OUR MISSION STATEMENT: “We will prepare all students to meet the challenges of a changing society by facilitating and fostering their intellectual, physical, emotional and social development

in a safe and inclusive learning environment”

SCHOOL SUCCESS AT DAVID LEEDER MIDDLE SCHOOL

In our November newsletter, we highlighted the Peel Board’s three main areas of focus - Equity, Engage Math, and Empowering Modern Learners. At David Leeder Middle School, we have embraced this important work and have dedicated many hours of PD and focused conversations to deepening our learning in these three areas. As educators and parents, the work we do within the framework of Empowering Modern Learners requires a shift in perspective. Traditionally, schools have been places for acquiring knowledge and skills needed for higher education and the workplace; however, with the rapid changes permeating our contemporary society, it is vital that schools change their focus. Memorizing facts and other information has become redundant in a world that has 24/7 access to much more information than we could have ever compiled in our school books. Rather, new data from various sources have determined that other skills are much more important in navigating and being successful in the workplace reality of the 21st century. These are soft skills, such as: critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, information and media literacy, creativity and innovation, flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural interaction, productivity and accountability. As Raymond Kurzweil, Futurist and Director of Engineering at Google says: “Change is exponential…contrary to the common-sense ‘intuitive liner’ view, we won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century – it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today’s rate).” How are we to prepare our youth for jobs and careers that still do not exist and for a world where a worker will have on average three careers and eight jobs over a lifetime? More than ever, it seems that it is paramount to guide our students in acquiring the above mentioned skills, compatible with 21st century learning.

Catch the………….. March 2019

Leeder S.P.I.R.I.T. Success Perseverance Integrity Responsibility Initiative Teamwork

Save the Date for David Leeder’s Annual Career Day

Mrs. Trotter is looking for parents, siblings, or past David Leeder students who would like to volunteer for our annual Career Day. Please email her at nicole.trotter@peelsb.com for

more details. Career Day will be held on April 18th, 2019.

WINTER CONCERT

Our Winter Concert which was cancelled because of poor

weather conditions, has been rescheduled. It will take

place on March 21st, at 7:00 pm. Door open at 6:30 pm.

Looking forward to an entertaining evening!

FOLLOW US!

Twitter: DLMS_MS Instagram: david_leederms

D.L.M.S. C.Y.O.B. MARKET

ANNUAL ONE DAY SALES EVENT

Friday, April 12th , 2019

8:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

All the David Leeder Middle School GRADE 8 STUDENTS cordially invite the David Leeder community to the C.Y.O.B. (Create Your Own

Business) Market taking place in the DLMS gym. There will be many vendors selling a variety of items

produced or assembled by them as well as offering services. These young Canadian entrepreneurs have

kept the interests of their customers in mind to create and/or offer traditional and unique items and

services.

Don’t miss out on this special sales event! We are sure that you will find something amongst the products and services that is just right for you!

We look forward to serving you.

CASH ONLY We suggest SMALL BILLS and change/coins only.

All visitors must enter through the front doors of the school and must check in with student voice reps at the entrance of the gym before entering the market. Thank you for your cooperation and support of this

event.

DMLS Library News

Updates from the Library Learning Commons:

- If anyone is "Tidying Up" and comes across any gently used LEGO, yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks they

are thinking of getting rid of / no longer brings them joy - please feel free to send them into the

Library. The Makerspace will gladly take any donations!!

- Follow the LLC on Social Media to see what is happening in the space -- @DLMS_Library on Twitter and Instagram

Thank you for supporting the Library!

Reminders The Junior Girls Basketball Tournament will be at John

Fraser Secondary School on March 29. It is a day-long event.

OFIP tutoring will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays (at lunch) during the month of March.

Thank you!

Thanks to all the DMLS families for your ongoing

support in the grade 8 graduation fundraising

initiatives during the past few months.

Agents of Change Calling all milk drinkers!

Agents of Change is still collecting the outside plastic milk bag (the coloured bag that holds the 3

sleeves). The milk bags will be collected and donated to the

Mississauga Central Library, where they will be transformed into mats for

the homeless. It takes approximately 500 bags to make one

mat. In December we donated approximately 900 bags. Bags will

be collected until the end of May. Agents of Change thanks you for

your support.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS Join our school council—share your ideas!

Upcoming School Council meeting date March 20

th , @ 7 pm.

Lunchroom Supervisors Appreciation Day on March 1

In 2017, the Board of Trustees declared the first Friday in March as Lunchroom

Supervisors Appreciation Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Friday, March

1, 2019. Take this opportunity to thank the important work of lunchroom supervisors,

and their support and commitment to helping to ensure that students are safe

and secure.

Sleep Tips for Parents, Children & Teens

From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

Many parents face difficulties getting their children back into regular sleep routines, especially after holiday breaks. Studies have shown that a lack of quality sleep in children can increase the likelihood of anxiety, depression, poor grades and school performance, and even physical pain. Research has proven that kids need a lot of sleep in order to function adequately during the day, and sleep deprived children often overcompensate for lack of sleep by becoming fidgety or even disruptive in school.

How much sleep does your child need every night? Children ages 5-8 need the most sleep, requiring about 10-11 hours every night. Children ages 9-12 need between 9.5-10 hours nightly. And teenagers 13-18 need between 8.5-9.5. Knowing how much sleep your child needs every night is key in establishing a proper bedtime. And it's important to remember that the above times aren't set in stone, but merely general approximations. Your child will have their own individual sleep needs, and you may need to fine-tune their bedtimes a little bit until you find your child less groggy and sleepy in the mornings, and more alert and aware.

Tips for getting your children on a regular sleep routine 1. Keep a regular bedtime schedule, including weekends.

2. Begin a relaxing bedtime routine such as baths, books, prayers, goodnights.

3. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime.

4. Bedrooms should be cool, quiet, dimly lit, comfortable and associated with sleep.

5. Limit caffeine and sugar intake after lunch and none within three hours before bed.

6. Make sure they eat healthy and have regular exercise.

7. Communicate with your children about why regular bedtimes are important.

8. Practice these tips yourself and set a good example.

For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel. Adapted from Alaska Sleep Clinic (2018)

ParentConnect Online parent portal to access important student information

Last year, the Peel District School Board launched ParentConnect, an online parent portal to access important student information.

What is ParentConnect?

ParentConnect is a safe and secure website, created by the Peel District School Board, that acts as a single point to stay informed and to access all electronic services provided to Peel board parents and legal guardians. The parent-friendly website will allow you to:

view school-based alerts and information access real time absence reporting view current and historic elementary report card information get up-to-date busing information review secondary school credit history and diploma status and more

To learn more about the benefits of ParentConnect, visit our school website or www.peelschools.org/parentconnect

Peel Board celebrates public education during Education Week – April 8 to 12 The Peel District School Board will host hundreds of celebrations, activities and events across its 257 schools and worksites to celebrate Education Week from April 8 to 12. On April 15, the Peel Board will host Showcase of Excellence, an evening to honour recipients for their outstanding contributions to public education. The theme for this year's Education Week is We Inspire.

In addition to inviting parents and community residents to visit their classrooms during the week, Peel schools are hosting open houses, plays/musicals, storytelling, environmental activities, awards assemblies, talent shows and much more. More than 1,000 individuals will also be honoured during Education Week with Awards of Distinction for their contributions to their school or workplace. Schools and worksites will use social media to showcase their Education Week celebrations and events using the hashtag #WeInspire.

March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Field Centre

Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its maple syrup bush. The March Break programs run from Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16. The open house begins at 10 a.m. and the last presentation of the day will be at 3 p.m. This year marks the 50-year anniversary of the Peel District School Board’s Sugar Bush program, which provides families with outdoor, educational activities and hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel board staff during March Break. Families are invited to get involved as Spring comes to life through the following activities:

help tap trees and empty sap buckets.

sample some freshly-made maple syrup.

hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand.

learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations.

experience the Indigenous roots of sweet water.

visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney. The cost is $5.00/adult and $4.00/child 12 and under. Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hotdogs for you to roast over an open fire. Please note that all payments are “cash” only. Jack Smythe Field Centre is located at 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd. in Terra Cotta. Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre: Head North on Mississauga Rd.

Turn left on King St. (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left)

Turn right on Winston Churchill Blvd. (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left)

Head to the top of the hill and turn left into the Jack Smythe Field Centre site. For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

Open House: Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

David Leeder Middle School

6900 Gooderham Estate Road

905-362-1340 Principal: S. Takyi

Vice-Principals: S. Robertson, M. Murphy

Superintendent of Education: H. Aujla - (905) 366 - 8800 (ext. 1308)

Trustees: Robert Crocker & Nokha Dakroub

Smoking and Vaping Prohibited on School Property

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) came into effect on October 17, 2018. This law aims to protect the health of Ontarians by regulating the sale, supply and use of tobacco and vapour products (electronic cigarettes), and the smoking and vaping of cannabis. Under the SFOA, 2017 it is illegal to smoke (tobacco or cannabis) or vape on:

School grounds (both inside the school and on the outdoor grounds, including the parking lot and sports

fields)

Public areas within 20 metres of school property.

New signs are being posted at our schools to notify users that smoking and vaping is prohibited in these areas. The smoking and vaping prohibition is always in effect and applies to staff, students and visitors.

Region of Peel - Public Health enforces the smoking and vaping prohibition and has been working with school administrators to keep our schools smoke and vape free. Individuals found smoking and/or vaping in a prohibited area may be subject to a fine.

For more information on how the SFOA, 2017 applies to schools, contact Region of Peel - Public Health at 905-799-7700. For more information on the health effects of smoking and vaping visit the Health Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco.html

Photo Source: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. https://www.ontario.ca/page/no-smoking-no-vaping-signs-businesses