October 2017

Principal: Michael O’Reilly Phone: 905-836-1032 Vice Principal: Karen Mell Superintendant: Dianne Hawkins Web site: www.mazodelaroche.ps.yrdsb.ca Trustee: Martin Van Beek Twitter: @mdlrps Email: mazo.de.la.roche.ps@yrdsb.ca

MAZOVILLE NEWS

Administrators’ Message

Mazo continues to grow as our population has increased to over 730 students. Almost half of our students are in the primary grades (1-3). We welcomed many families on our Meet the Teacher Night and it was nice to see both new and familiar faces. The cool fall breezes have also brought thoughts of thankfulness to Mazo. It is often said that the happiest people are those who show appreciation for the many positive people or things in their lives. We can be appreciative by using words and actions to recognize all the great things that surround us: people and their actions, nature and its beauty, important events and simple pleasures. Why not start a new family tradition at dinner time? Each family member could take a turn to explain what he or she is thankful for. You may be surprised at what your children will share. Taking the time to verbalize what or who you appreciate can help us to be more positive and resilient when things don’t seem to be going the way we had hoped.

Let’s all try to be more mindful of showing appreciation, every day. You never know how a small “thank you” or “I appreciate your kindness” could change someone’s day.

M. O’Reilly et Mme Mell

Mazo School Council News We are so appreciative of the parents on our council who support our students and our learning community in so many ways. The school council provides feedback and advice to administration about school improvement, organizes fundraising efforts such as the QSP magazine sales campaign, provides hot lunch opportunities for our students and assists with communication to our community. At the September meeting, this year’s school council was established. Thank you to the following parents who will serve on the School Council this year: Mathew Morville Co-Chair Maria Lugosi Co-Chair Lori-Anne Hastings Treasurer John Mounsteven Asst. Treasurer Bessie Koutroulakis Secretary Vannisa Wang Kim Carson Serena Yang Matt Roher Matthew Bartha Arash Sajadi Regan Breadmore Carol Park Julie Childerhose

Important Dates: Oct. 3 – Picture Day Oct. 9 – Thanksgiving Day (no school) Oct. 11 – Areas Cross Country Oct. 17 – School Council @ 6:45 pm Oct. 17 – Cross Country Regionals Oct. 20 – P.A. Day Nov 3. -- Picture Retake Day LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

The Ontario School Library Association has started a campaign entitled: My

School Library Rocks! It seeks to

highlight the successes of school libraries from students' perspective.

Be sure to visit: https://sites.google.com/view/myscho

ollibraryrocks . It's a great way to celebrate student voice and choice.

The Mazo Environment Club (MEC) will once again be collecting used and dried out markers and

pens for recycling. Small baskets will be used in the classrooms and larger boxes will be placed in the office and library. Any families wishing to recycle used and dried out markers and pens from

home are asked to place them in the appropriate box in the front office.

New this year, MEC will also be recycling toner and ink cartridges. Students bringing in these items

from home are asked to place them in the appropriate box in the office.

This year Mazo will be working hard to reduce the amount of garbage the school produces. Ensuring waste items are placed in the appropriate bin is one way as it allows for items to be

composted or recycled instead of going to landfill. Another way is to pack “Litterless Lunches” at

home (use re-usable containers instead of packaging) and at school practice “Boomerang Lunches” (bring home all uneaten food). Stay tuned for more information and tips. Thank you for your

support!

Mazo Environment Club

EQAO

Last June, students across the province in Grades 3 and 6 students wrote the EQAO assessments. York Region District School Board students continue to perform above the provincial average in all areas. Student achievement and well-being are key areas of focus for our Board, we have a number of strategies and resources in place to support students and staff, for example our partnerships with families.

The table on the right compares the school results with Board and Province results. Please note that our students in Grade 3 only complete the Mathematics portion of the testing. EQAO results are one of the many ways we measure student success and provide a snapshot of results across our Board and the province. We use EQAO data, along with other data sources to inform school and board improvement strategies as well as to continue to support the needs of our students. At Mazo, we use this information to guide instruction and examine areas for student improvement. We are committed to our students’ success and recognize that there are areas for continued learning.

Here are some websites that you can visit to support your child through the years, as they explore math:

o Doing Math with Your Child (Ministry of Education) o Partnering With Your Teen in Mathematics (Ministry

of Education) o Homework Help (Grades 7-10 free math tutoring) www.mathies.ca (JK-Grade 12 – activities, games,

tools, etc.)

QSP – Magazine Fund Raiser

Our QSP Fundraiser has begun and we’ve had a great start to this campaign.

Students are excited to collect “Coop Mystery Collectibles”. Please note there are no

lanyards this year. Coop keychains can be attached to backpacks or keychains; we

leave it to your creativity!

HOW: Order through the catalogue that you’ve received or online at www.QSP.ca

(Group Online ID: 3725579)

WHEN: From now until Thursday, October 12 to qualify for prizes (but you can also

continue your ordering after this date and the school continues to benefit!)

WHO: Friends, family members, co-workers, etc.

With the money raised, the school is able to purchase additional learning resources

(e.g., technology, books, musical instruments, etc.) which enhance student learning. A

sincere thanks to all of our volunteers for their commitment and hard work in

organizing orders, preparing announcements, and distributing prizes

Last-minute, end-of-day, arrangements

In a growing school of over 730 students, it becomes very difficult, to

deliver end-of-day messages to students regarding changes to their

regular mode of transportation home. While we understand that

occasionally, emergencies arise, please let your child know the night

before if there will be a different end-of-day routine. Please also send a

note in his/her agenda for the teacher. This ensures the safety of all our

students.

High School Information Nights for Grade 8 Parents

Bill Crothers – October 3 @ 7pm for students in the East and North area of York Region

Applications will be available from the Bill Crothers school website: Friday, October 13th, 2017 Applications are due: Friday, November 3rd, 2017

Newmarket High – November 29th @ 6:30 pm

Sir William Mulock – November 30 @ 7pm

Arts @ Huron Heights – November 16 & 28 @ 7pm – Newmarket Theatre

International Baccalaureate Program Information Evening

IB Programs Offered in York Region District School Board

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is student-centred with a focus on developing intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills for students who live, learn and work in a rapidly changing world. The program emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking, community involvement and intercultural understanding. It is founded on international standards and assessment. Students who complete the program earn both an Ontario Secondary School and IB Diploma.

YRDSB has four candidate school sites for the Diploma Program. Click on the school to be directed to their IB site for further information:

Alexander Mackenzie High School

Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School

Maple High School

Milliken Mills High School

Current Grade 8 and Grade 9 students and families interested in YRDSB’s IB Program are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and application process. The IB Information Evening is on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Hosted at each IB candidate School

as above.

For additional information, please visit www.yrdsb.ca/IB.

Arash Sajadi

CROSS COUNTRY

Cross country is up and running for Grades 3 to 8. The Area Cross Country Meet will be held at Richardson Park on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. The Regional Cross Country Meet for qualifying students will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2017 at The ROC in Keswick.

Terry Fox Run/Walk On October 2nd, all students participated in our school’s Run/Walk for the Terry Fox Foundation. So many lives have been touched by cancer and so, we all benefit from the research made possible through the Terry Fox Foundation. Thank you to all families who made a donation, “A Toonie or Loonie for Terry”. We will continue to accept donations until October 6th.

Hallowe’en @ Mazo

Costumes Students who wear their costumes to school on Halloween are reminded that:

Costumes should not interfere with mobility and learning;

Students should not wear masks;

Students should not bring weapon replicas to school.

Candy Remember that HEALTHY SNACKS are always preferred at school.

Students should refrain from sharing Hallowe’en treats with friends / classmates at school.

HURRICANE RELIEF AT MAZO!

Coffee chat with Trustees and Board Chair

Families of York Region, the YRDSB will be hosting a series of coffee chats in local schools.

This is an opportunity to meet Trustees and the Board Chair and discuss issues that matter

to you. Refreshments will be served. Trustee Martin Van Beek and Board Chair Loralea Carruthers

October 5, 2017

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Huron Heights S.S.: 40 Huron Heights Dr., Newmarket, ON

THANKSGIVING SPECIAL LUNCH

Our popular Thanksgiving Special is available for the month of October only!

Roast Turkey Slices with

gravy, Mashed Potatoes,

Peas and carrots with a

Mini homemade

pumpkin spice cupcake

Don't delay, place your orders today at www.kidskitchen.ca.

The Thanksgiving lunch is available each day we service your school for the month of October.

A Big Thank You to Persia and Addy who galvanized the Mazo community and beyond in support of those impacted by the recent hurricanes. It is their responsiveness as a caring global citizen that brought awareness to the plight of hurricane victims and resulted in the donation of many bags of much needed clothing. Thank you as well to Mazo students and families for your generous donations!