News

News, announcements, and reminders from the council, school, and community.

Ward 14 Parkdale Community Compost Day - Pick up Free Compost - April 28

Posted: 
Wednesday April 27

Spring is in the air! Ward 14 Parkdale Community Compost Day is April 28. Come pick-up FREE COMPOST:

Thursday, April 28th from 3:30 pm until 8:00 p.m.  (or until supplies last) at the Masaryk Cowan Community Centre (220 Cowan Avenue).

Please remember to bring a shovel and container to collect your compost!

Can't make it next Thursday? There are two other scheduled Community Compost Days: 
•     May 14th – Indian Road Crescent Public School parking lot at 8:00 am 
•     May 14th – The corner of MacDonnell Ave and Wabash Ave at 10:00 am

 

Bid Now on Silent Auction Items!

Posted: 
Tuesday April 26

Bidding is now open on all Silent Auction items for the 2016 Fun Fair.

Check it out at http://bit.ly/grdn2016

There are gift certificates to local shops and restaurants, great summer camp packages, wine and MUCH MUCH MORE.

Bidding will stay open until 12pm on the day before the Fun Fair. You will be able to bid on all remaining items at the Fun Fair in the Silent Auction Room in the gym. 

All money raised through the auction of these items will go to support the initiatives of the Garden Avenue School Council for the 2016-2017 school year.

We are adding more great items daily, so check back often! 

Positive Play Post - Anti-bullying Newsletter

Posted: 
Wednesday April 13

In recognition of Anti-bullying Awareness Week, we are issuing our Positive Play Post newsletter to inform you of the many Safe and Caring Initiatives that we have undertaken this year at Garden. 

File(s): 

Project Greenthumb Annual Seedling Sale - Calling All Growers

Posted: 
Monday April 4

I know we have a few inches of snow, but the flower, herb and veggie seeds are ready to get sprouting.  Consider participating in the Annual Seedling Sale.

All you need to participate is:

  • A warm sunny window
  • Someone home to spritz once per day
  • Time to plant seeds in the first week in April (assisted planting available afterschool on April 7

School council provides seeds, containers, soil, advice and planting assistance as requested (April 7).

If you would like to participate please email gardenavenews@gmail.com Subject Line - Seedlings.  

Please indicate the names of your child(ren) number of seedlings you can accomodate and whether you will be joining for assisted planting afterschool April 7.

Art Studio Sign Up

Posted: 
Tuesday March 29

Room 102 is hosting three  Tuesday “Art Studio” sessions from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., April 5th, 12th, and 19th. Registration is limited to 12 participants for this series. Registration is open for Grade 1 to 6 students. Preference will be given to students who have not yet attended. If you are interested and wish to register your child, please pick up permission forms in Ms. Lawson's room.

Students selected will be given written confirmation by April 1, 2016. *Students from Grade 1, 2, and 3 must be picked up by Parents/Caregivers. Students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack.

Ms. Lawson, Ms. Cundari and Ms. Cox are looking forward to sharing ideas, vision, resources and a place in which to create.

Cyber Safety Presentation - Fern Ave. PS

Posted: 
Monday March 28

On Thursday, April 7 at 6:30pm, Garden Ave.'s favourite Police Constable, Eric Berridge, will be giving leading a discussion for parents about Internet Safety. Please see poster for additional details (PDF, 75 KB):

Cyber Safety Flyer

Talent Show Auditions - March 22 & 24

Posted: 
Sunday March 20

Auditions for the Annual Garden Talent Show will be at lunchtime on the following dates:

March 22 (Grades 1-3)
and
March 24 (Grades 4-6)

April 13th, 2016 Dress rehearsal at Garden Public in the gymnasium 3:30-4:45 pm

PARENTS WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP!  Please contact jonathan.spence@utoronto.ca for information.

Purchase Pink Garden T-shirts to Mark "International Day of Pink"

Posted: 
Sunday March 20

At Garden we will be marking International Day of Pink on April 13, 2016. International Day of Pink is a Day to stand up against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Transmisogyny across the world. In order to support this important day Garden we will be selling pink t-shirts and sweatshirts starting on Monday March 21st.  Order yours at: https://gardenavenue2015.itemorder.com/sale Families will also be able to order other colours again at this time. The deadline for purchase is midnight, April 1, 2016 (no joke!)

School Letter - Parental Leave Teacher Updates

Posted: 
Friday March 11

Dear Parents/Guardians of students in Room 106 and 110,                                                                                     

As you are aware, Ms. Petrowski was on parental leave this past year.  I am happy to share the news that she will be returning to us from her leave at the end of the March break.  She will be replacing Ms. Swail in Room 110 who has begun her parental leave.    Ms. Cundari will continue in her role as an LTO in room 106 until June 2016.  We feel this will provide the smoothest transition for our JK/SK students in both classrooms.

At this time I want to thank Ms. Swail for all her efforts this year working closely with our students in Room 110.  She has provided an enriching classroom experiences and we thank her for her commitment and dedication to her classroom and the students at Garden.  We wish her well with the upcoming birth of her baby.

A warm welcome back to Ms. Petrowski!  She is very excited to be returning to Garden and to begin working with the children in room 110.  She has already visited the classroom in order to get to know the students.   She has been working collaboratively with Ms. Swail to learn about each of the students and their individual needs and progress.  She is excited about working with Ms. Alfano who will be a supportive asset during this transition period.

Ms. Petrowski is a teacher who has been at Garden for the past few years.  She is familiar with many of the students and of course with our school and the general routines.  I have no doubt that the students will continue to have a productive school year. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Warmest Regards,

Alana Hardy
Principal

 

File(s): 
School Letter - Parental Leave Teacher Updates

School Letter - Dance-A-Thon on April 8th!

Posted: 
Friday March 11

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On Friday, April 8th, students and staff of Garden Avenue Public school will partake in our first ever Dance-A-Thon! This event will serve as an important fundraiser to raise money for Technology equipment that will be used by all students throughout the school.

Our Dance will be hosted by Terry Johnson from Cyber Zone Video Dance Company (www.cyberzone.com). Terry is a very experienced Dance-A-Thon host who has participated in many events throughout southwest Ontario for many years. He offers age appropriate dance experiences for all students. From guided dance moves for Kindergarten to light shows and music videos for all Junior level students.

All students Kindergarten to Grade 6 will have an opportunity to dance for 30 to 45 minutes (depending on their grade level) in our gym. We are asking that each student, if possible, contributes a $2 entry fee in order to cover the cost of our host. Each student will also be provided with a glow bracelet to be used during the event.

Your child will have a pledge form that accompanies this note. We would be most grateful if students would collect pledges from family and friends and return their forms by Friday, April 8th.   Please note, all students will participate in this event regardless of whether or not they contribute pledges or entry fee.

Should you have any questions about the Dance-A-Thon, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Alana Hardy
Principal

File(s): 
Garden School Letter - Dance-A-Thon

Garden School Talent Show 2015 DVDs

Posted: 
Sunday March 6

Due to various technical and timing issues it has taken awhile to get the 2015 Garden School Talent Show DVD out.  As a result of the technical trouble some of the acts toward the end of the show were not recorded.  The DVD is free as a result for parents with kids in the show.  If you are interested in getting the DVD of your child's performance at last year's show please send me an email at jonathan.spence@utoronto.ca.

School Letter - Big Crunch

Posted: 
Friday March 4

Dear Families,

On Thursday, March 10th, Garden Avenue students will be participating in "the Great Big Crunch" in the afternoon in the gym. The Great Big Crunch is a nation-wide FoodShare initiative in which people across the country take a bite out of an apple at exactly the same time. This event promotes nutritious, locally-grown food to our students in a fun and co-operative way.

Please let us know if there are any allergies or other concerns with respect to this event. Each student will be given her/his own whole apple to bite into for the Crunch, and we will dispose of the apple cores in our green bins.

Thank you for your continued support of our health and wellness initiatives!

Carrie Cox
Teacher-Librarian

Pita Pit Form Correction

Posted: 
Thursday March 3

Please note that the Pita Pit forms that went home mistakenly included the March Break week.  Before submitting please be sure to adjust your form and include payment for only 3 weeks of Pita Pit.  If you have submitted already, please leave a note in the office council Treasurer mailbox and the coordinator will be in touch to return your extra week payment.  

Save the Date! MAY 14: Garden Avenue School Fun Fair

Posted: 
Saturday February 27

The best FUNdraiser of the year.  Come join us at school on Saturday May 14 from 10:00 to 3:00 for the Annual Garden School Fun Fair.  Bouncy castles, games, entertainment, silent auction, food, book sale, plant sale, raffles...it all happens here.  SAVE THE DATE and tell your friends, neighbours, and family.  Everyone is welcome.

School Letter - Tree Trimming

Posted: 
Monday February 8

Dear Parents/Guardians

On February 9, 2016 the City of Toronto will be working on trimming two large maple trees on the north side of Garden Avenue at the west end of the street. There will be a police officer onsite to help direct traffic but the road will be partially closed. To help facilitate the safety of this job there will be pylons set up in areas where people will not be allowed to park. Tomorrow would be a great day to walk your children to school. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter and if you have any questions come ask in the office.

Alana Hardy
Principal Garden Avenue Public School

File(s): 
School Letter - Tree Trimming

Pizza Lunch Continues on Thursday - Volunteers Needed!

Posted: 
Sunday February 21

Pizza lunch continues this Thursday. We Need Volunteers Each Week! Pizza lunches cannot happen without volunteers to serve it. Please show up at 11:15am to cut oranges and 11:30 to serve pizza.

Thank you!

Garden School Talent Show Returns! Auditions on March 22 and 24

Posted: 
Sunday February 7

Once again... due to overwhelming demand...

The Annual Garden School Talent Show Returns!

Auditions are at lunchtime on the following dates:

March 22 (Grades 1-3)
and
March 24 (Grades 4-6).

April 13th, 2016 Dress rehearsal at Garden Public in the gymnasium 3:30-4:45 pm

Poster and sign up sheet for auditions goes up March 3rd..

PARENTS WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP!  Please contact jonathan.spence@utoronto.ca for information.
 

Pizza Lunch starts on Thursday - Volunteers Needed!

Posted: 
Monday February 1

Pizza lunch starts on Thursday 4 February and continues every Thursday all the way to June 9th.

We Need Volunteers Each Week! Pizza lunches cannot happen without volunteers to serve it. Please show up at 11:15am to cut oranges and 11:30 to serve pizza.

Thank you!

Campling Royale - a Corpus Performance at Fern School

Posted: 
Monday February 1

Head over to Fern School's gym on Thursday (February 4) to see the Corpus performance, Camping Royale, "...a hilarious physical comedy fairy tale, for kids of all ages, not to be missed!" Doors open at 5:45 so you can buy some dinner and/or yummy baked goods. Tickets are $5 and the show starts at 6:30.

File(s): 

Art Studio Sign Up Form

Posted: 
Friday January 29

Hello Garden Families,

Room 102 is hosting four Wednesday “Art Studio” sessions from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., February 10th, 17th, 24th and March 2nd. Registration is limited to 14 participants for this series. Registration is open for Grade 1 to 6 students. Preference will be given to students who have not yet attended.  If you are interested and wish to register your child, please fill out the information required below.

Students selected will be given written confirmation by February 4, 2016. *Students from Grade 1, 2, and 3 must be picked up by Parents/Caregivers. Students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack.

Ms. Lawson, Miss. Bowman, Ms. Cundari and Ms. Cox are looking forward to sharing ideas, vision, resources and a place in which to create.

Best wishes,

Ms. Y. Lawson
(Teacher, Garden Avenue P.S.)

File(s): 
Art Studio Letter and Permission Form

Garden Variety Show this Saturday at 8pm - It's a Doozy!

Posted: 
Sunday January 24

 Garden Variety Show on January 30th at 8pm

The 2nd Annual Garden Variety Show is this Saturday January 30. Tickets are available online via PayPal:

Buy Show Tickets

Doors open at 7:30, show time is 8pm.
This is a licensed, adult-only event which takes place in the gymnasium at the Emmanuel Howard Park United Church at 240 Roncesvalles Ave. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

This year’s Garden Variety Show is shaping up to be an absolute doozy. After a hugely successful launch last year, the Garden Variety Show is back with a fantastic show for 2016. This is Garden Avenue’s annual fundraising cabaret featuring the city’s finest music, comedy, circus acts, magic and more, hosted once again by the hysterical and captivating Rachelle Elie.

We’ve got Philip and Lucinda, the world’s greatest acrobatic-comedy-kazoo duo. There’s master illusionist Ben Train whose sleight of hand and mind tricks will leave your jaw on the floor. Cabaret tunesmith Bryce Kulak has the stage presence and songwriting prowess of Burt Bacharach and Rufus Wainwright’s secret lovechild. The insanely funny Laurie Elliott won best female stand-up at the Canadian Comedy Awards in 2006 and has appeared on The Red Green Show and Video On Trial. Ben Burland took our breath away last year with his puppetry and balancing act (as seen on the poster), we have no clue what he has in store for us this time around, but you can bet it’s going to be great. Last but not least, Rachelle Elie returns to host the event. A veteran on both Canada’s comedy and fringe scenes (outstanding comedy award - Ottawa Fringe Festival), Rachelle will have you in stitches with her quick wit and quirky worldview.

We’re very happy to welcome back our beer sponsor Mill St. Brewery. Superchef Garden Dad Jonathan Spence will be in the kitchen crafting hors d’oeuvres.

Once again the Garden Variety show is produced by Luke Jackson and Eli Klein, with the inestimable help of Natasha Teoli, Heather Johnston and Madeleine Cruickshank.