Community Update - May 30
Good afternoon, Bellwood Community, the home of the Bobcats where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!!
This week our grade 6’s completed their EQAO assessments. We are very proud of the effort put in by all students.
Our track and field athletes have been busy preparing and practicing for the upcoming Area Meet at the Oshawa Civic on Monday June 3rd, 2024. We are routing for you Bobcats!!
We have also been busy preparing and planning for our Grade 8 graduation ceremony that will be held on June 19, 2024. Please stay tuned for when we will be having our freezie days to raise money for our grade 8 graduation ceremony! It is going to be Amazing!
We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who came out to our last SCC meeting this evening. A special thank you to our executive, Chair Hasan Bashir, Co-chair Zubia Rajput, Secretary Jenn Davies and Teacher Representative Andrea Ferguson. We are looking for information to continue to build a strong SCC for the 2024-2025 school year. We would appreciate it if you could fill out a short survey. Please click on the link to access this survey https://forms.gle/pJiVb9drw4rzNnYz9
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. 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 weekend!
Please see below for our weekly updates;
Save the Date:
- June 4 Welcome to Kindergarten
- June 4 Jump Rope for Heart
- June 7 NO School P.A. Day
- June 19 Grade 8 Graduation Day
- June 24 Grade 8 Graduation Trip
- June 25 Report Cards go home
- June 27 Last Day for students
Jump Rope for Heart: June 4, 2024
We are one week away from our Jump Rope for Heart day on Tuesday, June 4th! Students are encouraged to wear red for our event. So far we have raised over $1700 for Heart & Stroke! Amazing! If you haven’t had a chance to fundraise online, please consider a $5.00 donation to support heart disease and stroke research!
https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/50276
News from the Library Learning Commons
This week is the last week for library books to be signed out of the library. All books are due back to the school library by Thursday, June 6th, 2024.
2024-2025 School Year Calendars Now Available
The upcoming 2024-2025 school year calendars for DDSB schools have been approved by the Ministry of Education. ??
You can view the school year calendars by visiting: https://bit.ly/3vLt9Y
Free June Events for Durham Region Families Durham Forest Summer Day Camp
June is Recreation and Parks Month, and Durham is celebrating with a passport to explore lots of FREE events across Durham Region throughout the month of June and a chance to win prizes (including a new bike)!
• Exciting activities including Fitness Fridays, Zumba® in the park, Yoga by the lake, public swims and many more FREE events!
• Open to all residents of the Regional Municipality of Durham and is running from June 1-30, 2024.
• Explore your community, make memories, and get active.
• Attend at least 3 free events for your chance to win!
Visit DurhamTourism.ca/RecAndParksMonth for more information and event details. As well you can see the attached flyer 2024 JPRM-Passport-11x8.5-School Board Approved updated.pdf
DDSB Durham Forest Summer Camp
Join DDSB for a summer of fun, learning, & adventure! ??Durham Forest Summer Day Camp is for children ages 7-12. Each week, camp will feature outdoor and experiential learning activities. July 2 - August 23: Mon to Fri, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Register: https://bit.ly/45zOIbS
100 Strong FREE Summer Camp July 2-26, 2024
The Board of Directors of 100 Strong Foundation are pleased to invite applications for the Strong Summer Academy program for 2024.
Strong Summer Academy is a 4-week summer program designed to inspire Black male youth ages 11-14 years old. This program has been designed to provide the attendees with the tools necessary to achieve their maximum potential both in education as well as life skills. The Strong Academy curriculum strives to combine the concepts of academic theory and experiential learning alongside real world experiences, while focusing on the holistic learner. The academy is held Monday to Friday from July 2 – July 26, 2024.
Attached you will find information to share with students and families who identify as Black, African, or Afro-Caribbean about an upcoming summer program. 100 Strong Summer academy is geared towards Black male identifying students in grades 7 and 8. The program runs during the month of July at UTSC (University of Toronto Scarborough campus). There is no cost to families and busing will be provided. Please click on the link for more info.
Applications should be submitted to margaret.lazarus@ddsb.ca.
Participants will be admitted to the program based on the submission of a completed application on a first come first serve basis.
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
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.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Click here to register.
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.
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;
- Ultimate Frisbee - please check in with Mr. Marshall and Mrs. Ferguson for practice times if your child is on this team
- Track and Field Area Meet for those student who are moving on will be Monday June 3, 2024
Kiss and Ride Reminders:
- 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 26 - June 1 is National Accessibility Week
We invite you to join us for National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), taking place from May 26 to June 1, 2024! This special week is dedicated to celebrating the valuable contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities, as well as promoting efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion across the country.
May 29 Ascension of Baha u llah
The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh is observed all around the world on May 29 every year. Bahá’u’lláh was the prophet and founder of the Bahá Faith, a universal religion emphasizing humanity’s spiritual unity. On this day in 1892, the prophet passed away, leaving behind all of his writings and teachings, which Baha’ís commemorate and reflect on.
May 29 Red Shirt Day
Red Shirt Day of Action for Access Ability and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for disabled people and their families, celebrate the achievements of disabled Canadians, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society.
Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. It takes place on the Wednesday of National AccessAbility Week each year.
Your Admin Team,
Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock
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