Baythorn Arts Program

Here is the flyer regarding the regional elementary arts program at Baythorn PS.

The information night is for parents of interested students currently in Grade 4 and Grade 5 and will be held on:  

Wednesday, January 13^th, 2016, at Baythorn PS at 7:00 pm

Food Drive Math!

The food drive provided our students with the opportunity to explore some authentic problems!

Food Drive Math

1. How much food did grade 4 and grade 8 students donate                         altogether?

2. How much more food did the grade 1's donate than the                             kindergartens?

3. What is the difference between the amount of food donated by the       grade 4's and grade 7's?

4. How much more food did grade 4's donate than grade 6?

5. How many food items did grade 2 and grade 4 students donate,             combined?

Swan Lake Outdoor Education Centre

On Monday December 7, Ms. Krackovitch's Grade 4 class had the opportunity to visit Swan Lake Outdoor Education Centre. Swan Lake is an exciting place where we learned about Mother Nature and how to be environmental stewards. In the morning, we were given cameras to take photographs of the beautiful scenery. After lunch, we played a great game that helped us understand why certain animal and plant species are at risk and how we can help. We cannot wait to visit again in Grade 7! 

These are some of the photos we took - enjoy!

MOvember!

It's clear...the staff and students of Thornhill Woods P.S. want MOre MOvember! All month long, school spirit was evident - Plaid Day and Mo Day. Staff and students rocked their favourite plaid pattern and then got creative when it was time to make their moustaches. We raised just over $550 and our male staff raised over $1000 online! Wow! Amazing job, everyone. Ms. Rapp's Gr. 3 and Mr. Carra's Gr. 6 raised  the most money. 

These two classes had the very exciting job of dyeing the male teacher's moustaches funky colours (Stiletto, Electric Lava and Electric Lizard). Thank you to our 8 gentlemen who were good sports and bravely sported their coloured MO's all day long.

 Thank you to all those who donated toward this good cause. Way to go, T-Wolves!

Message From Our Trustee, Linda Aversa.

It is that time of year when our schools brim with energy and excitement for the many diverse celebrations taking place across our region. I am always happy to join the festivities happening in our schools and appreciate the efforts of our students, staff and community members to bring the holiday season alive.

As we wind down 2015, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and guardians for their support of our students and staff over the past few months. A school community is only as strong and welcoming as the people who make up that community. Our students, staff and community members have continued to demonstrate respect, character and commitment in their work and interactions over the last few months. As a trustee, I consider myself very fortunate to work with such supportive community and staff members.

On behalf of all of the trustees and staff of the York Region District School Board, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy holiday season.

All the best for 2016!

York Region Police Safety Alert

Gr. 3's visit Black Creek Pioneer Village

On Wednesday November 18^th the Grade 3 students went on a field trip to Pioneer Village.           The  Gr. 3 social studies curriculum includes a focus on Pioneers and the trip enables students to experience how pioneers lived day by day.

During our visit the students explored the village and learned about life in the 1800's.  They visited various buildings unique to different aspects of pioneer life in the historic village.  One favourite was the schoolhouse. Students were fascinated to learn that up to eight grades could be housed in one room and that punishment may include placing one's nose against the blackboard. 

Another favourite building was the tinsmith. The tinsmith demonstrated to students how designs were created on metal and he shared how important a simple lantern was in the life of a Pioneer. Back in the classroom,  students commented on how life was very different, and yet familiar, in interesting ways. They continue to make comparisons between life in the 21^st Century and that of pioneer times and to acknowledge the contributions pioneers made.

  

Parents as Partners

Exercise your Math Abilities - Mathletics in York Region

Cross Country!

Congratulations to all our cross country runners! 

Out of 180 runners at the area meet,  everyone on our team placed within the first 100. 

Cady, Jordan, Jake and Andrew qualified for the regional meet which took place at Bruce's Mill on October 15th.  Jake placed 74th,  Cady placed 68th, Andrew placed 47th and Jordan came in at 29th!  These runners represented our school in races against hundreds of other students from across our school board.  

Congratulations to everyone and many thanks to our coaches Ms. Luk, Ms. Rapp and Ms. Taylor.  The running club will continue while the weather holds.  

Arts Unionville: Invitation to Gr. 8 Strings and Piano students

Terry Fox Run/Walk

On October 1st, the students and staff of Thornhill Woods P.S. took part in our annual Terry Fox Walk/Run.  This year it was decided to locate the walk entirely on school property.  Our Vice Principal, Ms. Nassar worked with our Gr. 8 student leaders to plan, organize and conduct the walk to symbolically complete the original Marathon of Hope that was sadly cut short 35 years ago.

The Gr. 8's planned routes around the school property and on that beautiful, sunny Thursday, participants ran or walked the laps; recording each one on tally charts (see below). In total, students, staff and parents walked/ran just over 3500 km in one day!  As well, through our "Toonies for Terry" Campaign, our school raised $1, 160 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

This achievement is a testament to the volunteerism and goodwill that is integral to our school spirit.   Terry Fox dreamed it, he believed it and together we achieved it!.

  Go Timberwolves!

Bill Crothers S.S. Information for Gr. 8 students

Increasing Resiliency and Well-being in Children

This promises to be an interesting and valuable workshop!

Library News from Mrs. Wagman

DREAM TEAM AUTHOR EVENT

On Wednesday October 7th, Canadian author Kathy Kacer will be visiting Thornhill Woods P.S. to speak with our Grade 6, 7 and 8 students. Ms. Kacer is part of an author tour promoting a brand new series written for young adults. We are honoured to have been chosen as one of the participating schools.

In addition, our students in Grades 6 through 8 and their parents are invited to a free evening presentation at Brownridge Public School (65 Brownridge Drive, Thornhill) to meet the Dream Team authors of the new Secrets Series. The event will be held on the evening of October 7th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.

Meet Canadian authors Kelley Armstrong, Vicki Grant, Marthe Jocelyn, Kathy Kacer, Norah McClintock, Teresa Toten and Eric Walters for a night of revealing truths and telling Secrets about their contributions to the series. This will be a unique opportunity to meet some of the best and biggest selling Canadian children's and youth adult writers. At this once in a lifetime occasion you can see them all in one place: listen to them talk, ask questions, get autographs and have the opportunity to purchase their books. 

Hope you can make it!

Download the YRDSB App!

Did you know that you can download the York Region District School Board app, YRDSB Mobile, using your iPhone, Android or Blackberry 10 device?

YRDSB Mobile provides parents and students with up-to-date news, access to student resources, school maps and contact information. Users are able to access the Report It tool, school year calendars, transportation information and much more.

To download the free app, search for "YRDSB" in your app store. 

Track & Field - postponed!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We have been informed that the Area Track & Field Meet has been postponed  until Thursday, June 11^th   due to the conditions of the facilities and the expected weather on Wednesday, June 10^th.  This means that junior students in Gr. 4-6 will be competing on the same day as intermediate students in Gr.7-8.

We are currently working on accessing buses to transport all of our students on that day, as originally planned. In case we are unable to solidify transportation our other option is for parents/guardians to drive to Maple High School.  We anticipate buses returning to Thornhill Woods P.S. at around 6:00 p.m.

As soon as we have more information with regard to transportation, we will update students at school and parents/guardians via email and the Blog.

Thank you for your support.

A message from our Trustee, Linda Aversa.

As the 2014-15 school year winds down, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our parents and guardians for their ongoing support of our students throughout the year. We know that parents are our most important partners when it comes to educating your children.  Good schools become better schools when they are connected with parents and families.

During the year, I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy some of the many student performances, sporting events and cultural celebrations that take place in schools across our region. These events would not take place without the support of our school staff. I would like to thank the staff for their work to support student achievement and well-being.

Summer is a great time to relax and pursue hobbies or activities that complement the learning that took place over the school year. Whether you visit a museum, enjoy nature or just catch up on some summer reading, I wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer.

Linda Aversa

Creative Playgrounds

Thanks to funds raised by our hard-working and very enthusiastic School Council,  we were able to enlist Creative Playgrounds to paint games and activities on our tarmac and in the Kindergarten fenced areas.  Students arriving at school on Monday morning are bound to be surprised and very happy with the additional 4-square games, a maze, a map of Canada,  various hopscotch activities, basketball and tether ball lines, etc.  Thank you School Council!

Yogurty's Fundraiser!

Welcome to Kindergarten!

To the parents of JK students registered for September 2015:  

Please join us on Wednesday, May 20th from 6:30 - 7:30  p.m. when we will share on overview of   Full-Day Kindergarten and a tour of our classrooms.  

In addition, your child will receive a Welcome to Kindergarten bag, filled with sample activities related to a typical day in FDK.

We look forward to meeting our prospective Junior Kindergarten students and their parents. 

 See you on Wednesday evening!

The Junior Boys Basketball team represented our school at the Area Finals tournament. They persevered against  6 teams and  came in at 1st place!  In the Regional Finals the team made 8th place against 12 teams and some very stiff competition. They lost in the quarter-finals, making 8th place overall.   Thank you coaches!  Way to go Timberwolves! 

Parent Talk: Just because you can... Does it mean that you should?

TWPS School Council Announcement:

Please join us on Wednesday, May 6th, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. for a talk by Michael B. Waxman, School Outreach Social Worker - Jewish Family and Child Services. 

Just because you can... Does it mean that you should? 

What is the difference between giving and spoiling?  

A workshop for parents discussing these and other questions about raising your children to be independent, supportive and contributing without overindulging them.

Childcare is available -  we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday evening!

Join us on Boutique Night!

News from the Library!

Author Michael Wade

On Tuesday March 31st, students in grades three through five had the opportunity to meet the engaging Canadian author Michael Wade and hear him speak about his popular series And Then It Happened. Since its publication in the fall of 2003, this best selling series has entertained children across North America. Our students particularly enjoyed hearing about his ideas for book 13 and we eagerly await it's future publication. Over twenty signed book copies have been added to our school library for circulation. Check out Michael Wade's website www.boysbookshelf.com  for more information and student activities.


Vaughan Public Librarians Visit

During the month of April we will have the pleasure of meeting the two Youth Service librarians from the new Pleasant Ridge Library. Christine Oosterhof and Dina Stevens will be visiting Thornhill Woods throughout the month and presenting workshops for students in grades one to eight. They will talk about programs in the library and distribute library card applications to the Primary and Junior students. The workshops for the Intermediate students will focus on citations (what is a citation; when and why we include citations in our written work) and checking for plagiarism. Please return any library card applications to the school library and I will forward them to the Pleasant Ridge Library.


  is Back!

From Monday, April 27th to Thursday, April 30th, we will be hosting our Spring Scholastic Book Fair. Please consider expanding your child's personal library and supporting our school with a book purchase. Students will a have a chance to browse through the books, making a wish list with their classroom teachers. On Wednesday, April 29th, the Book Fair will be open until 8:30 to coincide with Boutique Night. Cheques made out to the school and major credit cars are accepted.
Parent volunteers would be greatly appreciated!!! Please contact the school and leave a message at extension 126.


Borrowing Books

Please help your child to return their library books on time and in good condition. There are several students who have returned books with water damage from opened water bottles, making the books unreadable.  A reminder at home about proper book care and returning overdue books would be appreciated.

Happy Reading!    
  
Your teacher-librarian, 
Marilyn Wagman

FDK at TWPS

Our Kindergarten students are learning through play and inquiry!

Dog owners located!

Thank you for your help!  The owners of the lost dog contacted the parent who found her and they have been reunited.  Many thanks to everyone who made phone calls suggesting possible owners.

Do you know this little dog?

Small dog found on Autumn Hill this morning (Monday, April 13th) with leash and collar but no tags. 
Please call 416-710-0579 or the school during school hours at 905-326-8626. 

PJ BINGO and Silent Auction

THORNHILL WOODS PUBLIC SCHOOL 

PJ BINGO and Silent Auction

It’s back!!!!!  PJ BINGO!!!!  Coming Wednesday, February 18^th, 2015. The Thornhill Woods P. S.  School Council is once again hosting a fundraiser that will be fun for our students  and will help raise funds for our school.  So bring your kids for an exciting time.  The best is that they can come in their PJs!  

ALL THAT YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU IS A BLANKET AND CRAYONS/DABBERS TO PLAY BINGO. 

Bingo cards will be provided.

PLACE:         THORNHILL WOODS – GYMNASIUM                   

TIME:             6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

COST:             Families of more than 2 children playing - $10.00

                        (must be all from same family)

                         Up to 2 children - $5.00 each.

Snacks will be available at a cost of $1.00 each

Random Acts of Kindness

Mrs.Hinn's Gr. 4 class turned their portable classroom into a warm and inviting winterized cottage!

Students wrote persuasive letters to local supermarkets explaining their intentions and requesting  donations of hot chocolate and apple cider. Then they informed all parents of their intentions.  During the week of January 19th, under the supervision of Mrs. Hinn, they made and distributed the delicious warm drinks to students at random all over the school!  The surprising treat was enjoyed by one and all - thank you Gr. 4A!

Attention Parents of Gr. 8 students!

Please join us at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28th in our own gym for a personalized Question and Answer session on Gr. 9 course selection!  The staff of Stephen Lewis S.S. will join TWPS intermediate teachers  to answer all your questions and to provide you with essential information. Gr. 8 students are welcome to join their parents at this!

January Library Update

News from Mrs. Wagman and the…

Thank You

I would like to thank all students and staff for being so patient during the library closure due to our renovations.  A special thank you goes to our caretakers who had the daunting task of getting the library in tip-top shape.

Did You Know?

While the library was closed, purchasing, processing and shelving of new books continued. There have been many additions to our already extensive collection. We have many new series, beautiful and engaging picture books, as well as hot-off-the-press new releases for fiction, non-fiction, and young adult selections.

Primary and Junior library orientations have been completed, library schedules arranged, and students are back eagerly visiting the library and borrowing books.  All classes have a scheduled library period with Kindergarten to Grade 5 students visiting the library weekly, and Grades 6 to 8 visiting bi-weekly.  Kindergarten and grade one students must return their library books in the provided book bag weekly. All chapter books are checked out to students for a two-week loan period.  The library is open every recess for Junior and Intermediate book exchanges. Please ensure that you check your child’s agenda or classroom newsletter/calendar for their scheduled library day.

Book exchange is a great opportunity for your child to demonstrate responsibility. Please assist your child to return their library books on time and in good condition. Misplaced, lost and damaged books will be subject to a replacement cost.

Take a look at our Thornhill Woods Library website, where you and your child can view our library catalogue, access the Vaughan Public Library and several YRDSB online resources including Bookflix literacy resource, Encyclopedia Britannica and other wonderful homework research supports. I will also be regularly updating the Library website so keep checking for new entries.

You can access the Thornhill Woods library website at: www.thornhillwoods.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/library  

Forest of Reading Program

At Thornhill Woods we will be taking part in the Blue Spruce Reading Program for Grades One and Two. The Forest of Reading program is Canada’s largest recreational reading program run by the Ontario Library Association. The main objectives of the program are to encourage a love of reading and to introduce students to high quality Canadian picture books. Students will hear 10 selected picture books and vote for their favourite selection. You and your family can obtain more information on the Forest of Reading Programs by visiting the Ontario Library Association website at: www.accessola.org/forestofreading

Family Literacy Day

January 27, 2015 is Family Literacy Day. The initiative was first created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999, and has been embraced by literacy organizations, schools, and libraries all across the country.

For literacy activity ideas that you can do as a family at home, check the Family Literacy Day website at:

http://abclifeliteracy.ca

In honour of Family Literacy Day, we will once again be celebrating our Character Storybook Dress Up Day. Students in grades Kindergarten to Grade Three are invited to dress up as their favourite storybook character. The Kindergarten classes will participate in a parade by visiting the Grades 1-3 classrooms to share their costumes. The classroom with the most participants will win a game for their class. Please remember that your child’s outfit must be appropriate for a busy day at school and outdoor recess. It may also not be accompanied by toy weapons or similar props.

Book Fairs

The Title Wave Book Fair is coming to our school January 19th to the 22nd.   Your entire family is invited to participate by purchasing the latest and greatest in children’s books. The support of this literacy fundraiser will help us purchase new books and resources for our library. Cheques and credit cards are accepted.

Students will have a chance to browse through the books, making a wish list with their classroom teachers.

Our big Scholastic Book Fair will take place in April to coincide with Boutique night. More details will follow in the coming months.

Come Visit the Library

If you have not had a chance to visit our beautiful Thornhill Woods Library/Learning Commons, please feel free to come in and take a peek. Make sure you take a look at the back room! It is also not too late to volunteer in the library! Volunteers can help in the library by shelving and preparing books for circulation. Training will be provided and volunteers are a great help and addition to our school community.

Please contact me at Ext. 126 if you are interested.

Finally, be a reading role model for your child. Surround your home with reading materials such as books, magazines, newspapers, etc. Cuddle up with a good book and you’ll model how reading can be one of the best parts of your day.

Happy Reading to All!

Marilyn Wagman

Teacher Librarian

Thornhill Woods P.S.