The Cedar Drive

Lord Roberts Junior Public School 165 Lord Roberts Dr. Scarborough, Ontario M1K 3W5 (phone) 416-396-6420 November 2014

Principal and Vice Principal’s Remembrance Day Message Every November 11, Susan MacDonald, Principal we remember the Joanne Seal, Vice Principal courage of the brave Canadians who Although we just celebrated Thanksgiving in served our country October, the theme of giving thanks and being and honour those who now protect it, by grateful is just as necessary in the month of celebrating Remembrance Day. It is important for November, if not, more so. You only have to read students to be reminded of the contribution of or watch the news to realize how very fortunate Canadian men and women who died in past wars we are. Personally, I will forever be grateful to in the pursuit of peace, and to recognize those live in this wonderful country, to have had so who are currently preserving peace in other parts many opportunities available for myself and my of our world. It is equally important to remember family, to spend my the innocent civilians around the world who have days working with become causalities of war. amazing children, families and Students in TDSB schools often recite the famous colleagues, and having poem "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian John the greatest job ever. I McCrae and wear poppies on Remembrance Day. have much to be Poppies have become emblems of this day grateful for. because they grew throughout the fields of fallen soldiers during World War One. Today, people Studies show the importance of teaching wear poppies to honour those who have students gratitude. “Concrete benefits come to sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others. kids who literally count their blessings,” (The Wall Street Journal, December 2013). However, At Lord Roberts JPS, we will be holding a ‘teaching’ gratefulness to others isn’t just a Remembrance Day Assembly. At the eleventh matter of teachers talking about it in class. It is hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, something that has to be authentically felt and we will pay our respect to the fallen in a minute modelled for others, continually throughout the of silence. By remembering all who have served, day. The mere act of giving thanks is something we recognize the hardships and sacrifices they we all need to do have made so that we can continue to live in more often. During peace. this month of November, please remember to give thanks and appreciation to others, and be grateful for all things in life, big and small. Parent-Teacher Interviews Collecting Math Manipulatives

Regular parent-teacher communication is an important Parents, we are collecting the following in part of student learning. Parent- our front foyer: Teacher interviews are scheduled throughout the Buttons Jar lids year after report cards are sent home. The Keys Bottle caps students at Lord Roberts JPS will be receiving Key chains Hair clips their Progress Reports on Tuesday, November

11th. Most of our Parent-Teacher interviews will Please feel free to add to our collection! be held on the evening of Thursday, November All materials will be used in primary 13th and during the morning of Friday, November classes as sorting and patterning 14th, although some interviews will be scheduled manipulatives. at other times during the week.

These interviews are your opportunity to ask questions about your child's progress and to Right to Play discuss any concerns. You may also wish to By Anna Morias and Shankari Sivachandran request an interview with a special subject teacher as well (i.e., French, Phys. Ed., Music, etc.) In addition to regular scheduled parent- teacher interviews, you can request a meeting at any time during the school year by contacting the nd school or your child's teacher directly. On October 2 , the organization Right to Play came to Lord Roberts. Right to Play started in the Finding Help year of 2000. It is an organization that helps poor countries. They use activities for education and Research shows that as many as one that helps kids understand what they are in five children and youth learning. “We use the power of play to educate experience emotional stress that can and empower children to be guardians of their make it hard to focus on school work. own health and active participants in their Students struggling with feelings of communities.” Their programs mostly focus on depression, anxiety, anger, or confusion positive changes in the three areas of Quality are not alone. Education, Health Practices, and Peaceful Communities. School social workers understand and are here to Right to Play is truly an help students overcome obstacles to success. amazing organization that Whether personal, family, or school related, helps kids all over the world. concerns can range from bullying to substance abuse, from questions about separation and NOTE: During the assembly, Anna Morias was divorce to difficulty adapting in a new culture. singled out as a Junior Leader. In her own words, We offer a wide range of services that include “I was sitting with the Grade 6 classes watching individual or group counselling, as well as helping the entertaining Right to Play assembly. One of you to connect students with outside supports. the two girls from the organization asked me to stand up. At first I was really nervous because I To connect with your school social worker, speak had no clue what was going on. Then one of the to a teacher or your Principal/Vice Principal. For girls told me that I was a Junior Leader. I was more information about our services, visit really impressed. Anyone can be a leader if you www.socialwork.tdsb.on.ca. try!” Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week Types of Bullying November 16-22 Physical: TDSB Fact Sheet: Bullying–Understanding the Problem for Parents  more boys than girls tend to display these behaviours; During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week kicking, punching, spitting, students, parents and schools are encouraged to destroying property learn more about bullying and how to prevent it.  accounts for less than 1/3 of all bullying What is Bullying? Verbal:  accounts for 2/3 of all bullying Bullying is a behaviour  name-calling, put-downs, “dissing”, where an individual belittling, cruel criticism purposefully and Social: deliberately hurt others.  more common with girls; often “invisible” This can be done through  behaviours such as excluding, ignoring, physical, verbal, or social manipulating, use of body posturing, means. These acts of aggression or manipulation facial expressions and eye contact to are repeated over time and are usually related to humiliate or reject – “giving cut-eye”, power and social hierarchy. There seems to be rolling of the eyes some sort of “entertainment value” to bullying Cyber/ Electronic: incidents, in which the perpetrators get pleasure  using electronic means to from others’ pain. intimidate, harm, exclude or ruin Bullying can be: a reputation  includes the use of emails and  Premeditated or spontaneous instant messaging, text or digital  Behind your back or “in your face” imaging sent on cell phones, web pages  Obvious or hidden by supposed friendship and web logs (blogs), chat rooms and involving one person or a group discussion groups

Key Elements FUTURE DATES TO  Bullying is not REMEMBER! about conflict. In conflicts, two or Remembrance Day November 11, more individuals 2014 disagree on a P.A. Day November 14, specific topic. People who are in conflict do 2014 not intend to harm others, but rather to P.A. Day December 5, uphold their own opinion. 2014 Winter Holidays Dec. 22-Jan. 2,  The individual exhibiting bully behaviour tries 2015 to control and dominate others. There is intent to harm and the use of fear and Principal Susan MacDonald intimidation is common. Vice Principal Joanne Seal  Both boys and girls are equally involved in Superintendent John Chasty bullying incidents. Trustee David Smith  Bullying incidents are usually not a one-time Office Administrator Patricia TarBush Secretary Adrienne Hickey event, but rather a continued harassment over an extended period of time. Head Caretaker Ross Mowat http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/lordroberts

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