THE MCKINNON

PIPER

Trustee: Ms Nokha Dakroub Follow us on twitter

416-706-9215 @mckinnonps June 2015

http://schools.peelschools.org/1318/Pages/default.aspx

SUMMER DAYS

The warm weather is finally here. Students have been encouraged to wear a hat to

school, wear sunscreen and have their water bottles in order to stay healthy and

feeling good in the warmer temperatures. During the month of June we are happy to

welcome the band Superfire to our school. They are a group of musicians with various

disabilities whose message of overcoming challenges and the desire for inclusiveness

and fairness to the challenged community is delivered through their music. This

presentation will be for students in grade 1-5 on Friday June 5th. Also this month we

will be looking forward to a brand new mural that will be gracing the walls of our front

entrance. The mural has been designed to reflect the story of our community, both

from a people’s perspective and a geographical one.

This time of year usually brings some staffing changes to our school At this time we

would like to wish our retirees all the best as they move on from their wonderful

careers. Ms Hobbs, Ms. Potts and Mrs. Coulas will be retiring at the end June. Thank

you for all you have given to our school community and we wish you all nothing but the

best. We would also like to congratulate Mr. Fobert on his promotion to Lead Hand at

The Woodlands S.S. Mr. Fobert has been an important part of our school team and

was one of the original staff members who opened McKinnon P.S. 8 years ago. He will

be missed.

As always, we are here if you need us. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any

questions. Let’s have a safe final month of this school year!

Mr. K. Diana Mrs. A. Tshering

Principal Vice Principal

STUDENT RECOGNITION AWARDS McKinnon P.S. is a caring place to be. The following students demonstrated collaboration,

communication and personal growth in many ways and have been honoured with our monthly Student

Recognition awards. Congratulations to the following students:

April Winners: Hanea S. Carter D. Hannah T. Yumnah S. Anousheh A. Armaan J. Amna Y.

Matthew M. Ammar H. Zoya U. Mahad Q. Tesean J. Rachel H. Hala A.

Thinh Vuong N. Ayshah M. Aseel E. Haneen E. Sania K. Mazen E. Zoya F.

Maaz S. Aleeza N. Ethan L. Anusha S. Simreen S. Libby W. Aayan K.

Alastair P. Reina M. Lucas M. Caitlynn A. Shufei M. Iffah S. Paul S.

Kareem A. Hafsa S. Abrahim M. Kayra Y. Khizar H. Krish D. Eva P.

Ryerson S. Joud A. Mera S. Rachael N. Ahmed A. Bhaskar S. Dalia Al-J.

Abdullah H. Dalila N. Aira A. Abhishana J. Rohan R. Tariq K. Isshal N.

Ayyan M. Ahmed F. Shermeen S. Asad Z. Izyan U. Tegh S. Seanne G.

Ameera S. Ali A. Aryan N. Amir R. Rafae A. Sarah F. Zewen H.

Mustafa A. Hasan K. Ahmed O. Keval M. Saahir S. Manaal M. Haris K.

Amir H. Saad K. Zoya A. Bettina B. Mariam R. Amna K. Raphael X.

Abhi C. Mohamed E. Diya R. Minna H. Usman A. Banan A. Hala J.

Mustafa R. Bryan H. Bryce J. Natalia D. Rishiegesh S. Vanshika C. Bright E.

Masa A. Marwan E. Myiesha S. Dara S. Mohammad A. Alisha A. Ujaala B.

Rayan R. Saif S. Deena S. Vanraj S. Salwa S. Raneem A. Yousef E.

Haroon J. Abdullah A. Lara K. Farheen B. Mohannad M. Amna K. Sarah C.

Osman U. Renee H. Hashim A. Krishna P. Melissa B. Misk A. Ryan Z.

Daniella B. Zainab R. Mathew C. Basim Z. Sana S. Shihua T. Eshal A.

Imaad A. Aleen E. Tarek A. Emi R. Youssif A. Raima K. Abiishan M.

Cory St. L.

May Winners: Ali A. Ariya S. Daniyal N. Rudra P. Aidan L. Aniya M. Shayan A.

Georgia M. Nethuki W. Ashar S. Rayyan R. London W. Haniyah A. Theda L.

Khadija S. Regina N. Areeb S. Rohail W. Katie M. Vishnu S. Kareem A.

Shayan M. Ayra Z. Riya B. Kabir S. Navin J. Raed M. Rysa S.

Abdul K. Bilal B. Basel E. Jana D. Jessica R. Shahzaib A. Areej M.

Rishabh D. Zahra M. Ahmad A. Sibrah K. Trevaun G. Grace R. Jahaan J.

Muti M. Yatharth T. Thusi S. Nizam A. Alan A. Shayna F. Ryan S.

Tanya S. Quinntin C. Hana D. Rana M. Rafay S. Zayn B. Sarah Q.

Aleesha C. Ahmed A. Seraphim F. Madiha K. Anna L. Malak E. Tamara A.

Danial J. Talaha S. Hajrah I. Ryan James J. Kaelen J. Haris K. Anthony S.

Kavya S. Abdullah K. Taha Y. Rabbiya C. Muskaan G. Zoha M. Arman N.

Tala S. Duy L. AreebaA. Avanish S. Kim N. Ayah A. Henna N.

Jocelyn F. Aaid S. Mohammed F. Edward W. Guru B. Sabih M. Armaan S.

Berkan O. Eithar A. Khushrose D. Tristen S. Ahmad H. Saad A. Emma D.

Alyssa S. Zina A. Abdullah A. Jasneet D. Shaheer H. Murtaza A. Ashmeet D.

Nithieyasri C. Raya E. Amna K. Nadeen N. Komal K. Hamza S. Hamza M.

Fardeen S. Imran Z. Zahra N. Hughes Y. Sophia S. Saha M. Liba D.

Sania I. Adam J. Aiden Y. Saad A. Eshal A. Haya H. Maximass K.

Osman Y. Carter D.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS The School Council held their last meeting of the school year on Tuesday, May 26th.

Thank you to all the parents who have attended meetings this year. We look forward

to meeting new parents next year!

GRADE 5 FAREWELL CEREMONY As June approaches, it is hard to believe that the Grade 5 Farewell is just around the

corner. The farewell ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:00 to

10:30 P.M. in the gymnasium at McKinnon P.S. Invitations will follow in June. The

Grade 5 class photograph will be taken on Wednesday, June 17th at approximately 9:00

A.M. Please mark Wednesday, June 24th on your calendar!

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION A BIG SUCCESS! Last month, our school opened its doors to the newest members of our

McKinnon community. Under the leadership of our Kindergarten teachers, Mrs.

Yusuf, Mrs. Yearsley, Mrs. Moase, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Louie, Mr. Smith, Mr.

MacMillan, Ms Bull, Mrs. Mackie, Mrs. Khan, Mrs. Ray Mrs. Nguyen, Ms

Shaabani, Ms Lam, Mrs. Sultana and Mrs. Zavieri., our new McKinnon parents enjoyed an informative

evening featuring a presentation. Please contact the office if you are a new Kindergarten parent and

have not registered yet.

DUAL AGE FULL TIME KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR SEPT. 2015

Children born in 2010 and 2011 are eligible to attend. Although our formal registration has

taken place, you are welcome to register anytime during office hours 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Please assist us by passing this message on to parents in the neighbourhood eligible for

Kindergarten.

MOVING AWAY FROM MCKINNON P.S. It would be very helpful to us in planning for next year if you could let us know as soon as

possible if you are planning to move out of the McKinnon area before September 2015.

Please call Mrs. Hart or Mrs. Ams at 905-812-2544 or send a note to your child’s teacher.

SUMMER “DRESS CODE” We ask you to discuss this at home about respectful and appropriate clothing. We know our students

want to be cool and comfortable during the warmer days ahead, but please avoid halter tops, very

short shorts and T-shirts with inappropriate printed messages as they are not conducive to productive

learning environments. We know we can count on your support!

MOTHER’S DAY PLANT SALE The Mother's Day Plant Sale was a huge success. Mrs. Palmeiro and her class, together with

Mrs. Bosman planted and wrapped nearly 600 plants for the students of McKinnon to bring

home . Thank you to all students and parents for their support. We are proud to announce

that we raised over $1000 this year. All proceeds will go towards next year's Eco Initiatives here at

McKinnon.

BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, ROLLER BLADES, SKATE BOARDS & DOGS In the interest of school yard safety, the riding of bicycles and the use of roller blades,

etc. is prohibited. The students are told that they must walk their bikes and roller blades

onto and off the school property. This rule does not apply after school hours. When this

rule is broken, the bike or roller blades will be brought into the office. The owner(s) may

claim it after a call has been made home. Skateboards are not allowed on school property

either. We appreciate your cooperation in discussing this safety issue at home, as well!

We also remind you of the new Ontario law which makes the wearing of bicycle helmets

mandatory. Locks for bicycles are recommended.

AN APPRECIATIVE THANK-YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS The staff and students of McKinnon P.S. would like to thank our group of dedicated

parents and community members. In our first year at McKinnon P.S., we honoured 8

volunteers and this year, we will honour over 21 volunteers. From attending excursions,

volunteering in our library and helping in the classrooms – this team does not know the

meaning of the word “no”. Their tireless work in creating kindergarten booklets and

framing art projects for our littlest students, supervising excursions, and of course, our

dedicated School Council members are all recognized for their selfless “behind-the-scenes” work. For

all of them, we have a special appreciation and reception on Friday, June 5th to thank them for all

their work on behalf of our students. If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer, there are

three steps. First, visit the office to pick up a volunteer form. Second, Mrs.

Tshering will call to have you pick up a letter to take to the police department.

Third, once approved you can complete a volunteer form for the school and then

you will be assigned to various tasks such as reading to our children, working in our publishing centre.

We also encourage you to join the School Council.

NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF Thank you to everyone who donated so generously to this worthy cause. Together our

school community raised over $1,000.00!

DATES TO REMEMBER Please note the following upcoming special events:

Grade 5 Parent Information Night at Ruth Thompson M.S. – Wednesday, June 3rd

Volunteer Appreciation – Friday, June 5th at 1:45 p.m.

PD (no school) – Monday, June 8th

Crossing Guard Appreciation Day – Tuesday, June 9th

Recognition Assembly for June – Friday, June 12th

Grade 5 Graduation Picture – Wednesday, June 17th

Grade 5 Bowling Trip - Friday, June 19th

Grade 2s going to Jack Smythe Field Centre – Monday, June 22nd

Kindergarten classes going to Jack Smythe Field Centre – June 23rd & June 24th

Grade 5 Graduation – Wednesday, June 24th

Report Cards sent home – Wednesday, June 24th

End of Year Assembly – Friday, June 26th

Last Day of School - Friday, June 26th – HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER

CREATING OF CLASSES Teachers and Administration will be meeting to create classes for the 2015-2016 school year. Please

be aware that a great deal of time and thought goes into decisions regarding student placement.

Factors considered:

Viable instructional groups

Maturity and work habits particularly in combined grades

Matching of learning style to teaching style

Appropriate Peer relationships

Ratio of boys to girls

Class size

Need for ESL or Special Education Support

Parental/medial concerns

The importance of any one of these factors varies from student to student. Each individual pupil’s progress

and placement will be carefully considered.

IDLE-FREE ZONE Our school is working to protect the health of our students and the health of our

environment. We ask you to show your support by turning off your engine while dropping off

or waiting to pick up your child at school.

The emissions that come from our tailpipes harm all of us, especially children who breathe

more and at a faster rate than adults. By turning off your car, our students, teachers and

parents won't breathe in unhealthy fumes as they enter school.

Air pollution also poses particular risks for our children with asthma. So, if you're going to be sitting still

for more than 60 seconds, remember to turn your car's engine off. You'll not only improve our air, you'll

also save money in fuel and vehicle wear and tear costs—then we can all breathe easier.

CROSSING GUARD APPRECIATION DAY The Peel board will recognize the contribution of school crossing guards on Crossing

Guard Appreciation Day, Tuesday, June 9th. The board encourages students,

parents and staff to take a moment to thank the neighbourhood crossing guards

who help to ensure a safe journey to and from school for thousands of students every day.

Dear Students and Families,

We look forward to welcoming you to the Ruth Thompson Team. Our goal is to continue the tradition of excellence established at Churchill Meadows and McKinnon Public Schools. RTMS offers "something for everyone" with high expectations for academics, leadership, involvement, and teamwork. Here's how you can find out about us:

Find out what you need to know! Parents and Grade 5 students are invited to find out about life at Ruth Thompson Middle School at our Open House Presentation. Siblings are welcome!

Check out rtms.ca for lots of news!

On our website you will find grade level news, music, drama, arts, and sports connections, newsletters, student activity calendars, School Council information, and much more! BUT, please come see us in person for a real flavour of what to expect.

We look forward to getting to know you as part of the RTMS family! Most sincerely, Nina Jaiswal

Mrs. Nina Jaiswal Principal

Welcome Grade 5 Students and Families to Ruth Thompson Middle School! Please come to An Open House JUST FOR YOU

Wednesday, June 3rd , 2015 at 6:30 pm in the Gym

Instrumental Music Program: Everyone takes part in an excellent music program at RTMS.

There is a choice of a vocal/general program or the instrumental program.

Brought to you by Lunchbox Orders June 2015

Easy to order, healthy lunches are one click away! Available at www.lunchboxorders.com

Fresh Summer Eating Made Easy! Amy Skeoch, MHSc RD As the weather gets warmer, the birds start singing and that also means that my barbeque is getting tuned up for easy fresh summer meals!

The summertime is a great time for quick, yet nutritious meals. In Ontario, we’re lucky to have so many local berries and vegetables bursting with flavour to add a kick to our meals! Here are a few fun facts about these nutrition powerhouses:

All berries contain vitamin C (especially strawberries!) Vitamin C helps us heal cuts, keep gums, teeth, and bones healthy and keep blood vessel walls strong due to its antioxidant properties (neutralizes harmful molecules in our cells).

Blueberries contain a powerful antioxidant (anthocyanin) in its blue colored skin that may play a role in cancer prevention.

Most fruits and vegetable skins contain soluble fibre which keeps our digestive systems running smoothly – so keep those skins on!

Easy ways to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables: Add berries to yogurt, cottage cheese, cereals and smoothies at breakfast.

Cut up colored peppers, zucchini and Onion into large chunks, brush with olive oil and grill on the bbq – enjoy as a side dish, or toss into a salad.

Add fresh fruits like peaches and nectarines to frozen ice cream/yogurts and already prepared angel food cake for a quick dessert.

Maple-Grilled Peaches Ingredients: 4 firm ripe peaches or nectarines 1/2 cup (125 mL) maple syrup 1/4tsp (1 mL) grated nutmeg or ground cardamom 4 scoops vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, (about 2 cups/500 mL) Preparation: Halve peaches; discard pits. Place, cut side down, on greased grill over medium-low heat; close lid and grill for 7 minutes. Turn peaches; brush with one-quarter of the maple syrup. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Grill until tender, about 8 minutes. Serve with ice cream; drizzle with remaining maple syrup. Sources: http://ontarioberries.com http://www.dietitians.ca/Nutrition-Resources-A-Z/Factsheets/Grains/Colour-your-choices-with-Vegetables-and-Fruit.aspx http://www.canadianliving.com/food/maple_grilled_peaches.php

3 STEPS TO QUALITY SUMMER CHILD CARE FOR YOUR CHILD

If you have a school-age child, finding summer child care can be a real challenge. But you can follow these

three simple steps to help you choose a program that’s best for your family. It will mean a summer full of

fun and learning for your child—and peace of mind for you.

