Joseph Howe Senior Public School

Joseph Howe Senior Public School 20 Winter Gardens Trail, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 3E7 (416) 396-6405

Ms. S. Boland, Principal Ms. J. Solman, Vice Principal

http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/josephhowe NOVEMBER 2014

Nov. 5 Cafeteria Food Service Closed Nov. 6 Cafeteria Food Service Closed Nov. 7 Pizza Lunch Fundraiser – School Council Cafeteria Food Service Closed Nov. 8 Charlottetown School Winter Fair – 10:00 a.m. Nov. 10 Term 1 Progress Report Goes Home Nov. 10 Police Liaison Assembly – Youth And The Law Nov. 11 Remembrance Day Assembly – 10:15 a.m. - gym Nov. 13 Evening Parent Interviews Nov. 13 Police Liaison Assembly – Youth And The Law Nov. 14 P.A. Day - Students Do Not Attend School Nov. 14 Gr. 8 Year-End Trip Electronic Reg. Deadline Through Brightspark website Nov. 14 Family Skate Day - Noon Nov. 14 Morning Parent Interviews Nov. 17 Ski Club Forms Given Out By Mr. Barnes Nov. 19 Book Club Begins – Lunch Time Nov. 19 Public Health Immunization Clinic Nov. 24 School Council Meeting – 7:00 p.m. – Library Dec. 5 P.A. Day- Students Do Not Attend School Dec. 8 Winter Concert/Fundraiser Basket Raffle Draw Dec. 12 Ski Club Forms And Payments Due To Mr. Barnes Dec. 12 Mowat Winter Concert – All students Dec. 12 Pizza Lunch Fundraiser – School Council Cafeteria Food Service Closed Dec. 16 Skyloft Meeting And Fitting – 3:10 p.m. Cafeteria Dec. 22 Christmas Break Begins Jan. 5 First Day Back After Christmas Break Jan. 9 Pizza Lunch Fundraiser – School Council Cafeteria Food Service Closed Jan. 13 Ski Club At Skyloft After School Jan. 14 Gr. 8 to 9 Info Meeting At Mowat – 7:00 p.m. 2

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING TERRY FOX

THE CAFETERIA SERVERY WILL BE We are pleased to announce that this year Joseph Howe’s CLOSED NOVEMBER 5, 6, AND 7. PLEASE Terry Fox run raised a grand total of $656.00. Well done! BRING YOUR LUNCH FROM HOME. NOV. 7 Thanks to all staff and students who participated and to IS OUR PIZZA FUNDRAISER. those who donated in our community to this worthy cause. SCHOOL COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS THE TEMPERATURE IS STARTING TO DROP My thanks to all our pizza lunch parent volunteers. Thank you also to those parents who volunteer to make and sell Students are reminded to dress appropriately for cold popcorn each week on Tuesday after school. We weather conditions. If it isn’t raining, students will be appreciate your efforts and the students really enjoy the required to go outdoors before or after eating their lunch. special treats you provide. The fresh air is invigorating and students come back for afternoon studies refreshed and ready to learn. When the SCHOOL COUNCIL temperature drops to minus 20 students are allowed to remain indoors. Congratulations to our new Executive School Council:

We welcome Ms. Cheryl Teixeira to Joseph Howe. Eliza Kattsir and Mary Hadjiyianni, Co-Chairs Ms. Teixeira is replacing Ms. Levy in her absence. As most Holly Allardyce, Secretary of you know, Ms. Levy had to take an earlier than expected Melissa Davies, Treasurer leave of absence due to her pregnancy. If you have an item you would like to post on the agenda TERM 1 PROGRESS REPORT for our next meeting please contact Mrs. Kattsir at [email protected] We will be sending home progress reports on Nov. 10 which will give parents an indication of how your child is The School Council meets from 7:00 p.m. to approximately progressing thus far. There will be no grades on this 8:15 p.m. in the school library on the second floor. report, only an indication of how your child is progressing. Parents, staff and members of the community make up the council. All are welcome. Our regular meetings dates have Parent interviews will be held the evening of Thursday, now been established: Nov. 13 and the morning of Friday, Nov. 14. More information will go home shortly regarding interviews. Nov. 24, Jan. 19, Feb. 23, April 20, May 25 and a Nov. 14 is a P.A. Students do not attend school. tentative date of June 15 if required.

The minutes will be posted on the School Council website.

SAFE WELCOME PROGRAM REMIND 101 SECURE ACCESS SYSTEM

Sign up and receive short weekly texts from the A secure access system has been installed at Joseph Howe Principal! This is a one-way text that will remind for the safety of our students and staff. Please be advised parents/guardians of events that are happening at the that all doors of the school will remain locked after 9:00 school each week. a.m. This system gives our school staff more control over who enters Joseph Howe. Anyone who wishes to enter Text 437-800-2358 with the message @josephh and you after 9:00 a.m. will have to ring the buzzer on the wall to will be a member of Remind 101! gain access through the front doors. Students in the portables will have an access key (available in the portable from their teacher) when necessary that will open the side parking lot door. Prevention is the best approach. We request your co-operation in not sending any snacks or All visitors who enter Joseph Howe will come to the office lunches containing peanuts or nut products and to upon entry. When the 8:45 a.m. entry bell rings, students refrain from bringing aerosol products to Joseph are to enter the school through the backyard entrance until Howe. Please take particular notice of Halloween candies 9:00 a.m. All doors will be locked at 9:00 a.m. and late in your child’s loot bag. students should then enter through the front doors using the buzzer.

Please note that teachers are on supervision duty at 8:30 a.m. in the morning prior to students entering the building At City Finals our teams placed respectably: at 8:45 a.m. Therefore, students are asked to arrive no Grade 7 boys’ team – 4th earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless they have a practice or Grade 7 girls’ team – 10th activity at the school. Grade 8 boys’ team – 4th Grade 8 girls’ team – 10th Finally, in the event of a lockdown, parents are reminded that the entire school will be closed and no one will be Top individual placements at City Finals were: allowed to enter or exit Joseph Howe until we have been given the “all clear” by the Toronto Police Services. If a Grade 7 boys – Cameron F. - 30th lockdown necessitates keeping students in past the regular Grade 7 girls – Rachel T. – 13th dismissal time, parents will NOT be able to come into the Grade 8 boys – Evan B. - 17th school to pick up their child(ren) until all is deemed clear. Grade 8 girls – Ashley N. - 12th We thank you for your co-operation in this matter. Ms. Solman, and I would like to, once again, congratulate We have reminded students not to open the doors to all the athletes on another outstanding season. ANYONE. Students who notice someone outside who wants into the school should not open the door to anyone. I would also like to thank all the parents who supported The visitor will gain access through the secure system by our students and who drove to and from our meets. It is ringing the buzzer to contact the office. wonderful to be in a school where this type of support is a regular occurrence. A BIG THANK YOU! Just a reminder that we need our sports team shirts I would like to recognize some of our dedicated staff and to returned as soon as possible. Some have gone missing and say thank you for their commitment to extra-curricular we’d like to have them all returned. Please check activities and the time they have voluntarily given to our cupboards and drawers and have any team shirts returned students. to Howe.

I would like to thank Ms. Solman, Mr. Sliz, and Mr. Barnes MOWAT WINTER CONCERT for their support of our Cross Country Team and to all the parents who came out to support our students during the Joseph Howe students have been cordially invited to Sir Cross Country meets we participated in. We were out each Oliver Mowat on the afternoon of Friday, December 12, to morning during the months of September and October, attend a music concert and to see the Arts in Action at both at Joseph Howe and at Adams Park, with Mowat. As you may know, Mowat has a special fine arts approximately 65 athletes, to ensure that our students had music program that our grade 8 students may apply to by a good warm-up training session and they didn’t let us audition for grade 9. December 12 is turning out to be a down. busy day with pizza lunch, the Mowat concert and Ski Club application/payments due all on the same day! What an awesome performance at the Eastern Conference Students need to bring their lunch from home on Finals for our cross country team. 37 Joseph Howe December 12 if they are not participating in the pizza athletes competed against the top runners from fundraiser as the servery will be closed. Scarborough schools at Thomson Park. Mr. Barnes, Ms. Solman and Mr. Sliz are very proud of all team members YOUTH AND THE LAW ASSEMBLY for their effort, determination, commitment and perseverance. All their training has paid off as all four Our Police Liaison officers will be at Joseph Howe on Joseph Howe teams claimed first place and brought home November 10 and November 13. They will be putting on a banners for being CHAMPIONS. Way to go Hornets! presentation on “Youth and the Law” for our grade 8 students. Many of the runners placed in the top 30 and qualified to compete at City Finals at Centennial Park in Etobicoke. GRADE 8 OTTAWA/MONTREAL TRIP

Students who placed in the top ten: Our grade 8 year-end trip dates have been changed to Grade 7 boys: Owen in 3rd, Cameron in 9th Tuesday, June 9 to Friday, June 12, 2015. We hosted an Grade 7 girls: Rachel in 2nd, Sarah in 5th information night to explain the details of the trip and the Grade 8 boys: Nick in first place, Evan in 2nd place Declan payment options in October. More information is available in 5th and Dontae in 7th. on the Brightsparks website. Registration is easy, please visit: Grade 8 girls: Ashley 1st place, Hannah in 7th place and Lakshmi in 10th place. 4 https//mytour.brightsparktravel.ca no later than: Nov. 14, This year winter break takes place from 2014. Create your own account using TOUR WEB CODE Monday, Dec. 22 to Friday, Jan. 2. Students 1453812. A deposit of $100.00 + $45.00 Travel Guard attend school until Friday, Dec. 19. Students Insurance is required upon registration. Insurance is return to school on Monday, Jan. 5. strongly recommended by Brightspark to avoid cancellation penalities and to protect yourself while on tour by adding Travel Guard Insurance to your registration for Ms. S. Boland, Principal $45.00.

On Line Sign Up Process For Parents

1. Visit www.brightsparktravel.ca JOSEPH HOWE WINTER CONCERT CELEBRATING THE ARTS 2. Select “trip login” (top right hand corner of page) Our holiday concert is fast approaching and the 3. Create the Parent Account (right hand side of groups are busy practising. Our musical event will take page). Enter your email address, first and last place on the evening of December 8 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets name of the parent/guardian, a password you will will be available closer to the date for those who wish to remember and the tour web code. You will find attend. Limited seating will be available so be sure to get your tour web code on the top right hand corner of your tickets early. Tickets will be $5.00 with proceeds the parent information letter you received. The going directly to the enhancement of the Music code is 1453812. Please read the terms and Department. During the evening we will also be conditions and click “create an account”. On this showcasing our choir, cooking club, drama group and page be sure you are entering YOUR information, artwork done by our students. not your child’s Mrs. J. Hanson 4. You are now on your tour home page. On the left side of the page click “Register a Participant”. LIBRARY NEWS

5. “Register a New Participate” – click on the blue Did you know that your child can get help from their box “register and pay”. If you see your name school library when outside of school? The Virtual under “my accounts” (because of previous Library provides learning resources for students from K- registrations with us) do NOT click the “view and 12. Parents and caregivers can also explore the Parent edit” button. It will take you to the wrong area. Resources section of the Virtual Library site.

6. Please fill out all necessary fields. Do not enter an The TDSB has a Virtual Library website of digital email address for your child. If they have any resources (e-books, news articles, streamed video, curated allergies, please enter them on this page. sites), to help students, teachers and parents. Digital resources can be accessed anywhere, anytime with an 7. The next page shows you the cost of the tour based internet connection. on quad occupancy and allows you to choose the insurance option. You will be asked again if you Some resources need passwords. These can be found in have read the Terms and Conditions and you must your child’s agenda. click before proceeding. “Click “Next Step”. The Virtual Library is an extension of your school library. It can be used for inquiry, projects, homework, building a 8. Deposit page – here you have the option of paying love of reading or just for fun. by VISA or MasterCard credit card OR by on-line banking. Click on option. The Virtual Library can be found via: REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY TDSB – http://www.tdsb.on.ca – top navigation bar – Find We will have a special guest for our Your School – enter your school name – left navigation bar Remembrance Day Assembly on Nov. 11. – Virtual Library Inspector Art Little, head of 43 Division, who Or also severed in the army under the Airborne Academic Workspace (AW) – https://aw.tdsb.on.ca – login Division will be speaking. Those parents who wish to with student number and network password – top participate in our assembly are invited to arrive at 10:15 navigation bar – my home – left navigation bar Library a.m. in the gym. (also provides access to Home drive, Google Drive, Pickup/Drop off folders) WINTER BREAK 5

HALLOWEEN 7G CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY STAFF BASKET

The SAC worked hard to spook-ifying Portable 2 and The draw will take place following the Winter Concert on everybody did a fantastic job. On Tuesday, October 28, December 8. Winners will be contacted. Please be sure to classes were invited for a tour to have some scary include your phone number on your tickets. Ticket prices Halloween fun. are as follows:

$1.00 each 6 for $5.00 12 for $10.00 25 for $20.00

The more you buy, the more chances you have to win! ME TO WE NEWS

Nice job Joseph Howe! Our “Me To We Club” had a goal of 400 non-perishable food items for our first campaign: GRADE 8 TO 9 TRANSITION MEETING We Scare Hunger. This initiative was to help our local community by bringing in non-perishable food items to our Parents and guardians of grade 8 students were local food bank, and help those in our own community, invited to attend an information evening at Joseph Howe in who need food. We are proud to say that we surpassed October. The focus of the evening was the grade 8 to 9 that goal and ended up with a total of 500 non-perishable transition process for our grade 8 students. It was a good food items to donate to our local food drive. Way to be the turnout. Thank you to those that attended. difference Howe! SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ GRADE 9 Lakshmi A., 8B INFORMATION EVENINGS

JOSEPH HOWE GIFT BASKET RAFFLE Students and parent/guardians will make important decisions early in the new year about choice of secondary The Gift Basket Raffle is a successful school (subject to optional attendance procedures) and fundraiser with lots of school spirit. All of the course selection for next September. students get involved by having each class put together a themed gift basket. Ms. Boland invited a runner Beginning in November, secondary schools will be holding from each home room to come to the office and select a information sessions for grade 8 students and their theme for their class out of a hat. The wrapped baskets parents/guardians. We strongly encourage you to review will be displayed in the foyer on Nov. 13 and 14 during the valuable information about the high school process in parent/teacher conferences as well as twice a week during the Choices For Nine 2015 – 2016 brochure and to attend lunches and during the Winter Concert. Students, staff the information evenings at the secondary schools. You and families can purchase and submit their ballots to try can also access this information at and win the basket of their choice. www.tdsb.on.ca/goingtohighschool.

Each student is asked to contribute a new item ($10.00 Sir Oliver Mowat’s information evening will take place on max.) towards the basket in their classroom. Thursday, January 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

A holiday party will be given to the class with the highest Please note that there was a date change for Sir Wilfrid percentage of participation. Please bring your items for Laurier’s information night. The remaining information the class basket no later than Nov. 10. Here are the basket nights at local secondary schools are as follows: themes for each class: Bendale B.T.I. Nov. 18 6:30 7A SPORTS 8A BAKING Cedarbrae Dec. 2 6:45 David & Mary Thomson Nov. 4 6:30 7B CHOCOLATE 8B ARTS/CRAFTS Delphi Secondary Alternative Dec. 4 7:00 East York Jan. 14 6:30 7C DATE NIGHT 8C GIFT CARDS Malvern Jan. 13 7:00 Maplewood High School By Appt. Only 7D GAMES NIGHT 8D SPA R.H. King Academy Nov. 26 6:00/7:30 Rosedale Heights School of Ats Nov. 20 6:15/7:00 7E CANDY 8E PASTA NIGHT [email protected]. Porter Nov. 19 6:00/7 :00 Sir Oliver Mowat Jan. 14 7:00 7F SCRAPBOOKING 8F WINTER FUN Sir Robert L. Borden Jan. 8 7:00 Sir Wilfrid Laurier Nov. 13 6:30 6 West Hill Nov. 18 6:30 very few girls were cut. There were many extraordinary Wexford – Performing Arts Nov. 12 7:00 players on the team. The team was made up of grade 7 and – Visual & Media Arts Nov. 13 7:00 8 girls. Vanessa, Ashley, Shonali, Stephanie, Rebekah, Winston Churchill Dec. 3 6:30 Rianna, Holly, Brianna, Naomi, Emerald, Stephanie, Woburn Nov. 25 6:30 Savannah, and Elle were on the team. The pre-season went undefeated. Almost all of our games had an incredible Mrs. M. Liska, Guidance Counsellor score in our favour of 9-2, 10-0. It was only once we came to play our rivals from Jack Minor that we thought the other team might have a chance to possibly win. Out of the eastern teams Joseph Howe was the team to beat. The first game was tied 3-3 and left up to a coin toss to decide which team would go into the conference finals in first place. Unfortunately, our team lost every coin toss we were involved in. Going into the conference finals we were in second place but we were confident that we could take down our rivals. The first game was a clean sweep at a 10- HOUSELEAGUE 0 win. The conference finals inspired our team to put up a fight to win. We were behind in the last inning, but this House League will start up the first week in November with dodge ball games. All just gave us the chance to show the kind of stuff our team was made of. A couple of home runs later and we won the students are welcome to participate in Houseleague and have some fun regardless of game 5-4 to take on the city finals. Unfortunately, the first game of the finals gave us our only loss and ended our skill level or experience. The games will be one class in friendly competition with another. season. From the start of tryouts to our last game we all improved These games will take place during the lunch hour. The grade 8 classes will play the first half of the lunch period immensely. Overall, we played a great season that we should all be proud of. Cities was just the cherry on top of (when they would normally be outside) and the grade 7 classes will play during the second half of lunch (when they the cake, it’s nice to have but not needed. Also, our thanks to Ms. Fullard for driving. We were a great team thanks to would normally go outside). Grade 8 students are to leave the gym when their Houseleague session is finished. our coaches, Mr. Sliz, Mr. Barnes, and a volunteer, Ms. Fiddler. Thank you also for all the support from BOYS’ SLO-PITCH SEASON parents who drove and cheered the team on. Wow, what a season for the boys’ slo-pitch Stephanie and Ashley team. The boys’ team had an amazing season with only one loss in their very last SCHOOL COUNCIL PIZZA FUNDRAISER game. It all started in tryouts when they showed off their astonishing talents from hitting to fielding November 7, December 12 and January 9 to their great leadership. In our first game you could tell that we would have an incredible season, we won by a mile! The cafeteria food services will be closed on the above All the other games were easy wins with the boys winning the conference finals by over 8 runs but the boys knew they dates. Students will have to bring their own lunch to school if they did not choose to participate in pizza lunch days. would have to play 100 times harder to win the city-finals. The semi-final game was the hardest game they have ever Students will NOT be allowed to sign out and go the local plazas. played in slo-pitch because our opponents were a good hitting team and they knew how to play slo-pitch. It was YOUR NEW STUDENT COUNCIL the bottom of the last inning, bases loaded, two out with Jake R., 8D, up to bat, SMASH, Jake roped the ball over Elections have now taken place and the results are in! the left fielder’s head scoring two runs to win Joseph Howe Congratulations to those students who have been voted in the semi-finals and the boys were off to the finals against as your new student council for 2014/2015. We know they Glen Ames. The boys lost the coin toss but that didn’t are going to do a great job as leaders in the student body. matter because every time they lost the toss they had won. President: Nick S., 8E In the end, the boys got smoked 9-0. Even though we lost in the finals we had a fun season thanks to Mr. Sliz. Also, Vice President: Sarah M., 8C thank you for all the support from parents who drove and Public Relations: Lauren S., 8C, and Aaman J., 8E cheered us on. Social Convenors: Felix W., 8F and Naomi C., 8C Jacob F., 8C and Nick D., 8A Council Crew: Xamida H., 8F, Shonali A., 8E, Sathira R., THE GIRLS’ SLO-PITCH SEASON 8A, Ryan A., 8E, and Hannah J., 8C Joseph Howe had a strong girls’ slo-pitch team this year. Try-outs proved that because 7

TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH

JOSEPH HOWE SKI CLUB NEWS Each year Toronto Public Health offers free We are happy to announce that Joseph Howe will once vaccines to grade 7 and 8 students through again have a Ski Club!!! Permission forms will be handed immunization clinics in schools. Grade 7 out by Mr. Barnes in the library on November 17. We will students can receive hepatitis B and only be taking 90 students, so the first students to return meningococcal vaccines, and grade 8 girls may get the HPV completed forms and payment will get the spots. If you vaccine. These vaccines are not available for free from have any questions, please contact Mr. Barnes. your doctor.

Payment and forms are due back by Friday, December 12, The Toronto Public Health will be at Howe on Nov. 19 at the latest. Please place your completed form/payment in to inoculate our students. Please be sure to return your the marked bin in the office. signed permission form to your child’s teacher.

We will have a representative from Skyloft come to visit THE FLU our Club and speak about Safety on the Slopes on Tuesday, December 16, starting at 3:15 p.m. Attendance is We would like to commend the parents and mandatory for Ski Club members. The presentation will guardians of Joseph Howe on their prompt notification to last for about 30-40 minutes. After the presentation, there the office regarding the absence of their child. will be a fitting for those who are renting equipment. We request that parents and guardians keep children who The cost of the Ski Club will be: are ill home from school if they have a sore throat, fever, cough, or other symptoms indicating illness. This year’s - $175.00 for bus, lessons and lift ticket for 4 dates flu symptoms seem to be fever, sore throat, and cough. We appreciate your co-operation in this matter. We continue - $225.00 for bus, lessons, rental and lift ticket for 4 dates to announce over the P.A. for children to wash their hands with soap and water, especially before lunch. Ski Club will take place at Skyloft on: Please think of others when you contemplate sending your Tuesday, January 13, sick child to school to just do one presentation or test or to Tuesday, January 20, participate in that one sporting event, and then return Tuesday, January 27 and home. Your child is going to come in contact with many Tuesday, February 3 people in that short amount of time in class or at that sporting event. With a rain/extreme cold weather date of Tuesday, February 10. The make-up date is in case Skyloft cancels Communicate with your child’s teacher/coach to find out -if we cancel we do not get a refund. about tests or homework in their absence

We will leave Joseph Howe at 3:15 p.m. and arrive at Alternative arrangements will be made for your child’s Skyloft about 4:00 p.m. Lessons will start shortly after presentation, or scheduled testing. The team will just have (these lessons are MANDATORY for all skiers/boarders). to play on without your child, but the spread of illness will We will return to the West Rouge Go Station at around be prevented. 9:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. depending on the weather and road conditions. Helmets are also MANDATORY for all BOOK CLUB skiers/boarders. Book Club starts on Monday, Nov. 17, on Day 3 at lunch time in the library with Ms. Downey. Please note that drop off will be at the West Rouge Go Station parking lot at 9:15 p.m. - 9:30 p. m. Please be If you like to read the latest, greatest books you might like prompt when picking up your child since it will be a long to join the book club. day for everyone involved. Book club members should bring their lunch from home on book club days. Thanks to all staff who are involved in such a great club. We meet every Day 3 (unless there is a staff meeting) from Without everyone's co-operation and effort, we would not November to March. All are welcome. have the opportunity to run at Joseph Howe Ski Club. Ms. J. Downey Mr. J. Barnes COMMUNITY NEWS CHARLOTTETOWN SCHOOL’S 8 33 ANNUAL WINTER FAIR Here are some tips on standing up for yourself from The Child Development Institute: Charlottetown School will be holding a winter fair on Saturday, November 8, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Give yourself enough time to think about the problem calmly and clearly. During the fair they will have a silent auction, vendors,  Describe it to yourself. Ask yourself: opportunities to have your picture taken with Santa, a  What is happening? basket room, pony rides, and other exciting events.  What are they doing that is upsetting me? FAMILY SKATE DAY  Tell someone else about it if you need some help.  Plan what you are going to say about how their There will be a neighbourhood family skate day on behaviour has affected you, without being November 14 from noon to 2:00 p.m. at Heron Park judgmental or acting angry. Recreation Centre. Nov. 14 is a P.A. Day for elementary  Create a brief, to the point ‘I’ statement to say and secondary students. what you want: “I feel uncomfortable when you say that. Please stop.” 43 Division police station is collecting used child and adult size skates. These can be dropped off at the front desk of  Plan when you are going to say it. Choose the time the station. and place carefully.  Rehearse it in your mind or with someone who is EAST METRO YOUTH supportive. WALK-IN CLINIC OPENS  Take a deep breath, make sure to get the attention of the person, and then tell them. East Metro Youth Services walk-in clinic is a no fee, no  Be prepared to feel anxious or scared. If they appointment service for youth and their families dealing respond with anger, take a deep breath and stay with mental health issues, including addictions, bullying, calm and firm. depression, identity, and behavioural concerns.  Remember: Don't give up! Standing up for Monday to Thursday, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., (last yourself takes practice. appointment 7:00 p.m.) and Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1200 Markham Road (at Ellesmere) Second Floor. Here are some other websites that students may find 416/438-3697. helpful:

If you need some help dealing with these or any other www.kidshelpphone.ca issues, please come right in to see them. Remember, no  Confidential telephone and online counselling for appointments are necessary. youth in Canada.  Lots of information on issues like bullying, dating  Don’t fit in? Need to talk? and healthy relationships.  Hate yourself? www.aboutkidshealth.ca  Feel the world would be better off without you?  Stressed?  Health information from the Hospital for Sick Children.  Depressed?  Practical health information and cool animations  Waking up anxious? about how your body works.  Feel like you could just throw up? www.youthconnect.ca  Fighting at home?  No one listens?  A bilingual site with resources for teens from the Government of Ontario.  Feel like your head will explode?  Too much partying?  Too much booze and dope?  Obsessed with your weight?  Harming yourself?  Queer and questioning?  Worried about the future? This is the second part of a series on The Bully the Bullied and the Bystander. This month we will look at the For more information please go to www.emys.on.ca “Bullied” 9

THE BULLIED

The person who is being bullied is essentially a “victim”. A victim is usually an innocent person who has done nothing to deserve the abuse. Victims should never keep the problem a secret. The only way to stop bullying is to “bring it out in the open”. Bullying is everyone’s business!

Victims must learn to be ASSERTIVE. They must let others know how they feel or what they need in a positive way. Bullies are not assertive: they are AGGRESSIVE. Being aggressive means taking advantage of another in negative ways.

Violence in TV shows, movies, video games, and music often leads young people to believe that bullying and aggression equal power and respect. Remember that what is seen and heard on television is mostly make- believe.

Disclosure is the best defence against being bullied. Often, those being bullied are afraid to come forward. There may be signs to help others recognize when a person is being victimized.

These could include:  Fear of going to school  Change in sleeping/eating patterns  Unusual aggressive or withdrawal behaviour  Decline in school performance

Creating an atmosphere of trust will help to keep the lines of communication open with children in your care.

Ms. S. MacInnis, Instructional Guidance Leader