September - Teston Village Public School

Teston Village Public School
80 Murray Farm Lane, Maple, Ontario L6A 3G1
Tel: (905) 417-0555 Fax: (905) 417-8368
E-mail: teston.village.ps@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Website: www.testonvillage.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Principal
Mr. David Nimmo
Vice Principal
Mrs. Mary Oppedisano
Superintendent of
Schools
Mr. Robert Dunn
(905) 764-6830
Trustee
Mrs. Anna DeBartolo
60 Wellington Street
West, Aurora, Ontario
L4G 3H2
(905) 727-0022
Ext. 2829
Inside this issue:
Safe & Healthy Schools 2
Nut Free Snacks 2
Safe Arrival 3
Playground Supervision 3
FOIPOP 3
School Agendas
School Council
Helpful Supplies
Office Index Cards
Meet the Teacher Night 4
Bus Information 5
Important Dates 5
Staff List 2008-2009 6
Nomination Form 6
4
4
From the Office September, 2008
We would like to welcome back both our returning students and all of our new students
to our second year at Teston Village Public School. We hope that everyone had
a safe and healthy summer filled with adventure and special times with family and
friends.
This year we are excited to continue our work with students and parents on “Using
Assessment for Learning to Improve Reading Comprehension”, our curriculum focus.
Throughout the year we will be committed to this Literacy goal by working daily with
students to set clear learning targets, use examples of weak and strong work, and offer
regular descriptive feedback to students to help them improve. When you ask you
child what they are learning as they read, your child should be able to respond with;
(depending on the grade and learning target) e.g. We are learning to . . . make good
inferences. We are looking for . . . guesses based on good clues. This will be what our
teachers will focus on over the course of the year.
We encourage parents to volunteer in our school. Our goal is to begin our volunteer
program as soon as we can and to have parents comfortable in our building. We will
also be offering our “Tea and Chat” informal meetings once per term with both Mr.
Nimmo and Mrs. Oppedisano for all those parents able to attend. These meetings
allow for a presentation by the Principals and a time for parents to ask questions. In
these meetings, questions about individual children, or teachers will not be addressed.
These questions should be asked in private and not in an open forum.
We also have a limited number of School Assistants (Lunch Supervisors). If you are
interested in being a School Assistant speak to Kelly Beckett-Bolton, one of our Secretaries.
I am pleased to say that we have created a safe and supportive school environment at
Teston Village. However, this takes commitment and effort on the part of everyone.
We will continue to work with students and parents around this goal. From time to
time we will have presentations that focus on bully prevention and getting along with
others. All presentations and trips will be linked to either a school goal or to curriculum
expectations.
We would like to welcome the following teachers to our school staff: Mrs. Fournier
Gr. One / Reading Recovery, Mr. Boldt SERT, Mrs. Kay SERT. We would also like to
welcome Mr. Colantonio to our caretaking staff.
Newsletters will come out the first Friday of every month, please read them to learn
what is going on at Teston Village. Our Good News Assemblies (EVERYONE IS WEL-
COME) are the last Friday of the month. Here’s to a great year!
David Nimmo
Principal
Mary Oppedisano
Vice-Principal

Page 2
Teston Village Public School
Creating Safe and Healthy Schools for Children
with Allergies
School staff and parents are responsible for creating
safe and healthy environments for students.
This is an additional challenge for schools attended
by children with allergies, especially life threatening
allergies. While it is impossible to create a riskfree
environment, school staff and parents can take
important steps to minimize potentially fatal allergic
reactions as there are implications for the whole
school, not just individual classrooms. It is especially
important that parents communicate a life
threatening allergy to the school as soon as they
are aware of it. Please notify the principal and
your child’s teacher, so that we have accurate records
and establish the protocol to follow with your
child.
Nut Free Snacks
Leaving for Lunch
Students are expected to eat at school or to walk
home for lunch. If your child will be going home
for lunch regularly, a form must be filled out to
confirm this. In order to monitor each child’s
whereabouts, it is necessary to be as consistent
as possible. If for any reason you decide that
your child can leave the school’s premises for
lunch, YOU MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN CON-
SENT IN ADVANCE. This is a matter of safety,
and therefore we require your support, even if
you feel your child is responsible. We ask that
you discuss the responsibility of leaving school
property and returning on time
with your child. Regular lateness
will not be tolerated.
Teston Village Public School is a nut safe environment. Please ensure that you read the
enclosed information about ANAPHYLAXIS carefully. We appreciate your support in
working towards a safe environment for all of our students.
Here is a list of some products that currently do not contain nuts and would be okay to
take to school where there are peanut allergy students.
• Kellogg’s NutriGrain Cereal Bars
• Christie Fig Newtons
• Christie Chips Ahoy and Chewy Chips Ahoy
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Christie Oreo Cookies: large ones only. Mini
Oreo cookie snack packs may contain nuts
• Betty Crocker Dunkaroos
• Nestle Smarties, Kit Kat, Aero and Coffee
Crisp chocolate bars
• Kraft Magic Moments pudding
snacks
• Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Squares:
original flavour only (avoid the
chocolate version which may contain
peanuts and the peanut butter
variety which contains peanuts)
• Christie Barnum’s Animal Crackers, Christie
Teddy Grahams
• Peak Frean’s Family Digestives and Fruit
Cremes
• General Mills Golden Graham Treats, Crisp
Graham Squares and Chewy Marshmallow
• Kraft Jello-O pudding snacks
• Delmonte Rich ‘n Creamy pudding cups

Page 3
Teston Village Public School
ATTENDANCE/SAFE ARRIVAL
PROGRAM
If your child is absent:
1) Send a note with a sibling, or neighbour
before the absence if possible, OR
2) Parents/guardians telephone the school
(905-417-0555) before 8:00 a.m. to leave
a message stating your child’s name, teacher,
and the anticipated length of absence.
3) Contact the school if your child will not be
returning for the afternoon or will be late
arriving at school.
4) Send a note when your child has an
appointment that requires that he/she
arrive late or must leave the school
during the day.
Students must sign in and out in the binder at the
school office, if they arrive late.
IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT AT SCHOOL AND IS
NOT ACCOUNTED FOR BY A NOTE OR TELE-
PHONE CALL, THE SCHOOL SECRETARY
WILL:
Playground Supervision
Playground supervision begins at 8:00 a.m.
Students are supervised outside during
morning and lunch recess and after school during bus departure.
If you are picking up your child(ren), please arrange to
meet him/her outside by their grade’s exit doors. If you
are picking your child up early, please check in at the office
where we will summon your children to the office
from class in order to be signed out.
Visitors to the School
We welcome visitors and volunteers to the
school, and ask that you check in at the office
and wear a “visitor” or “volunteer” tag each time you
are in the school. If you are bringing an item for your
child or picking up your child for an appointment, a staff
member will contact the classroom and direct your child
to the office. For safety, staff are encouraged to question
adults not identified with a name tag either in the
school or on the playground during school hours.
Please notify us in writing or by telephone if someone
other than the parent/guardian will pick up your child. If
you wish to speak with your child’s teacher, please call
the school to arrange a telephone or personal meeting.
1) Call home to check (and if not
accounted for)
2) Call the parents at work (and if the child is
still not accounted for)
3) Call the emergency numbers (and if the
child is still not accounted for)
4) We will then telephone the York Re
gional Police
Please leave a message on the school voice mail
outside the school office hours of 8:00 a.m to
4:00 p.m. or send a fax message to (905) 417-
8368.
Freedom of Information, Protection of Privacy
(FOIPOP)
Information collected by schools on the student
registration form and on the emergency form may
be disclosed beyond the Board for the following
purposes:
• School Council class lists for pizza lunch days,
emergency telephone networks etc.
• In case of an accident or witness to an accident,
the student’s name and home address
will be released to the Board’s insurer.
• The use of names, photographs, etc., used for
displays in the school, newsletters and year
books.

Page 4
Teston Village Public School
School Handbook/Agendas
School Council
Students in grades 1 to 8 can purchase a student
agenda for $7.00. This is an excellent tool for students
to record their homework and important dates.
At the beginning of the school agenda, parents will
find a great deal of useful information that covers the
school rules and routines, as well as the York Region
District School Board policies. Please take some time
to read through the agenda, specifically the section on
lates, lunch time and absence routines. Students in
Kindergarten will receive a school handbook for their
family.
School Times 2008—2009
School Begins
Lunch Recess
Dismissal
8:15 a.m.
11:45 - 12:45 p.m.
2:35 p.m.
According to the Ministry of Education
Regulation 612.0 and in accordance
with Board Policy 262, I formally
give notice that nominations for the School
Council are now open. Nominations will close on
Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. In accordance
with the above mentioned policies and regulations,
this is the required 14 day period between notification
of nominations and election.
Once parents have been elected to the School Council,
those parents will elect the Executive of the
School Council. The election of the School Council
Executive will be held at our first School Council
meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
in our school library.
Mr. David Nimmo
Principal.
Helpful Supplies
THANK YOU FOR
BEING ON TIME!
Parents often ask what their child needs to bring to
school. Classroom teachers will request specific
items from time to time, however, there are two items
which are helpful for every child to have:
* An inexpensive pair of “indoor” running
shoes (which can be left at school when
the weather turns wet in the fall) will ensure
that your child is dry and comfortable
and will greatly improve cleanliness in the
school.
* A bag or backpack will allow your child to
bring important school notices and homework
back and forth to school in good condition.
In addition, please take a moment to clearly label your
child’s clothing. Our lost and found bin is usually full
with unclaimed items, which we regularly donate to a
worthy cause.
Office Index Forms
Each of our students will receive a computer generated
office index form which will be used in emergency
situations. The information on these forms is
essential. Please check the accuracy of your child’s
form, make all necessary changes and/or add information
which may be new or important for the school
to know, return them with the student the next day.
ALL forms must be initialed and returned to the
school even if there are no changes.
Meet the Teacher Night
We hope that parents will be able to join us at our
Meet the Teacher evening, Tuesday October 7th,
2008. This will give students an opportunity to
show off their school to their parents, and introduce
their parents to their teacher. We will begin
the evening with a pizza dinner
from 6 - 7 p.m. and then move to
the classrooms at 7 - 8 p.m. More
information will be sent home
shortly.

Page 5
Teston Village Public School
Bus Information
York Region District School Board Policy states that the walking distance for students from Kindergarten to
grade 3 is 1.2 km and for students from grades 4 - 8 is 1.6 km. Students who live within our boundaries but
beyond the distances stated above, are eligible for bus transportation as long as they adhere to safety and
behaviour rules.
Busing is provided for only JK to Grade 3 students who live at the following addresses; Grades 4 to 8 all
walk:
180 - 282 Ahmadiyya Ave.
All of Mahmood Cres.
All of Noor—Ud—Din Court
All of Zafarullah Khan Cres.
Students JK to 8 who live on the following streets all walk:
All of Tahir St.
All of Nasir Cres.
All of Bashir St.
All of Mosque Gate
1 to 179 Ahmadiyya Ave.
The bussing schedule for Teston Village will be as follows:
Location Bus Route AM Pickup Time PM Drop off Time
West Ahmadiya Ave//Mahmood 2191 7:55 a.m. 2:50 p.m.
251 Ahmadiyya Ave 2191 7:57 a.m. 2:52 p.m.
56 Zafarulla Khan Cres. 2191 7:59 a.m. 2:53p.m.
10 Zafarulla Khan Cres. 2191 8:00 a.m. 2:54 p.m.
If you are experiencing bus delays in either pick-up or drop-off, please call the number below:
Bus Route Number Bus Company Telephone Number
2191 Stock Transportation 905-883-6665
Important Dates:
September 2 - First day of classes
2 - Parent interviews for Jr. Kdgn students
3 - Parent interviews for Jr. Kdgn students
4 - Parent interviews for Jr. Kdgn students
5 - First day for all Senior - Kdgn students
15 - Picture Day - JK– Gr. 8
16 - Picture Day - T/Th Kdgn
25 - Good News Assembly - 10:30 a.m. - gym
26 - P.A. Day
SIGNIFICANT FAITH DAYS
Sept. 2nd, 2008 - Ramadan
Sept. 30th, 2008 - Rosh Hashanah
Oct 1st, 2008 - Rosh Hashanah
October 7 - Meet the Teacher Night
14 - School Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Page 6
Teston Village Public School
Ms. K. Billard
Mr. C. Boldt
Mr. G. Brown
Ms. F. Campbell
Mr. L. Chan
Ms. D. Cipollone
Ms. A. D’Armiento
Mr. R. Chodos
Mr. P. Constantopoulos
Ms. M. Dard
Ms. A. Douglas
Mr. D. DiVito
Mr. C. Eakins
Ms. E. Forrest
Ms. M. Fournier
Mr. T. Gernstein
Ms. M. Hope
Teston Village Public School
Trustee
Anna DeBartolo (416) 969-7170
Superintendent of West Community Schools
Robert Dunn
(905) 764-6830
SCHOOL STAFF 2008-2009
Ms. J. Jovic
Ms. B. Kay
Mr. W. Khan
Mr. T. Krikst
Ms. T. Lindo
Ms. R. Malik
Ms. K. Margel
Ms. S. McCabe
Ms. K. McIndoe
Ms. N. Nakalamich
Ms. P. Oh
Ms. A. Reid
Mr. B. Simair
Ms. S. Symons
Mr. I. Svela
Mr. J. Weisinger
Principal - Mr. D. Nimmo
Vice Principal - Ms. M. Oppedisano
SOAA - Ms. C. Papadakis
Secretary - Ms. K. Beckett-Bolton
Lead Caretaker - Mr. L. De Marco
Caretaker - Mr. S. Neshcov
Caretaker - Mr. G. Colantonio
Teston Village Public School
School Council Membership
Nomination Form
Name:
Nominated by :
Accepted: yes no
Date:
Signature of Nominee: