Principal’s Message

December is here!  Are you ready for all of the excitement that it brings! 

I wrote to you via School Messenger about something new to implement at Brookside Public, a winter community closet!  As a staff, in order to ensure all students are warm and able to play at recess, we are seeking the following items in new or good used condition: snow pants, winter coats,  water- resistant mittens, and hats. We just noticed a need for something else, socks!  Socks is an item that has been added since my original School Messenger message.  I appreciate that many of you, by this time of year,  most likely have already donated items that your children have outgrown so saving items in the future might be something you will consider. Spread the word too please.  You might know grandparents, neighbours, friends who would be happy to donate new and used items to our winter community closet.

As you appreciate, the holiday season is about so many celebrations.  The time spent with family and friends is always appreciated, welcomed and what most of us need. It means connecting with people at a very special time in the year.  It is a time of year when the spirit of giving is more vibrant.  I especially enjoy that and imagine that you do too.

I hope that you find the time to reflect on the awesome job that you are doing as parents and caregivers. There is always so much to balance. Every act, the big and small ones, lead to success for your children.

There is such a strong emphasis on relationships and caring at Brookside Public; it starts in the homes of our students; thank you for that.

I hope that you find time to rejuvenate your soul and rekindle your spirit over the holidays. This is what I am hoping to do.

I sincerely wish you the happiest of holidays.

Respectfully,

Angela Cowley

Principal

Brookside Public School

Let It Snow Holiday Concert

Our holiday concert theme for December 2023 is Let it Snow! This year our concert will include our students from K to our grade ¾ class.  You are invited to enjoy the concert with us on Tuesday December 12th from 12 pm to 1:00 pm or from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  The snowdate, which will include the same times, is Thursday December 14th. Save the dates!

See the information within this newsletter about a silent auction that will take place during the holiday show.  

As well, it is important to share that if their plans come to fruition, we have a group of students who will be hosting a bake sale before and after the holiday show. The funds these young and eager philanthropists raise will go directly towards our playground enhancement project. 

Compassion

Our character attribute focus for December is Compassion. Compassion is showing care and consideration.  It is being kind and forgiving to someone who has hurt you and it is helping someone, even if you do not know them.  At this time of year, it is important to talk to children about having compassion for others. Children need to be given opportunities to learn that compassion means, for example, helping someone in need on the yard, sharing a compliment or donating to those in need.  Saying a kind word to someone who is having a bad day can make a world of difference to that person.  Encouraging compassion is something we do at Brookside Public School.  We show that we care.

Brookside BullDogs Give Back Drive

In support of the North Huron Community Food Share CKNX Relief Truck Brookside Public is collecting food and toiletry items.  The drive continues until December 8th. Thank you so much for your donations thus far - it feels good to be able to help our community. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Scholl’s grade 1 class for collecting the items from classrooms each day and then doing a tally of how many items were collected.

Message from our School Council

Hello Parents/Guardians,

 

This year the School Council will be holding a silent auction during the holiday concert as we have in previous years. The holiday concert will take place Tuesday December 12th @ 12-1pm & 6:30-7:30pm. The auction will be open during both concert times and will close @8pm. We are seeking donations from families/businesses for the silent auction. Any items may be dropped off to the office up to December 11 @4pm.  The funds raised will go directly to our playground enhancement project. We appreciate your continued support as we continue to raise funds for this exciting project.

 

Any further questions please contact Natalie Miltenburg (519) 440-8736.

 

Thank you,

School Council

 Remembrance Day

  Thank you to Mr.Macaulay, our student helpers, and our guests from the Lucknow Royal Canadian  Legion Branch 309 for the excellent assembly.  

New News For Milk and Pizza

  Starting in January the pizza and milk prices will increase by just a little as our vendors’ prices went up in the fall. Milk will now be $1.25 and Pizza will be $2.25 per slice.  You will notice the change on School Cash when you go to order for your child.

