HAWKS News November 9, 2023
Sunset Heights PS
Hawk News
November 9, 2023
@SunsetHeightsPS
Sunset Heights PS Website - LINK
Click on Image to access School website
November 2023
November winter weather is on its way, snowflakes are falling from the sky. This tells us, the temperature is below zero degrees, the freezing point of water. During the winter months at school we will continue to have students play outdoors during recesses. When the temperatures become too cold, we will respond with indoor recesses. In order to ensure your child is prepared to be outside for recesses during colder weather, where there is supervision for students, they will need to be clothed in warm clothing. Warm winter clothing includes snow boots, winter coat and pants, warm hat (toque) and mittens/ gloves. Adding in an extra pair of socks to your child’s school bag is a good idea as well in the event they get wet.
Traveling to and from school:
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Important New Information About Inclement Weather Cancellations
Occasionally transportation is cancelled due to weather. Depending on the location and type of weather occurrence transportation can be cancelled for a specific zone of Durham Region that DSTS is responsible for. Please use the Map Below to see if your Bus Stop falls within a specific weather zone that has been cancelled. A list of schools falling within each zone is also provided below for your information. Please note that DSTS offices remain open regardless of cancellations.
Sunset Heights Public School in Oshawa is ZONE 4.
If school buses are cancelled, it is for the entire day regardless of what happens to the weather during the day. Please note, if parents drop-off their children at school in the morning, they are responsible to pick them up at the end of the day when school bus service is cancelled.
In cases of extreme weather, please listen to one of the local radio or TV stations below for notices of school bus cancellation:
In cases of extreme weather, please listen to one of the local radio stations or TV news casts below for notices of transportation cancellations:
CKDO-AM 1580
Q107-FM 107.1
94.9 The Rock
KX96-FM 95.9
CHFI-FM 98.1
EZ ROCK 97.3
CFRB-AM 1010
CHUM-FM 104.5
CICX 105.9
Bob-FM 91.9
Global TV
CP 24
While driving through school zones where students, their families and staff are on sidewalks and crossing walkways towards the school area. It is critical that you drive the speed limit or slower and BE VERY AWARE of pedestrians, as well as the distance between the vehicle you are driving and the vehicles in front and behind you to be able to stop safely in response to any emergency.
Click on “Winter Safe Driving 101” Image to View information on how to drive safely in winter in Ontario OR this LINK to view how to Drive Safe in the Winter
Be Aware of:
-the time of day and make sure your headlights are on
-different times of day can make seeing people walking very difficult - be sure to have your headlights on and travel at a safe speed and distance from other vehicles
-children and parents/caregivers, staff walking on sidewalks and across sidewalks
-travel at a safe speed limit for the weather conditions and road conditions
-follow the posted traffic signs
-look for Crossing Guards and listen for their whistle to make sure you stop your vehicle at a safe distance from pedestrians
-while there are currently no signs communicating NO U Turns - we ask that all drivers throughout the school community streets to NOT make U Turns on the road - this increases the risk of students or other pedestrians, riders and supervisors from possible harm. Keeping the flow of traffic is respectful to all of our families, including you!
Walking to School in Winter Weather - Families are Asked to Review These Tips with their Children!
When walking to school in winter weather, we urge students to leave a little earlier, to exercise caution, and to wear appropriate gear including lugged-sole footwear while walking to school on snowy or icy days. This will also ensure students are ready to fully enjoy outdoor break time!
Cautions to take include:
- making sure you follow the agreed upon path to school you have made with a parent or guardian if you are walking without them
- walking on sidewalks and crossing roads at intersections where there are crossing guards to make the crossing safer
-know that at different times of the day, it is harder for drivers of vehicles to see walkers, so make sure you pay attention and NEVER run out or step onto a roadway where cars travel
Most of our municipalities allow residents at least 24 hours after a snowfall to clear sidewalks in front of homes, and likewise, our municipal maintenance teams need time to service all their roadways, sidewalks, and trails, so there will be times when students must walk on potentially slippery or snowy routes.
Students have been walking to school in these conditions for decades and while it may take a little more effort, the effort is worth the additional benefits! Walking outside in cold air can reduce stress, increase serotonin (the happiness hormone), and even though the action may be slower, walking in snow leads to greater heart conditioning and increased endurance over time.
There is nothing more important than the safety of our students. With this in mind, it is important to be aware that within our school community geographical area, we share space with wild animals. During the months of January and February, coyote activity increases, during their mating seasons. One of the wild animals we share space with is the coyote species. Whether during the school day, on your way to or from school, outside of school hours on your home property, it is important to be aware of how to not interact with wildlife. In the fact sheet included in this newsletter provides information on how to keep safe in your community, with links to the Ministry of Natural Resources for additional information. The City of Oshawa offers additional information as well with their response to the wildlife plan.
In the event wildlife finds its way onto the school property, our staff act promptly and respond by guiding students inside, if they are outdoors, or remain indoors. The city of Oshawa receives a report from our staff, as they use the information of reported sightings to monitor common locations and determine if neighbourhood specific communications and prevention methods are required.
At school, we review general safety rules regarding wildlife. We ask that you as parents and caregivers take a moment to review safety reminders with your children at home.
To assist you, we have compiled a list of guidelines:
? Avoid approaching or feeding wildlife
? Avoid taking shortcuts through fields, wooded areas and parks
? Always walk with a buddy to and from school
? Never walk alone, especially at night
? Always be aware of your surroundings when wearing earphones
For additional useful information regarding how to manage wildlife encounters, please visit the Ministry of Natural Resources website for tips on preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes, wolves and foxes.
Click on Information Page for additional information or this LINK
Fire Safety Tips for Homes
Make a home fire escape plan and practise it to ensure everyone knows what to do in a fire emergency.
Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. It is the law.
If a fire starts, everyone should know two ways out of every room. When the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must know what to do and where to go. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with the entire family.
Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance.
Ensure all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
Know where to go. Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree, a lamppost, or a neighbour's house, where everyone can be accounted for.
Do not try to save possessions; go directly to your meeting place.
If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
Call the fire department outside the home, from a cell phone or a neighbour's house.
Get out and stay out. Never re-enter a burning building for any reason.
A working smoke alarm can save lives in the event of a fire in your home.
Did you know that 90% of residential fires are preventable? In Oshawa, from 2009 to 2012, only 39% of buildings where fires occurred had working smoke alarms. Out of those fires:
15% of buildings where a fire occurred had smoke alarms that did not operate
19% of buildings where a fire occurred, no smoke alarm was present
Change your clock, change your battery
This past weekend our clocks went back one hour. A good practice is each time of year the clocks ‘change’ is a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries.
To make sure that the batteries are always fresh, change the battery in your smoke alarm when you change your clock in the spring and fall.
Test your smoke alarm
To ensure your smoke alarm is working, test it once a month by pushing the test button. If you think your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones.
Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire household.
Water Bottles
Being hydrated is important for students to be ready and alert for learning. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle that can be refilled at our water bottle filling stations. Water fountains are open, yet we encourage students to use reusable water bottles labeled with their name. Unfortunately the school will not have additional water bottles available. *Please ensure water bottles are cleaned each evening for the next school day.
Sunset Height PS Book Fair!
IN-PERSON Book Fair will run from November 13th through to the 17th at Lunch Time!
In-Person Book Fair will also be open during “Student - Parent/Guardian - Educator(s)” conferences! On Thursday, November 16th until 7:00 PM. On Friday, November 17th, the Book Fair will be open until 10:00 AM.
Progress Reports Home on November 15th
Electronic copies of students progress reports from grades 1 through 8, and the Initial Communications for Learning for our students in Kindergarten, will go home through email in School Messenger. Be sure that you have set up your account to receive this information. To access your child’s progress report card , you will require their Ontario Education Number (OEN). This can be found on previous report cards you have received or from child’s educator if in Junior Kindergarten this school year.
Parent/Caregiver - Student - Educator Conferences
Thursday, November 16th, after school dismissal and Friday, November 17th, parents, caregivers and students have opportunities to meet with their homeroom educator(s) and discuss the student's current progress. Students participation in conferences with their parents/caregiver is highly encouraged - being an active participant in all aspects of their learning.
Your child’s progress report will include information in their achievement of their performance from the beginning of September 9th through to November 14th.
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
Looking for some additional support for your child in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8? Have a child in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 - Free for them as well!!
Help your child sign up for FREE 1:1 online math tutoring with Ontario Certified Teachers - a service provided by the Ministry of Education of Ontario! A fantastic resource!
Click on Image or this Link for Mathify - TVO to learn more about how it can support your child.
At Sunset Heights PS staff and students work to always strive for excellence in setting goals and identifying ways to meet these goals through scaffolding with educator support. Part of being able to access learning and being a part of their own learning is learning how to develop self-regulation skills.
One tool we use at Sunset Heights to help us learn and identify the emotions that we feel during the day, in different classes and playing with friends during recess breaks is the “Feelings Thermometer.” The Feelings Thermometer can be found throughout our school building and in each classroom for students to be able to reference!
Parents and caregivers can find their own copy here at this LINK for Feelings Thermometer and by also clicking on the image of the Feelings Thermometer below..
Another tool staff are supporting students in using is understanding the size of a problem and the size of response that would be appropriate to the problem. The Size of the Problem tool can be found at this link as well or by clicking on the image of the Size of the problem below.
A tiny or little problem can usually be solved between students on their own. Medium problems might involve another safe grown up to facilitate and help. Big problems and huge problems end up involving a number of safe grown ups to help support when things go wrong, sometimes also involving outside support as well from community partners.
Students from Kindergarten through to grade 8 are also using their WITS and continuing to practice these as well when the need arises in their day to day interactions amongst each other!
WALK AWAY
If someone is teasing or bullying you, try to take a deep breath and just walk away.
Kids who tease or bully other kids are often just trying to get a reaction from them. Calmly walking away means they won’t get this reaction from you.
Be sure to walk away to a safe place. Try heading toward a classroom, the principal’s office or to any other place where there are adults you can trust.
Have you tried walking away? Are you still being bullied or teased? Try a different strategy.
IGNORE
Don’t pay attention to what the person who is bothering you is saying or doing.
Kids who tease or bully other kids are often just trying to get a reaction from them. Ignoring them means they won’t get this reaction from you.
Many times, just ignoring the person who is teasing or bullying you will make them stop.
Have you tried ignoring? Are you still being bullied or teased? Try a different strategy.
TALK IT OUT
Tell the person that is bothering you to stop. Kids who tease or bully other kids are more likely to pick on kids who won’t stand up to them.
Try making a joke to show that you’re not bothered. You can even practice some funny responses at home until you’re comfortable saying them to the person who is bothering you.
Have you tried talking it out? Are you still being bullied or teased? Try a different strategy.
SEEK HELP
Go to someone you trust for help, like a parent, teacher, police officer or older kid.
If you don’t get the help you need, keep asking other people you trust until someone is able to help.
Remember that telling is not tattling.
If you’re faced with bullying and you get help, you are helping to make your school and your community a safe and fun place for kids to be!
If you’re being faced with bullying or teasing and you need help, try asking an adult you trust like a parent, teacher, police officer or older kid. If you don’t get the help you need, keep asking other people you trust until someone is able to help.
Click on WITS Building Block Image to view WITS video.
Click on Spirit Wear Image to Order Items!! - LINK
Great ideas for gift giving! Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa!
On Sunday, January 21st, 2024, the Oshawa Generals will be dedicating a night specifically for the students, parents, friends and staff of Sunset Heights Public School. A night of exciting, affordable Junior “A” hockey deemed as “Sunset Heights P.S. Appreciation Night”.
Discounted tickets will be offered at $20.00 per youth and $20.00 per adult. That’s a $6.00 savings vs. the day of game price. * Tickets to Sunset Heights P.S. Appreciation Night makes for a great gift for any occasion!. Tickets will be returned before Winter Holiday Break.
** Support “Sunset Heights P.S. Students” at this game too, as they sing the Canadian National Anthem presented by Ontario Power Generation prior to the game.
To purchase tickets, please go to the “School Cash Online” section of the school’s website. Deadline to order tickets is Friday, December 8th, 2023. https://ddsb.schoolcashonline.com
Tickets will be sent home (in time for Winter Holiday break) with your child on Wednesday, December 20th or Thursday, December 21st, 2023. For more information, please speak to your teacher or a school representative!
School Cash Online - Click on Image for LINK
*Be sure to mark your calendars for Picture Retake Day if you wish to have your child’s picture retaken, or they were absent during the first photo day.
There are a number of class photos that will require a retake as well - as the quality was not to our expectations.
Families of classrooms that will require a retake of the class photo will receive an email communicating this.
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!
Sunset Heights School Community Council (SCC) are pleased to announce that you will be able to order your locally grown holiday plants and outdoor evergreen decorations!
Money that we raise will go towards SCC sponsored activities and initiatives which will benefit all of our students from kindergarten through to grade eight ! Every order counts!
Ways you may be able to help enrich our students’ learning experiences is by taking orders and payment from family, friends, neighbours & co-workers. These beautiful items will make lovely gifts for the holidays, you can also stock up on gift cards for your spring planting needs!
Sales will begin on November 2nd through School Cash Online and all orders will be due by November 22, 2023. Cash payment options will also be available.
Ordered items must be picked up at the school on Saturday, December 9th 8am-3pm.
This will be the only time pick up items are available.
Plants should be transported in a heated car to keep them looking their best. All sales will be final.
Winter Social
The School Community Council will be hosting a Winter Social for families and friends! Be sure to stay tuned for further information to come!
Date: Saturday, December 9th
Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Sunset Heights PS Gymnasium
November 8 - Indigenous Veterans Day
November 10 - Remembrance Day Assembly - student and staff audience
November 11 - Remembrance Day - Saturday - No School
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
November 30 - HAWKS Assembly - Award winner family members invited
December 9 - SCC Pancake Breakfast
December 14 - Primary Winter Concert
December 22 - HAWKS Assembly
Click on Image of Simcoe Hall or LINK to access website for Information on Food Bank Access & Donation
Click on Image of Feed the Need in Durham or LINK to access website for Information for Food Access & Donation
Looking for ways to give to your community?
Click on image or this LINK to be a #CHANGEMAKER and make a donation.
Be a #Changemaker this Toonie Tuesday
Join us to make an impact in our community on November 28, 2023! To our trusted community,
To kick off the giving season the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) is bringing the entire DDSB Community together to Make Tomorrow’s Brighter on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday takes place globally on November 28. This year we are launching a version of Giving Tuesday branded Toonie Tuesday — imagine how many students we can support if everyone brings in a toonie on this day!
Can we count on your support on November 28, 2023 by bringing in toonies to your school or by making a contribution here.
In gratitude,
Stacey Lepine-Fisher
Stacey Lepine-Fisher, Executive Director of the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation Ignite.foundation@ddsb.ca
What is the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation?
IDLF is a charitable foundation that serves to remove financial barriers to create equitable opportunities that empower Durham District School Board Students to achieve academic and personal success.
Why is supporting the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation Important?
15.5% of families across Durham fear running out of food. Living in poverty drastically affects young children, altering their development and diminishing their ability to be successful in school. By supporting IDLF, you are helping to ensure our DDSB students and families facing socio economic barriers and challenges get the relevant support they need to thrive in the classroom! Your contributions make a huge impact in the lives of our students both inside the classroom and beyond.
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