Minutes will be forthcoming but here are a few notes:
Staffing and class assignments: There's always a bit of class shuffling in September as our numbers settle, but it should be relatively minimal this year. We're at just over 600 students, as projected. The school is at 105% capacity. We have an extra portable; it will be used for band and primary music.
Facilities: The upstairs hall will be repainted. The parking lot will be repaved. Please remember that the bus loop is "kiss and ride." There is no parking in the bus loop, ever.
Bussing: The TDSB changed bus carriers this year, causing significant problems in the first week. These have mostly been resolved. Contact Michelle or Carin in the school office with any concerns.
Events, activities, sport: A number of field trips are already being planned. Sports/teams underway: Girls and boys softball, co-ed flag football, run club/ x-country team, house league soccer gr 4-8 (gr 1-3 will follow). Picture Day is Wednesday October 5. Oct 7 is a PA Day. There will be three school concerts this year: kindies at the winter holidays; grades 1-8 either winter or spring. Stay tuned.
Curriculum night: Details here. Please visit the book fair; 50% of the proceeds are returned to Clairlea in books.
Snack program: starts in October. This "morning meal" includes a protein, grain and fruit/vegetable. The program is one-third funded by a grant; one-third by parent contributions and the remainder needs to be fundraised. No one will be refused for inability to pay, but you must sign the permission form for your child to participate.
New superintendent: Peter Chang. Our trustee is Parthi Kandavel who is hosting a ward forum on Sept 27.
Upcoming fundraisers:
- Catalogue sales - information to come home soon
- Pizza lunch Sept 28 and bimonthly after that
- Spirit wear - watch for order forms in mid to late October
- Halloween Howl - Friday October 28, please let us know if you can volunteer
- Movie night - dates to come
Questions/concerns from parents:
Playground equipment: The broken bridge on the play structure remains boarded off. Despite the fact that the playground inspector deems the structure to be safe, parents are aware that children frequently climb over the boards to play on the unsafe area. The school budget cannot absorb the cost to repair the structure. Mr. McGilvray committed to speak to the facilities team leader before our October meeting to determine whether the TDSB is willing to repair the structure.
CCAT: Parents of grade 3 students have been asked to consent to a cognitive abilities test which is a pre-screening for gifted exceptionalities. This is an effort by the TDSB to make access to the gifted program more equitable. It has nothing to do with EQAO.
High school information: We were reminded of last year's discussion about providing families of all grades information about the high schools available to students in our area. Ms Karsh will arrange for our guidance counsellor to lead a session for parents on this topic.
In-school daycare: For the third consecutive year, there was not sufficient interest among JK/SK parents to run a daycare in the school.
Next meeting Wednesday October 19, 7pm in the staff room.
