Peel District School Board

Volume 8, Issue 3

THE NOVEMBER PROGRESS REPORTS

Students will be bringing home their Elementary Progress Report Card on Friday,

November 7th. This initial report will not contain any grades; that will happen on their

February and June report cards. Instead, this document will provide an assessment of

their observed Learning Skills and Work Habits and an evaluation of how well they are

progressing in their various subjects (i.e., “Progressing With Difficulty”, “Progressing

Well” or “Progressing Very Well”).

On either the evening of Thursday, November 13th or the morning of Friday, Novem-

ber 14th, your child’s teacher will meet with you and your child in a scheduled inter-

view to discuss this Progress Report and to set goals for the balance of this initial report-

ing period leading up to the first Provincial Report Card which will be coming home on

Friday, February 6th, 2015. At these November interviews, the discussion will focus

on the strengths that your child has demonstrated thus far, specific educational needs

that have been identified by his or her teacher and the next steps that the teacher, in part-

nership with the home, will be taking in order to promote further success.

THIS MONTH IN SHAW ATHLETICS …

The Shaw Cross Country team, as well as both

the Boys’ and Girls’ Flag Football teams, com-

peted in October. The Cross Country team trav-

elled to Heart Lake Conservation Area on Oc-

tober 21. Under wet and cold conditions, the

Shaw team put in a great effort and ran a tough

race with all of the runners completing the

course. Great job, Shaw runners! Their results

can be found posted at school on the Shaw Ath-

letics board outside the gym.

The Girls’ and Boys’ Flag Football team played in exhibition games on Friday, October

24, and both lost tough games to Eagle Plains P.S.

November , 2014

November Progress Reports

Pg. 1

Shaw Athletics Pg. 1-2

Take Me Outside Day

Pg. 2

Students Making a Difference

Pg. 2

Remembrance Day Ceremony

Pg. 3

Shaw’s 2013-2014 E.Q.A.O. Results

Pg. 3

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Pg. 3

Farewell & Welcome Pg 3-4

Dates to Remember Pg. 4

Inside this issue:

Shaw Public School Newsletter

905-790-6095 Attendance/Voice Mail

Special points of interest:

As of October 31st, our enrolment

was 639 students.

Winter Break will be from Decem-

ber 22nd to January 2nd inclusive.

School will resume on January

5th, 2015.

On Friday, February 6th, the first

Provincial Report Card goes home.

On Thursday, December 18th

from 6:00—7:30 p.m. we will hold

our Winter Concert in the gymna-

sium.

The girls then moved on to their tournament on Monday, October 27 and had a diffi-

cult round robin but finished the day with a 31-12 victory over Ingleborough P.S..

Great finish, girls!

As for the Boys’ Flag Football team, their tournament

took place the next day. The boys suffered a couple of

close losses to begin their tournament, 19-13 and 7-6,

however, they turned around their day when they took

down Sir Winston Churchill P.S. with a score of 27-

12. They next defeated Mr. Orazem and Sir Isaac Brock by a score of 33-12. The boys

are commended on their effort.

Next up for Shaw athletics is a chance for grade 6’s, 7’s and 8’s to try out for the Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball teams.

Intramurals will also be getting under way very soon with opportunities for students from grades 1 - 8 to participate. Stay

tuned to the announcements.

TAKE ME OUTSIDE DAY

On Wednesday, October 29th, Shaw Public School joined thousands of schools around the world for Take Me Outside

Day. This was a chance for students to experience education beyond the four walls of the building. On this day all

Physical Education Classes were held outside and many teachers enjoyed the outdoors for Math lessons, Science walks

etc. The highlight of the day was during DPA (Daily Physical Activity) when several classes from grades 1 to 8 joined in

the fun on the field to get outside and be active. Thanks to all those who participated. For more information on the Take

Me Outside initiative check out http://www.takemeoutside.ca/.

STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The students from CS6 and LS5/6 proudly display their adoption

certificate of a Polar Bear. The grade six students raised enough

money within their classrooms to “adopt” a Polar Bear through WWF

(World Wildlife Federation). The WWF uses the money for the pres-

ervation of the Polar Bear species. The students have been studying

biodiversity in their Science unit and took an active interest in the

issues that biodiversity faces on a daily basis. The boys and girls are

eager to take action individually, locally and globally to help with the

issues of biodiversity - specifically regarding endangered species! If

you are interested in symbolically adopting an endangered animal

please go to http://wwf.ca to find more information - there are many

animals from which to choose!

