Each year, students, educators and allies bring attention to the need for safer and more inclusive learning and working environments for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (2SLGBTQ+) people. October 15 is a Spirit Day. It is an annual day in October when millions of North Americans wear purple to show their support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and to take a stand against bullying. Wear purple on Thursday.

According to Vaughan Animal Services, coyotes are commonly found in urban areas throughout North America, including Vaughan. Seeing a coyote in Vaughan is not cause for alarm. Coyotes are not considered a significant risk to people. They are naturally wary of humans and avoid contact with people whenever possible; however, as with all wild animals, humans should avoid any direct contact. Most negative coyote interactions are preventable.

Best Practices to Deter Coyotes

Food

Intentional and unintentional feeding (food habituation) will lead coyotes to associate humans with sources of food, which can result in negative interactions between coyotes, people and pets.

• Never feed or leave food out for a coyote.
• Remove potential food sources from yards, including birdseed, fallen fruit, and open compost. 
• Avoid feeding pets outside. If necessary, promptly remove bowls and any leftover food.
• Store garbage, compost, and pet food where coyotes and other wildlife cannot have access.
• Keep garbage in containers with tightfitting lids. Place containers curbside only on the morning of collection, rather than the night before.
• Do not leave food waste in City of Vaughan garbage receptacles in parks, as this may attract rodents which in turn may attract coyotes or other wildlife.

Water

Remove all standing water sources from properties, such as water bowls for pets and watering cans. Even backyard water features can serve as water sources to wildlife.

Shelter

Spring is denning and pupping season, when coyotes concentrate their activity around dens or burrows to shelter their young. To reduce attraction to private property: remove debris, dead brush and wood piles; cut long grass; secure any gaps in sheds, decks, crawl spaces or foundation walls; secure any outbuildings on the property.

Unattended Pets

To minimize risk to pets, never leave pets outside unattended and always keep dogs close on leash during walks. Free-roaming pets, especially cats, may attract coyotes into neighbourhoods. Preferred prey for coyotes consists of rodents (mice, moles/voles, rats, etc.), rabbits, birds, amphibians, and insects. They also feed on eggs, wild berries, fallen fruit, nuts, carrion, and any found food source (e.g. human garbage). While they may not distinguish cats from their preferred prey, coyotes do not consider dogs as prey. Off leash or unattended dogs can however be vulnerable if perceived as threats by coyotes, or with coyotes who are protective of their territory and pups (usually during breeding season).

Aversion Conditioning (Hazing)
Hazing is an activity or series of activities intended to reintroduce or reinforce coyotes’ natural wariness of humans, to discourage coyotes from entering areas where people are present (such as parks and yards), to discourage coyotes from directly approaching people and pets, and to increase awareness about coyote behaviour and involve the community in coyote management efforts.

Hazing involves generating loud noises, making humans appear larger by waving arms over head, pulling a grocery bag from your pocket and snapping it in the air, spraying water, shining bright lights, using motion sensors, or throwing objects near (but not at) the animal. It is important to continue hazing efforts until the animal leaves the area. We discourage residents from stopping to take photographs, as this only contributes to coyotes being less wary of humans.

The above strategies promote and support safety of residents, wildlife, and pets. The goal is to adjust the way that our communities coexist with nature while re-habituating coyotes to exhibit greater wariness of people, and to achieve community wildlife resiliency while ensuring public safety, as already achieved in municipalities across Canada.

Information from Vaughan Animal Services

Protect Yourself During COVID-19

You can protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by observing the following measures:

• Stay at home if you are not feeling well—even if your symptoms are only mild
• Practice physical distancing keeping 2-metres from others outside of your household members
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often
• Practice good respiratory etiquette
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Wear a face mask or covering when inside public spaces and when physical distancing cannot be maintained
• Clean high-touch surfaces often
• Download the COVID-Alert app
• Avoid travel

It is also important to keep your body healthy and strong by getting lots of sleep, eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, exercising and spending time on self-care.

Practice physical distancing

• Maintain at least 2-metres distance between yourself and others (outside of your immediate household members)
• Work from home where possible
• When going outside for a walk, bike ride, or to play, keep a 2-metre distance between yourself and others
• If you cannot maintain physical distancing between yourself and others, wear a mask or face covering

Unmonitored and private social gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or weddings held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. You must continue to practice physical distancing when gathering with individuals outside your immediate household.

See “Public Gatherings” section at york.ca/covid19forbusiness for guidance on social or public gatherings (e.g., weddings, funerals, etc.)

As of October 2, 2020, the Government of Ontario is pausing social circles. All Ontarians are advised to allow close contact only with the people living in their own household and maintain 2-metres physical distancing from everyone else. Individuals who live alone may consider having close contact with another household.

Practice good hand hygiene and respiratory (coughing and sneezing) etiquette

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for 15 seconds or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Use hand sanitizer safely
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue and wash your hands afterwards
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Wear a mask

Face masks or coverings have been mandated for use in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces, with limited exemptions, including corrections and developmental services under the amended order O. Reg 364/20.  

Children in grades 4 and higher are required to wear face masks or coverings at school and those in grades 3 and under are strongly encouraged, if tolerated and safe. Visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool  

Wearing a face mask or covering helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Face masks are not a substitute for physical distancing and other public health measures but add an additional layer of protection. Visit york.ca/MandatoryMasks for more information.

Clean high-touch surfaces often

• Increase cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces like toys, phones, television remotes, toilets, sink tap handles, doorknobs and countertops using regular household cleaners
• Avoid sharing toothbrushes, eating utensils, drinks, water bottles and towels

Download the COVID-Alert app

Get a phone alert if you have been exposed to COVID-19 , and let others know if you test positive without sharing any personal, health, or location information. Visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covidalert for more app details and links to download to your Smartphone.

Avoid Travel

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health have advised against all non-essential travel. Visit travel.gc.ca for the latest travel advice.

If you have returned from travel, you may have been exposed to COVID-19 by airplane, cruise ship or train (any public conveyance). Being aware of the risk can help you take the necessary steps to protect your health and the health of others around you. Please visit Government of Canada for locations where you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

If you have returned from international travel, including the United States

Self-isolate for 14 days. Stay home and only leave your house if you need urgent medical attention. This means go straight home, do not stop for groceries and avoid close contact with others, even in your home.

The Government of Canada has amended the emergency order under the Quarantine Act to mandate all who arrive in Canada by land, sea or air, whether or not they have symptoms, to self-isolate or quarantine for 14 days. Returning travellers must demonstrate that they have an appropriate self-isolation plan with access to food and medication. People without an appropriate plan will have to self-isolate in a location selected by the Chief Public Health Officer, such as a hotel room, until their quarantine period is over. For more information, visit Government of Canada COVID-19.

If you have returned from travel and you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been exposed to a close contact with COVID-19 or are concerned about your own health, please visit Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment, and Testing to learn about next steps.

If you are over 70 years of age or immunocompromised

Individuals 70 years of age and older or who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19. The Ministry recommends these individuals talk with their doctor about self-isolating, reducing their time outside their home, wearing a face covering or mask and keeping distance from others as much as possible.

1. Today students participated in the Terry Fox Run. As a school we raised almost $400 for this amazing cause! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Marathon of Hope.
2. Today all students who are officially moving to a new class on Monday, October 5th participated in Re-org Switch Day. They had a chance to meet their new teacher and spend time team building with their new classmates.
3. Thank you to the parents who came out to our first council meeting this week. There is great excitement for the year ahead as we plan to promote student achievement, well-being and belonging.
4. Do you have a child who is participating in EVS (Elementary Virtual School)? If yes, we want to make sure you remain connected to Brownridge PS. You will be receiving email communications related to upcoming theme days and virtual community events. Please send us a photo of your child if they participate in a theme day (brownridge.ps@yrdsb.ca) and please join us virtually for any community events.
5. Did you know that we are still celebrating character at Brownridge? Each month we will be having a virtual assembly recognizing students who display the character trait of the month.
6. SAVE THE DATE: We will be having a virtual “meet the teacher evening /curriculum night” on Tuesday, October 20. More details to follow soon.

Have a wonderful weekend!
The Brownridge Team

Ongoing Open Registration for 2020-2021 Adult ESL, LINC & LBS Programs

English as a Second Language (ESL); Language Instruction for New Comers (LINC); and Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Classes

YRDSB offers Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for those who want to develop effective language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for daily life in Canada. We also offer specialized classes in Citizenship and Conversation.

Adult ESL Program Registration – In person and online options available!

1. Email uplands@yrdsb.ca or call 905-731-9557 with the following information:
2. your first and last name
3. your telephone number
4. CLARS identification number (those without a CLARS number will require an assessment, please contact us for further assistance).

• Our office will contact you if additional documentation is required.
• Visitors to Canada may also register and attend for a fee of $10 per day, per class. 

For an assessment or to register, please call: 905-731-9557

If you are interested in improving your digital skills, want to work on your resume or interview skills, or prepare to take your GED exam, our Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program is for you!

Literacy and Basic Skill Assessment – In person and online options available!

1.  Email uplands@yrdsb.ca or call 905-731-9557 Ext. 307 with the following information:

• your first and last name
• your telephone number
• tell us that you are “interested in the LBS program”

NOTE: Due to the high volume of inquires, it may take a few days to receive a reply communication from our office.  We appreciate your patience.

Thank you for your interest in our programs.  We look forward to serving you.