Parkinson Centennial
November 2014 Newsletter
Paola Argentino, Principal • Wendy Clarke, Vice Principal • Attendance (519) 941 -2461 Ext. 100
Principal’s Message
Remembrance Day ceremonies were held in our gym on Tuesday, November 11th at 11:30 a.m.
Some parents, guardians, grandparents, and even a serving member of our forces attended this
important commemoration to those who served, and currently serve our country and protect our
freedom. Thank you to the staff committee for organizing this ceremony and to our students who
participated. It was a beautiful ceremony.
As part of our Safe and Inclusive Schools/Anti-bullying campaigns, we continue to educate our
students about respectful and responsible behaviour and appropriate ways to handle conflict. We
have had presentations to the primary and junior divisions by Quality Puppets and to our grades 5-8
by Chris D’Souza who spoke about the need for acceptance of others regardless of their race,
colour, ethnicity, size, religion, sexuality, or gender. As well November 17th to the 22nd is Bullying
Prevention Week and we have many in-school activities designed by our Child and Youth Worker
Shannon Kennedy.
A special reminder – It is getting chilly out and the snow is here. Please remember to assist your child
in wearing the proper clothing to school. This includes a warm jacket, hats, mitts and scarf, boots
(waterproof if possible), and snow pants. Thanks for sending extra socks, and pants in your child’s
backpack just in case! All students are expected to participate in outdoor recess as active breaks aid
in concentration and success in the classroom.
Mark your calendars as November 29th is our second annual Breakfast with Santa! Parent Council has
been busy arranging this fun event. I can’t wait to see you there.
Paola Argentino
Principal
Reminders
Attendance
 Please remember to call the Attendance Line before 8:30 if your child is going to be absent or
late. (519-941-2461 ext. 100). This is important to ensure the safe arrival of all students; office staff
must try to contact parents or guardians of any children that have not been excused.
 When bringing your child in late, please sign them in at the office and then say good-bye in the
front foyer. Parents should not be going to the classroom with the child; this is disruptive to the
class and does not follow safe school procedures.
Drop-offs
 If you need to drop off lunch, clothes, or school work for a student, please bring it to the office
and your child will be buzzed down at the next break. This avoids unnecessary interruptions
during instructional time.
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.
Life Threatening Allergies and WOW Butter:
Recently there have been products available at the grocery store that are being
offered as an alternative to peanut butter. One such product is called WOW butter. It
has the appearance and taste of peanut butter, but is a soy-based product.
Our Board policy/procedures for Life Threatening Allergies indicate that this product
(or any others that imitate a known life threatening allergen) is not allowed in
classrooms. This is not because of a health danger, but because it is confusing for
students in the class and for staff monitoring the room. We cannot find ourselves in a
situation where we have to decide whether something is peanut butter or not. A simple note from parents is
not sufficient.
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.
Head Lice:
As you are aware, having head lice is not an indicator of poor hygiene – lice like clean hair best! They
can happen to anyone. If there is a report of head lice in your child’s class, we will send home a
head lice notice. Regardless, please check your son/daughter’s hair regularly, and contact the
school if you discover your child has lice or nits. If your child has head lice, please treat them with a
remedy from the pharmacy that kills the live lice and then use a special comb, or other technique to
remove the nits from the hair before the child returns to school. Since no product can effectively kill
all nits, you will then still need to check for nits and remove them from the hair every day for 7-10 days
at which time the treatment should be redone with the pharmacy product.
Be a Santa
Parkinson Centennial School is participating in Be a Santa which is a holiday hamper program for
seniors in need. This is the 2nd year that Parkinson is participating. Classes will make a small craft or
write a note to a senior and these are added to the holiday hamper and delivered before Christmas.
Seniors enjoy the children's work. This promotes empathy and helping others in need. Thanks to Mrs.
Papavasiliou for coordinating this worthwhile project.
Breakfast and Lunch Nutrition Program
Parkinson is so lucky to have both a Breakfast and Lunch Nutrition Program.
In 2013/2014, the two programs combined to serve 6,020 meals to our students. To maintain the
program’s funding from Food and Friends, we must fundraise and the money raised will stay within
the school and will go directly to our nutrition programs to purchase food. Food or monetary
donations are welcome!
We will be collecting donations at the Breakfast with Santa event on November 29th and at the
Starlight and Snowflakes Concert December 17.
The nutrition programs could use:
 whole wheat bread
 butter
 plain cream cheese
 nut free granola bars
 cheese
 lettuce
Talking About Mental Health!
The UGDSB has launched a new website design that is more engaging and user friendly. The most
exciting part (at least from my perspective) is that there are now mental health and addictions
resources available on the website.
