Community Update - May 17
Good morning, Bellwood Community, the home of the Bobcats where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!!
We would like to thank all of our students and teachers for a great Track and Field Day! It was a marvelous day. Please stay tuned for more information as to who will be competing at the Oshawa Civic for our Area meet. Please note in the Teams and Clubs section of this communication there is a link to the Track and Field practices for those students who will be moving on to the Area Meet.
Our grade 3 and 6 students have been busy preparing for the upcoming EQAO assessments. All students and teachers have been working very hard and we know our students will do their best!
Just a reminder that there will be NO school on Monday May 20, 2024 as it is Victoria Day.
Just a reminder that parents are not allowed to be on the yard during recess times. Please check in at the office if you need to speak with your child. It is very unnerving for our students when they see adults they do not know on the school property during these times.
Kindergarten Pick-Up and Drop off
This is a reminder for families dropping off their children to the kindergarten enclosures in the morning, picking up at lunch and picking up afterschool. In order to keep all children safe, we are reminding you to please do not enter the kindergarten enclosure at any time. In rain, sleet, snow and sunshine, please wait for a staff member to open and close the gate to receive children in the morning and to give you your children when picking up at lunch or afterschool. If there is no staff member at the gate, please bring your child to the office. The gates need to be closed at ALL times!
We appreciate your attentiveness to this matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the office or via email. The school phone number is 905 436-0098. My email is sharon.knights@ddsb.ca
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Please see below for our weekly updates;
Save the Date
- May 20 NO School - Victoria Day Weekend
- May 23 Band and Bell Choir to Canada’s Wonderland
- May 21 – 24 Grade 3 EQAO
- May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO
- May 30 SCC Meeting
Durham Black Educator’s Network
The Durham Black Educators’ Network is thrilled to present its 9th Annual Elementary Edition of the "And Still We Rise" conference. This is a unique opportunity for students in Grades 4 to 8 to learn and grow, and it's all for FREE.
Join us on Saturday, May 25th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pickering High School for a day filled with Afrocentric activities, a keynote interactive speech by Vidoll Regisford, RP, on Destigmatising Mental Health in the Black Community, and light refreshments.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay for the morning. We have several interactive sessions tailored specifically for you while your child(ren) engages in fun activities.
Please complete the registration link here or the one in the poster. Click on the link 2024 DBEN And still we rise HYPERLINK.docx.pdf
Pathways of Asian Excellence: Exploring South and East Asian Heritage
May is Asian/South Asian Heritage Month. DENSA and DEANE will be celebrating East and South Asian excellence through workshops that will be facilitated by local professionals, artists and community members.
Join us Friday, May 24, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
at Sinclair Secondary School, 380 Taunton Rd E, Whitby, ON
Snacks • Refreshments • Workshops • STEM • History • Authors • Art • Dance •
Click on link to see flyer with registration link: 2024 Asian Heritage Month event (4).pdf
Bike to School Week: May 27 – 31, 2024
Schools across Ontario will be celebrating Bike to School Week during the last week in May 2024. Bike to School Week and Bike Month are celebrations of cycling and active transportation, promoting and supporting getting to school using your own power!
Communities that embrace active school travel help kids lead healthier lifestyles and improve their school performance, while also reducing traffic and pollution and making school zones safer for vulnerable road users. Also, being able to bike to school with friends is just plain fun!
DDSB Student Art Gallery Opening
Join us for the 3rd annual Student Art Gallery Opening on Thursday, May 30 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Help us celebrate students’ creative interpretation of the theme My Journey, My Joy, My Genius.
#IgniteLearning #IgniteConnection #IgniteWellBeing
Edge Imaging: Message sent on behalf of Edge Imaging
This email is to keep you in the loop about Edge's easy-to-use online self-serve look-up tool, edgeimaging.ca/lookup! Please share this resource with your school community to help all students have access to their school photos, grad pictures, and more.
Effective June 28, 2024, Edge will be implementing updates to our data retention policy. As part of this update, images from five (5) or more years ago, specifically those captured before 2019, will be permanently destroyed from our system.
This change is aimed at ensuring the ongoing privacy and security of our customers' data while still preserving the opportunity for families to purchase their school memories at their convenience.
You can read more information about Edge's Privacy Policy on our website.
Save the Date: Jump Rope for Heart: June 4, 2024
Last week we kicked off Jump Rope for Heart at Bellwood! We are already receiving donations and are working towards our school goal of $2000.
Just a reminder that our Jump Event will be taking place on Tuesday, June 4th! If you haven’t already registered online to fundraise, there is still lots of time! Click the link to register to our school’s event page:
https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/50276
See also parent letter attached: JRFH Parent Letter.pdf
Durham Youth Health Group
The Durham Youth Health Group is for 12–18-year olds looking for a chance to bring the valuable “youth voice” to Durham Region through helping to influence health programs and services. It’s also a great opportunity for them to gain community service hours! Click on the link for more information 2024 Community-youth-recruit-1080x1080-Apr24.jpg
The Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.
The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting a launch event for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.
Tuesday, June 4th
da Vinci Public School
AND
Tuesday, June 18th
Port Perry High School
These events will be family focussed with light snacks and refreshments, a keynote speaker, student entertainment and a variety of breakout sessions to learn more about the Compendium.
We look forward to you joining us.
Please see the attached posters and the link below for registration information.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Click here to register.
Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series
? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management
? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Ignite Learning Foundation in Partnership with Tribute Community Center
Thanks to the success of the Harlem Globetrotters ticket sales, the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation has again partnered with Tribute Communities Centre for two upcoming shows:
Monster Trucks ‘All Out Northern Lights Party’ - May 25th
All tickets sold using the code IGNITE will see $5.00 from each ticket go to helping our students during their time of need.
The IDLF Team
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 20th 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
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;
- Please click on the link for Track and Field practice information 2024 Track & Field - Schedule.pdf
- Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
- Second Round of Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. The second round of cooking club will start on Wednesday April 17, 2024.
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
Dates of Significance
May 17 Int. Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Observed each year on May 17 to raise awareness on the rights violations of the 2SLGBTQ2 communities.
May 18 is Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
Canada's Parliament unanimously voted to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in 2022.
May 19 Pentecost is on Sunday May 19, 2024
The holy Spirit was felt amongst the 12 apostles after Jesus' death. New members of the church are baptized on this day. It is called White Sunday because white clothes are worn for baptism.
May 20 is Victoria Day
Queen Victoria's birthday (May 24, 1837-1901) was declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845. The United Kingdom celebrates her birthday in June.
May 23 is Wesak
Buddhists in Malaysia celebrate Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death on Wesak Day. It is sometimes referred to as Buddha’s Birthday, Buddha Day or Buddha Purnima. Wesak Day is celebrated on the Sunday that is closest to May’s full moon.
This holiday is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar as it commemorates three significant events in Gautama Buddha’s life – namely his birthday, his enlightenment and his passing away.
The observance of Wesak begins at dawn when Buddhists gather in temples. They meditate on the precepts of Buddhism. Those who follow these precepts should honour life, show generosity, embrace celibacy and use speech wisely. They should also refrain from alcohol and only eat at certain times. The precepts also forbid listening to music, adorning one’s body and sleeping too much.
Your Admin Team,
Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock
Back to Search 