Message from our Trustee

        Carol Chan
       Trustee

Grade 8 Science

Students were challenged to creatively demonstrate what animal or plant cells are composed of.  Amazing work by our students!

 

REMINDER: School Council Movie Night Thursday Dec 3

It's family movie night at Silver Stream PS (gym) 

 Thursday Dec 3 

Our Student Leadership Council will be having a school spirit day on the same day.  Students will be encouraged to wear their pajamas to school. 

The Student Leadership Council is also asking families to contribute a non perishable food item beginning Monday Nov 30 until the evening of Thursday Dec 3.  It is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate compassion and empathy towards others. 

Mad Science Winter Program Available

REMINDER School Council BOOK SWAP

Friday Nov 27 2015 PA DAY

Just a reminder that Friday November 27 2015 is a PA DAY.  There is no school for students. This day has been set aside for teacher initiated interviews about student progress.  

School Council Family Movie Night

We climbed the CN Tower !

Congratulations to our students!  This week, as part of our Healthy Schools Action Plan, our students were challenged to climb as many steps as the CN Tower.  Well, they did... they climbed the equivalent of 163 times!  Best of all, we promoted the message to be active and eat healthy as every student received an apple. 

School Council Book SWAP

Youth Leadership Club Available for Gr 5-8

School Council Movie Night

Please mark your family calendar... Thursday December 3 is Movie Night at Silver Stream PS.  Stay tuned for more information. 

Step Up Challenge

How many times can our students climb the CN tower?  This week, as part of our Healthy Schools Initiatives, all of our students are climbing stairs to promote an active lifestyle and aim to climb the same number of steps as the CN Tower.  At the end of the week, students will receive an apple to promote healthy eating habits.  To align with National Sports Week, our students are encouraged to wear a sports jersey of their choice on Friday. 

Mark your calendars: For Parents of Grade 8's

Please mark your calendars.  The following are dates for Information Nights for parents of grade 8 students entering secondary school in September 2016:

Richmond Hill High School (Gifted programming):  January 12, 2016 at 7pm
Bayview Secondary School : January 21, 2016 at 7pm 

Individual Education Plans

If your child has an individual education plan (IEP), you will receive an updated copy during the next reporting cycle in January.  

Elementary Progress Reports

Our teachers are currently completing the fall progress report for students in Gr 1 to 8.  As referenced in the letter from the Director of Education dated Nov 3, 2015, these reports will be distributed in our school on Thursday December 10, 2015.   If your child's teacher has concerns about your child's progress, he/she will contact you to set up a meeting.  If you have questions about your child's progress and a meeting has not been set up, please speak with your child's teacher.  Progress reports will not be completed for Junior or Senior Kindergarten students. 

Supporting Children when Acts of Violence are reported

Supporting Students When Acts of Terrorism are Reported:  Tips for Teachers and Parents

Intentional acts of violence that hurt innocent people are frightening and upsetting. Children and youth will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Families and school personnel can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security. As information becomes available, adults can continue to help children work through their emotions and, perhaps, even use the process as a learning experience.

All Adults Should:

1. Model calm and control. Children take their emotional cues from the significant adults in their lives. Avoid appearing anxious or frightened.

2. Reassure children they are safe and (if true) so are the important adults and other loved ones in their lives. Depending on the situation, point out factors that help ensure their immediate safety and that of their community.

3. Remind them trustworthy people are in charge. Explain that emergency workers, police, firefighters, doctors, and the government are helping people who are hurt and are working to ensure that no further tragedies like this occur.

4. Let children know it is okay to feel upset. Explain all feelings are okay when a tragedy like this occurs. Let children talk about their feelings and help put them into perspective. Even anger is okay, but children may need help and patience from adults to assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.

5. Tell children the truth. Don’t try to pretend the event has not occurred or that it is not serious. Children are smart. They will be more worried if they think you are too afraid to tell them what is happening. At the same time it will be important to tell children that while the threat of terrorism is real, the chances they will be personally affected is low.

6. Stick to the facts. Don’t embellish or speculate about what has happened, or where another attack might occur. Don’t dwell on the scale or scope of the tragedy, particularly with young children.

7. Be careful not to stereotype people or countries that might be associated with the violence. Children can easily generalize negative statements and develop prejudice. Talk about tolerance and justice versus vengeance. Stop any bullying or teasing immediately.

8. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate. Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that the daily structures of their lives will not change. Upper elementary school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Upper elementary school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence and threats to safety in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. They will be more committed to doing something to help the victims and affected community. For all children, encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a good listener!

9. Maintain a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to normal classroom or family routines but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.

10. Monitor or restrict exposure to scenes of the event as well as the aftermath. In particular, monitor exposure to social media. For older children, caution against accessing news coverage from only one source.

11. Observe children’s emotional state. Depending on their age, children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of grief, anxiety or discomfort. Children will express their emotions differently. There is no right or wrong way to feel or express fear or grief.

12. Be aware of children at greater risk. Children who have a connection to this particular event, have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Be particularly observant for those who may be at risk of suicide. Seek the help of a mental health professional if you are at all concerned.

13. Provide an outlet for students’ desire to help. Consider making get well cards or sending letters to the families and survivors of the tragedy, or writing thank you letters to doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals as well as emergency rescue workers, firefighters and police.

14. Keep lines of communication open between home and school. Schools are a good place for children to experience a sense of normalcy. Being with their friends and teachers is helpful. Schools should inform families about available resources, such as talking points or counseling, and plans for information sharing and discussions with students. Parents should let their child’s teacher or school mental health professional know if they have concerns or feel their child may need extra support.

15. Monitor your own stress level. Don’t ignore your own feelings of anxiety, grief, and anger. Talking to friends, family members, religious leaders, and mental health counselors can help. It is okay to let your children know you are sad, but that you believe things will get better. You will be better able to support your children if you can express your own emotions in a productive manner. Get appropriate sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

*Adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), 2015. www.nasponline.org

Photo Retake Day

If your child missed having a school photo taken or needs to have a photo retaken, Lifetouch school photographers will be at the school during the morning of Thursday November 19.  Please remind your child if a photo needs to be taken.  

Reminder: WINTER School Bus Info

 Please review the information below to assist you with planning for your child/children on inclement weather days.

Resources for Parents

New websites have been posted on this blog specifically for parents/guardians under "Resources for Parents" (right hand side).  When you have a chance, please take a look. 

Terry Fox Fundraiser

to the Silver Stream community, our school raised $765.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Our students, staff and families continue to keep Terry's Fox's memory alive and carry on his message of hope. 

Reminder: Youth Leadership Club

Labour Update

Lunch Drop off

Dear families,
Please drop off your child's lunch on the cart outside the front office BEFORE 11:55am.   This is to ensure that your child receives his/her lunch in a timely way and has enough time to eat it.  We appreciate your cooperation.