Hi Wings Families & Caregivers, 

 

We hope students enjoyed their long weekend and managed to enjoy the snow and tolerable weather!  It was nice to see a little sunshine on Sunday and a bit warmer temperature. It looks like the week ahead is going to warm up, and potential rain is in the long-range forecast. This will mean mud and wet snow gear.  Please be sure to send an extra change of clothing!

 

January 22 – 26 is Mental Health Anti-Stigma Week.  Various classes will be having discussions and lessons around mental health and mental health illnesses and encourage help-seeking amongst young people. On Thursday, January 25th it is Bell Let’s Talk Day and students are encouraged to wear blue.  Please check out https://letstalk.bell.ca for additional information on facts and how you can help someone. You can also check out our School Board website for curriculum taught around the topic of Mental Health. Mental Health & Well-Being (wcdsb.ca)

 

Here are some tips to promote good mental health practices:
  • Spend time doing something you enjoy. This activity can be done on your own or with a group of people.
  • Take breaks. Give yourself permission to rest and relax. Doing “nothing” is actually doing something. It’s helping you build your strength for the next challenge.
  • Help others. When you take time to be kind to others or get involved in something bigger than yourself, it can give your mental health a boost. Small things that don’t take a lot of your energy can sometimes make a huge difference to someone else. Say “hi” to someone new in the halls, invite someone to sit with you at lunch, hold the door open for someone, and see if it gives you a lift too.
  • Be grateful and notice the good things. It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives that happen in life. Instead, look for the positives each day, even in situations that might seem bad. When negative things happen, ask yourself what lesson you can learn from it.
  • Get sleep. We know school starts early and you may like staying up late, so you might not get enough sleep all the time. But aim to get 8 or more hours of sleep most nights.
  • Try to increase your water intake – carry a water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated throughout the day. Consider decreasing or discontinuing your caffeine intake – caffeine has been shown to create a stress reaction in your body and might cause you to feel nervous, irritable or restless.
  • Fuel yourself well.  Sometimes it helps to have a healthy snack nearby so you can refuel easily and avoid getting “hangry”.
  • Try to limit screen time. Research has linked social media use with mental health issues – you’ve probably heard this before. Using social media can cause us to compare ourselves… we do this without noticing, so it can be hard to stop. Many cell phones let you set timers on apps to help you limit how much you use them.
  • Move! Physical activity is good for our mental health. It can be as simple as taking a walk or joining an activity at school – it’s a great way to meet people who you can be active with.

Family Literacy Day

January 27th – Are you familiar with Family Literacy Day? Since 1999, schools, libraries, literacy groups, and families have all celebrated this awareness initiative that aims to encourage reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. This year’s theme is “Let’s have a family party!” To learn more about Family Literacy Day, visit Family Literacy Day 2024 | abclifeliteracy.ca

Winter Walk Day:  February 7th

Winter Walk Day is the first Wednesday of February every year, and it celebrates those students who walk during the winter months as Canadian weather strong!  Students are encouraged to dress for the weather, understand special winter walking tips, and join their peers in the walk to and from school.  Register for a chance to win a $20 Indigo gift card! Walk/wheel from home or park and walk a few blocks to qualify.  https://forms.gle/x7uDBD5mfdFy49UA6

WCDSB School Climate Survey

Before the March Break, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) will be conducting school climate surveys to collect information from students and families. While the Ministry of Education requires all school districts to conduct these surveys (Education Act s.169.1(1)(a), (a.1), (a.2) and PPM 145), we are committed to providing a safe, caring, and inclusive place for everyone in our schools. The purpose of the school climate surveys is to assess the perceptions of safety (e.g., from students, and families), make informed planning decisions about programs to help prevent bullying and promote safe and inclusive schools, determine the effectiveness of programs on an ongoing basis, and build and sustain a positive school climate. Below you will find details related to each survey in the link below:
WCDSB MDI Notice of Collection (2024) – Family Letter.docx (sharepoint.com)

Staffing

Due to current pressures on staffing, your child(ren)’s class may be without an Itinerant Planning Time Teacher in JK to Grade 3 and an Itinerant Music Teacher for Grades 4 to 8. The school board is actively strategizing and working to address the concern, but in fairness to all, we wish to proactively communicate this concern to you. Please reach out to your child(ren)’s teacher if you have any questions.

Grade 7 Spanish Exchange Trip

WCDSB grade 7 students: Do you want to have an incredible International Experience with other students from around the Region? Would you like to learn Spanish, travel to Spain, and make new friends?  We are once again offering students who are currently in grade 7 the opportunity to be a part of the 2024-25 Grade 8 Spanish Exchange. If you would like to learn more, plan to come to one of our VIRTUAL Information session TONIGHT, at 6:00 pm.

Please complete the following form to ensure you receive follow-up information Gr 8 Spanish Exchange Information Meeting 2024-25