Bellwood Public School

Winter Holiday Concert - December 20

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 01:15:00 GMT

Good evening Bellwood Families,

We are so excited for our Winter Holiday Concert tomorrow Wednesday December 20, 2023 in the afternoon. The staff and students have been working very hard preparing for the concert and we know that you are in for a treat! Just a reminder that the doors will open at 12:45 p.m. and the concert will start at 1:15 p.m.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - January 12

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 03:30:00 GMT

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

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

Mr. Marshall continues to have intramural activities in the gym by grades every lunch hour Monday to Thursdays. Thank you, Mr. Marshall for giving up your lunch hour to do intramurals with our students!!

We also have girls and boys’ basketball teams on the go right now! Thank you to Mrs. Calder, Ms. White, Mr. Mohamed and Mr. De la Cruz for coaching those teams. We are looking forward to a great Basketball season! Go Bobcats Go!!

We wanted to let you know that our next School Community Council Meeting will be held on Thursday January 18, 2024, 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 18, 2024

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Walking to School and using our Crossing Guards

Please know that safety is our number one priority. We have been experiencing some difficulty with the crossing of students at Lowder as well as parents. It is important that students and adults use the crossing guards before and after school in order to keep everyone safe while getting to and from school.

Celebrating Black History Month

We have partnered with Colour Their World to offer our school community T-shirts to celebrate Black History Month. The message on the T-Shirt is Elevate, Educate, Celebrate. The T-shirts will inspire the following;

Promoting Cultural Awareness: Black History Month provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of people of African heritage to our society. The apparel will serve as a visible symbol of our commitment to recognizing and celebrating this important heritage.
Inclusivity and Unity: Wearing this apparel will create a sense of unity among our students and staff, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. It sends a powerful message that we are all part of a diverse and inclusive school community.

T-shirts will be sold for $20.00 and can be purchased on School Cash online from January 8 – 26, 2024 and orders will be fulfilled January 29 – 31, 2024. The following

Sizes are available:

Adult: SMALL. MEDIUM, LARGE, AND X-LARGE Children: XS, SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE

Part of the proceeds will be going back to the school as a part of our fundraising initiatives.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year

Beginning Tuesday, January 9^th, 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 2024-2025 school year! Every 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.

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 into grade 1 in the following school year. This evening session provides DDSB parents/guardians with important information on our French Immersion program and the benefits for students when developing an additional language. This year the in-person French Immersion Evening will take place on February 1, 2024 from 7-8 p.m.@ John Dryden Public School located at 40 Rolling Acres Drive in Whitby.

Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Night – Transition to High School

The Student Success department is hosting a Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Night - Transition to High School on Thursday January 18^th, 630-730pm on Zoom – flyer is attached. 2023-2024 Grade 8 Parents Night Transition to High School.pdf

Description:

Choosing My Success is our system-approach to student transition planning from Grade 8 to Grade 9. We recognize that education directly influences students’ life chances and outcomes and have focused our direction for intentional transition planning to secondary school across the entire system for Grade 8s and their families.

Registration link:
https://ddsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-oMNeZI6QZqrzlmsIHVC7g#/registration

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

· 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 use the sidewalks to walk your children onto the school yard and avoid crossing in between the cars in the Kiss and Ride

· 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 p.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. If possible, please find a parking space or circle around (like at the airport)

Dental Screening at Bellwood P.S.

Dental Screening will be happening at Bellwood PS on February 12, 13 and 14, 2024!

Who will be screened?

All students in JK, SK, Grade 2, 4, 7, 8 and special education classes
Any student previously identified as having an urgent need
Any additional student by parent/guardian request
Children identified with an urgent need may have

additional screenings throughout the year

Save the Date

January 18 SCC meeting
January 24 Bell Let’s Talk Day
January 26 P.A. Day, No school for students
February 8 Grade 8 Graduation Photos
February 12-14 Dental Screening
February 19 Family Day – No School
February 21 Term 1 Reports go home

Dates of Significance

Tamil Heritage 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.

January 6th

Epiphany

In the Western church, this day celebrates the journey of the three Wise Men to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the infant Jesus. In the Eastern Church it is associated with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. On this day as well, the Armenians celebrate Christmas.

January 7^th

Orthodox Christmas

On this day, some Eastern churches celebrate the birth of Jesus according to the Julian calendar, which is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian or Western calendar.

January 15-18

Thai Pongal

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.

January 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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.

Your Admin Team,
Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - March 7

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 22:15:00 GMT

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

Thank you to those parents who came in to see all the great work our students have been doing.

Just a reminder that March Break starts on Friday March 8, 2024. There will be NO school tomorrow. School will resume on Monday March 18, 2024.

For our students observing Ramadan when we come back after the break, we will be having a fasting club in the library during the eating portion of our lunch time ( 11:50 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.) supervised by Mr. Mohamed and Mrs. Khan.

We wish you all a safe and enjoyable break with your families and friends and look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday March 18, 2024.

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Opportunities for Multi Language Learners

Please see the attached flyers for March Break Events and for Peer Leaders March 4 March Break Event Flyer_AODA.pdf March 4 Peer Leader Flyer_AODA.pdf

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

On May 30, 2024, the DDSB will open the next Student Art Gallery – a district-wide art collection housed in the Education Centre, displaying artworks created and curated by students in Grades 7 to 12 with staff support.

The theme of this year’s gallery is My Journey, My Joy, My Genius. Artwork should focus on the student’s personal journey, sources of joy, and expressions of genius. Digital representations of completed (or nearly completed) artworks should be submitted through this form. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 26, 2024.

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

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!

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;

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball teams have been picked please see notices sent home for times of practices and games
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club will be starting for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Vex Robotics Intermediate Club is up and running. They meet Monday’s afterschool and Friday’s before school
Intermediate Badminton Tuesday mornings before school

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family. We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies. Please be reminded that parents should be staying with the children for the Movie.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Save the Date

March 8 – 15 March Break
March 11 Start of Ramadan
March 18 School resumes
March 21 SCC meeting
March 29 Good Friday – NO SCHOOL
April 1 Easter Monday – NO SCHOOL

Dates of Significance

Ramadan Begins March 11, 2024

This is the holiest month in the Islamic Year and begins at the sighting of the new moon. It commemorates the period during which Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received divine revelations. Observing Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset during the entire month, read the Qu'ran and worship in the mosque or at home. The dates vary by a day depending on whether the Saudi Arabia or the North American Calendar is being observed. This calendar follows the North American dates which is a day later.

March 19 Spring Equinox

In 2024, the March equinox happens on March 19 at 11:06 P.M. EDT. This falls on a Tuesday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 20 Eostre (Yowstra)

Eostre is the Germanic goddess of dawn who is celebrated during the Spring Equinox. On the old Germanic calendar, the equivalent month to April was called “Ostarmanod” – or Easter-month. As a holiday, Easter predates Christianity and was originally the name for Spring Equinox celebrations. The date of the Christian celebration of Easter changes each year and the reason the date changes is because it is based on a ‘Pagan’ solar calendar. Easter occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon occurring after the Spring Equinox. So for example this year the Spring Equinox is on March 19th, the first full moon after the equinox is on April 7, and the first Sunday after the full moon is April 12, which is the date of Easter this year.

March 21 World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21, beginning in 2007. The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. The General Assembly of the United Nations has decided to observe it each year since 2012.

March 21 International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination

Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Observed annually on March 21, it commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

While much progress has been made, Indigenous peoples, and racialized and religious minority communities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day. This day serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and all levels of government to actively work to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate. Re-committing efforts, to ensure all people are respected and have equal access and opportunity to be safe and to succeed.

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

On February 14 this year, while some people were celebrating a day of love, while others started the commencement of Lent. Lent is a season of prayer and fasting. During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, Christians throughout the world take part in rituals to prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 10

Sat, 11 May 2024 03:00:00 GMT

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

Thank you to all of the students and families who donated and bought cupcakes to support our grade 8 students. It was a huge success!

We would like to say a huge Thank You from our staff, students, and community members to Mrs. Shannon ROBICHEAU-STEPHEN. Mrs. ROBICHEAU-STEPHEN will not be back for the rest of the year as her contract has ended. We have appreciated all of the hard work that she has done for our school community, staff, parents and students. We will miss her, but we know that she will always be a Bobcat

Have a wonderful weekend and to all the Mothers and Mother Figures we wish you a Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Save the Date

May 16 Track and Field Day
May 17 Track and Field Day RAIN DATE
May 20 NO School - Victoria Day Weekend
May 23 Band and Bell Choir to Canada’s Wonderland
May 21 – 24 Grade 3 EQAO
May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO
May 30 SCC Meeting

Save the Date: Jump Rope for Heart: June 4, 2024

Jump Rope for Heart is BACK at Bellwood! This event teaches our students the importance of giving back and encourages them to stay active, eat well, and take care of their heart and brain health. The funds our school raises will help

support important Heart and Stroke Foundation research. Let’s work together as a school community and show how generous we can be! Join our school

online and get your child set up with their own fundraising page by clicking

here: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/50276

See also parent letter attached: 2024 JRFH Parent Letter.pdf

Heart & Stroke Jump Rope for Heart

jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca

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!

Click on the link for more information 2024 Community-youth-recruit-1080x1080-Apr24.jpg 2024 FINAL Community youth recruit poster Mar24.pdf

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 4^th

da Vinci Public School

AND

Tuesday, June 18^th

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.

Please see the attached posters and the link below for registration information. 2024 DDSB - JUNE 4 - The Living Compendium Community Engagement Evening.pdf 2024 DDSB The Living Compendium Community Engagement Evening June 18.pdf

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

? Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

? Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ignite Learning Foundation in Partnership with Tribute Community Center

Thanks to the success of the Harlem Globetrotters ticket sales, the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation has again partnered with Tribute Communities Centre for two upcoming shows:

Monster Trucks ‘All Out Northern Lights Party’ - May 25th

All tickets sold using the code IGNITE will see $5.00 from each ticket go to helping our students during their time of need.

The IDLF Team

Kindergarten Pick-Up and Drop off

This is a reminder to please for families dropping off their children to the kindergarten enclosures in the morning, picking up at lunch and picking up afterschool. In order to keep all children safe, we are reminding you to please do not enter the kindergarten enclosure. 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

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 20^th birthday), and their families. Please see attached flyer for more information.

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Track and Field practices have started
Long Jump / Triple Jump – Tuesday - 8:15 am – 8:55 am
Shot Put / Javelin – Wednesday – 12:10 pm – 12:50 pm
High Jump – Monday – 12:10 pm – 12:50 pm
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Second Round of Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. The second round of cooking club will start on Wednesday April 17, 2024.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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 11 -18 Tamil Genocide Education Week

Bill 104, the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, establishes seven days each year, May 11 to 18, during which Ontarians “are encouraged to educate themselves about, and to maintain their awareness of, the Tamil genocide and other genocides that have occurred in world history.”

Sunday May 12, 2024 Mother’s and Mother Figure’s Day

Many people in Canada express their gratitude towards mothers and mother figures on Mother’s Day. Mother figures may include stepmothers, mothers-in-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends. It is the time for people to thank mothers and mother figures who took the time to care for them and help them through life’s challenges.

International Day of Families May 15, 2024

The 15th of May was declared the International Day of Families by the United Nations on September 20, 1993. The day is intended to reflect the importance the international community places on families as basic units of society. The day is intended to be taken as an occasion to reflect on and promote awareness and action with regard to issues relating to families worldwide

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - April 19

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 02:45:00 GMT

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

We would like to take this opportunity to send out a huge Thank You to all the families who came out to our Eid dinner this week. Thank you to all of the families that made donations of drinks, desserts and cash donations, these donations helped to make a successful evening.

As you know a big event like this cannot be done single handedly. We would like to thank Mr. Mohammed and Mrs. Khan for organizing this event and for all of the staff and community members that came out to help with our Henna Stations, our Read Aloud Room and our Arts and Crafts room. We also had many staff and community members helping as food servers to make sure that everyone was fed.

It was a wonderful evening and we look forward to many more community events!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Save the Date

April 25 Family Movie Night
May 10 FDK Family Friday
May 20 NO School - Victoria Day Weekend
May 21 – 24 Grade 3 EQAO
May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO

Active Sustainable Travel to School

The Regional Municipality of Durham is looking for information from families in our community in regard to Active and Sustainable Travel to school.

What is the Family /Caregiver Survey?:

Family and Caregiver Surveys provide insight into what factors are influencing travel mode choices.

Link to Survey:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wsnXUknVtkGbH52hmNw_FsGaWRSqHOhOglnOh4g73m5UNkk5VzNYTFlIQzBPVE9SM05aNENWNFZQTy4u

A QR code is available through the link if needed. 2024 QRCode for Active and Sustainable School Travel - Family_Caregiver Survey 2024.png

Footloose the Musical

Footloose, the Musical is being performed by our grade 11 and 12 O’Neill Collegiate Performing Arts classes next Wednesday – Saturday. It is a fantastic show with an incredibly talented cast! Please help me spread the word. Here is our most recent trailer: https://youtu.be/r8NZLe31Tqs?si=BcCKxkyJ1mGXVuRh

See the attached flyer for more details 2024 (Official) Footloose Poster.jpg

Rhythm Nation at Maxwell Heights

Dear DDSB Community Friends and Family.

It’s that time of the year again…MDC is returning to the Maxwell stage, after two award-winning competitions, to present RHYTHM NATION, a showcase of this year's dancers and dance at Maxwell Heights! Our students have been working hard to prepare a variety of routines and are excited to present these to our community. As always, we would love to see you and your families in the audience to support our dancers and enjoy an amazingly fun night! See attached flyer 2024 MDC Showcase Poster.png

THE DETAILS!!!

SHOWDATES: Tuesday, April 30TH & Wednesday, May 1st

TIMES: 7:00 pm… Doors open at 6:30 pm

PLACE: Maxwell Cafeteria (1100 Coldstream Drive)

COST: Adults $10, Students $8

TICKETS!!

Tickets and seating is first come, first serve! Tickets will be sold at the door and sales will be CASH ONLY!

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

Self-Reg: Supporting the Path to Young Children's Well-being

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please click on the link for registration information March 22 Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series 2024 - Admin Memo.pdf

Ignite Learning Foundation in Partnership with Tribute Community Center

Thanks to the success of the Harlem Globetrotters ticket sales, the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation has again partnered with Tribute Communities Centre for two upcoming shows:

Gerry Dee ‘Funny You Should Say That’ show - April 20th

Monster Trucks ‘All Out Northern Lights Party’ - May 25th

All tickets sold using the code IGNITE will see $5.00 from each ticket go to helping our students during their time of need.

We ask that schools consider sharing the attached flyer with your families, the more it’s promoted, the more tickets sold using the code IGNITE the more children we can support. 2024 DDSB Ignite - 2024 Offer_GD_MT.pdf

Harlem Globetrotters event provided enough funding to support 6 DDSB students ($1500 with 300 tickets purchased using the code IGNITE)!

THANK YOU for all that YOU do for our DDSB students, families and communities!

The IDLF Team

FDK Family Friday

We are excited to let you know that we would love to invite our Kindergarten families to our Family Friday on May 10, 2024 from 2:30 - 3:30. Come in and learn alongside your child and see what they do at school! For more information please click on the link 2024 Kindergarten Family Day 2024.pdf

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher!

Kindergarten Pick-Up and Drop off

This is a reminder to please for families dropping off their children to the Kindergarten enclosures in the morning, picking up at lunch and picking up afterschool. In order to keep all children safe, we are reminding you to please do not enter the Kindergarten enclosure. 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!

Newcomer Fair

The attached flyer is for Welcome to Ajax: Newcomer Fair on Wednesday April 24, 2024 between 3-6pm.

The session will be held at the Ajax Public Library - Main Branch @ 55 Harwood Avenue South in the Rotary Room.

The session will share information about local community organizations including settlement services, volunteer opportunities, employment help, and more.

If you are interested in attending, please register at ajax.ca/newcomersfair

DDSB Recruitment Information Workshop

In support of the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success the Durham District School Board (DDSB) is striving to bring the leadership and influence of Black Educators and Professionals into our schools. Please click on the link for more information

A FREE information session is scheduled for: May 4, 2024, at the Education Centre, 400 Taunton Road E., Whitby, ON. From 10am to 12 noon.

Registration is required to ensure we can accommodate all interested participants. https://forms.gle/DVQ4jQdJJnEoDVGq8

Youth Empowerment Event

The Congress of Black Women of Canada, Ajax/Pickering Chapter, is excited to partner with the Ajax Public Library to host "Black Youth Empowered 2024", one-day in-person conference for Black teens in Gr 9 to 11 on Sat. Apr 20 (10 am - 3 pm) at the Ajax Public Library, where they can learn about financial literacy and positive mindset, be in conversation with young, engaging facilitators, and build community with each other. Register today (limited spots available)! bit.ly/2024bye

Parent Engagement: An evening with Sam Demma@ Donald A. Wilson on Thursday May 9, 2024

Registration link https://forms.gle/hg5jwX1Zq8DJaCvX8

DONALD A. WILSON S.S. presents:

Musical Performance followed by a Guest Speaker presentation @HOME and in person. Thursday, May 9, 2024 @ 5:30 pm-7 pm

The evening at a glance:

An enlightening in person, interactive presentation with a virtual option for parents/guardians of Donald A. Wilson S.S.

Empty your Backpack; a Message of Hope, Mental Health and Kindness

Keynote description:

Everyone has a giant invisible backpack strapped to their shoulders – and surely your students are no exception. In these backpacks, your students carry the thoughts and opinions others place on them. Things that stop them from loving themselves and expressing who they truly are. This program aims to help your students remove the mental burden on their shoulders and provide them with an empowering outlook on the past, present and future.

Biography:

Sam Demma is a best-selling author and one of the most in-demand keynote speakers in the education and association sectors. He delivered two TEDx talks, co-founded PickWaste—an organization that mobilized volunteers to pick up over 3000 bags of litter—and was awarded the prestigious Queens Platinum Jubilee Award for his exceptional National contributions. During the pandemic, Sam produced two viral graduation videos for students who missed their ceremonies and launched a partnership with Taco Bell to encourage people to engage in acts of kindness. His work and interviews have been featured in The Globe & Mail, CBC, and CTV. He has been recognized as Starfish Canada’s Top 25 Under 25. Sam’s multimedia platform, The High Performing Educator, has spot lit over 250 educators, and his bestselling debut book, Empty Your Backpack has been called “a must-read for young dreamers.” In his spare time, you can find Sam reading books, dancing the bachata, or journeying across the globe with his giant red backpack.

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

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

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Folk Dancing April 9 to May 7, 2024. Practices are Tues. and Thurs. from 3:35 to 4:45
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Second Round of Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. The second round of cooking club will started on Wednesday April 17, 2024.

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Date

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for the Movie Night will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family. We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies. Please be reminded that parents should be staying with the children for the Movie.

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

April 19 Ridvan

Ri?ván is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá'í Faith, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. In the Bahá'í calendar, it begins at sunset on the 13th of Jalál, which translates to the 20th or 21st of April, depending on the date of the March equinox.

April 22 - April 30, 2024 Passover/Pesach

Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt.

April 22 International Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics."

April 24 Administrative Professionals Day

Administrative Professionals Day is a day observed yearly in a small number of countries. The day recognizes the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, executive assistants, personal assistants, receptionists, client services representatives, and other administrative support professionals.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - June 14

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 01:30:00 GMT

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

Congratulations to all our Bobcat Athletes who attended the Abilities Track and Field meet today. Our students did an excellent job representing

Bellwood! Thank you to Mrs. Ferguson for organizing and working with our athletes.

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!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Save the Date

June 18 Freezy Sale Day
June 19 Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony and Dinner
June 24 Grade 8 Graduation Trip
June 25 Report Cards go home
June 27 Last Day for students

Summer Learning Camps

This summer the Durham District School Board will be offering In-Person Summer Mathematics and Literacy Camps for students currently enrolled in Grades 1-8. These summer learning camps are intended to support students who would benefit from review of current grade level concepts and skills specific to mathematics and literacy.

Students will engage in fun, interactive arts-based learning opportunities focused on further developing and consolidating skills and knowledge connected to Literacy and/or Mathematics. Using a variety of engaging tools, students will be immersed in collaborative learning opportunities designed to address current learning challenges and help prepare them for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

The summer learning camps are not a reach-ahead or enrichment program.

All Program Dates (In-Person): July 8th to August 1st (Monday-Thursday), 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

By registering for the program parents are asked to commit to having their child participate ALL 16 DAYS (4 weeks).

Please complete the following GOOGLE FORM. A reminder that spaces are limited. Confirmation that your child has been registered with Summer Learning will be shared no later than Friday, June 21st.

Character Trait for June is Courage

Our Safety Tip this month: In the last few weeks of school, let’s have the courage to do what is right, to be kind and respectful to one another and to keep our hands and feet to ourselves!! The school year is almost over let’s end on a positive note!!

The Neuroscience of Courage Strengthening the Will to Act

The neurology of courage involves a competition between your amygdala, which drives fear, (along with your fight or flight response) and your subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), which acts to suppress bodily fear responses.

Neurologically, conscious activation of your sgACCcan suppress and shut down your (otherwise-involuntary) amygdala response.

So, the idea of voluntarily acting in the face of fear isn't just a poetic description, it’s a scientific reality.

And what helps you “voluntarily act”? Four things:

The ability to clearly picture your actions and the positive results that will come from them increases your ability to act. If you don’t know what to do, it becomes a lot harder to do it, which is one reason why uncertainty can be more paralyzing than concrete fears.. Focusing on what you need to do in the moment can have magical results on your ability to act

Focusing on the meaning of your actions —"why" you are doing what you're doing. If parents routinely display courage for the sake of their children, one reason is that their “why” for acting is concretely in front of them; they know they’re doing it for their kids’ sake. So focus on why. After all meaning and happiness are key principles behind Positive Psychology for a reason.

Embrace the courage to fail. If you believe that daring greatly is honorable in itself —that the brave man who fails is still brave —you greatly increase your ability to act. This is one reason why The Courage to Fail (in order to succeed), is a key element of the Fearless Leaders Coaching Model.

Strengthen your pattern of bravery. We've all had moments of bravery in our life. Routinely recalling and reliving those moments activates and strengthens our neural patterns associated with bravery and helps us to begin seeing ourselves as brave. Once you begin identifying with being brave, you become much more likely to act in ways that conform to that self-image. You'll have a new “reason- why” for your actions and a new neural pattern to tap into when acting in the face of fear.

If you focus on these four factors, you'll find that you have a much easier time facing your fears, staying in the moment, and acting from your highest consciousness under pressure.

Grade 8 Graduation Fundraiser: Freezy Sales

Our much-anticipated Freezy sales are back! We will be selling Freezies on Tuesday June 18, 2024 in the afternoon. Jumbo Freezies will be available for $1.00 for grades 1-

8. Our Kindergarten students will be getting half of a Jumbo Freezy for 50 cents.

Thank you for supporting our grade 8 graduation fundraiser.

Steel Pan and Stem Summer Camps

Please see attached flyer for more information \June\2024 Steel Pans and STEM Summer Jam Camp .png

Parent Engagement: The lighter side of Mental Health speaker series

Please see attached flyer for more information and registration details \June\2024 The lighterside of Mental Health_Speaker Series.pdf

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

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.

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.

Teams and Clubs

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

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

June 14 Day of Hajj

Hajj, in Islam, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime. The hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage rite begins on the 7th day of Dhu al-?ijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day.

June 14 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev

He was the fifth Guru (1563-1606) and the first Sikh martyr executed by the Mughal emperor Jehangir. He built the Golden Temple in Amritsar with doors facing all four directions to emphasize that the Sikh way was open to all, regardless of caste

Sunday June 16 Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and father figures and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, though it is also celebrated widely on other days by many other countries.

Sunday June 16 Eid-al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is one of the two blessed Eids that we celebrate as Muslims. It falls in the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah.

On Eid al-Adha we remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). In remembrance of his sacrifice and to help the poor and needy, we give our own sacrifice: Qurbani

Eid al-Adha is different from Eid al-Fitr because they happen on 2 separate days and signify different things. Eid al-Adha means the festival of sacrifice and falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah while Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, acting as a time of celebration and gathering to show gratitude towards Allah (SWT) after a month of reflection.

June 18 Neurodiversity Pride Day

On this special day, we reflect solo, or come together, to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of our neurodivergent identities, and to recognize the value that we bring to our societies. It’s a day to embrace and honor our differences, to stand together in solidarity, and to celebrate the beauty and strength of our shared experiences.

June 19 Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the tragedy of enslavement and recognizes the challenges that those who fight injustice continue to face. Juneteenth also marks the full emancipation of African American communities commemorating the humanity of a people. In Canada, Ontario has been the only province to have passed legislation proclaiming August 1 as Emancipation Day. However, this year, 2021, marks the first year that Emancipation Day will be acknowledged federally in Canada on August 1. Emancipation Day is about honouring the past as well as reflecting on our present and preparing for the future.

June 20 Summer Solstice

Summer solstice, the two moments during the year when the path of the Sun in the sky is farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere (June 20 or 21) or farthest south in the Southern Hemisphere (December 21 or 22).

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - October 29

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:45:00 GMT

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

Two of our amazing Bobcats had the opportunity to compete in the Cross-Country Finals at Lakeridge Ski Resort. The weather was perfect for running. This race includes the fastest runners in all of Durham. We would like to congratulate Jack Sutus who came in 16^th for his age group and Lucas Davidson who came in 58^th for his age group. Way to Go Bobcats!!

This ends our great Cross Country Season. We would like to thank Mr. Marshall, Ms. Foley and Ms. White for their time coaching our cross-country athletes.

We had our first Fire Drill today and it was a great success. Thank you to our students for following our safety rules and for moving through the building quickly and safely!

Dogs on School Property:

Please be reminded that dogs are not allowed on school property. We noticed today that there was dog feces on our back field on school property. A few students playing in our back field stepped on this feces and were quite upset by this. If you have your dog on school property during non-school hours, please make sure you are cleaning up after your dog. We do not want our students stepping in or playing in a field with dog feces.

SCC Meeting Invitation:

We would like to extend an invitation to all families of the Bellwood community to join us at our next SCC meeting. We would love to hear from you, and this is a great way to find out about all the great things happening at our school. Our next SCC meeting will be held on Wednesday October 30, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. We will send out a link for those of you who cannot attend in person about 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Grade 8 Graduation Fundraiser

Help us support our Grade 8's with a sweet contest!

Students are invited to guess how many candies are in the jar. Whoever gets the closest to the actual number, will win a jar of candy!

Details:

Tickets will be sold at recesses on Tuesday, October 29, Wednesday, October 30 and Thursday, October 31.

$0.50/ticket or 5 for a toonie.

All proceeds go to our Grade 8 Graduation Fund! We will announce the winner at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday October 31, 2024

Thank you for your support!

Our Grade 8 Students

Durham Black Educators Network General Fall Meeting

DBEN -General Meeting Fall 2024.jpg please click on the link to see the flyer

Dear Parent/Caregiver

The Durham Black Educators Network will host its Annual General Meeting, which is open to everyone. This year, the meeting will feature a panel of two trustees, one superintendent, an elementary principal, a social worker, and a secondary principal.

The focus is on sharing strategies to support Black students’ academic and personal success. The event will be held in person at Henry Street High School on Thursday, November 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and childcare will be available.

The registration link can be found HERE. https://forms.gle/V3BpKnK9rpKscrmo7

Sent on behalf of Durham Black Educators Network

Parent-Teacher Conference Information

We will be holding Parent-Teacher Interviews on Thursday, November 14^th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm and Friday, November 15^th from 9:00 – 11:00 am. This year, you will be able to schedule your Parent-Teacher Interviews online. If you wish to schedule a meeting with any of your child's teachers, please follow the instructions printed further down the page.

You will be able to schedule appointments until November 13^th at 11:00 pm.

Instructions

1. Go to the Bellwood scheduling webpage at https://parentinterview.com/s/bellwood

2. Enter the Parent Code and click "Sign In"

Please make a note of your Confirmation #

3. Fill in your contact information and click "Continue to Make Appointments"

4. Click on the name of a teacher with whom you wish to schedule an appointment

5. Click on an available time at which you wish to have your meeting

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you have scheduled all the teachers you wish to meet

7. Click on "My Schedule" (top left of the page)

8. Email, print out, or copy down your schedule

Should you wish to cancel an appointment you have made, click on "Cancel" beside the meeting you wish to have removed from your schedule.

If you misplace your schedule, you may use your Confirmation # to retrieve your schedule from the website at any time. If you need help using the service, please email support@parentinterview.com

We look forward to speaking with you.

Visual Health

Did you know children rarely complain about not seeing well, because they think their vision is normal? ??

Signs your child may need glasses:

• Frequent squinting or blinking
• Holding objects too close to their face
• Complaints of headaches or eye strain
• Difficulty reading or recognizing objects.

Take Action Now!

OHIP will cover a FREE comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist every year for children under 19 years old. Schedule an eye exam for your child to make sure they are seeing as clearly as they can!

To learn more about visual health and to find a list of optometrists near you, visit Durham.ca/VisualHealth or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 1-800-841-2729. Or click on the link for more information Find-Optometrist-WHITBY-Sept-2024.pdf Visual-health-newsletter-insert-2024.pdf

DDSB Virtual Family and Community Engagement Speaker Series

Everyday Resiliency and Hope: How to Build Sustainable Well Being. Thursday November 21, 2024 from 7-8 p.m. Click on the link for more information Engagement Speaker Series - Dr Dafoe Flyer (002).pdf

DDSB Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0

Dear DDSB Community Members,

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting a virtual community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.

One of the commitments made in the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0 was to connect with and report back to the community twice a year to share and discuss the work we are doing to implement the action items of the Compendium.

This event will be family focussed and will feature Dr. Nicole West Burns as our keynote speaker, as well as other members of the DDSB community.

When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom (Virtual)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join us as we continue the conversation to dismantle anti-Black racism, guided by the DDSB’s Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism Policy, our Anti-Oppression Strategy and Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.

Sent on behalf of Margaret Lazarus Superintendent of Equitable Education, Anti-Oppression/French, International and Classical Languages/Family of Schools

Licence to Learn (L2L)

Our peer tutors and set and ready to go! Their training will start next week on Tuesday October 29 and Wednesday October 30, 2024.

Our tutoring program will start on Tuesday November 5 and will run twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Tuesday December 10, 2024.

Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham

The Durham District School Board is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. As part of this commitment, we have developed a long-standing relationship with Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR), who has been providing staff and student education on the topic of Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention.

We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.

Please see below for dates and times:

Tuesday November 26, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Attached you will find the poster for the October date that can be shared with your school community.

Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration

Food / Treats at School and Halloween

Halloween and Diwali are quickly approaching and like other special holidays, families may choose to send their child with prepackaged store-bought nut-free snacks to send home with their classmates. Homemade baked goods cannot be distributed at school due to various food allergies/restrictions within the building.

On October 31st, we will continue to provide a variety of curriculum-based learning opportunities for our students. Students may choose to wear a costume or autumn colours. For those who choose to wear a costume please remember that no masks, horror-based or stereotypical costumes linked to Indigenous identity, race, cultures, religion, etc. are permitted.

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be sold by the dozen at Bellwood, so don't miss out! The price per box (12 original doughnuts) is $15, with proceeds going towards our school's SCC fundraising initiatives for things like classroom tech and outdoor play equipment. Please support our school by purchasing these tasty treats!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!

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

Junior Boys Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday at 8:15 and Thursday afterschool
Junior Girls Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday after school and Thursday morning at 8:15 am.
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207 (Still looking for intermediates)
Bell Choir grades 6-8 – Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:15 am

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: Wednesday October 30, 2024
PA day: Friday November 1, NO School for students
Photo Retake Day: November 12, 2024
Report Cards go home: Wednesday November 13, 2024
Parent Interviews: Thursday November 14, 2024 – 4-8p.m.
Parent Interview and PA Day: Friday November 15, 2024 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
School Spirit Wear: will be available to look at on the Parent Interview days, more information about purchasing to be announced shortly
Gifted testing: November 4, 5 and 6^th

Parent Engagement

Save the DATE: Parent Engagement and Movie Night Thursday December 5, 2024

While your child enjoys movie night in the gym, we will have an engaging guest speaker. Kwesi Millington who will be speaking to you about Raising Resilient Children.

Parenting is the world’s toughest job…period. Balancing the adult obligations with navigating the fast-paced life of the young ones in your lives is tough to say the least. Whether it’s from society, friends and family, or everything you see online or in books, there seem to be more questions in a world that is supposedly offering all the answers.

So how do you raise resilient young adults, while taking care of your own mental and emotional health at the same time? One step at a time. One overcome mistake at a time. One “guess with grace” at a time.

In this presentation, parents will pick up research-backed tools to help build confidence and resilience in their children and/or teens, while along the way learning how to manage their own stress and well-being. Overall, together we will grow and learn from each other the answers to raising resilience.

BIO:

Kwesi Millington is a former RCMP police officer, who has overcome struggles professionally as well as personally dealing with PTSD and Depression. He now teaches youth and high-stress organizations how to avoid burnout, build mental health and cultivate resilience in their lives.

Dates of Significance

October 31st is Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

October 31^st is Diwali

Diwali in Canada is a vibrant celebration that lights up the autumn season for millions. This festival will be in full swing on October 31, 2024, with celebrations spanning from October 29 to November 3. For the more than 1.3 million people of Indian heritage in Canada, along with many other Canadians, Diwali marks a luminous start to the new year.

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali—or Deepavali—derives its name from the Sanskrit for “rows of lights.” Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, this holiday brings together families and communities in a spectacular display of cultural unity.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Sub Day Change of Date Feb 11th to Feb 13th

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 15:15:00 GMT

We have moved this weeks sub day from Tuesday, February 11th to Thursday, February 13th.

Community Update

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:00:00 GMT

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

It has been a great week back from March Break! Our students and staff were well rested and rejuvenated for the final stretch of the school year. We have many exciting projects, events and learning opportunities planned for our students. Stay tuned for all of the exciting things that will be happening!

Our junior girls basketball team is on FIRE!! They won 4 out of 5 games in the Junior Jam Basketball tournament this week and are on continuing to develop their skills as the get closer to the Area tournament.

Our badminton team also had a tournament this week and did really well representing our school. Our boys doubles team has advanced to the area finals.

Our next SCC meeting will be held on Thursday March 27, 2025, from 6-7 p.m. We will send out a link for those who are not able to join in person.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Cultural Celebrations around the World along with learning about the festive and herbal art of Henna

On Tuesday March 25, 2025 we will be having a special guest at our school. Henna Yasir Art will be coming to our school. They will do a presentation for the whole school on cultural celebrations around the world along with learning about the festive and herbal art of Henna.

After the presentation, the artists will go to each classroom. If you would like your child to participate in receiving Henna art on their hand, there will be a form/letter coming home that you will have to sign giving them permission. They will NOT be allowed to participate if the form is not signed. Please make sure you have returned the form to your child’s teacher if you would like them to receive Henna Art on their hand.

Durham Black Educator’s Network Community Event March 28, 2025

Please join us for an evening of great food, great entertainment, and great company as we recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with renowned author Dr. Leland Harper from Siena Heights University in Michigan.

Dr. Harper is an associate professor of Philosophy, race, justice, and equity studies. He will discuss important insights and strategies to combat racial discrimination in the spaces and roles that we occupy.

Date: March 28, 2025

Venue: IBEW Hall, 1001 Ritson Rd., South, Oshawa

Time: 5pm.

Ramadan and Eid Dinner

Ramadan will be starting this weekend, and a lot of our students will be fasting. To support our students who will be fasting we will have a fasting club in the library for the duration of Ramadan for the eating portion of our lunch hour, from 11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

This year our annual Bellwood Community Eid dinner will be held on Thursday April 3, 2025. Please click on the link to fill in the Google Form to let us know if you will be attending and how you can help https://forms.gle/1sD7pE5r2R34QhB86

There will also be a fashion show, showcasing all of the wonderful fashions for Eid. Please click on the link to fill out the google doc if you would like your child to participate in the fashion show https://docs.google.com/document/d/18wjGAmaXWpKBEDGKyKdUDwNTSTf4IpoFud8-N5uFa5M/edit?usp=sharing

We would love to see as many families as possible from our school attend this event. We would like to thank Mr. Mohamed, Mrs. Khan, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Loderick, Mrs. Sahar and Mrs. Johnson for organizing and helping to run this wonderful event.

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair

Our SCC is planning to end our school year with a Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair. We would like to gage the communities’ interest for this event which would happen in June. Please take a moment to fill in the google form that can be found by clicking the following link. We look forward to hearing from you! https://forms.gle/pgRTMGcdkPC526XA9

Kindergarten Registration 2025

DDSB Kindergarten Registration started 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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball – Schedules have been provided.
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Fasting Club: Daily from Monday March 3, 2025 – April 3, 2025
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s

Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesdays grade 3 and 4, Wednesdays grades 7 and 8, Friday 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

March 22 – Festive Eid Bazaar click on link for details Eid Bazaar.jpeg
March 25 – Henna Yasir Art – Please make sure forms are signed and returned by Tuesday March 25, 2025
March 27 – SCC meeting 6 – 7:30 p.m. please click on the link for February’s minutes School Community Council Meeting Minutes -February 2025.docx
March 31 – P.A. Day No School for students

Dates of Significance

Nowruz – March 20, 2025

Nowruz is the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year. Historically, it has been observed by Persians and other Iranian peoples, but is now celebrated by many ethnicities worldwide. Nowruz, meaning “new day,” marks the first day of spring with over 300 million people taking part in the celebration of the vernal equinox. Nowruz starts at the precise moment that winter ends and spring begins on March 20, 2025 at 5:24 p.m. eastern time.

Eostre (Yowstra) – March 20, 2025

Eostre is the Germanic goddess of dawn who is celebrated during the Spring Equinox. On the old Germanic calendar, the equivalent month to April was called “Ostarmanod” – or Easter-month. As a holiday, Easter predates Christianity and was originally the name for Spring Equinox celebrations.The date of the Christian celebration of Easter changes each year and the reason the date changes is because it is based on a ‘Pagan’ solar calendar. Easter occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon occurring after the Spring Equinox.

World Down Syndrome Day – March 21, 2025

International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 21, 2025

Earth Hour tomorrow March 22, 2025

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The event is held annually, encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., usually on the last Saturday of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.^[1] It was started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007.

Occasionally, in years when Holy Saturday falls on the last Saturday of March (as in 2025), Earth Hour is held a week earlier.

Epilepsy Awareness Day and Purple Day for Epilepsy - March 26, 2025

Celebrated annually on March 26, Epilepsy Awareness Day, or Purple Day, was created to increase the public’s understanding of this brain disorder and to eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding it. With over 3.5 million people diagnosed with epilepsy in the U.S. and over 50 million worldwide, it is likely you know someone living with the day-to-day challenges epilepsy brings. The good news is epilepsy can be easily managed if diagnosed and treated correctly, so awareness and research are important. Join one of the grassroots campaigns to raise awareness in your community today!

Laylat al Qadr – March 27, 2025

Many Muslims in Canada celebrate Laylat al Qadr, or Shab-e-Qadr, which most likely falls on one of the last 10 days of the Islamic month of Ramadan. Also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Destiny, it commemorates the night when God (Allah) revealed the Qur’an (or Koran), which is the Islamic holy book, to the prophet Muhammad (also known as Mohammad), according to Islamic belief.

Eid Al Fitr March 29 - March 30, 2025

Eid al-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan,

International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31, 2025

International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) occurs every year on March 31st. This day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people, their contributions to society and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.

National Indigenous Languages Day is March 31, 2025

National Indigenous Languages Day is March 31, and it is a day to celebrate and honour Indigenous languages in Canada. The decade from 2022 to 2032 is also the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to promote the use of Indigenous languages world-wide.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

NEW - Updated DDSB Code of Conduct

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

This DDSB Code of Conduct shall be deemed to be the Code of Conduct for each school within the DDSB and replaces any and all school-based Codes of Conduct within the DDSB. This Code of Conduct is in force immediately and applies over any inconsistent terms in any other DDSB or school-based terms or requirements.

Bell Let's Talk Day - January 25

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 18:15:00 GMT

School Event - We meet as a whole school at the front of the school to raise the 'Bell Let's Talk' flag.

Birthdays May 16-23rd

Sat, 16 May 2020 21:15:00 GMT

Several birthdays this week wishing each of you a happy birthday.

Community Update - April 12

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 14:15:00 GMT

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

Our next School Community Council meeting will be on Thursday April 24, 2025, from 6 – 7 p.m. Please see the minutes from our March meeting by clicking on the link Bellwood School Community Council Meeting Minutes -March 2025.docx

A huge shout out to Mr. Smart for organizing our Grey Cup visit! It was a great afternoon seeing the Grey Cup and getting to interact with two of the players who were on the winning Argonauts team!

The Junior Boys Basketball Team had a strong season, showing great teamwork, encouragement, and effort. They faced some tough games but kept working together and never gave up. Throughout the short season, the boys showed clear improvement in their skills and teamwork. Mr. Mohamed and Mrs. Calder are proud of how committed the boys were all season. They stuck together, worked hard, and represented Bellwood with pride.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Grade 8 Cupcake Fundraiser

On Tuesday April 15, 2025 our grade 8’s will be selling cupcakes to raise money for the grade 8 graduation events. Cupcakes will be sold for a loonie! Please support this initiative by purchasing cupcakes on Tuesday April 15, 2025.

Creative Club Outdoor Design with Giant Lego Blocks Club Register by April 30, 2025

We are excited to START a NEW Outdoor Design and Build Program this spring using the largest blocks in Canada – Everblocks! Please note this is run by Creative Club and the same company that ran the Leggo Lunch time clubs. Please see flyer for more details BELLWOOD PS - OUTDOOR DESIGN IN ACTION - SPRING SESSION.docx (1).pdf

100 Strong FREE Summer Camp July 7 – 31, 2025

The Board of Directors of 100 Strong Foundation are pleased to invite applications for the Strong Summer Academy program for 2025.

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 7 – July 31, 2025.

An information session will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Further details will be shared shortly.

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. See link for more information Summer Academy Application.pdf 2025 Summer Academy Flyer 1.png

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair: Date is Set for Saturday June 7, 2025 (RAIN date is Sunday June 8, 2025)

Our SCC is planning to end our school year with a Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair. Please take a moment to fill in the google form that can be found by clicking the following link. We look forward to hearing from you! https://forms.gle/pgRTMGcdkPC526XA9

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Intermediate Pickleball, Flag Rugby and Spike Ball – See Gym Whiteboard outside the gym.
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s

Intramurals: Tuesday’s grade 3 and 4, Thursday’s 7 and 8 and Friday’s grades 5 and 6

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

Save the Date

April 18 – 21 – Easter Long weekend NO School
May 19 – Victoria Day NO School
May 26 – 30 - Grade 3 EQAO
June 2 – 5 – Grade 6 EQAO
June 6 – PA day – NO School
June 7 – Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair
June 19 – Grade 8 Grad trip #1
June 23 – Grade 8 Grade trip #2
June 24 – Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony
June 24 – Report Cards sent home
June 26 – Last day of school

Dates of Significance

Passover/Pesach April 12 - April 20, 2025

Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt.

Tamil and Sinhala New Year is Monday April 14, 2025

Sinhalese New Year, generally known as Aluth Avurudda in Sri Lanka, is a Sri Lankan holiday that celebrates the traditional New Year of the Sinhalese people and Tamil population of Sri Lanka. It is a major anniversary celebrated by not only the Sinhalese and Tamil people but by most Sri Lankans.

Vaisakhi is Monday April 14, 2025

The first day of the solar year, this is an agricultural festival celebrating the harvest, especially in North India. Tamils and Sri Lankans celebrate their New Year on this day. In Kerala, South India this day is called Vishu. Especially important to the Sikhs, it marks this day in 1699, when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, established the order of 'Khalsa'. The festival is a mixture of feasting, dancing and worship.

Friday April 18, 2025 is Good Friday

Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter and marks the day Jesus was crucified and died.

Monday April 21, 2025 is Easter

Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.

Ridvan is April 20 - May 2, 2025

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - April 7

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:15:00 GMT

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

Thank you to all of the families who attended Bellwood’s first Community Iftar. It was such a wonderful evening!

We would like to thank all of the parent volunteers who came in early to help us set up for the evening and those parents who stayed behind at the end of the evening to help us clean up. We had many student volunteers who helped us as well with set up, running activities during our evening and who also helped with clean up. We would like to extend our appreciation to all of them as well.

A huge thank you goes out to Mrs. Khan and Mrs. Ferguson for their vision and organization for the evening. We would also like to thank Mrs. Dahmer, Mrs. McKechney, Mrs. Kamera, Mrs. Sahar, Mr. De la Cruz, Mr. Calanchie and Farida from our child care who came out last night to represent our Bellwood staff.

We look forward to doing many more Community Events!!

We would like to wish you all a wonderful long weekend with your family and friends. Just a reminder that the school will be closed on Monday April 10, 2023 for the Easter holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday April 11, 2023.

Please click the link to view our Directors Message to Families if you did not receive Directors Newsletter for Families.pdf

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Volunteer of Distinction Nomination

The Durham District School Board is committed to excellence. Our schools excel because of the contributions of staff, students, parents, and community volunteers. The volunteers in our school board make a priceless commitment to the success of our students.

Using the Criteria below we will be seeking input from staff, parents, our SCC and administration for nominations for the Volunteer of Distinction Award. Once you have read the criteria, please use the google link to fill out the form with your nomination. Nomination are due Monday April 24, 2023.

Selection Criteria

The recipient must not be a staff member of your school or receive money for work performed at the school.
The recipient must have demonstrated a commitment to the school and have been actively involved in furthering the goals of the DDSB.
The recipient does not have to be a parent or a member of the School Community Council, but is an individual who has given of his/her time or talent to furthering the aims of the school.

https://forms.gle/8JuA55ssPp2ezD9aA

Food Drive

We will be having another food drive. The food drive will run from Monday March 27, 2023 to Friday April 21, 2023. We will again have a competition between classes to see who brings in the most food. Each class will be given a box to collect their items.

Extra Clothing

As the weather changes, we are asking families to send extra clothing with their children, especially those in the younger grades. We have been having many accidents of students getting wet and muddy.

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

Parent Involvement Committee

The Parent Involvement Committee is offering it’s fourth SCC Training Session

See flyer attached

April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

Session Four

By-Law’s for School Community Councils

This session will provide an overview of By-Laws as they relate to our School Community Council’s, and answer such questions as:
What are By-Laws, and what is their purpose?
How do we create them for our SCC?
How do Rules of Engagement and By-Laws differ, if at all?

Among other important topics.

Registration is required:

https://ddsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e-OunnfeRx6GU4B2VygXng

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

Good Friday – Friday April 7, 2023 NO School
Easter – Monday April 10, 2023 NO School
Grade 7 and 8 Immunization Clinic #2 – Tuesday April 11, 2023

Dates of Significance

Tamil and Sinhala New Year

Tamil and Sinhala New Year (Puththandu/Aluth Avurudu) is a national holiday in Sri Lanka and is celebrated every April. The annual event is marked by religious ceremonies, family activities, traditional foods, colourful decorations and a general feeling of good will toward neighbours and friends. This important national festival, known as Avurudu in Sinhala and Puththandu in Tamil, is not celebrated in any other nation. It is unique to the people of Sri Lanka.

Passover April 5-13, 2023

The eight-day Jewish holiday of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, April 15 - 23, 2022. Passover (Pesach) commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.

Good Friday April 7,2023

This day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Easter Monday is Monday April 10, 2023.

Easter Monday April 10, 2023

This day commemorates the meeting of the women at Jesus' tomb with an angel who assured them that Jesus had been resurrected from death. It is observed as a holiday in some countries.

International Day of Pink April 12, 2023

Communities across the world unite in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobic, transphobic & all forms of bullying. The Day of Pink was started in Nova Scotia when 2 straight high school students saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. The 2 students intervened but wanted to do more to prevent homophobic & transphobic bullying. They decided to purchase pink shirts, and a few days later got everyone at school to arrive wearing pink, standing in solidarity. The result was that an entire school took a stand and began working together to prevent homophobic & transphobic bullying.

Vaisakhi April 14, 2023

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 24

Fri, 24 May 2024 23:30:00 GMT

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

We would like to take this opportunity to let our school community know that Mr. Ruddock will not be at Bellwood for the next school year. He will be moving onto Bolton C. Falby to be a full time Vice Principal. Mr. Ruddock has been an integral part of the Bellwood Community over the last 4 years, and we know he will be missed. We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the staff, students and families to thank Mr. Ruddock for all he has done for our school community. We wish him all the best in his new school. His last day at Bellwood will be June 27, 2024

We will be welcoming Todd Smart to be our new Vice Principal for the 2024-2025 school year.

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. In order 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

May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO
May 30 SCC Meeting
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

Durham Forest Summer Day 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.

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.

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 Black Educator’s Network

The Durham Black Educators’ Network is thrilled to present its 9th Annual Elementary Edition of the "And Still We Rise" conference. This is a unique opportunity for students in Grades 4 to 8 to learn and grow, and it's all for FREE. Join us on Saturday, May 25th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pickering High School for a day filled with Afrocentric activities, a keynote interactive speech by Vidoll Regisford, RP, on Destigmatising Mental Health in the Black Community, and light refreshments.Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay for the morning. We have several interactive sessions tailored specifically for you while your child(ren) engages in fun activities. Please complete the registration link here or the one in the poster. Click on the link 2024 DBEN And still we rise HYPERLINK.docx.pdf

DDSB Student Art Gallery Opening

Join us for the 3^rd annual Student Art Gallery Opening on Thursday, May 30 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Help us celebrate students’ creative interpretation of the theme My Journey, My Joy, My Genius. #IgniteLearning #IgniteConnection #IgniteWellBeing

Save the Date: Jump Rope for Heart: June 4, 2024

Last week we kicked off Jump Rope for Heart at Bellwood! We are already receiving donations and are working towards our school goal of $2000. Just a reminder that our Jump Event will be taking place on Tuesday, June 4th! If you haven’t already registered online to fundraise, there is still lots of time! Click the link to register to our school’s event page:

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 4^thda Vinci Public School

Tuesday, June 18^thPort 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.

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ignite Learning Foundation in Partnership with Tribute Community Center

Thanks to the success of the Harlem Globetrotters ticket sales, the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation has again partnered with Tribute Communities Centre for two upcoming shows:

Monster Trucks ‘All Out Northern Lights Party’ - May 25th

All tickets sold using the code IGNITE will see $5.00 from each ticket go to helping our students during their time of need.

The IDLF Team

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

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

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

The following teams and clubs are running;

Track and Field 2024 Track & Field - Schedule.pdf

Dates of Significance

May 26 - June 1 is National Accessibility Week

We invite you to join us for National Access Ability 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 27 - May 31 Bike to School Week

Schools across Ontario will be celebrating during the last week of May. ??Bike to School Week and Bike Month are celebrations of cycling and active transportation, promoting and supporting getting to school using your own power!
Communities that embrace active school travel help kids lead healthier lifestyles and improve their school performance, while also reducing traffic and pollution and making school zones safer for vulnerable road users. Also, being able to bike to school with friends is just plain fun!

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 is 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 Access Ability Week each year.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Announcements Monday May 11th

Sun, 10 May 2020 19:30:00 GMT

Click this link to listen to an audio clip of the weeks announcements ready by one of our very own Bobcats, Kavinash.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Gmsrq8-qq1wgZHEwRSqPuOIJR0UcG2S7

Community Update - November 3

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 20:15:00 GMT

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

We have been busy at school with a lot of learning and engaging activities in classes and around the school. Today we have Mathletes for our grades 3-6 students with our Grade 8 students helping out leading some of the teams. It has been a great day!

We are so proud of our students as they demonstrated respect to our guest teachers who were in on Thursday as staff had an opportunity to work together.

We are happy to announce that Breakfast with the Bobcats will be happening again this year on Saturday December 9, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Entry to this event is FREE however we will have boxes set up for donations of perishable items to give to our local food banks. Please click on the link for more information https://forms.gle/KZ1DvYvGrbD1ADQs5

We will have craft stations set up for families to attend, there will be a photo booth with a nominal cost to get a family photo and we will be having 3 basket raffles. We look forward to seeing everyone out for this great community event!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Setting up Parent Interviews

As per the email that went out earlier this week. We will be using the parent interview app to schedule parent teacher interviews again this year. Interviews will be happening the evening of Thursday November 16 and the morning of November 17, 2023.

Information from Public Health

Youth Vaping: Youth vaping is on the rise. Did you know that 29% pf Canadian Students in Grades 7-12 have reported they have tried vaping. Please check out this website for information on Youth Vaping www.NotAnExperiment.ca

Kids Can Resource: This resource is targeted towards parents of young children and has information about building resiliency, learning to express feelings, building confidence, and adapting to change. This resource can be found at the following link :

https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/resources/Documents/MentalHealth/kidsCanMagazineFinal.pdf

Ignite Foundation Chew Chew Train Food Drive

The classes are set to start collecting perishable items for our Chew Chew Train Food Drive for the DDSB Ignite Foundation. The class to bring in the most food items will win a pizza party!

Volunteering at our School

We have had some parents ask about volunteering at the school. If you would like to volunteer at the school, there is a package that will need to be filled out as well as you will need to have an updated vulnerable sector criminal reference check completed and submitted as part of the package.

If you would like a package, please come into the office to pick one up.

Save the Date:

Nov. 8 – L2L grade 8 training for those interested in this leadership opportunity
Nov. 14 – Photo retake day
Nov. 15 – Progress reports go home electronically
Nov. 16 – Parent interview evening
Nov. 17 – PA Day No School for students Parent Interviews continue in the A.M.
Nov. 21 - Level Up Skill Trades Fairs for parent/guardians and students see attached flyer

Dates of Significance:

November 5-11

Treaties Recognition Week

Ontario designated the first week in November as Treaties Recognition Week to promote education and awareness about Treaties and Treaty relationships. All students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are enriched by learning about the histories, contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada. Treaties Recognition Week provides an opportunity for teachers to plan curriculum-linked learning activities about Treaties. This week provides all educators with the opportunity to engage in learning with students and school communities.

Treaties Recognition Week was introduced to recognize and understand the importance of treaty education and to help everyone in Ontario learn about treaty.

Treaties are legal agreements made between two or more Nations.
Treaty-making preceded North American settlement.
Treaty outlines the terms, relationship and conditions of settlement in Indigenous Territories.

Both Settler and Indigenous Nations have a responsibility for knowing and upholding the Treaty obligations.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes, “the urgent need to respect and promote the rights of Indigenous peoples affirmed in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements with States.”

November 6th International Day for preventing the exploitation of the environment

The United Nations attaches great importance to ensuring that action on the environment is part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies, because there can be no durable peace if the natural resources that sustain livelihoods and ecosystems are destroyed. On 5 November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.

November 8th

Indigenous Veterans Day

This November 8th is National Indigenous Veterans Day, a day of remembrance and commemoration of the contributions of Indigenous veterans in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korean War. This Indigenous Veterans Day, we would like to express our gratitude for the contributions Indigenous veterans have made to Canada and the world.

November 11th

Remembrance Day

This day commemorates the soldiers killed in World Wars I and II and is in remembrance for all those who have given their lives in service of their country. Canadians always set aside this day in memory of those who gave their lives for freedom. Many observers wear red poppies as a symbol of this day.

Community Update - October 4

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 23:30:00 GMT

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

We are now on Instagram!! Please follow us @bellwoodps!

We have had many sporting events happening at Bellwood in the past few weeks. We had many students participate in the Cross-Country Run at Thornton P.S. known as the “Thornton Thump”! We had two intermediate, and two junior coed flag football teams represent our school in the DEAA Flag Football tournament. Finally our intermediate girls played their first volleyball game. Our students are having fun, engaged and representing our school very well. We are so proud of them!

Our Character Traits that we are focusing this month are on Responsibility and Respect. Please watch the DDSB video on Responsibility with your child. It can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1jAGsPzrPA

At our assembly this week we also showed the students a video from Sesame Street on Respect. It is a fun and engaging video on what respect is all about. You can view this video with your child at home and discuss as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1jAGsPzrPA

Please see below for our weekly updates!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Road Safety

Safety of our students, staff and community members is our number one priority! We are noticing that we still have a number of families crossing in front of cars during our before and after school Kiss and Ride. For the safety of everyone we are encouraging our families to use the sidewalks and to not cut through the cars in the Kiss and Ride.

Please remind your children when they are walking to school to remember to stay on the sidewalks and cross with the crossing guard and at the cross walks. This is for the safety of all who are using and monitoring the Kiss and Ride, staff, students and community members.

Walk to School Day Wednesday October 2, 2024

We had a very successful Walk to School Day this week and we are planning to promote walking to school for the whole month of October! Please encourage your children to walk to school or wheel to school.

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation is rolling out a new initiative to raise funds so we can continue to Make A Difference and stay true to our vision of 'Making Tomorrow's Brighter' for students that attend DDSB schools.

We are introducing a gift card fundraising program called FundScrip.

Most of us buy groceries, gas, household items, eat in restaurants, go to the movies, or need gifts for holidays, birthdays and special events. Now you can buy gift cards for everyday purchases from a wide array of retail categories such as groceries, gas, home improvement, department stores, restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores and many more.

The gift cards themselves come from some of Canada’s largest retailers, with over 200 participating. They are sold and spent at face value with a percentage donated to IDLF, there are no additional costs involved. You can use the cards to pay for your purchases instead of using cash, debit, or credit cards and still continue to collect your loyalty points (Optimum, Air Miles, Aeroplan etc.).

Please see attached flyer for more information and the link to sign up. Fundscrip Flyer IDLF.pdf

Or visit our website: https://ignitedurhamlearningfoundation.ddsb.ca/en/donate/support-idlf-through-gift-cards.aspx

We appreciate the support we receive from our DDSB community - please consider sharing this with your team, friends and family. The more folks purchasing, the more funds we receive to support our kids.

With thanks,

The IDLF Team

Volunteer of Distinction Ceremony

The Durham District School Board is committed to engaging students, parents, and community members to improve student outcomes and build public confidence. We recognize the importance and value of the involvement of parents and community members. Our volunteers significantly and positively impact the success of our students. We acknowledge this commitment annually at the DDSB Volunteer of Distinction Awards Ceremony. For the 2023 – 2024 school year at Bellwood we are honored to recognize Zubia Rajput and Hasan Bashir as our Volunteers of Distinction. They have demonstrated commitment to the school and have been actively involved in furthering the goals of our school community.

The Volunteer of Distinction Award Ceremony will be held on October 17, 2024 at Sinclair Highschool

Food, Treats at School and Halloween

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Kiss and Ride

Between 8:55 – 9: 15 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.

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

Teams and Activities Around Bellwood

Cross Country: at lunch Monday to Thursday
Intermediate Boys Volleyball: Wednesday at 8:15 and Thursday afterschool
Intermediate Girls Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday after school and Thursday morning.
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207
Bell Choir grades 6 to 8 – sign up in Room 207

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

Save the Date

World Teacher’s Day: Saturday October 5, 2024
Thanksgiving: Monday October 14, 2024, All Schools closed
Picture Day: Thursday October 17, 2024
Guest Speaker Kwesi Millington: Thursday October 24, 2024
SCC Meeting: Wednesday October 30, 2024
School Spirit Wear: Information will be provided at a later date

Dates of Significance

October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month in Canada. It is recognized in order to reduce the stigma surrounding learning disabilities in children and adults. It is a month to learn more about the challenges that individuals with learning disabilities face and to consider what kind of supports organizations and schools can offer. In we also recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month. National Disability Employment Awareness Month, held in October, was established to increase awareness of the positive outcomes of hiring persons with disabilities in Canada. This October, employers are encouraged to take part in a nationwide campaign that highlights the positive contributions that employees with disabilities make to Canadian workplaces.

October 5, 2024, 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 recommendations by the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries

October 11 International Day of the Girl Child

Girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence. COVID-19 has worsened existing burdens on girls around the world and worn away important gains made over the last decade.

With adversity, however, comes resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity, and resilience. The world's 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and the opportunities, they can be the changemakers driving progress in their communities, building back stronger for all, including women, boys and men.

Girls are ready for a decade of acceleration forward. It is time for us all to stand accountable – with and for girls – and to invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential.

October 11, 2024 National Coming Out Day

‘Coming out’, the expression used to describe the social acknowledgement of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is a deeply personal process. On this day, we can reflect on our attitudes and beliefs and how we make all people feel welcome and a sense of belonging.

October 14 Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

School Spirit Wear

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:45:00 GMT

School Spirit Wear is here! Attached is the student spirit wear order form, including the new Bellwood Bobcat mascot stuffie. In order to receive the items for the holidays, our deadline for placing our order is November 29^th. You will need to fill out an order form and bring it to our school office with cash or a cheque. This will NOT be on School Cash online.

Looking forward to seeing our students all decked out in Bobcat spirit wear!

Please click on the link for the order form Spirit Wear Bellwood Order Form_STUDENT 2024-2025.pdf

Community Update - August 30

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 00:45:00 GMT

Dear Bellwood P.S. Community,

With anticipation in the air, it is our privilege to welcome all our students, staff and parents back to Bellwood P.S. where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Custodial Staff Tammy Skinner and David Calanchie for doing a great job over the summer preparing our school for the return of our students and staff next week! The school looks AMAZING!

Our shared commitment to learning, growth, and collaboration continues to be the cornerstone of our vibrant school community. The commencement of each school year brings with it a sense of renewal, a chance to embark on new adventures. To our returning students, it's wonderful to have you back! Your energy and enthusiasm infuse our halls with life, and we are eager to see the remarkable progress you will make this year. For our students and parents new to Bellwood P.S, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome. You have joined a community that values diversity, curiosity, kindness, and a passion for exploration.

Welcome back to school! Please don’t hesitate to connect with the office at 905 436-0098 at any time if you have questions or concerns throughout the coming year. Our team is here to help!

Please have a look at the Return to School Website Return to School webpage and the FAQ page Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Have a wonderful week ahead and long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Action Required! Parent Portal Student Verification Forms

At the end of each summer, it is important that parents log into the DDSB Parent Portal to review, update, and submit the Student Verification Form for each child from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Please note: this does not apply to new Junior Kindergarten students.

Why?

1. This form contains essential details we may need to keep your child safe at school. This includes parent and emergency contact names and phone numbers, medical and custody information if applicable.

2. You will be able to find out your child’s teacher and room number for the first day of school. You will not have access to this information if the form is not updated. The Teacher information will be made available starting on Thursday, August 31.

3. Grade 7 students receive their DDSB Chromebooks and require online verification through the parent portal before they can be distributed.

If you have not had time to visit the Parent Portal we encourage you to do so. Information on how to access the returning student registration form can be found in this PDF.

Bell Times

As a reminder, our bell times this year are: These are also posted to our school website.

· Morning supervision begins at 8:55 a.m.

· Morning Entry: 9:10

· Lunch: 11:50 – 12:50

· End of Day: 3:35

Kindergarten Start Dates 2023/2024:

As a reminder, incoming/returning Year 1 (JK) and Year 2 (SK) Kindergarten students will all start on the first day of the 2023/2024 school year.

Class Placements

· As professionals, we work collaboratively and put a great deal of thoughtful consideration into determining the best class placement for your child. We consider many criteria when organizing new classes, including academic needs, work habits, learning skills and style, mixed groupings of abilities, group dynamics, social relationships, class size and ministry criteria. Our goal is to provide the optimum placement for every child in order to maximize learning for all.

· We recognize that there can be a lot of anxiety regarding class placements. We appreciate your support in helping your child work through this process and ask that you respect the professional judgement of the staff. It is our hope that each new school year can be looked upon as an opportunity to meet new classmates, develop new friendships and further prepare our students for life-long learning.

First Day Procedures for Students in Grades 1-8

· All students in grades 1-8 are asked to come to the paved area at the back of the school between 8:55am and 9:10 a.m. All homeroom teachers will be outside with a sign that has their name on it. Students are asked to find their teacher and go to them for further instructions on where to line up. All non-homeroom teachers will also be outside to assist our students in finding their teacher.

· In order to lessen the stress and to help the process go smoother and faster, we kindly ask that the parents/guardians of our youngest learners (Gr. 1 & 2), provide their child with either a piece of paper or sticker on their clothing that states the child’s name and

their teacher’s name. Students can often be shy or overwhelmed on the first day of school and this information will assist staff in quickly identifying your child and getting them to their teacher.

Morning Arrival (after the first day and throughout the school year)

Upon arrival at school in the morning, students in grades 1-8 will remain outside in their designated areas until the bell rings. Once the bell rings, they will line up by class and the teacher on duty will facilitate entry into the building. Kindergarten students will enter through their designated gated areas. Supervision begins at 8:55 am and therefore we kindly ask that students not arrive at school prior to this time.

Lunch

Students are permitted to go home for lunch. Lunch is from 11:50 am-12:50 pm. We kindly ask that you let your child’s teacher know if they will be going home on the first day and a separate lunch letter will be going home with all students next week. Students will exit via their regular door when leaving the building for lunch. Intermediate students will not be permitted to leave for lunch in the community unless they have shown their teacher a note and sign-out in the classroom. Please note if staying at school for lunch we are a “Boomerang” school, which means all garbage will go back home in your child’s lunch bag.

Late Arrivals

Students who arrive at school after 9:10 a.m., are asked to report to the office. They will be signed in and then admitted to class. Please make every effort to get your child to school on time to optimize their success. Being on time for school will be a good routine for getting them in the habit as they get older and have jobs.

Student Absences and Early Dismissal

If your child will be absent, arriving late or leaving school early, parents must report it to the school (just as you have always done) using the automated DDSB School Messenger system. If you have not already done so, please be sure to visit the School Messenger website and create an account. More information is available on the DDSB Website.

Safe Arrivals: Reporting Absences

The Durham District School Board uses the online SchoolMessenger service for reporting student absences. You can report your child’s absence by:

· Calling 1-844-350-2646 · Online or on your smartphone through the SchoolMessenger app

Dropping Off Forgotten Items and lunches

We continue to grow our students to be responsible citizens. As such, we expect them to come to school prepared with all learning materials, lunches, snacks, and water bottles. We understand that sometimes, an important item might be forgotten at home and needs to be dropped off. If this occurs, we ask that you clearly label the item and leave it on the cart in the front vestibule. We will endeavor to get the item to your child in a timely manner.

Kiss N Ride

A reminder to all families that Bellwood P.S. is a walking school, and we encourage families to walk their children to school. Should you choose to drive students to school please consider the following:

· If you are using the Kiss and Ride you are expected to remain in your vehicle at all times. Children should be able to exit the vehicles without driver assistance.

· We ask families for your patience as our students exit/enter the buses before and after school.

· SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR PRIORITY. Please be mindful of students and families walking across the sidewalk as you exit our parking lot.

· Please do not park in front of the Kindergarten enclosure for morning drop off and afternoon pick up.

· Please find a parking spot in front of the school if you are walking your child to class

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep all our students and families safe.

Volunteers

We are excited to welcome volunteers into the school. As a reminder, all volunteers must have a current criminal reference check on file with the school. They must be within the last 6 months and include Vulnerable Sector Screening.

Save the Date: Curriculum Night

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, we invite students and family members to join us for our Meet the Teacher Night. Stay tuned for more information.

YMCA PlayON afterschool program

We are pleased to announce that the YMCA PlayON program has available spots at your school. Our registration process continues to be in an online format; below you will find a registration form that you must complete and submit. If your registration is successful, you will receive a confirmation from a staff letting you know your start date and important program details.

PlayON operates at Bellwood P.S. on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from dismissal to 5:45 PM. Please note the change in days from previous year.

Children from grade one to grade eight are invited to join us to explore nutrition, wellness, physical activity, and other fun activities.

A few details:

Program Cost: Nil

A healthy snack is provided everyday

Students meet staff at a designated area at the beginning of program; a staff will provide details upon program confirmation

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE PLAYON PROGRAM https://forms.gle/2pnBfLe2CrUKoEHJ6

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - February 9

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 01:00:00 GMT

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

Our Intermediate boy’s basketball team worked very hard at our intermediate boys basketball Area Playdowns. Unfortunately, the boys were defeated but they represented Bellwood in the finest way, exhibiting great sportsmanship.

Our Girls Intermediate girl’s basketball is underway and have been practicing really hard. They played their first game yesterday and we will be letting you know of upcoming games once the schedule has been finalized.

Bellwood is participating in the Ontario Skills Challenge. The intermediate Vex IQ (robotics) team has to build and program a robot to compete a series of challenges in a gaming arena. We will submit a video to the judges (DDSB employees) at the end of February. Winning school teams will have the ability to attend the Regional Finals at the Tribute Centre in Oshawa in April. Good luck, Go Bobcats Go!

We are looking for volunteers to help cook pancakes on Tuesday February 13, 2024 for our school for Shrove Tuesday. If you are able to help us out please contact Ms. Knights at sharon.knights@ddsb.ca If you have a griddle/skillet that we can borrow please let us know.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Smencils Grade 8 Graduation Fundraiser is underway!

The Grade 8's are fundraising for their Grad on Feb 9, 16, and 23 on Treat Fridays. We are selling Smencils. The cost of the Smencils will be $2 each or 3 for $5. See the attached flyer. Smencils.png

Choosing My Success Student Transition Guide for Grade 8 Families

Please see the attached guide for your information on students transitioning from grade 8 to grade 9. Please click on the link Choosing-My-Success Student Transition Guide (4) (2).pdf

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Celebrating Black History Month

The Durham Black Educators Network (DBEN) will be hosting a Black History Month Celebration on Thursday, February 15^th from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at Ajax High School. The event will be family focussed with a buffet dinner and dessert, keynote speaker, student entertainment, a silent auction and a vendors' alley. We hope you can join us as we celebrate our Black student performing and visual artists.

Please see attached poster and link below for ticket information.

TICKET AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Click here to register. https://forms.gle/92Z4pKBWVLZCtyCPA

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Intermediate Girls Basketball
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club will be starting for selected students on Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024 from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Vex Robotics Intermediate Club is up and running. They meet Monday’s afterschool and Friday’s before school
Intermediate Badminton team try-outs have started on Tuesday mornings before school

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

The SCC will be having two Family Movie Nights this year as a part of our SCC fundraising initiatives;

Thursday February 15, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.
Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family. We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Dental Screening at Bellwood P.S.

Dental Screening will be happening at Bellwood PS on February 12, and 13, 2024!

Who will be screened?

All students in JK, SK, Grade 2, 4, 7, 8 and special education classes
Any student previously identified as having an urgent need
Any additional student by parent/guardian request
Children identified with an urgent need may have

additional screenings throughout the year

Save the Date

February 12-13 Dental Screening
February 13 Shrove (Pancake Tuesday)
February 15 SCC Family Movie Night
February 19 Family Day – No School
February 21 Term 1 Reports go home
February 28 Pink Shirt Day

Dates of Significance

Feb. 10 is the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities, among others. The New Year celebration is usually celebrated for multiple days—not just one day as in the Gregorian calendar’s New Year. In 2024, Lunar New Year begins on February 10.

Feb. 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance that celebrates the achievements and contributions of women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This day recognizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the scientific community.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - April 14

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:15:00 GMT

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

We would like to take a moment to thank our staff and students for their quick response to our fire alarm that happened yesterday at lunch. All students moved through the building quickly, quietly and in an orderly manner just like we practice when we do fire drills. What was especially impressive with our students is that this happened during the lunch hour when our Lunchroom Supervisors are on duty. It was great to see that all students knew what to do and that they were at their spots for their teachers to meet them as their teachers were on lunch. A big shout out to our lunchroom supervisors for a job well done!

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. In order to keep all children safe, we are reminding you to please do not enter the Kindergarten enclosure. 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!

Bellwood Community Eid Dinner: Eid at Bellwood 2024!

Bellwood Public School would love to welcome all members of the Bellwood community to an Eid Dinner celebration. Eid is the celebration that marks the end of the fast of Ramadan. Last year’s Iftar dinner was an incredible success! This year, we have decided that we would like to celebrate Eid with the Bellwood families. Please join us on Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 5:30 pm at Bellwood Public School for this year’s Eid at Bellwood 2024! Feel free to dress up in your Eid outfits. There will be arts and crafts, henna decorations, and what would Eid be without delicious food?

Itinerary:

5:30 pm - Stations will open for arts and crafts, Eid cards, photobooth and henna designs (in different classrooms)

6:30 pm -An announcement will be made to wrap up stations as dinner will be served in the gym

7:00 pm - Eid presentations from the students

7:30 pm- Wrap up and clean up

Please fill out the Google Form to let us know if you will be able to attend, volunteer or donate items for our Eid community event https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf52Gt4SAzP7XUJKGGNG8Bh5LJ-PyuG7Hrg0vM7jvsuiNgDFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0.

OR click on this link which has a QR code to take you to the google form Eid At Bellwood (1).pdf

In celebrating Eid we will be having a food and toy drive. On the evening of the Eid dinner, we are asking for donations of perishable food items and/or new toys. These donations will be given to the Ignite Durham Foundation for families across the Durham Region.

Parents who have indicated that they will be bringing in donations, we would really appreciate it if donations can be brought in Monday morning. If you are donating food items, please consider bringing these in the afternoon or coming a bit early so we can set up.

We are excited to see our school community at this event!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Save the Date

April 16 Eid Dinner
April 25 Family Movie Night
May 20 NO School - Victoria Day Weekend
May 21 – 24 Grade 3 EQAO
May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO
TBA FDK Family Friday

Newcomer Fair

The attached flyer is for the Welcome to Ajax: Newcomer Fair on Wednesday April 24, 2024 between 3-6pm. Please click on the link to see flyer 2024 Welcome to Ajax - Newcomer Fair_Flyer.pdf

The session will be held at the Ajax Public Library - Main Branch @ 55 Harwood Avenue South in the Rotary Room.

The session will share information about local community organizations including settlement services, volunteer opportunities, employment help, and more.

If you are interested in attending, please register at ajax.ca/newcomersfair

DDSB Recruitment Information Workshop

A FREE information session is scheduled for: May 4, 2024,

at the Education Centre, 400 Taunton Road E., Whitby, ON.

From 10am to 12 noon.

Registration is required to ensure we can accommodate all interested participants. https://forms.gle/DVQ4jQdJJnEoDVGq8

Youth Empowerment Event 2024 Youth empowerment event grades 9-11.png

Parent Engagement: An evening with Sam Demma@ Donald A. Wilson on Thursday May 9, 2024

Sam Demma is a best-selling author and one of the most in-demand keynote speakers in the Education and Association sectors. He co-founded the volunteer organization PickWaste, delivered two TEDx talks, and—as a result of his exceptional contributions to Canada—was awarded the prestigious Queens Platinum Jubilee Award.

His work is often featured on national news shows like Marilyn Dennis, Breakfast Television, and most notably, his mom’s Facebook profile. Sam delivers hundreds of programs across North America annually, and his entertaining presentations address the topics of Mental Health, Leadership and Kindness.

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

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

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

? Promoting Learning Through Play!

? Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Self-Reg: Supporting the Path to Young Children's Well-being

? Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

? Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please click on the link for registration information March 22 Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series 2024 - Admin Memo.pdf

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Folk Dancing Club April 9 to May 7, 2024. Practices will be Tues. and Thurs. from 3:45 - 4:45
Junior Girls Basketball team have been picked please see notices sent home for times of practices and games
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Second Round of Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. The second round of cooking club will start on Wednesday April 17, 2024.

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Date

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

April 12 International Day of Pink

April 12 International Day of Silence

National Day of Silence in April each year is a student-led movement to protest bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students and those who support them. The Day of Silence brings awareness and illustrates to the schools and the colleges how intimidation, name-calling, and general bullying have a silencing effect. Participating students take a day-long vow of silence.

April 12 Tamil and Sinhala New Year

April 14 Vaisakhi

April 19 Ridvan

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - March 4

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 14:15:00 GMT

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

Our Walk to School Day was a huge success!! We would like to thank all families that participated and supported our walk to school initiative. Our Kiss and Ride was bare!! It was so much fun to see parents who normally drive walk to school on purpose to support the school! We will be definitely having more of these days!! Stay tuned!! A big, “Shout Out” to Mr. Ruddock who organized this event and to the student leaders that helped out!!

During the month of March or Character Trait of the Month that we will be focusing on is Respect. We will be reminding students daily to; Remember that respect looks like keeping our hands to ourselves and not touching other people’s belongings, Respect feels good when we are kind and respectful towards others, Respect sounds like speaking with good purpose about yourself and others and always using your manners and appropriate language.

Friday March 10, 2023 will be the start of our March Break. Please remember that there will be no school on Friday March 10, 2023. We will be asking you to remind your child, children to check the lost and found for items that may belong to them. We will be cleaning up the lost and found, any left-over items will be donated.

Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes ETC.

Just a reminder to parent’s food delivery services at lunch should not be happening at Bellwood. We have noticed that some of our intermediate students are ordering lunches online with Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes etc. Please note due to students with allergies we would prefer that this not be happening at Bellwood.

Parking and traffic on and around Bellwood Drive before and afterschool

Durham Student Transportation Services has received a Safety Concern from the school bus operators regarding parents parking on both sides of the street. This makes it difficult for the buses to get through and turn into the loading zone as well as to come back out onto the street. The problem seems to be in the afternoon more so than in the morning.

Please be reminded not to park between Woodlawn Crt. and Lowder Pl. Unfortunately, if this problem is not resolved the Transportation company will be reaching out to the DRPS and the By-law office.

We know that working together we can resolve this problem. Please consider if you live close by to walk your children to school.

DDSB Parent Involvement Committee Dr Pam Palmater Parent Engagement Series.pdf

Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends,

I am pleased to inform you that Dr. Pam Palmater will be the first guest speaker* this year for the Parent Engagement Speaker Series of the Parent Involvement Committee. Dr. Pamela Palmater is a Mi’kmaw lawyer, professor, author, and social justice activist from Ugpi-ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation) in New Brunswick. She holds four university degrees, including a BA from St. Thomas in Native Studies; an LLB from the University of New Brunswick; and her Master and Doctor of Laws from Dalhousie University, specializing in Indigenous law. Dr. Pam Palmater will be talking to the topic:

Myths vs Facts about Indigenous Rights

Dr. Palmater’s session will conclude with a Q and A session. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, 8 March from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

You can register for the presentation by clicking on this link:

http://bit.ly/3Zejtit

As you know, our board is committed to centering Indigenous rights and Dr. Palmater’s presentation is designed to guide us as we increase our knowledge and understanding around Indigenous rights.

Dr. Palmater is a well-known public speaker and media commentator – considered one of Canada’s Top 25 Influential Movers and Shakers by the Financial Post and the Top 5 Most Influential Lawyer in Human Rights by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

We would like to encourage everyone to attend. Looking forward to a rich evening of learning with Dr. Pam Palmater

Reminder: Chromebook Support for In-Person Students

Students learning in-person should report any Chromebook or other device damage to their teacher. From there, schools will troubleshoot or submit an IT Incident as per the standard process.

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation

Dear DDSB Families,

We would like to introduce you to the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation that operates at arm's length from the Durham District School Board (DDSB).

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation is a charitable organization that serves to remove financial barriers to create equitable opportunities that empower Durham District School Board students to achieve academic and personal success.

The Foundation provides funding for students under five pillars:

Starfish Fund: Assisting schools in addressing student needs
Make a Difference Fund: Offering financial subsidies to students experiencing poverty
Think Outside the Bell Fund: Supporting student participation in specialized programs
Future Fund: Assisting students with building post-secondary pathways
S.N.A.C.K. Fund: Student Nutrition fund provides food Access to Classrooms and Kids

Our Vision is ‘Make Tomorrow’s Brighter’ for DDSB children and youth in our DDSB Family.

We are reaching out today to invite you to join us by participating in our Second Annual Silent Auction. The Make Tomorrow Brighter auction will open for bids on Saturday March 4^th at noon and close on March 11^th at 4:00 p.m. Last year we raised over $19,000, all of which went directly back into our DDSB school communities to support our students. This year, we are asking for your support to help us raise over $20,000 by bidding on your choice of over 200 items; some of which include NBA Tickets, NHL tickets, video game consoles and a Thermea SpaExperience!

There are several ways you can support:

Share this information with your family, friends and colleagues.

2. Participate in the auction by bidding on some of the fantastic items that we have.

Find out more about the Second Annual Silent Auction here, visit idlf.ca for information about the Foundation, and please reach out to us at ignite.foundation@ddsb.ca with any questions, comments, or ideas.

Thank you for your support. Together, schools, families, friends and the IDLF will make tomorrow brighter for DDSB students. Let’s remove barriers, have some fun and raise some funds.

Thank you,

Stacey Lepine-Fisher

Executive Director

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation

Ontario Tech University – 2023 Virtual Spring Break Camps

Ontario Tech’s Office of Continuous Learning, in partnership with the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, is pleased to offer virtual spring break camps March 13 to 17. Our spring camps cover educational subjects, including STEM, coding, and gaming!

For more information about our camp offerings, please visit our camps website: https://ontariotechu.ca/camps

March School Spirit Days

Monday March 6 – Hat Day
Tuesday March 7 - Twin Day
Wednesday March 8 – Pajamas Day
Thursday March 9 - Beach Wear/Tourist Day

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

Monday March 6 School Spirit Week starts
Friday March 10 NO School beginning of March Break
Friday March 10 – Friday March 17 March Break
Monday March 20 Welcome Back to School

Community Iftar Green Elegant Ramadhan Iftar Party Invitation (4).pdf

We would like to invite our school community to an Iftar meal at Bellwood Public School to celebrate Ramadan. An Iftar describes the evening meal eaten by Muslims after the sun has gone down during Ramadan.

Bellwood plans to host an Iftar on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the event will end at 8:30 pm. Please join us for this event.

The evening will go as follows;

There will be stations set up in classrooms for families to attend (Henna, colouring, Ramadan story, craft) between 6:30 to 7:20 pm.
There will be special guest speakers in the Gym from 7:20-7:49.
At 7:49pm, there will be time for prayer in the library and eating in the Gym.

We look forward to seeing Bellwood families there!

Please complete this survey before March 21st in order to help determine number in attendance and to ensure enough food. Please click on the link to access the Google Form https://forms.gle/3cRpEC19xMq8UZUMA

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Dates of Significance

Purim (Judaism) March 6-7, 2023

Purim is known as the Feast of Lots, which celebrates the deliverance of Jews in Persia from the machinations of Haman. Jews dress in costume and give gifts of food to each other.

Int. Women's Day March 8, 2023

According to one source, a women's march in New York in 1857 provided the inspiration for the day. Others claim that it began as a commemoration of a strike by women needle trades workers in New York City in 1908. International Women's Day was revived in the 1960s and in 1975 the U.N. began sponsoring this day.

Holi (Hinduism, Sikhism) March 8, 2023

This festival of colour celebrates Spring, where people play with liquid and powdered colours, light bonfires and blow horns to celebrate the destruction of Holika.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - December 15

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:45:00 GMT

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

Our Chew Chew Train Food Drive campaign for the DDSB Ignite Foundation has come to an end. Thank you to all of the families who have donated non-perishable items for this food drive. In total we were able to collect as a school 1000 items to donate. The top 3 classes to bring the most food were;

Third Place was Mrs. Khan and Mrs. MacMillan’s class with 116 items
Second Place was Mrs. Langeveldt and Ms. Douglas’s class with 180 items
First Place was Mrs. Calder’s class with 222 items

Congratulations to Mrs. Calder’s class who brought in the most items and who will be getting a Pizza party on Monday December 18, 2023 @ 2:30 p.m.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

December Holiday Spirit Days December 18 -22, 2023

Monday December 18 – Door Decorating, Staff Flannel, Creative Sock Day
Tuesday December 19 – Wacky Hat Day
Wednesday December 20 – Holiday Concert Day
Thursday December 21 – Pajama Day, Door decoration contest announcement of the top 3 doors
Friday December 22 – Fun Festive Sweater Day

SK Vision Screening

Our Senior Kindergarten Vision Screening has now been completed by the Durham region health department. Please use the following link where families can find information such as how to find an optometrist (and even specifically a list of optometrists in Whitby), assistance with the cost of prescription eyewear for students, and more www.durham.ca/VisionScreening

DDSB Positive School Climate Department

The Positive School Climates Department (PSCD) of the Durham District School Board (DDSB) is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. As part of this commitment, we have developed a long-standing relationship with Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR), who has been providing staff and student education on the topic of Youth Sex Trafficking.

The PSCD is pleased to share with you this opportunity hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program taking place this Tuesday, December 19^th from 6 to 8 pm.

Parents/Guardians can register using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sex-trafficking-education-and-prevention-program-december-2023-tickets-676120132517

Save the Date

December 20 – Holiday Concert at 1:15 p.m.
December 22 - Last day of school Before Winter Break
January 8 – School Resumes after Winter Break

Dates of Significance

December 20 International Human Solidarity Day

Every year on December 20th, International Human Solidarity Day seeks to celebrate the word’s unity in diversity. It’s also a day to raise awareness about the importance of solidarity.

Solidarity is defined as an awareness of shared interests and objectives that create a psychological sense of unity. Solidarity also refers to the ties in a society that bind people together as one.

According to the United Nations Millennium Declaration, solidarity is among the fundamental values that are essential to international relations. The Declaration also states that global challenges must be managed so that costs and burdens are distributed fairly. This is in accordance with the basic principles of equity and social justice. Additionally, those who suffer the least should help those who suffer the most.

Yalda is December 21st

Shab-e-Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh (Yalda Night) is one of the most ancient Persian festivals annually celebrated on December 21 by Iranians all around the world. This is one of the most celebrated traditional events in Iran which marks the longest night of the year, that is, in the night of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice.

Yule is December 22

Yule is a Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice, dating way back before Christianity. Yule is part of the Celtic calendar, the cycle of seasonal festivals such as Solstices and Equinoxes.

Occurring on December 21st, Yule constitutes the shortest day of the year. Back in the day, humans lived closer to nature, and seasons played an essential role in people's lives, dictating daily activities. Yule celebrations included bonfires, holly and mistletoe decorations, and of course, feasts.

Note that many Christmas traditions actually come from Yule: the Yule log, children going from house to house with gifts, leaving their shoes next to the hearth, evergreen trees decorations, and more.

December 25th is Christmas Day

This day, December 25, celebrates Jesus Christ's birth over 2000 years ago. Customs, particularly in the northern hemisphere, include lighting candles, exchanging gifts and using evergreen decorations to celebrate this day, the most widely observed Christian festival of the year. In most communities it is a family day.

Kwanzaa is December 26 - January 1

A professor who wanted to encourage African Americans to celebrate their heritage started Kwanzaa's in California in 1966. Kwanzaa means first fruit in Swahili and is a harvest festival. Families exchange gifts and have African-style feasts. Seven-pronged candle holders are lit on each consecutive night for the seven principles: unity, self-determination, working together, sharing, purpose, creativity and faith. The celebration continues till January 1.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 8

Mon, 08 May 2023 17:15:00 GMT

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

For the month of May our Character Education Focus will be Perseverance.

The Neuroscience of Perseverance

•A study found that key receptors for dopamine function like gateways that are essential to enable habit formation.

•Like Skinner's famous experiment, you can learn to associate a task with a biological reward of feeling good.

•Even something as simple as congratulating yourself can harness your reward circuitry and tap your dopamine pipeline.

Lessons Learned from Perseverance

Key lessons to learn from perseverance and handling setbacks include:

1.Challenges make you stronger and strengthen your ability to face and conquer more adversity in the future.

2. You become more confident from overcoming many difficulties.

3.You learn from mistakes by analyzing what went wrong and reassessing your tactics.

4.When facing adversity, it makes you appreciate the good times.

5.You identify new ways to tackle tasks.

6.You accomplish more tasks with renewed wisdom.

7.You grow as a person –persevering builds your resilience and strengthens your willpower.

8.You become more focused in organizing and sequencing activities, and

9.You become a visionary person who learns what works and what doesn’t.

Our Safety Tip for the month of May linked to Perseverance will be:

I am determined and work hard to finish what I start even if it is difficult. I complete all tasks to the best of my ability. I do not give up when faced with challenges.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Gowns for Grads

Gowns for Grads is coming up on WEDNESDAY May 10, 2023, at G.L. Roberts.

There will be hundreds of dresses, shoes, purses, make-up and accessories to help them celebrate graduation in style!

ALL FREE!! No student ID is required. Please click on the link to see flyer Gowns for Grads.png

SCC Meeting

Our last SCC meeting for this school year will be held on Thursday May 11, 2023 from 7 – 8 p.m. We will be having an in person meeting in the Library. For those who cannot attend in person we will send a link so you will be able to attend virtually. The link will be sent at 6:30 on May 11, 2023.

School Track and Field Day

We will be holding our school Track and Field Day on Wednesday May 10, 2023. Please make sure your children are properly dressed for the weather. If it is a sunny day please make sure they have a hat, sunscreen and regardless of weather a water bottle.

If it rains on May 10, the rain date is Thursday May 11, 2023.

Celebrating the Arts at Bellwood To Be Determined!! Stay Tuned!

Durham Black Educators Celebrates our 2023 Cultivating Possibilities Award Winners

It is with great pride that we announce the 2023 Durham Black Educators’ Network Cultivating Possibilities award winners. This year’s awardees were selected from amongst a pool of one hundred (100) nominations from both elementary and secondary schools.

The students highlighted in the attachment have been selected for their leadership within their schools and the community at large. Their accomplishments reflect a commitment to excellence that is an example for their peers. Please join us in celebrating their success. See the link for the names of the award winners. Cultivating Possibilities Awards Winners 2023.pdf Congratulations to Faith Johnson who won the Elementary Community Leadership Award.

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

Community Engagement with the Black Community

Please join us for an evening of community engagement with the Black community of DDSB. It will be an evening of reciprocity, with DDSB staff sharing their work to dismantle anti-Black racism and DDSB receiving feedback from you, our parents, guardians, and caregivers about the impact of the work on your child’s education experience. Please click on the link for more information Compendium of Action Session Flyer.pdf

Parent Engagement Speaker Series Event with Dr. James Makokis

On Tuesday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m., join Dr. James Makokis while he shares his experiences, stories, challenges, and successes. Dr. Makokis is a Nehiyô (Plains Cree) Family Physician from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and the recent winner of Season 7 of The Amazing Race Canada alongside his husband Anthony Johnson as “Team Ahkameyimok” (“Never give up” in the Plains Cree language). The event will be signed by interpreters from the Toronto Sign Language Institute. There will be an opportunity for questions following the presentation.

For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/3ZCBS8p

Summer High School Math Prep by Roots Academy

Please see the attached flyer for more information Grade 9 Mathematics Poster.png Session will start in person in July with some virtual in June. Running Monday - Friday from 9 am - 2 p.m.

Extra Clothing

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

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

School Track and Field Day – May 10 – Rain Day May 11, 2023
SCC meeting - May 11, 2023
Drumming with Drums et Al - May 15
Grade 6 EQAO – May 16 - 19, 2023
Bellwood Celebration of the Arts – TBD stay tuned!!
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

Dates of Significance:

Cinco de Mayo May 5, 2023

It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the 'Batalla de Puebla' in 1862. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, it came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. It is celebrated on a much larger scale in the United States than it is in Mexico. People of Mexican descent (Chicanos) in the United States celebrate this significant day by having parades, mariachi music, folkloric dancing, and other festive activities.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - September 29

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 01:15:00 GMT

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 11^th. No late submissions will be accepted.

For families of students in Grade 3, you will receive an email on Monday October 2^nd 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 5^th.

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 21^st, 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

Community Update - February 24

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:45:00 GMT

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

We would like to thank parents for their efforts in making sure that your children are dressed appropriately for this amazing winter weather that we are having. The children are enjoying playing in the snow and dressing for the weather makes this an amazing experience. Please continue to send your children to school with snow pants, hats, mitts/gloves a warm coat, boots and a change of clothes just in case they get wet while playing in the snow.

Please note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Our next SCC meeting will be on Thursday March 27, 2025 @ 6 – 7:30 p.m. Thank you to those community members who came to our SCC meeting last night. Please find the minutes for the meeting by clicking on the link School Community Council Meeting Minutes -February 2025.docx

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Muslim Educators' Network of Durham - Ramadan Market

On Sunday February 23, 2025 the Muslim Educators' Network of Durham will be hosting a Ramadan Market from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at J. Clark Richardson Highschool in Ajax. Please click on the link for more information Ramadan Market 2025 .pdf

Ontario Tech Summer Camps

Ontario Tech’s Office of Continuous Learning, in partnership with the Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, is pleased to offer youth safety courses, and week-long in-person and virtual camp programs this coming July and August. Camps cover a variety of educational subjects, including STEAM, robotics, coding & gaming - and more! For more information about our 2025 Summer Camp offerings, please visit our child & youth programming website: https://ontariotechu.ca/camps

As well please click on the link to see flyer with camp offerings 2025-summer-camps-flyer.pdf

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

WINTER IMPORTANT NOTICE

As we are in the depth of winter weather, we are encouraging parents 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.

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.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

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

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball – Schedules will be provided.
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Peer Tutoring: selected grade 8 students @ lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library

Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesdays grade 3 and 4, Wednesdays grades 7 and 8, Friday 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

Feb. 27 - Peer Tutoring Celebration for those students involved in Peer Tutoring
March 5 - Grade 8 Grad Photo re-takes
March 6 – Movie Night 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
March 7 to March 14 – March Break
March 25 – Henna Yasir Art – more information to come
March 27 – SCC meeting 6 – 7:30 p.m.
March 31 – P.A. Day No School for students

Dates of Significance

February 21 is International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.

February 22 – 25 is the Great Prayer Festival

The main purpose of the Great Prayer Festival is to pray for the long life of all the holy Gurus of all traditions, for the survival and spreading of the Dharma in the minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace. The communal prayers, offered with strong faith and devotion, help to overcome obstacles to peace and generate conducive conditions for everyone to live in harmony.

February 26 is Pink Shirt Day

National Pink Shirt Day is a vibrant, national movement to fight bullying. It encourages everyone to wear pink shirts as a stand against bullying and brings people together, promoting kindness and inclusivity.

This day also emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in promoting kindness and stopping bullying. The movement continues to grow, spreading its message worldwide.

February 26 is Shivratri

It is a notable festival in Hinduism, marking a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.^[8] Ardent devotees stay awake throughout this night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on a pilgrimage to the Jyotirlingams. The festival is believed to have originated in 5th century BCE.^[8]

February 28 - March 30, 2025 Start of Ramadan

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community for Muslims around the world.

In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28 February 2025, and will conclude on the evening of Sunday 30 March 2025, with the exact dates contingent upon the sighting of the moon.

Ramadan is a period dedicated to spiritual growth, increased devotion, and worship. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours. This fast, known as Sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is intended to bring Muslims closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - May 17

Fri, 17 May 2024 20:30:00 GMT

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

We would like to thank all of our students and teachers for a great Track and Field Day! It was a marvelous day. Please stay tuned for more information as to who will be competing at the Oshawa Civic for our Area meet. Please note in the Teams and Clubs section of this communication there is a link to the Track and Field practices for those students who will be moving on to the Area Meet.

Our grade 3 and 6 students have been busy preparing for the upcoming EQAO assessments. All students and teachers have been working very hard and we know our students will do their best!

Just a reminder that there will be NO school on Monday May 20, 2024 as it is Victoria Day.

Just a reminder that parents are not allowed to be on the yard during recess times. Please check in at the office if you need to speak with your child. It is very unnerving for our students when they see adults they do not know on the school property during these times.

Kindergarten Pick-Up and Drop off

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Save the Date

May 20 NO School - Victoria Day Weekend
May 23 Band and Bell Choir to Canada’s Wonderland
May 21 – 24 Grade 3 EQAO
May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO
May 30 SCC Meeting

Durham Black Educator’s Network

Join us on Saturday, May 25th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pickering High School for a day filled with Afrocentric activities, a keynote interactive speech by Vidoll Regisford, RP, on Destigmatising Mental Health in the Black Community, and light refreshments.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay for the morning. We have several interactive sessions tailored specifically for you while your child(ren) engages in fun activities.

Please complete the registration link here or the one in the poster. Click on the link 2024 DBEN And still we rise HYPERLINK.docx.pdf

Pathways of Asian Excellence: Exploring South and East Asian Heritage

May is Asian/South Asian Heritage Month. DENSA and DEANE will be celebrating East and South Asian excellence through workshops that will be facilitated by local professionals, artists and community members.

Join us Friday, May 24, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

at Sinclair Secondary School, 380 Taunton Rd E, Whitby, ON

Snacks • Refreshments • Workshops • STEM • History • Authors • Art • Dance •

Click on link to see flyer with registration link: 2024 Asian Heritage Month event (4).pdf

Bike to School Week: May 27 – 31, 2024

Schools across Ontario will be celebrating Bike to School Week during the last week in May 2024. Bike to School Week and Bike Month are celebrations of cycling and active transportation, promoting and supporting getting to school using your own power!

Communities that embrace active school travel help kids lead healthier lifestyles and improve their school performance, while also reducing traffic and pollution and making school zones safer for vulnerable road users. Also, being able to bike to school with friends is just plain fun!

DDSB Student Art Gallery Opening

Join us for the 3^rd annual Student Art Gallery Opening on Thursday, May 30 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Help us celebrate students’ creative interpretation of the theme My Journey, My Joy, My Genius.

#IgniteLearning #IgniteConnection #IgniteWellBeing

Edge Imaging: Message sent on behalf of Edge Imaging

This email is to keep you in the loop about Edge's easy-to-use online self-serve look-up tool, edgeimaging.ca/lookup! Please share this resource with your school community to help all students have access to their school photos, grad pictures, and more.

Effective June 28, 2024, Edge will be implementing updates to our data retention policy. As part of this update, images from five (5) or more years ago, specifically those captured before 2019, will be permanently destroyed from our system.

This change is aimed at ensuring the ongoing privacy and security of our customers' data while still preserving the opportunity for families to purchase their school memories at their convenience.

You can read more information about Edge's Privacy Policy on our website.

Save the Date: Jump Rope for Heart: June 4, 2024

Last week we kicked off Jump Rope for Heart at Bellwood! We are already receiving donations and are working towards our school goal of $2000.

Just a reminder that our Jump Event will be taking place on Tuesday, June 4th! If you haven’t already registered online to fundraise, there is still lots of time! Click the link to register to our school’s event page:

https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/50276

See also parent letter attached: JRFH Parent Letter.pdf

Durham Youth Health Group

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 4^th

da Vinci Public School

AND

Tuesday, June 18^th

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.

Please see the attached posters and the link below for registration information.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Click here to register.

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ignite Learning Foundation in Partnership with Tribute Community Center

Thanks to the success of the Harlem Globetrotters ticket sales, the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation has again partnered with Tribute Communities Centre for two upcoming shows:

Monster Trucks ‘All Out Northern Lights Party’ - May 25th

All tickets sold using the code IGNITE will see $5.00 from each ticket go to helping our students during their time of need.

The IDLF Team

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Please click on the link for Track and Field practice information 2024 Track & Field - Schedule.pdf
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Second Round of Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. The second round of cooking club will start on Wednesday April 17, 2024.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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 17 Int. Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Observed each year on May 17 to raise awareness on the rights violations of the 2SLGBTQ2 communities.

May 18 is Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day

Canada's Parliament unanimously voted to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in 2022.

May 19 Pentecost is on Sunday May 19, 2024

The holy Spirit was felt amongst the 12 apostles after Jesus' death. New members of the church are baptized on this day. It is called White Sunday because white clothes are worn for baptism.

May 20 is Victoria Day

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.

May 23 is Wesak

Buddhists in Malaysia celebrate Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death on Wesak Day. It is sometimes referred to as Buddha’s Birthday, Buddha Day or Buddha Purnima. Wesak Day is celebrated on the Sunday that is closest to May’s full moon.

This holiday is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar as it commemorates three significant events in Gautama Buddha’s life – namely his birthday, his enlightenment and his passing away.

The observance of Wesak begins at dawn when Buddhists gather in temples. They meditate on the precepts of Buddhism. Those who follow these precepts should honour life, show generosity, embrace celibacy and use speech wisely. They should also refrain from alcohol and only eat at certain times. The precepts also forbid listening to music, adorning one’s body and sleeping too much.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Thursday May 21st Announcements

Thu, 21 May 2020 17:45:00 GMT

Please click the link to hear announcements read by our very own Bobcat Abrar.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hk-jJldioEVaIB0HOcwim7QdPdDPeJwb/view?usp=sharing

Distance Newsletter Volume 2 May 27th

Wed, 27 May 2020 16:45:00 GMT

Please click the link below to view the second edtion of our distance newsletter.

https://sites.google.com/ddsb.ca/bellwoodpsdistancenewsletter2/home

May 8-15th Birthdays

Sun, 10 May 2020 19:30:00 GMT

Happy birthday to those of you that were born this week.

Plastic Forks- No Longer Available

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 14:30:00 GMT

Effective Tomorrow February 4th, we will no longer be offering plastic forks and spoons from the office. We can all do our part to prevent further damage to our environment and our waterways from plastics! It is recomended that students pack a fork/ spoon with thier lunch if one is required. Having a spare in a pocket of your back pack is a great idea and can save the day when you find yourself without. Together we can reduce the amount of plastic entering landfills and our environment.

Community Update - December 22

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:30:00 GMT

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

We have been very busy this Fall at Bellwood P.S. with lots of sporting activities, clubs, peer tutoring program, community events, guest speakers coming into the school and classrooms, school trips, school spirit days, door decorating and our Holiday concert. We would like to send a huge Shout Out to all the Bellwood Staff who have made all of these things happen as well as the excellent teaching and learning that is happening in our classrooms.

We look forward to the coming back after our Winter Break to continue to do wonderful things at our school.

On behalf of the Staff we would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday filled with peace, love and joy! We look forward to seeing you all back at school on Monday January 8, 2024!

Have a wonderful holiday break!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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 use the sidewalks to walk your children onto the school yard and avoid crossing in between the cars in the Kiss and Ride
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 p.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. If possible, please find a parking space or circle around (like at the airport)

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 into grade 1 in the following school year. This evening session provides DDSB parents/guardians with important information on our French Immersion program and the benefits for students when developing an additional language. This year the in-person French Immersion Evening will take place on February 1, 2024 from 7-8 p.m.@ John Dryden Public School located at 40 Rolling Acres Drive in Whitby.

Celebrating Black History Month

Promoting Cultural Awareness: Black History Month provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of people of African heritage to our society. The apparel will serve as a visible symbol of our commitment to recognizing and celebrating this important heritage.
Inclusivity and Unity: Wearing this apparel will create a sense of unity among our students and staff, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. It sends a powerful message that we are all part of a diverse and inclusive school community.

T-shirts will be sold for $20.00 and can be purchased on School Cash online from January 8 – 26, 2024 and orders will be fulfilled January 29 – 31, 2024. The following Sizes are available:

Adult: SMALL. MEDIUM, LARGE, AND X-LARGE Children: XS, SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE

Part of the proceeds will be going back to the school as a part of our fundraising initiatives.

Save the Date

January 8, 2024 First Day of School after the Winter Holiday Break
January 18, 2024 SCC meeting in our School Library @ 6:00 p.m.
January 26, 2024 NO School for Professional Activity Day for school staff

Dates of Significance

December 25th is Christmas Day

Kwanzaa is December 26 - January 1

Tamil History Month

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Bellwood Iftar - April 6

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:15:00 GMT

Good afternoon Bellwood Families,

Bellwood plans to host an Iftar on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the event will end at 8:30 pm. Please join us for this event.

The evening will go as follows;

There will be stations set up in classrooms for families to attend (Henna, colouring, Ramadan story, craft) between 6:30 to 7:20 pm.
There will be special guest speakers in the Gym from 7:20-7:49.
At 7:49pm, there will be time for prayer in the library and eating in the Gym.

We look forward to seeing Bellwood families there!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Bellwood Spirit Days

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Spirt Days March 3-6, 2025

Monday, March 3 - Opposite Day

How to participate: Wear opposite clothes (Ex. 1 white sock and 1 black sock, a jersey and a tutu, clothes inside out, etc.)

Tuesday, March 4 - Anything but a Backpack Day

How to participate: Bring anything except your backpack today! A plastic bag, purse or any other bag could be used.

Wednesday, March 5 - Rhyme Without a Reason Day

How to participate: Find a partner and dress as a rhyming pair. Ex. Let it Go and a Golf Pro, a truck and duck, etc. If you don't have a partner, dress as your favourite rhyme!

Thursday, March 6 - Pyjama Day

How to participate: Wear your favourite PJ's to school!

Community Update - April 5

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 02:30:00 GMT

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

There will be NO School for students on Monday April 8, 2024 due to the Solar Eclipse.

We wish everyone a restful and relaxing long weekend and we will see all our students back at school on Tuesday April 9, 2024.

Bellwood Community Eid Dinner: Eid at Bellwood 2024!

Itinerary:

5:30 pm - Stations will open for arts and crafts, Eid cards, and henna designs (in different classrooms)

6:30 pm -An announcement will be made to wrap up stations as dinner will be served in the gym

7:00 pm - Eid presentations from the students

7:30 pm- Wrap up and clean up

OR click on this link which has a QR code to take you to the google form Eid At Bellwood (1).pdf

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Parent Engagement: An evening with Sam Demma@ Donald A. Wilson on Thursday May 9, 2024

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

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

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

The 5-part webinar series will include the following engaging sessions:

? Promoting Learning Through Play!

? Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Self-Reg: Supporting the Path to Young Children's Well-being

? Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

? Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please click on the link for registration information March 22 Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series 2024 - Admin Memo.pdf

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Junior Girls Basketball team have been picked please see notices sent home for times of practices and games
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Save the Date

April 8 P.A. Day - NO SCHOOL for students
April 16 Eid Dinner
April 25 Family Movie Night
April 26 FDK Family Friday
May 20 NO School - Victoria Day Weekend
May 21 – 24 Grade 3 EQAO
May 28 – 31 Grade 6 EQAO

Dates of Significance

Sikh Heritage Month

April is an important month for the Sikh community. In this month, Sikh Canadians celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. Sikh Canadians widely celebrate Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, across Ontario. By proclaiming the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Sikh Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario.

Genocide Awareness Month

APRIL 7	Anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
APRIL 17	Anniversary of the Fall of Phnom Penh and Memorial for Cambodian Genocide
APRIL 17-18	Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
APRIL 24	Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

During the month of April, as we observe commemoration days for four genocides, we also take the opportunity to raise awareness about all genocides, including those being perpetrated today.

Scholars have noted that denial is the last phase of genocide. Indeed, all of the events commemorated in April and others like them have been minimized, denied, or distorted by the perpetrators and their protectors, a process that often begins as the persecution is taking place and which can last for generations after. The act of denial is one that seeks to rehabilitate the perpetrators, to normalize the hateful ideologies that animated the violence, and ultimately to rob the victims of the comfort that acknowledgement can bring.

April is an opportunity for those committed to history and remembrance to alert others to the moral and physical dangers of denying the past and of ignoring atrocities occurring in our own times.

Ramadan Begins March 11 – April 9 2024

Laylatul Al - qadr

The Night of Power, is, in Islamic belief, the night when Muslims believe the Quran was first sent down from heaven to the world and also the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad; it is described to be better than a thousand months of worshiping.

World Autism Awareness Day was on Tuesday April 2 2024

The 2024 World Autism Awareness Day observance is organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications and Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), an organization established and run by neurodivergent people for neurodivergent people and allies.

Monday April 8, 2024

A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse (also Great American Total Solar Eclipse and Great American Eclipse) by some of the media.^[1]^[2]^[3] A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness.

April 9 Vimy Ridge Day

Vimy Ridge Day is a day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place during the First World War. This day has been observed annually on 9 April since 2003.

April 12 International Day of Pink

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - January 13

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:45:00 GMT

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.

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

Thai Pongal 14-17, 2025

Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20, 2025

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

Community Update - January 19

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 21:15:00 GMT

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

Our rescheduled SCC meeting will be in person on Thursday January 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. 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 25, 2024

A special Thank You to Mrs. White for organizing the “Power of One” travelling museum showcased at Bellwood P.S. this week. It was great to see classes interacting and learning from this exhibit. Thank you to the parents who came out to see the exhibit.

We will be hosting the Jon Patte Intermediate Boys Basketball Tournament at Bellwood on January 24 and January 25, 2024. Games will be played between 4-8 p.m. Go Bobcats Go!

Just a reminder that there will be NO School on Friday January 26, 2024, for students.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Parenting in the Age of Social Media:

The Parent Involvement Committee will be hosting the virtual event, "Parenting in the Age of Social Media", presented by the DDSB Positive School Climate Department, the event will focus on addressing a variety of considerations for parents and caregivers while offering suggestions for keeping kids safe, responsible, and ethical as they navigate online spaces. Please click on the link for more information Parenting in the age of social media VIRTUAL flyer_02.pdf

Durham Continuing Education: Indigenous and International Languages

The online Farsi International and Indigenous Elementary Language Program is open to any Ontario elementary student (JK - Gr. 8). It is free of charge and offered by the DDSB and Durham Continuing Education. Course begins on January 31, 2024.

Please see attached flyer for more information and how to register- Note: You must download the attached flyer for the links to work. Please click on the linkINTERNATIONAL & INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES ELEMENTARY(IILE).pdf

For more information about the program, please click here.

Bell Let’s Talk Day: January 24, 2024

Bell Let’s Talk promotes mental health awareness, acceptance and action. On Bell Let’s talk Day and every day through the year, we can all take part in meaningful action to create positive change.

Celebrating Black History Month

Promoting Cultural Awareness: Black History Month provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of people of African heritage to our society. The apparel will serve as a visible symbol of our commitment to recognizing and celebrating this important heritage.
Inclusivity and Unity: Wearing this apparel will create a sense of unity among our students and staff, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. It sends a powerful message that we are all part of a diverse and inclusive school community.

T-shirts will be sold for $20.00 and can be purchased on School Cash online from January 8 – 26, 2024 and orders will be fulfilled January 29 – 31, 2024. The following

Sizes are available:

Adult: SMALL. MEDIUM, LARGE, AND X-LARGE Children: XS, SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE

Part of the proceeds will be going back to the school as a part of our fundraising initiatives.

French Immersion Information Night

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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 use the sidewalks to walk your children onto the school yard and avoid crossing in between the cars in the Kiss and Ride
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 p.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. If possible, please find a parking space or circle around (like at the airport)

Dental Screening at Bellwood P.S.

Dental Screening will be happening at Bellwood PS on February 12, 13 and 14, 2024!

Who will be screened?

All students in JK, SK, Grade 2, 4, 7, 8 and special education classes
Any student previously identified as having an urgent need
Any additional student by parent/guardian request
Children identified with an urgent need may have additional screenings throughout the year

Save the Date

January 18 SCC meeting
January 24 Bell Let’s Talk Day
January 26 P.A. Day, No school for students
February 8 Grade 8 Graduation Photos
February 12-14 Dental Screening
February 19 Family Day – No School
February 21 Term 1 Reports go home

Dates of Significance

Lincoln Alexander Day January 21, 2024

Since 2015, January 21 has been recognised across Canada as Lincoln Alexander Day. The Honourable 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.

January 24 International Day of Education

Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust

Every year around 27 January, UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945. It was officially proclaimed, in November 2005, International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust by the United Nations General Assembly.

Your Admin Team,
Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - September 15

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 00:30:00 GMT

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

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!

Ms. Knights will be away from September 15 – 25, 2023 and will return on Tuesday September 26, 2023. Mrs. Ann Taylor a retired Principal will be filling in for Ms. Knights, please welcome her to our Bellwood Community.

Please continue to reach out to our office if you have any questions or concerns we are happy to support you in any way we can.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

*UPDATED Pizza Lunch and Sub Lunch start dates

· Sub days will start on Tuesday September 26, 2023. Sub days will happen weekly and can be ordered on School Cash online

· Pizza days will start on Thursday September 28, 2023. Pizza days will happen weekly and can be ordered on School Cash online

Orange Shirt Day: Friday September 29, 2023

Since 2013, Orange Shirt Day has been recognized as a day for schools and communities to commemorate Residential School Survivors and learn about the legacy of the residential school system. This day was initially based on Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story. Since last year, September 30 has also been recognized by the federal government as the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is important to recognize and understand the lasting impacts and current realities that continue to impact Indigenous students and families.

All Durham public schools will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day. Students are encouraged to wear orange on Friday September 29, 2023.

Grade 5 Action Pass

The Grade 5 Action Pass returns! The Grade 5 Action Pass provides FREE access to public swimming, public skating and a variety of drop-in programs for all Grade 5s in Durham Region. Grade 5 students just need to bring a parent or guardian, show the pass (electronically or print), along with proof of age and address to any participating recreation centre for a Grade 5 Action Pass. Don't miss this chance to stay active and have fun year-round! The Grade 5 Action Pass is a partnership between the Health Department and local municipalities. For more information, please call 1-800-841-2729 or visit durham.ca/PhysicalActivity

Safety for our Students

If your children walk to school, please review road safety rules with them. Please encourage them to cross the road at the stop lights or crosswalks to keep them safe!

Kiss and Ride

· 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

Safety is our number one priority and we work hard to make sure that our Kiss and Ride runs safely and smoothly.

No Nuts or Nut Products

Please be reminded that we are a NUT FREE school. This also includes such products as Nutella and Wow Butter. Please do not pack in your child’s lunches or snacks.

Boomerang Lunch

A boomerang lunch is a lunch that has every piece of it returned to its source, home! In other words, everything in the lunch goes back home at the end of the day. No matter if it is leftover food, containers, recyclables or garbage, it all goes back to be washed, recycled, or disposed of at home.

SCC Nominations and Elections

The School Community Council (SCC) supports student achievement and well-being through an advisory role with the school principal. SCC also supports parent engagement and communication between home and school. More information can be found at https://www.ddsb.ca/en/family-and-community-support/school-community-councils.aspx.

We welcome your involvement in our SCC. Please complete the nomination form (attached) and send to Sharon Knights at sharon.knights@ddsb.ca. You can also drop off the form to our front office. If you are having trouble accessing the form, you may also email me your nomination. Please have forms into the office by Thursday September 21, 2023

Our SCC elections will be held in person at our SCC meeting on Thursday September 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

Save the Date

· Treat Fridays: Will start back on Friday September 15, 2023

Cookies for $1.00, Chips and Popcorn for $2.00, Granola Bars and Fruit to Go for $0.50

· Meet the Teacher Night: Thursday September 21, 2023, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

· Picture Day: Thursday October 19, 2023

· Terry Fox Run: Wednesday September 27, 2023 in the afternoon, RAIN Date is Thursday September 28, 2023

· SCC meeting: Thursday September 28, 2023, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

· School Spirit Wear: Information will be provided at a later date

School Cash Online

We will be continuing to School Cash Online for all school purchases. If you are new to Bellwood or if you have not signed up for School Cash Online, please sign up on the parent portal. If you need assistance with this, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Robicheau-Stephens in our office.

Dates of Significance

September 23, 2023 Autumn Equinox

In the Northern Hemisphere, autumn begins on this day with the autumnal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, today is the beginning of spring. The daylight length is virtually the same everywhere on earth

September 25th, 2023 Franco-Ontarian Day

There are more than 622,000 Francophones and 1.5 million Ontarians who can speak French, making Ontario Canada’s largest Francophone community outside of Quebec.

September 25th is Franco-Ontarian Day, a time to celebrate your community and its history. It was officially named Franco-Ontarian Day in 2010.

September 15-17, 2023 Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, translates to “head of the year” is the Jewish New Year. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Rudd

Community Update - January 27

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT

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 10^th, 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 year! Every 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!

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

Community Update - November 17

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 17:30:00 GMT

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

Thank you to all our parents who came out to meet their children’s teachers on our Interview days. It was wonderful seeing you all. If you did not have a chance to meet with your child’s teacher, please reach out to them if you would like to set up a meeting.

We would like to welcome two new staff members to Bellwood PS. Ms. Tiffany Armes will be in for Mrs. Burns while she is away and Mrs. Denise Ranger will be in for Mrs. Hillman. We know that they will love meeting all your children as they become part of the Bellwood Family.

Our next SCC meeting will be held on Thursday November 30, 2023 from 6 – 7 p.m. This meeting will be in person in our School Library. We will also send out a link at 5:30 p.m. for those who cannot join us in person.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Community Engagement Activities for December

Breakfast with the Bobcats: Our SCC and school staff will be hosting Breakfast with the Bobcats on Saturday December 9, 2023 from 9am -12 pm. Bring you family out to have breakfast with the Bobcats. We will be looking for donations to support this initiative.

Please click on the link to find a donation letter for this event. Updated Breakfast with the Bobcats donation letter.docx

Our Scholastic Book Fair will also be open.

Entry to this event is FREE however we will have boxes set up for donations of perishable items to give to our local food banks. Please click on the link for more information and to sign up for how you may be able to help us with this event. https://forms.gle/KZ1DvYvGrbD1ADQs5

We will have craft stations set up for families to attend, there will be a photo booth with a nominal cost to get a family photo and we will be having 3 basket draws. We look forward to seeing everyone out for this great community event!

Twoonie Tuesday is Tuesday November 28, 2023

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) is proud to launch their first system wide event: TOONIE TUESDAY on November 28, 2023! To kick off the giving season we are bringing the entire DDSB Community together to Make Tomorrow’s Brighter on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday takes place globally on November 28. This year we are launching a version of Giving Tuesday branded Toonie Tuesday — imagine how many students we could support if everyone brings in a Toonie on this day! Please see flyer attached for additional information Toonie Tuesday 2023 Community Letter (1).pdf Toonie Tuesday Information Notice for Schools (1).pdf

What is the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation?

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) is a charitable foundation that serves to remove financial barriers to create equitable opportunities that empower Durham District School Board Students to achieve academic and personal success.

Who is supported by IDLF?

Any student, classroom or school if and when they need it.

Why is support for IDLF Important?

15.5% of families across Durham fear running out of food. Living in poverty drastically affects children, altering their development and diminishing their ability to be successful in school. By supporting IDLF, you are helping to ensure our DDSB students and families facing socio-economic barriers and challenges get the relevant support they need to thrive! Your contributions make a huge impact in the lives of our students both inside the classroom and beyond.

Why a system wide campaign?

We are stronger together! DDSB is a community that values success, well-being, and equity; by fostering an environment of support, together we can ensure all of our students are engaged and ready to learn.

Please consider filling our Twoonie Jar in our office by bringing a Twoonie to school on Tuesday November 28, 2023.

Ignite Foundation Chew Chew Train Food Drive

The classes are set to start collecting non-perishable items for our Chew Chew Train Food Drive for the DDSB Ignite Foundation. The class to bring in the most food items will win a pizza party! We will be collecting these items until Friday December 15, 2023. The CHEW CHEW train campaign_FLYER_8.5x11_NUTRITION_STATION - Copy.pdf

The class that brings in the most donations will be receiving a Pizza Party!!

Volunteering at our School

PSW Program Available at Continuing Education

Our PSW program is getting ready to welcome its third cohort and spots are still available.

Please see attached flyer for more information November 2023 Advertisement for Orientations.png

Save the Date

Nov. 21 - Level Up Skill Trades Fairs for parent/guardians and students see attached flyer
Nov. 28 – Twoonie Tuesday
November 30 – SCC Meeting 6 – 7 p.m.
December 4 - Scholastic Fair begins
December 9 – Breakfast with the Bobcats
December 12 – 15 – Senior Kindergarten Vision Screening
December 15 – End of Chew Chew Train Food Drive
December 22 - Last day of school Before Winter Break
January 8 – School Resumes after Winter Break

Dates of Significance

November 20th Universal Children’s Day

Observed since 1954, a day to honor the needs of children and to make those needs known to governments. Observed on different days in over 120 countries. World Children's Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

November 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held on Sunday November 20, 2022 to honor Rita Hester who was killed for being who she was. This day urges us all to raise awareness of the threat of violence faced by people who identify as transgender, and the persistence of the prejudice felt by the transgender community.

November 24th it was Holodomor Memorial Day

The Holodomor is the name given to the genocide by famine that occurred in Ukraine from 1932-1933 under Joseph Stalin’s regime. As many as 10 million people perished. In Ukrainian, “Holod” means starvation/famine and “moryty” means to inflict death. This Memorial Day was introduced in 2009 in Ontario.

November 25th International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women

On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly adopted resolution 54/134, officially designating 25 November as the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It invited governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to join together and organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

November 28 Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday for the purposes of hashtag activism, is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world".

Announcements May 25th

Mon, 25 May 2020 01:45:00 GMT

Click the link below to listen to this weeks announcements.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gXax_aa5zWybYB1gnSuI0MJbM0YwQCC2

Community Update - March 28

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:15:00 GMT

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

There will be NO School on Good Friday March 29, 2024, and Easter Monday April 1, 2024.

We wish everyone a restful and relaxing long weekend and we will see all our students back at school on Tuesday April 2, 2024.

We have started to give out Kindness Awards for the classroom that displays the most Kindness as well as The Golden Dustpan Award for the cleanest classroom for the month. For January, Mrs. Walker’s grade 3-4 class won the Kindness Award and Mrs. Ryan-Chan’s grade 2/3 class won the Golden Dustpan Award. For February Mrs. Murray’s FDK class won the Kindness Award for their Kindness Superheroes and their Kindness Cart and the Golden Dustpan Award went to Mr. Mohamed’s grade 5 class

The classes that collect the most Golden Dustpan Badges/Awards and the most Kindness Awards/Badges will receive a freezie/popsicle party at the end of June.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Parent Engagement: An evening with Sam Demma@ Donald A. Wilson on Thursday May 9, 2024

Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic

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

Bellwood Community Eid Dinner: Eid at Bellwood 2024!

Itinerary:

5:30 pm - Stations will open for arts and crafts, Eid cards, and henna designs (in different classrooms)

6:30 pm -An announcement will be made to wrap up stations as dinner will be served in the gym

7:00 pm - Eid presentations from the students

7:30 pm- Wrap up and clean up

Muslim Educators Network of Durham (M.E.N.D.)

The Muslim Educators Network of Durham will be hosting an IFTAR dinner at Da Vinci Public School on Thursday April 4, 2024. Please click on the link for more information Ramadan Iftar Dinner flyer

Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite link. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/da-vinci-ramadan-iftar-dinner-tickets-851245256477?aff=oddtdtcreator

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

The 5-part webinar series will include the following engaging sessions:

? The Kindergarten Experience at the DDSB

? Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Promoting Learning Through Play!

? Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Self-Reg: Supporting the Path to Young Children's Well-being

? Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

? Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please click on the link for registration information March 22 Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series 2024 - Admin Memo.pdf

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball teams have been picked please see notices sent home for times of practices and games
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Save the Date

March 29 Good Friday – NO SCHOOL
April 1 Easter Monday – NO SCHOOL
April 3 Grade 7 Immunization Clinic
April 8 P.A. Day NO SCHOOL for students
April 16 Eid Dinner
April 25 Family Movie Night

Dates of Significance

Ramadan Begins March 11 – April 9, 2024

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

Friday March 29 is Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

March 31 is Easter Sunday

International Transgender Day of Visibility

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - April 20

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:45:00 GMT

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

We continue to work on our Character Trait for the month of April which is Honesty:

The Science of Honesty: Lying Less Improves Health and Relationships. Research suggests that the more truthful you are, the fewer mental health (such as anxiety or sadness) and fewer physical health complaints (such as sore throats or headaches) you will have.

Our Safety Tip for the month of April continues to be: Honesty means you don't say things about people that aren't true. You are not being honest if you make up rumors about someone or if you share rumors someone else made up. Being honest means you admit to your actions, even if you'll get in trouble.

Please talk to your children about our Character Trait which we are focusing on for April.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Eid - Families that are celebrating Eid this week, we wish you all the best and congratulate you on your efforts throughout Ramadan. We look forward to speaking with your children next week about how the event went.

If your children will be absent on Friday April 21^st, we encourage families to update their child’s attendance using the on-line safe arrival program or by informing their homeroom teacher early in the week. We thank you in advance as this will help our clerical staff keep accurate attendance and avoid calls going out to families.

Regional Skills Competition

Congratulations to Mrs. Barber and the following students: Cole M., Zaima A., Brayden F., and Ayden P. The team took home the Bronze medal in a recent competition that they qualified for from an “in-class” collaborative task. They demonstrated teamwork and problem solving skills above and beyond to capture third place competing against other teams throughout Durham Region, well done!!!

Parent Engagement Speaker Series Event with Dr. James Makokis

For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/3ZCBS8p

Let’s Celebrate the Arts at Bellwood!

Bellwood’s Festival of the Arts

Thurs. May 18, 6:30 – 7:30/8:00 P.M.

Volunteer of Distinction Nomination

Selection Criteria

The recipient must not be a staff member of your school or receive money for work performed at the school.
The recipient must have demonstrated a commitment to the school and have been actively involved in furthering the goals of the DDSB.
The recipient does not have to be a parent or a member of the School Community Council, but is an individual who has given of his/her time or talent to furthering the aims of the school.

https://forms.gle/8JuA55ssPp2ezD9aA

Food Drive

Extra Clothing

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

Parent Involvement Committee

The Parent Involvement Committee is offering it’s fourth SCC Training Session

April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

Session Four

By-Law’s for School Community Councils

Among other important topics.

Registration is required:

https://ddsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e-OunnfeRx6GU4B2VygXng

Weather

With the warmer weather upon us please make sure your child has a water bottle everyday. Our school fountains are no longer accessible to drink from. They are used to fill up bottles only. Staff will not be providing plastic cups if students forget. A number of students have started to pack a “one-time” use water bottle in their backpacks in the event they forget their reusable water bottles.

Police Liaison

Officer Robertson spoke with our Intermediate students last Tuesday morning. He explained the importance of using cell phones responsibly and the laws regarding inappropriate use. The students in each class asked several questions, the most popular theme being in regard to Social Media. None of the students are using the Platform of Social Media during the Instructional day, however, follow up conversations at home with your children on this topic is encouraged.

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

Grade 6 EQAO – May 16 - 19, 2023
Grade 3 EQAO – May 24 - 26, 2023
Bellwood Celebration of the Arts – May 18^th 6:30 pm

Dates of Significance

Laylat al-Qadr (Observed on different dates depending on the community)

Night of Power commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in 610 CE. It begins the previous evening.

Eid-ul-Fitr 4/21/2023

This marks the end of the Ramadan fast. Date of observance may vary according to sighting of the new moon. Dates vary by a day depending on whether the Saudi Arabia or the North American Calendar is being observed. This calendar follows the North American dates, which are a day later.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Book Fair A Success

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:30:00 GMT

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported our Book Fair!

Bellwood earned almost $3000 in FREE BOOKS!

Many new titles will be available for sign out in the New Year.

The Frostie Sweet Shop broke past records and raised $570 for new games!

Listen for Games Club announced in the New Year!

Congratulations to Aiden and Aubrey P. for WINNING the Arctic Sugar Cookie Bouquet.

Thanks to Julie Turner owner of “The Sugar Box” for donating the delicious cookie bouquet.

Community Update - March 31

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:45:00 GMT

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

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in working with us to keep our school a welcoming and safe place for our students. It is evident that parents have spoken to their children in regard to a few emails we sent out at the beginning of this week. We are hopeful that we will not have to call any of you regarding any of these matters that were sent out earlier this week.

Working together we will continue to have a school community that is striving for excellence.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Volunteer of Distinction Nomination

Selection Criteria

The recipient must not be a staff member of your school or receive money for work performed at the school.
The recipient must have demonstrated a commitment to the school and have been actively involved in furthering the goals of the DDSB.
The recipient does not have to be a parent or a member of the School Community Council, but is an individual who has given of his/her time or talent to furthering the aims of the school.

https://forms.gle/8JuA55ssPp2ezD9aA

Food Drive

Extra Clothing

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

Parent Involvement Committee

The Parent Involvement Committee is offering it’s fourth SCC Training Session

See flyer attached

April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

Session Four

By-Law’s for School Community Councils

Among other important topics.

Registration is required:

https://ddsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e-OunnfeRx6GU4B2VygXng

Community Iftar

Bellwood will be hosting our first Community Iftar on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the event will end at 8:30 pm. Please join us for this event.

The evening will go as follows;

There will be stations set up in classrooms for families to attend (Henna, colouring, Ramadan story, crafts) between 6:30 to 7:20 pm.
There will be special guest speakers in the Gym from 7:20-7:49.
At 7:49pm, there will be time for prayer in the library and eating in the Gym.

We look forward to seeing Bellwood families there!

Please note that food will be provided for families who have RSVP’d their attendance as we will be catering this event. You will receive a ticket for entrance to the event and at that time meal tickets will be provided for your family.

There will be a donation box at the entrance for families who wish to donate to support our Community Iftar.

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

Community Iftar - Thursday April 6, 2023
Good Friday – Friday April 7, 2023 NO School
Easter – Monday April 10, 2023 NO School
Grade 7 and 8 Immunization Clinic #2 – Tuesday April 11, 2023

Dates of Significance

Sikh Heritage Month

Genocide Awareness Month

In 2015, members of the House of Commons passed a historic motion to recognize the month of April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month. Canada has welcomed the survivors of these atrocities and the descendants of those who perished.
World Autism Awareness Day Sunday April 2, 2023

The 2023 World Autism Awareness Day observance is organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications and Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), an organization established and run by neurodivergent people for neurodivergent people and allies.

Passover April 5-13, 2023

Good Friday April 7,2023

This day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Easter Monday is Monday April 10, 2023.???????

Easter Monday April 10, 2023

This day commemorates the meeting of the women at Jesus' tomb with an angel who assured them that Jesus had been resurrected from death. It is observed as a holiday in some countries.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 26

Fri, 26 May 2023 20:00:00 GMT

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

We had another great week at Bellwood PS with a lot of great things happening this week. Our Grade 3 student completed the EQAO Provincial Assessments this week and did a great job persevering through for 3 full days.

Our ARTs assemblies was a great success! The Band and Bell choir sounded amazing under the tutelage of Mrs. Otway!

Mrs. Otway also took the Band and Bell Choir to play at Canada’s Wonderland this past week. They did a great job and had a wonderful day!

Mrs. Otway also took two of our students to the Cypher Conference this week at Durham College.

A huge shout out to all of the students and to Mrs. Otway!

Mrs. Barber, Mr. Marshall, Mrs. White and Mr. Ledsham took our athlete’s who made it to the Area finals for Track and Field at the Civic this week. The students did very well. A huge thank you goes out to Mr. Marshall for organizing and for the teachers helping to supervise this event, Mrs. Barber, Mrs. White and Mr. Ledsham.

We would also like to thank all of the staff who helped to train and practice with the students so that they would be ready for the Area Meet!

It has been a very busy week for our students!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Bike to School Week/Month

Bike To School Week is coming soon! Schools across Ontario will be celebrating during the last week of May. ????

Bike to School Week is a celebration of cycling and active transportation, promoting and supporting getting to school using your own power!
Communities that embrace active school travel help kids lead healthier lifestyles and improve their school performance, while also reducing traffic and pollution and making school zones safer for vulnerable road users. Also, being able to bike to school with friends is just plain fun!

Thursday, June 1^st, 2023 is “Walk and Roll to School Day”! Elementary Schools across all Durham Boards are encouraged to promote biking (or wheeling or walking) to school, having a school member take a picture of the bike rack/scooter parking area after the morning bell that day, and emailing the photo to activetransportation@durham.ca (by June 9^th) for the school to be entered to win a bike to raffle off at a future school event!

We will be setting up stations similar to Walk to School Day on Thursday June 1, 2023 so we can enter the contest for a chance to win a bike! Stay tuned for more Information!!

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

Have Your Say in DDSB’s Next Strategic Plan!

The Durham District School Board is inviting all community members to have their say in the next multi-year strategic plan.
We encourage you to complete the Multi-Year Strategic Plan survey and participate in upcoming community consultation events.
Learn more about the DDSB’s next Multi-Year Strategic Plan and upcoming feedback opportunities on the DDSB website.
Your time and effort completing the survey makes a difference. Should you have any additional questions, please email MYSP@ddsb.ca or reach our voicemail line at 905-666-6975.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on the future direction of the DDSB!

Great Beginnings: Afrocentric Program 2023-2024

The Early Years department is pleased to share that the Great Beginnings Afrocentric Program will 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

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

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

Freezie Sales - May 31, June 7 and June 14
P.A. Day Friday June 2 No school for students
Abilities Track Meet June 16
Intermediate Ultimate Frisbee June 19
Junior Ultimate Frisbee June 20
Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony June 22
Year End Assembly June 27
Grade 8 Graduation Trip June 28
Report Cards go home June 28
Last Day of School and Grade 8 Clap out June 29

Summer Day Camps

DDSB 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
Ontario Tech Basketball Camp Please click on the links for more information Ontario Tech Basketball Camp.JPG

Dates of Significance:

June’s National Indigenous Histories Month

In 2009, June was declared National Indigenous History Month in Canada following the passing of a unanimous motion in the House of Commons. National Indigenous Histories Month provides opportunities for educators and their students to engage in learning about the diverse and sophisticated contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

It is also an important time to provide educational opportunities related to understanding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the responsibilities that Canadian citizens have in fulfilling the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.

June is Pride Month

The first Pride celebration held in Toronto was just three years after the Stonewall Riots in New York in June 1969, an event that sparked the gay liberation movement, and was a fairly modest affair — a picnic on the Toronto Islands.
Within a few years, thousands were attending the annual Gay Pride parade, and by 2011 more than 1.2 million attended Pride Toronto. At WorldPride 2014 in Toronto, the fourth WorldPride and the first in North America, an even larger crowd gathered. A lot has happened in the years since the Stonewall Riots. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community in Canada has made major strides toward mainstream acceptance and legal equality, with notable progress in health care, the right to adopt, and the right to marry. There is still a lot of work to do to ensure that people who are LGBTQ are respected and enjoy the same rights to equality and freedom as everyone else. We each have a part to play in making this happen.

June is Italian Heritage Month

June 1st marks the beginning of Italian Heritage Month in Canada, where we honour and celebrate the exceptional contributions of Canadians of Italian origin in shaping our society.
Canada is home to more than 1.5 million Canadians of Italian descent, which makes it one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world. Italian Heritage Month is the perfect time to recognize and showcase the rich culture and heritage of Italian Canadians, as well as their ongoing contributions to building a stronger, vibrant and more inclusive Canada.

June is Portuguese Heritage Month

Today marks the start of Portuguese Heritage Month in Canada, when we recognize the immense contributions Canadians of Portuguese origin have made to the growth and development of our country.
Canada is home to one of the biggest Portuguese diasporas in the world, with almost half a million people of Portuguese descent. This community hails from many different Portuguese regions and they have kept their individual traditions, language, and culture alive. Throughout our history, members of the Portuguese community, Luso-Canadians, have influenced every aspect of our national fabric and made Canada a stronger and better country.

June is Filipino Heritage Month

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Filipino community. Since the first Filipino immigrants arrived in Canada in the 1930s, Filipino Canadians from across Ontario have made and continue to make significant contributions across all fields, including in science, education, medicine, broadcasting, law, politics, business, sports and culture. June is a significant month for the Filipino community. Each year in June, Filipino people around the world celebrate Philippine Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence on June 12, 1898.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 9

Sat, 10 May 2025 00:45:00 GMT

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

On May 5, 2025, the Provincial Ontario Skills Competition was held at the Toronto Congress Centre. Our Grade 8 all-girls animation team—Kaylie Williams, Bryna Fortunate, River Hogan, and Arianna Lutawan—proudly represented our school, competing against 11 other teams from across the province. While they did not bring home a medal, the team showcased incredible creativity, teamwork, and school spirit throughout the event. We are so proud of their dedication and positive attitude. Please click on the link to see a few photos Ontario Skills competition finals 2.jpeg Ontario Skills competiton finals.jpeg

On May 14, 2025 our SCC will be selling Patties and Chocolate Milk for lunch. Patties will be $3.00 each and Chocolate Milk will be $1:00. We will have two choices for patties, beef patties and vegetable patties.

Our next Movie Night will be on Thursday May 15, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Bellwood SCC is excited to invite our students and their families to our Community BBQ and Fun Fair on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Rain date is June 8th)!
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon with games, tasty treats, raffles and some delicious food which will include vegetarian and halal options. We also can't wait for you to come DUNK your favourite teachers and staff in the dunk tank! This will be a CASH ONLY event. Watch this space for more details to come.
Mark your calendars and bring your biggest smile—we can’t wait to see you there!

The SCC is urgently looking to borrow BBQ's or portable grills for our Community BBQ & Fun Fair event on June 7th (backup rain date of June 8). If you have something we could borrow, please reach out to the school or fill out the google form: https://forms.gle/pgRTMGcdkPC526XA9

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

"Spring Concert Golden Ticket" Raffle:

From today until next Tuesday (May 13) you can enter a raffle to win a “golden ticket” for the spring concert. Raffle tickets can be purchased on SCHOOL CASH ONLINE at a cost of $2 for one ticket or $5 for three tickets. This is a special prize offered to one lucky family, giving them exclusive benefits during the spring concert. All of the money raised will help support the grade 8 graduation. Here's a breakdown of what the golden ticket entails:

Front Row Seats: The winner of the golden ticket will receive reserved front-row seats for their party at the spring concert. Front-row seats typically offer the best view of the stage and provide a prime location for capturing photos and videos. Plus you won’t have to worry about rushing to get to the school to score those prime seats!
Priority Parking Spot: In addition to the front-row seats, the golden ticket winner will also be granted a reserved priority parking spot. This spot will be located close to the entrance of the school, making it convenient for the winner and their guests to access the concert without having to search for parking.

Jump Rope For Heart

This event teaches our students the importance of giving back and encourages them to learn healthy habits, so they understand the importance of staying active, eating well, and taking care of their heart and brain health. The funds our school raises will help support important heart and stroke research. Let’s work together as a school community and show how generous we can be! Join our school online and get your child set up with their own fundraising page by clicking here: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/83799 For more information on why our school is participating in Jump Rope for Heart please click on the link

Creative Club Outdoor Design with Giant Lego Blocks Club extended, Register by May 14 , 2025

We are excited to START a NEW Outdoor Design and Build Program this spring using the largest blocks in Canada – Everblocks! Please note this is run by Creative Club and the same company that ran the Leggo Lunch time clubs. Program start date will be Wednesday May 14, 2025. Please see flyer for more details BELLWOOD PS - OUTDOOR DESIGN IN ACTION - SPRING SESSION.pdf

Afrocentric Heritage Program
Join us for the Afrocentric Heritage Program for students in Grades 1–8! Running Saturdays from May 10 to June 21 at Viola Desmond Public School in Ajax (10:00 AM–1:00 PM), the program features affirmations, team-building activities, instructional blocks, a well-being break, and engaging afternoon sessions. Celebrate culture, build community, and grow confidence in a supportive environment.

For more information see the flyer by clicking on the link Afrocentric Heritage Program.pdf

Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting an in-person community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.

This event will be family focussed and will occur in two locations - one will be in the south at Maxwell Heights SS at 1100 Coldstream Drive, Oshawa and the other will take place in the north at Uxbridge SS, 127 Planks Ln, Uxbridge, Ontario. Parents/Caregivers will have an opportunity to sign up for 2 workshop sessions - details can be found within the link below.

Click on the link for more information

South Durham Event

Where: Maxwell Heights Secondary School in Oshawa

When: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

North Durham Event

Where: Uxbridge Secondary School in Uxbridge

When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Booster Juice Wednesdays

We are pleased to announce that Booster Juice Wednesdays are here! Starting on Wednesday April 30th and continuing until the end of this school year, we will be offering an amazing assortment of Booster Juice flavours and sizes, all made with quality ingredients such as Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Strawberry, Raspberry, Passion Fruit, Guava, and Cranberry, with options to add Probiotic Yogurt, Frozen Yogurt, and we are even offering Dairy Free options! Weekly orders will be delivered directly to your child in their classroom for them to enjoy during their lunch break.

If you are interested in learning more about either our existing Subway Tuesdays or our new Booster Juice Wednesdays, please see the attached Lunchbox flyer and Parent/Guardian FAQ's below, and follow the Lunchbox link to create your own account today: https://www.lunchboxorders.net/

As a reminder, participation in our Subway Tuesday and Booster Juice Wednesday Lunchbox programs is optional to all Bellwood families, with proceeds going directly to Bellwood's school initiatives and back to our very own students through purchases made to enhance learning and fun!

Lunchbox_School_Flyer.pdf Lunchbox_Parent Guardian FAQs.pdf

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair: Date is Set for Saturday June 7, 2025 (RAIN date is Sunday June 8, 2025)

Our SCC is planning to end our school year with a Community BBQ and mini–Fun Fair. Please take a moment to fill in the google form that can be found by clicking the following link. We look forward to hearing from you! https://forms.gle/pgRTMGcdkPC526XA9

100 Strong FREE Summer Camp July 7 – 31, 2025

The Board of Directors of 100 Strong Foundation are pleased to invite applications for the Strong Summer Academy program for 2025.

An information session will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Further details will be shared shortly.

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. Please click on the link to access registration form 2025 Summer Academy Flyer 1.png Summer Academy Application.pdf

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Intermediate Pickleball, Round ball (Grades 4-8), Flag Rugby (Grades 4-8)
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Intermediate Coed Soccer…. Coming soon

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

Save the Date

May 14 – Patties and Chocolate Milk lunch sales
May 15 – Spring Concert – Doors open at 1:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 1:30 p.m.
May 15 – Movie Night 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
May 16 – Empower Her Conference
May 19 – Victoria Day NO School
May 20 – Track and Field Day (Rain Date: May 23)
May 21 – Maple Syrup Presentation
May 22 – Great Beginnings for new JK students for September 2025
May 26 – 30 - Grade 3 EQAO
June 2 – 5 – Grade 6 EQAO
June 6 – PA day – NO School
June 7 – Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair
June 19 – Grade 8 Grad trip #1
June 23 – Grade 8 Grade trip #2
June 24 – Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony
June 24 – Report Cards sent home
June 26 – Last day of school

Dates of Significance

Mother’s and Mother Figure’s Day Sunday May 11, 2025

Many people in Canada express their gratitude towards mothers and mother figures on Mother’s Day. Mother figures may include step-mothers, mothers-in-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends. It is the time for people to thank mothers and mother figures who took the time to care for them and help them through life’s challenges.

Tamil Genocide Education Week May 12 – 18, 2025

Bill 104, the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, establishes seven days each year, May 12 to 18, during which Ontarians “are encouraged to educate themselves about, and to maintain their awareness of, the Tamil genocide and other genocides that have occurred in world history.”

Vesak Day May 12, 2025

Siddhartha Gautama, also commonly known as Buddha (enlightened one), lived in present-day India and Nepal between the sixth and fourth century BCE. His teachings focused on messages about compassion, peace and goodwill. Millions around the world follow the teachings of the Buddha today. The Day of Vesak commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.

In 1999, the UN recognized internationally Vesak Day to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over 2500 years. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices and missions.

International Day of Families May 15, 2025

:Int. Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Observed each year on May 17 to raise awareness on the rights violations of the 2SLGBTQ2 communities.

May 18 is Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day

Canada's Parliament unanimously voted to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in 2022.

Pentecost is on Sunday May 19, 2024

The holy Spirit was felt amongst the 12 apostles after Jesus' death. New members of the church are baptized on this day. It is called White Sunday because white clothes are worn for baptism.

May 19 is Victoria Day

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. In 2025 the Victoria Day holiday is on Monday, May 19. Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 in every province and territory. It honours Queen Victoria's birthday.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Spooktacular Results Are In

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 18:30:00 GMT

This year's Spooktacular was the most successful campaign in Spooktacular history!!!

We collected 13 boxes of food items, that have already been donated to a local food bank!

We raised $570 for the Hospital for Sick Kids Building Fund!

Thank you to every family that donated non-perishable food items and who bought tickets!

Thanks to our wonderful staff members for once again, going above and beyond and donating awesome prize bags to be won!

Way to Go, Bobcats!!!

Community Update - November 11

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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

We would like to invite you to our school’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday November 11, 2024, starting at 10:45 a.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

A lot of exciting things have been happening at school! We had Film Camp in a box who worked with our Grade 6-8 students. The students were so engaged and enjoyed this experience. If you have children in these grades, please ask them about this experience. Thank you to Mrs. Misner for bringing this experience to Bellwood and for facilitating.

We had our school assembly this week and were able to display all the kindness and generosity of our school community who contributed to our Project Love Box as a part of the Super Sophia Project. We know that these contributions will go a long way in bringing smiles to the faces of children who are in hospital. Thank you to Mrs. Aquino for bringing this initiative to Bellwood.

Our big prize for Walktober was drawn at our school assembly this week, and the winner of a brand-new scooter went to Jeremiah Beckford! Congratulations Jeremiah! Thank you to our school community for taking the opportunity to walk to school! We hope this continues throughout the year as the more students walk to school the less traffic in our Kiss and Ride!! Thank you to Mr. Smart for his hard work leading our Walk to School Initiative!

Our Bellwood Bracelet Club, Averie Szymanski, Oakleigh Mayer, Brooklyn Tilley, and Fatima Patel raised $155.60 for the DDSB Ignite Foundation. These students presented a cheque for this amount to the Foundation's Executive Director. We are so proud of the girls and that they were able to give back locally to help many families in the Durham region

School Spirit Wear is here! Attached is the student spirit wear order form, including the new Bellwood Bobcat mascot stuffie. To receive the items for the holidays, our deadline for placing our order is November 29^th.

We will have samples of some of the items (including the stuffie), at our Parent/Teacher Interviews as we have done in the past. Order forms will also be available.

Click on the link to see what the options are for school Spirit Wear.

Please fill out an order form if you are interested and bring your order form to the office with cash or a cheque for us to order for you.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Parent-Teacher Conference Information

You will be able to schedule appointments until November 13^th at 11:00 pm.

Instructions

1. Go to the Bellwood scheduling webpage at https://parentinterview.com/s/bellwood

2. Enter the Parent Code (printed below) and click "Sign In"

Please make a note of your Confirmation #

3. Fill in your contact information and click "Continue to Make Appointments"

4. Click on the name of a teacher with whom you wish to schedule an appointment

5. Click on an available time at which you wish to have your meeting

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you have scheduled all the teachers you wish to meet

7. Click on "My Schedule" (top left of the page)

8. Email, print out, or copy down your schedule

Should you wish to cancel an appointment you have made, click on "Cancel" beside the meeting you wish to have removed from your schedule.

If you misplace your schedule, you may use your Confirmation # to retrieve your schedule from the website at any time. If you need help using the service, please email support@parentinterview.com

We look forward to speaking with you.

Intramurals are back!

Intramurals are a one-day event that will take place during lunchtime recess and are available for all students in Grade 1 thru 8.

Intramurals are a great way to increase student engagement by providing students with opportunities to interact socially with their peers, which foster a sense of belonging, positive mental health, and greater engagement in both academic and non-academic activities. Participation in intramurals helps students further develop their social skills, co-operation, teamwork, physical literacy, and overall health.

If your child is interested in participating, they can get a permission form from their teacher or Mr. Marshall.

The Schedule for Intramurals is as follows:

Mondays grades 1 and 2
Tuesdays grade 3 and 4
Wednesdays grades 7 and 8
Thursdays grades 5 and 6

DDSB Virtual Family and Community Engagement Speaker Series

Everyday Resiliency and Hope: How to Build Sustainable Well Being. Thursday November 21, 2024 from 7-8 p.m. Click on the link for more information

DDSB Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0

Dear DDSB Community Members,

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting a virtual community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.

This event will be family focussed and will feature Dr. Nicole West Burns as our keynote speaker, as well as other members of the DDSB community.

When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom (Virtual)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Sent on behalf of Margaret Lazarus Superintendent of Equitable Education, Anti-Oppression/French, International and Classical Languages/Family of Schools

Ignite Learning Foundation

The Bellwood Chew Chew Train food drive campaign for the Ignite Learning Foundation will begin on December 1, 2024. The class to bring in the most food will win a Pizza Party! Stay tuned for more information!

Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham

We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.

Please see below for dates and times:

Tuesday November 26, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!

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

Junior Boys Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 8:15 a.m., Tues. and Thurs. 3:35 p.m.
Junior Girls Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 3:35 p.m. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.

Peer Tutoring – Tuesdays and Thursdays November 5- December 10, 2024
Senior Band – TBD
Bell Choir grades 6-8 Tues. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.

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

Save the Date

Photo Retake Day: November 12, 2024
Report Cards go home: Wednesday November 13, 2024
Parent Interviews: Thursday November 14, 2024 – 4-8p.m.
Parent Interview and PA Day: Friday November 15, 2024, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Movie Night and Parent Engagement with Kwesi Millington: December 5, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00
Holiday Concert: December 12, 2024
Breakfast with the Bobcats: Saturday December 14, 2024. Stay tuned for more information
School Spirit Wear: will be available to look at on the Parent Interview days

Dates of Significance

November 8

Indigenous Veterans Day

National Indigenous Veterans Day is a memorial day observed in Canada in recognition of aboriginal contributions to military service, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. It occurs annually on 8 November. The day was first commemorated in 1994.

November 11th

Remembrance Day

November 13th

International World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13 as part of the Global Kindness Movement. This Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on one of the most important and unifying human principles - empathy, compassion and kindness.

November 13-19

Transgender Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

November 20^th

Classroom Support Staff Appreciation Day

Today, we celebrate our hardworking and dedicated Educational Assistants! Our Educational Assistants are such an important part of our community and school team. If you have ever seen them in action, you have seen love, patience and grace at work in a tangible way. We are always grateful for your incredible contribution to our school communities and celebrate you today with heartfelt thanks.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Announcements Tuesday May 19th

Tue, 19 May 2020 00:30:00 GMT

Click the link to hear announcements read by our very own Bobcat, Arun.

Click here to listen

Terry Fox School Run on September 27

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Bellwood PS is so proud to be kicking off the year with our Terry Fox Run. Please help our students fundraise for cancer research and follow in the footsteps of one of our greatest Canadian heroes. Please donate today. https://schools.terryfox.ca/BellwoodPSWhitby. Together, we can make a difference. #terryfoxschoolrun @terryfoxfoundation

Need some help navigating your online fundraising page or instructing students or classrooms to set up a page under your school link? Here are some written instructions or watch our playlist of quick videos.

Thank you for keeping Terry’s dream alive.

Community Update - March 3

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:30:00 GMT

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

Ontario Skills Competition Success!

We are thrilled to share our school’s outstanding results at the Ontario Skills Competition on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at the Tribute Community Centre in Oshawa, Ontario.

Bellwood’s Animation Team—Bryna, River, Arianna, and Kaylie—placed 1st and will be moving on to the Provincial Championships in Toronto! They showcased their creativity and technical skills by designing and animating a project focused on a skilled trade.

Our Green Energy Team—Noman, Jeypriyan, Sharjun, and Faizan—designed and built an eco-friendly windmill that successfully generated electricity. Competing against 12 teams, they placed an impressive 3rd overall!

A huge congratulations to all our students for their hard work, dedication, and innovation. We are so proud of their achievements!

We would love to see as many families as possible from our school attend this event. We would like to thank Mr. Mohamed, Mrs. Khan, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Loderick and Mrs. Johnson for organizing and helping to run this wonderful event.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Spirt Days March 3-6, 2025

Monday, March 3 - Opposite Day

How to participate: Wear opposite clothes (Ex. 1 white sock and 1 black sock, a jersey and a tutu, clothes inside out, etc.)

Tuesday, March 4 - Anything but a Backpack Day

How to participate: Bring anything except your backpack today! A plastic bag, purse or any other bag could be used.

Wednesday, March 5 - Rhyme Without a Reason Day

How to participate: Find a partner and dress as a rhyming pair. Ex. Let it Go and a Golf Pro, a truck and duck, etc. If you don't have a partner, dress as your favourite rhyme!

Thursday, March 6 - Pyjama Day

How to participate: Wear your favourite PJ's to school!

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is on Tuesday March 4, 2025 and we will be cooking pancakes for all our students. We have done this for the past 3 years and the students really enjoy their pancakes on Shrove Tuesday otherwise known as Pancake Day.

SCC Movie Night

Our next SCC Movie Night will be on Thursday March 6, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. The cost for the Movie will be $2.00 per person. We will also have popcorn $2, chips $2, cookies $1, Fruit to Go .50 and bottled water for sale $1!

Staffing Update

Our grade 4-6 French teacher Madame Fofanova’ s last day was on Monday February 24, 2025. For this past week and next week, we will have supply teachers in for these classes. We will be hiring someone to cover these classes starting on March 17, 2025 after the March Break!

Crossing Guard at Bellwood and Lowder

Please be advised that after the March Break, starting on Monday March 17, 2025 there will be a slight change to the Crossing Guard’s hours. There will be a crossing guard at this intersection from 8:50 – 9:10 a.m. Please note the new time that will start after the March Break!

Cultural Celebrations around the World along with learning about the festive and herbal art of Henna

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

WINTER IMPORTANT NOTICE

As we are in the depth of winter weather, we are encouraging parents 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 snowpants 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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball – Schedules have been provided.
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Fasting Club: Daily from Monday March 3, 2025 – April 3, 2025

Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesdays grade 3 and 4, Wednesdays grades 7 and 8, Friday 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

March 4 – Shrove Tuesday (Pancakes)
March 5 - Grade 8 Grad Photo re-takes
March 6 – Movie Night 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
March 7 to March 14 – March Break
March 25 – Henna Yasir Art – more information to come
March 27 – SCC meeting 6 – 7:30 p.m. please click on the link for February’s minutes
March 31 – P.A. Day No School for students

Dates of Significance

February 28 - March 30, 2025 Start of Ramadan

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community for Muslims around the world.

March is Bangladeshi Heritage Month

The month of March is an important one for the Bangladeshi community. Every year on March 26th, Bangladeshis around the world celebrate Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence in 1971. This day is often marked with music, parades, fairs, and various other public and private gatherings held to celebrate the history and traditions of Bangladesh.

March is Hellenic History Month

More than 270,000 people of Hellenic descent live in Canada today and over half of them live here in Ontario. Canadians of Hellenic descent have contributed to every field of life in Ontario, have enriched our culture and have strengthened our economy. Hellenes, also known as Greeks, began to arrive in Canada in the early nineteenth century, with the vast majority coming after 1950. They have made significant contributions across many fields, including education, law, medicine, science, politics, business, sport and many more.

March 5 is Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter.

March 8 is International Women's Day

Shivratri is March 8, 2024

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva, between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the dark half of the lunar month of Phalguna or Magha

March 13 - 15, 2025 is Holi

Holi is a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil.

March 14, 2025 is Purim

The festival of Purim commemorates the Divinely orchestrated salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.” It is celebrated with Megillah readings, gifts of food, charity, feasting, and merriment.

March 17, 2025 is Irish Heritage Day

Ontario citizens of Irish descent made significant contributions to the founding of Canada. They have made and continue to make significant contributions to the development of Canada, especially over the more than 150 years since the first large waves of Irish immigration. It is important to recognize and celebrate those contributions.

Today the rich cultural heritage of Canada’s Irish community is an integral part of Canadian national culture and identity and belongs, by right, to all Canadians of all backgrounds. As evidence of that fact, the coat of arms of Canada bears several symbols of Irish heritage: the Royal Harp of Tara representing the historic coronation place of the High King or Ard Right of Ireland and the Shamrock and Cross of Saint Patrick.

It is appropriate to recognize March 17, the day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish, as Irish Heritage Day in Ontario.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - January 19

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 12:15:00 GMT

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

Just a reminder that there will be NO school on Friday January 20, 2023.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

See you on Monday January 23, 2023!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

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.

Bell Let’s Talk Day: January 25, 2023

On January 25, 2023 our school will be raising the Bell Let’s Talk flag in recognition of Bell Let’s Talk Day.

School Climate Survey

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

A Message from the Durham Region Health Department

Does your teen need to get caught-up on vaccines?

The Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) has resumed their immunization clinics. Please visit www.durham.ca/immunize to book your appointment.

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

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

Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year

Human Trafficking Community Awareness Event

Durham Region Police Services is sending out a community event that has to do with Human Trafficking on Wednesday January 25, 2023. Please see the attached flyer for more information HT Event.pdf

Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention (STEP)

The PSCD is pleased to share with you this opportunity hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in an educational opportunity Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Program (January 2023) on Thursday, January 26^th, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm – Online via Zoom.

Please see attached flyers STEP Program - January 2023 (2).pdf STEP Program - January 2023.pdf and/or register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sex-trafficking-education-and-prevention-program-january-2023-tickets-488848116877

Save the Date

January 20 P.A. Day, No school for students
January 25 Bell Let’s Talk Day and raising the flag at Bellwood PS
January 25 Dodgeball Tournament at Williamsburg PS

Dates of Significance

Lincoln Alexander Day January 21, 2023

Lunar New Year January 22, 2023

The year of the Rabbit. This is the year 4720 in the Chinese Lunar calendar and the most important holiday. It is a three-day holiday in China and Hong Kong. The Chinese clean and decorate their homes with the 5 lucky signs of happiness; new clothes are worn and even the poorest buy new shoes, for it is considered bad luck to step down on the ground into old shoes. Vietnamese call it the 'Tet' Festival.

Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja (Hinduism) January 26, 2023

Basant Panchami in Northern India heralds the approach of spring and yellow-coloured clothes are symbolically worn. Even the food is coloured yellow by using saffron. This festival honours Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Wisdom, and the Creative arts.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - June 2

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:15:00 GMT

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

Hot weather conditions have the potential to produce ill health effects. Extreme heat puts a strain on the body’s cooling system. When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue, or some medical conditions, it may lead to heat-related illness. Heat-related illness is usually a concern during the summer. However, this is especially true early in the season when people have not become acclimatized to the heat.

Below are some tips to help manage the warmer temperatures:

Individual Controls

Wear loose-fitting clothing that is light in weight; light colour clothing is better than dark.
Wear clothing made of fabrics that wick sweat away from skin and allow sweat to evaporate.
Alter the time of day for physically demanding tasks and/or reduce the pace of work.
Eat lightly and drink plenty of fluids. One cup of water every 20 minutes is recommended. Fluids include water or fruit juice, not caffeinated drinks.
Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever working outdoors.
Look for signs of heat-related illness since people may not notice their own symptoms. A “buddy system” can be used where people monitor each other for signs of heat stress since people may not notice their own symptoms.

Environmental Controls:

Open windows and doors to allow air to circulate where effective and applicable.
Use blinds, curtains, or reflective coatings on windows to reduce direct sunlight.
Use portable fans to help circulate the air. Tip: In rooms with multiple operable windows, use the portable fan to exhaust room air out of an open window (i.e. fan facing out the window), while another open window draws fresh air in.

Please be reminded to send your child to school with a reusable water bottle, a hat and sunscreen.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Character Trait for June is Courage

The Neuroscience of Courage Strengthening the Will to Act The neurology of courage involves a competition between your amygdala, which drives fear, (along with your fight or flight response) and your subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), which acts to suppress bodily fear responses.

Neurologically, conscious activation of your sgACCcan actually suppress and shut down your (otherwise-involuntary) amygdala response.

So the idea of voluntarily acting in the face of fear isn't just a poetic description, it’s a scientific reality.

And what helps you “voluntarily act”? Four things:

1.The ability to clearly picture your actions and the positive results that will come from them increases your ability to act. If you don’t know what to do, it becomes a lot harder to do it, which is one reason why uncertainty can be more paralyzing than concrete fears.. Focusing on what you need to do in the moment can have magical results on your ability to act

2.Focusing on the meaning of your actions —"why" you are doing what you're doing. If parents routinely display courage for the sake of their children, one reason is that their “why” for acting is concretely in front of them; they know they’re doing it for their kids’ sake. So focus on why. After all meaning and happiness are key principles behind Positive Psychology for a reason.

3.Embrace the courage to fail. If you believe that daring greatly is honorable in itself —that the brave man who fails is still brave —you greatly increase your ability to act. This is one reason why The Courage to Fail (in order to succeed), is a key element of the Fearless Leaders Coaching Model.

4.Strengthen your pattern of bravery. We've all had moments of bravery in our life. Routinely recalling and reliving those moments activates and strengthens our neural patterns associated with bravery and helps us to begin seeing ourselves as brave. Once you begin identifying with being brave, you become much more likely to act in ways that conform to that self-image. You'll have a new “reason-why” for your actions and a new neural pattern to tap into when acting in the face of fear.

If you focus on these four factors, you'll find that you have a much easier time facing your fears, staying in the moment, and acting from your highest consciousness under pressure

Lost and Found

We have teamed up with our Childcare at Bellwood to make sure all lost and found items are claimed. You will see a table at the front of the school with lost and found items. Please look daily at the table to see if any of your child’s belongings are on the table and please take them. By the end of June any things left in the lost and found will be donated.

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;

Thursday June 8, 2023
Wednesday June 14, 2023
Wednesday June 21, 2023

Freezie’s will cost $1:00 Please note each student is only allowed to buy 1 freezie as we are will be adding to our Freezie sale days. Stay tuned for upcoming dates.

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

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

Freezie Sales - June 8 ,June 14 and June 21
P.A. Day Friday June 2 No school for students
Track Finals June 14 at Oshawa Civic
Abilities Track Meet June 16
Intermediate Ultimate Frisbee June 19
Junior Ultimate Frisbee June 20
Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony June 22
Year End Assembly June 27
Grade 8 Graduation Trip June 28
Report Cards go home June 28
Last Day of School and Grade 8 Clap out June 29

Summer Day Camps

Please click on the links for more information

DDSB Durham Forest Summer Day Camp 2023 Summer Day Camp Brochure.pdf 2023 Summer Day Camp Flyer.pdf 2023 Summer Day Camp Frequently Asked Questions.pdf

Ontario Tech Basketball Camp Ontario Tech Basketball Camp.JPG

Math in Motion Math In Motion Program.pdf

Dates of Significance

June 2 Ascension (Orthodox)

Ascension, in Christian belief, the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being reckoned as the first day). The Feast of the Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in the universality of its observance among Christians. The feast has been celebrated 40 days after Easter in both Eastern and Western Christianity since the 4th century. Prior to that time, the Ascension was commemorated as a part of the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

June 4 Pentecost (Orthodox)

The Feast of Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the fiftieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter) and ten days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday.

June 5 World Environment Day

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. Month

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - February 16

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 04:15:00 GMT

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

We have had a wonderful week at Bellwood and our Pancake Tuesday was a hit! A huge shout out goes to Mrs. Saarkoppel – Cowling (parent volunteer), Mr. Ruddock, Mr. Calanchie, Ms. Palumbo, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Loderick and our 3 student volunteers Jenica Chaudhary, Logan and Grayson Saarkoppel-Cowling. Without you help we could not have had such a successful morning of great pancakes for all of our classes!

Teachers have been busy working on report cards and they will be emailed to families on Wednesday February 21, 2024. Please be reminded if you have questions about your child’s report card to please reach out to your child’s teacher.

We would like to welcome Starr McBride to our staff at Bellwood P.S. Starr has been a part of the Bellwood community with her years of service with the Umbrella Childcare at Bellwood. Starr will be joining the Bellwood staff as our newest ECE working alongside Mrs. Murray in our FDK class. We have experienced growth in our FDK enrollment and Mrs. Murrays class of 15 in now going to be a full class of over 15 students which allows for the addition of an ECE.

Just a reminder that Monday February 19, 2024 is Family Day and the school will be closed. Please enjoy this long weekend with your family!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Smencils Grade 8 Graduation Fundraiser is underway!

The Grade 8's are fundraising for their Graduation on Feb. 23 along with Treat Fridays. We are selling Smencils. The cost of the Smencils will be $2 each or 3 for $5. See the attached flyer.

Choosing My Success Student Transition Guide for Grade 8 Families

Please see the attached guide for your information on students transitioning from grade 8 to grade 9. Please click on the link Choosing-My-Success Student Transition Guide (4) (2).pdf

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Junior Boys Basketball try-outs will be Feb. 20, and Feb. 22, 2024 afterschool from 3:40 – 4:30 p.m.
Junior Girls Basketball try-outs will be Feb. 26 at 8:15 a.m., Feb. 27, afterschool at 3:45 and Feb. 28 at 8:15 a.m.
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Intermediate Girls Basketball
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club will be starting for selected students on Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024 from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Vex Robotics Intermediate Club is up and running. They meet Monday’s afterschool and Friday’s before school
Intermediate Badminton team try-outs have started on Tuesday mornings before school

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

The SCC will be having two Family Movie Nights this year as a part of our SCC fundraising initiatives;

Thursday February 22, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.
Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family. We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Save the Date

February 19 Family Day – No School
February 21 Term 1 Reports go home
February 22 SCC Family Movie Night
February 28 Pink Shirt Day
February 29 Intermediates go to Rivalry Game
March 6 Graduation Photo retakes
March 8 – 15 March Break
March 18 School resumes

Dates of Significance

February 14 – 20 Random Acts of Kindness Week

We celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 14 to February 20 annually. It’s a celebration of all the ways we can become a positive influence in each other’s lives. Even one small act of kindness can mean a great deal to somebody. The world can be selfish and cruel sometimes and not everyone receives the same kind of support they need. In such a world, it is important for us to constantly be reminded to be kind to one another and to give others hope whenever we can. A small and random gesture of kindness can go a long way.

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

Monday February 19 there is no school as it is Family Day

A provincial statutory holiday observed on the third Monday in February in most provinces. About

two-thirds of all Canadians will have the day off on Family Day.

Observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - September 8

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 20:15:00 GMT

Dear Bellwood P.S. Community,

It has been a great first week back to school! We are so proud of all of our students for working hard this week and for being kind to one another. We are excited for an exciting year ahead with a lot of learning and fun activities that will keep our students engaged and motivated.

We will be continuing to recognize students everyday who have Left Their Mark by following our school expectations, by being kind to one another, and by exhibiting our Character Trait for the month. Staff will be giving out Leave Your Mark tickets to students daily. Students will then enter their ticket into a draw that will be held every Friday morning where they will have a chance to choose a prize from our prize basket.

The Character Trait for the Month of September is Optimism. We start our day off by letting our students know that we are the home of the Bobcats where we Belong, Believe and Succeed. At our assembly today we spoke to the students about what this means;

Belong: We are a community where we accept each other, help each other and are kind and caring towards each other.

Believe: We believe in ourselves, we have a growth mindset, we try and don’t give up and we learn from our mis-steps. We believe in our peers and build trusting relationships with our friends. We believe in the staff at Bellwood, they are here to help us solve problems, learn, and succeed.

Succeed: We are successful and happy at school. We are a part of a welcoming community that helps us learn and build strong relationships with everyone in our school community.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Expectations at Bellwood P.S.

Today at our assembly we went over the following expectations;

· We use kind respectful words with one another eg, no name calling, we listen to each other and speak one at a time

· We are respectful to ALL staff and adults who work in our building

· Our hands are for helping not hurting. Hands off…

· Cell phones are not to be used at school unless directly supervised by staff. If you need to use the phone to call your parents, please come to the office. Cell phones should be put away as soon as you are on school property

· We move through the hallways in a respectful manner, eg. No running

Student Accident Insurance

Providing safe learning environments is a strong and constant focus at the Durham District School Board. Families should however recognize that there is always a potential risk of injury with field trips, sports and other student activities both on and off school grounds. Accidents can happen, despite precautions to prevent them. Accidental injuries may involve medical, dental or other expenses not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans.

Please be aware that the Durham District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries. For your convenience, we do make available a Student Accident Insurance program through Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada. This program offers a variety of plans and benefits at affordable prices.

All rates are one-time annual premiums. The insurance agreement is between you and Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada. For complete details please refer to the insuremykids Protection Plan information/application form or visit their website at: www.insuremykids.com.

Any questions should be directed to Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada toll free at 1-800-463-5437.

SCC Nominations and Elections

Our SCC elections will be held in person at our SCC meeting on Thursday September 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

School Cash Online

YMCA PlayOn Afterschool Program

PlayON operates at Bellwood P.S. on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from dismissal to 5:45 PM. Please note the change in days from previous year.

Children from grade one to grade eight are invited to join us to explore nutrition, wellness, physical activity, and other fun activities.

A few details:

Program Cost: Nil

A healthy snack is provided everyday

Students meet staff at a designated area at the beginning of program; YMCA staff will provide details upon program confirmation

https://forms.gle/2pnBfLe2CrUKoEHJ6

Safe Arrivals: Reporting Absences

The Durham District School Board uses the online SchoolMessenger service for reporting student absences. You can report your child’s absence by:

Calling 1-844-350-2646 · Online or on your smartphone through the SchoolMessenger app

Save the Date:

· Treat Fridays: Will start back on Friday September 15, 2023

Cookies for $1.00, Chips and Popcorn for $2.00, Granola Bars and Fruit to Go for $0.50

· Meet the Teacher Night: Thursday September 21, 2023, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

· Picture Day: Thursday October 19, 2023

· Terry Fox Run: TBA

· SCC meeting: Thursday September 28, 2023, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

· School Spirit Wear: Information will be provided at a later date

Dates of Significance:

September 21st

International Day of Peace

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Announcements June 4th

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 18:45:00 GMT

Please click the link below to hear the annoucnement.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P9iwrRYuyuNqmmCZqj-X5ZnB8B9EixG7/view?usp=sharing

Distance Learning Newsletter

Wed, 06 May 2020 15:30:00 GMT

Please click the link below to be take to the first edition of our distance learning newsletter.

https://sites.google.com/ddsb.ca/bellwood-p-s-distance-learning/home

Packed with pictures of Bellwood Bobcats hard at work from home. To be included in the next edtion email photos to your childs teacher.

PIZZA AND SUB DAYS ARE BACK ON!

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 20:30:00 GMT

Pizza and Sub Days are Back on. Please place your orders in school cash online.

Community Update - December 6

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 23:00:00 GMT

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

Thank you, all our families who came out last night for a wonderful Movie and Parent Engagement Evening! The kids were awesome and enjoyed the movie Inside Out 2 and the parents had a chance to learn from our guest speaker Kwesi Millington!! It was a great evening, and we hope to have more evenings like this for our community! A huge thank you to our staff who stayed for the evening to help with supervision so our parents could enjoy their time in their workshop with Kwesi Millington. Thank you to Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Douglas, Mrs. Walker and Ms. Boucher. We would also like to thank our past students from Bellwood who are now in high school who came out to help at our event last evening! We could not have done this without all of YOU!!

With the temperatures dropping and more snowfall on the way we wanted to provide some information from Sick Kids Hospital on Staying safe during winter activities and from Environment Canada on Wind Chill – the chilling facts. Please click on the links for information Outdoor winter safety_ Staying safe during winter activities.pdf Environment Canada - Wind Chill - the chilling facts.pdf

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Brooklin High School Holiday Market

Saturday December 7 and 8 see attached flyer for more information Brooklin High School Holiday Market.pdf

"Golden Ticket" Raffle: For our Holdiay Concert on Thursday December 12, 2024@ 1:15 p.m.

From Monday Dec. 2 until Tuesday Dec. 10, you can enter a raffle to win a “golden ticket” for the Bellwood holiday concert, which will take place on Thursday Dec. 12 starting at 1:15pm. Raffle tickets can be purchased on SCHOOL CASH ONLINE at a cost of $2 for one ticket or $5 for three tickets. This is a special prize offered to one lucky family, giving them exclusive benefits during the holiday concert. Here's a breakdown of what the golden ticket entails:

Front Row Seats:

The winner of the golden ticket will receive reserved front-row seats for their party at the holiday concert. Front-row seats typically offer the best view of the stage and provide a prime location for capturing photos and videos of your child as they perform. Plus, you won’t have to worry about rushing to get to the school to score those prime seats!

Priority Parking Spot:

In addition to the front-row seats, the golden ticket winner will also be granted a reserved priority parking spot. This spot will be located close to the entrance of the school, making it convenient for the winner and their guests to attend the concert without having to search for parking.

The winner of the "Golden Ticket" Raffle will be drawn and contacted on Wed. Dec. 11.

The Scholastic Bookfair is coming to Bellwood!

Our school’s Scholastic Book Fair will take place December 9th to December 14th. Each class will have a chance to go to the library to view the Book Fair either on Monday or Tuesday that week. Students will have a chance to write a Wish List and view the items at the fair. Please do not send money with your children on Monday or Tuesday, these days will be for viewing the Book Fair only. The Book Fair will open for purchases starting on Wednesday, December 11th during the school day. Also, students can shop at the fair with their parents/guardians after school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday until 4:30pm. Please note that the Book Fair will be open on Thursday, December 12 after the Bellwood Winter Concert for parents. The Fair will also be open on Saturday, December 14th during our Breakfast with the Bobcats! Your support with the Book Fair helps our whole school. All purchases earn Scholastic Dollars that can be redeemed for books and educational resources for our school’s library. We are looking forward to another great Book Fair at Bellwood!

Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham

We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.

Please see below for dates and times:

Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration

Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!

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

Intermediate Boys Basketball Tryouts: TBA
Intermediate Girls Basketball Tryouts have started. Next tryout MONDAY December 9

Peer Tutoring – Celebration lunch Tuesday Dec. 17, 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Senior Band – Tues. and Wed. @ lunch
Bell Choir grades 6-8 Tues. and Thurs. 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.

Golden Teacher Awards: This award is presented to those teachers that go above and beyond for our students. Here are our winners to date; Mrs. Bronsema, Mrs. White, Mrs. Otway, Mrs. Langeveldt, and Mrs. Leonowicz! Thank you team!

Save the Date

Chew Chew Train Food Drive: December 1-13, 2024
Holiday Concert: December 12, 2024 1:15 -2:30 p.m.
Breakfast with the Bobcats: Saturday December 14, 2024.
Dental Screening: December 16 and 17 stay tuned for more information
Winter Break: December 20, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Dates of Significance

December 10th is Human Rights Day

The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) will be celebrated on 10 December 2023. Our hope is to increase knowledge of the UDHR as a foundational blueprint for taking concrete actions to stand up for human rights.

December 13 is Aga Khan’s Birthday

Today is the birthday of His Highness the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world, including the 100,000 Shia Ismaili Muslims who call Canada home. “His Highness is a global leader in the fight for equality who, through

the Aga Khan Development Network, has partnered with Canada to reduce poverty around the world, advance gender equality, and improve access to health care and education internationally, including the Ottawa-based Global Centre for Pluralism and the Toronto-based Aga Khan museum – the first Islamic museum in North America.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Announcements May 28th

Thu, 28 May 2020 19:00:00 GMT

Please follow the link below to her the announcements read by Lauren.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10JoKZ2kSPnXECJTcwzatOZcvSXXCm6xO

Community Update - November 24

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 04:30:00 GMT

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

It has been another great week at Bellwood P.S. Our junior and intermediate cricket teams played in their tournament this week and enjoyed themselves representing our school. Our junior volleyball teams have also been doing well in their games and tournaments and we look forward to seeing how they do as the season continues.

Our next School Community Council Meeting (SCC) will be held on Thursday November 30, 2023, from 6 – 7 p.m. This will be an in-person meeting held in our school library learning commons. For those who cannot attend in – person a link will be sent at 5:30 p.m. so you can join us virtually. We look forward to seeing you there!

We will be having a Holiday Winter Concert on December 20, 2023 @ 1:15 p.m. in our school gymnasium. Stay tuned for more information! Doors will be opened at 12:45 p.m.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Twoonie Tuesday is Tuesday November 28, 2023

Please consider filling our Twoonie Jar in our office by bringing a Twoonie to school on Tuesday November 28, 2023.

Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Bellwood! Our school’s Scholastic Book Fair will take place December 4^th to December 9^th. Each class will have a chance to go to the library to view the Book Fair either on Monday or Tuesday that week.

Students will have a chance to write a Wish List and view the items at the fair. Please do not send money with your children on Monday or Tuesday, these days will be for viewing the Book Fair only.

The Book Fair will open for purchases starting on Wednesday, December 6^th during the school day. Also, students can shop at the fair with their parents/guardians after school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday until 4:30pm. Please note that the Book Fair will also be open on Saturday, December 9^th during our Breakfast with the Bobcats!

Your support for this event helps our whole school. All purchases earn Scholastic Dollars that can be redeemed for books and educational resources for our school’s library. We are looking forward to a great school Book Fair!

Community Engagement Activities for December

Please click on the link to find a donation letter for this event. Breakfast with the Bobcats donation letter.docx Our Scholastic Book Fair will also be open.

We will have craft stations set up for families to attend, there will be a photo booth with a nominal cost to get a family photo and we will be having 3 basket draws. Students have been making “Rainbow Loom” Bracelets that will also be on sale with all the proceeds going towards Sick Kids Hospital. We look forward to seeing everyone out for this great community event!

We look forward to seeing everyone out for this great community event!

Ignite Foundation Chew Chew Train Food Drive

The class that brings in the most donations will be receiving a Pizza Party!!

Volunteering at our School

If you would like a package, please come into the office to pick one up.

Save the Date

Nov. 28 – Twoonie Tuesday
Nov. 30 - SCC meeting at 6 p.m.
December 9 – Breakfast with the Bobcats
December 12 – 15 – Senior Kindergarten Vision Screening
December 15 – End of Chew Chew Train Food Drive
December 22 - Last day of school Before Winter Break
January 8 – School Resumes after Winter Break

Holiday Markets in Whitby and Oshawa

Get into the holiday spirit at the Candy Cane Market!

E.A. Fairman P.S. located at 620 Walnut Street Whitby

Join us on Saturday November 25, 2023 from 9 - 3 for a festive extravaganza featuring 47 amazing vendors, including 7 talented student vendors showcasing their creative talents. With a wide variety of goodies to choose from, you'll find the perfect gifts for your loved ones or treat yourself to something special.

But that's not all! We have an exciting Raffle Draw where you can win fantastic prizes. Plus, indulge in the warm and cozy atmosphere with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. And don't forget to satisfy your cravings at our snack stand, which is proudly run by Grade 8 students.

Best of all, entry is absolutely free, and there's plenty of parking available. We encourage you to support local businesses and shop local this holiday season. So, bring your reusable shopping bag and get ready to discover unique treasures while supporting our community.

Here's an extra sweet treat for you! The first 500 people through the doors will receive a free candy cane. ????????

The Glen Street P.S. school community would like to invite you to attend Glen Street’s Winter Market at 929 Glen Street, this Saturday, November 25^th from 10-4! There will be 60 vendors, a raffle table and 50/50 draw. All proceeds will go to Glen Street Public School. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sent on behalf of the Glen Street School Community

Dates of Significance

December 2nd

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, December 2, marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of December 2 1949).

The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons

December 3rd

International day for Disabled Persons

Theme: Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world

Inspired by the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly opening on 13 September under the theme, “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”, and in recognition that the world is at a critical moment in the history of the United Nations, it is time to act and find joint solutions in building a more sustainable and resilient world for all and for the generations to come.

The complex and interconnected crises facing humanity today, including the shocks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other countries, a tipping point in climate change, all pose humanitarian challenges of an unprecedented nature, as well as threats to the global economy.

Most often, in moments of crises, people in vulnerable situations such as persons with disabilities are the most excluded and left behind. In line with the central premise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to “leave no one behind”, it is crucial for governments, public and private sectors to collaboratively find innovative solutions for and with persons with disabilities to make the world a more accessible and equitable place.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

December 5 is International Volunteer Day

This year, we mark International Volunteer Day (IVD) by recognizing the power of collective action: if everyone did.

If everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place. Imagine more than eight billion of us volunteering. Limitless possibilities for sustainable development – food and education for everyone, clean environment and good health, inclusive and peaceful societies, and more.

Volunteerism is an enormous renewable resource for social, economic and environmental problem-solving throughout the world. As the world faces mounting challenges, volunteers are often the first to help. Volunteers are at the fore in crises and emergencies, often in very testing and dire situations.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (UN)

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is observed in Canada on December 6 each year. Informally called White Ribbon Day, the day marks the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989. As we reflect on the act of senseless violence that claimed the lives of 14 women, we emphasize our dedication to fighting the hatred that inspired the tragedy.

December 7 - 15 is Hannukah

Hanukkah, [known as the Festival of Lights], celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. When the Jews sought to light the Temple's Menorah(the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single jar of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared. Central to the holiday is the lighting of the menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum to which one candle is added on each night of the holiday until it is ablaze with light on the eighth night.

December 8th

Bodhi Day

In Japanese Zen, Bodhi Day is called "Rohatsu" and is the observance of enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Zen monasteries observe this day with a meditation retreat lasting several days. On the last night of a Rohatsu sesshin, monks and students often sit in meditation until dawn, as the Buddha did 25 centuries ago.

The enlightenment of the Buddha is among the most significant events in Buddhist history, and it's an event commemorated annually by many Buddhists. English speakers often call the observance Bodhi Day. The word bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali means "awakening" but is often translated into English as "enlightenment."

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

February Newsletter

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 16:30:00 GMT

Please follow this lnk to the February school newsletter.

Good morning,

https://sites.google.com/ddsb.ca/february2020newsletter/home

Community Update - January 31

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 21:30:00 GMT

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

Winter Walk to School Day is going to be on Wednesday February 5, 2025. We will be encouraging all student to walk to school. Stay tuned for more information and there will chances to win a prize for those students who walk to school!

Our Intermediate Girls and Boys Basketball teams have been busy practicing and playing in tournaments over the last two weeks. Our students are making us proud on and off the court! Thank you to Mr. Marshall, Mrs. Walker, Mr. Mohammad and Mrs. Calder for coaching our teams.

Our next School Community Council meeting will be on Wednesday February 19, 2025, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

FREE Cooking Program for youth 13+

BGC is running a cooking class for ages 13+ through Dish Play with Chef Andrea Nickleson. Feel free to pass it along to your grade 7 & 8 students. Please click on the link for registration details Cooking Program for Youth1.cleaned.pdf

Senior Kindergarten Parents:

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is hosting French Immersion sessions on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. These events will provide parents/guardians more insight into how the French Immersion program works at DDSB and if it is the best option for their child. The session at John Dryden P.S. will be hosted in our library on the second floor of the school.

Please use the link below to do a pre-registration so we can predict numbers. https://forms.gle/WSmGJpjgxRLjwcwX7

Durham Black Educators Network: Celebration of Black Excellence

It’s that time of year again—the DBEN Black History Month Celebration of Black Excellence will be held on Thursday, February 20th, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ajax High School, 105 Bayly St. E, Ajax, Ontario. We are inviting you, your family, and your friends to attend.

Join us in our own backyard as we celebrate the DDSB's Young, Gifted, and Black performing and visual arts students. Last year, this event was sold out, with over 250 attendees, so don’t delay purchasing your tickets, as you don't want to be disappointed.

Along with our partner OSSTF District 13, there will be an outstanding talent show and a hot dinner brought to you by Island Grill. We will also present a student Art Gallery, host a Vendor’s Alley, and hold a Silent Auction. The Keynote Speaker for the evening will be Margaret Lazarus Superintendent of Equitable Schools. Click on the link to see the flyer DBEN Black History Month Poster (1).pdf

We are looking forward to another great night of student talent.
The Eventbrite link for the event is

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-history-month-celebration-registration-1204933200639?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please feel free to share this message with your family, friends, community organizations, and social media outlets/pages.

If you have any questions, please send us an email.

Warm Regards,

Durham Black Educators' Network (DBEN)

Cultivating Courageous Change

Email: durhamblackeducators@gmail.com

Website: dben.org

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

WINTER IMPORTANT NOTICE

As we are in the depth of winter weather, we are encouraging parents 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 snowpants 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.

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

Junior Girls Basketball
Senior Band and Bell Choir starting up next week
Peer Tutoring: selected grade 8 students @ lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library
Lego Club: Wednesday’s at lunch Grades 1 and 2, Friday’s at lunch Grades 3 to 6

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

Feb. 5 – Winter Walk to School Day
Feb. 5 and 7 – Launching Black History Month Workshops
Feb. 6 – Grade 8 Graduation Photos
Feb. 17 – Family Day – NO School
Feb. 19 – Report Cards go home
Feb. 19 – SCC meeting

Dates of Significance

February is African Heritage Month

February is Psychology Month

Psychology is rooted in science that seeks to understand our thoughts, feelings and actions. It is a broad field – some psychology professionals develop and test theories through research while others work to help individuals, organizations, and communities function better. Still others are both researchers and practitioners.

Psychology Month is celebrated every February to highlight the contributions of Canadian psychologists and to show Canadians how psychology works to help – people live healthy and happy lives, their communities flourish, their employers create better workplaces, and their governments develop effective policies.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Hearing and Vison Screening Change of Date

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 15:15:00 GMT

For those who have opted for the vision/hearing screening please note the date has moved from February 11th to Friday February 28th.

Community Update - April 30

Tue, 02 May 2023 17:15:00 GMT

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

Registration for the Durham Partners Symposium is Now Open!

The theme of the 2023 Durham Partners Symposium is a result of the feedback received from the Parent Engagement survey. As a result of this feedback, we are pleased to present: Fostering Resilience in Children - Supporting Mental Health and Social Well-Being.

On Saturday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., join keynote speaker, Olympian, author, and television host Perdita Felicien as she explores what it means to chase a dream and overcome the “hurdles” life can put before you.

There will also be engaging breakout sessions with guest speakers Natasha Halliday, Alyson Schafer, Holly Richard, Saroya Tinker, and Dan Hogan who will lead important discussions about mental health, resiliency, and emotional well-being.

Refreshments and childcare will be provided. Registration is required. To register for this event, please visit the DDSB website.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Teacher Appreciation Day

Teacher Appreciation Day is marked in Canada on the first Tuesday of May every year to celebrate all the hard work teachers across the country play in students’ lives and in their communities. Teacher Appreciation Day this year will be on Tuesday May 2, 2023.

With many teachers shaping young children's lives across Canada, it's a great time to spend the day reflecting and showing some appreciation for all their wonderful work. We all have that one teacher we remember throughout our lives, so this day gives you the chance to thank an inspiring teacher. When you see your child’s teacher today, please take a moment to express your gratitude for all of the hard work they are doing with your children.

Food Drive

Congratulations to Mrs. McDavid’s Grade 3 class for bringing the most food for our Food Drive during Ramadan. The class collected 51 items of food to be donated. They celebrated this with a Pizza Party on Monday April 24, 2023.

Community Engagement with the Black Community

Children’s Mental Health Week May 1 – 5, 2023

Mental health is often thought of as only being applicable to the 1 in 5 people who experience mental illness. The reality is that 5 in 5 people have mental health, and everyone needs to be a part of the conversation. We ALL have mental health.

Some simple examples of easy-to-implement activities to support mental health and wellbeing during Mental Health Week (and beyond) may include:

Encourage parents and students to go for a nature walk in the community.
Encourage students to share positive messages/affirmations.
Encourage students to reflect on 3 positive things that happened that day. Students can share this or write in a journal.
Incorporate an active team game into physical activity time to encourage students to connect and work together.

DDSB Positive School Climate Department

The PSCD is pleased to share with you this opportunity hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in an educational opportunity Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Program (April 2023) on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm – Online via Zoom.

Please see attached flyers and/or register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sex-trafficking-education-and-prevention-program-april-2023-tickets-488855498957

Parent Engagement Speaker Series Event with Dr. James Makokis

For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/3ZCBS8p

Let’s Celebrate the Arts at Bellwood!

Bellwood’s Festival of the Arts

Thurs. May 18, 6:30 – 7:30/8:00 P.M.

Extra Clothing

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

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

Teacher Appreciation Day May 2, 2023
School Track and Field Day – May 10 – Rain Day May 11, 2023
SCC meeting - May 11, 2023
Drumming with Drums et Al - May 15
Grade 6 EQAO – May 16 - 19, 2023
Bellwood Celebration of the Arts – May 18^th 6:30 pm
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

Dates of Significance:

May is Asian and South Asian Heritage Month

The month of May in Ontario is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Canadians from over 30 countries that make up the Asian and South Asian diaspora.
Asian Heritage Month has been a focus of celebration in many communities across Canada since the 1990s. In December of 2001, Senator Vivienne Poy proposed a motion that was adopted by the Senate of Canada, designating May as Asian Heritage Month nationally. During May of 2002, the Government of Canada made this motion official by signing a declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

May is Jewish Heritage Month

May is declared Jewish Heritage Month in Canada and USA. It provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the incredible contributions that Jewish people have made to the country and in communities across North America.

May is Dutch Heritage Month

Since the early 1800s, the Dutch Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - February 10

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 15:30:00 GMT

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

We will be using Lunchbox by School Cash Online for our Subway Lunches on Tuesdays starting Tuesday February 21, 2023. The deadline for parents/guardians to place an order is Sunday at 12pm for the upcoming delivery week. If you would like to cancel your order you can do so 2 days prior to the scheduled delivery. Please click on the links for more information How-to-Order-Guide - Bellwood Public School - Whitby.pdf Lunchbox_Parent_Guardian_FAQs.pdf Parent_Guardian_Handout.pdf

Our SCC Krispy Kreme donut fundraiser is up and running on School Cash online. Deadline for orders will be Tuesday February 28, 2023. Pick date for orders will be Wednesday March 8, 2023. Each box of one dozen donuts will be $11.00!

We are reminding students daily to use kind words, to keep their hands and feet to themselves, and to smile as it goes a long way and may just make somebody’s day brighter! We need your help to remind your children to always be kind and that hands are for helping not hurting!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Hello from the O’Neill Performing Arts Department!

We are thrilled to be staging The SpongeBob Musical! It’s a REALLY fun show! Great music – all original songs composed by different contemporary artists (Ex. Panic! at the Disco, Steve Tyler, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Plain White T’s, Sara Bareilles). It is kid appropriate and definitely entertaining for adults too.

View the teaser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_4gqjlfUDY

Please share the poster Spongebob promo post (4).png

https://ddsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/126904/102/False/True - Wednesday, February 15, 2023

https://ddsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/126906/102/False/True - Thursday, February 16, 2023

https://ddsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/126908/102/False/True - Friday, February 17, 2023

https://ddsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/126909/102/False/True - Saturday, February 18, 2023

Ontario Tech University – 2023 Virtual Spring Break Camps

For more information about our camp offerings, please visit our camps website: https://ontariotechu.ca/camps

School Spirit Days

Every Thursday in February will be crazy sock/mismatched sock day.
February 14 wear your red, pink or white for Valentine's Day.
February 17 will be Cultural Day! Dress in your cultures colours/clothing.
February 24 dress like your favourite character. Could be from a movie, a book, tv show, etc. Remember no masks please!

Lost and Found

We have organized our lost and found and would appreciate it if you would have your children look through the lost and found to see if any of their items are there. We will have this organized for one more week and will be donating items not picked up on Monday February 13, 2023.

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.

School Climate Survey

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.

Save the Date

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 21 Shrove Tuesday
February 22 Pink Shirt Day

Dates of Significance

A Moment in Canadian Black History

Did you know…..

Chatham Coloured All-Stars

Formed during the Great Depression, the Chatham Coloured All-Stars (1932–39) was the first all-Black organized baseball team in Ontario. Comprised primarily of men from the town of Chatham in Southwestern Ontario, the All-Stars became the first all-Black team to win a Provincial Ontario Baseball Amateur Association (OBAA) championship in 1934.

Saint Valentine's Day February 14

Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of the patron saint, Valentine.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - December 20

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:45:00 GMT

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

We have been very busy this Fall at Bellwood P.S. with lots of sporting activities, leadership opportunities, clubs, peer tutoring program, community events, guest speakers coming into the school and classrooms, school trips, school spirit days, our Chew Chew Train Food Drive, Staff vs Student Volleyball, our Mystery Bag sales, Movie Night and our Holiday concert!!

We would like to send a huge Shout Out to all the Bellwood Staff who have made all of these things in addition to the excellent teaching and learning that is happening in our classrooms.

We look forward to the coming back after our Winter Break to continue to do wonderful things at our school.

On behalf of our Staff and your Admin Team, we would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday filled with peace, love and joy! We look forward to seeing you all back at school on Monday January 6, 2025!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Staffing Updates:

We would like to officially welcome Ms. Marsha Harewood to Bellwood. She will be joining our EA team on a long term assignment for the remainder of this school year.
We would also like to officially welcome Ms. Liza Fofanova to Bellwood. She will be joining our teaching staff on a long term assignment as our Junior French teacher .

Kindergarten Registration Begins January 7, 2025

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.

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 Tryouts: Posted on Whiteboard outside the gym.
Intermediate Girls Basketball Tryouts: Posted on Whiteboard outside the gym.

Senior Band – Tues. and Wed. @ lunch
Bell Choir grades 6-8 Tues. and Thurs. 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

Winter Break: December 23, 2024 – January 6, 2025
SCC Meeting: Thursday January 16, 2025
P.A Day: No school for students on Friday January 24, 2025

Dates of Significance

December 25th is Christmas Day

December 25 – January 2 is Hannukah

Hanukkah, [known as the Festival of Lights], celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. When the Jews sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single jar of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared. Central to the holiday is the lighting of the menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum to which one candle is added on each night of the holiday until it is ablaze with light on the eighth night.

Kwanzaa is December 26 - January 1

Tamil History Month

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - August 28

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Dear Bellwood P.S. Community,

With anticipation in the air, it is our privilege to welcome all our students, staff and parents back to Bellwood P.S. where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Custodial Staff Tammy Skinner and Melissa Cardoso De Freitas for doing a great job over the summer preparing our school for the return of our students and staff next week! The school looks AMAZING!

Our shared commitment to learning, growth, and collaboration continues to be the cornerstone of our vibrant school community. The commencement of each school year brings with it a sense of renewal and a chance to embark on new adventures. To our returning students, it's wonderful to have you back! Your energy and enthusiasm infuse our halls with life, and we are eager to see the remarkable progress you will make this year. For our students and parents new to Bellwood P.S, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome. You have joined a community that values diversity, curiosity, kindness, and a passion for exploration.

Welcome back to school! Please don’t hesitate to connect with the office at 905 436-0098 at any time if you have questions or concerns throughout the coming year. Our team is here to help!

Please click on the link for answers to questions you may have about returning to school this fall. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Have a wonderful week ahead and long weekend! See you on Tuesday September 3, 2024!

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Action Required! Parent Portal Student Verification Forms:

At the end of each summer, it is important that parents log into the DDSB Parent Portal to review, update, and submit the Student Verification Form for each child from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Please note: this does not apply to new Junior Kindergarten students.

Why?

3. Grade 7 students receive their DDSB Chromebooks and require online verification through the parent portal before they can be distributed.

If you have not had time to visit the Parent Portal we encourage you to do so. Information on how to access the returning student registration form can be found in this PDF.

Bell Times:

As a reminder, our bell times this year are: These are also posted to our school website.

· Morning supervision begins at 8:55 a.m.

· Morning Entry: 9:10

· Lunch: 11:50 – 12:50

· End of Day: 3:35

Kindergarten Start Dates 2024/2025:

As a reminder, incoming/returning Year 1 (JK) and Year 2 (SK) Kindergarten students will all start on the first day of the 2023/2024 school year.

Morning Arrival (after the first day and throughout the school year)

Lunch:

Late Arrivals:

Student Absences and Early Dismissal:

Safe Arrivals - Reporting Absences:

The Durham District School Board uses the online SchoolMessenger service for reporting student absences. You can report your child's absence by calling 1-844-350-2646, or online or on your smartphone through the SchoolMessanger app.

Dropping Off Forgotten Items and Lunches:

Kiss N Ride:

· If you are using the Kiss and Ride you are expected to remain in your vehicle at all times. Children should be able to exit the vehicles without driver assistance.

· We ask families for your patience as our students exit/enter the buses before and after school.

· SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR PRIORITY. Please be mindful of students and families walking across the sidewalk as you exit our parking lot.

· Please do not park in front of the Kindergarten enclosure for morning drop off and afternoon pick up.

· Please find a parking spot in front of the school if you are walking your child to class

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep all our students and families safe.

Volunteers:

Curriculum Night Date To Be Determined:

We invite students and family members to join us for our Meet the Teacher Night. Stay tuned for more information.

YMCA PlayON Afterschool Program:

Hello families,

We are pleased to announce that the YMCA PlayON program is back for another year. Our registration process continues to be in an online format; below you will find a registration form that you must complete and submit. If your registration is successful, you will receive a confirmation from a staff the second week of September letting you know your child's start date and important program details or if your child is on the waitlist.

PlayON operates at Bellwood P.S. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from dismissal to 5:45 PM. Please note the change in days from previous year.

Children from grade 1 to grade eight are invited to join us to explore nutrition, wellness, physical activity, and other fun activities.

A few details:

Program Cost: Nil

A healthy snack is provided everyday

Students meet staff at a designated area at the beginning of program; a staff will provide details upon program confirmation

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE PLAYON PROGRAM https://forms.gle/vc3HA4TFh6KybeUo6

We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions, please email Playon.Programs@ymcagta.org

Sent on behalf of Dorothy Bolzon (She/Her) PlayON Coordinator

Community Update - February 23

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT

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

Thank you for those of you who came out to support our first Movie Night this year. It was a huge success. We look forward to seeing you at the next one! A clue for the movie we are thinking of is “Who you gonna call?”

Our Intermediate girl’s basketball team played their first tournament this week. All girls played well. Go Bobcats Go!

Just a reminder that report cards for Term 1 were sent electronically through School Messenger on Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024. You will need your child’s OEN number in order to open the report card, this can be found on previous report cards at the top of the page.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Durham Black Educators Network (DBEN) Paint Night Feb. 29, 2024

Please click on the link for more information and registration Feb. 23 DBEN Paint Night.pdf

Ramadan Market – Saturday March 2, 2024

Come one, come all. You are invited to our Ramadan Market taking place on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 hosted by The Muslim Educators' Network of Durham (MEND) and our DDSB MSA's. With over 40 vendors, you don't want to miss out on this great experience to shop, eat and enjoy.

Date: Saturday, March 2^nd

Time: 11:00am-7:00pm

Entry Fee: FREE

Parking: FREE

Address: J. Clarke Richardson, 1355 Harwood Ave N, Ajax, ON L1T 4G8

Follow us: @menddsb

Save the Date: March Spirit Days

Monday March 4 - Dress from your culture

Tuesday March 5 – Dress like your future profession

Wednesday March 6 – Twin, Triplet, or Quadruplet day. Find some friends and dress the same

Thursday March 7 – Colour Class Day. Decide on a colour as a class to dress in the same coloured shirt

Grade 8 Grad Photo Retakes

Grade 8 graduation photo retakes will be held on Wednesday March 6, 2024. Feb. 23, 2024 Reminder Notice (Green Screen - Comp) - J.pdf

DON’T FORGET THE CLASS OF 2024 GRAD COMPOSITE! The attached digital reminder includes details on how families can purchase their full grad class composite. Your school code is KBW

Partnership with the DDSB Ignite Foundation and Tribute Community Centre join forces to empower students in need

We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between the IGNITE Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) and Tribute Communities Centre, as we come together to make a lasting impact on the lives of students in need within our community. FEb. 23 Ignite partnership DDSB Ignite - 2024 Offer.pdf

$5.00 from every ticket purchased at Tribute Communities Centre Harlem Globe Trotters World Tour and Gerry Dee’s Stand-Up Comedy Tour goes towards supporting students in need through the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation? Your entertainment not only brings joy but also makes a positive impact on education in our community! Let's come together for a great cause - every ticket counts!

Use code ignite and buy tickets at [tributecommunitiescentre.com/password]tributecommunitiescentre.com/password

groups of 10+ email: akil.julien@oakviewgroup.com

Durham Integrated Arts Camp (DIAC)

Durham Integrated Arts Camp (DIAC) is an intensive Arts exploration opportunity for Durham District School Board (DDSB) students with a passion for Music, Visual Art, Music Theatre, Drama and Dance. DIAC’s philosophy focuses on the immersion of art students in a creative outdoor environment where learning in, about, and through the arts encourages each child's "voice" to be heard. This camp fosters a culture of inclusion and celebrates the diverse talents and skills that every student can nurture in this unique educational setting. Supporting these goals is an energetic, talented, and dedicated DIAC team which includes DDSB teachers and professional guest artists. This creative learning environment provides students with opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of their art, their abilities, and their lives by making authentic personal and intrapersonal connections among the arts disciplines. Please click on the link for more information Feb. 23 Memo for DIAC Distribu.pdf

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Junior Boys Basketball try-outs will be Feb. 20, and Feb. 22, 2024 afterschool from 3:40 – 4:30 p.m.
Junior Girls Basketball try-outs will be;

-Monday February 26, 2024 afterschool at 3:45

-Tuesday February 27, 2024 at 8:15 a.m.

-Wednesday February 28, 2024 afterschool at 3:45

Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Intermediate Girls Basketball
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club will be starting for selected students on Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024 from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Vex Robotics Intermediate Club is up and running. They meet Monday’s afterschool and Friday’s before school
Intermediate Badminton team try-outs have started on Tuesday mornings before school

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family. We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Save the Date

February 28 Pink Shirt Day
February 29 Intermediates go to Rivalry Game
March 6 Graduation Photo retakes
March 8 – 15 March Break
March 18 School resumes

Dates of Significance

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

February 20, 2024 is World Day of Justice

World Day of Social Justice is an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.

Pink Shirt Day Wednesday February 28, 2024

In 2007, Berwick Nova Scotia, two grade 12 students bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a student at their school was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. It is a day to recognize the importance of standing up against all forms of discrimination and hate towards the 2SLGBTQIA community and all those who face bullying and harassment.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - January 26

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 02:45:00 GMT

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

It has been a busy week at Bellwood! Our Intermediate Boys Basketball team hosted a tournament on Tuesday and Thursday this week. The boys played very well, and we are looking forward to a great season!

We are very proud of our grade 8 students who did presentation in grades FDK – Grade 6 on Mental Health for Bell Let’s Talk Day! The students worked very hard on their presentations, and it was received well by staff and students!

Thank you to those of you who attended our SCC meeting last night in person and virtually. We have planned some exciting things ahead for our students so stay tuned for further information on upcoming Family Movie Nights and Pancakes for our students on Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday!

We have some very important updates below so please read!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Parking and Kiss and Ride reminders

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

Lunch time Information and Reminders

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Lunchroom Supervisors for doing a great job at lunch hour supervising our students when they eat their lunch from 11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. and when they are outside playing from 12:10 – 12:50 p.m. During the eating portion of the lunch hour, for about 15 mins. in most classes the kids enjoy an age-appropriate movie or show while they eat their lunch. Our students enjoy this as it provides a calm environment while they are eating their lunch. At 12:10, the students then go outside to enjoy 40 minutes of outdoor play time with their friends.

Just a few reminders in regard to lunches

In your child’s lunch bag please include the following: a morning snack, a bigger meal for their lunch and an afternoon snack. Please also send your child to school with a refillable water bottle
Please include any utensils, fork, spoon etc. that the student will need to eat their lunch. Please do not include knives including plastic knives in your child’s lunch bag
Please remind your children that they are not allowed to trade snacks and lunches due to students who may have allergies

Fundraising Initiatives

School fundraising Initiatives such as Pizza Days, Treat Fridays and our recent Black History T-shirt sales help generate funds that go directly back to our students. This may be in the form of purchasing new technology for classrooms, guest speakers, subsidizing school trips and school busses for those trips, grade 8 graduation, and anything that may come up to benefit our students.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for supporting our fund raising Initiatives as we strive to engage our students with many opportunities while they are at school.

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Intermediate Boys and Girls Basketball
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior Cooking Club information meeting will be held in the library on Monday January 29, 2024@ 12:00 p.m.

Multi-Language Learners Transition to High School Information Night

This session will be available in person and virtually on February 7, 2024. Please use the following link to register https://bit.ly/3u3ChXP

Please click on the link to view the flyer 2024 MLL Transition to High School Info Night.jpeg

If you have any questions, please reach out to our MLL coach Arthur Sullivan at arthur.sullivan@ddsb.ca

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

The SCC will be having two Family Movie Nights this year as a part of our SCC fundraising initiatives;

Thursday February 15, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.
Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family. We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies.

Parenting in the Age of Social Media:

Durham Continuing Education: Indigenous and International Languages

Please see attached flyer for more information and how to register- Note: You must download the attached flyer for the links to work. Please click on the link INTERNATIONAL & INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES ELEMENTARY(IILE).pdf

For more information about the program, please click here.

French Immersion Information Night

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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 use the sidewalks to walk your children onto the school yard and avoid crossing in between the cars in the Kiss and Ride
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 p.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. If possible, please find a parking space or circle around (like at the airport)

Dental Screening at Bellwood P.S.

Dental Screening will be happening at Bellwood PS on February 12, 13 and 14, 2024! 2024 Dental Screening.docx

Who will be screened?

All students in JK, SK, Grade 2, 4, 7, 8 and special education classes
Any student previously identified as having an urgent need
Any additional student by parent/guardian request
Children identified with an urgent need may have additional screenings throughout the year

Save the Date

January 31 Grade 8 visits to Anderson
February 8 Grade 8 Graduation Photos
February 12-14 Dental Screening
February 15 SCC Family Movie Night
February 19 Family Day – No School
February 21 Term 1 Reports go home

Dates of Significance

February is African Heritage Month

February is Psychology Month

Psychology is rooted in science that seeks to understand our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is a broad field – some psychology professionals develop and test theories through research while others work to help individuals, organizations, and communities’ function better. Still others are both researchers and practitioners.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - February 3

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 20:45:00 GMT

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

February we are recognizing the Character Trait of Kindness. Did you know, kindness is contagious, the positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.” This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people!

We are also reminding students daily to use kind words, to keep their hands and feet to themselves, and to smile as it goes a long way and may just make somebody’s day brighter! We need your help to remind your children to always be kind!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

B-r-r-r, It’s Cold Outside!

The morning and afternoon recesses and 30-minute lunch recess add up to the need for extra layers. Thanks for sending your child with a warm jacket, sweater, hat and a neck warmer to keep them warn when they are outside. We would like to encourage all students to bring an extra set of clothes to school in case of an accident, (due to falling at recess or a lunch accident). If you know that your child is prone to spilling or getting dirty when playing, this may save you from having to make an extra trip to school.

SCC Krispy Kreme Donut Fundraiser Coming Soon!!

The SCC will be selling Krispy Kreme Donuts as a fundraiser for our school. Each box of donuts will be sold for $11.00. You will be able to make your orders through School Cash online!! Once it is up and ready, we will send out a separate email to families. We are hoping to have this set up by early next week. The deadline for purchases on School Cash online will be Friday February 28, 2023.

School Spirit Days

Every Thursday in February will be crazy sock/mismatched sock day.
February 14 wear your red, pink or white for Valentine's Day.
February 17 will be Cultural Day! Dress in your cultures colours/clothing.
February 24 dress like your favourite character. Could be from a movie, a book, tv show, etc. Remember no masks please!

Lost and Found

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.

School Climate Survey

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.

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 21 Shrove Tuesday
February 22 Pink Shirt Day

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)

Dates of Significance

A moment in Canadian Black History: Jean Augustine

In 1993, Canadian politician Jean Augustine became the first Black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada. An energetic advocate of social justice, she worked as the principal of an elementary school before entering federal politics. Among her accomplishments as an MP was the introduction of a motion, passed unanimously, to have February proclaimed as Black History Month in Canada. The city of Toronto had been celebrating Black History Month, working with organizations such as the Ontario Black History Society, since 1979.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Event - Eid Dinner

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:45:00 GMT

Our next Community Event will be our annual Eid dinner!

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Announcements May 14th

Thu, 14 May 2020 14:15:00 GMT

Click this link to listen to an audio clip of the weeks announcements ready by one of our very own Bobcats, Kavinash.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DMdLmXnIFjaoWXtqg_aVITLILL5BKMeS

Community Update - January 13

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 17:45:00 GMT

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

It has been another fun filled week of learning at Bellwood P.S. Classes have been engaged in welcoming our students back to school this week.

Knitting Club with Mrs. Burns has started this week! We are excited to see what the students will make. Thank you, Mrs.Burns

We also have girls and boys’ basketball teams on the go right now! Thank you to Mrs. Calder and Mr. Marshall for coaching those teams. We are looking forward to a great Basketball season! Go Bobcats Go!!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

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

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

Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year

Dental Screening at Bellwood P.S.

Dental Screening will be happening at Bellwood PS on January 17, 18 and 19, 2023!

Who will be screened?

All students in JK, SK, Grade 2, 4, 7, 8 and special education classes
Any student previously identified as having an urgent need
Any additional student by parent/guardian request
Children identified with an urgent need may have additional screenings throughout the year

Please see the attached flyer for more information dental screening Jan. 17-19, 2023.docx

Durham Public Health: Vaping Prevention

Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) is pleased to share the release of updated vaping prevention materials available through NotAnExperiment.ca.

Please see attached letter from Durham Public Health for more information Vaping Prevention.docx

Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention (STEP)

Please see attached flyers STEP Program - January 2023.pdf STEP Program - January 2023.pdf and/or register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sex-trafficking-education-and-prevention-program-january-2023-tickets-488848116877

Save the Date

January 17 – 19 Dental Screening
January 20 P.A. Day, No school for students
January 25 Bell Let’s Talk Day
January 25 Dodgeball Tournament at Williamsburg PS

Dates of Significance

Thai Pongal 15-18, 2023

Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 16, 2023

Epiphany (Orthodox) January 19, 2023

The Eastern Orthodox Church Associates Theophany with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - October 13

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT

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

We would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all of the parents who volunteered to drive students up to Lakeridge for our Cross-Country Meet and who came out to watch and cheer on Tuesday October 10, 2023. We could not have done this without you!! Don’t forget, if you are volunteering to drive students to school events to drop off your criminal reference check for us to file at the office.

Our Bellwood Bobcats represented our school with pride. Congratulations to all our runners, you did an amazing job. A special shout out to four of our students who will be moving on to compete in the Durham Regional Cross-Country Finals, they are Ben Sutus, Jack Sutus, Neveah Wood and Juliette Lessor. The final will take place on Wednesday October 18, 2023 at the Lakeridge Ski Resort. We will all be cheering you on!!

Our Girls Intermediate Volleyball team competed in the Spike Intermediate Girls Volleyball tournament this week. They played well and had fun on the court.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Connect with our Mental Health Team

Sometimes things just pile up and you need someone to talk to.

DDSB Social Work and Psychological Services teams are here to help!

Reach out to a clinician to talk things through by using the following form: https://bit.ly/3lhz8z1.

#DDSBWellBeing

SEA Chromebook Virtual Information Session for Parents/Guardians - October 17th, @ 6:30pm

This virtual session will provide DDSB parents/guardians an overview of some of the tools available to support their children’s learning on DDSB SEA devices. Please see flier for more information by clicking on the link SEA Chromebook Virtual Information Night

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.

WHEN: November 21^st, 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.

Volunteer of Distinction Ceremony

The Durham District School Board is committed to engaging students, parents, and community members to improve student outcomes and build public confidence. We recognize the importance and value of the involvement of parents and community members. Our volunteers significantly and positively impact the success of our students. We acknowledge this commitment annually at the DDSB Volunteer of Distinction Awards Ceremony. For the 2022 – 2023 school year at Bellwood we are honored to recognize Farida Chhangur as our Volunteer of Distinction. She has demonstrated commitment to the school and has been actively involved in furthering the goals of our school community.

The Volunteer of Distinction Award Ceremony will be held on October 24, 2023 at Sinclair Highschool

Save the Date

October 17 P.M. – Anti-bullying Magic Show
October 17 – Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day
October 18 – Cross Country Finals
October 19 – Picture Day See attachment for more information Photo Day reminder notice 2023 Student Reminder Notice - E.pdf

Ignite Learning Foundation

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation works solely to support children and youth in need throughout their DDSB career, consistently reducing poverty related stress and strengthening our community.

This year, the need is much greater, and the shelves of our depot are bare.

In the first few weeks of school, the depot has already distributed over 500 kgs of food hampers to schools and families. We are unable to provide all students and families in need with some of the basic food support they require. We know that our DDSB staff and community already work tirelessly to support learners and communities and hope you will consider hosting the ‘Chew Chew train’ at your school during this school year to help us meet some of the needs. Any amount, large or small, is appreciated and goes to directly supporting DDSB students and families.

With the current rates of inflation, the cost to feed a family of 4 is $1,670 per month and this doesn't include food that would fall within special diets or cultural restrictions, further it does not include personal or household items such as toothpaste, and cleaning supplies which would result in additional costs, and the current reality within our community is that 15.5% of families across Durham fear running out of Food.

This year let’s work together to achieve our goal to raise $30,000 worth of Food to fill the Depot and truly make a difference! Can we count on your support?

Please stay tuned as Bellwood will be hosting a campaign to help support the DDSB Ignite Learning Foundation. More information will be coming soon! Please see the attached flyer to see how you can help right awayThe CHEW CHEW train campaign_FLYER_8.5x11_NUTRITION_STATION.pdf

Dates of Significance

October is Disabilities Awareness Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, held in October, was established to increase awareness of the positive outcomes of hiring persons with disabilities in Canada. This October, employers are encouraged to take part in a nationwide campaign that highlights the positive contributions that employees with disabilities make to Canadian workplaces.

October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 12

Fri, 12 May 2023 21:30:00 GMT

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

We would like to take the opportunity to thank our 2022/2023 SCC executive. Thank you so much to the following members:

Chair: Kalimah Johnson
Vice Chair: Jeremy Hunt
Treasurer: Michelle Todgam
Secretary: Jenn Davies
Voting Members: Angela Wills, Lori Small, Zubia and Hasan Bashir
Teacher Representative: Andrea Ferguson
Student Representatives: Faith Johnson, Ibrahim Bashir, and Brooke Dow

We hope to see more people out to our SCC meetings next year. We will continue to have our SCC meetings in person as well as continuing to have a virtual option as well.

I was reading an online article from a website called the Pragmatic Parent. There was a very good article on, “Should Kids Have Cell Phones? Tips for safe use” I know that this is a big question that many parents are asking. I found the article to have some sound advice and thought I would share the link with you. To find the article please click on the link https://www.thepragmaticparent.com/should-kids-have-cell-phones-tips-for-safe-use

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Drumming et Al

We are excited to be having Barbadine Williams at our School on Monday May 15, 2023 to work with our all of our students. We will be having an assembly in the morning for all students in Grade 4 – 8. During the assembly students will be learning about UBUNTU. Ubuntu is essentially about togetherness, and how all our actions have an impact on others and on society. Ubuntu is an African word which means "I am who I am because of who we all are". It highlights the fact that we are all interdependent. The Golden Rule is most familiar in the Western world as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Some students will also have an opportunity to work with the drums that Mr. Williams will be bringing.

In the afternoon students in FDK to Grade 3 will be doing mini workshops learning about the drums and getting a chance to work with them.

This is a very exciting day planned for our students and we know they will be engaged and learning.

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 23^rd, 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

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.

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

Community Engagement with the Black Community

Summer High School Math Prep by Roots Academy

Please see the attached flyer for more information Grade 9 Mathematics Poster.png

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

Extra Clothing and Water Bottles

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

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

Drumming with Drums et Al - May 15
Grade 6 EQAO – May 16 - 19, 2023
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

Dates of Significance:

Mother's Day, Sunday May 14, 2023

Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. It is important to consider that family structures are diverse, and people experience family bonds in different ways that are all valid.

International Day of Families May 15, 2023

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia May 17, 2023

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Observed each year on May 17 to raise awareness on the rights violations of the LGBTQ2 communities.

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

Community Update - October 11

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 23:45:00 GMT

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

A friendly reminder that we are now on Instagram!! Please follow us @bellwoodps!

We would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all the parents who have been volunteering to drive students to our extracurricular events. We could not do this without you!! Don’t forget, if you are volunteering to drive students to all of our extracurricular school events to drop off your vulnerable sector criminal reference check for us to file at the office.

Just a reminder that there will be no school on Monday October 14, 2024, as it is Thanksgiving Weekend! We will see everyone back at school on Tuesday October 15, 2024.

Save the DATE: Parent Engagement and Movie Night Thursday December 5, 2024

While your child enjoys movie night in the gym, we will have an engaging guest speaker. Kwesi Millington who will be speaking to you about Raising Resilient Children.

BIO:

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Muslim Educators Network Durham (MEND)

FALL MARKET - Saturday, October 19th, Maxwell Heights Secondary School, OSHAWA

Come one, come all. You are invited to our FALL Market in celebration of Islamic History Month taking place on Saturday, October 19, 2024 hosted by The Muslim Educators' Network of Durham (MEND) and our DDSB MSA's. With over 30 local vendors (FOOD, FASHION, ART, and MORE), you don't want to miss out on this great experience to shop, eat and support local businesses. We thank you in advance for your support.

Date: Saturday, October 19th

Time: 11:00am-7:00pm

Entry Fee: FREE

Parking: FREE

Address: Maxwell Height Secondary School, 1100 Coldstream Drive, Oshawa, ON

Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham

We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.

Please see below for dates and times:

Thursday October 24, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesday November 26, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Attached you will find the poster for the October date that can be shared with your school community.

Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation

We are introducing a gift card fundraising program called FundScrip.

Please see attached flyer for more information and the link to sign up.

Or visit our website: https://ignitedurhamlearningfoundation.ddsb.ca/en/donate/support-idlf-through-gift-cards.aspx

With thanks, The IDLF Team

Food / Treats at School and Halloween

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!

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

Cross Country: at lunch Monday to Thursday
Intermediate Boys Volleyball: Wednesday at 8:15 and Thursday afterschool
Intermediate Girls Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday after school and Thursday morning.
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207
Bell Choir grades 6-8 – sign up in Room 207

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

Save the Date

Thanksgiving: Monday October 14, 2024, All Schools closed
Picture Day: Thursday October 17, 2024
Guest Speaker Kwesi Millington: Thursday October 24, 2024
SCC Meeting: Wednesday October 30, 2024
PA day: Friday November 1, NO School for students
Report Cards go home: Wednesday November 13, 2024
Parent Interviews: Thursday November 14, 2024 – 4-8p.m.
Parent Interview and PA Day: Friday November 15, 2024 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
School Spirit Wear: Information will be provided at a later date

Dates of Significance

October is Disabilities Awareness Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October 14 Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year.

October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - March 24

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:30:00 GMT

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

Bellwood will be hosting our first Community Iftar on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the event will end at 8:30 pm. Please join us for this event.

The evening will go as follows;

There will be stations set up in classrooms for families to attend (Henna, colouring, Ramadan story, crafts) between 6:30 to 7:20 pm.
There will be special guest speakers in the Gym from 7:20-7:49.
At 7:49pm, there will be time for prayer in the library and eating in the Gym.

We look forward to seeing Bellwood families there!

Please complete this survey by March Monday March 27th in order to help determine number in attendance and to ensure enough food. Please click on the link to access the Google Form https://forms.gle/3cRpEC19xMq8UZUMA

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Vision Screening OHIP will cover an eye exam by an optometrist every year until children are 19

Did you Know?

Up to one in four children may have a vision problem that problem that can affect their learning and development. Some of these problems can be treated if found while children are young.

See flyer attached for more details click on the link Find-Optometrist-WHITBY-March-2023-ACS.pdf vision-screening-posters-Oct-2022-ACS.pdf

Wellness Day

We will be having a Wellness Day on Tuesday March 28, 2023, for our students. Our Public Health Nurse and Student Leaders will be running stations for our grades 4-6 in the gym. We will have a special guest who will be doing Yoga with our grades 7 and 8 and classroom teachers will be doing activities with their classes throughout the day.

Food Drive

Extra Clothing

Chocolate Milk Sales

Please be reminded that we are selling Chocolate Milk everyday at lunch for $1.50.

Transitional Afrocentric Grade 8 Math Course

You can check out our website here at https://www.rootstoroutes.ca/

At Roots to Routes Academy, we have created a high school credit course that transitions grade 8 students into grade 9 mathematics. Currently, the Grade 9 Mathematics course is de-streamed to reduce the impacts of systemic racism and the early streaming of students into applied level courses.

Historically, Black students have been gravely impacted by these early streaming practices. Our course is created to bridge the gap for students with creative minds who need to feel connected to the course material in order to thrive. Our global curriculum focused on cultural literacy where students learn more about mathematics and how various topics relate to cultures around the world. We prioritize an Afrocentric lens so that students can access a course that exposes them to the many Black stories of resilience in the field of mathematics.

Through this course, students can have the option of taking a spare in high school to explore electives and to feel more confident going into high school with a credit already under their belt! Our teachers are not only OCT certified, but they reflect the population that they serve. We believe that by creating the space for students to celebrate their uniqueness, students will feel empowered to create change in the world.

This program would be offered to Grade 8 students in the Durham Region. See attached flyer

Parent Involvement Committee

The Parent Involvement Committee is offering it’s fourth SCC Training Session

See flyer attached

April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

Session Four

By-Law’s for School Community Councils

Among other important topics.

Registration is required:

https://ddsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e-OunnfeRx6GU4B2VygXng

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

Wellness Day - Tuesday March 28, 2023
Transgender Awareness Flag Raising at all DDSB schools – Friday March 31, 2023
Community Iftar - Thursday April 6, 2023
Good Friday – Friday April 7, 2023 NO School
Easter – Monday April 10, 2023 NO School

Dates of Significance

International Transgender Day of Visibility March 31, 2023

Palm Sunday April 2, 2023

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was cheered by crowds who strew palms branches in his path. It is observed by worship services and parades using palm branches.

Passover April 5-13, 2023

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - September 1

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Good afternoon Bellwood Families,

Four more sleeps before school starts!! We wanted to introduce you to some of our new staff that you will meet on Tuesday September 5, 2023. Some of the names you may recognize as we were able to hire them back to Bellwood. We are in the process of hiring a grade 8 teacher. More information will go out to the families in that class shortly.

Staffing Updates

Welcome to Allison Haesler who will be joining our team as .4 SERT and Coverage
Welcome to Janine White who will now be 1.0 Grade 6 teacher
Welcome to Colleen Boucher who will be our 1.0 Grade 1/2 teacher
Welcome to George Phillip Ricci who will be our 1.0 Grade 3 teacher
Welcome to Kalimah Johnson and Kadie Lodrick who will be added to our EA team
Welcome to Megan Walker who will be teaching Grade 4
Welcome to Alejandro De La Cruz who with teaching Grade 4/5 (LTO full year)
Welcome to Idi Mohamed who will be teaching Grade 5/6

Dismissal of Primary Students in Room 103, 104, 105,108,109

For safety reasons we are asking that parents please line up along the fence when picking up students afterschool. The teachers in rooms 105, 108 and 109 will be lining up the student in their entry lines. This will allow for teachers to make sure that students are leaving the school safely. For rooms 103 and 104 students will line up in the hallway and be released to parents along the fence.

If your child is going to the YMCA PlayOn afterschool program their meeting point will be on the pavement in front of the library windows.

Bully Prevention and Intervention

On Tuesday September 12,2023 we will be having two Anti-Bullying Magic Shows one for K-3 students and one for 4-8 students. Teachers will continue to promote this within their classrooms so that all of our students feel safe at school.

Have a wonderful long weekend and we are looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday September 5, 2023!

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - May 2

Fri, 02 May 2025 20:00:00 GMT

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

Today we kicked off Jump Rope for Heart! Our Event Date is scheduled for June 11th. This event teaches our students the importance of giving back and encourages them to learn healthy habits, so they understand the importance of staying active, eating well, and taking care of their heart and brain health. The funds our school raises will help support important heart and stroke research. Let’s work together as a school community and show how generous we can be! Join our school online and get your child set up with their own fundraising page by clicking here: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/83799 For more information on why our school is participating in Jump Rope for Heart please click on the link

On May 14, 2025 our SCC will be selling Patties and Chocolate Milk for lunch. Patties will be $3.00 each and Chocolate Milk will be $1:00.

Our next Movie Night will be on Thursday May 15, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Thank you to those of you who came out to our School Community Council meeting last night. Our next School Community Council meeting will be on Thursday May 22, 2025, from 6 – 7 p.m. Please click on the link to see April minutes April School Community Council Meeting Minutes -_.pdf

Bellwood SCC is excited to invite our students and their families to our Community BBQ and Fun Fair on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Rain date is June 8th)! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon with games, tasty treats, raffles and some delicious food which will include vegetarian and halal options. We also can't wait for you to come DUNK your favourite teachers and staff in the dunk tank! This will be a CASH ONLY event. Watch this space for more details to come. Mark your calendars and bring your biggest smile—we can’t wait to see you there!

Unfortunately, we did not have enough interest from families wanting to purchase Maple taffy after our presentation on May 21, 2025 on Maple Syrup and how it is made.

Have a wonderful long week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Creative Club Outdoor Design with Giant Lego Blocks Club extended, Register by May 14 , 2025

We are excited to START a NEW Outdoor Design and Build Program this spring using the largest blocks in Canada – Everblocks! Please note this is run by Creative Club and the same company that ran the Leggo Lunch time clubs. Program start date will be Wednesday May 14, 2025. Please see flyer for more details Updated BELLWOOD PS - OUTDOOR DESIGN IN ACTION - SPRING SESSION.pdf

For more information see the flyer by clicking on the link Afrocentric Heritage Program.pdf

Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting an in-person community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0. One of the commitments made in the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0 was to connect with and report back to the community twice a year to share and discuss the work we are doing to implement the action items of the Compendium.

Click on the link for more information The Living Compendium-Community Engagement Evening_JUNE 11.pdf

South Durham Event

Where: Maxwell Heights Secondary School in Oshawa

When: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

North Durham Event

Where: Uxbridge Secondary School in Uxbridge

When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Booster Juice Wednesdays

Lunchbox_School_Flyer.pdf Lunchbox_Parent Guardian FAQs.pdf

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair: Date is Set for Saturday June 7, 2025 (RAIN date is Sunday June 8, 2025)

100 Strong FREE Summer Camp July 7 – 31, 2025

The Board of Directors of 100 Strong Foundation are pleased to invite applications for the Strong Summer Academy program for 2025.

An information session will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Further details will be shared shortly.

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. Please click on the link to access registration form Summer Academy Application.pdf

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Intermediate Pickleball, Round ball (Grades 4-8), Flag Rugby (Grades 4-8)
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s

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

Save the Date

May 14 – Patties and Chocolate Milk lunch sales
May 15 – Spring Concert – Doors open at 1:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 1:30 p.m.
May 15 – Movie Night 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
May 16 – Empower Her Conference
May 19 – Victoria Day NO School
May 20 – Track and Field Day (Rain Date: May 23)
May 21 – Maple Syrup Presentation
May 22 – Great Beginnings for new JK students for September 2025
May 26 – 30 - Grade 3 EQAO
June 2 – 5 – Grade 6 EQAO
June 6 – PA day – NO School
June 7 – Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair
June 19 – Grade 8 Grad trip #1
June 23 – Grade 8 Grade trip #2
June 24 – Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony
June 24 – Report Cards sent home
June 26 – Last day of school

Dates of Significance

Asian and South Asian Heritage Month

The month of May in Ontario is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Canadians from over 30 countries that make up the Asian and South Asian diaspora.

Asian Heritage Month has been a focus of celebration in many communities across Canada since the 1990s. In December of 2001, Senator Vivienne Poy proposed a motion that was adopted by the Senate of Canada, designating May as Asian Heritage Month nationally. During May of 2002, the Government of Canada made this motion official by signing a declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

May is Dutch Heritage Month

Since the early 1800s, the Dutch Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario. May is a historically significant month for the Dutch Canadian community. On May 5, 1945, the Canadian forces were instrumental in the liberation of the Netherlands from occupation during World War II. The Netherlands celebrates its independence and liberty, along with the heroic efforts of the Canadian forces, with a national holiday known as Liberation Day, which takes place annually on May 5.

May is Polish Heritage Month

In Canada, May is recognized as Polish Heritage Month. This annual celebration, established by the Polish Heritage Month Act, 2021 in Ontario, acknowledges the significant contributions of Polish Canadians to Canadian society, economy, politics, and culture. It also highlights the importance of educating Canadians about the core values imparted by Polish Canadians.

Mother’s and Mother Figure’s Day Sunday May 11, 2025

May 5 National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ Peoples (MMIWG2SLGBTQIA+)

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+) Held annually on May 5, this day honours the lives lost, supports impacted families, and raises awareness of the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous peoples.

Education Week May 5-9, 2025

Education Week is recognized annually during the first full week in May. It is a time for students, teachers and parents to celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement.

Children’s Mental Health Week May 5 - 11, 2025

Children's Mental Health Week 2025 will take place from May 5th to 11th, 2025. The theme for Children's Mental Health Week in Ontario is "Voices Unheard, Stories Told: Centering the Diversity of Ontario's Infants, Children & Youth," emphasizing the need for culturally safe and community-based mental health services, especially for marginalized groups. The week also includes National Child and Youth Mental Health Day on May 7th

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - May 20

Sat, 20 May 2023 21:45:00 GMT

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.

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 23^rd, 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

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.

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

Community Update - September 20

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:30:00 GMT

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

It was such a pleasure seeing those of you who made it to our Curriculum Night. Remember you are always welcome to come and see us. All we ask is that you please call the office to let us know.

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!

We are looking forward to our upcoming SCC meeting on Thursday September 26, 2024, from 6 – 7 pm. We look forward to working with our SCC to do fun and engaging activities for our school community! We will be doing a hybrid meeting, so if you cannot make it in person, we will send you a link to join us virtually. Also, childcare will be provided.

We have been gearing up for our Terry Fox Run by starting our Friday Fun Runs which started on Friday September 6, 2024 and will continue every Friday until Friday September 27, 2024 which is our Terry Fox Run Date. This year our fundraising for Terry Fox will be done online. If you would like to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation, please click on the following link Bellwood Public School Online Fundraising Page: https://schools.terryfox.ca/BellwoodPSWhitby

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Guest Speakers and Presenters in Schools

Per the Ministry of Education’s memorandum Parent Accountability and Transparency: Communication Requirements for Guest (Third Party) Speakers and Presentations in Ontario Schools, we are pleased to provide you with this schedule:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vReGya0E40YZo0nMuWhZJF2bGy4oFiOyrLv3Dgrt_evLk3FMSjAVXoXUoONqSIcBXs6XToMrWaJYcYJ/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true

This schedule outlines third party guest speakers and presentations thus far this school year. The published schedule will remain current whenever new content is added.

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

GOLDEN APPLE TEACHER AWARD

Congratulations to Mrs. Bronsema for winning our first golden apple teacher award. Mrs. Bronsema is always going above and beyond helping staff and students here at Bellwood. Thank you, Mrs. Bronsema, for being so positive and helping our staff and students succeed at Bellwood P.S.

Orange Shirt Day: Monday September 30, 2024

Since 2013, Orange Shirt Day has been recognized as a day for schools and communities to commemorate Residential School Survivors and learn about the legacy of the residential school system. This day was initially based on Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story. September 30 has also been recognized by the federal government as the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is important to recognize and understand the lasting impacts and current realities that continue to impact Indigenous students and families.

All Durham public schools will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day. Students are encouraged to wear orange on Monday September 30, 2024.

YMCA PlayON program: Please see new dates highlighted

PlayON operates at Bellwood P.S. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from dismissal to 5:45 PM. Please note the change in days from previous year. The program is now at capacity but will be accepting registrations for the waitlist.

The program will begin on Tuesday September 17, 2024 for all parents who have registered and who have been contacted by someone from the program

Children from grade one to grade eight are invited to join us to explore nutrition, wellness, physical activity, and other fun activities.

A few details:

Program Cost: $0

A healthy snack is provided everyday.

Students meet staff at a designated area at the beginning of program; a staff will provide details upon program confirmation.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE PLAYON PROGRAM

https://forms.gle/2pnBfLe2CrUKoEHJ6

Safe Arrivals: Reporting Absences

The Durham District School Board uses the online SchoolMessenger service for reporting student absences. You can report your child’s absence by:

Calling 1-844-350-2646
Online or on your smartphone through the SchoolMessenger app

Kiss and Ride

Between 8:55 – 9: 15 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.

Teams and Activities Around Bellwood

Cross Country: at lunch Monday to Thursday
Junior Co-ed Flag Football: Tuesday at 8:15 and Wednesdays afterschool
Intermediate Flag Football: Monday at 8:15 and Tuesdays afterschool
Intermediate Boys Volleyball: Wednesday at 8:15 and Thursday afterschool
Intermediate Girls Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday after school and Thursday morning.
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207
Bell Choir grades 6-8 – sign up in Room 207

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 September 26, 2024, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Terry Fox Run: Friday September 27, 2024
Picture Day: Thursday October 17, 2024
School Spirit Wear: Information will be provided at a later date

Dates of Significance

September 21st

International Day of Peace

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Announcements June 8th

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:15:00 GMT

Click the link to hear the weeks announcements.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z6LN-V_bZUUvZ2azUw_UosjeU3hXf_9r/view?usp=sharing

Community Update - June 22

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:45:00 GMT

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

As we head into our final week of school, here are a few important updates and reminders:

?? Treat Days – Tuesday, June 24 & Thursday, June 26

To wrap up our Treat Day inventory, we’ll be selling treats on Tuesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 26, 2025. Thank you for your continued support throughout the year!

?? Lost and Found – Please Check Before June 25

Our Lost and Found is overflowing with items looking for their homes! We kindly ask parents to stop by and check for any missing belongings.

Please check in at the front office, and we’ll guide you to the Lost and Found area.
Students are also encouraged to take a look themselves.
Items are displayed on tables and in our Lost and Found vestibule.
Unclaimed items will be donated after Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

?? Grade 8 Graduation – Tuesday, June 24

Congratulations to our amazing Grade 8 students who will be graduating on Tuesday, June 24, 2025! We are incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished and wish them the very best as they begin their high school journey.

?? Canada’s Wonderland Trip – Monday, June 23

We’re excited to celebrate our Grade 8s with a second graduation trip to Canada’s Wonderland on Monday, June 23, 2025. It’s sure to be a memorable day!

Thank you for a wonderful school year. Let’s finish strong and celebrate all the growth and achievements of our students!

Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Getting Ready for High School Program for our Grade 8’s going to Grade 9

The Getting Ready for High School Program will take place in August 18-20, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at your local high school if you are continuing with the DDSB. For most of our students that will be Anderson High School. You will need to go to DCE.ca for program details. Registration is through you child’s myBlueprint account and closes August 8^th, 2025 at noon. See flyer for additional information GR4HS Post 2025.png

Ignite Learning Foundation After the Bell

This summer, the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation is proud to be offering an 'After The Bell' program. This is a campaign focused on providing children in need across Durham Region with nutritious food packs to help bridge the gap during the summer break.

Every donation will assist us in providing food packs for a student who may otherwise go without. With your help, we can ensure more children head into summer with one less worry. Our IDLF van will be in priority school communities once a week to deliver food packs.

Donations can be made directly at: https://idlf.givecloud.co/fundraising/forms/PYDVV6DX

Please click on the links for more information After the Bell Flyer Revised.pdf after the bell 1.jpeg after the bell 2.jpeg after the bell 3.jpeg after the bell 4.jpeg

June is Recreation and Parks Month

June is Recreation and Parks Month, and Durham is celebrating with lots of FREE events across Durham Region throughout the month of June and a chance to win prizes (including a new bike)! Click on link to see flyer

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, 2025.
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 to view the full calendar of free activities and event locations.
Hope to see you there!

Latinx Hispanic Educatros Alliance of Durham Community Event

The Latinx Hispanic Educators Alliance of Durham (LHEAD) is hosting a free community event to celebrate the end of the school year, and officially launch our affinity network! We're bringing together students, families, educators, and community members for an evening of culture, connection, and joy!

The event will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 5-7 pm at the DDSB Education Centre.

For additional information, please see the attached flyer.

You can register for the Fiesta using the link: https://www.lhead.ca/upcoming-events

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Ultimate Frisbee (Junior and Intermediate)
Musical Theatre Club

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

Save the Date

June 25 – Booster Juice Wednesdays Lunchbox_School_Flyer.pdf Lunchbox_Parent Guardian FAQs.pdf
June 23 – Grade 8 Grade trip #2
June 24 – Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony
June 24 – Report Cards sent home
June 25 – a.m. Goodbye Assembly
June 26 – Last day of school – Grade 8 Clap out
Kindergarten Registration - For more information on the Kindergarten program and to register your child on or after January 7, please visit the Kindergarten Registration webpage.

Dates of Significance

June 21 National Indigenous People’s Day

For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on June 21 or around that time of year because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

National Aboriginal Day, now National Indigenous Peoples Day, was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through the Proclamation Declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day. This was the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups:

in 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
in 1995, the Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people chaired by Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples
also in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day

On June 21, 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day National Indigenous Peoples Day.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is part of the Celebrate Canadaprogram, which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.

June 24 is St. Jean Baptiste Day

A national holiday in the Canadian province of Quebec and celebrated by French Canadians worldwide, especially in Canada and the United States, St. Jean Baptiste Day, June 24, honors the traditional feast day of the Nativity — or birth — of St. John the Baptist. The religious nature of the holiday has been de-emphasized for civic events, and “la St-Jean” is now mainly a celebration of francophone culture and history filled with public events, parades, barbecues, picnics and fireworks. Bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste!

June 25 - 26, 2025 is the Islamic New Year

The Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year, is the day that marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year, and is the day on which the year count is incremented. The first day of the Islamic year is observed by most Muslims on the first day of the month of Muharram.

June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day

On June 27, Canadian Multiculturalism Day honors the many cultural communities that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society.

Stonewall Rebellion Day June 28

The Stonewall Rebellion, also referred to as Stonewall, was a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the 2S LGBTQ+ community against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969. The Rebellion is widely considered to constitute the single most important event leading to the gay rights movement and the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. When asked about the history of pride, often the first thing that comes to people's minds are the Stonewall Riots. Canada, however, has it's own rich history and turning points in the struggle for and eventual celebration of 2SLGBT rights.

Canada Day is July 1, 2025

Canada Day is a national holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the confederation of Canada, marking the unification of the provinces into a single nation. It is a day of national pride, reflecting on Canada’s history, achievements, and cultural diversity, with festivities occurring across the country.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - March 28

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:15:00 GMT

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

Our Annual Community Eid dinner is almost here. We will be sending home tickets for those of you who have filled in the google form. Please ask your children when they come home today for the envelope with your families’ tickets. You will need to bring your tickets with you on the evening of the Eid dinner. There is still time for you to fill in the Google form to let us know that you would like to join us. Please see the link below under the weekly updates.

Our Entrepreneurship Club has designed a custom hoody to celebrate Eid 2025. Hoodies are selling for $40 and will be ready for pick up at the Eid Dinner on April 3, 2025. If you are interested in purchasing a hoody, please contact janine.white@ddsb.ca for more information. This item can be purchased on School Cash Online. Proceeds from this sale will be reinvested in the Entrepreneurship Club’s Spring line. Please click on the link to see a picture of the hoody.

Just a friendly reminder from the Bellwood Office that if you have not yet registered your new-to-school Kindergarten student for the 2025/2026 school year, please follow the instructions to begin the process as soon as you are able to as this helps us to plan both class sizes and staffing for the upcoming school year. We are looking forward to meeting the newest Kindergarten members of our Bellwood Bobcats family, and those who have completed the registration process will be receiving invitations to attend the Kindergarten Open House later this Spring. Please contact the Bellwood Office if you have any questions, and please share this important information with friends or family who live in the area, and who have Kindergarten school aged children that may be starting school with us in September. Please see the section in our Weekly Updates below on Kindergarten Registration.

We would like to recognize Sriram Laudu and Jacob Harper for making it to the Badminton Tournament finals. The boys represented our school very well by showing great sportsmanship and teamwork!

Just a reminder that on Monday March 31, 2025 it will be a P.A. Day and there will be NO school for students.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Durham Black Educator’s Network Community Event March 28, 2025

Date: March 28, 2025

Venue: IBEW Hall, 1001 Ritson Rd., South, Oshawa

Time: 5pm.

Eid Dinner

The itinerary for the evening will be as follows;

5:30 pm - Stations will open for arts and crafts, and henna designs (in different classrooms) as well a photo booth will be set up in the library. Photo booth will be 1 picture for $5 and 3 for $10, please note this will be cash only.
6:30 pm -An announcement will be made to wrap up stations as dinner will be served in the gym
6:45 pm - Eid Fashion Show
7:10 p.m. Dinner will be served
8:00 pm- Wrap up and clean up

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball: Areas the week of April 1
Senior Band: Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir: Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Fasting Club: Daily from Monday March 3, 2025 – April 3, 2025
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s
Forest of Reading Book Club (Grade 4-8): Day 2, Day 3, Day 4
Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesdays grade 3 and 4, Wednesdays grades 7 and 8, Friday 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

March 31 – P.A. Day No School for students
April 3 – Eid Dinner

Dates of Significance

Eid Al Fitr March 29 - March 30, 2025

International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31, 2025

National Indigenous Languages Day is March 31, 2025

National Indigenous Languages Day is March 31, and it is a day to celebrate and honor Indigenous languages in Canada. The decade from 2022 to 2032 is also the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to promote the use of Indigenous languages world-wide.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - May 16

Fri, 16 May 2025 21:00:00 GMT

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

Just a reminder that Monday May 19, 2025 is NO School for Victoria Day!

When we come back to school on Tuesday May 20, 2025 it will be our schools Track and Field Day. Please have your children dress appropriately for the weather and for a day of being outside participating in Track and Field events. It will be very important that they remember to bring their water bottes on Tuesday May 20, 2025 for Track and Field Day!

Have a wonderful long week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Jump Rope For Heart

Just a reminder that our Jump Rope for Heart Event will be taking place on June 11th! If you haven’t already registered online to fundraise, there is still time! The money our school raises will help support the Heart and Stroke Foundation's initiatives and give back to our school for new phys-ed equipment! Click the link to register to our school’s event page: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/83799

Booster Juice Wednesdays

Lunchbox_School_Flyer.pdf Lunchbox_Parent Guardian FAQs.pdf

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Round ball (Grades 4-8), Flag Rugby (Grades 4-8)
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s

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

Save the Date

May 19 – Victoria Day NO School
May 20 – Track and Field Day (Rain Date: May 23)
May 21 – Maple Syrup Presentation
May 22 – Great Beginnings for new JK students for September 2025
May 26 – 30 - Grade 3 EQAO
June 2 – 5 – Grade 6 EQAO
June 6 – PA day – NO School
June 7 – Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair
June 19 – Grade 8 Grad trip #1
June 23 – Grade 8 Grade trip #2
June 24 – Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony
June 24 – Report Cards sent home
June 26 – Last day of school

Dates of Significance

May 18 is Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day

Canada's Parliament unanimously voted to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in 2022.

Pentecost is on Sunday May 19, 2024

The holy Spirit was felt amongst the 12 apostles after Jesus' death. New members of the church are baptized on this day. It is called White Sunday because white clothes are worn for baptism.

May 19 is Victoria Day

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.

Ascension of Baha u llah evening of Tuesday May 27 - Wednesday May 28, 2025

May 29 Red Shirt Day

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 Todd Smart

Community Update - November 17

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:45:00 GMT

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

Thank you to those of you who joined us on Monday November 11, 2024, for our Remembrance Day Assembly. We would like to thank Mrs. Foley and Mrs. Burns for organizing our Assembly. We would especially like to thank Mr. Burns for being our special guest speaker. We would also like to recognize our staff and students who did very special work with their classes to pay their respects and to honor the many people who sacrificed their lives for us.

We were pleased to see all of our families out for parent teacher interviews and to have the time and opportunity to speak with parents.

Our next SCC meeting will be held on Thursday November 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. We will send out a google meet link for those who cannot meet with us in person. Please click on the link to view the meeting minutes from September and October 2024 School Community Council Meeting - September 26, 2024.pdf OCT School Community Council Meeting Minutes - .docx

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Attendance at School Matters

Did you know?

If your child is 20 minutes late every day, they will have missed 12 days of instruction by the end of the school year.
If your child misses only two days per month of school, they will have missed one month of instruction by the end of the school year.
Students who are absent 15 days of the school year each year will have lost one year of instruction by the end of grade 12.
Students who attend school regularly tend to be more engaged in their learning, feel more connected to the school and tend to have better academic outcomes than students who miss a lot of school.

Families can support good attendance at school by:

Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine.
Getting clothes, lunches and backpacks ready the night before.
Communicating regularly with your child’s teacher.
Talking with your child about their school day.
Taking part in school events and activities to show your child that you value school and education.
Planning vacations and appointments around the school schedule whenever possible.
Making sure your child goes to school, unless they are truly sick.

Message on behalf of EdgeImaging (School Photos)

As you may know, Canada Post has initiated a strike as of this morning. We want to assure you that we have measures in place to maintain smooth operations.

To adapt, we have temporarily disabled the mail-to-home option for families. Orders can now be delivered via ship-to-school or sent home using Purolator with priority shipping. Depending on the timing of your last shipment, you may notice an additional shipment this year.

The positive news for your school community is the extended opportunity to place ship-to-school orders. This is an ideal time to remind parents that ship-to-school ordering remains open for two additional weeks.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Territory Manager. We remain fully operational and wanted to keep you informed on how we are adjusting to current circumstances.

Warm regards,
The Edge Team

Toonie Tuesday

To kick off the giving season the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) is calling on the entire Durham Community to come together and Make Tomorrow’s Brighter for children and youth during their time of need. The giving season officially kicks off with the welcoming of Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2024 the world’s largest generosity movement.

We are inviting you to become a #changemaker and join the generosity movement by participating in our 2nd Annual Toonie Tuesday — imagine how many children and youth we can support if everyone brings in a Toonie on this day!

Can our Durham kids count on your support on December 3, 2024? We will have a jar set up in our front office!

Please see flyer for more information on how you can give on this day! You will be able to donate on School Cash online see flyer for more details 4. Toonie Tuesday 2024 Community Letter.pdf

School Spirit Wear is here

Attached is the student spirit wear order form, including the new Bellwood Bobcat mascot stuffie. In order to receive the items for the holidays, our deadline for placing our order is November 29^th.

Click on the link to see what the options are for school Spirit Wear Spirit Wear Bellwood Order Form_STUDENT 2024-2025.pdf

Please fill out an order form if you are interested and bring your order form to the office with cash or a cheque for us to order for you.

DDSB Virtual Family and Community Engagement Speaker Series

Everyday Resiliency and Hope: How to Build Sustainable Well Being. Thursday November 21, 2024 from 7-8 p.m. Click on the link for more information

DDSB Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0

Dear DDSB Community Members,

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting a virtual community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.

This event will be family focussed and will feature Dr. Nicole West Burns as our keynote speaker, as well as other members of the DDSB community.

When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom (Virtual)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Sent on behalf of Margaret Lazarus Superintendent of Equitable Education, Anti-Oppression/French, International and Classical Languages/Family of Schools

Ignite Learning Foundation

Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham

We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.

Please see below for dates and times:

Tuesday November 26, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration

IT's BACK! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!

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

Junior Boys Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 8:15 a.m., Tues. and Thurs. 3:35 p.m.
Junior Girls Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 3:35 p.m. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.

Peer Tutoring – Tuesdays and Thursdays November 5- December 10, 2024
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207 Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at Lunch Recess
Bell Choir grades 6-8 Tues. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.

Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesday’s grade 3 and 4, Wednesday’s 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 November 21, 2024
Movie Night and Parent Engagement with Kwesi Millington: December 5, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00
Holiday Concert: December 12, 2024
Breakfast with the Bobcats: Saturday December 14, 2024. Stay tuned for more information
Dental Screening: December 16 and 17 stay tuned for more information
Winter Break: December 20, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Dates of Significance

November 20^th

Classroom Support Staff Appreciation Day

November 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held on Sunday November 20, 2022 to honour Rita Hester who was killed for being who she was. This day urges us all to raise awareness of the threat of violence faced by people who identify as transgender and the persistence of the prejudice felt by the transgender community.

