Cedarwood Public School 399 Elson Street, Markham, ON L3S 4R8 (905) 294-5756

WINTER 2016

Principal: Paul Battler Vice Principal: Padmini Padiachy

Superintendent: Erik Khilji (905) 940-7800 Trustee: Juanita Nathan (905) 471–2553

School Website: www.cedarwood.ps.yrdsb.ca

School Council email: cedarwood.ps@yrdsb.ca

A Message From The Administration…

January and February have been fun and active months at Cedarwood! There continued to be many wonderful learning opportunities and extracurricular programs being offered to our students on a daily basis. To list a few is not difficult. We have intermediate basketball teams playing and practicing hard for the upcoming area tournaments, the Cedarwood Hockey League and the skipping club are getting students active each day; the student leadership teams are planning great events and activities; the chess, Slam Poetry, and lego teams are meeting regularly, etc. There are also a variety of other activities happening with and for our students each day. We thank our wonderful staff for their commitment to offering these valuable experiences to our students! January was Tamil Heritage Month and there was a focus on educating and celebrating the many contributions that Tamil Canadians have made to the Canadian society in so many areas! A highlight of the month was the evening celebration of Tamil heritage, arts and culture. We are thankful for the generosity of the Cedarwood Rate Payers Association who very kindly donated $500 to the school so that we can purchase additional technological items to enhance the sound system that is used during these types of events. It is much appreciated and will be put to good use to support future activities and events! Offering such a wide range of experiences, and learning about and celebrating the variety of cultures in Canada, helps us to strive to meet our goal of developing and fostering a positive climate for learning at Cedarwood! As you are aware, each month we come together as a school community to recognize and celebrate students for their positive contributions to school-life at Cedarwood. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to join us at our Student Success Assemblies. Our next set of assemblies will be held on Monday, February 29th. We hope that you can celebrate with us! The term one report cards were recently sent home on Thursday, February 18th. While there are no formal interviews set at this time, parents and teachers may request interviews/conferences on an as needs basis at this time. We encourage you to work with your child and your child’s teacher to set one or two goals which will have a positive impact on his or her academic or personal achievement moving forward. With your support, your child can develop a plan to reach those goals and achieve further success. We are pleased to be able to offer Winter Electives again this year for our students. Information has been sent out to families of students in Kindergarten to grade 8. This is a friendly reminder that students need to be on time for their activities on the scheduled days, and to please make sure that they are dressed appropriately for the weather. Winter attire such as hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants are important for outdoor activities. Further to that, as we are in the midst of the coldest days of the season, please ensure that your children are dressed appropriately for the weather each day. Students and visitors are also reminded to always take care when walking to and from school, being mindful of the possible slippery conditions that can be caused by snow and ice. We thank the families who have been able to drop their children off at school between 7:45 and 8:00 am and for taking them directly to their entry doors. When the season is wet and students use the front doors, they drop snow and ice in the hallways causing the halls to become slippery and unsafe. There is carpeting inside of all entry doors which helps to clear boots of snow and by spreading the students out to different areas of the school it reduces how slippery each area gets. Finally, and probably most importantly, we are asking the Cedarwood families for their help. In the past 6 to 8 weeks, we have been dealing with a number of issues with some of our students in grades 5 to 8 related to bullying, sexual harassment, and other inappropriate and unacceptable behaviours. Many of these issues have occurred when students are using their personal technological devices such as ipods, iphones, tablets and laptops, and in all cases, have happened in the evenings or during the weekends when the students are not at school. Please be aware that some students are regularly using social apps like Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat and Facebook Messaging to bully or harass other students. Students are also using texting, facetime, and the video and photo capabilities of their devices to engage in inappropriate discussions with students of the opposite gender and/or to share inappropriate personal images.

We are of course extremely concerned by these behaviours and are dealing with each case, and the families involved, in a very serious manner. We can’t stress enough how important it is that parents regularly monitor their child’s on-line activity; to ensure that they are using the technology appropriately and to ensure that they are being treated respectfully. It is going to take a united and concerted effort by families and our staff to stop these activities from happening. We thank all parents in advance for their support with ensuring that our students are using technology appropriately. To assist in this area, we have a York Regional Police Community officer who meets with the students in our intermediate classes to present the students with a series of lessons related to this topic. The program is called the V.I.P. (Values, Influences, and Peers) Program and is offered to all students in York Region. Our students are also engaged in regular discussions about these topics as part of the Health Curriculum, and as part of our Character Matters initiative. We are in the process of arranging to have an expert speaker on the topic come and work with our students in May, and then present a workshop to interested parents. Please watch for the registration information as we get closer to May. It is our hope that by working together, and regularly monitoring our students on-line behaviours, we can help the children learn to use their devices in a way that is safe, respectful and appropriate. This issue will be discussed further at our School Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 23rd at 6:30 pm in the library. As always, all are welcomed and encouraged to attend our monthly meetings.

