June Newsletter 2024
Principal's Message
Hello Parents and Caregivers,
It is June! We are ready to begin the last month of a successful school year.
This month there will be lots of outdoor learning, regional track and field, district track and field,
several end-of-the-year field trips and grade eight graduation just to name a few of the special events.
There is a special event that I would like to bring to your attention and that is our spring carnival.
Please join us on Saturday June 8 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. A lot of volunteer work has gone into planning this fun event for all of our families.
There is a touch-a-truck event, photo booth, pie auction and so much more. An extra special event within this day is a bake sale. Half of the proceeds will go towards our playground project and the other half towards Ronald McDonald House Charities to honour Harlyn Madge and her family who spent time there this year. We are seeking pre-packed, nut free, already priced, baked goods to be sold that day. You can drop them off to the bake sale table on Saturday June 8th. Please put items in containers or packaging that does not have to be returned to you.
Parking on site will be limited that day, so plan for a bit of a walk. As well, please bring lots of loose change, Toonies and Loonies, and smaller bills.
Safety is always a must, all children must be with an adult.
Planning for next year has already begun but at this time there are still many moving parts, especially when it comes to staffing. Look for a year-end mini newsletter closer to the end of this month where I will share all the information that I have at that time.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or great ideas to share.
Respectfully,
Angela Cowley
Principal
Brookside Public School
Student Classroom Placement for 2024
Each year, our staff works as a team to carefully consider future classroom placement for each one of our students. Academic, and social and emotional well-being are at the forefront of our decisions. We also gather student voices so that they can let us know a friend or two that they would like to be in class with. Each situation has its own set of circumstances, and we appreciate your support in understanding that we are making these decisions based on what we feel would be the best possible placement for academic success for your child, knowing that each one of our teachers has something special to offer all of our students.
The Umbrella Project
We focused on the Umbrella skill of KINDNESS during the month of May. What a success! Students gained a greater appreciation for kindness through lessons in their classrooms, and through our house team event. As well, we captured acts of kindness. They were written on links and we now have a HUGE kindness chain which will be displayed in a hallway.
For June the skill of focus is HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, how fitting as we move into the summer. Students will learn more about the importance of healthy eating, sleeping enough and exercising regularly. Doing these things reduces stress, elevates mood, improves immune system function, and makes learning easier.
To learn more about the Umbrella Project visit: The Umbrella Project
Enrollment
Brookside is continuing to grow! We have 37 new junior kindergarten students starting in September and a projected enrollment of 324 Bulldogs for 2024-2025. To help us with our planning, please let us know if you will be moving outside our school catchment for the September 2024/2025 school year or if you know of anyone that has not yet registered for September.
Grade 8 Graduation
This year graduation will take place on Friday, June 21st at 7:00pm in the Brookside gym. A class graduate picture will be taken in front of the school at 6:45 pm sharp.
Track and Field
Our school track and field meet was a great success again this year. An extra special thank you goes out to Mr Beddow and all of the staff for planning and carrying out the day in the perfect way. The exercise, the challenging of personal bests and the community of students cheering one another on were such important components of the day. The athletes in grades 4-8 that qualified will represent Brookside at the regional meet at GDCI on June 4th, and will have more information to follow. District track and field is on June 12 2024.
Huron County Library Summer Reading Club
Summer is back and so is the 2024 TD Summer Reading Club! The theme this year is everything space- “To the stars!” It’s that time of year again at all the Huron County libraries for the TD Summer Reading Club to return! Offered for all students between the ages of 4 and 12, this free eight-week program starts on Tuesday, July 2nd, and will feature one hour-long session at each branch every week. Our goal is to foster students’ love of reading over the summer by playing games, making crafts, reading together, and winning prizes! These programs are offered in-person, so children will be engaged in reading but also making lasting social connections! Registration is open. Please visit the Huron County Library website to register: TD Summer Reading Program
Field Trips
Every class will be going off school grounds on a day trip this year. Trips take a lot of planning and some board level approval. We have tried to keep our costs low (as bus and other costs rise). That being said we know it is still a lot and if you require assistance please do not hesitate to ask as we do not ever want the cost to be a barrier to the experience. Permission forms will come home for signatures and payment will be opened on school cash online.
Footwear and Sun Safety
We have an amazing yard, but not a lot of shade during recess. Please ensure you send a hat and apply sunscreen and have light layered clothing. Flip flops are not allowed on the playground equipment. Our students are active and a lot of outdoor physical and learning activities are planned and safe footwear is important.
School Council
Our last school council meeting for this year will be on Wednesday June 19th in the Brookside library at 7:00 pm Please let Miriah Drennan know of any agenda items you would like to see added. All are welcome.
Spring Carnival at Brookside Public School on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10am - 2pm.
#brooksideschoolcarnival
Join us at Brookside's Spring Carnival and enjoy a day of family fun! Admission is based on donations, and there will be snacks and refreshments for purchase. The event will feature games, a bake sale, a pie auction, touch the truck, a photo booth, and much more. All proceeds from the carnival (less half from the bake sale) will be used to enhance the playground for everyone to enjoy. If you are interested in volunteering for that day please contact Vicky Black at 519-357–8530 or email [email protected].
Food Days
Just a reminder that the last pizza day is Thursday June 20th and last day of Milk is Friday June 21st.
June Caregiver Lunch & Learn
During the 2023-2024 school year, the Avon Maitland District School Board, in partnership with local community agencies, has facilitated conversations about mental health and well-being among caregivers and their children. On June 12, 2024 the YMCA of Three Rivers will present, “Supporting Sexuality and Gender Identity in Children and Youth.” In this presentation, we will delve into the crucial topic of supporting the sexualities and gender identities of children and youth. Together, we will explore how to create safe and inclusive environments where young people feel empowered to express themselves authentically. Caregivers will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and learn how to provide them with meaningful support. Please click here to register.
School Messenger Download Reminder
Parents/guardians are asked to report their child’s absence, reporting a late arrival and request an early dismissal in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:
- Use the SchoolMEssenger (SafeArrival) website: School Messenger
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:”Report and Absence” Please continue to use the Safe Arrival System to report your attendance for your child.
- 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:
- Tap Sign Up to create your account. **Important use the email address that you provided to the school to set up your account.
- Select Attendance from the menu, and then select “Report and 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.
- 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.
Important Dates:
June 4- First Ride for the new Kindergarten starting in September 2024 @9:30am in the Brookside Gym.
June 4- Regional Track and Field @ GDCI- June 5 Rain Date
June 6- Gr 8 Trip to Toronto
June 7 - PD Day!
June 8- Brookside’s School Carnival 10am-2pm
June 10- Gr 6&7 Trip to Between the Lines Litowel
June 11- District Track & Field Stratford Intermediate Secondary School-Rain Date June 12
June 19- School Council meeting at 7:00pm in the library
June 19- Grade 4/5 & 5 Trip to Between the Lines Listowel
June 19- Grade 1 & 1/2 Trip to Camp Kintail
June 20- Grade 2 & 2/3 Trip to Camp Kintail
June 21- Kindergarten Trip to Camp Kintail
June 21- Brookside Grade 8 Graduation 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Brookside Public School Gym
June 26- Gr 3 & 3/4 Trip to Westfield Heritage Village
June 25- Report Cards and Communication of Learning Reports Send Home
June 27- Last day of school-Spirit Day “Get Ready for Summer”