I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers and all the parents who helped our Brown P.S. students have a great Cross Country experience on October 7, 2013 at Ashbridges Bay. Our sports teams are well underway and we look forward to some great Boys and Girls Slo-Pitch tournaments, Football tournaments and continued success with our Cross Country Team finalists.
While the year started with some construction and enrollment challenges, we are settling into the school year. Our dedicated staff continues to deliver the curriculum with the high expectations Brown P.S. is known for. The children here at Brown P.S. continue to be the best students I have ever met. I have formed some great relationships in the past few years and look forward to many more positive relationships throughout the year. I welcome our new students and their families and look forward to becoming more acquainted with them in the next few months. I encourage parents to get involved in their children’s learning. Connect with the teachers and volunteer your time in the classroom or with school council.
Hillary Rodham Clinton stated: “Even one caring adult in the life of a young person can make all the difference in the world.” I believe that together we can and will help our children achieve success to become the global learners that are connected and challenged beyond the world of school.
Grade Re-organization
To comply with the Ministry caps in the primary and junior grades, we had to undergo a few classroom re-organizations. A number of students were re-organized from the Kindergarten, grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 English stream classes. We recently created a Junior/Senior Kindergarten split class to accommodate the larger-than-anticipated numbers in our Kindergarten classes. This new class is located on the second floor, Room 29. We welcome Jane Demos as the classroom teacher and Sofia Efstathiadis as the Early Childhood Educator.
First Term Progress Report Card Information
First term report cards will be sent home to you on Wednesday, November 13 and/or Thursday, November 14. The JK students will not receive a Progress Report; however, will have a Parent/Teacher conference scheduled on or near the time of the Parent/Teacher Conference dates scheduled on Thursday, November 14, 3:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday November 15, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. More information will follow regarding scheduling conferences. Please contact the classroom teacher to make an appointment.
EQAO Results
Our Reading, Writing and Mathematics results are listed below in comparison to the Board and the Provincial data. Brown Public School has once again achieved high levels in the EQAO testing. This is just one of the many assessments that are done throughout the year. EQAO data and various assessments in the classrooms provide important evidence of learning and helps educators and parents engage in meaningful conversations about student achievement. The EQAO data allows us to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement so we can continue to make evidence-based decisions in our planning here at Brown P.S.
Congratulations for a successful Terry Fox Walk!
On Thursday, September 26th, the students and staff of Brown Junior P.S. laced up their sneakers and walked a route through our community in support of The Marathon of Hope. It was a great day for our students who demonstrated their sense of spirit and enthusiasm towards a great cause. As a school, we are delighted to have raised over $1000 once again this year! This money will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation to further the cause of cancer research. Thank you to our parent and student volunteers who helped ensure that all our students were safe during the walk. Special thanks to our Teachers for participating and helping raise cancer awareness.
Curriculum Night was on October 3, 2013. Many parents, students and relatives visited the classrooms and met with our teachers. We were delighted to share information with parents in the gym prior to the classroom sessions. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or us in the office. Parents or guardians that did not have an opportunity to meet with the classroom teacher may call the school and request an appointment from the teacher.
Annual Parent Breakfast
On Tuesday September 17th our Parent Council hosted the Annual Parent Breakfast in the gym. Thank you to our Parent Council chairs, Nina Moritsugu and Jenifer Glover and the incredible Brown community parents for organizing such a welcoming event. We hope that many new parents will volunteer and get involved in the life of the school by supporting and helping with the many events and activities that make Brown an incredible place for our children and community. Lisa Bernstein, continues on as our Vice-Chair.
Student Emergency Forms
Requests for updates to emergency information were sent home in early September. Thank you to all parents and guardians who have returned these forms with all pertinent information included. If you have not returned them, please do so as soon as possible.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR YOUR HOME, WORK, DAYTIME CARE PROVIDER, DAYCARE OR FAMILY MEMBER. AN EMERGENCY CONTACT MUST BE INCLUDED.
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 Lois Moulton, our Office Administrator if interested.
Please join us for our Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31st at approximately 9:30 a.m. Children are invited to wear their costumes to school that morning. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will parade in the school yard area (weather permitting). Dress up and come along if you can. Halloween safety is important. Here are a few tips to make the evening enjoyable and safe:
- Go out with an adult
- Wear light coloured, fire resistant costumes
- Wear costumes short enough to prevent tripping
- Apply make-up instead of a mask
- Have an adult check treats before they are eaten
- Have fun!
October’s Character Trait is RESPONSIBILITY
At this month’s assembly students learned about the meaning of RESPONSIBILITY.
What is Responsibility?
• Taking care of yourself and others
• Carrying out a duty or task carefully and thoroughly
• Being accountable for your own behaviour
• Demonstrating self-discipline and a strong work ethic
• Accepting personal accountability
• Acting without continual guidance
• Demonstrating commitment, pride, and a positive attitude in completing tasks
• Contributing to the class, school, and community
• Doing things to build a better world
• Keeping promises
• Doing what you say you will do, even when it is difficult
• Accepting the consequences of your own actions
What might responsibility look like/sound like?
• Completing homework, assignments, and other tasks on time and to the best of your ability
• Cleaning up after yourself and throwing waste into the appropriate garbage, recycling bin, or
compost
• Being an active member of a group by contributing to the final project or assignment, and not
letting one person do all of the work
• Asking for help when needed, or asking for the instructions to be repeated if clarification is
needed
• Being organized by using a planner or agenda to keep track of due dates and deadlines
• Not leaving everything until the last minute
• Working around obstacles that prevent you from reaching a goal
• Taking responsibility for your own actions and not blaming others
• Contributing to making the world a more peaceful, safe, and caring place
Having responsibilities gives us a sense of purpose and makes us feel like we belong. As we fulfill our responsibilities, our self-esteem improves because we feel as though we have accomplished a task and gained new skills. Also, we build trust with those around us because our behaviour demonstrates that we will complete a task when we say we will. Others know that we will do what we commit to with excellence.
Students that exemplify this character trait throughout the month of October will receive a certificate at the next assembly.
Happy October! Happy Thanksgiving!
Gina G. Christakis
Principal
Brown P.S.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
AM Yard Supervision
Yard Supervision for Grades 1 to 6 begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 8:50 a.m.
Kindergarten supervision begins at 8:50 a.m. and ends at 9:00 a.m. in the Primary yard.
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.
PM Yard Supervision
Kindergarten dismissal at 3:20 p.m. with primary yard supervision until 3:30 p.m.
Grade 1-6 student dismissal at 3:30 p.m. in Primary and Junior yards. Primary and Junior yard supervision until 3:45 p.m.
REMINDER: Unicorn Daycare permits the Primary and Junior yards from 3:30-6:00 p.m. each day. Parents that would like to supervise their children in the Primary or Junior yards after 3:30 p.m. may do so as long as they are supervising their children at all times.
VISITOR SIGN-IN BOOK
Visitors are requested to sign in at the main office and wear a ‘visitor badge’. 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 for our construction and Board Maintenance crews.
Please pick up and drop off 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.
