View
7
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Terry Fox P.S. Newsletter 185 Wintermute Blvd., Scarborough, ON M1W 3M9
http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/terryfox
January/February
2017
Our students at Terry Fox
are also given the
opportunity to participate
in a variety of teams,
clubs, performances and
trips to enhance their
school experience. We
would like to extend a
huge thank you to all the
staff who are providing
these opportunities for
our students.
We all look forward to
continuing to work
closely together for the
final term of the school
year. Terry Fox P.S.
believes strongly in open
communication so if you
have any questions please
feel free to contact the
school.
Mr. Malvern
Message from the Principal
Winter seems to be hanging on, but hopefully Spring is
right around the corner! It is a very busy time at Terry
Fox P.S.
Report cards have now gone home and interviews have
taken place. Students, parents and teachers have all had
that very important opportunity to connect in order to
ensure that we are working together in the best interest of
the students. We strongly value this cooperation and
collaboration as we strive for consistency in our
approach. Parents play a very important part in the
success that a child experiences at school. The
connection between the parent and the school is vitally
important.
SCHOOL EVENTS
A Terry Fox P. S. Fundraiser
Move-a-thon
Thursday, April 12th
, 2017
We are thrilled to announce we will be
hosting another Move-a-thon.
The proceeds from this fundraiser will be
used to help purchase:
-additional iPads for the Kindergarten to
Grade 2 students
-additional Laptops for the Grade 3 to 8
students
For every $10 a student raises, they will
receive a ticket to be entered into a draw to
win a variety of prizes.
Grand Prize for the student who collects the
most pledges will win a mini iPad.
The kick-off assembly is scheduled for
March 3rd with the donations due April 21st.
Kindergarten
Registration 9:00-11:00 a.m.
and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
To register, visit our school during
the above hours and bring the
following information about your
child:
1. Age (a birth certificate or
baptismal record or passport)
2. Address (two pieces of
identification that shows
your recent address, such as
your telephone bill, Motor
Vehicle Ownership and
Insurance, etc.)
3. Immunization (the card that
shows a list of needles your
child has received)
4. Child’s Health Card
5. If your child was not born in
Canada, verification of date
of arrival is required.
Families who are permanent
residents and refuge
claimants may register
directly at the school. All
other families should come
to the International Program
and Admissions Office,
Toronto District School
Board, 5050 Yonge Street,
for a TDSB School
Admission Letter.
Student Leader Updates
The Student Leaders have organized a lot of events the past few months. The
Intermediate Potluck was a tremendous success! We had a variety of
awesome food, especially with the amount of main dishes. In future years,
we hope to continue to improve the quality and experience of the
Intermediate Potluck. From the Social Committee, we had another Spirit Day called, “Wacky
Mismatch Hair Day”. Lots of people were engaged in the event and there
were many great outfits. We have also recently given the kindergartens the chance to purchase their very own milk cartons as part of the
Terry Fox Milk Program. The Kinder Milk Program is pausing for March but will resume in April. New
customers are welcome! What else is coming up? In late March, we will be selling popcorn and cookies again. Spirit Days include Pink
Day on April 12th
. Don’t forget to wear pink. That’s not all. In May, there will be tattoo sales. So remember to
gather your money to buy some rad works of art.
We are planning to hold another intermediate dance during the spring, known as “The Spring Fling” which will
be in April or May. The money we raise will go to the school for more resources, Grade 8 Graduation DJ and to lower the cost for
our yearbooks. Throughout the whole year, we will be working towards those goals to give you all an unforgettable and fun
year. Kathleen Sun and Jerry Pan (Grade 8 Class Reps)
Hair Donation May 3, 2017
We continue our tradition since 2009 in donating hair. This year, the hair
donation will be on May 3, 2017. The event will take place at Salon Passion
located at 505 Hwy. 7 East, Markham. Paul and Eling Lo, Mrs. Mitra’s hairdressers, continue to donate their
services for this event.
