Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Waste-free Lunches

Starting this week, the Osler green team is launching waste-free Wednesdays and Thursdays, for the balance of the school year. As in the past, ballots will be awarded to students with waste-free lunches, for draws at our monthly character assemblies.

Thursday, October 03, 2013

The little school with the BIG heart!



To The Staff and Students and Parents at SWOPS, The Little school with the BIG heart!!!

WOW!!! I don't know how else to describe the feeling of seeing the BEAUTIFUL Baskets and Prizes made up by the fabulous people from SWOPS! We as a family have always bragged about what a great school we have in Bond Head, the warm hearts of staff and students alike have always made our school feel like a second home for our children. When Madi started at school she had already been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, and over the years SWOPS has participated in events to raise money and awareness for this devastating disease. As a family, myself, Glenn, Jessie and of course Madi have always appreciated the support. Never did we ever think we would be in a position that we would require financial support to help extend our daughter’s life and improve the quality of that life, but here we are.

We are thrilled that Madi is one of only 100 people in Canada that will benefit from this amazing drug Kayledco, however at the same time, the daunting price, initially said to be $300,000 and actually $348,000, makes it inaccessible for most. When our community heard that funding had been found to finance 80% of the price, it jumped in with both feet to help raise the balance so that she could get on it. Amazing!! I can’t tell you how very thankful we are. Madi's health has improved significantly, so much so that the actual diagnostic test for CF was negative when tested 1 month after being on the drug! In order to maintain her health she must remain on this drug.

We appreciate so very much all the effort put into making the baskets for the fundraiser in Beeton! That fundraiser raised an amazing $16,000, which is roughly another 2 1/2 months of Kalydeco for Madi!!! The fundraising continues, and a Gala is planned for NOV 23RD, among other events. In the meantime I am determined to work at having the provincial government pick up the tab for this drug as recommended by Health Canada back in Dec. 2012.

Again thank-you so very much for your continued support!!

Sincerely,
Beth, Glenn, Jessie and of course Madi!!

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Navigating Special Education

SCDSB offers parents a workshop on Navigating Special Education
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) invites parent/guardian(s) to attend a workshop entitled “Navigating Special Education.” The purpose of the workshop is to increase understanding of Special Education in the SCDSB. The workshop will cover: what is special education; understanding special education processes in the SCDSB; the role of the Special Education Advisory Committee; how to access available resources; communication, assessment and data collection; Individual Education Plans (IEPs); and also provide information on why and when Strengths and Needs Committees (SNCs) and Identification Placement and Review Committees (IPRCs) occur. The workshop will take place on November 27, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the following locations:
Huron Park Public School
425 Robert Street, Midland, ON
Orchard Park Public School
24 Calverley Street, Orillia, ON
Allandale Heights Public School
124 Bayview Drive, Barrie, ON
Connaught Public School
300 Peel Street, Collingwood, ON
WH Day Elementary School
410 Maplegrove Avenue, Bradford, ON
Event information is also available at www.scdsb.on.ca