From the Principal’s Desk – September 25, 2023
Hello Arbour Vista families,
I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. It gives me immense pleasure to share the outstanding success of our recent Terry Fox Run.
I am proud to announce that, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our students and the generous support of our staff and parents, we have surpassed our fundraising goal for cancer research and raised $1 256.60. This achievement is a testament to the compassion and generosity that define our school community.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to all the parents who have filled in Volunteer Agreements and handed in their Vulnerable Sector Police Checks over the past years. We are always looking for parent volunteers for many different events. If you want to volunteer, please apply for a Vulnerable Sector Police Check online or in person through the OPP or Guelph Police and request a Volunteer Agreement from Mme Schletz in the school office. New this year, any parent who submitted a VS police check will now have a Declaration of Offence for School Volunteers form sent home with their child. This allows your current Vulnerable Sector to be accepted through the UGDSB for five years. Please fill it out, sign it and return it to the office as quickly as possible. We are always looking for volunteers for field trips and would be happy to have you join.
OPEN HOUSE
We welcome families to visit our Open House, which will take place from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28. We look forward to seeing you! This event is a lovely opportunity to explore our classrooms, meet our dedicated teachers and discover the rich learning experiences that await your child.
ILLNESS PREVENTION MESSAGING
KEY PROTECTIVE MEASURES
As a school, we want to remind everyone of the importance of many standard protective strategies to help keep staff and students safe and healthy. Strategies such as frequent hand washing, respiratory etiquette and making the most of our outdoor spaces for learning continue to contribute to the health and well-being of students and staff. Classes in the UGDSB will continue to have a standalone HEPA filter unit, with more than 2500 units deployed across the system. In addition to these measures, the UGDSB will continue to support students, staff and visitors to our schools and respect their individual choices about masking.
Management of Illness in Schools
The UGDSB will continue to follow the direction of WDGPH for appropriate responses to illnesses in our community. Please visit their website for the most current information about COVID-19: https://wdgpublichealth.ca/covid-19/covid-19-information-public/status-cases-wdg
- Cases of respiratory illness generally increase throughout the fall and winter months. Please review the most current guidance from the Ministry of Health throughout the season: https://www.ontario.ca/page/protection-covid-19-and-other-respiratory-illnesses
PIZZA
Please note that pizza orders close on September 27. All orders should be placed on Cash Online. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate late orders, as the numbers have to be submitted to the pizza company. A new round of orders will start after the winter break.
ROWAN’S LAW DAY
Wear purple on September 27 to show awareness of concussion safety.
NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. It also promotes the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
IDENTITY BASED HARM AND/OR BULLYING BUTTON
This button is located on our school’s website and the main UGDSB webpage. The Report Identity-Based Harm and/or Bullying tool gives students and parents 24/7 access to reporting. You don’t have to identify yourself – just your school – and your message gets sent directly to the school principal for follow-up.
Please continue to look to the calendar for upcoming events.
Have a great week!
Mme Hare
Categories: News • Newsletters