NOTICE: The UGDSB will be sending out a test message to all families and staff this week.
The test message will be sent on Thursday February 27 at approximately 4:30pm. It will be sent to staff and families via text, email and phone. The message will clearly indicate that it is a test and no action is required.
Recipients of the messages shouldn’t notice much difference from board-wide messages sent in the past, with the exception that recipients will now receive a text message, in addition to phone call and email. Recipients will have the option to opt out of receiving text messages. A reminder that the text message will come from the following shortcode: 277849.
Thank you for your understanding.
Wear your pink shirt to stand up to bullying on Wednesday, February 26.
Our school board has updated our notification platform. We now have the ability to text, email and voice call. When the school texts, it will come up as #277849 and the message will start BAPS: We may text to inform about minor injuries, late buses, or last minute news.
Next week we will be having a Winter Play Day. Students will be placed in groups and rotate through different stations of outdoor winter activities. Exact date will be announced next week based on weather. Please ensure your child comes to school with warm winter clothing.
Immunizations - Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is required to collect and review immunization records for all students. If the parent/guardian fails to update missing information, the student may be suspended for up to 20 school days. Overdue notices have been mailed to parents/guardians of students who have incomplete immunization records on file with WDGPH. If you have received a letter, you have until March 14 to submit complete immunization records to WDGPH to avoid suspension. Please contact WDGPH with any questions.
Due to inclement weather and accumulated snowfall, all UGDSB schools and offices are closed today to staff and students. All buses and taxis are cancelled to Upper Grand schools. Students are to shift to remote learning, where possible. We hope to see everyone at school tomorrow!
Due to inclement weather, all UGDSB schools and offices are closed today to staff and students. Students are to shift to remote learning, where possible. Staff should not report to work in person, and should shift to remote working where possible. All buses and taxis are cancelled to Upper Grand schools.
There are three free Parent Programs being offered to the Brant Avenue Parent Community!
1) Circle of Security at BANG
The Circle of Security is a relationship-based program designed to enhance attachment between parents and children. Through research, we know secure children have increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, are more ready for school and are able to handle emotions more effectively compared with children who are not secure. This course is designed for parents, grandparents, guardians, and caregivers with children of any age.
EarlyON Guelph is pleased to partner with the Brant Ave Neighbourhood Group and Brant Ave Public School to offer this program in the Brant Neighbourhood.
At this program you will explore the question: Why does my child behave this way? Our children’s behaviour is their way of communicating and the program offers different ways to respond and reduce family stress.
Dates: Starting Thursday February 27th – Thursday April 24th (No class on Thursday March 13th March Break)
Location: Brant Ave Public School Portable 3 on the left side of the school
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Please register by Tuesday February 25th
To register please reach out to Katie (519) 362-6362 or Nicki (519) 993-6191. Please reply with the following information- your (the parent’s) full name, address, phone number, and email. Please indicate if you will require child care, and if so- the children’s ages.
2) Worry vs Anxiety: Parenting Webinar
The next webinar in the Positive Parenting Webinar Series is coming up. On February 20, 2025, at 7pm, parents/guardians are invited to join the free webinar on Worry vs Anxiety. Discover what's normal and when it's time to seek additional support. Learn how to talk to your child about their emotions, while confidently navigating challenging situations. To register for the webinar, click https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m4vil6M0S2KM3Oet8blBJg#/registration . This is the fourth of five webinars hosted this school year by the UGDSB, WCDSB, NCDSB, and DSB1 in partnership with Pine River Institute's Centre for Family Initiatives.
3) EQAO Webinar
On February 18, 2025, join us for a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from the past three years of assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.
Register: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5puRqI8uQJypIaHgBYoBMw
Due to inclement weather, all UGDSB schools and offices are closed today (Feb. 13) to staff and students. Students are to shift to remote learning, where possible. Staff should not report to work in person, and should shift to remote working where possible. All buses and taxis are cancelled to Upper Grand schools.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: Due to forecasted inclement weather for Wednesday Feb. 12, all Community Use of School Facilities is cancelled for this afternoon/evening.
We are currently investigating a persistent issue regarding ConnectED accounts, affecting all student and parent accounts. The system is currently unavailable. We are actively working to resolve these issues.
Putting Name to Face: Celebrating Black Excellence in Teaching & Learning
About the Exhibit:
Celebrate Black History Month with us through an inspiring exhibit that honours the contributions of past and contemporary Black educators in the Guelph, Wellington, and Waterloo regions. This engaging display chronicles the historical impact of Black communities on teaching excellence in the region and highlights modern efforts in Black educational excellence, focusing on anti-oppressive and inclusive pedagogies.
When and Where:
In keeping with anti-oppressive and inclusive practices, the exhibition extends beyond the University to embrace the broader community. This effort is made possible through partnerships the Art Gallery of Guelph, the Region of Waterloo Museums & Archives, and the Guelph Public Library. The exhibit will travel to:
Guelph Public Library, Downtown Main Branch: February 10–14, 2025
Guelph Public Library, Westminster Branch: February 17–24, 2025
Report Cards go home and are available on line on Wednesday February 12.
