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This Weeks' Blog
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Today in our JS In the Loop session, we were very fortunate to have Dr. Adelle Atkinson, Immunologist/Allergist at The Hospital for Sick Kids, present an information session about living with allergies. The session was both informative and timely. As we are a community with many students who have serious food allergies, it is important that we are all aware of current research and misconceptions surrounding anaphylaxis. As a School, we strongly believe that education about anaphylaxis and awareness of those who are at risk is very important to the avoidance of contact with allergens. To see the notes from today's presentation, please follow this link.
In the Junior School, we have developed guidelines which intentionally build capacity in our students over time to manage their own food allergies and to advocate for their peers with food allergies. It is important to remember that BSS is not an allergen free environment and our girls need to have the skills and knowledge to be safe in this environment.
In JK to Grade 3, there is less ability for children to self-regulate or co-monitor for food safety. Continued external structures to scaffold safe practices around food are needed. As such, we strongly encourage all children to eat the school provided lunch and snack unless there is a medical reason for not doing so. In these grades, there will be a growing emphasis on allergy awareness and education in order to gradually build capacity for the greater responsibility to come in Grade 4. Parent partnership in building this awareness is key.
In Grades 4 to 6, students will have the option either to eat the school lunch or to bring their own lunch to school. As students approach early adolescence, they have the capacity to advocate for themselves and their peers. Again, parent oversight is vital in creating an environment that is safe for all of our students. Checklists of student allergies were sent home with Grade 4 to 6 students in September. If you need a replacement list, it is available from the JS office.
Classroom spaces are used flexibly by students from various grade levels. As such, we need to minimize possible allergens in these locations. Junior School students with anaphylactic allergies are not to handle snack in classrooms. All uneaten snacks are returned to the kitchen for disposal rather than disposed of in the classrooms.
As part of our Safe Schools Protocols, we have comprehensive guidelines in place and we will review these regularly as we implement these changes next year. To view a summary of the new guidelines please click here.
Following today's presentation, there are a few information pamphlets in the JS office if you are interested. In addition, please click on the following link for more information.
Regards,
Patti MacDonald,
Principal, Junior School
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JS Menus For This Week
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Please note that menus are on a three-week rotation.
The week of February 24, 2014 we will be in Week Two of each menu listed below.
- JK, SK, Grade 1 Menus
- Grades 2-6 Menus
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| Where will the JS Students be this week? |
On Tuesday, February 28, the Grade 2 students will be visiting the Ripley's Aquarium as a provocation to documenting movement in different marine species. This will include an Aquarium visit, self guided visit, sketching, customized tour - Creatures Undercover .
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| Who will be visiting the JS this week? |
On Monday, February 24, Dr. Covoukian, the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Ontario, will be speaking with Gr. 5-8 in morning chapel.
Dr. Covoukian's discussion is entitled: "Play it Safe," and she will be speaking with the girls about on-line safety and appropriate use of technology. In addition, our Grade 5 and 6 students will do a follow-up session facilitated by our Senior School Communications Council, following the break.
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| JS Chapel |
JS Chapel will be held from 2:45-3:15pm. Parents are always welcome to attend. The theme for this week's chapel will be 'forgiveness' and Grade 1 students will be sharing some of their learning with us as well.
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| JS Bullying Awareness Pink Shirt Day - February 26, 2014 |
Along with the Senior School, our JS students are invited to wear a pink shirt along with their uniform, in support of the National Bullying Awareness Day on February 26, 2014.
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| Call For Nominations |
Hello BSS Parent Community!
The BSS Parent Association Nominating Committee recently emailed out a "Call for Nominations" whereby all parents are welcome and encouraged to submit their names to become active volunteer members of the BSS community.
The school welcomes and encourages you to volunteer within our diverse community. Parent volunteers are an integral part of the life of the school, and crucial to the success of the events and activities that make the BSS community a fun and dynamic one of which to be a part.
The BSS community thrives due to the leadership skills of our parents, and therefore is an effective cooperation between home and school. One goal of the school is to continuously strengthen the community spirit at BSS. We encourage you to participate and hope that you will volunteer to join us in this worthy endeavour. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities sure to suit any interest and availability.
You have already received the email from the PA Nominating Committee and you can self-nominate for one of the positions. All the "how-to" information has been included in that email.
To help you make an informed decision, please see PA Junior School Positions for detailed descriptions of the opportunities available within the Junior School and Selection Process for Junior School Positions for more information on the process.
Please note that, although not all of these positions may be vacant for the upcoming year, we encourage all interested parents to express their preferences.
If you have any questions in the interim, please feel free to contact your Class Rep or the JS Coordinators Marla Switzer at marla@oberon.ca or Jennifer Bradlow at jbradlow@rogers.com
Thank you.
Regards,
Marla Switzer and Jennifer Bradlow
JS Parent Coordinators
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| JS Learning Conferences - Pick A Time Will Close as of Noon on Friday Feb 21 |
The Pick A Time system is now activated to take your bookings as of noon (12:00) on Monday February 10, 2014. The Pick A Time system will close at noon (12:00) on Friday, February 21, 2014. If you need to book your meeting after Pick A Time has closed, you must contact your daughter's teacher directly.
We are heading rapidly towards our next set of Junior School Learning Conferences on February 27 (4:00 - 8:00 pm) and February 28 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm). This set of conferences focuses on academic progress. Students are not required to attend these conferences. Please note that there will be no JS classes on February 28, 2014.
SK Parents Please note that Learning Conference meetings for SK parents will be on Tuesday, February 25 only from noon to 6:00 pm and can be booked via Pick A Time. If you are not able to meet on this day, please contact your daughter's teacher directly. Conferences will be in the Fireplace Room from 12-3:30pm and in the SK classroom from 3:30-6:00pm
Grade 5 and 6 Parents
There will be an additional day of interviews, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, for Grade 5 and 6 parents ONLY in Catherine Hant's Office as follows:
Grade 5 - Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Grade 6 - Tuesday, February 25, 2014
How To Book Your Meeting
Once again we will be using the Pick A Time system as an efficient and convenient method for all parents to facilitate booking their interviews. The Pick A Time system will be activated to take your bookings at noon (12:00) on Monday February 10, 2014. The Pick A Time system will close at noon (12:00) on Friday, February 21, 2014.
A Pick A Time tutorial is available by clicking on the Pick A Time button located on the JS Thread Landing Page (upper right-hand corner).
Specialist teachers and team teachers may also be present at the conference to give added perspective about your daughter's experience at school. Please feel free to prepare questions and ideas to bring to these discussions. The teachers are looking forward to understanding your daughter better through their conversations with you. Should you wish to meet with your daughter's specialist teachers, please email them directly to make these arrangements.
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| Marjorie Pickthall Writing Competition 2013-14 |
The Marjorie Pickthall Writing Competition 2014 will be open from Thursday January 23 to February 28, 2014.
All Grade 3-6 students are eligible to participate.
We welcome one submission only per student in each category of Poem and/or Short Story.
Please click here to view the rules regarding competitors and compositions.
Deadline to submit is February 28 (please submit to teacher, NOT JS Office as students MUST fill out, sign and attach an entry form, which is available from their teacher, to each submission).
Teachers will bring all submissions to the JS Office.
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| Momentum Save The Date - April 16, 2014 | |
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| GrandPals' Day Save The Date - April 17, 2014 |
Please note that a parent letter with more information and e-invitation will be posted in the February 27 NYCU as well as emailed to all JS parents for distribution to their daughter's GrandPals'. All registration will be available online at the end of this month.
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Swim Show Save The Date (Grades 1-6)
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It is that time of year again where we start getting ready to show off how hard we have been working in the pool. This is an opportunity to have some fun swim meet style. The girls are learning how to dive and flip turn, show off our great stroke technique and be a great team member in our relay events.
Save Tuesday, MARCH 4, 2014 as SWIM SHOW DAY Start thinking about a fancy ONE PIECE bathing suit, and a special towel you can bring to the swim show. Click here to review the tentative Swim Show schedule. ***JK and SK will be announced after March break****
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Dr. Vicki Harber Visits BSS February 28, 2014
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The Bishop Strachan School is pleased to host Dr. Vicki Harber, Professor at the University of Alberta and two-time Olympian. Dr. Harber is an exercise physiologist leading work on "The Female Athlete Perspective" and very involved in implementation of the Canadian Sport for Life guidelines to improve the quality of sport. The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport recognized Vicki as one of the Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity.
Dr. Harber will be presenting at BSS on February 28 at 4:00 pm in the Great Hall.
Hope you can join us!
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Upcoming Events
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Please refer to upcoming NYCU editions for more details/logistics on the events below.
FEBRUARY
February 21 - Pick A Time closes at noon
February 25 - Extra JS Learning Conference Day - Grade 6 ONLY
February 25 - *SK Learning Conferences
February 26 - Extra JS Learning Conference Day - Grade 5 ONLY
February 26 - Pink Shirt Day - Bullying Awareness Day with SS (see above for more information)
February 27 - Grand Pals' Day e-invitations and parent letter distributed to all JS parents via email and posted to NYCU.
February 27- JS Learning Conferences (4:00 - 8:00pm) - *please note, SK conferences will be on February 25 only
February 27 - Grand Pals' Day e-invitations emailed to all JS Parents and online registration opens
February 28- JS Learning Conferences - (8:00 - 4:00pm) No JS Classes - *please note, SK conferences will be on February 25 only
February 28 - Dr. Vicki Harber Presents at BSS (see above for more information)
February 28 - Deadline to submit Marjorie Pickthall entries.
MARCH March 4 - Swim Show (Grades 1-6) See above for more information. We hope you've enjoyed this edition of the JS News You Can Use. Sincerely, The BSS JS Office Team
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