Dragon News June 4th

Dragon News 

June 4, 2021

Message from Chief RoseAnne Archibald

“National Indigenous History Month is a time to honour the contributions, sacrifices and advancements Indigenous Peoples’ have made throughout the creation of the country that is now called ‘Canada.’ This is also a time to reflect and remember those we have lost in the fight for acknowledgement of our Inherent, Treaty and Human Rights.

This is also a time to celebrate and share our heritage, cultures, languages, songs and dance of the many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across this land. By sharing our history and traditions with Settler-Canadians, we develop shared respect and bond over this land that we now share.

I now invite you to take the time to learn more about our true shared history and the many Indigenous people and organizations throughout Canada that have and are bringing awareness to ensure our culture thrives, our people and ways are protected, and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada are respected.

June 1st marks the beginning of Italian Heritage Month in Canada, where we honour and celebrate the exceptional contributions of Canadians of Italian origin in shaping our society.

Canada is home to more than 1.5 million Canadians of Italian descent, which makes it one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world. Italian Heritage Month is the perfect time to recognize and showcase the rich culture and heritage of Italian Canadians, as well as their ongoing contributions to building a stronger, vibrant and more inclusive Canada.

The start of Portuguese Heritage Month in Canada, when we recognize the immense contributions Canadians of Portuguese origin have made to the growth and development of our country.

Canada is home to one of the biggest Portuguese diasporas in the world, with almost half a million people of Portuguese descent. This community hails from many different Portuguese regions and they have kept their individual traditions, language, and culture alive. Throughout our history, members of the Portuguese community, Luso-Canadians, have influenced every aspect of our national fabric and made Canada a stronger and better country.

The first Pride celebration held in Toronto was just three years after the Stonewall Riots in New York in June 1969, an event that sparked the gay liberation movement, and was a fairly modest affair — a picnic on the Toronto Islands.

Within a few years, thousands were attending the annual Gay Pride parade, and by 2011 more than 1.2 million attended Pride Toronto. At WorldPride 2014 in Toronto, the fourth WorldPride and the first in North America, an even larger crowd gathered.  A lot has happened in the years since the Stonewall Riots. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community in Canada has made major strides toward mainstream acceptance and legal equality, with notable progress in health care, the right to adopt, and the right to marry.  There is still a lot of work to do to ensure that people who are LGBTQ are respected and enjoy the same rights to equality and freedom as everyone else.  We each have a part to play in making this happen.

@DDSBSchools and the DDSB Student Senate are checking in and asking for feedback on your in-person learning experience (including the move to remote learning). Participate in the InPerson ThoughtExchange https://tejoin.com/397021920 by June 6 at 11:59 pm. #DDSBEngagement  

All youth 12 years of age and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Durham Region. Visit www.durhamvaccinebooking.ca to book an appointment for your family today. 

Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) is currently promoting career opportunities for those interested in becoming a school bus driver in Durham Region. If you enjoy working with children and are looking for a secure part-time job, consider becoming a school bus driver. You can check out a list of bus operators that run in Whitby and Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering and Northern Durham (Uxbridge, Scugog, Brock) and learn more on the DSTS website: https://www.dsts.on.ca/bus-driver-career-opportunities . 

Keeping Your Options Open - Intermediate Presentation June 8th

Grade 7 & 8 students will participate in a one hour presentation titled, “Keeping Your Options Open”.  

Building Indigenous Family and Community Relationships

Students, parents, caregivers and community members who identify as Indigenous, are invited to join us for a conversation about how schools are currently serving Indigenous students and families.

June 8 2021 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The session will focus on the following:

• Sharing DDSB commitments and next steps to ensure equitable outcomes for Indigenous students in the DDSB

• Gathering student, family and community voice

This session is a virtual session open to Indigenous students, families and community members.  We ask all participants to register using the following Zoom link.

 https://ddsb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RaZge662T6KPTRegX9hjrg

Our final SCC meeting for 2020-2021 has been rescheduled to allow individuals and families to participate  in the conversation of “Building Indigenous Family and Community Relationships”.  The rescheduled SCC meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 15th at 7:00 PM.  Please use the link below to join this meeting. 

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ymx-edve-wtg

We are so excited to welcome you and your family to the Ormiston PS community! Last week a site link was sent to all new to kindergarten families. Here is the link again in case you need it! Please explore it fully as there is so much valuable information.

https://sites.google.com/ddsb.ca/ormistonpswtk/home

Moving?

If you know that if your child(ren) will not be returning to Ormiston in September, please contact Mrs. Oram in the office via email: ormistonps@ddsb.ca.  This includes students enrolling in French Immersion.  This information is very helpful as we plan for the 2021-2022 school year.  

Ormiston PS Grade 8 Graduation 

Wednesday, June 23rd @ 6:00 PM for Graduates and their Families

Families of grade 8 graduates, please refer to the information regarding graduation provided via email/ messenger. 

Term 2 Report Cards will be distributed to parents and caregivers on Monday, June 28th.  The email address the school has on file for Parent 1 and Parent 2 on each child’s registration form will be the recipients of the emailed files.  IF your email contact has changed, or any other contact information has changed, please email the office to update: ormistonps@ddsb.ca .  

DRPS.ca –   https://bit.ly/2S28J9S

TWITTER - https://twitter.com/DRPS/status/1400091153014431745

FB - https://fb.watch/5Tj6rqRrFp/

Essay contest is open to those currently in grade 4, who will be in grade 5 in September.  Essays can be submitted from now until September 15th.