Principal Message:
Dear Mountain View Families
Welcome to November! It promises to be a busy month for Mountain View students and staff! Progress Reports will arrive home on November 9 and student-led conferences are scheduled for November 16 after school and November 17 in the morning. Your child’s teacher, and DECE if applicable, will co-ordinate a fifteen minute conference with you in the next few days.
Our magnificent School Council is hard at work organizing the annual Mountain View Winter Fair. There are many wonderful activities planned for families to enjoy a happy evening together. As well, the Winter Fair is a major fund raising opportunity for the school. This year Winter Fair funds will contribute to further school yard improvement plans and school field trips. Please join us at the school on November 30 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
We continue to ask parents/guardians to assist us with keeping our students safe particularly at entry and dismissal times. These times during the school day are extremely busy with students, parents/guardians, cars and buses. Please drop your child off at the outside drop off circle at the crosswalk so that your child is able to cross at the crosswalk to the school sidewalk. Please do not cross the parking lot between buses. Please walk to the end of the school sidewalk either at the north or south end of the school and then use the public sidewalk on Spruce St. to continue to your destination. If you have parked your car in the school parking lot please use the crosswalk, as marked, on the pavement at the front of the school to access the school sidewalk. Please drop your child off at the kindergarten/primary gate. Congestion at the gate has been reduced considerably. Kindergarten students are being met in the yard by their DECE so that they are led right to their door. Students are encouraged to play when they arrive at school. Please ask for assistance anytime. Our staff is identified with an orange vest. All of the little things add up to a safer environment for our students. We thank you always for your assistance with our safety plans.
Arriving at school on time is a life skill that we teach at school. Please ensure that your child is dropped off or arrives at school prior to the 8:55 am bell. When the bell rings the students enter the school immediately and the doors are locked and the gates to the schoolyard are closed. If your child is late for school please accompany them to the office to sign in for the school day. All students must be signed out by a parent/guardian in the office if they are leaving school anytime during the school day.
Enjoy all that November has to offer! We look forward to seeing you at school!
Lindsay Richards
ROC Principal
Mountain View ES
HOT LUNCH INFORMATION
Go to your child’s SchoolCash Online account items page and click “ORDER NOW”.
On days your student is unexpectedly absent or on inclement weather days please make arrangements with your teacher or the office to pick up food orders. Orders may be cancelled two days prior to delivery by canceling the order in Lunchbox.
If a lunch order has not been received, please send an email within (5) days of the scheduled delivery (preferably within 24 hours) to [email protected] so that it can be investigated with the school and the vendor.
Message from Parent Council:
DON'T MISS MOUNTAIN VIEW'S WINTER FAIR - NOVEMBER 30th, 4:30-7:30pm, at the school. Enjoy some chili, pizza, and treats while you find a great deal at our Silent Auction, listen to some live music, shop our Vendor Market, make a craft, meet some of the Collingwood Blues, and more! (Oh - and don't forget to pick up your poinsettia order!) Admission is free. Donations of new or gently used school supplies are welcome.
POINSETTIAS AVAILABLE TO ORDER ONLY UNTIL NOV 21st - Choose from a variety of sizes and colours, as well as centerpieces from Bradford Greenery. Order using School Cash Online, then pick up at the Winter Fair.
DONATIONS for SILENT AUCTION, KIDS SHOPPING CENTRE, and TREATS NEEDED
1. To donate to the Silent Auction, please contact Michelle Hillis ([email protected]) with details by November 17th. If you have already connected with Michelle, you can drop off your item and details with her, or at the school office.
2. To donate to the Kids Shopping Centre*, please bring items to the school office between now and Nov 29th. Donations of gift wrap supplies (recycled or new) are also welcome. *Items of the garage sale variety for a kids-only shopping area will be available, where everything is $1 and they might just find a special surprise gift for you.
3. To donate pre-packaged treats (no homemade goodies please), contact Britt Arnill ([email protected]) for further info.
REMINDER: MOUNTAIN VIEW BRANDED MABEL’S LABELS – are available now @https://mabelslabels.ca/en-CA/fundraising/support
Thank you to Andrea Seaton-Smith for working to create such a beautiful poster to both advertise and commemorate this year’s event!
WANT TO KNOW MORE? GOT IDEAS? GOT FEEDBACK? The next School Council meeting will be held on November 7th at 7pm in the school library. Everyone is welcome.
NOAKES READING NOOK
So much to celebrate and recognize in November. Here are a few of the featured days we will be discussing during library times this month:
November 8th I Read Canadian
November 6-10 Treaties Week
November 10th Indigenous Veteran's Day & We will have our Remembrance Day assembly on this day as the 11th is a Saturday this year.
November 12th Diwali
November 13-17 Book Fair
Dear Parents and Families,
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! What better way to promote reading to our students than by supporting this important literary event.
We invite your entire family to participate by purchasing the latest and greatest in children’s books. Your support of this vital literary event is a key part of helping us obtain new books and resources for our library and classrooms. A flyer and an email with more information will be headed your way soon.
Happy Reading Everyone!
OFFICE INFORMATION:
Please call the safe arrival line at 1-888-885-8065 to leave a message about your students absence.
If you have a change in plans for end of day pick up please notify the office before 2:30 so the teachers and students can be informed!
The Acknowledgment and Permission forms are on the school cash online and need to be filled out if they haven’t already. These permissions allow your student to go on walking trips with their class and to have their photos taken during class activities and events.
Parents are to come into the office to sign their student out for early dismissal due to illness or appt. Parents are NOT to walk the students down to class or to pick them up for dismissal.
We are a nut free school, please do not send peanuts or tree nuts (ie. Tree nuts considered as priority allergens include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts (pignolias), pistachio nuts and walnuts. ) as a part of your child’s snacks or lunch.
If you are a current volunteer please remember to complete your offence declarations in the Community Apps Portal.
Remind your students that food is not permitted on the school yard!
If your children bring outdoor equipment to school make sure it is labelled.
Items of sentimental or monetary value should not be brought to school.
November PA Day
Please note that Friday, Nov. 17 is a PA Day for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2023-24 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Below is a summary of the activities planned for the Nov. 17 PA Day:
Length: Full-day parent/guardian-student-teacher conferences
Topic: Communication to parents/guardians about student progress through
parent/guardian-student-teacher conferences
Host: Simcoe County District School Board elementary schools, including
Grades 7 and 8 in Grade 7-12 secondary schools
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): Elementary educators
Elementary educators will meet with students and parents/guardians to discuss student progress thus far this school year, including areas of strengths and next steps for improvement.
Educators will learn about using STEP assessment data to plan responsive instruction for their multilingual learners (ML), including the use of tools and resources to support learning. They will participate in collaborative discussions and tasks in small and large groups facilitated by school leaders and ML lead teachers. This learning was collaboratively planned by members of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Multilingual Learner team and the school-based ML leads to be responsive to the needs of the MLs in each school (100 minutes).
Educators will collaborate with department colleagues to develop culminating course tasks and consolidation activities which provide students with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning. They will be supported with planning resources developed by the Student Achievement 7-12 department (100 minutes).
Inclement weather and bus cancellation information reminder
All information regarding cancelled buses in Simcoe County is posted on the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC)’s bus information website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca. Our school is in the West zone. When buses are cancelled, schools remain open for student learning, unless otherwise noted. School staff are expected to plan for such emergencies in order to transition students who are unable to attend due to inclement weather, to their online platforms (Google Classroom and/or SCDSBhub [Brightspace by D2L]) and continue with academic programming. It is always a family decision whether or not it is safe for their child(ren) to leave for school under severe weather conditions.
The Consortium and bus operators try to make the decision to cancel school buses before 6 a.m. and make every effort to post announcements before 7 a.m. Inclement weather cancellations are effective for the whole day and buses cancelled in the morning will not run at the end of the day. You can follow the Consortium on Twitter @SCSTC_SchoolBus for bus cancellations and other information. You can also subscribe to receive bus delay notifications here: https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions/Login.aspx.
Dental screening and services for kids ages 0-17
Good dental health is an important part of your child’s general health. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Oral Health Community Program offers free dental screenings in daycares, schools, and health unit offices for children and youth aged 0 - 17 years. Dental screening can identify and inform families that their child has a dental concern.
