Week of October 30th, 2023

 Halloween

We had a fantastic Halloween this past week. Some of our students participated in a parade, while others carved, decorated and painted pumpkins. It was a wonderful day filled with creative activities, loads of fun, arts and crafts and a chance for our students and staff to showcase their wonderful costumes. Thank you to all families and staff who worked together to ensure that Halloween was celebrated safely in our school. 

Elementary Progress Report Cards

Progress Reports will be coming home soon and will provide you with clear information about how your child is doing at school. Elementary Progress Report Cards let you know early in the school year about your children's progress and how well they are developing important learning skills and work habits. For academic subjects like math, language and science, the progress report tells you whether your child is progressing very well, well or with difficulty.

Please note that Progress Report Cards do not have letter grades or percentage marks. Instead, they include clear, meaningful comments from your child's teacher and highlight the strengths and areas for improvement for your child. Grades are provided on Term 1 and Term 2 Report Cards.  In the Progress Reports, you will notice that your child's teacher has evaluated and reported on your child's development of learning skills and work habits. See below for more information on this:

Six Learning Skills and Work Habits

Report cards focus on six essential learning skills and work habits students need to succeed. Each skill is reported as Excellent (E), Good (G), Satisfactory(S) or Needs Improvement (N). The six skills and habits are: 

Responsibility
Organization
Independent Work
Collaboration
Initiative
Self-regulation

Grade 8 to 9 Transitions and Student Interest Programs Webinars and Resources

Source: Shelley Laskin's Weekly Updates

On November 1, 2023, the TDSB launched the Grade 8 to 9 Transitions process for the 2024 school year. There are several important events and links highlighted below for you: 

Beyond 8 Website - contains information, resources, links and dates for the Grade 8 to 9 transition process.

Secondary Central Student Interest Program (CSIP) Website - contains program details and a CSIP Google calendar of Open Houses for schools with Central Student Interest Programs. The link to the online application can also be found on the page. The Elementary Central Student Interest Program Website contains the same information for the elementary panel.

Out-of-Area Admissions Website - the status for applying to schools will be available by the end of the first week of November. The Out-of-Area Admissions application will become available online after the Winter break.

November 1, 2023 - Grade 8 to 9 Transitions Webinar - Registration link Parents/Guardians/Caregivers are asked to register for the event prior to the Webinar. Requests for interpretation services can be made in the registration form by Friday, October 27, 2023.

November 2, 2023 - Student Interest Program Webinar - Registration link Parents/Guardians/Caregivers are asked to register for the event prior to the Webinar. Requests for interpretation services can be made in the registration form by Friday, October 27, 2023.

**Recordings of both webinars will be posted on the PCEO YouTube Channel and links will be made available on the TDSB websites listed above.

The Central Student Interest Program application will open on Monday, November 6 and remain open until 4 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023. The applications are not considered on a first-come first-served basis; parents/guardians and caregivers are encouraged to attend Open Houses and consider their options prior to submitting an application.

Support sessions are scheduled for November 14 (4 to 5:30 p.m.) and November 22 (7 to 8:30 p.m.). The links to the online Zoom sessions are available on the CSIP Google calendars on the CSIP website. TDSB staff will be available to answer questions about the application should applicants require assistance. Staff will not be able to answer specific program and/or school-based questions. Families are encouraged to attend Open Houses for school- and program-specific information.  

Indigenous Education Month

Taken from TDSB Website:

November is Indigenous Education Month at the Toronto District School Board.

Throughout the month, students, staff, and community members honour a number of important days to deepen knowledge, to learn from our shared histories, and to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.

It is important to remember to center First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives, voices, histories, and contemporary realities across the TDSB every day. This month places emphasis on creating opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives on treaties, leadership, achievements, resurgence, futurities, and creativity. The TDSB is committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (TRC) and th.e United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Below is a list of significant dates throughout the month of November:

• Treaties Recognition Week is November 5-11
• November 7 is International Inuit Day
• November 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day
• November 16 is Louis Riel Day in Ontario

Hindu Heritage Month

Taken from TDSB Website:

The TDSB is proud to recognize Hindu Heritage Month during the month of November. Hinduism is one of the oldest living religions which have flourished for over 10,000 years. It is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the rich tapestry of traditions, teachings and values that are integral to Hinduism and practiced by millions around the world today.

This year’s theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is a Sanskrit word in Hindu dharma that means, ‘The World is one Family.’ It is based on the spiritual idea that every human being is born with a divine spark and is a part of one divine universal consciousness. This ancient message of oneness aims to promote friendliness, acceptance, compassion, and a sense of belongingness toward all others, despite differences of culture, languages, or thoughts. 

You can follow TDSB Hindu Heritage Month on X (formerly Twitter) for daily messages throughout the month of November: a@tdsb_HHM