March 8, 2024

School Reminders:

1. Make it Sow Fundraiser – place your order before March 17. Visit the School Council page for ordering information.

International Women’s Day

Today, we acknowledged International Women’s Day. The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 is Invest in women: Accelerate progress. Through our individual actions, we can collectively help to create a gender equal world. This year’s theme is a reminder that gender equality is one of the most effective ways to build healthier, more prosperous, and more inclusive communities. 

Ramadan

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin in the evening on Sunday, March 10, 2024 and end on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting and contemplation for people of the Muslim faith. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is referred to in the Qu’ran as a blessed month in which the teachings of the Qu’ran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. 

During Ramadan, many Muslims fast during the hours of daylight and increase their focus on prayer and contemplation. At the end of each day the fast is traditionally ended with a prayer and a light meal called the iftar. 

Ramadan is considered a time for Muslims to recommit themselves to cultivating spiritual renewal within themselves and their communities, as well as practicing compassion and generosity for others.

During lunch, as an option for  Muslim students, a quiet, comfortable space away from food sources for students who are fasting will be provided. Students can come to the office and see Ms. Anand and Ms. Trim if this is something that they would like to take advantage of and we will let them know where this space is located.

Ramadan Mubarak to staff, students, parents and members of Muslim communities who will be observing Ramadan. 

Student Leadership – March Focus is Breathwork

The student leadership team has worked hard to prepare resources for the staff and students at Lincoln Alexander around their March focus of breathwork.  The goal for well-being this year at LAPS is to develop common language and strategies to self-regulate when our mind or body is feeling dysregulated.  The team has created posters, bulletin boards, announcements and a slide deck with videos to teach the LAPS community a variety of breathwork strategies including square breathing, triangle breathing and five finger breathing.  There are a long list of benefits of using breathwork, such as helping our body and mind to feel calmer, it improves our mood and helps us to focus. Check out the links if you’d like to use these strategies at home!

School Immunization

If your child needs vaccines, such as those required by law to attend school in Ontario, York Region Public Health provides free student catch-up immunizations to all eligible students in JK to Grade 12 by appointment only. It’s also important that you report your child’s vaccination to York Region Public Health. Please read this important message from York Region Public Health on vaccinations.

First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Self Identification

If you would like to declare your Indigenous ancestry, please download and complete the self-identification form below and return it to the school office.