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Community Update - January 13

Posted On Monday January 13, 2025

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

We had a great first week back at school after our holiday break.  It is so great to see all the students back at school, eager and ready to learn.

We wanted to let you know that our next School Community Council Meeting will be held on Thursday January 16, 2025, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.  The meeting will be in person however we will send out a google meet link for those who cannot attend in person but who may be able to attend virtually.  We look forward to seeing you at our meeting on Thursday January 16, 2025.  We will also have a high school student who can look after younger children if you need to bring them to the meeting.

WINTER IMPORTANT NOTICE: As we are in the depth of winter weather, we are encouraging p rents to work with us to make sure that children are coming to school prepared for the winter weather.  The expectation is that all students will wear a coat outside for recess.  When it snows students in grade 1-5 will be expected to wear snow pants and boots if they would like to be on the field playing in the snow.  Students in grade 6-8 will be expected to wear boots if they would like to play in the field when it snows.  If students do not have the proper gear when it snows, they will be asked to stay on the pavement. 

Please see the following article from Sick Kids Hospital on "Outdoor Winter Safety: Staying Safe During Winter Activities" from the “About Kids Health – Trusted Answers from the Hospital For Sick Children” website.

We would like to thank you for making safety your number one priority as you use our Kiss N Ride to pick up and drop off your children at school.  We continue to ask you to please use the sidewalks when you park your car to walk your children to their areas.  We still have a few parents and children who are crossing in front of cars in the Kiss N Ride which poses a serious and significant safety issue.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

DBEN Vision Board Workshop at Bellwood P.S. Wednesday January 15, 2025

Please join past Principal of Bellwood P.S. Andrea Walters, to work on your very own Vision Board for 2025.  You will be guided in setting goals, visualizing your aspirations and creating a roadmap to success in 2025. 

 Date:        January 15, 2025

 Location: Bellwood Public School 

 Cost:         $15/per person

                   $25/family                                                                                                             

?? Supplies provided. Bring your ideas, energy, and community spirit!

Let’s build the future we envision—together. RSVP today to secure your spot!

Please see attached flyer for more information Vision Board Workshop Flyer .png 

30 Credits My Way (January 23 Webinar for Grade 8 Students)

Grade 8 students & families:

Join us on January 23 for 30 Credits My Way: Supporting Grade 8 Transitions to High School Success.

Learn about student transition planning from Grade 8 to Grade 9.

Register: https://bit.ly/40bYD6V 

Patka Box

Dear Community,

We are excited to introduce the Patka Box™? at DDSB as part of our commitment to creating safe and inclusive learning environments for all families. Developed by Rosey Kaur, this resource supports students who wear the Patka and promotes understanding of the Sikh faith in our schools. If you believe the Patka Box would be beneficial for your child in the event they need support should their Patka become loose or removed, please let your child’s classroom educators or school administrator know. As a need is identified, our educators will be trained to assist students with their Patkas if necessary, ensuring your child feels comfortable and that their cultural needs are respected.

Members of our staff  will be trained to assist students with their Patkas if necessary, ensuring your child feels comfortable and that their cultural needs are respected.

For more information about Rosey Kaur’s work and the Patka Box™?, please visit earlyconcepts.ca.

If you have any questions or would like further details, and your family is of Sikh faith and has a child who wears a Patka to school or would like to, feel free to contact your child’s school directly. 

 

Kindergarten Registration Begins January 7, 2025

DDSB Kindergarten Registration starts online on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Kindergarten is a child-centred, play-based educational program that provides children with a stronger start in school and in life.

To be eligible for enrollment in Junior Kindergarten (JK) or Senior Kindergarten (SK):

  • Children must be four years old by December 31, 2025 to enroll in year one, JK
  • Children must be five years old by December 31, 2025 to enroll in year two, SK

For more information on the Kindergarten program and to register your child on or after January 7, please visit the Kindergarten Registration webpage.

