Trustee Shelley Laskin Weekly Updates

Saturday, 9 November 2024

Week of November 4th, 2024

 Progress Report Cards





Progress reports Reports will be sent home electronically on Wednesday November 13th, 2024. The Progress Report is intended to provide you with an early indication of how your child is progressing at this point in the school year. For academic subjects like math, language and science, the progress report tells you whether your child is progressing very well, well or with difficulty.

Progress Report Cards do not have letter grades or percentage marks. They include clear, meaningful comments from your child's teacher and highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

Six Learning Skills and Work Habits

A large focus for the Progress Report for Grades 1-8 is the Learning Skills. There are 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

Parent-Educator Interviews

Regular parent-teacher communication is an important part of student learning. Parent-teacher interviews are scheduled throughout the year after report cards are sent home. These interviews are your opportunity to ask questions about your child's progress and to discuss any issues. In addition to regularly scheduled parent-teacher interviews, you can request a meeting at any time during the school year by contacting the school or your child's teacher directly.

We encourage you to sit down with your child to review their progress so far. You may read the comments in each subject section carefully and pay close attention to the Learning Skills comments of the reports.

Kindergarten Communication of Learning



In the Kindergarten Communication of Learning, educators share their observations and documentation showing student's learning and progress; there are no grades provided. The comments on Kindergarten reports focus on each child's strengths in learning that the student has demonstrated in relation to the overall expectations. Kindergarten educators gather evidence of learning based on what children are saying, doing and how they are representing their thinking and learning in relation to the overall expectations. Lastly, you will note that all four frames of the Kindergarten Program will be referenced in the comments.

The Kindergarten Communication of Learning Report provides initial observations and information about your child’s strengths and growth. Suggestions for the next steps your child is ready to take in their learning are also included. Some teachers have already been reaching out to families to schedule parent-teacher conferences.

Scholastic Book Fair (Volunteers Required)

Dear Families,

Please see Mr. Hannah's message below:  

This year we will be having a Scholastic Book Fair in our school library starting on Monday, November 25 and running for 4 days only, until Thursday, November 28th. Students will be able to shop during the day when they come to visit but it will also be open for after school shopping each day from 3:30-4:45 ( (cash, credit, debit accepted). All purchases benefit our school. Over the past two years that we have had it in our library, the volunteers have been invaluable and their time greatly appreciated. This year, we will be asking for your assistance again. There is a schedule of volunteer periods that has been put up for you to look at, next to the posters by the entrance doors. To sign up, you will be able to access the document through a QR Code or through the link below. If anyone has difficulties with this and you really want to help, you can email Mr. Hannah directly with the time(s) and he will include them in the document. Most sessions will be 40 minutes except for after school where it is scheduled for 45 minutes. Ideally we would like at least 1 adult per time slot during the day and 2 from 3:30 - 4:45. If you don't have experience with this, don't worry. On-the-spot training will be provided, and by the end of your 'shift', you will feel like a pro. Many thanks in advance for considering helping out.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xusWWnnN3SClKvGDcAh_DN3mpDWV78GKP9TAtFYB7sM/edit?usp=sharing

 Monthly Tea & Talks

We had our first Tea and Talk last week and it was a huge success! We are excited for our future Tea and Talk sessions with Mr. Finkelstein and Ms. Moftakhar.

Interested parents and guardians are invited to join us once a month, after morning drop, off for some tea and talk on a variety of subjects. Each session will include a presentation on a topic of interest to parents/guardians, and also time for general Q and A about any issues or questions parents may have . It is an informal opportunity to meet other parents and learn more about your children's school.

After parents have dropped off their children, they can join us upstairs in the library for the program. Please enter through Door 5. 

Our December session will take place on Thursday, November 28 and will feature Elder Robert Phillips who will be sharing information about the Seven Grandfather Teachings with those in attendance. As a school focus this year, we will be learning about The Grandfather Teachings in all of our classrooms.

You can learn more about our Tea and Talks and see the dates for the year in this attachment: Davisville Tea and Talk 2024-25.pdf


We really hope you will be able to join us on these special Thursday mornings!

Engaging Parents as Partners We Can Learn From....


                

At our school, celebrating who are students and families are, using their identities to build learning communities and supporting them in understanding more about themselves and others, is important for us. Essentially, this means that using identity and Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP) forms the basis of our work with students, families and communities. As such, it is important for us to engage families as partners we can learn from. We would like to thank Ms. Soriano for being a guest speaker in Mme Haley's class last week and teaching the students about Día de los Muertos. 

JK/SK-C (Room 105) Walking Excursion to the Meighen Retirement Residence and Meighen Manor

On October 31st, Ms. Heath's and Ms. Azra's class walked to the nearby Meighen Retirement Residence and Meighen Manor to show the residents their Halloween costumes. The students brought much joy to the seniors living in the home, and the staff and residents clapped and waved as our Kindergarten students passed by them. We hope to visit these residents again soon!

 Eco Club





The Eco Club started planting some cuttings and baby plants during our most recent Eco Club meeting. You could see our recent efforts with planting in the entranceway to our school. We are looking for more baby plants and cuttings if you have any to donate, as well as any small pots and soil. Any donations can be dropped off in Room 105. Thank you!

Chinese Heritage Month - Invitation to Participate in Volunteer Planning Committee
The TDSB currently recognizes 13 Heritage/History Months throughout the academic school year. A full listing may be found at the following link: https://tdsbweb.tdsb.on.ca/equity/heritage-history-months

During the month of February, Chinese Heritage Month is recognized, and we're looking for volunteers!

Join us in establishing a volunteer planning committee to plan educational opportunities for our students', staff and TDSB community to further learn about Chinese Heritage Month. We invite past members to join us again and welcome new individuals to share their ideas of how to celebrate this heritage across the system!

Please see the below for details of the Chinese Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee that will be held virtually.

Monday, November 11, 2024
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 276 463 710 863
Passcode: tHoUtz

Greek Heritage Month - Invitation to Participate in Volunteer Planning Committee

The TDSB currently recognizes 13 Heritage/History Months throughout the academic school year. A full listing may be found at the following link: https://tdsbweb.tdsb.on.ca/equity/heritage-history-months

During the month of March, Greek Heritage Month is recognized, and a volunteer planning committee is required to fulfill the mandate which includes planning educational opportunities for our students, staff and the TDSFB community to further learn about Greek Heritage Month. It also includes enriching the curriculum resources.

The current members of the volunteer planning committee are looking for additional individuals to join them in implementing this mandate and organizing system-wide educational opportunities.

Please see below for details of the Greek Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee Meeting.

Monday, November 18, 2024
In-person at Gordon A. Brown MS, 2800 St. Clair Avenue East OR virtually
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 292 736 794 909
Passcode: oVmCNA


Drop-in Sessions for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers

Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to once again offer a series of drop-in sessions designed for parents/guardians/caregivers on navigating special education resources and supports within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). These informal gatherings provide a welcoming space for parents to learn about available services, ask questions, and connect with other families. Facilitators will guide discussions on topics such as supporting student transitions and exploring occupational therapy/physiotherapy strategies to use at home with students. All drop-in sessions for the 2024-2025 school year can be found here.

ASD After School Skills Development Program – Fall 2024 Session

The Fall/Winter sessions of the ASD After School Leisure Program, available both in-person and virtually, will run from November 26, 2024 to February 27, 2025. The program is available to students in Grades 4-10 who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This program provides an opportunity for students to develop, build and enhance their social communication skills through either weekly in-person or weekly virtual sessions.

Please refer to the information letter which includes the link for registration to the parents of Grades 4 – 10 students with ASD in your school. The registration period will remain open until Friday, November 15, 2024.


Grade 8 to 9 Transition

November is the start of the Grade 8 to 9 Transition period. Over the next few months, secondary schools will be hosting Open Houses and Information Nights for current Grade 8 students and their parents/guardians and caregivers. The information and links below will assist Grade 8 students and families in planning for a smooth transition from Grade 8 to 9:

Open Houses and Information Sessions

TDSB Beyond 8 website

Secondary Central Student Interest Program

Out-of-Area Admissions

Secondary Schools without a Boundary

Central Student Interest Programs website

Preparing for High School Information Webinar Sessions

Below is a summary of the two upcoming webinars. Further details, including the link to register and request an interpreter, will be posted shortly on the TDSB Guidance site and the Central Student Interest Program Website.

Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transitions: Taking place on October 29, 2024 at 7 p.m., this session will focus on the Top 10 Tips and Considerations in the Transition to High School. This presentation is designed to augment the work already taking place through secondary open houses and at the Grade 8 schools. More information: TDSB Beyond 8 website.

Student Interest Programs: The TDSB offers over 50 programs with a particular focus. These programs are for anyone who demonstrates an interest and passion in the particular program area. On October 30, 2024 at 7 p.m., the Student Interest Program Webinar will provide more information about Secondary Schools without a Boundary, local programs, Out-of-Area Admissions and applying to Central Student Interest Programs (CSIP). Application for CSIP programs opens on November 4, 2024 and closes on November 22 at 4 p.m.

High School Open Houses and Information Nights

To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host in-person open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and January. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check this page regularly, as secondary schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights

To locate your designated elementary home school by address, please Find Your School - By Address. Schools that offer Central Student Interest Programs and local programs will host open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and February. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools and programs. If you have questions about a specific school, please visit the school’s website or contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check this page regularly, as elementary schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

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