Viola Desmond Parent Weekly

Viola Desmond Public School Week of October 19th

Main Office: 905 619 7400

Safe Arrival Line: 1-844-350-2646.

Please use the Safe Arrival line or School Messenger online reporting system to report when your child will be late, absent or getting picked up early.

Follow Us: Instagram and twitter: @violadesmondps

Learning about important social justice issues and developing strong student voice continues to be what drives the learning for our students !

#TeamViola #WeAreDefenders

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Social justice continues to be a driving theme in our classrooms! Ms. Bruno's class led a school initiative asking students to share "how do you feel at Viola Desmond Public School?" Students wrote words such as respected, valued, safe. The idea for this project stemmed from Indigenous teachings in which the feather represents honour, respect, strength, wisdom and connection. There is a very impressive display of wings in our Early Years hallway! The grade 7 classes continue to explore equity, inclusion and social justice as part of their literacy program. Students in Ms. Coore's class defined criteria that people need to demonstrate in order to be a Social Justice Human Rights Hero! These critical conversations help strengthen leadership and advocacy skills, as well as deepen the critical literacy skills of our young adults!

As we have settled into the new normal of the school year, we will maintain recognizing key events, reimagined to allow us to follow safety protocols. It is so important that our students continue to have memorable experiences at school. Halloween, for example, is an event that many of our students are excited about each year, and it will continue this year within safety guidelines. In addition, our VIOLA Character Award assembly will start virtually this month. So many wonderful things happening at school!

Next week, you will be receiving information regarding our parent-teacher interviews that will take place on Thursday, November 12th and Friday, November 13th. This year the format will be different with scheduled virtual and telephone meetings. If you opt for a virtual meeting, we encourage to have your child(ren) to attend and participate in these conferences. This is a great opportunity for your child(ren) to share their successes, goals and next steps for the remainder of the term!

Email, online and telephone messages are our primary methods of communication. Please double check your junk mail, or email settings if you are not receiving communication from the school or Board.

We are looking forward to a fantastic week of learning together!

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Brusselers and Mrs. Thomas - Administrative Team

Bell Times

8:35 a.m. - Morning Supervision Begins

8:45 a.m. - Entry Bell

10:05 a.m. - Staggered Morning Recess Begins

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch *Please note: Students going home for lunch must stay home for the entire lunch hour

2:00 p.m. - Staggered Afternoon Recess Begins

3:10 p.m. - Dismissal

Halloween Festivities

Friday, October 30th

We are looking forward to a safe and socially distanced Halloween celebration this year that will be limited to classrooms. There will be no parades or large assemblies.

Please read the important information below regarding Halloween's guidelines:

Students may wear costumes or the colours, orange and black, to celebrate Halloween.
Halloween masks may not be worn; Students from kindergarten to grade 3 are strongly encouraged to wear a cloth mask and students in grades 4 to 8 must wear a cloth mask.
Students should refrain from bringing accessories for their costumes, like weapons or fake blood.
Costumes must be worn to school and kept on all day. Students must be able to adjust their costumes independently, as teachers cannot assist, and cannot change into their costumes during the school day.
Students are encouraged to wear appropriate costumes that is not related to representing another person's culture. Families are asked to consider what costumes students are wearing to school, remembering that culturally stereotypical costumes (i.e. indigenous representations) can minimize the lived experiences of students within our community. As well, we ask that no costume weapons of any sort, or representations of blood be sent to school with students.
There will be no class party involving food - Students are not permitted to bring in candy or treats for their peers due to cross contamination.

Masks are Mandatory on School Property

Please note that we are requiring all parents/guardians to wear a mask while outdoors on school property as physical distancing is not always possible when you are dropping or picking up your child(ren).

In the interest of everyone’s safety, we are requiring that you please wear a mask.

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Late Student Arrival Steps

for students arriving after the entry bell at 8:45 a.m.

1. Ensure Self-Assessment Tool has been completed.

2. Ensure student is wearing a mask. (Students in grades 4-8 mandatory, students in K-3 strongly encouraged).

3. Students are to line up outside of the front entrance near the kindergarten playground, physically distanced on line markings of 2 metres each.

4. **ONLY students may enter building.* Staff will open door for student to enter.

5. Sanitize hands upon entering the building.

6 Students will enter the office one at time to get a late slip. A staff member will accompany students in Kindergarten to grade 1 to the office and to their classroom.

7. Student takes late slip to show their teacher and then dispose of the late slip in the recycling bin.

8. **IF accompanying parent or guardian to student has an appointment scheduled, they must sign in to Building Access Sign In Sheet and Sign out. Office Staff will open door for individual to enter.

9. Call 905-619-7400 or email ViolaDesmondps@ddsb.ca to make an appointment if need can not be met through phone, email or video communication.

Upcoming Dates

October 22nd - Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day
October 30th - Halloween Celebration/Virtual Viola Awards Assembly
November 3rd - SCC Meeting at 6 p.m.
November 11th -Remembrance Day Virtual Assembly; Progress Reports Sent Home
November 12th and 13th - Virtual Parent-Teacher Interviews
November 13th - PA Day for Students

Changes to the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School

You may have heard in the news yesterday that the Government of Ontario has made changes to their COVID-19 school screening tool. The changes put symptoms in two different categories and still require your child to stay home if they are sick. You can review this FAQ from the Ministry of Health that we have posted on our website with more information.

The easiest way to determine if your child should stay home is by verifying any symptoms and completing this online screening tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/

Please complete this screening every morning to determine if your child should be going to school. This is an important step in ensuring that all of us continue to stay safe.

Please Wear a Mask on School Property!

Just a reminder to all parents and guardians, students in grades 4 to 8, to please wear a mask when on school property and especially when speaking directly with staff. This is to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Kiss and Ride Closed

School parking lots and drop off areas will be closed off with pylons to all non-bus traffic during the arrival and departure of buses.

