Westney Heights P.S.

45 Brennan Road

Ajax, ON L1T 1X5

PH: 905-427-7819

Fax: 905-427-8631

http://.westney.ddsbschools.ca

WESTNEY WANDERINGS

Principal: D. Royle

Vice Principal: K. Maddigan

Head Secretary: K. Adams

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR NOVEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTER

Picture Retake Day

Remembrance Day Assembly

Terry Fox Run

Student Voice Conference

Dressing for Winter

Sensory Friendly Movie Night

Islamic History Month Celebration at Westney Heights

Calendar Updates

Dates of Significance in November

We continue to welcome families to our school. One of the first questions parents ask is:

Westney Heights Public School has a wonderful reputation. How has this happened?

This provides me with a timely opportunity to describe our school.

Welcome to Westney Heights Public School, where we are fortunate to have a vibrant school commu-

nity.

We are dedicated to the academic advancement of all students. Therefore, every aspect of school life

is planned to achieve that goal. We strongly believe and demonstrate that all students can attain

mastery of the essential school skills. With the implementation of a rigorous curriculum, high stand-

ards and frequent monitoring of students we create a climate of high expectations for success. These

are essential characteristics of an effective school. We are moving towards integration of technology

at all levels. We will grow collectively and create opportunities for students to integrate math, sci-

ence, technology and visual arts into all areas of the curriculum.

As the principal, I am committed to an inclusive, respectful, equitable school culture that engages in

professional learning to ensure we are providing all our students with programs that meet their

needs. We work collectively as a team to ensure that we focus on excellent programming. We are for-

tunate to have an outstanding staff, student body and School Community Council, that bring enthu-

siasm, passion, and commitment to the vision of our school.

It is our responsibility to make sure every student has an opportunity to be successful. Westney

Heights Public School has created a safe and nurturing environment for students, parents, and staff

members. It is a wonderful place to grow and learn. As a whole school community we focus on nur-

turing and raising a generation of talented, effective, and moral individuals that are provided with op-

portunities to thrive and feel safe to take risks.

At Westney Heights Public School we provide students with many leadership opportunities. Students

also participate in a variety of athletic programs, choir clubs, and arts programs. The students also

get an opportunity to view several performing arts programs with a wide variety from theatre, dance,

music, puppetry, and interactive storytelling performances. I believe that the performing arts play a

vital role in the development of healthy, creative and responsible members of society.

Please join me in working together to ensure that each child at Westney Heights Public School can

become a respectful and productive global citizen.

D. Royle, Principal

PR I N C I PA L ’S C O R N E R

PICTURE RETAKE DAY

Just a reminder that picture retake day will take place on Tuesday,

November 9th. If you wish to have your child’s picture retaken,

please send their order form with them that day to give to the pho-

tographer.

REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY

We will be having a Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, November 11th

from 10:30—11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Poppies will be given

out to all the students. Donations for the poppies will be accepted if you

would like to send one in with your child.

TERRY FOX RUN

We held our annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 30th. It was an amaz-

ing afternoon! Our students, community members and staff walked, ran and

“wheeled” around the course to raise money for cancer research. This year our

school raised almost $500.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Since 1997, our

school community has raised just over $20,500.00!

Thank you to the following people who volunteered to help out at the Terry Fox

Run this year:

Angela Yovanovski, Vanathee Jeyananthan, Tina Wilkie, Raymand Dfen, Jana

Maxwell, Hannah Stojanoski, Nancy Garrido, Benjamin Samba, and Paulette

Clough. You helped us make the Terry Fox Run a huge success!

The Terry Fox Committee (Ms. Hargreaves, Mr. Williams, Ms. Charbonneau, Ms.

Mulligan and Ms. Truscott)

STUDENT VOICE CONFERENCE

On October 12th, three grade 8 leaders were chosen to attend an all

day conference at the Durham District School Board. Leah DeJong,

Victoria Low and Tomi Ogunekun went with Ms. Mulligan to the Stu-

dent Voice Conference. We learned about diversity and equality and

how to make our school more friendly, peaceful and inclusive. They

brought back some excellent ideas to implement this school year!

SAFETY IN OUR PARKING LOT

If you drive your children to and/or from school, please do not enter the park-

ing lot. Our driveways are posted as bus and fire routes. Although we are

mostly a walking school, we do have five buses dropping off and picking up chil-

dren every day. We request that our school visitors and volunteers please park

on the road.

If it is necessary to drop off or pick up your child, please use the SOUTH side

of Brennan Road. Cars should avoid blocking the entrance and exit from the

school driveway, and the crosswalk.

Louis Riel Day- November 16, 2016

Every November 16th, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) join other Métis governments

across the Métis Homeland in commemorating Louis Riel. 2016 marks the 131th anniversary

of the execution of the Métis leader who was hanged by the Canadian Government on No-

vember 16, 1885 for leading the Northwest Rebellion. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)

celebrates Louis Riel Day to recognize the many contributions of the Métis to Canada and to

highlight the continuing struggles that Métis continue to face.

On November 16, we reflect on the legacy of Louis Riel and the impact he had, not only on

Métis history, but also Canada's. In 1992 the Government of Canada recognized Louis Riel as

the founder of Manitoba, the fifth province to join confederation. Louis Riel Day is a time to

recognize and respect the history, culture and identity of Métis people. We are grateful for

their historic and ongoing contributions to Ontario and Canada!

P.A. DAY AND PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH

Parent/Teacher Interviews-Thursday, November 17th 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Parent/Teacher Interviews-Friday, November 18th 8:00-11:00 a.m.

P.A. DAY—Friday, November 18th (NO SCHOOL)

Sensory Friendly Movie Night

brought to you by The Richardson Community What is a Sensory Friendly Movie? J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate is pleased to provide local families who are affected by Autism, other disabilities, or sensory issues an opportunity to view movies in a safe and ac-cepting environment. Lights will be kept on, noise level will be turned down, and previews will be omitted. Movie-goers are welcome to move around, walk, sing, shout, and be themselves! All students MUST be accompanied by an adult. Respite workers, family members, and friends are welcome! WHEN: Thursday November 10th – Ice Age Thursday December 8th - Elf WHERE: J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate

1355 Harwood Avenue North Ajax

TIME: Movies begin at 7:00 PM, doors open at 6:45 PM COST: Free

Includes popcorn and drink from the concession stand! SNACKS: Snacks can be consumed in the theater. You may also bring your own

snacks to enjoy during the movie.

RSVP: PLEASE RSVP to lisa.mclindon@ddsb.ca or kyle.revill@ddsb.ca with the number of guests that will be attending in your group, and whether you require wheelchair or stroller seating. Doing so in advance helps us ensure we can comfortably accommodate all guests.

ISLAMIC HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT WESTNEY

HEIGHTS

On October 25th, Westney Heights had the pleasure and privilege

of celebrating Islamic History Month. Students heard a guest

speaker who is one of our respected Muslim parents. He spoke

about Islamic history, acknowledged the Muslim faith and conveyed

the message of peace and tranquility. Students also enjoyed a Hen-

na decorating session. Many parents also shared delicious snacks

and a luncheon. Their generosity was wonderful and we appreciate

that we are able to honour our Islamic community. We recognize

and embrace our diversity and in doing so become more cohesive and

inclusive.

NOVEMBER 11—REMEMBRANCE DAY

World War 1 came to an end at 11 o’clock on November 11, 1918 and

special services have been held on this day ever since the first one

in 1919. This day was known as Armistice Day for many years. In

1931 the Canadian Parliament changed the name to Remembrance

Day and November 11th is now a time to remember those who

served Canada in past wars and also those who sacrificed their

lives in military service.

CALENDAR UPDATES

November 1 Intermediate Boy ’s Vol leyba l l

P laydowns (p .m.)

November 2 Gr. 8 ’s Vis it to P icker ing H.S, (a .m.)

November 2 G ifted Test ing

November 3 Intermediate Boy ’s Vol leyba l l Area Fina ls (p .m .)

November 4 Safety At Home—Grade’s 1 and 2 (a .m .)

November 8 Intermediate Students to see “R is ing Above”

at Ajax Cinep lex Odeon (a .m .)

November 8 Dev 1 to R ip ley ’s Aquar ium

November 9 P icture Retake Day

November 9 Dev 1 to Roya l Winter Fa ir

November 9 G ifted Test ing

November 10 G ifted Test ing

November 11 Remembrance Day Assembly 10:30 a.m.

November 11 Dev 2 to R ip ley ’s Aquar ium

November 14 P izza Lunch

November 15 1st Hep B Cl in ic-Al l Grade 7 Students (a .m .)

1st HPV Cl in ic-Al l Grade 8 Girls (a .m .)

November 16 Progress Reports Go Home

November 17 Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00-8:00 p.m.

November 18 Parent/Teacher Interviews 8:00—11:00 a.m.

November 18 P.A DAY (No School )

November 24 Learn Not To Burn—JK/SK, Gr . ’ s 1 and 2 (a .m .)

November 24 S .C .C . Meet ing 6 :00 p .m. in the L ibrary

November 28 P izza Lunch

December 12 P izza Lunch

December 15 Hol iday Concert 6:30 p.m.

December 22 Last Day of School before Chri stmas Hol idays

Regular Dismissa l (3:30 p.m.)

January 9 First Day Back to School i n 2017

DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR NOVEMBER 2016

November 1 All Saints Day (Roman Catholic, Anglican and

Christian)

November 2 All Souls Day (Roman Catholic, Anglican and

Christian)

November 11 Remembrance Day (Canadian)

November 11 Al-Hijra/Muharram—New Year last day (Islam)

November 12 Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)

November 16 Louis Riel Day

November 16 International Day of Tolerance (UN)

November 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance (International)

November 21-25 Bullying Awareness and Prevention

November 23 Holodomor Memorial Day

November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence

against Women (UN)

November 27 Advent (Christian)

Education Centre

400 Taunton Road East

Whitby, ON L1R 2K6

Phone: 905-666-5500

Toll Free: 1-800-265-3968

www.durham.edu.on.ca

Superintendent: Richard Kennelly

Admin Officer: Margaret Lazarus

Trustee: Patrice Barnes

MISSION STATEMENT - TOGETHER WE LEARN