April—A Special Month!

Education Week— “Every

Smile Tells a Story”

Mr. Anthony Edwards

Superintendent

905-366-8800

Mrs. Janet McDougald Trustee / Chair

905-278-1402

Spring is here! You can already feel it in the air! April is always one of my favourite months of the school year, as we take some time to celebrate and recognize the amazing work that our students and staff are engaged in throughout the school year. During our Education Weeks (April 15th - 26th) we have a very packed schedule of special educational activities and experiences. We will also be presenting our Kindergarten to Grade 6 Spring Concert, “It’s a Bug’s Life” on Thursday, April 25th, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the Gym. We certainly look forward to sharing great music and smiles with everyone in our school community!

This year, the Peel District School Board’s theme for Education Weeks (April 15th - April 26th) is “Every Smile Tells a Story”. This is certainly true of our school community! We are most excited about sharing some of these stories with you during our Education weeks. Here is a breakdown of how we will celebrate and recognize Education Week 2013 here at Kenollie:

The first smiles we will hear about will happen over the lunch hours during the week of April

15th. Students in Grades 1 - 6 have been busily planning and practicing for our Talent Showcase. Students as well as family members are invited to take in these shows from 12:35 - 1:15 p.m., on the 15th, 17th, 18th and 19th of April. A schedule will be shared and posted once our preview sessions are complete on April 6th. We are really looking forward to sharing the amazing talents of our Kenollie students.

We will also continue to share smiles with students in First Nations Communities as we collect art and school supplies for the “Books with no Bounds” fundraiser. More details can be found inside this month’s newsletter! Check it out and learn how you can help!

From the 15th through to the 24th, students in each of our classes will be working with a

local artist, Lisa Irwin on a portraiture project. This project and artist in the classroom opportunity was generously funded by our School Council. Each class will receive a minimum of 3 lessons during which they will learn about a particular famous artist and the different style of portrait they are famous for. The finished projects will be on display in the hallway outside of the gym during the “Student Learning Showcase” on Thursday, April 25th, starting at 12:30 p.m.

On the 16th of April at 1:15 p.m., students from Cawthra Park Secondary School will be

performing for our students in Grades K-6. Parents, guardians and morning Kindergarten students (with an adult) are invited to join us.

On the 16th and 18th of April our students in Grades 1 - 6 will be spending a period visiting

with Author Catherine Rondina.

Principal’s Council members will also be selling “Smile-o-grams” during the week of April

22nd - 26th. All students in Kindergarten to Grade Six can purchase a Smile-o-gram for 50 cents and send it to another friend here at the school (proceeds to Books with no Bounds) .

As you can see, April is a busy month, with many engaging and exciting learning opportunities. We really hope that you will be able to join us when you can and we encourage you to print off the “Week-at-a-Glances” as there are many activities you and your children will not want to miss. I wish you all the best for a great month of learning and excitement!

Sincerely,

Jennifer El Refaie

April 2013

Please come out and support our council.

The next meeting is scheduled for

Monday, April 29th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 1

7:00 pm

We encourage all parents of students who will be

attending Grade 7 at Queen Elizabeth Sr. P.S. in

September to attend QE’s Open House to learn more

about your son/daughter’s Grade 7 school.

Jersey Day

Wear a sports jersey on Tuesday, April 23rd!

The Primary (Grade 3) and Junior (Grade 6) EQAO

provincial assessments will take place on the following

dates here at Kenollie: May 29th, May 30th, May

31st, June 3rd, June 4th and June 5th. The testing

will begin after the morning announcements and will

likely end around 10:30 each day. Attendance is very

important. Please try to schedule appointments and

holidays outside of testing time wherever possible.

SCORCH continues to travel! When travelling,

photograph your children wearing their t-shirts someplace

really neat! Send your pictures to Ms El Refaie’s email

inbox to have them featured in our next newsletter!

Featured in the pictures this month

are: Alexandra C. who was on

vacation in Cuba!

Hannah & Noah A.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Liam K.

Disneyland, California

Lauren P.

Sandpiper Beach, Florida

Ryan C.

Jay Peak, Vermont

Eve H.

Disney World, Florida

Rowan G. & Aidan P.

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Anjalee & Preanka N.

