May 2023 News
Education and Mental Health Awareness week is designated for the week of May 1st – 5th. This year’s theme is “STRIVE TOGETHER – Mental Health and Education Week 2023″. Throughout the school, students will engage in positive and reflective activities that aim to promote Stigma Reduction, Truth, Relationships, Identity Affirmation, and Vision as we STRIVE together to support positive wellbeing.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- May 1 – 5 – Scholastic Virtual Book Fair / Canadian Children’s Book Week
- May 1-5- Education and Mental Health Awareness Week
- May 10 – June 14 – Grade 3 and 6 EQAO
- May 16 – 6:30 pm School Council Meeting – Library
- May 17 – Special Olympics
- May 22 – Victoria Day – No School
- May 26 – Track and Field
- June 1- School Council Event
- June 2 – PA Day – No School
COATS’ CORNER
Please inform the office if you will be moving.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Save the Date! On June 1, our William C. Winegard School Council is excited to host our Family Picnic Event. More info will be shared about the raffle draw and details of this school-wide event. Stay Tuned!
We are having an in-person School Council meeting on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
STEAM CHALLENGE for MAY
We are excited to share another school STEAM challenge for the month of May. Students have been invited to create a stop motion animation with their class to demonstrate something they’ve been learning about. We look forward to seeing what we create!
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
The Special Olympics are back for 2023! With a focus on friendly competition and companionship, the event provides the opportunity for students with exceptional physical or cognitive abilities to participate in track and field events, set goals, develop skills and improve their overall levels of fitness. Peer coaches play an important role in motivating the athletes and building connections. Although the top athletes will be recognized for their efforts in the different events, everyone comes away feeling like a winner! Winegard students will be cheering on our Special Olympics athletes as they head to St. James to compete on May 17th – best of luck to our wolves!
TRACK and FIELD
It’s time for WCW’s annual Track and Field meet! This year, on May 26th, our junior and intermediate students will be headed to Marden Park (Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre). Students are busy practicing their skills in gym classes and will have the opportunity to sign up to compete in 3+ events. If you’re available to volunteer on the day or drop by to cheer on your child, family is most welcome! A schedule of events for the day will be shared soon – stay tuned.
FROM THE LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR! For the second year in a row, we are having a virtual Scholastic book fair at WCW. From May 1st to 5th families may shop online for new books. Here is the secure link to use:
https://virtualbookfairs.scholastic.ca/pages/5209759
A percentage of all sales will be used by the library learning commons to buy and replace some of our most popular books as well as new titles. We really appreciate your support! Please contact Ms. Upper if you have any questions [email protected].
CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH
For the month of June, WCW along with other schools in the UGDSB will be flying the Pride Flag. Learn more about why we fly the Pride Flag.
ATTENDANCE SUPPORT
Let’s discuss some things to do if all the strategies you’ve tried so far to encourage regular attendance at school with your child haven’t worked.
- Be consistent! Don’t give up. And know that there are supports for parents if you need them. “Put on your own oxygen mask, before others.”
- There are resources available within schools and community supports if there are other barriers to attendance such as having enough food for lunches.
- Here’s a great resources with existing handouts and evidence based information: https://www.attendanceworks.org/
For more information, please visit the UGDSB website: https://www.ugdsb.ca/parents/student-attendance-at-school-tips-and-strategies-for-families/
Categories: News • Newsletter