Principal’s Message

Dear Cherrytree Families,

As we enter Black Heritage Month I am excited to usher in the promise of

initiatives to celebrate our students and families whose culture and traditions

are congruous to the historical trace we undertake in February. There are a

couple of assemblies planned, a read aloud involving guest readers and as

well, classroom activities connected to these celebrations.

Regrettably we have had to forego our School Council meeting on the 6th

February due to severe winter weather conditions. I am therefore optimistic

that our next scheduled meeting will proceed on the 6th March 2019, weather

permitting. Stay tuned for a synervoice reminder in the week of March 4th .

I am grateful to those of you who responded so overwhelmingly to my

reaching out for the creation of a Focus Group on Poverty Alleviation. We

welcome your voices and ideas in this initiative as we set March 19, 2019 at

9:30 am in the Library Learning Commons for an initial meeting. My office will

be contacting those of you who expressed an interest.

In addition many thanks to our teacher representatives, Mr. Cote and Mrs.

Srinivasan who have indicated a desire to participate in the Focus Group

sessions. I am excited to see this off the ground and running.

Finally our school have recently been assigned a newly recruited Multicultural

Social Educational Partnership (MSEP) worker whose role it is to help

newcomer families settle into Canada. Her name is Mrs. Mandeep Kaur and

she is available at our school on Mondays and Thursdays each week. Please

feel free to drop by and greet her.

Sincerely,

Norman Barker

Principal

Newsletter Title

Important Dates:

Feb. 7 - Report Cards

go home

Feb. 8—No school for

students PD day for

staff.

Feb. 18—Family Day—

School is closed.

**our calendar is now

online

http://schools.peelschools.org/1577

Follow us on Twitter: @CherrytreePS Attendance line:

Call 1-855-209-6155 or

online at

pdsb.schoolconnects.com

February 2019

Our Character Traits

Caring

Respectful

Cooperative

Inclusive

Honest

Responsible

Cherrytree Public School

Principal : Mr. Norman Barker Vice Principal: Ms. Monica Chadha

Office Manager: Mrs.Marcella King Office Assistant: Ms. Clare Pitoscia

Superintendent: Mrs. Michelle Stubbings Trustee: Ms. Kathy McDonald

Join our school council – share your ideas

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019

9:15 am—10:30 am

Every Peel school has a school council—a group focused on helping students suc-

ceed. School councils provide a voice for parents and the community and offer

advice to the school principal on a number of topics.

School

Council

Corner

Cherrytree Public School puts the spotlight on Black Heritage

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.

During Black History Month, students, staff and parents from across Peel will par-ticipate in a number of activities that promote the understanding of the many con-tributions made by black Canadians. Here is a list of events happening at Cherry-tree Public School:

Feb. 27 Assembly—songs, fashion show/dance performed by students

Ongoing morning announcements throughout the month of February

Feb. 25 Story time by school board guests

A group of students will attend Black History celebrations at Central Board Office

Offence Declaration required for returning volunteers

Parents play an important role in the development and education of their chil-dren and in the success of the school community. At Cherrytree Public School, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community mem-bers, and are grateful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year.

To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal record check. A criminal record check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this record check.

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 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. It is usually also announced on the radio and television stations listed below

VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 BREAKFAST TELEVISION NEWS AM680

CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1

NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860

FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107

CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSE

GLOBAL NEWS CITY NEWS CTV

CFRB – (Bell Media)

One of the following messages will be announced:

Peel District School Board buses are cancelled

This 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 closed

This 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 cancelled

This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, includ-ing continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are can-celled

This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, includ-ing continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

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 sur-faces.

Dress appropriately—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.

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.

Help your family stay warm this winter

Peel Public Health recommends the following cold weather guidelines for preventing cold-weather inju-ries:

1. Reduce amount of time children (grade 8 and under) spend outdoors when the temperature is –20 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without the wind chill.

2. Keep children indoors when the temperature is -25 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without wind chill. Some medical conditions may increase sensitivity to cold. Parents should consult their physician (Source: Environment Canada).

3. Allow indoor breaks if children say they are feeling cold or during extreme temperatures.

4. Ensure children are dressed warmly, covering exposed skin: insulated boots, winter weight coats, mittens, hats, neck warmers.

5. Change wet clothing or footwear immediately.

6. Although these conditions are unlikely to occur during the school day, ensure that all staff are able to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Given plenty of warm fluids to prevent dehy-dration.