Magic Kingdom, Florida

Kenollie Public School

1376 Glenwood Drive Mississauga, ON L5G 2X1

Phone #: 905-278-8991 Fax #: 905-278-1595

Kenollie Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1279

Principal: Ms Jennifer El Refaie Office Manager: Mrs. Catherine Morrison

April 1 Easter Monday (No School for Students)

April 2 Lunch Moms

April 4 Fit2Dance K-6

Bricks 4 Kidz 3:30 pm

April 8 Gr. 2 Scientist in the School

Gr. 4 Principal’s Council 12:35 pm

April 9 Heart Healthy Presentation K-6

Lunch Moms

April 10 “Day of Pink”

April 11 Special Invite 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Bricks 4 Kidz 3:30-4:30 pm

April 15 - 26 Education Week

April 15 - 19th Talent Showcase @ lunchtime in the Gym

April 16 Author Visit

Cawthra Dancers 1:15 pm

April 18 Author Visit

Bricks 4 Kidz 3:30 pm

April 22 Gr. 5/6 Principal’s Council 12:35 pm

Smile-O-Grams - on sale all week

April 23 “Spirit Day” - Jersey Day

Forest of Reading celebration

April 24 Crossroads Safety Mississauga K-2 @ 1:30 pm

Crossroads Safety Mississauga 3-6 @ 2:00 pm

April 25 Concert Dress Rehearsal 9:30 am

Student Work Display in the gym 12:30 pm

Spring Concert 1:30 pm

Principal’s Tea in the Gym 2:30 pm

Bricks 4 Kidz 3:30-4:30 pm

April 26 Pizza Day

Scorch Assembly 1:30 pm Gr. 5 Class Presenting

April 29 Gr.6 QE Tour 9:30 am

School Council Meeting 7:00 pm

During Education Week, Kenollie students will be provided with the opportunity to partner with the organization

“Books With No Bounds.” This wonderful organization was founded by two teen sisters from Oakville, Emma

and Julia. Emma and Julia collect new children’s books, and in partnership with Wasaya Airways, have sent over

13, 000 books to First Nation Communities. The girls have been quoted as saying “We are Teen Sisters on a

Mission to bring an enormous supply of books to improve the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters in the

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Communities. We hope to foster a love of reading to our friends in NAN and to show how

much we truly care—in what we say and what we do!” Currently the girls have a large number of books to ship,

and are hoping to also help these Northern Communities through the gift of Art and School Supplies. During

Education Week, the students of Kenollie will be encouraged to bring in new Art and School Supplies to donate to

these Northern Communities. Emma and Julia will be joining us at Kenollie on Friday April 26th, to accept our

donations and to talk a little bit about their journey and experiences with “Books With No Bounds.” Please find

below a list of art supplies that Kenollie students will be encouraged to collect and donate during Education Week.

Felt, popsicle sticks, construction paper, markers, clay, paint, brushes, butcher paper, tissue paper, paper, yarn,

crochet needles, knitting needs, pipe cleaners, glitter glue, glue, glue gun, googly eyes, do it yourself projects,

fabric, beads, needles, balloons, sequins, coloured feathers, sketch pads & pencils.

Help us encourage and enhance

parent involvement in Peel

Apply for a position on the board’s Parent Involvement Committee

Under the Ministry of Education's Parent Involvement Policy, all boards must have a committee comprised of a majority of

parents that is directly linked to the director of education and trustees. The Peel board Parent Involvement Committee

(PIC) meets regularly throughout the school year to review the board’s plans for parent involvement as they relate to

parent, family and community engagement, and to make suggestions to schools, councils and the board regarding

additional parent outreach.

As mandated by the ministry, the purpose of Peel board's PIC is to:

support, encourage, and enhance meaningful parental involvement within schools and across the district, including,

outreach to parents who find involvement more challenging

work collaboratively with the school board to support student success

seek out the advice and ideas of school councils, and other parents and partners as they plan and implement

strategies to involve more parents at the regional level

develop strategies for enhancing parental engagement and outreach

Membership is a majority of parents, reflecting the diversity of the parent community. Parent representatives will be

required to serve two-year terms, beginning in September and ending in August.

We are now in the process of inviting parents to apply for four positions on the committee. In early May, a selection sub-

committee consisting of current parent and trustee members will review all parent applications and select representatives

using the following Parent Member Selection Criteria as a guide:

reflects the diversity of the community

understands the importance of parent, family and community engagement

has experience working with newcomers to Canada, Ontario or Peel

has volunteer experience – including experience on school council

has previous experience in Peel board parent involvement activities

demonstrates advocacy and community development skills

has a present level of involvement in the education system

demonstrates a keen interest in public education

For more information about the PIC and to download the application package, visit www.peelschools.org. Under the ‘Parents’ menu, select ‘Get Involved’ and ‘Parent Involvement Committee’.

Forms must be returned by April 26, 2013.

Empowering Students to Stop Bullying and Harassment -What Parents and Guardians Need to Know

John Linney - an international speaker and co-author of the book, Safe Schools Ambassadors: Harnessing Student Power to

Stop Bullying and Violence - will be speaking at the Peel District School Board, HJA Brown Education Centre, on

Wednesday, April 3 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

The workshop will highlight the impact bullying has on students and families, practical strategies to address bullying, and

how parents can partner with their schools to prevent and address harm so everyone can thrive.

To register, visit: www.peelschools.org/parents/involved/workshop/

Peel board celebrates public education during Education Week – April 15 to 26

Peel public schools will host hundreds of special activities and events to celebrate Education Week 2013. To give schools

plenty of time to hold activities, this celebration of education will be held for two weeks from April 15 to 26. The theme for

this year's focus on education is Every smile tells a story.

In addition to inviting parents and community residents to visit their classrooms during the week, Peel schools are hosting

open houses, plays/musicals, storytelling, environmental activities, awards assemblies, talent shows and much more.

One of the highlights of Education Week is the presentation of Awards of Excellence. The award recipients are students,

volunteers, staff and community partners who have made outstanding contributions to public education in Peel. The awards

will be presented to 31 deserving recipients at the Showcase of Excellence ceremony on April 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the board

room, HJA Brown Education Centre, 5650 Hurontario St., Mississauga.

More than 1000 individuals will also be honoured during Education Week with Awards of Distinction for their contributions

to their school or workplace.

Rising and fast moving water in lakes, ponds and creeks is increasingly likely during spring. Children playing in and around

storm sewers and watercourses, entering storm sewers through the outfalls, and entering storm sewers through access covers

is dangerous. The following information will help keep children safe:

Water flows in storm sewers and watercourses are unpredictable and may change quickly

Toxic gases may be present in and around storm sewers and watercourses

Access is restricted, making rescue attempts difficult

Tragic falls could take place

Please review this information with your children and let them know how dangerous storm sewers and waterways are.

Trains are often closer and moving faster than most motorists and pedestrians think they are. That's why

all family members should be are aware of the importance of rail safety.

Safety steps for children

Playing on railway tracks and bridges is dangerous. Find safe, supervised and open areas (e.g.

neighbourhood parks) to have fun.

The only way to safely cross a rail track is to use designated railway crossings.

If you must cross railway tracks, for example on your way to and from school, stop, look and listen before crossing.

It is against the law to trespass on railway property.

Safety steps for adults

Be prepared to stop at a highway/ railway crossing.

Listen for warning bells and whistles of an approaching train. Turn off, or turn down distracting fans, heaters, music/

radios.

Obey the signals. Never attempt to drive under a gate as it is closing or around a closed gate. If the gate begins to close

while you’re underneath, keep moving ahead until you clear the crossing.

If a police officer or a member of the train crew is directing traffic at the crossing, obey their directions.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out quickly and away from the vehicle and tracks. Move in the direction that the

train is approaching from to avoid being hit by debris. Your vehicle will be swept forward by the momentum of the train.

Earth Week – April 17 to 24, 2013

Earth Week encompasses the international celebration of Earth Day on April 22. This is the most celebrated environmental

event worldwide. Initiated in 1970, this event has been considered the birth of the environmental movement.

Each year, more than 6 million Canadians join 500 million people in over 180 countries in staging events and projects to

address local environmental issues. In Canada, Earth Day has grown into Earth Week and even Earth Month to

accommodate the profusion of events and projects. Here are some ways that you can celebrate earth week with your

family:

create a backyard or schoolyard habitat

plant a garden or tree

start a recycling program at home

organize a carpooling campaign in your neighbourhood to reduce air pollution

pick up trash in your neighbourhood

read a book about an endangered species

make a visit to your local zoo, aquarium or museum

visit a local park, wildlife area or farm to provide a fun opportunity to learn about the environment and life

Peel schools honour police officers during Police Appreciation Week

The Peel District School Board will pay tribute to police officers by holding Police Appreciation Week from May 5 to 11,

2013. Peel students and staff will show their appreciation for the tremendous job being done by police to protect schools,

homes and communities. Police Appreciation Week coincides with National Police Week. National Police Week pays

tribute to the work of police officers across Canada.

"The Peel board appreciates the dedication and commitment of police officers who work to keep our schools and

communities safe," says Janet McDougald, Peel board chair. "Police Appreciation Week is our way of thanking officers

who dedicate themselves to protecting our community. It's also a way to give these officers the special recognition they

deserve."

During this week, students, staff and parents in schools throughout Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga will honour the

work of police officers and thank them for enhancing public safety and security.

In recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

Social Work Services of the P.D.S.B. presents:

“Stressed Kids: The Good, The Bad and How to Avoid the Ugly”

A free information forum for parents and educators on how to support children, including a mental health community

agency resource fair.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Resource Fair

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Speaker (with Q & A period)

* Details to follow in school flyer

Please R.S.V.P. to Rowena Kishan