PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 20XX

ARTHUR FORD PUBLIC SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER January 2021 HELLO FIREBIRDS!

You may say that I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you will join us on Home & School And Arthur Ford will live and learn as one. Our Home and School association currently consists of 29 members and your Home & School Executive Dreamers are: President: Lana –Lisa Coombs-Jackman Vice President: Gail Naraine Vice President: Simon Ly Treasurer: Brittany Hopkins Secretary: Erin Twist

HAPPY NEW YEAR Your Home and School Association wants you to know that we are here for you. As we start this new year apart know that we are still in this together. We may be limited in our

school activities and face to face interactions but remember a new year can bring:

12 months of opportunity

52 weeks to be kind 352 days to create fun 8760 hours to laugh

525600 minutes to play 31536000 seconds to learn from one another

Lessons from 2020:

The world can change quickly; Friends matter greatly; Alone and lonely are different; Hope matters;

Learn from the past; The small moments are beautiful; Kindness is a great gift; Optimism is priceless;

Be Grateful for family; Heroes truly exist; Give back generously; Never stop trying;

Reach out to those you love; Slowing down is not a bad thing; Live with bravery (but smartly)

We will be providing monthly updates to keep our school

community informed and offer opportunities to get involved and dream along with us.

Join us for our next Joint School Council and Home & School Meeting When: 1st Monday of the every month (January 11th) Where: Via Google Meet Time: 6:30pm School Council 7:30pm Home & School If you have not attended a meeting in the past please send a request to afhomeandschool@gmail.com ** If you have previously attended, an invite will be sent by e-mail.

“Impossible is just an opinion” -Paulo Coehlo

Supporting Student & School Needs:

• Field trips are a very important part of a child’s education. They provide a different way for our kids to explore topics and learn new concepts outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, this year has prevented us from taking part in these activities outside of the school. Luckily, many organizations have created virtual field trips. Your Home and School Association was able to help some of our intermediate classes take part in a virtual field trip to see the play “In this Corner: Cassius Clay”. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

• During the last week of school

before the winter break, our Firebirds took part in Spirit Week. Theme days and school wide bingo took place throughout the week and it all ended with some yummy prizes and candy canes for all. So glad, Home and School was able to contribute to the fun that was had by all.

• Your Home and School will be looking for innovative ways to support the school’s road-map, students and administration as we manage the circumstances around the pandemic.

Supporting Student & Home Needs:

• We want to understand who your kids are and how we can support their needs. We are focused on outcomes but understand that the path to get there may not be the same for each child. We need YOU! In order to reach our OFHSA mandate of “The Best for Each Student”, we need parents just like you to be the voice for our Arthur Ford Students. Attend our monthly meetings and share your thoughts and ideas!

• In leveraging a model of collaborative response we will work towards supporting our school administration when they identify areas that require support for our students and families in addressing key outcomes or gaps created by the pandemic.

• Educational “equity” means

that every child gets what they need to succeed, to develop their full learning and social potential as opposed to everyone getting the same thing. Our goal is to strive for equity versus equality within our school and support creating equitable and safe spaces for our children to learn and grow not just at school but at home.

• Up and Coming! Parent engagement opportunities such as webinars and resources for all to learn about equity within the school and classrooms and ways to help achieve one of our goals for this year.

Supporting Community Needs:

• Check it Out! Safer at Home Programs Provide Relief to Ontario Families: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59803/safer-at-home-programs-provide-relief-to-ontario-families

• Mental health affects us all. The pandemic has created a lot of new stressors for many people and living in a state of unknowns can be hard for adults and children. TVDSB has created many resources to help adjust and deal with this current climate. Please reach out or access resources for you and your family as needed. https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/students/mental-health-and-well-being.aspx#

• Engagement matters!

It is recognized that parent engagement is a key factor in the enhancement of our kid’s achievement and well-being. They are more likely to be motivated, to earn higher grades, to have better behaviour and social skills, and to continue their education to a higher level when their parents are actively engaged in supporting their success at school to learn more please visit the TVDSB parent engagement portal: https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/par ents/parent-engagement.aspx

#Fordgingtogether #Arthuranydreamersoutthere #ArthurFordFirebirds #ArthurFordPS

The three C’s of Possible Dreams: Communication, Collaboration and Creative Thinking

Website: http://arthurford.tvdsb.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/arthurfordfirebirds

Email: afhomeandschool@gmail.com

PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 20XX

ARTHUR FORD HOME

& SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

PRESENTS: THE

“Create our Slogan” Contest

We want to HEAR from YOU!!

We Need you! Your Home and School Association wants to hear from you. We are hard at work to make sure all Arthur Ford families are heard and seen. We want to create an environment where everyone feels like they belong.

We are searching for the perfect

tagline/slogan/mandate for our Home and School association that represents all of our

Arthur Ford Firebirds.

So, tell us…

What does the Arthur Ford Community School mean to you?

What does your family love about

our school?

Submit your ideas by January 10th, 2020 to afhomeandschool@gmail.com . All submissions will be voted on during our January 11th Home and School Meeting. A prize will be awarded to the family whose submission is chosen.

The three C’s of Possible Dreams: Communication, Collaboration and Creative Thinking

www.arthurford.tvdsb.ca http://m.facebook.com/ArthurFordFirebirds/