Essex PC Agenda Feb21

Hi Parents and Caregivers,

A summary of the Parent Council Meeting that took place on January 25,  2017:

Principal’s Report

• WiFi installation has begun – should be completed soon
• Sound system in the gym is being upgraded to Bluetooth / Laptops being re-imaged
• School Safety Audit is complete – update lighting in the overhang area planned, TDSB security has been alerted to increase nightly drive bys; swipe card entry access has been suggested – looking into support with funding
• Clocks and PA system will be upgraded
• Focus on increasing Guided Reading supplies within the school
• School is applying for an Indigo Love of Reading Grant. Looking for funds to increase Guided Reading sets in a Teacher Book Room and updating/ diversifying the library.
• Grade 7/8 Ski Trip March 7
• Grade 7/8 Montreal Trip – Info night scheduled: Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 in the Library
• Pilot project for grades 7/8. Focus on a 10-week program, “Healthy Relationships”, connected to the health curriculum (e.g., gender ID, positive relationships, safe spaces, self esteem).  School will begin with a survey.

 Treasurer’s Report

• Council to vote next meeting on offering to pay (or not) a second Scientist in Schools program for each classroom. This year, council paid for one per class.

Elections

• Allison stepped down from the Co-Chair position. We thank her very much for all of her hard work and dedication to Essex PS.  We hope to continue to see her at meetings and fundraising events.
• Sarah nominated Nicole Belcourt for Co-Chair. Seconded by Dave, all confirmed.   We welcome Nicole as our new Co-Chair, alongside Jean Hammond.

 Model Schools Update

• Serves about 150 schools in the board, top in the LOI (Learning Opportunity Index)
• Designation allows a learning coach, CSW, and some funding
• CSW focuses on parent engagement (workshops, certifications, supporting parent events)
• Looking to offer a Parent Workshop At Essex. Ideas discussed in the meeting.   We are encouraging parents to voice their wishes for a workshop focus through our Parent Council email, parentcouncil@essexpublicschool.com

 Equity Committee

• Wonderful group of parents working to create experiences and positive spaces within the school to include a wider variety of voices and stories.
• Committee has organized several artists to work with students throughout February in recognition of Black History Month: Kalale Dalton (Storytelling), Cyesha Forde (Photography installation) and Tamla Mathewes-Morgan (Dance workshop).

Upcoming Parent Council Meetings: Feb. 21, April 27, May 24, and June 22 at 6:30pm in the library.

We’re having a Bake Sale at Bingo Night on Friday night!

Would you like to do your bit for the school but not able to volunteer on the night?

Great, then please bake something delicious and nut free, which you can either drop off at the office on Friday, February 24 or bring it to Bingo Night itself.

If baking isn’t your thing and you’d still like to help, then we’d also welcome delicious store bought baked goods (nut free of course).

Thank you!

Hello Parents and Caregivers,

Order forms are now over-due for Pizza Friday, but we are offering a friendly reminder for forms and payment can be provided ASAP.

Payments can be made with cash or a cheque (cheques preferred) payable to Essex PS Parent Council. Forms and payment may be handed in to teachers or placed in the Pizza Lunch Box in the school office. All children in one family can be on the same cheque.

This order form covers the second half of the school year from Thursday, February 23rd until Friday, June 16th.  The dates of the 9 Pizza Lunches are: Thursday Feb. 23, Friday March 10,  Friday March 24,  Friday April 7, Friday April 21, Friday May 5, Friday May 19, Thursday June 1, and Friday June 16.

Please fill out a form for EACH child and put their name and classroom # in the note section on the cheque.

The cost per lunch is as follows: Option 1 (1 slice) is $3.25, option 2 (2 slices) is $5.50 and option 3

(3 slices) is $7.75. The cost for all three options includes juice.  Pizza Lunch must be ordered for the full term in advance – we are unable to process orders for specific dates only and we cannot process late orders. We are unable to provide change – any extra money will be considered a donation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Muslim communities in Quebec, here in Toronto, and around the world in the wake of yesterday’s attack on a Quebec City mosque. It is difficult to comprehend what motivates these acts of violence, but more than likely at the root lies hatred, bigotry and racism. Undoubtedly, all Canadians will begin their day, not only in shock of this horrendous act, but also concerned for the future. Today in our schools, yesterday’s events will be top of mind for many of our students and staff. For our Muslim communities and for all of those who face Islamophobia, there will be feelings of insecurity.

For our students of Muslim faith, there will also be an added feeling of vulnerability. At the TDSB, we work every day to ensure that our schools, classrooms, hallways and playgrounds are safe and caring spaces for everyone. Today, we will need to work extra hard. As a school system, we have the responsibility and I would say the opportunity to engage young people in a broader conversation about the importance of building a more inclusive society.

Today we have reminded TDSB staff that promoting a positive school climate is an important part of our work. We have asked them to keep in mind that as educators, they have the greatest opportunity to plant and nurture the seeds of inclusion, respect, and compassion. Our schools, more than any public institution, have the responsibility and obligation to offer safe, caring and bias-free places to learn and work.

As a school community, together we can embrace these opportunities and obligations, while facing the challenges which are sometimes presented in our communities and around the world. In the wake of tragedies such as these and wider events around the world, we remain committed to supporting all of our students and families. We are not immune, but we are also not deterred.

The TDSB has a longstanding commitment to equity. Racism, bigotry and hate are issues that concern us all – staff, parents, students and members of the community. We share a responsibility to promote belonging, inclusion and respect, and to identify and report acts of hate. We have asked our staff now as we have before to make this among their highest priorities.

Like our schools, we welcome people from all over the world in our country. Like our schools, our country is filled with rich and thriving linguistic, religious and ethnic TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M2N 5N8 www.tdsb.on.ca diversity and like our schools, we have grown strength from this diversity. We have asked all TDSB staff to lead by example with love, compassion and respect and to continue drawing on and promoting this incredible strength in our schools and within our communities.

We believe there is need to bring the events in Quebec City into the conversation as we all – schools and the community – reflect and act on shaping a better tomorrow.

With that in mind, all flags across the TDSB have

1. If your child was born in Canada: Birth Certificate
2. If your child was born outside of Canada: Birth Certificate and:
   • Refugee immigration papers with student authorization included
   • OR Landed immigration Papers with passport
   • OR Canadian citizenship card

1.   Health Card
2. Immunization Card
3. Proofs of address (lease, phone bill, water bill, cable bill, etc.)
4. Parent/Guardian addresses, home/work/cell numbers
5. Emergency contact names, address and phone number (other than parents)
6. Signed Optional Attendance form if outside of the catchment area (please note, submitting this form does not guarantee your child a spot at the school).