March - Donald Cousens Public School

Administrators’ Message
DONALD COUSENS P.S.
“Achievement, Equity & Innovation”
315 Mingay Ave. Markham, Ontario L6E 1T5
Principal: Sharon Moss Office Assistants: Anne Beare
By Phone: (905) 202‐8120 E‐mail: donld.cousens@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
By Fax: (905) 202‐8121 Website: www.donaldcousens.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Trustee: Bill Crothers (905) 642‐1759 Superintendent: Ruth Lambert, (905) 940‐7800
Mar/Apr 2012
Upcoming Events
Spring is just around the corner. We have been fortunate to have had a very mild winter and it looks
like the warmer weather is on its way. As we prepare for the change in weather we would like stu‐
dents and parents to take stock of their winter gear. The Lost & Found boxes on both floors are over‐
flowing with sweaters, mitts, hats, winter jackets, boots and uniform shirts. If your child is missing
clothing, or has lost items, please encourage them to visit the Lost& found boxes to look for these March
items. We will be putting items out for display and classes will be asked to visit the displays to help Mar 26– M/W Kindergarten
students retrieve their belongings. It has been our practice to donate unclaimed items to a local char‐ to Goldilocks
ity and we will be arranging for pick of these items by the second week in April.
Also, with spring comes the rainy weather and in turn muddy fields. For their safety, please remind Mar 27– T/T Kindergarten
children to stay away from creeks and ponds. During recess time we try to have the students outside to Goldilocks
Gr. 1 Visit from Firefighters
using our entire school playground. However, when the field is muddy we have the students stay on
the pavement areas. Please encourage students to wear appropriate footwear for the weather (rain
Mar 29– Character Assembly
boots) and when walking to school to avoid muddy areas as this gets tracked into our building.
1:00
As the warm weather arrives, the students begin to play those wonderful spring games at recess such
as, soccer, mini sticks, basketball, tag and marbles. Throughout the course of the day events occur
where children are faced with making choices of how to respond to conflicts when playing April
games. Naturally, at times, conflicts do arise and there are always adult supervisors available to help
students to resolve issues. Students will have access to play bin equipment during recess periods Apr 3– Gr. 8 Band to Mu-
however they may also bring toys from home to share. Please be sure to label toys brought from sic Alive
home with permanent markers to avoid confusion when collecting for the play bins. Just a reminder
that pretend weapons are not permitted at school and rough play of any kind is also not permitted. Apr 5– Gr. 7&8 to see
Hunger Games
Traditionally, the third term is very busy for students and staff. Teachers work hard to ensure the
students consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary for their grade level and areprepared for Apr 6– Good Friday No
next year. This is especially true for our students in grades three and six as they are preparing for the School
annual provincial assessment (EQAO) which takes place at the end of May and into early June. After
school sessions are currently being offered to help our students to prepare for this assessment pe‐ Apr 9– Easter Monday No
riod. All children in grade 3 and 6 are encouraged to participate in these sessions.
School
Finally, thanks to everyone for your support during our junior/intermediate class reorganization. We
have had a steady increase in enrolment since our reorganization and are able to accommodate our Apr 10– Gr. 5&6 We’re
new students effortlessly. I know the addition of these new students will greatly enrich the learning the Chefs afterschool
community at DCPS. We thank you for your continued support of our students, staff and community.
Your partner in education,
Apr 12– Gr. 6-8 Hannford
Sharon J. Moss M.Ed.
Silver Street Band

Teacher Winner #1 Winner #2 Special
recognition
to…
Briggs Michael Kailey Sajiv
Vardakas Amanda Leyla
Mendoza Jasnoor Andrew
Ahmad Sean Andrew
Woo Yolanda Liam
Moon Christar Bahar
Baig Abejith Anton Khang
Shahbod Batul Mathangge
Currie Lavan Sanjae
Rana Brigitta Kristine
Vasconcelos Alden Mohita
Channa Chatu Kajal
Russell/Mueller Preet Rabeea
Thatcher Saad Navveen
Park Kishomi Lawren
Vujanovic Maneesha Abilash David
Demacio Arti Akaash Ravneet
Grant Fizzah Safoora
Golden
Dragon
Award
Michael
Shivam
Robin Ethan
Libby Komitha
Joshua
Adam
Ray
Khaleel Naman
Navalan
Yasmeen
Krisshny Brandon
Sharany
Angelo
Samira
Abilash
Vaitheigaa
Stephan
Virdie William
Chen Jodie
Wall
Initiative in Initiative in
French
French
Avreet Karin

TAKE NOTE!
We are entering a very busy time of year in the music
department. We have two bands that are working
hard on their Music Alive festival pieces with our
eyes to be our best and perhaps be asked to participate
in the finals in Ottawa this year! All of our other
ensembles and choirs are learning pieces to add to our
big event in May. This year we are doing a musical,
“Bullies Anonymous”. Auditions were held before
March Break and our cast will begin rehearsals the
week of March 26 th .
On April 12 th our Intermediate students will have to opportunity to see and
hear the Hanniford Silver Street Band. This band is a world renowned concert
band.
We also have three of our students participating in the Markham Area Band
consisting of about one hundred students from many schools in our area.
REMINDER: These are the current rehearsal times.
Monday: Junior/Intermediate Choir ad lunch, Bucket Drums after school,
Tuesday: Primary/Junior Choir at lunch,
Wednesday: Recorder Ensemble at lunch, Grade Seven Band after school,
Thursday: Orff Ensemble at lunch, Grade Eight Band after school,
Friday: Steel Pans for grades 4 and up will begin again with Mr. Soman on
Tuesday March 20 th . Musical Rehearsals will be on Friday at lunch to begin
with.

Board-Game Club
Ms. Moon and Mrs. Briggs would like to thank all of the primary students
who participated in The Primary Board-Game Club! You guys
did a great job listening to members of your group, taking turns, following
instructions, and having fun, while playing board-games!
Also, a big thank you is extended to the junior volunteers who made
the game possible! Thanks so much for clearly explaining and demonstrating
the games to our younger students. We also want to
thank families who donated great board-games! Thank you!!!
D.C. ’ s Got Talent
In June, we will have our second annual D.C.”s Got Talent
Show. Start thinking about the talents you would like
to share. Auditions will be in May!
No Toy Weapons or Sharp Items at School!
Every student has a right to learn in a safe, caring and supportive environment, therefore, play guns,
swords and knives are not allowed at school. If a child brings the following items to school the item will
be confiscated and depending on the circumstances we will have to call the parents to come pick the student
up.
Also for safety reasons all parents need to take special care that students do not bring any sharp items to
school. This would include knives of any sort including plastic, if your child’s food needs to be cut please
do this at home.
We thank you for your cooperation.
Vivian Outdoor Resource Centre
Each year students in grades 2, 4 and 7 take part in an Outdoor Education Program and on Monday, March 5 th , Ms.
Moon’s Grade 2 class visited the Vivian Outdoor Resource Center. Despite the cold weather, students enjoyed various
activities that complemented their science program. Students learned about how
birds adapt to the winter season, made bird feeders, participated in a scavenger-type
activity to learn about different forms of precipitation and ended the day by enjoying a
steaming cup of hot chocolate! Their class also received two books about nature as a
gift! It was an exciting day of learning!
Upcoming School Visit Dates
April 12 - Grade 4 - Shahbod/Vasoncelos
April 23 - Grade 2 - Woo/Baig
April 24 - Grade 4 - Rana
April 25 - Grade 7 - Park/Vujanovic

DCPS Stands-Up to Bullying
On February 24 th, 2012, the staff and students at Donald Cousens Public School made a clear decision,
to stand united against bullying. Students unanimously accepted our challenge to be upstanding,
caring individuals. We declared this a place that does not sit by and allow another person
to be teased, excluded, embarrassed, hurt, or belittled. Instead, in our school we are going
to strive to be upstanders… people who stand up, together, to stop others from belittling the selfesteem
or value of another person. We have asked our students to speak up if they see someone
being mean-spirited to another person, by saying “Hey, that’s not nice, you need to stop!” In this
school, we want people to be noticed because of their kind and caring attitude.
Students were presented with black and white wristbands that say “I am … change”. The message
implies that each individual is responsible for creating the change that he/she wishes to see
in our school, and ultimately in our community. We can each control our own actions and choice
of words, in order to create a place where everyone feels valued and appreciated. In our school,
we know that we can do better, each day, at controlling our emotions, watching our choice of
words, and striving to be good people to everyone around.
The wristbands do not go home. Instead, they stay at school so that each morning, every individual
in DCPS can take a minute to put it on, and remember what it signifies. It is essentially a visual
reminder about our goal … kindness for everyone; no bullying.
Please help to support the challenge that our students have accepted, by modeling tolerance, respect,
and kindness to your child. Talk to your child about images and messages they receive
from media. Talk to your child about how they feel at school. Set clear expectations for your
child and communicate them so that your child knows how important good character is to you and
your family. Talk to your child about the importance of being a kind person, and the importance
of helping others in need. Talk to your child about not only the differences that humans have, but
also the commonalities all humans share. We are much more similar, than we are different. Talk
to your child about qualities that really matter in people… not clothing, not hair, not material objects…
but instead kindness, integrity, creativity, honesty, openness, acceptance, caring.
When we all work together, to help our future generation value the importance of showing good
character, we take important steps towards making our school and community a better place for
everyone. We can all choose kindness. We can all choose acceptance. We can all be the best to
make DCPS a wonderful place to be.