LORENVILLE LYNX NEWSLETTER

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1 WE RE BUILDING IT TOGETHER March, 2018 LORENVILLE LYNX NEWSLETTER Ongoing Events: Pizza Days every Wednesday until March 9 th Milk & Cookie every Friday Popcorn Tuesdays Upcoming Important Dates: March 2 nd Lunchroom Supervisor Appreciation Day & Big Crunch! March 5 th Black History Month Assembly (Tentative) March 7 th Grad Photos *grade 8 students only March 8 th Immunization Clinic March 9 th Beach Day & Move-a-thon March 12 th to March 16 th Spring Break March 19 th to 28 th Dental Screening March 21 st Sock Day March 24 th Parent Conference March 28 th Den Day March 30 th Good Friday (no school) April 2 nd Easter Monday (no school) Dear Lorenville Families, It s been my pleasure to work with you and your awesome children this year. We love it when parents/guardians are involved in the school, so please remember to join us on March 5 th at 6:30pm in the Library for our monthly School Council meeting. Also please mark your calendars as School Council meets the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm in the Library. It s a great opportunity to meet new people and be a part of your child/s school. NJ Dwyer, Principal School Hours To report an absence: or pdsb.schoolconnects.com School Start 8:40 am* Morning Break 11:00 11:40 am Afternoon Break 1:00 1:40 pm Dismissal 3:00 pm** *Supervision begins at 8:25 am **Supervision ends at 3:15 pm Please ensure your child arrives to school on time. Late students must sign-in at the office. Attendance matters for all grades

2 Dear Lorenville Families, Our Athletics department is fundraising in an effort to support school athletic teams, athletic events, athletic tournaments, purchase of jersey s, etc. Available for purchase is our new "Keep It Cold" water bottles. These bottles are great to have in the classroom or to take along on schools trips and events. The price only $ Please log in at School Cash Online to make your purchase. We thank you in advance for your support. L IL LYNX AT THE LIBRARY Volunteer Criminal Record Check to cost $33 as of January 1 st, 2018 Peel Regional Police have advised us that as of January 1 st, 2018, Criminal Record Checks- Vulnerable Sector Check for adults, including those for volunteers, will cost $33. L'il Lynx story time is held once a month on the last Wednesday of the month from 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Our next L'il Lynx meeting will be on Wednesday, March 28 th. If you would like to join our L'il Lynx program, please contact Mrs. Walker at the school to let her know your child's name and age. If you have any neighbours that would be interested in the program, please let them know as well. We look forward to seeing you in the library! Lorenville Den Days. Did you know on Den days, students and staff get den points for wearing their assigned den colour. We re building it together and enjoying some team competition. If you are unsure of your den colour, check with the homeroom teacher. Lorenville Public School 10 Lorenville Drive Access Brampton, important ON L6X2Z9 student information through new online parent portal - Phone: as a one way communication tool to ParentConnect Fax: We are building it Together! Follow Lorenville Public School on Staff at Lorenville use Twitter complement current communication efforts. Principal: Mrs. Dwyer Vice Principal: Mr. Jones Vice Principal: Ms. Powell Office Manager: Mrs. Antonacci Superintendent: Dr. Gale Solomon-Henry Trustee: Mr. David Green

3 Important changes coming to SafeArrival system in May 2018 The Peel District School Board is currently using the SafeArrival system by Synervoice Technologies. As Synervoice has been sold to West Communications, there will be slight changes to our SafeArrival system and how you will report your child s absence from school. The phone number to report your child s absence will stay the same, but there are a few other changes. Beginning May 14, 2018, all elementary school parents/guardians need to report their child s full-day absences, late arrivals and/or early departures from school via our new School Messenger SafeArrival system. The phone number will stay the same: Website has changed to: go.schoolmessenger.ca Download a new app: School Messenger App (from Google or Apple) (please be sure to delete the old Safe Arrival app after May 11) Please continue to use our current Synervoice system until Friday, May 11, The new School Messenger SafeArrival will be live on Monday, May 14, Important to note: The transition to a new company and system will require parents to set up a new account with School Messenger SafeArrival as data will not be transferred from the old system to the new. More information on how and when to set-up your new account will be coming in the next month. Report Your Child s Immunization As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for reporting your child s immunizations so they can attend school. Doctors don t report immunizations to the Region. If you child has been immunized, you can report it online. To report an immunization you ll need to provide: The child s full name, address and date of birth The parent or guardian s name The date the child was immunized The vaccine the child received Report Your Child s Immunization ( You can also report a child s immunizations by phone at (toll free: )

4 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 very 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 Parents are advised to keep their child at home until they have been treated for lice. Students may only return to school if they are nit-free. If your child has live lice, ensure that 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).

5 Conference helps parents empower modern learners The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference, co-presented by the Peel Elementary Teachers Local, on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Mississauga Secondary School in Mississauga. The conference will focus on Empowering Modern Learners. Parents will have the opportunity to attend workshops on topics, including numeracy, literacy, special education, technology and science. This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels. Our keynote presentation will be delivered by Dwayne Matthews, a life and education strategist, who converges and shares knowledge on modern learning, disruptive technology, and the evolution of work. Dwayne will present Learning in the 21st century: Why it's different, why it matters and how to help children thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. Stay up-to-date! Registration opens Feb. 5, 2018 For more information, visit

6 Healthy Body! Healthy Mind! When we invest in our physical health, will be able to combat stress and anxiety with greater success. This includes being: Well-rested Well-nourished Well-exercised Some Tips: Set a Sleep Schedule Set an alarm to go to bed! Our body likes a regular schedule. Bedtimes and wake times should not vary by more than one hour from one day to the next. Drink plenty of water - Many of us go through life dehydrated causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. It s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help us make healthier food choices. More steps Step side to side. Start by doing it 10 times per foot. Do this while watching TV, working on your computer or brushing your teeth. Do it with your children to make it fun.

7 Celebrating Faith and Culture March 2018 DATE CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE March Xsaak and Sugar Moon Aboriginal Spirituality Eve of February 28 to March 1 Sunset of February 28 to March 1 Holi Purim Hinduism Judaism Sunset March 1 to 20 Alá (Fasting month) Bahá'í March 2 Lantern Festival/Magha Puja Buddhism March 2 World Day of Prayer Christianity March 2 Hola Mohalla Sikhism March 14 New Year Sikhism March 16 to 20 Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem Zoroastrianism March 17 St. Patrick's Day Christianity March 18 Vasant Navratri and New Year s Day Hinduism March 20 Shunki-sorei-sai Shinto March 20 Lady Day (Ostara) Wicca March 20 or 21 Naw Ruz/Navroze Bahá'í and Zoroastrianism March 21 Eid e-navroz Islam March 25 to 31 Holy Week begins Christianity March 25 Palm Sunday Christianity March 25 Shri Ramnavami Hinduism March 26 Khordad Saal Zoroastrianism

8 March 29 Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) Christianity March 29 Mahavir Jayanti Jainism March 30 Good Friday (Holy Friday) Christianity Sunset of March 30 to April 6 Pesach (Passover) Judaism March 31 Sakyamuni Buddha s Nirvana Day Buddhism

9 Celebrating Faith and Culture Backgrounder March 2018 The Peel District School Board is a mosaic of many cultures and faiths from all over the world. To commemorate this diversity, the board recognises special faith and culture days of our communities. March 2018 has several special faith and culture days to celebrate and remember: March Xsaak and Sugar Moon in Aboriginal Spirituality Xsaak is celebrated by Nisga'a people of the Nass Valley in Northwest British Columbia. It is the season when they fish for swarming Oolichan also known as candle fish (dried fish burnt and used for light). The fish is dried, smoked and rendered into oil for trade and use in winter. The third moon of Creation is known as Sugar Moon by the Ojibwe people. This month the sap from Maple trees begins to run and it is collected by the Anishnabe as a healing medicine. Eve of February 28 to March 1 - Holi in Hinduism Holi is the Hindu festival that welcomes spring and celebrates new life and energy of the season. It has religious roots (attempt to burn Prahalaad by Holika and Hiranyakashyap), but the festival is also filled with fun and good humour. On the evening of Holi, large fires are lit and prayers and offerings are made. The next day is celebrated with colours, so Holi is also called the "Festival of Colours." People celebrate the festival by daubing each other with paint and throwing coloured powder (gulaal) around in an atmosphere of fun and frolic. The religious significance of the festival of Holi is to mark the burning of self-conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, hatred, in fact all the undesirable tendencies, thoughts and behaviours. Sunset of February 28 to March 1 - Purim in Judaism Purim is one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the story of Esther and how she saved the Jewish people who were living in Persia from extermination at the hands of an oppressive ruler and his advisor. This festival is celebrated through feasting, carnivals and group celebrations. Followers of the faith send food to friends and neighbours. Like all Jewish holidays, it begins at sundown and ends the next night. Sunset March 1 to 20 - Alá (Fasting month) in Bahá'í In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset.

10 Alá signifying loftiness is the nineteenth and last month of the Bahá'í year, and it is a month of fasting. Members of the Bahá'í faith who are over the age of 15 abstain from food and drink each day from sunrise to sunset. March 2 Lantern Festival/Magha Puja in Buddhism Magha Puja is celebrated on the full moon day of the third month in the Buddhist calendar. The festival commemorates the day on which Buddha recited the Ovadha Patimokkha (the Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. The day is also celebrated for the Fourfold Assembly - gathering of 1,250 Arahantas (accomplished holy ones) at Veruvana Temple in Rajgarh city (India) of their own accord without notification on the full moon day and all 1,250 disciples being ordained by Buddha himself. Adherents renew their dedication to Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) practice on this day. Lantern festival, is celebrated mid-autumn on the full moon night of the eighth month of the lunar calendar by Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Timorese communities. This festival celebrates the summer harvest and is a time for rejoicing. Brightly coloured lanterns are hung in front of homes, and parades are held in towns and villages. In Vietnam this festival is also called Children's Festival. Families gather together to share meals and moon cakes. March 2 - World Day of Prayer in Christianity World Day of Prayer is observed on the first Friday in March by Christian women of diverse traditions and countries. They come together in prayer on this day to affirm their faith. March 2 - Hola Mohalla in Sikhism Hola Mohalla is a festival of mock battles where followers practice martial arts known as gatka. The festival is celebrated on the day following Holi. Guru Gobind Singh started it as a gathering of Sikhs for military preparedness against the ruling Moguls in Anandpur Sahib (in Punjab, India). Today it is a celebrated by holding competitions and display of martial skills. The day of observance varies for followers of revised and old Nanak Shahi Calendar. March 14 - New Year in Sikhism March 14 is the first day of the new Sikh Calendar Year. This is year 548 in the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar. The years in the Sikh calendar start with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev in March 16 to 20 - Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem in Zoroastrianism Zoroastrian followers celebrate six seasonal festivals, known as the Gahambars. These are associated with agricultural seasons, and each Gahambar is celebrated by performing a Jashan (festivity) and thanking Ahura Mazda (the omniscient and omnipresent creator) for the seasons and the beautiful creations.

11 Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem is also known as "All Souls" feast where departed relatives are remembered. March 17 - St. Patrick's Day in Christianity This feast day commemorates the anniversary of St. Patrick's death in the 5 th century CE. The Irish observe this day as a religious holiday. Multi-day celebrations feature parades, concerts, outdoor theatre productions and fireworks shows. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. March 18 - Vasant Navratri and New Year s Day in Hinduism Chaitra Navratri (March 18 to March 25) begins from this day. This festival is observed twice a year, in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja (September/October). It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of goddess Durga. During Navratri (the word literally means "nine nights"), devotees of Hinduism observe a fast and undertake religious activities like puja. This day is also the beginning of a New Year 2075 for Hindu followers of Vikram Samvat Calendar. The New Year s Day celebrations and festivities vary amongst the many denominations of the faith. Gudi Padwa will be observed on this day and Ugadi will be celebrated on the 18th. March 20 - Shunki-sorei-sai in Shinto Known also as Shubun-no-hi, on this holy day, ancestors are given reverence on home alters, as kami (god), and are considered active members of the living family. Grave sites are cleaned and purified. March 20 - Lady Day (Ostara) in Wicca The spring equinox is "Lady Day." To followers of Wicca, it is a time of conception and new growth. It is celebrated by undertaking activities like planting seeds in the garden, collecting wild flowers, decorating and eating eggs, and cleaning the home that lead to prosperity. Green and yellow are colours specific to this feast. March 20 or 21 - Naw Ruz/Navroze in Zoroastrianism, and Bahá'í The spring equinox marks the New Year for members of the Zoroastrian community (following Fasli Calendar). The New Year s Day will be observed on March 20 or 21 by followers of the faith. People from Persia or Iran who also celebrate Naw Ruz (Noruz) will observe it on 20th. The traditional Naw Ruz table called "Sofreh haft-seen" consists of seven kinds of food each beginning with the letter "s" or "sin" in Farsi symbolising life, health, wealth, abundance, love, patience and purity. sabzeh, wheat or lentil sprouts, symbolizes rebirth samanu, a creamy pudding made from wheat germ, represents holiness

12 seeb, an apple, stands for health and beauty senjid, the dried fruit of lotus tree, signifies love sir, garlic (which is considered medicinal), represents health somagh, sumac berries, stands for the colour of sun and the victory of good over evil serkeh, vinegar, indicates old age and patience Other things associated with this celebration: a book symbolizing wisdom (holy texts or books of Iranian poetry) sekeh, coins, representing wealth sonbol and laleh, hyacinth and tulips, symbolizing spring painted eggs to reflect the fertility of the people and the land a mirror to symbolize reflection of life candles, indicating happiness goldfish to represent life From the first to the 12th day of the New Year, people visit each other. On the 13th day, called Sizdeh bedar, everyone goes on picnics, as it is considered unlucky to stay indoors on the 13th day. The Bahá'í people have adopted the Iranian custom of beginning the New Year in the spring equinox. The day begins at sunset, and the New Year celebrations are held during the evening of March 19th. It is one of the nine Bahá'í holy days on which work is suspended. It is generally observed with a meeting for prayer and celebration. March 21 - Eid e-navroz in Islam Shia followers of Islam observe this Eid. The day is associated with significant religious milestones for observers of the faith. Adherents believe that on this day the Prophet received his first revelation and also named his successor. This feast is an important celebration for Ismaili Muslims. March 25 to 31 - Holy Week begins in Christianity Holy Week is the period from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity it is also known as Great Week. It is the last week of Lent. Each of the days of Holy Week has its own traditions of services. March 25 - Palm Sunday in Christianity Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week leading up to Easter for Eastern Orthodox churches who follow the Julian calendar. It celebrates the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before him. During Palm Sunday services, many churches distribute cut palm leaves, sometimes woven into the shape of a cross. March 25 - Shri Ramnavami in Hinduism Ramnavami celebrates the birth of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya in India. He is the hero of Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic of 24,000 stanzas. A continuous recital

13 of the book takes place for about a week prior to the celebration and on the day itself, the highlights of the story are read in temples. Many communities and temples celebrate this festival for nine days, beginning from Gudipadwa the first day (pratipada) of the month of Chaitra. Celebrations on the day begin with a prayer to the sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. In northern India especially, an event that draws popular participation is the Ramanavmi procession or Ramleela depiction by drama/play. March 26 - Khordad Saal in Zoroastrianism Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia) is the founder of Zoroastrian religion. Historians and religious scholars generally date his life sometime between 1500 and 1200 BCE. This day is recognised by members of the Zoroastrian faith following the Fasli calendar as Zarathushtra s birth anniversary. March 29 - Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) in Christianity Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with his followers. On the evening of Maundy Thursday, Christians remember Judas' betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The end of Lent is observed differently by the various Christian denominations. Followers of the faith mark this period with prayer, fasting and abstinence. March 29 - Mahavir Jayanti in Jainism Mahavira-Jayanti is the festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavira, who was the 24 th and the last Jain Tirthankara (enlightened soul). He was born on the 13 th day of the rising moon in the month of Chaitra (March/April) in 599 BCE in India. Jain temples all over the world are decorated with flags for the occasion. On his birth anniversary, the followers of the faith observe the day by visiting temples, offering prayers, reaffirming their beliefs, meditating and listening to discourses on Mahavira's life and teachings. Mahavira-jayanti is celebrated not only to mark the birthday of Mahavira, but also to inculcate his teachings in one s life. Mahavira preached that right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-gnana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra) together is the real path to attain the liberation of one's self.

14 March 30 - Good Friday (Holy Friday) in Christianity and Canada Good Friday commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is a day of mourning for followers of the faith. During special Good Friday services, Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith. Sunset of March 30 April 6 - Pesach (Passover) in Judaism Pesach, or Passover, commemorates the liberation of the Jews from Egypt and slavery. It is celebrated for eight days. Pesach begins at dusk (before sundown) on March 30 th. The first and last two days of the festival are full holidays - work is not done by followers. A highlight is the Seder (meaning "order") meal held in each family s home on the first evening of Pesach, when the story of their deliverance is recounted as narrated in the Haggadah (the Telling, the Story). Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival, as are other foods that contain no leaven and are symbolic to the struggle. There is a great spring cleaning in the home before the festival to ensure that no trace of leaven is left in the home during Pesach. March 31 - Sakyamuni Buddha's Nirvana Day in Buddhism Nirvana Day, also known as Parinirvana, is an annual Buddhist festival celebrating the death of Buddha after achieving Nirvana (liberation from cycle of rebirth and suffering) at the age of 80. Followers of the faith visit temples, offer prayers, meditate and read scriptures describing the last days of Gautama Buddha. If you have a colleague who celebrates one of these days, don't forget to offer them best wishes! If you have students in your school who are followers of any of the listed religions: - Make sure the dates are included on your school calendar - Have your principal announce the day over the PA system - Hold an assembly to talk with students about the importance of these days - Include a mention of these days in your school newsletter - Include information on your school website - Display student artwork announcing these days or depicting their ideas about these days - Invite a member of a local faith group to come in and discuss the significance of this day with students - Have class discussions about these days

15 - Ask some of your students who celebrate certain holidays to write a short essay on how they celebrate this day at home. Have them read it to the class to share this celebration with the other students. - Have parents offer a cultural session Questions: If you would like any more information on how to celebrate these days, please call , ext. 2809