LARKSPUR PUBLIC SCHOOL growing together today, for tomorrow

111 Larkspur Road Brampton, Ontario L6R 1X2 Phone: 905-799-2952 Fax: 905-799-8109 Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1477

JUNE 2018 June 4 Parent Council Meeting, 6:30 pm June 5 Kindergarten to Downey’s Farm, 9:30-11:30am June 6 Grade 5 to Mountsberg Conservation Area; Soccer Tournament June 7 Cross Country Meet June 8 Spirit Day – Blue Jays; Last day to check books out of the library June 11 PA Day – no school for students June 12 Bus Driver Appreciation Day June 13 Larkspur Talent Show, 11:00am-12:30pm June 14 Jump Rope for Heart June 15 Spirit Day – Beach Day; deadline for library book return June 20 Grade 5 Farewell, 9:00 am (seating will begin at 8:30) June 21 Spring Fling, 5:30 – 7:00 pm June 22 Volunteer Tea, 1:30 pm June 24 All payments for lost/damaged books due using Cash Online June 26 Learner and Citizen Awards Assembly, 9:00 am June 26, 27 Kindergarten Celebration of Learning June 27 Report Cards and Kindergarten Communication of Learning home June 28 Spirit Day – Red and White Day; last day of school for students June 29 PA Day – no school for students

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

June brings with it a time to once again reflect on this year’s accomplishments and special moments. Over the past nine months, we hope that students have had the opportunity to make new friends, try new activities and, of course, learn new things! We have appreciated the opportunity to work in partnership with our Larkspur families to support the achievement of all of our students. June is shaping up to be a busy month, as you can see from our lengthy list of upcoming events. We are hoping that you will be able to join us as we celebrate our talents and our successes, as well as have some well-deserved fun! G. Harris J. Challinor S. Bloom Principal Vice Principal Vice Principal

The Me to We club would like to thank you for buying a popsicle on Frozen Treat Fridays. The money raised in our fundraiser will be donated to the We Charity's clean water and sanitation project. Building latrines and hand-washing facilities, providing hand pumps and systems, or piping clean water into a school or a village are some of the ways Larkspur's donation to the We Charity will help a community in India. If you would like to learn more of how Me to We makes a difference in countries around the world, visit their website: https://www.we.org/we-movement/.

LARKSPUR CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING

Clarence Squires Memorial Run Thursday, June 7th at Paul Coffey Park

Last Friday the Larkspur PS Cross Country Team was posted. 5 Boys and 5 Girls from each grade from Grades 3 - 5 will have the opportunity to represent Larkspur PS at this year's Clarence Squires Memorial Run throughout the day on Thursday, June 7th at Paul Coffey Park. Practices will be ALWAYS be at 2nd Nutrition Break and NEVER before or AFTER School. The grade 3's are required to run 5 km and the grade 4's/5's are required to run 5 km.

For a detailed schedule please check our school's Tugra Times or our gym bulletin board by the office. Mr. Spencer and Mrs. Kannenberg will be making the teams at the end of May.

8 students will be chosen per grade (4 boys and 4 girls).

*If your son/daughter made the team PLEASE make sure they dress accordingly to the weather as practices will be outside.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

*DATE: ALL FUNDRAISING FORMS ARE DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 8th *JUMP ROPE FOR HEART DAY: THURSDAY, JUNE 14th *PLEASE NOTE this is an Outdoor Event so please have your son/daughter dress accordingly for the weather (hat, sunscreen, running shoes, water). Our school believes in kids helping other kids. That’s why we’re participating in Jump Rope For Heart and fundraising to support Heart & Stroke. Your donation will go towards research and education that gives our kids the best start to a healthy, happy life. Whether it's a relative, friend or even a parent, EVERYONE knows someone who has been affected by Heart and/or Stroke. Physical activity has so many health benefits, and it’s fun too! Simple exercises like jumping rope can lead to stronger hearts, more success at school and better mental health among children and youth. Research shows that if our students start building healthy habits at an early age, they will continue them as adults and ultimately reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke for all Canadians. We’re already doing our part. By participating in Jump Rope For Heart, we’re helping kids at our school and across Canada get a healthy start.

Please help us reach our fundraising goal by making a donation today.

*Individual Prizes include: a BMX Bike, Plasma Car, Slip N'Slide, Various Gift Cards, Colour your own Soccer Ball, *Top Primary and Junior Students will also get to have a chance to be a GYM TEACHER FOR THE DAY

*Please donate online at http://www.JumpRopeForHeart.ca and help us reach our School Goal of $6,000

Flag Football On Thursday, May 17th, the girls flag football team travelled to Chinguacousy Park to participate in a 4 team tournament. They worked extremely hard and demonstrated great sportsmanship in their games against Derry West Village Public School, Kingswood Public School and Worthington Public School. For many of the girls this tournament marked their first competitive football experience. It is our hope that we see the same enthusiasm amongst our junior girls next fall when host try-outs for the 2018 season. On Friday, May 18th, the boys flag football team had their chance to compete in a tournament at Chinguacousy Park. The team was able to garner two victories in round robin play against McClure Public School and Derry West Village Public School. Unfortunately, they dropped a close semi-final match to Meadowvale Village who went on to win the tournament. Overall, the boys represented Larkspur very well from a competitive standpoint.

Soccer On Friday, May 25th the Larkspur co-ed soccer team entered a tournament at the Sandalwood/Creditview fields. They competed hard exhibiting both creativity when on the attack and sound defensive tactics when protecting the 18-yard box. This was the co-ed team’s first of two tournaments this season. They will be in action again on Wednesday, June 6th, at Oscar Peterson Public School in Mississauga.

HEALTHY SCHOOLS

This year our Healthy Schools Team introduced our HEALTHY BITE BASKET program. With the support of the school community, our Healthy Schools Team as well as the Region of Peel we have been able to provide a Fruit Snack during 1st Nutrition Breaks every Wednesday since 2018. It is essential for children to get the proper vitamins and nutrients as their bodies grow and develop. This Healthy Bite Basket Program is there for those students who want that "Healthy Option". This program has ended this year, but will continue again in the new school year. Thank you to the community of Larkspur PS for your support throughout the year in our Healthy Schools Program and helping make Larkspur a "Healthy" Community to live in.

Play Day at Louise Arbour Secondary School

On Wednesday, May 16th, Larkspur played host to a special Play Day event at Louise Arbour Secondary School. 23 exceptional and 10 chosen Grade 5 students from Larkspur’s “Fitness Friends” program attended the event . In addition, we had approximately 60 other exceptional students from neighbouring elementary schools participate. Physical activity was the focus of the Play Day and was used as a platform to give students an opportunity to interact with both familiar and new faces. Some of the activity stations that students experienced on May 16th included, among others, a soccer shoot out, parachute toss, inflatable maze, obstacle course, bead making and painting. Moving forward, Larkspur plans to organize a similar event each year for our Family of Schools (FOS). Thank you to all staff from Larkspur and Louise Arbour that contributed in making this inaugural event a success.

Elementary SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Attendance Program Elementary parents are reminded to sign up for a Safe Arrival account in order to report a child's absence in a quick and easy manner. Set up your account by going to: go.schoolmessenger.ca and use the same email address the school has on file for you. You can also download the blue School Messenger App to your smartphone. If parents prefer not to set up an account, the toll-free number is always available for all families: 1-855-209-6155 A few things to note with our new system:

parents are encouraged to add the 1-855-209-6155 number to their Contacts (under PDSB or School Name) so the number can easily be identified when it calls

this new system will call once per child, therefore if you have three children absent at one time, you will receive three different phone calls

parents who set up an account can choose their preferences as to which numbers will be called

parents can report Late Arrivals by choosing the Report an Absence option first, then choosing Late Arrival in the sub-menu

As always, parents are encouraged to report absences in advance to the Safe Arrival system.

Peel board recognizes Crossing Guard

Appreciation Day on June 12

The Peel board will recognize the contribution of school crossing guards on Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, June 12. The board encourages students, parents and staff to take a moment to thank the neighbourhood crossing guards who help to ensure a safe journey to and from school for thousands of students every day.

A new way to ‘Share the Smile’ In every Peel school and worksite, there are endless inspiring stories just waiting to be told. To help share the smile, the Peel board has launched a new website to showcase these amazing #PeelFam stories, people and creations. Visit www.sharethesmile.ca to view some of the stories, people and creations we’ve featured so far. We encourage students, staff, parents and the community to share the stories happening in their school community. In the top right corner, you share by clicking ‘Share Your Story’.

What is an IPRC?

IPRC stands for Identification, Placement and Review Committee.

Each student is unique and has different needs when it comes to education. All students need the support of teachers, classmates, family and friends to succeed in the school environment, however, some students need more support and may be deemed exceptional. The IPRC is a formal process, governed by provincial law that is designed to help students get the special education assistance that they need.

These committees do three main things:

Determine if the student is exceptional and meets the criteria for identification under one of the five areas of exceptionality.

Consider and recommend the best placement to meet their needs

Review the identification and placement yearly

You and your child are entitled to be a part of this process to ensure the right educational choices are made. Your child’s teacher or principal are a good starting point if you have any question about the IPRC. SEAC representatives can also help you understand the process and options available. For detailed information see the link to “A Parent’s Guide to IPRC” at www.peelschools.org/parents/specialed/iprc.

Peel board raises Pride and First Nations flags in schools, sites in June In the month of June, Peel District School Board schools and sites will raise Pride and First Nations flags, in the spirit of equity, inclusion and reconciliation. The raising of flags is only one of the ways we help to create spaces that are inclusive, welcoming and safe for students, staff and families. The decision to raise these flags is about acceptance and inclusion, but it’s also about hope; it’s about understanding that everyone should feel proud of who they are and that public education plays a role in upholding the inherent dignity and worth of all persons.

Pride Flags will be raised in all schools and sites in June. The board has consulted with The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and the board’s Indigenous Education Advisory Circle (IEAC), and will raise The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation Flag, in recognizing their treaty territory. As it will take several weeks for delivery of The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation Flags, one will only be flown at the HJA Brown Education Centre (central board office) in June until the other flags arrive. This decision was made in consultation with The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and the board’s IEAC. The manner in which flags may be displayed in Canada is not governed by any legislation, but by established practice. The rules applied by the federal government are not mandatory for individuals or organizations; they serve as guidelines for all persons who wish to display the Canadian flag and other flags in Canada. Other flags have been flown on the same pole as the Canadian flag in neighbouring school boards for years without issue. As a board, we are committed to achieving inclusion for all through continuous progress on equity. This is yet another step for us in our journey and aligns with our board commitment to supporting students from marginalized communities, including Indigenous students and students who identify as LGBTQ+. This work is included in the board’s strategic plan, our Plan for Student Success. Please join us in helping to ensure all our students, staff and families are welcomed and accepted, in the spirit of equity, inclusion and reconciliation.

On the road again—how to keep your cyclist safe Here are some tips you can review with your child to ensure bike season gets off to a great start: The right fit

children should be able to straddle the bike with both feet on the ground a bike that is too big or too small can be a safety hazard the helmet should fit—if it's too loose, it could fall off, if it's too tight, it's uncomfortable

Get noticed a young child's bike should be equipped with a bell and reflector older riders should have a light and/or reflectors

Follow the rules no riding on busy streets no riding at night stop for all STOP signs

Actions that cause injuries driveway ride out—not stopping and looking both ways before entering the street running the stop sign turning without warning cycling in the dark following the leader—one child goes through a stop sign or misses a parked car but the second

cyclist doesn't

Preparing for the summer sun Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to health concerns such as sunburn and skin cancer. As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, it is necessary to apply sunscreen to protect ourselves from too much sun damage and burns. In summer, we are exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) rays. This exposure is a risk factor for developing skin cancer and cataracts later in life. The UV index is the measure commonly used in Canada to assess the strength of the sun’s UV rays risk on a given day. What is the UV Index? The index scale ranges from 0 to 10. The higher the value, the more intense ultraviolet rays. The UV index is calculated daily by Environment Canada using ozone and weather information. It can vary from day to day with changes in the ozone layer – the thinner the ozone layer, the higher the index reading. How to protect your family from the sun?

Wear a hat (preferably with a broad brim), sunglasses and protective clothing on sunny days. Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater whenever you're outdoors. Encourage your children to play in shady areas if they are outside for a long period of time. Remember that sunburn can occur even on a cloudy day, as up to 80 per cent of UV rays can

penetrate light clouds, and 40 per cent of UV rays can bounce back from sand, water or concrete.

Summer activities that boost learning Kindergarten to grade 4

Sorting and stacking – Teach classification skills with dinnerware. Ask your child to match and stack dishes of similar sizes and shapes. Also have your child sort flatware – forks with forks, spoons with spoons. This is like recognizing the shapes of letters and numbers.

Comic strip writing – Use comic strips to help with writing. Cut the segments of a comic strip apart and ask your child to arrange them in order. Then ask your child to fill in the words of the characters (orally or in writing).

Float and sink – Encourage hypothesizing (guessing). Use several objects – soap, a dry sock, a bottle of shampoo, a wet sponge, an empty bottle. Ask your child which objects will float when dropped into water in a sink or bathtub. Then drop the objects in the water, one by one, to see what happens.

Grades 5 to 8 Follow the news – As a family, choose an important news event to follow for a

day or two. Ask each person to find as much information on the topic as possible – read newspapers, look at online news webpages, listen to the radio and watch TV news. Then talk about what everyone learned.

Pro and con: what do you think? – Make a family game of discussing a special issue. For example, "Teenagers should be allowed to vote," or "There should never be any homework." Ask your children to think of all the reasons they can to support their views. Then ask them to think of reasons opposing their views. Which views are most convincing? For variety, assign family members to teams and have them prepare their arguments pro and con.

Stretch, run, walk – Ask your child to do at least one kind of exercise every day. For example, run or walk briskly for 10 minutes. Walk, when possible, instead of driving, for any distance less than a mile. Have your child make a week-long exercise plan. Try to think of a modest reward for sticking to the plan and exercise with your child.

Let your voice be heard – Promote good citizenship. Help your child write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper about an issue affecting children – for example, suggest that a bike path be built near the school or that a city event be planned for youngsters. Children are citizens, and their ideas are worth hearing.

Register today for Adult ESL or LINC classes Do you know an adult that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life? Through the Continuing & Adult Education department, the Peel District School Board offers a wide variety of English language classes that help parents experience success in Canadian English in both listening/speaking and reading/writing. Courses are designed for a range of basic, intermediate and advanced English (Levels 1 to 8) as well as the more experienced learner needing to prepare for an IELTS exam. Classes are ongoing - Register anytime. All learners that complete a session will earn a certificate of learning from the Peel District School Board. Classes operate from six locations in Brampton and Mississauga with three specially designed adult centres at:

Bramalea - Adult Education Centre - 25 Kings Cross Road, Unit 3

Brampton - Adult Education Centre - #300 - 7700 Hurontario Street

Mississauga - Adult Education Centre - 100 Elm Drive West, Room 117

To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000, then press 2

Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation or follow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL

We Welcome the World Centres The Peel District School Board’s We Welcome the World Centres located in Brampton, Malton and Mississauga, are the first point of contact for all newcomer families to become familiar with the educational system in Peel. The centres are open all year—including the summer months— from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to providing literacy and numeracy assessments, the We Welcome the World Centres provide newcomers with a host of services including: reception, orientation, interpretation and referrals.

At each centre, parents/guardians and students will discover: • settlement service information • age and grade appropriate educational and related program resources • information about various community supports • translation of materials to support the reception and assessment process • computer portals— providing information on Peel resources

For more information about the We Welcome the World Centre and the services they provide, call 905-366-8791.

Summer Well-being

Summer break is around the corner! The psychological and physiological benefits of summer are hard

to beat. However, while summer allows for a break from the routine and structure of the school year,

for some children and youth, it can be stressful to be away from school. So, while the stressors change

when the last school bell signals summer, they don't disappear.

Here at a few tips for summer well-being to keep everyone safe and having fun in the sun!

Get outside. With longer and warmer days, try to spend more time outdoors which increases our

vitamin D intake and allows us more time to exercise and connect with nature. A minimum of 60

minutes of daily physical activity is recommended for all children and youth. Healthy body = healthy

mind.

Always stay hydrated. Replace sugary sports drinks & sodas with water; add slices of fresh fruit like strawberries, lemons, limes or watermelons to your water for a delicious flavor. Staying hydrated prevents heat related illness: symptoms are headache, cold sweats, exhaustion, nausea and/or vomiting, and diarrhea. Get plenty of rest. During the hot summer heat, making sure you get plenty of rest is important to prevent heat exhaustion. While playing outside, take frequent shaded breaks and use sunscreen. Getting 8-10 hours of sleep every night is important for recuperation and growth. Wear safety gear. Whether you are riding your bike or swimming in a pool always wear the recommended safety gear. Being safe reduces stress for everyone! A good rule is that if you are not doing an activity safely; you will not be allowed to do it.

Be safe on-line. Some students will stay in-touch over the summer primarily on-line. Remember that

some people will use electronic media to embarrass, harass, or threaten their peers. When there is

cyberbullying occurring remember to save it, report it, and block it. If the incident is criminal call Peel

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Constant communication for the win! Using open ended questions with children and youth can help

identify fears, anxieties and concerns. Ask questions like, “How are you feeling about going to summer

camp?” In addition, communicating expectations about what is going to occur during the summer will

help to ease transitions. Saying, “I am inviting relatives to stay with us in July” or saying, “You will need

to be in bed by 9 pm on weekdays this summer” allows children and youth time to adjust to what will

occur.

Over summer break remember that HELP is always available:

Peel Children’s Centre maintains a Crisis Response Service (24/7/365) if your child is experiencing a serious mental health problem at 416-410-8615 Kids Help Phone is Canada's only national 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, web counselling and referral service for children and youth. 1-800-668-6868.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS REGARDING SCHOOL START UP TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES

FOR SEPTEMBER 2018

If your home address will be changing during the summer, please notify the office staff at your child’s school prior to June 29. Late requests will not be reflected in the planned bus routes to commence in September and may result in transportation services not being available for your child during the first weeks of school. Parents will be responsible for their children getting to and from school until appropriate transportation service is arranged.

The distance criteria for transportation eligibility must be more than: 1.0 kilometer Kindergarten and Grade 1 1.6 kilometers for Grades 2 – 4 2.0 kilometers for Grades 5 – 8 3.8 kilometers for Grades 9 – 12

If your child is moving to grade 2, grade 5, or grade 9 in the 2018-2019 school year, their eligibility status for transportation may be changing. Eligibility information can be accessed at the website noted below.

Parents who receive letters in June of this year indicating that the transportation eligibility status for their children is being revised due to eligibility reassessment are reminded that this change will occur effective September 4, 2018.

All transported kindergarten and grade 1 students are required to be met by a parent/caregiver when disembarking from their bus on their return trip from school.

Courtesy transportation, which is assignment of ineligible students to available, empty seats on buses, will not be initiated prior to October 1. No exceptions.

Please be aware that during September and early October, STOPR priorities are eligible students requiring transportation service, bus overloads, and route timing adjustments.

Requests for additional or adjusted bus stop locations, route adjustments, and challenges to eligibility status will not be addressed until late October.

Please be patient. STOPR provides transportation services for approximately 65,000 students to 350 schools on 1,400 buses. This is accomplished with an operations staff of 15. Every effort is made to complete required adjustments as quickly as possible, but there are limitations to the volume of changes which can be appropriately communicated and implemented each week.

All transportation operations issues are the responsibility of STOPR and not either Board or individual Trustees.

Contacting STOPR

Internet: www.stopr.ca. This website provides up to date delay and inclement weather

cancellation information in addition to policy, procedures and frequently asked questions

Businfo.stopr.ca. This website allows parents to access information specific to “what

school do I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation”. This site also provides parents access to specific bus stop location and pick up and drop off times for their children if eligible for transportation

Telephone: STOPR: Phone: 905 890-6000 Toll free: 1-800 668-1140