Just a reminders that there is no school this Friday (PA Day) and Monday (Family Day). Have a great long weekend and see you on Tuesday.

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be on this Thursday evening and Friday morning (where necessary).

Reports cards will be sent home on Tuesday for all students except for Senior Kindergartens who will receive a second report in June.

Want to let your kids run their crazies our on a Friday evening? One or two people to secure the permit and run the program for the remaining winter Fridays is all it takes to make sure there is a place for the big kids to play a pickup game and the littles to run wild. Email Ruth (rarosenblood@gmail.com) for more info.

To: Parent/Guardian:

Re: Ensure Your Child is Vaccinated Against Measles

Toronto Public Health is investigating a measles outbreak in the City of Toronto. Vaccination is the best defense against measles infection; and two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR or MMRV) are required for full protection.

Most Toronto schools have high vaccination rates. However, if a measles exposure occurs in a school, students with incomplete vaccination, or an exemption from receiving the vaccine, will not be allowed to attend school until the outbreak is over.

If you are unsure of your child’s immunization status, please check your child’s yellow immunization card, or speak with your health care provider. Once children are completely vaccinated they can return to school.

If your child is in kindergarten, please make sure they received their 4-to-6 year old booster. Parents with children who have completed their MMR/MMRV immunization (two doses), please ensure you have updated your child’s record with Toronto Public Health. If you have not updated your child’s record with Toronto Public Health, your child will be considered as having incomplete vaccination. To make reporting easier and faster, we offer online reporting at: www.toronto.ca/immunization or by fax at 416-338-2487.

If you have travel plans, please be aware that the United States is experiencing a multi-state measles outbreak, linked to Disneyland in California. Before you travel, make sure you and your children are protected. Those born in 1970 or later require two doses of measles-containing vaccine.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara Yaffe

Director, Communicable Disease Control
and Associate Medical Officer of Health

Toronto Public Health Immunization of Children Information

Back by popular demand! The Fundraising Committee will be setting up another Book Sale Table in the front hall during the second week of February. We need your donations of all types of books. We are especially in need of children’s and teen’s books.

Please bring your donations of books to the office and help support this Parent Council fundraising initiative. Thank you!!

Essex and Hawthorne Celebrate

Lunar New Year 2015!
Monday, February 23, 2015

Assembly and Lion Dance: 9:15 a.m. in the gym. Please join us. Remember to wear red.

Celebration Lunch: 11:40 a.m. in the gym. Food: $3:50, Drink: $1:00.
Ticket sales begin Monday, February 16, every lunch hour outside the school office.

Food Donations and volunteer servers:
For each donated dish, there is one free food ticket.
Please make sure the dishes are PEANUT-FREE AND SHELLFISH FREE.
Volunteers are also needed to help serve the food during lunch.

Download the flyer here.

Community Consultations on the Provincial Review of TDSB

Following the recent Provincial Review of the TDSB (the Wilson Report), the Minister of Education laid out directives that have some serious impacts for our communities, including potential school closures and making it more difficult for Trustees to communicate and advocate for students and families. Your voice is important.

When:
Friday January 30th, 2015
from 12:30PM to 2:30PM

Where:
RedFish BlueFish Creative Café
23 Harbord (at Spadina)

Child friendly space. Refreshments provided.

Co-hosted with Marit Stiles, Trustee, TDSB Ward 9 (Davenport)
When:
Monday February 2nd, 2015
Drop-in from 5:30PM to 6:30PM
Consultation from 6:30PM to 8:30PM

Where:
Dewson Street Junior Public School
65 Concord Ave (near Ossington & College)

Child care provided. Refreshments served. Translation available on request.
Contact: ausma.malik@tdsb.on.ca | 416.397.3100

Organized by:
Ausma Malik
Trustee, TDSB Ward 10, Trinity-Spadina

Download the flyer here.

Come and join other Essex parents as we meet to discuss issues important to our school community. Everyone is welcome!
Snacks will be served and childcare is provided.

AGENDA

• WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
• REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
• TREASURERS’ REPORT
• FUNDRAISING REPORT – ESSEX CLOTHING, FEBRUARY BOOK SALE TABLE, GARAGE SALE AND SPRING FLING PLANNING
• COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
• WARD REP UPDATE
• HEALTH AND WELLBEING COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR FUNDING – LUNCH BUDDIES PROGRAM
• HOT LUNCH PROGRAM WITH HAWTHORNE – SURVEY OF INTEREST
• OTHER BUSINESS
• CONFIRM AND SET NEXT MEETING DATES AND TIMES

Orders are now being taken for Essex T-Shirts, Long Sleeve T-Shirts, Hoodies and Toques! Show your love for Essex with these great looking items, just in time for Valentine’s Day.  Children and adult sizes are available. Orders due January 30th. See order form for details.

Thanks!

Samarra
Essex Fundraising Committee Chair

Download the order form here.