November newsletter

The November school newsletter is now available online.

Summary of Oct 21 School Council meeting

**Updated Nov 19: here's a link to the official minutes.

My apologies for taking so long to type up a summary of the Oct 21 School Council meeting. Here are my recollections of the meeting, in a nutshell. Please send me an email with anything I've missed.

*Clairlea will be sending two Council representatives to the People for Education conference on all-day kindergarten in Ontario. Ginnie and Tami will report back on what they learn.

*The Principal reported that safety continues to be a top priority at Clairlea. Card-readers have been installed at certain doors with more to come. Ms. Persaud asks that all parents respect the traffic guidelines at the school and park only where permitted. All students have received a refresher on school bus safety. Ms. P. was pleased to note that Clairlea will continue to have a nursing student on-site into 2010.

*Each year, every School Council is asked to update its principal and vice-principal profiles; these are essentially guidelines for what we are looking for in that role. Your thoughts on this are most welcome.

*Vice-Principal Frenette reported on Clairlea's EQAO results. There was considerable discussion on the meaning and significance on the results. Mr Frenette has kindly agreed to spend more time with me explaining these results and the school's action plan, so that I can pass that information on to you. More on that soon.

*Treasurer Ann Silver presented the School Council finances, and there was a discussion about future fundraising plans and areas of spending, including yearbook, grade 8 and kindergarten graduation and other school projects. 2010-11 Fundraising and budget planning meetings will take place in the spring.

*Ms. Rule reported that Clairlea is now a Silver Level Eco School! Congratulations to all involved. She also reported that the Grade 4-8 World Cup soccer is now finished, and that the Grades 1-3 are now playing soccer at recess.

*The Junior-Intermediate Drama Club (grades 5-8) will be putting on a play this winter. Follow Ms. Park's blog for future details.

*Council approved $160 to fund a photography project for the Home School class.

*The Clairlea Fun Fair will take place on June 12, 2010. We're actively seeking volunteers as well as donations for the silent auction. Please email us if you're able to help.

*A Dance-A-Thon will take place on Wednesday November 18. This is a fundraiser to support a robotics program at Clairlea. Details to come.

I think that was about it - but the official minutes will capture everything in detail. Please let us know if you want to join the School Council's email list.

Smarter, more confident kids

A workshop on how to raise smarter, more confident kids? Count me in. Details on the Clairlea school blog. (It's next Tuesday evening, Nov 3.)

Also, kids may wear their costumes to school on Friday, if they wish.

Help support SATEC pool - open house tonight

The swimming pool at SATEC (WA Porter) high school has been on the verge of closure for many months. The pool can stay open if it has sufficient support from the community - so everyone is encouraged to book the pool for exercise activities, sporting events and birthday parties.

There is an open house tonight, Oct 27, at 7:00 pm at SATEC, 40 Fairfax Cres., one block north of Warden & St. Clair. Learn about permits, life guard contacts & schedules of available times.

School Council meeting - Wed Oct 21

A reminder that the School Council meets tomorrow, 7pm at the school. Childcare is available at the gym. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you are an "official" voting council member.

Here's what's on the agenda:

- Principal's report (Ms. Persaud)

- Vice-Principal's report (Mr. Frenette)

- Treasurer's report (Ann Silver)

- Teacher's report (Ms. Rule)

- Magazine sales (Hope)

- Fun Fair (Irit Hartman)

- Movie Night (Christina Mark)

- Baseball Tournament (Ann Silver)

- Dance a thon (Rob McMaster) *apologies, I had the names mixed up earlier

- New business (all)

If there is anything you'd like to add to the agenda for future meetings, please email the School Council Chair, Ginnie; or raise it during new business. Meetings must end at 8:30 sharp so the Chair appreciates your patience if some items must be deferred to the next meeting.

See you tomorrow!

So what's with all the fundraising?

Terry Fox...Unicef...magazine sales...Scholastic orders...school pictures...pizza day...movie night... parents might wonder why there are so many requests for us to open our wallets in October.

Some of these (Terry Fox, Unicef) are fundraisers for worthy causes that are separate from our school. These efforts teach kids that giving is important and that they have the power to make a difference in their world. Over the year, you may also notice various opportunities to raise money for Free The Children or other charities.

Scholastic orders are a service offered to parents to allow us to buy inexpensive books for our homes. Owning books is a wonderful feeling for children, and is a great way to promote literacy. When we order from Scholastic, the teachers receive free books for the classroom.

Other fundraisers (pizza days, movie nights, magazine sales, Clairlea spirit-wear, and a possible dance-a-thon later this year) are organized by parent volunteers and School Council, and these raise money directly for Clairlea Public School. They also contribute to a sense of school spirit and community. A lot (lot, lot) of work goes into organizing these activities. Proceeds go the School Council account and funds are distributed based on motions made and votes taken at School Council meetings. This money buys items for the school and classrooms, pays for school trips, grade 8 graduation, and for improvements to the school environment.

None of these fundraisers are ever mandatory, and we appreciate everyone's participation at any level.

If you're interested in getting involved in fundraising for the school, please attend the next School Council meeting on Wednesday Oct 21 (7:00pm). There are lots of opportunities to help or lead fundraisers.

O Canada

Today, my son asked me to sing O Canada with him in French. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't know all the words. I thought some others might be in the same position, so here, courtesy of Google and the Government of Canada, are the lyrics - and links to the audio files in français and English in case anyone needs a bit of help with the tune.

« O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!

Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée Des plus brillants exploits.

Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. »

And in English:

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.