Administrator Update
Welcome Back!
We are so excited to welcome everyone to Northlea this year. We have many returning families and new families who are joining our school this year. On a personal note, I want to thank the Northlea community for the warm welcome that has been shared with me. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and working with you. Thank you also to Ms. Wadden who has been working with me throughout July and August to help ensure a smooth transition.
We hope this summer has been full of fun with family and friends. The Northlea staff team appreciates all of the time and energy parents devote to preparing your children for school. From organizing play dates to pencil cases to getting your lime green cross country shirts and running shoes dusted off and ready for action . . . you tackling all of the 'back to school' items on your seemingly never ending to-do list really makes a difference.
In true Northlea fashion, the Home and School Association has already hosted two events and the school year has not even begun! Last week, was a tremendously successful meet and greet play date for Kindergarten families and this week, our Grade 1 families arrived en masse for their time to play, meet new friends and reconnect with classmates from last year. Next up is the Kindergarten Coffee Morning Chit Chat on September 19th between 8:00 - 8:50 am. Following that is Northlea's Welcome Back BBQ on September 28th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these great events.
Our staff have been working hard to get the classrooms ready for a very successful start to the year. Thank you to the Northlea staff team for setting our students up for success from the very first day.
Facility Update
As you may know, there is now a brand new structure in the NCCC playground out in front of the building. It will be a source of enjoyment for years to come. You may also know that the ventilation in the school has been completely replaced. We are now the proud recipients of a brand new heating and air conditioning system. The team is still finishing a few final details and the system is expected to be up and running by mid-October. We also can't wait to show off our new gym floor and the repaired outdoor turf. We want to extend special appreciation to our Caretaking team and the central TDSB Facilities staff members who worked so hard to bring about these important and valuable upgrades to our school. Thank you also to the NCCC and the families who use the NCCC for your patience and collaboration during the construction.
Check out our short slideshow that highlights the renovations this summer.
Communication
Effective communication is central to our home and school partnership. Below are the main sources of information you can expect to access.
1. The Google Calendar - The Google calendar is linked to the Northlea website. On this Google Calendar, we will endeavour to include information that is relevant to the whole school such as Photo Day and, at times, major events for a specific age group such as overnight trips. Please familiarize yourself with this calendar as we hope to grow our use of it.
2. School-Wide Newsletter - The school team and the Home and School Association will collaborate on a newsletter twice a month that will be posted on the school website and a link will be sent to you via the School Connects email system.
3. Twitter (@northleaTDSB) - We will use Twitter to highlight events and moments of interest. We'd love for you to share your summer pictures with the hashtag #NorthleaSummer2017 and then also share your 1st day pictures at the hashtag #NorthleaFirstDay2017.
4. Staff Communications - Staff members will share their individualized information sharing approaches with you at the start of the year.
5. The School Website - Our website- www.northleaschool.ca - will also contain updates and we will, in partnership with the H&SA, attempt to link notices and other important information to the site. *On the bottom left hand corner of the website is a section that allows you to subscribe to the website. If you opt to sign up, you will receive updates to your email whenever the website is updated.
6. The Home and School Association Email List - Northlea's Home and School Association is a pivotal part of the Northlea school experience. We encourage all families to stay up to date and involved with H &SA. The #1 way to ensure you are informed is for you to consent to share your email and phone contact information. If you want to receive correspondences from the Home and School Association, please sign up at the start of the school year. Stay tuned for a future update with instructions for consenting.
In an effort to improve communication, there may be changes made. If so, we will notify you so you are up to date about how best to stay informed.
School Cash Online
We are moving to an online payment system for school related items such as field trips and agendas. You can register at: https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ .
Grade 6 Sheldon Update
Please take a look at the Google Calendar and be on the look out for more information from the Grade 6 team. The trip is early in September so we will have to work together quickly to get all the details and payments finalized. (School Cash Online will not be ready for Sheldon payments.)
Introduction of New and Returning Staff
We are delighted to introduce our staff members for the 2017-2018 academic school year. We welcome Isaac Card, Jessica Tin Yan, Tinesha Reid, Rosario Galvez, Maurice Dayan, Jeff Browne and Anna Gibson to Northlea and we look forward to updating you with a few additional introductions in the near future.
ROOM NAME GRADE
206 ANDREW, Karen E 3/4
GUID ANGHELONI, Bianca GUIDANCE
210 BENEDICT, Damien Science/Drama
202 BUTTS, Kalina F 5/6
110 BROWNE, Jeff ESL
223 CAPES, Jennifer Drama/Dance
102 CARD, Isaac E 2/3
N. Gym CIOBAN, Iulia PE
104 CORNISH, Taggett E 1/2
114 CRANSWICK, Debbie JK/SK
209 DAYAN, Maurice F 4
109 DEMIRJIAN, Sarah F 1
224 DUNCAN, Adrienne FSK
S. GYM ELLIS, John PE/Music/Drama
214 FAZL, Harshini E 7
107 GAHUNGU, Donatien F 1/2
208 GALVEZ, Rosario PR DD
212 GARDNER, Susan F 8
102 GATT, Mindy RESOURCE
226 GIBSON, Anna F 4/5
20111 HORTON, Vicky HSP/ Library
116 LANKTREE, Susan JK/SK
106 LARIVIÉRE, Guy F 2
228 LAROCQUE, Shannon LTO F 6
216 LEROUX, Jenny F 7
117 LOUCKS, Christina INSTR MUSIC
113 MACINNIS, Nathalie FSK
201 MALACH, Alice Vocal Music
110 F MASON, Marina RESOURCE/MART
227 OSSHER, Allana E 6
207 REIKEN, Denise JR/INT DD
204 RESNICK, Lindsay F 2/3
108 REYNOLDS, Jessica F 1
221 ROBERTS, Julie JK/SK
226 ROBSON, Barbara E 5
115 SHIZAS, Bill E 5/6
213 SHULMAN, Robyn F 3
105 SIURNA, Susan E 1/2
215 STANDING, Janet E 7/8
205 SUOKONAUTIO, Mika E 4
103 WENGER, Elissa F 1
211 WOOLNER, Sheena F 3
OFFICE KEITH, Judy O.A.
OFFICE SAROGLOU, Helen SECRETARY
207 ALVIS, Marion CYW
207 AHMED, Salma E.A./DD
110F BEAUBIEN, Steph Prog. E.A. (HSP) AM
FORTSAS, Gina SNA
KARAPAPAS, Julie Prog. E.A.
208 LOURIE, Janette E.A./DD
TBD - SNA
LUNCH CLEVELAND, Taliesen D.D.
LUNCH QUINLAN, Helen D.D.
LUNCH KHAN, Sana Rm 114
LUNCH LEE, Mary Gym
LUNCH LEZAMA NUNEZ, Ana Rm 221
LUNCH MERCER, Sheila Primary
LUNCH MOTAVALIBASHINAEINI, Azy Rm 113
LUNCH PARENT, Ruth Gym
LUNCH ROWLAND, Carol Primary
LUNCH OBAID, Sarah Rm 116
LUNCH WONG, Lillian Gym
LUNCH WESTNEY, Lashawn Rm 224
116 DIMITROVA, Dessy ECE
113 PATRICK, Rose ECE
221 REID, Tinesha ECE
114 STOYKOFF, Natalie ECE
224 TIN YAN, Jessica ECE
Reorganization
Each year during the spring season, we determine our staffing model for the following year based on projected enrolment. In September we continue to track class sizes to ensure we uphold provincial and TDSB standards as they relate to averages and the primary cap. At times, our enrolment grows over the summer and may result in needing to reorganize class groupings and teaching assignments. Please keep this system norm in mind as we begin the year.
Routines
During the first week of school, we will be sending home an information package full of very important forms. Please fill them out and return them by the requested date. We use the information you provide to update our central system.
If your child has a life-threatening allergy and/or medical condition, please be sure to return your forms as soon as possible with the updated information and notify the teacher. It is essential we are familiar with these needs and medical protocols.
We also ask that all families take a few minutes to read the Parent Handbookthat is posted in this newsletter. It contains detailed and important inform
Learning to think for myself.
Enthusiastic, positive attitude.
Aiming for the
ation about Northlea.
In this newsletter, you will find a reminder section about the procedures for the first day. Parents of students in Kindergarten - Grade 6 are welcome to accompany the students to the class lines.
Moving forward from Wednesday and beyond, we ask that parents say goodbye to their children outside of the building. While we respect and appreciate parent involvement, student independence is also an important aspect of the instructional program. Learning how to enter and get prepared for the day are building blocks for student achievement. As well, our staff begin teaching promptly and a student-centred start to the day enables our staff to dive into the learning they have coordinated from the moment students are welcomed in the morning. While there are times we coordinate alternative arrangements with some families, we do respectfully ask that you adhere to the standard school routine if an alternate plan has not been developed with you.
Should your child arrive late, we ask that you please sign them into the office and they will either walk to class on their own or we will make arrangements for someone at Northlea to accompany them to class.
If you have made plans with a teacher to volunteer with them, please also sign into the office before you go to their room. As well, please ensure that, if you have not done so already, that you complete the police reference check process. There is a section in this newsletter with more detailed instructions.
Student safety is a key priority for us and the measures noted above help us keep track of who is in the building and these measures also support our students' development of skills for independence.
We thank you in advance for your adherence to these routines. If you have concerns or questions, please let me know.
Northlea is a community working together to provide a safe, caring and respectful environment which challenges students to reach their full potential.
Northlea . . .
Opportunity to do my best.
Respect for myself and others.
Treating people with kindness.
Helping those in need.
future.
As a TDSB school, we are committed to ensuring that equity, achievement and well-being are priorities for all students, their families and our staff members. We consider these three pillars in every aspect of our decision-making. Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, we miss something or fail to understand how a well-intentioned decision could actually result in some members of our community feeling marginalized. Your voices and contributions help ensure that our individual and collective needs are met effectively. We want to know, so please share your feedback. We take it seriously.
We are proud to offer inclusive programming for students in the English stream, French Immersion stream and in our specialized program for students with developmental disabilities. We welcome everyone to Northlea for the 2017-2018 school year and, on behalf of the staff team, we look forward to a fantastic year together.
Ms. Sandler and Ms. Wadden
