Worsley Elementary School
31 40th St S., Wasaga Beach, ON, L9Z 1Z9
Office: (705) 429 –2552
Principal: Mr. M. McCain Vice Principal: Ms. J. Case Superintendent: Mr. G. Jacobs
SASE: J. Richard CLERK/STENO: P. Deschenes/D. Braid
Website: http://woe.scdsb.on.ca
Instagram - worsley_elementary
2023-2024 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website: School-Year-Calendar_2023-24
Newsletter #6 February 2024
Character Trait for February: Inclusiveness
"We include everyone in what we do and value their contributions."
Around the School
Snack Shack Update
Welcome
to our new Snack Shack! Ms. Braid has been working hard behind the
scenes to update our snack program so that we can offer a new selection
of healthy snacks for students at school. Snack Bins will no longer be
filled (please return bins when empty) and students will be able to help
themselves to a snack from the fridge in the foyer when required. We
ask that students only take one snack at a time, making sure everyone
can take advantage of the program.
This is NEW so please be patient while we figure out what works best here at Worsley! In the meantime, Happy Snacking!
Grade 7 Trip
Based
on parent feedback and the expected significant cost, we are looking at
a day trip for our Grade 7 students closer to the end of this school
year. Mr. Ferris and the Grade 7 team are exploring options for our
Grade 7 students, including Blue Mountain, Horseshoe Valley, and Tree
Top Trekking. All of these venues run Spring programs for schools. This
will keep costs at a more reasonable rate as we encourage every student
to participate.
Please reach out to your classroom teacher with any questions.
Grade 8 End of Year Trip
This
year, Worsley is excited to be offering the grade eight students an
end-of-year trip opportunity to visit Brock University in St.
Catharine’s, Ontario, and participate in leadership development, from
May 29-31. Students will be staying in dormitory housing and
participating in fun and engaging social events. This is an amazing
trip!
The
fees for our trip will be divided into installments and our first
installment has now been submitted! Our second trip installment will be
due at the end of April and will be the same amount as our first per
student, $210. We are looking at and discussing fundraising ideas and
initiatives with the students and we welcome your thoughts and ideas as
we continue to explore and take on ways to help lower trip costs,
especially bussing! Please contact your classroom teacher for more
information or contact the office to discuss payment plans.
Worsley Spirit Wear!
We are pleased to share that our Worsley school Spirit wear is still available on our new online store: http://worsleyelementaryschool.entripyshops.com/
Many
great options, colours and designs to choose from. There are different
logos, brands, and custom designs for you to create at your fingertips!
*Shipping
is extra, so if a number of people are ordering, maybe try and
coordinate this together to help reduce the shipping charge. We look
forward to our staff, students and families wearing our school Spirit
wear with pride!
School Schedule
Morning Bell 9:25 a.m.
First Break 11:05-11:45 a.m.
Second Break 1:25 – 2:05 p.m.
Finale Bell 3:45 p.m.
End of day school bell update
Reminder of our bell changes: First bell at 3:40pm (K-2); Second bell at 3:45pm (3-8).
Early Dismissals
The
office is an extremely busy place during second recess and at the end
of the day, so we ask that if you plan to pick up your child early for
an appointment, you let the teacher and the office know ahead of time as
well as pick up your child prior to 1:25pm and prior to 3:30pm. If you arrive after 3:30pm, we ask you to please pick up your child at their regular dismissal location. Thank you for your continued support.
Early pick-up notifications can be sent to the following email [email protected] by 2:00pm at the latest.
We
also ask that all end of plans be arranged prior to students attending
school. This will alleviate any miscommunications and errors regarding
pick-up, bussing, and pick-up location.
Dress for the weather
Sun,
rain, snow, and cold won’t get in the way of our outdoor learning and
recess times. Be sure to dress your child appropriately to be outdoors
and have a change of clothes ready just in case!
Worsley Parents are on Remind
For
fast, one-way information on bus delays, inclement weather, and school
events, send a text to (709) 800-8931 and text the message @worsleye
Lunchbox school lunch program
Once again, Worsley is happy to support our school lunch program through Lunchbox.
Our lunch days will be as follows:
Tuesdays - Subway
Wednesdays – Domino’s chicken
Thursdays – Domino’s pizza
Families can sign up for this through School Cash Online.
All
orders must be in by 12:00 noon on Sunday for the following week,
please be sure if ordering you complete all the steps and receive a
receipt via email, so you know your order has actually gone through. We
have had a lot of students come and say their parents have ordered but
if they are not on the lists sent to us by LunchBox on Mondays then they
won’t be able to get any subs, chicken or pizza for that week.
Safe Arrival system for SCDSB schools
The
Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) has a new Safe Arrival
system at elementary schools. This system will support us in continuing
to improve our home-to-school communication process and streamline
absence reporting. To report a student absence, call 1-888-885-8065.
Callers will be prompted to identify the school before leaving a
message. Parents should include the student’s name, teachers’ name,
dates, and reason for the absence. When schools do not hear from a
parent/guardian, and a student is absent, the school will call home to
find out the reason for the absence. If you have questions about the new
system, please contact the school office.
Worsley also has an attendance email [email protected] where you can report student absences and late arrivals.
School Council Corner
Thank
you again to Sabrina Satira and Angie Orvis, our School Council
co-chairs for 2023-2024. And to all of our voting members, community
members, and staff for your continued support.
Fundraising is our focus moving forward. Our next couple of Worsley School Council Meetings will take place on Monday February 5th and Monday, March 4th @ 6:30pm in our library.
Worsley School is On the Move!
Our
school is working with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and
other partners to encourage and support more walking and wheeling (e.g.,
bicycle, scooter, skateboard etc.) to and from school. The initiative
is called On the Move.
On
the Move is about working together to create safe and supportive school
environments to help our children build physical activity into their
daily routine and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
These are just a few of the many benefits:
- Improved physical health and mental wellbeing.
- Enhanced readiness for learning, and social opportunities.
- Building skills, confidence, and independence.
- Creating a healthier and safer school environment with fewer vehicle emissions and traffic congestion.
For
students who get to school by bus, some of the same benefits can come
from walking to the bus stop. Riding the school bus instead of being
driven to school also helps to reduce the number of cars moving through
the school neighbourhood and at the school.
At
times, when students need to be driven to school, consider parking the
car one or more blocks away from the school and walking part of the way.
Find out more from www.simcoemuskokaonthemove.ca
Winter Walk Day
Don’t hibernate, celebrate! ❄️ #WinterWalkDay is happening on February 7th.
Grab your family and friends for the #JourneyOutside this winter!
https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/winterwalk-day/
Days of Awareness 2023-24
Days of Awareness: www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion
Feb. 1-29 Black History Month
Feb. 1 World Hijab Day
Feb. 1-2 Imbolc (Wicca)
Feb. 2 Groundhog Day World Wetlands Day
Feb. 4 World Cancer Day
Feb. 6 Isra'a and Mi'raj (Islam)
Feb. 10 Losar/Tibetan New Year (Buddhism) Lunar New Year/Maitreya Bodhisattva's Birthday (Buddhism)
Feb. 11 International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Feb. 14 Ash Wednesday (Christianity) Valentines Day Vasant Panchami (Hinduism)
Feb. 15 National Flag of Canada Day Nirvana Day (Buddhism, Jainism)
Feb. 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
Feb. 19 Family Day
Feb. 20 World Day of Social Justice
Feb. 22 Pink Shirt Day (Anti-Bullying Day)
Feb. 24 Magha/Sangha Day (Buddhism)
Feb. 24-25 Mid-Sha'ban (Islam)
Feb. 26 – March 1 Ayyám-i-Há/Intercalary Days (Bahá'í)
Feb. 29 Rare Diseases Day
Worsley Important Dates
Feb. 1&2 - Rocks & Rings (Grade 4/5/6/7/8) in Gym all day
Feb. 5 - Magic of Children in the Arts JK/SK
Feb. 5 - School Council Meeting
Feb. 6 & 7 - Grade 3/4/5 Wye Marsh Visit
Feb. 7 - Winter Walk Day Whole school Walking Wednesday Kick off
Feb. 7 - Intermediate Girls Volleyball Game @ Nottawa
Feb. 12 - Intermediate Girls Volleyball Game @ Admiral
Feb. 13 - Wasaga Beach Library/Arena Bus Tour - Gr 4/5
Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day Dance in gym ALL grades
Feb. 14 - Candy Grams Delivery
Feb. 15 - Intermediate Boys Basketball Game @ Cameron St. School 4:00-5:30
Feb. 16 - Report cards go home
Feb. 19 - Family Day (No School)
Feb. 20 - Intermediate Boys Basketball Game @ Worsley
Feb. 22 – Grade 5-8 Speeches
Feb. 26 – Proposed Grade 4-8 Science Fair date
Feb. 26 - Intermediate Girls Area Volleyball Tournament @ SCI and Clearview
Feb. 27 - Intermediate Boys Area Basketball Tournament @ Admiral and Our Lady of the Bay H. S.
Feb.
27- (Snow Date - Feb. 29) Intermediate Boys Area Basketball Tournament -
@ Admiral Collingwood and Our Lady of the Bay High School in
Collingwood
PA Day
Please
note that there is no PA Day in February. Please refer to the 2023-24
School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information:
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.
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.
Black History Month
The
Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) recognizes and celebrates
Black History Month every February. The SCDSB is committed to improving
equity of access, positive identity affirming experiences and
opportunities for Black students, staff, and parents/guardians, and to
creating a safe and caring learning environment that promotes the human
rights of students, staff, and parent/guardians. The initiatives
undertaken by the SCDSB have been embedded in teaching and learning at
all school levels, and centrally, for Black History Month and throughout
the year. Follow the SCDSB on social media to see how schools are
recognizing Black History Month and celebrating Black excellence.
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://cdnsm5-ss14.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_210898/File/Secondary/Parents-Guide-to-Assessment.pdf
Subscribe to Community Connects!
The
Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is excited to launch
Community Connects, a new bimonthly newsletter for the SCDSB community.
Our shared goal with this new tool is to keep our community partners and
stakeholders informed while nurturing relationships that are built on
accountability, trust, and transparency.
To learn more and subscribe, visit the Community Connects page on the SCDSB website: www.scdsb.on.ca/community/community_connects.
Kindergarten registration for September 2024 is open!
Kindergarten
is the beginning of a wonderful journey of learning, and we want your
child to begin their journey in a SCDSB school! Do you have a child who
is turning four in 2024? If so, we invite you to register your child for
Kindergarten. To register online or for more information visit: https://www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/kindergarten
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!
Child care programs available on PA days, holidays, and March Break
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 March Break (March 11 to 15).
Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child care
operator directly to discuss fees and to register. For more information
and contact numbers, please visit: https://www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/childcare_before_after
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. The remaining webinars are:
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.
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 information series
During the 2023-24 school year, the Simcoe County District School Board
(SCDSB) is hosting 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.
Transition planning
Feb. 13 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Reading strategies
March 19 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
April 16 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Every day mental health strategies
May 14 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions.
Registration now open for summer eLearning!
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer
school courses in July 2024 (elearning) and travel for credit courses in
both July and August for current high school students or adult learners
who are interested in earning a new credit or upgrading a previous
mark. Students can advance online learning skills, earn missed credits
or fast-track preparation for graduation or post-secondary in just four
weeks. eLearning is fully supported by certified teachers who are
available electronically daily.
Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres website at https://www.thelearningcentres.com/programs/summer_school
EDUTravel
programs are offered in a variety of destinations including Canada,
USA, and Europe. For more information including costs, destinations,
credits, and dates of commitment, please visit: www.edutravelforcredit.com.
Summer eLearning opportunities for students entering Grade 9!
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer
school eLearning courses in July 2024. Current Grade 8 students wishing
to reach ahead and earn a credit before high school can now register
through their elementary school principal. eLearning is fully supported
by certified teachers who are available electronically daily. Available
courses include:
CGC1D – Grade 9 Geography
PAF1O – Grade 9 Personal Fitness
CHV2O & GLC2O – Grade 10 Civics and Careers
CHC2P – Grade 10 Applied History
CHC2D – Grade 10 Academic History
Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres website at www.thelearningcentres.com/programs/summer_school.
Reminder: Safe Arrival system for SCDSB schools – call 1-888-885-8065 or email [email protected] to report an absence
This school year, the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB)
launched a new Safe Arrival system at elementary schools. This system
supports us in continuing to improve our home-to-school communication
process and streamlines absence reporting. To report a student absence,
call 1-888-885-8065. Callers will be prompted to identify the school
before leaving a message. Parents/guardians should include the student’s
name, teachers’ name, dates, and reason for the absence. When schools
do not hear from a parent/guardian, and a student is absent, the school
will call home to find out the reason for the absence. If you have
questions about the system, please contact the school office.
School playground structures are closed for the winter
Every winter,
school playground structures are closed. Students are made aware of this
during school hours through announcements and staff reminders during
breaks. This may not be well known throughout the community, despite
signs indicating that playground structures are a winter hazard and are
closed. The Canadian Standards Association regulations make
recommendations for the depth of ground cover required to minimize
injuries (e.g., sand, pea gravel, or wood chips). These surfaces cannot
be maintained when the ground freezes. Injuries from falling would be
more significant on frozen ground. We strongly recommend that you do not
allow your children to play on any structures while the ground is
frozen.
New Math at Home online resource for families
The
Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Math team is excited to
launch Math at Home, an online resource for parents/caregivers of SCDSB
students from ages 0-16. Math at Home provides the following information
and resources to support math learning:
- Math games to play at home
- Links to digital math games
- Practice opportunities
- Real world math connections
- Math mindset
Math at Home will be updated monthly to include new math games, problems, and number talks. Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/MathAtHome to begin supporting your child’s math learning at home!
Math @Home parent and caregiver series
It’s back! The SCDSB math team is pleased to offer three virtual
sessions for parents and caregivers of SCDSB students. These sessions
will focus on practical and fun ways to support children with their
mathematics learning and engagement at home. The first 200 registrants
will receive a Math @Home kit of resources to use at home. Participants
must pre-register for each of the sessions.
Exploring the new SCDSB family math resources
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, 7 to 8 p.m.
This session is for parents and caregivers. Join members of the SCDSB
math team for a guided exploration of the new SCDSB family math
resources. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the
resources that are available to support their child’s math learning at
home. The guided portion of the session will be 45 minutes in length.
During the final 15 minutes, the math team will be available to answer
questions about the resources available.
Tips for engaging in math conversations with your child @Home
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, 7 to 8 p.m.
This session is for parents and caregivers and will explore
opportunities to discuss math with their child(ren) at home.
Participants will learn about how events such as shopping, preparing
food, engaging in a building project, or going for a walk can be used as
a starting point for math conversations, and will receive prompts to
get the discussion rolling. The guided portion of the session will be 45
minutes in length. During the final 15 minutes, the math team will be
available to answer questions about the session.
Games to support your child’s math learning @Home
Thursday, April 4, 2024, 7 to 8 p.m.
This session is for parents, caregivers, and their children. Playing
games at home is a great way to support child(ren)’s math development.
In this session, several games will be explored, and participants will
have the opportunity to try the games with their children during the
session. The guided portion of the session will be 45 minutes in length
followed by 15 additional minutes for further game play or to ask
questions of our math facilitators. Bring your child(ren) and your math
kit to this session!
Participants
must pre-register for the sessions they wish to attend. Registered
participants will receive a kit of hands-on resources that will be sent
to the school indicated on the registration form. Use this link to
register: https://bit.ly/24MathAtHome.
Developing fluency through repeated reading
Fluency,
the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with expression, is a
fundamental skill that significantly impacts a child's overall reading
proficiency. When children read fluently, they can focus more on
comprehension, understanding the meaning behind the words, rather than
struggling with decoding.
Repeated
reading is a highly effective strategy that involves a child reading
the same text multiple times. This method aims to enhance fluency,
comprehension, and overall reading proficiency. By revisiting a text,
readers become more familiar with the words and structure, leading to
increased speed and accuracy. Additionally, repeated reading allows
children to focus on expression and intonation, promoting a more natural
and engaging reading style. This approach is particularly beneficial
for struggling readers, as it builds confidence and reinforces word
recognition. As parents/guardians, incorporating repeated reading into
your child's routine not only reinforces the joy of reading but also
cultivates a strong foundation for improved fluency and comprehension
skills over time.
Mental health strategy of the month - Just Breathe
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 Just Breathe. The purpose of this strategy is to
help students develop a mind/body connection, self-regulation, awareness
of emotions, and resiliency by practising deep breathing.
To practice Just Breathe at home, follow these steps:
- Place your hands flat on your stomach or pay attention to your stomach.
- As you breathe deeply in through your nose, send this breath all the way to your stomach.
- Feel your stomach expand and your hands move out.
- Breathe out. Feel your stomach contract and your hands move in.
- Repeat 5-6 times.
Practice
deep belly breathing any time you feel stressed or upset. Find more
information to support your child's mental health here: https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/.
Follow
the Mental Health and Well-being social media accounts (@SCDSB_MHWB) to
see how well-being is being supported in our schools.
Online luring and grooming
As
part of our shared commitment to educating our students about digital
citizenship and cyber awareness, this month we are highlighting online
luring and grooming. The following info sheet has been created by the
Educational Collaborative Network of Ontario (ECNO) to overview:
- What online luring and grooming is
- Commonly used tactics that online predators use
- Helpful tips to stay safe
- How to report if necessary
Info sheet:https://ecno.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ECNO-CAM-Calendar-23-Aug3023_GroomingLuring.pdf
For
additional activities and information, please refer to the digital
citizenship resources for parents/guardians that are available on the
Safe Schools page on the SCDSB website (www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/safe_schools).
The Ministry of Education has also provided information and resources
in PPM 166 Keeping Students Safe: Policy Framework for School Board
Anti-Sex Trafficking Protocols: www.ontario.ca/document/education-ontario-policy-and-program-direction/policyprogram-memorandum-166.
Foster families needed in your community!
Children
in our community need you! We have an urgent need for foster homes in
Simcoe Muskoka. We are looking for diverse foster care providers who
understand children's needs. Our needs are diverse and range from babies
to teens. Open your home to a child/youth and receive training,
support, and between $85 and $155 per child and per day. Do you know
anyone who may be interested? Visit https://familyconnexions.ca/fosterconnexions/ to inquire, apply, and for more information. You may also call 705-726-6587 ext. 4.
Information provided by Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions.
Stay healthy this school year
COVID and other respiratory infections can spread easily from person to
person. These germs can spread quickly when someone coughs or sneezes
directly on another person, or when germs land on hard surfaces like
doorknobs, desks, and keyboards and then are touched by someone else.
These germs can then enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The
most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and stop the
spread of germs is wash your hands. Wash with soap and warm running
water for at least 15 seconds (or try singing Happy Birthday twice). If
your hands are not visibly dirty you can use alcohol-based hand
sanitizer for 15 seconds. Also, make sure you are up to date with your
immunizations, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you are sick.
Teach your kids to do the same!
For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year, contact Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Creating safe and healthy schools
A healthy school supports children to reach their full health and
learning potential. There are many ways for you to get involved in
creating a safe and healthy school for your child. Here are some ideas:
- Talk
with your child about what they are learning at school and find ways to
role model or reinforce the health messages at home.
- Stay informed about your child’s school through the school website and social media platforms.
- Get to know your child’s friends, other parents, and staff from the school and communicate often.
- Volunteer
to participate on a committee that helps organize healthy activities
for the school community. Contact your child’s school or your local
public health unit to get started.
Looking for more parenting support? Speak with a public health nurse by calling 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Register your child for the YMCA’s Escape in the Landscape program
Register
your child for an outdoor education experience like no other. The YMCA
of Simcoe Muskoka’s Escape in the Landscape program offers nature
immersion activities led by qualified staff for children ages 4-12.
Through experimentation, peer-to-peer learning, and storytelling, your
child will be encouraged to discover new experiences and skills, all
while making lasting friendships and developing a love of the great
outdoors.
During this memorable program, your child will:
- Learn about the land and how to be environmental caretakers.
- Connect with nature and build self-confidence.
- Improve their mental and physical health.
- Be curious, resilient, and motivated to make a difference.
The
program runs for eight weeks from March to April 2024 and is offered in
Alliston, Innisfil, Midland, Wasaga Beach, and Barrie.
Cost:
Ages 4-6: $125.00
Ages 7-12: $175.00
For more information and to register, visit https://ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/escape-in-the-landscape/.
Information provided by the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka.