April 2017

Safe Arrival Program If your child will not be attending school, please phone the school by 9:30 a.m. to leave a message at 416-395-5003 and press 1. Please include the reason for your child’s absence in the message.

Day of Pink - April 12th

Jump Rope for Heart On March 10th, the students participated in Jump Rope for Heart. Students arrived at school with enthusiasm and saying, “We are skipping!” The classes were organized into teams with younger and older students. Each student jumped rope for a set amount of time. There was also a refreshment station where the students could rest and have popsicles. On February 16th students participated in an assembly where they learned the importance of heart health and the importance of fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. In addition, the fundraising website and prizes were reviewed. Thank you for supporting your child(ren) with fundraising efforts. A special thank you to Mrs. Whyte for organizing this very worthwhile event.

George Anderson PS Newsletter 30 George Anderson Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M6M 2Y8, 416-395-5000 School Website: https://sites.google.com/a/tdsb.on.ca/gaps/

One of the situations that can confront students at any age is that of being bullied or observing someone else being bullied. April 12th has been designated as Pink Day. This day is based on the actions in 2007 of two Nova Scotia Grade 12 students who asked their friends to wear pink in support of a younger student who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school. Staff and students will be joining the TDSB anti-bullying campaign by wearing pink on Wednesday, April 12th. Show your support against bullying by wearing pink.

Student Attendance and Punctuality Regular student attendance and punctuality are important in order for students to be successful at school. The Education Act states that it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that their children attend school regularly. A student's academic progress is directly affected by regular class attendance. TDSB elementary schools practise the Safe Arrival Program that requires schools to perform a school-home attendance check. Notify the school when your child will be absent. Students are expected to fully participate in learning opportunities and complete all homework assignments and tests when they are absent. Please speak to the teacher and request homework assignments when they are absent, especially for longer periods. You can help ensure that your child is in school and on time by: - knowing the school's schedule (start time 8:55 a.m.); - communicating regularly with classroom teachers (use your child's planner (gr 3-5) to send notes to the teacher); - calling the school if your child is going to be absent (416-395-5003 and press 1, by 9:30 a.m.); - writing a note if your child is late due to an appointment; - ensuring that your child gets a good night's sleep so that they have the energy they need for the next day.

April is Census Month

We will conduct the third Student and Parent Census, which will include Grade 4-6 students for the first time, along with Grade 712 students. Students will complete the Census in class. Parents of JK-Grade 6 students will also be invited to fill out the Parent Census. Forms will be sent home with students in April 2017. Your voice counts! Complete the TDSB Census and make sure your voice is heard. Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/census

Build Character Build Success This month, our schoolwide focus is Cooperation. Students will be learning the importance of working together for a common purpose. At our month-end recognition assembly, the students in Room 206 will share key points about cooperation through a performance. Each classroom teacher will also be nominating students who have consistently worked well with others. “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now”. (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Hispanic Heritage Month The TDSB is committed to preserving the rich cultures and traditions of those with Hispanic heritage.

Latin-American History Month Latin-America History Month at the TDSB is recognized during the month of April. Across the TDSB, we have over 5000 students and over 21 countries from Latin-America that will be represented as we learn and celebrate the diverse ethnicities, nationalities, cultures and languages of LatinAmerica.

Sikh Heritage Month On March 22, 2016, Trustees voted to designate April of each year as Sikh Heritage Month, making TDSB the first school board in Canada to do so.

School Council

Calendar of Events Cooperation is our focus this month. (Build Character Build Success)

Apr 4 – Dance Program Apr 7 – Rm 106 Scientist (am) Apr 7 – Chocolate fundraiser cases go home

This year’s School Council Cochairs are Christine Linder and Chilombo Olawoye. Our next meeting is on Thursday June 1, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. in the staffroom. Childcare will be provided.

Our School Council has recently registered with First Book Canada. Each student will be receiving a brand new book to enjoy reading at home. Thank you so much to our SAC members.

Apr 9 – Mahavir Jayanti (Jain) Apr 10-18 – Passover (Judaism) Apr 11 – Pizza forms go home Apr 11 – Dance Program Apr 12 – Day of Pink Apr 13- Movie Night “tear off” due Apr 13 – Vaisakhi (Sikhism) Apr 14 – Good Friday

Safety Alert – Parking Lot The school parking lot is to be used ONLY by TDSB employees. To ensure the safety of our students, during busy times, the parking lot gates will be closed. The lot (including ramps) is not to be used as a drop off and pick-up area for students. Thank you to those parents who continually adhere to this policy.

Apr 16 – Easter (Christianity) Easter Pascha (Eastern Orthodox) Apr 17 – Easter Monday (school closed) Apr 18 – Dance Program Apr 18 – Pizza forms and payments due Apr 19 – Rm 107 Scientist (am) Apr 19 – Rm 105 Scientist (pm) Apr 21 – Toronto Annual School Clean Up Apr 24 – Rm 201 Scientist (am) Apr 24 – Rm 206 Scientist (am) Apr 25 – Dance Program Apr 26 – Rm 104 Scientist (pm) Apr 27 – Pizza Lunch Apr 27 – Movie Night Apr 28 – Recognition Assembly (Cooperation) *Most of these dates are also on the calendar provided for you*

George Anderson Public School Principal: Susanne Fata Superintendent: Angela Nardi-Addesa Trustee: Chris Tonks Toronto District School Board Website: http://www.tdsb.on.ca