Farewell!

We had the best surprise yesterday that ended up being a big highlight of my 11 years at LKS. We got a call a while ago asking if a few past graduates could come and have a quick tour of the school, something not out of the norm. Well, little did we know that the entire Class of 1952 was coming! What a wonderful surprise it was to see the group walking up to the front doors from the parking lot. When we finally realized what was happening, we got our only 3 containers of archived items out of the closet for our guests to look at and arranged for some of our grade 7 students to tour the school. They ended up staying here for an hour and half catching up with each other, current staff and students before heading to the Old Mill for lunch and "schmoozing". A grade one class even got a special treat as one of the grads, Dennis Lee, author of "Alligator Pie", read to them and signed some of his books that Ms. McGee had in the library! Jim Wyse, the organizer of the entire event, left us with a book that he made to commemorate the 65th anniversary. We will cherish it forever. It was such a great surprise and wonderful memory for me as I end my time at LKS. It reminded me how special this school and community is and will always be for many of us.  Farewell!

Class of 1952

Special Education

I'm attaching a letter that was sent on behalf of TDSB. The letter has important information regarding Special Education and the Home School Program.

Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Toronto District School Board is exploring ways of transitioning towards greater inclusion in Special Education programs. Providing children with special education needs with the instructional support and services they need within the regular program in neighbourhood schools, will improve achievement and well-being for all students.

We know that inclusion isn’t just about keeping students in the regular classroom. It’s about meeting the needs of all students in a class. Collaboration between regular classroom teachers and special education staff will help us find the most effective ways to meet the needs of every student.

As part of this transition, we have reviewed the Home School Program (HSP). Currently, many students in Grades 1 to 8 receive a half-day of special education instruction in the HSP. In most schools, this support is provided apart from the regular program. A number of schools have already chosen to support these students in the regular classroom with great success.

We believe we can do a better job for all students in the regular class with appropriate resources beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, we will start phasing out primary grade placements in HSP, beginning with no Grade 1 students admitted to the program. In the 2018-2019 school year, HSP will only support students in Grades 4 to 8. Teachers and educational assistants who currently assist HSP students will continue to do so, but schools will have greater flexibility in deciding how to deliver HSP support. Please see questions and answers below for more details.

Transitioning towards inclusion will require collaboration and the creation of positive and welcoming classroom environments that will enable all students to succeed.

Sincerely,
Uton Robinson, Ed. D. Executive Superintendent Special Education and Section 23 Programs Toronto District School Board
5050 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5N8
SPECIAL EDUCATION – HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM


Frequently Asked Questions
1. What might HSP look like at my child’s school next year?
Students admitted to HSP may spend part of their day learning in a regular classroom and part separately with the HSP teacher. Sometimes, they may receive support individually while other times, it may take place in small groups. Some students currently assisted in a withdrawal setting may instead receive all of their support in their regular grade classrooms. It will vary from student to student, based on their learning needs.
2. If my child entering Grade 1 in September has special education needs, what can I expect in terms of support?
On a regular basis, regular classroom teachers make adjustments to their teaching and assessment methods to meet a wide variety of student learning needs in the classroom. Grade 1 students, who might previously have been admitted to HSP for special education instruction, will instead receive support in their regular classroom. Close collaboration between the classroom teacher, school-based special education staff and special education consultants will assist teachers in planning and delivering this “differentiated instruction”.
3. If my child was in HSP this year, what will happen next year?
Students in Grades 2 to 8 will continue to receive HSP support in the ways described above. Since one of our goals is greater flexibility for schools to respond to the needs of their students, the delivery model will vary from school to school. Each school principal can provide specific answers to how the program will be delivered in their schools.
4. How will the effectiveness of changes to HSP delivery be evaluated?
On an on-going basis, teachers are required to evaluate, monitor and report on the success of their students in meeting the Ministry of Education curriculum objectives identified in students’ Individual Education Plans (IEP). Achievement data is also used as part of annual school improvement planning. Each school must address the three pillars of equity, achievement and well-being, using school-based measures and staff feedback to identify what is working well and areas that require attention. School superintendents can review school achievement data for the schools in their network and assist their school administrators in addressing identified needs. At the system level, the TDSB follows the progress of all students and of students with special education needs as a subset, through on-going analysis of achievement data in provincial report cards, progress reports and the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments.
5. If I have questions or concerns, who do I contact?
As we make changes to the delivery of special education programs and services, we continue to value active and meaningful collaboration with all stakeholders. If you have additional questions, we invite you to follow the updates on our website at www.tdsb.on.ca/specialeducation. You can also contact your child’s school principal for more specific information about what HSP will look like for your child. If questions or concerns remain, the principal can help you connect with the appropriate school superintendent or special education department staff.

Friday, June 9, 2017

I'd like to thank everyone for their best wishes since yesterday. It's been a bit of a whirlwind for everyone. Thank you for your support. 