Pink, Red, or White or your favourite shirt for SPIRIT DAY on Friday, February 14.
Candy Grams are still on sale Monday - Thursday. They will be delivered on Friday.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: Buses are cancelled in Zones 3 and 4 today (North Wellington and Dufferin) - schools remain open. Please note that the Transportation website is having technical difficulties. To confirm - buses are cancelled in Zones 3 and 4, but schools remain open.
Provide your input on the draft School Year Calendars for the 2025-26 school year! Planning for the next school year has begun and we want your feedback! Staff, students and families in the Upper Grand are invited to take a few minutes to provide their input on the UGDSB’s draft 2025-2026 School Year Calendars via an anonymous online survey. To learn more and complete the survey, please visit https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/7580.
Attention Parents/Caregivers: Immunization notices have been sent for elementary students who do not have up-to-date immunization records. To get missing vaccines listed in the notice, you can book an appointment with your healthcare provider or with Public Health at wdgpublichealth.ca/appointments. To check or update your child's immunization record, visit immunizewdg.ca. Visit wdgpublichealth.ca/vaccination for more information about receiving a notice.
Term 3 Pizza is DUE Monday February 3rd. Please contact the office on Monday if you have any questions or trouble signing up online.
Students will have the opportunity to purchase Valentine’s Day Candy Grams from this Thursday February 6th until Thursday February 13th. Candy Grams will be delivered to all classes on Friday February 14th. Candy Grams are being sold for $1.00. All money raised will go towards our schools Live Free Campaign and benefit our snack program..
We are looking forward to spreading some love and kindness over the next few weeks at Brant Ave.
Important Dates:
Pizza Orders Due - Feb. 3
Candygram Sales - Feb. 6-13
Report Cards go home - Feb. 12
Spirit Day - Feb. 14 (wear read, pink, white or your favourite shirt)
Family Day - Feb. 17 (no school)
Random Act of Kindness Week - Feb. 17-21
Pink Shirt Day - Feb. 26
INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE - WED. JAN. 29: Schools in Zone 3 (North Wellington) and Zone 4 (Dufferin) are CLOSED to students and staff. Schools in Zones 1 and 2 are open as normal today.
Term 3 pizza is DUE FEB 3rd at NOON. No late orders.
If you need assistance, contact the office.
If you have a child born in 2021, there is still time to register for JK. You can register here - https://connect.edsembli.com/ON/UGDSB/CentralOffice/Portal/Online/StudentRegistration
New cookie term starts Tuesday February 4th. There will be no cookies next week. Popcorn is still every Thursday, send $2 with your student to purchase popcorn.
Are you interested in Before School Care for your school aged child?
Our YMCA Three Rivers is looking for interest to start up a before school program at Brant.
Please email Olivia.Langill@ ytr.ymca.ca if you are in need of before school care.
If you are interested in after school care there is a waitlist. You can join that here: https://onehsn.com/countyofwellington/ux_2_0
All UGDSB families are advised to be prepared for cold weather tomorrow morning. Please dress accordingly and take precautions with the cold temperatures. Bus families are reminded to check the Transportation website in the morning for possible impacts to school transportation: https://stwdsts.ca/.
The UGDSB wants to remind families of some important deadlines that are approaching, including deadlines for Kindergarten Registration, Junior Kindergarten FI Registration and Out of Area/Out of District applications for next school year: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/7231
Parents/guardians are invited to attend a free webinar on EQAO math assessments. EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/7217
Brant Avenue School Day at the Guelph Storm!
This is an exciting opportunity to see the Storm in action with your school community on Friday, March 14 vs the Owen Sound Attack !
Tickets can be purchased through School Cash Online for just $20… and $4 from every ticket helps support our school’s programs.
Tickets for family and friends must be purchased online prior to January 24th. You may purchase as many family and friends tickets as you would like! Our school community will be sitting together.
Storm Choir
We are also putting together a choir to sing O Canada at this game. If your child wishes to sing O Canada on the ice prior to the game, their ticket is free! Please fill out the form below so that we can determine the number of students in our choir:
Thursday January 23
Comfy cozy day
Friday, January 24
Is a PA Day and there will be no school that day
Term 3 Pizza is on SchoolCash now. DUE FEB 3rd!
JK REGISTRATION is open until the end of January. If you have a child born in 2021, fill out the registration form online or call the office.
During the school year
• Remind all students to submit immunization records or valid exemption to WDGPH.
• Refer parents to report immunizations to WDGPH:
Online: www.immunizewdg.ca
You can also view current, overdue and upcoming immunizations
Email: Send copy to vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca
Call: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006
• Refer parents who have questions about immunizations to call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
From time to time, our younger students may go tobogganing on a small hill in the nearby park. Our staff will follow our risk-management procedures for safer tobogganing, but, as with many activities, there is an inherent risk of injury. If you have concerns about your child participating in teacher-directed tobogganing as a physical activity during the school day, please reach out to your child’s teacher.