S upporting
W elcoming
Gage Gazette
http://schools.peelschools.org/1519/Pages/default.aspx
Monday, January 4th , 2016
G uiding
Important Reminders
Date
December 21st , 2015
to January 1st , 2016
January 4th , 2016
Monday, Wednesday,
Friday
Tuesday, Thursday
January
January 11th
January
4-22nd
January 18th
January 21st
Event
Time
Location
Winter Break
School Begins
Pizza lunch-$2 per slice (cheese and pepperoni)
8:10-8:30
-to be ordered during Advisory
Boston Pizza - $5
Pasta (tomato or meat), Personal Pizza (cheese or Veggie)
8:10- 8:30
-to be ordered during Advisory
Counting On You Tutoing Program
After school on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
2:15 pm to 3:45 pm.
More Inofrmation to come
School Council Meeting ~ Elections
6:30 pm
The grade 9 course selection process
Assessment, Evaluation and Report Card Writing Day
No School For Students
Winter Concert
Lights of the Season: A Holiday presentation by SWG
Bands, Strings, Choir, & And Still We Rise
-------
6:30
Homeroom
Homeroom
SWG
Library
myBlueprint
---
GYM
Parents are welcome
Dear Sir William Gage Families,
Happy New Years and Welcome Back to our 2016 School Year.
We hope that you had an enjoyable break and you had an opportunity to celebrate with friends and
family.
"We need to focus on the kind of human beings we want to have and the kind of society in
which we want to live."
--Howard Gardner, Harvard University, The GoodWork Project
Education can mean a lot of things. We tend to align it with the acquisition of facts delivered to us by textbooks and teachers.
Even for a seasoned educator, it is hard to escape the pressure society places on us to focus on those skills that define traditional
education. For my New Year's resolution, I am hoping to commit to a definition of education that focuses on the questions that
are raised by education reformists, like Howard Gardner, and think clearly and resolutely about how we can best prepare each
unique child for a successful, engaged life. That and to continue to ‘walk-the-walk’ and create more balance both at school and
home for myself – to model this for our students, staff and parents.
I look forward with great anticipation to seeing what our students aspire to and achieve in 2016!
Parents are encouraged to check our website daily. It is a great source of information for parents to stay up to date on events,
info, and alerts. Sign up for School News so that you are ‘alerted’ when anything new is added to our website.
Sincerely,
Mary Rizos
Principal
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In School Clubs and Programs
Share the Joy!
This year, Sir William Gage had the opportunity to sponsor three families in our community, and provide them with gifts for the holidays. Our staff, students
and families went above and beyond to help support them. Without everyone’s contributions, we wouldn’t have been able to do this. Thank you to everyone
involved for your kindness in giving these families a wonderful holiday!
Proceeds from the Teacher-Student Volleyball game and Winter Candy Grams also went towards buying grocery store gift cards for each family
A HUGE thank you to the Share the Joy Committee – Ms. Buryta, Ms Lindsay, Ms Graham, Ms Bola, The Phys Ed Dept, Ms Ratwatte and our ISELP for all of
your help in organizing this initiative!
SWG, you are amazing!!
The Impact of Mathletics at Sir William Gage M.S.
Since the beginning of the academic year, student results have been recorded. Students have attempted and mastered (a score of 85% indicates mastery in a
particular strand) huge numbers of activities. On average, student scores have improved by 33% from their initial score in Mathletics curriculum activities.
Congratulations to the following students who achieved the highest percentages of mastered activities: Heather Muthusami (6DS), Teshana Rampersuad (6JE),
Fifunmi Olukayode (6NG)
Athletic Department
Volleyball
The boys Sr. Volleyball team made it to the league playoffs and lost in the first round. They had an incredible
season and got better every game! The boys should be proud of their accomplishments this year, and Mr. Lee
is positive the grade 8 boys will be able to make their respective high schools teams next year with the vast
improvements they made to their game this year. As for the girls Sr. Volleyball team a huge congratulations
goes out to the Senior Girls Volleyball team for a great season. Although we were not successful in the regular
league, our team grew in many areas. Every single player made personal improvements and should be very
proud of themselves. Thank you for working together and continuing the season in good spirits. You are all
great young athletes and have bright athletic careers in front of you. Both the sr. girls and boys volleyball
teams will be playing the teachers in a fun game of volleyball on the last day of school before the break! Good
luck Tigers!
The Jr. Volleyball team went out to G.W. Davis for their first tournament on Tuesday December 15th,
