EJPS Week at a Glance (Oct 17-21)

Posted October 14, 2022

EJPS Week at a Glance (Oct 17-21)

Chers parents,

As we transition from the Fall to Winter seasons there are many days of significance observed by the myriad of cultures and religious groups that make up our wonderful EJPS community. For example, October is Islamic Heritage Month. Diwali, the Hindu Festival of the Lights is celebrated all around the world on Oct 24th. The founder of the Sikh religion is celebrated on November 8th. December is a time when Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice celebrations all converge. It would be wonderful for our school to reflect all of these celebrations equally in the learning in the classroom and in the products displayed throughout our school. Our teaching staff is always open to collaborating with EJPS parents who are willing to visit the classroom and share in their own voices their first-hand knowledge and appreciation for some of the cultures outside of the dominant majority. If you are interested in contributing to widening our recognition of cultural diversity please contact me directly at [email protected] so I can help coordinate learning opportunities for our staff and students. 

Halloween and Black and Orange Day will be occurring at EJPS on October 31st as done in previous years. Many schools celebrate Halloween with costume dress up and/or black and orange.  Halloween is a day that is not observed by all students or staff. With this, it is considered a choice to participate as are all spirit days. Alternate and supportive accommodations are to be provided for students if school events take place (e.g. parade).   

Costumes:  It is our responsibility to ensure that school community members avoid using identities and cultures as costumes. This includes appropriative costumes/cultural stereotypes (i.e. cultural garments), black/brown face, transphobic costumes, body-shaming and objectifying costumes, and costumes that joke about situations that have caused harm (i.e. COVID pandemic). Such costumes perpetuate stereotypes and can cause harm that can further marginalize and oppress community members. 

General Guidelines:

  • Participation is optional
  • Wear black and orange if you prefer
  • Costumes must be free of replica weapons, masks are not encouraged (students must have full vision for safety), no valuable items
  • Costumes must be respectful of all cultures and beliefs.  (For example, a costume depicting indigenous peoples would be inappropriate).
  • Have regular clothes available for your child, as they may need to change out of their costumes part way through the day.

If students wish to wear a costume here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts:

Costume Do’s

  • Follow our school code of conduct found on our website
  • Use makeup or face paint
  • Make sure you can get your costume on independently
  • Check that your costume is safe
  • Be creative!
  • Have fun!

Costume Don’ts

  • No costumes that are representative of another culture or religious beliefs
  • No gruesome masks or gore
  • No violent references
  • No weapons
  • Must be appropriate for school

Below are some important dates: 

  • IEPs will be sent home for parent feedback on October 18th. 
  • Take Me Outside Day is October 19th https://takemeoutside.ca/ 
  • EJ School Council meeting will be in the school library on October 18th at 6:30PM.
  • School Photo Day will be on Friday, October 21st. 
  • Monday, October 24th will be a PA Day. 
  • Monday, October 31st will be a day students will have the option to dress up and participate in Halloween and/or Black & Orange Day activities. More information to follow from your teachers around classroom specific activities and accommodations.

Here is some fundraising information from the School Council.   

  • Pumpkin pick up will be on Sunday, October 16th 10am-12pm in the school parking lot.
  • If anyone needs to make other arrangements please email [email protected] .
  • Our first Garden clean is also occurring at the school and at the same time on October 16th. 

** This and all past EJPS Week at a Glance emails are also posted on our school website here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/johnson/category/newsletter/  

One request from our Office Coordinator, Mme McLeod, is to ensure that you leave a message on the absence line (ext 100) should your child be away or arriving at school mid day. Doing this saves precious time in the office as Mme McLeod must call homes to verify absences when messages are not left. 

Merci beaucoup!

Olivier Cutz (Principal)

 

 

Categories: Newsletter