Harriett Todd Public School

NEWSLETTER www.har.scdsb.on.ca

11 George Street Principal: Jennifer Cornick Orillia, Ontario, L3V 2V1 Vice Principal: Colin Shawyer

705-325-9388 DECEMBER 2019 Follow us on Twitter

@Harriett_Todd

IN THIS ISSUE

News at a Glance: School News:. School Council

Christmas Season Activities at Harriett Todd

SCDSB School Playgrounds Closed

Health & Wellness: Messages from the Health Unit

Parent & Student

Resources: JK/SK Registration

Info Night Grade 8 Students

Upcoming Events: Dec. 4-Gr. 5-8 Ultimate Steps

Dec. 9—TLSS Band Visit

Dec.10– Gr.8’s to TLSS

Dec 10-12—Trinkets to Treasures Sale

Dec 11 Christmas Concert -11:55 AM Kdgtn/FI

6:00 PM English, Dance/Band

Dec. 20—Character Assembly - Ugly Sweater Day

Christmas Break December 23 — January 3,2020

Return Monday, January 6, 2020

YMCA Winter Holidays Dec. 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, and Jan. 2, 3

7:00 am—6:00 pm Contact Ally Kingsbury 705-329-3996

Greetings Harriett Todd Families:

It is hard to believe that it is already December! This fall has been filled with so much fantastic learning. We hope that you have noticed the growth in your children’s abilities! The Shopaganza and gift basket raffles were a huge success and students shone on stage during the talent show. Our book fair was very well attended, thank you. Students have enjoyed being a part of a variety of activities including our student leadership team, cross country running and flag football. Thank you to all of our fantastic staff for providing these opportunities for students. The holiday season is approaching and we are gearing up for a busy December. We are looking forward to participating in annual activities. We are collecting non-perishable food items during the month of December. If you can, please donate food for under our Christmas tree. We are thrilled to invite each of you to our upcoming Holiday Concerts:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11th at 11:55 am

This will be for students in French Immersion and the Kindergarten classes.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11th at 6:00 pm

This will be for students in the Dance Club, Concert Band, and the following classes: Mrs. K Hyland, Mrs. Crooks, Mrs. McClinchey, Mrs. Bisset, Mr. Kerr, Mrs. Hodgins. There will be a group finale song at the end of the concert, so students involved will need to stay until the end.

In our efforts to show caring and kindness for others, our school is participating

in a donation drive for the following community agencies: Lighthouse Men’s Shelter/Soup Kitchen and the Sharing Place Food Bank. We will need everyone’s help to make this a great holiday by helping others. If every child brought in just one item we would have over 500 items to donate from Harriett Todd. We will collect items until December 20th. Items will be collected by students in Mr. Underhill’s class. Thank you for your support!

THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS THAT WE RECEIVE AT THE END OF THE DAY TO CHANGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PICK UP. DUE TO THE NATURE OF OUR BUSY OFFICE. AND A REDUCTION IN SECRETARIAL STAFFING, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT STUDENTS WILL GET THE MESSAGE IF THERE IS A CHANGE OF PLANS. PLEASE AVOID PICKING STUDENTS UP EARLY, AND CHANGING END OF DAY ARRANGEMENTS AT THE LAST MINUTE. On behalf of the entire staff we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best as you embrace the approaching holidays and the new year! See you on January 6th, 2020! Jennifer Cornick Colin Shawyer Principal Vice-Principal

School News

School Council Thank you to all our vendors, volunteers, and the community for another great year at Shopaganza! Vendors who attended were; The Crafty Fox, Tiffs Treats, Norwax, Doterra, Thirty One, A Bark Above, Pebbles and Sunshine, Funky Glassworks, Jessica’s Preservatives, Home Made Wreaths, Kim’s Finds, Rocking Leggings, Altered Ego, mojo Life, Enjo, and Epicure. A special thank you to this year's sponsors who donated Silent Auction items: Papa John’s Pizza, Pepsi, St. Louis Bar & Grill, Napoleon, The Bike Shop, Kelsey’s, Lot 88 Steakhouse, the Water Store, Dominoes, Pennzoil, Orillia Terriers Jr. C Hockey Team. Thank You! Also a huge thank you to all the parents that helped make this event possible! They are Megan Stotesbury, Monica Lockie, Jaime Clayton, and Kristen Nichol, along with students Miley N, Tayla N, Mackenzie H, Brandon H, and many other students from Harriett Todd who jumped in to help out. All this couldn't have happened without all of you, and all your support—thank you everyone!

TRINKETS to TREASURES ANNUAL SALE We will be holding our Annual Trinkets to Treasures Sale the week of December 10th—12th. This is where your child can do some inexpensive holiday shopping for friends and family. Prices range from $0.25 to $5.00. Donations welcome.

HT HOLIDAY DONATION DRIVE Students wishing to donate non-perishable food items, as well as personal care items, for our annual holiday donation drive are welcome to bring their items to the front foyer. This act of kindness at this time of year is so very much appreciated by our community.

Harriett Todd Christmas Concert Harriett Todd will be hosting Christmas Concerts on December 11th. There will be two different concerts—see information about timing on the first page of this document.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL SAFE ARRIVAL IF YOU CHILD IS ABSENT

705-325-9388 Please drop your child off at their respective doors by 9:15 AM Students should only enter the front doors after 9:15

and come to the office for a late slip.

If you are changing arrangements for pick up, your cooperation in communicating this to the classroom teacher in

advance is appreciated. Please avoid calling the school with changes. We cannot guarantee that messages called in

later in the day will reach the student.

Please avoid picking your child up early. Interruptions to the classroom can negatively impact the learning of our

students. Unless there is an unexpected appointment or emergency please pick your child(ren) up at 3:35 PM

When coming to the school (at the end of the day) to pick your child/children up, please wait for them outside at

their respective door(s).

Thank You

Harriett Todd School Playground—CLOSED Every winter, school playground structures are closed to student access. Students are made aware of this during school hours through regular announcements and staff reminders during breaks. This may not be well known throughout the community despite signs indicating that playground structures are a winter hazard and are closed. The Canadian Standards Association Regulations make recommendations for the depth of ground cover required to minimize injuries (eg. sand, pea gravel, or wood chips). These surfaces cannot be maintained when the ground freezes. Injuries from falling would be more significant on frozen ground. We strongly recommend that you do not allow your children to play on any structures while the ground is frozen. Thank you for your cooperation.

You can pay for field trips, lunch days, etc. with School Cash Online If you have not already done so, be sure to sign up for School Cash Online. This is our preferred method of payment for all school fundraisers including lunch days and field trips. School Cash Online allows you to pay with your debit or credit card. Follow these steps to get started: 1. Go to simcoecounty.schoolcashonline.com or from our school website click on “Pay Fees” 2. Register and add your child to the newly created account 3. View and purchase items through echeck or credit card The School Cash Parent Helpdesk is available 24/7 to help you with registration, password recoveries or any other payment issues. Call the helpdesk at 1-866-961-1803 or email parethelp@schoolcashonline.com.

“Mitten Tree”

The students in Mrs. McQuaid’s, and Mrs. Mulholland’s classes are setting up a

“Mitten Tree” in the school foyer.

The goal is to ensure every Harriett Todd student stays warm while outside in the

cold, winter weather.

If families are interested, beginning immediately, we will be accepting donations

of mittens, hats, scarves and socks. Students in need of items, will then be given

an opportunity to select items from the Mitten Tree.

Thank you for supporting this initiative!

Ditch Digital Devices and Plug into Play

This winter, swap screen time for play time together. Children need play to learn, grow and be healthy. Unstructured child-led activities, or ‘free play’, make a world of difference. There are many ways to play together as a family:

Get outdoors by taking a winter hike, making a snowman, or building a snow fort

Make your own musical instruments and move to the music

Play hopscotch, tag or hide and seek

Play dress up together

Set up an obstacle course using couch cushions for your child to navigate

Encourage your children to lead the way and experience fun from their perspective!

For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year, contact Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit

the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.

Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

The holidays are a time when routines often get thrown out the window, including the time we spend being active and eating healthy. Exercise is a great way to manage the stress and anxiety we often experience during this busy, festive season. Here are some easy tips to stay healthy over the holidays: * Plan ahead – Just like writing down all the parties and family visits you’ll be attending over the holidays, make sure to schedule in your workouts as well! Make a plan that works with your holiday schedule and stick to it. Such things as – taking a family walk after your holiday meal, scheduling a workout with a trainer, or recruiting a friend as a walking buddy are great examples of how to fit exercise into your holidays. Remember that even short bursts of exercise are better than none! * Make it a family event – The whole family can enjoy exercising together during the holidays. Try tobogganing, ice skating, have a family snowball fight or go skiing. You’ll not only get moving but you’ll be creating memories to cherish. * Practice Relaxation – The relationship between the mind and the body is so strong. Providing yourself and your kids with a small amount of relaxation or “time-out” every day – even just 15 minutes – can improve your health dramatically. Try taking a yoga class to reduce stress and clear the mind! The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka offers many opportunities to stay healthy this holiday season. For more information, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca Information provided by the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka (www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How to Stop the Spread of Germs to Help us all Stay Healthy this School Year

Colds and influenza spread easily from person to person. These germs can spread directly from person to person when

someone coughs or sneezes, or indirectly when germs land on hard surfaces like door knobs, desks or keyboards, and

then are touched by someone else. These germs can then enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.

The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and stop the spread of germs to others is wash your

hands! Wash with soap and warm running water for at least 15 seconds (or try singing “row row row your boat”). If your

hands are not visibly dirty, you can use alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) for 15 seconds. You can also get your

flu shot, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze and stay home if you are sick. Teach your kids to do the same!

For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year, contact Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit

the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.

Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Coping With Anxiety

Feelings of anxiety can be common among teens. Sometimes normally happy teens will become anxious or fearful

about something for a day or two but will return to normal without any need for help from their parents. However, some

teens experience more intense and frequent feelings of anxiety that prevent them from participating in normal everyday

life. Creating a positive family environment, encouraging regular school attendance and helping your teen understand

and discover ways to cope with their anxiety can help.

If you would like to learn more about monitoring and understanding your teenager’s emotions and behaviours, ways to

talk openly with your teenager and encouraging your teenager to practice their coping skills, call Health Connection at

705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 and talk to a public health nurse about Triple P Positive Parenting Program or visit

www.triplepontario.ca/en/home.aspx.

Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Physical Activity Can Make the Holidays Less Stressful

For many, the holiday season can be a source of great physical and mental stress. Planning family gatherings, attending work parties, buying gifts, staying up late and eating unhealthy foods can all contribute to increased anxiety, stress and fatigue. Did you know that being physically active is one of the single best ways we can naturally reduce stress? Here are three reasons why you should consider staying active this holiday season:

1. Physical activity boosts your mood – The relationship between the mind and the body is very strong. Physical activity releases endorphins in your body, making you feel calm, less anxious and happier. Providing yourself and your kids with a small amount of relaxation or ‘time-out’ every day – even just 15 minutes – can also improve your health dramatically. Try taking a yoga class, or even a 10-minute walk can do the trick! 2. Physical activity helps you sleep – Physical activity leads to better sleep and better sleep leads to less stress. Research shows that people who get regular physical activity fall asleep faster, sleep longer and get higher quality sleep. Being well-rested helps us cope with stress and gives us more energy to tackle whatever life throws our way! 3. Physical activity reduces your stress hormone – physical activity decreases the amount of cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) circulating in our bloodstream. When we get stressed out, our cortisol levels spike. Exercise is a great way to help lower them. The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka offers many opportunities to stay active this holiday season. Open gym, family swim, yoga, and our popular Y kids drop-in program provide great opportunities to be active with your family. For more information about programs offered at your local YMCA, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.

Information provided by the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

Parent & Student Resources

2018-19 Holy Days and Holidays Calendar

Now available Students and staff of the SCDSB represent a rich diversity of faith traditions. Our 2019-20 Holy Days and Holidays Calendar helps identify some of the important days of commemoration. Access the calendar on our website at https://www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion holy_days_and_holidays_calendar.

Junior Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten registration opens towards the end of January 2020 Do you (or someone you know) have a child who was born in 2016? If so, it’s almost time to register them for Kindergarten in the SCDSB! Beginning Jan. 28, 2020, Simcoe County’s public schools will register children for Kindergarten for the 2020– 2021 school year. Required registration documents include birthdate documentation, proof of address. This year, the registration process begins online! Visit https://www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/kindergarten for more information.

Information Nights for Grade 8 students Is your child starting Grade 9 next year? High school information nights happen this fall and winter. This event gives an overview of what’s new, what to expect, as well as a chance to check out the school and ask questions. Attend our local high school information night to find out what’s offered: Twin Lakes Secondary School, 381 Birch Street, Orillia. The Information Night will be on January 15, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Check out the full schedule of info nights and more information at www.scdsb.on.ca/secondary/planning_for_high_school.