Mountain Ash Public School
November 2015
Principal’s Message
What a great way to end October with some
Hallowee’en Fun! It was great to see so many
students dressed up and enjoying themselves with the
planned Hallowe’en activities and school wide parade
today. Stay safe if you are going out Trick-orTreating on the weekend and thank you to the many
students and families that supported our “Me to We
initiative by bringing in a canned good as part of our
Food drive!
As promised last month, I would like to congratulate
Mrs. Campagnola’s class (3A), Mr. Kirkwood (5A),
Mrs. Munroe (7A) and Ms. Train (6A) for all their
numeracy work related to our Terry Fox run/walk.
These classes all won a class pizza party!
This month our Flag football teams had great showings
with our Girls team finishing a respectable 4th and our
Boys bringing back a “Finalist” banner to be displayed
proudly!
Please be sure to continually check our school website
for the latest information and feel free to follow us
on Twitter @MountainashPS for news.
Sincerely
Mr. C Cooper
Principal
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Principal:
Craig Cooper
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Vice Principal:
Brian Rasmusson
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Superintendent:
Pat Noble
Bus cancellation & 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 905-8901010 or 1-800-668-1146.
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 (highlighted text only):
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
busing 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.
All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled.
This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education
courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled.
This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education
courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
Winter bus safety
The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter
months.
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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.
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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.
Is French Immersion right for my child?
If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is
whether you want to apply for the French Immersion (FI) program.
What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program?
One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 29,
2015 at 7 p.m. at the French Immersion school your child would attend.
To find out the FI school your child would attend:
 visit our website www.peelschools.org/French
 call the school in your area
 call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212
Online application
The application form for Grade 1 French Immersion for the 2016-17 school year will be available online
at www.peelschools.org/French on Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.
The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after that date will be
put on a waiting list.
A French Immersion enrolment cap is in place. This means that a specific number of spots are available
for students entering grade 1 French Immersion. A random selection process will be used to identify
students gaining entrance into the program. For more information about the random selection process
visit www.peelschools.org/French.
Important dates
Information meeting
Registration opens
Registration deadline
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m.
For more information
 visit www.peelschools.org/French
 call your nearest French Immersion school
 talk with parents who have children in the French Immersion program
 visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/
Is Extended French right for my child?
If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is
whether you want to apply for the Extended French (EF) program.
What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program?
One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19,
2015 at 7 p.m. at the EF school your child would attend.
To find out the EF school your child would attend:
 visit our website www.peelschools.org/French
 call the school in your area
 call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212
Online application
The application form for Grade 7 EF for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at
www.peelschools.org/French on Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after that date will be put
on a waiting list.
Important dates
Information meeting
Registration opens
Registration deadline
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m.
For more information
 visit www.peelschools.org/French
 call your nearest Extended French school
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talk with parents who have children in the Extended French program
visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/
Choose Action on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week
of Nov. 16 to 22, 2015.
This year, we ask the Peel community to #ChooseAction to Change the World. The Peel board would like
to hear about the big and small actions, the pledges, the promises and the attitudes that our Peel
community value, and ask that you take a moment to share your #ChooseAction moments on social
media.
Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene
when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught
to:
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define bullying
identify forms of bullying
identify the shifting roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who bullies, the
target, the bystander or the trusted advocate
determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying & harassment
understand that bullying is a relationship problem with relationship solutions
determine positive ways to interact with others in an accepting, inclusive way
demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school
communities
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting
Schools Act, that came into effect on Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, visit:
www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying/ or
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.
Subscribe to receive news from the Peel board
Take advantage of our electronic subscription service to automatically receive updates from the Peel
District School Board. Subscribing is easy  just visit our website at www.peelschools.org and click on
the subscription link under "Quick Links."
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.
You can also subscribe to receive:
News releases
Keep up with the news at the Peel board. Subscribe to receive Peel board news releases to learn more
about board news and school events.
Board agendas
Learn more about Peel board meetings by subscribing to receive agendas. Meetings of the board are
open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Board highlights
Briefing is a newsletter with highlights of decisions made by trustees at board meetings. It is sent out on
the second and fourth Thursday of every month and immediately following any special board meetings.
Job postings for non-teaching staff
Learn about each new non-teaching job that is posted on the Peel board's Job Board.
