Treaties Recognition Week (November 1 to 7)
This is the first week of November every year. It was introduced in 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships. Ontario is covered by 46 treaties and other agreements. The Journey Together plan outlines Ontario’s commitment to changing the future by rebuilding relationships based on trust and respect. Part of that commitment includes educating Ontarians about the role treaties play in each of our lives and in our relationships with each other. Every Ontarian is a treaty person.
Our school library, ( English and French Immersion) has copies of the book We Are All Treaty People; a 34-page illustrated history produced by the Union of Ontario Indians to promote their understanding of treaties for all people in Ontario.
The Virtue of the month is Justice
This is one of the virtues that Jesus modelled through his words and deeds. We take opportunities this month to reflect on the justice that is needed to heal our beautiful, yet broken planet. We think of the justice needed in the classroom and school yard to heal broken relationships. We think of the justice needed to stand for the world. When we join justice with Compassion (October’s virtue) we strongly echo the Gospel message and example of Jesus.
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCGE) state that the student is expected to become a responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.OCGE4 This echoes the virtue of justice being celebrated this month. Through opportunities to reflect on All Souls and All Saints Day as well as Remembrance Day, students will have a chance to deepen their responsible citizenship.
Mental Health Tip – Sleep is Important
A lack of sleep may leave you feeling tired, unfocused, and overwhelmed. When you lack good sleep, your body is not able to produce enough serotonin and dopamine to keep stress, anxiety, and depression at bay. For better sleep, turn off all tech devices. Lights from a cell phone, computer, or television trigger your mind to stay awake, making it harder for you to fall asleep, try to end screen time at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Checking for Ticks!
Parents/guardians are reminded to continue to protect themselves and their child from blacklegged ticks when you are in a wooded or bushy area.
Blacklegged ticks are small bugs that attach themselves to people or animals who brush past. Adult ticks are the size of a sesame seed and adolescent ticks are no bigger than a poppy seed. Ticks can be found on tall grasses and bushes almost anywhere in Ontario, including York Region.
York Region Public Health has prepared a fact sheet on blacklegged ticks and Lyme Disease, which is spread through the bite of an infected tick, and a copy is attached for your reference. Lyme-Disease-Fight-the-Bite.pdf
If you have any questions or for more information, please contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653, AccessYork@york.ca or visit the ticks and Lyme Disease page on their website.
Attention Gr. 8 Families
Attached you will find two “flyers” of St Brother Andre’s Upcoming Open Houses.
Their open houses are as follows: Tuesday, November 9, and their AP Open House is on Tuesday, November 23.
The links in the PDFs will lead families directly to the livestream link, which will go “live” at 7pm on the respective dates. There will also be an accompanying website for the Open house, this link will be in our next school messenger message next week.
School Picture Day
Please mark your calendar’s – November 12, 2021 will be our school picture day (November 22, will be our school picture retake day). KATERI.jpg
Kiss-N-Ride/ Bus Information:
We would kindly ask parents and guardians to park their car if they wish to escort their child(ren) to the gates of the school playground. All other parents using the Kiss and Ride are asked to proceed past the pylons in the lot and pull over to the curb to drop off their child(ren) in front of the FDK yard.
Inclement Weather
Parents/guardians as we prepare for colder weather and the impact it may have on bussing, you may want to visit School Bus City for up to date information regarding your child’s route. For up to date information regarding your child’s bus route.
Dates to keep in your calendars for future events:
Monday, November 1, 2021 – All Saints Day
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 – All Souls Day
Thursday, November 11, 2021 – Remembrance Day – Virtual School Assembly
Friday, November 12, 2021 – School Picture Day (Retake day November 22)
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – Progress Report Cards go home
Thursday, November 18, 2021 – Parent teacher Interview Night
Friday, November 19, 2021 – Parent Teacher Interview Day