Breakfast and a Movie is back … and we look forward to seeing you there! Tickets can be ordered on SchoolCash Online now through January 17th.  If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

We are excited to share with you that we will be holding a special seasonal Spirit Day next week.  Wednesday, December 18th will be Winter Holiday Spirit Day! Join us as we celebrate the joy and cheer of the winter holidays.

We are going to welcome in the season and all students are invited and encouraged to wear their finest, festive, winter wear. Antlers are perfect for the occasion! Ugly sweaters are welcome, too. Festive hats will fit right in. Or even come to school in your comfiest holiday pajamas! Or simply display your spirit by wearing your most wintery apparel. Let’s show off our Rosedale Heights P.S. School Spirit this Holiday Season!

December 9-15, 2024 is Computer Science Education Week, an “annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers and partners to the field.” Computer programming–coding–is a part of the Provincial Curriculum, with explicit coding skills identified to improve problem solving and develop fluency with technology, taught throughout the year. Next week, many students at our school and across York Region (and all over the world) will also take part in the Hour of Code initiative. 

This may be a wonderful opportunity to try something new with your children at home, too! While coding may seem intimidating, at first, the Hour of Code is intended for even the earliest beginner (even pre-readers!) all the way through computer-savvy secondary school students –and no experience is needed whatsoever to get started.

A more productive and engaging use of screen time, the Hour of Code staff has created self-guided tutorials and videos on their website so other than your willingness to try, no programming background is required for these activity.  If you want to get involved, simply visit hourofcode.com with your child and find an appropriate activity. Your child can design, code and play their own flappy game.  Or they can leverage the power of AI to host a digital dance party.  Or create their very own Google logo!  Or explore the joy of bubble popping with characters from Inside Out 2.  Or literally hundreds of other possibilities, organized by grade!  There are activities geared for all ages, from kindergarten through grade 8 (and beyond).

While many students will get to participate in coding at school in the weeks and months ahead, don’t hesitate to bring coding into your own home.  It’s a fun way to learn together!

As we approach winter break, it’s a great time to reflect on all that our students have accomplished. December brings a fresh start with the season change and the end of another year. For many, this break offers unstructured time, which can lead to increased screen time. Finding a balance between offline and online activities can support mental health by promoting better sleep, exercise, and healthy eating.

Supporting Well-being

The YRDSB is committed to student well-being through initiatives like Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128, which creates a positive environment and prohibits vaping on school property. To learn more, visit YRDSB Vaping and E-cigarettes.

Winter Break Activities

We encourage you to engage in activities that support wellness, such as relaxing, spending time with loved ones, or trying a new winter activity. Here are some free local events for families:

• Frozen Fridays: November 29–December 20, 6–8:30 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons, featuring skating, train rides, and more.
• Richmond Hill Skating Trail: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Experience Vaughan: Free family passes to local cultural and recreational venues.
• Family Sundays at McMichael: Every third Sunday of the month.
• Tobogganing & Sibbald Point: Outdoor winter fun options.

At-Home Activities

• Winter crafts for kids
• Microwave puffy paint
• Mental health activities
• Virtual museum tours
• Read-aloud books

For more detailed information on these opportunities and activities, see the YRDSB monthly Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter.

We wish all our families a restful and joyful holiday season!

As we approach the winter break, I am happy to share a few updates from the Board of Trustees and to wish you all the very best for the approaching break and holiday season.

Multi-Year Strategic Plan

In October, we launched our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan: Building Unity, Achieving Excellence. The plan sets out three priorities that will guide our direction and decision-making as a school board: student achievement, health and well-being, and human rights and inclusive education. It was developed by the Board of Trustees based on feedback received from the community, and we are grateful to everyone who shared their input. It was important to Trustees to ensure that this is a plan that serves the needs of our students and community. I invite you to learn more about this plan.

Family Engagement

Earlier in the fall, we hosted a series of school council forums, bringing together school council representatives for an evening of shared learning and discussion. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the important role school councils play in our system and to connect with families. Thank you to all of the family members who are supporting the work that we do in schools, including participating on school councils, volunteering in schools, attending events and meetings, sharing information and getting involved in any way to support and strengthen our schools and school communities. Your partnership matters and makes a difference both to your child and to our schools and school communities. Thank you for all that you do. 

Some families have asked for tips on encouraging their children to share more information about their school day. Here are some tips that I hope you find helpful. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with families to support your child’s education, we also recently introduced the Family Dashboard. The dashboard will offer you secure, one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. If you have not yet signed up, you can find more information on the Board website. 

We hope you continue to see evidence of your child’s learning. This year, that includes welcoming school police presentations in partnership with York Regional Police on community safety topics, such as road, bike and pedestrian safety for elementary school students.  

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize the outstanding, dedicated and professional staff members throughout our system who work hard to provide your children with clean, safe, caring and inclusive learning environments. They provide students with learning supports, resources and opportunities that will help them develop skills, knowledge and experiences that will benefit them now and in the future. They collaborate with families and community partners, knowing that these partnerships make a difference to student achievement and well-being. To our staff members, thank you for all that you do. 

Happy Holiday Season and Winter Break

For many in our community, this time of year includes significant dates and celebrations. For those who are celebrating, I wish you a happy and joyous celebration. It is also a valuable time to connect with family and friends, as well as to rest and recharge. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable winter break and we look forward to welcoming you back in January. 

Estelle Cohen, Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5