PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Brrr...it has been really cold out lately! When the combined temperature and windchill gets below -20 Celcius, we keep the students inside to keep them safe and warm. We also have a lot of brand new donated mitts, hats, and scarves that we give out to any students that need them.

Report Cards are coming home on February 20th. I encourage all parents to pay close attention to the Learning Skills on the first page of the Report Card. Initiative, Independence, Self-regulation, Organization, Responsibility, and Collaboration are all important habits that we want our students to develop to help them be successful students and responsible citizens.

IMPORTANT DATES

Feb 1 - PD Day

Feb 6- Winter Walk Day (see below)

Feb 7 - National Sweater Day (Wear a warm top to school)

Feb 11 - Parent Council Meeting at 6pm

Feb 14 - Valentine’s Day

Feb 15 - Crazy Hair Day

Feb 18 - Family Day - NO SCHOOL

Feb 20 -  Report Cards go home

MILK & PIZZA TERM 3

Term 3 Milk orders are due by February 11. Term 3 Pizza orders are due by February 18.

Milk runs from Feb 20 - April 30 and Pizza runs from Feb 22 - April 26.

IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH

In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires that all students attending school be fully immunized or have a valid exemption on file. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) has recently mailed immunization notices to elementary students with incomplete vaccine records. To avoid suspension, please update your child’s immunization record by March 15, 2019.

If the student has already received the immunization(s), report them using one of these methods:

•Online: View and report immunizations at www.immunizewdg.ca Sign-in using your Ontario Health Card Number or the Ontario Immunization ID (provided on your Immunization Notice if received by mail from WDGPH).

•Email: Send a copy of the record to vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca

•Call: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4396

If the student needs the immunization(s) do one of the following:

•Make an appointment with student’s health care provider, bring the notice from WDGPH with you, and follow up by reporting the immunization(s) to WDGPH.

•Call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4134 to make an immunization appointment at WDGPH.

If the student is not being immunized for medical or conscience/religious reasons:

•Access the appropriate exemption form at www.wdgpublichealth.ca/your-kids/vaccination

•For the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Exemptions a parent/guardian must also complete an immunization education session at WDGPH. For an appointment call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4134.

FEBRUARY 6TH IS WINTER WALK DAY!

Lots of UGDSB schools participated in Walk to School Day in October. Did you know that there is also a walk to school day in February? Let’s keep the momentum going!  February 6th is Winter Walk Day across Canada. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents and kids to get outside together and stretch those legs! Walk to school or at school for daily physical activity, a healthier environment, safer streets, making friends and…having fun! Walking helps kids get those 60 minutes of daily physical activity they need. It’s also a great cure for those winter blues and helps students concentrate better in class.

• As a parent you can help your child learn about walking or riding to school safely:
• Be a good role model. Demonstrate road safety rules with your child (e.g. looking both ways when crossing the street).
• Plan a walking or riding route. Assess potential hazards with your child. Encourage your child to stick to the route.
• Remind your child about personal safety. Point out the houses of people you know where they can go for help if needed.
• Adopt a buddy system. Walk with a “walking buddy” – a sibling or a friend.
• Ask that electronics like iPods and cellphones be put in their bag while walking to school.  Pedestrian safety is compromised by texting, earphones and cellphone conversation.
• Talk about the rules of the road and pedestrian safety.

Visit www.saferoutestoschool.ca for more information and resources on active school travel.