- Staff departures
- EQAO dates for Gr. 3 & 6
- Construction update
- TDSB Mental Health Awareness Week
- Jer's Vision presentation: May 9
- Grade 6 Graduation
- Recent assemblies
- May's character trait: Integrity
- Tips on helping your child navigate the social jungle
- Important safety reminders
STAFFING FOR 2013-2014
Retirements
Sonja and I are currently busy hiring teachers for next year. We currently have three teachers retiring: Gail Nathanson, Naomi Regan and Diane Legge. There will be an incredible void to fill with the loss of these teachers at our school next year. We know you will join us in wishing our teachers a Happy Retirement and we are hopeful that they will return to do some occasional teaching with us in the near future.
Maternity Leaves
We also have maternity leaves to announce. Charlotte MacQuarrie and Anne-Marie Sulymko are expecting their first child. Charlotte MacQuarrie has started her leave. Liz Warden is expecting her second child. There will be new faces filling in for these teachers in our Primary grades next year and we look forward to their return. We wish them all health and happiness.
Medical Leave
Our dear caretaker, Mark Hosmer had an accident at our school a couple of weeks ago. Mark is doing very well and will be going to Physiotherapy for his broken leg. Students and parents interested in sending Mark a card are asked to bring their cards to the main office and we will ensure that Mark receives your good wishes for a speedy recovery.
MOVING?
If you are moving before September, please let the main office know as soon as possible. As we start planning for school organization for next year, we need to have enrolment data that is as accurate as possible since it affects staffing and class organization.
EQAO ASSESSMENTS FOR GRADES 3 & 6
May 27 to June 7, 2013
The Ministry of Education conducts a province-wide assessment of all students in Grade 3 and Grade 6. Students are assessed in the areas of math, reading and writing. The assessments will take place during the period from May 27 to June 7. Please make every effort not to book appointments for your children in these grades during the testing days. Thank you and more information will come home to the parents of students in these grades as we move closer to the testing dates.
CONSTRUCTION FOR FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN
The construction for our Full day Kindergarten is on schedule. The modular addition should be arriving within the next two weeks. We have all been watching the incredible job the construction crew has been doing. This project is expected to be completed by August 16.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
TDSB is celebrating Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week from May 5 to 11. One in five students are impacted by a mental health needs and only one in six of those students get the help that they need. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is about increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health needs, decreasing the stigma, and understanding the help that is available.
Students feel supported when positive relationships are developed with caring adults in their schools. These positive relationships improve the mental health and well-being of all students and help strengthen our schools.
We all have responsibility for the mental health and well-being of today’s youth. The Mental Health Strategy that we are developing is about bringing together as many partners as we can to challenge the stigma around mental health needs and create a strong support system for students and their families.
Our Director of Education, Donna Quan and senior staff will be will be promoting awareness of Children’s Mental Health by leading a walk on Friday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at 5050 Yonge Street. For more information about mental health, please see www.cmha.ca/mental-health/your-mental-health/children/
JER'S VISION - DATE CHANGE
We announced that Jeremy Dias from Jer’s Vision would be coming to our school to do a presentation for our Grade 5 and 6 students on May 6. The date has been changed to May 9 at 1:00 p.m. Parents interested in attending this presentation are welcome to attend. The presentation will be taking place in the gym.
April 10th was the International Day of PINK. The International Day of Pink is a day of Action, born with a youth in a high school in Nova Scotia who was bullied because of his sexual orientation and wearing a pink shirt to school. Fellow students who saw the incident intervened, but wanted to do more; so, they purchased pink shirts. Two weeks after the incident, hundreds of students came to school wearing pink to show support for diversity and to stop bullying, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. Following the incident, Jer’s Vision (Canada’s Youth diversity Initiative Organization) partnered with the students who started this day of action, and now share it with millions of people. Over 300 of our students and staff wore PINK to support this day of Action at Brown P.S.
On Monday, May 9th at 1:00 p.m., our grade 5 and 6 students will have the privilege of meeting Jeremy Dias, the Director and Founder of Jer’s Vision here at our school. Director and Founder, Jeremy Dias was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and grew up there until moving to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he attended high school. As a youth, he was motivated by social and political inequality to take action, volunteering with numerous organizations and charities. In high school he started and led a number of clubs including Stop Racism and Ontario Students against Impaired Driving. He also founded and coordinated the Sault Ste. Marie's first regional LGBTQ youth group.
After coming out in high school, Jeremy faced extreme cases of discrimination by students and school officials. At 17, he began a legal case against his school and school board, and at 21 won Canada’s second largest human rights settlement. Jeremy used the money to found Jer’s Vision: Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative, the International Day of Pink and the Jeremy Dias Scholarship.
Jeremy has been featured on Canada AM, Much Music, CTV News, Global News and CBC News; and has been a keynote speaker at countless conferences and events. He has completed a degree in Psychology and Political Science at the University of Ottawa, and continues to volunteer for a number of organizations including Housing Help and the Imperial Court. He is also a columnist for 2B Magazine in Montreal. Jeremy Dias currently serves as Jer’s Vision’s Executive Director.
Parents are welcome to join us for this special presentation with Jeremy.
GRADE 6 GRADUATION TRIP - May 13 to 16
The estimated time of arrival from Ottawa on May 16 will be 7:30 p.m. We ask parents to pick up their children on Poplar Plains Road by our parking lot. The Principal will be at the school that evening to wait for their arrival. Should there be a change in the time of arrival, please check the Brown Bulletin for updates. Children may also contact their parents by cellphone should there be a delay. The Principal’s office number is 416-393-1560 ext. 20010.
The parent information session for the Montreal/Ottawa trip May 13-16 was held on April 3 at 7:00 p.m. in our library. Our Brightspark Tour Guide presented the itinerary and important information to parents who attended. The tour guide came back the next week to present to our students.
Donations are welcome to help subsidize this trip. Donations of $25 or more will be eligible for a tax receipt. Cheques may be written to The Toronto District School Board and dropped off in our main office. We will accept donations until the end of May and appreciate your generosity for those who need a little financial help. Should parents require any help or have any further inquiries about this trip, please contact Gina Christakis.
RECENT ASSEMBLIES
On April 30th our students participated in a number of presentations at our school. The morning began with the UPOWER Concerts presented by Sara Westbrook and the afternoon began with a presentation by Q-MACK and his anti-bullying message. Students also had a special presentation on this day about Nicola’s Triathlon for Kids which will take place this year on Sunday June 9, 2013 from 12:00-6:00 p.m. for students 3-14 years of age.
THE NEON DANCE
Our grade 5 and 6 students will be having their annual end of the year dance on May 30th. As the grade 6 students get ready to leave Brown, they invite the grade 5 students to share in this dance celebration and welcome them as the new leaders of the school. This year’s dance has a neon theme. At this dance, we will be filming a 30-second clip called the BROWN SHAKE. Our students will be introduced to the dance steps during the month of May.
MAY'S CHARACTER TRAIT IS INTEGRITY
What is Integrity?
“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys for living your life with integrity.” ~ W. Clement Stone
A person of Integrity…
- is respectful
- is responsible
- is trustworthy
- is dependable
- is someone you can count on
When we talk about what integrity looks like at school, we are talking about students who follow the school rules. Students who obey the school code of conduct demonstrate integrity at school.
Integrity at home means:
-being a good role model to your siblings
- telling the truth
-doing your chores when you're supposed to
Integrity means doing things with your family and for your family.
Personal Integrity means doing the right thing for yourself, not for anyone else.
It’s about standing up for what you believe in, even if it is not supported by all of your friends; or if you are the only one who is taking that position.
A person of integrity tells the truth and keeps their word.
Doing the right thing and standing up for what you believe in ~ even if it’s not popular.
Keeping your promises to family, friends, teachers and others.
Personal Integrity is... The ability to restrain or stop yourself from doing things even in tempting situations. If you have personal integrity, it means you do what’s right because it’s the right thing to do!
PARENT/CAREGIVER CORNER
Helping your Child Handle Cliques and Navigate the Social Jungle
Being “in” is every child’s dream, but being excluded is painful. There is nothing worse than eating lunch alone and not getting invited to parties and sleepovers. Cliques rule. Trying to get out of a clique can be just as difficult as trying to get in.
- Be empathetic. “I know how tough it must be to be excluded. Let’s figure out some things that we can do about it.”
- Provide a balanced view. “Everyone does not hate you. What about your friend Sandra?” “You and Kevin were playing soccer at lunch – he’s a good friend.”
- Don’t press too hard. “This is a tough topic. I’m here when you need me.” It can be humiliating for your child to confess this kind of rejection. Being available and supportive is a good first step. Your child may open up later.
- Don’t knock the other kids. Yes, they are excluding and shunning your child, but criticizing them won’t help. Your child wants their friendship so don’t say: “Those kids are mean and stupid.” “Why would you want to be their friend anyway?”
- Talk to teachers. The teacher is with your child all day and will have some insights that will be able to help you.
- Start with one ally. One friend can be your child’s social entry card. Your child can start a one to one relationship with a child who is already in the group.
- Help your child blend in. If this is truly a group of friends that your child wants to be with, superficial as it may seem to you, take a look at the group and then make a few suggestions to your child about how he/she can blend in.
- Point him/her in a different direction. If one group rebuffs him/her, encourage him/her to make new friends that may be more appropriate.
- Encourage special strengths. Help your child identify what is special and unique about him/her. This can increase his/her self-esteem and confidence making him/her more resilient to be able to handle the pressures of social jungle.
- Help manage frustrations. This kind of rejection can be very traumatic so offer your child healthy outlets and strategies for coping – keep a journal, indulge in activities that can positively channel this frustration - sports, music, drama, creative writing.
- Watch for downslide. If you think that your child is having a hard time, be available. Schedule time together. Look for red flags such as poor grades, changes in eating habits, mood swings, anger or withdrawal.
- Use the school as an ally. Speak to the administration or the guidance counsellor. If you are very worried, seek help from the school social worker.
Yard Supervision
Yard Supervision for Grades JK to 6 begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Kindergarten supervision begins at 12:45 p.m. Parents are responsible for their children’s safety and conduct in the yard before and after these times.
Visitor Sign-In Book
Visitors are requested to sign in at the main office and wear a ‘visitor pass’. This is a safety measure to ensure that visiting adults are recognized and encouraged to feel welcome in our school. Thank You!
Kiss 'n Ride
Do not use the Avenue Road driveway as this is the school bus pick up and drop off area for our students. Please pick up and drop of your children at the Kiss N’ Ride designated area on Poplar Plains.
Community Issues
1. Our neighbours have recently been concerned about cars blocking their driveways during drop off and pickup times. Please ensure that you are not parking in front of anyone's driveway, as they need to be able to get in and out of their own driveway safely and promptly. There is one-hour parking on Balmoral Ave. in the event that you have to come into the school. We do everything we can to cooperate with our neighbours and would appreciate that this be taken into consideration.
2. On occasion, balls fly into our neighbours’ backyards. We are advising parents and students that if a ball ends up in the backyard of 17 Lynwood Avenue, DO NOT go knocking on this neighbour’s door. This neighbour does not want to be disturbed to retrieve balls. We have made attempts to have the balls returned; however, we have not been successful in our attempts with this neighbour.
3. There has recently been police and parking authority at our school to deal with safety concerns on Avenue Road and on Poplar Plains Road. Parents are reminded to use the Kiss ‘N Ride service provided by our parent volunteers daily on Poplar Plains Rd. The Avenue Road driveway is not to be used for drop off or pick up at any time as we have construction going on.
Safe Arrival Program
The Safe Arrival program is used by parents/guardians and schools to account for any student’s unexplained failure to arrive at school. Please call the school safe arrival number 416-393-1557 before 8:55 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. (for an afternoon absence) if your child will not be attending school or plans to be late. This line is available 24 hours a day with voice mail. If your child is absent and we have not heard from you, we will make every effort to contact you using the information provided on the Emergency Form. The name and telephone number of an emergency contact is absolutely essential.
