parkinson. Great job everyone!
Blue Jays Fever
Have you caught Blue Jay Fever yet, or are you already thinking about the NHL
pre-season? Maybe you’re not a sports enthusiast, and instead are busy taking
your children to dance, swimming or music lessons. Whatever the case, why not
incorporate math into these afterschool activities? Here are some quick and
easy connections to share with your children on those early mornings, after
school or late night drives that connect math to our everyday lives.
1. Batting average
This number tells fans how many times a player gets a hit compared to the amount of times he gets up
to bat. Simple division is used to figure out a batting average. For each game divide the number of
hits the player gets by the number of times he is at bat. The answer should result in a decimal
answer. (For example: Bautista gets up to bat 8 times, but he only hits 5 times. The equation would be
5 divided by 8 giving a batting average of 0.625.)
2. Staying out of the penalty box
Which fraction is largest: 5/4, 4/3, 3/2 or 2/1? If the Leafs have a 5 on 4 advantage, and Phaneuf has to
decide whether to draw an opponent away from the play, it's important for him to know that 4/3 is a
larger fraction than 5/4. Math tells us that 4 skaters have a better advantage over 3 than 5 skaters have
over 4.
3. Patterns in Music
Musical pieces often have repeating choruses or bars, similar to patterns. In mathematics, we look for
patterns to explain and predict the unknown. Music uses similar strategies. When looking at a musical
piece, musicians look for notes they recognize to find notes that are less familiar. In this way, notes
relate to each other. Relationships are fundamental to mathematics and create an interesting link
between music and math. Listen carefully to the music next time. You’ll definitely hear the patterns!
4. Swimmingly Mathematical
Speed of swim (measurement of distance and time), surface area of palm (area measurement of odd
shape), kicking angle of the legs (trigonometry, angle), rhythm of the stroke (sequence, counting,
pattern sector), and breathing (volume of air required, space measurement) are all about the math!
5
The Science of Dance
There’s the symmetry (between arms and legs, but also between bodies and within a single body), counting,
rhythm, momentum, mass, connection, sequence, and shape. Every area of math can be expressed with the
human body.
Source: https://www.google.ca
Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go!
Electronic Devices/Personal Items
Any personal belongings brought to school are the student’s responsibility. Students are encouraged to leave
expensive items at home. Personal electronic items may be brought to school. As a national leader in the use
of educational technology, the UGDSB is committed to supporting creative and innovative learning. When
students use their own technology as part of an enriched academic experience, they engage more deeply
and actively in the learning process.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) empowers students to become the experts with the device they have and to
customize it to their learning needs. If the devices the students use beyond the school day are the same ones
they use for school, the students can seamlessly switch from personal use to learning anytime, anywhere. The
learning activities on the device are accessible to the students 24-hours-per-day, 7- days-per-week.
We provide a stable network , rich digital content and tools to support learning from school and home.
Students have access to a variety of rich digital resources and tools to support their learning from anywhere
and at any time, any pace and individual path. There are financial limits to the amount of technology the
Board can provide, and so BYOD supplements in-school equipment. Students will use electronic devices under
the direction of their teachers. Contact your child’s teacher or the principal if you have any questions.
Learning Commons Information
Parkinson students have been enjoying our new Learning Commons. We have new furniture and a different
set-up so that learning can happen in the different areas at the same time. There are cozy seating spaces, a
table/chair class learning space, a 3-D printer space and a maker space that will have different activities each
month. Drop by some time and see our new space.
Students have been through an orientation and have already
signed out books. A reminder that books are borrowed for two
weeks at a time but can be returned sooner. Students are
responsible for the books if they are lost or ruined. Primary
students (K-3) have special book bags that must go back and
forth to school with the book each week.
Starting this month we will have 4 mini-Kobo e-readers that
grade 7 and 8 students will be able to sign out for a week at a
time. They contain books that have been purchased for the
library. A Kobo agreement permission form must be signed
before a student can borrow one.
Chromebooks are now available at both Orangeville Public
Library locations for only Upper Grand D.S.B. students to use at
the library for homework purposes. There are five at each
location. Students give their name to the front desk. They log in
using their same user id and password that they use at school.
Talking About Mental Health!
Welcome to the new school year! My name is Dr. Lynn
Woodford and I am the Mental Health and Addiction
Lead for the school board. Every month I write a column
for school newsletters about mental health and provide
strategies and resources for families.
Hope that the transition back to school has been a
positive one for you and your family. If your child or
youth is experiencing any challenges with the transition
back to school, please talk to your child or youth’s
teacher or administrator.
The UGDSB has many resources available on its website:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/ for parents and students to
access. To access these resources: click on the Parent tab
then click on the Mental Health Tab. There is also a
Student tab with a Mental Health tab, which you can
share with your children and youth.
Upcoming Dates:
Oct. 5 - 9
Walk to School Week
IB INFORMATION NIGHT
Oct. 5
World Teachers Day
All Grade 7 and 8 parents invited!
Oct. 5
Parent Council meeting 6:30 pm
Oct. 6
Cross Country Running in the
afternoon at the Orangeville
Agriculture Centre. We are currently
training for the event.
Oct. 8
Picture Day
Oct. 12
Thanksgiving
Oct. 30
PD Day
Nov. 2 & 3
Dental Screening JK, SK, Grade 2, 4,
6, and 8 (information to be sent
home later this month)
Guelph CVI is proud to be an International
Baccalaureate Candidate School. Parents
interested in learning more about the
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Program, the Grade 9 Preparatory Program
and the application process are invited to
attend our Information Night.
Thurs Nov
19th
GCVI Auditorium
7pm
155 Paisley St