Common Language

Kindergarten parents should see soon or perhaps they already have information about one of our SEL (social emotional learning) initiatives, Social Thinking. The Social Thinking program equips teachers to be able to teach emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and social awareness.  This program is well researched and fully supported by the Avon Maitland District School Board. The expectation is that it is taught explicitly in JK and SK and then used in each grade. 

There are 10 specific skills taught, with several lessons for each, thus it takes a full school year. Some students need extra support, just like with any learning, and thus have the opportunity for individual or small group lessons no matter their grade.  

Here is one  example of the common language that the program teaches:

 

“Follow the Group Plan” - this means to follow what your classmates are doing instead of following your own plan.

Maybe you have heard your children talking about “following the group plan”. We hope so!

To learn more about the Social Thinking Program visit: https://www.socialthinking.com

IMPORTANT Dates: (will also be posted on our website calendar for your convenience)

December 4 - Photo Retake Day (and for all those that missed first day)

December 4-HPPH Dental Screening JK,SK, GR 2,4 and 7

December 5 - One Stop Shop Fundraiser Pick up-Time of Pickup will be announced by school  messenger that day

December 6- Junior Volleyball @ GDCI Snow Date:Dec 7th

December 7- School Council Meeting @6:30pm

December 8- CKNX Food Drive Pickup

December 8 - Spirit Day  Flannel Friday 

December 12- Let it Snow Holiday Concert 12:00-1:00pm & 6:30-7:30pm 

December 14- Snow Day for the Holiday Concert 12:00-1:00pm & 6:30-7:30pm

December 15- January Pizza and Milk orders close -please don't ask us to accept late orders

December 18- Spirit Day-Wear Red and Green!

December 22- Spirit Day-Cozy Comfy Day!

December 22 - Last day of classes for 2023

January 8,2024- First day of classes for 2024

**As reminders please have the following for your students:

➔   Indoor Shoes

➔   Water Bottle

➔   Labeled hats, mitts and other belongings

 

Attendance

1. Use the SchoolMessenger (SafeArrival) website: go.schoolmessenger.ca. 

○ The first time you use the website: i. Select “Sign Up” to create your account. **Important: You must use the email address that you provided to the school in order to set up your account. ii. Select “Attendance” iii. Select “Report an Absence” Please continue to use the Safe Arrival System to report your attendance for your child.  

2. If you have not already done so download the App onto your personal device by going into your Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

○ Once you download the app:  

1. Tap Sign Up to create your account. **Important: You must use the email address that you provided to       the school in order to set up your account. 
2. Select Attendance from the menu, and then iii. Select Report an Absence. 

○ Please do not adjust the notification settings in the app as it will impact the other messages you receive from the school via text and email. 

3. Call the toll-free number 1-844-518-5459 to report an absence using the automated phone system.

  These are really simple to use to report your student absent for the current day or future days ahead.   As for reporting a Weather Day; using a weather day will not be accepted if the school is open and buses are running.  If you do not feel comfortable sending due to weather conditions please use the Personal day option.  You may also email [email protected] but we are encouraging our families to use the School Messenger reporting system.

Bus Route and Weather Cancellations

Route and weather cancellations can occur at any time. Please use the following sites to stay informed.  Huron Perth Transportation Services Website: https://www.ourschoolbuses.ca/

Bus Planner Alerts Page:https://hpsts.mybusplanner.ca/Alerts

BusPlanner® Delays APP: Indicates if the cancellation is AM or PM or All Day. As soon as a notification is posted to the BusPlanner® Website, it appears as a notification on the app. Please subscribe.  You also will want to have Notifications in your phone turned on for the APP so you can be alerted when there are delays and cancellations.

School Bus Provider: Montgomery Bus Lines 519-357-9191

Radio: AM 920 CKNX, FM 101.7 The One, FM 94.5 The Bull, Country FM 104.9

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for bus cancellations and school closures due to weather.

Drop Off & Dismissal Procedures

Students can be dropped off at 8:40-8:45 am.

Students will be dismissed from class at 3:05pm.

Supervision is not available outside of these times.

Please remind your students if dropping off after Am time to check into the office for attendance purposes.

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