7. When children are outside, be watchful for shivering or signs of numbness in faces, ears, hands or feet.

Peel Public Health tips to prevent and beat the flu

During the winter season, it’s important to take precautions to avoid and help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses such as influenza or “the flu.” Influenza is a disease that affects the airways and the lungs. The flu can spread from person to person and can sometimes cause severe illnesses.

Peel Public Health has provided these tips to help reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading the flu:

Get your annual flu shot: It’s not too late to get your annual flu shot. Visit your physician, a walk-in clinic, a pharmacy or find another location near you that is offering the free influenza vaccine.

Stay home when you're sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms, (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe.

Practise good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after it’s used. If they don’t have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their sleeve or elbow. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way.

Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze.

There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots:

Peel flu clinics Family Doctors’ offices

Walk-in clinics Pharmacies

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

Cherrytree Public School’s Nutrition Programs

Our school receives a grant from the YMCA to support nutritional food for children.

We currently have three types of programs:

Snack program: Staff distributes nutritional snacks (granola bars, apples, grapes, rai-

sins) in bins that placed in classrooms from the first day of a school week.

Grab and Go Lunch program: Sandwiches, a fruit and a juice are placed in a brown paper bag and are availa-

ble to students from 9:30 am. from Monday to Friday.

Breakfast program: Currently run by staff and a parent volunteer. We have begun this program since Janu-

ary.

Students do not have to pay for the snacks, sandwiches or breakfast foods, but if they want to donate to

the program, they can do so with any amount (a quarter, for example). The money is put back into the pro-

gram. Monetary donations by community members, parents or staff can be completed by communicating

with the office.

As more volunteers assist with the programs, our commitment to making nutritional foods available to chil-

dren gets better. Thank you to the staff and parent volunteers who continue to keep children and nutrition

a priority in education.

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 School Messenger SafeArrival system.

Use one of the following methods to set-up your new SafeArrival account. Please ensure the number and email address that you are using to report your child’s absences are those that we have on file at the school.

SchoolMessenger app (free from Apple or Google Play)

Download the SchoolMessenger app

Tap Sign Up to create your account

Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.ca

Go to the above website

Click Sign Up to create your account

Interactive Toll-free Phone

Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155

Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence

As always, please report your child’s absences before the start of the school day. Late arrivals and/or early departures should be reported as soon as possible. If your child’s absence is not reported in advance, the au-tomated notification system will contact you and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence. By re-porting your child absent in advance on the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or SchoolMessenger mobile app, you will not receive a call.

As always, if you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the school.

How to report absences when School Messenger is experiencing technical issues

Recently before the Winter break, the SafeArrival system, provided by School Messenger, experienced prob-lems reporting absences through the App and website. While School Messenger works diligently to fix any technical issues, parents/guardians are reminded that absences can always be reported by calling the School Messenger toll-free number 1-855-209-6155 even when the App and website are inaccessible.

Your relationship with your child will evolve throughout the various stages of their development. Having a strong relationship and bond with your child is key to their social and emotional health and well-being. Fo-cusing on your relationship with your child throughout the years can help your child face times of stress and those inevitable challenging times during their lives. With Valentine’s Day on February 14th and Family Day on the 18th, February is a great time to reflect on ways to bond with your child. Here are some tips that can help your family stay connected over time:

Family Meals:

Catching up during family dinners is a great way to keep connected. During the early years family meals may be a chance to share “one happy thing about your day” however, as your child grows it is a chance to hear about their accomplishments and their struggles. It is a great time to disconnect from technolo-gy and give them your undivided attention.

Family Rituals and Routines:

Family traditions, routines and rituals can be helpful in ensuring that quality family time will happen. For example, you may want to consider having a family movie night or a game night. Family traditions and rituals are a way to have consistent quality time where there is mutual enjoyment and there is a shared sense of belonging.

Family Outings:

Setting some time for outings could be another great way to enjoy your child. Outings don’t need to be expensive. A family walk in the trails or a bike ride to your family’s favourite coffee shop or a drive to a new ice cream shop are all great outings that can continue over the years.

Individual Time:

Spending one on one quality time with your child will keep you connected and in the loop. Individual date nights with your child will make your young one feel special and they will appreciate your undivided attention. As they get older, it is a good way for your child to share their feelings about various topics and what is happening in their social life, especially in the teen years.

Celebrating your Child’s Achievements:

Your child will feel appreciated and important when their achievements are acknowledged, and their hobbies are supported. This can be as simple as a pat on the back or a verbal expression of their hard work and dedication. Watching them play a sport or play a musical instrument at a school concert can make your child feel valued and cared for, at any age.

What you need to know about head lice

What is head lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp where they lay their eggs. They have three stages: the egg (nit), the nymph and the adult. Head lice do not spread diseases and cannot be spread between animals or pets and humans, only through direct contact between people.

Head lice spread easily, especially where people are in close contact. They are common among school-aged children or children attending child care, where they spread through direct hair-to-hair contact or directly by sharing things like hats, combs, hairbrushes or headphones.

One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp. However, children can have head lice for several weeks with no symptoms. If you think your child has head lice, check their hair for nits right away, then again after one week and after two weeks.

What to do if your child has lice

If you discover your child has lice, notify the school immediately so that classmates can be checked. Par-ents must keep their child at home until they have been treated for lice and are nit-free. Students may on-ly return to school if they are “nit-free” and will be checked by a school administrator before being re-admitted to class. If your child has live lice, ensure they avoid head-to-head contact with other children until the lice are gone. Children should not share combs, hairbrushes, caps, hats or hair ornaments. You should also check all family members for head lice. Be sensitive to your child’s feelings and let them know that having head lice does not mean they are not clean.

Head lice can be treated with the following approved insecticides:

pyrethrin (found in R&C Shampoo + Conditioner)

permethrin (Nix Creme Rinse or Kwellada-P Creme Rinse)

lindane (Hexit Shampoo or PMS-Lindane Shampoo)

Although head lice does not pose a significant health risk, it is highly contagious and very uncomfortable for children, therefore schools take precautions to prevent the spread. Your cooperation in controlling the spread of lice by keeping your child at home until they have been treated and are nit-free is much appreci-ated.

Peel Learning Foundation aims to create hopeful tomorrows for Peel board stu-dents Peel Learning Foundation, a community-based, charitable organization, will officially introduce itself to the Peel community at a launch event on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. In partnership with the Peel District School Board, the foundation was created to enable Peel board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources to help them overcome barriers.

In its first year, the foundation will support Peel board students through:

Student Emergency Needs program

Depending on the need, the foundation will support individual students with food and clothing, medical supplies, eyeglasses and transportation costs, or where there is an emergency situation that requires a compassionate response.

Student Backpack program

The foundation will provide backpacks filled with school supplies that students need to fully participate in regular classroom work. The backpacks will be provided to students in need in a respectful and confidential manner. They are tailored for students in kindergarten to grade 3, grades 4 to 8, and grades 9 to 12.

A launch event will be held at the HJA Brown Education Centre, located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga, from 9 to 10 a.m. on Feb. 22. The foundation’s inaugural board of directors will be present as well as other guests. The event includes a performance by Mayfield Secondary School students and information booths. To RSVP for the launch event, visit

Annual Report to the Community Peel board’s 2017-18 Annual Report captures our commitment to #WeInspire

At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, con-fidence and hope in each student – each and every day. This year's Annual Report captures the incredible work that took place in Peel schools and work sites during the 2017-18 school year, and that continues to happen every day.

View the annual report at www.peelschools.org/aboutus/annualreport

Follow us on Social Media

Social media is the easiest and fastest way to stay connected to the amazing things happening in the Peel District School Board.

Follow @Peelschools on

Twitter to:

learn about our schools and programs

find out if buses are cancelled during bad weather

share the Peel smile

Follow @Peelschools on Instagram where we share motivational and inspirational #PeelProud moments.

Follow Peel schools

on Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools.

Our school is on social media too!

Follow us on Twitter @CherrytreePS

Register today for Adult ESL or LINC classes

Do you know an adult that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life?

Through the Continuing & Adult Education department, the Peel District School Board offers a wide varie-ty of English language classes that help parents experience success in Canadian English in both listening/speaking and reading/writing. Courses are designed for a range of basic, intermediate and advanced Eng-lish (Levels 1 to 7) as well as the more experienced learner needing to prepare for an IELTS exam.

Winter courses begin February 4, 2019.

All learners that complete a session will earn a certificate of learning from the Peel District School Board.

Classes operate from six locations in Brampton and Mississauga with three specially designed adult cen-tres at:

Bramalea - Adult Education Centre at Bramalea Secondary School- 510 Balmoral Drive

Brampton - Adult Education Centre - #300 - 7700 Hurontario Street

Mississauga - Adult Education Centre - 100 Elm Drive West, Room 117

To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000. Course registrations are ongoing till the end of the se-mester.

Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation or follow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL