Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve/Day and Orthodox Christmas Greetings

To all those celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve/Day and Orthodox Christmas, we would like to wish you and your families happy celebrations.

Thank You!

💗                                                                                                             

WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A HUGE BIG THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR ALL 

 YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF CLOTHING AND OTHER ITEMS FOR THE 

"CENTRAL CARES CAMPAIGN."

OVER 40 BOXES OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR SCHOOL 

WERE DELIVERED TO THE CENTRAL OFFICE 

TODAY AND ITEMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES IN NEED.

YOUR GENEROSITY IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!

💗

Reminder - SSPS Lunch Programs

Attention Grade 4 and 5 Students

Silver Stream Lunch Program - Term 2

Tonight is Movie Night! - Don't forget we are supporting the Richmond Hill Food Bank

Winter Math!

Winter Math

Winter break is right around the corner! This is a great opportunity to take time with your child and connect math to the real world. Below are some ideas that will help get you started:

• Grocery shopping can involve money, budgeting, estimating, adding, subtracting, and measuring
• Cooking can involve weighing, measuring, ordering, estimating, adding, and multiplying
• Organizing for a party can mean matching numbers of people to plates, cutlery, area of tables, ordering food, and seating arrangements
• Going on a trip by car or plane involves time, distance, budgeting, speed, comparing various routes, and shape scavenger hunts
• Completing a half finished symmetrical design using playdough (e.g., half a butterfly, tree)
• Building a snowman can involve measuring, spatial reasoning, and estimating

These ideas will help your child see the importance of math in their everyday lives through fun and interactive ways.

http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/math/schoolleader/ideas_for_school_leaders.html

The Ontario Ministry of Education recently released information for families about Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math.  You can access this information at https://math.thelearningexchange.ca/training/provincial-math-training-learning-modules/parents2/

To find out what your child will learn in math this year or to find other fun activities that you can do together as a family, please visit http://www.yrdsb.ca/Programs/Math/Pages/default.aspx.  Be sure to also try our Problem of the Month

Chanukah Greetings

To all those celebrating Chanukah, we would like to wish you and your families a very happy celebration.

December 6th is Movie Night!

Mathematica Prep Session

Based on the positive feedback from last year, we are pleased to bring back an optional lunch time program, for students in Grades 4 to 8, to help them prepare for the upcoming Mathematica contest which will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

Ketan Padalia is a parent volunteer who will continue to be guiding students through preparatory tests that will challenge their problem solving skills and help them become comfortable with the possible questions that will be asked.

This program will be held once a week, during lunch time. If your child is registered for the Mathematica contest and would like to participate in this optional program, please indicate your interest by Friday, December 21, 2018 by filling out the digital form found at: https://goo.gl/forms/ZvOWUjfi5weVHmRb2. More information will follow.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Wong (tubie.wong@yrdsb.ca).

Cookie Dough Pick Up

Cookie dough will be available for pick up on Thursday, November 22nd in the gym starting at 5 pm.

Don't Forget About Our Book Swap!

News from the Music Room!

On December 13th we will be hosting a Winter Concert at Silver Stream.  It will be an opportunity for us to showcase some of the work that our classes and extra-curricular groups have been doing this term.  Performing in the concert will be the Intermediate Band, two groups who have entered Canada’s Best Music Class, a group of grade 7 blues musicians, a group of grade 6 bucket drummers, and maybe more!.  The concert will start at 7:00 pm in the gymnasium.  See you there!

Central Cares Charity Drive

Hello Silver Stream Families,

This year the High Five Club will once again be supporting the Central Cares Charity drive.

Central Cares is a drive run by the York Region School Board. It's mission is to provide winter
gear for families in need in the York Region area. Students can bring in new and/or gently used
mittens, hats, boots, scarves, outerwear and/or any other winter gear to school. They can be
dropped off in the boxes along the wall office. By donating, you will be supporting a family in need
living in York Region.

Central cares started November 4th and ends December 14th, so bring in as much gear as you can.
Anything you bring in would greatly benefit our community.

Thank you,

The High Five Club

Picture Retakes - Monday, November 12

Just a reminder that picture retakes will be on Monday, November 12th.

SSPS Book Swap

Diwali Greetings!

Diwali Diwali (short for Deepavali, meaning 'line of lamps'), also known as the Festival of Lights is a Hindu, Sikh, and Jain festival that originated in India. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali also signifies many different things to different people. For most Hindus, Diwali is dedicated to the Goddess of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In Bengal, Diwali honours the goddess Kali. For Sikhs, the festival commemorates the return of the sixth guru to the Holy city of Amritstar after his release from detention. For the Jain community, it commemorates the passing into Nirvana of Mahavira. It also may be the beginning of a new year for farmers who plant their crops after Diwali, as well as for businesspeople and merchants who traditionally settle all accounts on this day and begin the new financial year. Everywhere it is celebrated, it signifies the renewal of life.

To celebrate this joyous and important festival, people get together with friends and family, exchange gifts of sweets and greet each other with the words 'Subh Diwali’. Some set off fireworks and wear new clothes. Many light little clay lamps, called dipas or diyas, candles and even neon lights.

To all those celebrating Diwali, we would like to wish you and your families a very happy celebration.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser Deadline Extended

Mathematica at Silver Stream

For several years, Silver Stream Public School has participated in the Mathematica Math Contests for students in Grades 4-8. Our school is proud of the strong math skills our students have demonstrated by their many past awards. 

This year’s contest will be written on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 and will cost $3.75 per student. 

The tests are sent to Mathematica Centrum, the mathematics contest centre, to be marked. The results usually arrive back at the school in the beginning of June, and are also posted on the Mathematica website. We recognize the top students in our school at the end of year assembly in June, where we hand out certificates of achievement and medals for the students with the highest scores in each grade. 

Please register on Cash Online.  

YRDSB Public Math Page

The Math page on public site has been updated to encourage families to be more connected to math learning happening at schools and to engage with math at home. We encourage you to visit the updated YRDSB public math page and explore.

Here is a link to the page.

Reminder - Monday is a PA Day

Have a wonderful weekend!

QSP Orders Extended Until Monday!!!

Today is Picture Day!!!

Don't forget that today is picture day!

QSP Fundraiser!

Picture Day is October 4th!!!

Just a reminder that Picture Day is next Thursday, October 4th.

Don't Forget - Silver Stream Lunch Program!

Save the Date - Meet the Teacher Night is September 27th

More information coming soon!

Terry Fox Run - September 28th!

REMINDER - School Council Tomorrow Night at 7:00 pm in the Library

Silver Stream Lunch Program

BOOK FAIR COMING SOON!

Dear Silver Stream Families,


We are holding our Book Fair from Wednesday September 26th to Monday October 1st. The goals of holding a school-wide event like this are to help make literacy fun, broaden our student’s horizons by offering a variety of books, and to reach a sales goal that would allow us to add a copious amount of books and resources for our students to use in our growing collection! At the Fair, you can pay with cash, any major credit card or a cheque made out to: Silver Stream Public School.

We could really use your support in helping to run this event. Volunteers would be much appreciated, as there are many different tasks that need to be done:

1. Set up/Take down of the fair

2. Greeters

3. Cashiers

4. Support Staff to help students and keep the areas organized

If you are interested in volunteering, please email Mr. Maisel (david.maisel@yrdsb.ca) with your availability (date and time of day) from September 26th to October 1st. Once volunteers are determined, a schedule will be made and shared with those involved. Please note that volunteers will be needed from 8:05-10:15, and 11:55-12:55 every day.

Furthermore, a highlights package outlining what will be at the Book Fair will be sent out one week prior to the event.

The Book Fair will be open on the same night as our Curriculum Night, the evening of September 27th! We will need volunteers for this night as well, from around 5:00 to 8:00/8:30.

We can’t wait to get the fun started!

Thanks in advance for your help,

Mr. Maisel

The Lunch Lady!

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and begins a solemn ten-day period of contemplation and selfexamination that ends with the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, and the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration beginning on the first day of Tishrei - the first month of the Jewish lunar year. According to the Hebrew calendar, days begin at sundown. Hence Rosh Hashanah begins the evening before Rosh Hashanah day.

These High Holy Days are the most religious days of the year for many Jews, and is a time for reflection and atonement. Many families attend synagogue, praying for peace among nations, among peoples, and within themselves in the coming year. Many people have a special meal where blessings are recited over different symbolic dishes including apples, honey, dates, and pomegranates.

To all those celebrating Rosh Hashanah, We would like to wish you and your families a very happy celebration.

A Message From Our Trustee

Message From Our Trustee

I am pleased to welcome all of our students and families to the start of the 2018-2019 school year. This is an exciting time of year. I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer and is looking forward to the months ahead.

York Region District School Board is committed to advancing student achievement and well-being. The Trustees’ new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, developed based on feedback from the community, outlines four priorities that will guide this work: Foster Well-Being and Mental Health, Champion Equity and Inclusivity, Build Collaborative Relationships and Empower Ethical Leadership. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.

Our schools are stronger when families are engaged. There are many different ways families can support their child’s learning and get involved in life at the school, and I hope that you find opportunities to get engaged.

I wish you all the best for the upcoming school year.

Carol Chan

Good morning to all our Silver Stream families!! We hope that all of you had a safe and happy summer!

We are back at school now preparing for the first day of classes next Tuesday. It is an exciting time of year as we look ahead and plan how to improve our instructional practice and make our school as safe and inclusive as possible so that all of our students achieve to their full potential.

There will be one visible improvement you will notice on the first day of school. It involves the parking lot and I am calling it an improvement because it will increase student safety. Of course, safety is our number one concern.

To begin, the entrance into the school parking lot off Farmstead Road is no longer an entrance. It is for exiting vehicles only. The only way to enter the school roadway and Community Centre parking lot is off Shirley Drive. This way, it is one continuous loop. Cars will therefore enter off Shirley and exit onto Farmstead Road, either turning left or right onto Farmstead at that point. In addition, there will be no parking of vehicles in the staff parking lot. It will be blocked off and only staff will be allowed to enter and park there. The reason for this is that last year we found some children were being dropped off in the parking lot and then they would run through the parking lot and between cars to get to the school. This was an extremely unsafe situation. Parents therefore have three choices. They can drop off their children at the "kiss and ride" as always, where there will be staff waiting to receive children, or if they wish, parents can park in the Community Centre parking lot and walk their child from that point. I understand that this may seem less convenient, but the increase in safety is the top priority. Thirdly, walking to school is a healthy alternative that promotes physical and psychological well-being! Please see an inspirational video below:

Link to video 

Secondly, our school is trying something called "flexible entry." Students will be allowed to enter the school anywhere from 7:50-8:05. There will be teachers on duty inside for these 15 minutes. We are hoping that if some students are dropped off earlier, there will be less congestion in the parking lot around 8 o'clock.

Next Tuesday September 4th, all students will go to the back of the school at 8 o'clock and there they will find teachers with lists who will inform them which class they are in. They will line up with their teacher and go into the school once all students have been assembled. The only exception are the Senior Kindergarten (Year Two) students who will enter via the usual front enclosure gate. The Kindergarten teachers will be there to greet students. Junior Kindergarten students do not come until the afternoon of the first day. An email will be sent shortly to Kindergarten parents.

We look forward to seeing you all next week!!

Have a lovely long weekend!

Trish Yeates

BBQ and Carnival - Orders Due Monday, June 11th

Get Your Orders In!

You will be able to order until Monday, June 11th on Cash-on-Line. 

You will not be able to purchase items during the event. 

We hope to see you there!!!

SSPS BBQ and Carnival - June 20th!!!

June 28, 2018 - Early Dismissal in Elementary Schools

Thursday, June 28, 2018 Early Dismissal in Elementary Schools

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being.  On Thursday, June 28, 2018, 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 Thursday, June 28, 2018 only.  Students will be dismissed early that day at 11:05 a.m. 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.

Summer Reading Opportunity

Save the Date!!! SSPS Annual BBQ and Carnival

What's New?    Human Rights Club

Silver Stream is proud to have a new club for interested students in Grades 7 and 8 called the Human Rights Club. This is a club driven by students (and overseen by staff) who are interested in social justice, equity, and human rights. At our school there is much diversity and a driving focus for our students and staff is to make Silver Stream as inclusive and safe as possible, free from bias and discrimination. The mission of the group is to work toward a more accepting environment for all students, staff and community members including those who have felt marginalized due to race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, religion, or language. We believe that schools can only be safe and have students learn best when every student is assured of access to an education without fear of harassment or violence.

The Human Rights Club is just beginning but the first meeting had over 35 students attend. There was a lively and engaging discussion on the meaning and origin of Human Rights. Our next meeting will take place tomorrow at lunch time and the students will be collaborating with each other to decide on subcommittees for the group and the goals and purpose for each subcommittee. When students were asked after the first meeting if there was an interest in a second meeting, there was a loud and resounding “Yes!” I am proud of our students and their interest in making Silver Stream a safe and accepting environment for all to learn and flourish. Thank you for your amazing children!

Ms. Yeates

Reminder!!! - Parenting: When to Worry

Click Here to Register.

Mark Your Calendar!!! Parenting: When to Worry

Click Here to Register.

Primary Broadway Musical - May 10th

Hello Families!

Next Thursday, May 10^th, at 6:30, the Primary Students will be performing in the Primary Broadway Musical. Please come and enjoy the show and all the hard work our primary students have put into this performance!

See you there!

Family Fun Night - May 3, 2018

Ridvan - April 21 -- May 2

Ridvan Ridvan (pronounced Riz-wan) is a twelve-day festival, the most important one of the Baha'i year.

