Cobra Communicator #8 - October 22, 2021
Cobra Communicator #8
We are a village, growing together
October 22, 2021
Dear families,
It is amazing how quickly the week has gone once again. Every week, we would like to share what an amazing job our families have been at following all the health and safety protocols, and our students for adhering to our school routines. A continued thanks to all our staff for their amazing work. A special thanks to our DECEs for their work in our Kindergarten classrooms in honour of ECE appreciation day this week.
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Scott Chin Leeann Morrow
Principal Vice Principal
scott.chin@yrdsb.ca leeann.morrow@yrdsb.ca
CVPS Blog
Please visit our blog for CVPS calendar, this weekly email, copies of the daily announcements, and other information at: http://cornellvillageps.blogspot.com/
Important Information See Below
School Photo Day - Thursday, November 25
School Start Up Package *please complete for each student - teachers will be reaching out soon if you haven’t completed them yet
Health and Safety Reminders
EDSBY sign up
Social Media and Recent Tik Tok Trends
School Cash Online - Grade 7 and 8 Art Sketchbooks
Islamic Heritage Month - Spoken Word Journey and Geometric Art Workshops- see attachments
Safety Alert - Coyote
Halloween Message
Upcoming events: School Council Meeting - November 25 @ 7pm
1. Photo Day - November 25
As per York Region Public Health and YRDSB School Protocols - we have a newly scheduled Photo Day - Thursday November 25
• No group class photos are to be taken until further notice. Only individual student photos can be taken at this time.
• Photos will be taken in the gym
• Students may remove their mask at the moment the photo is taken and then put them back on.
• hand sanitizer to be provided for donning and doffing masks
• Grad Photos and Retakes are currently not scheduled (we will let you know once they are booked
• Remote Learners: further information to come regarding times and procedure for photos
2. School Start Up Forms
Parents/guardians received an email from YRDSB Update with important school start-up forms to complete. It is important that these forms are completed as soon as possible at the start of the school year as they contain important information and permissions.
The forms can be found at https://startupforms.yrdsb.ca/.
A link to the forms can also be found on the Family Resources page of the Board website at www.yrdsb.ca/familyresources. Click on the Need Help link beside Family Startup Forms for additional information on how to log in to the Student GAPPS account to complete the forms.
Please note:
You must be signed in to your child’s student GAPPS account to complete the form. Please remember to sign out of one account (on google chrome browser) before signing into another. Additional information is available on the Board website on how to login to the student account to complete the forms.
The forms should be completed for each student, whether they are attending school in person or participating in remote, online learning.
If you prefer to complete the forms on paper or have questions about the information in the forms, please contact the school office.
TECH TIPS: Anyone experiencing difficulty completing your forms try….
Updated instructions are posted on the Startup Package homepage to include the following instructions:
Tips for completing forms for multiple students
1. Login at https://google.yrdsb.ca with the first student's GAPPS account information
2. Once signed in, return to this page (https://startupforms.yrdsb.ca/)
3. Complete the forms for the specific student you are currently logged into
4. Once submitted, return to https://google.yrdsb.ca and sign out of the account (click on the student icon in the upper right corner and select Sign Out)
5. Repeat the steps above to complete forms for additional students.
Finally, opening a browser in “Incognito” mode will also ensure previous logins are no longer in session.
3. Health and Safety:
In case you were not aware last Friday, the YRDSB updated their daily screening requirements. Effective Monday, October 18, 2021, York Region Public Health will require students and staff members to use the provincial COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. Students, parents and guardians will still be able to access the link to the tool through the York Region Staying Safe at School webpage. Please see this message from York Region Public Health which contains important screening and testing updates. The important things to note is that runny nose, sore throat and headache have been removed as a reported covid symptom – if a student presents with one of these “mild symptoms” they are still asked to stay home until they their symptoms improve for 24hours but they will not require a negative covid test to return to school. Please note: It is still an expectation that if anyone in the household presents with a reported covid symptom then you would be answering yes to the question Is anyone in your household experiencing covid symptoms? The student would be required to stay home until the other member tested negative on a covid test or10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms .
4. EDSBY SIGN UP - Parent/Guardian-Teacher Interviews will be scheduled soon. Be sure to sign up for EDSBY to access the invites
This platform will be required to report absences, book appointments and may be used as a communication tool with your child’s teachers. For Edsby to be effective, it contains personal information about you and your family that is collected by the Board at registration. This information is used to provide services and support to you and your family. Edsby is a secure system that keeps your details and information safe and secure.
You should have received an invitation to EDBSY by now. If you have not or have not signed up each of your students, please contact the office for assistance or email Mr. Chin directly.
5. Social Media and Recent Tik Tok Trends
At our school, we recognise that some students may have social media accounts (e.g., Instagram, TikTok). Social media has many benefits including helping us to stay connected. Unfortunately, it also can be used in ways that spread hurt, misinformation, and dangerous trends. While we have engaged in lessons about online safety, we suggest that families support this learning and have ongoing discussions about social media presence and how to act online. To help support these discussions we encourage families to look at Media Smarts Social Media Tip Sheet and Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada 12 Quick Privacy Tips for Parents.
TikTok Challenge
We have become aware of a challenge on TikTok that encourages students to do certain activities at school which includes damaging school property, physical assault, sexual assault, among others. None of these activities is acceptable in our school.
Activities that happen online and social media trends may have a negative impact on our school climate. As each student and staff member has the right to learn in a safe, positive, respectful and inclusive environment, we will address all incidents that have a negative impact on our school. This will include the administration using progressive discipline and depending on the situation, may also include involving police.
6. School Cash ONLINE - Grade 7 and 8
As part of the Visual Arts program, the intermediate students (grades 7 and 8) will be receiving a high quality, hardcover sketchbook. The cost for each sketchbook if $7.00 and is now available on School Cash Online.
School Cash Online provides the following benefits:
A convenient payment option that saves time
Reduces paper
No more need to send cash or cheques to school
Parents that opt to participate will receive notification via email of student fees owed (both required and optional), and can make secure online payments by credit card or Interac and receive a receipt.
To view a presentation about the program, go to http://www.kevsoftware.com/movies/ParentRegEnglish/ .
To Get Started:
Follow the easy steps listed below to register.
Step 1: Register
Click on the School Cash Online button on our school’s website at http://cornellvillage.ps.yrdsb.ca/
Select the “Get Started Today” button.
Complete each of the three Registration Steps.
*For security reasons, your password requires eight characters (including one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter and a number).
Step 2: Confirmation Email
A registration confirmation email will be automatically forwarded to you. Click on the link provided inside the email to confirm your email and School Cash Online account. The confirmation link will open the School Cash Online site prompting you to sign into your account. Use your email address and password just created with your account.
Step 3: Find Student (NOTE: A STUDENT NUMBER IS REQUIRED)
This step will connect your children to your account.
Enter the School Board Name
Enter the School Name
Enter Your Child’s Student Number and Last Name
Select Continue
On the next page confirm that you are related to the child, check in the Agree box and select Continue
Your child has been added to your account
Step 4: View Items or Add Another Student
If you have more children, select “Add Another Student” option and repeat the steps above.
Five children can be added to one parent account.
If you do not wish to add additional children, select “View Items for Students” option. A listing of available items for purchase will be displayed.
NEED HELP?
If you require assistance, select the GET HELP option in the top right hand corner of the screen or contact School Cash Online – Parent Help Desk at 1-866-961-1803 or parenthelp@schoolcashonline.com.
7. Islamic Heritage Month - Spoken Work and Geometric Art Workshops
Join Spoken Word artist Pen Moodz on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 from 4:30-5:30pm in a LIVE event specially created for YRDSB students in Grades 7-12.
In this interactive session, Pen Moodz will share stories, perform, and interact with the audience. Together, participants will explore concepts around resistance to Islamophobia and racism through reclaiming and having pride in identity and heritage, and refusing to apologize for who you are. Students of all identities are welcome.
8. Safety Alert - Coyote sightings
Dear Families
Please remind your child(ren) about what to do if you encounter wildlife, specifically our resident Coyote. Today our friend cut through our yard at dismissal time. We made an announcement so students were aware before they walked home but please speak to them about it. DO NOT RUN was the main message…. If you run the coyote may think you are prey and chase after you.
Students have been reminded to NOT RUN TOWARDS the coyotes when they see it in the school yard as we’ve had a few sightings in the school yard this week. You may have even heard the incredible story of how Mr. Chin chased off the coyote with his magic red bullhorn. The coyote seems to live/ frequent in the nearby forest (south west side of the school) and hunt for food in the meadow next to the school and surrounding areas.
Please see the information copied from the City of Markham Website:
https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/permits-licenses-taxes/animal-services/Wildlife
Foxes and coyotes are adaptable intelligent animals that can be found in rural and urban areas throughout Ontario. They are often found near ravine systems, large grassy fields, and large parks; small mammals are a main staple in their diet.
Foxes and coyotes are an important part of our shared, local ecosystems. By understanding their behaviour, we can learn to coexist peacefully and even develop a deeper appreciation for our wild neighbours. Typically, foxes and coyotes are unlikely to initiate contact with people. But we understand, occasionally, they get too close for comfort.
Limiting human food sources is the best way to prevent encounters with these animals - but, most importantly, to help keep them wild:
· Do not put out food for animals.
· Keep waste in secure bins or store bins in a secure building or container.
· Do not put waste bins out until the morning of pick-up.
· Make sure outdoor compost containers are wildlife-proof.
· Remove fallen fruit from trees and scattered bird seed from feeders.
· Keep pet food inside, and do not leave small pets outdoors unattended.
If you do encounter a coyote who does not run away immediately, you can do the following:
· Make noise, yell, clap your hands, stomp and wave your arms.
· Do not approach the animal.
· Carry a whistle or noisemaker if you are walking in known habitat areas.
If you find that the animal is sick or injured, please report it to our wildlife service provider, by calling 905.415.7531. It is also important to keep your furry family members safe. Keep your cats or small dogs indoors or supervised outside. Walk your dogs on a leash and do not leave them out unattended.
Why can’t coyotes be relocated?
Capture and relocation of coyotes more than one kilometer away is not permitted under Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Research shows wildlife relocated from urban areas usually return home or become a problem elsewhere. In addition, when coyotes are hunted or lethally destroyed, remaining ones compensate by producing larger litters and expanding their range. Only in rare cases where an individual coyote is demonstrating unusual / aggressive behaviour or severe trauma or illness do animal control agencies attempt to capture coyotes.
9. Halloween Message
Please see the linked York Public Health message about having a Safe “Fangtastic” Halloween. The health and safety of our students remains a top priority. For students who wish to celebrate Halloween at school, please keep these reminders in mind:
· When planning costumes that no replica weapons of any kind are allowed.
· Costumes should be respectful of others. Symbols or objects representative of a person’s culture or religious beliefs should not be worn as a costume.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, please be aware that:
· Students will not be able to use washrooms to change into costumes.
· No Halloween masks are to be worn and students should only use single use make-up (no sharing of make-up).
· Students will still be required to wear PPE face masks.
· Costumes should be of simple design (to limit personal items being brought to school), and treats cannot be shared.
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