Parent Teacher Interviews @ NPSS
October 17, 2024
5:00pm - 7:30pm
Registration link will be uploaded Monday, October 7.
School Council Meeting & Election
October 9, 2024 @ 6:00pm
All parents welcome.
Simcoe County Distrcit School Board News
Days
of Awareness 2024-25
As you prepare your school’s newsletter package, please review the days
of awareness calendar on the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion. Please include what is relevant to your school
community in your October newsletter package.
Communication
to families regarding inclement weather days
Please note that APM A3020 – Inclement Weather,
3.1.2 states that “parents/guardians are to be reminded, in writing at
appropriate times (October and January) each school year, that it is their
responsibility to decide whether or not it is safe for their child(ren) to
leave for school under severe weather conditions.”
Inclement weather
and bus cancellation information reminder
All information
regarding cancelled buses in Simcoe County is posted on the Simcoe County
Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC)’s bus information website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca. Our
school is in the Central zone. When buses are cancelled, schools remain
open for student learning, unless otherwise noted. School staff are expected to
plan for such emergencies in order to transition students who are unable to
attend due to inclement weather, to their online platforms (Google Classroom
and/or SCDSBhub [Brightspace by D2L]) and continue with academic programming.
It is always a family decision whether or not it is safe for their child(ren)
to leave for school under severe weather conditions.
The SCSTC and bus
operators try to make the decision to cancel school buses before 6 a.m. and
make every effort to post announcements before 7 a.m. Inclement weather
cancellations are effective for the whole day and buses cancelled in the
morning will not run at the end of the day. You can follow the SCSTC on Twitter
@SCSTC_SchoolBus for bus
cancellations and other information. You can also subscribe to receive bus
delay notifications here: https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions/Login.aspx.
Safe Arrival program
The Safe Arrival program is in place in elementary schools to ensure that
students arrive safely at school each day. Parent/guardian cooperation in
reporting their child's absence is a requirement of the program. If the school
is not contacted, an automated call will be made to the family and/or any
emergency contacts on file to ensure the child is safe.
On days
when buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, the Safe Arrival program
remains in effect. For inclement weather days, parents/guardians are asked to
contact the school if they receive an absence notification and believe their
child should be in attendance. Otherwise, the school will assume the
parent/guardian is aware of their child's absence. Families of walking students
should always call the school if their child is not attending on the inclement
weather day.
Regular student attendance matters
Missed days add up! Did you know if your child misses two days a month in
elementary school, they will have missed an entire year of school by the time
they enter high school?
Learn more about why student attendance matters at www.scdsb.on.ca/attendance.
SCDSB seeks parent/guardian representatives for new Safe Schools
Committee
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) prioritizes the safety of
students and staff and is committed to creating inclusive school and work
environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The SCDSB believes in
working with the community on strategies that will continue to keep schools
safe, address challenging behaviours, and ultimately reduce incidents of
violence affecting SCDSB schools.
The
SCDSB is seeking up to three parents/guardians and up to four individuals
representing community organizations/associations to serve as committee members
on the new Safe Schools Committee. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 24
to Oct. 7, 2024.
Visit
the SCDSB website to learn more about the committee and how to apply: www.scdsb.on.ca/news/current_news/safe_school_committee_membership
Check out the SCDSB News video series
The SCDSB News is a weekly video
series highlighting positive events, initiatives, and learning happening within
school communities across the SCDSB. Follow the SCDSB on social media to catch
all of these weekly episodes! Watch the video linked below showcasing Ophea
Healthy Schools certification.
In case you missed it, over 100 SCDSB schools
achieved Ophea Healthy Schools certification last year!
Watch below to see how SCDSB schools are continuing
their focus on healthy active living and working towards maintaining and/or
improving their Healthy Schools certification levels this school year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS1n0qiQ3nY
Mobile devices in schools
Personal mobile devices are a significant distraction for students at
school, especially in the classroom. They can lead to students being disengaged
from their learning and isolated from their peers.
In September 2024, based on direction from the Ministry of Education, a
new policy regarding mobile devices in school was reflected in the SCDSB Code
of Conduct. As such, students and families need to be aware of the following
expectations:
Students in Kindergarten to
Grade 6
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view
and powered off or set to silent mode throughout the full instructional day
except under the following
circumstances:
- For
educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
- For health
and medical purposes; and/or,
- To support
special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP.
Students in Grade 7 to 12
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view
and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
- For
educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
- For health
and medical purposes; and/or,
- To support
special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP.
Parents/guardians may contact the school’s main office to convey a
message to their child.
Please be aware that after considering mitigating factors, and after
multiple reminders by school staff, progressive discipline may apply if a
mobile device is not stored out of view. For more information,
please visit the SCDSB website.
School bus transportation information available
from the SCSTC
In order to receive delay and cancellation notifications,
families can check the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium
(SCSTC) website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca or download the ‘BusPlanner Delays’ app from the
Apple or Android app stores to receive delay notifications to their
devices. Users would need to select Simcoe County STC as the
transportation authority. The app will need to be forced closed, but you will
be able to select your student(s) routes or school to receive delays.
The app will send a general notice for any cancellation in Simcoe
County. You only need to know which ‘zone’ you’re in, so you would know
which one to look out for in the app. You can find your student’s zone by
visiting the School Bus Status page at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca and clicking the dropdown for the area you
live in.
School
Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School Bus Safety Week takes place Oct. 21 to 25,
2024. Please visit the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC)
website at main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca
for information on school bus safety and links to school bus safety resources.
Oct. 23, 2024 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the province of Ontario.
It’s a great opportunity for the school community to thank our bus drivers for
all their hard work transporting students to and from school safely.
