Guthrie Public School Newsletter
March 2025
Principal’s Message:
During the month of February, we recognized Black History Month, Chinese Heritage Month, Kindness Week and Pink Shirt Day. Students and staff took part in many activities and learning as we work towards increasing our knowledge and understanding. For our Kindness Week activities each class was given a kindness mission where they completed random acts of kindness for someone else in the school. We are recording all of the acts of kindness to determine the impact that we have had over the mission. It has been wonderful to see our students participating in this initiative and completing acts of kindness around the school.
A huge thank you goes out to our staff as well as our Grade 7 and 8 students for their organization and running of the Winterfest activities today. Student leaders are doing a wonderful job in leading the activities and groups, and lots of outdoor fun is being had by all. Thank you to the Guthrie staff for working to get popcorn and hot chocolate for the event and to supervise the many fun activities!
This week, our Grade 4-8 students were entertained by David Lane, through Prologue for the Performing Arts, with a musical mouth drumming presentation. Our Grade JK-3 students are looking forward to welcoming Jeremy Fisher, who is a JUNO nominated folk-pop songwriter, for a performance on our rescheduled date of March 21st. Thank you to Mrs. Douglas, our music teacher, for organizing these experiences for our students.
During the 1st week of March, we are looking forward to our Winter Wellness Family Fun Night. We hope many families are able to come out and join us from 5:00 – 6:30 on Thursday March 6th. The event will be kicked off with a short student presentation in the gym and then we will move outside for some fun outdoor activities! The book fair will also be running for the duration of the event.
Hopefully with March upon us, we will begin to see more and more sunny days and the mounds of snow that we received will start to disappear. Thank you to everyone for their patience this winter as we have navigated so many bus cancellation days due to the weather! As we are getting close to our March Break, we hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday and that we see a continuation of the spring like conditions!
Mrs. Wright-Drzazga & Ms. Aldersey
Principal & Vice-Principal
Family Fun Wellness Night – Thursday March 6
Join us on Thursday March 6th from 5:00 – 6:30 for our Family Fun Winter Wellness Night. Our book fair will run through the entire event and a short kick off in the gym will begin at 5:15 with some student presenters. Following the presentation in the gym, there will be outdoor activities including a bonfire, storytelling, a forest wellness walk, snowshoeing, sliding, music in the snow, snow colouring, and a craft station. There will also be FREE hot chocolate and popcorn for families to enjoy. We hope that many families will be able to join us for this fun event!
Interactive Family Night - “Raising Resilient Kids and Families: Unlock Your Superpowers!” – Monday April 7th
Parent council is excited to share our Family PRO (Parent Reaching Out) grant evening with guest speaker from RIVERWISE Psychological services from Barrie. We invite families to come out for some games and an interactive night where families will discover the skills to bounce back, problem-solve, and thrive together!
Parents and children will have the opportunity to learn through play and will be given some tools on how to deal with big emotions. We will learn ways to manage stress and challenges as well as learn some easy ways to support resilience at home.
This event will take place on Monday April 7th from 6:00 – 7:30 in the gymnasium.
Don’t miss the chance to build confidence, connection, and coping skills!
Watch on school cash online to register for this event.
Light refreshments will be served.
Important Dates at Guthrie:
March 4: Pancake Day at Guthrie (please bring a fork from home)
March 5: Area Chess Tournament
March 5-7: Book Fair in the Library
March 6: Grad photos
Family Fun Night at Guthrie, 5pm-6:30pm
March 10-14: March Break
March 17: Spirit Day – “Everything Green Day!” for St. Patrick’s Day
March 21: JK – Gr.3, Jeremy Fisher Music Performance
March 26: Bus Safety presentations
March 31: Guthrie Spelling Bee
April 7: Parent Council meeting 6:30pm
April 10: Class photos and grad re-takes
Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser
Guthrie will be running the Pizza Kit fundraiser in support of the Grade 7 year-end trip to Camp Kandalore. Flyers will go home with students in early March. Here are some details in case you want a head start:
Go to PizzaKit.ca, and click “shop for kits” and then “purchase and support a local fundraiser”
Enter fundraising ID: 456094
Last day to order: March 23
Items delivered to school: April 7th
The below information is for SCDSB families for the month of March.
Days of Awareness 2024-25
Please feel free to review the days of awareness calendar on the SCDSB website at scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion.
March Break
Please note that March 10 to 14 is March Break for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2024-25 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Collection and use of personal student information
As students progress from elementary school to secondary school, important personal student information which eases each student’s transition to secondary school is shared. Sharing this information improves our ability to program effectively to benefit all students. The collection and use of personal student information for such purposes is authorized under the Education Act. Please note that all information used for the transition process is limited, secure, and protected at all times. Please contact Peter McLean, Superintendent of Education, if you would like more information about the transition process at Guthrie Public School.
Applications for the SCDSB Umoja Award are open
The Umoja Black Secondary Student Leadership Award is a $1,000 scholarship that is awarded annually to a full-time registered SCDSB Black secondary school student who will be attending post-secondary school in the fall and demonstrates leadership in their school and in the Black community within Simcoe County.
Selection of the Umoja Award recipient will be facilitated by the SCDSB Human Rights and Equity Office. The information provided in the application will assist the selection committee (comprised of members of the SCDSB Equity Advisory Committee and graduation coaches for Black students) in choosing the recipient.
For further information about the award and to apply, visit the SCDSB website: scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=38446766. Applications are due May 1, 2025.
SCDSB families invited to explore math games and activities at Family Math Night this April
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) invites you to participate in a Family Math Night on Tuesday, April 15 at Chris Hadfield Public School in Bradford. The event will offer a variety of engaging math games and activities for families with children from pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8.
