I'd like to thank Mr. Bracht for organizing our grade 6-8 Ski Trip on the 24th. It was a lot of planning on his behalf and I'm sure he slept well that night. The kids had a terrific time. A big thanks to all the staff and parents who supervised.
On Monday night, we had our Parent Council meeting. Parent Council is still looking for a couple of parents to co-chair the committee. We are hoping to find parents in the younger grades to help out as it's important to maintain a volunteer base over the next few years. Many of our Springfest volunteers are parents in the older grades who aren't going to be at the school much longer. It would be great to have them mentor and share their expertise with parents of the younger students so we can continue hosting such great traditions like Springfest. Please let any members of the Parent Council know if you are interested in helping out. Don't worry, you won't be alone.
On Wednesday, we celebrated "Pink Day". Pink Day helps teach our students to be a "buddy" rather than a "bully". We encourage you to have similar conversations at home to reinforce respect of others.
At today's staff meeting, two grade 8 girls presented the results of the safety survey that many of our grade 3-8 students completed. As a staff, we really appreciate knowing how the students are feeling regarding this very important topic. Along with academics, safety must be our top priority. It is evident from the survey and when talking to the girls that the students feel the most "unsafe", "bullied" or "have the most trouble" at recess and at lunch. It's not surprising as it is the most unstructured environment. Staff discussed specific strategies that we can all use to help alleviate the issues and we will continue to monitor the situation.
I finish my School Improvement Plan Summary with the last pillar: Community, Culture and Caring. I love working towards these goals as they really are the foundation and "pillar" of this community. I hope you also appreciate the work that we have collectively achieved thus far in the year! The following summarizes the good work that we do:
On Monday night, we had our Parent Council meeting. Parent Council is still looking for a couple of parents to co-chair the committee. We are hoping to find parents in the younger grades to help out as it's important to maintain a volunteer base over the next few years. Many of our Springfest volunteers are parents in the older grades who aren't going to be at the school much longer. It would be great to have them mentor and share their expertise with parents of the younger students so we can continue hosting such great traditions like Springfest. Please let any members of the Parent Council know if you are interested in helping out. Don't worry, you won't be alone.
On Wednesday, we celebrated "Pink Day". Pink Day helps teach our students to be a "buddy" rather than a "bully". We encourage you to have similar conversations at home to reinforce respect of others.
At today's staff meeting, two grade 8 girls presented the results of the safety survey that many of our grade 3-8 students completed. As a staff, we really appreciate knowing how the students are feeling regarding this very important topic. Along with academics, safety must be our top priority. It is evident from the survey and when talking to the girls that the students feel the most "unsafe", "bullied" or "have the most trouble" at recess and at lunch. It's not surprising as it is the most unstructured environment. Staff discussed specific strategies that we can all use to help alleviate the issues and we will continue to monitor the situation.
I finish my School Improvement Plan Summary with the last pillar: Community, Culture and Caring. I love working towards these goals as they really are the foundation and "pillar" of this community. I hope you also appreciate the work that we have collectively achieved thus far in the year! The following summarizes the good work that we do:
- We host monthly sharing assemblies to recognize students' achievements in character development; proud recipients are displayed in the office
- We will host a year end student recognition assembly
- Both academic and character awards will be given at the grade 8 graduation ceremony; all recipients are displayed in front hall
- Classrooms display TDSB character trait posters
- Character traits/attributes are announced on morning announcements
- Clubs recognizing student leadership and social awareness is strongly supported including but not limited to: Student Council, Terry Fox and Seeds of Hope
- Mental Health and Wellness Committee introduced goals to staff in the fall that included creating a sub-committee that is planning monthly "Tribes" activities for the whole school
- Formalized process in place to address mental health concerns through our In-School Team, School Support Team and Guidance
- Collaborate with Parent Council to provide the community with a variety of activities including pizza lunches, hot lunches, Fall Harvest, Dinner Dance, Springfest and a variety of enrichment activities to support the curriculum; namely Scientist/Artist in the School, guest speakers and performances
- Safe School Committee in partnership with Parent Council and the Toronto Argonauts have run a very successful anti-bullying campaign starting with a student safety survey and presented the results to students and staff
I hope you all have a great weekend. |We are so looking forward to March!
March 2015
2-Ms. Kimm at Outdoor Ed
3, 4, 5-Grade 5 House League
6th-Grade 7 Band at Kiwanis
13th-Heritage Canada: School Wide "Oh Canada" Recording
16-20-March Break
3, 4, 5-Grade 5 House League
6th-Grade 7 Band at Kiwanis
13th-Heritage Canada: School Wide "Oh Canada" Recording
16-20-March Break
24-Kindie Sharing Assembly
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Huddle Up at lunch
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Huddle Up at lunch
27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.; New Kindergarten Parent Meeting at 6:00 p.m.; Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Parent Information Night at 6:00 p.m.; Huddle Up at lunch
April 2015
3 and 6-Good Friday and Easter Monday
20-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m
21-Kindie Sharing Assembly
28-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
May 2015
18-Victoria Day
20-Kindie Sharing Assembly
25-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m
27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
June 2015
5-PA Day
12-Grade 8 Graduation
15-19-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
17-Kindie Sharing Assembly
19-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly
24-Report Cards Go Home
25-Day 0; Student Assembly; Lunch on Lawn
