February 2020 33 Greenbriar Road Brampton, ON, L6S 1V8 905-791-2333 Principal: Sumitra Lad Superintendent: Liz Cook NFO 905-451-2862 ext.4232 Trustee: Carrie Andrews, 647-473-1858

Website : http://grenoble.peelschools.org Office Manager: Patty DiLollo Office Assistant: Julie Booth Twitter: @grenobleps Office Hours: 7:45 am to 3:45 pm

Principal’s Message

Dear Grenoble Families and Guardians, We have had a great start to 2020! During the month of January, students had an opportunity to participate in various activities such as: intramurals, mindfulness colouring, games club, lego robotics club and much more to keep them active and engaged. February continues to be exciting as we have many events and activities planned. We are recognizing the contributions made by Black Canadians and communities as we put a spotlight on Black Heritage. During Black History Month, students will be listening to daily announcements, participating in classroom activities and discussions, and display cases will be filled with books and artifacts. This year Grenoble PS will be participating in the “I Read Canada Day” event. We have invited the Canadian Author, Andrew Larsen to share his books to our students on February 19th. For World Read Aloud Day on February 5th, we will be participating in a book drive to support students in a school in Guyana. The book drive will be held from February 5th to the 19th. On February 14th, our school council will be hosting a Valentine’s Day dance-a-thon. This is a fundraiser event and treats will be sold. Stay tuned for more details. Reminder: Friday, February 7th is a Professional Activity Day and there is no school for students. Kindest Regards, Mrs. S. Lad Principal Thank you,

Congratulations to the following students for

winning Grenoble Awards for the month of January. Well done! K1: Ashton T., Jordyn S.

K2: Michael D., Ruhail A., Gurneet S., Danissa M.

K3: Jassraj S., Kayra D.

K4: Evelyn B., Iqra K.

1A: Aarna T., Gursehaj B., Zorawar K., Viviana A.

1-2: Chyanne B.

2A: Keerat U., Diya M., Japji B.

2-3: Jeeya M., Anhad S. ,Roy S., Mya N.

3A: Serena R., Parth S., Brienna B.

3B: Desari W., Isaiah B., Samreet G., Paolo D.

4A: Evelyn C., Sharon D., Sophia F., Shawna M., Caleb T., Argho B., Graham P.

4B: Fanis B., Oliva D., Teg S., Hitancy S., Naira W.

5A: Nolan C., Justin H., Lianne L.

5B: Noah K., Lily P., Keyon W.

FEBRUARY 2019

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

2 3 Day 5 Term 2 Begins

4 Day 1

T-Shirt Tuesdays Or purple/greenday

5 Day 2

6 Day 3

7 PA DAY NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

8

9 10 Day 4

11 Day 5

T-Shirt Tuesdays Or purple/greenday

12 Day 1

13 Day 2

14 Day 3

Valentine’s Day Dance-a-Thon, Hosted by School Council *

Pizza Day

15

16 17 FAMILY DAY NO SCHOOL

18 Day 4

T-Shirt Tuesdays Or purple/greenday

19 Day 5

20 Day 1

21 Day 2

22

23 24 Day 3

25 Day 4

T-Shirt Tuesdays Or purple/greenday

26 Day 5

27 Day 1

28 Day 2 Spirit Day

Wear Red, Black, Yellow and

Green

Pizza Day

29

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 16-20 March Break

April 10 Good Friday

April 13 Easter Monday

REMINDERS

PARKING

Please do not park in or block the accessibility parking spaces. You must have a permit to use those parking spaces

Please do not park in the bus lanes or in the NO PARKING or Maintenance Parking spots at the back of the school

Parent and Visitor parking is available throughout the day at the front of the school for your convenience

Time For School - A Parent’s Guide To Reporting School Absences

All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our automated SafeArrival system. Whether it is an illness or another absence and you decide to keep your child home, please report your child’s absence via the SafeArrival system quickly and conveniently in one of the three ways: o Call an automated, interactive toll free number – 1-855-209-6155 (Please note – You must wait for confirmation) o Report absences online by accessing the SafeArrival parent portal on pdsb.schoolconnects.com o Download the SafeArrival mobile application for Apple and Android devices

TO REPORT THE ABSENCE PLEASE CALL IN PRIOR TO 8:45 AM

SCHOOL DOORS REMAIN LOCKED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

We wanted to share a reminder with our school community. The front doors of our school will be locked during the school day. This is part of the Safe Welcome program, originally announced by the Ontario Government in December 2012, for all elementary schools in Ontario. As part of this program, portable doors will also be locked during the school day. A camera and buzzer unit is located by the front door and will be linked to a monitor in the main office of the school. Anyone who wishes access to the school once the school day has begun—parents, Peel board staff and visitors—will request entry by pressing the buzzer. Staff in the main office will be able to see and speak to the person, and release the door lock to provide access. We have long had the practice for Peel schools that all outside doors, with the exception of the front door, would be locked during the school day. While we acknowledge that locking doors will not in itself prevent all risks to the safety of students and staff, it is an important step in providing an additional level of security. Thank you for your continued support for the safety and well-being of all students and staff in our schools.

Offence Declaration required for returning volunteers

Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community. At Grenoble PS, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community members, and are grateful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year. To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal background check. A criminal background check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this record check.

Once you have completed the process, you are on file with the Peel District School Board as being a school volunteer. All returning volunteers will receive an Offence Declaration form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. Completing the Offence Declaration will ensure that you can continue volunteering in the next school year. Forms will be mailed home in February.

WANTED!

Grenoble PS is looking for supply lunchroom supervisors. This is a paid, on-call position between the hours of 11:00am –11:45am and 1:00pm – 1:45pm. If you are someone that enjoys being with children and is available to help out, please stop by the office to pick up an application package. Please note a current Vulnerable Sector Police Check will be required if you are accepted for the position.

It's time to register children born in 2016 for kindergarten

We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student… and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2016, they can start kindergarten in September 2020. You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the school they will be attending to register. Visit www.peelschools.org/kindergarten for more information and to complete the kindergarten registration package. What you will need to bring to registration:

Proof of child's age (one of the following)

Canadian birth certificate Canadian passport citizenship card/certificate Permanent Resident Card confirmation of permanent residence work or study permit proof of newcomer status

Proof of address (one of the following)

utility bill bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution) credit card statement federal government forms (e.g. Service Canada, Ontario Works or Canada Post change of

address) purchase agreement Other Government Identification (e.g. Ontario Photo Card)

Please note that a driver's license cannot be accepted. Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement.

Proof of immunization – students registering in an Ontario public school for the first time must provide proof of immunization.

Report your child's immunizations to the Region of Peel online and provide the reference number to your child's school when registering. An Ontario Health card is required. Visit www.peelregion.ca/immunize for more information

GRENOBLE NEWS

Grenoble Eco Team

We are happy to announce the formation of the Grenoble Eco Team. This is a group of environmentally minded students who want to make a difference to the earth’s climate. Some of the concerns that they hope to address by participating in this group include: pollution – air, water, noise; global warming; endangered animals; and littering. They have already offered some great ideas on how we can work towards these concerns: playing outside to cut down on electricity usage; picking up garbage so animals don’t get harmed and plants can grow; saving water by turning off the tap; recycling properly; litter less lunches; using water bottles instead of plastic bottles; building bird feeders to feed the local birds; planting bulbs and more trees around the Grenoble grounds; sorting garbage with the younger students; walking to school on Wednesday’s; and creating presentations and workshops to educate the Grenoble students on environmental concerns and how they can help.

We are excited to work with these passionate students on environmental learning opportunities that will benefit the Grenoble school community. Stay tuned for more initiatives and updates from our Eco Team!

Ms. Patel/Ms. Powell

Grenoble Sock Drive

The December sock drive began after the grade two class read a book entitled ‘Lily and the Paperman’.

The book tells the story of a little girl and how she overcame her fear and became compassionate

towards a homeless man who delivered newspapers. After listening to the story, Ms. Powell’s Grade 2

class began discussing the homeless people that they have seen in the Brampton area and what they

could do to help them. After some deliberation they agreed that the idea of collecting socks would be

one that everyone could participate in. Students created announcements and posters to advertise the

drive which encouraged all members of our Grenoble community to help out.

We are happy to report that we collected over 200 pairs of new socks to donate to the Brampton Youth

Shelter. A big thank you to all of those who helped by donating socks to our first Grenoble Sock Drive.

Ms. Powell

GRENOBLE puts the spotlight on Black

Heritage

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the many contributions of

Black Canadians and Black communities throughout the world who,

throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the

culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous country we know

today.

In addition to recognizing Black History Month, the Peel board also recently approved a motion to

recognize and celebrate Islamic Heritage Month in October, Indigenous Heritage Month and Hindu

Heritage Month in November, Sikh Heritage Month in April and Jewish Heritage Month in May. The

board will continue to recognize Asian Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month,

following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable

Jean Augustine.

During Black History Month, schools across Peel will participate in a number of activities that recognize

and celebrate the rich heritage, history, culture and contributions of Black Canadians as well as Black

communities from around the world.

I Read Canada Day: February 19

A new nationwide initiative that celebrates the richness and diversity of Canadian literature is here. The I Read Canada Day which will happen for the first time on February 19, will empower families, schools and libraries to host activities and events by reading Canadian books for just 15 minutes. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of Canadian books and celebrate the richness, diversity and breadth of Canadian literature. We encourage you to read with your children on February 19, even if it is for 15 minutes. Let’s get everyone excited about reading Canadian books. WORLD READ ALOUD DAY - FEBRUARY 5 World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is focused on bringing awareness to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories and to advocate for literacy. Reading aloud helps develop literacy skills, builds community, and connects us to each other. Grab a book and read to your children. Read Aloud. Change the World! Thank you, Maleka Ramnarine

BOOK DRIVE

In celebration of World Read Aloud Day, students at Grenoble Public School are doing a Book Drive for Crabwood Creek Primary School in Guyana. The school has a population of 450 students with 20 classes from Grade one to Grade 6. Of particular concern, is the fact that children in Guyana have a limited supply of learning materials, particularly books. In addition, the school does not have a school library. There is one public library with a limited collection. Our mission is to create classroom libraries for as many classes as we can. Providing books to students and making them easily accessible to students will improve their literacy skills and encourage a love for reading. The grade 3 students from Mrs. Taylor’s class and the grade 2s from Ms. Powell’s class have taken on this initiative. They will be collecting books from February 5 to February 19. Each classroom will be provided with a box to place their donations. We encourage students to bring in gently used or new books to donate to this cause. Thank you.

SCHOOL SUCCESS NEWS

Math Tips for Parents

You must have heard about journals. A journal is a record that can be used to detail everything

from your feelings about a particular situation in your social life to your thoughts on a current

event in the political world. In layman’s language a journal is meant to collect your ideas and

observations on anything and put into writing.

There are different types of journals; academic/scholarly journals, trade journals, current affairs,

opinion magazines, newspapers etc. Have you ever thought about a Math Journal? A Math

journal is a great way to get insight into your child’s thoughts about math and their problem-

solving strategies. Many teachers have a regular journaling time in their classroom in which

students reflect on a variety of topics. Math journals work the same way, except the prompts are

about math.

Why Math Journals?

There are a number of reasons why math journals are gaining popularity at all grade levels.

Children have the opportunity to reflect on their strategies and assess their own learning

Children practice putting their knowledge into words both verbally and in writing

Learning focus is shifted from computation to problem solving and real-life application

As parents, you gain insight into your child’s abilities, opinions, understandings, and misconceptions

It creates a documented portfolio-like record of your child’s growth and progress

Who should use math journals? Because the topics are open-ended, math journals can be used by children of all ages and abilities.

How do math journals work? There is no one specific way to write math journals, so feel free to

pick a format that makes sense for you. A simple diary or exercise book that is separate from

everyday school material can be very motivating for children.

How often do students write in them? Once a week is beneficial and attainable goal for children

just starting with math journals. Children can reflect on a topic before they begin the unit of study

so they can gauge prior knowledge, and then after a few days of learning or as they finish the

skill. Children can also be encourage to write in their math journals even when a topic hasn’t

been assigned; it’s very own personal place for reflection and extension.

Have Fun! The Numeracy Team

A word from your ESL teacher Multilingual resources to guide parents and students in our community/

English as a Second Language videos on the Peel board website

Did you know that Peel District School Board created more than 2,000 pages of translated information? To access them, you need to go to www.peelschools.org website and find a link with an orange arrow connecting you to more languages in the top right corner.

By clicking on the arrow, you will get access to the micro-websites available in more than 40 different languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Guajarati, Farsi, Arabic, Korean, Chinese, and many more. Some of the topics include: -orientation interviews for school registration -We Welcome the World Centres information -Education system in Peel -tips for student success -information on the key importance of students' first language and literacy skills ______________________________________________________________________________ Another amazing Peel board resource is a series of short videos for our English Language Learners families. Following the link below, everyone can access six videos that address English as a Second Language issues: http://www.peelschools.org/parents/programs/esl/Pages/default.aspx

The topics range from What is the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program? and What are the benefits of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program? to What does English as a Second Language (ESL) support look like? and What is Steps to English Proficiency (STEP)? Please, take 10-15 minutes of your time (most of the videos are quite short) to check out this informative Peel board resource! If you have more questions regarding these websites or if you look for some specific information translated in your first language, please, call Ms. Kotova at (905)791-2333.

Bus cancellation and 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, television stations and will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org, Twitter @STOPRinfo and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. 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 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 Peel 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 Peel 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 Peel 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. 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: 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.

Help your family stay warm this winter

Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:

Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an extra hat at school.

Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body. Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners, carry an

extra pair to replace damp ones or take an extra pair of socks. Invest in thick socks to keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of mittens to school, on outings, etc.

Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activities.

Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to hypothermia. If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive sweating

caused from an extreme change in temperature increases the risk of developing hypothermia. Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins. A balanced diet will also help keep you warm and

healthy in the winter. If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.

What you need to know about head lice (pediculosis)

What is head lice? Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp where they lay their eggs. They have three stages: the egg (nit), the nymph and the adult. Head lice do not spread diseases and cannot be spread between animals or pets and humans, only through direct contact between people. Head lice spread easily, especially where people are in close contact. They are common among school-aged children or children attending child care, where they spread through direct hair-to-hair contact or directly by sharing things like hats, combs, hairbrushes or headphones. One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp. However, children can have head lice for several weeks with no symptoms. If you think your child has head lice, check their hair for nits right away, then again after one week and after two weeks.

What to do if your child has lice If you discover your child has lice, notify the school immediately so that classmates can be checked. Parents must keep their child at home until they have been treated for lice and are nit-free. Students may only return to school if they are “nit-free” and will be checked by a school administrator before being re-admitted to class. If your child has live lice, ensure they avoid head-to-head contact with other children until the lice are gone. Children should not share combs, hairbrushes, caps, hats or hair ornaments. You should also check all family members for head lice. Be sensitive to your child’s feelings and let them know that having head lice does not mean they are not clean. Head lice can be treated with the following approved insecticides:

pyrethrin (found in R&C Shampoo + Conditioner)

permethrin (Nix Creme Rinse or Kwellada-P Creme Rinse)

lindane (Hexit Shampoo or PMS-Lindane Shampoo) Although head lice does not pose a significant health risk, it is highly contagious and very uncomfortable for children, therefore schools take precautions to prevent the spread. Your cooperation in controlling the spread of lice by keeping your child at home until they have been treated and are nit-free is much appreciated.

Peel Public Health shares tips to help prevent the flu

It’s flu season and we want to make sure students stay as healthy as possible this year! Influenza (flu) spreads easily from one person to another and Peel Public Health has some tips to help reduce the risk of catching the flu and spreading it:

Get your annual flu shot: The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots:

Family Doctors’ offices Walk-in clinics Pharmacies Peel flu clinics

Keep children home when they’re sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe.

Practice good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw tissues in the trash. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow, if they don’t have a tissue. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.

Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze.