Viola Desmond PS school parking lot will be for educational staff and childcare staff. All other vehicles are asked to consider parking in the neighbourhood near the school where signage allows for lawful parking.

No Lunch Cart

Students are required to bring a litterless lunch and will ‘boomerang’ refuse home. All food containers are to be taken back home. Students are required to bring their own utensils and food sharing is NOT permitted. There will be no lunch or acceptance of lunch deliveries to the office due to enhanced safety protocols .

Daily Self Assessment

Students, with the help of parents/guardians are also required to complete a self-assessment of their health and symptoms of COVID-19 and must not enter the school if they are displaying any symptoms.

Hand Sanitizing and Handwashing Hygiene

Hand washing and sanitizing routines will be more frequent for our students. Staff will model, instruct and monitor hand washing and sanitizing.

Islamic Heritage Month Events

On behalf of Muslim Educators' Network of Durham, we are happy to share this year’s Islamic Heritage Month series- virtual edition. Islamic Heritage Month provides itself as a meaningful platform highlighting the contributions and voices of Islamic communities, not only in Durham, but across the nation.

Upcoming events include:

Family Art Night - Thursday, October 22nd
Family Stem Night - Thursday, October 29th
Navigating the Online Classroom - Thursday, October 29th

Please register at www.wearemend.ca to receive the link for these wonderful virtual events!

October is a significant month for the Hispanic community. Each year, during the month of October, peoples of Hispanic origin around the world come together and pay tribute to their shared culture.

Islamic Heritage Month will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. This new understanding will in turn help combat anti-Islamic sentiment.

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.

Some Dates of Significance

LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It was founded in 1994 by Missouri high-school history teacher Rodney Wilson.LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.As of 2020, LGBT History Month is a month-long celebration that is specific to Hungary, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Greenland, and the city of Berlin.

In the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is celebrated in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day on October 11th and to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBT rights.

Women's Heritage Month

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.

In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual month-long celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history.

This year’s theme #BecauseOfYou, celebrates women and girls in Canada who have made, and continue to make, a lasting impact on our country

October is:

Hispanic Heritage Month

Ontario is home to more than 400,000 first-, second- and third-generation Canadians of His-panic origin. As early as 1914, Canadians who originated from the 23 Hispanic countries be-gan immigrating to the province and today the Hispanic community is one of the fastest grow-ing in Ontario. Hispanic-Canadians represent a dynamic community that has made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.

October is a significant month for the Hispanic community. Each year, during the month of Oc-tober, peoples of Hispanic origin around the world come together and pay tribute to their shared culture. Celebrations are held around the world, such as Hispanic Day (Dia de la His-panidad), the Day of the Cultures (Dia de las Culturas), Day of the Race (Dia de la Raza), Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity (Dia del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural), Day of Indigenous Resistance (Dia de la Resistencia Indigena), and the commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month in North America. In 2014, the City of Toronto joined in this commemoration and official-ly named October as Hispanic Heritage Month.

Islamic Heritage Month

Muslims have been contributing to all aspect of Ontario's prosperity and diverse heritage for generations.

Islamic history and culture encompasses a broad range of individual and collective experiences, as well as important contributions to literature, math, science, art and history.

In 2007 the Government of Canada declared the month of October in each year as Canadian Islamic History Month.

The Province of Ontario recognizes and wishes to affirm the important contributions that Muslims make in Ontario as part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric of our province.

Proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. This new understanding will in turn help combat anti-Islamic sentiment.

Durga Puja (Hinduism) - October 23rd

Durga, (Sanskrit: “the Inaccessible”) in Hinduism, a principal form of the Goddess, also known as Devi and Shakti.

According to legend, Durga was created for the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahisasura by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the lesser gods, who were otherwise powerless to overcome him. Embodying their collective energy (shakti), she is both derivative from the male divinities and the true source of their inner power. She is also greater than any of them. Born fully grown and beautiful, Durga presents a fierce menacing form to her enemies. She is usually depicted riding a lion and with 8 or 10 arms, each holding the special weapon of one of the gods, who gave them to her for her battle against the buffalo demon. Durga-puja, held annually in her honour, is one of the great festivals of northeastern India.

Dussehra (Hinduism) - October 25th

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, in Hinduism, holiday marking the triumph of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. The festival’s name is derived from the Sanskrit words dasha (“ten”) and hara (“defeat”). Symbolizing the victory of good over evil, Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Ashvina (September–October), the seventh month of the Hindu calendar, with the appearance of the full moon, an event called the “bright fortnight” (shukla paksha). Dussehra coincides with the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival.

Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (Islam) - October 29th

Mawlid, also spelled mawlūd or mīlād, in Islam, the birthday of a holy figure, especially the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) (Mawlid al-Nabī).

In many predominantly Muslim countries, Mawlid al-Nabi is a major public holiday. Some Muslims refuse to participate in this observance, feeling it is an innovation which places too much emphasis on the Prophet as human and distracts from the true divine source of revelation. Other Muslims view this festival as a means to teach their communities about the Prophet Muhammad’s way of life, which all Muslims seek to emulate.

source:https://pluralism.org/files/pluralism/files/birthday_of_the_prophet_-_mawlid_al-nabi.pdf

“If life had taught us anything, it was that you couldn't wait until everything was stable to find joy, because life was never stable.”

― Jagmeet Singh, Love & Courage: My Story of Family, Resilience, and Overcoming the Unexpected

Stay connected - Follow us on twitter @violadesmondps!

Many parents have made inquiries about teaching and learning plans. We will do our best to provide resources and communications through our school twitter account (@violadesmondps) to keep you up-to-date.

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