Notes from School Council

There was a terrific turnout at the year's School Council meeting last night. Thank you to everyone who attended.

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. 

School bus delays

As you've likely read in the news, both the TDSB and the Catholic board have been plagued with school bus delays or no-shows (!) this week. For those affected, a real-time list of delays is available at https://www.torontoschoolbus.org/school-bus-delays/. Have fun with that.

School buses cancelled today

From the TDSB:

Due to anticipated weather-related delays, school buses are cancelled today, however schools remain open.

Why do schools stay open when buses are cancelled?

Thought some of you might be interested in this CTV piece on why schools stay open when buses are cancelled. Across the TDSB, only 10% of students are bused to school. Obviously at Clairlea, with more than half our student population in French immersion, that is not the case -- but the reasoning makes sense for the board as a whole.

School buses running normally today

According to TDSB, school buses will run normally today. School bus operator Stock has reached a tentative deal with their union.

Possible school bus strike tomorrow

As you've no doubt heard on the news, there is a possibility of a school bus strike starting tomorrow (May 1, 2013).

This will affect some but not all of the students that are bused to Clairlea. There are two different school bus operators (Stock and First Student) and this affects only the buses operated by Stock. (At Clairlea, this means the small school buses only, but that will not necessarily apply to students at other schools.)

If your child is on a Stock school bus, this letter will be in his/her backpack tonight. If not, then you should be ok.

The TDSB suggests that we listen to the news, follow @TDSB on Twitter, visit  www.tdsb.on.ca or call  416-397-3000 for the latest updates.

Buses cancelled today - school is open

Due to the snowstorm, school buses are cancelled today, Friday February 8, 2013. School is open.

If your child will be absent, please let the school know by calling their safe-arrival line - 416-396-6165.

Rainy day = caution needed in bus loop

Just a reminder to please, please, please exercise caution in the bus loop.

When it's rainy, more people drive and it's more difficult to see. Walking your children across the bus loop is dangerous. For the safety of your children, please use the footpath to walk around the bus loop.

Volunteers needed to direct traffic in the bus loop

The Safe and Caring Schools Committee has been working hard to ensure that Clairlea is a safe environment for all students.

The bus loop is a particular concern, and volunteers are needed to direct traffic in the bus loop both mornings and afternoons. If you are able to help, please email Bev Way at promo.way@sympatico.ca. Thank you! 

No stopping in the bus loop

There have been some concerns about the safe use of the bus loop at the back of Clairlea during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. It can be a dangerous spot, so I will summarize the information handed out by the Safe and Caring School Committee last week. (And thank you for the hot chocolate, that was a nice way of "sweetening" your message!)

1. NO STOPPING OR UNLOADING IN THE BUS LOOP. You have to park in one of the parking spots while your children get out of the car. The bus loop is just so you can turn around safely and exit the parking lot. Only buses should unload in the loop. 

2. NO WALKING THROUGH THE BUS LOOP. (I admit, our family is guilty of this.) There's too much traffic and too many people in a hurry. It's not safe. Walk on the path to the north and around the outside of the fence. 

3. If the bus loop is busy, PARK ON THE STREET. Both Knightsbridge and Karnwood allow parking in the morning. 

6 days to go!

Well parents, I'm sure you're in full back-to-school mode just like me. I hope you've had a terrific summer. Just a few notes to share as we all get ready for the first day of school on Tuesday Sept. 8:

• If you don't already know what class your child is in, you can find it at the top-right corner of last year's report card, and then you can check the list of teachers by room number. (Subject to change.) Then check if that teacher has a blog.
• Bus routes have been posted on the school web site. (Thanks, Mr. Knierim.)
• The first School Council meeting is Wednesday September 23, 7:00pm. All Clairlea parents & guardians are welcome. We will be soliciting new voting members and electing our 2009-10 executive. Please do come. Childcare will be provided in the gym.
• Upcoming events at Clairlea are posted on the September calendar, including Curriculum Night on Sept 24.

That's it for now, folks... enjoy the last few days of summer, and see you on Sept 8!