Emily Carr
April 2017
Message from Administration
Class building is a complex process completed by staff with a great deal of care, concern and energy. Factors considered during this process are instructional groupings, learning and teaching styles, maturity and work habits, program continuity, peer relationships, parental input, boy and girl ratios, group dynamics and class size -- both regionally and provincially. Using information from all sources, the school staff strives to build classes which are balanced and best suit students' needs. As parents, you may have information about your child that might help us with your child's placement. Some parents have begun submitting their input to the office; thank you. If you have additional information about your child that would have a significant impact on your child's placement, please inform the office, not the current classroom teacher, in writing no later than Thursday, April 27. Unfortunately, we won't be able to use input shared after this date.
Due to an increase in enrollment for next year, we will be adding more teachers to our staff at Emily Carr. This change allows for some teachers to be reassigned to teach different grades as well as different divisions. Please avoid asking for a specific teacher in your input emails/letters (Please send all input to batec@hdsb.ca).
Having an accurate tally of students that will be attending Emily Carr in September is VERY important to our school organizational planning. If you know your child will not be attending Emily Carr in September, please inform the office as soon as possible. We are still accepting registrations for JK as well as SK students new to Emily Carr. If you know someone in our catchment area that has not yet registered their age-appropriate JK or SK child, please encourage them to come into the office to register as soon as possible. As well, if you know of a family that is moving into our area with school-age students, please let them know that we are currently taking registrations for ALL students for the 2017-2018 school year.
Dates to Remember:
April 3: Google Session for Parents Part 2 (6:00 pm)
April 3: School Council (7:00 pm)
April 5: Grade 7 & 8 Innovation Fair (6:00 pm)
April 7: Pita Lunch
April 12: Emily Carr Choir sings at Blue Jays' Game
April 14: Good Friday (No School)
April 17: Easter Monday (No School)
April 18: Canada Is For Kids Concert
April 26: Happy Birthday Canada! (grade 1-3 play)
April 28: PA Day (No school for students)
Parent Connection
Mark your Calendar:
May 10: Multi-Cultural Night
May 11: Jump Rope for Heart
May 17: Junior Relays
May 18: Grade 8 Band compete at Nationals
May 23-May 30: Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO
June 1: Grade 8 Band at Canada's Wonderland
June 1: CarrnivalJune 2: PA Day (No school for students)
June 5-June 7: Camp Muskoka (Grade 8)
June 26: Grade 8 Graduation
Google Apps for Learning Part 2
Please join us on April 3 at 6 pm in the Emily Carr Library for Google Apps for Learning Part 2. You will have the opportunity to explore and create Google Docs, Google Slides and other applications. Please bring technology or if needed, school ChromeBooks can be provided. YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN PART 1 TO JOIN US FOR PART 2.
Coding at EC
Did you know that we have Coding Clubs in our EC library? The Intermediate coding club takes place on Mondays during second nutrition break, and the Grade 6 coding club is Tuesday second break. We are now looking to expand the club to include our Grade 3 students. If your Grade 3 student is interested, more information will be coming on the morning announcements.
A Musical Note by J. Barber
The Grade 8 Band is very pleased to be taking part in the Canadian National Band competition on Thursday, May 18th. The event is taking place in Niagara Falls. Bands from across Canada will be travelling to Niagara Falls to partake in this event. The Grade 8 Band would like to thank the school administration for making this possible.
The Grade 8 Band will be performing at the school’s World Tour Night on Wednesday, May 10th.
The Grade 7 Band meets Thursday after school. The students are enjoying playing together in a band setting. They will be having their concert in June.
The Blue Jays’ Choir continues to meet each Wednesday as they prepare for the April 12th game.
Our Interlink Choir continued to meet on Mondays in preparation for their concert on Wednesday, March 29th. We celebrated Canada 150 by singing songs of Canada. The students and seniors have had a busy year singing at both school and community events.
SAVE THE DATE!!
Join us for our primary concert on Wednesday, April 26!
Under the direction of Mr. Folts, the grade 1-3 classes are busy preparing for our Spring Concert, “Happy Birthday, Canada!”
This show is presented in honour of Canada’s Sesquicentennial celebration, featuring a variety of songs that highlight and celebrate our unique country.
There will include a dress rehearsal at 1:00pm, and an evening performance at 6:30pm on the day of the concert.
Full details will be sent home in early April.
