Week of February 3rd, 2025

 Important Morning Drop-Off Reminders

Dear Families,

We would like to share some important reminders regarding morning drop-off procedures to ensure a smooth and safe start to the school day.

• Supervision begins at 8:40 AM for students in Grades 1-6. Staff will be on duty at this time, so we kindly ask that families refrain from dropping students off before 8:40 AM, as there is no guaranteed supervision.
• Late Arrivals: If your child arrives after 8:55 AM, they must sign in at the office to obtain a late slip.
• Drop-Off Location: To minimize disruptions, students should be dropped off in the school yard, not at the front doors on Davisville. The front entrance should not be used for morning drop-off, as students are expected to enter through the school yard, where supervision is available.
• Punctuality Matters: Arriving on time is essential for maximizing learning, minimizing classroom disruptions, and building responsible habits. Please ensure your child arrives before 8:55 AM.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and organized morning routine. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Spectrum Alternative Bake Sale

Dear Families,

Please note that our Spectrum students are hosting a Valentine's Bake Sale on February 13th to raise money for Grade 8 Graduation activities! We will be selling to both Spectrum & Davisville JPS students and families to help us fundraise. The cost of baked goods ranges anywhere from $1.00 - $4.00

Your support towards this fundraiser is much appreciated.

Term 1 Report Cards

Term 1 Report Cards will be sent home electronically on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025. 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. Term 1 Report Cards provide information on how well your child has achieved the curriculum expectations in a subject and whether or not they have reached the expected level of achievement in various subject areas.  Letter grades are given for students in grades 1-6 and percentage marks are given for students in grades 7-8. 

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

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. 

Please see below for a message from our School Council:

Kindergarten Movie Night - Sign-Up Still Open!

Tickets are still available for our Kindergarten Movie Night on Wednesday, February 12th, from 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM. This special event, exclusively for kindergarten students, will feature the beloved movie The Gruffalo, a charming adaptation of the classic children's book.

Details:
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 12th, from 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $5 (includes a snack pack)
Ticket Sales: Available on SchoolCash Online; closes on February 10th
Reminder: Please fill out the permission form at the time of purchase.

Don't miss out—sign up today!

Reminder: Davisville Skate Swap

In conjunction with our Skate Night tradition on February 21st, we will also be hosting a Skate Swap in the Davisville Atrium. If you have old skates that no longer fit or just want to upgrade, this is the perfect chance to swap them!

Details:
When: From 9:30 AM on Tuesday, February 11th until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 12th
Where: Davisville Atrium

How It Works:
Bring your old skates and exchange them for a pair that fits.
Chairs will be available in the atrium to try on your skates.
Be sure to use the mats under the skate blades to protect the floors.

Interested in Volunteering for Skate Night?
We’d love to have you help make Skate Night even more memorable! If you’re interested in volunteering, please join our Volunteer WhatsApp Group here.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the ice for a great community experience!

African Heritage (Black History) Month at the TDSB 

During the month of February, African Heritage (Black History) Month is recognized across Canada thanks to The Honourable Jean Augustine. The former Member of Parliament introduced the motion in the House of Commons, and it officially took effect in February 1996. The Black History Month Act was also passed in Ontario in 2016.
 

To kick off African Heritage Month, both Spectrum Alternative and Davisville JPS will be hosting a special assembly featuring student performances, African drumming, choral readings, spoken word, and more. This year, our theme is "Lift Every Voice", a phrase that signifies unity, resilience, and the power of collective strength within the Black community. Inspired by the Black National Anthem, it highlights the importance of raising voices to celebrate culture, history, and brilliance while honoring the ongoing journey toward justice and equity.

Moreover, the TDSB is excited to extend an invitation to all students, staff and the TDSB community to join us in marking this important month with performances by Black artists, creators, and noteworthy speakers. Please see below for details.

Please visit the TDSB African Heritage Month web page: https://tdsbweb.tdsb.on.ca/equity/Heritage-History-Months/2024-2025 for the following information below and other updates.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND EQUITABLE OUTCOMES

The Special Education and Inclusion Department is pleased to share the February Newsletter for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers that highlights some relevant resources and information for families.

Upcoming Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session: Navigating Transitions

The following are the dates for the upcoming parent/caregiver/guardian session being offered by the Special Education and Inclusion Department. These repeat sessions will focus on the support and services available for students with special needs and disabilities, both within the TDSB and through external organizations. 

Date: Wednesday, March 5th - Day (AM)
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Date: Thursday, March 6th - Evening (PM)
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please refer to this flyer.

Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten Africentric 10th Year Anniversary Event

Join us for a special Pre-Kindergarten-Kindergarten Africentric Education family event! The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in collaboration with Early Years Department, Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement Office and Teachers Learning and Leading, welcomes Black families and families raising Black children to a Pre-Kindergarten - Kindergarten Africentric 10th Year Anniversary Event.

This event features a Caregiver & Keynote Workshop by Dr. Kerry-Ann Escayg along with interactive Africentric learning experiences for Black children.

Date: February 22, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon
Location: Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, Winston Churchill C.I. – 2239 Lawrence Avenue E. Scarborough.

Registration link