Happy Friday Bayside Families!

We know that many of you have been hearing the news of the conflict in the Middle East. The events in Israel, the Gaza Strip and other parts of the Middle East are cause for concern around the world. The situation is evolving quickly. Bayside school is a community, a neutral place of safety, kindness and compassion for all students, staff and families. We are a school community that believes in and demonstrates inclusivity, respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. Together we will support our students and teachers, while respecting the varied needs, values and beliefs in our school community. Currently, more than ever we see the importance of kindness and empathy. All students need to feel safe, respected, welcome and included in schools. Please know that we are here for you if you need support during this time.

Updates and Reminders:

Parking and Bus Zones Oct. 23-27: Next week we will have two classes going to Open Minds sites each day (Mon-Fri). Our bus zone (beside the school on Auburn Springs Blvd) has limited space to accommodate extra buses so we will be placing cones out to extend the zone to allow all of the buses to park beside the school. Thank you in advance for prioritizing student safety.

Dressing for the Weather: Snow is coming! A reminder to parents to ensure your child is prepared to be outdoors throughout the day. Dressing in layers is recommended as the temperature can fluctuate greatly depending on the time of day. Thanks as always for ensuring our students come to school prepared for a great day.

Halloween at Bayside: Halloween day, Tuesday October 31, will be a special learning day at Bayside School. Classes will not be having Halloween parties or an assembly but may engage in Halloween or Autumn-themed learning activities. We know that many of our families look forward to Halloween each year and welcome the opportunity to capitalize on our students’ excitement to enhance their learning.

Please have your child bring a healthy snack for him- or her-self only. Please do not send a treat for the whole class. (Visit Illness and Medical for information about Allergies at Bayside School)

We invite students and staff to wear costumes for the day, if they wish. When choosing a costume to wear to school please remember:

• Keep your child’s comfort and safety in mind for indoor and outdoor play. Make sure your child can wear a coat and indoor and outdoor shoes with their costume.
• Long capes, uncomfortable shoes, or other tripping hazards are discouraged. Students should be able to participate in gym and outdoor play safely.
• Please ensure their vision is not obscured by their costume. For this reason, masks should not be worn.
• Please leave loose props at home. We cannot be responsible for anything lost or left behind at the school before Halloween night. Please do not send costume weapons to school (swords, guns, etc.)
• No scary or gory costumes. Please remember we have small children in the building as well as students and staff with varying levels of sensitivity. We want everyone to feel safe and have fun!

Coming Up/ Dates to Remember:

October 20                  Professional Learning Day, No School for students

October 23-27             Ms. Fernandez’s class at Zoo School, Mr. Corriveau’s class at EcoAction

School * A reminder to these families not to order Healthy Hunger this time

October 24                  Patrols Training for Grade 5s

October 26                  Healthy Hunger (Donair Grill)

October 30-November 3         MacKenzie at Eco Action School

October 31                  Halloween DayJ

November 9                System Indigenous PD Day (no school)

November 10-14         November break (no school)

Have a great weekend!

Darby