Drop in anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to explore numerous math stations, each staffed by SCDSB teachers. You'll leave with valuable math tools and resources to support your child's learning at home. Families are welcome to attend this event, regardless of their child's home school.
Register to attend: forms.office.com/r/PE0K5e1Zjm
Kindergarten registration for September 2025 is open!
Kindergarten is the beginning of a wonderful journey of learning, and we want your child to begin their journey in an SCDSB school! Do you have a child who is turning four in 2025? If so, we invite you to register your child for Kindergarten. To register online or for more information visit: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/kindergarten
Join the SCDSB on Instagram Live to learn about all things Kindergarten!
Do you have a child who is turning four in 2025? Are you interested in learning about Kindergarten in the SCDSB? On Tuesday, April 29 from 6:30 to 7 p.m., members of the SCDSB’s Early Years team are hosting a virtual information session via Instagram Live.
This session will highlight important information parents/guardians need to know about Kindergarten in the SCDSB, including details on transitions for students with special education needs.
To virtually attend the presentation, visit the SCDSB Instagram page at 6:30 p.m. on April 29. To get a head start on learning about Kindergarten in the SCDSB, visit the SCDSB website: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/kindergarten.
Licensed March Break school age child care programs
Child care programs for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are provided by independent, third-party child care operators in some SCDSB schools. To support your child care needs, some operators offer child care on PA days and holidays including over the March Break (March 10-14). Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child care operator directly to discuss fees and to register. More information and contact numbers can be found at: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/childcare_before_after.
Check out the SCDSB News video series
The SCDSB News is a weekly video series highlighting positive events, initiatives, and learning happening within school communities across the SCDSB. Follow the SCDSB on social media to catch all of these weekly episodes, and check out our recent video below featuring the dance program at Bear Creek Secondary School.
5, 6, 7, DANCE! Bear Creek Secondary School is known for its spectacular arts department, which includes their unique and impressive dance program. Watch as we visit the dance studio where Grade 11 and 12 students are creating and rehearsing their final independent study dance culminating activities: youtube.com/watch?v=J9cFwzWwku8
Online math resources for families
Practice math anywhere with Math at Home, an online resource for parents/caregivers of SCDSB students from pre-school age to 16. This resource is updated monthly with games, problems, and number talk activities that reflect the math your child may be learning at school each month.
In March, activities in school and on Math at Home may include grade-level tasks related to using symbols to represent quantities, evaluating algebraic expressions, and solving algebraic equations.
Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/MathAtHome to support your child’s math learning at home!
You’re invited to a learning series with Pine River Institute (PRI)
Mental health and well-being continue to be a key strategic priority within the SCDSB. We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Centre for Family Initiatives at Pine River Institute (CFI@PRI) to provide several curated learning sessions focused on student mental health and well-being to SCDSB families.
Please join us for the upcoming session:
Building our 'stretch zone'
March 27
Explore comfort, stretch, and panic zones to help you and your child build resilience, improve communication, and know when to push or provide safety.
To join in this learning, please visit the SCDSB website to register: scdsb.on.ca/about/well-being___mental_health/pine_river_institute_learning_series. Learn more about PRI by visiting their website at pineriverinstitute.com.
Join the SCDSB for a virtual special education information series
During the 2024-25 school year, the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is hosting virtual special education outreach sessions to assist parents/guardians in learning more about programs, supports, and ways that we work together to support students with special education needs.
Please join us for the upcoming session:
Reading strategies
March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Participants are asked to register in advance. Information to access the sessions will be shared via email with individuals who have pre-registered. Learn more about each session and how to register on the SCDSB website: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions
Registration now open for summer eLearning!
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer school courses in July 2025 (eLearning) and travel for credit courses in both July and August for current high school students, Grade 8 students entering secondary school, or adult learners who are interested in earning a new credit or upgrading a previous mark. Students can advance online learning skills, earn missed credits, or fast-track preparation for graduation or post-secondary in just four weeks. eLearning is fully supported by certified teachers who are available electronically daily.
Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres website at thelearningcentres.com/programs/summer_school.
EDUTravel programs are offered in a variety of destinations including Canada, USA, and Europe. For more information including costs, destinations, credits, and dates of commitment, please visit: edutravelforcredit.com.
Summer eLearning opportunities for students entering Grade 9!
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer school eLearning courses in July 2025. Current Grade 8 students wishing to reach ahead and earn a credit before high school can now register through their elementary school principal. eLearning is fully supported by certified teachers who are available electronically daily. Available courses include:
CGC1W – Grade 9 Geography
PAF1O – Grade 9 Personal Fitness
CHV2O & GLC2O – Grade 10 Civics and Careers
CHC2P – Grade 10 Applied History
CHC2D – Grade 10 Academic History
Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres website at thelearningcentres.com/programs/summer_school.
March cyber awareness topic: online grooming and luring
As we navigate the digital world, it's crucial to be aware of the dangers of online grooming and luring. This month's tip sheet provides essential information on recognizing the signs of online grooming, understanding the tactics used by predators, and knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
It's important to engage in conversations about these topics to ensure everyone understands the risks and knows how to stay safe online. Open discussions can help reinforce good habits and ensure we are all contributing to a safer digital environment.
Access the ECNO Cyber Awareness Tip Sheet for March to stay informed about this month’s theme and explore additional resources: ecno.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ECNO-CAM-24-Infosheets-E-_Part5.pdf
Sleep
Children 5 to 13 years old need 9-11 hours of good quality sleep for their health, mood, and to learn. Regular bedtimes and wake-up times, no screens at least one hour before bed, and a comfortable sleep environment will help your child to fall asleep. Speak with your health care provider if your child has ongoing problems with sleep.
For more information, visit caringforkids.cps.ca/ or simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit