Good afternoon, Bellwood Community, the home of the Bobcats where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!!

There will be NO School for students on Monday April 8, 2024 due to the Solar Eclipse.

We wish everyone a restful and relaxing long weekend and we will see all our students back at school on Tuesday April 9, 2024.

Bellwood Community Eid Dinner:  Eid at Bellwood 2024!

Bellwood Public School would love to welcome all members of the Bellwood community to an Eid Dinner celebration. Eid is the celebration that marks the end of the fast of Ramadan. Last year’s Iftar dinner was an incredible success! This year, we have decided that we would like to celebrate Eid with the Bellwood families. Please join us on Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 5:30 pm at Bellwood Public School for this year’s Eid at Bellwood 2024! Feel free to dress up in your Eid outfits. There will be arts and crafts, henna decorations, and what would Eid be without delicious food? 

Itinerary:

5:30 pm - Stations will open for arts and crafts, Eid cards, and henna designs (in different classrooms)

6:30 pm -An announcement will be made to wrap up stations as dinner will be served in the gym

7:00 pm - Eid presentations from the students 

7:30 pm- Wrap up and clean up

Please fill out the Google Form to let us know if you will be able to attend, volunteer or donate items for our Eid community event https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf52Gt4SAzP7XUJKGGNG8Bh5LJ-PyuG7Hrg0vM7jvsuiNgDFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0.

OR click on this link which has a QR code to take you to the google form  Eid At Bellwood (1).pdf 

In celebrating Eid we will be having a food and toy drive.  On the evening of the Eid dinner, we are asking for donations of perishable food items and/or new toys.  These donations will be given to the Ignite Durham Foundation for families across the Durham Region.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Parent Engagement:  An evening with Sam Demma@ Donald A. Wilson on Thursday May 9, 2024

Sam Demma is a best-selling author and one of the most in-demand keynote speakers in the Education and Association sectors. He co-founded the volunteer organization PickWaste, delivered two TEDx talks, and—as a result of his exceptional contributions to Canada—was awarded the prestigious Queens Platinum Jubilee Award.

His work is often featured on national news shows like Marilyn Dennis, Breakfast Television, and most notably, his mom’s Facebook profile. Sam delivers hundreds of programs across North America annually, and his entertaining presentations address the topics of Mental Health, Leadership and Kindness.  March 28 Sam Demma flyer.pdf 

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

The Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic is a free, confidential counselling service, providing service for children and youth, 3 – 19 years (up until their 20^th birthday), and their families.  Please see attached flyer for more information March 28 Durham Counselling Walk in Clinic.pdf 

Summer School Course Information

Summer school course information is now available at DCE.ca.

Durham Continuing Education offers a variety of credit and non-credit programs for students from Grades 6 to 12.

Program dates and more are available at: http://bit.ly/3lvZ7TB

#IgniteLearning

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

The 5-part webinar series will include the following engaging sessions:

? Promoting Learning Through Play!

? Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Self-Reg: Supporting the Path to Young Children's Well-being

? Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

? Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please click on the link for registration information  March 22 Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series 2024 - Admin Memo.pdf 

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

On May 30, 2024, the DDSB will open the next Student Art Gallery – a district-wide art collection housed in the Education Centre, displaying artworks created and curated by students in Grades 7 to 12 with staff support.

The theme of this year’s gallery is My Journey, My Joy, My Genius. Artwork should focus on the student’s personal journey, sources of joy, and expressions of genius. Digital representations of completed (or nearly completed) artworks should be submitted through this form. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 26, 2024.

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year

Reminder: Kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year is open! Do you have questions about Kindergarten or other Early Years programs?

Read the Early Years FAQ: https://bit.ly/3uCxqgz

For families who are interested in registering their child(ren) for a Kindergarten program at the DDSB, please visit our Kindergarten Registration web page for access to the online portal, as well as information and resources to help your child prepare for this very exciting time!

As a reminder, online registrations will not be confirmed until the school has met with a parent/guardian to verify all required documentation and information within the application. Your designated DDSB home school will contact you in the coming months via phone or email to arrange a time for you to visit the school, review your child’s Kindergarten application, and finalize the registration. During this scheduled time, you will have the opportunity to discuss required documents (i.e., Immunization records, special education needs, medical requirements, Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) classes, transportation requirements, etc.), and any additional questions you may have.

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

Senior Kindergarten Parents: If you decide to put your child into French Immersion for grade 1 at John Dryden PS please use this link to do a pre-registration so we can predict numbers and classes.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

Students are advised to listen carefully to the morning announcements for when try-outs for teams are happening and for when clubs are running at school.  Mr.  Marshall has permission forms and a calendar on the bulletin boards just outside of the gymnasium.  It is important for students to check for permission forms and to view the calendar to see when things are happening.  Please see attached photos

The following teams and clubs are running;

• Junior Girls Basketball team have been picked please see notices sent home for times of practices and games
• Intramurals:  Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
• Chess Club  
• Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
• Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.

SCC Family Movie Nights:  Save the Dates

• Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family.  We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies.  Please be reminded that parents should be staying with the children for the Movie.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

• When dropping students off in the kiss and ride please drive right up to the front of the kiss and ride so that other cars are able to join the Kiss and Ride to drop off their children
• Please be patient as everyone is trying to drop off their children safely
• We understand that the mornings and afterschool times you are busy rushing to get your children to and from school.  We ask that you choose safety over convenience as you are driving through the Kiss and Ride and please watch your speed
• Please do not park or stop in the Kiss and Ride or in front of the kindergarten enclosure in the morning from 8:50 – 9:20 a.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  If possible, please find a parking space or circle around (like at the airport)
• It has been brought to our attention that some people are parking in our handicapped parking spaces who do not have the handicapped permit visible on their dashboard or where it can be seen.  We are reminding you that these parking spots are for people who have a handicapped permit, and the permit must be visible if you are going to park in the handicapped spots.  Also, we have noticed that cars are sometimes blocking these spots making it difficult for those who need it to park there.  Please note the fine for parking in these spots without a permit is $5000.00. 
• We are also reminding parents who drive their children to school to please drive right up to the front of the Kiss and Ride.  Please do not park your car in the middle of the Kiss and Ride as this slows down the process for everyone.  Also the laneway beside the Kiss and Ride is not for parking this laneway helps the traffic move along and keeps a flow to our Kiss and Ride in the morning and afterschool
• We are also asking that you prioritize safety over convenience as we try to keep everyone safe.  Please use the sidewalk.  We see many parents crossing in front of cars in the Kiss and Ride and this poses a very serious safety risk.  Please use the sidewalk to walk your children to their line up

Save the Date

• April 8                     P.A. Day - NO SCHOOL for students
• April 16                   Eid Dinner
• April 25                   Family Movie Night
• April 26                   FDK Family Friday
• May 20                    NO School -  Victoria Day Weekend
• May 21 – 24            Grade 3 EQAO
• May 28 – 31            Grade 6 EQAO

Dates of Significance

Sikh Heritage Month

April is an important month for the Sikh community. In this month, Sikh Canadians celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. Sikh Canadians widely celebrate Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, across Ontario. By proclaiming the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Sikh Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario.

 Genocide Awareness Month

During the month of April, as we observe commemoration days for four genocides, we also take the opportunity to raise awareness about all genocides, including those being perpetrated today.

Scholars have noted that denial is the last phase of genocide. Indeed, all of the events commemorated in April and others like them have been minimized, denied, or distorted by the perpetrators and their protectors, a process that often begins as the persecution is taking place and which can last for generations after. The act of denial is one that seeks to rehabilitate the perpetrators, to normalize the hateful ideologies that animated the violence, and ultimately to rob the victims of the comfort that acknowledgement can bring. 

April is an opportunity for those committed to history and remembrance to alert others to the moral and physical dangers of denying the past and of ignoring atrocities occurring in our own times.

Ramadan Begins March 11 – April 9 2024

This is the holiest month in the Islamic Year and begins at the sighting of the new moon. It commemorates the period during which Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received divine revelations. Observing Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset during the entire month, read the Qu'ran and worship in the mosque or at home. The dates vary by a day depending on whether the Saudi Arabia or the North American Calendar is being observed. This calendar follows the North American dates which is a day later.

Laylatul Al - qadr  

The Night of Power, is, in Islamic belief, the night when Muslims believe the Quran was first sent down from heaven to the world and also the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad; it is described to be better than a thousand months of worshiping.

World Autism Awareness Day was on Tuesday April 2 2024

The 2024 World Autism Awareness Day observance is organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications and Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), an organization established and run by neurodivergent people for neurodivergent people and allies.

Monday April 8, 2024

A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse (also Great American Total Solar Eclipse and Great American Eclipse) by some of the media.^[1][2][3] A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness.

April 9  Vimy Ridge Day

Vimy Ridge Day is a day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place during the First World War. This day has been observed annually on 9 April since 2003. 

April 12 International Day of Pink

Communities across the world unite in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobic, transphobic & all forms of bullying. The Day of Pink was started in Nova Scotia when 2 straight high school students saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. The 2 students intervened but wanted to do more to prevent homophobic & transphobic bullying. They decided to purchase pink shirts, and a few days later got everyone at school to arrive wearing pink, standing in solidarity. The result was that an entire school took a stand and began working together to prevent homophobic & transphobic bullying.

Your Admin Team,

 Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock