September HAWKS News 2023
Sunset Heights PS
Hawk News
September 28, 2023
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@SunsetHeightsPS
Sunset Heights PS Website - LINK
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The 2023-2024 school year calendars for elementary and secondary schools have been approved by the Ministry of Education. 
The month of September and the beginning of the school year was opened with Optimism and excitement for a new school year ahead filled with opportunities to be involved in many activities inside the classroom learning space and throughout the school community!
Students and staff have been working at adopting routines and procedures that set students up for success, able to be open to learning experiences and achieving success with their goals. Success in school comes in developing learning skills - which include:
Responsibility
Organization
Independent Work
Collaboration
Initiative
Self-Regulation
By developing each of the learning skills, students will have the work habits and abilities to persevere through situations that stretch their comfort zones of learning and move forward to engaging with critical thinking and problem solving, being able to communicate and collaborate with others. Skills that are important to have when students embark throughout their learning journeys at school and into the workplace.
Each school year, parents/guardians/ caregivers will receive a report on their child’s progress and achievements.
In Kindergarten these will include:
Initial Communication of Learning - November 15, 2023
Communication of Learning - Term 1 - February 21, 2024
Communication of Learning - Term 2 - June 2, 2024
In Grades 1 through to 8 these will include:
Progress Report - November 15, 2023
Report Card - Term 1 - February 21, 2024
Report Card - Term 2 - June 2, 2024
Additional information about the Curriculum Expectations and Reporting for your child can be found @ Ministry of Education - Ontario Report Cards - LINK
Each grade level offers exciting learning opportunities that are driven from the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum in each subject area. Information on each of these subject areas can be found:
Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum - LINK
On Friday, September 22nd, Sunset Height PS students participated in their own Terry Fox Run showing support for family members, friends, neighbors and funding research to conquer cancer. Sunset Heights PS met their goal of $1000.00! Thank you to students, families and staff! A big shout out to Ms. Pidgeon for organizing this event!
Picture Day - Thursday, September 28, 2023
Kindergarten to grade 8 students!
Students have their picture taken on Thursday, September 28th. *If they are absent, there is a picture retake day on Tuesday, November 14th.
Picture Proofs are sent home with students.
Families are able to order packages and more items on mylifetouch.ca
Meet Your Child’s Educator Evening
Thursday, September 28th
5:00 - 6:00 PM - mingling with friends, neighbors and community partners
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - introductions between educator(s) and families
Friday, September 29th Sunset Heights PS students and staff will recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Many individuals will be wearing orange shirts. Since 2012 this has been recognized as a day for schools and communities to commemorate Residential Schools and Indian Day School Survivors, and engage in age-appropriate learning about the legacies of the residential school system.
This day was originally based on Phyllis Webstad’s experiences of having her orange shirt taken away (Phyllis Webstad Orange Shirt Day Presentation). As of June 2021, September 30 has also been recognized by the federal government as the annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It is important to recognize and understand the lasting impacts and current realities that continue to impact Indigenous students and families.
Friday, September 29th Sunset Heights PS students and staff will recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
To help in ensuring the Inherent Indigenous Rights are upheld and further harm does not happen we share with families thoughts when using social media:
Please consider the following before posting to social media:
Music choices that avoid harm, tokenization, and pan-Indianism
Residential schools are part of the ongoing genocide of Indigenous peoples, not relegated to history alone
Avoid using the phrase “discovery” of Indigenous children in relation to current events.
Respect Indigenous students’ privacy by not placing them in a situation where there is a power imbalance that contributes to compliance with sharing their stories of trauma, especially in a public forum
Friday, September 29th students and staff in primary, junior and intermediate divisions will participate in our HAWKS Assembly. Parents/guardians/caregivers of students who will be receiving a HAWK award will be invited by their child’s classroom educator to join in celebrating their award. Thank you to Director Elford for organizing this series of events for our school!
Congratulations to the following intermediate students who made the school volleyball team:
Intermediate Girls Volleyball Team
Jaelynn
Bree
Omotola
Alexa
Nadia
Brooklyn
Jocelynn
Jenna
Lilian
Sana
Lily
Kenzie
Mia
Alaine
Rachana
Alex
Thank you to Coach Head for preparing our volleyball athletes!
Intermediate Boys Volleyball Team
Basit
Branden
Ben
Caleb
Cameron
Colin
Dawood
Hudson
Jack
Keith
Ryly
Xavier
Thank you to Coach Ross for preparing our volleyball athletes!
Congratulations to the Junior Soccer Team Members:
Kaylee Gray
Rowan
Daniel
Damien
Alia
Sullivan
Maon
Bradley
Amar
Radin
Allison M
Ayva
Grace
Orlando
Harrison
Lucas W
Mason
Muhamad K
Thank you to Coaches Bouwman, Gronke and Kastanas!
A big shout out and thank you to intermediate students Brody, Dylan and Xavier for refereeing and watching the lines during the junior soccer games!
Thank you Coaches Head and Wisniewski for prepping our flag football athletes in preparation for the tournaments coming early October!