Peel board students have choice
Explore program options at www.makingmyway.ca
Students have different needs, interests and abilities—our schools offer great educational opportunities
to help all students achieve. For students looking for a more focused, specialized program, here are
some options:
Regional programs start in grades 6, 7 and 9
Students in regional programs still complete all of the requirements of the Ontario curriculum, but there
is an increased focus on an area of interest. Programs include:
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Actively in Motion (AIM)
Advanced Placement
Arts
Arts and Technology
Graphic Design Management: Flexography
International Baccalaureate
International Business and Technology
International and Executive Leadership
Academy
SciTech
Sports
Strings
Truck and Coach Technology
Specialist High Skills Major programs start in grade 11
Specialist High Skills Major programs allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic
sector, while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. Students gain sectorrecognized certification and career-relevant training. The programs support the transition after
graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Peel board schools offer
Specialist High Skills Major programs in the following area.
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Arts & Culture
Business and Entrepreneurial Studies
Construction
Environment
Health and Wellness
Hospitality and Tourism
Information and Communications Technology
Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services
Manufacturing
Non-Profit
Sports
Transportation
More options for Peel board students
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co-operative education programs provide workplace experience
extended French starts in grade 7
dual credit programs allow student to earn college credits at the same time as secondary school credits
alternative programs are available for students who need flexible school hours, are dealing with unique situations, or require
more support
Our guidance counsellors can help students determine which courses will best meet their needs,
interests and abilities—contact the school to make an appointment.
For more information about regional programs, Specialist High Skills Major programs and other
programs of choice available to Peel board students, visit www.makingmyway.ca.
Traffic safety in our community
Safety is a top priority at our school. Here is a list of traffic tips to keep students, staff and parents safe
while commuting to and from school.
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Respect traffic signs and road markers around the school.
Drive slowly and with caution on and near school property. Adhere to the posted speed limits on
any surrounding streets used by students on their way to and from school.
Always yield to pedestrian traffic. Wait for students, staff members and parents to cross before
driving past them.
When dropping your child off at the school, use the Kiss'n'Ride area. This is a supervised area
that is designed to keep students safe.
Do not double park or do anything else to block traffic or draw your child off the curb and into
traffic. Do not take shortcuts over curbs.
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Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Say goodbye to your child before
you park at the curb to let your child out of your car.
During regular drop-off times, students are to remain in the car until it is safe for them to exit
the car onto the curb.
Follow the directions of staff or volunteers on duty in the school parking lot and treat staff,
students, volunteers, passengers and other drivers with respect.
Consider parking off site and walking a short distance to school. This will give you time to talk to
your children about their day, review new vocabulary words, math concepts, etc.
Remind your child to only cross the street at an intersection or crosswalk. They should never
“jaywalk” by crossing in the middle of the street.
Students who bike to school should always wear a helmet, and follow all traffic laws. They
should only cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection—never in the middle of the road.
Parent resources help you support your child’s learning
At the Peel board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each child. There is no doubt
that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. As our partner in education, we hope you'll
stay connected to your child's learning throughout his or her entire school experience.
Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to parents. There
you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web pages on a number of
different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and mental health.
Celebrating Faith and Culture
November 2015
DATE
November
November 1
November 1
November 4 -22
November 10 or 11
November 11
November 11
November 11
November 12
November 13
November 14
November 16
November 16
November 23 - December
11
November 24
November 25
November 25
November 26
November 28
November 28 (J) or 29
November 29
CELEBRATION
Gwilatkw
All Saints' Day
Samhain
The month of Qudrat
Diwali
Diwali/Lord Mahavir Nirvan
Bandi Chhor Divas
Remembrance Day
New Year’s Day/Day of
Enlightenment
Birth of the Bab
Birth of Baha’u’lláh
Louis Riel Day
Gnan Panchami
The month of Qawl
FAITH AND CULTURE
Aboriginal Spirituality
Christianity
Wicca
Bahá'í
Hinduism
Jainism
Sikhism
Canada
Hinduism and Jainism
Martyrdom of Guru Teg
Bahadur
Dev Diwali or Lokashah Jayanti
Birth of Guru Nanak
Day of Covenant
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
First Day of Advent (Christmas
fast)
First Sunday of Advent
Sikhism
Báhá'í
Báhá'í
Aboriginal Spirituality
Jainism
Bahá'í
Hinduism and Jainsim
Sikhism
Bahá'í
Bahá'í
Christianity
Christianity
November 2015
Attendance Line:
1-855-209-6155
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Remembrance
Day
Reporting to Parents - pm
Reporting to Parents
Teacher-parent
interviews
Jersey Day
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Crazy Hair Day
29
30
Dec 1
Dec 2
Dec 3
Please note picture re-take day is currently being re-scheduled.
Dec 4
Dec 5