Parent Council News - Dec 2011

WHAT A FANTASTIC START TO THE YEAR!!!

Fall has been such a busy time with so many volunteers – parents, teachers and staff - all working together to make Brown School a great place for our children. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of our Committee Chairs for their hard work and dedication and all of the support of our parents and staff in our fall fundraising efforts. The Fall Fling, Wrapping Paper/Chocolate Sales and the Calendar sales were incredibly successful. Looking forward to having as much fun and success in the months to come!!  Congratulations, Brown School!

Don’t forget, there is a parent council meeting this Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. As always, please feel free to contact me at bernstl@lao.on.ca or Jenifer Glover at Jeniferglover@rogers.com if you are interested in participating in any of the parent council initiatives.

Lisa Bernstein, Chair

Reminder: Fall Fling Art Calendars will be available for pick-up at the Winterfest Concert. 

Update on Pool & Programming Cuts

While the picture is still vague, the budget cuts proposed for 2012 include the elimination of programs at the Brown CC, however, swim programs at Brown are NOT affected at this time.   Other proposed cuts that would have impact on our neighbourhood include:

Davisville Public School: Reduction in Student Nutrition Program funding

Central Eglinton Community Centre: Staffing level reduction that will cause a reduction in programs offered to community

Deer Park Public Library – reduce the number of hours from 62 to 56 hours per week, a 6 hour reduction (equivalent to two mornings)

Northern District Public Library – reduce the number of hours from 69 to 59.5 per week, a 9.5 hour reduction (equivalent to approximately three mornings)

Forest Hill Public Library – reduce the number of hours from 62 to 56 per week, a 6 hour reduction (equivalent to two mornings) AND

Hillcrest CC - elimination of City programming including swimming

It is unclear how cuts to other programming would impact the swim programs.  It is clear however, that the proposed cuts at Brown & Hillcrest would have an incredibly negative impact on all of us. At Brown, we have enjoyed a cooperative and supportive relationship with Community Centre staff to the point where it is virtually seamless to the students as to who belongs to what.  They contribute to much of what

enriches our children's experience from coaching sports teams to helping out with Garden Fete.

The loss of Hillcrest's pool and programs would also have a widespread negative effect on all of us.  It's difficult to imagine no more Primary Swim Meets.

Three years ago when the TDSB threatened to close school pools, the community rallied.  Show your support by contacting your local Councillor, for St. Paul's Ward 22 that is Josh Matlow, and Ward 23 Joe Mihevc as well as the Budget and Executive Committee Members.

Write, Email, Call.  Get your children involved in writing letters and drawing pictures.  It's time to rally.

If you have any questions, please contact Yvonne Maclean-Howard at yvonne@maclean-howard.org