Congratulations to the following Junior and Intermediate Flag Football team members:
Junior Flag Football Team
Team 1
William
Nolan
Ayva
Luk
Blake
Claire
Aeesha
Oliva
Lucas
Radian
Team 2
Kamora
Victoria
Sullivan
Amar
Akayla
Gavin
Maon
Aliya
Andrew
Alzarha
Travis
Jayden F
Intermediate Flag Football Team
Team 1
Xavier
Brody
Brock
Caleb
Ethan
Bree
Omotola
Jaelynn
Alex
Dylan
Team 2
Brandon
Colin
Jack
Nathaniel
Chase
Hudson
Alfina
Serena
Rachana
Aidan
Lucas
Julian
Cross Country Team members have been dedicated to their practices each week in preparation for the area meet on October 11th. Over 200 students are part of the cross country team! Congratulations to each member for joining and staying committed to the practices - pushing your endurance and improving on your personal best performances! Very keen group to always be their better!
Thank you to our Coaches Bouwman, Bowes E, Gronke, Kastanas and Pidgeon!
Primary Choir - be sure to listen and read announcements - use your agendas to record important dates shared during morning announcements!
Students in grades 4 through 8 will have an opportunity to be nominated, campaign and be elected into Sunset Heights PS Student Government! Stay tuned in to morning announcements for further information!! Be sure to use your agendas to record important dates shared during morning announcements!
Gifted Exceptionality Testing
Parents/ Guardians are able to request a nomination form for their child in grades 4 through 8 for Gifted Testing by the end of the month in October 2023. For parents/guardians requesting a nomination form for their child in either grades 4, 5 6, 7 or 8, please contact our Lead Special Education Resource Teacher, Cheryl Keen, via email @sunsetheightsps@ddsb.ca . Ensure your email message is clearly addressed to Cheryl Keen and the request for student nomination includes student’s first and last name as well as date of birth, current grade and homeroom teacher. Please include your first and last name as parent/guardian with contact information in the email communication.
Students of all ages are using technology at school and within their homes more and more over time. To support them in using various forms of technologies, having knowledge of the different digital platforms they are using at each of their age levels can allow for safe and secure learning and use of their leisure time.
https://protectkidsonline.ca/app/en/ Explore this website for very helpful insights and information!
Join our HAWKS Team!
Become a Lunchroom Supervisor and be a part of your child’s school experience and join a pretty great staff who have students’ at their best interests!
Do you know someone who might like to share their time with elementary students - pass on the information that Sunset Height PS is hiring Lunchroom Supervisors!
Contact the school by email @ sunsetheightsps@ddsb.ca or by phone at 905-723-9223.
Looking for other ways to be part of the HAWKS Team and to be a part of your child’s education? Consider joining our School Community Council (SCC)!
All SCC members must abide by DDSB policies and procedures (including the SCC Policy, the Indigenous Education Policy, the Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Racism Policy, the Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy, the Code of Conduct, and related procedures).
If I am elected to the SCC, I will uphold my responsibilities under these policies and procedures within the scope of the SCC’s mandate and within the scope of my role, authority, and influence in all SCC meetings, actions, recommendations, decision-making, communications, and initiatives, including my responsibilities to:
Treat SCC members and participants with dignity and respect
Promote and protect human rights
Identify, prevent, and address human rights barriers, issues, and discriminatory structures
Nomination Forms - hard copies will be available with our SCC representatives at “Meet Your Child’s Educator Evening” on Thursday, September 28th, as well as in the main office.
You may also click on SCC Candidate Nomination Form 2023-2024 - LINK to print your copy off and bring to our first School Community Council Elections meeting on October 3, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the school’s Learning Commons.
Interested in the opportunity to volunteer at your child’s school? Be sure you have your Criminal Record Check - Vulnerable Sector Check completed - needs to be completed within the school year - for example - school year is 2023-2024 - CRC needs to be dated within the 2023 calendar year.
How do I get my Criminal Record Check to be able to volunteer?
Click on this Durham Regional Police Services - Criminal Record Check - Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) - LINK
*Fees
The standard application fee is $55.00. There is a discounted rate of $20.00 for volunteer/student placements. You must choose volunteer/student placement and upload your volunteer/placement letter in order to receive the $20.00 discounted rate. If you do not provide the letter required, your application will be refunded and you will have to reapply.
Contact the Sunset Heights PS main office to make an appointment to receive a Volunteer/Placement letter in order to upload when you apply for a CRC - VSC. Phone: 905-723-9223 or Email: sunsetheightsps@ddsb.ca
September 28 - Photo Day
September 28 - Meet Your Child’s Educator Evening 5-7pm
September 29 - National Day of Truth and Recognition - Orange Shirt Day @ Sunset Heights PS
September 29 - HAWKS Assembly - Award winner family members invited
October 3 - School Community Council Elections Meeting
October 6 - PA Day - No school for students
October 9 - Holiday - Thanksgiving - No school for students or staff
October 27 - HAWKS Assembly - Award winner family members invited
November 7 - SCC Meeting Location TBA
November 14 - Picture Retake Day
November 15 - Kindergarten Initial Communication of Learning Home & Grade 1 - 8 Progress Report Home
November 16 & 17 Parent/Guardian - Educator - Student Conferences
November 17 - PA Day - no school for students
November 20 - Grade 7 & 8 Immunizations - @ Sunset Heights PS
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