News

Due to unforeseen circumstances we cannot offer Lunch Lady as an option this term. We're working with Lunchbox Orders on a work-around, but in the meantime we are bringing back Pita Pit as the Thursday lunch option.

When you log in to Lunchbox Orders you will now see Pita Pit listed as the option for lunches on Thursdays.

Any parents who have already placed orders for Lunch Lady will be contacted directly by Lunchbox Orders.

We are disappointed to have to make this change and apologize for any confusion.

A reminder, you can sign up for Pizza Lunch Tuesdays and Pita Pit Thursdays online at www.lunchboxorders.com.

We are still in need of volunteers for both Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you can help next week, or any week, let us know at info@gardenschoolcouncil.com. The time commitment is about 1 hour, from 11:30am to 12:30pm.

There are lots of great school trips and outings coming up soon! The Grade 5-6 students will be visiting the Island School this year in March for 3 days, which is sure to be an amazing experience for them.

As always, if any family is in need and unable to afford any trip, funds will always be found by either the school or council so that every child is included. Please make yourselves known to a teacher or member of School Council.

Fern Avenue P.S. is holding an evening workshop on Wednesday, February 1 from 6:45-8pm in the Auditorium. Social media expert Chris Vollum will be talking to parents about helping their families navigate social media. Fern has invited Garden parents to attend. Childcare is available and there will be snacks for sale.

TDSB is holding a live webcast on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 7-8pm on special education with Director John Malloy and Executive Superintendent of Special Education & Section Programs, Uton Robinson.

Submit your question by emailing SpecialEd@tdsb.on.ca. Questions will also be accepted during the live webcast.

http://www2.tdsb.on.ca/stream/Director/LiveWebcast.html

We hosted an interesting and engaging Ward 7 Meeting last Tuesday night with our gorgeous Indigenous murals being the backdrop. Thank you to the School Council executive for your organization of the event and to Sonya Gammal and the West End Food Co-op for the yummy food they provided. I would also like to give a special thank you to Charles and Henry (g. 4) for the wonderful slide show of pictures that they created especially for the event.

During the month of February, Celia will be completing all of the new JK registrations for the 2017/2018 school year. To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. If you have a child that is ready to start school in September please book an appointment with Celia.

I have been advised by the TDSB that they will be beginning on the west roof replacement next week. They are hoping to complete most of the work on the weekends however they may need to work a few days during the week as well. I will certainly be letting parents know more information as it becomes available.

I would like to welcome Adele, our new night caretaker to our staff at Garden. I would also like to thank Cheyanne for all her hard work at Garden. She has left the TDSB to become a building superintendent. She will be missed.

Just a reminder to parents; if you have concerns about your child in either the classroom or the school yard, please know that you are always welcome to speak to your child’s teacher. Teachers are always willing to help explain how problems were solved or to support your child if they are experiencing difficulties. If you feel that it is a recurring problem/concern or you need further clarification please know that my door is always open. We spend a great deal of time each and every day teaching and supporting students to learn how to solve problems. If you have questions please ask.

Ms. Hardy

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean” - Ryunosuke Satoro

Dental Screening begins on Thursday January 26th. The dental hygienist will receive the list of students who have had parental requests to not be screened and will be following up with students who require feedback. If you do not want your child screened please let Celia know in the office.

February is fast approaching and February is Kindergarten Registration Month. At Garden, our Kindergarten teachers recognize that children come to school with diverse backgrounds and rich experiences. Our Kindergarten programs will build upon these experiences and support child to learn, grow, and succeed.

Our youngest learners benefit from engaging in a variety of rich and authentic learning, both indoors and outdoors. Our classroom programs are designed to bring The Kindergarten Program 2016 to life by providing children opportunities to learn through play, inquiry, and exploration. Throughout the two-year Kindergarten program, classroom educators support the children in developing their sense of belonging, well-being, and problem solving skills. Throughout the day, children explore literacy, mathematics, science, physical education and the arts.

To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. Please come and visit with Celia in the office to book your appointment to register.

Your child's lifelong journey of learning begins at the Garden Avenue Public School!

Ms. Hardy

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean”
- Ryunosuke Satoro

Please mark your calendars on Tuesday December 20th at 6:15-7:30 PM for our Primary Night of the Arts. Our primary students are so excited to show off their beautiful art which will be displayed throughout the first floor of the school. There will also be performances from the Primary Choir Club and the Ukulele Club beginning at 6:15 PM in the gym.

Please note: Students that are performing in the Primary Choir Club and Ukulele Club are asked to arrive in Room 105 for 5:45 PM. They are asked to wear black bottoms and white tops or anything festive.

We are looking forward to a wonderful evening celebrating Primary Arts at Garden.

Congratulations to our first Garden Robotics Team!! They competed last Saturday at Runnymede Collegiate and were able to complete 5 missions and even win an award – The Gracious Professionalism Award. This award was presented to a team that “encouraged high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community”. Thank you to Ms. Umezawa, Ms. Childs, Ms. Chawla, Mr. McClure and Ms. Baum for all your hard work preparing our team. And to our Robotics team thanks for making us all so proud!!

Please mark your calendars on Tuesday December 20th at 6:15-7:30 PM for our Primary Night of the Arts. Our primary students are so excited to show off their beautiful art which will be displayed throughout the first floor of the school. There will also be performances from the Primary Choir Club and the Ukulele Club beginning at 6:15 PM in the gym.

Our book fair is coming! On Tuesday, December 20th, from 3:30 until the end of the Primary Arts night, we will have our annual Holiday Book Fair with Another Story Bookshop. Come on out and pick up a book (or seven) to share the love of reading with your families over the holidays while also supporting our Garden Avenue School Library!

Ms. Hardy

Support a great local business this holiday and help your school at the same time!

Shop at Scooter Girl Toys on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 and mention that you're a Garden parent at checkout. Scooter Girl will generously donate 15% of the total purchase to Garden School Council.

http://scootergirl.net/

The School Council Meeting has been re-scheduled to Monday November 28th at 6:30-8:30PM in the library. Please feel free to join us.

The following message is courtesy of Ms. Bell and Ms. Cox: Our 4th annual Garden Avenue food drive starts this coming Monday, November 28th and runs until Thursday December 8th. Please bring in any non-perishable food items and place them in our collection box in the front hallway. We always collect a tremendous amount of food for the Daily Bread Food Bank-- let's keep up our tradition this year!!

Stay Healthy During Flu Season. Flu season is here again. In Canada, flu season tends to run between October and April. The Ontario government is encouraging Ontarians to avoid getting sick this flu season by getting their annual flu shot. Toronto Public Health is recommending that whenever students and staff experience flu-like symptoms, they are sent home and do not return to school until they are no longer infectious to others. Therefore, ill students and staff should be symptom-free (especially from vomiting and diarrhea) for at least 48 hours before returning to school. The primary concern is for the health and safety of all students and staff. Please note that no special measures are required when there is a case of influenza in a school or daycare. However, everyone should do their part to stop the spread of the flu. As parents, you can also assist by:

• reminding children to wash their hands often especially after using the washroom and before and after eating;
• reminding children to cover their sneeze and cough;
• watching for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and/or high fever;
• informing the school if your child is ill;
• keeping your child at home when he/she is ill.

Ms. Hardy

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
― Leo Buscaglia

The November council meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday, November 24, has been postponed to Monday, November 28, due to illness.

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you next week!

It's time for candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup!

Our Holiday Movie Night selection is "Elf".

Doors open at 6:00 pm and the show begins at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 30 in the school gym.

There will be pizza, popcorn and drinks for sale, so don't be a cotton headed ninny muggins, put on your best Christmas PJs and come out for an evening of laughs.