Mrs. J. Fraser's Class (2019-2020)     

Q. What school supplies must/should my child bring to school every day?

A. For your child to have a successful year they will need to come to school prepared to work. Here is a list of items your child should bring to school everyday in their pencil case:
• 3+ pencils
• pencil sharpener(s)
• a good eraser (maybe more)
• pencil crayons set

Q. What is A.D.H.D. and how can I help?

Parenting a child with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) made more stressful because of stigma and misunderstanding, recent survey finds. 

"Recognize that this is a problem with brain development. It is not caused by bad parenting."- Laura Wright

For more information, please read article ADHD a struggle for  parents by Ann Douglas (Toronto Star, October 8, 2012)

Q. What is bullying and does it hurt? How do I know that my child is being bullied?

A. In her book, The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander, Barbara Coloroso, suggests that bullying is not about anger, instead it stems from intolerance towards differences. Coloroso states that it can be hard to draw the line between ordinary meanness and bullying, not every incident or unkind remark is bullying. It's important to help your child understand that hurtful remarks and behaviours are not about something that is wrong or bad about them, instead it is the other child that is displaying inappropriate behaviour.

Children need to be taken seriously when they talk about behaviour or words used by other children that hurt them. However, getting your child to talk about bullying can be difficult, especially as they get older. The reasons for children not wanting to talk about bullying range from being ashamed of the situation, to thinking that no one, not even an adult, will be able to help. "Children usually give us clues. We just need to be tuned into them," says Ms Coloroso. "If your gut says it's happening it probably is."

"Some children have a naturally strong sense of self and are extremely resilient in the face of unkind remarks," says Dr. Jennifer Reesman. "At young ages they have a strong sense of self about who they are. However, not all children have this built self-assurance." Dr. Reesman and other experts, suggest that parents take time to make sure they have a plant to deal with bullying situations before they occur. This preparation can help you deal with unkind remarks and behaviour so they know how to react when stung with an upsetting feeling.

- Fernando Gonçalves

- May 2013

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is an arm’s-length Crown agency of the Government of Ontario legislated into creation in 1996 in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Learning in February 1995.

The purpose of EQAO tests is to ensure that there is accountability between school boards and schools in the publicly funded system in Ontario. Educational accountability is important to three key stakeholders: taxpayers, elected officials, and teachers. By providing these yearly standardized tests, the Ministry of Education hopes to increase the quality of education in Ontario, while also using the tests to make plans for future improvement.

EQAO tests are intended to measure the students' ability to:

• Make sense of what they read in different kinds of texts;
• Express their thoughts in writing using appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation; and
• Use appropriate math skills to solve problems

Grade 6 is an Assessment Year. EQAO usually takes place the last few weeks in May to the first weeks in June. The results of your child’d EQAO testing will be sent to you in October.

To help prepare your child for EQAO, we will regularly look closely at past EQAO questions to help practise and refine skills.

If you would like to help your child at home with EQAO, you can check out the EQAO website for current and/or past questions here. Or check the links below for examples.

• Samples of Reading EQAO tests (“Would you pass?”)

• Sample of Mathematics EQAO test (“Would you pass?”)

• GTA Students faring better in literacy (Toronto Star, Sept. 18, 2014)

• GTA Students Struggling with Math (Toronto Star, Sept. 22, 2016)

• Anson Park P. S. EQAO School Profile

Q. What is GOOGLE CLASSROOM and Class Dojo?

A. This year Anson will be almost exclusively online. We will not be using agendas this year but Academic Workspace to inform you of school-wide events and important messages. 

Teachers will using GOOGLE CLASSROOM and ClassDojo (all students have been added to Grade 6 on Class Dojo) to communicate with with parents and students. The majority of assignments will be posted online and will be required to be submitted also online. Your child will need to access Google Classroom and Google Drive in order to see and submit any assignment(s). Below are the instrucitons on how to connect with TDSB’s Academic Workplace where you and your child will be able to access Google Classroom and Google Drive.

Our goal is to work together, parents, teacher and students, in order to create an educational community. We ask that you and your child check Google Classroom EVERY DAY to ensure your child is caught up on all assignments and that you receive important messages from all your child’s teachers. Please ask your child to help you access this communication resource.

If your child does not have access to a computer to access Academic Workspace, please speak to me directly.

How to log on to Academic Workspace:

1. Go to https://aw.tdsb.on.ca
2. Log in with your ID and Password
3. Once you ave successfully logged in to Academic Workspace, you will see a tab on the top that says Google apps. Place the cursor over top and select which app you would like to access: Google Docs or Google Classroom.

If you ave any further questions, please do not hesitate to email Mrs. Fraser directly (julie.fraser@tdsb.on.ca) or message her on Class Dojo.

- J. Fraser

Q. What is the 'latest' Information on SNACKS?

A. I ask that parents please limit the amount of "junk food" their children bring to class. It is extremely important for your child's mental health to have the proper nutritious food during their  formative years. 

To help parents with developing healthy snacks, below is a list of possible healthy snacks: 

• Raw vegetables such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green/red peppers, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms or zucchini may be served with or without a low fat dip.
• Fresh fruit in season, cut in slices or halves, such as apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, grapefruit, grapes, melons, pears, plums or strawberries.
• Low fat quick breads and muffins such as pumpkin, zucchini, carrot, banana, or bran.
• Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grains cereal(s).
• Regular or low fat yogurt with fresh, frozen or canned fruit.
• Unsweetened fruit juices.

Q. How Can I Help My Child Succeed?

A. There are many ways parents/guardians can help. Here are some things you can do with your child to improve his/her skills:

Reading: While reading with your child, ask questions about the book he/she is reading, such as: What happened? How would you feel if you were in that situation? Describe the main character. How are you similar/different?
Mathematics: Have children practise making patterns using various materials found around the house and counting by 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, and 10's.
Science: Watch the local weather station to see what the weather will be for the day. Take your child outside and look at the clouds and ask him/her for predictions.
Writing: Have your child keep a daily journal, where he/she can write about what was learnt at school, what what done that day and what he/she wants to do better tomorrow.

Get Involved Without Getting Invasive (NewsCanada, 2013)
Planning with your pupil. A student's success can be greatly bolstered by an active and attentive parent.

Q. Why does my child need Indoor Shoes in Winter?

A. The snowy winter months are soon to be upon us. As a result I am asking that you send your child to school with an extra pair of running shoes to be worn only inside. This will help keep the classroom dry and clean. Please ensure that your child's name is written somewhere on/in their shoes. Their shoes can be left at school every night.

Q. What are the expectations in the school's 'lunchroom’? (11:30-12:30)

1. Enter lunchroom quietly
2. Be seated immediately and remain seated throughout.
3. Raise hand to obtain permission to get up.
4. Behave appropriately. No running or disruptive behaviour, such as throwing of food, yelling,  etc.
5. Help with clean-up: put recycling in appropriate containers, wipe tables, etc.
6. Line up quietly and in an orderly fashion to proceed outside with Lunchroom Supervisors.
7. Play safely and securely once outside, using respectful language: no swearing, no "put downs".
8. Remain on school property at all times.
9. Respect and co-operate at all times with Lunchroom Supervisors and Anson Park staff.

If you're feeling the pressure of a busy home life, have you considered that your child(ren) may be feeling the crunch too?

Stress can affect everyone, even children. Learning how to handle the demands of school, extra-curricular activities, and friendships can sometimes be hard. When the pressures build up, children can feel overloaded and anxious, so helping them learn how to manage stress will go a long way to keep your young one(s) mentally and physically healthy.

One of the challenges parents face is understanding the differences between "normal worry" and sign of stress, say advisors in this field. Stress can affect social relationships, schoolwork, and a child's happiness and emotional well-being. Children who feel stressed exhibit many of the same signs that adults do, such as headaches, having trouble sleeping, or irritability.

There are a number of things you can do to help your child manage stress:

• Look at the sources of stress in your child's life and adjust the things that  you can change. For example, maybe your child has trouble with transitions or with pressure. Maybe he/she shows signs of stress at the beginning of the school year, or just before big tests. Do what you can to be more available during these times.

• Acknowledge your child's worries and tears. Sometimes things that seem small and unimportant to adults can seem very big and worrying to children. Be sure to let your child know that you take her/his concerns seriously.

• Model good ways of handling stress. Talk about how you handle stressful situations. Show your child the positive ways you relax and relieve stress – whether it's through physical activity, listening to music, taking a hot bath or shower, or reading for pleasure.

• Slow down. Many adults lead rushed and hurried lives, and all this hurry can have a spill-over effect on children. How many times do you hear yourself say, "Hurry. We're late." Children can begin to feel as frazzled as adults do. Make a conscientious effort to try to slow down when you are with your children.

RBC supports a wide-range of programs that help children and you stay happy and healthy, inside and out – and the tips above were drafted with the guidance of Ceridian Canada, their employee assistance provider. RBC Children's Mental Health Project funds organizations across Canada to provide trusted resources and programs for parents. More information can be found at  www.rbc.com/childrensmentalhealth.

____________________
- Source: The Toronto East RETAIL PAGES, Volume 3, Issue 11: Nov. 20- Dec. 18, 2013, p. 16

Q. What to expect (and how to prepare for) on the Parent-Teacher Interview day(s)?

A.  "Teachers and parents working together with mutual respect, caring and support…will enable children and youth to achieve more at school..” Shelley Laskin, Trustee

- Fact Sheet - Parent-Teacher Interviews 
Shelley Laskin, TDSB Trustee

In a Canadian Living magazine’s article, teacher Sally Irwin offers parents some tips to maximize the benefit of parent-teacher interview and suggests effective ways to promote a (your) child’s positive development at school.

- Get an A+ at Your Next Parent-Teacher Interview 
    Julie-Ovenelle Carter and Catherine Gray (2012)

Morning Recess - Primary Grades 1-3

Afternoon Recess - Junior Grades 4 -6

Lunch Time Rules
- Day 1, 3, 5 - Primary Grades 1-3
- DAY 2, 4 - Junior Grades 4-6

WE KEEP HANDS, FEET, OBJECTS TO SELF
WE GO DOWN THE SLIDE ONLY
SAND STAYS ON THE GROUND

Regardless of age, a child’s reading skills are important to their success in school as their reading skills will allow them to access the breath of the curriculum and improve their communication and language.  In addition, reading can be a fun and imaginative time for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds for them.

Studies show that reading for pleasure makes a big differecne to children’s educational performance. Likewise, evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who do not, but they also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge, and a better understanding of other cultures.

In fact, reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.

For these reasons, your child is expected to read every night for at least 30 minutes. (Students will be given assignments throughout the year associated with their home reading.) As parents you can help your child by having him/her summarize what they have read and ask questions to ensure they understand what they are reading.

====+===

Bedtime Stories Are Key to Boosting Literacy Skills
BARBARA TURNBULL, Toronto Star, January 27, 2014

In an increasingly technological world, good-old fashioned bedtime stories are still among the best ways to bolster a child’s reading skills, say literacy experts.

And daily reading, in many forms, is essential to building a good foundation for literacy.

“Particularly at bedtime,” says Gillian Mason, president of ABC Life Literacy Canada, a non-profit organization that helps Canadians increase their literacy skills. “A child who’s read to everyday at that time develops literacy skills from the get-go that are life-changing.”

Common activities such as playing board games and cooking enhance those skills, Mason adds. Figuring out rules and following recipes helps kids practise reading, math and language, and teaches them how to follow directions.

Singing and rhyming boost literacy as well.

“We encourage 15 minutes of fun a day for families to learn together,” Mason says, whose group established Family Literacy Day in 1999. The national awareness initiative is held every year on January 27.

The key is to make reading at home an enjoyable, distraction-free experience that’s part of the family culture, says Jo Altilia, executive director of Literature for Life, a charity that holds book circles for teen mothers.

Children become comfortable handling books if they have plenty in the house. Parents should let kids select what to read together and discuss the stories — ask them to predict what happens next and compare them to other books, she suggests.

If parents follow the words with a finger, the child can connect the sound of the letters with the word and its construction.

A critical element is to model good behaviour by reading yourself, Altilia says. “(The moms) say that because they are reading, their kids are more interested in reading,” Altilia says.

On its website, ABC Life Literacy Canada has a list of easy, inexpensive activities parents can do at home.

One popular project is constructing a family tree. “Kids are curious about their past and parents often haven’t thought through where they come from,” Mason says.

Creating a family comic strip or graphic novel is another fun endeavour, she suggests. Drawing and inserting speech through thought bubbles or captions can be deceptively stimulating.

“These are all things that don’t require a lot of resources and families can sit down and do together and keep everybody’s literacy skills sharp,” Mason says.

- PRINT-VERSION

Q. What is Reading Recovery?

A. Reading Recovery (RR) is a low-cost program with long lasting results. It is a structured program for first-grade and second-grade students who are struggling with beginning reading and writing skills. The program was developed by Marie Clay, writer and educator, in 1984 in the United States. 

To see an example of it being used, please watch this video from National Luis University's Reading Recovery program in action at Cicero West Elementary (Illinois, USA). 

Q. What is the school's/board's Severe Weather Conditions Procedure?

A. Occasionally, severe weather conditions may require the TDSB to cancel transportation or, in extreme conditions, close schools. The decision to close schools is made by the Director of Education. If transportation is cancelled or schools are closed, the local media will be informed before the beginning of the school day. You can tune in to your radio and television news stations for the latest information.

If weather conditions become extreme after students are in school, elementary students will remain in the school until they are picked up by a parent or someone designated by a parent.

Recess and Lunch Time
Students are kept indoors for recess and lunch time for a number of weather conditions. When temperature and wind chill measure -28˚C or lower, students are kept indoors. Recess and lunch may be shortened or cancelled by the school principal (or designate) if the temperature and wind chill reading is between -20˚C and -28˚C.

If you have other questions or concerns about how and when weather conditions affect your child's school day, please speak with someone from our school's office.

A. If the address or home or business telephone number changes during the school year, please inform the school. It is imperative for your child's wellbeing that all emergency information and numbers be accurate and up-to-date.