Street Smart Kids

The Canadian Safe Schools Network provides the following information about creating “street safe” habits for our students.

While the age at which we or our children are comfortable walking without an adult will vary from parent to parent and child to child, it is important that we educate or “street proof” our children for unsupervised situations as early as is possible.  Obviously we wouldn’t send small children out on their own, but equipping them with street smarts early will help them cope if they accidentally become separated from you.  By the time they are ready to be unsupervised they will have a firm understanding of how to stay safe while gaining some independence.

Here are some tips you can incorporate into your own set of “street smarts” ground rules:

1.	Establish a walking group to and from your child’s school by including other children who live near-by. The group can then walk to and from school together with a parent walking with them or watching from a distance.
2.	If you child is going to walk somewhere with other children without adult supervision, map out a route together beforehand and make it clear that your child is to follow that route.
3.	If your child is walking to a friend’s house, have the children phone you upon arrival.
4.	Provide your child with a few phone numbers of neighbours, friends or family members to call if you are unavailable and they need support.
5.	If you have older children who are coming home to an unsupervised home (either on a regular or occasional basis), be clear about the time they are expected to be home and have them check in with you when they arrive. Establish clear expectations for what will happen if they want to stay late at school or visit friends. While they are alone, make it clear that they are not to answer the door.
6.	Talk to your children frequently about their trip to and from school. Monitor for signs of fear. Are they asking to leave very early, or very late? Do they suddenly begin taking a different route?
7.	If possible, try to be at home after school occasionally. Not only will you confirm who walks home with your children, they may appreciate you coming home early to spend time with them.

Grade 4 and 5 Lunchroom Changes

With the influx of more students staying at school for lunch, we have had to make some changes to our lunchtime routines.  In the past, all grade 1-5 students ate in the lunchroom from 11:30 to 11:50 and then went outside for some outdoor play until 12:30.  We are switching this up a bit for grades 4 and 5.  They will be going outside from 11:30 to 12:00 and then coming inside to eat until 12:20 and then going back outside until 12:30.  This will give both the primary and junior students some extra space outside as well as in the lunchroom.  Nothing changes for the Kindergarten or primary students.  We will be trying this out for a bit to see how it works and will keep you informed about any further changes.

Universal Screening Process for Grade 3 Students


Effective September 2016, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will be introducing a universal screening process for all grade 3 students across the TDSB. The purpose of this universal screening test is to:

• Provide information to classroom teachers about the strengths and learning needs of each student in order to better support teachers in programming for students;
• Help teachers to know when to bring a student forward to In School Team (IST) or School Support Team (SST) for programming suggestions;
• Improve equity of access for all students to differentiated programming including the potential identification of students with a gifted exceptionality.

Grade 3 parents are asked to complete and return the permission form sent home this week.

Student Safety

As you can imagine, our students are very excited about the long-anticipated summer break that is now just around the corner. One of the best parts about living in our community is the variety of activities that we can enjoy in our parks and public spaces all year round. With these activities, and with warmer weather and longer daylight hours upon us, students may be spending more time outside. This presents a good opportunity to remind everyone to take extra care in enjoying all the outdoors can offer.

We are fortunate to have a number of initiatives, programs, and policies that contribute to a caring and safe school. Our staff periodically speak to students about how to stay safe.  I know that you too will want to help ensure children are safe. Here are some tips that you may find helpful when discussing safety with your child:

·         always walk with a buddy to and from school

·         always tell your parents where you are

·         never accept gifts from strangers and never approach or enter a stranger’s car

·         if a car is following you, change directions and run

·         when help is needed, go to the nearest store or school, the home of a friend or run towards a group of people or a parent with children

·         know your name, address and phone number

·         know that police officers are friends and can help you

·         tell your parents or teacher whenever someone treats you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe; trust your instincts.

Our staff also review traffic safety with students. Please reinforce these messages with your child.  Below is a list of tips that might be helpful to review:

• stop, look, and listen for traffic
• only cross at corners and crosswalks and only if clear
• obey crossing signals
• make eye contact with drivers when crossing
• walk on sidewalks; where there are no sidewalks, walk as far away from traffic as possible facing traffic.

For those who drive, please take extra care on the roads, especially in areas where children might be present.

It’s been a good year and we want to ensure that the summer is equally enjoyable. Let’s continue to work together to make our communities as safe as possible for everyone.

Instrumental Concert

A big CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to the grades 6, 7 and 8 students for putting on a fantastic show for us this evening under the leadership of Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Quintyne.  We are very proud of all your accomplishments this year in the instrumental program and we are looking forward to the growth and success you are sure to enjoy next year.  Continue to demonstrate ZEST, GRIT and OPTIMISM! 

Safety

The safety of your child is an important priority. Remember to keep us up to date with your current address, phone number, childcare arrangements, to whom your child may be released, etc. We also need you to let us know about any changes of routine and to sign your child in if they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason. 

The Toronto Police streetproofing program encourages you to teach your child:

1. his/her name, address, phone number 
2. to Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency 
3. to communicate with you when they feel unsafe or afraid 
4. to keep you informed as to his/her whereabouts at all times 
5. never to admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone 
6. never to invite strangers into the house or answer the door when alone 
7. never to approach or enter a stranger's car or hitchhike 
8. never to travel or play alone -- always be with friends to trust their feelings and say "NO" to an adult if that adult wants them to do something that is wrong 
9. not to accept gifts from strangers 
10. to tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you 
11. that no one has the right to touch any part of his/ her body that a bathing suit would cover 
12. that if he/she is being followed, or approached too closely, to run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help 
13. to report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who act suspiciously towards him/her 
14. never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas 
15. never to enter anyone's home without your permission 
16. to avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields 
17. never to show his/her money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk injury. 
18. that a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when he/she is lost or needs assistance. 

Construction

Construction

Bell Canada will  be working around the south end of the school parking lot Thursday and Friday.  Please take extra care when entering and exiting the parking lot and while driving around the school.  Access may be limited along the street as well as getting into the parking lot.