VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
Brown has always held great events for our community. From the Fall Fling to Garden Fete and the Grade 6 Graduation, our parents/caregivers have always been supportive.
We are calling out to all parents/caregivers and former students who are interested in volunteering for our Garden Fete Event this year. There are many activities and events that require just an hour of your time that day and our Garden Fete Committee would be grateful to all that could come out and volunteer for this fun-filled day. Former students that need community service hours are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This is a seven-hour day that will help with the Secondary community service requirements.
Garden Fete: Saturday May 23, 2015
Volunteer hours between 8:00AM-3:00PM
For more information, contact Laura Chorneyko at laubr@rogers.com
Grade 6 Graduation and the Yearbook publication have traditionally been organized by the parents/caregivers of our Grade 6 graduating students. Volunteers are needed for the various aspects of these endeavours. Volunteers are needed for the making and publication of the yearbook. The Graduation Day committee is responsible for the program, the decorations, loot bags, the reception in the gym and the dance party at the Church. Those interested in volunteering for the Grade 6 Graduation and/or Yearbook are asked to kindly contact the following parent volunteers.
Grade 6 Graduation contact: elanatarshis@gmail.com
Yearbook contacts: michellewoodvine@yahoo.ca and/or Anita Halter: halterhome@rogers.com
Thank you in advance for your kindness and volunteer support at Brown Public School.
DISTRICT REVIEW PROCESS - APRIL 1
Toronto District School Board representatives will be here for the whole day on April 1st, observing our students, recognizing our teaching and learning strategies, and assessing the general climate of our school. We will be greeting this committee early in the morning of April 1st with a presentation that will include an overview of our school given by our Parent Council co-chairs, students and staff. We ask parents to ensure minimal interruptions to our school day on this particular day as our office staff will be very busy during this process. Your attention to this is kindly appreciated.
WORLD CHANGERS
Our World Changers organized a wonderful Bake Sale in February to raise money for “Free The Children”. We thank all of our students and parents for helping with baking and raising funds and most importantly, raising awareness. In this day and age, it is important for all of us to help families around the world to have safe sources of drinking water and shelter to live in. We are also helping build schools to allow all children to have access to education around the world. We extend our sincere thanks to Mme Breslin, Mme Sulymko, Mrs. Silecky, Mrs. Bulfon, students and parents for their tireless efforts in organizing the campaign and volunteering their time for this great cause.
GRADE 6 GRADUATION TRIP
Students were given six choices for their Graduation trip this year. The surveys that were returned indicated a greater interest to go to the Niagara region this year. Our students will be departing Toronto on June 10 for three days full of fun, team building activities and learning about our Canadian Heritage.
Permission Forms and Itinerary with payment information will be distributed to Grade 6 students shortly. Permission forms are due on March 31, 2015. Parents are asked to follow the payment schedule as requested by the excursion operator. We promote 100% participation for this Grad trip for educational purposes and for the great relationship building and memories these excursions are known for. Parents who would like to discuss this opportunity are asked to kindly call Principal Christakis.
ENROLMENT AND KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Our enrollment numbers for 2015-1016 are close to projection this year. Over the next few months, our office will be calling parents to re-verify address information and may be asking parents to bring in proof of address information once again. Brown P.S. is a “closed” school – this means that we are only admitting students that live within our boundaries (catchment area) for English and French currently. Families that move out of district must attend the homeschool that corresponds to their home address.
Parents that recently pre-registered their children at Brown are awaiting acceptance from our office after address verifications have been completed and verified. Addresses will be checked again during the 2015-2016 year. This will be a best practice at Brown P.S. as our numbers continue to increase. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process as we ensure only students within our catchment area may attend Brown P.S..
FRENCH IMMERSION
We have received the names of the students who have been accepted into our Early French Immersion Senior Kindergarten Program for next year. We have reached our capacity. Our office will contact parents for a registration appointment.
