Administrator Update
Northlea is Proud to be an OPAL School
Newsletter Updates
The Administrator Update, Dates to Remember & Identity Month sections have been updated with new information.
Stay Connected with Northlea
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @NorthleaTDSB. You can also check out our website at www.northleaschool.ca. Special thanks to Frank Chang for his work on Northlea's website.
PA Day
Quick reminder that Friday, January 18th is a PA Day.
7th Generation Innovation
Please save the following date: Thursday, April 11th at 6:00 PM
Our teachers have begun planning for this year's 7th Generation Innovation design thinking initiative. Our theme this year is SUSTAINABILITY. We are drawing upon both the wisdom of the Seventh Generation Principle from many Indigenous communities and the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals to frame our problem based learning.
We invite you to learn more about the 7th Generation Principle by watching the following video:
You may also be interested in this video about the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant
We were very pleased to learn that Northlea's PRO grant submission was approved. Please stay tuned for an invitation to participate in a parent information evening about: Resilient Children, Successful Learners. Thank you to the Home and School for submitting this application and coordinating this event.
Walk to School Wednesdays
Thank you to everyone who walked and rolled to school this past Wednesday.
Our next W&R2SW is also Winter Walk Day. Northlea is registered for this event.
Please mark the following dates in your calendar so you can plan to join in on the fun.
Wednesday, February 6th, 2019
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019
Wednesday, June 5th, 2019
February Kindergarten Registration Month
We are looking forward to welcoming new students and families to our Kindergarten program for the 2019-2020 school year. Registration begins in February. We invite you to call the main office at 416-396-2395 and arrange an appointment with Ms. Keith or Ms. Saroglou.
Important and detailed information can be found via this link:
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/EarlyYears/KindergartenMonth
Lunch Routine
Please note that our lunchtime routine requires a modification. As of Monday, January 14, 2019, the routine will be as follows:
11:35-12:05: Grades 1-3 eat in the gym and then they go outside.
11:35-12:05 - Grades 4-8 play outside
12:05-12:30 - Grades 4-8 re-enter to eat lunch in the gym.
12:30-1245 - Everyone plays outside together.
This information has been shared with students and we will work to support a smooth transition. Thank you for your understanding.
My Life Online
Thank you to the Home and School for sponsoring My Life Online. Grades 4-8 began learning with My Life Online this past Friday. The focus of this program is to support safe, respectful and productive use of online tools. Thank you to Shelagh Cummins for her leadership with this program. These assemblies will be followed by in-class experiences along with a parent evening. Please stay tuned for upcoming details about the parent information evening.
Leaside Cup
The Leaside Cup is this week and we can't wait! If you'd like to come out and cheer on our teams, please check out the following schedules:
Global Play Day
Wednesday, February 6th is going to be a busy day for us. Not only is it Winter Walk Day, it is also Global Play Day. Northlea is registered to participate in both events. We are going to have an OPAL PLAY DAY where we play outdoors with loose parts. If you would like to volunteer, please email barbara.sandler@tdsb.on.ca.
Our focus on robust and inclusive play is part of our strategy to support achievement, equity and well-being. In his TEDx lecture, Peter Gray clearly argues the case that today's kids do not grow up playing and this has negatively impacted them in many ways. It's time we return the gift of play to this generation.
African Inventors & Icons Exhibit @ Northlea
Please join us on Thursday, February 7th from 6:00-7:00 PM as we host family visits to the African Inventors & Icons Exhibit. The exhibit will remain at Northlea on Friday, February 8th and classes will partake in visits.
February Home and School Meeting
We invite you to join the February Home and School meeting on Thursday, February 7th at 6:30 PM.
THINK PLAY BEFORE YOU THROW AWAY:
OPAL Loose Parts Drive
Your donations make a big impact. Please bring loose parts donations to the bin in the front foyer. Examples of requested loose parts are in the following posters.
Trustee Corner
Please use this link to access the full newsletter from Trustee Chernos Lin. Below is a portion of the newsletter noting the opportunity to meet with Trustee Chernos Lin at a Coffee Morning.
COFFEE MORNING: JANUARY 23, 9:15-11:30am
Upstairs at Longo’s on Laird (including PIAC elections!)
Please join me for a morning of conversation and idea exchange. We will have some short updates on Board activities and meet some of our superintendents of Ward 11 schools, but the focus will really be on learning from each other and networking with fellow parents and constituents.
At this particular meeting, we will also be electing our Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Representative and Alternate, as well as our French as A Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC) Representative and Alternate(s).
Each TDSB Ward has two PIAC Members, a Representative and an Alternate. They are parent advocates who provide information and advice on parent engagement to the TDSB; communicate with and support school councils; and undertake activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children's learning at home and at school. According to the PIAC By-Laws, in order to serve for the two-year term, you must be a Toronto District School Board parent or guardian, as well as either reside in the ward and have a TDSB-enrolled child who resides in the ward, or have a child who is enrolled in a TDSB school in the ward. If you are interested, please read the information package on elections here. To learn about PIAC, check out their website here and consider attending their next meeting (Tuesday, Jan. 16th, 7pm, 5050 Yonge St) to get a sense of this committee.
Similarly, each TDSB Ward has an FSLAC representative and an alternate (and sometimes multiple alternates). FSLAC consults with and advises the Board on French as a Second Language matters and contributes to the work of trustees and staff. This partnership of trustees, staff and parents aims to foster excellence in FSL programs at the Board and covers all french programming -- Core, Extended and Immersion -- so is relevant to all TDSB families, not simply those whose children are enrolled in specialized french programming. The FSLAC is comprised of parent representatives and alternates elected by ward councils, a parent co-chair elected by FSLAC parent representatives, 3 trustees (one of whom happens to be me!) and designated TDSB staff. This is an exciting time to be involved in FSLAC as the French Review is underway and the TDSB is currently working on recommendations to come out of that review. Consider learning more about FSLAC by clicking here.
If you are interested in serving as a rep for PIAC or FSLAC, please let me know by e-mailing me at Rachel.ChernosLin@tdsb.on.ca.
Kiss & Ride
With the cold, winter months ahead, we are fortunate to have our wonderful Kiss 'n Ride Program running daily on weekdays southbound on Sutherland Avenue from 8:30am-8:45am. This volunteer-driven program allows parents to save time and keep all kids safe on their way to school. We encourage families to either park legally or use this amazing valet service. We also would love to have more parents sign on to help with this wonderful initiative. If parents would like to see this program continue to operate, we must have more volunteers willing to help ease the load of our current team.
Please consider volunteering 15 minutes of your time weekly/biweekly to help keep this program running at Northlea! You can sign up to volunteer by clicking here.
A few reminders about Kiss 'n Ride:
- Students should only be dropped off inside the orange safety pylons, where they will be assisted by a volunteer. This ensures a safe drop off & minimizes back ups. Parents should not be getting out of their cars to help their kids.
- When you enter the KNR, please wait for a volunteer to open your car door.
- Please ensure that all students are ready to go when the car door is opened such as shoes/ boots are on feet and backpacks are ready to go (on backs or laps). Also please ensure that all hats and mitts are on before drop off.
- All students MUST exit the car on the passenger side ONLY, exiting on the driver’s side is extremely dangerous as others cars may be passing the drop off zone.
- Once your students have exited the car, please wait for the car in front of you to advance and continue on. Please DO NOT attempt to "pass" or "merge" with other cars in the drop off zone.
- Safe drop off should take LESS THAN 60 SECONDS but sometimes with weather, construction, volume of cars, and/or only one volunteer on duty, it shouldn’t take more than just a couple of minutes.
Rainy Recess
Friendly reminder that, as part of our ECO Schools/OPAL programming, we are an almost all weather play school. Students are asked to bring rainboots, raincoats and splash pants so they can enjoy outdoor play in the rain.
We are building our inventory of rain gear. If you have spare rain boots and raincoats that you wish to donate, please bring them to the main office.
Grade 8 Transition to Grade 9
Families with children in Grade 8 are asked to pay close attention to all notices about the transition to Grade 9. Grade 7 families are also welcome to join these events so they have a good understanding of the process and options available.
TDSB Secondary Schools Open House Evenings: List of Dates and Locations TDSB schools host information nights for parents and students each year between October and January. Learn everything you need to know about the incredible variety of schools, programs and courses throughout the TDSB. Find what inspires you. Join the open houses to help make an informed decision before choosing a school. Tour TDSB facilities, meet staff and learn more about exciting TDSB Secondary programs and activities.
Secondary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:
February 1, 2019
Optional attendance forms due at secondary school
February 15, 2019
Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the application request
Course Selection
February 22, 2019
Course selection sheets due at elementary schools
March 1, 2019
Course selection sheets due at secondary schools
TDSB Policy Consultations
From the TDSB Website - We Want to Hear From You - The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. We would like to know your thoughts about our policy decisions by inviting you to our policy consultations. Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
Student Dress Code Policy (P042) - To establish standards and fair and equitable practices for student dress in schools; centered on student engagement and student voice. To recognize that students need the freedom to express themselves and experience school as an important social environment, not a professional work environment, and that dress plays a fundamental role in how students build healthy relationships and express themselves. Click for Draft Policy (save as word document) Student Dress Code Policy Survey - Closes February 28, 2019 Contact kenneth.jeffers@tdsb.on.ca
Restrictions on Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Use Policy (P0XX) - To promote a working and learning environment that is free from the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and substance use, including tobacco, cannabis, and its related products. Click here for Draft Policy (save as work document) Closes January 31, 2019 Contact gillian.venning@tdsb.on.ca
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (P0XX) - To establish the framework for the Board’s compliance with the MFIPPA and other applicable legislations; and; to demonstrate the Board’s commitment to protection of personal information while recognizing and supporting the public’s right of access to information in the custody and control of the Board and its third party providers. Closes February 4, 2019 Draft Policy Contact: Gillian.venning@tdsb.on.ca
Home Instruction Policy (P060) - To establish the Board's commitment to providing home instruction services for all eligible pupils in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 298, Operation of Schools – General under the Education Act. Closes February 22, 2019 Draft Policy Contact: Ron.Felson@tdsb.on.ca
School Cash Online
We use an online payment system for school related items such as field trips. You can register at: https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ .