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Community Update - March 7

Posted On Thursday March 07, 2024

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

Thank you to those parents who came in to see all the great work our students have been doing.

Just a reminder that March Break starts on Friday March 8, 2024.  There will be NO school tomorrow.  School will resume on Monday March 18, 2024.  

For our students observing Ramadan when we come back after the break, we will be having a fasting club in the library during the eating portion of our  lunch time ( 11:50 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.) supervised by Mr.  Mohamed and Mrs.  Khan.

We wish you all a safe and enjoyable break with your families and friends and look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday March 18, 2024.

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Opportunities for Multi Language Learners

Please see the attached flyers for March Break Events and for Peer Leaders March 4 March Break Event Flyer_AODA.pdf  March 4 Peer Leader Flyer_AODA.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 Boys and Girls Basketball teams 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 will be starting for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
  • Vex Robotics Intermediate Club is up and running.  They meet Monday’s afterschool and Friday’s before school
  • Intermediate Badminton Tuesday mornings before school

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

  • March 8 – 15          March Break
  • March 11                Start of Ramadan
  • March 18                School resumes
  • March 21                SCC meeting
  • March 29                Good Friday – NO SCHOOL
  • April 1                     Easter Monday – NO SCHOOL

Dates of Significance

Ramadan Begins March 11, 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.

March 19 Spring Equinox

In 2024, the March equinox happens on March 19 at 11:06 P.M. EDT. This falls on a Tuesday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 20 Eostre (Yowstra)

Eostre is the Germanic goddess of dawn who is celebrated during the Spring Equinox. On the old Germanic calendar, the equivalent month to April was called “Ostarmanod” – or Easter-month. As a holiday, Easter predates Christianity and was originally the name for Spring Equinox celebrations. The date of the Christian celebration of Easter changes each year and the reason the date changes is because it is based on a ‘Pagan’ solar calendar. Easter occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon occurring after the Spring Equinox. So for example this year the Spring Equinox is on March 19th, the first full moon after the equinox is on April 7, and the first Sunday after the full moon is April 12, which is the date of Easter this year.

March 21  World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21, beginning in 2007. The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. The General Assembly of the United Nations has decided to observe it each year since 2012.

March 21 International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination

Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Observed annually on March 21, it commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

While much progress has been made, Indigenous peoples, and racialized and religious minority communities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day. This day serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and all levels of government to actively work to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate. Re-committing efforts, to ensure all people are respected and have equal access and opportunity to be safe and to succeed.

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

On February 14 this year, while some people were  celebrating a day of love, while others started the commencement of Lent.  Lent is a season of prayer and fasting. During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, Christians throughout the world take part in rituals to prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.

Your Admin Team,
 

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock