SCDSB Newsletter
May 2024
Days of Awareness 2023-24
May 6-10 – Education Week
May 7 – National Child and Youth Mental Health Day
May 15 – International Day of Families
May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
May 26 – June 1 – National Accessibility Week
School Council is meeting on Monday May 6th - 6pm @ school library. All are welcome. Voting members are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.
This May we have 2 huge events coming your way.
May 6-10 - 8:30am to 8:55am
Bring your whole family out for some fun and get each day started with some movement.
Each day we will walk or run the track at the school. For each lap you complete, you will receive 1 popsicle stick if you walk and 2 popsicle sticks if you run.
At the end of each morning, the popsicle sticks are added up and each student who participates will receive a charm for their lanyard. Each class then adds up their total number of popsicle sticks for the morning and the class with the greatest number at the end of the week will win the coveted Golden Shoe award!
Don’t forget to bring your green lanyard and charms to school each day.
Walk, Bike or Ride to School for an extra charm!
Thursday May 30th 4:30pm to 7pm
Get ready for a fun filled evening of Games, Food, Silent Auction, Vendor Market, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Laser Tag and more!!
Tickets will be able for pre-sale and at the door.
More details to follow shortly.
VENDORS: If you would be interested in having a table in our vendor fair, please complete this form. Tables are free for student vendors!
SILENT AUCTION: We are looking for donations for our Silent Auction. Please contact [email protected] if you would be willing to donate something for our silent auction.
French as a Second Language Family toolkit - SCDSB families can access activities, supports, and resources through the FSL Family Toolkit located on the SCDSB public website. This Toolkit is for families to participate in their child's learning of French, either in the core FSL program or French Immersion program.
Cameron Street Plaza has reached out to ask us to remind families that parking in the plaza parking lot is restricted to customer use. Please do not park there during drop off and pick up times. Families are encouraged to park on side streets and walk to the drop off and pick up gates.
Parent School Cash Online Donation Button
Parents are now able to donate through School Cash Online. If you are interested in making an online donation, you will need log into your School Cash Online account and click on the “Make a Donation” button to launch the donation portal. You will then be able to choose your gift amount, select your school, and an Initiative that you would like to support. Donations received for the general Initiative will be allocated at the principal's discretion based on the school's needs. Lastly, you will have the option to send a message to the school board. Once you add it to your cart you can proceed to the cart and complete your transaction. Tax receipts are issued for donations regardless of denomination, upon completion of transaction. We thank you in advance for your support of our school!
SCDSB Equity Advisory Committee seeks parent/guardian members
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is committed to identifying and removing barriers within our system to ensure that all students and staff are offered supportive, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environments. To support this work, the SCDSB has an Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) comprised of parents/guardians, trustees, students, community partner organizations or associations, and board staff.
The SCDSB is seeking new parent/guardian members for the EAC. Applications are open until May 20, 2024. Applicants must:
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be a parent/guardian of a current SCDSB student
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be from a community that has traditionally experienced barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources
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reside in Simcoe County
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not be an employee of the SCDSB
The role of the EAC is to work in partnership with the SCDSB on the review, development, implementation, and monitoring of initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The EAC supports members of the SCDSB community and encourages equitable outcomes, sense of belonging, student achievement, and well-being, in alignment with the SCDSB Strategic Priorities.
Apply to be a parent/guardian member of the EAC by visiting the following link: www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion.
Interested in learning more about the ways that the SCDSB supports students with special education needs and their families? Join us for a virtual special education information series
During the 2023-24 school year, the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is hosting virtual special education outreach sessions to assist parents/guardians in learning more about programs, supports, and ways that we work together to support students with special education needs.
Registration now open for summer eLearning!
Create flexibility in your timetable and earn a credit! The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer school eLearning courses in July 2024 for current high school students or adult learners who are interested in creating flexibility in their schedule, earning a new credit, or upgrading a previous mark. Students can advance online learning skills, earn missed credits, or fast-track preparation for graduation or post-secondary in just four weeks.
The SCDSB also supports secondary students in participating in a variety of EDUTravel credit programs in July and August. EDUTravel programs are offered in a variety of destinations including Canada, USA, and Europe. For more information including costs, destinations, credits, and dates of commitment, visit: www.edutravelforcredit.com.