Every year, we have approximately 12-15 people, students and teachers, donate their hair. The minimum length
of hair you can donate is 6 inches. If you are a student and interested in donating your hair, please sign your
name up on the sign-up sheets posted across the library doors. If you are a parent and would like to donate your
hair with us that day, please call the school and leave your name and number for Mrs. Mitra.
If you are not able to join us but would still like to donate your hair, you can always get your haircut by your
own hairdresser and bring the hair (tied with elastics or braided) and give it to you Mrs. Mitra or Ms. Woo. We
will then send the hair along with the rest of the hair that we collect on the day of the event.
Mrs. Mitra and Ms. Woo
Student of the Month Recipients
January (TEAMWORK)
Teacher Name Grade Student Name (First and Last)
Ms. Ruiz & Ms. Yu FDK Winnie C., Ryan L. & Derek C.
Ms. Lee & Ms. Bu FDK Feonny L. & Madhavan S.
Ms. Tai & Ms. Hsiung
FDK
Ivan C., Hafsa E. & Angela W.
Ms. Ahn 1 Sammy P. & Krystail D.
Ms. Jong 1 Han C. & Justin C.
Ms. VanDerToorn 1/2 Vivian Y. & Boris C.
Ms. Killam 2 Kevin S. & Cynthia S.
Ms. Baptista 2 Jeremy C., Summer L. & Jason Z.
Mr. Wan 3 Richard S. & Stephen B.
Ms. LePera 3 Ivan Y., Si Ying L. & Ye G.
Mr. Nikolarakos 4 Emily H., Su Xin J., Angela L. & Mandy P.
Ms. Chan 4 Stephanie F., Allen Z. & Valerie H.
Ms. Lau 5 Joy A., Carmen F. & Eris G.
Mr. Au 5/6 Joey Z., David S. & Ledia X.
Ms. Chu 6 Jeffery L. & Sandy Y.
Ms. Mitra 7 Adam P., Derek T. & Emily Y.
Mr. Beveridge 7/8 Shirley S. & Michael T.
Ms. Cameron 8 Kathleen S., Caroline L. & Jerry P.
Student of the Month Recipients
February (FAIRNESS)
Teacher Name Grade Student Name
(First and Last)
Ms. Ruiz & Ms. Yu FDK Jared C., Hanna L., Elena Z. & Cherry L.
Ms. Lee & Ms. Bu FDK YuYin Y. & Chloe L.
Ms. Tai & Ms. Hsiung
FDK
Edwin C., Nahlayjah J. & Alina J.
Ms. Ahn 1 Noah K., Michelle D. & Rachel L.
Ms. Jong 1 Kensen Y. & Jacky W.
Ms. VanDerToorn 1/2 Brian L. & Eton L.
Ms. Killam 2 Justin L. & Taylor H.
Ms. Baptista 2 Angie L., Summer L. & Jenny Z.
Mr. Wan 3 Kyle Z., Justin Q. & Ryan L.
Ms. LePera 3 Fiona L., Daniel C. & Ivy Y.
Mr. Nikolarakos 4 Vanness W., Willam Z. & Adrian N.
Ms. Chan 4 Nathan Y., Zihan C. & Mahdin R.
Ms. Lau 5 Nandini H., Kainat P. & Sophia X.
Mr. Au 5/6 Nico J., Tracy J. & Andy L.
Ms. Chu 6 Sandy Y. & Alyssa M.
Ms. Mitra 7 Adam P., Anson L., Ivy Z. & Brandi C.
Mr. Beveridge 7/8 Steven P., Sonia C., Katherine W. & Steven X.
Ms. Cameron 8 Irene P., Sharon S., Angelina T. & Ricky L.
Chanie Wenjack: A Film By Gord Downie & Jeff Lemire
Sarah An 02/01/2017
The story of Chanie Wenjack spread across Canada, revealing true
tragedies of the horrible misconceptions we have made about the history
of Canada. Chanie Wenjack was a happy boy, part of the Ojibwa tribe,
until he was taken away to a residential school in 1963. After the terrible
abuse and sickening days, Chanie and his two other friends decided to
escape. Chanie ended up by himself, continuing his journey by the
railroad tracks, trying to walk back home to his father. He only had
seven matches and a windbreaker to survive the long, freezing winter.
Songs by Gord Downie were accompanied by graphics by Jeff Lemire,
showing the audience Chanie Wenjack’s journey on the secret path.
Seven Matches Question 1: As Chanie decided to leave, he was given seven matches to take into the woods.
They provided him warmth that the crisp wind was against. Chanie was especially fond of them, smiling as he
looked at the matches in the screw cap jar because it reminded him of the warm smile of the women who gave
the matches. But, I think the matches also represent Chanie’s hope. Day by day, there were fewer and fewer
matches. Day by day, he had less and less hope. The hope that he will reach his home kept him moving, helping
him continue on even though the journey was extremely difficult. But, Chanie did not know the specific
location of his home, and did not know how long the journey would take. There could have been only a few
steps left, or a whole journey ahead of him. He did not know. I also believe that the matches represented the
rights that the First Nations had. In the lyrics of “Seven Matches”, it said “As long as I have six, I’d be fine. As
long as I have five…” and continued on; the numbers decreasing. As Canada’s population and economy
boosted, rights of First Nations were taken away. First their lands rights, language rights, and now even the
rights of having access to clean water. The First Nations may have thought “Oh, at least we still have the right
to do this...” trying to look at the positive side, until each one was taken away. Currently, things are becoming
much better than before. Canada has created projects to help First Nations get their rights back, such as the
“Truth and Reconciliation Commission”. We all hope it will truly make a positive difference compared to the
previous Canadian history.
Here, Here, and Here Question 3: Gord Downie ended the story with Chanie in his father’s arms, with his
home in front of him. They saw on the ground, a few feet away from them, Chanie -himself- lying on the cold
hard floor, dead. He passed away after he fell onto the ground, shivering. Chanie’s spirit simply looked away
and went home with his father. Maybe he was in heaven with his father he loved and longed for. I think Gord
Downie chose this ending because he wanted to end it more relieving, calming, and peaceful. The fact that a
child died trying to get away from residential schools is very traumatizing and extremely sad. Chanie deserved
what he hoped very much for, and even if it was an illustration, it was a way to show respect and appreciation to
Chanie. It tells us that he finally found peace and ended his journey well.
Chanie Wenjack brought attention to Canadians, allowing them to accept this mistake and make reconciliations.
The goal is to never repeat the same mistake again, and to prevent similar discrimination in the future.
The Significance of the Raven Symbolism in Gord Downie
and Jeff Lemire's "The Secret Path"
By: Kathleen Sun When you think about ravens, what comes to mind? Death, mischief, greed, impatience and bad luck, right? All
negative traits. Even its color, black is not a good sign. However, in the songs that tell Chanie Wenjack’s story,
the raven seemed to have a big spotlight, and a huge influence on Chanie. But what was it there for? What’s the
artist, Gord Downie trying to say to us? Well, to start off, the raven is a very important Native Symbol in the
Aboriginal’s people’s culture. It symbolizes many things in Aboriginal peoples’ culture, such as creation,
change, knowledge, prestige as well as the complexity of nature and the subtlety of truth. I believe the raven
has three strong symbols that play a huge part in the Truth and Reconciliation process. The raven symbolizes
change in life, the subtlety of truth, and healing.
First of all, the raven symbolizes metamorphosis and change. Change can’t be prevented, it always happens.
We just need to adapt to it. According to What’s My Spirit Animal .com, the raven encourages that change in
movement in your life. This bird appears to Chanie a few times in the videos, and those were all times of
significant change. For example, in the last video when Chanie was on the doorstep of death and hallucinating,
the raven was there, seeing the ending of Chanie’s story (life). Furthermore, this scene shows the juxtaposition
between life and death. This was a time of significant change, because Chanie was going from being alive to
dead. The word “change” is a message Gord Downie is trying the get across. He is telling us to change. To stop
having the stereotypic perspectives of how Aboriginals are lazy, dumb, and drunk. Chanie’s story is spread to
change people’s perspectives, and it worked. It has successfully touched millions of hearts, and is an everlasting
story.
Secondly, the raven symbolizes the subtlety of truth. It is also a keeper of secrets, and can assist us in
determining answers to our own thoughts. In the video the raven has given words of advice to Chanie, to help
him choose what to he wants to do with his life. According to a symbolic meaning blog by Avia Venefica, the
raven can help us find the truth behind secrets and wing us back to health and harmony. Well, the truth and
reconciliation commission has already discovered the truth about residential school, what’s left is if we want to
do anything about it. For years, the Canadian government has been trying to hide it and forget about it,
including the people it had hurt. However, something is very clear right now. Residential schools are bad! Is has
torn families apart, and taken out the light in a child’s eyes. If we all know it’s wrong, why wouldn’t anyone
want to do something to heal the damage dealt? It’s because everyone’s like “Yeah, we’re wrong. So, are we
going to do something about it? Uh, no. Everyone is too lazy, and really doesn’t CARE about how they made
others suffer. The truth and reconciliation group has clearly put out the truth on the table, but will there be
change? That’s up to us.
Finally, the raven symbolizes healing through support. According to Native American Raven Mythology, this
bird helps people, and shapes their world for them. It is also known as an excellent partner, and helper. An
example is the raven giving Chanie the advice that what he can’t escape he’s got to embrace. That really helped
Chanie keep on going, instead of wishing to go back. Gord Downie is also telling us to help heal the scars left
by residential schools. Helping Chanie is too late now, but why not lift up the heads of the survivors of
residential schools? Shouldn’t they deserve a pat on the back, a sorry, and a warm smile from us. We need to
stop being selfish right now, step in their shoes, and look at what they have all been through. What they have
suffered. Why can’t we have enough empathy to help the first nations stop depending on alcohol and drugs and
see the world brightly? Can’t we teach the mothers (that’ve been to residential school) HOW to raise their
children, so that negative generational legacy can stop being passed on? Well you’re probably thinking “I didn’t
do it, why should I help?” Because we are all humans, and we should kindness in our hearts to help those of us
who are sliding off the edge and falling. But too many people are just too lazy to rise out to them and lend them
a hand.
In conclusion, the raven is a crucial part to Chanie’s story and really brings Gord Downie’s message across. It
reminds us that after knowing the TRUTH, we should CHANGE our perspective, and then try to HEAL and
help those who have been harmed. As you see these three symbols of the raven are all linked together, and are
very important right now. Because now, after everyone knows the truth about the failure of residential schools,
some changed their perspectives, but very few want to try to fix the harm done. Through the raven we are
reminded of our next step, to heal.
On February 23rd, the intermediates went on a field trip to Scarborough Town Centre to
watch the film “Hidden Figures”. Hidden Figures is a historical film that takes place in
1961 and tells the story of three African-American female mathematicians who worked
for NASA. At the time, the US needed to prove that their space department was
accomplishing something, since they were in a race with Russia and were falling behind.
They were under a lot of pressure to get a man into space and back as successfully and
quickly as possible. Throughout the movie, it showed how the mathematicians were not
respected because they were black as well as female. Often times they were not given credit for their work, or other
employers would take credit for their accomplishments. White people would criticize them, look down at them, and treat
them unequally.
The main protagonist was Katherine Johnson. She was among some of the most intelligent workers at NASA and
contributed more to the project than many of the other workers. Johnson had to run back and forth between two buildings
multiple times every day whenever she needed to use the restroom because there was no ‘coloured restroom’ in the
building she worked in; the nearest one was half a mile away. This took up her time and as a result, she received
reprimand from her boss for her absences, but still she persevered and showed initiative. Although they would not have
been able to get a man into space without her help and dedication, her work was not properly acknowledged until recently.
Mary Jackson was an assistant who wanted to become an engineer, but she required a degree from a school which
did not accept coloured people. Mary had to go to court to petition to attend the all-white school, but they only let her go
to the night classes. Jackson was NASA’s first black engineer who contributed to numerous space expeditions.
Dorothy Vaughan, was the leader figure of ‘The Computers.” This group was made up of 20 black women who
had to work in the basement of a building for NASA while all the white workers worked on the top and ground level of
the building. These intelligent women received less advanced technology, lower quality supplies and worked in worse
conditions. Vaughan did the job of a supervisor but was not paid like one. When she asked to become an actual
supervisor, she was turned down. Later on, she was promoted to supervisor when she fixed the IBU machine. The white
workers then realized how intelligent Vaughan and the group was. ‘The Computers’ were promoted to a higher position
(to program the IBU), when they no longer needed people to hand-calculate NASA’s math.
The goal of the movie ‘Hidden Figures’ was to show how terrible the blatant racism and sexism in the 1960’s
was. The movie conveys this message by showing how the main characters; Katherine, Mary, and Dorothy struggled with
and overcame the racism and sexism in their workplace and community despite being treated badly by their fellow white
employees and doubted their husbands. They were not paid equally and were not guaranteed a permanent job despite
everything they did. Their intelligence and abilities were underestimated and questioned constantly. Regardless of their
struggles, these three bright women have and will continue to inspire people to continue moving towards equality, just as
they did. These women contributed to an important step in the 1960’s for the advancement of black African Americans
and women that still resonates today.
By: Leah Y., Kaley L., & Sophia M.
The Good and Bad of Forestry
By: Kimi Ong Forestry is the craft and science of managing, creating, using, conserving and repairing forests
to meet desired goals, needs and values for human and environmental benefits. Many things are
made from forestry products, so the forestry industry is essential.
Forestry is an important industry. In Canada, it’s a major source of wealth. It provides many
jobs, yields forest resources such as timber, decreases the risk of forest fires, and much more!
Many objects are made from wood, such as tables, chairs and pencils.
With all the benefits the forest industry brings, we also have to be aware of the negative results.
For example, many animals lose their habitat, there are fewer plants that can convert carbon
dioxide into oxygen, fewer trees will be able to stop natural hazards such as floods, and many
others. Though forestry is a useful industry, we have to realize the negative impacts it brings
and do what we can to make changes.
The forestry industry has many disadvantages, but we can’t just stop logging. We can do many
things to help, such as limit the trees that can be cut down, properly manage the waste generated
by logging activity and plant seedlings to replace trees that were cut down. Being responsible
and helping the environment to make up for the damages caused by forestry industries is a
must!
The forestry industry is a very important and useful industry but it impacts the environment in
many ways. Responsible forestry is the key to making sure we continue to enjoy the benefits of
the forestry industry into the future.
TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
On Thursday February 23, the grade 5 and 6’s in Ms. Chu, Ms. Lau and Mr. Au's classes, went
to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO). We had a blast! We heard a variety of different
songs. We listened to songs like the main theme song from Star Wars, the theme song of
mission impossible and lots more. Our favourite was “Dam! The Story of Kit the Beaver”. It
was a short film by the government of Canada and students from Seneca. They also played the
soundtrack during the film which was really cool. They even did sound effects like the beaver
chewing on the wood and the wolf howling. For the Star Wars theme song some other schools
were even playing. That was really cool. We discovered instruments we never knew about. We
also watched from a really cool view. We also liked the bus ride. We passed by things like the
blue jays stadium and the views we passed by we're really nice. I think by going to TSO it can
inspire us to play like professionals one day. If I could go again I would definitely go!
-Joey & Audrey =)
Recommended