Co m e G r ow Wi t h U s !
N o v e m be r 2 0 1 5
V A L L E Y F A R M P. S . N E W S
PR INC I PA L’ S C O RN E R
Contact Us!
Valley Farm Public School
1615 Pepperwood Gate
Pickering, Ontario
L1X 2K5
Phone: 905-428-6337
Fax: 905-686-9254
[email protected]
Mrs. F. Gurdin
Principal
Mrs. E. Ferris
Vice-Principal
Mrs. R. Martin
Office Administrator
Mrs. K. Shehan
Administrative Assistant
It has been a busy two months of school. A big thank you to our staff for facilitating
many activities for our students during lunch and after school. The activities and
clubs are pursued with enthusiasm amongst our students. Students gain team
building skills, a sense of responsibility and participation. The following activities
are taking place: soccer, volleyball, hockey, house league, band and Leadership
Group.
We are currently awaiting direction from the DDSB on how to proceed in regard to
Progress Reports/Parent Teacher interviews etc. Once received, this information
will be communicated to all. Thank you for your patience during the ratification
period.
Our school will continue to focus on Comprehensive Math and Literacy, use of problem solving model and interactive math performance boards. A big thrust will be on
inquiry based learning. Our grade 5 & 8 students are thrilled to have the new laptop
carts in their classrooms as part of a Board driven initiative.
Teachers in every classroom have co-constructed Learning Goals, Success Criteria
with their students. This give students a very good understanding of what is
learned in relation to the curriculum expectations. Feedback from the teachers
give students a description of their learning- what they are doing well and what
needs to be improved upon. We believe all students can learn and we implement
strategies that address the needs of the learners.
We continue to have new families joining our school family. We encourage our parents to get to know their child’s teacher, to foster positive relationships and a common understanding of the academic, social and athletic expectations for the
school year. We do understand the important role in supporting their child/ren
and we encourage the parent partnerships role in the school community.
We congratulate our School Community Council’s efforts in supporting the school.
We are working collaboratively in the best interests of our students .
Flo Gurdin, Principal
QSP MAGAZINE CAMPAIGN
We have started our Magazine Fundraising Campaign. Our kick off assembly was
held on Tuesday. All QSP orders are due by December 1st. Our fundraising efforts will be aimed at enriching our program with Scientists in the School. Please
help support our school. You can purchase magazines on line - simply go on-line
www.QSP.ca and go shopping. Don’t forget - magazine subscriptions make great
Christmas gifts and holiday gifts for family and friends.
A special thank you to Mrs. Ramdhan who has undertaken this fundraiser.
Our school Group number is 3724002, password is 9814.
Remember Reading is a wonderful source of stress
relief!
V a l l e y F a r m P. S . N e w s
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HAT AND MITTEN TREE
Valley Farm will continue the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree with donations of mittens and hats from the students/ community. The mitten tree will
be set up on Monday, November 23rd by our student leadership team. In the
spirit of the holiday season, please consider supporting our annual food and toy
drive by donating a new unwrapped toy and/or item of non-perishable food.
These items will be donated to a local charity and will help to brighten the holiday season for the less fortunate!
SCC MEETING
The School Community Council is an advisory group made up of teachers, parents and non-teaching staff. We welcome new members to attend. Our next
SCC meeting will be held on Tuesday November 24th at 7 p.m.
Fundraising will be discussed.
S.C.C. SPONSORED FUNDRAISING
All monies raised through fundraising efforts go directly back into programs for
the school and all children benefit.
Thank you to all the families for your support.
Fundraising has helped TREMENDOUSLY to enrich the lives of Valley Farm students in the following ways:
 Support Scientists in the School Program
 School Presentations
 Ipads
 Class Trips
VOLUNTEER OF DISTINCTION
Congratulations to Mrs. Akram for being selected as our
volunteer of distinction for this year. She is a member
of our School Community Council and she helps with
the planning of special events – fundraising days, vaccination days and graduation. She always has a smile
on her face. Thank you for giving generously of your
time at the school.
MISSION
STATEMENT
Valley Farm Public
School will engage
students, parents
and staff in a culture
of learning that
advances a shared
responsibility for
academic
achievement,
individual
excellence and a
respect for diversity
and community.
V a l l e y F a r m P. S . N e w s
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ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Regular attendance and punctuality are extremely important for students to achieve success. The best
way to ensure that your child receive the most out of their education is to attend school regularly.
Students who are routinely late, disrupt the learning environment and miss out on the learning program. Keeping your kids caught up is a challenge! Parents we are counting on your support!
Too many absences result in your child/ren lag behind in school academically; missing a considerable
amount of days:
Warning signs:
7 - 14 days
Chronic Absence: 20 or more days away
Good attendance : attends school everyday
Parents kindly help your child get organized the night before. Backpacks and lunches packed the night
before help the mornings go faster. This is an important life lesson!
UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
Students will be asked to bring in a loonie for wearing their hat all day. This will help to raise funds for
the United Way. Monies raised will help to support many programs in our community. Date to be announced.
REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY
Our annual Remembrance Day assembly will be held on Wednesday, November 11th at 10:15pm in the
gym. Parents are welcome to attend. If you wish, you are welcome to send a small donation (.25 cent )
to purchase a poppy. Thank you for helping to support our war veterans.
“To remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice
For peace, love and freedom. They died to give us all a better day.”
V a l l e y F a r m P. S . N e w s
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EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Each school year we updated and maintain proper procedures and protocols in case of emergencies.
Hopefully we never have to set our plans into action. We do have students practice Fire, Lockdown,
Hold and Secure and Nuclear Evacuation (any school within a 10km radius of the Nuclear Power Generating station in Pickering).
FIRE DRILLS
Annually we practiced 6 fire drills. This is to keep our staff and students safe. In an event of an emergency they know what to do. Each class has a fire drill exit plan.
LOCKDOWN
On October 21, 2015 we had our first lockdown drill. A lockdown is a procedure that will assist in getting students and staff out of harm’s way and into secure areas within the school(i.e. locked classrooms) when an emergency situation arises. It looks like a reverse fire drill as it restricts movement
within and into/out of the school. Students and staff stayed in locked classrooms for a few minutes,
away from windows and doors, remaining quiet. This would assist in the event of a serious incident. All
school are practicing lockdowns as part of their routine safety procedures.
REMIND APP
We are pleased to share with all of our Valley Farm families an easy and convenient way to receive
news, updates and reminders about special events happening at our school.
Please follow the instructions below to receive reminders straight to your phone!
V a l l e y F a r m P. S . N e w s
Page 5
The Durham District School Board and the Equity, Diversity and Race Relations Department recognize and value the dimensions of diversity while supporting Equity and Inclusive Education. As we continue to implement equitable principles and practices, it is important to
acknowledge dates of significance that recognize our diverse faith groups, creeds and organizations. The following dates highlight observances that are notable as we continue to broaden our educational focus through the equity lens, recognizing information from the United
Nations (UN), the Federal Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Interfaith Calendar and the Multi-faith Council of Ontario.
 November 11 – Al-Hijra/Muharram – New Year last day (Islam)
 November 11 - Remembrance Day (Canadian)
 November 11 – Bandi Chhor Divas Diwali (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism)
 November 11 – 15 – Diwali (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism)
 November 11 - 12 - Birth of Baha'u'llah (Bahá'í)
 November 15 – 21 Bullying Awareness and Prevention
 November 16 – International Day for Tolerance
 November 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance
 November 23 – Holodomor Memorial Day
DDSB will recognize Holodomor Memorial Day on the third Friday of November.
 November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (UN) November 29 – Advent (Christian)
POLICE CHIEF FOR A DAY
Congratulations to our Grade 5 students who submitted essays for the Durham Regional Police Services
13th Annual Police Chief for a Day contest. The students were asked to write about what they would do
to keep Durham strong if they were the Chief. They shared a wide range of ideas and we are proud of
their efforts! Well done Misha, Ben, Maryam, Sanjana, Mayure, Aisha, Hareem, Aaron and Abdullah!
V a l l e y F a r m P. S . N e w s
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DATES TO REMEMBER
9
10
11
17
18 & 25
20
3, 10, 17
18
21-Jan.1
Jan. 4
NOVEMBER
Bus Evacuation
Start of Diwali
QSP Kickoff Assembly
Remembrance Day Service
Photo Re-Take Day
Hearing Screening
Milkshake Day
PA Day (No classes)
DECEMBER
Pizza Days
Early Dismissal—Winter Break
Winter Break
Back to school
DURHAM
DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD
Success in learning to
meet the challenges of
the future.
Superintendent of Education,
John Legere
905-666-6486
[email protected]
Administrative Officer,
Eleanor McIntosh
905-666-6366
[email protected]
Trustee Chris Braney,
905-509-2426
[email protected]
Trustee Paul Crawford,
905-852-0575
[email protected]
Great Things Are Happening at the Farm!