Dance with Justin Barkie Program - starting January 8, 2018

December 18, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In the new year, the Dance with Justin Barkie program will once again be returning to Joseph A. Gibson P. S. to complement the Ontario Dance curriculum.  All students from kindergarten to grade 8 will be engaged in a two week opportunity to create and present various dances.  This program complements the overall expectation in Dance of applying the creative process to the composition of dance phrases and using the elements of dance to communicate feelings and ideas.

Between January 8^th and January 18^th, 2018, Justin Barkie and his team will be teaching dances to each of the homeroom classes during their physical education and/or dance period.  This year, the program is at no cost for the students, as it is being subsidized by the School and through School Council’s fundraising.

To showcase each of the class’ talents, two different performances will take place during the school day on Monday, January 22, 2018.  Performance times for each homeroom class will be communicated to families during the week of January 8^th.

We are looking forward to this exciting opportunity for our students.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or your child’s homeroom teacher.

Sincerely,

C. Fischer

Principal

Message of Peace, Love and Respect - December 2017

Message of Peace, Love and Respect

from Aman and Sia (Gr. 8)

 

Our school is a community.

We are all together like one big, whole, happy family and should

treat each other with the love and respect that we all deserve. 

Peace is important in our school to make sure we’re happy and 

everyone feels welcome.

We should all solve conflicts with one another and become friends –

everyone deserves a second chance.

Many people have grudges against a person or a group  of people because of a conflict that occurred in the past

We should not hold on to the past for it has already happened 

– it’s done –

you are wasting your time by hating a person for something they did.

We all need to realize that
people do change with time.

If someone hurt you in the past, they have probably become a better person now, have realized their mistake and

deserve another chance to be friends with you.

Even if the person doesn’t like you or has no interest in talking to you

try to talk it out with them to resolve the problem. 
Holding grudges against someone really hurts the person who you have a grudge on.

As a school, we should all come together and end this, 
                   so we all feel happy and welcome around each other.                                     
We can turn this world into a better place and it all starts here at our school.

                          We have the power to make peace in the world                            by finding common interests between us
and putting our differences aside.

Together, we can all create a peaceful and inclusive school, community and world for all of us to be a part of and
 to be happy in.

Junior and Intermediate Holiday Concert - Dec. 21st

Primary Holiday Concert - Dec. 20th

December Newsletter

Click here for the December 2017 Newsletter.

Mrs. vanGeest is Retiring!

                  

Dear Gibson Families, 

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that Mrs. Nel vanGeest has decided to retire this year, and her last day of teaching will be Friday, December 22, 2017. 

Mrs. vanGeest has been a highly respected staff member at J. A. Gibson over the past 10 years - teaching in the primary classes and as a Community Class teacher for students in Grade 7 and 8.  She has had a positive impact on all those whom she has taught or worked with and will be greatly missed for her calm, patient and supportive approach with students; her passion for teaching and for her true dedication to the students in her care.  We wish her all the very best in this new adventure.

I am currently in the process of hiring a teacher to begin in January, 2018 and Mrs. vanGeest will be working with the incoming teacher in order to ensure a smooth transition for her students; and a continued focus on student achievement and well-being. 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fischer

Principal

Grade 3 Gifted Screening - Nov. 29 and Nov. 30th

November 23, 2017

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Stage One of the Gifted screening will take place at the school, next week on Wednesday, November 29th and Thursday, November 30th.  The Grade 3 students will be given the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT), a test of cognitive abilities (thinking and reasoning skills). It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete all three sections of the test and each student group will be supervised by a teacher.

Only the students who score at the top levels of those being screened on the CCAT will be considered for Stage Two, an intellectual screening with a member of the YRDSB Psychological Services department. If your child qualifies for Stage Two, you will receive a ‘Consent for Intellectual Screening’ form between January 10th and 12th, 2018. Stage Two screenings will take place in the school between January 15th and 31st, 2018.  Brief reports outlining the findings of Stage Two screening will be provided for all students who participated once Stage Two is complete.

Students who meet the YRDSB intellectual criterion on the individual screening will be considered for possible identification under the Ministry of Education Category: Intellectual - Giftedness through the Identification, Placement, Review Committee (IPRC) process.  Parents/Guardians of those students who meet the criterion will be notified in writing during the first week of March, 2018.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

C. Fischer

Principal

Tree Planting at Gibson

Babysitting Course offered at Juilliard P. S. - Nov. 24th!

OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is releasing additional resources ahead of the January 1, 2018, launch of OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare.

On the ministry’s website (health.gov.on.ca/ohipplus_resources), you will find the following documents for downloading and printing:

·       Factsheet for patients/families

·       Postcards (available in 14 languages)

·       Social media posts

Ontarians aged 24 years and younger, who are OHIP insured, regardless of their family income, will be eligible for over 4,400 medications and drug products at no cost.

If you have any questions about OHIP+, please send an email to OHIPplus@ontario.ca.

For more information, please visit: Ontario.ca/OHIPplus.

November 2017 Newsletter

Please click on the following link for the November Newsletter.

Halloween Parent Letter - October 31st 2017

October Newsletter 2017

Click here for October's Newsletter.

INVEST-IN-STUDENTS Donation Drive Campaign Begins Today!

Dear Gibson Families,

Our annual Invest-in-Students Donation Drive campaign begins today and we have already reached our first two school-wide incentives - Lollipop Day and No Homework Day!  We are hoping to reach $5000 this year and are halfway there.  Thank you to all our families who have already donated through the donation drive form in the Book of Forms!  You have helped kick start our official launch!  Please see below for more information or you can review the pink forms that went home today with your child.

INVEST-IN-STUDENTS DONATION DRIVE

The Invest-in-Students Donation Drive is a one-time donation put towards enriching the educational experiences for all of the students at Joseph A. Gibson Public School.

WHY?

• ·                    to focus on ONE major fundraising effort to enrich the experiences of our children
• ·                   no need to sell chocolate, wrapping paper, cookie dough, etc. door-to-door where only a percentage of the money collected comes to the school.  

        

WHEN?

Monday, October 2, 2017 to Friday, November 4, 2017

HOW?

·       Log in to School Cash On-line at https://yrdsb.schoolcashonline.com.  Click on Make a Donation under Gift Information – select the amount you would like to donate and then select Joseph A. Gibson P.S. as your Fund Destination.  Click Add to Cart and then proceed to make the payment.  Charitable donation tax receipts available.

All money donated will be spent on enriching the educational experiences for all of the students during the 2017-18 year. Please consider making a voluntary contribution that will  be used towards enhancing the following programs: 

EDUCATION ENRICHMENT PRIORITY AREAS

Technology Enhancements  Eg. laptop computers, media carts, Chromebooks, iPads,  speakers, etc.

Music and Arts Enhancements Eg. Instruments; specialized art/music activities  (guest artists), trips, choirs, bands, music events, transportation to events;

Physical Education and Healthy Active Schools Enhancements Eg. Supply teachers for coaches attending tournaments & meets; special physical activity  events, specialty gym equipment and supplies; mental health initiatives

Library Program Enhancements Eg. Author visits, Silver Birch/Red Maple reading  programs

Curriculum Enhancements : Items that support the School Improvement Plan

NOTE:  The School Council may lead other fundraisers throughout the year such as cookie and pizza days to further support program enhancement. As well, throughout the year, separate fundraisers for non-profit organizations may be supported by the school (Terry Fox, Jump Rope for Heart, etc). These monies are forwarded directly to the charity. Our donation drive is in accordance with the Student Fees Policy #671. 

Thank you for your consideration, support and generosity in brightening our children’s future.   We thank you in advance for your support!

Lunchbox Orders every WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Joseph A. Gibson is participating in the Lunchbox Orders program again this year.  Hot lunch options are available every Wednesday and Thursday from Astoria and Subway.  Please review the introduction letters that were sent home with all students today and as outlined below.

Thank you.  

Curriculum Night/Open House - September 28, 2017

Late Bus Report Information

If your child takes a school bus to school before or after school, please click the following link for the Late Bus Report for more information about possible bus service disruptions before or after school.

Late Bus Report

September Newsletter and Letter from the Director

Our MAKERSPACE needs donations!

Coming Soon!

J.A. Gibson’s

MAKERSPACE  

The LIBRARY IS LOOKING FOR MANY BUILDING AND CRAFT ITEMS FOR OUR new “MAKERSPACE”.  These items will be used by students to innovate, create and problem solve!

ALL donations are welcome and can include:

LEGO™ pieces and baseplates, wooden dowels, wooden craft shapes or beads, wooden dowels, craft beads, gimp, roll up keyboard, small storage containers/bins/plastic baskets with & without lids, scrap booking materials including punches, stickers, rubber stamps, bits and pieces leftover from craft kits, S-hooks for tabletop woodworking, tweezers, needle nose pliers, craft wire, floral wire, origami paper, battery tester, batteries, yarn, Rainbow Loom®, elastics, wool, dental floss, needlepoint thread, cover stock, paper towel & gift wrap rolls, laminator (pouch style), tin foil, straws/connectors, balsa wood, small glue guns/sticks, finishing nails, junior hammers, foam board, flashlights, Velcro, personal fans, corks, robotic or electronic kits, Raspberry Pi’s® ….YOU NAME IT – WE”LL TAKE IT!

Please contact Mrs. D’Angelo if you have any questions. 905-832-1291.

WELCOME TO THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR AT J.A. GIBSON P.S.

Welcome to the Joseph A. Gibson P. S. Blog 

The School Blog is a terrific tool we use at the school level to communicate to our families and it is FREE. Newsletters, school letters, YRDSB information, school reminders, etc. will be posted on the Blog when applicable keeping our school community up-to-date with all important information.  An email will be sent to you ONLY on the days when something has been posted and will be sent between 5 pm and 7 pm. Another great advantage to the SCHOOL BLOG is that the information posted can be translated into a language of your choice for ease of understanding.  

