To Support Our Goal We As a School Community Have

Mitchell Woods Public School Newsletter

Mair Ann Gault – Principal Nicole Hamilton – Vice Principal JUNE 2017

- served our community through the Terry Fox Walk for Cancer Research, Jump Rope for Heart, Live Free Campaign and being an Eco-School.

I cannot believe it is already June! Where has the year - received community supports through programs like gone? We have accomplished so much together this year! Dental Screening, Vision Screening, Immunization I thought I would take a moment to do a bit of a Year in visits and Public Health presentations. Review to start our June Newsletter. - implemented use of technology, providing our To begin, I want to acknowledge the reason why we are students with sets of IPads and Chromebooks to all here - Student Success. Over this year staff and create a computer lab on wheels, and of course the students have worked hard, with parent support, to teach standard desktops around the school building. the children the Ontario Ministry of Education - worked with our School Council to fundraise in order Curriculum in a way that inspires students to achieve to to provide Robotics for the Learning Commons, their fullest potential and be prepared for their futures Scientist in the School funds, Instrumental Music as individuals and positive citizens of Canada. Everything Support, Outdoor Benches, and graduation funds. we do as a school is in pursuit of this goal.

To support our goal we as a school community have: - many of our staff have all been trained in the Zones of Regulation program to help teach our - inspired, instructed, guided our students, conducted students self-regulation skills in the classroom assessments, given feedback and differentiated our and beyond. instruction in order to help our students achieve their learning goals and fill their learning gaps - we have pursued with great enthusiasm the first line of our school motto of “At Mitchell Woods we are - developed ourselves as professional educators BEING respectful, resilient and positive members of constantly reflecting, learning and growing to further our school community. “ meet the needs of our students I could go on and on… - implemented School Improvement and Safe and All of these activities (and many others that are not Inclusive School Plans listed) cannot be done without the support of our staff, - participated in many outdoor education programs to parents, volunteers, community partners, and School help our children learn to love and respect the Council. environment Thank you to all of you and your many efforts. What an - provided opportunities for students to learn various incredible year!! I have been so blessed to be a part of sports in and out of the classroom this school community. Thank you for sharing your children with me. - inspired and informed students with various Yours in Education, presentations including Remembrance Day Assembly, Bullying Prevention Assemblies, Police Safety Assemblies, and Scientist in the School, Motto Mair Ann Gault Assemblies and many school field trips.

- enjoyed special events with our students and their families, such as: Open House, Mitchell Woods 101, Holiday Concert Performance, Earth Day Clean-up, wonderful spirit days and Family Movie Nights

