Ward 18 forum on Sept 27

Our school board trustee, Parthi Kandavel, is hosting a Ward 18 Forum on Tuesday September 27 at Norman Cook Jr PS.

Topic: Early Years Education and Learning Centres Strategy

Featuring:

• Jim Grieve, former assistant deputy minister of education, early years division (a dynamic talk on the importance of early years on a child's growth)
• John Malloy, TDSB's director of education
• Colleen Russell-Rawlins, executive superintendent of Learning Centre 3 (that's us)

Tuesday September 27
7:00pm-9:00pm
Norman Cook Jr. Public School
725 Danforth Rd (east of Kennedy)

Message from the Chair

DEAR CLAIRLEA FAMILIES…

Just a little over a month until March break and then it is a short jaunt until the end of the school year.  There is a lot going on in that short time frame and I’ve listed a few of the key things for you below.  As always if you have questions you can reach us at clairleacouncil@gmail.com.

CLAIRLEA SPIRIT WEAR….

The spirit wear order forms came home last Friday.  Please have a look through as we have some new items this year.  The deadline to submit your order is Friday February 12^th.   We will not be able to accept any late orders.  To avoid any sizing issues we have a full set of sample sizes in the office and you are welcome to come and take a look at the products.  Once you submit your order along with payment we will then size your child and contact you with the suggested size to confirm the order.  Please ensure that you complete the order form clearly so that all the contact details and amounts are legible.  If you did not receive the order form I have attached one for your reference and there are extra forms in the office.  All payments are to be in exact cash or cheques made out to “Clairlea School Council”.

ITEMS:
New Era Toque:  This one size fits all winter New Era hat is black with a pom pom and has the panthers logo on the front.  Cost $25.00/each.

Sweatpants:  These are black with an elastic closing at the ankle with the panthers logo on the left front thigh.  Cost $28.00/each.

T-shirt:  Available in black or purple featuring the panthers logo on the front and a big panther scratch on the back.  Cost $16.00/each.

Hoodies (zipped and pullover):  The zipped only come in black with the panthers logo on the back and a couple of panther paws on the front.  Cost $45/each.  The pullover hoodies come in black and purple with the panthers logo on the back and a couple of panther paw prints on the front.  Cost $40/each.

Water Bottle: As always for our eco school we have our water bottle for $5/each.

POPCORN FRIDAY…(Friday February 19^th)

We are trying something new.  Starting on Friday February 19^th we will be selling Kernels flavoured popcorn for $2.00/per 20 ounce bag.  Look for us at lunch time in front of the main office.  The flavours available to purchase for the month of February are buttered or white cheddar.  These Kernels popcorn products are gluten and nut free.

PIZZA LUNCH…..

Due to the huge popularity of the Pizza lunch program we have decided to make pizza lunch available twice a month starting in March as a trial for three months.  Starting in March pizza lunch will take place the second Wednesday in addition to the usual time which is the last Wednesday of each month.   The prices for pizza lunch have stayed the same but the envelopes to order will look different.  You will now get one envelope for the month.  This means you will place your order once a month and it will include both dates for pizza lunch for that month.  You will pay for both pizza lunches for the month within the one envelope.  The new pizza lunch dates will be as follows:

Pizza Lunch Dates:

March Wednesday 9^th & Wednesday 30^th 
April Wednesday 13^th & Wednesday 27^th
May Wednesday 11^th & Wednesday 25^th

PIZZA LUNCH FAQ’S
1. What if my child only wants pizza lunch once a month?
Answer: Simply fill out the envelope as you usually would and check off which date you would like the lunch to arrive.  If you don’t indicate which date you want the pizza your child will receive it on the first pizza date of that month as a default.

2. Have the prices changed?
Answer: No, for 2 slices a snack and drink is still $5 and for 3 slices a snack and drink is still $6.  The only difference is you will put in double the normal amount if you want pizza on both days in the month. For example if you normally buy 2 slices, snack and drink and you want lunch on both days that month you will pay $10.

3. Can I decide later if I want lunch on the second date of that month?
No, you will need to place your order for the month when the envelopes are due. 

If you have further pizza lunch questions please email us at clairleacouncil@gmail.com

FUN FAIR 2016….

Save the date for this year’s fun fair on Thursday June 16^th.  We hope to see you there and if you are able to volunteer or have items to donate please email us at clairleacouncil@gmail.com.  Also we are looking for suggestions of what the money raised from the fun fair should go towards.  Please send in your suggestions.

WARD FORUM (FEBRUARY 9^TH )….
It will be happening at Danforth Gardens Jr. P.S. (20 Santamonica Blvd) on Tuesday, February 9^th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.  Childcare & Refreshments will be provided! (view flyer)

1.       Fix Our Schools: Krista Wylie   

          6:30pm – 7:15pm

                Krista Wylie is a parent to two children who attend a TDSB school that is 100 years old. Motivated to improve the state of children's school buildings, she co-founded the Fix Our Schools campaign in October 2014.

2.       2.         Cyber-Bullying & Online Privacy: Paige Bachman & Detective Shawn Marshall

           7:30pm – 8:30pm

Paige Bachman is a Partner with Aird & Berlis LLP, Chair of Privacy and Technology Law Group‎.  Shawn Marshall is a detective with the computer and cyber-crime section of Toronto Police Intelligence services
where he assists investigators all across the Service with the Internet component of criminal investigations.

REMINDER…

School Council meetings take place on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month.  The next school council meeting is Wednesday February 17^th from 7pm-8:30pm. Free child minding is available.  All are welcome and we hope to see you there!  January 2016 minutes here.

Agenda for the School Council meeting:

6:50 – 7:00pm Sell 50/50 tickets (optional)

7:00 – 7:10pm Introduction and voting in the past minutes (Irit)                              

7:10 – 7:35pm Administration Report (Mr. McGilvray and Ms. Karsh)

7:35 – 7:45pm Treasurer’s Report (Russ)

7:45 – 8:00pm Fundraising Report (Joanne)

8:00 – 8:25pm Open Discussion (All)

8:25 – 8:30pm 50/50 draw

HOW TO REACH US…

If you would like to be added to the School Council email list please send a request to clairleacouncil@gmail.com.  We would like to hear your feedback and suggestions.  If you are not able to come to the next meeting and want to contribute ideas please email them to us or drop a note in the council box in the office and we can bring them forward to the meeting.    You can contact us via email at clairleacouncil@gmail.com, on the blog at http://clairleacouncil.blogspot.com, or have a look at our bulletin board outside the office for the latest news.

Best Regards,

Irit

Chairperson, Clairlea School Council
2015/2016

clairleacouncil@gmail.com

Trustee Parthi Kandavel's ward forum - June 1

TDSB trustee Parthi Kandavel will host a Ward 18 forum on June 1, 7pm at H.A. Halbert Public School (31 McCowan Road).

On the agenda:

1. Introductions 
2. Trustee Update 
3. Year End updates by Parent Council Chairs (if any) 
4. Discussion on idea sharing for new school year in September and succession planning/torch passing 
5. PIAC reps selection 
6. Mingling

The trustee has also communicated that the province is looking for our input and consultation on the TDSB. You can submit your opinions via the link above, or attend one of the public consultation meetings:

• In north Scarborough (Midland & 401): May 28, 7pm-9pm at the Centre For Immigrant & Community Services
• In south Scarborough (Lawrence & Birchmount): May 30, 11am-1pm at McGregor Park Community Centre 

Ward Forum with school board trustee Parthi Kandavel - Tuesday April 21

UPDATED: Ward Forum: preparing for budget cuts

Update March 23, 2012 - the presentation from this meeting is now available - click here. Thank you to Trustee Moyer for sending. 

March 5, 2012 -- I attended the Ward 18 forum tonight, and although I had to leave just as it was getting interesting, I came away with this message loud and clear: there are going to be budget cuts in the TDSB next year, to the tune of more than $80 million. It's not going to be easy.

By law, the TDSB must balance its budget, and it must meet the commitments required by the Ministry of Education. There are scant few revenue sources, so the shortfall must be found in expenses. The majority of the TDSB's expenses are salaries, most of which are governed by collective agreements; the elementary teachers' contract is up for negotiation now.

School trustees are in a consultation phase now, so if you have ideas for new revenue sources or ways to cut expenses or want to stand up for a certain program, now's the time to voice your opinions to Ward 18 school board trustee Elizabeth Moyer, at 416-393-8815 or Elizabeth.moyer@tdsb.on.ca. http://trusteeelizabethmoyer.blogspot.com/.

I'll see if I can get a copy of the presentation given tonight; it contained some interesting facts. UPDATE: here is the presentation.

Trustee Moyer mentioned that the all-day kindergarten plan is moving ahead as the province has planned, although it's possible the implementation schedule may shift somewhat. If your child is currently registered in all-day kindergarten, that will not change. Nearly half of TDSB kindies are currently in all-day programs....no word yet about Clairlea, at least not that I've heard. (Post below if you know something I don't!)

Ward forum - tonight!

Apologies for the late notice (I was away), but perhaps you noticed this on the school's blog. There's a Ward 18 Forum with trustee Elizabeth Moyer tonight at Regent Heights (that's on Pharmacy south of St. Clair) at 6:30pm.

Click to enlarge image

Ward Forum on Thursday Jan 13

There is a Ward 18 Forum on Thursday January 13 at Blantyre Public School with our new school board trustee, Elizabeth Moyer, who happens to be a former member of the Clairlea School Council (actually our former chair, if I am not mistaken). 

I've attended such meetings in the past and have found them very informative. I hope some of you will be able to attend. 

Also, our next school council meeting is Wednesday January 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the school. Childcare will be provided in the gym. 

Scarborough Parent Conference this Saturday April 24

Register at www.tdsb.on.ca/spc.

Drug Proof Your Home (April 13, RH King)

For parents and youth aged 11+: an important presentation about drugs and preventative approaches that can help protect your children. April 13 at RH King.

Dec 2 - Ward 18 Forum

On Wednesday, Chris Spence, the TDSB's Director of Education, will speak at the Ward 18 Meeting at Birchmount C.I. at 7pm. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the TDSB's vision for our children's education. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. (Details in the poster below.)

School Board summary of decisions

The Toronto District School Board posts meeting minutes and other documents on its web site. The most recent posting is a summary of decisions from the March 11 2009 meeting. Clairlea is in Ward 18, and our trustee is Gary Crawford. He, too, has a web site.