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and I would be happy to assist you.

Here's to another incredible year at Gibson!


Claudia Fischer
Principal

Letter from YRDSB Interim Director

Click the following link for a letter from our Interim Director of Education.

June FINAL Newsletter for the 2016-17 School Year

Please click here for the FINAL June Newsletter 2017.

Mural Painting

June 20, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Re: Mural Painting

Please be advised that our school is scheduled to have a mural painted in the Intermediate Hall beginning on June 20^th and will take until June 30^th to complete.

           

The areas which will be painted are as follows:

·      First floor intermediate hall

The paint used is York Region District School Board approved and is a water based (latex) product.  Individuals that are not hypersensitive to latex paint should suffer no ill effects.  Manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (M.S.D.S.) will be on site for your convenience.

Please contact the school if you require further information at 

(905) 832-1291.

Sincerely,

            Claudia Fischer

            Principal

Welcome To Kindergarten Presentation - June 1, 2017

Click here for Welcome to Kindergarten Slideshow for 2017

Dear Families,

Please click on the above link to view the slideshow presentation from the Welcome to Kindergarten evening held at J. A. Gibson on June 1, 2017.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the main office and we would be happy to help.

Claudia Fischer
Principal

June 2017 Newsletter

Click here for the June Newsletter.

Early Release Day - June 29, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians:

RE:  June 29, 2017 - Early Release Day

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being.  On Thursday, June 29, 2017, an early release day will take place to allow elementary teachers and support staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day.  These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success.
   
As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Thursday, June 29, 2017 only.  Students will be dismissed early that day at 11:30 am.  Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bused to and from school will receive transportation at this time.  Parents/guardians whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office.

Thank you.

Gr. 4-8 Track and Field Day

May 27, 2017

Dear Parents and Guardians,

All Grade 4 to 8 students will be participating in Gibson’s Track and Field Day at the school on Thursday, June 1, 2017 (this is a date change from the original May 31^st) with a new raindate of Monday, June 5, 2017.  All Track and Field events support the Health and Physical Education Curriculum and therefore all students are expected to participate in these events to the best of their ability. 

If students have a medical reason that limits their participation in any or all of the events, a written note from the parent must be provided indicating that the student will not be participating in the day’s events.  All students, not participating on that day, will be accommodated in a classroom with alternate activities.

School Council will be offering free orange slices to all our participants on that day.  In addition, freezies and cookies will be sold for $1 and Ice Dawgs for $2.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher.

Sincerely,

C. Fischer

Principal

Parent Survey - Date Extension to May 31, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As you may know, we are inviting parents and guardians to participate in a survey to support student achievement and well-being. The timeline for the survey has been extended to May 31, 2017. If you haven’t already had the opportunity to complete the survey, we would encourage you to please take 15 minutes to complete the survey online.

Paper copies are available in English, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hebrew, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.  If you prefer to complete the survey on paper, please contact the school to request a paper copy. If you complete the survey on paper, please return it to the school in the envelope provided.

The surveys provide the Board and our school with valuable information about how you feel about the school and your child’s education.  Results from the survey will be used to identify areas to be addressed, monitor progress, and plan strategies to support students.

The information you provide will be anonymous and individual responses will be kept strictly confidential.  Individuals will not be identified in any reports resulting from this survey.

We appreciate your participation in this voluntary survey. Your thoughts and insights will help further our vision as we work together to promote student achievement and well-being.

If you have any questions, please contact the school.

Claudia Fischer

Principal

EQAO Reminder for Gr. 3 and 6 Parents

Dear Parent or Guardian:

This is a reminder that EQAO testing for your child will begin next week and take place from May 23^rd to May 31^st.  These six one-hour testing sessions will occur during these days. Students will complete a variety of assessment activities designed to allow them to demonstrate their skills and knowledge relating to reading, writing and mathematics as described in The Ontario Curriculum.

Please remember that it is very important that during those days, students arrive at school on time and that families avoid booking trips away or appointments during the day.

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

French Immersion Orientation Evening - May 1, 2017

Please click here for the French Immersion Powerpoint presentation from May 1, 2017's Orientation evening at Joseph A. Gibson P. S.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the me Claudia Fischer at claudia.fischer@yrdsb.ca or the main office at 905.832.1291

Thank you.

EQAO Grade 3 and 6 Parent Letters - May 23 to May 31

YRDSB Parent Survey

May 2017 Newsletter

Please click here for the May Newsletter.

French Immersion Orientation Evening - May 1, 2017

Formal Spirit Day and Popcorn Sales

Free Movie Night for Gr. 4-8 Students - May 4th

April 2017 Newsletter

Click here for the April Newsletter.

EQAO for Grade 3 and Grade 6 Students

NEW Hot Lunch Programs starting April 12 and 13!

Super Smoothies on March 29th

School Climate Student Survey Parent Letter

Please see below or click on the following link for the School Climate Student Survey Parent Letter.