CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL
97 Dublin St., N, N1H 4N2
Phone: 519 821-7990 Fax: 519- 821-8270
October 2015 Newsletter
Principal: R. MurrayCako
Office Coordinator: Sarah Greisman
Principal's Message
Thank you to all the families who participated in the
School Council’s Fresh Food Party. It was
wonderful for people to meet and have a chance to
get acquainted.
This month, we look forward to a continued focus
on learning and enriched experiences for our
students. The Soccer and the Cross Country team
have begun practicing for their tournament and
meet later this month. Office helpers, Kindergarten
helpers, student announcers, safety patrollers and
“Kids In Action” schoolyard monitors are all on the
job.
Please note that our next newsletter will be sent
electronically only. The newsletter will be posted
on the Central Public School website:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/central/
A phone message will go out to families indicating
that the newsletter has been posted. A hard copy
can be obtained by request from the office.
R. Murray Cako
Principal
PICTURE DAY
The photographers from Lifetouch Canada will be
visiting our school for student pictures on Friday,
October 16, 2015. Watch for order forms to be
distributed prior to this date.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
School Council thanks everyone who came out to
our Fresh Food Party last Tuesday! It was a
beautiful evening, and it was wonderful to see both
new and familiar faces, to share in good
conversation, and to enjoy some delicious food!
Also, this past Monday we had our first of nine
School Council meetings of 2015/16. We had a
great turnout of returning and new parents.
Elections took place at this meeting. For the
2015/2016 school year our co-chairs will be:
Jennifer Jupp (JJ) and Catrien Bouwman, treasurer:
Rob Milani, and secretary: Elizabeth (Libby)
Johnstone. We extend a warm welcome to all of
you to come to any or all of our School Council
meetings – you do not need to be a voting member
to participate. We are here to represent you, the
parents and guardians of Central school children;
your views, ideas, and concerns matter. Our next
meeting is Monday October 26th, at 6:30pm in the
school library - child-care is provided. In addition,
please mark your calendar for our annual Silent
Auction, to be held on Friday November 20th. It's
always a great evening for adults and children
alike. For more information on Central School
Council and upcoming events, please check out our
website through the link on the school webpage
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/central/ or directly at
http://centralpublicschoolguelph.weebly.com
We look forward to getting to know you better!
Central Public School
Staff 2015/2016
Principal - Rochelle MurrayCako
Office Coordinator - Sarah Geisman
KA - Kim Benham, Christine Storey
KB - Irene Gibson, Alison Bonany
1 - Tracy Suffern
2 - Carol Powell, Heather Grant
2/3 - Sue Ciocci, Kate Brennagh
3/4 - Franca Fedele
4 - Joy Reddick
5 - Geoff Jackson
6 - Dave Anderson
Core French - TBA
Planning Teachers - Caryn Walkling, Karen McNabb
Library - Kate Brennagh
Resource - Karen McNabb
CYC - Janine Costello
Custodian - John Schultz and Sheila Johnston
Education Assistants - Jen Muzzy, Alison Miles,
Christine Corner
MEDICATION POLICY
If your child needs to take medication at school, the
Upper Grand District School Board requires that a
form 509-3 be completed prior to administration of
any and all medication by staff. The requirement is
for the parent to sign the form which also requests
information about the medication itself. This
ensures that instructions are clear to everyone
involved and that the safety of your child is
protected. All medication must be in the original
container that is provided by the pharmacy with the
appropriate instructions. Contact Mrs. Greisman in
the office if you have any questions.
FROM THE LIBRARY
September was a busy month in the library. All
students now have a library card and should be
bringing home library books. Below are the
number of books each student is allowed to have
out at a time.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR

October 12 - Thanksgiving Holiday

October 16 – Photo Day

October 30 - P.A. Day

November 20 - Silent Auction

November 27 - P.A. Day

December 21 to January 4 – Winter Holiday

January 22 - P.A. Day

February 15 – Family Day Holiday

March 14 – 18 - March Break

March 25 and March 28 - Easter Holidays

May 23 - Victoria Day Holiday

June 3 - P.A. Day

June 29 – Last day of classes

June 30 – P. A. Day (no classes)
JK- Grade 1: 1 book
Grade 2-4: 2 books
Grade 5-6: 3 books
Primary students will be bringing home bookmarks
to help remind them of their library day in the five
day cycle. Please mark your child’s library day on
your home calendar so that your child can take a
new book each week. We are running the Library
Knights program in grade 1 and 2 classes again this
year. Students enjoy getting a stamp each time they
return books and home support is essential to make
it work! Ms. Brennagh is still looking for parent
volunteers to assist students with checking out
books and to help with shelving. Please drop by the
library or send a note in the agenda if you are
interested in helping out in the Library.
Healthy Lunches
Make sure you pack lunches that have all four food groups in Canada’s Food Guide:
Include at least:
•
One fruit or vegetable,
•
one serving of milk or milk products (like cheese or yogurt)
•
One meat or alternative (like sunflower seeds or hard- boiled eggs)
•
One whole-grain item
Here are some resources to help you:
•
Canada’s Food Guide available from your school nurse or www.wdgpublichealth.ca
•
Healthy eating on a budget. Visit http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/healthy-ontario/healthyeating/eathealthy-budget.asp
•
Healthy eating resources at www.eatrightontario.ca
When we improve what we eat, we can make a big difference to our health and well-being for years to come.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
1-800-265-7293 | www.wdgpublichealth.ca
____________________________________________________________________________
Cheryl Van Ooteghem UGDSB Program Department
One Month into School
Some students love to go back to school and are happy to go every day. Other students start each fall with a
positive attitude about school, but after the honeymoon period of the first few weeks are over, things begin to
slide.
One parent recently commented to me:
“I am walking home from school with a child crying the whole way”
“My kids are acting irrationally and freaking out”
She wanted me to share with you that if you are in this situation, you are not alone. For some students, this is a
normal pattern. For some of our children and youth, school is stressful. After relaxing, having fun or at least
being school free for the summer, they had built up the energy to take on school every day, but after a few
weeks back they are starting to get drained and strained. You may notice more: talk of headaches and stomach
aches, tiredness, irritability, crying, and refusals.
We all do the best that we can. If we are not doing well then we are lacking the skills or resources to do better.
So what to do? Start with recognizing this is normal and it too will change. Just like the honeymoon phase of
the first weeks, this phase will come to pass as well.
Begin with the basics: good sleep, good food, outdoor activities. This is the strong base that we all need to
function well. Keep a consistent routine with regular times for waking up, eating meals, school work, and
bedtime routines.
Put some down time into every day. Quiet time with the kids: reading a book, listening to music, going for a
walk, playing a quiet game, doing relaxation activities. We all need to opportunity to de-stress.
Acknowledge that you notice how hard it is for your child and ask “What is up?”. Perhaps they can tell you
what is going and perhaps they can’t. That is OK. Just acknowledging that you see it is hard for them is a good
start.
Talk to your child’s teacher about how they are feeling. Make a plan to make the student feels welcome in the
class. Look at ways of working break times into the day at school. Set up a buddy system to pair students who
are less comfortable with more comfortable students.
Get your child or youth to school every day. Students who are finding school hard may want to stay home. The
best way to increase anxiety related to school is to keep your child or youth at home. The more they stay away,
the harder it will be for them to go to school. Make sure your child knows that you feel good about their school
and classroom that you are comfortable with them being there. Talk to the teacher to discuss how to support
your child at school.
Set a positive, optimistic tone about school. Find something positive that your child likes about school and build
from there. Build on their strengths or connections. Notice what they are doing well and praise them for their
coping skills. Children and youth (and adults) pick up on what is going on in their environment so if the
environment is stressful then we will pick up that stress but if the environment is positive and optimistic, then
they will pick that up. Creating a positive attitude toward school is contagious!
And, as always, don’t forget to breathe. Right now, take three deep breaths. In through the nose, out through
the mouth. With each out breath, release the tension and tightness. Every time you walk through a doorway take
three deep breaths. Encourage your kids to do this too. The stress that you and your kids release throughout the
day will mean less stress at the end of the day and a happier trip home!
For more tips about Back to School transitions:
http://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/CopingwithBacktoSchool.pdf
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/home_school/b2shandout.aspx
Down Syndrome Awareness
The whole month of October is dedicated to celebrating, advocating and bringing awareness to Down
Syndrome. Down Syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This
additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down
Syndrome (NDSS).
People with Down Syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them and contribute to
society in many ways. While there may be a cognitive delay, the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not
indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses. Quality educational programs, a
stimulating home environment, good health care and positive support from family, friends and the community
enable people with Down Syndrome to develop to their full potential and live fulfilling lives.
Get involved! October offers multiple ways to participate in activities, events, and to help in
raising awareness. Participate in a local Buddy Walk, educate those around you using NDSS’s
Youtube channel . http://www.youtube.com/user/NDSSorg The Canadian Down Syndrome
Society offers educator resources that include videos parents can view with their children about children with
Down Syndrome.
October's Environmental Theme: PROTECT OUR EARTH
This year we will challenge ourselves to LIVE green every day, because one small change one day at
a time adds up to a world of difference. The environmental theme for September is sustainability.
‘Sustainability’ means protecting our Earth and using Earth's natural resources carefully, like forests,
water, minerals, and fossil fuels.
Part of living in a sustainable way is using, buying and eating only what you really need. This saves
resources and cuts down on waste too. For example, do you really need a new pencil case or pencil
crayons or a brand new eraser every year, or do your old ones still work? Do you throw your leftover
lunch items in the garbage at school, or do you take them home and eat them for a snack after
school? Do you buy vintage clothing or wear hand-me downs? Do you eat meat every day, or do you
eat vegetarian at least once a week, like those who have accepted the 'Meatless Monday Canada'
challenge.
To find out how carefully you use the Earth's resources, Google the following words: “zero footprint
calculator” and take the footprint calculator quiz. It will tell you how many Earths we would need to
survive if everyone lived like you!
Slogan of the month: Sustainability – choosing to live better with less!
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.
Once you are on site, you will find information about local mental health and addiction resources:
•
Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin Branch (CMHA WWD)
o To access Addictions, Mental Health (including eating disorders and first episode psychosis) and
Crisis Services (Guelph/Wellington for Children/Youth and Guelph/Wellington/Dufferin for
Adults) contact:
 HERE247 at 1 844 437 3247 (1 844 HERE247)
 www.here247.ca
o Walk in Services on Tuesdays for Children/Youth 1:30- 7:00
 485 Silvercreek Pkwy, Guelph
o wwd.cmha.ca
•
Dufferin Child and Family Services (Services for Children/Youth in Dufferin County)
o To access Addictions, Mental Health and Crisis Services
 519-941-1530
o Talk in Services on Tuesdays 1:00- 7:00
 655 Riddell Road, Orangeville
o http://dcafs.on.ca/
There is an Access to Mental Health Resources document that provides more details about counselling and
supports in Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
There are also links to useful websites with information for parents about mental health and addictions such as:
•
Kids Help Phone (1 800 668 6868) www.KidsHelpPhone.ca provides phone and web counselling for
youth under the age of 20. Support is free, 24/7, anonymous and confidential.
•
The ABCs of Mental Health http://www.hincksdellcrest.org/ABC/Welcome
provides information related to different mental health concerns, according to developmental ages.
Hope these resources are helpful for you and your families. Hope you have a wonderful fall!
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
Math Talk
Blue Jay 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!
The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
The Upper Grand District School Board has established a Special
Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) in accordance with the Education
Act. SEAC is made up of local parent representatives of Provincial
Associations, two school trustees and interested local community
representatives.
SEAC members receive orientation and training to become informed on important topics
in Special Education:
● Sections of the Education Act relating to Special Education
● Regulations and Ministry memoranda
● Board policies regarding Special Education
● The Board Special Education Report
● Roles and responsibilities of SEAC
● The funding of Special Education
What does SEAC do?
● Makes recommendations for the establishment, development and delivery of Special
Education programs and services for exceptional pupils in our Board.
● Participates in the Board’s annual review of its Special Education Report.
● Participates in the Board’s annual budget process and financial statement review as they
relate to Special Education.
● Provides information to parents, as requested.
● Supports the Special Olympics Annual Track and Field day.
Procedures for Selecting Members
● nominations from local associations
● approaching local chapters of provincial associations for suggestions
● writing a presentation that can be shared with parent councils, families of schools, etc.
to get the information about SEAC into the community
Meeting Times and Dates
The SEAC meets on a regular basis. Meetings occur on the second Wednesday of each month
at 7:00 p.m. at the Upper Grand District School Board office at 500 Victoria Road North, in the
Board room. Meetings are open to the public. Members of the public should contact Program
Services (Krystyna Gazo at 5199416191
ext. 254) to confirm the time, date and location of the
meetings.
Further information regarding SEAC, as well as Special Education in Upper Grand District
School Board can be found on the UGDSB Special Education Plan., as well as the Board
Website