I'd also like to recognize other staff members who will be moving from or to LKS next year. We will recognize them again in my year end letter, but I wanted to share the information this week. We will be saying goodbye to Mr. Ellerker, Ms. Kim, Ms. Shakespeare (retirement), Mr. Iceton, Mr. Lynde, and Ms. Furzon. Ms. Barry will be taking a maternity leave.

 Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Perrin will be returning from maternity leave and we will be welcoming Ms. X. McCormick (teacher) and Ms. Kogas (Child and Youth Worker) who will be starting up our Intensive Support Class (Primary Autism), Ms. K. McCormick (grade 4) and Ms. Wieczorek who will be replacing Ms. Shakespeare. In addition, both our grade 6-8 band and strings itinerant teachers, Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Quintyne, will be leaving us at the end of June. 

Bob Sheldon are crossing guard will be here at drop off on the 20th to say goodbye to the community. Bob has recovered from his hip surgery, but decided it was time to retire. Bob has been instrumental in keeping our children safe and has developed close bonds with the community. We will miss him. Please drop by to say goodbye. 

I'd also like to thank all the Springfest volunteers who made the day so great. The weather co-operated and it was a fantastic event for everyone! A special note of thanks to those who took a lead in the organization and were instrumental in the success: Allison Needham, Kerry Collings, Julie Riach, Liza Snowden, Kristen Kidd, Elvira Fuda, Mr. Dowling, Ms. Dowling, Mr. deLeeuw, Ms. Tremaine, Mr. Cunningham, Ms. Williams, Mr. Calkowski, Ms. Thomas, Ms. Forte, Ms. Smith, Ms. Owen, Ms. Fenn and Ms. Busch. 

I'd also like to say thank you to Mr. Williams and his many volunteers from Rogers. Mr. Williams worked with Mr. Littlejohn and Mr. Ross to provide a whole day of coding experiences to our grade 3-8 students on Monday. As you know, we have been exposing the students to many enrichment coding experiences over the last few years and it was evident from the students' work on Monday that their skill level keeps improving. The students said they had a great time learning. Thank you Mr. Williams. 

A big thank you to Mrs. deBortoli and her committee for a fabulous Staff Appreciation lunch on Tuesday. We appreciate the support. 

Please join us on Wednesday for coffee and muffins as a token of our appreciation. Students Council will be serving the treat in recognition of our wonderful volunteers. 

We hope all of our grade 8 parents, friends, staff and students have a wonderful Graduation this week. 

Have a great weekend everyone. 

June 2017 

9-PA Day
12-Frisbee Finals
13-City Track and Field Finals
14-City Soccer Finals; Volunteer Coffee and Muffins at morning drop-off 
16-Grade 8 Graduation 
20-Bob (our crossing guard) visits at morning drop off to say goodbye 
23-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
26-Report Cards Go Home 
29-Last Day for Students; Pizza Lunch-Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly 

Celebrations!

Congratulations to the LKS community for your efforts in supporting Terry Fox, a long standing tradition at LKS. A special thanks to Mrs. Gibson and her student helpers as you continue to bring awareness to this very important cause. The following article showcases are most recent event:

Terry Fox's brother visits Lambton-Kingsway JMS to recognize efforts

Please join us on Monday night to recap Springfest and the wonderful year that we have had at LKS. I will do a short presentation on our student achievements! 

June 2017 

5-Coding activities for our grade 4-6 classes, and some 7 and 8 students; Frisbee Conference Finals; Parent Council at 7:00 in the library 
6-West Conference Track and Field Finals; Grade 1-5 Amazing Race 
7-Last day for instrumental; Soccer Conference Finals 
8-Mrs. Souter and Ms. Furczon go to Outdoor Ed Centre; Grade 4 to Medieval Times; 
9-PA Day
12-Frisbee Finals
14-Soccer Finals; Volunteer Coffee and Muffins in the morning 
13-Track and Field Finals
16-Grade 8 Graduation 
23-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
26-Report Cards Go Home 
29-Last Day for Students; Pizza Lunch-Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly 

Thank you!

This week, I’d like to thank all of the volunteers that have contributed to the school this year. We truly appreciate your service whether it has been at Springfest, reading to our young students, driving to an event, sitting on a committee or supervising a field trip. 

A special thanks is extended to  Ms. Collings and Ms. Needham (Parent Council Co-Chairs), Ms. Riach (Parent Council Treasurer), Ms.  Chechik (Parent Council Secretary) and Ms. Lowenborg-Frick (Parent Council Grade Parent Co-ordinator). They are the parents who make up our Parent Council Executive. They organize our events, recruit volunteers and committees and work with myself, Ms. Norton and staff to co-ordinate budgets and directions. I cannot thank them enough for their support. 

I’d also like to thank the Parent Council committee chairs who have contributed to many events this year: Ms. Snowden (Music), Ms. Beveridge( Physical Education), Ms. Forte (Resources and Parent Education), Ms. Clarke (Environment), Ms. Almedia and Ms. Lee (Literacy), Ms. Gardner (Pizza Lunch Chair) along with Ms. Copeland, Ms. Hodgson, Ms. Kanjee and Ms. Oosterveld (Pizza Lunches), Community Outreach (Ms. DeBortoli), Ms. Pereira (Lost and Found) and Grade 8 Graduation (Ms. Beveridge and Ms. Zimmer). 

