DR. ROBERT THORNTON P.S. Administrators Message. PRINCIPAL: N. Dindar VICE-PRINCIPAL: S. Makris ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: S. Waite

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1 DR. ROBERT THORNTON P.S. PRINCIPAL: N. Dindar VICE-PRINCIPAL: S. Makris ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: S. Waite Administrators Message November 2015 Website: thornton/ Follow us on 101 Hazelwood Dr. Whitby, Ontario L1N 3L4 Safe Arrival Line (905) Many great things continue to happen here at Thornton. As we walk the halls and visit classrooms we see students engaged in learning. Teachers continue to post Learning Goals for our students to make it clear what students are supposed to be learning and co-creating the success criteria so students can demonstrate the expected learning, Our focus for this year is on creating rich tasks and guided practice across all subject areas and teaching students on how to self-regulate to ensure that they are calm and ready to learn. Students are always encouraged to reach their full potential. Progress reports will be going home. We encourage all parents to discuss the three levels (Progressing Very Well, Progressing Well and Progressing with Difficulty) with your child and have them share their progress with you. Please contact the teacher should you have any questions regarding their progress. Discussing this with your child s teacher will provide you feedback on how you can help your child improve in their learning. The Learning Skills on the Progress Reports are also a good indicator of the type of learner your child is in the classroom. It is important for students to develop strong learning skills not only for this school year, but for the many more ahead. Maintaining open and frequent communication with the school increases student achievement and well-being. PICTURE RETAKE DAY IS COMING! Our School Picture Retake Day is on Thursday, November 19th, Didn t love your child s picture? Simply return your Proof Portrait Sheet and Order Form to the photographer on retake day. If you have any questions, please call Lifetouch at or guestservices@lifetouch.ca Electronic Newsletters Request If you are interested in receiving the school newsletter and important information updates electronically via , please contact me at Dindar_Nazneen@durham.edu.on.ca or at DrRThornton_PS@durham.edu.on.ca and I will ensure that you get on the list. Should you require accessibility accommodations to receive this newsletter please contact our or at: DrRThornton_PS@durham.edu.on.ca

2 November 2015 Page 2 HOME Children today live in a world where learning how to solve problems, applying reasoning, identifying connections to prior learning, and communicating thinking are employable skills that transfer well beyond our classrooms. At Dr. Robert Thornton, the students are developing mathematical skills through a framework called the Three Part Math Lesson. Our teachers have been working to refine this model of teaching Mathematics over several years as a way of framing students conceptual and skill-based learning in Math. Research shows that when students converse mathematically, their ideas grow and understanding deepens. Teachers ask effective questions during the lesson that support more thinking and address misconceptions through comprehensive planning. The Three Part Math Lesson: Part 1: Getting Started Students get their minds-on and prepare for the ideas they will explore in the lesson. They connect to previously taught concepts to get warmed up for the lesson to get the learning going. Part 2: Working On It Teachers introduce a rich question that supports students in developing their own solution. These problems are meaningful and interesting for students to solve who work in pairs or small groups to construct and consolidate their thinking. Communicating thinking orally, in written form, and with learning tools is the key. Teachers ask planned, purposeful, probing questions for the students to support and extend the thinking in their small groups. Part 3: Consolidation After students have developed their solution(s), teachers strategically choose students to share their thinking and work with the rest of the class. This can be shared in a gallery walk where students visit each other and share in small groups or as a whole-class share, or even in a congress style that encourages presenting and defending of solutions. This part of the lesson is the teaching. The goal is to share the thinking so that students begin to see how to solve these problems in multiple ways. Once again this month & continuing each month, we are including tips for parents to assist their children with Mathematics at home. Much of this information can be found in the Ministry of Education s parents guide entitled Doing Mathematics with Your Child.

3 November 2015 Page 3 HAVING FUN AT HOME WITH MATH

4 November 2015 Page 4 LANGUAGE TIPS FOR PARENTS

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6 November 2015 Page 6 DURHAM The YEAR of the ALLY 2015 We all possess intersecting identities; therefore, we all play a crucial role in ensuring safe and inclusive spaces at the DDSB that support high levels of achievement while ensuring student, staff and community well-being. It is important to reinforce awareness, advocacy and action, irrespective of personal beliefs and experiences, and believing in the inherent dignity of all people. On Wednesday, October 14th, Thornton staff and students wore Green to show their support of the ALLY. DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD DREAM IT. BELIEVE IT. BE IT.

7 November 2015 Page 7 Remembrance Day Ceremony As we look ahead to Remembrance Day on November 11th, we wish to honour our veterans and those currently on duty as part of Veteran s week from November 9th-13th. We will be having a Remembrance Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:15am. Parents are welcome to join us. YMCA Dr. Robert Thornton Play ON Program Free afterschool program for students in Grades 1-8 Program operates every Tues-Wed-Thurs 3:35PM-6:00PM Program focuses on Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and Nutrition Education, Health & Wellness Education and opportunities to participate in a variety of Recreational Activities in a fun, safe and secure environment. If you would like to register your child for this program Please pick up a registration form from the office or tina.diamond@ymcagta.org You will receive a confirmation call with a start date after we receive your completed registration HALLOWEEN HEALTH After an exciting night of trick or treating recently, we are sure your children have enough candy to last until winter! Many health experts advise limiting candy intake for your children. Too often, children consume excessive amounts of candy. This can accelerate tooth decay and interfere with their consumption of much healthier foods. Nutritious meals are essential for children to grow and function successfully. Please take steps in your home to limit candy consumption. Thanks for helping your children make healthy choices. PROGRESS REPORTS AND PA DAY Progress Reports will be going home later this Fall on a date to be confirmed. Also, just a reminder that Nov. 20th is a PA day and no school for students.

8 November 2015 Page 8 CO-ED SOCCER Congratulations to our Co-ed Junior Soccer Team: Amelia, Adham, Aksheyen, Callum, Conner, Ethan, Evan, Faith, Isaiah, Jason, Mohamed, Megan, Patrick, Samuel, Sophia, Owen, William, Tommy and Shannon! Coaches Ms. Creamer and Ms. Farrow would like to congratulate the junior co-ed soccer team on a fantastic season. Everyone showed up with a smile on their face ready to play and showed great sportsmanship. We played four exciting games throughout the season and only lost one. On Saturday, October 17th, all of our players played despite the frosty conditions in the morning. We played some pretty tough teams but never gave up and we brought home the silver game finalist banner for the 2015 soccer season. Way to go Thornton Farrow and Creamer Free Math Homework Help! The Homework Help Program offers free on-line math homework support for students in grades 7-10 and their parents. All eligible Durham District School Board Grade 7-10 Math students can register for individual account access to the Independent Learning Centre s online math tutoring at: Ontario certified math teachers provide one-on-one, confidential tutoring support to students from Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. There are interactive discussion rooms for each grade where students can view a current lesson, watch tutors draw on a whiteboard and then type their own questions for clarification. Many rooms now provide one-way audio capabilities, enabling tutors to speak to students while guiding them through solutions. Interactive Tutorials, Best Sessions and Listen-and-Learn sessions are among the resources available for students needing help, 24/7. REMIND For school wide text message reminders and quick updates from Ms. Dindar text the to this number (289) (This is a special phone number that has been created exclusively for this use and does not take incoming calls or texts)

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10 November 2015 Page 10 P A G E 10 Thank you to our S.C.C.! Our Halloween evening was very well attended. Students, parents and the community enjoyed the different games and entertainment. Thank you to those parents who spent lots of hours preparing for the spooky night! Caption describing picture or graphic. To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Caption describing picture or graphic.

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12 November 2015 Page 13 Cross-Country Team! The Durham Final Cross Country Championship was held October 15th at Lakeridge Ski Resort. Only the very best runners in Durham qualified for the championship; Thornton was well represented. The following students attended: Josh, Greg, Brandon, Kieran, Raymond, Madison, Charlotte, Annie, Mariah, Magnus A special congratulations to the Grade 8 Boys Team, who came 2nd place in Durham! Our pennant hangs proudly by the school office. Well done to all Durham Final cross country runners! Gifted Testing Gifted testing will take place at the school for those students in grades 3 or higher who have chosen to write the test. Student will write on November 23rd, 24th, and 26th from 9am- 10:30am. Make sure your child is present for all those days and is well rested. From the Office Thank you to all the parents and guardians who call in when their children will be late or away from school. Our safe arrival program works much faster when we have fewer phone calls to make. Please call the school at and press 1 to leave a message on the safe arrival line. We would also like to thank you for keeping us up to date with new home, cell and work numbers as well as up to date numbers for the emergency contacts. It is very important that we are able to contact someone if your child becomes ill or is hurt at school.

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14 November 2015 Page 15 Dates to Remember Nov. 11.Remembrance Day Assembly Nov Julie Payette FI Boundary Review Open House Nov. 19..QSP cookie order pick up 2-5 pm Nov Photo Retakes Nov P.A. Day Nov Scientist in the School Grade 7 am Nov Bus Safety Dec. 15 Winter Concert Dec Early Dismissal Dec. 21..Winter Break Begins Pizza is sold every Thursday at lunch $2.00 / slice SUPERINTENDENT OF WHITBY SCHOOLS John Bowyer ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Greg Island WHITBY TRUSTEES Christine Winters or winters_christine@durham.edu.on.ca Kim Zeppieri or zeppieri_kimberly@durham.edu.on.ca