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Community Update - September 29

Posted On Friday September 29, 2023

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

We had such an Amazing SCC meeting last night!  We would like to thank our past SCC executive for their service and time last year. 

  • Chairperson - Kalimah Johnson
  • Vice Chair - Jeremy Hunt
  • Secretary - Jenn Davies
  • Treasurer  - Michelle Todgam
  • Voting Members -  Ella Jenson, Lori Small, and Zubia and Hasan Bashir

We would like to welcome our 2023-2024 SCC executive.

  • Chairperson – Hasan Bashir
  • Vice Chair – Zubia Rajput
  • Secretary – Jenn Davis
  • Voting Members – Lori Small and Asad Husain

If you were not able to come to the meeting, please click on the link to see the attached minutes SCC Meeting - Sept 28, 2023.docx 

Our next SCC meeting will be held on ­­­­­­Thursday November 30, 2023.    This meeting will be in-person and virtual for those who cannot attend in person.  A link will be shared at 5:45 on the evening of the SCC meeting and the meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. in the school Library Learning Commons.  Looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting!

I am sorry I was not here to meet you on Curriculum Night.  I heard it was a great success.  Remember you are always welcome to come and see us.  All we ask is that you please call the office to let us know.  I am looking forward to connecting with all of the Bellwood families.

We have a lot of things starting up at the school so please make sure you ask your child about what is happening at school!  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Summer Freezie Blow-Out Sale

On Tuesday October 3, 2023 we will be selling Freezies in the afternoon.  Freezies will cost $1.00.  For our Kindergarten students freezies will be sold for $0.50 for half a freezie.  All proceeds will be going towards our grade 8 graduation.

Nominations for Gifted Testing

If you wish to nominate your child in Grades 4-8 for Gifted testing this school year, please contact our SERT, andrea.ferguson@ddsb.ca to request the Gifted nomination form and CCAT information.  *Please be aware that students may take the test with the DDSB no more than twice. *Nomination forms are open ONLY from Oct 3 to Oct 11th. No late submissions will be accepted.

For families of students in Grade 3, you will receive an email on Monday October 2nd with the information and nomination form.

Inclusive Technology Information Session for Parents - October 4th, @ 6:30pm 

This virtual session will provide DDSB parents an overview of some of the tools available to support their children’s learning on DDSB SEA devices. More information will be shared soon. Mark your calendars.    

 

Thanksgiving Food Drive

We will be having a Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Kendalwood Food Bank.  If you are able, please send in donations of perishable food items for our Food Drive.  We will end the food drive on Thursday October 5, 2023.

Muslim Educators Network of Durham (MEND)

On behalf of the Muslim Educators' Network of Durham (MEND),  we invite you and your students to join us during various events taking place in October for Islamic History Month. 

Please find attached our MEND Islamic History Month 2023 Event Flyer.  

October is Islamic History Month and the Muslim Educators' Network of Durham (MEND) invites you to participate in our Islamic History Month Arts Night Events taking place on Wednesday, October 4 in Ajax and Tuesday, October 17 in Oshawa.  Students will need to register ahead of time to participate as spots are limited. Please click on the links embedded in the pdf attached or register your child by clicking on links below.

Islamic History Month Arts Night Event AJAX - Wed. October 4

https://forms.gle/mfEj37chLJCbdPbv9

Islamic History Month Arts Night Event OSHAWA- Tues. October 17

https://forms.gle/qdCRSUxMA4y6K8FS8

 

iWalk Day/Month

International Walk to School (iWALK) Day/Month is coming soon! Schools across Canada will be celebrating iWALK Day, with iWALK Month continuing throughout the month of October. Bellwood will be having our first “Walk to School Day” on Thursday October 5th.

Walking is the simplest form of exercise and has so many benefits! Participating in campaigns such as iWALK can help support students in making physical activity part of their daily routine, which can help improve their physical health, mental health, academic performance (ie: improving memory, concentration, and attention span), and also help create a healthier environment by decreasing traffic congestion/air pollution in surrounding school communities.

It’s the perfect opportunity for parents and students to get outside together to promote community and connectedness too! 

Durham Region Health Department- Fall Newsletter

This is a message being shared on behalf of the Durham Region Health Department. Is your child up to date with their immunizations? This winter, your child may receive an Immunization Notice from the Durham Region Health Department if they are missing records of vaccines required for school. Here is what you should know:

  • The Durham Region Health Department will be enforcing suspensions for students overdue for required vaccines under the Immunization of School Pupils Act for the 2023- 2024 school year.
  • If the Durham Region Health Department has not received record of your child receiving these required vaccines, they will be at risk of suspension.
  • Your child may have received these vaccines already through their primary healthcare provider, but they have not yet been reported to the Durham Region Health Department. Here is what you should do next:
  • Talk to your health care provider to find out if your child is up to date.
  • Provide an up-to-date immunization record to the health department: o Online at durham.ca/immunize o Over the phone by calling (905) 666-6242 o By providing a copy to your child’s school or By mail
  • If you receive a letter, compare the record on the letter with your health care provider’s record.
  • If your child needs vaccines, see if you can make an appointment with your health care provider. o You can also make a plan with your health care provider to receive any missing vaccines in the future. If you do not have a health care provider, try calling walk-in clinics. Bring the letter with you to your appointment.
  • If you do not have valid Ontario Health Insurance, or are having difficulty getting an appointment, please call us at (905) 666-6242 or visit durham.ca/immunize to book an immunization appointment.
  • You can view or report immunizations online using the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool. ICON allows you to report and view your child's immunizations online any time. Be sure to attach a picture of your child’s immunization record. Learn more about reporting immunizations online using the ICON tool at durham.ca/immunize.

Level Up Skill Trades Fairs for parent/guardians and students

Please see the flyer on FREE Level Up! Skilled Trades Fairs for parents/guardians and students. Level Up Parent Information Evening 2023.pdf 

WHEN:  November 21st, 2023  (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

A panel discussion and Q&A will take place from 6:45-7:30 PM, and then again from 7:45-8:30 PM. You are also welcome to learn and explore the exhibits.

WHERE:  Tribute Communities Centre 99 Athol St. East, Oshawa.

COST:  FREE! 

Alignment with Strategic Priorities 

Engagement – Engage students, parents and community members to improve student outcomes and build public confidence.

·   STEM and Skilled trades promotion initiatives allow for parents, teachers and students to gain a better understanding of STEM and Skilled Trades programming through a variety of engagement opportunities.

 Whitby Ringette - Learn to Skate Program.

Our primary objective is to offer an opportunity for approximately 15-20 female children, aged 5 to 11, to get on the ice, learn skating skills, and engage in the world of Canadian Ice Sports. 

All girls who are residents of Whitby are welcome!

Program Overview:

Frequency: two sessions per week, one hour long

→ Saturday morning at Iroquois & Sunday afternoon at Luther Vipond

Duration: From September to Mid March

Eligibility: Families should be Whitby residents.

For participants who meet some or all of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Grant criteria (female-identifying, Indigenous, financial need, identify as part of a racialized group), the following also applies:

  • All necessary equipment will be provided on loan to be returned at the end of the season.
  • Enrollment fees and additional costs such as tournament fees will be fully covered.

Our goal is to seamlessly integrate these young participants into our existing program, focusing on the three core principles of Fitness, Fun, and Family. We envision this initiative as a means to foster a sense of community and involvement for both the children and their parents. In this regard, we are seeking assistance in identifying families who meet the outlined criteria and who would be enthusiastic about taking part in this program.

Dr. Christine Wozniak

Please connect with Dr. Christine if interested. wozdc@yahoo.com

Save the Date

  • October 3 – Fall Immunizations for all Grade 7 students and 8 students who may need their immunization shots
  • October 5 – Walk to School Day
  • October 6  PA Day—NO school for students
  • October 9  Thanksgiving – School Closed
  • October 17 P.M. – Anti-bullying Magic Show
  • October 19 – Picture Day

Dates of Significance:  October

Islamic Heritage Month

Muslims have been contributing to all aspects of Ontario's prosperity and diverse heritage for generations.

Islamic history and culture encompasses a broad range of individual and collective experiences, as well as important contributions to literature, math, science, art and history.

In 2007 the Government of Canada declared the month of October in each year as Canadian Islamic History Month.

The Province of Ontario recognizes and wishes to affirm the important contributions that Muslims make in Ontario as part of the vibrant social, economic, political, and cultural fabric of our province.

Proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario.

Latin American Heritage Month

In 2018, the Parliament of Canada proclaimed October Latin American Heritage Month in recognition of the Latin American community’s tremendous contribution to Canadian society.

Hailing from all 20 Latin American countries, Canadians of Latin American origin make up a large and growing community in Canada.

2SLGBTQI+ History Month

In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.

When asked to name a significant event in LGBT history many in Canada would name the Stonewall Riots. But Canada has its own LGBTQI2S+ history that should be known.

The website Queer Events has a detailed timeline of LGBTQI2S+ history in Canada from 1969 to the present day.  There are still many voices that need to be incorporated into the telling of this history.

September 29, - October 6, 2023 Sukkot

(Also known as the Festival of Tabernacles) is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. 

October 2, 2023 National Custodial Workers’ Day

National Custodian Day is Oct. 2, 2023! This day recognizes the hard work that it takes to keep our public facilities in great shape as well as the people who diligently work to make sure we have schools and workplaces that are clean and sanitary. Custodians may go unnoticed throughout the school day but they are vital to keeping the schools and environment safe and healthy.

October 5, 2023 World Teachers’ Day 

World Teachers' Day is an international day held annually on 5 October to celebrate the work of teachers. Established in 1994, it commemorates the signing of recommendation by the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock