Principal s Message. are accepted and where students are able to grow in attitudes, knowledge, and skills

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1 The Mission of the community of Sir John A. Macdonald is to: Provide a safe, supportive learning environment where individual differences are accepted and where students are able to grow in attitudes, knowledge, and skills Mustang News March 2017 Imran Syed, Principal Karen Timm, Vice Principal Elizabeth Wadham, Secretary Jill Cranston, Secretary Principal s Message At Sir John A Macdonald PS we are proud of the wonderful resources we have available for our students to access for their learning. The school and the SCC have partnered on numerous items that were purchased through the generous support of our community during our various fund raisers. Of late, we have had a significant problem involving the vandalism of school laptops. The removal of keys from keyboards has resulted in numerous machines being taken out of service until we can get them repaired. We are reminding students to report any vandalism they witness, so that we can keep our compliment of technology resources functioning and available to our students for their learning. Our SCC continues to do wonderful work to support the students of SJAM. Our latest fundraiser (chocolate sales) will help to fund the new replacement park on our school property. We are working with the playground architect to design our outdoor space to compliment the needs of our school community and our hope is to have it open for the final month or two of school. As an early reminder for your calendar we are informing parents of this year s EQAO dates, Gr.3 May 24, 25, 26 (make-up date of May 29), Gr.6 May 29, 30, 31 (make-up date of June 1). We are requesting that if your child is writing the EQAO test, appointments where possible are made outside the dates provided. Join us on Wednesday April 19 th for SJAM s Amazing Race. Families are encouraged to attend and join us for a spirited evening of learning games. This event is made possible through the efforts of our SCC and funding from our Parent Reaching Out Grant from the Ministry of Education. With March Break right around the corner, many families are looking forward to some wonderful activities with their children. Many of you have asked staff for additional work or ideas to help support your child at home. We are asking that you incorporate mathematical learning into your daily routine with your child. A great free resource has been developed by CODE (Council of Directors of Education), These modules have wonderful ideas, videos and resources to help you better support your child in numeracy. Have a restful March Break and we look forward to seeing all of our students and families on March 20, Should you require accessibility accommodations to receive this newsletter please contact the office at (905) or by at : sirjamacdonald_ps@durham.edu.on.ca

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3 CARNIVAL 2017

4 GENERAL INFORMATION Our School is a Nut Alert School In our school we have a number of students who are extremely sensitive to peanuts, nuts or their by-products. The resultant anaphylactic reaction can be so severe it can cause death. As a school, we will make every effort to NOT have peanuts, nuts, or foodstuffs with nut by-products in our school at all. If there are other serious allergies in your child s class, your teacher will bring it to your attention. We thank you for your cooperation in making sure that your child does not bring snacks or a lunch that could put another child s life at risk. Make Your First Stop the Office To ensure our students safety and security while at school, we request that all visitors enter by the front door and make the office their first stop upon arrival. After checking in, please see Ms. Liz Wadham or Mrs. Jill Cranston for your visitor or volunteer tag. If you need to pick up your child or deliver something, come to the office and we will be happy to assist you.

5 Are you a plumber, an electrician, a lawyer, a clerk, a secretary, a teacher, a doctor, a manager...? Maybe you work from home or own you're own business. It doesn't matter what you do: We are looking for you! Dear Parent and or Guardian, The week of March 24th, 2017, Sir John A. Macdonald Public School plans to hold its fifth annual Careers Week. The aim is to introduce intermediate students to different professions and get them thinking about their education, goals and career paths for the future. The week concludes with a carousel on March 24th where students circulate from workshop to workshop of their choice and meet with real world volunteers in these professions/careers to talk about their jobs, education and responsibilities. We would very much like you to consider participating in this event. Should you take part in this event, you will be invited for light refreshments before and after presentations (12:40-3:15pm) as a thank you for your generosity in volunteering for this event and as an opportunity to meet other presenters. If you wish further information, please contact me As Soon As Possible so that we can forward any pertinent information. We will be finalizing our choice of 12 presenters from various backgrounds no later than March 20th in order to give all volunteers ample time to prepare for this event. Thank you again for considering participation in our Careers Week Carousel. Sincerely, Brenda Tang (905) Brenda.carbery@ddsb.ca

6 SCC CORNER STAY TUNED SAVE THE DATE This year s SJAM Fun Fair will be on June 10th Stay tuned for more detail. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the office.

7 SOUNDS OF THE SOUL CONCERT SJAM staff and students (especially Ms. Walker and Mme Smith) would like to shout out a HUGE thank you to all who donated, participated, and/or attended "The Sounds of the Soul" annual benefit concert! We raised $2,625, which means we "saved lives," as Auntie Elsa, who travelled from Uganda to support the event, articulated. She took back everything that was donated (squeezed into 2 suitcases), and the children were beyond excited when these gifts were unveiled. Pictures barely reveal the true story that unfolded in those magical moments. All of this was made possible, because of the souls that came together as a village to "help raise" many children at "Jethro" Orphan School, Uganda, Africa.

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10 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL! SJAM was very excited to celebrate the 100th day of school! Our FDK classes dressed up as 100 year old students! We had a great time pretending to be 100 years old!

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12 Some Dates of Significance for March 2017 March 1 th Ash Wednesday Many churches in Canada hold special Ash Wednesday services for their congregations. It is a time when people who seek penitence for their wrongdoings are marked with the sign of the cross, from blessed ashes, on their forehead. This symbolic occasion reminds people of their mortality and sorrow for sins, as well as the will for change and the hope of forgiveness. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lenten discipline for many Christian churches. It is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer as part or preparations for Easter when they are ready to receive or reaffirm their baptism. For some Christians, Lent is a time to think about life and death, as well as reflect on life s choices and possible life directions. Ash Wednesday serves as a wakeup call for some Christians. It is also a time of goodwill for many people. There are also those who chose this time of the year to donate to charities or take part in charity events as a way to get close to God. March 3 th Women s World Day of Prayer (WDPIC) The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen s initiative. It is run under the motto Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action, and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common Day of Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year. March 8 th - International Women's Day International Women's Day is celebrated around the world. Established in 1977 by the United Nations, this special day is an excellent opportunity to recognize the contributions to social justice and international peace and security that have been made by women. March 8 th also provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made to advance women's equality, to assess the challenges facing women in contemporary society, to plan steps to enhance the status of women, and to celebrate the gains made in these areas. A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. It's complicated by the fact that in most nations women receive substantially less education than men. - Melinda Gates (Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

13 March th Purim * Some Dates of Significance for March 2017 Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. The joyous holiday of Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jews from the wicked Haman, through the leadership of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai. Purim takes place on the 14th day of Adar, the 12th month of the Jewish calendar. (In the case of a leap year, it takes place in the 13th month, Adar II, while a minor holiday, Purim Katan, takes place in Adar I.) It usually falls in March. In 2017, Purim begins at sundown on March 11. March 13 th Holi (Hinduism) Holi is the Festival of Colour dedicated to Krishna or Kama, and observed particularly in India, Guyana, Trinidad and Nepal. The festival includes the symbolic burning of evil. In addition, people may participate in throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other to celebrate the coming of spring colours and life. At noon, these activities stop, and people head inside to take baths, dress in white, and relax for the rest of the day. Holi is also marked with the giving of gifts and sweets. March 17 th - St. Patrick's Day (Irish) This day is the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, the Roman Catholic patron saint of Ireland, Born in Roman Britain in the late 4 th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts. In Dublin, Ireland, St. Patrick s Day is part of a 5-day celebration. The longest running St. Patrick s Day parade in Canada takes place in Montreal dating back to The shamrock is the symbol of St. Patrick's Day and was originally used to explain the Trinity.

14 Some Dates of Significance for March 2017 March st - Naw-Ruz (Bahá'í)* This date marks the New Year for people of the Bahá'í faith. The first month of the year is called Baha, meaning Splendour. In the Badi calendar of the Bab, Naw-Ruz is the day of Baha of the month of Bahá'í, a day called by the Bab the Day of God (yawmu llah). The observance begins the evening of the day before, marking the end of Ala, the month of fasting. Thus, the day begins with a meeting for prayer and then dinner. March 21 st - United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racism Beginning in 1966, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has been observed annually on March 21 st around the world. On this day in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid pass laws in Sharpeville, South Africa. This incident provoked outrage and an increased desire to see racial discrimination of all sorts eliminated. March 25 th - International Day of Remembrance - Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade This observance forces us to confront human beings at their worst. But in those who opposed slavery then and now, we also celebrate people at their best... Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon In commemoration of the memory of the victims, on December 17, 2007, the General Assembly, declared March 25 th the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, to be observed annually. Commemorative events observing this day are designed to seek answers to the key questions: Who were these people? What are their stories? What did they contribute to the societies of their enslavement? What are their legacies and what lessons has the modern world learned from that dark phase of human history?