March 2020 Newsletter
Principal’s Message
Remember to engage your child when they come home and ask “What did you learn today?”
What can you do together that does not involve screens? Get outside, have the no device rule while eating, read and count together, and, for a good night’s sleep – no screen time at least an hour before bed! look for information coming from Public Health about cooking together on Tuesday!
This month’s message is courtesy of our Program Department
LET’S TALK (NOT TEXT) ABOUT SCREEN TIME
Are screens the new smoking? Parents and students are invited to learn more about the many impacts of screens on our lives and how we might foster a healthier relationship with them. Come and join us Thursday, April 23 from 6:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the John F. Ross CVI – E.L. Fox Auditorium, 21 Meyer Drive, Guelph. Admission is free, but tickets do need to be secured in advance by visiting https://screenagersbyugdsb.eventcombo.com.
This free event will present two documentary films (SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age and Screenagers and NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience) followed by a discussion moderated by Sylvie Smith, an addictions counselor at Homewood Health Centre.
ABOUT THE SCREENAGERS FILMS:
Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston was compelled to make a movie when she found herself constantly struggling with her two kids about screen time. Ruston felt guilty and confused, not sure what limits were best, especially around mobile phones, social media, gaming, and how to monitor online homework. Hearing repeatedly how other parents were equally overwhelmed, she realized this is one of the biggest, unexplored parenting issues of our time.
SCREENAGERS: Growing up in the Digital Age (2016) was the first feature documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and offer parents and families proven solutions to help youth and their families find their way in a world with instant access to screen time. In Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience (2019, 69 minutes), the filmmaker finds herself at a loss on how to help her own teens as they struggle with their emotional well-being. She sets out to understand these challenges in the context of our current screen-filled society. In particular she explores the issue of how as parents and educators we can empower teens to overcome challenges and build emotional agility, communication savvy, and stress resilience.
Ken Keesmaat Alan Gouk
Principal Vice Principal
Calendar
Please see important things that are happening on our website at https://www.ugdsb.ca/tevans/calendar/monthly/
Join the global Movement! Celebrate Earth Hour on March 28th at 8:30pm.
Earth Hour’s mission is uniting people to protect the planet by raising awareness of about climate change and encouraging positive action.
“Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 172 countries and territories worldwide.”
Earth Hour is more than an event. It is a movement that has achieved massive environmental impact, including legislation changes by harnessing the power of the crowd.”
Click here to see a short video clip of Earth Hour’s story around the world and click here for the Earth Hour 2020 official video
Ideas for your family to do for Earth Hour!
Earth Hour belongs to you. Celebrate your commitment to the planet with your friends, family, community or at work – in your own way.
A simple event can be just turning off all non-essential lights on March 28th from 8:30-9:30 pm. For one hour, focus on your commitment to our planet. To celebrate, you can:
– prepare a candle lit dinner,
– talk to your neighbours, or invite people over
– stargaze, or go camping in your backyard
– play board games, or charades
– host a concert, or a sing-a-long
– create or join your own community event
– have an Earth Hour every month
The possibilities are endless!
Quotes and information taken from: https://www.earthhour.org/
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