Everyone loved the cupcake sale! Thanks to all bakers and volunteers!
Pupil Accommodation Review Meeting at Danforth Tech regarding local high schools.
Thanks to Alisa Metcalfe, a past Earl Haig School Council Chair for this helpful description of what the Pupil Accommodation Review is, and why parents and guardians of younger children ought to attend the meeting on March 10 at 7:00 at Danforth CTI, 800 Greenwood Ave.
“At this point in time, the PARC (Pupil Accommodation Review Committee) group is in the final stages of this process. There are two more working group meetings in March and an open Public Meeting on March 10th at Danforth CTI at which time the hope is to have a final proposal to then send to the Trustees.
There were 9 or maybe 10 possibilities being considered with respect to how to address the issue of there being a disproportionately high number of high schools in a relatively small geographical area. Through vigorous discussions and debates, the group worked through the various options specifically in terms of what was feasible or practical given the parameters we were working within. There was general agreement around many of the options including not closing either Danforth CTI or Monarch Park. We are at a stage in the process where we are basically considering other viable options for re-configuring the student and program distribution in our area. With heading in this direction, there has been an extra working group meeting scheduled so as to get to a final recommendation for the last public meeting.
As this is still a working group and discussions are ongoing, there is not a lot that we can share with respect to the specific plans that are being considered. There is a staff model that is currently in place and being discussed. This option would have Greenwood – which is an alternative programme that meets the educational needs of new immigrants to Canada – to move into the Danforth CTI building. The programme would be under the principal at Danforth CTI but would operate independently of the Danforth CTI programme. That is not to say there would not be opportunities for Greenwood students to connect with the Danforth students, programmes and resources. One outcome of this would be that Danforth would move to a semestered based system. There is also considerable discussion around a viable move for SOLE – another alternative programme and the future of Eastdale which is a specialized school that meets the needs of highly vulnerable high school students.
The bottom line is that the TDSB is in a position of needing to address the fact that there are a significantly high number of high schools in a relatively small geographical area. The PARC process is one that allows the families in this area to have a voice in terms of what options will be available to all of our current and future high school students”.
Further Pupil Accommodation Review information can be found at the TDSB website. Click on Pupil Accommodation Reviews on the drop down menu, then “2015 Toronto-Danforth Review” from the second drop down.
How to keep (free-ly) busy this March Break
Danforth-Coxwell Library
Each weekday at 2PM our local Danforth/Coxwell library offers free programs for kids. There’s something for everyone! Please contact the library for registration and availability.
Monday – Mind Reading ft. Mysterion
Tuesday – La danse du jongleur
Wednesday – Name of the Tree Puppet Show
Thursday – Family Film: Shaun the Sheep Movie
Friday – Ultimate Lego Challenge
There are activities at all of the Toronto branches! Use the website below to explore what’s happening down at the Beaches, up at S. Walter Stewart or over at Gerard/Ashdale! Website: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/featured/march-break.jsp
Silly Goose Kids (2054 Danforth Ave)
Our wonderful local toy store, Silly Goose Kids, will be offering free craft sessions Tuesday, March 15 to Friday, March 18. The sessions will be from 10AM to noon each day.
Sugar Beach Sugar Shack (foot of Lower Jarvis Street)
Free Quebecois fun for everyone! The event runs March 12 & 13.
Website: http://www.sugarshackto.ca/
Ontario Legislature Building, Queen’s Park
An interactive program during the week of March break at Ontario’s Legislative Building. This 2 hour program is designed for families with children aged 6 – 10. You will:
- explore the historic Legislative building through a scavenger hunt
- take part in a dress up activity of the traditional robes worn in Parliament
- participate in a craft activity
- learn about history and parliament
- have fun, all for free!
Dates:
- March 14 – 17, 2016 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- March 18, 2016 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Registration:
Pre-registration is required, call 416-325-0061 to register, or e-mailtourbookings@ola.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Website: http://discoveryportal.ontla.on.ca/en/youth-programs/other-programs/march-break-program
Indigo & Chapters Spring Break Escape
Participating Indigo and Chapters bookstores are hosting free events every week day at 11AM. Fun activities include making your own plush puppy, “Lego brick-break”, superhero mask making and more! Pre-registration is required. Website: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/spring-break?ref=events%3alistings
The Amazing Ms. Dow
Everyone knows Ms. Dow. She knows all the kids at Earl Haig and is always so happy to see them. She always has a smile and friendly word to brighten everyone’s day. Ms. Dow’s official title is Special Education Assistant, she offers literacy support in the primary grades. She works one on one with the students. And as everyone who has had a child work with the amazing Ms. Dow, the students love it. Ms Dow observes that one on one “boosts their self esteem and is extremely rewarding for both myself and the kids.”
She has two sons, Matthew and Andrew, and niece Rachael “who is like a daughter”. Her other kids are all “the wonderful Earl Haig kids she meets everyday.” Ms. Dow loves the people and the parents at Earl Haig. “It’s such a special school” she states “it’s a place where home and school really support each other, it’s such a great community.”
Ms. Dow comes all way from the Gaspe Bay, Quebec. She attended George Brown and worked in the insurance industry for a while before moving to education. She started with the TDSB when her youngest son went to school and worked at Earl Beatty for 8 years before joining Earl Haig in September 1996. Ms. Dow works at the school each morning, allowing her time in the afternoons for her many hobbies; taking long walks, entertaining, cooking and reading. Her trademark smile and approachable nature brighten the halls of our school.
Coming Up:
Marlie game and post-game skate at the Ricoh Coliseum. April 16 at 5:00. Tickets are $20 each with funds to go to new school jerseys. Stay tuned for more details.
Next School Council Meeting: Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00
Stay in touch – You can get all sorts of updates via our Twitter account @EarlHaigCouncil and Facebook page http://on.fb.me/20yB1TH
The Eagles' Nest 