IMPORTANT DATES
Oct. 3– Flag football vs Connaught @ MTV
Oct. 4—Cross Country Race @ Blueberry Trail
Oct. 9– Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Oct. 11- Flag football area Tournament @ Fisher Fields
- Meet the Teacher 5:00-6:30
Oct. 18– Cross Country Race @ St. Louis Moonstone for finalists
– Gr. 7 Immunizations
Oct. 25 -Gr. 4 Field trip to Wye Marsh
Oct. 30 -School Photos
Oct. 31– Orange and Black Spirit Day
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.
OFFICE INFORMATION:
REMINDER:First Bell is at 8:55 am, please have your students at school to begin the school day on time!
-Remind your students that food is not permitted on the school yard!
-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!
-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.
-Cars waiting for students at the end of the day need to use the allotted parking spots in the parking lot. Cars should not block the flow of traffic and can not block the handicapped access or parking spots.
-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.
-If you are a current volunteer please remember to complete your offence declarations in the Community Apps Portal.
Fundraiser now on!!! Smencils, smelly pencils, are made from recycled newspaper and come in an assortment of great flavours. Through School Cash Online you can pre-purchase 1 smencil for $2.00 or 3 for $5.00. Pre-orders are available online until Friday, Oct. 6th. Pre-ordered smencils will be delivered to students during the school day on Monday Oct. 9th. Get them while you can!!
Message from Parent Council:
DID YOU KNOW? – Mountain View participates in the Eat Well to Excel program, which makes nutritious snacks available to ensure kids always have the energy they need to learn at school. Many families have asked how they can help. (1) You can make a donation to this program any time you are logged into School Cash Online by going to the ITEMS page and clicking on the DONATE NOW button in the top right hand corner. Select Mountain View and Eat Well to Excel under the Gift Information section, and enter your donation amount. (2) We are also working on a way for parents/guardians to help prep snacks / snack bags in the future, following guidelines around food safety etc. We will keep you posted. Thank you for your support!
THANK YOU for the PAVEMENT PAINTING – Thanks to the Schoolyard Improvement Committee and to Mrs. V for the shiny upgrades to our playground pavement, including new basketball court lines, 4-square lines, and the new primary favourite - a “road”! Thanks also to all MTV families as last year’s fund-raising efforts made this possible. Next: we’re working towards new basketball rims and a new place to climb & slide. Stay tuned!
WINTER FAIR SCHEDULED: NOVEMBER 30th, 4:30-7pm - We will meet Oct. 5th to discuss how we’ll make the fair awesome in 2023. (Spoiler alert: Volunteers make it awesome). Can’t make the meeting but want to help out? Contact [email protected] to stay in the loop and find the spot that best fits your schedule and talents.
“It’s the most fun event of the year!” The Collingwood Enquirer Herald Tribune
“This event is often the school's biggest fundraiser of the year. This community is amazing.” The Tree Street Georgian Meadow Alliance
“Only 59 more sleeps until the Winter Fair?!? I caN’T WAIITTTT!!!” Mountain View Student
COMING SOON – MOUNTAIN VIEW BRANDED MABEL’S LABELS – Stay tuned for more information on our partnership with Mabel’s Labels, where soon you’ll be able to order your labels with the Mountain View logo, and (bonus!) the school will get a percentage of the proceeds from label sales.
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
Library Fall Focus All of our students have been trying to find our 'Just Right Books'. These are books that are not too easy but also not too challenging that will help us to improve our reading fluency and comprehension when reading independently.
We are also trying to find books that we love that will set us off on our reading journey to become more passionate readers. If we haven't found 'that' book yet, we will!
STEAM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) activities will be happening throughout the year in the library. Our younger classes have been working on Turkey Traps and using our imagination and creativity while learning to work in group situations.
Our older classes have been doing some Media awareness activities with a focus on online safety and etiquette.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Culture Appropriation and Halloween Costumes
Simcoe County District School Board schools are spaces where we value student inclusion and diversity every day of the year. However, Halloween is a time when we need to remind our students that “Culture is not a costume!” #IAmNotACostume
This year Mountain View will be celebrating Halloween by dressing up in Halloween costumes or Orange and Blackl. Dressing up at Halloween is fun and exciting, depending upon the choice of costume we choose to wear, it also runs the risk of being offensive to other cultures. Halloween is the opportunity to discuss costume choices with your students. It is important not to inadvertently mimic culture by culturally appropriating racial, religious or ethnic groups.
Some critical equity questions to ask yourself about your costume. Am I reinforcing stereotypes with the image I am portraying? Is my costume a form of exploitation of another culture?
October PA Day
Please note that Friday, Oct. 20 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 Oct. 20 PA Day:
Length: Full day
Topic: Health and Safety, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Mathematics
Host: Simcoe County District School Board
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): School board staff and school administrators and school leads
Educators will participate in a half-day Health and Safety digital learning session focused on health and safety incident reporting and investigations with a particular emphasis on the essential aspect of workplace violence prevention. The session will equip staff with the knowledge and tools to report incidents effectively and promptly, provide insights into the investigative and risk mitigation process, fostering transparency and accountability, and highlight the critical role staff play in preventing workplace injuries.
Educators will learn about Somali, Latino, South Asian, and African Black Indigenous heritage. They will collaboratively plan within grades and divisions. Through this, they will celebrate identities and create environments that foster well-being and sense of belonging.
Educators will choose learning related to the Knowledgehook digital math tool based on their readiness. Different learning pathways have been planned for new users, those with some experience, and those who are ready to extend their use of the math tool. All participants will learn about how to invite parents/guardians to view their child’s progress. Additionally, educators will engage in High Impact Instructional Practices in Mathematics learning modules that align with their school’s Achievement in Mathematics goal.
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.
School bus transportation information available from the SCSTC
In order to receive delay and cancellation notifications, families can check the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca or download the ‘BusPlanner Delays’ app from the Apple or Android app stores to receive delay notifications to their devices. Users would need to select Simcoe County STC as the transportation authority. The app will need to be forced closed, but you will be able to select your student(s) routes or school to receive delays.
The app will send a general notice for any cancellation in Simcoe County. You only need to know which ‘zone’ you’re in, so you would know which one to look out for in the app. You can find your student’s zone by visiting the School Bus Status page at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca and clicking the dropdown for the area you live in.
Upcoming in-person Grade 1 French Immersion information sessions
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 English and French.
Information sessions for families who are considering entry into Grade 1 FI for the 2024-25 school year will take place at Cameron Street PS, Monday Nov. 20th from 5-7, and online applications will open in December 2023.
Entry into the FI program will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system. A link to access the Grade 1 FI online application form will be available on the SCDSB website starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 until 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. For more information regarding French Immersion, visit www.scdsb.on.ca, then select ‘elementary’, and ‘French as a Second Language’.
Get on the move
There are many benefits to walking or wheeling to school. Walking or wheeling to school reduces traffic, helps students establish healthy lifestyles, is better for the environment and enhances community safety. Wherever possible, we encourage students within walking zones to get on the move and walk or wheel to school. For more information please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website here: bit.ly/3OC4CJ9
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, staff and within the SCDSB’s broader school communities.
There are eight webinars in the learning series specifically planned for parents/guardians and other caregivers during this school year.
Oct. 26, 2023 Understanding and managing screen time, part one - gaming edition
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.
Revised 2023 Ontario Language Curriculum
Beginning this school year, all language programs for Grades 1-8 will be based on the expectations of the revised Ontario Language Curriculum. The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1 to 8: Language, 2023 outlines the knowledge and skills required for effective reading and writing, listening, and speaking so students can succeed at school and beyond. The curriculum has been revised partly in response to the recommendations outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read public inquiry report.
The 2023 curriculum now includes four strands:
1.Literacy Connections and Applications
Foundations of Language
Comprehension: Understanding and Responding to Texts
Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts
For more information, visit www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/key-changes-language to view a guide for parents/guardians on the Ministry of Education website.
Supporting your child with math
Are you curious about how you can support your child’s growth as a mathematician? Visit the Parents Guide to Mathematics at www.ontario.ca/page/new-math-curriculum-grades-1-8, where you can find a summary of the knowledge and skills your child will be learning as they progress through the grades, information about how you can support your child’s learning, and how the curriculum was developed.
TVO Mathify offers free 1:1 online Grade 4-12 math tutoring to SCDSB students. Connect with an Ontario Certified Teacher of your choice. It is anonymous and secure, and can be used from a phone, tablet, or computer. Math tutors are available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday to Friday, and 3:30 to 9 p.m. ET Sunday.
All SCDSB students from Grades 4-12 have been pre-registered for this amazing service. For quick access to TVO Mathify:
1.Find the link in your child’s Google waffle to the SCDSBhub.
Look for the TVO Mathify icon on their dashboard.
Your child will not need to enter their OEN number or any identifying information when TVO Mathify is accessed through the SCDSBhub.
Interested in learning more about the ways that the SCDSB supports students with special education needs and their families? Join us for a virtual special education outreach series
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is hosting virtual special education outreach sessions to assist parents/caregivers in learning more about programs, supports, and ways that we work together to support students with special education needs.
The first session, IEPs and school-based assessments – information for parents/caregivers, will be held on Oct. 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This virtual presentation will include an opportunity for participants to share some of their questions regarding IEPs and special education programming.
Participants are asked to register in advance. Information to access the sessions will be shared via email with individuals who have pre-registered. Learn more about upcoming sessions and how to register on the SCDSB website: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions.
School Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School Bus Safety Week takes place Oct. 16 to 20, 2023. Please visit the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) website at main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca for information on school bus safety and links to school bus safety resources. Oct. 19, 2023 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the province of Ontario. It’s a great opportunity for the school community to thank our bus drivers for all their hard work transporting students to and from school safely.
Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8 to 14
This year, the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, ‘Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention™’, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme,along with a wealth of resources to help promote the campaign locally, visit fpw.org.
Information from the National Fire Protection Association website
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 via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2urcm2tm.
Licensed PA day and holiday 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, March Break, and during summer holidays. Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child care operator directly to discuss fees and to register.
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.
Have you met Sora?
Our digital ebook/audiobook collection contains over 4,000 titles waiting to be checked out by our SCDSB students. Students simply download the app, use their SCDSB login and start reading for free on their phone or tablet. The collection can be accessed at: meet.soraapp.com.