representing the Gage family and our love for sports! The girls worked really hard during the past few
months preparing for the tournament, practicing 3 times a week trying to improve their skills. They showed
great sportsmanship and positivity throughout the day and we want to congratulate them for all of their
efforts. We look forward to seeing the girls at Try Outs next year!
Basketball
The girls Sr. basketball team had their first exhibition game against BCSS and WON! That right! Our girls
middle school team were able to beat a high school basketball team! A HUGE congrats to Mrs. Graham and all the Sr. Girls on the basketball team.
Badminton
Badminton tryouts are underway as well as Sr. Boys Basketball tryouts. In the new year non-competitive European Handball Teams will be starting
up as well as a Sr. boys Futsal team. Its a busy time in the world of PE at Sir William Gage. Let’s get after it Gators, work hard and make your school
proud!
Music Department
The Lights of the Season Winter Concert
Traditional celebrations are some of the core aspects of any culture. Whether it be a harvest festival, religious holiday, or a national observance, our celebrations
are woven tightly into our overall cultural identity. The Lights of the Season was a musical presentation highlighting the various celebrations and their use of light
to illuminate the season.
Our band and strings ensembles along with the SWG choir and And Still We Rise Musical Theatre Group have captured wonderfully through narration, music,
song, poetry and dance the importance of family, friends and fellowship during this time of the year.
The music Department in collaboration with the And Still We Rise Troupe was honoured to put on two successful holiday
concerts for the staff and students. The students have worked hard and continue to show dedication to their instruments and
ensemble by consistently practicing and attending morning rehearsals.
Our annual winter concert will be on Thursday January 21st. Tickets are $3 per person and children 12 & under are free.
We look forward to seeing you at the concert!!
Instrumental Program:
A quick reminder that rehearsals will resume the second week of January.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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Before School
6:55am - 8:05am
Junior Band Resume
Date: January 12th
Intermediate Band
Resume Date: January
13th
Senior Band
Resume Date: January
14th
Junior Strings Resume
Date: January 12th
Senior Strings
Resume Date: January
13th
Intermediate Strings
Resume Date: January
14th
NO REHEARSALS
NO REHEARSALS
Visual Arts Club
Upon our return in January, we will be embarking on a powerful creative journey. The students will be learning how to Batik. With Black History Month
around the corner, they will be producing 2-dimentional compositions in the exuberant style of the artist David Kibuuka.
First Lego League: Lego Robotics
On Saturday December 5th our Lego Robotics team visited Tomken Road Middle School for the annual First Lego League tournament. Once again our team
showed excellent collaboration throughout the tournament and received the teamwork trophy and medals for the second straight year. Congratulations to all of
the members of the Lego Robotics team on your back to back achievement, way to go Gators!!!
Counting on You:
Attention Gators...The ‘Counting On You’ tutoring program will be starting again at Sir William Gage in January 2016. We will be running the COY program after
school on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm.
News Paper Club
READ ALL ABOUT IT on the Gage Gazette 2015
Exciting to be able to report what's going on in the world around us as it impact our lives and all the exciting things going on in our school !
Here is the link to our school Newspaper BLOG:
http://swgatornews.weebly.com/
Please read and comment,
Miss Ratwatte and the Newspaper Club members
School Council – Elections on January 11th @ 6:30
The first school council meeting will be on Monday January 11th at 6:30 in the library. At this meeting we will be holding school council elections and setting the
dates for school council meetings for the remainder of the school year. Please visit the website for a list all nominees for the 2015 -2016 school year. Please join
school council.
Email correspondence can be sent to:
sirwilliamgageps.cou@peelsb.com
Reminder about Dress Code at Gage
At SWG, 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 and no longer than middle finger when standing straight
 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 (exception are the students in the
portable)
Important Reminder about Keep students safe in school parking lots
Please be sure not to drop your student off on Kimbark Dr. or Queen St. as there is no stopping permitted on these streets.
To ensure the safety of staff and students parents/guardians can drop off and pick up their children at a designated Kiss N’ Ride area. We ask all
parents/guardians be mindful of the following guidelines:

