SCHOOL NEWS – February’s Character Education trait is “Fairness”.
On The Great Lakes EcoArt
The “On the Great Lake” Eco Art Project was hugely successful, not only did we manage to raise over $1,900, we also brought our students’ outdoor art projects the praise and recognition they deserved! Thank you to everyone involved, this was a huge team effort between the students, the parents and the teachers. Funds raised will be used towards science initiatives in the Junior/Intermediate grades. A donation was also made to the Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan Fund as part of our social justice consciousness.
Dressed for Fun Outside
It’s been a cold winter so far! This is a reminder to ensure students are thoroughly prepared for the outdoors when they come to school. [As you know, the Equinox outdoor education program is on all four seasons, from Kindergarten to the upper grades.] As we have learned, there is no wrong weather, just wrong clothes! The opportunities for learning and enjoying the outdoors in winter are abundant. Field trips will go ahead as much as possible – let’s face the challenge prepared! Here are the TDSB Severe Cold Weather Guidelines: When temperature and/or wind-chill factor indicates
-28C or lower, children will remain indoors due to risk of frost-nip and frostbite. When the temperature and/or wind-chill factor indicates -20 to -28C, recesses may be shortened to 10 minutes and lunch recess be 20 minutes depending on local conditions. Children should be monitored closely for signs of frost-nip, frostbite or difficulty breathing.
Special Education Info Session for Parents
Join TDSB staff to learn more about Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Identification, Placement and Review Committees (IPRC) at two locations in Toronto on Tues. Feb. 25 from 7-9pm. The East Region meeting is at 140 Borough Dr., and the West meeting is at Bloor CI, 1141 Bloor St., W. More information is found on the flyer posted in the school.
Community Swims @ Monarch Park CI
There are several community swims at Monarch Park CI Swimming Pool. They are only $2 or $5 per family. For more information contact monarchparkaquatics@gmail.com
All Ladies Swim Tuesdays 7-8PM Sept 24 until June 10 Fee is $2 per swim Adult Lane Swim Wednesdays 8-9PM Sept 25 until June 11 Fee is $2 per swim Community Swim Saturdays 3:15PM-4:30PM Jan 25 until June Page 2 of 2
Missing Immunization Information?
Some of you have received overdue notices from the Immunization Department of Toronto Public Health. Suspensions for students who are not up-to-date with their vaccinations began on February 6th for a period of 20 school days. If you received these notices, and have updated information, or a signed affidavit, please hand it in to the office. Staff will send the information over to Toronto Public Health, and keep it on file for future reference.
Lost & Found
Please take a moment the next time you are in the school to look in the Lost & Found bin located in the east stairwell for any items that belong to your children. You may be surprised to find something that you didn’t even know was missing.
Staff Professional Development (PD)
Have you ever wondered why your child’s teacher is absent or how staff stay current on the latest educational topics? Staff from all grade levels are regularly attending self-initiated PD as well as both board and ministry required PD. Even though this pulls teachers out of the classroom and away from students (sometimes frequently which we communicate to the board), it also provides staff with valuable information that helps support our students. Some recent board/ministry PD staff have attended to support our school programs include:
Full-Day Kindergarten – Capacity Building Sessions
K to 8 – Ontario Numeracy Assessment Plan
K to 8 – West Region 10 Family of Schools Numeracy Plan
Gr. 1 – Levelled Literacy Initiative
K to 8 – Special Education
K to 8 – EcoSchools
Gr. 7/8 – HEROES Social Skills Program (Roden PS)
K to 8 – Model Schools Inner City (MSIC – Roden PS)
Equinox Winter Fair
Congratulations to the organizers of the Winter Fair on raising over $7,500 this year to support enhancing the program here at Equinox. Thank you to everyone for all their hard work and time as well as our local community members and businesses that were very generous with donations.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb. 28 Roden Council’s Tropical Island Paradise Family Dance, 6 p.m. – All welcome!
Mar. 04 Parent Workshop – Raising Sexually Healthy Children, 6 p.m. School Library
Mar. 07 P.A. Day – No School for Students
Mar. 10-14 March Break – School is Closed
Mar. 20 Lice Check – Volunteers Needed – Please contact the school and leave your info.