P. Battler P. Padiachy Principal Vice-Principal

***Public Health Update—Respiratory and Enteric Illness***

Student absences have increased recently within several schools in York Region, related to illnesses with

respiratory and enteric symptoms.

To protect staff, students and families from getting ill, remember to:

* Stay at home when you are sick, and keep your child home if they are sick

* Keep healthy by eating healthy foods, being physically active and ensuring your immunizations are up-to

date, including the seasonal flu shot

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick

* Wash your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water

are not available

*Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, not your hand, and throw away used tissues immediately

* Avoid touching your face

* Clean and disinfect common surfaces

Symptoms of respiratory and/or enteric illness can include:

* Headache

* Chills

* Fever (over 38 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit)

* Muscle aches and fatigue

* Runny nose

* Sneezing

* Sore throat

* Watery eyes

* Loss of appetite

* Nausea and vomiting

* Diarrhea

If you or your child are sick and do not improve, contact your health care provider.

Many viruses are commonly active at this time of year, for example norovirus and influenza (flu). Both viruses are

very contagious and can be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces, such as door knobs or eating utensils.

For more information, read the norovirus and flu fact sheets online at the following links:

Norovirus fact sheet

Flu fact sheet

Thinking Tools for Mathematics!

At Cedarwood, we do encourage students to think like “mathematicians.” Mathematicians cre-

ate models with objects and drawings as they are exploring patterns and thinking their way through

problems. In the same way, students of all ages (and their educators) model mathematical concepts

to not only share their thinking, but to help them to do the actual problem-solving. In school, we often

call the objects used ‘manipulatives’ or ‘thinking tools.’ Classrooms have some very specific manipu-

latives for use, but a ‘thinking tool’ can be any object that helps to share or clarify a mathematical

idea. These visual models of mathematical ideas allow us to organize our thinking, solve problems,

and make connections from the concrete to the abstract. They also support and enhance our ability

to solve problems with others, talk about, write and demonstrate our thinking. As students are explor-

ing and investigating through models and drawings, they are building their knowledge and solving

problems, moving towards a deeper understanding. They are making connections between what they

know in all areas of mathematics and how they see mathematics in their world. Math becomes un-

derstandable, engaging and relevant.

You can support your child to use objects and sketches as ‘thinking tools’ to problem-solve when they

do math at home:

“What might help you to think through this problem?”

“Try showing this with objects or a sketch.”

“Can you show me what you are seeing in your mind?”

We would love to hear your feedback!

The Math Team @ Cedarwood

Welcome to Math!

Dear Cedarwood Community, In this section, we will be looking at how art and math are connected. Art and math have a lot in common with each other. In fact you can see the math in art and the art in math! Patterns, shapes, geometry, symmetry, spatial reasoning, proportional reasoning, etc… are all a part of the arts (visual art, music and dance), as they are of mathematics. Some of what you see your child doing in school in the arts is also an engagement with mathe-matical ideas at the same time! By blending mathematics and the arts, students learn in ways that are intellectual, emotional and physical. Children learn in many different ways, and research tells us that participating in the arts is one way that is very engaging for all of us. A child stringing beads in a pattern on a string or creating a patterned bracelet is creating an un-derstanding of patterning, although to them it may look simply like a pleasing design. When a child learns to play the piano, they are developing mathematical understanding of the relation-ships between scales, notes and chords. Symmetry can be seen in the symmetrical features of a butterfly or in a design when building. Children may notice patterns in wallpaper, tile tessellations on the floor or on a phone cover, rhythmic beats or repeated choreography in music videos or chords in a popular song. There is math everywhere! How might you and your child notice and name the mathematics in the arts (visual, music and dance) that you encounter? Making the links helps deepen the understanding of both!

222 Good Donation Drive at Cedarwood P.S., For the Syrian refugees

Students in Grade 2/3 and some of the students from grade 4 were concerned about the Syr-ian Refugees arriving empty handed, so they organized the 222 Good Donation Drive of gen-tly used clothing, toys, books, household items including pots and pans. Our drive began on Jan 6th and ended on Jan 20th. We partnered with the Salvation Army who will give the refugees vouchers so that they may outfit themselves according to their needs. This was an initiative created and driven by students. Through our learning, students under-stand that every voice counts, even those of children. These students wanted to be change-makers and have an impact on our community. They wrote daily announcements for our P.A. system, and created posters to encourage our school and local community to donate gener-ously for this cause. Students have been learning about the importance of community and how each member can give back and support their own community. The response to the 222 Good Donation Drive was significant! On pick up day, students weighed the donations. We collected 605 kilograms of items. The Salvation Army rewarded students with discount coupons worth $620. All the students voted to donate these coupons to the refugees too! Way to go, Cheetahs!

On Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Cedarwood celebrated Tamil Heritage

Month. The event was attended by Markham Counselor, Logan Kanapathi;

the School Superintendent, Erik Khilji; and the Markham Tamil Heritage

Committee. A good time was had by all.

ABICHANDANI: Thamana, Calvin, Saleem & Sankavi, Dilani, Zaira

PRASHAR-GOMES: Karm, Abinan & Sahana, Andrew

CHEN: Dhani, Charlie, Andrew & Swsti, Nicole, Aariz

MAWHINNEY: Shashmathy, Rizhan, Ahmed & Miraya, Rajveer

JOHNSON: Wayne, Livviya, CM Brown & Yash, Zala, Sneha

PARK: Aadi, Aden & Akshayan, Masooma

GREWAL: Namirah, Tharani & Lakshaan, Umama

GANESHAN: Dua, Angkathan & Kavisan, Vedika

TAMPAL: Nitheshwar, Shangar & Rithvik, Harrisha

BALA: Agshiya, Sahan & Reina, Waqar

KASSABIAN: Rithisha, Shahana & Aranee

KUTTY: Vabithan, Noah & Abinesh, Abishana

CHAN: Eva, Lavan, Lulu & Ashmerra

COLLABAWALLA: Kaveena,Vrishath & Trisha, Kush

NANA: Jason, Anantikaa & Zeshan, Manreet, Shamrutha

SINGH: Athi, Jeremy & Akshayan, Keya

DOBOSZ: Ruksan, Eshal & Shruti

KASSARDJIAN: Roxana, Suhaila & Mysha, Jathinilaa, Farwa

BHAYAT: Vithusha, Piranave, Vishal, Ajay & Anjanan, Rosina, Sham, Tharjiha

MCDONALD: Tavleen, Luxshitha & Abdullah

HAMAWI: Praveen, Abesha, Herman & Nishani, Piravina, Kavinila

SASAKI: Abinash, Ryan, Tanisha & Krish, Ritik, Sagar

ANDERSON: Nicole, Devesh & Shajia, Rujaanah

YEUNG: Irtiza, Sana & Bilal, Sabad, Dharini

BHATT: Adam, Sawriya, Dilan, Rojin & Samira, Ruzbeh, Isha, Jary

MURALI: Fahad, Arathan, Meera & Karthika, Yamini, Sheeya

SZATMARI: Ria, Shreya, Jenicca, Akbar & Akash

MORIHOVITIS: Eisha, Pradeep, Visalini & Rida, Mathushan

HUNT: Minhal, Abina, Anujan & Jothine, Amarni, Pavithiran

MALO: Melaany, Nivethikha, Krishan & Faisal, Ajmal

KARNAD-JANI: Alexander & Ani

D’SOUZA: Katie

ZAKI: Eva & Rehan, Isra

CONNORS: Harrish, Sukena, Yamini & Jothine, Pradeep, Piravin

JEAN-PHILIPPE: Jathinilaa, Marmar & Saayoan, Luxshitha

SHAMA: Rachael

GULAMALI: Siraaj, Rikshana & Sheeraz, Hamza

DOMINGO: Saanuha, Narmadan & Arthika

PERSAUD: Lisa & Saran

The following recipients have demonstrated

RESPECT / INITIATIVE :

CEDARWOOD’S DECEMBER

ABICHANDANI: Akshaya, Diya, Prisha & Obeidi, Angel, Naomi

PRASHAR-GOMES: Arya, Asmeha & Jacob, Haashini

CHEN: Danya, Abdullah & Hashima, Bavleen

MAWHINNEY: Caleb, Sahar P. & Tanya, Jayden, Queenie

JOHNSON: Steven, Viroshin, Katie & Mukesh, Darun, Ria

PARK: Dania & Armaan, Eshan

GREWAL: Season, Tanikaa & Sathvik, Pari

GANESHAN: Aashka, Lathush & Hinthusan, Eason

TAMPAL: Sanjai, Amsan & Priyan, Abiha

BALA: Varshana & Ivan, Aathisha

KASSABIAN: Preethan & Santosh, Kayden

KUTTY: Sukhpreet, Jomily & Sujana, Asven

CHAN: Abishek, Kevin & Aaron, Vinith

COLLABAWALLA: Mahi, Vrishath & Civiyan, Dilman

NANA: Mathushan & Nidhi, Nishani

SINGH: Raghangi & Fiona, Aatman

DOBOSZ: Maha & Abisha, Suhas

KASSARDJIAN: Zainab, Muhammad & Abbas, Harini

BHAYAT: Lucksana & Aayush, Saimikaa

MCDONALD: Varsiyni, Vithun & Lathushan, Mahnoor

HAMAWI: Arthika, Param, Aaryan & Kenny, Matt, Haryshake

SASAKI: Jodiene, Siraaj & Nira, Rikshana, Sahil

ANDERSON: Denesh & Derek

YEUNG: Lucky, Bravina, Jamar & Joshua, Shampavi, Maham, Ashka

BHATT: Isha, Smit, Rushi & Rojin, Dinesh, Shamrita

MURALI: Sunit, Ohm, Aryan & Suja, Suluxan, Sruthy

SZATMARI: Arthine, Sandhu & Varsan, Tisha

MORIHOVITIS: Jasmine, Flora, Akshayan & Vithusan, Zeeshan

HUNT: Sirikumaron, Nithushan & Abina, Varshini

MALO: Sarah, Esther, Mathusha & Sarmanajeet, Irfan

KARNAD-JANI: Alexander & Baveethan

D’SOUZA: Misha

ZAKI: Naaz

CONNORS: Narmadan, Sabad, Karthika & Varshini, Tisha, Jasmine

JEAN-PHILIPPE: Carol, Vithun & Isha, Shamrita

GULAMALI: Jasleen & Khurram, Shomiyaa

DOMINGO: Arthika & Hareesh

PERSAUD: Rayyan & Dilan

The following recipients have demonstrated

COURAGE / PERSEVERANCE:

CEDARWOOD’S JANUARY

Calendar of Events:

Black History Month:

Sharing and demonstrating achievements and

experiences of persons of African Heritage

Mon., February 22nd

Kindergarten Electives Day

Tues., February 23rd

School Council Meeting—6:30 pm in Library

Wed., February 24th:

Junior/Intermediate WINTER ELECTIVES DAY

#1

Wed., February 26th

Intermediate Girls Area Basketball Tournament

Monday, February 29th:

Student Success Assemblies:

10:20 — 11:15am — Grades 3/4 – 8

1:00 -1:50 pm – Kindergarten to Grade 3

Tuesday, March 1st

Primary WINTER ELECTIVES DAY

Junior/Intermediate WINTER ELECTIVES

DAY #2

Wednesday, March 2nd

EQAO Parent Information Night for Grades

3 to 6 Families—6—7:30pm

Monday, March 7th

Grade 8 Graduation Photos

Saturday, March 12th— Sunday, March 20th

Mid-Winter Break—no school

Additional Elementary and Secondary P.A. Days...

As a result of provincial labour negotiations, a P.A. Day

has been added for all York Region District School

Board elementary schools on Friday, May 6, 2016

and secondary schools on Friday, June 3, 2016.

You can see the full updated school year calendars on

YRDSB’s website.

These additional P.A. Days are mandated by the Minis-

try of Education. On these dates, teachers will be tak-

ing part in professional development on provincial edu-

cation priorities identified by the Ministry of Education.

HIGHSCHOOL

REGISTRATION

High School Registration due to CPS: Friday January 22nd , 2016

High School Registration due to MCI: Monday Febru-ary 01, 2016

Career Cruising Course Requests (electronic) due to CPS: Friday January 29th

Career Cruising Course Requests (signed paper copy) due to CPS: Friday January 29th

Career Cruising Course Requests (electronic) due to MCI: February 22, 2016

Career Cruising Course Requests (signed paper copy) due to MCI: February 22, 2016

February’s eco challenge is to please

cut down on the use of paper towel!