* Tecumseth South Times *
May 2017
*
Issue #9
*
Phone: 905-936-3711
Respect * Responsibility * Reaching for Excellence
WE COMMIT TO RESPECT
‘Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.’
~ Laurence Sterne
Updates:
Important Dates in May
2nd – Gr. 4 & Gr. 7 students visit Scanlon Creek
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd – After Hours Math for Gr. 4, 5 & 6
3rd to 5th – Book Fair
3rd – 6:30 – Welcome to Kindergarten
5th – GO Conference
8th to 10th – Gr. 8 Camp Couchiching Trip
9th – Mrs. Santo & Mrs. Carter take their students to Cold Creek
16th – Track & Field (raindate 18th)
17th – Int. Immunizations
17th – Dreamcatcher Dress Rehearsal
18th – 7 PM – Dreamcatcher Performance
22nd – Victoria Day – No School
25th – Gr. & & 8 Immunizations
23rd to June 5th – Gr. 3 & 6 EQAO
28th - Grade 8 Graduation
29th – Last day of school
A Message From Mrs. Bongard
Dear Families,
With May and June left in the school year, we have celebrated an amazing year at Tec.
South! We continue to work on our School Learning Plan with a focus on Literacy,
Numeracy and Well Being.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school council for all of their work
supporting initiatives at our school including last weekend’s successful TOOT’N’HOLLER
sale as well as all of our fun lunch days. I would also like to recognize so many of you who
have come to volunteer time helping with school activities. Some of our families have
donated items to the TOOT’N’HOLLER, some of our families have helped with driving
students to and from sporting and academic events, some volunteer in classrooms, some
have been guest speakers and some have worked behind the scenes preparing classroom
materials and creating delicious healthy snacks for our students on a daily basis. We
appreciate all of your work and dedication. To show our appreciation, we would like to
invite you to our volunteer appreciation tea tentatively set on June 14th- invitation to follow.
Looking ahead to some of the activities planned:
We would like to welcome our newest students at our Welcome to Kindergarten evening on
May 3. We wish our grade 8’s well as they head to Camp Couchiching on May 8th and we
invite all our families to join us for our school presentation of Dreamcatcher on May 17th
during the day or May 18th in the evening- ticket sales will be announced shortly.
As always, we thank our staff who have worked hard to provide these exciting opportunities
for our students.
The Provincial Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics: EQAO for Primary (grade
3) and Junior (grade 6) Divisions is scheduled to take place province wide between May 23
and June 2.
By continuing to plan and deliver the Ontario Curriculum all year our grade 3 and 6 teachers
have been working to prepare their students for the EQAO assessment that will occur later
this month. The EQAO assessment is not an assessment that students can study for in the
last weeks leading up to the assessment. The assessment is an application of the skills they
have been working on over the years. Please schedule appointments for your children at
other times so they do not miss the assessment. Your child’s participation in the test
provides staff with a snapshot of his/her performance. We will use this information and all
other data gathered in the future, to better program for your child.
Sincerely,
M. Bongard,
Principal
Kindergarten Registration
Is your child turning four this year? It’s time to register for Kindergarten!
Do you or someone you know have a child who was born in 2013? If so, it’s time to
register them for Kindergarten in the SCDSB! Our school is now registering children for
Kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year. Required registration documents include
birthdate documentation, proof of address and record of immunization. For more
information and to watch our new Kindergarten video featuring local students, visit
www.scdsb.on.ca/kindergarten. Please call the office to make an appointment for
you and your child to come and register.
Welcome to Kindergarten Evening
If you have registered your child for Junior Kindergarten beginning in September of
2017, please join us for an information night on Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Your
child will be introduced to the classroom and school staff. You and your child will
participate in activities that will help you get to know a little about our program here at
Tec. South P.S.
Eva Olsson Presentation
The Grade 8 class went to see Eva Olsson, Holocaust survivor, speak. The experience was truly
amazing. She had compassion and a purpose, a message for the world which she spoke about
with pride and emotion. Watching her speak gave a lot more to the Grade 8 class than a book
about the Holocaust ever could. Instead of hearing a list of facts we heard her story. Eva Olsson
saw her family being taken away and killed without a goodbye, she went to Auschwitz, worked
in a labour camp, and overcame extreme sickness and starvation. She pushed through those
years with courage and spoke about it with pride. After all that she mentioned she did not even
hate the Nazis for doing what they did, because she does not believe in world hate; Eva believes
that hate is a sickness. Not only did her presentation educate us about the Holocaust, but that
bullying happens in school yards, every minute of day and has no place in our Canada. For that
we thank this incredibly strong 92-year-old woman for speaking to us. People like her bring
peace to our society and planet making her presentation an unforgettable experience.
Quinn Howe, Grade 8
School Council News
FUN LUNCH PROGRAM
Our pizza lunches on Monday are now being provided by New Orleans Pizza in
Beeton. Parent Council wishes to extend thanks to all families for supporting the Tec.
South Lunch Program, funds raised from this program are used to purchase Interactive
Technology for our Classrooms. Volunteers to help distribute lunches are always
welcomed. Please email your contact info to us at [email protected] if
you are an approved volunteer and can assist: Mondays and/or Thursdays between
12:45 and 1:15pm.
TOOT’N’HOLLER
Thank you to everyone for their generous donations for the 2017 Toot’n’Holler garage
sale! Thank you as well to the volunteers who came out to help us sell all of the fine
goods. A very special thank you goes out to Michelle Oates-Smith and Lesley Smith for
their dedication and commitment to our cause. We raised almost $1,1200 that will go
toward purchasing additional technology for classrooms. It was an outstanding day!
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING
The next meeting will be at 6:30 PM in the school library on June 5th. All are welcome
to join us for the meeting.
EQAO Assessment – Grades 3 and 6
The provincial assessment given by EQAO will occur between May 23rd and June 5th this year. If your
child is involved in this province wide assessment, please avoid making appointments for those
dates. We appreciate your support in this matter.
Junior Boys’ Basketball
The Junior Boys Basketball Team had a great time at the basketball tournament. Many of the
participants demonstrated amazing character throughout the day. The team would like to give a big
thank you to Steven and Hayden for supporting them during their practices as well as at the
tournament. Thank you junior boys for a great season and thank you Mr. Murray for coaching.
Junior Girls’ Basketball
The Junior Girls’ Basketball Team had an awesome day at their tournament. The firls
played very well and demonstrated true Tec. South sprit. They ame in 2nd in the
morning and went on to play at Tec. Beeton in the afternoon. The girls lost by one
basket in their final game. Well done girls. The team included Zoey, Siobhan,
Sherridan, Melisa, Vera, Caroline, Amelia, Shaelyn, Wiggy, Abby, Olivia & Lily. Thank
you to Quinn and Jillian for helping out with the team and scorekeeping at our game the
other week. Thank you to Hayden & Steven for refereeing at our game and a special
thank you to Mrs. Santo for coaching our students.
Track and Field
Our school Track and Field meet will be held Tuesday, May 16th (rain date May 18) for
grades 4 – 8 students. Students need to be dressed for the weather. Sunscreen &
plenty of water are recommended. If you are available to volunteer to help on this day,
please let Mrs. Davidson or Mrs. Blake know at 905-936-3711.
Are you looking for work?
The Simcoe County District School Board’s Career Centre is ready to help at no cost to you.
The Career Centre has experienced, professional employment consultants available to help job
searchers prepare for and find work. Visit the Career Centre for resources, including the use of
computers, internet, printer, fax, information sessions, job board and online postings. No
appointment necessary and the Centre is open Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday 9
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on the services available, visit barriecareercentre.com
or call 705-725-8990. This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the Government of
Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Summer childcare available at select SCDSB
schools
In partnership with community child care operators, we are pleased to support your child care
needs, offering full-day child care programs for children (aged JK to 12 years) in select schools
across Simcoe County this summer. Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child
care operator directly to register. A fee subsidy may be available to families who qualify. For
more information, please contact Laura Swagerman of Bradford Progress Childcare at 905-9654896. For the full listing of childcare centres in the SCDSB, visit www.scdsb.on.ca and click on
‘Schools’ and then ‘Before & After School Care.’
Shine green for Mental Health Week, May 1 to 7
The Canadian Mental Health Association invites us to wear green during Mental Health Week.
Be sure to share online with the hashtag #GETLOUD. Going green for mental health is a simple
way for all of us to recognize that we must make mental health a priority. Visit
www.greenformentalhealth.ca for more information.
Immunization reminder
By law, all students need to have an up-to-date immunization record on file at the health unit.
Since starting Kindergarten, your child may have received new immunizations. A reminder –
you must send your child’s updated immunization records to the Simcoe Muskoka District
Health Unit for:


Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, and Pertussis
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Two-doses of a Chickenpox (Varicella) containing vaccine
If your child will not be getting these vaccines, you will need to give the health unit a valid
exemption (medical or affidavit). If the health unit does not have an updated record, students
could be temporarily suspended from school. Follow these steps to help us:
1. Check your child’s yellow immunization card
2. Contact your health care provider to obtain records, or to get missing vaccinations
3. Share the complete record with us at www.smdhu.org/immsonline or fax the record to
the health unit at 705-726-3962
Questions? Contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or toll-free at 1-877-721-7520.
Summer camp can be an important part of your
child’s growth and development
To many people, summer camp for kids might appear like nothing more than fun and games.
However, a study conducted by the University of Waterloo supports what camp directors have
been saying for decades – camp is a setting for positive youth development where invaluable
life skills are acquired and nurtured. Youth development experts agree that children need a
variety of experiences in their lives to help them grow into healthy adolescents and adults. Here
are five critical life skills that are fostered at summer camp:
1. Getting along with others – Talk to any camp alumni and you’ll likely hear how some of
their most meaningful friendships and lessons on how to get along with others came
from camp.
2. Overcoming challenges – According to the ParticipACTION Report Card, oversupervising kids or keeping them indoors to ensure they are safe limits their
opportunities for physical activity. Camp provides a safe environment, allowing children
to freely learn how to overcome challenges and develop and grow their capabilities.
3. Getting active – A recent Statistics Canada study found that only seven per cent of
youth aged six to 19 got the recommended hour a day of exercise they need. Summer
camp is a great way for kids to stay active all summer and ensure they are surrounded
with great role models and supportive friends.
4. Unplugging –We know that when children are connected with their environment, they
are healthier and happier. Summer camp provides kids with the opportunity to “unplug”
and help them build social skills while enjoying all the activities of the great outdoors.
5. Leadership – When it comes to developing strong leaders, camp provides both implicit
and explicit training including morals, ethics, problem solving, teamwork and life skills.
To learn more about the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka summer camps, visit
www.ymcasummercamp.ca.
Information provided by the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka (www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca)
Stay safe in the sun
It only takes one bad sunburn in childhood to increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in
life. As the weather gets warmer, follow these sun safety tips to keep you and your family safe:
 use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and SPF 15 lip balm
 apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside (even on cloudy days) and always
follow the label instructions
 apply sunscreen to any exposed areas of skin – nose, ears, back of neck, tops of feet,
etc.
 reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours and after sweating or swimming
 wear loose, long sleeved shirts and pants, a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses
 if possible, avoid being in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 when you’re outside, look for shade
For more sun safety tips, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a public health nurse.
Bradford Progress Childcare Centres
Before and After School Program – 905-778-8377
www.bradfordprogresschildcare.ca OR www.scdsb.on.ca
Hours – Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 9:10 AM & 3:30 PM to 6 PM
Please contact Laura Swagerman (site supervisor) at 905-965-4896 for further information or
pick up an information package from the office. There is now limited space available here for
children in Kindergarten to grade 6.
Ontario Early Years Centre
Are you home with little people and looking for something fun to do? Drop by the Ontario Early
Years Centre in Alliston! The OEYC is a free service for all adults with children 0 to 6 years of
age. Adults and children participate in activities together. Children have the opportunity to
play with other children and participate in many different types of programs and activities,
which promote early learning and school readiness, and they are FUN for children and adults
alike.
Do you have a child starting school in 2017? Participating in activities at the OEYC is a great way
to help prepare your child for this exciting transition. OEYC staff have resources for
kindergarten preparation. Just drop by and ask!
Check out our website, www.e3.ca or call 705 435-4308 for hours, directions and more
information.
OEYC also offers outreach programs in communities outside of Alliston. These early learning
programs for children 0 to 6 years of age accompanied by an adult, include a variety of
activities, circle time (story and songs) and crafts. Fun, early learning for children! You are
welcome to visit the following locations and join in the programs there:
Tottenham Community Centre – 10:15 am – Wednesdays May 3rd and 17th
Tottenham Library – Pam Kirkpatrick Branch – 10:15am – Wednesdays May 10th and 24th
DA Jones Library, Beeton – 10:15am – Friday May 5th and Tuesday May 23rd
Hard Copies of the Newsletter
If you wish to receive a hard copy of the newsletter you must notify the office in writing.
In case you were not able to attend our assembly- here are some highlights!