Community Update - January 27

Posted On Saturday January 28, 2023

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

We would like to wish Ms.  Christian and Ms.  Devlin all the best with their future endeavors.  We will miss them here at Bellwood P.S.  We thank them for their commitment and dedication to our students.

We would like to welcome Ms.  Sahar and Ms. Lodrick who will be joining our Educational Assistants Team on Monday January 30, 2023.

Just a reminder that we will be selling chocolate milk and white milk at lunch times Monday to Friday 11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.  The cost of the milk is $1.50.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Reminder: Cancellation of School Buses Due to Winter Weather

In the event that transportation services are cancelled due to inclement weather, both elementary and secondary schools located within the affected cancellation zone(s) will remain open.

In very rare situations, if a decision is made to close schools: 

  • Elementary schools located in the affected zone(s) would be closed. 
  • Secondary schools located in the affected zone(s) would switch to a virtual learning day for all students.

How will I be notified if transportation services are cancelled and/or schools are closed?

Families will be notified as soon as possible (no later than 7:00 a.m.) through a posting on the DDSB website, social media, and where possible, through local radio stations and media outlets.

What zone am I in?

Students and families can find a list of schools within each weather zone by visiting the Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) website.

  • Zone 1 (Brock Area)
  • Zone 2 (Uxbridge Area)
  • Zone 3 (Scugog Area)
  • Zone 4 (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa Area)

Kiss and Ride

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for making our Kiss and Ride a safe drop off zone for our students.  There are just a few reminders;

  • Drop off and pick up should only be done in the Kiss and Ride unless you have parked and are walking your students to their line ups
  • Please do not park in front of the kindergarten enclosure at the front of the school or in front of the garbage hut, we will be asking you to go back through the Kiss and Ride
  • The parking lot in front of the school is for parents 
  • The parking lot at the east end of the school is for staff only.  Please do not park in the staff parking lot as this causes issues especially for our supply staff.

School Climate Survey

The surveys will be open from Monday, January 9, 2023 – Tuesday, February 28, 2023.  Please click on the link to complete the School Climate Survey for Bellwood P.S.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CWB22-23Par430

Survey Instructions:

  • Responses from this survey will be used to enhance school safety and bullying prevention plans and their support is greatly appreciated.
  • The information being collected is anonymous, it is not linked to individuals unless personal information is voluntarily written in the open comment sections.
  •  It is very important that surveys be completed to the last page as carefully as possible.
  • While taking the survey, respondents are able to go back to previous pages and update existing responses.
  • Respondents must click the ”Done” button at the end to complete the survey.
  • Do not close the browser by clicking on the “X” in the top right – be sure to click ”Done” first.
  • When ”Done” is clicked, the survey will close and the browser will go to the DDSB website

SCC Family Movie Night Fundraiser

We are excited to offer another Movie Night as an SCC Fundraiser.  The NEW date for this is Thursday February 16, 2023 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The cost for the Movie Night will be $2 per person or $5 per family.  We will be selling treats at this event.

French Immersion Information Night 

Each school year our Elementary French Immersion Schools (dual and single track) offer an information event for parents/guardians of students entering grade one in the following school year. This evening session provides DDSB families with important information on our French Immersion program and the benefits for students when developing a second language.

The French Immersion School in our area is John Dryden Public School located at 40 Rolling Acres Drive, Whitby.

If your child is entering grade one for the 2023 – 2024 school year and you would like to find out more about the DDSB French Immersion there will be an information session on Thursday February 2, 2023 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at John Dryden Public School.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year

Beginning Tuesday, January 10th, online registration for Year One (JK) Kindergarten students will open for families looking to register their child(ren) to attend a Kindergarten program at the DDSB for the 2023-2024 school yearEvery year, the DDSB welcomes approximately 4500 new young learners and their families to our school communities. 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.

Save the Date

  • February 8 Grade 8 graduation photos
  • February 15 Term 1 Report Cards go home
  • February 16 SCC Movie Night Fundraiser
  • February 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
  • February 20  Family Day NO School
  • February 22  Pink Shirt Day

Dates of Significance

February is African Heritage Month

In December of 1995, the Parliament of Canada recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the first African Canadian woman elected to Parliament, Jean Augustine. The presence of peoples of African descent in Canada dates back farther than Samuel de Champlain's (a French explorer and navigator in early 1600's) first voyage down the St. Lawrence River.

 

Your Admin Team,
 

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock