The Eagles' Nest

The first school council meeting of the year got off to a great start with 50 parents and guardians in attendance alongside new Principal Mr. McLachlan and Vice Principal Ms. Shea. A new council for 2015-2016 was elected at the September 22 meeting.  Andrea Szego is settling into the role of  Chair, Cheryl Biswas  is tackling the tasks of Secretary, the indefatigable Stephanie Little returns as Treasurer,  and Hilary Gray takes on the role of Past Chair and Sharer of Acquired Wisdom.  There are a significant  number of dedicated parents serving as Members At Large and still some open positions – all are welcome!

The new Communication Team is settling into a schedule, learning the technology,  and we present to you the first official blog post of the year.  We will aim for a new post every two weeks and welcome news and updates from everyone, we are hungry for content! For the most up to date info follow us on Facebook or twitter (@EarlHaigCouncil) . Don’t forget to subscribe to the Earl Haig School Council google calendar, https://earlhaigschoolcouncil.com/calendar/

Let’s get started with some hellos and goodbyes from the incoming and outgoing School Council Chairs.

Goodbye – I first joined Council in 2009 when my eldest daughter, Pamela, entered JK, in Mr. Bush’s class. I was looking for a way to be involved with my kid’s school and at the same time, help out in our community. As a result, I’ve met so many great parents and children through my involvement with Council. It also gave me a chance to work with the great teachers, staff and caretakers at Earl Haig and members of our community outside of the school.
I would like to thank the Earl Haig community for all of the support they have given to the school over the past 7 years that I have been involved with School Council. I would encourage any parent or guardian who wants to be involved with their children’s educational experience to jump in and sign up to help out with any activity at Earl Haig – you won’t regret it and your child will be so thrilled to see you at their school! I may be stepping down as Council Chair, but still plan on being around helping out where needed. See you at the Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 22!

All the best for a great school year ahead, Hilary Gray

Hello –  For those I haven’t personally met yet, my name is Andrea Szego, and I am the newest Chair of our School Council. It’s my second year on the Council; last year I was Ward Rep, which took me to a few schools in the area, and gave a sense of what was happening in our larger community. I saw other Councils in action and heard their suggestions and ideas. Though I’ve only been on Council for 2 years, I have been around the school for many more:  I have two kids at Earl Haig, Emmett, in Grade 3, and Eve in SK, and have volunteered in their classrooms or on various trips and activities as well as in the snack program and the lunchroom. (I can’t help it.)

Thank you for an awesome turnout for our first meeting, in September. I know that as school/activity/family lives move faster, it gets tough to turn out for events that require time and commitment. And, this year will not be without challenges and constraints. While we may need to adjust and regroup,  I feel really lucky to be part of a community that is so invested in our kids’ wellbeing and education. I’d love to hear your ideas. You’ll find me most days on the playground, primary side, trying to convince my kids it’s time to go home. Or often in East Lynn Park, doing the same. Or, find me via email: Andrea.researcha1@gmail.com.  Or drop me a note in the School Council mailbox in the office.

Until next time, Andrea

Cross Country – The first meet of the year will be at Ashbridge’s Bay on October 9th. Get your runner to the school for 8:00.  If you have never been to cross country it is truly a joy to watch the students give their all on the sand and boardwalk.

The tentative race schedule is as follows: Grade 1 girls: 10:00, grade 1 boys: 10:10, grade 2 girls: 10:20, grade 2 boys: 10:30, grade 3 girls: 10:40, grade 3 boys 10:55, grade 4 girls:11:15, grade 4 boys: 11:30, grade 5 girls: 12:00, grade 5 boys: 12:10, grade 6 girls: 12:25, grade 6 boys: 12:40, grade 7 girls: 1:00, grade 7 boys: 1:30, grade 8 girls:1:40, grade 8 boys: 2:00. Race times can change and be pushed back by 30 minutes, plus there can be human transcription errors, check the photo on Facebook to verify times.

Picture Day is October 19th, and Picture Re-Take Day on November 10th in the morning.

Pumpkin Patch is coming! The first fundraiser of the year will be held on October 22nd. Remember that awful Sting song ‘Fields of Gold?’. No?  That’s okay. The Kindergarten playground will be transformed into a Field of Orange with pumpkin sales starting at 7:30. Baked goods, honey are also available for purchase as well as the fortifying  nectar of coffee. Pumpkins are $6 each. We need your donations of baked goods….see Volunteer Request #3 below.

Volunteer Request #1 – School Snack and Lunch Program.  Want to see true kitchen wizardry? Can you chop fruits and vegetables, deliver snack to the Kindergarten classes or help with lunch serving and clean up? We need you!! Drop by the kitchen to speak with Silvia, or email us at earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com

A gentle reminder that the snack program and lunch program are partially funded by parent donations. The suggested sum for the Lunch program is $52.50 with milk and $42.00 without milk for the month of October, and $21.00 for the month of October for the FDK Snack program. Cheques can be made out to the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, (cash is also welcome!).

Request #2 – We  need your forks. The forks for the lunch program have a habit of stowing away in backpacks and other places cutlery isn’t meant to roam. If you closed up a cottage, bought new cutlery, or found an all fork estate sale, we need those forks!!

Request #3 – Pumpkin Patch! Sign up here http://vols.pt/BM748N to unload pumpkins, sell pumpkins and baked goods, or to donate muffins, loaves and other *Nut Free* breakfast type items. Please, no cupcakes.

The  TDSB International Languages Program   Did you know  Spanish and Cantonese instruction is available in the school on Mondays from 3:30 – 6:00? The classes are seeking to add more young students  or they will have to merge with the older students. Do you have a Dora lover in your house who already knows abre and Hola Dora? Help them help Boots evade Swiper by expanding your child’s vocabulary! Classes are $20 for the year and registration forms are available in the School office

Finally, have an idea for a post? Can you explain Borden Ball? Want to interview a student about Me to We club? We welcome ideas and submissions.

Coming soon…an introduction to Mr. McLachlan. See you next post!

This fall is full of election excitement. It’s not everyday you can vote in both a School Council election and a Federal election in the same season.  And so, as promised, this post is all about our School Council Elections for the 2015 – 2016 school year.  All School Council executive positions are being voted upon at the first council meeting.  In order to be considered, please fill out the attached forms to nominate yourself or someone else (with their permission) and return to the school office by September 18th.  You may also send an electronic copy to earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com

Nomination Form
Self-Nomination Form

This first meeting is well worth the time.  You can meet the new principal, Andy McLachlan, hear about some improvements to our school, find out exactly how the school council works and become either a member of the executive or a member-at-large.
Click here to check out the agenda:  September 22, 2015 Agenda

And finally, the following is a message from our exiting Co-Chair, Hilary Gray.  It’s a long read, but it’s worth it.  This is your opportunity to support your child and their education.

Why not become a member of the Earl Haig School Council? We’d love to have you!
Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7:00 pm in the Earl Haig Music Room (childcare will be available). We are looking forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming all newcomers! At that time, we will be holding our elections for the 2015-2016 School Council. If you are at all interested in any of the following positions or would like more information, please feel free to touch base with any members of the current executive: Hilary Gray, Cheryl Biswas, Karen Finley-Kelly, Stephanie Little, Samantha Robinson, Kathleen Peak, Robin Forbes, Susanne Chung-Yee

Key positions for September elections:
Chair or Co-Chairs – Provide leadership and guidance to the Executive Committee and liaise with the Principal and Vice Principal on School Council related school matters. Responsibilities also include overseeing School Council initiatives and providing guidance and support to sub-committees, chairing School Council meetings (minimum of four per year) including leading the development of meeting agendas, and representing School Council at various external TDSB

Past-Chair: Is the position held by the previous chair in order to facilitate a smooth transition and continuity within the Council.

Treasurer – The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the School Council financial records including issuing cheques, making bank deposits, preparing financial statements (including annual statement to TDSB) and bank account reconciliation. The Treasurer is a signatory on the bank account. The Treasurer also provides administrative support to School Council fundraising endeavours. Key candidate requirements include comfort with and basic understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles.

Secretary – The Secretary attends and takes minutes at each School Council meeting. The Secretary prepares these minutes for draft review before each subsequent meeting, and works with the Communications Coordinator to ensure their publication in approved form on the School Council Blog/Facebook/website.

Communications Coordinator(s) – Manages Blog, e-blasts, social media and School Council email address.

Members-at-Large – Participates in Council work as needed, occasionally spearheading specific projects as determined by Council. The voice and vote of the parent community on motions presented at council.

Ward 16 Council Representative – Attends Ward 16 Trustee meetings and reports on learningsat School Council meetings.

Other roles may be developed depending on school needs and members interests and skills. Examples of such roles implemented to date include: Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Representative, Pumpkin patch, Bake Sales, Community Potuck, Mind/Body Tune-up, Spring Festival & other events TBD (bring us your ideas!!)

Don’t have time for an Executive role, but want to volunteer? In addition to these Executive Council roles, we are always in need of dedicated parent volunteers who can provide support in a variety of ways, including Snack/lunch program volunteers, bake sale volunteers, and much more! As well, we are planning on having smaller committees/groups looking at grant proposals, bylaws and positions, communications, & fundraising. If you are interested in those we will be collecting names that day. Some of these committees started last year and we encourage those who helped to stick around!

Please think about your interests and time availability, and contact us at earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com if you would like to discuss ways you can help. We have lots of ideas for ways parents can be involved at Earl Haig! If you wish to nominate someone you know for a position or put yourself forward for a position, please fill out one of the attached forms and send it into the school by Friday, September 18 or send it electronically to the above.

Looking forward to a great year at Earl Haig Public School!
Co-Chair, Earl Haig School Council
Hilary Gray