Student Council, on behalf of all the students and staff, would love for  all of our volunteers to get a coffee and muffin on the 8th at drop off to celebrate your efforts! 

We can't wait for Springfest on the 3rd. Please read the bulletin for more information. Volunteers are needed still! 

If you are moving outside the catchment area, please make sure you contact the office and homeroom teacher. 

If you are going to be away and cannot receive your child's report card on June 26th, please pick it up in the office the first week of July or last week of August. You can also arrange for someone to pick it up, but you'll have to make those arrangements with the teacher. We do not mail report cards home. 

Kindergarten Placement Letters will be sent home in June. 

May 2017 
29-Parent Council at 7:00 in the library-Changed to June 5th at 7:00 p.m.; Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
30-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins; Grade 7s to drop off donated books to Children's Book Bank 

June 2017 

2-Cricket Tournament 
3-Springfest 
5-Coding activities for our grade 4-6 classes, and some 7 and 8 students; Frisbee Conference Finals
6-West Conference Track and Field Finals 
7-Last day for instrumental; Soccer Conference Finals 
8-Mrs. Souter and Ms. Furczon go to Outdoor Ed Centre; Grade 4 to Medieval Times; Volunteer Coffee/Treats in the morning 
9-PA Day
12-Frisbee Finals
14-Soccer Finals
13-Track and Field Finals
16-Grade 8 Graduation 
23-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
26-Report Cards Go Home 

29-Last Day for Students; Pizza Lunch-Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly 

Thank you Grade Parents!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the grade parents who have done a terrific job this year! Our grade parents are the "backbone" of the classroom and a valuable help for our teachers. They co-ordinate craft days, volunteers for field trips, and send out the weekly bulletin. Truly, they are another set of hands for the teacher. Thanks to Ms. O'Sullivan, Ms. Netupsky, Ms. Colter, Ms. Dmitrieva, Ms. Georgas, Ms. Oosterveld, Ms. Marcolin, Ms. Fox, Ms. Drewnowska, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Race, Ms. Barclay, Ms. Gavsie, Ms. Perrin, Ms. David, Ms. Shaw-Kruppe, Ms. Needham, Ms. DeCaria, Ms. Collings, Ms. Chechnik, Ms. Odorico, Ms. Gardner, Ms. Giancos, Ms. Terzaghi, Ms. Williams, Ms. d'Ombrain, Ms. Busch, Ms. Copeland, Ms. Forte, Ms. Decosimo, Ms. Calkowski, Ms. Keogh, Ms. Stecher, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Bonanno, Ms. Teron, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Beveridge, Ms. Greifenberger and Ms. Zimmer. 

A big thank you to Ms. Lowenborg-Frick who is our Parent Council Grade Parent Co-ordinator. Madeleine organizes our grade parents, answers all kinds of questions, and works with a lot of people to put our weekly Bulletin. We thank her for your commitment. 

Have a great weekend. We will see you on Tuesday. 

May 2017

22-Victoria Day
23-Book Fair until the 26th
24-LKS Folk Dance Festival-Mrs. Hall and Ms. Santiago; Sr Girls Soccer Tourney 
25-Bike Safety Presentation from Officer Rich; Terry Fox Assembly 
26-Pizza Lunch; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Grade 6-8 House Event 
29-Parent Council at 7:00 in the library 
30-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins; Grade 7s to drop off donated books to Children's Book Bank 

June 2017 
3-Springfest 
5-Coding activities for our grade 4-6 classes, and some 7 and 8 students; Frisbee Conference Finals
6-West Conference Track and Field Finals 
7-Last day for instrumental; Soccer Conference Finals 
8-Mrs. Souter and Ms. Furczon go to Outdoor Ed Centre; Grade 4 to Medieval Times; Volunteer Coffee/Treats in the morning 
9-PA Day
12-Frisbee Finals
14-Soccer Finals
13-Track and Field Finals
16-Grade 8 Graduation 
23-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
26-Report Cards Go Home 
29-Last Day for Students; Pizza Lunch-Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly 

Kids' Run for Nature!

Once again, the Kids’ Run for Nature (www.kidsrunfornature.ca) is coming to West Toronto! On June 11, 2017, 300 kids aged 4-12 will be running through Etienne Brule Park to celebrate nature and raise funds for WWF-Canada that will help protect wild species and their habitats across Canada. 

There are 3 distances to choose from a 1km, a 3km and a 5km.  It is a great way for us to get outside and enjoy nature while exercising and raising money for animals and our environment.

WHERE DOES FEE MONEY GO?  All proceeds from the registration fee will go directly to World Wildlife Fund Canada, a global conservation organization.  They work diligently to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats, and address global threats. Theylook for long term solutions to benefit both people and nature.

If you would like to register for the event, you can visit: http://www.kidsrunfornature.ca

If you would like further information contact, Amanda Brown at 647 998 2934 or manda.brown77@gmail.com I hope to see you there!