Dear Parents and Guardians,

Last week, our intermediate students attended the Cypher Virtual Conference Series. What a powerful webinar that explained microaggressions, bias, and looking carefully at intent versus impact. We thank the incredible team of Black Male leaders for facilitating such a powerful session, which led to many deep conversations with our students. The International Day of Silence is held each year to spread awareness about the effects of bullying and harassment of LGBTQ2+ people. We are discussing and recognizing this day with our students to reinforce our commitment to supporting all identities

As we begin this period of Remote Learning, students are encouraged to:

• keep showing up on time with a positive attitude;

• communicate any challenges with teachers and staff so that we can support you;

• continue participating in class and completing assigned work;

• ask for help if you need it.

We continue to promote well-being during Remote Learning! We encourage students to participate in phys ed with Mr. Stanat or Mrs. McPhillips, or with their own homeroom teachers. This provides students with a much-needed movement break during the day as we cannot have our normal recess breaks.

You received an email regarding your potential interest in Virtual School for the 2021-2022 School Year. We are asking families to take the time to consider if this will be an option for your child(ren). We respect parents' decision to make the choice between in-person learning or online learning. However, making this decision in advance will help avoid the several class restructuring periods that took place at Viola during this past school year, which was difficult for students and families. By selecting DDSB@Home, you are making a full-year commitment to virtual learning. Parents need to log onto the Parent Portal to submit their decision about virtual vs in-person learning by May 4th.

Our school office is closed at this time. Should you need to contact our secretaries, Mrs. Gill or Mrs. Hindle, or admin, please email us at Violadesmondps@ddsb.ca. Response time may be delayed for messages left on the school's voicemail.

Stay well and safe!

Kind regards,

Mrs. Brusselers and Mrs. Thomas - Administrative Team

April is:

Holy Friday (Orthodox) - April 30th

On Great and Holy Friday the Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Christ on the Cross. This is the culmination of the observance of His Passion by which the Lord suffered and died for the sins of the people.

May is:

Easter (Orthodox) - May 2nd

Orthodox Easter is the most significant and sacred season of the Eastern Christian church's calendar. The annual holiday consists of a series of celebrations or movable feasts commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Mother's Day - May 9th

Mother’s Day was brought to North America after the American Civil War by social activist Julia Ward Howe in an effort to unite all women against war. Though unsuccessful, her daughter, Anna Jarvis started the movement to found a memorial day for women. The first Mother’s Day in the United States was celebrated on May 10, 1908, and was declared a national holiday in 1914. It is celebrated in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May.

**Recognize that there may be students in your class who have lost a caregiver or whose caregiver is absent, and difficult emotions may come up if you celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day in your classroom. Also as we celebrate and honor caregivers in schools, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be opportunities to recognize the diversity of family structures.

Ascension (Christianity) - May 13th

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).

Eid-ul-Fitr (Islam) - May 14th

Eid al-Fitr, (Arabic: “Festival of Breaking Fast”) is the first of two canonical festivals of Islam. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

“I raise up my voice-not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”

― Malala Yousafzai