CDCS PLAYGROUND, EQUIPMENT & BASKETBALL COURT CLOSED
This is a reminder that due to possible spread of COVID-19 the playground equipment, including the basketball court is CLOSED at CDCS. Please be respectful of our school and your community. Spread the word, Not the Virus!
Cougar Paws -
Cougar Paws are awarded during our Cougar Pause each day to students who exhibit the qualities of good Cougar character: caring, commitment, dependability, trust, honesty, teamwork, integrity, self-discipline, responsibility, respect. While we can't be at school we are awarding Cougar Paws people in our communities who demonstrate these character traits.
Students can nominate groups (i.e. nurses) or individuals for Cougar Paws by drawing a picture and sending it to Mrs. Louwerse at wendy_louwerse@bwdsb.on.ca Pictures will be posted on the Chesley Cougars Facebook page each afternoon.
Pizza/Milk Orders
Once staff are able to enter the school, Pizza and Milk orders for second term will be refunded. We appreciate your patience at this time.
Clothing Drive -
Though the school is closed, we are accepting donations for the CDCS 2nd Annual Clothing Drive. The new drop off location is 37 Fairview Drive Chesley. Please practise social distancing and leave donations beside the trailer located in the driveway. Only clothing, coats, footwear, bedding, towels, jewelry and purses please. No household items. Thank you to Sue Stuempfle for organizing and to Prestige Contracting for letting us borrow an enclosed trailer.
A message to our Cougar Families,
These are very unusual circumstances we find ourselves in at the moment. There is great deal of uncertainty right now and it can be incredibly stressful. I have been endeavouring to keep families informed through SchoolMessenger and through daily Facebook Posts. Please be sure to follow Chesley Cougars on Facebook, as that is the official school page.
There are many organizations and services that are stepping up with resources to help at this time.
If you, or someone you know requires the support of a food program, please see this link for services in our area: https://povertytaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/community-food-program-list-external_24-march-2020.pdf
The following link includes mental health supports from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Please see the following: CMHA_presentation-March.2020 (1).pdf Other mental health services include: Keystone Child & Family Services, Wes For Youth, and Kids Help Phone. If you are fortunate enough to have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through your workplace, I encourage you to make use of their services as well.
The school remains closed under Ministerial order to everyone including staff until further notice. Once we are able to get back in the building, office staff will be able to address housekeeping issues such as refunding pizza/milk orders. As you can appreciate these things will take time and your patience and understanding is appreciated.
I understand it can be worrisome knowing that your child is missing a large chunk of their academic year. As I said at the beginning, this is a time of great uncertainty. The way we respond to this event is the way our children will remember it. If we are afraid, they will remember it as a scary time. If we surround them with love, care and positive family activities (play a game, read a book, go for a walk, cuddle – yes, even those big grade 8s need a cuddle) our children will have more positive memories and feel secure in their family’s resilience.
Please take care of yourselves, so you can take care of your families.
Know that the CDCS staff and myself are thinking about you and your kids every single day and look forward to when we are all together again.
~ Wendy Louwerse, Principal