There is no parking and no waiting in the Kiss and Ride lane. Pay attention to the traffic in front of you and pull forward as cars move forward. If you choose
to park in the parking lot, please escort your child to or from the nearest foot patroller and use the main crosswalk.

Vehicles entering the Kiss N’ Ride lane must stay in the designated lane, unless otherwise directed by a staff member or volunteer.

The Kiss N’ Ride program is only available to students who are able to disembark independently.

Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Students may only exit from the passenger (right) side of the vehicle.

After picking up or dropping off your child, leave promptly so that others can get in behind you.

If your child is not waiting for you at the main crosswalk at the end of the day, please circle the parking lot if permitted and rejoin the line or park in a
designated parking space to wait.

Always respect traffic flow and abide all traffic laws and signs.
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Reminders about Safe Arrival/Attendance at School
At Sir William Gage, teacher supervision begins at 7:55 a.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m. 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 12:29 p.m. for lunch entry. If your child will be late or
absent from school, please contact our school attendance line at 905-456-3394. 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.
Is your child missing more? Why does attendance matter?
First, understand that getting to school–every day and on time–matters at every level, perhaps even more so in elementary school. That’s because important
learning occurs daily, right from the start of class. And because you establish patterns early on. By being punctual and responsible, children are acquiring positive
habits about school attendance. Some other things to consider:








By being late, children miss important social time with their peers before school begins.
Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
Late arrivals can disrupt the routine of the classroom.
A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get her to school in the wrong frame of mind.
Missing even five or 10 minutes of the day can make it harder for the student to understand the material being taught.
Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and knowledge base, cause the child to fall behind his peers and hurt his self-esteem.
Too many missed school days can increase isolation, as the child stands out from her classmates and misses opportunities to develop socially.
Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good rapport with the teachers.
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 and television stations listed below and posted at www.peelschools.org and
www.stopr.ca. Information will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-6681146.
VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CFRB AM1010
FM Z103.5
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
CITYPULSE
CHUM AM1050
CJCL AM590
EZ ROCK FM97.3
FM93.1
CBC99.1
GLOBAL NEWS
CFTR AM680
CHFI FM98.1
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Q107
CTV
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 bussing 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 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.
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 posted at www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca.
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:

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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.
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Conference helps parents make a difference in numeracy and beyond
The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga. Once again, the
conference will focus on numeracy—25 out of 60 workshops help with math. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on other topics, including
literacy, special education and science.
This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels.
Registration opens February 1, 2016
Help your teen plan for grade 9 course selections for 2016-17
Soon, current grade 8 students will select their courses for grade 9. Before they do, we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to consult with their
teachers, guidance counsellor, if applicable, and their parents.
As our partners, families are encouraged to help prepare their teens for course selection. We encourage you to become familiar with the process by creating a
myBlueprint account. Additionally, parents/guardians and students can review Chart Your Course, the Peel District School Board’s common course calendar, at
www.peelschools.org/students/commoncoursecalendar. This guide will help you understand the course selection process and provide information on the
courses and programs offered in Peel secondary schools.
You can also visit www.myBlueprint.ca/Peel, an online planning tool that includes the following:

high school planner for course selection

goal-setting

career spectrum for finding your learning style

occupation planner for exploring careers

post-secondary planner for opportunities after high school
The grade 9 course selection process will be open from Jan. 4 to Jan. 22, 2016. If you have questions or are looking for course suggestions, please contact your
teen’s teachers or guidance counsellor.
Jump start your future with Explore High Skills, a specialized program for grade 9, 10 students
Explore High Skills (EHS) is a Peel District School Board pathway program that allows secondary schools with Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs to offer
a unique specialized program choice for grade 9 and 10 students. The program will open with grade 9 only during the 2016-17 school year. Starting September
2016, grade 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in one of the EHS programs at any of the following schools:
Explore High Skills Programs 2015-16
Secondary school
Arts and Culture
Cawthra Park
Heart Lake
Business
Harold M. Brathwaite
Meadowvale
North Park
Sandalwood Heights
TL Kennedy
Construction and Engineering
Meadowvale
Health and Wellness
Mississauga
Hospitality and Tourism
Rick Hansen
Turner Fenton
Information and Communications Technology
Castlebrooke
Heart Lake
TL Kennedy
Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services
Harold M. Brathwaite
Manufacturing
Rick Hansen
Sports
Castlebrooke
EHS is a specialized program with unique learning experiences designed to engage grade 9 students as they transition to high school. Students can focus their
learning on an area of interest as they build self-confidence and learn essential skills. Through experiential learning and certification programs, students develop a
sense of belonging in their school community.
There are no program fees and no application fees associated with EHS programs. Busing will not be provided. This sector-based program is available to grade 9
students at all skill levels and in all pathways.
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Grade 8 students/families can apply online or get additional information at www.peelschools.org/ExploreHighSkills. The application is open from Jan. 4 to 22,
2016.
Celebrating Faith and Cultue
January 2016
Date
Celebration
Faith and Culture
Month of January
K'aliyee
Aboriginal Spirituality
January 1 and 14 (J)
New Year’s Day
Christianity and Canada
January 1
Gantan-sai
Shinto
January 1
Temple Day
Buddhism
January 5
Birth of Guru Gobind Singh
Sikhism
January 6 and 19 (J)
Epiphany or Feast of Theophany
Christianity
January 7
Christmas
Christianity
January 11
Seijin-no-hi
Shinto
January 13
Lohri
Hinduism
January 13
Maghi
Sikhism
January 17
World Religion Day
Bahá'í
January 17
Sakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment
Buddhism
January 19 to February 6
Month of Sultán
Bahá'í
January 24
Mahayana New Year
Buddhism
Sunset of January 24 to 25
Tu B’Shevat
Judaism
LET'S WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!
If you require a hard copy of the newsletter -- please let Ms Bola know immediately
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