Boyne RiverPublic School

Boyne River Public School

Igniting a Passion for Learning

November 16th Spirit Day Favourite team colour day (Jersey)

November 16th Winter Wonderland market 5:30-7:30pm

November 17th PA-DAY No School

November 13th-17th Student Led Conferences 

November 21st Student and class photo Picture Retake

New Safe Arrival system for SCDSB schools call 1-888-885-8065 to report an absence 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.

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 the moment 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 has 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.

We have made it easy for parents to make their school purchases from the convenience of their own home. Whether it’s lunch days, field trips or school wear, we have it online for you! Follow these three steps to get started: 1. Go to simcoecounty.schoolcashonline.com or visit our school website and click on ‘Pay Fees’ 2. Register and add your child to the newly created account 3. View and purchase items through bank transfer or credit card It’s safe, fast and convenient! Contact the office with any questions at [email protected] https://schoolcashonline.com/ 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: Subscribe to our school’s website by visiting the ‘What's New’ section at https://byr.scdsb.on.ca/ Follow Boyne River on Twitter @boyne_river

ENTRY & DISMISSAL TIMES “Keeping our students safe!” 9:10 Supervision Begins 9:25 Entry Bell 3:45 Dismissal The size of our school requires we have strict procedures in place to ensure the safety of our students at all times. The staff greatly appreciates your partnership and support as together, we implement routines that will assist with congestion and assist students to both get to their classrooms, buses and their parents. For everyone’s safety, we ask that parents and students please walk on the sidewalks and not cut through the parking lot. We ask that our students do not board the buses until directed by an educator on duty and wait for the bus safely in an orderly fashion, back from the roadway. We are deeply committed to the safety of your child.

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 SOUTH 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. 

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.

SCDSB launches updated character education program for 2023-24 school year This year the SCDSB will begin implementation of the updated character education program. Rather than focus on one attribute each month, the program has been changed to reflect that character is a fluid concept that includes a variety of attributes. The updated character attributes are:  Bravery Empathy Listening Responsibility Courage  Caring Helpfulness Love Trustworthy Kindness  Compassion Honesty Loyalty Truth Respect  Cooperation Humility Optimism Sharing  Inclusiveness Integrity Perseverance Wisdom For more information on the updated character education program, visit the character education page on the SCDSB website: www.scdsb.on.ca/about/character_education.

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_ forschool/childcare_before_after.

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 

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.

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

Online learning graduation requirement and opt out options Students are required to earn two online learning credits to graduate from secondary school, beginning with every student who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year. The online learning graduation requirement also applies to adult learners that will be entering the Ontario secondary school system starting in the 2023-24 school year. The graduation requirement is intended to support students in developing familiarity and comfort with learning and working in a fully online environment, as well as developing digital literacy and other important transferable skills that they will need for success after secondary school, including in post-secondary education and the workplace. Opting out Parents/guardians may choose to opt their children out of the mandatory online learning credits required for graduation. To opt out, a parent/guardian must submit the Secondary Online Learning Graduation Requirement Opt-out Form. Exemption from the online learning graduation requirements may be requested by: · the parent/guardian of the secondary student · students who are 18 years of age or older · students who are 16 or 17 years of age and have withdrawn from parental control Check with your local school if you have questions regarding the registration or opt-out process.

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 Ernest Cumberland. The information session about the FI program for families of students in Year Two Kindergarten will take place at Ernest Cumberland on Monday November 20, 2023 at 6:00 pm. 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.

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. 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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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-ItGo.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.

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