A Message from the Administration…

On behalf of the Cedarwood staff, we would like to extend warm wishes for a happy New Year to all members of

the community as we begin a new calendar year. We have a slight change to our staff as we start the year. Ms.

Chung, our music teacher, has resigned from her position to pursue further schooling and Ms. Nedanis’ role has

been expanded from half-time music in the fall to full-time moving forward.

Our winter so far has been one of extreme and interesting weather conditions. Please rest assured that we make

outdoor decisions for our students on a daily basis and reduce time spent outside, or don’t go out at all, if we feel

that it is too cold or if the conditions are too icy for safe travel. It is important though that our students come

appropriately dressed for the time they do spend outside so that they are warm, safe and comfortable while

playing. We continue to encourage students to wear long johns and\or snow pants, winter boots, hats, gloves and

winter coats on a daily basis. It is important for all of us to get fresh air at this time of year and break times at

school are a good time for this to happen for children.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the community that during the winter season there

can tend to be icy areas on our walkways and in our parking lot and kiss and ride loop on any given day. Please

travel carefully during such weather conditions. Driving slowly and cautiously while on and around school

property is a must, and wearing footwear that is appropriate for winter conditions (i.e. boots with good treads) is

highly recommended. Also, please remember that our official entry time is 7:55 am. We have noticed a recent

trend of people arriving after that time and dropping their children off later and later. This means that the staff

members on duty and the students of the Kiss and Ride are having to remain outside for a longer period of time

and it is impacting their ability to get to their first period on time. It also means that the late arriving students are

crossing the street unsupervised as the crossing guard’s designated work time is from 7:35 to 8:05 am. Please note

that the staff and students on duty will be heading inside in the future once the official end time of their duty has

been reached. We thank everyone in advance for helping us out by arriving on time.

On a final weather related note, please remember that in the event of inclement weather conditions, any

information regarding bus cancellations or school closures will be broadcast regularly on numerous radio or

television stations. A comprehensive list of stations can be found on the School or Board websites under the

Student Transportation tab. All families are encouraged to listen for, or watch on TV, information regarding

cancellations or closures instead of contacting the school for verification. Those mornings are typically extremely

busy in making sure that our children and staff are arriving safely and we need the phone lines open in the event

the Board or other people are trying to contact us with further information.

A letter from our Director of Education was sent home with your child in the fall, informing you that as of

February 3, all school doors, including the front doors, will be locked 15 minutes after the morning entry

bell. The doors will remain locked for the rest of the day and into the evening. Anyone arriving at the school

after that time must buzz in at the front door and sign in at the main office. This is a mandated change that is

occurring in all schools in Ontario and its intention is to ensure the safety of all members of our school

community. We thank everyone in advance for their patience as we transition to this new way of gaining access to

our school.

We are excited to share with you that on Monday, January 20th our Extended Library Hours will begin. Our library

will be open and available for use on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.

Grade 5 to 8 students can attend independently, and our K to 4 students can access the space if they are

accompanied by an adult. Please see the page later in this newsletter for the specific Extended Library Hours

guidelines.

We are happy to soon be meeting our future students and families as Kindergarten registration for September 2014

begins on Friday, January 17th. If you have any friends or neighbours who live in our area and have children

who were born in 2010, please remind them that it is in everyone’s best interest to register their children for

school as soon as possible.

As always, we are looking forward to continuing to work closely with our families to support our amazing

students as January progresses.

Mr. P. Battler and Ms. F. Durrani

Cedarwood Public School 399 Elson Street, Markham, ON L3S 4R8 (905) 294-5756

January 2014

Principal: Paul Battler Vice Principal: Fawzia Durrani

Superintendent: Rashmi Swarup (905) 940-7800 Trustee: Juanita Nathan (905) 471–2553

School Website: www.cedarwood.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

School Council email: cedarwood.ps@yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Kindergarten Registration to Commence January 17, 2014 Kindergarten registration will commence on January 17, 2014 for the 2014-15

school year. Registration forms are available on YRDSB’s website:

www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca. Children who turn four or five years old during 2013,

live within the school boundary and whose parents are public school tax sup-

porters will be eligible to register for kindergarten. A kindergarten information

session for parents is being planned for this spring. For more information

please visit the YRDSB website or contact your local school.

Grade 8 Information Night

Middlefield Collegiate Institute (MCI) will be hosting an evening of

information for Grade 6/7/8 students and their parents. Presenters will be dis-

cussing the transition to high school course selection and program options for

Grade 9. This event will be held on Thursday, January 16th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m at

MCI. The information provided will be valuable to students and families as they

approach the transition to secondary school.

Phone Number Changes

Just a reminder that if you have any changes in your home, work or cell

phone numbers, please let the office know so we can update our records.

We want to ensure that we are able to reach you in case of any emergencies.

Thank you.

School Council Meeting

Please join us for our next School Council Meeting on

Wednesday, January 15th at 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. in our school library

INDOOR

SHOES

We ask that all students have a pair of indoor, non-marking shoes for wearing within the school. These shoes should stay at the school. This is important to help keep our school clean, especially dur-ing the winter months.

STAY ACTIVE

HEALTHY LIVING

Go active! Walk, bike, take

a bus, park & walk a block

All are great strategies to

reduce traffic at your school,

increase physical activity

and social interaction.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found boxes are full! Often children lose mittens, boots,

shoes, sweaters, hats and scarves during the school months. We place these

lost items in lost and found boxes. If your child has lost some clothing

items, please ask him/her to take a good look at the lost items in the lost

and found. Any unclaimed Lost & Found items will be donated to a local

charity.

Locked School Doors—FEBRUARY 3

As per the letter from our Director of Education that was sent home

with your child in the fall, as of February 3, all school doors, including

the front doors will be locked 15 minutes after the morning entry

bell. The doors will remain locked for the rest of the day. Anyone

arriving at the school after that time must buzz in at the front door and

sign in at the main office.

Measures will also be put in place for parents/guardians to buzz in and pick up students

participating in before and after school programs. More detailed information will be avail-

able in our February newsletter.

Our school continues to be a safe place where parent and community member involvement

is welcomed and encouraged. This additional step will enhance the measures we already

have in place, and ensure that all visitors sign in at the main office upon arrival.

Cold Weather With the cold weather upon us, parents are asked to ensure their child comes

to school dressed appropriately. Also, make sure you pack

extra clothes (i.e. socks, pants). Students who are ill should

remain at home until fully recovered. Indoor supervision

is not provided during recesses as all children are ex-

pected to go outside.

Snow Rules Now that snow has landed in abundant quantities over our formerly green landscape, the

time has come to review some of the rules around safety involving the snow.

Packed snow poses many hazards including embedded grit and loose debris

which can cause injury, Heavy packed snow can also result in injury.

Our rules are few and simple: All snow stays on the ground (no snowballs at all). Snow can be

moved to create snow forts, snowmen and snow angels The con-

struction of structures will be respected by all. Knocking down or

destruction of structures is not acceptable. These rules are reviewed on the morn-

ing announcements. If a child fails to comply with these rules, recess privileges

may be revoked until such a time that he/she shows that he/ she can act in a safe,

responsible manner!

Ms. Kassabian / Ms Husain Lucas L, Sahan J, Iniyaall S, Abeena R

Ms. Mawhinney / Ms. Thakur Angelina G, Akeish T, Eshan A, Athikan A

Ms. Prashar-Gomes / Ms. Aruna Laiba W, Vinith J

Mr. Chen / Ms. Racioppo Ameisha T, Muhammad I, Sayana K, Aashka G, Sa-hel P

Ms. Abichandani / Ms. Patel Cheliyan M, Fizza N

Ms. Persaud / Ms. Abbasi Isna I, Akschayan K, Tharani P

Ms. Bala Ashish A

Ms. Ganeshan Suruthi U, Danyal C, . Vrishath J

Ms. Syed Piraveenaa U, Akshayan S, Senul A, Maha A, Heli S

Ms. Pagliaro Labishan T, Malmi A, Simar M,

Ms. Colabawalla Siraaj P, Bhavya P, Param P

Ms. Park Suhas B, Ruchi P

Ms. Singh Saimikaa D , Sajan S

Ms. Dobosz Carol L

Mr. Nana Ailiya J

Ms. Suganth Aamnah K , Emmelyn C

Ms. Kutty Jasleen K, Nabiha H, Sobejan S, Vaishnavi J

Mr. Kassardjian Bilal R, Hamzah K, Joshua M, Sowriya T

Ms. Irani Kajanan D, Anusan K, Shubham N, Khirisha S

Ms. Bhayat Sabad S, Neel A, Shambavi N, Haresh K, Ayaan M

Ms. Hamawi Fahad A, Bhavna K, Suluxan M, Yamini S

Mr. Sasaki William C, Sunit J, Rajiv L, Arthika B, Ayesha H

Ms. Yeung Anujan N, Kenneth G, Megdy E, Apoorva K

Ms. Bhatt Agajan K

Ms. Anderson Jason C

Ms. Lazarevski Thanojan S, Uma B

Ms. Szatmari Purathani V, Havinthana G, Dev P

Mr. Malo Hikmat J

Mr. Hunt Masheil M, Terry K, Elakkiya P

Ms. Takahashi Laiba A

Ms. Jean-Phillipe Esther M

Ms. Gulamali Ovais A

Ms. Karnad-Jani Pateeran P

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