Page 2 Shaw Public School

Page 3 Volume 8, Issue 3

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY

Every year on November 11th, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the

men and women who served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict

and peace. Over one million Canadians fought in the First and Second World Wars, The

Korean Conflict, and in peace keeping missions in Afghanistan, Rawanda, Cambodia, Haiti,

Kosovo, Sudan, Darfur and many more United Nations initiatives. More than 100,000 have

died. They gave their lives and futures so that we may live in peace, in Canada and throughout

the world.

On Tuesday, November 11th, we will recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who served

our country and acknowledge our responsibility to keep the dream of peace alive in our time

at our 11:00 a.m. assembly in the gym. Parents are invited to join us. Please arrive at 10:45

a.m. if you plan to attend.

SHAW’S 2013-2014 E.Q.A.O. RESULTS

The Education Quality and Accountability Office is an independent agency that annually gathers information about stu-

dent achievement through province-wide assessments. All Grade 3 and Grade 6 students

across Ontario take part in these assessments of reading, writing and mathematics. Individ-

ual student results are reported to their parents or guardians and school, board and provincial

results are released publicly.

We are generally pleased with how our scores over the past six years have been trending and

our results in the last five years have compared favourably to both the board and provincial

levels of achievement. In Writing, for example, 74% of last year’s 87 Grade 3 students achieved results that were at or

above the provincial standard, compared to 78% at the board and 78% at the provincial levels. In Reading, 66% of our

Grade 3’s were at or above the provincial standard, compared to 71% at the board and 70% at the provincial level.

These are excellent results, given that 79% of our grade 3 students assessed last year speak English as a Second Lan-

guage. Teachers and students alike have worked hard to improve our English Language Learners’ academic vocabulary,

and their reading skills in English. Even more outstanding is that all of our students achieved a level 2 or higher on the

Reading and Writing portion of E.Q.A.O., a feat accomplished only by the Shaw Grade 3 students in this superin-

tendency.

In Mathematics 57% of our Grade 3 students achieved results that met or exceeded the provincial standard, compared to

66% at the board and 67% at the provincial level. Each year we conduct a detailed, question-by-question analysis of

these results and use that information to fine tune our goal-setting and programming focus for the year ahead.Therefore

the program focus for the 2014-2015 school year is mathematics and numeracy across the curriculum.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS

The days are getting shorter and the shadows longer, as the Earth slowly travels in its orbit and

the Northern Hemisphere gradually increases its tilt away from the Sun. There is no question

that Winter is on its way and we shall once again usher in the end of Daylight Saving Time.

This year, we turn our clocks back and return to Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, November

2nd, giving us an extra hour of weekend to enjoy! Please don’t forget to turn your clocks back

one hour on November 2nd, so that your children won’t be arriving at Shaw an hour too early

on Monday, November 3rd.

FAREWELL

Friday, November 14, was Mr. Kevin Loughnane’s last day as a member of the Shaw staff. He has been at Shaw since

2012 when he took on his first LTO teaching position. Mr. Loughnane’s was most recently teaching a combined Grade 5

and 6 class. He has run Guitar Club, and been involved in Flag Football and Cross Country while at Shaw.

Mr. Loughnane is wished well in his new contract at Glendale P.S.

Ms Meghan Bumbaco had been at Shaw covering LTO teaching assignments for a number of years. She had become a

big part of the Shaw culture, actively diving into a variety of extra-curricular activities, especially focusing on environ-

mental awareness. Meghan is wished well in her new contract position at Southfield Village P.S.

Ms Megan Frost was at Shaw for only a short time and has left to take a contract position at Tomken Road Middle

School. Megan is wished well in her new position.

Swati Limaye is also wished well in her new position at Fairlawn P.S.

We want to thank all of the staff who are leaving to take on new positions in Peel. Your dedication and commitment to

the students has enriched the learning experience and climate at Shaw.

WELCOME

We wish to welcome Ms Manmeet Parmar who is providing planning time coverage on a .1 contract position at Shaw.

Ms Hilda Cupeta has also joined the Shaw staff and is doing planning time coverage and math. Welcome. Hilda.

