We are into the final stretch of the school year and as always, it is one of the busiest times of the year. While many expect us to be winding down, we are winding up for September 2014 in our offices.
Staffing model for 2014-2015
Our staffing model for 2014-2015 has been approved by the Board. We are once again in a hiring position here at Brown as we continue to grow in population. The next few weeks will involve teachers being placed into teaching positions for next year and teachers accepting other opportunities through the Board’s vacancy process. We have a number of teachers returning from leaves and a number of teachers who will be leaving us as the other teachers return to Brown. There will be many changes once again next year and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that our staffing model and staffing will bring. The staffing model will be released to our community in the June edition of the Brown Bulletin.
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.
Heads-up: EQAO Assessments for Grades 3 & 6
The Ministry of Education conducts a province-wide assessment of all students in Grades 3 and Grade 6. Students are assessed in the areas of math, reading and writing. Please note that Grade 3 French Immersion students only do the math portion of the EQAO testing. The assessments will take place during the period from May 26 to June 6.
Please make every effort not to book appointments for your children in these grades during the testing days. Many of our students are currently practising many strategies for taking the test and learning from past tests. Parents interested in obtaining more information may do so. EQAO provides educators, parents and students with an abundance of easily accessible quality resources. The tools, guides and sample tests are free and can be obtained online by visiting www.eqao.com. More information will be sent home to the parents of students in these grades as we move closer to the testing dates.
School Talent Show
We have a School Talent Show taking place the evening of April 24. We will send more information home through Class Reps.
Parking Issues
Last year this time, construction for our Full Day Kindergarten was well underway. This year we appear to have private residence construction happening on Poplar Plains Road which has created some traffic concerns for our community. Police and parking authority presence in the area will continue as we have parking issues in the morning and after school. The Avenue Road driveway continues to be an issue with unauthorized cars parking in this narrow driveway which is for Board personnel only. When I left the school this past Friday, I discovered my car had been hit. I would like to stress once again that the parking areas, particularly the staff parking lot and the Avenue Road parking lot are off limits except for authorized personnel. Cars will be tagged and towed.
While I would like to thank parents for their cooperation regarding the Avenue Road driveway and the Staff Parking lot, we still have a few parents who may not be aware of our policies and remind them to please stay out of the Avenue Road driveway and staff parking lot area. This includes our Day Care parents. A number of students have been dropped off in the staff parking lot and left to walk alone through the parking lot. Other parents have been dropping their children off on Avenue Road holding up traffic and having their children climb over the mountains of snow. Others have been using the Avenue Road driveway which is off limits. These are all unsafe practices and must STOP. We are fortunate to have a Kiss’n Ride Program here at Brown P.S. and encourage parents to take advantage of this program. Our school buses pick up and drop off students on Poplar Plains Road and we ask parents to be aware of the bus loading zone area.
Grade 6 Graduation Trip May 5-7 Montreal/Ottawa
Our Brightspark Tour Guide will be presenting the itinerary and important information to our students during a Lunch and Learn session on April 15. All payments for the trip should now have been made. A contingency plan and further information about what students should bring on the trip will be sent home after the Lunch and Learn session.
Note: Grade 6 graduation re-takes will take place on April 15.
Appropriate clothing
We continue to encourage our students to wear appropriate clothing to school based on the weather forecast. As the nicer weather approaches, we ask students have their shoes on when outside in the school yard to prevent any accidents or infections.
Faculty students
Throughout the year we have had many Faculty students doing their practicums with our students. We would like to thank our many Faculty partners and our staff for mentoring our future teachers.
Tennis – lunch time program
The Toronto Tennis Academy is again offering a lunch time introductory tennis program at our school. Certified tennis coaches lead this program, tennis racquets and balls are provided and there will be a pro/student ratio of approximately 1:10. There will be six sessions, 45 minutes each, and participants will receive a Tennis Book at the end of the program. Classes will take place on the outdoor tennis courts, weather permitting. The cost is $75.00 per child. Space is limited. (Please note day of the week for your child!!) Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. Application forms will be in the Office shortly.
Grade 4/5/6 Tuesdays April 29 – June 10 11:55 am – 12:40 pm
Grade 3 Wednesdays April 30– June 11 11:55 am – 12:40 pm
Grade 2 Thursdays May 1 – June 12 11:55 am – 12:40 pm
Grade 1 Fridays May 2 – June 13 11:55 am – 12:40 pm
International Day of Pink
April 9th is 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 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 who will wear pink on April 9, 2014. Last year our Grade 5 and 6 students had the privilege of meeting Jeremy Dias, the Director and Founder of Jer’s Vision here at our school. This year, Ilana David from our Gender Based Violence Prevention Team will be here to do a special presentation for our Junior students. Our students have been placing posters and making announcements in preparation for our Day of Pink.
BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION AT BROWN P.S.
It was recently brought to our attention that parents new to our school are not familiar with the Toronto District School Board’s Safe and Caring Schools policies and procedures and are not aware of the Safe Schools Code of Conduct here at Brown P.S.
I will briefly attempt to explain the framework that has been established to enable, support and maintain a positive school climate here at Brown P.S. specifically in regards and in response to inappropriate behaviours as outlined in Bill 212, Bill 157 and recently Bill 13 of the Education Act.
When students breach the code of conduct, consequences are consistent with progressive discipline strategies. Progressive discipline is a whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build on strategies that promote positive behaviours. When inappropriate behaviour occurs, disciplinary measures are applied within a framework that shifts the focus from one that is solely punitive to one that is both corrective and supportive. Many schools including Brown P.S. utilize a range of interventions, supports, and consequences that include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students to make good choices.
Interventions (in no particular order) may include:
- Discussion with a teacher, member of the support staff, vice-principal or principal
- Attendance / performance/ behaviour contracts
- Time Out
- Reflection Sheet
- Parental contact and involvement in applying an appropriate remedy
- Loss of privilege to participate in specified school activities
- Peer mediation
- Individual or group counseling
- Assessment
- Detention
- Restitution for damage or stolen property
- Community service
- Restorative justice practices
Student breaches of the Board’s Code of Conduct and Brown P.S.’s Code of Conduct will be dealt with in accordance with Operational Procedure PR697: Promoting a Positive School Climate.
At Brown P.S. we have an Office Referral Process. Problems that are referred to Administration are dealt with by the Principal and/or Vice-Principal. Depending on the severity of the inappropriate behaviour, parents may or may not be notified. We often like to educate our students to make better choices than being punitive. Our staff at Brown P.S. can be commended for being proactive in the classroom, in the hallways, and on the playgrounds. We prefer restorative justice practices and helping students think about their actions and the impact their actions have had on others. We always start our restorative practices by asking, “What happened?” Students are also asked various other questions including “What do you think you need to do to make things right?”
In cases that are of a more serious nature and depending on the number of times a student has breached the Code of Conduct and other mitigating factors, consequences may include suspension and in some cases expulsion from the school and/or the School Board.
Suspension
The behaviours for which a principal may consider suspending a student include:
- Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;
- Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs;
- Being under the influence of alcohol;
- Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;
- Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school;
- Bullying;
- Willful destruction of school property; vandalism causing damage to school or Board property or property located on school or Board premises;
- Use of profane or improper language;
- Use of tobacco;
- Theft;
- Aid/incite harmful behaviour;
- Physical assault;
- Being under the influence of illegal drugs;
- Fighting;
- Possession or misuse of any harmful substances;
- Extortion;
- Inappropriate use of electronic communications or media devices; and
- An act considered by the principal to be a breach of the Board’s or School’s Code of Conduct.
The behaviours for which a principal will consider recommending to a Committee of the Board that a student be expelled include:
- Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm;
- Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person;
- Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;
- Committing a sexual assault;
- Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs;
- Committing robbery;
- Giving alcohol to a minor;
- Bullying if,
- i. the pupil has previously been suspended for engaging in bullying, and
- ii. the pupil’s continuing presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person;
- Sexual harassment;
- Racial harassment;
- Hate-motivated occurrences;
- Distribution of hate material;
- Possession of explosive substance;
- Any activity listed in section 306(1) motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other similar factor; and
- An act considered by the principal to be a serious breach of the Board or School Code of Conduct.
