Worsley Elementary School Newsletter
June 2025
The below information
is for SCDSB families for the month of June.
Days
of Awareness 2024-25
To view the days of awareness calendar,
please visit the SCDSB website at: scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion.
Keep
connected with our school and with the SCDSB
It’s important to get accurate information
about what’s going on at your school and at the Simcoe County District School
Board (SCDSB). Here are some ways to do that:
- Sign up to receive SCDSB media releases by clicking the
‘Subscribe’ button at scdsb.on.ca.
Follow the
SCDSB on Facebook (facebook.com/SCDSB/), Instagram
(@scdsb), and X (@SCDSB_Schools), Instagram (@worsley_elementary).
Reminder:
Complete the 2024-25 SCDSB Student Census
Parents/guardians of
children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are invited to complete the 2024-25 SCDSB Student Census on
behalf of their child or children by June 27. The census may be accessed
through an email invitation or by visiting https://tinyurl.com/SCDSBStudentCensus.
Information
in the census helps us to determine how to best utilize
resources and plan appropriate programming, learning opportunities, and events.
The census is confidential and voluntary.
If you would like more
information about the census, please visit scdsb.on.ca/census.
If you have questions regarding the SCDSB Student Census, please contact the
Research and Decision Support department at [email protected].
New
Orillia elementary school
The
Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) continues to move forward with
plans to open a new elementary school in the western part of Orillia. The new
elementary school will relieve pressure at the existing schools in the area as
it will accommodate approximately 334 students.
Funding
to build the new school was approved by the Ministry of Education in 2021.
Since that time, the SCDSB has purchased the land and has worked on the design
concept for the school. As part of the process of acquiring the land, the SCDSB
had to work through a number of logistical aspects of the project including
land negotiations, zoning, environmental assessments, and permits. The SCDSB is
now in a position to proceed and expect the new elementary school to open in
2027. For regular construction updates visit the ‘new schools’ section of the SCDSB website.
Student Achievement
Plan
In alignment with
the Education Act (Subsection 169.1(4)), school boards are required to use
the Student Achievement Plan (SAP) Public Reporting Template to publicly report
on the progress made with respect to provincially established student
achievement priorities.
The Public Reporting
Template is available on the SCDSB website
(scdsb.on.ca/about/goals_reporting/student_achievement_plan). The SCDSB is consulting with committees of
the board and collecting feedback on the SAP. If you wish to provide feedback, you
can send an email to [email protected].
Indigenous
Education flag
The SCDSB’s Indigenous Education department is excited
to announce the new Indigenous Education flag. This flag was created by
Indigenous members of the SCDSB’s Indigenous Education department in
collaboration with local Indigenous community members. This flag will be raised
at all SCDSB schools and the Education Centre from June 16 to 20 to celebrate
National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is
also the summer solstice. Families and community members are invited to
join in recognizing and celebrating the vibrant cultures and histories of
Indigenous Peoples.
The
flag represents the rich cultures and contributions of diverse Indigenous
Peoples in Simcoe County and includes symbols such as:
·
the Medicine Wheel to signify
First Nation communities
·
the Infinity symbol to
represent citizens of the Métis Nation
·
the Inukshuk to
symbolize Inuit communities
Surrounding
these symbols is sweetgrass, signifying unity and respect among Indigenous
Peoples.
Every
Child Matters flags will be respectfully acknowledged during the National Day
for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 in recognition of survivors and our
deep commitment to reconciliation in education, honouring survivor’s legacy,
and truth.
To
learn more about Indigenous education in the SCDSB, visit: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/indigenous_education
Use of
student information to transition from elementary to secondary
As students progress
from elementary school to secondary school, important personal student
information is shared which eases each student’s transition. Sharing this
information also improves our ability to program effectively to benefit all
students. The collection and use of personal student information for such
purposes is authorized under the Education Act. Please note that all
information used for the transition process is limited, secure, and protected
at all times. Please contact Jennifer Newby, Superintendent of Education, if
you would like more information about the transition process at Worsley
Elementary School.
Shelter in place
SCDSB schools and worksites have established safety procedures which are
in place to keep students and staff safe in emergency situations, such as a
shelter in place. A shelter in place is used when there is an environmental or
weather-related situation, like a chemical spill outside the building, or a
major storm. During a shelter in place, activities will continue inside the
school, but students and staff will not be allowed to leave the building,
including for bussing or pick-up by parent(s)/guardian(s). It’s important for
you to know that the safety of our students is our top priority. If you have
any questions or concerns, as always, please contact the school.
Check out the SCDSB News
video series
The SCDSB News is a weekly video series
highlighting positive events, initiatives, and learning happening within school
communities across the SCDSB. Follow the SCDSB on social media to catch all of
these weekly episodes, and check out our recent video below featuring Education
Week in the SCDSB.
Each year, the SCDSB recognizes Education Week at
the beginning of May. Education Week provides us with an opportunity to
celebrate education and recognize the contributions of SCDSB staff throughout
the year. Together, we all contribute to creating environments where students
can learn, grow, and succeed.
The SCDSB is truly fortunate to have over 7,000 passionate, supportive, and
dedicated staff members. Thank you all for making the SCDSB the place to be!
Watch as students from Regent Park Public School share letters of appreciation
to SCDSB staff members who have made a difference in their lives: youtube.com/watch?v=OCD2Jzw0buc&t=1s
Kindergarten orientation
Kindergarten orientation sessions will be held throughout the SCDSB in the
spring of 2025. These sessions provide families with the opportunity to engage
with their school community as their children prepare to enter
school. Learn more about the sessions and find out when your child's
school is holding theirs: scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=8385299.
Licensed summer school 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 over the summer
holidays. 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 at scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/childcare_before_after.
Spend a fraction of your time on math!
New math problems, games, and activities are added to Math at Home monthly!
Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/MathatHome to
find fun, engaging ways to support your child in learning math.
In June, activities in school and on Math at Home involve consolidating the
year’s learning, mental math, and math facts! Looking for ways to continue
supporting your child’s learning at home during the summer months? Visit Math
at Home for summer learning inspiration!
Join the SCDSB for a virtual special education information series
During the 2024-25 school year, the Simcoe County District School Board
(SCDSB) has hosted virtual special education outreach sessions to assist
parents/guardians in learning more about programs, supports, and ways that we
work together to support students with special education needs.
Please join us for the upcoming session:
Every
day communication strategies
June 17
We understand that life is very busy, and we want to help support families
incorporate communication into every day activities that are already happening
at home. In this virtual session, join members of our SCDSB Speech and Language
Team as we focus on communication strategies such as verbal and visual
modelling, expanding communication, and creating opportunities to communicate.
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 each session and how to
register on the SCDSB website: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions.
Sora Sweet
Reads
Sora is the SCDSB’s digital ebook library which is available to all students
from K-12. Each year, Sora has a collection of diverse ebooks and audiobooks
(juvenile to young adult) curated into a collection called “Sora Sweet Reads”.
From May 12 to Aug. 25, students can access these books using either the Sora
app or desktop version: soraapp.com/welcome.
The best part of this collection is that each title is
simultaneous use, meaning that there are unlimited copies available so there
are no holds on these titles! Students simply use their school Google login and
password to access the library. We hope that this collection will encourage
students to stay engaged in reading even when the weather gets warmer! Happy reading!
June
cyber awareness topic: Summer cleanup
As the school year wraps up, it’s a great time to do a little digital cleanup!
This month’s tip sheet shares easy steps families can take to tidy up their
devices, accounts, and online habits before summer break.
Doing a summer cleanup can help protect your family’s
personal information and keep devices running smoothly. It’s also a good chance
to talk with your children about safe and smart tech use during the summer
months.
Access the ECNO cyber awareness tip sheet for
June to stay informed about this month’s theme and explore additional
resources: ecno.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ECNO-CAM-24-Infosheets-E-_Part10.pdf.
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions in need of foster homes
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions is urgently seeking caring
families to open their homes to children and youth in need of short-term foster
care. By
opening your home, you can make a difference in their lives by keeping them
close to their family, school, and community.
For more information, please visit www.familyconnexions.ca.
Watch our videos to understand what it takes to become a foster care provider: https://familyconnexions.ca/fostering-resources/.
Information provided by Simcoe Muskoka
Family Connexions
Screen time and social media
Are you concerned about the amount of time your child is spending on screens?
As a parent/caregiver, the key is to get involved, pay attention, and model
positive screen time habits. This resource from Caring for Kid’s has some tips
and strategies to help families learn to manage their screen time: caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/preteens-and-teens/screen-time-and-digital-media.
For more information visit simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka
District Health Unit.
June PA Days
Please note that Friday, June 6 is a PA Day for SCDSB elementary
students, and Thursday, June 26 is a PA Day for SCDSB secondary students. Friday,
June 27 is a PA Day for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2024-25 School
Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Below is a summary of
the activities planned for the June 6 PA Day:
Length:
Full day
Topic: Evaluation and
Reporting
Host:
Simcoe County District School Board
Educators will be working to
complete the second provincial report card. This report card will reflect
students’ achievement of curriculum expectations introduced and developed from
February to June of the school year, as well as students’ development of the
learning skills and work habits during that period. This process includes
both evaluation and reporting. Elementary report cards will go home to
parents/guardians on Friday, June 20, 2025.