The Eagles' Nest

Jennifer Story, Trustee Ward 15 and Sheila Cary-Meagher, Trustee Ward 16 will host a special Community Consultation meeting at 7:00 – 9:00 pm. on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Earl Haig Public School (15 Earl Haig Ave).

Following the recent Provincial Review of the TDSB (the Wilson Report), the Minister of Education laid out directives that have some serious impacts for our communities, including potential school closures and making it more difficult for Trustees to communicate and advocate for students and families. Your voice is important.

Please join us!

For more information, email maxeen.paabo@tdsb.on.ca (Ward 15) or, cathy.mackenzie@tdsb.on.ca (Ward 16).

Board Games Drive
The Kindergarten Board Games Club is in need of some board games to make it even more spectacular.  If you’re cleaning out your closets, or your children have outgrown their games, please think about donating any gently-used but complete board games.  A box will be placed outside the office where you can leave the games.  Requests include, Candy Land, Hungry Hippos, and Chutes and Ladders, but we’ll accept anything in good condition.

The Scrabble Club is also looking for gently-used Scrabble sets.  These can also be donated and left in the box by the office.

Exciting News for Earl Haig Kindergarten
Please see the message from the French Department below:
“Earl Haig Public School is pleased to welcome an Early French Immersion program (SK entry) for September 2015.  The Toronto District School Board ensures equity of access to French Immersion programs by guaranteeing an offer of placement in the program to all on-time applicants.  This year, the number of applicants to the French Immersion program at Earl Beatty (where Earl Haig students have been directed in recent years) outnumbered the pupil places available at Early Beatty.  Working in conjunction with the Board’s Planning Department and French as a Second Language Department, and based on the number of French Immersion applicants from within Earl Haig itself, it was determined that our school become an Early French Immersion site beginning in September 2015.
All  on-time non-sibling applicants with an Earl Haig regular program address have been offered a place in this program.  As per policy, Earl Haig families with older siblings already attending French Immersion at Earl Beatty have been offered a place in Early Beatty’s French Immersion program.  We look forward to this new and exciting addition to our school.”

If you are interested in the SK french immersion program, you can still sign up at www.tdsb.on.ca/pars.  Please do so immediately.  Your application will be accepted as late, and your child’s name will be put on the waiting list. You will need your child’s OEN number which can be found on the original SK French application.  For any questions or concerns contact the TDSB or speak with Ms. Ellis or Ms. Shea.

What’s Going On
January 19th:  Grades 4 through 6 are going to the National Ballet
January 21st – 7pm:  School Council Meeting (Click here for Agenda).
January 28^th and February 3rd, February 4th: Dental Screening
February 2nd – 6-9pm:  Earl Haig hosting Ward Council Meeting.

Check out our lunch and snack menus.  Now available online.
https://earlhaigschoolcouncil.wordpress.com/menus/

Breaking News – Our New Bike Rack!
This just in from Ms. Kelly.
“Earl Haig’s new blue bike rack was installed at the front of the school this week.  Thanks to the 243 staff, students and parents who rode in for the first ever TDSB Bike to School Day.  Again, special thanks to our Kindergarten team who supported and embraced this project so whole-heartedly! Let’s see if we can make the second Bike to School Day even Bigger!  I don’t have a date yet, but it’s likely June 1.”
~Ms. Kelly

Grade 8 to 9 Transition
From Ms. Miller-Caise
Itinerant Guidance Counsellor
“Students in Grade 8 are continuing to explore options for Grade 9.  Open houses at a few local schools will be held later this month (Riverdale -January 8th, Malvern – January 13th, and East York C.I. – January 14th).
Students have all been registered with Myblueprint accounts and parents/guardians are encouraged to check these accounts with their child to support course selection.  Later this month classes will make draft copies of course selection sheets that will be sent home for discussion and approval. Please check with your child about these later this month. You are encouraged to discuss course types with your child’s teacher(s) as well.
February is the month for final decisions.  Students will be asked their high school choice in and around the 17th of February.  By then students should know what optional schools/programs they have been accepted into for Grade 9.  Please take the time to talk to your child prior to this date to finalize high school choice. It can be a tough decision and they will need your support and encouragement.”
~Kelley Miller-Caise (Itinerant Guidance Counsellor)

2 Board Games Clubs started this week. Last year the Primary group (Grades 1 & 2) had about 60 students and the Junior group (Grades 3 – 6)  had about 35. These clubs are both very popular and we thank Ms. Kiosederis and Ms. Simon for making them so successful.

Please check out a new resource and Parent Tool Kit. To see what you, as parents, can do to help your child(ren) develop healthy relationships visit: http://www.ontariodirectors.ca/parent_engagement.html#pe1

Council Business
Click here for November 2014 Meeting Minutes
Click here for the January 2015 Meeting Agenda