Parent Engagement Speaker Series

 Join All-Canadian athlete, executive manager,

sales director, and entrepreneur Roland Acheampong’s upcoming presentation OVERCOMING

OBSTACLES: How To Succeed No Matter What Is In Your Way Thursday, January 30, 2025

7:00pm - 8:00pm (Please see flyer for Registration link) Engagement Speaker Series - Roland Acheampong Flyer_02 (002).pdf 

Media Smarts

Are you interested in becoming a more “cyber-safe” and “media-smart” family this year?
What your kids are watching, playing, reading and listening to is a big part of the person they’re turning into, and knowing how to help navigate the online world can be a daunting task.
Luckily, there are resources available to help!

MediaSmarts - Provides resources such as tip sheets, videos, guides and blog posts to help families navigate common questions and concerns in regards to media
Common Sense Media - Reviews and provides ratings for media and technology with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children
Be Internet Awesome – Helps families learn about online safety and how to make it easier to incorporate and practice good digital habits in your everyday life
5 Key Tips for Digital Parenting

Find these resources and more information on the DDSB Online Safety and Digital Citizenship webpage.

Harlem Globe Trotters Game at the Tribute Center

Support the Ignite Foundation by going to see the Harlem Globe Trotters!  Use the code IGNITE and 5 dollars per ticket purchased will go towards the Ignite foundation.  See Flyer for more details DDSB Foundation - Harlem Globetrotters 2025.pdf 

Kiss and Ride – We need your help so we will continue to ask you to adhere to the following rules!

  • Between 8:55 – 9:15am please DO NOT park in front of the kindergarten enclosure. We need to keep the flow of traffic moving.
  • Please DO NOT let your children out of the car in the center lane to pass.  Please drive through the Kiss and Ride to let children out of the car.  This is a safety concern for us here at Bellwood.
  • When you are using the Kiss and Ride, please make sure you drive right up, pick up your children quickly and safely and follow the directions to keep moving by the staff supporting the smooth running of our Kiss and Ride.
  • Please do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes back up and is not safe for our students.
  • Please use the sidewalks to walk your children around and do not cut between the cars as this is a safety hazard.  This is a safety concern for us here at Bellwood.

Safety is our number one priority, and we work hard to make sure that our Kiss and Ride runs safely and smoothly.  We need your help!

Teams and Activities Around Bellwood after the break

  • Intermediate Boys Basketball: Tuesday and Thursdays after school until 4:45pm
  • Intermediate Girls Basketball:  Monday and Wednesdays after school until 4:45pm and Thursday mornings at 8:15am.
  • Junior and Intermediate Cricket Tryouts: Wednesday mornings at 8:15am, Thursday and Friday at lunch recess
  • Senior Band – Tues. and Wed. @ lunch
  • Bell Choir: Grades 6-8 Tuesday. and Thursday. 8:15 a.m.
  • Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesdays grade 3 and 4, Wednesdays grades 7 and 8, Thursdays grades 5 and 6

Students are encouraged to check the schedules posted on the white board by the gym doors for practice days and times.

Save the Date

  • SCC Meeting: Thursday January 16, 2025
  • Bell Let’s Talk: Wednesday January 22, 2025
  • P.A Day: No school for students on Friday January 24, 2025

Dates of Significance

Tamil History Month

January is Tamil Canadian Heritage Month. It is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Tamil Canadians to Canada and an occasion to acknowledge and enjoy? the narratives and wisdom of Tamil culture.

Thai Pongal 14-17, 2025

Thai pongal, a harvest festival begins on the first day of the Tamil Month Thai (January) based on Tamil solar calendar. This ancient celebration's roots can be traced to Sangam period (200 B.C). It is a four day festival and the second day (Surya pongal) is the most important.

 Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20, 2025

This day commemorates the leader of the Civil Rights movement in USA. People of all races and religions have benefited from the sacrifices and accomplishments made by this great man. He was a Nobel Prize winner (Peace Prize 1964) and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Lincoln Alexander Day January 21, 2025

Since 2015, January 21 has been recognized across Canada as Lincoln Alexander Day. The Honorable Lincoln Alexander was a pioneer in the fight for racial equity in Canada. Alexander’s legacy is marked by many firsts for the Black person in Canada. Alexander was the first Black Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, the first Black federal Minister, and the first Black Chair of the Worker’s Compensation Board of Ontario. These firsts are only a few of the accomplishments that have and will continue to inspire generations of African, Caribbean and Black identifying people across Canada. 

 

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart