Parkview’s Student Book Exchange is back!  It’s time to sort through your books and donate the ones you are no longer enjoying.  Please bring in gently used school-aged books (nothing damaged) from Monday, February 24th to Monday, March 2nd.  Kids Magazines (Chirp, Owl, High Five, KIDS Sports Illustrated, KIDS National Geographic, etc.) in good condition will also be accepted.  Students will receive a voucher for each book or magazine they donate.  Bring in as many books as you like! From Tuesday, March 3rd to Friday, March 6th, students will be able to trade in their vouchers and choose from the selection of books donated.  All books will be sorted by category to help students select which books they would like to take home.  There will be a limit of 5 vouchers redeemed at one time.  Additional vouchers can only be used after all classes have visited the book exchange.

Student Trustees:  From Friday, February 21, 2020 to Wednesday, February 26, 2020 students in Grades 5 through to Grade 11 will have an opportunity to cast their vote to select their Student Trustees for the 2020-2021 school year. Students will be able to vote for two of the four student trustee candidates. Information about the candidates, process and timelines is available on the Student Trustee website.  Information about the Student Trustee Election Process and voting instructions will be emailed to all students directly through their GAPPS account on Thursday, February 13, 2020 and Friday February 21, 2020.  Watch the Student Trustee Candidates and listen to each candidate’s platform on the live debate captured here: http://www.yrdsb.ca/StudentTrustees/Pages/default.aspx

Dear families,  A one-day strike by all teachers’ unions, including ETFO and OSSTF, will occur on Friday, February 21. All elementary and secondary schools will be closed to students on February 21, unless an agreement has been reached by this date. Monday, February 17 is Family Day and there is no school. Normal school operations will occur on Tuesday, February 18, Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20. Transportation services are cancelled for February 21. School will resume on Monday, February 24. Independent childcare programs are expected to continue – please confirm with your provider. For up to date information, please visit yrdsb.ca and the Board’s twitter feed @yrdsb. We know this situation is difficult.  Please be assured we are making decisions in the interest of student safety.

Public health continues to assure us that the risk of acquiring the coronavirus in York Region and Ontario remains low, however we encourage you to review information from public health. Updated information includes requesting any individuals returning specifically from Hubei province in China to stay at home for 14 total calendar days. Schools will not conduct screening of students’ travel histories. Please be assured that we will continue to follow all advice of public health.  Families are encouraged to continue reinforcing the important preventive measures during cold and influenza season, including: staying home if you are ill, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, elbow or sleeve, visit your doctor or pharmacy for your annual flu shot, if you haven’t already done so. We remain in close contact with public health authorities and will continue to share information with families as requested by public health. You can find more information at york.ca/coronavirus or www.ontario.ca/coronavirus.

February is Black History Month – In recognition of Black History month, YRDSB has created podcasts on Twitter.  Please view here:  #BHMyrdsb #BlackExcellence

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.