Pumpkin Patch Fair
Thank you to the Parent Council and the volunteers for organizing the Pumpkin Patch Fair. Thank you to the community members for coming to the Fair, so we can support our students and programs. Garden PS is very grateful for your work and your contribution!
Caring and Safe Schools Committee
We have parent and student representatives on the committee, so they can bring their voice to the decision making. We had our first Caring and Safe Schools Committee meeting where we came up with some great ideas including a school wide wellness activity. The whole school will engage in a 5 minute meditation activity that will be played over the PA system as soon as students come in after lunch. This activity helps to reduce stress and anxiety and improve focus and work productivity of students and staff. We are looking forward to starting this great meditation activity on Monday, October 29th.
Wear Purple Day
On Wednesday, October 24, our school will join our community partners, child welfare agencies and the police to raise awareness about the rights of children and youth for safety and well-being in all aspects of their lives by wearing something PURPLE! Children need to know that they have a right to be safe and that as caring adults we will always help them.
Legalization of Cannabis
The recreational use of cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17, 2018. The Toronto District School Board has provided resources, including lesson plans that align with Ontario’s Health and Physical Education Curriculum, to schools to support staff and students. These lesson plans aim to provide accurate information, teach healthy living concepts and promote substance misuse prevention strategies among youth. The TDSB continues to work with Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Education regarding the further development of curriculum and professional learning.
Despite the changes to cannabis-related laws, the recreational use of cannabis is not permitted on TDSB property. Similar to alcohol, impairment is also not permitted or tolerated on school property. As with any prescribed medication, cannabis-based medications are permitted in accordance with TDSB Operational Procedure 536 (Medication).
For more information, here are some resources you may find helpful:
- Government of Ontario
— Cannabis Legalization - Government of Canada
— Your Cannabis Questions, Answered - Toronto Public Health
— Teens, Alcohol & Cannabis: Stay a Step Ahead - Ontario Physical and Health Education Association
— Cannabis Resources - School Mental Health Assist/Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
— Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know (PDF, 891 KB) - Drug Free Kids Canada
— Cannabis Talk Kit: Know How To Talk With Your Teen (PDF, 431 KB) - Ontario Ministry of Transportation
— Zero Tolerance for Young and Novice Drivers - Canadian Paediatric Society
— Marijuana-what-parents-need-to-know
For more information, please click on the link: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Cannabis
Ms. Guffin
Principal
