Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are impressed each day by how our staff continues to leverage student voice despite the challenges that come with distance learning and staying connected. Ms. Patel was featured in a Board Video last week about Critically Conscious Read Alouds. As educators, we use Critically Conscious Read Alouds to purposely plan, consider identities and intersectionalities of the students we serve to allow us to engage in deeper conversations and deepen comprehension. In our junior classes, student voice is being encouraged and developed by staff. Students in Ms. Laing's class created a presentation about Ramadan and our Grade 6 students in Ms. Bruno's class engaged in a debate about whether Apple products are better than Android phones (this debate lasted 2 days!). Our term 2 programming continues with high level of expectations as our in-person learning program!

During Remote Learning, students are encouraged to:

• keep showing up on time with a positive attitude;

• work in a dedicated learning space to show you are ready for the day;

• 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.

Viola Desmond is proud to participate in the Pickering-Ajax Wellness Series. Elementary schools from across the region have collaborated to organize this event. We are proud to host two online workshops: Art by Ashlee and Examining Anti-Black Racism and Its Impact on Well-Being. We hope you will be able to join us, or register for one of the amazing events being offered from May 13th to 15th!

Please note: Parents need to log onto the Parent Portal by May 4th to submit their decision between virtual vs in-person learning 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.

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 will be delayed for messages left on the school's voicemail.

Stay well and be safe!

Have a wonderful week,

Mrs. Brusselers and Mrs. Thomas - Administrative Team

May is:

May is Dutch Heritage Month

Ontario is home to about 500 000 Dutch Canadians. May is a historically significant month for the Dutch Canadian community. On May 5, 1945, the Canadian forces were instrumental in the liberation of the Netherlands from occupation during World War II. The Netherlands celebrates its independence and liberty, along with the heroic efforts of the Canadian forces, with a national holiday known as Liberation Day, which takes place annually on May 5th.

May is Jewish Heritage Month

The bill proclaiming the annual event passed third and final reading in the House of Commons on March 28, 2018. Canadian Jewish Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on and celebrate the incredible contributions that Jewish Canadians have made to our country, in communities across Canada.

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