School Council meets Wednesday May 18

The School Council meets on Wednesday May 18. Please join us! You do not need to be a "voting member" to attend the meeting. Every member of the Clairlea community is welcome to attend.

We meet at 7pm in the staff room. Childcare is provided in the gym.

Spring Concert

How about that concert!! Wasn't it fabulous?

As usual, the students and teachers (and student teachers) did a fantastic job pulling it all together. I'm always impressed by the creativity and humour that Clairlea is able to inject into its concerts. Not having a kid in the concert this time, I'm able (just this once) to be unbiased in my review.

The evening opened with some introductory remarks from Principal Howard Laderman and Trustee Elizabeth Moyer, who recognized the Clairlea Food Train, which ran the length of the stage and was filled with food bank donations from the Clairlea community. Great work, everyone! Ms. Moyer indicated that the food donations will be directed to another school within our ward, where the need is great. She thanked everyone on their behalf, and remarked on the wonderful phenomenon of students helping students.

After that, we heard from the Grade 8 band, which has been practicing hard for two years. I was impressed by their harmony and rhythm and impeccable timing.

The English kindergarten classes, many in sparkles or polka-dots, waving at mom and dad, impressed with their rainbow song and waving streamers. The audience loved it when one enthusiastic kid got a little closer than expected to the microphone.

Mme. Deda's class performed a tribute to the 100eme jour d'ecole, with a poem, music, math, dancing, singing, and even violin and xylophone. It was a tour de force!

A special treat for me was the performance of one of my favourite songs to sing on long drives: This Land is Your Land, sung with terrific pitch and excellent enunciation.

A real crowd-pleaser was a rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believing, a song that no doubt took many parents back to our teens. (eep! am I dating myself?) The guitar and vocal solos were amazing.

We then got a treat to the line-dancing Dance Team! My six-year-old son was quicker to catch on than I was... "Mom, they're holding those pom poms like they're guitars!" and later.... "They're doing it all over again except backwards!" A very impressive performance.  

Next was the rappers' delight, first performed for Black History Month, complete with sunglasses, hoodies, hats askew and the odd shirt and tie.

The final performance was a humorous tour around the world, including springtime in Paris, overwork in London, romance in Venice, music in Mumbai, and good old Toronto.

Throughout the show, the audience was treated to a series of video vignettes of Clairlea's talented students. From comedy and yo-yo tricks to break-dancing, hula-hooping, moon-walking to Billie Jean and feats of astonishing flexibility, these were a really welcome way to fill the time during set changes.

 It was obvious that a huge amount of hard work, preparation, forethought, energy and most of all enthusiasm went in to creating this year's spring concert. Thank you for a great show!

p.s. A shout-out to the awesome SATEC students who took pity on me and cheerfully helped me carry 20+ boxes of food bank donations into the auditorium so that they could be on display at the concert. I really appreciated your help!

Friday May 20 is a PA Day

For anyone who might not be aware (I wasn't)...
Friday May 20 is a PA Day. 
Click here for Clairlea's May calendar. You can also view the TDSB's official school year calendar for 2010-11 and (in case you like to plan ahead) 2011-12.

A teacher who believes

“The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ‘truth’.”

 

-Dan Rather

A great teacher can change a person's life. Thank you to all the wonderful teachers at Clairlea who work so hard  for our children and our future.

See you tonight at School Council. Don't forget to bring a friend!

Bring a friend to School Council

We're in the final stretch of the school year, and some people are already starting to think about 2011-12. We want to make sure that School Council remains strong and vibrant and inclusive, and that we have as many ideas, perspectives and volunteers as possible. 

To that end, we'd like to invite each School Council member to bring another parent with them to the meeting this week. Just invite someone to come and sit in, see how we operate, and think about whether they might like to join us again in the future. 

School Council is a chance to meet the principal and vice principal, ask your questions, voice your concerns, and share your ideas about how to enhance the learning environment at Clairlea. It's a great group that will be even stronger with more people involved. Please think about whether there's someone you can bring along on Wednesday. 

See you then! 

Clairlea update

From Ginnie, our School Council chair: 

Just a few things to remind you of all that's going on at the school.

We are doing a Food Drive for a school (students helping students). Desperately needed are

* Flour * Cooking Oil * Rice * Kidney Beans * Chick Peas * Black eyed Peas * Tomato paste * baby formula * baby food * 

More Ideas:  Bhel mix--Chewda mix--Falooda mix--Gulabjamun mix--Resalai mix—Dal; Mung, Chuna, Tuwar, Whole Masear, Split Masoor, Ureid 

Next, Clairlea has started a running club. Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

40 students have been preparing for a 5K called The Run Way Run in June. We are in need of sponsors for the students. It costs $30 per student to register and we are hoping some companies or people might like to help support. We must register quickly! Please email me or call if you have any ideas.

Dates to remember:

Wednesday, April 20th School Council 7-8:30 

Friday, April 22th NO SCHOOL (Good Friday) 

Monday, April 25th NO SCHOOL (Easter Monday) 

Thursday, April 28th pizza lunch 

Friday, April 29th Spirit Day - wear fun glasses 

Thursday, May 5th Spring Concert 

School Council meets Wed Apr 20

The School Council meets Wednesday April 20. Please email Ginnie if you are not planning to attend (if you are a voting member, that is).

Everyone in the school community is welcome to attend, whether or not you are an official voting member of School Council. Babysitting is provided in the gym. We meet in the staff room at 7pm and wrap by 8:30. Please join us to hear updates from the principal, vice-principal and teachers and to learn how you can contribute to the positive learning environment at Clairlea.