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8OD – “The Light in Hidden Places” DRAGONS CORNERBackground - Over Placesthe past couple of months, class 8OD has been studyingand researching various topics regardingantisemitism and discrimination towards people of Jewish heritage. While reading the novel “The Light in Hidden Places”,not only did we learn about the injustice and prejudice towards Jews, we also learned many valuable lessons; the mainone being bravery. Based on a heroic true story during World War Two, Stefania Podgorska, a young Polish girl, enduresmany struggles in her life at the risk of death, all for an attempt to protect thirteen Jews that she doesn't even know. Thissame ideology, although not as common, can be applied to our society today. You don't have to be part of the LGBTQ community in order to support it, you don't have to be Black in order to fight against racism targeting the Black community,and you don't have to be Asian to play your own part to stop Asian hate. This is exactly how Stefania made her sacrificialefforts to protect Jews when she was Polish. Our problem wasn't actually the Holocaust alone, it was the history of hateand all the factors leading up to it; the idea of supremacy and being better than another race.Below is some work produced by the students of Class 8OD (reflections and art) based on our study of the bravestory of Stefania Podgorska and her fight against antisemitism during WW2.Agamograph art of Max Diamant (One of thirteen Jews saved by Stefania Podgorska) – R.S.The Light in Hidden Places is a novel that entails a myriad of intense, disquieting scenes that often have us enthralledthroughout. The main character of the novel, Stefania, is an exemplar of a gallant, persevering, altruistic person; this entirenovel serves as a testament to that and is one of the first things that struck me about Stefania while reading. These qualitiesof Stefania are on full display in one of the parts that moved me the most, Izio in his tormented state and his death. Seeinghow desperate Izio got, “You have to get me out Get me out, Fusia. Please. Please.” nearing his death was one of the mostheart-wrenching parts of the entire story. Even though Izio knew he was going to suffer and die, “They know you’re goingto die, so they play with you. Like a toy. Beat and starve. Humiliate. Torture. They shoot men in the woods, then crush theirbones so they can’t be found ”, he still had the desire and will to live, even in his weakened state when most would justwish for their suffering to end, which makes Izio’s death all the more depressing. Stefania’s response to Izio’s death andhow he died, attests to her character. Izio’s death reminded me of when my grandmother had passed away, although shepassed away in a peaceful manner and had lived a long, peaceful life, many of my family member’s response to it was astate of grief and depression for a period of time; seeing how Stefania responded to the death of her main love interest wasa truly, gallant display of character seeing how she persevered through it, with the pressure of the survival of the remainingDiamants on her shoulders. The Light in Hidden Places was a remarkable and informative read, shedding light on so manychallenges the Jews encountered during the holocaust; Nazis insinuating Jews as cynical sub-humans, horrible livingconditions of the ghetto (“The Pianist” movie was exceptional at showcasing these terrible conditions), the sadistic mannerin which they were tortured and executed, and the remarkable heroism of individuals such as Stefania. – O.H.Throughout all our class reading sessions and the documentaries we've watched; I can confidently say that I've never beenmore intrigued and interested as to what will happen in a story more than this one. The entirety of the novel revolves aroundvarious themes that can apply to real life situations such as making sacrifices for loved ones, heroism, and courage. Formany people, they lack those three strengths that Stefania possesses, and they would probably fold in many of the situationsshe faced. Although many of us would like to believe that we'd perform the same acts of heroism and bravery as Stefaniathroughout the novel, if we were put into a situation where two SS Officers were knocking on the door and leaving us withtwo choices to either save thirteen Jews or let them go to death camps, we'd fold under pressure. Humans are far more noblein their heads than what they'd actually do in the same exact scenario and that's a known fact. Fusia contradicted that. Herintrepid acts, in order to save 13 Jews, were outstanding, almost as if it was a skill. It required patience and a strong amountof courage. Owing to the fact that Fusia was well aware that if she and Helena got caught the consequences would be harsh(be tortured and possibly killed), they still proceed with all their efforts to protect the Jews by not ratting them out to the SSofficers. It's evident that a big part of Helena's and Fusia's persona is commitment. There's no real purpose or benefit thatthey're getting out of their heroic actions. They did it from the goodwill of their hearts. Despite getting hurt from time to timeand going through instances where all the weight was on her shoulders, Fusia persevered as victorious, and her good deedsfinally paid off when the Russians won the war in the end. After many wars and conflicts in our world, it's fascinating howour differences and people's ignorance are a recurring trend. It's just heartbreaking that even though the Holocaust is over,millions of Jews died for no reason and some of their family members are still alive to this day and are missing a loved one.History repeats itself and if we make no efforts to stop it, this is just going to happen again. -V.T.

WWTWC (We Welcome the World Centre) StaffNala, Raana and Bikrampresented an informative presentation on Wednesday, May 19 from 2:30-3:30pm,titled,"Making My Way - Secondary School Options: Enhance Your Teen's SchoolExperience".Many parents asked for the link to the taped version to share with their children.Please find below the link.Thank c520-4ba2-a926-b4b2cdd1d5baMichelle CraigESL TeacherPride Month takes place in June to celebrate andrecognize the many achievements and contributions of 2SLGBTQ communities.Throughout the month of June, the Pride flag will be raised at all Peel schools and worksitesto demonstrate that our schools are safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments wherestudents, staff and families who identify as a part of 2SLGBTQ communities are valued andsupported.During Pride Month we encourage staff, students, families, and our communities to spendsome time learning about the many achievements and contributions of the 2SLGBTQ communities in addition to learning about their history, trials, and tribulations.Peel Board Recognizes.Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, June 8.The Peel board will recognize the contribution of school crossing guards on Crossing GuardAppreciation Day, June 8. The board encourages students, parents, and staff to take amoment to thank the neighbourhood crossing guards who help to ensure a safe journey toand from school for thousands of students every day.Thank you for all your Help!!

Preparing For the Summer SunExcessive exposure to the sun can lead to health concerns such as sunburn and skin cancer.As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, it is necessary to apply sunscreen toprotect ourselves from too much sun damage and burns.In summer, we are exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) rays. This exposure is a riskfactor for developing skin cancer and cataracts later in life. The UV index is the measurecommonly used in Canada to assess the strength of the sun’s UV rays risk on a given day.What is the UV Index?The index scale ranges from 0 to 10. The higher the value, the more intense ultraviolet rays.The UV index is calculated daily by Environment Canada using ozone and weather information. It can vary from dayto day with changes in the ozone layer – the thinner the ozone layer, the higher the index reading.How to protect your family from the sun? Wear a hat (preferably with a broad brim), sunglasses and protective clothing on sunny days.Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater whenever you're outdoors.Encourage your children to play in shady areas if they are outside for a long period of time.Remember that sunburn can occur even on a cloudy day, as up to 80 per cent of UV rays can penetratelight clouds, and 40 per cent of UV rays can bounce back from sand, water, or concrete.WARM WEATHER TIPSBYBrenda ShinIt’s great the sun is out and being outside is enjoyable with the warmertemperatures. Following some safety precautions will allow you to enjoy being outside andbeing active in safe way. Some tips include:a) Hydrate - before, during and after an activity. Hydration can be in the form of water,fruits such as oranges and apples, or vegetables like cucumber or celery.b) If exercising outdoors, bring a water bottle with you, to drink water when needed. Aswell, bring a healthy snack to keep your energy levels up.c) Know when to head outside - avoid the warmest/hottest part of the day. Earlymorning, or late evenings are the best times, when it is a bit cooler.d) Wear light coloured clothing - the lighter the colour, the less absorption of heat fromthe sun will happen.e) Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses - need to protect your skin, head, and eyes.f) Pay attention to how your body is feeling - are you feeling lightheaded, nauseous,dizzy? Find a cool place to sit, or stop the activity, altogether.

Summer TimeByBrenda ShinSummer Activities:Have a picnic in the backyard.Complete a puzzle - jigsaw, Sudoku,logic. The options are endless!Create artwork on the driveway withsidewalk chalk.Find a new recipe and make it with yourparents.Learn a family recipe to make for yourfamily one night.FindsomeDIYprojectstocomplete. Cross stitch, diamond art andbuilding a birdhouse are a few of manygood options to choose from.Read for 20 minutes a day.Colour.Where and when it is safe to do so:Go for a walk, a bike ride, a run.Work on hand-eye coordination skills,in basketball, soccer, and volleyball.Skills also include playing games, suchas four square, hopscotch, and tag.Go on a scavenger hunt in theneighborhood.Mindful Practices Over the Summer:Practice gratitude every day. Who can you thank?Who can you reach out to?Find the positives each day.What has brought you joy during the day?What made you laugh? Who made you laugh?Breath - when feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take slow, deep breaths in, hold for a fewseconds, and then release slowly. Do this a few times or until you feel calmer.Move every day for 20 minutes, where and when it is safe to do so. Get some sunshine - itwill help elevate your mood.It is time to relax and rejuvenate.Wishing everyone an enjoyable summer! Stay safe!