NOTE: Individual schools may insert specific expectations and requirements provided they are consistent with the Board’s Code of Conduct. These may include the following:
Attendance and late policies
Students will be on time for classes and will attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for the work missed due to absence. Students who skip classes or repeatedly arrive late may receive consequences based on the principles of progressive discipline and in accordance with Operational Procedure PR697 Promoting Positive School Climate.
School Dress Code
“Dress Code” is the appropriate dress established by the school in consultation with parents through the school council, and may include a school uniform.
“School Uniform” refers to any common standard of attire with respect to colour and design which students are required to wear at school.
It is expected that, subject to the discretion of the principal to permit exceptions regarding compliance in appropriate circumstances, every student in the school will comply with the Dress Code. The Dress Code does not apply to religious, cultural or similar forms of attire. The Dress Code does not restrict, in any way, a student’s right to dress in a manner that is prescribed by religious, cultural, ethnic or similar tenets and custom.
“Inappropriate Dress” refers to a standard of attire, which does not meet the school community standards of decency. Inappropriate Dress at Brown Public School includes:
(a) language and/or any representations on attire that indicates gang affiliation;
(b) attire that depicts violence, profanity, racial or gender discrimination or discrimination of any kind whatsoever;
(c) attire that is considered inappropriate as deemed by our Safe and Caring Schools Committee and School Code of Conduct at Brown Public School
Operational Procedure PR585: Board Code of Conduct Page 13 of 13 G02 (Secretariat\Staff\G02\03\OP\PR585)sec.1530
Lockers
Lockers are the property of the Board and are subject to inspection by the Administration.
As the Principal at Brown P.S., I frequently mention to students during our Character Trait Assemblies each month that they are the best children I have ever worked with. I am very sincere about that and can assure this community that our children are respectful, cooperative and empathetic. There are many mitigating circumstances that sometimes cause children to behave a certain way and as educators in an elementary school environment we do everything we possibly can to help them and offer support. We have a school social worker, psychologist, a special education team and a kind and caring staff that recognizes when a child may require more support. Each incident is unique and our disciplinary action considers a number of factors. Parents are seen as part of the disciplinary process and the parents in our community have been very supportive to date.
I recognize that many parents refer to many incidents that their child may be involved in as “bullying” or being “bullied” when speaking to Mr. Costa and me. Our students are made aware of the school’s code of conduct at the beginning of each year with constant reminders throughout the year. At Brown P.S. we are very fortunate to have a number of anti-bullying presentations at our school. We have Character Trait Assemblies monthly and we recognize Days of Significance as we continue to provide an equitable, inclusive and positive learning environment. All of us have a part to play in making and keeping schools safe. By working together, we can provide learning environments that are caring, safe, accepting, respectful and inclusive, where students can acquire the knowledge, skills and values they need to become responsible members of their communities.
I will end with the TDSB’s definition of “bullying” and offer some suggestions on dealing with bullying behaviour. Next month I will write about what to do if your child is being bullied.
Bullying - typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour that is directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance. (Ministry of Education’s Policy Program Memorandum No. 144, Bullying Prevention and Intervention, October 4, 2007)
Bullying is a dynamic of unhealthy interaction that can take many forms. It can be physical (e.g. hitting, pushing, tripping), verbal (e.g. name calling, mocking, or making sexist, racist, or homophobic comments), or social (e.g. excluding others from a group, spreading gossip, or rumours). It may also occur through the use of technology (e.g. spreading rumours, images, or hurtful comments through the use of email, cellphones, text messaging, Internet Web site, or other technology)
Cyberbullying - the use of information and communication technologies, such as email, cellphone and pager text messaged, instant messaging, personal Web sites and on-line personal polling Web sites, to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behaviour by an individual or group, which is intended or perceived to harm others. (TDSB Policy P.065 June 25, 2008)
The Bully, The Bullied, The Bystander
…and 10 Things You Can DO!
The “Bully”
Most people have heard the word “bully”. In fact most of us know a few people whom we would call bullies. Being a bully is not something of which to be proud. It may look like bullies have many “friends” but usually bullies are not very well liked at all and the friends are more afraid to leave the group out of fear of the consequences.
Often we think bullies are big boys, but that is not always the case. Girls as well as adults of all walks of life can be bullies and make others feel uncomfortable. A bully is someone who makes a person feel sad or afraid, through actions or words.
Bullying behaviour can be shown in many ways other than hitting or shoving. Bullies can also say hurtful things in a sarcastic manner, use threatening gestures, or exclude another from a group.
Bullies need help as well. They are often underachievers and are five times more likely than other children to fall into deeper trouble during their adolescent and adult life.
If you grow up seeing bullies treat others unfairly, you may think it is okay for you to do the same. It is NOT okay. We must find other ways to feel good about ourselves and handle anger.
Strategies to Deal with Bullying Behaviour
Teachers and parents can encourage children to:
- travel with friends. Two is company and there is strength in numbers.
- stay away from places where bullies hang out.
- avoid a confrontation by walking away.
- ignore the bully. If the person continues to bother you, say firmly, “Cut it out!” or “Stop it!”
- head for a crowded place if feeling threatened.
- practise acting confident. Walk with head up, shoulders back and look people in the eye.
- not give the reaction the bully wants.
- participate in school activities that they enjoy.
- socialize with other students and try to make friends.
- talk to people they trust –parent, teachers, friends about a persistent bully.
Bullying is an issue that the TDSB takes very seriously. In 2013, the Board adopted comprehensive procedures aimed at establishing a framework to enable, support and maintain a positive school climate. To learn more please read our P.051 Caring and Safe Schools policy and our procedures PR 702: Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour and PR 703 Bullying Prevention and Intervention. Visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/safeschools.
April’s Character Education Trait is Cooperation
What is cooperation?
• Working together for a common purpose
• Working together to reach a common goal
Quotations
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. “
(Martin Luther King Jr.)
“The only thing that will redeem mankind is co-operation.” (Bertrand Russell)
“He that does good to another does good also to himself.” (Lucius Annaeus Seneca, 4 BC–65 AD)
“We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.” (George Bernard Shaw)
What does co-operation look like/sound like?
• Happily doing something that will help others
• Agreeing to play a game others want to play if it means the group will benefit
• Helping someone in need by opening a door or helping to carry something
• Helping to find a compromise when a group is in disagreement
• Playing fair when participating in sports or games, and being a “good loser” and a “good winner”
• Inviting someone who is alone or “left out” to join the group
• Encouraging others to recognize the importance of co-operation by demonstrating the spirit of cooperation in your daily activities
• Volunteering time or resources to a community project
• Listening to the ideas of group members and finding ways for each person to feel valued and important
• Offering to do a job that nobody else in the group wants to do
• Asking the group members for their ideas and opinions
A Winning ATTITUDE and You!
ATTITUDE is a state of mind when you approach a situation. When you have a positive attitude, the possibilities are limitless.
Why is your attitude so important? Because it affects –
* How you look, what you say and what you do
* How you feel both physically and mentally
* How successful you are in achieving your goals
Do you take a positive attitude toward yourself?
* Are you willing to learn?
* Do you do your best on your schoolwork?
* Do you demonstrate enthusiasm?
* Are you willing to grow?
* Do you welcome change?
* Do you see the humour in things?
Do you take a positive attitude toward others?
* Are you sincerely interested in others?
* Do you look at other people’s point of view?
* Are you a good listener?
* Are you able to work with others?
You’ll be amazed how positive thinking can make your life better. Try practising with your family:
* Keep each other informed—a calendar with everyone’s activities helps to keep days and evenings running smoothly
* Be punctual – time is precious so do your best to be on time
* Be cheerful – it keeps things light-hearted
* Use only polite words – a few kind words can make a big difference (e.g. Please, Thank you, May I ?)
* Be Helpful – Look for ways you can assist. If everyone chips in, it leaves more time for other activities
* Be Patient – Good things often come to those who display patience
Here are some suggestions for positive thinking at school.
* Be dependable – get to school and finish your homework
* Take pride in your work – this is key for success
* Respect – yourself and the rights of others
* Be considerate - it helps everyone to be successful
* Knowledge – it helps you grow
* Enthusiasm – it fuels your progress and keeps you happy
Adopting a winning ATTITUDE makes everyday living better.
* Life is more meaningful
* Problems are easier to handle
* Goals are more attainable
* Mistakes seem less disastrous
* The future is more exciting
“It’s not your APTITUDE, but your ATTITUDE that determines your ALTITUDE!” ~ Anonymous
Earth Day-United Nations
April 22, 2014
Forty one years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.
Earth Day can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. It is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.
To our families celebrating Passover and Easter, we wish you health and happiness during this festive time with your family and friends.
No school on April 18
No school on April 21
Thank you to all for your continued support at Brown P.S.
Gina Christakis Norbert Costa
Principal Vice-Principal
Brown P.S. Brown P.S.
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS
Yard Supervision
Yard Supervision for Grades 1 to 6 begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. Kindergarten supervision begins at 8:50 a.m. and ends at 3:20 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 tag’. This is a safety measure to ensure that visiting adults are recognized and encouraged to feel welcome in our school. Thank You!
Sign-In and Sign- Out Procedures
We understand that students may have to attend appointments during the instructional school hour day. Parents/Guardians are reminded that students must be signed out and back in for safety and attendance reasons. The sign-in and sign-out binders are located in the main office.
Kiss 'N Ride and the new parking bylaw
Do not use the Avenue Road driveway as this is strictly an out of bounds area for unauthorized vehicles. The parking lot underneath the tennis court area is for staff only. Staff vehicles now have special identification and unauthorized cars will be ticketed. Please pick up and drop of your children at the Kiss 'N Ride designated area on Poplar Plains Rd. With the new $150 fine for illegal parking, we encourage parents to use the Kiss 'N Ride program.
Community Issue
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 in the event that you have to come into the school. We do everything we can to cooperate with our neighbours and would appreciate this is taken into consideration.
Preserving the Learning Environment - from the Office Staff
In the event of an emergency, we always do our utmost to relay messages to students; however, we will not disrupt classes and interrupt instruction time to give messages to individual students. Our Office Administrator and clerical staff are very busy during the day. To minimize the numerous phone calls they are currently receiving, we kindly ask for your cooperation to please make arrangements for special pick-ups prior to your child’s coming to school. The agenda is an excellent tool for communication between home and school for dental and medical appointments when your child needs to leave early.
Letters are required to our office staff to notify us that your child is leaving the school early for an appointment or other matter. Parents who are picking students up must sign out the student at the office. Please help us with this process and make this a best practice at Brown P.S.
Safe practices picking up your children
It has been brought to our attention that friends or other nannies are picking up children without permission from the parents and without notification to our office staff. This is not a safe practice as it can cause undue stress when we receive phone calls from parents regarding the whereabouts of their child/children. Parents must notify the office if their child is going to be picked up by another family member or nanny who is not on the office list. If a parent is going to be late at dismissal time, please contact the office and we will notify your child to wait in the office until your arrival.
Swim Attire
Many students are forgetting their swim gear and having to call home. This is another disruption for the office staff and to instruction time. Please check your child’s timetable and ensure they have their swim attire on a regular basis. Possibly send the swim attire a day before the actual swimming class.
Hallway Safety
We kindly ask that parents and caregivers drop off their children in the school yard as a best practice and allow the students to go to their classrooms on their own upon the entry bell. Our hallways are narrow and when too many people congregate in the hallways, it creates a great deal of congestion. To ensure the safety of our students, please help us make this a best practice also.
Lost & Found
Parents, please check our lost and found collection. There are many items currently in the Lost and Found area that need to be recovered before the holidays. Remember to label items (esp. lunch bags) with a permanent marker.
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 AM or 12:30 PM (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.
