School Council Newsletter

Cell Phone Use

A reminder about use of cell phones; students are allowed to bring their devices to school but are expected to turn them off for the duration of the day.  This also applies to recess and lunch hours. They are free to turn their iPods and cell phones back on after the end of the school day.  

We recognize and support that students sometimes use their devices for legitimate academic reasons during class time.  This is appropriate when approved and supervised by teachers.  Students must always ask first and be given permission to use their device.

 We ask students to please adhere to the following practices:

• No texting (either sending or receiving) during the school day.
• No phone calls from cell phones.  If students need to call a parent they are free to use the office phone. 
• Do not take photographs; this violates privacy issues
• Do not respond to texts or calls if they accidentally leave their device on

We ask parents and guardians to be respectful of the school practices and to please

• Not call or text your child during the school day.  We have noticed that when students are breaking this rule it is almost always to communicate with parents. 
• If you need to reach your child, please call the main office.  We will be happy to pass along messages at an appropriate time.
• Please do not respond to your child’s texts or calls during the day.  If there is an emergency or a need to call you, your child will always be allowed to use the school phone.

Pink Shirt Day February 25th

Don't forget to wear a pink shirt on Wednesday February 25th in support of stopping bullying!  

Here is a snippet of the Globe & Mail article that describes how Pink Shirt Day began:

"David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]...[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school.

'I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,' says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’

So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag.

As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. 'It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,' Mr. Price recalled.

The bullies were never heard from again."

Resiliency Skills Training

Parking Lot Safety

 PARKING LOT DROP OFF AND PICK UP REMINDERS

Pine Grove P.S. parking lot and kiss n’ ride is a very busy place.  Please help keep all students and families safe by adhering to the following:

• The kiss ‘n’ ride loop is not for parking.  Please pull up to the farthest available spot and have your child exit the car on the passenger side.  Do not park and get out of your car.  
• Do not use the kiss ‘n’ ride loop when buses are in the loop

• When driving through the kiss ‘n’ ride please be mindful of children and adults who are walking and crossing from the parking lot to get to the school 

• Please me mindful of staff on duty and follow their directions if they ask you to move forward.  This helps ensure everybody is safe.

• If you need to park and get out of your car, please use the designated spots in the parking lot.

• Do not “double park” in the lot.  If you are blocking another car, you need to remain in your car.  Do not park and leave your car if you are blocking another car.

• During the day, even if loop is empty, please do not park in the loop, even to just run into the school.  If you need to leave your car, use a designated spot.

Protecting Against Measles

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found has been on display for several weeks and students have had the opportunity to look for lost items.  As of Friday February 20th all unclaimed items will be donated to charity.  Thank you!

Scent Free Environment: Keeping students safe and healthy

A reminder to all families that there are both staff and students in our building that have severe scent allergies.  The YRDSB asks that all students and staff refrain from using heavily scented products. 

Investment In Education Fundraiser

Today was the last scheduled day for the Pine Grove School Council annual tax-deductible fundraising donation campaign.  
School Council has agreed to extend the deadline to Tuesday February 17th!  

Please hand in your form and a cheque made payable to Pine Grove Public School.  Tax receipts for donations greater than $25 will be provided in the name of the parent/guardian. 

Returned forms will be randomly drawn for daily prizes.

This is great way to contribute to your child's school.  Funds from this year's fundraiser will go directly to student-centered projects, with a focus on technology and upgrading the learning commons. 

Please Remember Cutlery!

A reminder to all families that if your child is eating food that requires cutlery, please send it in his/her lunch bag! Every day we have several students coming to the office asking for a fork or spoon.  As an eco-school we do not purchase plastic cutlery for student use.  Please send forks and spoons with your child as needed.  

Thank you!

No Parking in Kiss and Ride

No Parking in Kiss And Ride

A reminder to all families that the Kiss and Ride loop (the lane directly in front of the school) is a NO PARKING zone.  If you are dropping off your child using this loop, please have your child exit the car on the passenger side (school side) and once your child is out of the vehicle, move forward.  If you need to come into the school for any reason, such as to sign in, pick up a student, or drop something off, you must park in a designated parking spot.  Kiss and Ride Parking is not permitted, even for a short period of time. These rules are to help keep all our students, families, and community members safe.

We appreciate your understanding and support of this important safety rule. 

Community Ambassador Training: From Family Services York Region