“Summer Is Here!”From the PDSB Mental Health ResourceTeamCongratulations for making it this year! We want toacknowledge the uncertainty and ongoing stress that theglobal pandemic has placed on families and children. Ithas been difficult to engage in regular routines, whetherthat is your children sitting in a classroom with friendsand teachers, or lack of social connections, orparticipation in social/cultural activities it has beenchallenging. We applaud you for your continued display ofstrength and resilience during these unprecedented times.The summer is almost here! How can we engage andsupport our children to maintain the family’s overallwellbeing? Here are some tips to help transition your childfrom school year to the summer break: Maintain Routines: Although your child(ren) willnot be attending school, it would be great to keepaspects of their day-to-day schedule. Maintainingconsistent wake up, meal and bedtimes, andminimizing children down time, highly benefitsoverall physical and mental well-being, and canallow children to maintain a sense of stability. Time with Family and Friends: Allow balancedtime for play dates, phone calls, visits with familyand friends, while adhering to guidelines of PublicHealth Ontario. If children can maintain socialconnections over the summer, it may help intransitioning back to school. Have Fun Learning: Children can continue tolearn in the summer while having fun! Whetherthat is done through nature walks, baking, doingpuzzles, expressing creatively the options areendless! These practices can encourage positiveself-expression, emotional regulation, andinterpersonal skills.Be Kind to Yourself: Remember to take care ofyourself and model your own self-care; here aresome ideas to support your personal resilience:Personal Resiliency Tips During Covid-19Pandemic.Reach Out: Great supports and tips to supportyour children during the pandemic can be foundhere: Support your child's mental health duringCovid-19. PDSB’s Be Well Support Line will alsobe running in the summer! This is a free, noncrisis, confidential support line for PDSBparents/caregivers and students. Feel free toconnect with experienced Mental HealthResource Clinicians during the summer, ifneeded.If you are concerned about your child’smental health or have questions about how totalk to your child about difficult topics, visithttp://bit.ly/PDSBStudentMH-WB for furtherinformation and links to school and communityresources. The PDSB Mental Health ResourceTeam is made up of registered psychologists andsocial workers.Follow them on Twitter@MHRTPeel to join the #WELLinPEELconversation.Be Well Support LineThe Peel District School Board has launched Be Well,a mental health support line to provide students inkindergarten to Grade 12 and their caregivers withdirect access to registered mental health professionalsfrom social work and psychology departments.As part of the board’s ongoing commitment to promotepositive mental health, students and their caregiverscan receive: Confidential support Non-crisis individual consultation and counselling Identity-specific student support, includinginformation and referrals to school and communitymental health servicesThe support line will operate throughout thesummer months until Aug. 31. To access support,students and caregivers can reach registered mentalhealth staff by: Phone: 905-890-1010 ext. 2608 Email: bewell@peelsb.com An online service request via bit.ly/PDSB-BWSLHours of operation for the support line is as follows: Monday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Please note: While staff are available to providecounselling services, this is NOT a 24/7 service oran emergency and crisis line. Caregivers are advisedto get help via emergency services in the event of acrisis. Hours of operation may change during thesummer months.EMERGENCY: Call 911 / Visit your local hospitalemergency roomURGENT: 416-410-8615 (Every Mind Crisis Service),905-278-9036 or 1-888-811-2222 (Peel CrisisResponse for 16 yrs ) or Kids Help Phone (1-800668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868)Support from Black mental health workers,2SLGBTQ mental health workers, and a numberof other staff with specific identities andlanguages spoken will be available if that is apreference. Students and caregivers also have theoption of requesting confidential interpretationservices, if needed.For more additional mental health and wellbeing information and resources, visit ourMental Health and Well-Being page.Mental Health and Well-Being page.

Register today for Adult ESL or LINCclassesDo you know an adult who is interested inimproving their English language skills for work,study or daily life?Through the Continuing & Adult Educationdepartment, the Peel District School Board offersa wide variety of English language classes thathelp adult learners experience success inCanadian English in both listening/speaking andreading/writing. Courses are designed for a rangeof basic, intermediate, and advanced English(Levels 1 to 8) as well as the more experiencedlearner needing to prepare for an IELTS exam.To learn more or to register, call 905-2706000, then press 2Also visit www.peelschools.org/adulteducation orfollow us on Twitter: @PDSBLearnESLClasses are ongoing - Register anytime.All learners who complete a session will earn acertificate of learning from the Peel District SchoolBoard. Certificates of completion at CanadianLanguage Benchmark level 4 and greater can besubmitted as proof of language proficiency forCanadian Citizenship applications.Currently, our classes are offered online, usingGoogle Classroom. Our dedicated staff will supportyou with basic digital skills, and logging into ourclassrooms.Classes operate from six locations in Brampton andMississauga with three specially designed adult centeris at: Bramalea - Adult Education Centre –Bramalea Secondary School, 510 BalmoralDr, Brampton, Door #33 Brampton - Adult Education Centre - #300 7700 Hurontario Street, Brampton Mississauga - Adult Education Centre - 1490Ogden Drive, Mississauga, ON L5E 2H8The Peel District School Board’s We Welcome the World Centres located in Brampton,Malton and Mississauga, are the first point of contact for all newcomer families tobecome familiar with the educational system in Peel. The centres are open all year—including the summer months— from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.mDue to pandemic restrictions, please note that all Welcome Centre locations areclosed to the public at this time. Registrations and assessments for students newto Peel are continuing virtually. To book an appointment to begin registrationprocess, please call 905-366-8791 or email welcomecentre@peelsb.com.In addition to providing literacy and numeracy assessments, the We Welcome theWorld Centres provide newcomers with a host of services including orientation,interpretation, and referrals.At each centre, parents/guardians and students will discover: settlement service information age and grade appropriate educational and related program resources information about various community supports. translation of materials to support the reception and assessment process. computer portals— providing information on Peel resources.For more information about the We Welcome the World Centre and the servicesthey provide, call 905-366-8791.

Soccer Day Camp

The Selfie Project by 6 F and 7 G Students Medium: Photography . DRAGONS CORNER . and you don't have to be Asian to play your own part to stop Asian hate. This is exactly how Stefania made her sacrificial efforts to protect Jews when she was Polish. Our problem wasn't actually the Hol