Week of September 25th, 2023

Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2023, marks the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by the Parliament of Canada. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.

Orange Shirt Day, established in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad, recognizes the legacy of the Residential Schools System for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families and communities. By wearing orange, we acknowledge the truths of Residential Schools in Canada, we honour Survivors, and we remember the thousands of children who died, many of them buried in unmarked graves. 

This year, TDSB honoured Orange Shirt Day on Friday, September 29th. In recognition of Orange Shirt Day, many of our classes were enaged in learning where they honoured and acknowledged the legacy of residential schools. The students in Madame Gau and Madame Samuel's FDK class made orange hands to remember all of the children who were taken from their homes and forced to attend residential schools far away from their families. They also made feathers in memory of the children who were forced to assimilate to the dominate culture and give up their identities. 

In Ms. Kinshuk's and Ms. Moaven's FDK class, students learned about the land and conversations were fostered about the about the history of colonialism and Indigenous ways of knowing. 

At Davisville JPS/Spectrum Alternative, Indigenous perspectives and voices will be centered and embedded across the curriculum, and our goal is to ensure that Indigenous Education is a priority. By centering Indigenous perspectives across curriculum in all areas, we want to create inclusive spaces for students to see themselves reflected and affirmed within the school community.

Indigenous education is not just for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, but for all students and staff. When non-Indigenous people learn about the rich histories, cultures and contemporary contexts of diverse Indigenous peoples, cross-cultural understandings occurs and a common commitment is formed, leading to equitable and more inclusive learning spaces.

Davisville Sports, Upcoming Practices and Important Dates:

*TDESAA South Conference Cross Country Meet : Tuesday October 10th @ Sunnybrook Park

Here is a link to a document with important information around the upcoming meet date. Our school coaches will be sending home a letter next week with travel details. We have buses booked for the day. Please access this for information about the meet here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13arwpCPT_AkrkR2-TXPxZvAN2PGY8Rqaw7iJPI8k6JA/edit?usp=sharing

*Gr. 5/6 Boys Soccer Tournament: Wednesday Oct. 3 @ Nelson Mandela Park Public School

*Girls Soccer Tournament will take place at the Island School on October 19th, more information will be shared with all players next week

PRACTICES This week: 

*Primary (grade 2 and 3) Cross Country Practices : Tuesday 8am and Thursday 8am

*Junior (grade 4-6) Cross Country Practices: Monday @ lunch, Thursday afterschool. 

*Girls Soccer Practices: Monday Oct. 2 after-school and Wednesday October 4th @ 8am

Late After-School Pick-Ups

Now that we are heading into October, this is a great time to review after-school pick up procedures. This way we can minimize any confusion and maximize student safety. Please review the following after school procedures for students attending Davisville JPS:

• At dismissal time, we ask for your cooperation and support by ensuring that you pick up your child(ren) as promptly as possible. Our school yard needs to be cleared by 4:00 pm to allow for our after care program to use our yard and access our playscape. Therefore, we kindly ask that families vacate the premises by 4:00pm. 
• Please note (as per the image above) that families can regain access to our playground at 6:00pm.
• At the end of the day, it is important that students are picked up by a trusted person; this may be a parent, caregiver, grandparent, daycare provider, babysitter, older sibling, etc… This should be arranged with the teacher, so they know who to be looking for and to release to an authorized person and should be discussed with the student ahead of time, so they can identify the person picking them up. 
• Students should be picked up at 3:25pm. If students are not picked up after school at this time, they will be supervised by Door 5 in our vestibule area (inside entrance of school) with a staff member until you arrive. Beyond 3:40pm, students will be taken to the office and asked to wait until an authorized person comes to pick them up. During this time, you may receive a phone call from us to clarify on timing or pickup. ***It is very important that parent(s)/caregivers try to pick up their child as close to 3:25pm as possible on a daily basis. We appreciate your support on this. 

Ward Forum for Parents/Caregivers (Multi-Year Strategic Plan)

There will a Virtual Joint Ward Forum for parents/caregivers and community members on Tuesday October 3, 2023 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom. Attached you will find the Ward 5, 8 and 11 Virtual Joint Ward MYSP flyer.

Registration Open! Parents & Caregivers as Partners Conference

Join us at our annual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference on October 21 and 22, 2023. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to participate in a weekend of learning, connection, and engagement and to learn strategies to support your child throughout the year.

Visit www.parentsaspartners.ca to register, for more information and updates.

As last year, we have partnered with the TDSB’s Outdoor Education team and the City of Toronto to bring a unique experience to the conference. All of these in-person sessions are scheduled between 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Transportation from central sites is available to all venues, leaving the location at 1:00 p.m. and returning at 3:30 p.m. More information will be provided as we approach closer to the date.