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.