As we enter the last week before the March Break, we wanted to provide some brief updates, including an overview of our ongoing expectation assemblies.
Expectations Assembly – Grade 4 and 5 – Friday, March 3rd
Last Friday, an assembly was held for most of the Grade 4 and 5 students to discuss some issues and give some reminders related to routines, behaviour, and safety. Similar to the Intermediate assemblies that happened last week, we felt it was important that we gathered students and staff to share common expectations for behaviour and routines in the school, and to emphasize the safety aspect that anchors these messages. The expectations that were introduced or reinforced were as follows:
- Use of hall passes and sign in/out sheets – Students will sign out, and use the designated classroom hall pass when they leave the classroom to use the bathroom or for other purposes during instructional time.
- Students will be picked up and dropped off by their teacher(s) including morning entry, recesses, lunch, and after school. This was put into place to address issues of student safety when entering and exiting the building.
- Students were reminded about keeping hands to themselves, and to play and safely and respectfully at recesses and lunch. This was shared as there has been some unnecessary physicality in the school yard, some of which is unreported until long after the fact. Students are reminded to address issues of conflict early, before they turn into physical altercations. Conversations surrounding this expectation, including that of sportsmanship while playing games, and of talking through a disagreement, will be continued in the classroom.
We will be holding assemblies for Primary students in Grade 1 to 3 on Wednesday, March 8th to share age appropriate messages in line with the messages shared with older grades at previous assemblies.
Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Website
As part of the TDSB’s commitment to early reading, the Early Years team has developed a family and caregiver website to encourage families and caregivers to explore early literacy in their home and community. This website supplements the Family and Caregiver Guide that was released last week that outlines the vision of early reading in the TDSB in partnership with families and communities. Both the website and the Guide are led by our vision of families and provide an overview of foundational early reading skills and essential instructional approaches. Suggestions of strategies for families and caregivers are shared in both resources that extend, respond and honour children’s competencies in early literacy behaviours.
At the TDSB, educators strive to embed the intentional teaching of foundational reading skills into rich learning experiences that build upon children’s strengths, interests, passions, lived experiences and identities. An Early Reading Framework has been created that outlines the critical components of early reading instruction that aligns with the Ontario Human Rights Commission Right to Read inquiry report and supports the Ministry of Education’s Effective Early Reading Instruction: A Teacher’s Guide. This Framework is central in the Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Guide and website. Translated versions of the Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Guide are available on the website.
Benefits for Families and Low-Income Renters
We wanted to share some informational resources and flyers about benefits offered to families with school aged children, and renters living on a low-income. Some of these benefits applications are only open for a limited time. Please contact VP Joel Krentz should you have any questions about these resources. All flyers can be found here.
- Ontario Catch Up Payments – deadline to apply March 31, 2023 - A tax-free one-time payment to bridge the learning gap caused by COVID-19. See flyer & information handout here.
- One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit – deadline to apply March 31, 2023 - A tax-free one-time payment of $500 for renters living on a low-income. See flyer & information handout here.
- Canada Dental Benefit – applications open ongoing - Temporary benefit to help lower dental costs for eligible families earning less than $90,000 per year without private insurance for children 12 years old and under. See flyer & information handout here. Fact sheets available in other languages here.
Winter Well-Being Guide 2022/23
The Winter Well-being guide for 2022/23 has been updated to provide ongoing resources and ideas for families and caregivers to promote mental and physical wellness during the winter months. Resources are culturally relevant and responsive with resources for students with complex needs as well. You can access the English Version here. The guide is also translated into the top 21 languages spoken in the TDSB. and accessible here - Well-Being Guide.
Scarborough
Join the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement for a virtual screening of Scarborough followed by a conversation with the author and screenwriter of the novel and adapted film Catherine Hernandez!
Scarborough the novel employs a multitude of voices to tell the story of a tight-knit neighbourhood under fire: among them, Victor, a Black artist harassed by the police; Winsum, a West Indian restaurant owner struggling to keep it together; and Hina, a Muslim school worker who witnesses first-hand the impact of poverty on education.
Scarborough (film description, from TIFF website): Adapted from the critically acclaimed novel by Catherine Hernandez, Scarborough is an unflinching portrait of three low-income families struggling to endure within a system that’s set them up for failure. It shows the love and perseverance communities can foster, lifting up families to overcome the obstacles placed in their way.
Audience: Caregivers, community, staff
Date: March 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Register here
100th Anniversary Yearbook Reminder
Bowmore's 100th Anniversary Yearbook is in the works! This year's yearbook will be K-8. Students will be bringing home a flyer with information on how to purchase your own copy. You can order online through www.ybay.ca using the Yearbook ID Code: 14753823, or pay by cheque. Take advantage of the Early Bird pricing and order before March 26, 2023; Softcover $25, Hardcover Upgrade Add $5. *Prices go up after the early bird date.
School Council Reminder
You can keep up with Bowmore School Council news and events at their official Facebook page - Facebook.com/bowmoresc. You can also get in touch by email at bowmoresc (@) gmail.com. Read more about School Council, including meeting dates, at https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/bowmore/School-Council.