April 22, 2024

Dear School Staff, Parents, Guardians and Caregivers:

Re: Ensuring a safe school environment: What will happen if there is a case of measles in school

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine vaccinations, leading to an increase in measles cases globally. Cases have also been detected here in Toronto. Measles is a very contagious disease that spreads easily through the air or touching contaminated surfaces. If a measles case is identified at school, undervaccinated/unvaccinated staff and students (without documented immunity) may be excluded for 21 days to prevent further spread of the virus. This highlights the importance of ensuring your and your child’s measles vaccinations are up-to-date to protect them and the school community.

Please check your and your child’s vaccination status.

You or your child are considered protected against measles and can attend school if there is a measles case if one of these apply to you:

1. Born before 1970: You are considered immune and protected as measles was widely spreading before 1970. OR

2. Born in 1970 or later: Received two doses of the measles vaccine on or after the first birthday: A vaccination record (such as yellow card) or health record is needed as proof of vaccination. OR Blood test result showing measles immunity: A blood test may take some time to complete if you don’t already know your status.

If you are unsure about your or your child’s vaccinations history, check your or your child’s Ontario Immunization Record or “yellow card,” Online Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or speak with your primary health care provider.

Where to get vaccinated Measles vaccines are free for all Ontarians.

• Children: School-aged children can catch up on their routine vaccinations, including measles, by visiting their primary health care provider, some walk-in clinics or a TPH community clinic. TPH is offering a weekend clinic on Saturday, May 4 to make it easier for parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated. Appointments can be booked at TPHbookings.ca.
• Adults: Adults can get vaccinated by visiting their primary health care provider and some walk-in clinics.

Unsure of your measles history? If you are born before 1970 and are unsure if you had measles as a child, or you plan to travel, get one dose of the measles vaccine (MMR) for the best protection. Report your child’s vaccinations Submit your child’s measles vaccination record to TPH through ICON. This helps ensure school records are up to date.

Know the signs and symptoms Even if vaccinated, look out for symptoms if you or your child come in contact with someone with measles:

• Fever
• Red rash starts on the face and spreads down the body
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red and watery eyes
• Small blue-white spots can appear on the inside of the mouth and throat

If you or your child experience these symptoms, do not go to work or school. Seek medical care. Call your doctor, primary health care provider or a walk-in clinic before visiting, so they can take precautions to avoid spreading the virus. Follow their guidance and medical advice.

More information

• Visit toronto.ca/measles-fact-sheet
• Contact Toronto Public health
• Email: publichealth@toronto.ca
• Phone: 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658) – Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Services are available in more than 300 languages
• After Hours: Call 311

By Lexi Walters Wright - understood.org

If you bump into someone, you usually say “excuse me” or “I’m sorry.” When someone is speaking, you don’t cut them off to say something.

More than likely, you learned these unwritten social rules when you were very young and quickly understood when and how to follow them. But some kids just don’t pick up on social rules or cues. They need extra help learning them.

Here are five social rules that can be challenging for kids — and tips to help your child understand and follow them.

Social rule #1: Meet and greet politely.
This involves:

• Saying greetings, introductions, and goodbyes
• Politely offering and receiving compliments
• Being able to start and finish conversations

Social rule #2: Take turns talking.
This involves:

• Listening when others speak and looking them in the eye
• Not interrupting
• Responding appropriately and at the right time

Social rule #3: Pay attention to others.
This involves:

• Stopping what you’re doing so you can listen
• Reading people’s emotions through their body language and facial expressions
• Changing your behaviour to match what other people are doing, like quieting down with the rest of the room

Social rule #4: Think about others before acting.
This involves:

• No touching without asking
• No cutting in line
• Waiting your turn
• Standing a comfortable distance away when talking

Social rule #5: Cooperate with others.
This involves:

• Following directions when you’re asked to
• Asking for help when you need it
• Apologizing when necessary
• Being flexible and open to new ideas

How can you help your child follow social rules?
You can start by breaking down social rules in ways your child can understand and practice. Role-playing games are a good way to model behaviour and help your child practice responding to different social situations. You can also use your child’s favourite TV shows to focus on reading body language and other social cues.

Be sure to praise your child for successful social interactions, too. Giving positive and specific feedback can reinforce the behaviours you want your child to repeat. With practice and support, your child can get better at following social rules.

 

Northern Secondary School will be hosting Ulrica Jobe, Parent Coach and Child & Family Counsellor, who will be delivering a presentation you won't want to miss:  CREATE A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION WITH YOUR CHILD IN A HYPER-CONNECTED WORLD. 

It is consistently ranked as one of the best presentations of the year by parent communities.

Many parents know what they should be doing, but they struggle with HOW to connect or maintain connection with their child or adolescent.  Especially in our current world with so many distractions and new challenges, it is often a parent's #1 concern.  

Drawing upon relevant and evidence based research, Ulrica will walk us through five key areas that have shown to directly impact the relationship between a parent and child and how to apply them in a practical way.   The information is useful and practical, and Ulrica is a fantastic and engaging speaker.  Ulrica is a knowledge translator - she takes complicated research, distills it in an accessible format, and delivers it in a way that leaves you feeling hopeful and empowered.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact  / the Northern School Council @ nss.school.council@gmail.com

Last week, TPH announced an investigation of a confirmed case of measles linked to travel. This virus continues to spread in many parts of the world. If you are planning to leave the country over March Break, get the best protection for you and your loved ones by staying up-to-date with your routine vaccines, including the measles vaccine.

These vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.

If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with their primary health care provider.

To learn more, visit toronto.ca/immunization or contact TPH at publichealth@toronto.ca, or 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All TDSB families are encouraged to register and attend the upcoming 17th Annual Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Conference taking place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 10 am – 3 pm at Earl Haig High School. The PIAC Conference is a great opportunity to deepen an understanding of the educational landscape, connect with fellow parents/guardians/ caregivers and staff, and contribute to the continued success of TDSB schools and communities. For more information, please visit: https://www.torontopiac.com/whats-happening/conferences

Online Interpreter Training Program

The Parent/Caregiver Engagement Office is excited to offer the Online Interpreter Training program again.  We will be offering the opportunity to 85 TDSB parents/caregivers to receive online interpreter training in TDSB's most requested languages!  Administrators are asked to share this opportunity with their school communities.

 Are you a parent/caregiver with a child registered in the TDSB who:

1. has full proficiency in English and another language (i.e., Pashto, Farsi, Roma, Ukrainian);
2. is interested in being trained as an interpreter to work with the TDSB;
3. is comfortable with virtual/online learning;
4. has access to a computer, and the internet and has, at minimum, intermediate computer fluency;
5. has a recording device, headphones, and dictionaries (hard copy and/or online).

TDSB is the largest school board in Canada and one of the most diverse.  23% of our students were born outside of Canada and there are over 120 languages spoken by TDSB students and their parents/caregivers.  Research also identifies communication between the home and the school as essential to student success.  Ensuring equitable engagement opportunities for our multi-lingual parents/caregivers, while maximizing their language assets, will enable the TDSB to improve communication between parents/caregivers and the school/Board.

 Please join us on January 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.  Please see the attached flyer for more details.  

New Trial Lunch Program

RAPT is trialling a new pay-to-order lunch program called Lunchbox by School Cash Online. Families will be able to order from Hero Burger or Subway sandwiches, starting on Tuesday, January 23rd (Hero Burger) and then the following week, Monday, January 29th (Subway). Mondays are Subway Sandwiches and Tuesdays is Hero Burger, one provider per week.

For all families interested in participating in the Lunchbox program, here's the relevant information:

Featured Restaurants

• Mondays             Subway Sandwiches
• Tuesdays             Hero Burger

Orders may be placed weekly or in advance for any number of days within the school year.

How to Order

• Login to your SchoolCash Online account using your existing credentials. 
• Go to the Items Page in your child’s SchoolCash Online account, scroll to the Lunchbox banner, and click ‘Order Now’.
• Confirm your phone number and student allergy information then click ‘Update’.
• Press the ‘Order Now’ button beside your child’s name.
• Place your child’s lunch order(s) on your school’s ordering calendar by clicking the blue date for the scheduled vendors.
• The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Debit MasterCard, or Visa Debit.

Reminders

• The weekly deadline to place lunch orders for the upcoming week is Sunday at 12:00 PM; Lunchbox is unable to accept any orders after this deadline.
• If you need to make any updates or changes to your lunch orders, please do so before Sunday at 12:00 PM for the upcoming week.
• For any order cancellations, please notify Lunchbox 2 days prior to the delivery date.

For more information, you can e-mail RAPT at raptrippleton@gmail.com or contact the Lunchbox support team by e-mail at info@lunchboxorders.com

Re: Staying Healthy this Holiday Season

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of the year and more people gather indoors due to the cold weather and the holidays, respiratory viruses are on the rise and circulating in our communities. Influenza (flu), COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are three respiratory viruses that can cause serious illness in some people.

Protect yourself and your loved ones
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reminding families of ways to reduce virus spread as we prepare for winter and the upcoming holiday break:

• Get vaccines you are eligible for as soon as possible at a participating pharmacy or your primary health care provider to help prevent serious illness.
• Wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask in indoor public settings if you are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Stay home when sick or if you have symptoms of illness, even if they are mild.
• Before returning to school or work screen for symptoms of illness by using the provincial COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool or TPH Screening Questionnaire.
• Wear a mask for 10 days after symptoms begin to protect others at home, school, and work.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a tissue.
• Clean high-touch surfaces often.

Visit toronto.ca/RespiratoryViruses to learn more.

Find FREE rapid antigen tests near you

Free rapid antigen tests are available at various City facilities across Toronto, including all Toronto Public Library branches. Visit toronto.ca/COVID19Testing to find a location near you.

What to do if you or your child are sick

Speak to your healthcare provider or call Health811 if you have questions about your family's health or if you are unsure where to access care. If your child is sick, review this information about how to care for them at home and when to seek medical care and information about fever and pain medications. The following virtual care clinics are available in Toronto:

• Adult Virtual Care Clinic
• Pediatric Virtual Care Clinic
• Mental Health Virtual Care Clinic

We can all take care of our families, school communities and health care system capacity by reducing the spread of respiratory viruses.

Other Ways to Stay Healthy
Visit toronto.ca/health to learn more about:

• Health Information for School Age Parents and Caregivers
• Respiratory Viruses: Information for Parents and Caregivers
• Immunization
• Child Safety (Injury Prevention)
• Nutrition Tips for School-Aged Children and Youth
• Food Safety at Home
• Mental Health Resources
• Staying Healthy in Cold Weather

Questions? Contact 416-338-7600 or PublicHealth@toronto.ca.

 

Sadly, when tragic events happen here in Toronto or around the world, we know that some students may experience a wide range of reactions and emotions. TDSB Professional Support Services staff have prepared the following tips that may be helpful for parents whose children are experiencing difficulties:

 

• Bring up the topic at a time and place where a discussion can occur. If there are distractions, a shortage of time or if either you or your child are too tired or busy, it is likely the conversation will be interrupted.
• Begin by listening. Let your child tell you what they believe they know, how they learned it and how they are feeling. Don’t rush to correct or reassure. Allow them to finish their thoughts. Open-ended questions are better than specific ones. It is better to ask, “How are you feeling about what happened?” than “Are you scared because of what happened?” You can be a bit more specific if general questions fail.
• Respond to what your child tells you. Their concerns may be specific or general, concrete or abstract, closely related to the events or related very little. Address what they are concerned about. Don’t overload children with information or solutions. Talk to them with ideas they can handle at their age. If you help them with their concerns today they will likely share more in the future.
• It is normal for people to try to make sense of things when a serious loss occurs. Allow your child to share his or her ideas and speculations. Help them to separate what they know from what they are guessing about.
• Limit exposure to media coverage as it can become overwhelming.
• Be aware that new stresses may open old wounds. When a child is confronted with a crisis, losses and upsets from the past may be remembered. The child may or may not wish to talk about these old issues.
• Talk about specific things you can do to make your child feel secure.
  While tragic events can be extremely upsetting, it can be helpful to remind children that this type of event is very rare.
• Children deal with stress in many different ways and at different paces. While children may not wish to talk today, they may wish to talk in weeks or days to come. Follow up discussions may be helpful.

 

All students eligible to begin Junior Kindergarten in September can join the Early French Immersion (EFI) program. Students with varying learning styles and linguistic backgrounds can be successful in French Immersion. Proficiency in multiple languages opens doors of opportunity for students!

The application to the Early French Immersion program for 2004-25 will remain an online process managed by the TDSB’s Central French Department, and applications must be completed online between November 6 and December 1, 2023. An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all eligible on-time applicants. Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Interested families can apply via the Application Link.

Please visit the TDSB French website to view a video that provides information about the TDSB French Language programs as well as the application and placement process in the Early French Immersion and the Middle French Immersion programs. More information about the Early Immersion Program is available in 22 languages, or visit the Information Sessions website for related links to join a live Zoom webinar about the application process. 

A big thank you to all families for their support of last week's Terry Fox Run and fundraising campaign.

We are continuing our Toonies for the rest of this week - so if your student still wants to contribute we will be collecting for the rest of September.

Online donations are always welcome as well. Your family can contribute at:

https://schools.terryfox.ca/RippletonPublicNorthYork

Currently we are over $600 with online donations and over $300 with T-Shirt donations. We are still collecting Toonies for Terry!

We are also placing one final order for Terry Fox T-shirts. If your family is still interested please look at the link for sizing:

https://cdn.terryfoxschoolrun.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/STudent-Tshirt-Order-Form-2023.pdf

If interested please contact Mr. Yee at david.yee@tdsb.on.ca with your order (no need to print form) and he will work out the details with you. While supplies last.

Thank you again for continuing the tradition of Terry Fox at Rippleton.

 

We hope this message finds you well and ready for an exciting school year together ahead. As we kick off this new school year, we wanted to bring your attention to our first newsletter in the form of a slide presentation, packed with essential information dedicated to ensuring a smooth and successful school year for everyone.

 

We understand that life can be busy, and you may not have the time to dive into all the details right away. However, I urge you to take a moment to read through all the slides. inside, you'll find valuable insights and information that will keep you informed and engaged in your child's education this year.

Your active involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and by reading through the information, you're taking the first step in staying informed and engaged.

 

Thank you everyone!

Without further ado, please click through our " Welcome To Rippleton 2023-2024 Presentation "

 

Together, we will make this school year a memorable and enriching experience for everyone.