Step 1 Call Child Care Info Peel

905-890-9432 or 1-888-836-5550

Child care experts provide specific information about summer camps and other child care providers in your

neighbourhood. They can answer your questions and give you information to help you choose the program

that’s right for your family.

It’s a good idea to call the info line early to give yourself enough time to investigate potential programs and

make your decision before the program fills up.

Step 2 Schedule an appointment to meet with the program director or to speak over the phone, so that you can get

more information about the program. If possible, visit the program or the facility in which it will be held.

The more information you have, the better you will be able to decide if this program is a good "fit" for your

child and your family.

Step 3 When you are checking out summer programs, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions—it’s the best way to

make sure you have all the information you need. In general, you will want to ask questions about the

program, staff, health and safety practices, food provided, and costs.

For more information, call Child Care Info Peel or visit www.cdrcp.com/ccip.html.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN—HOW TO KEEP YOUR CYCLIST SAFE

Here are some tips you can review with your child to ensure bike season gets off to a great start:

The right fit

children should be able to straddle the bike with both feet on the ground

a bike that is too big or too small can be a safety hazard

the helmet should fit—if it's too loose, it could fall off, if it's too tight, it's uncomfortable

Get noticed

a young child's bike should be equipped with a bell and reflector

older riders should have a light and/or reflectors

Follow the rules

no riding on busy streets

no riding at night

stop for all STOP signs

Actions that cause injuries

driveway ride out—not stopping and looking both ways before entering the street

running the stop sign

turning without warning

cycling in the dark

following the leader—one child goes through a stop sign or misses a parked car but the second cyclist

doesn't

SUMMER ACTIVITIES THAT BOOST LEARNING Kindergarten to Grade 4

Sorting and stacking – Teach classification skills with dinnerware. Ask your child to match and stack dishes

of similar sizes and shapes. Also have your child sort flatware – forks with forks, spoons with spoons. This is

like recognizing the shapes of letters and numbers.

Comic strip writing – Use comic strips to help with writing. Cut the segments of a comic strip apart and ask

your child to arrange them in order. Then ask your child to fill in the words of the characters (orally or in

writing).

Float and sink – Encourage hypothesizing (guessing). Use several objects – soap, a dry sock, a bottle of

shampoo, a wet sponge, an empty bottle. Ask your child which objects will float when dropped into water in a

sink or bathtub. Then drop the objects in the water, one by one, to see what happens.

Grades 5 to 8

Follow the news – As a family, choose an important news event to follow for a day or two. Ask each person

to find as much information on the topic as possible – read newspapers, look at online news webpages, listen

to the radio and watch TV news. Then talk about what everyone learned.

Pro and con: what do you think? – Make a family game of discussing a special issue. For example,

"Teenagers should be allowed to vote," or "There should never be any homework." Ask your children to think

of all the reasons they can to support their views. Then ask them to think of reasons opposing their views.

Which views are most convincing? For variety, assign family members to teams and have them prepare their

arguments pro and con.

Stretch, run, walk – Ask your child to do at least one kind of exercise every day. For example, run or walk

briskly for 10 minutes. Walk, when possible, instead of driving, for any distance less than a mile. Have your

child make a week-long exercise plan. Try to think of a modest reward for sticking to the plan and exercise

with your child.

Let your voice be heard – Promote good citizenship. Help your child write a letter to the editor of the

local newspaper about an issue affecting children – for example, suggest that a bike path be built near the

school or that a city event be planned for youngsters. Children are citizens, and their ideas are worth

hearing.