Our grade 8 team is enriched by the addition of Ms Amandeep Kaur, and our Grade 5 team are enjoying their new col-

league.,Ms Kathleen Tait. We wish to welcome both educators to their new positions at Shaw. In addition, we are being

joined by Mrs. Renee Dawson who will be teaching the Grade 5/6 class.

Shaw is fortunate to add these dedicated educators to the staff.

November 2 Daylight Saving Time begins—clocks move ahead 1 hour

November 7 Progress Reports are sent home

Cookie Day

November 11 CCAT Testing Grade 4

Remembrance Day Ceremony in the Gymnasium

November 12 CCAT Testing Grade 4

November 13 Cookie Day

Stack Up Day

CCAT Testing Grade 4

Progress Report Interview Evening

November 14 Professional Activity Day for Progress Report Interviews

(no school today for the children)

November 17 CCAT Testing Grade 4

November 18 CCAT Testing Grade 4 (Make-up Day)

November 19 Anti-Bullying Assembly with the Brampton A’s in Gymnasium

November 21 Cookie Day

Bullying Prevention, 90 students from Gr. 6, 7 & 8 at the

Powerade Centre

Kortright Centre Trip Grade 4

November 28 Cookie Day

Character Attribute Assembly—Respect, in Gymnasium

Insπre. Gr23ness. 2gether.

“Ugh. Math.” Unfortunately, this is the attitude many students (and adults) have about math. If we're going to help our students achieve numeracy greatness, we need to turn these negative attitudes into positive ones. So, our three-year math strategy, EngageMath, starts with something we have enormous influence over—our attitude towards math.

Everyone is born with a math gene

According to Stanford University Professor Carol Dweck, students who believe that intelligence or math and science ability is a fixed trait are at a significant disadvantage compared to students who believe their abilities can be developed. Like anything else, our talents and abilities in math are nurtured only if we have a growth mindset about them. A “Yes I can” attitude when it comes to numeracy is the first step. A “Count on Us” attitude comes next.

To learn more about Dweck's research on student mindsets and how they help students fulfill their po-tential, watch her Ridley lecture here: http://bit.ly/RidleyDweck. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Online math parent resources

While the Peel board’s EngageMath strategy plans out certain actions, it is by no means a magic bullet to answering the questions and challenges surrounding numeracy and student achievement. Math suc-cess for all our students requires a strong partnership between home and school. That's why we're com-mitted to providing you with the parent resources you need to help us boost math achievement.

Online resources to help you support your child or teen's numeracy success are available on the Peel board’s website at http://www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild/math. There you will find links to:

tip sheets Homework Help

Hold the date: Parent Numeracy & Beyond Conference Saturday, April 18, 2015 – 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton

Plan to attend our annual, free Parent Conference on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Take one day to enjoy: a powerful keynote presentation focused on math success your choice of more than 45 practical workshops facilitated by Peel board staff a display area with educational exhibits from local organizations This year, a large number of morning workshops will provide parents with strategies to help you sup-

port math success at home. Brochures will be sent home with all Peel students in January. Registration

will open at that time and information will also be posted to www.peelschools.org.

Mathies.ca mathematics curriculum

Choose Action on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week of November 16 to 22.

Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught to:

define bullying

identify forms of bullying

identify roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who bullies, the target, the by-stander or the trusted advocate

determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying & harassment

demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school communities

Every school has a Climate for Learning and Working Team which is required to develop a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan as part of the School Success Plan. Also, every employee who is involved in the care and service of students is obligated to report in writing to the school administration any action for which the principal must con-sider suspension or expulsion. Bullying is an offence that must be considered for suspension.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting Schools Act, that came into effect on September 1, 2012. For more information, visit: www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying/ or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html

Need help in math? Free tutoring now available online

Math students in grades 7 to 10 can access live, interactive online math help by visiting www.homeworkhelp.ilc.org. Homework Help is free, real-time math tutoring by certified Ontario teachers.

Students can log in from Sunday to Thursday, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. for individualized confidential math tutor-ing. There are discussion rooms for each grade where students can join and see what questions other students are asking, watch the tutors draw on the whiteboard – and ask their own question for on-the-spot help.

Students will also find 24/7 discussion rooms, video lessons and commonly asked questions. Other online math re-sources include math games and a virtual locker, where students can save their work.

Homework Help is a project funded by the Ministry of Education