For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

Report your child’s immunizations to the Region of Peel online When registering for school for the first time, parents and guardians are required to provide up-to-date immunization information for their children. This includes registering for kindergarten. You can update your child’s immunizations online. The online immunization tool allows you to attach a photo of the immunization record. When reporting online, an Ontario Health Card is required. Report immunizations online at: www.peelregion.ca/immunize After you report your immunizations online you will be given a reference number. Keep this number for your records. You will need to give this number to your child’s school when registering. If you do not have online access or your child does not have an Ontario Health Card, take a copy of the immunization record to the school. Make sure your child’s name and date of birth are visible on the record. Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 if your child does not have an immunization record or if you have any questions about immunization exemptions. For more information, visit www.peelregion.ca/immunize

“These children are my children's classmates. I want them to have the same opportunities as my

children. Thank you for providing the opportunity to help.” – Parent and Donor

Did you know that 1 in 5 students in Peel Region face barriers related to poverty?

That’s more than 27,000 Peel District School Board students. The Peel Learning Foundation’s mission is

to raise funds to enable Peel board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources that

help them overcome barriers.

Through the Student Emergency Needs program and Student Backpack program, the support we provide

can be as simple as providing funds for food or transportation, a winter coat, or a backpack filled with

school supplies. This type of support can enrich a student's school experience and help them achieve

success. Any teacher, staff or support person can speak confidentially to their school’s principal, vice-

principal or supervisor when they encounter a student in need, who will then reach out to us to ask for

help.

There are many ways that you can support the foundation. A gift will help us achieve great things for

students and 100 per cent of funds directly support Peel board students. To learn more, visit

www.peellearningfoundation.org/how.

You can help us create hopeful tomorrows.

www.PeelLearningFoundation.org l 905-890-1010 ext. 2461 l foundation@peelsb.com

@PeelLearningFDN l /PeelLearningFDN

“Getting Through Long Winter Months- How to Stay Connected and Feel Hope for Spring”

From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

It’s February! We are another month closer to Spring. Yet with February being the shortest month of the year, it can often feel like the longest, with days feeling more dark and gloomy. As parents, we often put ourselves last, but what if we use February as a time to focus on small ways we can take time for ourselves for self-care? Here are a few tips on how to bridge the winter hurdle of February and embrace connection and hope for Spring. Stay connected with nature and maximize daylight exposure: Bundle up and spend time outside and take advantage of natural light whenever you can. Go for a walk, park your car a little further away to maximize time outside, get off at a transit stop early, track your walking mileage, if you have a dog, try a take the dog on a new route or stay out a little longer, or help someone with limited mobility and offer to walk their dog.

If you have limited mobility “staying active helps you: have some control over what you do: Focus on what you can do—not on what you can’t; have more energy and strength to do things for yourself “ (from myhealth.alberta.ca Staying Active with Limited Mobility).

Stay connected socially: Reach out to family and friends- by phone or in person- make a plan to spend time together over the Family Day Weekend. Go for coffee, go somewhere new you haven’t been before, call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, help someone out. Staying connected to our social relationships boosts our mood. Try a new activity (outside or inside) with your child or adolescent that does not involve technology!

A final note in relation to keeping current with world events. While it is important to stay current, we are bombarded with the same messages and graphic images by all forms of media which takes a toll on our mental health. Be mindful that young ears are listening and watching and they may not voice any fears they may be experiencing. Try and limit your media time, reassure your child/teen (and yourself!) there is lots of good in the world, and check in to see if they have any questions or worries about current events.

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, or have questions about how to talk to your child about difficult topics, visit bit.ly/SupportingChildrensMH for further information and links to school and community resources. For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel.

Celebrating Faith and Culture February 2020 DATE CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

February Bear Moon Indigenous Worldview (First Nations)

February 1 or 2 Imbolc Wicca

February 3 Setsubun-sai Shinto

February 7 to 25 month of Mulk Bahá’í

February 7 Lantern Festival/Magha Puja Buddhism

February 15 National Flag Day Canada

February 17 Family Day Ontario

February 21 Mahashivratri ● Hinduism

February 26 to 29 Intercalary Days Bahá’í

February 26 Ash Wednesday Christianity