Summer learning programs in the SCDSB
The SCDSB continues to support student achievement and well-being throughout the summer months by providing a range of elementary summer learning programs. This summer, the SCDSB is offering programs that will focus on reading (Grades 1-3), math (Grades 4-8), multilingual learners (Grades 1-8), and students with learning disabilities who use assistive technology at school (Grades 4-8). The programs will be delivered through both a virtual synchronous learning format (Google Classroom) and in-person (Terry Fox Elementary School). The programs will run from July 8-26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily.
Interested families are asked to contact their children’s school principal for further details and registration information. Registration is completed through the SCDSB website (www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/summer_learning) beginning on Monday, April 29. The deadline to register is Friday, May 17.
Grade 8 students – register now for summer eLearning!
Earn a reach-ahead credit with summer eLearning in the SCDSB! The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer school eLearning courses in July 2024. Current Grade 8 students are invited to complete a reach-ahead credit, creating flexibility in their high school timetables!
For summer 2024, courses available to students entering Grade 9 are:
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CGC1D - Issues in Canadian Geography
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PAF1O - Healthy Living and Personal Fitness Activities
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CHC2D - Grade 10 Academic - Canadian History since WWI
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CHC2P - Grade 10 Applied - Canadian History since WWI
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CHV2O/GLC2O – Civics/Careers
Kindergarten registration for September 2024 is open!
Kindergarten is the beginning of a wonderful journey of learning, and we want your child to begin their journey in a SCDSB school! Do you have a child who is turning four in 2024? If so, we invite you to register your child for Kindergarten. To register online or for more information visit: www.scdsb.on.ca/kindergarten.
Kindergarten orientation
Kindergarten orientation sessions will be held throughout the SCDSB in the spring of 2024. These sessions provide families with the opportunity to engage with their school community as their children prepare to enter school. Learn more about the sessions and find out when your child's school is holding theirs: www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=8385299.
Before and after school programs 2024-25 school year
Mental Health Week, May 6-12, 2024 - A call to be kind
Annually, Mental Health Week is acknowledged during the first full week of May with an emphasis on children's mental health. Join us for Mental Health Week May 6-12 by promoting positive mental health through being kind and having compassion for oneself and others. We can all use a little more compassion, whether it is at work, at school, or in our day-to-day lives. We know that being compassionate can make an enormous difference for ourselves and in the lives of others.
Visit the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) website to access the Compassion Toolkit (cmha.ca/mental-health-week/toolkits/) where you will find easy-to-use resources for spreading the message about how #CompassionConnects us all throughout our community. The toolkit includes resources on:
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What is compassion
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The mental health impacts of compassion
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The practice of self-compassion
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How to create compassionate classrooms
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How to create compassionate workplace cultures
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A week-long compassion journaling activity
Mental Health Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health, reduce stigma, and increase understanding. We also encourage you to participate by wearing the colour green and/or taking part in an outdoor physical activity to support mental wellness. The colour green is used during this week and signifies new growth and hope.
At the SCDSB we will be shining a spotlight on how mental health is supported in our school communities by sharing on social media using the hashtags #CompassionConnects, #MentalHealthWeek, #ShineGreen, and tagging @scdsb_mhwb, @scdsb_schools, and @SMHO_SMSO.
Mental health promotion strategy of the month - Four Finger Affirmation
Well-being is a Strategic Priority in the Simcoe County District School Board, and our well-being department provides monthly strategies to support student and family well-being.
Help your child think of learning and starting school as enjoyable, exciting, and useful by:
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Listening and talking to your child about what Kindergarten will be like (for example, the new friends they will make and the fun things they will learn)
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Being upbeat and enthusiastic about Kindergarten so that your child is excited to start school
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Connecting with your child’s caregivers and early childhood educators (preschool or child care) so that everyone can work together and communicate consistently
Introduce your child to new surroundings and activities. Child and family programs, such as EarlyON Child and Family Centres allow you to:
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Learn and play with your child
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Connect with other families and caregivers
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Find out about other family services and supports in your community
EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. Children can learn through play and inquiry-based activities. EarlyON Child and Family Centres are found across Simcoe County. Learn more: https://www.earlyonsimcoenorth.ca/hubfs/GRFK.pdf
Information provided by EarlyON Child and Family Centre Simcoe North
Tick talk- let’s keep ticks away!
As the weather warms up and we spend more time outside, it is important to know how to protect yourself and your family against ticks and Lyme disease.
Follow these tips and enjoy your time outdoors: