Math is Everywhere!

Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math, Grades 1-8

The Ontario government recently released a parent fact sheet and a
teacher’s guide on Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math in grades 1 to 8.
In the guide, teachers are asked to focus attention on expectations from the
Number Sense and Patterning strands of the current math curriculum and are also
asked to focus on student understanding and sense-making before formal methods,
such as using traditional formulas, are introduced.

York Region teachers have always worked to develop strong number sense,
computational fluency and automaticity with math facts while supporting student
understanding of underlying concepts.  

All educators in our board continue to support students in becoming
confident problem solvers who use mathematical knowledge, skills and
processes to be contributing members of a changing society.  

In order to support  your child with math at home and in day-to-day life,  
the math page on our board website lists useful websites, activities and games
that you can reference and use.  

Thank you for the important role you play in the creation of confident problem
solvers!

Math is everywhere!

Now is a great time to start building routines at home which can support children
in developing a positive disposition towards math.

Providing opportunities at home that promote math talk can support a child’s
mathematical knowledge and understanding.  

Whether you are, shopping, cooking, playing a game, organizing, taking a walk,
or reading, there are many opportunities to highlight math in different ways.

Activities:

Primary - Grocery Shopping

Ask your child to estimate how many of a grocery item
(for example, a type of fruit or vegetable, bread or pet food) your family
will need for the week.

Ask, “Why do you think that amount will be needed?”

At the end of the week, have your child count the number actually used.

Junior/Intermediate - Budget Challenge

Give your child an imaginary budget to spend at his or her
favourite store (flyers or online catalogues may be helpful).
Without writing down the amounts, have your child choose items to purchase.
He or she will have to use estimation to stay within the budget.

Then, have your child add up the actual costs.
Did she or he stay within the budget?
For a challenge, help your child estimate any taxes.

Tips for Math

• Build strong, positive attitudes about math. 
• When children feel positively engaged and successful, they are more likely to stick with an activity or a problem to find a solution
• Challenge for your child.
• If you and your child are more comfortable in a language other than English, use it. Your child will understand concepts better in the language that he or she knows best. 

(Doing Mathematics With Your Child, Kindergarten to Grade 6: A Parent Guide)

To find out what your child will learn in math this year or to find other fun activities that you can do together as a family, please visit http://www.yrdsb.ca/Programs/Math/Pages/default.aspx.  

Be sure to also try our Problem of the Month

Upcoming Legalization of Cannabis

As of October 17, 2018, it will be legal for individuals 19 and older to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis. It remains illegal for anyone under the age of 19. This is the same as the minimum age for the sale of tobacco and alcohol in Ontario.

Regardless of age, cannabis is not allowed on school property or at school-related events at any time.

It is illegal for anyone regardless of age to smoke or vape any substance, including cannabis:

● at school, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20m of these grounds
● on children’s playgrounds and public areas within 20m of playgrounds
● in child care centres, or where an early years program is provided
● in places where home child care is provided – even if children aren’t present

There will be consequences for students if they are believed to be in possession or under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or cannabis. Suspension will be considered. There are exceptions if the medicinal use of cannabis is outlined in the student’s Health Care Plan. If a student gives alcohol or cannabis to anyone under the age of 19, the school will contact police, suspend the student and consider expulsion.

In YRDSB, we want families and students to be informed about the facts of cannabis legalization. To support this learning, you may find the following resources helpful . You can also request a hard copy through the school office.


Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know


Cannabis Talk Kit: Know How to Talk With Your Teen

We will continue to provide students with information and support to make positive and healthy decisions.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to Administration at the School..

World Teacher's Day

In honour of World Teachers’ Day, we would like to recognize the efforts and contributions of our amazing teachers at Fossil Hill! 

We thank you for your extended efforts, and your care and concern each day on behalf of our students and their families to support their educational journey with us. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Families:

Many cultures have a time to celebrate the end of the growing season when all crops have been harvested for winter. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians all celebrated at harvest time and thanked their gods and goddesses. 

Today, throughout the world, we still celebrate at this time. Thanksgiving is a day when people get together with their families to express gratitude for all the good things that have happened during the year: for health, family, friends, and of course, food of the harvest. 

We often think of European settlers as having started the celebration in North America. However, harvest feasts were held long before that. Aboriginal peoples throughout the continent harvested and preserved food to be stored for the long winter ahead and gave thanks. 

Regardless of the country or culture, the story is similar. People gave thanks for a successful harvest in a new land. Since then many other people have immigrated to Canada and the United States and brought the customs of giving thanks too. 

On this day of celebration and gratitude, we wish the students, staff and parents who observe Thanksgiving a happy and restful holiday. 

Free MINI Chefs Program

The Vaughan Community Health Centre will be offering for free the Mini Chef’s cooking program is starting October 13^th 2018 – Nov 17 2018. 

 Every Saturday for 6 weeks for participants 6-8 years of age to attend.