Equinox Newsletter – Vol. 5

Equinox Newsletter - october - 10-18-13

SCHOOL NEWS

Call Out for ReadUp Volunteers

The very popular ReadUp Club is looking for volunteers to read with children on Tuesdays between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. in our library. No teaching experience is necessary and volunteers are given a quick training session on how to read with the children. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions about the ReadUp Club, please email or speak to Mr. O’Shaughnessy (christopher.o’shaughnessy@tdsb.on.ca) or simply show up in the library on Tuesdays.

Lice Check Volunteers Needed

As our lice awareness continues, we will be doing a school-wide check of all students late in October. If you do NOT want your child checked, please send in a note to this affect to your child’s teacher. If you would like to learn more and help us with the check, please contact the school office with your name. We are actively looking for volunteers to help with the check.

Safe School Committee

The Equinox/Roden Safe School Committee meets once a month and includes a parent, administrator, teacher, support staff and facility staff. Each year a number of school and board policies and procedures are reviewed to ensure compliance and that they are meeting the needs of our greater school community. Feedback is often sought from students, outside agencies (e.g. Toronto Police, Fire) and the larger school community. If you have any questions for the committee, please contact the school.

Outdoor Spaces School & Community Consultation

As part of the planned enhancement of Equinox’s outdoor kindergarten classroom areas for which the community raised funds last year, Equinox Council, via the Equinox Outdoor Kindergarten Committee, is seeking input from all members of our community. If you would like to provide input, please join us on Wed. Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Library. Childcare will be provided.

Free Venue Passes

Did you know that the Toronto Public Library has free passes to various Toronto museums, historical parks, art centres and even the zoo? The Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass (MAP) lets you and your family (2 adults & up to 5 children) explore the best of Toronto’s arts and cultural treasures for free. With your valid adult Toronto Public Library card, you can take out a pass for your family at any Toronto Public Library branch. Quantities are limited and rules and conditions apply.

Bullying Prevention @ Equinox & Roden Schools

October marks Bullying Prevention Month here at Equinox & Roden Schools and even though we have a strong focus year-round, we give a special emphasis during this time. We are committed to making our building a welcoming place for learning, a place that promotes respect and harmony, and a place that students and staff enthusiastically attend every day. We operate a wide variety of programs to accomplish this such as Let’s Stop the Bullying, Kids in the Know, Stand Up to Bullying, TDSB Character Education, PALs and soon to be coming Recess Revival. The guiding principles by which we choose and operate our programs are:

  • Equity Awareness Programs should seek to increase awareness, sensitivities and skills so that young people are prepared to take positive action with their peers.
  • Anti-Harassment Approaches Programs are designed to teach staff and students how to maintain an environment free from any form of harassment.
  • Anti-bullying Competencies Programs should teach that bullying is one of the earliest and most prevalent forms of school violence.
  • Early and Ongoing Identification Programs must support the TDSB’s commitment to promoting the involvement of parents and school personnel to ensure early and ongoing identification of students at risk for violent anti-social behaviour and victimization.

For more information and resources about safe schools including cyber-bullying and online safety, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca > Students > Safe and Caring Schools > Resources.

Personal Items at School

For safety reasons and to avoid lost, damaged or misplaced items, students are to leave at home any electronics (games, music players, radios, etc.), sports equipment (rollerblades/skates, skate/long boards, bats, hockey sticks, etc.) toys, games, trading cards and valuables. We disallow the borrowing, trading and selling of personal items at school. Only with the principal’s permission for special situations may personal items be brought to school. If students carry a cell phone for safety, they are not to use or handle them while at school. If students use scooters or boards to travel to and from school, they are not to use them on school property.

Pediculosis (Lice) Awareness

As part of our awareness and prevention program this is a reminder to parents/caregivers to discuss with your child measures everyone can take to prevent the acquisition of head lice. Keeping hair short, tied and/or away from others is important. Not sharing clothing, especially hats and regular laundering of items is also helpful. This information is already part of our regular announcements, assemblies and class discussions in addition to our frequent checks throughout the year. The TDSB has recommended treatments that may be found at http://tdsbweb/ppf/uploads/files/live/100/384.doc. As always the prevention and treatment is only as effective as the implementation. If you require additional information or support, copies of the treatment sheet or know of a case, please contact the school office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct. 21-25 Scholastic Book Fair, 8:30 to 9am & 3:30 to 4pm, Library
Oct. 23 School Photo Day – SAY CHEESE!
Oct. 25 Pizza Lunch & Eid Celebration (3:30 to 6 p.m.) in the Gym
Oct. 30 Lice Check – Volunteers Needed (More volunteers = More checks)
Nov. 01 Equinox Council’s Movie Evening, “Despicable Me 2”, 6-6:30 p.m. Start
Nov. 12 Progress Reports Go Home
Nov. 14 Reporting to Parents Evening, 4 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 15 Reporting to Parents Morning, 9 to 11:45 a.m.