To find the resources, go to:
ugdsb.on.ca
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.
Children and Youth in Guelph Wellington: HERE 247 (1 844 437 3247).
Children and Youth in Dufferin: Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS) 519 941 1530
Adults in Guelph Wellington Dufferin HERE 247 (1 844 437 3247).
The page also has links to useful websites with information for parents about mental health and
addictions.
There is an Access to Mental Health Resources document that provides more details about
counselling and supports in Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
The UGDSB Mental Health and Addiction Strategy Summary, as well as the full strategy are also
provided as links.
Hope these resources are helpful for you and your families.
Get Your Flu Shot
The flu is a respiratory illness that spreads quickly from person to person. Common flu symptoms
include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, joint pain, and weakness.
The flu is more serious for the very young and elderly. They can get the flu from school-aged children
who don’t seem sick but may have a mild case. Get your free flu shot. It protects everyone. Visit
www.wdgpublichealth.ca to find a flu clinic near you.
If you don’t like needles, there is an alternative. FluMist is a nasal spray available for children and
adults ages 2 to 59. FluMist is not available at drop-in clinics. Call 1-800-265-7293 to make an
appointment. There is a cost of $20 for the vaccine.
Library News
Book Fair- A Scholastic Book Fair will be in the library on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, December 3 11:20 am - 4:00pm
Thursday, December 4 8:30am - 4:00pm
Friday, December 5 8:30am - 3:00pm
Monday, December 8 8:30am - 3:00pm
Come and do some Christmas shopping! A percentage of the sales allow us to buy new
books for the library. When you purchase a book you are supporting the library. Don’t forget
to fill out the ballot on the back of your child’s flyer and win $25 worth of free books! The
draw will be held on Friday morning. See you at the BOOK FAIR!!!! If there are any parents
who are able to volunteer some time at the book fair please call Mrs. Rea- 519-941-2461
ext.225, thanks!
Cross Country Meet
Parkinson placed 6th out of 19 schools at the Cross Country Meet. Kylie placed 4th in the Tyke Girls
of 118 runners. Trevor placed 5th in the Bantam Boys out of 81 runners and Keith brought home the
gold in the Bantam Boys! Way to go runners!
The World Needs Your Kid!
Connie Bender, Elementary Curriculum Leader
Many of our schools in Upper Grand, both elementary and secondary, are involved in Free the
Children’s Me to We clubs. If you aren’t familiar with Free the Children, it is an international
organization created in 1995 by Canadians Marc and Craig Kielburger. The mission of this
organization is to “create a world where all young people are free to achieve their fullest potential as
agents of change.” This is done by empowering youth to become active and engaged citizens both
on a local and global level. Me to We clubs in our schools learn about local and global issues and
create action plans to educate others and become positive, active, agents for change.
Marc and Craig emphasize “small actions, every day” with your children. They provide you with over
100 ways to do that. Here are just a few ways you can help to raise a child who is compassionate,
caring and an engaged global citizen:
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Connecting leads to caring. Set your alarm 20 minutes early each day so that you aren’t rushed in the morning
with your children. Checking in and connecting is a vital part of their day. Help start the day on a positive note.
Let you children know that their efforts are important to running your household. Helpers in the home are
helpers in the neighbourhood. Responsibilities are good for all of us.
Make the back seat of your car a technology free zone. Take the lead and share with them some details of you
day. You might be surprised how much they share after some practice.
Make gratitude a habit. Have your children share something wonderful about their day at the dinner table or
just before going to bed. Focusing on the positive can help our children be resilient.
Model random acts of kindness. Open doors for others, bake some muffins for your grandparents or offer to
babysit for a friend. The possibilities are endless and they don’t have to involve money.
Step back so a child can step up. Remember to provide children with a chance to do the right thing or solve a
problem with a friend on their own first, and then be there to help them talk through their choices afterwards.
When they suggest a way to help someone else, honour that thought and do what you can to support them in
taking action.
For more information check out www.freethechildrren.com or go to your local library and borrow a
copy of “The World Needs Your Kid.”
Parent Involvement Committee Meeting Dates
November 24
January 26
February 23
March 30
April 30
May 25
Guelph Board Office
Guelph Board Office
Elora Public School
Guelph Board Office
Annual Event - CWDHS
Guelph Board Office
Upcoming Dates
November 29
 Breakfast with Santa
Book Fair
 December 3 - 8
December 17
 Starlight and Snowflakes Christmas concert for the following classes:
St. Louis/Sowter, Smith/Kelso, McLellan, Bathurst, and Firth
December 22 – January 2, 2015
 Christmas Break