David Marquis, Principal
Brenda Sherry, Vice-Principal
DECEMBER 2014
Lindsay Redpath, Office Co-Ordinator
397 Stevenson St. N, Guelph ON, N1E 5C1
Tel: (519) 763-7374 Fax: (519) 763-6344
Principal’s Message
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but learning at Ed Johnson is delightful!”
Holiday time is just around the corner and first term is almost finished. As always,
December promises to be an extremely busy month both at home and at school.
This time of year is one of holiday traditions for many of us, be it a part of Diwali,
Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year or other family traditions. It’s a fun and busy season
with positive messages of love and appreciation for all we have, especially family and
friends. We wish everyone peace and happiness during these times of celebration. I’m
sure you and your children are also looking forward to the holiday break to enjoy some
quality family time together. Don’t forget to curl up with a few good books over the
holidays!
Of particular interest in November was our Holiday Market. It was great to see so
many of our families out to enjoy seasonal crafts, a slice of pizza, the Winter Book Fair
and plenty of fun for all!
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday, and see you in 2015!
David Marquis
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
December 19
December 25
January 1
January 5
Last Day of School
Christmas Day
Happy New Year
First Day Back
Winter
It’s simply a matter of time before the snow flies! This is a reminder to ensure that all
our learners come to school prepared for the weather. Appropriate jackets, boots,
mittens and hats are a must as temperatures get colder. Also, a reminder to students
that when the snow finally does fall, due to safety reasons snowballs are not allowed to
be thrown on school property nor on the way to and from school.
Student Punctuality
Being on time is an important life skill that we encourage all our students to display.
When students arrive on time, they receive an overview of the day’s activities and allow
the teacher to efficiently complete the general housekeeping activities such as taking
attendance or the collection of forms and money. They hear the announcements which
inform them of general school information and are a part of the opening exercises.
Being on time also eliminates unnecessary disruptions to classes. We appreciate the
effort made by most students to be on time. Punctuality is a benefit for the students as
well as a courtesy to others.
School Council
A reminder that Council meetings are a great way to become involved in your child’s
education. Generally, we meet the second Monday of each month. The next official
Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 6:30 pm in the library.
Buses
Please be advised of the UGDSB Transportation Policy:
It is the responsibility of parents to determine whether or not it is safe for their children
to leave for school in inclement or severe weather.
a) When a bus does not travel a route in the morning due to fog, ice or snow conditions,
it will not travel that route in the afternoon.
b) If parents elect to drive their children to school, they are responsible for their
childrens’ pick-up at dismissal time.
A reminder that if the buses are cancelled in the morning, they do not run in the
afternoon. If you decide to drive your child to school in the morning, please be sure to
pick them up at the end of the day as well.
French Immersion Homework Toolbox
Visit the FSL Homework Toolbox website to discover a world of resources to assist with
learning the French language. www.FSLHomeworkToolbox.ca
November – A Month of Memories
On November 11th, our students and staff were joined by many parents and guests as
we gathered in the gym for our Rembrance Day Assembly. For whomever you were
remembering in November, let’s always keep them in our hearts.
Head Lice
Head lice are a nuisance but not a health hazard, and they don’t result from a lack of
cleanliness. Recently there have been cases of head lice in our school. Having said
that, it is very important to check your child’s head frequently. If you do discover head
lice, please notify the school office so that we can try to keep it under control in the
school. At Edward Johnson, we strive to be a lice-and-nit-free school so in the
eventuality that your child were to have lice, we ask that you treat you child and ensure
that he/she is lice-and-nit-free before returning to school.
Mathematics Everywhere
Everyday children go about their daily lives exploring and discovering things around
them, and by doing so they’re exposed to the world of mathematics. And since
mathematics has become increasingly important in this technological age, it is even
more important for our children to learn math at home, as well as in school.
Attitude is Important
How do you as a parent feel about math? Your feelings will have an impact on how your
children think about math and themselves as mathematicians. Take a few minutes to
reflect on these questions:
Do you think everyone can learn math? Do you think of math as useful in everyday life?
Do you believe that most jobs today require math skills?
If you answer "yes" to most of these questions, then you are probably encouraging your
child to think mathematically. Positive attitudes about math are important for your child's
success.
Mathematics as Problem Solving, Communication, and Reasoning
Helping your child learn to solve problems, to communicate mathematically, and to
demonstrate reasoning abilities are fundamental to learning mathematics. These
attributes will improve your child's understanding and interest in math concepts and
thinking.
A problem solver is someone who questions, investigates, and explores solutions to
problems. They stick with a problem to find a solution and understand that there may be
different ways to arrive at an answer and attempt different ways to get there. You can
encourage your child to be a good problem solver by involving him or her in family
decision making using math.
To communicate mathematically means to use words, numbers, or mathematical
symbols to explain situations; to talk about how you arrived at an answer; to listen to
others' ways of thinking and perhaps alter their thinking; to use pictures to explain
something; and to write about math, not just give an answer. You can help your child
learn to communicate mathematically by asking your child to explain a math problem or
answer. Ask your child to write about the process she or he used, or to draw a picture of
how he or she arrived at an answer to a problem.
Reasoning ability means thinking logically, being able to see similarities and
differences about math concepts in different domains and make choices based on those
differences or similarities. You can encourage your child to explain his or her reasoning
behind answers and encourage them to ask themselves, “Does this make sense?” As
you listen, you will hear your child sharing his or her reasoning.
Look forward to next month’s newsletter more about how you can help you
child/children further develop these attributes of a strong mathmetician.
Thinking Ahead
Kindergarten registration will be held from: FEBRUARY 2 - 6, 2015
Eligible students for the Junior Kindergarten program must be four years of age on or
before December 31, 2015 and students must be five years of age on or before
December 31, 2015 to register for Senior Kindergarten.
Parents are required to complete the “STUDENT ADMISSION FORM” (Version 15)
which is found on our website in PDF version - www.ugdsb.on.ca/admission and
provide the following:
• Proof of Birth Date - i.e. Birth Certificate/Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Resident
Card (photocopy both sides for school record). Other accepted proof is listed on Page 2
of the Admissions Form. Reminder that copies are to be kept in the OSR until five
years after the last day of attendance.
Parents should be encouraged to apply for birth certificates as soon as possible as
there may be a delay. http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/4U4V5Z.htm Parents
must provide proof of birth date before a child can legally attend school. The following
website allows parents to complete their Birth Certificate Application on-line or print off a
blank application • Proof of Date of Entry, if born outside Canada: school official and parent must
complete the “Confirmation of Pupil Eligibility for English as a Second Language” form
stamp in passport
Citizenship & Immigration Canada documentation
statement notarized by a Notary Public
• Proof of address - i.e. driver’s license, purchase/rental agreement, bank statement,
hydro bill. All addresses must be confirmed they are within the school’s 2015-16
boundary. Once boundary reviews have been completed, new maps will be available
on the Board’s website. Please contact the Planning Dept. for any clarification needed.
• Immunization Record to be completed by the parent and forwarded to the
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit. Blank forms are available on our website
under the “Kindergarten Registration” tab.
• Custody Order documentation (if applicable) should be provided and viewed by the
Principal/Designate.
Learn about positive parenting strategies, community resources and programs.
Parents can call and speak with a public health nurse about parenting, child development and health related
topics up to age 13 by calling KIDS LINE 1-800-265-7293 ext. 3616. KIDS LINE is also the access point
for Growing Great Kids which coordinates services from many local agencies for children zero to six who
have special physical, social, emotional, communication and development needs. Speak with a public
health nurse Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. www.wdgpublichealth.ca/?q=parents
Winners of the Litterless Lunch Challenge
Having a green lunch has a new meaning now that more and more people are
becoming conscious about how their everyday habits impact the future of the Earth.
Did you know: Every schoolchild creates an average of 30kg of garbage per year?
That’s a lot of garbage every day that can easily be avoided. So when bringing a lunch
to school remember to bring a balance of the four food groups - grains, dairy, meat or
alternatives, fruit and vegetables. And be honest with yourself – eat the healthy items
first! Also try to always bring a litterless lunch. Try putting your food in a lunch bag, in
reusable lunch and snack containers like Tupperware or a thermos, and bring drinks in
a reusable container like an aluminum water bottle.
The Environment Club had a school wide litterless lunch challenge the week of
November 16-20 in order to raise awareness of the need to reduce, reuse. and recycle.
On November 12, they conducted an assembly complete with a skit, photos of children
with their litterless lunches, as well as suggestions on substitutions for everyday
disposable items. The Environment club wanted to empower EJ students to use
reusable containers in their lunch boxes instead of disposable containers. The winning
class in each division with the highest percentage of litterless lunches won a pizza
party. Congratulation to all children who participated! We continue to encourage the
children to have litterless lunches throughout the school year.
The winners of the Litterless Lunch challenge are as follows:
K division - Mme Common/Mme Billings
Primary division - Mme Kehrer
Junior division – Mme Caudarella
A green lunch is healthy – for us and the planet! Let’s go green, everyone!
Helping your child learn French
As a parent, the best thing you can do to help support your child’s learning is talk with
him or her in the spoken language used at home. Talking helps build communication
skills. These skills are transferable from one language to another. (Cummins, 1998)
When engaging with your child, consider the following:
•listen to a television program together and ask your child to share his/her thinking
•listen to music and ask your child why he/she thinks the artist wrote the song
•listen to the radio and ask your child to share his/her opinion about what is happening
in the city and/or the world
•use a variety of words (i.e, friendly, kind, considerate)
•allow your child to hear you questioning what you see and hear around you
•talk out loud as you attempt to solve a problem
•tell your child a story about when you were little or tell him/her a
story about something that happened at work that day and leave off the ending for
him/her to provide
• ask your child to provide 3 things and make up a story that includes all three (example:
a princess, a race car, and an ice cream cone)
• read aloud daily to your child, talk about the pictures, make predictions and see if they
come true
• read to your child on vacation or during a long wait at the doctor’s office
• read a book to your child and ask him/her what he/she would do if he/she was the main
character
•leave notes for your child in his/her lunch box or school bag
•ask your child to leave notes for you around the house
•have your child create a to-do list
•play word games such as Scrabble Junior and Boggle
• encourage your child to bring his/her writer’s notebook whenever he/she goes on
family outings where there will be plenty to notice, wonder and write about
Parents who don’t know French can help their child learn French.
Talking About Mental Health – Heading into the Holiday Season - December 2014
For many people, the holiday season is a joyous time, one that lifts, a time when we gather with family and friends
to share traditions immersed in food, music, and gift-giving. We anticipate the excitement of children, and are often
cast back into memories of childhood.
That is one version of the holidays. But it most certainly isn’t the story for most people. The holiday season is a very
difficult time for many, many people.
In the two weeks before and after the holidays, suicide rates rise by 40%, couples are more likely to break up,
depression worsens in adolescents and adults, and domestic violence rates peak. Financial pressures are felt at the
holiday season. Substance use increases. People who suffer from depression or who are grieving the loss of a loved
one often find the holiday season excruciating. Loneliness and isolation are felt acutely during the holiday season.
A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, some of you may have seen it making the rounds. I don’t know who the
author is, so I cannot give credit, but I think it has an important message as we head into the holiday season.
Some thoughts as we enter the holiday season. It is important to remember that not everyone is surrounded
by large wonderful families. Some of us have problems during the holidays and some of us are overcome
with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. And, many people have no one
to spend these times with and are besieged by loneliness. We all need caring, loving thoughts right now.
May I ask my friends…to give a moment of support for all those who have family problems, health
struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know someone cares. Do it for all of us, for
nobody is immune.
For anyone, the pressure to ‘get it right’, to create a magical holiday season, and to indulge loved ones and fulfill
dreams, can make one dread the season. For those who struggle with not enough time, energy, or money - which is
most working families - the pressure can be intense. But it does not have to be that way. You can protect yourself
and your family from undue stress at the holiday season.
1. Learn to say no: The holiday season offers an open invitation to overbook and run yourself ragged. Learn to say
no to the things that you have neither the time nor energy for. Embrace those events that feed your soul and bring
you comfort and enjoyment. But say no to those that will take more physical or emotional energy than you can
spare. Learn to say, “I would enjoy this, but know I simply cannot do it at this time. Thank you.”
If yours is a blended family and your children have multiple homes to visit, reduce the number of other events even
further; no matter how excited children and youth might be for the holiday season, they too only have so much room
for multiple commitments. They will take their cues about self-care and stress management from you. Show them
how to say no.
2. Adjust unrealistic expectations: Your children will not be scarred for life if you buy your tree from Canadian
Tire instead of hand-cutting it in the bush. A string of lights in the shape of a tree, twinkling on a living room wall
can work just fine if need be. It is not about the tree. If these things bring you great joy and fit seamlessly into your
life without adding stress, fine. But if not, don’t put pressure on yourself to do them. Instead, focus on why you
celebrate this season, on peaceful, quiet time with loved ones, and on finding some reflective time for yourself.
3. Make a list. This is a time when a list can really help you set clear goals and limits. Make a list of all the
preparations you would like to do. Then review the list and strike out all those things that are unrealistic, excessive,
or that you probably won’t get around to. Take them off the list because leaving them there will add stress. Leave
only those that are possible and will bring you joy. Then cut that list in half. Seriously.
Most importantly for your list, set a deadline after which your preparations are done. You might not have found that
last perfect stocking stuffer, but your loved ones will have a calmer and happier you, and that will be the best gift of
all.
4. Anticipate the hard parts. Family tensions and difficult relationships are not magically healed at the holiday
season. In fact, with all the pressure to have a good the holiday season, families are often on edge and at their worst.
If you can’t avoid difficult relationships, get creative. Plan an activity for the family – board games, a sport, or a
long hike after dinner – to avoid the tensions that can arise sitting face-to-face. Keep the planned visits short and
limit the alcohol, which can fuel emotions otherwise kept under wraps. A short the holiday season breakfast might
work better than a dinner. Don’t be afraid to change it up.
5. Know your limits. Know your limits and ask people to respect them. You do not have to allow your (or others’)
children to run wild if it exhausts them and everyone else. The family rules still apply. You also do not have to put
up with ill-behaved relatives or friends, no matter what the season. Similarly, don’t put pressure on people to be
joyous if they are not. We are all travelling different paths; you can’t always know what someone is dealing with.
If you have teens, be understanding. They often feel mixed feelings at this time, a combination of child-like
excitement but also embarrassment about it. Protect them from the criticism of relatives, who often feel compelled to
point out teens’ flaws to parents. And avoid the urge to nag if your adolescent flops on the couch like a boneless
chicken, looking bored, disinterested in family activities. Be patient. Adolescence is temporary.
Avoid unhealthy forms of coping. Don’t short-change your sleep or eat or drink too much; it never helps. Exercise,
rest, good nutrition, and self-acceptance do help. If you are someone who over-does it, ask yourself why. It is
probably a response to stress.
6. Don’t be a slave to tradition. This one is difficult, because we invest emotionally in our traditions. They
connect us together with our spiritual, familial, and cultural histories. They are a source of comfort in troubled times
and they can be a source of joy. But if traditions become rigid expectations, they become a source of pressure or
anxiety if something happens and the tradition cannot be upheld. So remember that traditions are just markers of our
values, our loves, and our lives, but are just markers – they can be changed, left out, or recreated anytime and it does
not diminish us or the meaning of the holiday season.
7. Be kind to yourself and others. This is the most important of all. As you learn to set reasonable limits for
yourself, others often object. That’s okay. They are just trying to manage their own expectations. Don’t give in, but
be understanding of their confusion. And if someone disappoints you, reach inside your loving self for compassion
and understanding. Maybe that person is experimenting with his or her own limits, or struggling to cope with too
many demands, or is just another messy, imperfect human. Like you and I.
You can avoid the stress and pressure of the holiday season and instead increase your ability to experience some
peace and enjoy your loved ones. The sites listed below provide tips and suggestions for de-stressing the season.
Take a moment and read some of them.
Have a reasonable holiday season. Peace to all.
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/keep-holiday-stress-minimum/
http://psychologytoday.com/blog/mindfulness-in-frantic-world/201112/the holiday season-stress-relief-mindful-ten-day-guide/
www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/the holiday season/the-hectic-holiday-handbook/
Neuman, F. (2013) “Haunted by the Ghost of The holiday season Past,” Psychology Today.
Breitman, P & Hatch, C. (2000) “How to say no Without Feeling Guilty”, Broadway Books.
For children, youth and families who have experienced trauma, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has
some excellent resources on the holiday season and coping with grief, trauma and also economic stress.
http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/holiday-stress