85 Burnt Elm Drive, Brampton On, L7A 1T8 Phone 905-495-9368 Fax 905-495-9371

Principal—Mrs. W. Vokey Vice-Principal-Mrs. G. Gill

Office Manager-Mrs. S. Corbett Superintendent-Mr. Mark Haarmann Trustee-Mrs. S. Nurse

DECEMBER 2015 and January 2016 EDITION

The Burnt Elm Banner

A Message from the Principal—

December/January Highlights

On December 4, 2015, our Junior Choir performed at the Cassie

Campbell Recreation Centre’s special Winter Lights day. The

students performed very well and enjoyed the opportunity to

decorate holiday cookies! Thanks to Ms. Moddle and Ms. Folo-

runsho for accompanying the group.

On December 17, we will host our annual Burnt Elm holiday

sing-a-long with performances from our Gr. 3, 4 and 5 classes.

On December 18, students are invited to wear their pajamas for

our holiday spirit day!

We had a Parent Council meeting this month on December 8,

2015. The new council hosted the meeting.

Co-chairs: Dharmendra Vansadiya, Rupinder Bains

Secretary: Deb Cullen

Treasurer: Manjit Panwar

Communication Liaison: Rudy Lachhman

Fundraising Liaison: Wendy Akal

The council will be organizing a Family Movie Night for

January 28, 2016. The movie will be announced in the new

year. Please be sure to join us for a fun evening with your chil-

dren!

We are currently collecting non-perishable food dona-

tions for the Knight’s Table until December 17.

Please consider offering a donation to support a fam-

ily in need.

We hope you have a happy holiday with your families

and all the best in 2016!

Math Tips:

All students can learn math skills just as they

can learn to read and write.

Ask your child what he/she has learned in

math at school.

Know that there isn’t one “right way” to solve

the problem.

Break the problem down into parts.

Put a handful of change on the table for count-

ing and coin recognition.

Math is all around us!

Inserts:

Celebrating Faith and Culture

Closing schools due to bad weather

Help your family stay warm this winter

Winter bus safety

It’s time to register children born in 2012 for

Kindergarten

Register for Extended French by Jan. 29, 2016

Help your teen plan grade 9 course selection

Special technology offers

Time for school

Subscribe to receive news from Peel Board

Follow us on social media

Follow us on twitter at

@burntelmps

School Council

We had our first School Council meeting on No-

vember 19th. We would like to introduce the ex-

ecutive members to the Burnt Elm community:

Co-Chairs, Dharmendra Vansadiya, Rupinder

Bains—Secretary, Deb Cullen—Treasurer, Man-

jit Panwar—Community Liaison, Rudy

Lachhman—Fundraising Liaison, Wendy Akal

The next School Council meeting is scheduled for

January 12, 2016. Please come to the Burnt

Elm staff room for 6:30-7:30 p.m. We hope that

you can come and participate.

The following are the meeting dates for this year.

If these dates change for any reason, we will keep

you informed.

Jan. 12, Feb. 10, March 8, April 12, May 11

If you have questions, please contact the council

executive at burntelmps.council@peelsb.com.

Kindergarten registration at Peel District School Board

schools will take place on each of the following dates:

Monday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5pm to 8 p.m.

Milk Bag Update

As of Tuesday, December 1, Burnt Elm

has collected 2819 milk bags. This is

enough to help make 9 mats for Haiti.

We ask that you remember to continue to

collect the bags over the holidays and

send them in to the school when we re-

turn in January.

Thank you for all your support.

Community Bulletin

Board

In our front foyer, we have a

community bulletin board.

If you would like to add a

notice to this board, please

check with the office first.

Please know that items

posted are not endorsed or

recommended providers

by the school.

Breakfast Program Update

Our breakfast Program will be

beginning on Tuesday, January

5, 2016. If you wish your child to

attend the breakfast program,

please look for a blue permission

letter that your child has

brought home. The breakfast is

supported by the YMCA Peel

Student Nutrition Program. The

program is meant to assist fami-

lies in providing breakfast in the

morning. We thank the many

staff members who will be offer-

ing their time to host the pro-

gram.

We Are Not Able to Make Change

Thank you for sending in exact change when you send

cash to the school to pay for pizza days, field trips, photos,

etc.

We are not able to make change. Thank you for your sup-

port.

Holiday Celebrations

There are many different holiday celebrations all over the world.

Every culture has its own special traditions and celebrations.

Please enjoy the short passages written by some of our English Language Learner

(ELL) students to share their favourite holiday celebration!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Disha in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

My name is Disha. My favourite celebration is Diwali. For

Diwali we light candles in our house. My mom makes deli-

cious sweets that we eat. I go to the Gurdwara with my

family. At night, we light sparklers and watch fireworks. I

have a great time during Diwali. Happy Diwali to everyone!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Sehajpreet in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL

Group

My name is Sehajpreet. My favourite celebration is

Christmas. I get gifts from my Mom and Dad and I give

presents to my friends. We put up a Christmas tree in my

house and put beautiful decorations on it. We also make

delicious Christmas cookies. I wish everyone a happy

Christmas!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Kiara in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

My name is Kiara and I’m in Grade 2. My favourite celebra-

tion is Halloween. I really love to go trick-or-treating in my

neighbourhood. I was very happy because I got lots of

candy. This year I wore a beautiful cat costume. I always

have fun during Halloween. Happy Halloween!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Rubal in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

My name is Rubal and my favourite celebration is Diwali.

Something special we do at my house is light the beautiful

diyas. We go outside and set off fireworks. Then our God

is happy. I really love celebrating Diwali because it is a

fun time of the year.

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Sanjh in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

My name is Sanjh. I celebrate Christmas. It is my favourite

celebration. We put up a Christmas tree and decorate it

with lights and fancy balls. On Christmas Eve, I put out

cookies and milk for Santa when he comes with gifts. I wish

everyone a happy Christmas!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Deyborna in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

Hello...my name is Deyborna. My favourite celebration is Hallow-

een. I love Halloween because I get to go trick-or-treating and get

lots of candy and chocolate. This year I was a pretty princess for

Halloween. This is the best time of year for me!

Follow us on twitter @burntelmps My Holiday Celebration

Written by Prisha in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

Hello my name is Prisha and I love Christmas. I love to decorate

my Christmas tree with shiny ornaments and put an angel at the

top of it. I listen to nice Christmas music. I hope it snows for

Christmas so I can build a snowman. What I like most is getting

gifts from Santa and opening presents from my family. Merry

Christmas to everyone in my neighbourhood!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Ayaan in Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

My name is Ayaan. My favourite celebration is Eid. Some-

thing special we do is give money to the poor people and our

family. We invite friends over to our house to eat a big, fancy

dinner. It is very fun because I get to play with my friends. I

think everyone would have fun celebrating Eid. Happy Eid!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Divit Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

Hi my name is Divit. My favourite holiday is Christmas. We get

presents. We put up a tree and some lights on our house. Santa

delivers presents while we are sleeping. When we wake up, we see

presents! Christmas is great!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Paljeet Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

My name is Paljeet and I love to celebrate Diwali. For Diwali,

my family lights fireworks at my Grandma’s house because she

has a big backyard. We eat roti and pizza. We have a big party

with my relatives. During Diwali, we say special prayers. This

is the best time of year for me!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Leo Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

Assalam 'alaykum from Leo to everyone! My favourite celebration

is Eid. During Eid, I wear a special suit called a kurta. The girls

wear a dress called a sara. The best part of Eid is getting money

gifts from people. Sometimes they even give me toys. Eid Mubarak

wishes to everyone!

My Holiday Celebration

Written by Mahek Ms. Folorunsho’s ESL Group

Merry Christmas! My name is Mahek and I’m in grade 2. My

favourite celebration is Christmas. At my house, we have a big

Christmas tree and put lots of purple and green lights on it.

The best thing about Christmas is getting presents. I can’t

wait to open my presents on Christmas day!

Please enjoy reading our

Holiday CELEBRATION Acrostic Poem

about the different celebrations around the world

Created By

Ms. Folorunsho’s Grade 3 ELL Students

Abera, Suhansa, Zuhaib, Juzhar, Umark, Krish, Divit

Christmas brings Santa and his reindeer

Eid is a time for meeting with family and friends

Light the menorah during Hanukkah

Easter egg hunts in the Spring

Baskets of fruit and vegetables for Kwanzaa

Ramadan is a time for fasting

Arrangements of colourful decorations for all holidays

Thanksgiving is a time for being thankful

Incredible fireworks during Diwali

Orange pumpkins and black cats at Halloween

New Years wishes for health and happiness to everyone!

Happy Holidays

To All

Students, Families & Friends

of

Burnt Elm!

From Ms. Folorunsho and the ELL Students in Grade 2 and 3

Closing schools due to bad weather

During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather.

Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio and television stations listed below and posted at www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca. Information will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.

VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9 CHUM AM1050 CFTR AM680

CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1

CFRB AM1010 EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860

FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107

CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CTV

CITYPULSE GLOBAL NEWS

One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only):

Peel District School Board buses are cancelled.

This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require bussing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and other activities in schools will operate as usual.

All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closed.

This means that all schools and Board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in schools and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits.

All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled.

This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled.

This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

It's time to register children born in 2012 for kindergarten

We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2012, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2016. You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the school he/she will be attending to register.

Peel schools will also hold a Kindergarten Registration Week with special registration activities during Feb. 1 to 4, 2016. Visit Burnt Elm from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and from 5pm to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4.

What you will need to bring to registration

Proof of child's age (one of the following)

Canadian birth certificate

Canadian passport

citizenship card/certificate

Permanent Resident Card

confirmation of permanent residence

work permit

refugee permit

Proof of address (one of the following)

Ontario driver's license

utility bill

bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution)

credit card statement

federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada documents)

purchase agreement

Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alter-nate living arrangement

Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated

Help your family stay warm this winter Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:

Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an extra hat at school.

Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body.

Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners, carry an extra pair to replace damp ones or take an extra pair of socks. Invest in thick socks to keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of mittens to school, on outings, etc.

Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activities.

Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to hypothermia.

If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive sweating caused from an extreme change in temperature increases the risk of developing hypothermia.

Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins. A balanced diet will also help keep you warm and healthy in the winter. If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.

Winter bus safety

The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter months.

Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.

Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening. Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow and ice.

Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on wet or icy steps or road surfaces.

Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm.

Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus.

Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street.

Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice and get hurt.

On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:

When possible, wait with your child for the bus.

Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or another trusted adult.

Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what a "safe" stranger is.

Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has someone to wait with for the bus.

Apply for Extended French by Jan. 29, 2016

If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to consider Extended French (EF). To find out more about the program, visit www.peelschools.org/French

The application form for Grade 7 EF for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French as of Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.

The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on the school’s waitlist.

The EF school for our area is The phone number is .

How to get more information

Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French

Call at [phone number].

Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/

Apply for French Immersion by Jan. 29, 2016

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to consider French Immersion (FI). To find out more about the program, visit www.peelschools.org/French

The application form for grade 1 FI for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French as of Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be included in the random selection process and will be placed on the school’s waitlist.

The FI school for our area is [INSERT: name of school]. The phone number is [INSERT: phone number of FI school].

Enrolment cap and random selection process

As there is a grade 1 FI enrolment cap in place, there are a limited number of spots available for students entering the program. The cap is set at 25 per cent of all Peel students enrolled in grade 1.

Spots are not assigned on a first come, first served basis. A random selection process system is used to identify stu-dents gaining entrance into the grade 1 FI program.

All students who apply by the deadline will be assigned a rank using a computerized random selection process. Once students have been assigned to all available spots, remaining students will be placed, again in rank order, on the school's waitlist. Each school has its own waitlist.

How to get more information

Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French

Call [name of school] at [phone number].

Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/

Help your teen plan for grade 9 course selections for 2016-17

Soon, current grade 8 students will select their courses for grade 9. Before they do, we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to consult with their teachers, guidance counsellor, if applicable, and their par-ents.

As our partners, families are encouraged to help prepare their teens for course selection. We encourage you to become familiar with the process by creating a myBlueprint account. Additionally, parents/guardians and students can review Chart Your Course, the Peel District School Board’s common course calendar, at www.peelschools.org/students/commoncoursecalendar. This guide will help you understand the course se-lection process and provide information on the courses and programs offered in Peel secondary schools.

You can also visit www.myBlueprint.ca/Peel, an online planning tool that includes the following:

high school planner for course selection

goal-setting

career spectrum for finding your learning style

occupation planner for exploring careers

post-secondary planner for opportunities after high school

The grade 9 course selection process will be open from Jan. 4 to Jan. 22, 2016. If you have questions or are looking for course suggestions, please contact your teen’s teachers or guidance counsellor.

Special technology offers for Peel board students, parents and staff

Does your child need a computer or tablet for school? Equity of access to technology is a key priority for the Peel board. That's why we've worked with a number of technology companies to offer discounted devices to Peel families and staff.

Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) offers low-cost, quality refurbished computers to families with a low-income. Qualified applicants can purchase:

desktop for $60

laptop for $150

Prices include software, a two-year warranty and tax. For more information, contact RCT directly, call 905-795-0627 or visit their website at www.rcto.ca.

Peel families now have access to the following exclusive offers from VIG Solutions: Intel Dual Core, 2GB, 160GB computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor -- $110 10-inch netbook with 1GB ram, 160GB hard drive, Wi-Fi capability and Windows 7 -- $60. Taxes and shipping will be applied to product costs, and all items come with a six-month warranty. To pur-chase products, visit www.refurbitstock.ca/peel and enter peelregion before proceeding.

Microsoft

Microsoft offers reduced pricing on select products. For more information, visit http://pdsb.me/1X2RtMF.

The Peel board’s initiatives are part of the ongoing effort to create greater equity of access to technology for Peel students, parents and staff and do not represent an endorsement of any company or product. For all BYOD information, visit www.peelschools.org/aboutus/21stcentury/byod.

Time for school - A parent’s guide to regular school attendance

Elementary school is a wonderful time in the life of a child, a time of great strides in learning and in social and emotional development. Many things affect your child’s success, from the quality of his or her teachers, to the makeup of the class. One of the most important factors is your child’s regular and timely attendance.

Getting to class on time, and avoiding absences, are critical if your child is to get the most out of school. It seems obvious. But the fact is that elementary students tend to miss and average of eight or more school days during the year. What can you as a parent do to help ensure your child’s proper attendance?

Is your child missing more? Why does attendance matter?

First, understand that getting to school–every day and on time–matters at every level, perhaps even more so in elementary school. That’s because important learning occurs daily, right from the start of class. And because you establish patterns early on. By being punc-tual and responsible, children are acquiring positive habits about school attendance. Some other things to consider:

By being late, children miss important social time with their peers before school begins.

Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

Late arrivals can disrupt the routine of the classroom.

A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get her to school in the wrong frame of mind.

Missing even five or 10 minutes of the day can make it harder for the student to understand the material being taught.

Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and knowledge base, cause the child to fall behind his peers and hurt his self-esteem.

Too many missed school days can increase isolation, as the child stands out from her classmates and misses opportunities to develop socially.

Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good rapport with the teachers.

When Time is Ticking

Few homes run like clockwork. The morning routine, especially, can be a mad scramble. But there are effective strategies for getting your little one up and out the door on time.

Get your child to bed at a reasonable hour.

Set realistic and consistent schedules and rules at home. Getting ready for school should be part of the child’s overall routine, some-thing that’s expected of him every day.

The night before school, do whatever is necessary to shave time in the morning, such as setting out clothes, packing lunch, and setting schoolbags at the door.

Have a set morning routine that the child can easily follow, i.e washing hands and face, going to the bathroom, dressing, making the bed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast.

Avoid any distractions that can slow the child down, like TV or games.

If you’re running late regularly, set your alarm to get up earlier.

Is it a sick day?

Children do get sick sometimes – they are still developing natural resistance to certain infections, their hygiene behaviours are still devel-oping and germs spread more easily in a classroom. So some missed school is unavoidable, for the child’s own well-being, and the protec-tion of her classmates. But there are ways to cut down on sick days.

Teach your child about proper handwashing, after going to the bathroom, playing outside or wiping his nose.

Follow other healthy habits, from eating nutritious food to getting enough sleep.

Some symptoms make school attendance uncomfortable, like a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. But if you’re unsure whether your child is sick enough to miss school, talk to your doctor.

Some children pretend to be sick to avoid school. Ask yourself is the child’s symptoms are vague, (i.e. a headache, upset stomach, fa-tigue), if your child tends to miraculously recover just after school starts or ends, or if the illness is happening during stressful times at school or at home. Allowing your child to remain home when there’s no real illness sets a bad pattern.

If you decide to keep your child home, inform the school and keep the child in bed or doing quiet, low-key activities. A day off from school shouldn’t be a holiday, it should be a time to recuperate from illness, so the child can return as soon as possible.

Set the right example Children follow the lead of their parents. If you place an importance on regular and prompt school attendance, so will your child.

Show interest in your child’s education by asking about the school day, celebrating school successes, attending school events and parent-teacher interviews, volunteering at school, and communicating with your child’s teacher. The more you value school, the more your child will.

Provide a home environment that encourages learning and curiosity.

Treat the school hours with respect. If you have to make an appointment for your child, arrange it before or after school or, if that’s not possible, at the very beginning or end of the day.

When it comes to planning family trips, some parents will factor in the schedule in the higher grades, but think little of pulling their child out of school. If anything, younger students can be affected more when they miss an extended period, finding it tough to relearn classroom routines and rejoin their peer group. Learning is cumulative, building on the skills and concepts that were introduced be-fore. And this process is ongoing. Family trips can be wonderful learning experiences themselves. But if they must occur during the school year, please save them for scheduled breaks.

If your child resists going to school, for no apparent reason, talk to him or her about any possible problems with the school, teacher or other kids. However, don’t give in to coaxing, pleading or threatening and keep the child at home. That creates a bad precedent.

Need more information?

If you have any questions regarding any of the issues raised here about lateness or attendance, or if you’re looking for other tips on get-ting your child to school, please talk to us. By working together, we can help support a more successful school experience for your child. Visit our website at www.peelschools.org.

Subscribe to receive news from the Peel board

Take advantage of our electronic subscription service to automatically receive updates from the Peel District School Board. Subscribing is easy ¾ just visit our website at www.peelschools.org and click on the subscription link under "Quick Links."

During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather. Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be posted at www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca.

You can also subscribe to receive:

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Board agendas Learn more about Peel board meetings by subscribing to receive agendas. Meetings of the board are open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Board highlights Briefing is a newsletter with highlights of decisions made by trustees at board meetings. It is sent out on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and immediately following any special board meetings.

Job postings for non-teaching staff Learn about each new non-teaching job that is posted on the Peel board's Job Board.

Follow us on social media

Social media is the easiest and fastest way to stay connected to the amazing things happening in the Peel District School Board.

Follow @Peelschools on

Twitter to:

learn about our schools and programs

find out if buses are cancelled during bad-weather

Follow @Peelschools on Instagram where we share motivational and inspirational #PeelProud

Follow Peel schools

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