Health unit staff can also help children/youth and their families access free preventive services and treatment through the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) Program. For more information regarding these services visit: www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/Dental.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Grade 1 French Immersion information
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) offers French Immersion (FI) at select schools throughout Simcoe County beginning in Grade 1. The goal of the FI program is to enable students to communicate in French with a high level of proficiency, enabling them to function with ease in both French and English. Upon graduation from the program, students will communicate in French with confidence in a wide variety of real-life situations.
Grade 1 FI family information nights are held annually in advance of the application process for the following school year. This year, FI family information nights will be held in-person throughout the month of November at the respective FI school locations. The designated Grade 1 FI site for our school is Cameron St. PS. The information night for this school will be Monday Nov. 20th from 5-7.
The SCDSB board-wide electronic applications for the Grade 1 FI program for all sites will open Friday, Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. Entry into the FI program is determined through a digitally randomized lottery system.
High school information events for Grade 8 students
Is your child starting Grade 9 next year? High school information events will take place in-person this winter! Student leaders and staff at the school will give an overview of what’s new and what to expect. Learn about courses offered, as well as information about teams and clubs. Please visit the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/secondary/planning_for_high_school to find details on your high school’s info night, and contact the school directly for more information.
Parents’ Guide to Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting
Learn to navigate the world of assessment, evaluation, and reporting with this new guide for parents/guardians. Created to support parents’/guardians’ understanding of assessment, this guide was designed to effectively empower you to actively engage in your child's educational journey. The guide has been posted to the Simcoe County District School Board’s website and can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/2urcm2tm.
Subscribe to Kindergarten Connections!
Will your child be turning four in 2024? If so, the SCDSB invites you to Kindergarten Connections! This is a monthly enewsletter informing families of everything they need to know about preparing their child for school, as well as registering them for Kindergarten in the SCDSB. To learn more and subscribe, visit the Kindergarten page on the SCDSB website: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/kindergarten.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres
The foundation for lifelong learning and health is built in the early years. EarlyON Child and Family Centres across Simcoe County offer programs for children prenatal to six years of age and their parents/guardians and caregivers. They offer access to play- and inquiry-based learning supported by How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years, information on child development and developmental screening including Early Referral Identification Kits (ERIKs), parent/guardian education, referrals to community resources, nutrition information, and post-natal resources. Check with your local EarlyON provider: https://linktr.ee/earlyonsimcoe
How is your infant, toddler, or preschool child developing?
Is your child meeting their milestones? Age-appropriate speech and language skills are critical to your child’s ability to read, write, and be successful in school as well as to their ability to engage with their peers. Free services are available to support you with your child’s development. Preschool speech and language programs are located across the County of Simcoe. Call (705) 739-5696 or 1-800-675-1979 to complete a developmental screen. The earlier we work together the better!
Licensed Winter Break school-age child care programs
Child care programs for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are provided by independent, third-party child care operators in some SCDSB schools. To support your child care needs, some operators offer child care on PA days and holidays including over the Winter Break. Registration in advance is required.
Please contact the child care operator directly to discuss fees and to register. More information and contact numbers can be found by visiting: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/childcare_before_after.
Knowledgehook math tool
Knowledgehook is a digital math assessment and practice tool that has been purchased for all K-10 SCDSB classrooms. This tool is accessible to students at home so that they can practice math skills, either assigned by their teacher or on their own. Ask your child about how they use Knowledgehook in class and learn more at: www.knowledgehook.com.
Days of Awareness 2023-24
The SCDSB is inclusive to all, please review the Days of Awareness (NM1) www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion.
Join us! A learning series for parents/guardians with Pine River Institute
Mental health and well-being continues to be a key strategic priority within the SCDSB. We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Centre for Family Initiatives at Pine River Institute (CFI@PRI) to provide several curated learning sessions focused on student mental health and well-being to SCDSB families.
There are eight webinars specifically planned for parents/guardians and other caregivers during this school year.
Nov. 9, 2023 Understanding and managing screen time, part two - social media edition
Nov. 30, 2023 Helping parents align
Jan. 11, 2024 Sleep hygiene
Feb. 8, 2024 Self regulation for kids
Feb. 22, 2024 Self regulation for teens
March 28, 2024 Building parents' resiliency
April 18, 2024 Vaping, weed, and alcohol
We hope you save these dates in your calendar and join us for these learning opportunities. For more information and to register, please visit the SCDSB website: https://bit.ly/3jGaC74.
Pine River Institute is a live-in treatment centre and outdoor leadership experience for youth aged 13 to 19 struggling with addictive behaviours and often other mental health issues. Combining therapy with a fully-accredited education program, PRI reinforces the healthy life skills required for a successful future. CFI@PRI extends PRI’s knowledge, experience and evidence-informed treatment approach to families and care providers in the community to support youth mental wellness and prevent the need for more intensive interventions. Learn more about PRI by visiting their website at www.pineriverinstitute.com.
Looking for Employment? Join Our Team!
Curious about what employment opportunities are available at the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB)? The SCDSB is hosting several job fairs throughout Simcoe County during the month of November; come by and speak with one of our representatives at any of the following events!
YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka Employment Services (Midland)
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Job Seekers | YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka (ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca)
TRACKS Employment & Resource Service (Collingwood)
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
TRACKS Employment Services - One-stop resource centre for Employment Ontario Services | Located in Collingwood and serving Georgian Triangle communities of Clearview, Wasaga Beach, and Town of the Blue Mountains
FOCUS Employment Services (Alliston)
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Job Seekers - FOCUS Community Development Corporation (focuscdc.on.ca)
Agilec Employment Services (Orillia)
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023
12 to 5 p.m.
Employment Services - Agilec
For more information about employment opportunities at the SCDSB, visit: www.scdsb.on.ca/joinourteam.
Nov. 28 is Eat Well to Excel Day in Simcoe County
Eat Well to Excel is a Simcoe County non-profit community partnership that supports our school’s student nutrition program. The funding provided by Eat Well to Excel allows us to supply students with access to healthy snacks during the school day.
The pandemic and increasing food costs have caused a significant financial strain on many families in our region and new data shows that 1 in 3 kids in Canada are at risk of going to school hungry. Kids that are hungry struggle to retain knowledge and keep focused throughout the day. They are also at an increased risk of experiencing poor mental health and a compromised immune system. With your support we can maintain and hopefully improve our program to provide a consistent supply of healthy food to our students.
You can make a donation by visiting eatwelltoexcel.ca. You can either support the county-wide program or direct your donation to our school. Please include our school name in the comment box to ensure the donation goes directly to our program. A tax receipt will be emailed to you.
For more information about Eat Well to Excel visit eatwelltoexcel.ca.
Supporting oral language development at home
Within the revised language curriculum, there is a focus on supporting students to acquire the knowledge and skills relating to the foundations of language. Oral and non-verbal communication are foundational components of language skills. Over the years, students develop their listening and speaking abilities using a variety of strategies and skills, including word choice and syntax, to become effective communicators.
Here are some ways you can support oral language development at home:
Engage your child in conversations about things that interest them
Talk to your child and listen responsively
Ask and answer questions
Share oral stories
Read aloud to your child
Talk about the books you read together
Singing and playing together
Mental health promotion strategy of the month
Well-being is a strategic priority in the Simcoe County District School Board, and our mental health and well-being department provides monthly strategies to support student and family well-being.
This month’s strategy is Let It Go. This practice helps students focus their attention, calm feelings of anxiety, and manage stress. To practice Let It Go at home, have your child/youth sit comfortably and take a deep breath. Share the following exercise with your child/youth:
Use your fingers to gently massage the top of your head
Still in massaging motion, bring your fingers to your forehead, eyebrows, temples, around your eyes, cheeks, and jaw
If you notice tension anywhere – let it go
Finally, massage each of your ears and end by gently pulling your earlobes
Keep in mind to take your time with each area, especially where you hold the most tension.
Practicing Let It Go can be done any time of the day or at regular times, such as at mealtime or before bed. You may try this technique on your hands using a massaging motion to focus on each finger, thumb, and palm. Consider doing Let It Go with your child/youth to model the strategy.
Visit the links below for Let It Go posters from School Mental Health Ontario:
Elementary - https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SEL-Posters-Let-It-Go.pdf
Secondary - https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SEL-Posters-Secondary-Let-It-Go.pdf
Find more easy and fun mental health activities to do at home visit: https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/easy-and-fun-mental-health-activities-for-home/
Follow the mental health and well-being social media accounts (@SCDSB_MHWB) to see how well-being is being supported in our schools.