Family Update November 16, 2020

Dear Ray Lewis Families,

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – During the week of November 16-20, 2020, we will be recognizing Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. HWDSB knows how important it is to work with students, parents, staff and community members to address bullying. We will do this through awareness, education and other measures that support us all in feeling safe and included.

HWDSB schools and classrooms use many effective practices to build positive school cultures that discourage bullying. We look forward to the recommendations expected next month from the Safe Schools: Bullying Prevention and Intervention Review Panel, which will inform next steps as we continue to confront bullying in our communities. These will help support all stakeholders with the training and skills necessary to recognize and continue to confront bullying in our communities.

This week the school, teachers and students will be engaged in discussions and learning opportunities about key themes related to bullying.

Bullying is defined as a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.

At Ray Lewis we will explain the different forms bullying can take and strategies to support students (e.g., talking to a caring adult, sharing information with parents, HWDSBHelps, Kids Help line, BullyingCanada).

Lockdown Drill – Our school will be holding a secure schools protocol drill, so that staff and students are prepared in case of an emergency on Thursday November 19, 2020.

A Lockdown is defined by police as the restriction of movement during the time of a potentially serious violent threat or violent incident that would endanger the lives of students and staff. It is used only when there is a major incident or threat of serious violence within the school, or in relation to the school. The threat is inside the school, or is on school property, and poses an immediate threat to the students and staff. All movement within the school is restricted and traffic into and out of the school is restricted. The exterior doors remain open to permit police only.

During the drill students will remain in their classrooms and at their arranged seats to meet COVID-19 safety measures.

It is also important that we all remain aware of secure schools terminology used in all of Ontario’s publicly funded schools. You can learn more about HWDSB’s approach to secure schools at https://hwdsb.info/secureschools

Mental Health Resource and Training Session for Parents – HWDSB is offering a four-part webinar series to support parents, guardians and caregivers in the area of mental health and well-being. Please see the school’s website and the details below:

1. Anxiety: This session will focus on anxiety in children, what it is and how parents/caregivers can help.
   November 19, 2020, 6-7:30 p.m. Please contact [email protected] to register.
2. Low Mood: This session will focus on understanding and supporting children who are experiencing low mood, including: how to identify signs and symptoms, and what parents/caregivers can do to help. December 2, 2020, 6-7:30 p.m. Please contact [email protected] to register.
3. ADHD: This session will focus on better understanding ADHD and what parents/caregivers can do to support their child. November 25, 2020, 5-6:30 p.m. Please contact [email protected] to register.
4. Mentally Healthy Home: This session will discuss the importance of early recognition of mental health concerns and factors that promote well-being, as well as strategies that support the mental health and well-being of all children. December 9, 2020 6-7:30 p.m. Please contact [email protected].

Arrival Time – Please remember that supervision in the mornings doesn’t start until 8:55AM. Parents and students are encouraged to arrive after this time. Our morning bell is at 9:10AM

Cold Weather –Hooks and Locker Assignments – We are actively counting and looking at assigning lockers and hooks using a colour coded system. Some teachers have already implemented a colour system for students to hang their winter gear.

Once the locker system is in place, we will follow Public Health protocols and ensure that we are all following the same process right away for safety.

• Indoor shoes will go home in backpacks for all Grades.
•  In Kindergarten, clothing should be left in a zip lock bag in backpacks and sent home daily.
• Lockers need to be cleared daily.
• Students will not use locks or be permitted to bring other items to decorate/store in their locker.
• The locker is for winter attire ONLY.
• All lunches, backpacks remain in the classroom on the back or under their chairs.
• Students will visit lockers in staggered fashion and according to colors (all blue, all red, all yellow, etc). These colours will be placed on lockers in a physically distanced manner.

Please continue to send your child in clothing that is appropriate for the cold weather.

Thank you for your continued support.

J. Burleigh
Principal