MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
On behalf of the Brown Public School staff, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you as we begin this new school year! I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new families who are joining our Brown Public School Community. Our students are settling in to their new classrooms, renewing friendships and making new friends! Some of our families have moved away from the Brown area and we wish them all the best.
Our school year begins with 28 new staff members and a new addition. Our Full Day Kindergarten classes are now in full operation and like anything in the beginning there are some challenges we are dealing with. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as the new and old routines are established and reinforced.
We are very proud of the programs and opportunities that are offered at our school. We look forward to continuing to work with you to maintain the high standards that already exist at Brown and ensuring that your children achieve their personal best. I want to thank you for your support in helping us make the school an excellent and safe learning environment for all.
It goes without saying that a great school has great staff! The staff worked hard to get the year off to a good start and to provide a positive learning environment for our students. I would like to thank the teachers who gave their time over the summer to prepare their classrooms for the new school year, in addition to attending courses and workshops. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our caretaking staff Peter, Dwain and Leon for doing an amazing job of getting the school ready for opening day. Our office staff Lois, Natasha and Carmela did a great job supporting parents and students with all the essential information with registration and the school start-up routines in the main office.
The letter we sent out to parents/guardians last week listed all the new staff to Brown P.S. 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. I am sure you will join me in welcoming our new staff.
Please note: Curriculum night has been changed to Thursday October 3, 2013
Sharp start in the gym at 6:00 p.m. followed by two classroom sessions at 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. Reminders will be sent home by hard copy and e-mail.
REORGANIZATION
Our enrolment is strong and much higher than we anticipated in certain grades, particularly in Kindergarten. As a result, we do anticipate a reorganization to meet Ministry class size caps. All schools in the TDSB have been working to ensure compliance with this Primary Class Size initiative as required by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry expectation is that in 90% of the primary classes, the ratio of students to teacher will not exceed 20:1.
In the remaining 10% of primary classes, the ratio of students to teacher will not exceed 23:1. For our school to be fully compliant with this Ministry expectation, it is likely that we will need to reorganize within the next two weeks. This reorganization is required to ensure full implementation of the Primary Class Size initiative. Schools do not have the option of not reorganizing in these situations.
The Full Day Kindergarten classes are the exception to the above as the ratios are different and there are two adults in the classroom at all times. Our classes are very high in Kindergarten. We are currently waiting to find out what the Board will suggest as our next steps regarding our Kindergarten numbers. In the meantime, we have an Occasional teacher come to help out in the classes until we are given permission to hire another teacher.
Grades 1-6 reorganization
In the event of reorganization, parents should be aware of the following:
* There is a possibility your child will be involved in class reorganization and may have a change of class or teacher
* It is possible individual students may move classes to achieve the 20:1 ratio in the primary grades and smaller class sizes in the junior grades
When schools reorganize and assign students to different classes, the Principal and staff consider many issues including:
* ensuring compliance to class size is met in our new classes
* instructional groupings
* gender balance (boy/girl)
Letters will be going out shortly to parents whose children will be involved in these reorganizational changes.
FORMS, FORMS and MORE FORMS
The school year always begins with information gathering to ensure a safe and positive environment for all of our students, staff and parent community. There are many forms that must be filled out. Students received the package of forms on September 5. We ask parents/guardians to return all the forms to the classroom teacher by September 12. It is important for us to update our files with this pertinent information. Your co-operation and prompt attention to this timeline is appreciated.
CURRICULUM NIGHT
All parents and guardians are invited to attend Brown School's Curriculum Night on Thursday, October 3, 2013. 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. The Administration Team will be in the Office greeting families.
This year teachers will offer two sessions for parents to attend. The first session will begin at 6:30-6:55 pm.; the second session will begin at 7:00-7:25 p.m. Offering two sessions will allow our parents with children in the Primary and Junior grades an opportunity to meet their teachers. We hope you will drop by the library to meet our Librarian, Physical and Health Education, Music, ESL and Swim teachers.
MILK PROGRAM and PIZZA LUNCH DAYS
Parents will soon receive a letter asking to indicate whether you would like your child to participate in our Milk Program and/or Pizza lunch days. As we are an ECO Platinum school, we are aware that the less cardboard and waste we have the better! Regular and chocolate milk will be offered.
The form for pizza and milk will be sent home this month, and should be returned with payment (cash or cheques payable to: Brown School Lunch Program by the specified due date to ensure participation in October’s pizza lunch. Pizza lunch dates for 2013/2014 are Oct.25, Nov. 22, Dec. 13, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 28, Apr. 25, May 30, June 20.
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 Magazine Drive will begin in October. Stay tuned for more information which will be sent home with our students.
TERRY FOX WALK
Toonie for Terry Walk -Thursday September 26. On Thursday, September 26, all Brown School students and staff will be participating in the Annual Toonie for Terry Walk commemorating the 33rd 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 contribute a Toonie collected by their classroom teacher which will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation.
CALLS TO OUR OFFICE
Each year we remind parents and students to please limit their calls to and from the office unless there is an emergency. Our office secretaries are always happy to help with general questions; however, they prefer less phone call disruptions during the day for things like forgotten swim or gym clothes. Please check student agendas and schedules to ensure your child does not forget their swim or gym attire. If you are delivering a forgotten lunch, write your child’s name and room number on the bag and we will ensure your child receives it before lunch. Your cooperation is kindly appreciated.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Every TDSB school has a School Code of Conduct implemented to provide learning environments that are safe, nurturing, positive and respectful. Our School Code of Conduct will be reviewed with our students during our school assemblies and maintained and reinforced throughout the school year. The expectation regarding personal cell phones and all other personal communication devices is that these devices must be powered off during all instructional times. PSP games and other electronic toy devices should remain at home to prevent any loss or theft. Magic cards and other trading cards have caused a number of unpleasant situations at school and we ask that the cards remain at home also.
IMPORTANT NOTES ON STUDENT SAFETY
Our entry bell rings at 8:50 a.m. Classes begin at 8:55 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. Grade 1 and 2 children are dropped off in the Primary Playground while the grade 3-6 students are dropped off in the Junior yard area. The school day ends at 3:30 p.m.
If children require extra help, classroom remediation time is between 3:30 and 4:00 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. All parents are asked to bring their children to the school yard off Poplar Plains Rd. during the morning and drop the children off in their designated yards. As our hallways are very narrow, we ask that parents please continue to drop their children off in the school yard instead of entering the school.
With Full Day Kindergarten we ask that parents drop their children off directly in the classroom to alleviate congestion in the Primary yard. We ask parents of Kindergarten children to bring their children to school at 8:50 a.m.
For more information on Brown and TDSB's policies and procedures, please refer to the homepage of www.brownschool.ca.
STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
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.
* A student who is leaving during the school day is to be dismissed through the office
* The student is to wait at the office for the parent
* The parent is to sign out their child in the SIGN OUT binder
* Students will not be released to an adult other than a parent or guardian without the consent of the parent either in writing or verbally to the teacher, office staff or administration
SIGNING IN
When a student is returning back to school from an appointment, parents are reminded to sign their child in at the office, using the SIGN IN binder.
VISITORS
All Visitors to our school are requested to Sign In and wear a Visitor’s Pass identifying who they are throughout the school.
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM
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.
KISS ’N RIDE
Walking, cycling or scootering are greatly encouraged for those students who live within the immediate neighbourhood. For children being dropped off, we ask that parents do not drop off or pick up students or park their vehicle in the laneway/driveway off Avenue Road. This area is for TDSB maintenance and construction crew trucks only. It is impossible for the trucks to turn around when there are cars parked at the back. This has been an ongoing safety concern and we ask for everyone’s cooperation in keeping this driveway clear.
Parents who are dropping off their children by car are asked to drop their children off at the Poplar Plains Rd. designated Kiss ’n Ride area. Our parent volunteers have already started up the program and we ask for everyone’s cooperation and patience once again. Mornings are difficult as we are dealing with morning traffic, neighbours getting out of driveways and cyclists. We ask you to be safe and cautious at all times to ensure the safety of all. Also, please ensure you do not block homeowners’ driveways.
School Bus Zone on Poplar Plains Road
A number of our students are still being bussed to Brown P.S. The area near the staff parking lot is the designated bus zone. This area must remain clear at all times for the school buses. Cars will be fined if in this area.
PARKING LOT
The parking lot is for staff use only. Unfortunately, we do not have enough parking spots for guests and would appreciate parents and visitors to find alternative parking when visiting our school. There are one hour parking spots available off Balmoral Ave. and some of the side streets off Poplar Plains Rd. Again, please ensure you do not block homeowners’ driveways. The parking lot is strictly for staff use only, particularly given the number of new staff we have.
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 we have already had children come into the office with soiled clothing and shoes. Everyone's co-operation is greatly appreciated.
BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, ROLLER BLADES, SHOES with WHEELS etc.
To promote a safe learning environment, students are expected to walk their bicycles to the racks and carry their skateboards, rollerblades and scooters while on school property during school hours. Shoes with built-in wheels are not to be used for that purpose while at school.
LICE SCREENING - DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED
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, please contact the office to see how you can help.
LIBRARY
The primary and junior students will have the opportunity to visit the library during each month. The junior students will have the opportunity to use the library for research at various times during the year. There is an open book exchange time daily. Our librarian, Mme Gagnon, will post times for book exchange and how parents can get involved by volunteering in the library.
Lost Books, Donations, Volunteers
A partial replacement fee of $10 paperbacks/$20 hard covers will be charged for lost and damaged books. Damaged or lost text books are $60. Donations of new or “like-new” books are always welcome at the library. Please see Mme Gagnon for further details. If you would like to volunteer in the library this year, please pick up a volunteer form from Mme Gagnon.
LOST AND FOUND
There is a lost and found box outside Meeting Room 16. The box is emptied several times a month and the contents are laid out in the hall. Students are reminded to claim their clothing before it is removed. Please label and check the box for misplaced items.
LUNCH PROGRAM
We are pleased to offer several classroom sites for Grades 1-2 to use to eat their lunches. Students in Grade 3 eat in the library and grades 4-6 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 including sesame seeds should not be sent to School – this includes any products that “may contain nuts”.
- Please see the Allergy Safe Suggestions for Parents being sent home this week.
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 disposed of in your green bin.
SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY for Grades 4,5,6 students and parents
Students, parents and staff will be involved in a school survey in the next couple of weeks to assess our school needs.
This anonymous school climate survey conducted on a regular basis can help schools:
* Assess perceptions of safety – from students, parents and school staff
* Make informed planning decisions about programs to help prevent bullying and promote safe and inclusive schools
* Determine the effectiveness of their programs on an ongoing basis
* Build and sustain a positive school climate.
* School boards are required to conduct school climate surveys of students, school staff and parents at least once every two years as they all play a key role in contributing to a positive school climate. More information regarding this survey for parents will follow.
For more information follow this link. I will send the codes though a bulletin blast once we are set up for the survey.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/climate.html
LUNCHTIME AND AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS
First Term is Flag Football, Boys and Girls Slo-Pitch!
Once again our staff will be running leagues and teams for the students in Grades 4, 5 and 6. Daily announcements are made for students interested in joining and/or trying out for teams. See Sports Corner below for more details!
MEDICAL ALERTS
Please contact our office immediately if your child has a condition we need to be made aware of or medication we need to know about. All of the medical forms must be returned during the first full week of school. If your child has a medical condition that requires immediate attention, please call the office.
My sincerest wishes to all for a great start to the school year. I look forward to seeing you on Curriculum Night.
Best Regards,
Gina Christakis
Principal
Brown Public School
416-393-1560
