Children's book lists from TDSB librarians

The TDSB Library has created a series of Pinterest boards with book lists for various grades and ages. Including a French board! Check it out. I for one, have had difficulty knowing which French books to buy/borrow since many Scholastic titles seem to be translations of familiar English books.

What are your favourite children's books?

This week at Clairlea

This week at Clairlea:

• Today (Sept 25) - pizza lunch! 
• Tomorrow (Sept 26) - Terry Fox Run... parents welcome to join (2:15pm)
• Friday (Sept 27) - Spirit Day...wear purple. 

Lost and Found

It's the fourth week of school and the Lost and Found is already overflowing!

The most frequently lost items are LUNCHBAGS and LAYERS (sweaters, jackets, overcoats). Please label everything but especially these items. Consider supporting Clairlea by purchasing personalized sticky labels from Mabels Labels.

No Parking on Rosalind Cres

A reminder that there is no parking and no stopping on the little part of Rosalind Crescent that is right in front of the school.

That is a fire route so there should be no cars there between 7am and 6pm, not even if you're sitting in your vehicle.


We all want the fire trucks to be able to reach the school in an emergency, don't we? 

EQAO results are in (2012-13)

*updated with graphs*
The EQAO results are in. These are the standardized tests in reading, writing and math that are written by all grade 3 and grade 6 students across Ontario.

I will try to grab some year-over-year results and comparison graphs but in the meantime, here's a report that shows all TDSB school results - scroll down to find Clairlea. (The numbers given are the percentages of students at levels 3 and 4, meaning they are either at or above the provincial standard.)

For more information on the EQAO testing and how Clairlea has fared in the past, click the EQAO tag at bottom-right or view last year's post.

*updated* Here is Clairlea's report: http://eqaoweb.eqao.com/eqaoweborgprofile/profile.aspx?_Mident=2916 and some graphs excerpted from it. If you have the time, the report makes for fascinating reading - including gender breakdowns and information about the kids' attitudes to reading, writing and math, as well as data about what happens at home (including the dreaded "screen time," which the EQAO office falsely equates with television).

Above: how Clairlea (dark bar at left) compares to the TDSB (white bar) and the province.

Above: Grade 3 scores over time. It's worth noting that grade 3 French immersion students only write the math portion, and the test is given in French.

 

Above: Grade 6 scores over time. As painful as the math scores are, at least they are trending in the right direction. 

Seriously, you should check out the full report.

Movie Night Friday Oct 4 - The Croods

Please join us for Clairlea's first movie night of the year - THE CROODS on Friday October 4 at 7:00 pm.

$2 per person (including adults).
Popcorn & drinks available to purchase.

Seating is on the gym floor so you are welcome to bring blankets and pillows and wear pajamas.

Movie night is open to all students grade 6 and under.

Parent Conference Saturday October 19 - Special Education

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/parentconference

School Council meeting minutes for approval tomorrow

For those who attended the June 2013 school council meeting, please click here to view the draft minutes and email any corrections to clairleacouncil@gmail.com. These minutes will be presented for approval at tomorrow's meeting (7pm at the school).

School Council meets Wednesday Sept 18

The 2013-2014 Clairlea School Council meets for the first time this Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00pm.

The meeting will be in the staff room and will last until 8:30pm. All are welcome - whether or not you decide to become a voting member of the Council. 

Childcare will be provided. 

School Council is a forum in which you - as parents or guardians, staff and community members - can express your opinions, share your ideas and contribute to the positive development of Clairlea Public School. There are 50 available parent/guardian spots, including five "executive" positions (chair, vice chair, treasurer, fundraising chair and secretary); two positions for staff members (teacher and non-teacher); and one position for a community member. The executive positions will be voted in on Wednesday and it is not too late to throw your hat in the ring. 

School Council coordinates parent/school events and fundraisers, communicates with the Clairlea community, advises the administration, advocates on behalf of students, and advances the interests of the Clairlea School community. 

Please join us... many hands make light work! 

Pizza lunch orders due Sept 20

Pizza lunch order forms will be going home this week. Orders are due Sept 20 and the lunch is Wednesday September 25.

You have two choices - order just for September (left column) or for the full year (September-May). 

If you pre-order for the full year, please include your phone number or email address so that we can confirm your order. 

Pizza lunch dates are: 

1. Wednesday September 25
2. Wednesday October 30
3. Wednesday November 27
4. Wednesday December 18
5. Wednesday January 29
6. Wednesday February 26
7. Wednesday March 26
8. Wednesday April 30
9. Wednesday May 28

A huge thanks to pizza lunch leader Wendy Whittle and her team of energetic volunteers. This is one of our biggest and most popular fundraisers and we greatly appreciate everyone's participation. 

Curriculum Night Sept 19

Looking forward to seeing you all at Curriculum Night on September 19. This is a great way to meet the teachers and find out what happens in your child's classroom. The official program begins at 6pm but the school is hosting a barbecue starting at 5pm. See details on the school blog.

There will be signup sheets for anyone who wants to volunteer at school events!

Front door buzzer access

As promised by the Ontario government last year, the front doors of every elementary school in Ontario must now be kept locked during school hours. The doors will lock daily at 8:45 am (all the more reason to be on time for the 8:40am bell). Use the buzzer to be let in.

What are they learning?

The school will host a curriculum night on September 19. Details will be on a flyer that will come home soon. 

In the meantime, anyone curious about what's on the Ontario elementary school curriculum can find it here. (A warning: it's not for the faint of heart.)

Welcome back!

Hello everyone! Welcome back!
Have a *wonderful* first day of school.