- celebrated student success in our year-end assemblies and graduation ceremonies SUNSCREEN AND HATS BELL TIMES When you go outside, wear sunglasses, hat and Entry 8:45 AM sunscreen of spf 15 or higher. If the UV index is First Nutrition Break 10:25 – 11:10 AM 6 or more, stay in the shade. Keep in mind that Second Nutrition Break 12:50 – 1:35 PM babies and children burn more quickly from the Dismissal 3:15 PM sun. Check the morning weather reports if you are not sure. PATROLS A huge thank you to all street patrols who have LOST AND FOUND given many hours of their time over the course of We have many, many items in the lost and found the year to help our students get to and from the boxes. If your child is missing any clothing items, school safely. please remind him/her to check the lost and found boxes. Parents are welcome to check the boxes as well. Please sign into the office prior to doing so. Items will be displayed during the second last week of school and anything unclaimed will be donated to SLEEP a charitable organization. We have noticed that many of our students seem to be extra tired lately. It may be that with the MEDICATION longer days, students may not be going to bed early This is a reminder for any parents who have enough. According to the Canadian Paediatric medication for their children currently stored at Association, school-aged children need between 10 the school. Please drop by the school before the – 12 hours of sleep each night. Most children also end of June to pick up your child’s medication. need some quiet, calm time before going to bed in We cannot leave it in the school over the summer. order to settle down. Having a consistent routine Any medications left in the office will be safely each night, such as a healthy snack, bath, story disposed of. Medication can be brought back to time with parent, followed by a tuck-in is also very the school and the appropriate forms filled out in helpful. Students describe feeling ‘cranky, sad, September. angry, grouchy’ and more when they don’t get enough sleep. We see that children have more difficulty dealing with small frustrations and LAST AND FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL conflicts when they are tired. Please ensure your The last day of school is Thursday, June 29th. The child has enough sleep in order to function first day back to school is Tuesday, September successfully at school. Thanks! 5th, 2017. Students will be dismissed on both of these days at regular dismissal times. Here’s a link to info and tips on sleep from the Canadian Paediatric Association. Scroll down for school-age info. IMPORTANT DATES/INFORMATI http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy sleep for your baby and child ON The school office will be closed from Monday, July 3rd until Monday, August 28th, 2017. On the first day of school, Primary, Junior and SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR SEPTEMB Intermediate students will meet on the hard top at the back of the school. Class lists will be posted in ER those locations just prior to the entry bell. The school will provide classrooms with the Students are asked to line up and meet their supplies required for students to share in the teacher there. If it rains, all students will meet in completion of their daily work. A few parents have the gym. requested a list of materials that will be used in the classroom so that their child can have their own set of supplies. Please find below a list of GRADE THREE AND SIX AWARD A materials your child will be using in their grade SSEMBLY level classrooms if you wish to purchase them for The Grade three and six Award Assembly will take September. These items are completely optional. place on Thursday, June 29th at 9:00 am in the gym. Family members of the Grade three and six Primary Classes: students are invited to attend. If your child is • Pencils receiving an award, you will receive a phone call in • Crayons advance. • Erasers • Markers • Scissors STUDENT COUNCIL SPIRIT DAYS • Glue sticks With June around the corner the Student Council • Pencil case (with student’s name inside) has decided to do a few spirit days to end the year with a bang!! Junior/Intermediate Classes: Tuesday June 13th -Canada Day- Get your Canada • Pencils/Erasers colours out! Red and White and Canada gear- Best • Pencil crayons Dressed Class wins Freezies • Glue Sticks Monday June 19th -Colour Day - Most kids in the • Duotangs/one binder class in colours - wins ice cream party • Reusable water bottle Kindergarten - Orange • Lock for a locker Grade 1 - Pink • Ear buds Grade 2 Yellow • Markers Grade 3 Red • Scissors Grade 4 Green • Pens (red & blue) Grade 5 White • Calculator Grade 6 Purple • Pencil case (with student’s name inside) Grade 7 Blue Grade 8 Black All students must have a pair of indoor shoes. Monday June 26th- Mitchell Woods Day- Wear your Mitchell Woods colours with pride! Wear your MOVING gear and get your Wolverine spirit out! The individuals with the most spirit will win a prize Thank you to those parents who have already informed us that their children will not be Thanks for all your support with Student Council returning to school in the fall. If you will be initiatives this year. moving out of our Board area over the summer or if your children will be attending a different school in this Board in September, please let the office CASL know as soon as possible. If you know of anyone If you have been receiving this newsletter, or moving to our school for the 2017-18 school year, other information by email, and have not given please encourage them to contact the school now. express consent through the CASL link, we will not This information will help with determining our new be able to continue sending emails to you until you classes for September. have subscribed. Please go to the link below, or to the home page of our school website (at the bottom of the page) to subscribe. Thanks so much. JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/casl We continue to register children for September 2017 kindergarten classes. If you have a child who will turn 4 on or before December 31, 2017, please call the school at 519-829-3123. PLAYDAY Encourage your child to play actively more often On Thursday, June 22nd (weather permitting), our than they play video games and watch T.V. Children students will be participating in a variety of fun enjoy playing with water or sand, playing games like filled outdoor activities. Children are reminded to hide and seek, or with bean bags, balls, skipping wear proper footwear in order to participate ropes or bikes. safely. Please apply sunscreen at home and provide your child with a hat for protection from Many children enjoy putting things together and the sun. taking things apart. Children also like to play games in which they can pretend such as dress-up, puppets and role playing. What did you like to do when you were a child? THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MA Play is good for adults too. Adults who take time to KE OUR HEART & STROKE JU “play” and relax are less stressed and happier. MP ROPE FOR HEART EVENT Have some fun this summer! A JUMPCREDIBLE SUCCESS! For ideas about toys and play at different ages go to: On May 20th, students took part in our Jump Rope http://www.parents.com/baby/development/growt for Heart event in support of the Heart and h/how-they-play/ Stroke Foundation. Students jumped rope while having fun and staying healthy. As a school, we For information on pretend play go to: "put our hearts into it" and raised over $3300 http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/The- supporting research and education to improve the Land-of-Make-Believe.aspx health and lives of all Canadians.

