School Office

Our school office will  re-open on Monday August 29, 2016.
Have a safe and wonderful summer!

Clap Out on Wednesday morning

On Wednesday morning, just prior to dismissal, our whole school will come together as a community for one final moment this year  to take an opportunity to have a final time to acknowledge the people who will not be with us in September 2016.

The act of applauding a person (clapping) is to take a moment to show our appreciation for all they have done. By striking our hands together over and over we show our approval or praise and in turn express our support for them.

Each year we say good bye to a group of grade 8 graduates.  We have a wonderful ceremony and party to acknowledge and recognize the culmination of all of their years of hard work. 

However, we also say goodbye to a number of other students.  Some of our Kindergarten graduates will move to Michaelle Jean PS  to begin learning a new language in their French immersion programme. Others find themselves relocating as a family and beginning new adventures in new schools in different parts of York Region or further beyond our borders. 

Departures are not reserved for just our students.  Our Silver Stream family changes with the change in staff.  We watch as colleagues who have taught with us, worked alongside us, experienced the highs and lows of a year in the life of a school move on to new opportunities.  

Immediately following recess, our "leavers" will gather in the gym as all members of  Silver Stream School line the hallways.  When the music begins, our staff and students leaving Silver Stream walk through the halls, applauded by all of us remaining. 

It is our way of saying thank you and good luck. 

Summer Activities for Students

Report Cards go home Tuesday June 28

Dear Families of Silver Stream,
Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child. As this school year comes to a close and report cards go home,  please take some time with your child to reflect on their strengths and achievement. Celebrate their achievement!  It is important for students to be self aware and recognize the skills they have and the areas they need to improve. Help them to understand that perseverance fosters a growth mindset, that with a willingness to try, with time and support, they can improve.  

The next step is a conversation about the strategies that can be put into place to support what needs to be improved.  If, for example, organization is an area that needs developing, identify if a binder with tabs or a folder with tabs is the best approach for filing work to be done.  Many students need support with managing their time, breaking larger assignments down into manageable chunks of work and time allotments until it is complete.  

It has been a pleasure working with the students and families at Silver Stream.  Our students are kind and respectful because of you, they learn what they live.  As partners in education, it is so important that we keep lines of communication open between teachers and parents so that our children can thrive and achieve.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher if you have any questions regarding their evaluation.  

Good luck to our Grade 8 graduates as you make your way to secondary school and to our families leaving our community, we wish you well. 

On behalf of the staff at Silver Stream PS, have a wonderful summer!  We encourage all of our students to spend time reading everyday and spend time outside just playing, imagining, and being physically active.  We hope it is a safe summer and full of days that create memories.  

Carol Takagi              Ann Gnoinski
Principal                    Vice Principal 

Wednesday June 29 ~ School finishes at 11:05am

REMINDER: June 29 early release

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being.  On Wednesday, June 29th, 2016 an early release day will take place to allow elementary teachers and support staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day.  These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success. 

As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Wednesday, June 29th, 2016 only.  Students will be dismissed early that day at 11:05am.  Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bused to and from school will receive transportation at this time.  Parents/guardians whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

We say goodbye to...

Sadly, at this time of year, there are generally a number of changes that affects our staffing. We need to say goodbye to a number of staff for a variety of reasons.  We have lost two teachers due to declining enrolment and others have been long term occasional teachers in the building, filling in for the regular teacher.    Please join us in thanking these teachers and support staff for their dedication and commitment to Silver Stream PS. 

Ms. Dalia Appolloni 
Ms. Danielle Pembleton
Ms. Dea Carr - Educational Assistant (leave of absence)
Mr. Dexter Chu - Long Term Occasional Teacher 
Ms. Natasha Harikrishin - Long Term Occasional Teacher
Ms. Sharlet Esho - Long Term Occasional Teacher
Ms. Yen Dao 
Ms. Shirany Yogendran -occasional teacher
Ms. Weny Tjeng - Designated Early Childhood Educator

Report Cards Go Home end of day on TUESDAY JUNE 28

Lost & Found

Items in our LOST and FOUND belonging to students in our school have been placed on tables outside the library.  Please encourage your child to take a look as there are many pieces of clothing.   

These items will remain in the hallway until June 30.  After June 30 they will be gathered and donated to a charity. 

Math Contest Results

We have received results regarding our student's achievement in the Pythagoras and Lagrange Math Contests.  These were voluntary contests that our students chose to participate in.  

Congratulations to our Grade 6 students who came in 2nd Place in Canada!
Congratulations to our Grade 8 students who came in 2nd place in Canada!

Individual students will be recognized at our Winits assemblies on Tuesday. 

Reminder: Please complete Survey re Lunch Programs at Silver Stream PS

As you may or may not know, School Council arranges for and coordinates the lunch providers at school.  They would appreciate your feedback about which lunch programs you would support in September 2016.   All lunch programs comply with the Ministry's Healthy Eating guidelines.

Dear Parents,  Silver Stream PS School  Council would like to get your feedback on which types of lunches you would consider ordering for your children. For the four lunch options listed in this survey, please   indicate how likely you are going to order them, where 1 means your won't order for sure, 2 means you are not sure yet, and 3 means you will definitely order. Please submit your responses through the survey below by June 24th, 2016. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gJbjNH9s9k_orHZnqYKiLZlsS0j4ZcdBlNwO-lFdCRE/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

Popcorn

Just a reminder that still have popcorn being sold by our grade 8 students during recess. A bag of popcorn costs $1.00 and meets the Ministry guidelines for healthy eating. 

Are our children getting enough sleep?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/participaction-report-card-provides-sleep-recommendations-for-first-time/article30484810/?cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globefb

Thank you to our Volunteers

Volunteering is a work of the heart and time is precious.

We appreciate all your time that you have given to our school and students; whether it be organizing lunch programs, driving students to events, organizing events for school council, representing parents on school council, attending field trips, translating for students, helping with grade 8 graduation, helping in the library, or supporting students and teachers in the classroom, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

On behalf of our students and staff, thank you for taking time from your day to help us.

REMINDER: June 29 early release

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being.  On Wednesday, June 29th, 2016 an early release day will take place to allow elementary teachers and support staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day.  These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success. 

As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Wednesday, June 29th, 2016 only.  Students will be dismissed early that day at 11:05am.  Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bused to and from school will receive transportation at this time.  Parents/guardians whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

Celebrating Silver!

Once again, Silver Stream PS has achieved the level of SILVER certification through the Eco School evaluation process!  Our Eco Team is a very dedicated team of students and staff who work to ensure that we are doing our best at sustaining environmental practices and beginning new ones.  These practices range from conserving energy to reducing our consumption of paper and unnecessary packaging. 

Some of our key messages continue to be:

• We encourage all of our families to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside.  There are many benefits to all of us being connected to nature. 
• We encourage all of our students to choose an active way to school (walking, biking, jogging etc.).
• We encourage litterless lunches to reduce the amount of garbage that goes to landfill.  
• We encourage thoughtful practices that reduce our ecological footprint on the planet.

2016 Summer Fun Pass

This summer, fun costs less.

Through the 2016 Fun Pass, Ontario has 18 popular attractions across the province offering free admission for one child when they are accompanied by a paying adult or senior. Parents also save $2 on a daily parking permit at selected Ontario's provincial parks.

Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. Your kids can learn and have fun during the summer months by visiting one of Ontario’s attractions – from exploring a 200-year old shipwreck at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene to experiencing the world of science through interactive exhibits at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto.

Visit Ontario.ca/funpass for more information about the Fun Pass program and to download the e-Fun Pass coupons.

Then simply bring a coupon to any participating attraction. It’s that easy. 

Genius Hour TED Talks at Silver Stream

The Genius Hour is a movement in education to give students the opportunity to take control of their learning.  The idea stems from a Google practice where employees are given 20 percent of the work week to investigate a project of personal interest.  The only stipulation is that the project must advance the company.  An example of one personal Google project that made it big is Gmail. 

In education, and at Silver Stream, students in some classes decided to try Genius Hour and were given one hour a week or 20% of their literacy time to study an area of personal interest.  The personal project had to impact our community or global society in some way, which ended with a TED Talk conference, where students shared their passions and interests with some students from Redstone PS who were also involved in Genius Hour projects. 

The project lasted the entire year, and truly encompassed mental wellness, modern learning and many literacy expectations.  A very worthwhile project!

Thank you to Ms. Stephanie Ratti,  for her leadership with this project. 

Below are videos from the culminating task: 
https://youtu.be/y6x5jnzqo7M (Junior)
https://youtu.be/d3LcPbaMYPg (Intermediate)

School Lunch Survey

As you may or may not know, School Council arranges for and coordinates the lunch providers at school.  They would appreciate your feedback about which lunch programs you would support in September 2016.   All lunch programs comply with the Ministry's Healthy Eating guidelines.

Dear Parents,  Silver Stream PS School  Council would like to get your feedback on which types of lunches you would consider ordering for your children. For the four lunch options listed in this survey, please indicate how likely you are going to order them, where 1 means your won't order for sure, 2 means you are not sure yet, and 3 means you will definitely order. Please submit your responses through the survey below by June 24th, 2016. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gJbjNH9s9k_orHZnqYKiLZlsS0j4ZcdBlNwO-lFdCRE/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

Reminder: Please register for School Cash online

Genius Hour/TED Talk

Reminder to  parents/guardians of students in Gr 8 Karalis, Gr 8 Dingman, Gr 5 Mikelsteins, and Gr 6 Henderson.  Students will be presenting their Genius Hour/TED Talk projects Friday beginning at 1:00pm in the gym.  You are welcome to attend. 

Buddy Bench

Several months ago, one of our grade 7 students approached the school council with the idea of purchasing a buddy bench for students at our school.  A buddy bench is a place for students to find a friend.  It helps to make sure that no student feels alone at school and everyone is included.   Finally, our buddy bench has arrived and is installed at the back of the school.  Below is a link to a video that explains the purpose and importance of a buddy bench.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Z-Hq-xvxM

Thank you families of Silver Stream!

Almost $3,000 was raised for families affected by the Alberta Wildfire.  Money was donated to The Canadian Red Cross.  Thank you for your support of such a worthwhile cause... Canadians helping Canadians.  

Snuggle Up with Math!

Thank you to our parents who were able to attend our morning of math.  For those of you who were unable to participate, here is the link to the presentation and some photos to share from the event.  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IkBlH_Lulz1ErSEevfY4He0Qoj3vbpXfpgU5mEQHJLE/edit#slide=id.p 

Students in grades JK to Grade 7 visited three different sessions where they participated in math games, solved math problems or math puzzles.  As part of our healthy schools initiative, students received 1/3 of a snack at each activity.  

Thank you to our grade 8 students for supporting our younger students in their activities and much appreciation to all of our teaching staff for providing this opportunity for students to focus on a morning of math, work with others and promote the enjoyment of math! 

Lunchtime Supervisors Needed!

Lunchtime supervisors are needed for September 2016.  This is a paid position by the YRDSB. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring students are safe while eating their lunch and when outside. Our lunchtime is 11:55am to 12:55pm.  Supervisors are needed from 11:45am to 1:00pm on a daily basis. 

If you are only available on a part-time basis or occasionally,  we would also appreciate your consideration of a casual lunchtime assistant position when our regular supervisors are absent. 

If you are able to assist the school by providing this important lunchtime supervision, please contact the school office before the end of June.  

Thank you.   

Reminder: School Council Meeting TUESDAY JUNE 7 @ 7pm

Silver Stream School Spirit Wear ~ last day for orders on Tuesday

Volunteer Breakfast ... RSVP

Just a reminder to our volunteers... if you haven't had an opportunity to reply to our invitation, please do so.  We would love to be able to appreciate your time and support on Friday June 17 (7:50am to 9:00am) at a breakfast in honour of you!   

Please reply to Karen.gaston@yrdsb.ca

Snuggle Up with Math this week!

If you are able to attend, please fill out the form through this link:  http://goo.gl/forms/otBZ2lHqWb

Ramadhan

We have many families in our school who will be observing Ramadhan beginning June 6. During Ramadhan, most Muslims fast during the hours of daylight and also increase their focus on prayer and contemplation. At the end of each day, the fast is traditionally broken with a prayer and a light meal called the iftar.

Ramadhan is considered a time for Muslims to recommit themselves to practicing compassion and generosity for others, as well as a time to cultivate spiritual renewal within themselves and their communities. 

During this time of reverence and renewal, we extend our good wishes to staff, students, parents and members of the Islamic community who will be observing Ramadhan. 

REMINDER: Friday June 3 PA DAY

Just a reminder that Friday June 3 is a PA Day and there is no school for students. 
Enjoy your weekend.