The Eagles' Nest

Kindergarten students learning about Canada on a giant map from Canadian Geographic

We’re in the  dog days of January, settling in to this weird snow-free winter, but February is around the corner, packed with the Earth Rangers, Food Around the World Potluck, Valentine’s Day, and many events at our neighbouring schools.

Eco Eagle Initiatives
On February 2 the Earth Rangers are coming to Earl Haig once again.  It will be great to see their animal visitors and renew the eco message about protecting habitats. We are asking that Earl Haig students give a donation of $2 or more to help the cause.

The Eco Eagles will start a used battery and old cell phone blitz on February 2 to run for two weeks. Please bring those batteries in and help the Eco cause at Earl Haig. Bins will be in the front hall for drop off of these items.

Food Around the World Potluck

Pull out your favourite recipe, and put on your dancing shoes for a night of fun at the Food Around the World Potluck.  This is always a favourite event!  You don’t have to make a full dinner, you get to try delicious food (the homemade pakoras go fast) and your kids burn off tons of energy with Culture Shock!  What’s not to love?  See you February 4th in the gym, at 6 pm.

Cupcake Fundraiser February 11, 9 am – noon
One of the most popular and delicious fundraisers of the year happens on February 11 in the front hallway. Please put your baker’s hat on, or consider donating your favourite store-bought cupcakes. The sweet treaties go for $1 each. (Bring your contributions the office before school, or the afternoon before.)

Elsewhere…

Internet Safety Talk at Malvern CI January 28
Click on the link for more information InternetSafety

Tackling Anxiety and Stress through Mindfulness February 3
Part of a series on Mental Health Workshop Series for Parents and Guardians organized by Bowmore Public School. Please see the attached links.
Bowmore TASM flyer
Mental Health Flyer

Pupil Accommodation Review Meeting Local High Schools – March 10, 2016
Public Information Meeting at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute
Date: Thursday, March 10, ’16 Time: 19:00 – 21:00 Location: 800 Greenwood Ave
Schools involved: Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, East York Alternative Secondary School, East York Collegiate Institute, Eastdale Collegiate Institute, Greenwood Secondary School, Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, Riverdale Collegiate Institute, School of Life Experience

We are looking for anyone who has been involved in this process who could write a paragraph about the review process and why it’s important our community participates, even if our kids are not yet old enough to contemplate high school.  Email us at earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com

Dates to Remember

Friday February 12: PA Day
Monday February 15: Family Day

Next School Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 16 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

Remember when the Lost and Found was newly reorganized and tidy? It isn’t like that anymore. Items are spilling out and the amount of stuff is hard to control.  And don’t you wonder where that glove, coat, or pair of boots went?  The school will be donating all items left in the Lost and Found bins as of next Friday, January 22 (the PA Day) to a clothing donation service. If your child is missing an item please remind them they have one week to check the Lost and Found before it will be cleared out.   The school is open from 7:30 – 6:00 daily for adults who would like to check the bins themselves.

BEFORE:
AFTER:

 Welcome back! We hope everyone had a great end of December and is settling back into the routine.

Bottle Drive! It’s here!
School Council Fundraising. The phrase carries with it fear of purchasing frozen cookie dough and wrapping paper. This school council fundraiser is different. We don’t want your money, and you don’t need to buy anything! The School Council of Earl Haig Public School wants what you have already purchased and consumed – your empty beer, wine and liquor bottles! Parent volunteers from the school will be in the parking lot of the Beer Store at 1270 Woodbine Ave (north of Mortimer) from 9 :00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. this Saturday January 9 to collect your empties and the deposit return fee. Clean up your home after the holidays and perform a good deed at the same time.

We still need volunteers to help out, especially from 11 – 1:00. If you can spare an hour (and the forecast is for 6 degrees, balmy!) please email us at earlhaigschoolcouncil|@gmail.com, drop by, or sign up at Volunteer Spot

Our next School Council meeting is Wednesday January 20 at 7:00. Curious about School Council but haven’t attended in the past? Wondering how to occupy your children during the meeting? Did you know that free childcare is available at every meeting?

Meet your School Council Childcare Providers
Dear Parents of Earl Haig,
I know it can be nerve-wracking to leave your child with someone who you haven’t had much interaction with before, hence this introduction. I hope it will encourage you to leave your children with us and enjoy the meetings without worry. My name is Kaitlin Haggert, I’m turning seventeen in the next few months, and have been babysitting children in the area (ages 6 months – 12 years) since I was eleven, so almost six years of experience.  I myself was a student at Earl Haig, from kindergarten to grade eight, and graduated three years ago.

Hello, my name is Jadan Cohen. I am in grade 11 and I go to Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. I have been looking after children at the parent council meetings for three years. I started going to school at Earl Haig in 2003 for kindergarten, and graduated in 2013 as the grade 8 class valedictorian. I have worked as a Babysitter for four years and this summer I worked at camp Quin Mo Lac, in Tweed Ontario, as an overnight camp counselor. As a camp counselor, it was my goal to give the kids the best summer camp experience they ever had! The summer before, I was a counselor in training (CIT). As a CIT I learned the do’s and don’ts of looking after children and earned my Bronze Medallion in life saving and care. In 2011, I became a certified Babysitter through Parks and Recreation at the Earl Beaty community center. Fun facts about me: I love to ski, I sing in the Men’s Choir at my school, and I used to have blue hair. Thank you very much.
– Jadan Cohen

Pupil Accommodation Review Meetings
Posted On behalf of Executive Superintendent Manon Gardner
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education released new guidelines for Pupil Accommodation Reviews and for Community Planning and Partnerships (formerly Facility Partnerships).  To adhere to the new guidelines, the Toronto District School Board must update its policies.

I am writing you because these two policies may be of interest to parents.  The Pupil Accommodation Review policy deals with the review of groups of schools with low enrolment that can potentially lead to school closures.  The Community Planning and Partnerships policy concerns potential partnerships with external organizations in operating schools that have unused space.  Both policies affect the use of schools and therefore affect students.

As part of our consultation process, we are seeking feedback from staff, parents, and community members.  We would appreciate if you could help us reach out to parents by sharing this email with parents at your school.

Feedback can be provided in different ways:

Sending written feedback to accommodationreviews@tdsb.on.ca by January 29, 2016  -OR-

Attending one of three public meetings listed below.
Monday January 18, 6 – 8 pm. Winston Churchill CI – Library
2239 Lawrence Avenue East, M1P 2P7
Tuesday January 19, 6 – 8 pm. TDSB Central Office – Committee Room A 5050 Yonge Street, M2N 5N8
Thursday January 21, 6 – 8 pm. Martingrove CI – Library 50 Winterton Drive, M9B 3G7

(The following documents are posted on the blog, look for TDSB Pupil Accommodation Reviews on the navigation menu)

• PowerPoint presentation providing background context and questions
• P068 Accommodation and Program Review draft policy for review and comments
• P076 Community Planning and Partnerships draft policy for review and comments

Thank you for your help in reaching out to parents in your school community.  If you have any questions, please send an email to accommodationreviews@tdsb.on.ca.

Regards,
Manon Gardner
Executive Superintendent
School Improvement/Operational Support
Toronto District School Board

Next School Council Meeting – Wednesday, January 20.

Coming up  – PA Day January 22
– Cultural Diversity Potluck, February 4 time TBD (usually 6 pm) all are welcome, bring your favourite dish for sharing.
– Cupcake Bake Sale and fundraiser February 11
– Family Day February 15

Stay in touch – You can get all sorts of updates via our Twitter account @EarlHaigCouncil and Facebook page http://on.fb.me/20yB1TH