Upcoming
in-person Grade 1 French Immersion information sessions
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) offers French Immersion
(FI) at select schools throughout Simcoe County beginning in Grade 1. The goal
of the FI program is to enable students to communicate in French with a high
level of proficiency, enabling them to function with ease in both English and
French.
Entry into the FI program will be determined through a digitally
randomized lottery system. More information will be provided on the SCDSB
website in the coming months. Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=12587752 to learn more.
Parents’ Guide to Assessment, Evaluation and
Reporting
Learn to navigate the world of assessment,
evaluation, and reporting with this guide for parents/guardians. Created to
support parents/guardians understanding of assessment, this guide was designed
to effectively empower you to actively engage in your child's educational
journey. The guide has been posted to the Simcoe County District School Board’s
website and can be accessed via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2urcm2tm.
Licensed PA day and holiday
school-age child care programs
Child care programs
for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are provided by independent,
third-party child care operators in some SCDSB schools. To support your
child care needs, some operators offer child care on PA days and holidays
including over the Winter Break, March Break, and during summer
holidays. Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child
care operator directly to discuss fees and to register. For more information
visit: www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=371957.
Interested in learning more about the ways that the SCDSB supports students
with special education needs and their families? Join us for a virtual special
education outreach series
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is hosting virtual special
education outreach sessions to assist parents/guardians in learning more about
programs, supports, and ways that we work together to support students with
special education needs.
The first session, IEPs and school-based assessments – information for
parents/guardians, will be held on Oct. 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This virtual
presentation will include an opportunity for participants to share some of
their questions regarding IEPs and special education programming.
Participants are asked to register in advance.
Information to access the sessions will be shared via email with individuals
who have pre-registered. Learn more about upcoming sessions and how to register
on the SCDSB website: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions.
Online math resources for families
Have you tried Math at Home? Math at Home is an
online resource for parents/guardians of SCDSB students from pre-school age to
16! This resource is updated monthly with games, problems, and number talk
activities that reflect the math your child may be learning at school each
month.
In October, activities in school and on Math at Home may include grade-level
tasks related to representing whole numbers using different tools, and adding
and subtracting whole numbers, fractions, decimal numbers, and integers.
Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/MathAtHome to support your child’s
math learning at home! Knowledgehook is another digital math tool that provides
more opportunities to practice math at home. Ask your child's teacher about how
they can access their account at home.
October
is Cyber Awareness Month
October is Cyber Awareness Month, and the topic is cyber
hygiene. We want to emphasize the importance
of being proactive to protect yourself and your family from potential cyber
threats, especially with students back in school. This topic provides practical
tips on maintaining strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and using
multi-factor authentication to safeguard personal information.
Access
the ECNO Cyber Awareness tip sheet for October to stay informed about this
month’s theme and explore additional resources: www.ecno.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ECNO-CAM-24-Infosheets-E-_Part1.pdf.
Homestay
hosts needed for international education program
When international
students are welcomed into SCDSB schools, our programs and community benefit,
and students get life-changing Canadian experiences that positively shape their
world views. Without you, the SCDSB can't deliver this exciting program. You
can help by inviting international students to stay with your family while they
study in our community.
To support homestay
families, the SCDSB has partnered with the Canada Homestay Network (CHN), a
not-for-profit, family-run, Canadian business that's been a leader in homestay
since 1995. CHN provides cultural and first-language support to hosts 24/7, and
an allowance to help offset expenses.
What you provide:
1. Access to nutritious
meals and snacks
2. Utilities, internet,
and laundry access
3. A private bedroom,
desk, and closet
4. A patient, caring,
and friendly Canadian family home atmosphere!
For more information
about being a Canada Homestay Network host, please visit: whyihost.ca.
Get on
the move
There are many benefits to walking or wheeling
to school. Walking or wheeling to school reduces traffic, helps students
establish healthy lifestyles, is better for the environment, and enhances
community safety. Wherever possible, we encourage students within walking zones
to get on the move and walk or wheel to school. For more information
please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website here: bit.ly/3OC4CJ9
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka
District Health Unit
October PA Day
Please note that Friday, Oct. 25 is a
PA Day for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2024-25 School Year Calendar
on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Below
is a summary of the activities planned for the Oct. 25 secondary PA
Day:
Length:
full day, in-person
Topic: health and safety, literacy, mathematics, and
preparation of students for future success
Host: Simcoe County District School
Board
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): School administrators/school and board staff
Health and safety (150 minutes)
All educators will participate in a half-day health and safety digital learning
session focused on health and safety incident reporting and investigations with
a particular emphasis on workplace violence prevention. The session will equip
staff with the knowledge and tools to report incidents effectively and
promptly, provide insights into the investigative and risk mitigation process,
foster transparency and accountability, and highlight the critical role staff
play in preventing workplace injuries.
Equitable assessment (150 minutes)
Educators will work through a variety of strategies to support students in
understanding assessment and applying feedback. There will be a focus on
student reflection and providing students with strategies to understand success
criteria to meet assessment targets.
Educators will focus on developing fair, transparent,
and equitable culminating activities with a focus on chunking the activity to
support students in the process of demonstrating their learning. Time will also
be allocated to further reviewing the new Grade 9 and 10 courses.
Mathematics (100 minutes)
Grade 9 educators will engage in math content knowledge learning related to
linear and non-linear relations, their understanding of the High Impact
Instructional Practices, as well as how universal design for learning (UDL) and
differentiated instruction can be used to support all learners in the math
classroom, but specifically those with special education needs. Educators will
apply their learning to plan responsive instruction with a focus on concrete
and visual representations, and examine school-based key performance indicators
to measure student growth.