Canada Is For Kids
Mark your calanders and join us for a very exciting musical event, which will be happening at Emily Carr Public School on April 18th at 10:35 am. Michael Mitchell, an award-winning singer, songwriter and storyteller, will be coming to EC to perform an hour concert for our students in Grades 1 - 5. His never-ending mission is to stir up some patriotic spirit in the hearts and minds of all Canadians through lively songs and humorous stories of our history, geography and some of the wacky oddities that identify us as Canadians.
Michael has given more than 5,000 of his popular “Canada Is for Kids” shows at schools, fairs, festivals, and conventions throughout the country, and has traveled to some of those shows in everything from float planes to dog sleds. On the day of the performance, Michael will be selling CDs of his music and other merchandise. You are encouraged to support his mission by stocking up on some great Canadiana products.
This being the year of Canada’s 150th birthday, Michael is travelling all over Canada inspiring students of all ages, to celebrate our country’s birthday through song. Please join us and be prepared to sing, laugh and celebrate the country that is known as, “the best place in the world in which to live.” This Land is my Land and this Land is your Land too!!
Looking for Volunteers!
Best Wishes Mrs. Williams
CARRnival
We are pleased to bring back the CARRnival this year on Thursday, June 1st. This year, we will be celebrating Canada's 150th birthday with fun and games, and welcoming the entire community to our school grounds!
We will be bringing back favourites like the inflatables, cotton candy, popcorn, food concessions and a silent auction. As well, we'll be adding traditional games such as three-legged races, ring toss and good old Canadian sports such as hockey and basketball. We are also welcoming a Constable from the Halton Regional Police and his cruiser for the students to ask questions and take pictures. We are working feverishly to add more exciting features to this evening.
If any parents of Emily Carr students are able to donate items to the Silent Auction, please contact Darshna or Ellen at eccarrnival@gmail.com.
Please also follow the event page on Facebook for updates and to RSVP:
Emily Carr is hosting our 7th Annual World Tour Multicultural Evening on Wednesday, May 10th from 6:30-8:00 pm. Please plan to attend; it is a wonderful evening with country and art displays, dance and music performances that all can enjoy.
A letter is being sent home April 6th asking families to participate by hosting a country display. You are welcome to join with other families to do this. It is a wonderful opportunity to get students involved in learning about other cultures or your own culture and heritage. High school students can earn volunteer hours by helping or hosting a display with their family at the event.
We also are looking for cultural performers (music or dance) for the evening - many our students and families have participated in the past and we would like to hear from you if you would like to get involved!
Please consider participating and sharing in this wonderful evening with our school. For more information, or if you have questions, please contact Mrs. Hassall at hassalll@hdsb.ca or Mrs. Nakahara at nakaharaa@hdsb.ca
Newcomer Session
Happy Birthday Canada!
Check this out!
April 2017 - Celebrations, Observances and Days of Significance
April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Day (WAAD) occurs on April 2. This UN resolution declares WAAD as one of only four official health-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges they face. World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health issue. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe
April 5 - Shri Rama Navami (Hinduism)
Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (April/May) (8 days after Yugādi) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chait Durga Puja. Therefore in some regions, the festival is spread over nine days. This day, marking the birthday of Lord Rama, is also observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita and thus also referred to as Kalyanotsavam.
April 9 - Mahavir Jayanti (Jainism)
Mahavir Jayanti is specially celebrated every year by the people of Jain religion and other religious people as well to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great sage, Mahavir (also known as Vardhamana). It is celebrated with much fervor at all the Jain temples all over the country. All the holy places and temples associated with the Mahavir are decorated with the flowers, flags and etc to celebrate this special occasion. At this day, the Mahavir idol is given a ritual bath before celebration and puja following a big and grand procession.
There is a tradition of distributing clothes, money, food and other necessary things to the poor people. Such facilities are organized by the Jain organizations. Big celebration events are organized at some grand Jain shrines including Girnar and Palitana, Gujarat; Sri Mahavirji, Rajasthan and Parasnath Temple.
April 9 - Palm Sunday (Christian)
Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.Palm Sunday is known as such because the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect. Palm branches are widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday.
April 11- 18 Pesach Passover (Judaism)
Passover is a festival of freedom celebrated by people of Jewish faith. It commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, and their transition from slavery to freedom. The main ritual of Passover is the seder, which occurs on the first two night (in Israel just the first night) of the holiday — a festive meal that involves the re-telling of the Exodus through stories and song and the consumption of ritual foods, including matzah and maror (bitter herbs). The seder’s rituals and other readings are outlined in the Haggadah.
April 12 - International Day of Pink
Welcome! The Day of Pink is the International Day against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Transmisogyny across the world. The United Nations invites everyone to celebrate diversity by wearing a pink shirt and by organizing activities in their workplaces, schools and communities.
April 13/14 - Theravada Buddist New Year (Buddhism)
In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.
April 14 - Good Friday (Christian)
Good Friday occurs two days before Easter Sunday. It is the day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which plays an important part in the Christian faith. It is also a statutory holiday in all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec, where it is partially observed. Christians may attend special church services, even if they do not attend church regularly during the rest of the year. Good Friday is a day of mourning and quiet prayer among many Christians. The candles are often extinguished and statues, paintings and crosses may be draped in black, purple or gray cloth. Some Catholics observe a partial fast on Good Friday and do not eat any meat. Good Friday is a public holiday at a national level in Canada. Schools and many businesses and organizations are closed and many people have a day off work. Post offices are closed and in some areas, particularly in the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, stores are closed or have restricted opening hours. Public transport services many run to their usual or restricted timetables. In rural areas, public transport may close down completely.
April 14 - Baisaki/Solar New Year (Hinduism) (Sikhism)
The Vaisakhi harvest celebration in countries such as in India by people of Hindu and Sikh faith is an occasion of dancing, singing, music, wearing of festive garments and religious praise. The festival marks the start of the New Year in the Nanakshahi solar calendar. Many people in India celebrate Vaisakhi by dancing, singing, dressing in holiday finery, observing wrestling bouts and enjoying the many parades that take place at this time. Men dance the Bhangra and women dance the Gidda to celebrate this event. People enjoy holiday foods and special treats such as kada prasad (a type of sweet).
April 16 - Easter/Pascha (Christian/Orthodox)
Easter Sunday in Canada celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection after his death, which is described in the Christian Bible. Some people observe Easter Sunday by attending church while others spend time with their families and friends or engage in Easter egg activities. Easter is a religious holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death by crucifixion. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and family gatherings. Easter Day is a popular day for attending church, getting together for a big family meal, and staging an Easter egg hunt. It is also a good time for people to decorate Easter eggs, join in Easter craft contests and to indulge in holiday recipes, such as mustard-crusted lamb and the Easter basket cake.
April 20 - First Day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
Ridvan is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá’í Faith, commemorating the commencement of Bahá’u’lláh's prophethood. It begins at sunset on April 20th and continues until sunset, May 2nd. On the first (April 21st), ninth (April 29th) and twelfth days of Riḍván (May 2nd), work and schooling is suspended.
"Riḍván" means paradise, and is named for the Garden of Ridván outside Baghdad, where Bahá’u’lláh stayed for twelve days after the Ottoman Empire exiled him from Baghdad and before commencing his journey to Constantinople.
It is the most holy Bahá’í festival, and is also referred to as the "Most Great Festival" and the "King of Festivals".
April 24 - Yom HaShoah (Judaism)
Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of Nisan. Shoah, which means catastrophe or utter destruction in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II. This is a memorial day for those who died in the Shoah. The Shoah is also known as the Holocaust, from a Greek word meaning "sacrifice by fire."
April 28 - Ninth Day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
For Baha’is the twelve-day period marks the holiest and happiest festival of the year, called Ridvan (pronounced Rez-wan). These Baha’i Holy Days, which celebrate the beginning of the Baha’i Faith in 1863 as its Founder Baha’u’llah prepared for exile, also recognize a period of great turmoil in Baha’i history and signify the transformation of suffering and oppression into joy. Three of the twelve days of Ridvan – the first, ninth and final day have special significance.
April 28 - Akshaya Tritiya (Jainism)
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the third day of bright half of Hindu month Vaishakh. In 2017, it will be marked on 28th of April. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Vishnu's 6th incarnation, Lord Parshurama. Donations or offerings are made to those who are less fortunate in order to grant prosperity and well being to others.
Emily Carr Public School
Website: http://ecs.hdsb.ca/
Location: 2255 Pine Glen Road, Oakville, ON, Canada
Phone: 905 827-3928