A regular publication of Phoebe Gilman Public School

October 2015 Inside this Issue A Message From Administration School Information 2 Calendar of Events 2 Thank you for working with us to establish positive routines with our students this Kiss ‘N Ride 2 school year. We are off to a great start and are all settled into our learning journey Morning Entry Bell 2 for 2015-2016.

We just completed our Safety Week which included many important activities, such Halloween 3 as practising fire drills and emergency preparedness for a Lockdown. Staff reviewed Remind Children to be Safe 3 many safety topics including managing anaphylaxis, responsibilities for fire safety, Twoonies for Terry 3 Boomerang Lunches 3 and general health and safety practices. The students and staff will practice bus safety with bus company representatives later this month.

Bill Crothers Information Congratulations to our school community for a very successful Terry Fox Night for Grade 8 Parents 4 event. Phoebe Gilman displayed terrific school spirit in continuing Terry’s vision Boys and Girls Club 4 for cancer research. Our campaign will raise approximately $1400 for the Terry Fox Walking to School Safely 4 Foundation. We will be reminding students to put on their jackets and sweaters as we head out- side for recess these days. We appreciate your support in reinforcing this message as we know the days are getting cooler. On behalf of all of the staff and students, enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends and have a great October!

Bill Cober Nina Keosongseng

Principal Vice Principal

Phoebe Gilman Public School— Administrative Contacts Phoebe Gilman Public School at Phoebe Gilman PS 145 Harvest Hills, East Gwillimbury, ON L9N 0C1 This Month’s Theme: School Email: [email protected] School Website: http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/phoebegilman.ps RESPONSIBILITY @GilmanGators School Phone: 905-235-5136 School Fax: 905-235-5295 “ We are accountable for all Principal: Bill Cober Vice Principal: Nina Keosongseng our actions. Admin Assistant: Heather Vaz Admin Support: Bev Hoyle We follow through on our Lead Caretaker: Shane Blundell commitments.” Superintendent Drew McNaughton 905-895-5155 School Trustee Loralea Carruthers 905-953-0562 GILMAN GAZETTE Pa ge 2

School Information Calendar of Upcoming Events

Safe Arrival October Oct. 1-2 Safety Week continues Our school operates a Safe Arrival program which re- Oct. 2 Picture Day quires that we check the whereabouts of all students Oct. 7 School Council Meeting, 7:00 pm who are absent each day. We need your help! If your International Walk to School Day child(ren) will be absent from school please call the Oct. 8 Area Cross Country school office at 905-235-5136 to let us know. You may Oct. 9 Blue Jay Spirit Day leave a message when the school is closed. Thank you. Oct. 12 Thanksgiving Monday—no school today

Oct. 15 Regional Cross Country Emergency Information Oct. 21 Bus Safety Oct. 27 Gr. 7/8 Health Clinics Thank you for returning the emergency information for Oct. 28 Picture Retake Day your child. It is essential that we know how to contact parent/guardians in case of an emergency. Please inform the office if these numbers change throughout the school year. We must also have current and accurate informa- Kiss ’N Ride tion regarding any restrictions and/or parent access to children, communicable illnesses, severe allergies and We are having great success with our Kiss ‘n Ride. other medical conditions that might affect your child. Thanks to our drivers for always following the routine and driving safely. We Are Here to Help Always be sure to drive slowly in our Kiss ‘n Ride and Please do not hesitate to contact the school office or have students get out of your vehicle on the passen- your child’s homeroom teacher with any questions you ger side of your vehicle in the may have about our school. Kiss ‘n Ride curb lane. We

appreciate your support in Visitor/Volunteer Policy keeping our students safe. To ensure the safety of all of our students we ask that everyone coming into the school for any reason sign in at the office and wear a visitor or vol-

unteer tag when in the school. Parents are asked to:  Drop children off at their entrance doors. Our morning entry bell rings at 8:25 a.m.  Have a designated outdoor spot to meet children at the Students are expected to be here at school for end of the day. our entry bell.  Drop lunches and snacks at the lunch table, and forgot- School starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. ten items at the office. Students will be called down to get them.  Make appointments to meet with staff by leaving a The less class time students miss, note in the agenda or by a phone call. the more likely they will succeed academically. Thank you for your continued support. GILMAN GAZETTE Pa ge 3

Halloween Each year, our students celebrate the long-standing tradition of Hallowe’en. At this time, it is important to remember that the York Region District School Board’s Safe Schools Policy #668.0 in accordance with the Safe Schools Act, includes the following mandatory expulsion criteria: A student shall be expelled from school if the student commits one or more of the following infractions while at school or engaged in a school-related activity (as set out in the Ontario Code of Conduct): A) possessing a weapon or replica weapon, including a firearm. Students celebrating this occasion in costume at our school must comply with the above stated policy. Costume accessories including, but not limited to, toy guns, knives, axes, swords, etc. are not in compliance with York Region District School Board’s Safe Schools Policy #668.0.

It’s Time to Remind Children About Being Safe in our Community

With the start of another school year, it’s a good time for parents to remind children about personal safety. Here's what children need to know: • Their name, age, telephone number, address, city, and province. This can be done through rhyme or song. • How to contact their parents at any time, by memorizing cell or work numbers. • How and under what circumstances to call 911. • To never approach or enter a stranger's vehicle. A responsible adult would never ask a child for directions or any other question for that matter. • Make sure they know they have a right to say "no" to an adult, especially when the adult is asking them to do something they have been taught is wrong or feels uncomfortable. Reminding children of this right is important because children are taught from a young age to respect adults. • To always tell parents where they will be and to never enter someone's home without their parent's permission. • If home alone, never admit it when answering the phone. Never answer a knock at the door or speak through it. Teach your child to call you if there is a knock at the door and if they fear for their safety, teach them to call 911. • If they think they are being followed or are in danger they should run home or to a public place. • It is important to play in safe areas, never take shortcuts and stick with a buddy whenever possible. Twoonies for Terry Boomerang Lunches

Congratulations to our school community for a very fun and In order to help reduce waste in our schools and successful Terry Fox event on Wednesday, September 30th. encourage the use of reusable containers, we promote the philosophy of a Boomerang Lunch…. Phoebe Gilman displayed terrific school spirit in continuing Terry’s what you bring to school, you take vision for cancer research. home with you. This includes Our campaign raised approximately $ 1400.00 anything that cannot be recycled at for Terry Fox Foundation. Thank you school (i.e. Plastic Ziploc bags.) “I just wish people would realize that anything is We thank you for helping us to possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you promote this program. try.” Terry Fox GILMAN GAZETTE Pa ge 4

Information Night for Grade 8 Parents and Students at Bill Crothers Secondary School

Bill Crothers Secondary School (BCSS) is a system-wide school with a focus on healthy active living and sport. The school is open for Grade 9 to 12 students. Students and parents from across the region are invited to attend an information evening. Information will be shared regarding the vision, mission, schedule, programs, the transfer policy, and application process.

All information sessions will occur at Bill Crothers Secondary School, 44 Main Street, Unionville, Ontario, L3R 2E4 from 7 – 8:30 in the cafeteria. Wednesday, October 7, 2015 – Students in the West & North Region

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 – Students in the East Region

Thursday, October 15th, 2015 – Students in the Central Region

Due to building capacity regulations, we request that only students and parents interested in attending BCSS for the school year 2016 - 2017, attend one of these evenings. Parking is limited so we ask that parents carpool or park at the GO Station. Markham By-law officers regularly enforce the parking regulations on school property, so please abide by the posted parking regulations.

Attention Grade 6, 7 and 8 Walking to School Safely Students This is a good time for parents to remind their children about pe- destrian safety. York Regional Police has provided the following

safety tips on their website to help keep students safe on their An exciting After School program led way to and from school: by the Boys and Girls Club of York  Walk on available sidewalks Region has started at Phoebe Gilman.  Always cross at intersections Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays  Obey crossing guards  Stop before stepping into roadway 3:00—5:30 p.m.  Be visible and indicate crossing intentions  Look and listen for traffic in all directions  Make eye contact with drivers  Cross safely when the roadway is clear  Walk. Do not run or cycle across roads  If possible use the buddy system Program includes Sports, Leadership & Skill Development, Homework Help, Did you know that Phoebe Gilman Public School was named after Cooking, Special Guests, Art, and Daily the Canadian-American children’s book author and illustrator Healthy Snacks. Phoebe Gilman? Her books were notable for their strong lead female characters. Her book Something from Nothing, adapted from an Registration forms are available in the office. old Yiddish tale, won the 1993 Ruth Schwartz Award for best chil- For more information contact: dren's book, and was later adapted for television. Born in The Bronx, where she lived her first years, settling in in 1972. adrian.bain@socialenterprise