Hello to our Vimy Ridge Families,  

This week was a short week, today being a Professional Development Day for all staff. Our focus was on Literacy, Numeracy and Safety learning modules.

With the snow fall, and more expected on Sunday we will have some larger snow hills in our yard. The large hill in the front of the school is off limits at all times. If you are walking your student to school please remind them to stay off that hill. The hills in the back of the school will be off limits during recess.

Winter play also includes being careful on the snow and slippery surfaces. We are reminding students to play safely in the snow. This includes keeping the snow on the ground, it is not to be thrown (or tossed…) at others. Soccer in the snow is very different from warmer weather. At school slide tackling should not be part of our soccer games. The professional players we all watch make slide tackles look easy, which also includes a lot of training and practice. At school slide tackles are dangerous and should not be part of a school game.

On Wednesday, February 12, students at Vimy Ridge Public School celebrated Winter Walk to School Day, an event that encourages students to start their day with some fresh air and arrive at school on foot! Students were greeted by Phyz, the friendly beaver mascot that encourages kids to be active! Vimy students had smiles on their faces as music played in the yard and they walked and danced around the school yard with Phyz. Many thanks to our own DJ Mr Tom, Monsieur Raubic, who provided the exciting and energetic dance music!

The Student Council did an amazing job of coordinating and advertising the event. The event promoted active transportation and its many benefits, including improved health, safety, and air quality and building a sense of community and lifelong active transportation habits.  42% of students walked all or part of the way to school on Winter Walk Day. We look forward to celebrating more walk to school day events in the spring!

Anyone looking for resources on how to plan a walk to school day event can find resources here. 

Our many clubs are continuing, the students are very involved. Our SCC has organized a number of activities for the school.

These have been sent to you in a separate email, here is the ongoing list.

Report cards went home by email on Wednesday, February 12. This covers all your child’s learning from the beginning of this school year until the end of January. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher.

School Cash Online is open to place your orders for pizza and popcorn for the month of March. 

IMPORTANT! This coming Thursday, 20 February is Leaving Photo Day! If you have a child in grade 6, 7, or 8, please be sure to send them with a white collared shirt. 

We are still reminding students to put their phones and earbuds away. Some of our students have been reminded multiple times, and for some we will be calling parents to help remind their students and/or ask that phones be left at home. Phones, and other devices, are to be off and out of sight during the school day, including recess, nutrition break and getting on the school bus. Leaving the phone off, or at home is a successful way to manage this distraction.

As per PR 622 IT - Appropriate Use of Information Technology (Students), The District will not accept liability for loss, theft, or damage to any Personal Mobile Device while on District property, except where it can be shown that such loss was due to negligence on the part of the District.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sandra Walker, Andrew Thorp and Jannah Campbell

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Respect for all

For the past few years we have focused on learning about the impact of hateful speech and racist comments. We appreciate your support in this continued learning. Unfortunately, examples of this type of conduct are easy to find on social media outlets. Racist, homophobic and hate language is not acceptable at school. Vimy Ridge is proud of our diversity, and wants to celebrate each and every individual. We are grateful for all your support. 

EQAO Webinar Parents/Guardians for grade 3 & 6

Join EQAO staff for a free live webinar to learn about the math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. EQAO assessments are written by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, staff will show how the math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from the past three years of assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Registration link: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5puRqI8uQJypIaHgBYoBMw

Note: the same webinar will be offered on Tuesday, February 18 from 6:30 – 7:30pm. 

Breakfast Program. Our Breakfast program is now serving over 70 students each school day! Children who walk are welcome to come to the servery starting at 8:45. If your child is on a bus they can come when they get to school. We are looking for volunteers to help with the Breakfast program. Please email andrew.thorp@ocdsb.ca if you are able to help.

 No Food Sharing. A reminder that Vimy Ridge has a “no food sharing” policy in our classes. We have too many allergies at Vimy Ridge for this to be done safely. Sharing candy, treats and other snacks also presents an equity issue between students. Please remind your students to eat the food provided by their family and not to share with other students in class.