Ridvan, which means "paradise", is the name of the garden in which Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, proclaimed His identity as a Messenger of God. This happened in 1863 as Baha'u'llah was about to be exiled from the city of Baghdad.

The twelve days of Ridvan, April 21 to May 2, commemorated the twelve days that Baha'u'llah spent in the Garden of Ridvan, on an island in The Tigris River. The First, Ninth, and Twelfth Days of Ridvan are considered significant holy days by Baha'is. The First Day (April 21) was the day that Baha'u'llah identified himself as a Messenger of God. On the Ninth Day (April 29), His family joined Him in preparation for the journey into exile. The Twelfth Day (May 2) represents the day that Baha'u'llah and His family were banished from Baghdad to Constantinople.

On the three holy days of Ridvan, Baha'is all over the world gather together to remember this joyous time in Baha'u'llah's life (He spent the majority of His life in prison, and was exiled four times). Baha'is recite prayers, sing, read from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, and celebrate His life and teachings. Because of the global nature of the Baha'i Faith, rituals are discouraged. There are no specific foods, or activities associated with Ridvan, or any of the other Baha'i Holy Days.

An aspect of Baha'i administration is associated with the time of Ridvan. There is no clergy in the Baha'i Faith, so local Baha'i communities are administered by nine-member Local Spiritual Assemblies which are elected each year. These elections take place on the First Day of Ridvan.

We extend good wishes to all staff, students and members of the Baha’i community who will be celebrating Ridvan.

Vaisakhi

 Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, is celebrated in April every year. Vaisakhi is also celebrated in some other parts of India, particularly in some of the northern and eastern states.

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi celebrates the birth of the Panth Khalsa order (the Order of the Pure Ones) established by Guru Gobind Singh. It is at this time that Guru Gobind Singh gave the Khalsa order the five distinct symbols of purity and courage which would make Sikhs identifiable: the Kesh (unshorn hair); Kangha (the wooden comb); Karra (the iron bracelet); Kirpan (the sword) and Kachera (underclothing). 

Some of the ways that this day is traditionally honoured include visiting a place of worship, participating in a mela (fair), indulging in mithai (sweets), fruits and lassi (a sweet yogurt drink), and taking a ritual bath or renewal. We extend good wishes to all staff, students and members of the Sikh and Indian communities who will be celebrating Vaisakhi. 

Community Ambassador Training Program - Revised

Upcoming Events in the Music Program!

Our students have been hard at work preparing for some upcoming performances!  Our Intermediate Band has been rehearsing all year in preparation for our first festival, Music Alive.  We will be performing two songs for an audience made up of students from other schools.  We will also be receiving useful feedback from an adjudicator who will help us improve our future performances.  We will be performing at the YCDSB Centre for Performing Arts, 525 New Westminster Drive in Thornhill from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Thursday, April 19.  This performance is free and open to parents and family members.

Music Monday is also fast approaching!  Dozens of students in small groups have begun rehearsing songs they have selected to play in our concert.  These students will work extremely hard during recesses to perfect their pieces so we can put on the best concert possible.  We will also be singing the Music Monday song, “Sing It Together” along with other schools across the country.  Any family and friends are welcome to attend our concert at SSPS on Monday, May 7, starting at 1:00pm.

Islamophobia Sub-Committee

Antisemitism Sub-Committee

Easter – April 6-8 (Eastern)

Christianity observes its most important holidays of the year between April 6 – 8th for the Eastern Julian calendar.

Holy Friday on April 6th, commemorates the passion of Jesus Christ. The Eastern churches focus on the burial.

Many of the traditions that bond generations together in the Orthodox tradition occur during the celebration of Easter. One of the most prominent rituals of the Orthodox Easter is the forty-day Lenten fast, where no meat or dairy is eaten. The fast is typically broken on Sunday morning at 1 or 2 a.m. following the evening Church service where candles are lit and a celebratory hymn is sung in the honour of the resurrection of Christ.

We join you in wishing a Happy Easter to all staff, students and community members who will celebrate Easter in the Orthodox tradition.

Regional Parent Symposium

Annual Regional Parent Symposium – “Parent Voice Matters!” April 4, 2018 All families are invited to join us tonight online for live streaming of the Regional Parent Symposium – “Parent Voice Matters” opening ceremonies starting at 6 pm and the two workshops below. 1.   How Families and Schools Can Together Promote Belonging (Gr. K-12) – Michelle Cassidy (Live Streamed at 6:40 p.m.)          2.   Town Hall (Gr. K-12) – Paul Woods and Scott Milne (Live Streamed at             7:50 pm)          We hope you can join us online tonight for some great learning.          http://www.yrdsb.ca/Parents/Pages/ParentSymposium.aspx