For ideas for outdoor play go to: Together, we can help protect hearts and keep http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/travel/p all kids healthy. lay-outside-47060105#slide-29

Do You Have Questions about Hearing? Ask an Audiologist! PLAYING AND HAVING FUN IN Often taken for granted, the ability to hear plays THE SUMMER SUN a crucial role in the way we interact with each The summer holidays are almost here and children other and our surroundings. Yet, for more than one will have more time to play inside and outside your million Ontarians, hearing loss can have serious home. consequences, negatively affecting daily living. Untreated or mismanaged hearing loss has a Play helps children of all ages build social skills, be profound impact at any age. For example, hearing more creative, and solve problems. Children who loss can result in difficulty with speech, language play often are happier and healthier. and social development in toddlers, poor academic performance in children, and sometimes Children need free time every day to play. It is behavioural issues as well. Hearing loss can lead to important for children to choose how they would isolation, reduced independence, reduced cognitive like to play and what they would like to play with. function, and depression in adults. Knowing where Younger children may choose to build with blocks, to turn for help is an important first step – your play chasing or tag games, paint, draw, make a audiologist can help. puzzle or play with dolls, cars or trucks. Older children might like building a fort, riding a bike, To locate an audiologist in Ontario, call the Ontario playing ball, building with a construction set, or Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and playing a board game. Audiologists (OSLA) Tel: 416-920-3676 or visit their website at Every one of us is important when it comes to www.osla.on.ca caring for the Earth and protecting it for the future. An advocate is someone who publically If you have questions about Hearing or speaks or writes or does actions to support an Communication, Language and Speech Services in important cause. What kind of “Earth Advocate” the Upper Grand District School Board, please are you? Choose from the following list: contact Trudy Counter, Coordinator of Communication, Language and Speech Services A) Activist: I want to help others to change their 519-941-6191 (Toll free: 1-888-535-5528) habits to help the Earth. I want to host an event Extension 248 or make a website that encourages others to Live Green. I want to write letters to our government to ask them to make positive changes. B) Motivator: I will help others change their MATH AND READING THIS SUMM habits by being a role model that others can follow. People will see me living green and making a ER difference and be motivated to do the same. This summer don’t forget about math and reading! C) Educator: I will research environmental issues On a rainy, cool summer day (I know after the and tell other people what I learn. I will be curious winter we’ve had, hopefully they will be few and far and ask questions and gather knowledge and find between) check out these websites. solutions to environmental problems that I will share with others. Parents of Elementary Students: Find tips on helping your child with reading, writing So decide what kind of “Earth Advocate” you are. and math, as well as tips on homework, talking to You can be more than one type! teachers and more. Tips are available in multiple languages at Ontario.ca/abc123 Slogan of the month: Live Green 365 days a year!

JUNE’S ENVIRONMENTAL THEME: CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALT STEWARDSHIP H JUNE 2017 – SUCCESSFULLY SHIFTING FROM SCHOOL TO S Caring about the environment is all about “doing”. UMMER So get out there and start doing all the things you've learned about this year. It's time for all of It is an exciting time of the year. The weather is us to start Living Green 365 days a year and make a commitment to environmental stewardship, so we getting warmer, days are getting longer and can keep our Earth healthy! summer is just around the corner. School is wrapping up and it is time to think about how to Caring about our planet means being educated about our planet. Learn as much as you can. Earth have a good transition from school routines to needs smart people to take care of it! Be curious, summer vacation. You and your family may be ask questions, gather knowledge and find solutions. looking forward to summer as a break from the You need to understand what the problems are in routine and as an opportunity to have some summer order to fix them. fun. The challenge lies in shifting gears to a different routine and a schedule that may change as often as every day or every week, they will be during day camp or day care in depending on your summer plans. advance. Have your child talk to counselors, caregivers, as well as other kids who have enjoyed those same situations and settings. The shift from school year to summer break represents a transition phase for all children Encourage summertime learning. Summer outings and youth, easy for some, but more challenging may present opportunities for your child to for others, particularly those children and youth learn about history, geography, and nature. Look who experience anxiety or have difficulty with for “teachable moments” and encourage them to transitions. The regular routine of school may listen, read, take photographs, collect be a much needed structure in their lives that is postcards, and keep a journal of their sometimes missing in the summer. School can adventures. This type of learning can boost the self-esteem of a child who struggles in school. provide a consistent schedule and social contacts, which can be helpful and supportive for children Get outside and enjoy the summer. Try to limit the with certain mental health concerns. Summer can amount of time online, watching TV, or playing be unpredictable and isolating. The potential video games. Be active and get plenty of sleep and unstructured nature of the summer, at times, can exercise. Being outside, such as going for a walk or increase underlying anxiety. The loneliness and playing in the park, elevates our mood and makes us isolation can contribute to feelings of depression. feel less anxious. So a good transition to summer is important and can lead to a more positive, fun summer Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, fun summer. experience. However, if you find mental health challenges to be Here are some practical tips to make a smooth increasing or causing more difficulties over the transition from school to summer! summer, seek out mental health or addiction supports for your child/youth, you and your family. Post the summer schedule. Have your child or youth contribute to a family calendar. Together, Summer resources for Mental Health and you can determine what to put on the calendar. Addiction supports: Hang the calendar in a central location. Be sure to note blocks of unscheduled time as well; that Your family physician and family health teams in way, you can anticipate free time to use as you Guelph, Wellington, Dufferin are excellent wish – even if it’s just to enjoy a break in the resources. action.

Summer School: Mental Health and Addiction Be prepared to be spontaneous. Keep a running list of places and people to visit when time Nurses will be available for drop in supports at permits and the mood strikes. Summer – free UGDSB Summer School locations at JF Ross CVI from homework and tutors – is a good time to and Westside SS. stop by the library, bike trail, or concert-in- the-park that you can’t seem to get to during the school year.

Revamp – but don’t eliminate – your child’s daily routine. A daily routine gives most kids a sense of structure and security.

Prepare your child for their scheduled activities. If possible, visit the locations where Canadian Mental Health Association WWD: discovered now and in real time. Educators, Tuesday Walk In - 1:30-7:00, 485 Silvercreek students, schools and parents are acting as co- Parkway, Guelph. learners as they inquire together about how to To access Addictions, Mental Health and Crisis effectively and responsibly navigate learning in Services: 1 844 HERE 247 (1 844 437 3247) for modern environments. As we are discovering, Children and Youth in Guelph/Wellington and for inquiry leads to more questions and requires a mindset that sees failures as iterations. Adults in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin. http://here247.ca/ In the co-learning contexts, adult stakeholders are responsible for modelling a growth mindset and Family Counselling and Support Services: Walk-in, being lifelong learners. Students and children may Wednesday, 1-7, sliding scale, based on ability to know more about how the technology works and pay, but will not turn anyone away. 109 Surrey St what is out there, but adults asking guiding E, 519 824-2431. questions to help students become critical consumers and responsible creators in the digital KidsHelpPhone 1 800 668 6868. world are the key in navigating today’s learning in a safe and effective way. http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/

Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Keywords to search to enhance your own learning: “21st Century Competencies” “digital citizenship” Board - Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford “growth mindset”, “SAMR”, “TPACK” Sources referenced: About 21st Century Learning in Ontario - TECHNOLOGY http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/21stCenturyLearn ing/index.html The world we live in is a rapidly changing, information and technology-intensive, globalized world. While this may seem overwhelming at times Jen Apgar (particularly to those of who entered this world well before this was true), it is also rich with the potential for redefining learning in ways that were TALK ABOUT LEARNING previously unimaginable. With the end of the school year on the horizon, it’s a natural time to reflect with your child about To best equip today's learners with the 21st their learning. As they get feedback on their century knowledge and skills they need today and work, it can be easy to stay focused on the for their futures we must respond by: grade they’ve earned. But help them to  Engaging students as partners in their own remember that there’s so much more than learning just the number or letter that describes  Harnessing the capacity of technology to their achievement. Here are some engage learners and to optimize and suggestions to help guide conversations with amplify student learning and achievement your child to get them thinking more deeply  Emphasizing and teaching important about their learning: higher-order skills such as critical Questions to get started thinking, communication, collaboration, (based on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle) creativity and entrepreneurship  Supporting educators in preparing our  Why do you think you’re learning about students for a rapidly changing, this/to do this? If you want to have a technology-driven, globalized world more broad discussion about school in general, be direct and ask your children Answers to the questions of: How do I do that? why they think we should go to school in and, What does that look like? are being the first place. It’s a great question for  Is the point of learning different in not just your young thinker, but to elementary than it is in high school? everyone around the table. When I’ve  Who’s responsible for the learning? Is it asked this question in classrooms just one person? throughout our board, I’ve heard a range  Do adults still learn? of response, from "To learn facts", "To  Do you think it’s still important to learn get ready for high school" and "To learn even when you’re very elderly? the basics" to "For making friendships", "To learn about the different ways we Knowledge vs. Wisdom learn" and "To better understand the world". My favourite homework for students is to have  How can you make this happen? In other them ask their family the difference between knowledge and wisdom. I promise that this words, how does your child think they do conversation will not only shed light into your their best learning? Help them to child’s thinking but will also allow your family to understand that it’s not about just doing discuss values that are important to all of you. It’s what is being asked of them, it’s also also a great lead into the upcoming summer about thinking and asking questions. holidays and the learning and wisdom that can  What will we see that shows us you’re develop with each day. As Miles Kington has said, learning? Children seem to struggle, at “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad”. least initially, to answer this one or at least to move beyond what they think we Andrea Higgins want to hear, such as “I will sit quietly” or “I will raise my hand”. With time and a bit Foster parents are urgently more prompting, however, I often hear needed! from students that what should be seen in classrooms is "Teachers and students Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and working together", "Each person feeling Wellington County (F&CS) has a shortage of foster homes. There are over 160 children and youth in responsible for themselves and to each the care of F&CS with over 65 living in a foster other" and "Pride in myself". Can your home. With only 73 approved foster homes, most child describe what should be seen at parenting younger children and siblings, F&CS is home that illustrates their learning? now having to place our community’s children outside Guelph and Wellington County into What does it mean to learn ? privately run foster care organizations. Having children move away from their community creates Go back to why—no matter who you talk to when barriers for families to see and plan for their asking why we go to school, you inevitably end up children, disconnects children from their home talking about learning. Do we all have the same communities, networks and supports and decreases understanding about what it means to learn? Don’t the community’s ability to engage with our underestimate your child’s ability to enter into a vulnerable young people. Our foster parents philosophical conversation. In talking to students receive a daily financial per diem and various about this, from kindergarten through to Grade 8, supports are available as a foster parent with I’m always amazed at the depth of their responses F&CS. when asked questions like To learn more about fostering at FCS-GW or to  What is learning? attend an information session please connect with Melanie Williamson at 519-824-2410, ext 2315 or visit us at www.fcsgw.org .

Transition Plans for Students with Special Needs Spring has sprung and it’s a great time to be reviewing your child’s transition plans. Students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) must have a transition plan, whether or not they have been identified as an exceptional student. A transition plan includes goals for ensuring successful transitions, and the actions for meeting those goals. It is required if a student may need support making any transition, which may include entering, during, or leaving school. A plan to support the student must be developed as part of the student’s IEP.

Some transition goals may help with changes throughout the day, such as moving from recess to the classroom, while other goals may assist with larger transitions, such as moving from one school to another or changing grades/teachers within the same school setting.

For many students, the supports provided to the whole class are all they need to have a successful transition, which means they may not need an individualized transition plan on their IEP at this time.

When planning for any transition, the student’s strengths and needs are considered, as well as their physical, emotional, and learning needs.

Please communicate with your child’s teacher if you feel additional transition supports are required on his/her IEP. Support your school and celebrate Canada!

Giant Tiger in Guelph has selected Mitchell Woods Public School as the recipient of their “Celebrate 150 Years Canada” Campaign. They will be selling commemorative tiger beanie babies at their location for $5.00 each. For each tiger sold, the proceeds of $2.00 will be donated back to Mitchell Woods Public School! Over 1,000 tigers are available to purchase!

Please help to support this campaign by spreading the word to your family and friends, including those on facebook! Commemorative tigers can be purchased at:

Giant Tiger Willow West Mall 183 Silvercreek Parkway North Guelph, ON N1H 3T2 www.gianttiger.com