Sunday, March 29, 2015

Sunday. March 29, 2015

The air quality test was acceptable. We will see you tomorrow at school. Enjoy your evening.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

Yesterday, Ms. Phillips-Long, our superintendent visited the school.  She usually comes for three scheduled visits a year to see what the students are learning. Today, we visited most of the classrooms and talked to a variety of students and teachers across the grades. I was so proud of our students as they enthusiastically shared poems, dioramas, speeches, EQAO prep work, and inquiry projects on structures. The students were so respectful, bright and articulate. They were great LKS ambassadors. 

Recently, we've had some cases of "Fifth Disease".  Fifth disease is also called "slapped cheek" because of the red rash it causes. It is an infection caused by Parvovirus B19. If your child has it, we ask that you confirm with your doctor and then tell us. It is imperative that we know, as we have to inform our staff and occasional teachers of any reported cases, as it can negatively impact a pregnancy. The following links might can give you further information: 


http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/fifth_disease or http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/fifth.html#

On Monday, we invite you to our Parent Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the library. Prior to the meeting at 6:15 p.m., I will be meeting with our new JK parents who have registered their little ones for a question and answer period in the lunchroom and Mrs. Norton, Ms. Zappi and Mrs. Taylor will be presenting an EQAO workshop for our grade 3 and 6 parents.

The roof construction will continue this weekend and an air-quality test will follow again late Sunday afternoon. Please check my blog late Sunday for results. 


I hope everyone has a great weekend. On Saturday, Ms. Chandra and I will be accompanying students in grade 6-8 to compete in the Toronto Science Fair. 


March 2015

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.; New Kindergarten Parent Meeting at 6:15 p.m.; Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Parent Information Night at 6:15 p.m.; Huddle Up at lunch; Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly  

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

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Sunday, March 22, 2015

I received confirmation that the air-quality tests were within the acceptable range. I'll see everyone at school tomorrow.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Welcome back from March Break! I got in late last night from a golf trip to Myrtle Beach. We had a great time golfing, eating out and playing on the beach with the dogs. The weather was decent aside from a rainy day or two. I  hope you had a great time also. I'm looking forward to returning to school tomorrow.

I just talked to our Health and Safety rep and she told me that the air-quality test will happen early evening, so check in again around 8 p.m. for an update. They don't foresee any problems with the test.

Have a great Sunday.

Kelly Caddel

Friday, March 13, 2015

Friday, March 13, 2015

I'm really looking forward to this morning as all the kids, under the direction of Dr. Grant, will be recording "O Canada" for a special Heritage Canada project. We are truly blessed to be part of this experience. We should be so proud to be Canadians!

Please take note of the grade parent letter this week as it contains information regarding the roof construction.

I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful March Break. I am truly looking forward to the next three months of the school year as we commence the final instruction period and all the wonderful activities planned by Parent Council.

March 2015
16-20-March Break
24-Kindie Sharing Assembly
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

Friday, March 6, 2015

Friday, March 6, 2015

It was a very busy day today as we were managing the strong odours being produced by the roof construction. We put a couple of Parent Bulletins out today, but I thought I'd do a final blog before the weekend. We are pretty confident that the additional equipment provided to the school will help with the strong odours,but I thought you'd appreciate the following information provided by the Board. We will continue to provide you with ongoing communication regarding the construction and any other health and safety concerns. Have a great weekend!



Roofing Repairs at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Schools

Why are school roofs being repaired?
Over time, the integrity of a roof changes and upgrades are needed in order to ensure a safe learning environment for the students. Over the next three years, the TDSB will be working on roofing projects in order to maintain school buildings in Toronto.

How will the roofs be repaired?
Roof repairs involve using layers of felts and hot-applied asphalt. The asphalt is usually delivered to the school as a solid and it is inserted into a roofing kettle and heated. The liquid asphalt is applied to the roof surfaces using specialized mops. As the asphalt is heated, it is likely to generate odours. At times, the odours might be strong, but are unlikely to affect health.

Are products used for roofing repairs hazardous?
Asphalt used for roofing projects is a complex mixture containing thousands of chemical compounds. The chemicals in asphalt vary depending on the source of crude oil and the type of asphalt being used. The odours generated during the heating of asphalt may contain a variety of compounds, but they tend to quickly disperse in the ambient air. They are unlikely to adversely impact on health.

I smell odours, does this mean I am being exposed to harmful fumes?
No. Some of the compounds found in asphalt have very low odour thresholds. This means that they can be detected in the air at concentrations not associated with adverse health effects. Smelling odours as a result of roofing repairs is not indicative of negative health impacts.

What measures are being taken to reduce exposures during the roofing project?
The TDSB is taking a number of measures in order to reduce exposures including:
 keeping classroom windows closed
 setting window air conditioners to re-circulate air
 when possible conduct the work outside of school hours

In addition, the TDSB requested the roofing contractor to take the following measures:
 locating the roof asphalt heating kettle away from doors, windows, and fresh air intake
 ensuring all air intake openings are closed and sealed
 ensuring the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is put in to recirculation mode
 if necessary, provide temporary fans
 request that all windows and doors remain closed
 review the Material Safety Data Sheets to ensure all listed precautions are in place

Who can I call if I have additional questions?
Speak to the school's principal about the roofing work or about any concerns that you may have.
If you have a medical condition and are concerned about inhaling roofing asphalt emissions, you should discuss your concerns with your physician.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Thursday, March 5, 2015



This week, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Ms. Kim's grade 1 class. She is teaching her students strategies that she learned at the I-think series of workshops that she is attending. The class is trying to solve the issue of an ongoing concern at LKS-Where should we put the garbage cans?  Maybe outside? Maybe inside? Using posted notes, they are working in groups to brainstorm positive and negative ideas.  After the class is finished brainstorming, Ms. Kimm will teach them a "pro-pro" approach to finding the solution to their problem. 

The whole process was so fascinating to watch and even though the students are young, it is evident they have lots of ideas and solutions.  Teaching these skills to the younger students is so important as it provides a foundation for more complex problem solving as they mature. 

Mrs. Perrin will be completing a similar lesson with the grade 7s tomorrow. 

In closing, we ask that everyone be respectful of the "no parking" areas around the school, especially on Marquis. Double parking creates hazardous situations for everyone walking, especially our students. Please park in only the legal areas. The parking authorities will be monitoring the situation around the school. 

Have a great weekend. Don't forget to change your clocks!

March 2015
10, 11, 12-Grade 6 Houseleague 
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 
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