Principal Mrs. Jaggi-Vaid Vice Principal Mrs. Bracco

Here’s the Buzz

From Briarwood Public School

OCTOBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

Office Manager Mrs. Singh Office Assistant Mrs. Salema

1065 Mississauga Valley Blvd., Mississauga L5A 2A1 (905) 270-2597

Superintendent of Education Mr. Darren Van Hooydonk School Trustee Mrs. Sue Lawton

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCTOBER AT BRIARWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL

Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
October is:
National
Principal’s
Month / 2
TERRY
FOX
WALK / 3 / 4
OPEN
HOUSE
6:00 - 7:00
Chocolate
Fundraiser
Begins! / 5
World
Teacher’s
Day / 6
PD DAY
No School for Students / 7
8 / 9
Thanksgiving
Monday
School Closed / 10
Dental Screening / 11
Dental Screening / 12
Dental Screening / 13 / 14
15 / 16
Early Bird
Prize Day for
Chocolate
Fundraising / 17 / 18
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day / 19 / 20
School
Picture
Day / 21
22 / 23
Chocolate Fundraising
Ends / 24 / 25
ECE and TA
Appreciation
Day / 26 / 27
GRAND PRIZE DRAWS for Chocolate Fundraiser / 28
29 / 30 / 31
Hallowe’en,
Spirit Day

Celebrating Faith and Culture

October 2017

DATE / HOLY DAY(S)/HOLIDAY / FAITH AND CULTURE
October 5 / Kathina Ceremony/ Pavarana Day / Buddhism
October 5-11 / Sukkot / Judaism
October 8 / Karva Chauth / Hinduism
October 9 / Thanksgiving Day / Canada
October 12 / Simchat Torah / Judaism
October 18 / Diwali / Hinduism
October 19 / Lord Mahavir Nirvan/Diwali / Jainism
October 19 / Bandi Chhor Divas / Sikhism
October 20 / New Year / Hinduism
October 20 / New Year/ Enlightenment day of Gautamswami / Jainism
October 20 / Installation of the Guru Granth as Guru / Sikhism
October 21 / Birth of the Báb / Bahá'í
October 22 / Birth of Bahá’u’lláh / Bahá'í
October 25 / Gnan Panchami / Jainism

BRIARWOOD TEACHING STAFF 2017-2018

Kindergarten Music

K1 - T. Siciliano / J. Homel (DECE) S. Ryan

K2 - M. Eyers-Chiazza / S. Luke (DECE)

K3 - D. George / S. Fileva (DECE) French

K4 - A. Monic / S. Yazdanpanah (DECE) S. Bucktowar

K5 - D. Ferguson / R. Shirodkar (DECE)

K6 - M. Dietz / T. Karwel (DECE) Physical Education

K7 - C. Mountain / Rosati (DECE) S. Virk

Grades 1 - 5 Library Learning Centre

1A - M. Komar K. Hughes

1B - B. Frangos

1C - M. Orme Planning Time Teacher

2A - K. McQuillan T. Ahmed

2B - S. Kuz S. Weidner

2C - H. Bokun S. Sumaira

3A - V. Chow

3B - R. Dawson Teaching Assistants

3C - L. Campbell J. Pacheco

4A - C. Dodas L. Thompson/C. Pacheco

4B - L. Tutty S. Racanelli

4C - C. Jung Kelly Grant (BTA)

5A - J. Pacifico E. Patrick

5B - S. Taylor B. Adjei-Twum

5C - M. Correia

Special Education, DD Classroom

S. Ali

M. Pickard (TA)

C. Singh (TA)

C. Downer (TA)

Special Education/ESL

A. Jolly

M. Murphy

M. De Filippis

M. Ray

SCHOOL NEWS

Briarwood Open House

Please join us on Wednesday October 4 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. to visit your child’s classroom, meet her/his teacher and tour the school. The French, Music and Library Learning Centre teachers, along with our school’s Settlement Worker and PLASP Coordinator will also be available to answer any questions you might have. Please go to the gym to pick up your box of chocolates in support of Briarwood’s fundraiser.

Chocolate Fundraising Campaign

Help Briarwood fund great initiatives and enhance the learning environment for all students! Sell a case of Lamontagne Chocolates by October 16 and qualify for the early bird prize draws. The fundraiser runs from October 4th to October 23rd. Additional cases can be picked up throughout the campaign at the office.

Lost and Found

The lost and found bin is already filling up with many jackets, sweatshirts and other items. Please remind your child to visit the lost and found, located in the small vestibule beside the gym.

Transportation - Courtesy Bussing

We are currently working on our courtesy seating for our school buses. Once seats have been assigned, parents will be sent a letter indicating that they HAVE or HAVE NOT received bussing for their child(ren). A reminder that students must apply for courtesy bussing each school year. Seats are allocated on a case-by-case basis according to specific criteria. Seat assignments are also allocated based on the number of confirmed seats available on each bus. We are working on seat assignments as quickly as we can and you will be notified as soon as possible.

Pizza Days Are Coming!

Once again, Briarwood will be offering pizza days. We encourage you to register with School Cash Online so that you will be able to order and pay for your child’s pizza lunches. Pizza Days will start soon - details to follow.

Briarwood Public School Council

The role of the School Council is focused on helping students succeed and plays an important part in building school culture. On September 27th, a new school council was elected. We welcome and appreciate their participation and commitment.

Saba Rafiq – Co Chair

Virat Karai – Co Chair

We would like to see more people join us for our School Council meetings. Come to the next meeting on November 22nd, at 7:00 pm in the Library Learning Commons.

Welcome

Yusriyyah Mohiuddin is Briarwood Public School’s Settlement Worker. Her job is to help families with settlement issues in a number of different ways. She can help with community resources, language support, finding a job, finding a family doctor, and access to Service Canada. She can also connect you to the appropriate staff member at Briarwood so you can discuss your concerns and have your questions answered. Ms. Mohiuddin speaks English, Urdu and Hindi, but can arrange for support in other languages as well. She is available on Tuesdays in the school’s conference room. Ms. Mohiuddin can also be reached at 905-609-4122 or by email at

Terry Fox Walk

On Monday October 2, the staff and students participated in our annual Terry Fox Walk. The event began with an invigorating warm up followed by a walk/run in support of those who are or have been impacted by cancer. We thank the school community for their contributions to this worthy cause.

STUDENT SAFETY

A Reminder About Safety in the Kiss and Ride

The front of the school is very busy at the beginning and end of the school day. Parents are asked NOT to park in the Kiss and Ride lane at any time, and only use it to drop off children. Similarly, the thru lane must be kept clear so cars and buses can drive through to the street or the bus lane. We ask that parents who use the Kiss and Ride yield to buses that are arriving and departing so they can remain on schedule.

Student Safety

All students arriving to school late or leaving school early must be signed in or out by their parents/guardians at the office. Parents of students who normally take the bus must notify their child’s teacher if they are being picked up at the end of the school day. Parents cannot offer a ride to another student without permission from that student’s parent. Student safety is our first priority.

Medical Information

In June, medical forms were sent home with students who need to have medication on hand at school. Forms were also sent home to those students who require an epi pen. Forms and the appropriate medication must be returned to school at the start of the year so that medical information can be updated. Students with epi pens must wear them at all times, using a pouch or fanny pack. If your child did not need to have medication at school in the past, but needs to now, please obtain the appropriate forms from the office.

Students With Severe Allergies

Help protect students with severe allergies by keeping lunches and snacks peanut free. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects some children. We ask that you help take care of these students by packing a nut free lunch for your child. If the label on a package says, “May contain nuts or peanuts” please do not send it to school. If your child is eating a peanut product before school, ensure that they wash their hands as a preventative measure. Students are also reminded never to share their lunch or snacks with others.

Safe Arrival

This is a reminder to please register and use the Safe Arrival Automated System. For help you can call

1-855-209-6155 or visit the website at pdsb.schoolconnects.com. You can also download the Safe Arrival app on your Apple or Android device. Please note that ALL absences and/or lates must be reported through this system. If your child’s absence is not reported in advance, the automated system will contact parents to inform them of a student’s absence and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence. The automated system will contact parent/guardians at multiple contact numbers until one of the designated contacts is reached. If our system is unable to reach a designated contact, our office staff will follow up. By using the Safe Arrival System and reporting your child’s absence in advance, you will not receive a call.

HALLOWEEN - OCTOBER 31

Guidelines

Participation in Halloween activities by students and/or staff is completely voluntary. Participation or non-participation should not be used as a basis for exclusion. There is no preferred option, rather there is simply the choice to do whatever one is most comfortable doing.

We share a common goal - that our Halloween activities are fun, promote school spirit and foster inclusion. These activities also help raise awareness of this cultural event amongst those unfamiliar with its origins. The spirit of equity and inclusion engenders respect for the decision of those who choose not to participate in Halloween activities.

Costumes

We request that students do not wear masks, as these obscure vision, muffle speech and prevent identification. All accessories or props (replica guns, knives, chains, torches, etc.,) are to be left at home.

In order to be inclusive and model our character values, please do not dress in costumes that mimic the traditional attire of an ethnic, racial or gender group/identity. Pretending to be a member of a group for “fun” is evidence of cultural appropriation and sends the message that cultural attire is a “costume” to be donned for entertainment purposes. Additionally, do not wear costumes that require you to assume a racialized minority or other marginalized identity. Assuming such an identity for entertainment purposes trivializes and disrespects the oppression of the group. Regardless of whether staff or students choose to participate in Halloween events, members of the school community are expected to honour our values and demonstrate that they care, are cooperative, honest, inclusive, respectful and responsible.

Tips for being a smart trick-or-treater

Halloween is a fun and exciting time, but safety should be the number one concern.Here are some safety tips for children:

1) Wear a properly fitted costume that is bright and non-flammable.Use reflective tape on your costume so you can be seen in the dark.

2) Use face makeup or enlarge the eyes on your mask so you can see well.When wearing a mask, push it up on your head while walking.

3) Teach children to visit the front door of well-lit homes and never go inside.

4) Help your child plan a route and a time to be home.

5) Remind children to always walk on the sidewalk, and obey traffic and pedestrian signals.

6) Have an adult check treats at home before allowing children to eat them.

7) Younger children should go trick-or-treating with an adult.Older children are reminded to trick-or-treat in groups.

8) Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.

SHOWING APPRECIATION

Celebrate World Teachers’ Day

Since 1994, parents and students from around the world have celebrated World Teachers’ Day to commemorate the work of teachers and their contributions to society. On Thursday Oct. 5, take the time to let your child's teacher know he or she is truly appreciated. Thank your child's teacher and let them know they are making a difference.

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Peel schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Oct. 18, 2017. The day will be celebrated with special activities and events that provide teachers, students and parents an opportunity to thank the people who safely transport over 36,000 students to and from school each day. If your child rides the bus to school, take this opportunity to thank the bus driver for his or her contribution and ask your child to do so too. The Peel board appreciates the important job bus drivers do each school day and Oct. 18 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they deserve.

Celebrate Peel Teaching Assistant and Early Childhood Educators’ Appreciation Day