Here’s the BuzzFrom Briarwood Public School

December 2017 Newsletter

Principal Mrs. Jaggi-Vaid Vice Principal Mr. McGibbonOffice Manager Mrs. Singh Office Assistant Mrs. Saltaji

1065 Mississauga Valley Blvd., Mississauga L5A 2A1 (905) 270-2597

Follow us on Twitter @Briarwood Buzz Visit us at http://schools.peelschools.org/1356/Pages/default.aspx

Superintendent of Education Mr. Darren Van Hooydonk School Trustee Mrs. Sue Lawton

Goodbye Mrs. Ottley!We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Ottley our who is leaving us on December 22nd . We thank you for the passion, dedication and caring that you provided our Briarwood families while you were here. We will miss you!We welcome Mr. McKibbon who is an experienced Vice Principal and will be with us beginning January 8, 2018.

We Enjoyed Meeting You!

Thank you to all of the families who joined us for our annual New Comer Tea. Thank you to Ms Jolly, Mr. De Filippis, Ms Ray and our Settlement Worker Ms Mohiuddin who provided the treats and prepared an informative presentation and the opportunity to meet other new families to Briarwood.

Dressing for Cold WeatherPlease ensure that your children are coming with jackets, gloves and hats for the outdoor time.

Junior grades are filled with ‘Wonder’ after seeing the movie.

This November the Junior grades had the opportunity to see “Wonder”, the movie based on the book. It was a great experience for our students. The

movie speaks to the work being done every day to create a positive climate and build Peel character traits among our students. A very special thank you goes out to the Junior teachers, office staff, and parent volunteers that helped to organize a successful trip.

Speed Stacks

This year we had the whole school participated in one thing that Briarwood does every year World Speed Stacking Day. Like every year some of our teachers from Briarwood help like: Mrs.Tutty, Mrs.Virk, Mrs. Ryan and Mrs.Tutty’s mother-in-law. Like every year we have a competition between each class. Each class would have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finisher based on their time performing the 3,3,3. There are different types of stations like: the mini cups, the metal cups, blindfolded 3,3,3 challenge exercise 3,3,3 challenge, and last but not least the timing zone(that's where you have to do your fastest 3,3,3 to get in one of the ribbons).

Now to tell you the winners of each class:In grade 1 Mrs Komars class: 1st:Kimora-lee 2nd:Jenny Anne 3rd:Roshni Mrs Frangos class: 1st: Aditi 2nd:Suhana 3rd:Hiba Mrs.Orme class: 1st: Haya 2nd:Sunny 3rd:Mai In grade 2Mrs.Kuz class: 1st:Hudson 2nd:Haisa 3rd:LeonardoMrs.McQuillan class: 1st: Loveia 2nd:Kareem 3rd:Natalia

Mrs.Boken class: 1st:Subhani 2nd:Maxim 3rd: Kanak

In grade 3Mrs Campbell class: 1st:Mohammed 2nd:Shiza 3rd:KristinaMrs.Dawson class: 1st:Lamar 2nd:Sianna 3rd:Isabella Mrs Chow class: 1st:Lucas 2nd:Nicola 3rd:Neyla

In grade 4Mrs.Tutty class: 1st:Jayden 2nd:Yazad 3rd:CarterMr.Dudas: 1st:Aditya 2nd:Vivaan 3rd:Laraib

Mrs. Jung: 1st:Eric 2nd:Oluebube 3rd:Cody In grade 5Mrs.Taylor 1st:Sally 2nd:Hussain 3rd:OmarMrs.Correia 1st:Irfan 2nd:Nicholas 3rd:GregoryMr.Pacifico 1st:Richard 2nd:Ibrahim 3rd:Ced

Top Three Finishers at BriarwoodFirst Place: Jayden in Mrs. Tutty’s classSecond Place: Eric in Mrs.Jung’s class Third Place: Irfan in Mrs.Correia’s classAnd those were all the kids who got ribbons in speed stacking(Written by: Yazad in Mrs.Tutty's class)

Briarwood Students Have Elected the 2017-2018 Student Parliament

The elected representatives of Briarwood Student Parliament are as follows:Prime Minister: Farea Tanveer (5B)5A Representative: Badr Ali 5B Representative: Justice Russell-Lee5C Representative: Nathan Karwel

Briarwood Presents On December 18th, at 6:30, Grades 4 and 5 present the musical play ‘A Pirate Christmas’. Come along mates and see our stars in action! Everyone welcome!Grades 4 & 5 students should arrive by 6:15pm.

Celebrating Faith and CultureDecember 2017

December Luut’aa and Little Spirit MoonAboriginal SpiritualityDecember 3 Sanghamitta Day BuddhismDecember 3 First Sunday of Advent ChristianityDecember 8 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) BuddhismSunset of December 10 to 29

the month of Masa'il Bahá’í

Sunset of December 12 to December 20 Chanukah JudaismDecember 13 Birthday of Imam Aga Khan IslamDecember 21 or 22 Yule/Winter Solstice WiccaDecember 21 Tohji-taisai ShintoDecember 25 Christmas Christianity and

CanadaDecember 26 to January 1

Kwanzaa African-Canadian communities

December 26 Boxing Day CanadaDecember 26 Zarathosht-no-diso ZoroastrianismDecember 30 to January 17

the month of Sharaf Bahá’íDecember 31 to January 4

Ghambar Maidyarem Zoroastrianism

Volunteer Criminal Record Checks to cost $33 as of January 1, 2018Peel Regional Police have advised us that, as of January 1, 2018, Criminal Record Checks – Vulnerable Sector Check for adults, including those for volunteers, will cost $33; students and seniors will remain at the current cost

of $25. Processing of CRCs for volunteers is free until the end of December 2017, with Form A provided by the school.CRC application forms are available in the lobby of Peel Regional Police Headquarters, and at the Square One Community Station, or online by accessing the link on the Peel Regional Police website: https://www.peelpolice.ca/en/services/vulnerablesectorcheck.asp.

Winter bus safety The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter months.

Allow extra time to get to your bus stop. Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late

evening. Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop

when there is snow and ice. Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on

wet or icy steps or road surfaces. Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm. Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus. Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street. Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice

and get hurt.On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:

When possible, wait with your child for the bus. Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or

another trusted adult. Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what

a "safe" stranger is. Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has

someone to wait with for the bus.

Lost and Found

Help! The Lost and Found bin is overflowing.Is your child being sent to school wearing a jacket or a sweater, and then returning home at the end of the day without it? Chances are, their missing piece of clothing is in the Lost and Found bin. Clothes from the Lost and Found will be available all the month of December. On December 18th, the school concert evening, is a perfect time for parents to pick up any ‘lost’ items.

Bus cancellation and closing schools due to bad weather

During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather.

Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio and television stations listed below and will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.

VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 BREAKFAST TELEVISIONNEWS AM680

CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSEGLOBAL NEWS CITY NEWS CTVCFRB – (Bell Media)

One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only):

Peel District School Board buses are cancelledThis means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require busing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and other activities in schools will operate as usual.

All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closedThis means that all schools and Peel board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in schools and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits.

All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelledThis means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelledThis means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

It's time to register children born in 2014 for Kindergarten

We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2014, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2018.  You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the school he/she will be attending to register.

Peel schools will also hold a Kindergarten Registration Week with special registration activities during Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2018. Visit Briarwood P.S. from:

Jan. 29 to 31, 2018 – from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 1, 2018 – from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2, 2018 – from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What you will need to bring to registration

Proof of child's age (one of the following) Canadian birth certificate Canadian passport citizenship card/certificate Permanent Resident Card confirmation of permanent residence work permit refugee permit

 Proof of address (one of the following)

Ontario driver's license utility bill bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution) credit card statement federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service

Canada documents) purchase agreement

Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement

Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated

Apply for French Immersion by Jan. 26, 2018 If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2018, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to consider grade 1 French Immersion (FI). To find out more about the program, visit www.peelschools.org/French The application form for grade 1 FI for the 2018-19 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French as of Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be included in the random selection process and will be placed on the school’s waitlist.The FI school for our area is Corsair. The phone number is 905-279-1511. Enrolment cap and random selection process  The Peel board has a limited number of spaces available for students interested in grade 1 French Immersion. At this time, the grade 1 FI enrolment cap is set at 25 per cent of all Peel students enrolled in grade 1. A random selection process is used to determine which students will be offered spaces in the grade 1 FI program. It is important to note that applicants are not offered space in grade 1 FI on a first come, first serve basis. A computerized random selection process will randomly assign a rank to each application that is received by the deadline. Once students have been assigned to all available spaces, remaining students will be placed, again in rank order, on the school's waitlist. Each school has its own waitlist. How to get more information Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French. Call Corsair at 905-279-1511. Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/.

Time for school - A parent’s guide to reporting school absences

All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our automated SafeArrival system.

Whether it is an illness or another absence and you decide to keep your child home, please report your child’s absence via the SafeArrival system quickly and conveniently in one of the three ways:

o Call an automated, interactive toll free number – 1-855-209-6155 (Please note – You must wait for confirmation)

o Report absences online by accessing the SafeArrival parent portal on pdsb.schoolconnects.com

o Download the SafeArrival mobile application for Apple and Android devices

Crossing Guards Mississauga Valley and Central ParkwayCrossing guards are employees of the City of Mississauga and are responsible for crossing students, parents and pedestrians of any age while they are on duty. Students and parents must cross on the side of the street where the crossing guard is on duty and must wait until they are signaled before entering the crosswalk. Crossing guards are not permitted to supervise the other side of the road.

Pizza Days Pizza Day is every Thursday. Parents need to order pizza for their child(ren) online, as Briarwood is a cashless school. Orders need to be placed for the entire month.

Lunchroom SupervisorsDo you, or someone you know, enjoy working with children? Have you ever considered working in a school? Briarwood is currently looking for people to supervise our students during the nutrition breaks. If you are interested in applying for a Lunchroom Supervisor position, please contact the office.

Community Corner

Stay up-to-date with community-based opportunities

The Peel District School Board is pleased to introduce an electronic resource page on www.peelschools.org called, Community Corner, which contains links to information and resources in the community that may be of interest to students and their families. This site replaces our previous method of sending promotional materials about community clubs, camps, contests, fundraisers and events home with students on a regular basis.

How you can access Community Corner

1. Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/communitycorner

2. Click on the “Community Corner” button, found on the main page of school websites, as well as on www.peelschools.org.

Prevent the flu. It's in your hands.  Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water when they are dirty. Clean your hands before:

i. touching your eyes, nose or mouthii. touching/preparing food or drinksiii. eating or drinkingiv. caring for someone in your home who can easily get sick (baby, elderly or someone who 

has an unhealthy immune system)v. first aid

Clean your hands after:

i. touching pets or other animals ii. touching raw meat, particularly chickeniii. touching surfaces such as a railing or grocery cart iv. touching money v. touching objects sick people have touched vi. touching blood or body fluids such as urine, vomit or feces vii. contact with those who have a cold, the flu, diarrhea or virus of any kind viii. changing diapersix. wiping your own or a child's nosex. sneezing or coughingxi. using a facial tissuexii. using the washroomxiii. removing glovesxiv. cleaningxv. gardening 

What to do when you cough or sneeze:

i. cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeveii. put used tissues in the wastebasketiii. clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer

For more information call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu. 

What’s happening at Briarwood Public School in December

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1Grade 2/3 Fitness FrenzyatTL Kennedy

2

3 4 5 6

European Handball

at

Thornwood

7

Grade 5 Volleyball

Tournament

8

European Handball

atSilvercreek

9

10 11 12 13 14 15Junior

Achievers Workshop Grade 5

Book Fairarrives

16

17 18Book Fair

A Pirate Christmas

Grades 4 & 5Concert

6:30

Grades 4 & 5 students arrive

at 6:15pm

19

Book Fair

20

Book Fair

21

Book Fair

22Spirit DaySantaHat/Pajama Day

Primary Movie8:40am

Junior Movie-11:05am

Carol Sing1:15pm

23

24 25 28 29 30 31

Holiday Break