Essentials
- Principal's message
- Update about report cards - why you might not get one
- What does self-regulation look like?
- Reminders: yard supervision, sign-in book, parking lot, safe arrival program
Please note there will be no school on that day. You can find all of the 2012/2013 Professional Activity and other school holidays by visiting the TDSB website at www.tdsb.on.ca or www.brownschool.ca under "Events".
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
November has always been a month of reflection for me. I think about Remembrance Day and all of the men and women who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their lives for our freedom and rights around the world.
This year I am also reflecting about our school and how our community has come together to give our students opportunities despite the “pause” here at Brown Public School. Our cross country participants had a wonderful time running for our school and we even had a number of our students rank in the top 10 in the championship finals at Centennial Park. Our school council has offered our students various lunchtime programs including daily games in the gym for our grade 3-6 students. Indoor soccer is offered on Thursday’s after school through Sportball and our grade 6 students have organized flag football games daily during lunch hour. Our students from grades 1-6 continue to enjoy participating in free swim, Monday to Thursday thanks to our swim instructors.
We Scare Hunger Food Drive
Our We Scare Hunger Food Drive has been one of the most successful food drives yet. Teachers passed out brown paper donation bags to our students and within just a few days the bags were returned reaching the 1000 item goal. The Longo’s/Campbell’s partnership matched our donation.
Halloween
We had a Halloween Parade on October 31 and had the opportunity to marvel at some very original and scary costumes this year. Everyone had a lot of fun showing off their fangs and masks despite the stormy weather.
Fall Fling
Our Fall Fling held on the evening of November 8 was a great success. The Fall Fling Committee did an incredible job organizing this annual event. Sincerest thanks to everyone that participated in this evening. Your hard work and efforts are always appreciated by our students, staff and community. Merci beaucoup!
Lest We Forget
On this Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to those past and present who served our country with courage and compassion. Our students and staff paid tribute to our military heroes at our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 9. The poems, songs and drama pieces were very moving. We thank our students and staff who participated and showed their gratitude to those who have voluntarily given of themselves to serve our country with pride and fortitude.
This year I am also reflecting about our school and how our community has come together to give our students opportunities despite the “pause” here at Brown Public School. Our cross country participants had a wonderful time running for our school and we even had a number of our students rank in the top 10 in the championship finals at Centennial Park. Our school council has offered our students various lunchtime programs including daily games in the gym for our grade 3-6 students. Indoor soccer is offered on Thursday’s after school through Sportball and our grade 6 students have organized flag football games daily during lunch hour. Our students from grades 1-6 continue to enjoy participating in free swim, Monday to Thursday thanks to our swim instructors.
We Scare Hunger Food Drive
Our We Scare Hunger Food Drive has been one of the most successful food drives yet. Teachers passed out brown paper donation bags to our students and within just a few days the bags were returned reaching the 1000 item goal. The Longo’s/Campbell’s partnership matched our donation.
Halloween
We had a Halloween Parade on October 31 and had the opportunity to marvel at some very original and scary costumes this year. Everyone had a lot of fun showing off their fangs and masks despite the stormy weather.
Fall Fling
Our Fall Fling held on the evening of November 8 was a great success. The Fall Fling Committee did an incredible job organizing this annual event. Sincerest thanks to everyone that participated in this evening. Your hard work and efforts are always appreciated by our students, staff and community. Merci beaucoup!
Lest We Forget
On this Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to those past and present who served our country with courage and compassion. Our students and staff paid tribute to our military heroes at our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 9. The poems, songs and drama pieces were very moving. We thank our students and staff who participated and showed their gratitude to those who have voluntarily given of themselves to serve our country with pride and fortitude.
UPDATE ON ELEMENTARY PROGRESS UPDATES
This year, parents/guardians may not receive a progress report for their child as result of labour actions by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). If progress reports are incomplete, parents/guardians will receive a letter instead of the regular progress report and will be encouraged to make an appointment with their child’s teacher to discuss their child’s progress.
We respect the professionalism of our teachers and believe they understand the value and importance of reporting to parents/guardians on their child’s progress. We know that providing meaningful comments in a student’s progress report will allow important discussions between a teacher and a parent/guardian to take place and will help establish a positive tone for the remainder of the school year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to schedule a Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conference and are encouraged to follow the useful tips below.
The TDSB's Guidelines for Elementary Progress Reports provides consistency among schools within our Board and for the benefit of improving student learning. Progress Report Cards should provide parents with the clarity they need to understand their child’s progress. These Guidelines complement documents created by the Ontario Ministry of Education: Guidelines for Effective Teacher-Parent-Student Communication and Supporting Your Child's Learning Through Assessment, Evaluation & Reporting.
This year, parents/guardians may not receive a progress report for their child as result of labour actions by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). If progress reports are incomplete, parents/guardians will receive a letter instead of the regular progress report and will be encouraged to make an appointment with their child’s teacher to discuss their child’s progress.
We respect the professionalism of our teachers and believe they understand the value and importance of reporting to parents/guardians on their child’s progress. We know that providing meaningful comments in a student’s progress report will allow important discussions between a teacher and a parent/guardian to take place and will help establish a positive tone for the remainder of the school year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to schedule a Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conference and are encouraged to follow the useful tips below.
The TDSB's Guidelines for Elementary Progress Reports provides consistency among schools within our Board and for the benefit of improving student learning. Progress Report Cards should provide parents with the clarity they need to understand their child’s progress. These Guidelines complement documents created by the Ontario Ministry of Education: Guidelines for Effective Teacher-Parent-Student Communication and Supporting Your Child's Learning Through Assessment, Evaluation & Reporting.
Teachers are able to speak to your child’s progress. Parents/guardians are encouraged to speak to their child’s teacher directly if they have any questions on how their child is progressing. We are confident that by working together our schools will continue to be rich learning environments for our students. To make an appointment with your child’s teacher at Brown Public School please call 416-393-1560.
Useful tips for Parent/Guardian-Teacher conference
Before the conference: Make a list of what you want to ask the teacher. The following are some questions for you to consider asking the teacher:
- What does my child do well?
- What skills does she or he still need to develop?
- Is my child getting extra help? If yes, in what subjects?
- How does my child get along with the other students?
- How can I help my child at home?
- What is the best way to contact you if I have more questions?
During the conference: The teacher will review your child’s progress.
- Request to see samples of your child’s work that reflect the progress that the teacher describes
- Share information that will help the teacher understand your child better
- Ask the questions you have prepared
- Take notes so that you can share the teacher’s comments with your child
After the conference: Share with your child the positive things the teacher said and talk with your child about how you and the teacher are going to help with the things that need to be improved.
For additional information on Assessment, Evaluation & Reporting, please visit TDSB website www.tdsb.on.ca.
SELF-REGULATION: WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The Learning Partnership sends us a newsletter every month with very helpful information for parents. The focus in their current issue is about one of the most important abilities parents can foster in their children – especially their preschoolers – self-regulation or the ability to control behaviour. Below are some excerpts I thought might be useful.
Regulating their behaviour can be tough for very young children. Young children tend to live in the moment with their immediate wants or feelings, while adults can exercise control and decide what might be the most appropriate response. For example, adults can receive presents they don’t like but still smile and say thank you. A young child will receive a gift she doesn’t like and shout, “I don't want this!” and start to cry.
Self-regulation is part of the maturing process and most children do develop better self-regulatory skills as they get older. However, some children require more support than others.
Regulating their behaviour can be tough for very young children. Young children tend to live in the moment with their immediate wants or feelings, while adults can exercise control and decide what might be the most appropriate response. For example, adults can receive presents they don’t like but still smile and say thank you. A young child will receive a gift she doesn’t like and shout, “I don't want this!” and start to cry.
Self-regulation is part of the maturing process and most children do develop better self-regulatory skills as they get older. However, some children require more support than others.
How can parents help? They can:
- provide a structured and predictable daily routine and schedule
- be an example by regulating their own emotions and behaviours
- eliminate distractions by turning off the TV, dimming lights, or providing a soothing object (like a teddy bear) when a child gets upset
- role play on how to act or what to say in certain situations
- teach and talk about feelings and review home/classroom rules regularly
- stay calm and use a firm voice even when a child is "out of control"
- re-direct inappropriate words or actions when needed
- in play situations, pair children with limited self-regulatory skills with those who have good self-regulatory skills
- take a break when needed, as children with limited self-regulatory skills can try an adult's patience
What does self-regulation look like in Kindergarten?
When at circle, children with good self-regulation will:
- Sit calmly with crossed legs
- Look at the speaker
- Listen to the speaker
- Raise their hand to speak
- Take turns speaking, helping, sharing, and showing
- Do what the teacher asks
When playing, children with good self-regulation will:
- Listen to instructions
- Use materials safely and appropriately
- Talk using an inside voice
- Solve problems (share materials, take turns)
- Stop at signal
- Put materials away
- Clean up play area
- Move safely in the classroom
When eating, children with good self-regulation will:
- Wash hands with soap
- Talk with their neighbours using an inside voice
- Solve problems (clean up spills, open packages)
- Raise their hand and wait for help if they need it
- Clean up and put away their snack/lunch materials
For more insightful information visit: www.thelearningpartnership.ca
REMINDERS
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. All grade 1 and 2 students may be dropped off in the Primary/Kindergarten play area. Grade 3-6 students may be dropped off in the junior yard area.
Visitor sign-in book
Visitors are requested to sign in at the main office and wear a ‘visitor sticker’. This is a safety measure to ensure that visiting adults are recognized and encouraged to feel welcome in our school.
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 Road in front of the church.
School parking lot
This parking lot is for staff only. Please park on the side streets off of Poplar Plains where one hour parking is available.
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.
We are currently seeking parent volunteers to help as ATTENDANCE MONITORS for our school. Please call our office if interested.
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. All grade 1 and 2 students may be dropped off in the Primary/Kindergarten play area. Grade 3-6 students may be dropped off in the junior yard area.
Visitor sign-in book
Visitors are requested to sign in at the main office and wear a ‘visitor sticker’. This is a safety measure to ensure that visiting adults are recognized and encouraged to feel welcome in our school.
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 Road in front of the church.
School parking lot
This parking lot is for staff only. Please park on the side streets off of Poplar Plains where one hour parking is available.
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.
We are currently seeking parent volunteers to help as ATTENDANCE MONITORS for our school. Please call our office if interested.
