News from the Office - September 2011

Principal's Message - From the Office of M. J. Giuliani & S. Litner

It is a great pleasure to work with the Brown Community. We have had a very successful school opening. Our staff, students and families have returned to Brown with renewed enthusiasm for a new school year. Our students are settling in to their new classrooms, renewing friendships and making new friends! 

We extend a special welcome to our Junior Kindergarten students and children new to our school. Some of our families have moved away from the Brown area and we wish them all the best. 

Our enrolment is strong and we do not anticipate a major reorganization to meet Ministry class size caps. However, we do expect an official allocation of an additional Junior Kindergarten class in Room 13 during the afternoon. Our staff is a dedicated group of professionals who work together to meet the individual needs of all of our students. We appreciate their enthusiasm and efforts.

A special thank you to our caretaking staff who, under the direction of Peter Wilkinson,  keep our school gleaming and our pool in excellent condition at all times!  Dorothy Hunt and Lisa Burk in the office have worked diligently to ensure that our school opening has been successful. Finally, thank you to our parents for your positive support of our school.

Together we provide a great learning environment for children! 

Curriculum Night - Thursday, September 22

All parents and guardians are invited to attend Brown School's Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 22rd. We look forward to seeing everyone! The evening will begin in the Gym at 6:00 p.m. with a general gathering and introduction of teachers, staff and programs.

Kindergarten and Primary classrooms will be open from 6:30 to 7:00 for you to meet with your children's teachers and discuss their plans for the year. Junior Classrooms will be open from 7:00 to 7.30 p.m. Throughout the evening, we hope that you will introduce yourself to the Administration as well as the Phys. Ed, Swimming and Music Teachers and the Librarian.

Important Notes on Student Safety

Our bell rings to start classes at 8:50 a.m. The teachers will begin yard supervision at 8:35 a.m. Please do not leave your child in the schoolyard before this time because there is no supervision. Students should be picked up at 3:30 p.m. in the same location. If children require extra help, classroom remediation time is between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. This is considered to be part of our academic day, so please understand that teachers may keep students in the class for some additional attention at this time.

Kindergarten children gather in our primary yard and are asked to enter their classroom directly from the playground at 8:50 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Students arriving by bus will be supervised until teachers arrive on duty in the yard.

If it is necessary to pick up your child during the school day, please send a note to the classroom teacher indicating what time you would like to meet your child in the school office. Teachers will send the child to the office at the indicated time. Please sign your child out of the school in the Sign Out Book on the office counter.

Brown School has an Attendance Verification Program to support the safe arrival of our students. We will call home if your child has not arrived at school. It is essential that all parents report their child’s absence or late arrival due to an appointment to 416 393 1557 before 8:50 a.m. Classes begin at 8:55 a.m. Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time. It is important for our students to be here on time so that we can begin attendance verification promptly. Also, children who arrive on time benefit from valuable teaching time and instruction first thing in the morning.

We ask that parents do not drop off or pick up students or park their vehicle in the laneway off Avenue Road. This area is for bus drop off and pick up and delivery only. It is impossible for the busses to turn around when there are cars parked at the back. This has been an ongoing safety concern that has improved greatly with your cooperation.

No dog policy: Please respect our board policy by not bringing dogs onto the playground. The yard is a small space used by our children. We love our pets too, but already we have had children come into the office with soiled clothing. Everyone's co-operation is greatly appreciated.

QSP Magazine Drive

Thinking of subscribing to a new magazine? Time to renew a favourite? Take advantage of great subscription rates of up to 80% off newsstand prices while helping Brown PS by ordering through QSP. Our school receives an average of $10.00 for every subscription sold, so each and every order makes a difference! The sales from these magazines support events for our Grade 6 students.

• Order online at www.QSP.ca; your order will be processed immediately.
• Our group number for Internet orders is 9143

Toonie for Terry Walk - Monday, September 26

On Monday, September 26, all Brown School students and staff will be participating in the annual Toonie for Terry Walk commemorating the 31st year for Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. Students and their teachers will be walking around the Brown School neighbourhood. All are asked to bring in a Toonie to their classroom teacher, which will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation.

School-Wide Pediculosis (Lice) Screening - Wednesday, October 4

The TDSB Pediculosis Coordinator and a group of trained parents will do head checks for every class. Volunteers are essential to the smooth running of school wide lice checks and volunteers are needed to assist. No experience is necessary as you will be trained by experienced persons. If you can spare 30-45 minutes of your time on October 4, please contact the office to see how you can help. 

Message from our School Trustee - Sept 2011

Welcome from Shelley Laskin, Trustee, St Paul’s, TDSB Ward 11

Welcome to the new school year – staff has been busy preparing their program, classroom and schools to welcome your students. As your elected representative to the TDSB, I help set policy and act as an advocate to constituents in my community.  I visit schools, programs and services in our ward in order to best understand and help meet the needs of students. And I hold regular Ward Meetings where everyone is welcome. I truly believe everyone has a role to play in a thriving public education system that supports each and every student to do their very best.

Our first ward meeting will take the form of a provincial candidates debate on Education Issues. It will be held on Tuesday, September 20, in the auditorium of Northern Secondary School at 7pm. Arrangements have been made for childcare. For more information including the location of debates in other wards and the education platforms of the 4 major parties participating in the October 6 Provincial Election please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/educationday. 

I am committed to keeping in touch with you. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for my weekly updates, please e-mail me at shelley.laskin@tdsb.on.ca. I also post the updates and other information of interest on my board website which can be found by clicking on Trustee Shelley Laskin. I can be reached through the board office at 416-397-3094 or you can follow me on Twitter @shelleylaskin.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful school year.

Warm regards,

Shelley Laskin

Trustee, Ward 11, St. Paul's - 5050 Yonge Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON  M2N 5N8

News from Around Brown - Sept 2011

Library News/ Nouvelles de la bibliothèque de Brown

Borrowing Policy

In general, the primary and junior students will have the opportunity to visit the library once per week. The junior students will have the opportunity to use the library for research at various times during the year; there is also an open book exchange time every day.

Lost Books

A partial replacement fee of $10 paperbacks/$20 hard covers will be charged for lost and damaged books.

Donations

Donations of new or “like-new” books are always welcome at the library. Please see Mme Gagnon for further details.

Volunteers

If you would like to volunteer in the library this year, please pick up a volunteer form from Mme Gagnon.

Lunch Program 

This school year we will continue to offer enrichment to our Lunch Program.  If your child stays at school for lunch, they are in this programme!  Our enriched Lunch Program includes indoor/outdoor sports, swimming and club activities during recess. 

We also offer a daily milk and monthly pizza lunch option.  The form for pizza and milk will be sent home this week, and should be returned with payment (cash or cheques payable to Brown School Lunch Program) by September 22^nd to ensure participation in October’s pizza lunch.  

Pizza Lunch Dates for 2011-2012

Fall:  October 28, November 25, December 16

Winter:  January 20, February 24

Spring:  March 30, April 27, May 18, June 22

Lunch Program General Guidelines

We are pleased to offer several classroom sites for Grades 1-2 to use to eat their lunches. Students in Grades 3-6 will eat lunch in the Gymnasium. 

To ensure that the program runs efficiently and safely for the large number of students staying for lunch, please observe the following:

• We request that you do not send food that needs to be refrigerated or microwaved. Please consider using thermoses and/or cold packs to keep your child’s lunch at the right temperature until lunchtime.
• Peanut Butter and Nut Products should not be sent to School – this includes products that “may contain nuts”.  Please see the Allergy Safe Suggestions for Parents section below for more information.
• We expect “Litterless Lunches” for environmental reasons.
• We have a “boomerang” program, which means everything your child does not consume goes back home, as well as all  litter. This will allow you to monitor how much food is being uneaten, and dispose of food waste in your green bin. 

Lunchtime Sports

First Term is Flag Football!

Once again Mr. Profiti will be running the Lunchtime Flag Football League three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) for the students in Grade 4, 5 and 6. If your child is interested in joining this fun house league please have them sign up with Mr. Profiti in the Gym as soon as possible. See Sports Corner below for more details!

Recreational “Noon” Swim for Grades 1 - 6

See the Aquatics News section below for full details!

Outreach News

The Toronto School Board has initiated a Toonie Tuesday event on Tuesday, September 20 for East Africa Relief.  To learn more, go to:

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/about_us/media_room/Room.aspshow=allNews&view=detailed&self=30743 
or speak to your child about the announcements made and posters mounted at the school.

The global charitable organization that Brown is associating with this year is, once again, Free the Children.  Free the Children is sponsoring "We Day" on Tuesday, September 27th at the ACC for which 13 lucky students from Brown will attend.  This day-long event has young people from across North America coming together to celebrate the positive actions they are taking and to launch a movement of youth working for social change. Through messages from world-renowned celebrities, speakers and musicians, young people not only learn about a diverse range of current issues, they gain the inspiration and knowledge needed to act.

Finally, stay tuned for the Thanksgiving Food Drive in early October.  Boxes will be available outside the office and the library for donations of canned and non-perishable food items.  All items received will be delivered to the Toronto Food Bank in time for the holiday by the Outreach Committee.

Parent Council News - Sept 2011

Message from Lisa Bernstein, Chair 

On behalf of the Brown Parent Council, I'd like to welcome all new and returning families to Brown Junior Public School. I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to our new Principal, Gina Christakis, who will be joining us permanently at the end of September.  We cannot thank Jane Giuliani enough for joining Brown School on an interim basis and facilitating a smooth transition for our new Principal!

The Brown Parent Council is gearing up for a fun filled and exciting start to the new school year. We have a number of events and activities already planned to enrich the student experience at Brown! Thank you to the volunteer efforts of so many of our incredible Brown parents, who are essential to the success of these events and activities.

The Brown Parent Council invites all parents to attend a New Parent Breakfast on Wednesday,

September 28 at 8:00 a.m. in the Gym. This is a great way to meet and mingle with parents who are new to Brown School. The gathering will give “new” parents an opportunity to meet and chat with “old” Brown Parents, teachers, Principals Gina Christakis, Jane Giuliani and Vice Principal Sonja Litner. Everyone is welcome! 

All interested parents are invited to attend the Brown Parent Council Annual General Meeting, which will follow the New Parent Breakfast. The AGM starts at 9:00 a.m. and will take place in the Gym. All interested parents are invited to attend the AGM to learn more about the school and to find out about exciting opportunities to get involved. The first Parent Council Meeting will follow immediately after the AGM. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend.

Please contact me at bernstl@lao.on.ca if you are interested in discussing any parent council issues or have questions about how you can help out.

Looking forward to a great year at Brown!

- Lisa Bernstein, Chair

The Brown Communications Network

Student Agenda – Be sure to establish close communication with your classroom teacher. Regularly checking the student agenda is a common way to be kept up to date on school work and activities in the classroom and in the school.

Brown Bulletin – The monthly bulletin is sent out electronically. Please make sure that you are on our email list by signing up at http://www.brownschool.ca/news.asp?ID=173  If your email address has changed, please be sure to sign up again with the new address.

Brown Website – School news bulletins, sports schedules and events, archived Bulletins, forms and other important information can be found on our website:  www.brownschool.ca.   Please check back often!

Brown Handbook – Our Handbook outlines Brown’s staff roles, classes, special activities and policies to help give families an overview of the school. The 2011-2012 edition will be sent home in October.

Class Parents – Parent Representatives of each class help connect parents with their child’s teacher, the administration, and with the Parent Council. Please speak to your teacher if you are interested in being a Class Parent.

We hope you will feel connected with Brown School this year. Please contact Nina Moritsugu at nmoritsugu@cognitionllp.com if you would like to help with Brown Communications.

We can't wait for the Fall Fling! Save the Date - it's on November 17th! 

Welcome Brown families to the 2011-2012 school year! 

The Fall Fling is Brown’s major fundraiser: a sizzling silent auction.  Save the date of November 17th! If you’d like to help out gathering donations or planning the event – WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU ALONG.  It’s a ton of fun and a great way to meet other parents.  Please contact Bettina Hoar (hoarhouse@gmail.com) or Sophie Lamoureux (solam22@hotmail.com) if you’d like to know more.

Aquatics News - Sept 2011

Welcome Back! We hope everyone had a wonderful, safe summer!  If you have any questions or concerns about Aquatics at Brown, please feel free to contact the Aquatic Staff at 416 393-1560.

Thank you - Mrs. J. and Mr. D., Brown Aquatics Staff

Noon Swim

Our noon swim program will begin the week of Monday September 12th. This program is available to our Students from Grades 1-6.

Days - Monday and Wednesday

Times - 12:00 - 12:40 pm

Grades- 1-6

All you need to remember is your swim suit, towel and bathing cap. Come out and enjoy the fun!

Primary Swim Team

The Primary Swim team will be announced to all Grade 2 and 3 classes in early October.

Sports Corner - Sept 2011

Terry Fox Walk - Monday, September 26

On Monday, September 26th, all Brown School students and staff will be participating in the annual Toonie for Terry Walk commemorating the 31st year of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope. Students and their teachers will be walking around the Brown School neighbourhood with their Terry Fox signs in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. All students are asked to bring in a Toonie to their classroom teacher, which will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation.

A giant poster of Terry Fox has been put up next to the main office where we will keep track of all of the donations collected. This year our goal is to raise $1000.00 for cancer research.

Lunchtime Sports – Flag Football!

Once again the Lunchtime Flag Football League will run three days a week (Monday,

Wednesday and Thursday) with Mr. Macdonald and Mr. Profiti. Students in Grade 4, 5 and 6 who are interested in joining this fun house league can sign up with Mr. Profiti in the Gym as soon as possible. The league will start on Monday September 19th at lunch.

Physical Education Class

Each class from Grade 1 to 6 will receive 1 - 2 classes of Physical Education per week. It is extremely important that your child is prepared for Gym class by having the appropriate clothing and footwear. Wearing appropriate footwear (running shoes) and having comfortable clothing such as track pants or shorts, socks along with a comfortable shirt is important for your child to get the most out of the Phys-Ed program. Participation in the Phys-Ed program is worth half of your child's grade on their report card, so being prepared to take part in physical activity is extremely important.

I look forward to seeing your child in the Gym again this year! -- Mr. Profiti

Another year at Brown School is here - and that means the Athletics Program will be in full gear very soon!

Brown students acknowledge that it is a privilege and responsibility to be a member of a school team. Students are responsible for demonstrating appropriate and respectful behaviour at all times. Team members must also maintain classroom academic standards in order to maintain their position on a school team.

The following Sports Team will be available on a try-out basis this year at Brown:

TERM 1	TERM 2	TERM 3
Cross Country Running Team Grades 1 to 6	Girls Volleyball Grades 4, 5, 6	Ultimate Frisbee Grade 5 & 6
Boys & Girls Touch Football Grades 4, 5, 6	Boys Basketball Grades 4, 5, 6	Boys & Girls Soccer Grades 4, 5, 6
Boys & Girls Slo-Pitch Grades 4, 5, 6	Ice Hockey Grades 4, 5, 6	Track & Field Team Grades 3 to 6
Girls Basketball Grades 4, 5, 6	Badminton Grades 4, 5 , 6
Boys Volleyball Grades 4, 5, 6	Junior Swim Team Grades 4, 5, 6
Primary Swim Team Grades 2 & 3	Co-Ed Volleyball Grade 6

All Students have received a package of blue permission forms that are intended to give permission for your child to try-out and/or participate on any school team. Whether it is the Cross Country Team or the Football Team or even the Badminton Team, the permission forms must be filled out and returned to their teacher.

If a child does not have their permission forms filled out they will not be allowed to participate in any of the try-outs until the permission forms are returned.

The first school teams that will be getting started very soon are the Football, Cross Country and Slo-Pitch Teams. The coaches had sign-up meetings for the Touch Football and Slo-Pitch Teams on Wednesday September 7th, Thursday September 8th and Friday September 9th at morning and afternoon recess in the Gym.

Cross Country

The first practice is this Wednesday, September 14, at 8 am, for junior students.

 

Please read the Cross-Country information for full details regarding practices, parent commitment, and dates of meets. More information is also available on the notice board near the gym and will be provided to students via morning announcements.  

The practice schedule is as follows:

Practice Day:	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Start time:	8:00	8:00	8:00
Division	Junior	Primary	Junior and Primary

Boys’ and Girls’ Touch Football (Grades 4 - 6)

The Boys and Girls Football Teams will hold try-outs simultaneously for students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 on Tuesday, September 13 and Friday, September 16, both at 7:30 a.m. at Winston Churchill Park.

At the conclusion of the two try-outs, a list of finalists will be posted outside of the gym. Those students on the list are invited to a final try-out on Tuesday, September 20 at 7:30 a.m. at Winston Churchill Park. The final team list will be posted after the final try-out.

The first team practice will take place on Friday, September 23 at 7:30 a.m. at Winston Churchill Park. The team will practice consistently on Tuesday and Friday mornings @ 7:30 at Winston Churchill Park.

Students who would like to walk to the park with the coaches must be in the Principal’s Hallway at 7:15 a.m. on the morning of the try-out or practice.  If you would like to meet the coaches at the park then please be at the park at 7:30 a.m.

All students are encouraged to dress appropriately for tryouts: sweater or t-shirt, track pants or shorts (no jeans please) and soccer cleats or any pair of athletic shoes. If it is raining on the morning of a practice and/or try-out we will practice in the Gym.

Coaches: Mr. Profiti and Mr. Daigneau

Girls’ Slo-Pitch (Grades 4 – 6)

Try-Out Schedule:

1st Try-Out: Wednesday, September 14 at 3:45 p.m. All Girls in Grades 4, 5 and 6 who signed up are to meet at the baseball diamond in the schoolyard.

2nd Try-Out: Monday, September 19 at 7:30 a.m. All Girls in Grades 4, 5 and 6 who signed up are to meet at the baseball diamond in the schoolyard.

At the conclusion of the two try-outs, a list of finalists will be posted outside of the Gym.

Those students who are on the list are invited to a final try-out on Wednesday, September 21 at 3:45 p.m. in the schoolyard. At the conclusion of the final try-out a team list will be posted on outside of the Gym.

The first team practice will be on Monday, September 26 at 7:30 a.m. in the schoolyard.

All students are encouraged to dress appropriately for try-outs: sweater or t-shirt, track pants or shorts (no jeans please), running shoes, a hat and baseball glove.

Coaches: Mme B’Dacy and Darrin Chin

Boys’ Slo-Pitch (Grades 4 - 6)

Try-Out Schedule:

1st Try-Out: Monday, September 12 from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the schoolyard. At the conclusion of the try-out a list of finalists will be posted outside the Gym. If you’re on the list please attend the 2^nd Try-Out.

2nd Try-Out: Thursday, September 15 at 7:30 a.m. in the schoolyard. At the conclusion of the try-out a list of finalists will be posted outside the Gym. If you’re on the list please attend the Final Try-Out

Final Try-Out: Monday September 19 @ 3:45p.m. in the schoolyard.

At the conclusion of the final try-out a team list will be posted outside the Gym. The first team practice will be on Thursday, September 22 at 7:30a.m. in the schoolyard.

All students are encouraged to dress appropriately for tryouts: sweater or t-shirt, track pants or shorts (no jeans please), running shoes, a hat and baseball glove.

Coaches: Jonah Weslak and Mr. Ellis

Allergy-Safe Suggestions for Parents

From Nina Moritsugu, parent of a child with food allergies

My experience at Brown has been that parents want to ensure that they do not bring food to school which could harm their child’s classmates.  In some cases, however, parents are not 100% certain that the birthday treats they are bringing are safe, so they err on the side of caution and exclude the child with the allergy.  We are prepared for that. It’s always better safe than sorry.  But as we gear up for the new school year, I want to offer suggestions to make it easier for your child to share his or her birthday celebration with all classmates, if you wish to incorporate food as a part of it.

Bakeries in the school vicinity that offer nut-free baked goods: 

Two Moms Baked Goods

Richman’s Bakery

Cupcake Shoppe. 

Loblaws has a new line of frozen baked goods that are labeled nut-free.

If, like me, you often find yourself baking cupcakes at midnight the night before your child’s birthday, so ordering from a bakery is not an option, you might find it easier to keep in stock cake mixes and ready-made icings that are nut-free.  As of the time of writing, most of the PC Organics, Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker mixes are peanut- and nut-free.

Here’s the fine print:  Always read the label, because manufacturers tend to change their manufacturing facilities.  Reputable food companies strictly adhere to Canadian government allergy labelling requirements.   If you want to be absolutely sure, and the label does not explicitly say “peanut/nut free”, it just says nothing about nuts or peanuts, then you can email the company’s customer service department; they tend to be very responsive to such queries.