November 24th is Holodomor Memorial Day

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - December 10

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 14:00:00 GMT

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

What a wonderful time we had on Saturday December 9, 2023 at our Breakfast with the Bobcats.

We would like to thank everyone who came out to Breakfast with the Bobcats! We would like to thank everyone who donated food for our Breakfast with the Bobcats and we would especially like to thank the following people for helping with the planning, organizing, cooking and putting together of the crafts as well as the set up and clean up for our community event;

Umbrella Childcare staff; Freida, Stacy, Sherry-Ann, and May for putting together the crafts for our Craft rooms
Our SCC executive team: Chair Hasan Bashir, Co-Chair Zubia Rajput,for work on getting food donations, coming in to set up and cook on Friday and Saturday and for helping with clean up. Jenn Davis for also coming in on Saturday to help with our Raffle Basket table. We would also like to thank Farida Chhangur for all of her work getting donations for our Silent Auction table as well as food donations and cooking on Saturday
Bellwood Staff:
Mrs. Johnson for being in charge of all of the food and organizing the kitchen so we would have food ready and available
Mrs. Ferguson for being a part of the planning committee and for cooking, set up, and clean up
Mrs. Palumbo for the amazing Artwork and decorations for the school foyer and gym. These were a big hit and the gym looked amazing
Mrs. Douglas for cooking for the breakfast
Mrs. Ranger for cooking and serving
Mr. Marshall for serving
Mr. Ricci for chocolate sales, serving and helping out wherever needed
Mrs. Boucher for leading a craft room
Mrs. Walker for leading a craft room
Mrs. Macmillan for leading a craft room
Mrs. Bronsema for opening the book fair
EdgeImaging for setting up a wonderful Photo Booth
Mr. De la Cruz for coming out and bringing his family
Mrs. McDavid for coming out and bringing her family
Ms. White for coming out and bringing her family
Mr. Calanchie for setting up and taking care of all of our custodial needs on Saturday
Mrs. Skinner for coming out and bringing her family and for also helping out with set up
Mr. Ruddock for picking up food for the morning, for help with organizing this event and for running the Rainbow Loom club for their participation in our event
And past Principal Andrea Walters for joining us for the morning and cooking pancakes as well

Thank you to the Bellwood Community for all the donations to help us have such a successful event. We would like to say a Special Thank You to Karen Saarkoppel who donated not only a lot of food but was at the school early and all morning cooking as a part of our kitchen team. We would also like to say a huge Thank You to Danielle Cox who was able to get all of our hot drinks donated from Tim Hortons and Starbucks. Also, a huge Thank You to Carmen Darley for spending her morning cooking with us and Samidha Saggu for being in charge of helping out with our Photo Booth. A huge shout out to our past and present students who volunteered their time to help us out on Saturday! If we have missed anyone please accept our apologies but know that your contribution was valued and appreciated!

Events such as these take a whole team to plan, organize and deliver so we are so grateful to have such wonderful people as a part of our team!! We felt so much joy on Saturday as we saw the smiles on the children’s faces as they engaged with the crafts, the yummy food and the fun they were having at the book fair, photo booth and sales tables.

We look forward to doing more community events and hope you will all attend!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Chew Chew Train Food Drive

This is the last week for our Chew Chew Train Food Drive for the DDSB Ignite Learning Foundation campaign. The class to bring in the most food items will win a pizza party! We will be collecting these items until Friday December 15, 2023.

The class that brings in the most donations will be receiving a Pizza Party!!

Save the Date

December 12 – 15 – Senior Kindergarten Vision Screening
December 15 – End of Chew Chew Train Food Drive
December 18 – 22 – Spirit Days more information to come
December 20 – Holiday Concert at 1:15 p.m.
December 22 - Last day of school Before Winter Break
January 8 – School Resumes after Winter Break

Dates of Significance

December 13th Aga Khan’s Birthday

December 13 is the birthday of His Highness the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world, including the 100,000 Shia Ismaili Muslims who call Canada home.

“His Highness is a global leader in the fight for equality who, through the Aga Khan Development Network, has partnered with Canada to reduce poverty around the world, advance gender equality, and improve access to health care and education internationally, including the Ottawa-based Global Centre for Pluralism and the Toronto-based Aga Khan museum – the first Islamic museum in North America.

December 16-24 Los Posadas

Las Posadas, (Spanish: “The Inns”) religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and 24. Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus.

A nine-day traditional celebration throughout Mexico. Processions of pilgrims go door to door asking for posada, which means shelter, commemorating the search by Mary and Joseph for shelter.

December 18 is International Migrants Day

A migrant is someone who has chosen to leave their own country to seek a better life in a different country. This could be due to a variety of reasons including wanting a new job, to study at school or university, or to move closer to family. Many migrants also take their family with them to their new country. However, not everyone chooses to leave their country. Sadly, many countries are experiencing war and conflict, meaning people are forced to leave their country for their own safety. These people are called refugees. For some families, it's safer to flee their country to have a safe, peaceful life in another country. There are also many other reasons why people are forced out of their homes, such as natural disasters. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis can destroy people's lives and towns, forcing them to start their lives again in a safer country

International Migrants Day began on the 18th of December 1990, when The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was created. It is the aim of the United Nations to make sure that all migrants and their families are looked after properly. Therefore, they created the convention as a way to achieve this aim and ensure that the rights of all migrants and their families are being met.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - October 9

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:00:00 GMT

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

We have had many sporting events happening at Bellwood in the past few weeks. We had many students participate in the Cross Country Run at Thornton P.S. known as the “Thornton Thump”! There was a boys volleyball tournament this week and next week there will be a girls volleyball tournament. Our students are having fun and representing our school very well. We are so proud of them!

Our Character Trait that we are focusing this month is on Teamwork. Please watch the DDSB video on teamwork with your child. It can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjnbYCbThlc&t=14s. At our assembly this week we also showed the students a video from the Foundation for a Better Life on teamwork that they will be discussing in their classes. You can view this video with your child at home and discuss as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H943EuX1Mlo

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Walk to School Day Thursday October 5, 2023

We had a very successful Walk to School day this week and we are planning to promote walking to school for the whole month of October! Please encourage your children to walk to school or wheel to school. There are posters up around the school where they can share their thoughts on walking and wheeling to school.

SEA Chromebook Virtual Information Session for Parents/Guardians - October 17th, @ 6:30pm

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.

WHEN: November 21^st, 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.

Volunteer of Distinction Ceremony

The Durham District School Board is committed to engaging students, parents, and community members to improve student outcomes and build public confidence. We recognize the importance and value of the involvement of parents and community members. Our volunteers significantly and positively impact the success of our students. We acknowledge this commitment annually at the DDSB Volunteer of Distinction Awards Ceremony. For the 2022 – 2023 school year at Bellwood we are honored to recognize Farida Chhangur as our Volunteer of Distinction. She has demonstrated commitment to the school and has been actively involved in furthering the goals of our school community.

The Volunteer of Distinction Award Ceremony will be held on October 24, 2023 at Sinclair Highschool

Save the Date

October 17 P.M. – Anti-bullying Magic Show
October 19 – Picture Day See attachment for more information Photo Day reminder notice 2023 Student Reminder Notice - E.pdf

Ignite Learning Foundation

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation works solely to support children and youth in need throughout their DDSB career, consistently reducing poverty related stress and strengthening our community.

This year, the need is much greater, and the shelves of our depot are bare.

This year let’s work together to achieve our goal to raise $30,000 worth of Food to fill the Depot and truly make a difference! Can we count on your support?

Dates of Significance

October 9

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day

October 11

International Day of the Girl Child

October 11, 2023

National Coming Out Day

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:15:00 GMT

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Community Update - January 20

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our School Community Council meeting on Thursday January 16, 2025. We will be sending out the meeting minutes next week. Please save the date for our next meeting which will be held on Wednesday February 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

WINTER IMPORTANT NOTICE: As we are in the depth of winter weather, we are encouraging parents 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.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Bell Let’s Talk/Listen is January 22, 2025

DDSB Let’s Listen: A campaign to “just listen” on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 22, 2025.

"The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person

is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever

give each other is our attention.” – Rachel Naomi Remen

The DDSB’s three Strategic Pillars- Well-Being, Connected Communities, and Meaningful Learning- highlight DDSB’s commitment to fostering the foundational conditions throughout our Board that support positive well-being and mental health of students and staff. On January 22, 2025 many will acknowledge Bell Let’s Talk Day. Creating opportunities to openly talk about mental health and well-being is a component of creating a welcoming, safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environment. This requires us to listen in ways that support staff and students to feel seen, heard, and valued. As caring individuals, our first instinct is often to move to support, advise and problem solve with or on behalf of an individual, we listen to reply, however is it important we pause so we can listen to understand. When it comes to mental health, a vital step is allowing the person to talk openly and be truly heard as we hold space where the person can share and be responded to without judgement. Listening to understand involves:

Acceptance – even though the other person’s views may be different to ours, it is essential that we respect and accept them. We want to strive to be understanding of the other’s experiences, which may be different then our own.

Genuineness – it is important that your body language, tone of voice, and approach matches what you say in order to show that you care and what you say reflects genuine concern.

Empathy –We need to actively listen to the story students and staff tell us about what it's like to be in their shoes and believe them even when it does not match our own experiences (Adapted from Brené Brown- Atlas of the Heart). This will require us to resist the urge to fix the person’s problems by offering advice and staying out of judgement.

We all contribute to promoting welcoming, safe, respectful, and inclusive environments where staff and students can have meaningful and supportive conversations about mental health and well-being

Together, let’s make Bell Let’s (Listen) Talk Day a meaningful one- for our schools, staff, students and everyone!

We would like to thank our Healthy Action Team and Student Council for organizing and preparing fun, engaging and meaningful activities for Bell Let’s Talk/Listen Day on January 22, 2025!

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.

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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

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 morning @ 8:15 am and Wednesday after school until 4:45pm
Intermediate Girls Basketball: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday tournament after school until and Thursday mornings at 8:15am.
Intermediate Cricket tournament: Monday 12 – 3:45 pm
Junior Cricket tournament: Tuesday 12 – 3:45 pm

Senior Band – Tues. and Wed. @ lunch

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

Bell Let’s Talk/Listen: Wednesday January 22, 2025
P.A Day: No school for students on Friday January 24, 2025

Dates of Significance

Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20, 2025

Lincoln Alexander Day January 21, 2025

January 24 International Day of Education

January 27 International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - March 24

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 20:30:00 GMT

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

Thank you to those of you who attended our SCC meeting on Thursday March 21, 2024. For those of you who could not attend the meeting please click on the link for information that was shared at the meeting March 2024 SCC Meeting.pdf Our next SCC meeting will be held on Thursday May 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

We have had a great start back to school after the March Break and look forward to many upcoming events for our students and their families.

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Bellwood Community Eid Dinner: Eid at Bellwood 2024!

Itinerary:

5:30 pm - Stations will open for arts and crafts, Eid cards, and henna designs (in different classrooms)

6:30 pm -An announcement will be made to wrap up stations as dinner will be served in the gym

7:00 pm - Eid presentations from the students

7:30 pm- Wrap up and clean up

Muslim Educators Network of Durham (M.E.N.D.)

The Muslim Educators Network of Durham will be hosting an IFTAR dinner at Da Vinci Public School on Thursday April 4, 2024. Please click on the link for more information Ramadan Iftar Dinner flyer

Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite link. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/da-vinci-ramadan-iftar-dinner-tickets-851245256477?aff=oddtdtcreator

Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series

The 5-part webinar series will include the following engaging sessions:

? The Kindergarten Experience at the DDSB

? Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Promoting Learning Through Play!

? Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Self-Reg: Supporting the Path to Young Children's Well-being

? Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Navigating the Transition: Understanding Behaviour When Starting School

? Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

? Parent and Caregiver Masterclass in Stress Management

? Thursday, May 30th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please click on the link for registration information March 22 Great Beginnings Family Webinar Series 2024 - Admin Memo.pdf

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation: Named Charity of Choice by Durham District School Board Trustees

The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) proudly announces its selection as the esteemed Charity of Choice by the Durham District School Board (DDSB). The Board's Trustees, recognizing the profound impact and unwavering commitment of IDLF, have bestowed this honour in acknowledgment of the Foundation's dedicated service to all DDSB students.

"I am thrilled to witness The Ignite Durham Learning Foundation chosen as the charity of choice for the Durham District School Board. This impactful collaboration is set to dismantle financial barriers, paving the way for equitable opportunities that empower every student within the board to reach new heights in both academic and personal success. Together, we are fostering a future where every learner has the chance to thrive without hindrance." - Michelle Arseneault, Board Trustee

At the heart of Ignite Durham Learning Foundation's mission is the fervent pursuit of removing financial barriers, thereby fostering equitable opportunities that empower students within the Durham District School Board to achieve both academic and personal success.

"I am proud and deeply honoured that the Durham District School Board has selected Ignite Durham Learning Foundation as their charity of choice. This partnership underscores our collective commitment to breaking down financial barriers and fostering equitable opportunities for all students and families within the Durham community. This collaboration exemplifies the transformative impact we can achieve when we work hand in hand towards a common goal of creating a brighter future for our youth." - Neil Joshi, Chair of the IDLF Board

What sets IDLF apart is its exclusive focus on serving the students of the Durham Region. As the sole charity in the area with this distinct purpose, IDLF stands as a beacon of support and hope for the 80,000 students who attend DDSB schools daily.

The Foundation operates through several impactful funding pillars, each designed to enhance students' well-being and enrich their educational experience:

The Starfish Fund: Addressing student needs comprehensively, this fund provides resources such as clothing, school supplies, health items, and transportation support.

The S.N.A.C.K. Fund: Ensuring that no student goes hungry, this initiative focuses on providing food access to classrooms and kids, promoting a nourished learning environment.

The Make A Difference Fund: Bridging financial gaps, this fund offers subsidies to students facing economic challenges, enabling their participation in field trips, extracurricular activities, and school events alongside their peers.

The Think Outside of the Bell Fund: Offering financial support to students in need, this fund facilitates participation in specialized programs such as preschool success and afterschool recreation and arts initiatives.

The Future Fund: Paving the way for future success, this fund provides vital financial support to students pursuing post-secondary pathways.

With its comprehensive approach, Ignite Durham Learning Foundation stands as a steadfast ally for DDSB students, ensuring they have the resources and support they need during their time of need.

Join us in celebrating this momentous collaboration between IDLF and DDSB, as we continue to ignite learning and opportunity for the bright minds of Durham Region.

Sincerely,

Stacey Lepine-Fisher

Executive Director, Ignite Durham Learning Foundation

Student Art Gallery Submissions Due April 26!

For more information about this year’s theme and the selection process, please visit the DDSB website.

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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

The following teams and clubs are running;

Junior Boys and Girls Basketball teams have been picked please see notices sent home for times of practices and games
Intramurals: Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
Chess Club
Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club has started for selected students on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 6:00 p.m.

SCC Family Movie Nights: Save the Dates

Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

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

Save the Date

March 29 Good Friday – NO SCHOOL
April 1 Easter Monday – NO SCHOOL
April 4 Grade 7 Immunization Clinic
April 8 P.A. Day - NO SCHOOL for students
April 16 Eid Dinner
April 25 Family Movie Night

Dates of Significance

Ramadan Begins March 11, 2024

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

Purim March 23-24, 2024

Purim is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther. Haman was the royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus.

March 25 is Holi

Holi is a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna.

March 26 Epilepsy Awareness Day and Purple Day for Epilepsy

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Community Update - April 25

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

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

Just a reminder that April 28, 2025 is Voting Day for our Federal Election! Bellwood P.S. is a polling station so there will be voting going at our school for our local community between 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

We are pleased to announce that Booster Juice Wednesdays are here! Starting on Wednesday April 30th and continuing until the end of this school year, we will be offering an amazing assortment of Booster Juice flavors and sizes, all made with quality ingredients such as Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Strawberry, Raspberry, Passion Fruit, Guava, and Cranberry, with options to add Probiotic Yogurt, Frozen Yogurt, and we are even offering Dairy Free options! Weekly orders will be delivered directly to your child in their classroom for them to enjoy during their lunch break.

Lunchbox_School_Flyer.pdf Lunchbox_Parent Guardian FAQs.pdf

Thank you to those of you who came out to our School Community Council meeting last night. Our next School Community Council meeting will be on Thursday May 22, 2025, from 6 – 7 p.m.

Have a wonderful long week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair: Date is Set for Saturday June 7, 2025 (RAIN date is Sunday June 8, 2025)

Creative Club Outdoor Design with Giant Lego Blocks Club Register by April 30, 2025

100 Strong FREE Summer Camp July 7 – 31, 2025

The Board of Directors of 100 Strong Foundation are pleased to invite applications for the Strong Summer Academy program for 2025.

An information session will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Further details will be shared shortly.

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. Please click on the link to access registration form 2025 Summer Academy Flyer 1.png Summer Academy Application.pdf

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Intermediate Pickleball, Round ball (Grades 4-8), Flag Rugby (Grades 4-8)
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s

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

Save the Date

May 15 – Spring Concert
May 16 – Empower Her Conference
May 19 – Victoria Day NO School
May 20 – Track and Field Day (Rain Date: May 23)
May 21 – Maple Syrup Presentation
May 22 – Great Beginnings for new JK students for September 2025
May 26 – 30 - Grade 3 EQAO
June 2 – 5 – Grade 6 EQAO
June 6 – PA day – NO School
June 7 – Community BBQ and mini Fun Fair
June 19 – Grade 8 Grad trip #1
June 23 – Grade 8 Grade trip #2
June 24 – Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony
June 24 – Report Cards sent home
June 26 – Last day of school

Dates of Significance

National Principal’s and Vice Principal’s Day is celebrated on May 1 each year.

The day acknowledges the valuable work performed by our principals and vice-principals. It recognizes the contributions made by front-line leaders who interact daily with students, staff, parents and community members.

Throughout the school year, principals and vice-principals support, mentor and guide teachers and staff, resulting in productive learning environments for our students. They promote academic success and set the tone for an entire school.

Being a principal or vice-principal can be the most challenging and the most rewarding role in education. The influence you have extends beyond the walls of a classroom or school building. We are proud that each of you plays a key role in the success of Ontario’s world-class public education system.

National Speech and Hearing Month

Each year the month of May is dedicated to raising public awareness about communication health. Many of us take for granted the ability to hear and speak but our ability to communicate is much more vital to our everyday lives then we may realize.

Jewish Heritage Month

May is declared Jewish Heritage Month in Canada and USA. It provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the incredible contributions t

Asian and South Asian Heritage Month

The month of May in Ontario is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Canadians from over 30 countries that make up the Asian and South Asian diaspora.

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Announcements Monday June 1st

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 01:30:00 GMT

Please click the link below to hear the announcements read by Kavinash.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ukDIUKZyLbY-9BXb8cBstBDe-aC4wewx

Community Update - May 30

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:30:00 GMT

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 3^rd, 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

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 6^th, 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

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.

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 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 4^thda Vinci Public School AND Tuesday, June 18^thPort 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 20^th 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

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

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

May 29 Red Shirt Day

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

Community Update - April 9

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:30:00 GMT

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

Our annual Eid Dinner was a huge success! Thank you to all of our community members who came out to this wonderful event! We would like to thank all of the families who made donations to this event so it could be such a huge success. Thank you to our SCC chair Jenn Davies for coming out to support this event. We would also like to thank our staff who came to support and help at this event. Thank you to Mrs. Sherlock, Mrs. Raney, Ms. Belmont (supply secretary), Mrs. Dahmer, Mrs. Sahar, Mrs. Lodrick, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Bronsema and Mrs. Ferguson. We also had a lot of former students who came out to help! A special Shout OUT to Abira for all her hard work. A huge THANK YOU to Mrs. Khan and Mr. Mohamed for taking the lead to organize this event.

The Grey Cup and some football players from the Toronto Argos will be visiting Bellwood on Tuesday April 8, 2025! We are looking forward to our students meeting these players and seeing the Grey Cup up close!

Our next School Community Council meeting will be on Thursday April 24, 2025 from 6 – 7 p.m. Please see the minutes from our March meeting by clicking on the link Bellwood School Community Council Meeting Minutes -March 2025.docx

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

SCC Community BBQ and Mini Fun Fair: Date is Set for Saturday June 7, 2025 (RAIN date is Sunday June 8, 2025)

We Grow Food

Our school has partnered with We Grow Food. Mrs. Calder, Mrs. Misner and Mrs. Murray’s classes will working to get this project up and running! Our childcare will be taking care of this project in summer when school is out! Please stay tuned for more information!

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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.

Kiss and Ride and Parking on School Property– 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 note our school parking lot is Private Property. We have noticed that there are a few cars that park here over night taking up parking spaces for our families that drop off and pick up their children. This also affects our snow removal when our contractors come to remove the snow. If you know who is using up our parking spaces, please let them know that this is not allowed. We will be looking into ticketing and towing if these cars are not removed.

Two areas that continue to require attention from our community……

Please stay in your vehicles and do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes traffic to 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

Junior Boys Basketball – Area Playdowns schedule will be sent home
Senior Band – Monday and Wednesday at lunch
BELL Choir – Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15 am
Pokeman and Games Club: Day 2’s

Intramurals: Mondays grades 1 and 2, Tuesdays grade 3 and 4, Wednesdays grades 7 and 8, Friday grades 5 and 6

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

Congratulations to our junior girls’ basketball team. The girls had a very successful year making it to the Area Championships. Girls’ basketball has a bright future here at Bellwood and we are so excited to see this program grow as the girls continue to work hard developing their skills. We would also like to thank all our junior girls team members parents for their support this season. Go Bobcats!

Save the Date

April 8 – Grey Cup comes to Bellwood
April 18 – 21 – Easter Long weekend

Dates of Significance

Sikh Heritage Month

April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day

Genocide Awareness Month

APRIL 7	Anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
APRIL 17	Anniversary of the Fall of Phnom Penh and Memorial for Cambodian Genocide
APRIL 17-18	Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
APRIL 24	Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

During the month of April, as we observe commemoration days for four genocides, we also take the opportunity to raise awareness about all genocides, including those being perpetrated today.

April is an opportunity for those committed to history and remembrance to alert others to the moral and physical dangers of denying the past and of ignoring atrocities occurring in our own times.

April 9 is Vimy Ridge Day

April 9 International Day of Pink

April 11 International Day of Silence

Passover/Pesach April 12 - April 20, 2025

Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt.

Your Admin Team

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - January 27

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:00:00 GMT

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

We had some really cold days this week and are looking forward to some warmer weather so our students can get outside for fresh air at recess times. Thank you for sending your children dressed for the weather so they can enjoy the outdoors!

We will be planning a Winter Walk to School Day on Wednesday February 5, 2025! Stay tuned for more information! There will be prizes!!

Our next School Community Council meeting will be on Wednesday February 19, 2025, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Please click the link for the minutes of our January SCC meeting January 2025 SCC meeting minutes.docx

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates:

Senior Kindergarten Parents:

Please use the link below to do a pre-registration so we can predict numbers. https://forms.gle/WSmGJpjgxRLjwcwX7

Durham Black Educators Network: Celebration of Black Excellence

We are looking forward to another great night of student talent.
The Eventbrite link for the event is

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-history-month-celebration-registration-1204933200639?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please feel free to share this message with your family, friends, community organizations, and social media outlets/pages.

If you have any questions, please send us an email.

Warm Regards,

Durham Black Educators' Network (DBEN)

Cultivating Courageous Change

Email: durhamblackeducators@gmail.com

Website: dben.org

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians

January 28 or February 18 at 6:30 p.m. EST

A free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter. Staff will also share valuable insights from the past three years of assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Kindergarten Registration 2025

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

WINTER IMPORTANT NOTICE

As we are in the depth of winter weather, we are encouraging parents 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 snowpants 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.

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 Girls Basketball: Wednesday and Friday @ 8:15 am
Senior Band – Tues. and Wed. @ lunch
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

Jan. 28 and 30 – Intermediate Boys Basketball Tournament
Feb. 5 – Winter Walk to School Day
Feb. 5 and 7 – Launching Black History Month Workshops
Feb. 6 – Grade 8 Graduation Photos
Feb. 17 – Family Day – NO School
Feb. 19 – Report Cards go home
Feb. 19 – SCC meeting

Dates of Significance

January 27 International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust

January 29 Lunar New Year - Chinese New Year

Lunar New Year is a vibrant and festive occasion for many people in Canada. This event can last for many days and often includes various festivities such as street parades and festivals featuring dancing, traditional Lunar costumes, firework displays, food stalls, and arts and crafts.

Many Chinese Canadian families spend time together giving gifts, particularly red envelopes with money (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See) that are normally given to children. Some Canadian organizations have also participated in Lunar New Year through various activities over the years. For example, Canada Post issued special stamps to welcome the Lunar New Year in previous times. The Royal Canadian Mint also marked Lunar New Year with a new series of coins in the past.

February is African Heritage Month

February is Psychology Month

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - September 27

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 16:45:00 GMT

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

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

Chairperson – Hasan Bashir
Vice Chair – Zubia Rajput
Secretary - Jenn Davies
Treasurer -
Voting Members - Lori Small, Farida Chhangur, Asad Husain, Jenn Davies, Zubia Rajput and Hasan Bashir

We would like to welcome our 2024-2025 SCC executive.

Chairperson – Jenn Davies
Co- Chair – Karen Saarkoppel
Secretary – Ashley Vaughn
Treasurer – Jose Barbosa
Voting Members – Lori Small, Kristy Mohan, Michelle Todgham, Shanice Sukhram

Our next SCC meeting will be held on Wednesday October 30, 2024. This meeting will be in-person and virtual for those who cannot attend in person. A link will be shared between 5:00 - 5:45 on the evening of the SCC meeting and the meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. Looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting! Please click on the link to find the meeting minutes from our May 2024 SCC meeting School Community Council Meeting - May 30, 2024.pdf

Our SCC meeting dates for the 2024-2025 year are as follows;

Wednesday October 30, 2024
Thursday November 21, 2024
Thursday January 16, 2025
Wednesday February 19, 2025
Thursday March 27, 2025
Thursday April 24, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Terry Fox Run

What a great Terry Fox Run we had this afternoon. Thank you to Mr. Marshall and Mrs. Bronsema for organizing the event and fundraising page.

We have surpassed our fundraising goal of 500 dollars and have raised over 1400 dollars! Way to go Bellwood Community!!

It is not too late to donate to this great cause! Bellwood Public School Online Fundraising Page: https://schools.terryfox.ca/BellwoodPSWhitby

Immunizations and School

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) is provincial legislation that aims to increase the protection of students against vaccine preventable diseases. ISPA requires all students under the age of 18 attending school in Ontario provide proof of immunization against the following diseases*:

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella

• Varicella (if born on or after January 1, 2010)

• Meningococcal Group C (if under 12 years of age)

• Meningococcal Group ACYW-135 (e.g., Menactra®, Menveo®) (if above 12 years of age).

Now that your child has started school, it is important that Durham Region Health Department has up to date immunization information on file. Students who do not have up to date immunization records may be at risk for suspension from school attendance.

The link for more information for Immunizations and schools can be found here Kindergarten Hand Out.pdf

Food, Treats at School and Halloween

iWalk Day/Month Walktober

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 Wednesday October 2, 2024. Stay tuned for more information to come!

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

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Orange Shirt Day: Monday September 30, 2024

Since 2013, Orange Shirt Day has been recognized as a day for schools and communities to commemorate Residential School Survivors and learn about the legacy of the residential school system. This day was initially based on Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story. September 30 has also been recognized by the federal government as the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is important to recognize and understand the lasting impacts and current realities that continue to impact Indigenous students and families.

All Durham public schools will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day. Students are encouraged to wear orange on Monday September 30, 2024.

Kiss and Ride

Between 8:55 – 9: 15 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.

Golden Apple.jpg Teacher Golden Apple Winner - Congratulations to Mrs. White for winning the golden apple award. We appreciate all you do and bring to Bellwood P.S. Mrs. White.jpg

Teams and Activities Around Bellwood

Cross Country: at lunch Monday to Thursday
Junior Co-ed Flag Football: Tuesday at 8:15 and Wednesdays afterschool
Intermediate Flag Football: Monday at 8:15 and Tuesdays afterschool
Intermediate Boys Volleyball: Wednesday at 8:15 and Thursday afterschool
Intermediate Girls Volleyball: Monday and Wednesday after school and Thursday morning.
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207
Bell Choir grades 6-8 – sign up in Room 207

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

Save the Date

Int. Flag Football game: competitive team Tuesday October 1, 2024, at John Dryden
Int. Flag Football game: non - competitive team Tuesday October 1, 2024, at Village Union
Jr. Flag Football game: competitive team and non-competitive teams October 2, 2024 at Village Union
Grade 7/8 Immunization clinic: Thursday October 3, 2024
Thornton Thump Cross Country Run: Thursday Oct. 3, 2024 at Thornton P.S.
World Teacher’s Day: Saturday October 5, 2024
Thanksgiving: Monday October 14, 2024, All Schools closed
Picture Day: Thursday October 17, 2024
Guest Speaker Kwesi Millington: Thursday October 24, 2024
SCC Meeting: Wednesday October 30, 2024
School Spirit Wear: Information will be provided at a later date

Dates of Significance

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.

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

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.

October 2, 2023 National Custodial Workers’ Day

National Custodian Day is Oct. 2, 2024! 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, 2024, World Teachers’ Day

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart

Community Update - February 26

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 01:15:00 GMT

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

Thank you to Mr. Tarun Chaudhary and Mrs. Samidha Saggu for volunteering their time to help us on Pancake Tuesday. We could not have had such a successful day without them. We would also like to thank Farida Chhangur who is a parent at our school but who also works in the childcare at the school and David Calanchie who is our evening custodian. They were here early in the morning getting everything ready and set up. It was such a wonderful day!

We will be having another Special Event on Friday March 3, 2023. It will be a Bellwood Walk to School Day. Anyone participating by walking to school on Friday March 3, 2023, will receive a ticket that will be entered into a draw for a prize. If you take the bus to school, there will be an opportunity for you to participate in a walking activity at recess time.

We would like to Welcome Mr. Alan Savage to our Bellwood family. He is our new grade 7/8 teacher.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Krispy Kreme Donut SCC Fundraiser

Don’t forget to order your Krispy Kreme Donuts for our SCC fundraiser. Tell your friends and family and take their orders so you can order using school cash online. The deadline to have your orders in is Tuesday February 28, 2023. The cost for a box of Krispy Kreme donuts will be 11.00 dollars per box!! Orders will be ready for pick up at the school on Wednesday March 8, 2023!!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give our school office a call!!

School Climate Survey Closes Tuesday February 28, 2023

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

Ontario Tech University – 2023 Virtual Spring Break Camps

For more information about our camp offerings, please visit our camps website: https://ontariotechu.ca/camps

March School Spirit Days

Monday March 6 – Hat Day
Tuesday March 7 - Twin Day
Wednesday March 8 – Pajamas Day
Thursday March 9 - Beach Wear/Tourist Day

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

Friday March 3 Walk to School Day
Monday March 6 School Spirit Week begins
Friday March 10 NO School beginning of March Break
Friday March 10 – Friday March 17 March Break
Monday March 20 Welcome Back to School

Dates of Significance

A Moment in Canadian Black History Did you Know about Africville?

Africville was an African Canadian village located just north of Halifax and founded in the mid-18th century. The City of Halifax demolished the once-prosperous seaside community in the 1960s in what many said was an act of racism. The mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality apologized for the action in 2010. For many people, Africville represents the oppression faced by Black Canadians, and the efforts to right historic wrongs.

Lent February 22 – April 6, 2023

Lent, in the Christian church, a period of penitential preparation for Easter. In Western churches it begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides a 40-day period for fasting and abstinence (Sundays are excluded), in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry.

March is Bangladeshi Heritage Month

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Bangladeshi community. Bangladeshi Canadians from across the province have made significant contributions to Ontario's scientific, athletic, cultural and political development, and they continue to help foster growth, prosperity, and innovation throughout Ontario.
The month of March is an important one for the Bangladeshi community. Every year on March 26th, Bangladeshis around the world celebrate Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence in 1971. This day is often marked with music, parades, fairs, and various other public and private gatherings held to celebrate the history and traditions of Bangladesh.

March is Hellenic History Month

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock

Spooktacular Fundraiser and Food Drive

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 15:30:00 GMT

"Spooktacular / We Scare Hunger"

is a FUN fund raiser run at Bellwood, every October.

October 23rd - October 30th

Staff donate Mystery Gift Bags for students to have a chance to win!

Any student can participate 2 ways:

Buy Tickets at am and pm recesses for 25 cents each or 5/$1.00

Donate ANY non-perishable food item and earn 5 Tickets

All food donations go to a local food bank

All money collected this year will be donated to the Hospital for Sick Kids.

Community Update - November 27

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:45:00 GMT

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

Bellwood is currently selling Spirit Wear, and order forms are available in the office. Please note that larger sizes are available at no extra cost - our families are now able to order Men's and Women's sizes (small, medium and large) for their students. Please make a note of any sizing changes you need (ie: Women's Small) on any of the tee-shirts, hoodies or track pants, and we will accommodate your request. *Ballcaps and toques remain Youth One-Size* Remember the deadline to order your Spirit Wear is Friday November 29, 2024.

Join us on Thursday December 5, 2024, for our First Movie Night of the year and our Parent Engagement Workshop! Please click on the link to let us know if you will be attending https://forms.gle/V1TokJRig2GSUPPM7

Movie Night will cost $2.00/per person! There will also be treats for sale!

Drop your kids off to the gym and then join us for an engaging workshop with Kwesi Millington, who will be speaking to you about Raising Resilient Children!

Thank you to those of you who attended our SCC meeting last evening! We are gearing up for our Annual Breakfast with the Bobcats! Please fill in the link to let us know if you will be attending https://forms.gle/8EBRoqPpviENMUa57 on Saturday December 14, 2024.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

The Scholastic Bookfair is coming to Bellwood!

Youth First Aid Courses

Please click on the link for more information DFA 2024_25 Courses-linked.pdf

Toonie Tuesday

Can our Durham kids count on your support on December 3, 2024? We will have a jar set up in our front office!

Please see flyer for more information on how you can give on this day! You will be able to donate on School Cash online see flyer for more details

4. Toonie Tuesday 2024 Community Letter.pdf

DDSB Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0

Dear DDSB Community Members,

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting a virtual community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.

This event will be family focussed and will feature Dr. Nicole West Burns as our keynote speaker, as well as other members of the DDSB community.

When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom (Virtual)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Ignite Learning Foundation

Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham

We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.

Please see below for dates and times:

Tuesday November 26, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration

IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!

The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18^TH, 2024

Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.

Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!

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

Junior Boys Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 8:15 a.m., Tues. and Thurs. 3:35 p.m.
Junior Girls Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 3:35 p.m. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.

Peer Tutoring – Tuesdays and Thursdays November 5- December 10, 2024
Senior Band – sign up in Room 207 TBA
Bell Choir grades 6-8 Tues. and Thurs. 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

Movie Night and Parent Engagement with Kwesi Millington: December 5, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00p.m.
Holiday Concert: December 12, 2024
Breakfast with the Bobcats: Saturday December 14, 2024. Stay tuned for more information
Dental Screening: December 16 and 17 stay tuned for more information
Winter Break: December 20, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Dates of Significance

November 25th International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women

On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly adopted resolution 54/134, officially designating 25 November as the international day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It invited governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to join together and organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

November 27, 2024 Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

November 27, 2024 Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, marking the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921. February 26 – 29, 2024 Ayyám-i-Há (also known as the Intercalary Days), a period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting.

Your Admin Team,

Sharon Knights and Todd Smart