HELP REDUCE IDENTITY-BASED HARM & KEEP BRANT AVE PS KIND
We are asking for your support at home in helping your child understand that some words and phrases are off‑limits at school because they can hurt, exclude, or make others feel unsafe. Language that targets someone’s race, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any part of who they are is not acceptable in our school community, even if it is said as a joke or repeated from elsewhere.
Children do not always recognize the impact of their words, so talking together about respectful language, why certain terms are harmful, and what to say instead can make a powerful difference. When families and schools share clear expectations about kind and inclusive language, we help all students learn, feel safe, and belong.
We encourage students to report unkind or hurtful language to an adult right away. Sometimes it can be hard to tell an adult in person- for those times there is an electronic way to report instances of bullying or identity-based harm, for incidents involving your child or things they’ve witnessed: webapp.ugdsb.on.ca/reportbullying
Fact: In the majority of cases, bullying stops within 10 seconds when peers intervene, or do not support the bullying behaviour.
DATES TO NOTE
Friday, April 3rd and Monday, April 6th - school closed
Monday, April 6th - LAST DAY for Pizza Orders
Wednesday, April 8th - Spirit Day: Wear Pink for the International Day of Pink: Anti-Bullying and Anti-Homophobia
Thursday, April 16th - School Council Parent Involvement Event, 5:30 pm
Wednesday, April 22nd - Spirit Day: Earth Day, wear green or blue
Thursday, April 23rd - Grade 6/SK/Sibling Photo Day
Thursday, April 23rd - Spirit Day: Comfy Cozy/PJ Day
Friday, April 24th - PA Day, no school for students
Go Brant Bears!
Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Your Attendance Impacts Your Class
We understand that students who are chronically absent do worse academically. Newer research has found that classmates also performed worse when their peers were chronically absent. In other words, when students in the classroom had good attendance, everyone in that room did better than students in classrooms with chronically absent peers.
High levels of absenteeism create high levels of ‘churn’ as students miss different parts of a teaching unit. This disrupts the learning for students who are regularly in school, because teachers are almost constantly reteaching content missed by the students who are absent, or slowing the pace of instruction.
adapted from Attendance Works
2026-2027 CLASS PLACEMENT PROCESS
Staff have already begun preparing for next year with class organizations being completed and student placements being discussed. This process takes many hours with teachers and staff considering many factors such as caps on class size, academic strengths and needs, personalities, learning styles, behaviour, and friendships.
Please understand that we do not accept requests for class placement. Requests can make class building very difficult and hinder the process that we have in place. If your child has an exceptional circumstance that requires consideration, please email me directly at: kelley.jones@ugdsb.on.ca
GET ACTIVE: WALK, WHEEL, OR CYCLE TO SCHOOL
As the snow melts, it might be time to re-activate the habit of walking to school! Walking to school helps you teach your kids about traffic safety. Plan a walking or riding route together. Assess potential hazards with your child, then encourage your child to stick to the route. Remind your child about personal safety and point out the houses of people you know where they can go for help if needed. Ask that electronics like earbuds and cellphones be put in their bag while walking to school because pedestrian safety is compromised by texting, earphones and cellphone conversation.
The benefits of walking to school include:
Kids learn healthy habits and concentrate better in class
One less car (yours) reduces traffic and parking problems
Improved air quality
Enhanced neighbourhood safety
A greater sense of community
When we walk to school, even if it’s just for the last few blocks, we contribute to a happier, healthier, cleaner, and safer school.
For more information and resources: www.ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca