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More September News...

I hope you've enjoyed soaking up some sunshine on this beautiful warm weekend. I look forward to getting started with some exciting projects in room 214 this week, including diving into new content in Social Studies and Math by looking at some of the Federal Election results. Students also continue to access French vocabulary that has been stored away in far corners of their brains - please encourage your child to make an effort to speak French in class as much as possible. It is an expectation in the Grade 5 French Immersion program that students make efforts to express themselves and to address the teacher and each other in French. 
 

Please Tell Me More About Your Child

Now that I have gotten to know your child I'd appreciate if you could take a few moments to complete the student profile form to provide me with some additional information to assist me in providing the best learning conditions possible. This information will not be shared, it is strictly for my own use as your child's teacher.


Outdoor Learning

Please ensure your child comes equipped with appropriate outdoor clothing each day. Except in extreme weather, we will spend as much time as possible outdoors, engaging in learning activities, play, and eating lunch. This week we will take our first community walk and take our learning outdoors. Students should expect to spend periods of time outdoors daily (sometimes, 2 or more hours!), and should get into the habit of monitoring the weather forecast so that they are prepared with their rain gear and layers of warm clothes when needed. 
 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (formerly called Orange Shirt Day) is an annual event to recognize the legacy of the Residential Schools system for First Nations, Metis and Inuit families and communities. It is a show of support and understanding of the history of the Canadian school system, which still has negative impacts for many First Nations, Metis and Inuit families today. The phrase "Every Child Matters" reminds everyone that children are an integral part of our community and are our future change-makers. By wearing orange, we have an opportunity to bring awareness to the history of Residential Schools and to stand up against injustices that may impact our children.

On Thursday September 30th, we encourage all members of our community to wear orange and to recognize this important day. If you are considering purchasing a new orange shirt for the event, you may consider making an effort to purchase from an Indigenous-owned business, or to ensure that all proceeds from your purchase are benefitting Indigenous charities. For more information about the meaning of wearing an orange shirt, please visit:  https://www.orangeshirtday.org. You may also choose to take a look at the website of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and download the Whose Land app to take a look as a family at the Indigenous nations that have historically occupied the land around the Allenby neighbourhood and discuss. Beginning this week, and working throughout the year, we will be learning about some of the histories of Indigenous peoples in Canada, residential schools, and treaties. We will be reading and discussing (in an age-appropriate way) how we can engage with and respond to the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015).


Allergies

Families are reminded that we have a number of students in our class with very severe anaphylaxis to certain foods. Please be very careful in packing lunches and snacks with your child. Do not send PEANUTS, TREE NUTS (example: pistachio, walnut, pecan, almond), SESAME (including sesame seeds, tahini, halva, sesame oil), and SHELLFISH to school as contact with these foods is life-threatening for students in our class. While we make every effort to offer an allergy-safe environment at school, it requires the cooperation and support of families in checking ingredients and not sending these items to school. Particularly with sesame, this ingredient is often forgotten as it is frequently and ingredient in bread, bagels, sushi, hummus, etc.
 

Technology

As outlined by Mrs. O'Toole in the APA Newsletter sent Friday September 17, the TDSB is launching a 1:1 Student Device Program for students in Grades 5 and 9. The program will offer students a district-owned and managed Chromebook for educational use. This device will be assigned directly to the student and will stay with them over a four-year period, 24/7. Students will be able to take them home each night, on weekends and over holidays and will be required to bring them to school each day to support their in-class learning. This Board-wide initiative supports learning through technology, digital citizenship and our commitment to equity of access to technology. We would like to distribute these devices to students as soon as possible and begin using technology in class. Prior to receiving a device, families will need to complete the form that was linked in Mrs. O'Toole's newsletter no later than Wednesday September 22. Thank you to the families who have already completed this step.


Student Materials

A reminder to please send the following items to school for your child if you are able. They do not need to be brand new. If you are not able to provide these items, please let me know and I will ensure your child has what they need. 
  • Earbuds: small earphones (available at the dollar store), stored in a ziplock bag and labelled with your child's name. Please do not send large over-ear headphones as we have very little storage space for these items. These will remain at school for the year.
  • Sketchbook: hardcover, blank pages, must be no larger than 8.5" x 11" (available at Staples, Dollarama, etc). This will remain at school.
  • Hand Sanitizer: small personal size bottle to be stored in student's lunch bag
  • Independent Reading Book: can travel back and forth to school with the student in their backpack daily, consider investing in a few French novels as well, if desired
  • 1" Three Ring Binder: this will remain at school and be used to file handouts. Please avoid fancy binders with flaps, zippers, velcro, and the like. A simple one inch, 3-ring binder (does not need to be brand new) will suffice. Larger binders are difficult to store and are awkward for the students to use.


I wish you a wonderful week ahead. Please contact me by email at andrea.payne@tdsb.on.ca should you have questions or concerns you wish to discuss.

Kind regards,
Andrea Payne

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