Parkview Happenings

On By Parkview PS

The Parkview library will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair this week.  Classes will be scheduled to browse the Book Fair on Monday or Tuesday of this week and students will be given an opportunity to complete a wish list of items that they may want to purchase from the Book Fair.  Students may bring their wish list home to share with families which item(s) they wish to purchase.   All classes will have a chance on Wednesday to visit the Book Fair to make purchases. Families who choose to, may send their child(ren) money to school to purchase something at the Book Fair.  A portion of all sales goes back to the library and it is a great fundraiser for the school, and also a great opportunity for students to purchase some excellent books and other fun items too. Cash is the preferred payment option, but parents may send cheques as well, please make cheques payable to Parkview Public School.   Unfortunately, the book fair will not remain open past 3:00pm however it will be open throughout the school day and during recesses.  For families able to shop during the day, the Book Fair also accepts Credit and Debit cards. Please ensure that you sign in and out of the office. Students cannot be pulled during the instructional day should families wish to purchase items.      Thank you for your support of the Book Fair fundraiser

February is Black History Month:  Celebration of Black History Month has been a part of Canadian society since the 1950’s. Lieutenant Governor Hal Jackman declared February as Black History month in Ontario in 1993, and in 1995, the Honorable Jean Augustine made the same declaration in the House of Parliament in Ottawa. These declarations set the stage for acknowledgement of the contributions of people of African Heritage to the cultural, economic, political and social fabric of Canada dating back to the early 1600’s. They also increased our awareness that people of African Caribbean Heritage are an integral part of Canadian history. During the month of February, we deliberately reflect upon the legacy of African history in all its various forms, and we join all Canadians in celebrating Black History Month. By contemplating on persons of African Caribbean Canadian heritage, famous and not so famous, who have been significantly influential through their ideas, words and actions, we appreciate the place of African history in the history of the world.

School Council Meeting:  Our next School Council is on Monday, February 3rd at 7:00pm…all are welcome!

Term 1 Report Cards:  We know that teacher assessment and evaluation of student learning and achievement are important components of the teaching and learning process. As part of its work-to-rule job sanctions, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has directed teachers not to create comments for report cards and not to complete the electronic entry of grades. Teacher’s electronic submission of grades and the verification of those grades and comments are required to complete the report card process. As such, at this time, we will be unable to provide students and families with Term One report cards.

SAFETY REMINDERS In order to ensure student safety, we are reminding parents / guardians that students cannot be dropped off to school earlier than 8:15am, as there is NO supervision before 8:15am. Students are also reminded that they must go home right at dismissal time. Parents / guardians must inform the office & classroom teacher, if there are any changes in dismissal routines. Please do not park in the staff parking lot, particularly during entry and dismissal times. Please drive slowly in the pick up /drop off loop. This will help support student safety.

Please remember to send your child to school every day with appropriate winter clothing for outdoor play. Students spend approximately 60 minutes a day outside. Please label all items with your child’s name on it. Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation! For students to stay warm, they can wear a: Winter jacket / hat / mitts / boots; Neck warmer or scarf; Snow pants.

French Immersion:  If you are planning to move or have your child attend French Immersion in September please notify the office.  Thank you.

Novel Coronavirus FAQ  – Below are the most recent FAQs from the community along with the Board’s responses:  

Are you conducting additional sanitization of classrooms and schools? 

No. At this time, York Region Public Health has indicated that additional cleaning protocols at the schools are not necessary.

How do I report my child’s absence as a proactive measu​re? 

Please use your school’s usual absence reporting process to notify your school if your child will not be at school. Absences will be recorded as part of your child’s Ontario Student Record.

Can I send my child in with medical m​asks?

Please do not send your child to school with medical masks. If your child is ill, please keep them home. Public health agencies are not recommending the wearing of medical masks, and doing so heightens anxiety, and may, in fact, increase the risk of infection in your child.

Why is the school board not recommending medical m​asks? 

Dr. Theresa Tam, the chief public health officer of Canada, cautioned of the risks of the general public wearing masks when they’re not ill. She advised that wearing masks when you’re well is not an effective measure. Sometimes it can actually present some risks, as you’re putting your fingers up and down on your face, removing your mask and putting them next to your eyes.

What will happen if my child wears a mask to s​chool? 

There is no public health reason for your child or any healthy person to wear a mask in public in Ontario. Your child’s teacher will ask your child to remove the mask, if they refuse the school principal or vice-principal will ask your child to remove the mask. The conversations will use facts and evidence to explain why wearing a mask is inappropriate. If necessary, the principal or vice-principal may make phone calls to parents to have a similar conversation.

Should I report my child’s absence differently for respiratory i​llnesses?

If your child is ill due to respiratory illness, you can identify this through Edsby, if you choose. You may also leave details about your child’s illness on school voicemail.

What does the school do if a parent reports an absence due to a r​​espiratory illness?

Schools are required to contact public health when they are advised that a child or staff members may have a reportable disease. Should any additional measures or communication with families be required, the school would follow the advice of public health.

I’m concerned about my health, who should I contact? I believe I may h​ave novel coronavirus, who should I contact?

If you have any concerns about your family’s health, please contact York Region Public Health or your healthcare practitioner.

I’ve heard a student in my child’s school has novel coronavirus, will you no​tify parents of this? 

If there is information to share from York Region Public Health, it will be shared as directed by public health.

Should my child’s classroom/school have hand sanitizer accessibl​e?

Our practice continues to be to encourage children to regularly wash their hands with soap and water. You may choose to send in a travel-sized container hand sanitizer with your child if you wish them to use it on their own as well.

My family/my child is feeling anxious about becoming ill. How ca​n I reassure them that they are safe?

Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. Remind your child that they are safe and that risks of becoming sick with novel coronavirus are low. Be patient with yourself and those close to you. Take care of yourself. Eat healthily, drink plenty of water, and get enough rest. If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider taking a break from the news and social media. Provide children with age-appropriate factual information. Please reach out to the school if support is needed.

My child was recently in China, should I keep them at home for 14 days p​rior to sending them to school? 

Children who are healthy should be attending classes as usual. York Region Public Health has not implemented any quarantine measures related to novel coronavirus at this time. As always, if your child is ill, please keep them home.

Why isn’t the Board/School excluding students who travelled​ to China or whose relatives may have recently travelled to China? 

The world’s response to the concerns of the Novel Coronavirus is reflective of an integrated and caring society.  The Coronavirus is not unique to individuals of East Asian heritage. The virus has appeared in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada. Each nation has been collaborating and cooperating to share information and effective practices. Individuals who show signs of illness and whose travel history indicates potential risk of exposure to the virus are being directed and cared for by health professionals.  Individuals who make assumptions about the risk of others, request or demand quarantine are demonstrating unconscious bias and racism. York Region District School Board works to ensure our classrooms and workplaces are safe and caring for all students and staff. At this time, public health has not requested that school take any additional measures regarding the novel coronavirus.

Why isn’t the school/board screening students’ and their fam​ilies’ travel history? 

Screening and monitoring of individuals occurs by trained professionals at appropriate border points (e.g. Pearson International Airport Toronto). At this time, public health has not advised the screening of any students, their families or staff travel history.