KINDERGARTEN TOURS
Parents new to our Brown P.S. community are invited to our Kindergarten tour on Tuesday June 16. There will be two sessions: a 9:30 AM session and a 1:00 PM session. Parents are asked to contact our office to RSVP. Tours will begin in the gym.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP ZONE
Please note when dropping off and picking up your children, the area immediately before the crosswalk on Poplar Plains Road is not a designated pick-up or drop-off zone. When vehicles are stopped at that location, morning or afternoon, they severely hinder the crossing guard's view of the northbound traffic on Poplar Plains.
NEW PAINT IN THE GYM
Our school gymnasium is being painted during the week of March 23-27. This should not affect our classes as the painters will be painting in sections. Non-toxic paint is being used.
We are also pleased to announce that Wi-Fi is now available in the gym area.
HONESTY
Our students participate in monthly assemblies to learn about the TDSB Character Education Attributes. The Character Trait for March is Honesty.
Dictionary Definitions
Merriam-Webster Children’s Dictionary
hon·es·ty \’ä-n?-st? \ nthe quality or state of being truthful and fair
Collins Gage Canadian School (Junior) Dictionary Grades 4 to 6
hon·est (on’ist) adj truthful; not lying or stealing: He was an honest man.
–hon’est·ly, adv, -hon’es·ty, n.
What is Honesty?
• Being truthful in word and action
• Showing trustworthiness
• Being reliable in carrying out commitments, obligations, and duties
• Telling the truth
• Admitting wrongdoing
Quotations
“Speak only the truth. Act with only the best intentions. Once you get into the habit, you can live by this code.” ~Unknown
“There are times that when truth and kindness conflict, one ought to choose kindness, especially
when a little honesty is better than a lot.” ~Leroy Jack Syrop
“A lie has speed, but truth has endurance.” ~Edgar J. Mohn
“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.” ~Elvis Presley
What does honesty look like/sound like?
- Telling parents/guardians/caregivers or a teacher about a mistake and facing the consequences
- of the action
- Telling on someone if it will make the situation better, but not telling on them just to get them into trouble
- Expressing real feelings without anger, without blaming others, without exaggerating, and
- without hurting the feelings of someone else
- Turning in something that is lost (e.g., money or a personal belonging) and encouraging others
- to do the same
- When someone wants to copy an assignment, explaining politely that it would be dishonest and
- that it’s best to do one’s own work
- Doing schoolwork honestly and not cheating during a test
- Being truthful with friends and thanking them for being truthful with you
- Not getting angry at someone when they are honest with you in a respectful manner
- Refraining from gossiping, spreading rumours, or talking behind someone’s back
- Standing up for your beliefs, even if others might not agree
We continue to work toward developing character in all students and this is a shared responsibility between home and school. There is a need for family, community and schools to engage cooperatively to encourage students' learning and maturing as social beings.
Throughout the year, we continue to focus on the 10 attributes identified at the TDSB and we encourage parents to reinforce these attributes at home whenever possible: Respect, Responsibility, Empathy, Kindness and Caring, Teamwork, Fairness, Honesty, Co-operation, Integrity and Perseverance.
Some tips for supporting Character Development in the home, include:
- Use the language of character development and be clear about your values
- Model and teach respectful manners
- Listen to your children and spend time with children in shared activities
- As a family, take part in community service projects or civic activities
- Establish family traditions and enjoy family celebrations together
- Teach your children to be responsible and discerning with their choices in media and entertainment and online activities
- Teach your children how to resolve conflict in a peaceful, respectful way
- Become involved in your child's school life from Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Live character every day
MARCH BREAK
MARCH 16-20
We will see everyone back at school on Monday March 23, 2015
Kindergarten entry: 8:30 AM
Grade 1-6 entry: 8:40 AM
On behalf of our staff, we would like to wish everyone a Healthy and Happy March Break.
Gina Christakis and Christine Pouliot
Principal Vice-Principal
