Principal’s Update: Recognizing our relationship with the land
Each day in schools across the Waterloo Region District School Board the territory and land acknowledgement is read as part of the opening exercises on the morning announcements.
Why do we read the territory and land acknowledgment?
It is important that we identify and understand our connection to the land and the resources it provides while also acknowledging our presence as settlers. The land acknowledgment honours the presence and contributions of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral People and the traditional land where our school resides.
Here is an example of the WRDSB's territory and landing acknowledgment:
I (we) would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather today is the land traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral People. I (we) also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws and philosophies of the Indigenous People with whom we share this land today.
From November 4-8, Ontario schools will celebrate Treaty Recognition Week in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and “Calls to Action” (Ontario Celebrates Treaty Recognition Week- OPSBA; Ontario Treaties). At Chalmers Street, our goal during this week will be to initiate reflection, prompt critical thinking as well as generate conversations and new learning in relation to treaties and treaty relationships.
We all have a role to play in truth and reconciliation. I believe that we have a moral obligation, both as adults and children, to engage in this learning and reflect on the events of the past, present circumstances, and our role in moving forward together.
This week in our classrooms, students will be guided in conversations and inquiry related to treaties in Ontario, and we encourage you to continue the conversation at home with your child too.
Think about conducting a little investigation at home, and see if you can deepen your understanding of the following:
- What do you know about the land that we live on?
- What is a treaty?
- How does the Haldimand tract relate to the Chalmers' community?
- Why do reserves exist and how did they originate?
Submit your learning to the office so that it can be displayed at school.
Let’s do our very best to continue our learning in relation to treaties and reconciliation beyond treaty recognition week, and the next time you hear our land acknowledgement being read, stop and think about its significance and how it relates to our presence in Cambridge.
Sincerely,
Jeff Johnson
Healthy Beginnings Survey: Kindergarten to Grade 3
Our Kindergarten to Grade 3 students have been participating in the Healthy Beginnings Program being offered through the Langs Community Health Centre since the start of October. This 10-week (once a week) program assists students in deepening their understanding of the importance of nutrition and healthy eating.
To assist Langs' staff in providing a high quality learning experience for students, please take a few moments to complete the survey below. Each survey completed will be entered into a raffle, and prizes will be awarded to one lucky winner in each class.
Re: Peanut butter substitutions
There are students and staff within our school that suffer from extreme allergies, and we need to ensure the safety of these individuals. The safety and health of our students and staff is our first priority, which is why our schools have procedures in place to minimize risk of anaphylaxis reactions in those who have this extreme allergy.
There is a substitute peanut butter product that is being marketed to consumers as a safe alternative for children to bring to schools in place of peanut butter. The Waterloo Region District School Board asks that parents refrain from including these products in your child’s lunches or snacks.
These products tend to look, taste, and smell very much like peanut butter. While the product is nut free, it mimics a known allergen that causes anaphylaxis in some children to the degree that it is indistinguishable from the allergen. It is a convincing substitute, opening up the possibility that it can be confused as peanut butter, or worse yet, peanut butter could be confused as this soy-based product.
We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in avoiding the use of these products to assist in our continued efforts to create a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment for all students.
A Message from School Council:
We would like to thank the Chalmers' community for such a great show of support in just the first two months of school! Our Fall Fair was a huge success. We raised over $1500 for the students! The feedback from the event has been so very positive. Our goal of connecting as a school community was evident as we walked the fair and saw the abundance of smiling faces. A big thank you to every person that helped in any way and to every participant in the fair. It would not have been a success without each of you!
The Chocolate Fundraiser is now officially over. While we still have a few boxes out there that we are hoping will continue to trickle in, we can confidently say that this fundraiser helped raise over $8,000 for the students in the school. Chocolate sales are our biggest fundraiser of the year! Thank you for everyone who participated. Whether you sold 1 bar or 300, because of your efforts, we will be able to put that money toward school enhancements.
We have more exciting events coming up (like the Book Fair, which begins on Friday, November 15th in the afternoon)! Stay tuned for details through School Day, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Our next School Council meeting is on Wednesday, November 13th, at 6:30pm in the library. Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at Chalmers:
- Progress Reports go home Monday, November 11th
- Remembrance Day- community members are welcome to attend our ceremony beginning at 10:30am on Monday, November 11th
- Parent-Teacher Interviews- Friday, November 15th (afternoon)
- Boor Fair- Friday, November 15th (afternoon); Monday, November 18th-Wednesday, November 20th
