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Community Update - May 20

Posted On Saturday May 20, 2023

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

We have had a wonderful week at school with lots of exciting things happening.  Our Drumming Assembly and workshops on Monday was a big hit and both staff and students had a great time!

Grade 6 students worked diligently on completing their EQAO Junior Assessments and we are so proud of how hard they worked.  Congratulations to our Grade 6 students.

Our Grade 3 students will be writing the EQAO assessments this upcoming week.

Our Track and Field day was also a great success and those athletes who have advanced to the area meet next week have been practicing their events!  Go Bobcats Go!

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday May 22, 2023 as it is the Victoria Day long weekend!

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Early Years:  Great Beginnings Webinar

The Early Years Department would like to take this time to share details about our upcoming Great Beginnings Virtual Family Introduction Session, Promoting Learning Through Play, that will be offered to all pre-registered JK and SK families, and current JK families of children who will be transitioning to SK in the Fall! 

This session will help families learn more about how young children learn in Kindergarten, how play supports a child’s development, and how to use practical strategies at home to support young learners transitioning into Kindergarten. Families are invited to join Kenisha Bynoe and Angelique Thompson from the Coaches Corner Early Years Team, as they explore the benefits of play and how it connects to The Kindergarten Program. Using interactive approaches, Kenisha and Angelique will uncover the possibilities for learning using playful materials. Families are welcome to come to the session with questions they may have for Kenisha and Angelique as they begin to embark on the Kindergarten transition for September 2023!  

Aligning with our Great Beginnings Start at the DDSB Introduction to Kindergarten model, thissession will aim to meet the unique needs of our incoming families, providing them with the tools they need to be successful when entering Kindergarten in September 2023.

Promoting Learning Through Play

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Registration

Click the link to see the attached flyer Great Beginnings Webinar.docx 

Great Beginnings:  Afrocentric Program 2023-2024

The Early Years department is pleased to share that the Great Beginnings Afrocentric Programwill be offered this summer at Viola Desmond Public School in Ajax! The Great Beginnings Afrocentric Program is a play-based, developmentally appropriate program that will enhance children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language, math and literacy skills. This program is designed for children who are not currently attending an early learning program, nursery school, preschool or child care and will be entering Junior Kindergarten (Year One) at a Durham District School Board School in September. The goal of the program is for every child to enter Kindergarten healthy and secure, emotionally and socially competent, eager and confident.

We ask that you please share the attached information package with your incoming Year 1/JK families that may be interested in participating in this incredible program! The package includes additional information about the program and a copy of the application form that families are required to complete and submit to express their interest in attending. For additional program information, please see below:

What: 

Great Beginnings Afrocentric Program

Where: 

Viola Desmond PS

When: 

Monday, July 17th, 2023 to Friday, August 11th, 2023

9:00-12:00, Monday-Friday*

*Note: The program will be closed on Monday, August 7th

Applications are being accepted until Friday, June 2nd, 2023!

Please click on the link for more information Great Beginnings Afrocentric Program 2023 Monday memo.pdf 

DDSB Student Census

The Durham District School Board Student Census: Know Every Student, Grow Every Student launched on Wednesday, May 10.

Families with children in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 have received an invitation email with a unique ID code to complete the online survey with their children at home. Please be advised that the unique ID code provided in the email is valid for one-time submission only and is only applicable for the student assigned to it.

Students in Grades 7 to 12 will be provided with an opportunity to complete the online survey at school with the unique ID code provided through their student email account. School administrators will ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in the Student Census. Students can choose to participate in the survey either at school or at another time or location of their choosing.

Your time and effort completing the survey makes a difference. Should you have any additional questions about the Student Census, please email census@ddsb.ca or visit our website for more information.

Celebrating the Arts at Bellwood 

We have made some changes to our ARTs celebration this year.  Please see below for details;

  • What: Band, Bell Choir, Folkdance Performances during School Assembly
  • When: Tuesday May 23rd, 2023
  • Morning Assembly 9:45 - 10:15am for primary classes to attend
  • Afternoon Assembly 2:30 - 3:00pm for junior/intermediate classes to attend
  • Where: Bellwood Gym - Parents are invited to attend either assembly (the performance will be the same at both)

Freezie Sales to Support our Grade 8 Graduation Celebration

To support our Graduation Celebrations for our Grade 8 students, the Grade 8 classes will be hosting Freezie sales on the following Days;

  • Wednesday May 31, 2023
  • Wednesday June 7, 2023
  • Wednesday June 14, 2023

Freezie’s will cost $1:00

Additional Fundraising for Grade 8 Graduation

All proceeds from Treat Fridays on May 12, May 19 and May 26 will go towards our Grade 8 Graduation.  As well as all proceeds from our Pizza Days on May 11, May 18 and May 25 will go towards our Grade 8 graduation.

Grade 8 Graduation Information

  • Our Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony will be held Thursday June 22, 2023 starting at 6:30 p.m.
  • Our Grade 8 Graduation trip will be held on Wednesday June 28, 2023
  • We will be having a clap out for our Grade 8 grads on the last day on school on June 29, 2023

Fostering Resilience in Children:  Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being Saturday May 27, 2023 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Featuring Keynote Speaker, Perdita Felicien Perdita Felicien is an Olympian, World Champion, 10-time National Champion, TV Host and bestselling author of, My Mother’s Daughter. During her illustrious career as a 100-metres hurdler, she earned numerous honours, including Canada’s Athlete of the Year and Keys to the City of Pickering. In her inspiring talks, Perdita explores what it means to chase a dream and overcome the “hurdles” life can put before you.

Click the link for more information Durham Partners 2023 Symposium Flyer AODA.pdf 

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 cross in between the cars in the Kiss and Ride.  This is a safety hazard and we want to keep everyone safe especially our students, your children.
  • 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.

Save the Date

  • Bellwood Celebration of the ARTs – May 23, 2023
  • Grade 3 EQAO – May 24 - 26, 2023
  • Band and Bell Choir at Canada’s Wonderland – May 24, 2023
  • Area Track Day at the Oshawa Civic – May 25, 2023
  • Freezie Sales - May 31, 2023

Summer Day Camps

Please click on the links for more information 2023 Summer Day Camp Brochure.pdf   2023 Summer Day Camp Flyer.pdf   2023 Summer Day Camp Frequently Asked Questions.pdf 

Dates of Significance: 

Victoria Day May 22, 2023

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. 

 

Your Admin Team,
 

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock