BOWMORE RD BULLETIN
Friday, May 3, 2024
80 Bowmore Rd Toronto, ON M4L 3J3 Tel: (416) 393-9450
Principal: Georgia Chatzis - Georgia.Chatzis@tdsb.on.ca,
Vice-Principal: Jacquie Neveu - Jacqueline.Neveu@tdsb.on.ca
Vice-Principal: Kosta Flegas - Konstantinos.Flegas@tdsb.on.ca
Dear Families,
We would like to wish our Eastern Orthodox families a Happy Easter this weekend. We also wanted to remind you of some important upcoming events and celebrations.
The TDSB is proud to celebrate Jewish and Asian Heritage Month in May. The TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Committee’s (JHC) program for 2024 is part of the committee’s commitment to planning annual educational opportunities and enriching the curriculum to further learn about Jewish heritage and culture. Asian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized by the Toronto District School Board during the month of May since 2007. This heritage is also celebrated by the Province of Ontario with the royal ascent of the Asian Heritage Act, 2005 and across Canada since May 2002 when the federal Senate adopted a motion to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. The Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee selected Our Journeys: Thriving Through Struggle and Triumph as this year's theme for May 2024.
We would also like to take a moment to highlight that from May 6 to May 12, it is Children's Mental Health Week. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please know that there are resources available to you. The TDSB has compiled a list of helpful resources that you may find useful. Please visit the related TDSB webpage to access these resources.
Thank you for your attention. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Georgia, Jacquie, Kosta
Placement of Students in Classes for the 2024-2025 School Year
At this time each year, our Staffing Committee, which is made up of teachers and administration, meets to discuss and develop a Class Organization Model for next year based on the projected student enrollment and staffing allocation. The committee must follow specific guidelines and strict parameters regarding the number of primary and junior classes and the creation of straight and combined grades.
Several possible models were created based on multiple meetings and lengthy discussions. The committee then voted on and proposed the model that best suits the school’s needs and meets TDSB and Ministry requirements. The Principal approved the proposed model, which included consultation with the School Parent Council, and then the model was submitted to the Superintendent for final approval.
Often, the Staffing Allocation, along with the number of students in each grade, leaves very few options in terms of class placements for next year. In some cases, there may be only one class/grade which a student of a certain grade would go into or a variety of straight and combined grades, depending on whether they are in the English or French Immersion program. When it comes to class placements, we are extremely restricted by class size guidelines and the equitable distribution of students.
During student placement meetings, teachers meet with the administration over a period of days to discuss and place students in their new classes for next year. It takes hours of deliberation and discussion to assign students to their classes, in those instances where there is more than one class of a particular grade. It is TDSB and School policy that the following parameters are to be taken into consideration for class placements:
- diversity & equity - gender balance - academic strengths & needs - social-emotional dynamics and interactions, as well as opportunities for leadership and growth for each student
- number of students with special learning profiles that have an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or English as a Second Language (ESL)
- additional information that the homeroom teacher has for a particular student (e.g., learning style, level of independence, etc.)
Upon completion of this step, the preparation teachers (e.g., Gym, Music teachers, etc.) who have worked with these students, provide additional feedback and recommend any adjustments. Finally, the Principal and Vice Principals review the new placements to ensure that all TDSB, School and Ministry requirements are met and make any necessary adjustments. It is important to note that at this stage, students are placed in a coded classroom (e.g., 2/3A, 2/3B) and not assigned to a particular teacher.
Teachers do not get assigned to a particular class, until much later in the year and sometimes not until late August. We already know that we will have many staff changes next year, and therefore, any requests for a particular teacher will not be considered. Please note that the June Report Card will not include next year’s teacher. At the end of August, families will receive our first newsletter, which will list all our staff and teachers. Additionally, you will receive an email informing you about your child’s teacher and classroom. We appreciate your trust in our professional judgment in balancing the considerations mentioned above and following the process.
If you feel that you have information about specific medical, learning, or social needs (e.g., important friendships) or a change from the French to the English program that we should consider, please send an email to your child’s teacher before May 13th, 2024.
The classes announced in August will remain as assigned unless there is a need for a change due to school reorganization, usually at the end of September or early October. The need for reorganization is based on an increase or decrease in student or staff allocation. We can assure you that we will do our best to create classes that will maximize each child's opportunities for success.
Chip Wednesdays and Freezie Fridays!
Order deadline is next Thursday May 9th, don't miss out! Place your order through School Cash Online.
For the last three Wednesdays in May, students who pre-order and participate in Chip Wednesdays will receive a personal size bag of chips delivered to their classroom. Price $6 (includes all 3 dates). May 15, 22, 29 and in June, students who pre-order and participate in Freezie Fridays will receive a jumbo-size freezie delivered to their classroom. Price $6 (includes all 3 dates). June 6, 14, 21 (June 7th is a PA day)
This fundraising event is organized by the Grad Committee and funds raised will go towards supporting 2024 grad events hosted by the Grad Committee.
Financial assistance is available. Please contact Vice Principal, Kosta Flegas (Konstantinos.Flegas@tdsb.on.ca) for more information.
Click here to place your order and participate in Chip Wednesdays and Freezie Fridays.
GRADE 8 FAMILIES! The 2024 Grad hoodies are now available to order.
Hoodies must be pre-ordered through School Cash Online May 1 - 10. Hoodies are $30 each and are only available to grade 8 Bowmore students. They will be distributed to students in early June.
Note that there will not be extras available for purchase, so please place your order by this Friday May 10th.
Please remember that financial assistance is available for all Bowmore grad events and activities. Please contact Vice Principal Kosta Flegas for more information (Konstantinos.Flegas@tdsb.on.ca).
To arrange for cash payment please email bowmoregrad2024@gmail.com.
Click here to place your order for your grad hoodie.
ASD Summer Leisure Program
Letter with registration link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sHINOgpcVbQ5by3sz0B0vmlLifHqdAOh/edit
The ASD Summer Leisure Program will once again be running this summer from July 2nd to the 26th. The program is available to students going into Grades 4 -10 (currently students in Grades 3 - 9) who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal of the program is for participants to develop social skills, self-regulation strategies and skills on how to best prepare to transition to a new grade, class, and/or school.
Registration deadline is Friday, May 31, 2024. Spaces in the program are limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The summer session of the ASD Skills Development Leisure Program will run from July 2-26 from 9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the locations listed below. Participants are invited to sign up for only one location. Please note that transportation is not provided.
May is Jewish and Asian Heritage Month
Jewish Heritage Month is recognized at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) during the month of May. The TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Committee’s (JHC) program for 2024, as in previous years, is part of the committee’s commitment to plan annual educational opportunities and enrich the curriculum for further learning about Jewish heritage and culture. Each year, we choose one grade or division to focus on with a program, and in some years, we have been fortunate to work with other organizations to provide larger-scale programs.
This year, the Jewish Heritage Committee is focussing on students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 using the book The Mouse Who Danced the Hora by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by Christine Davenier, to teach our youngest students about diversity and equity through Jewish wedding traditions and learning to dance the Hora.
Click here for our Jewish Heritage Month poster with more information about TDSB Jewish Heritage Month.
A YouTube video of an animated read-aloud of the book can be found here.
Lesson plans and activities (with curriculum expectations) have been designed for teachers in Kindergarten to Grade 3. They can be accessed here.
Not a dance teacher? Book a time slot in May at Allenby PS for your class to learn the Hora. Click here for more information.
You can also access this video on YouTube to teach the Hora to your class.
Please follow the Jewish Heritage Committee on X: @TDSB_JH
Asian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized at the Toronto District School Board during the month of May since 2007. This heritage is also celebrated by the Province of Ontario with the royal ascent of the Asian Heritage Act, 2005 and across Canada since May 2002 when the federal Senate adopted a motion to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada.
This year’s theme for May 2024 was selected by the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee as Our Journeys: Thriving Through Struggle and Triumph.
The TDSB is the largest and one of the most diverse school boards in Canada. Nearly one-quarter of our students were born outside of Canada and collectively we speak more than 120 languages. According to the 2023 Student Census 46% of TDSB students self-identified as Asian.
During the month of May, the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning committee members are working together to assemble various educational opportunities and resources for our students, staff and TDSB community to further learn about Asian heritage. Stay tuned for these exciting offerings to be shared in the upcoming weeks.
Pizza Lunch - The Order System is Changing to Lunchbox
Pizza Lunch - The Order System is Changing to Lunchbox
If your child(ren) is on a field trip OR at the Track and Field Meet on Thursday, May 16th, please do not order pizza AND/OR make sure to cancel the order by Tuesday, May 14 at 11:59 a.m. to receive a Lunchbox credit. If you miss the deadline for cancellation, we cannot refund manually.
Lunchbox is accessed through your existing School Cash Online account.
Lunchbox is active – LOG IN AND SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT:
1. log into your SchoolCash Online account as you would normally.
2. Select ITEMS from the top right menu bar
3. You will see the Lunchbox banner above each child(rens) name(s). Click ORDER NOW. This will take you to the Lunchbox ordering platform. YOU MUST DO THIS FOR EACH STUDENT SEPARATELY going back to SchoolCash Online each time.
4. Your child(ren) will pre-populate in the lunchbox system however, you need to complete the profile. complete your child(rens) profile with your phone number and any allergy information - select ADD/Update.
5. Make sure all children in your household have been added to Lunchbox THEN: You will see your child(rens) name(s) and an ORDER NOW button, which will take you to the ordering calendar to place your order.
6. Orders for each child are placed separately via their own order calendar.
For issues with setting up your child profile/ordering help/ Cancellation help, Call Lunchbox support Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 1.877.426.6860 The office is not able to support. Please only call Lunchbox.
IMPORTANT DATES:
NOW: sign up for Lunchbox. Add your child(ren) and place your orders
Friday, May 10th before 5:00 p.m.: Last day to receive support signing up / ordering
Sunday, May 12th at 11:59 a.m.: Last day to order Pizza for May 16th Pizza Lunch
Tuesday, May 14th at 11:59 a.m.: Last day to refund May 16th pizza lunch for a credit (if you miss it we cannot refund)
Thursday, May 16th: PIZZA LUNCH!
As with any new system, there are bound to be a few surprises. We ask you to sign up and order early so we are able to work together to resolve in advance of May’s pizza lunch.
Thank you!
Nutrition Program - Week of May 6
Mon - Nutrigrain Bar
Tues - Cheese, Triscuits
Wednesday - Waffles, Bananas/Tangerines
Thursday - Yogurt, Apples
Friday - Belly Bears
Week at a glance
Monday, May 6th - Day 1
Jewish & Asian Heritage Month
Days of Significance: Orthodox Easter/ Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day/ Children’s Mental Health Week (May 6th-12th)
Tuesday, May 7th - Day 2
Wednesday, May 8th - Day 3
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Dental Screening until May 9th
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(12:00 pm): Junior Choir/Jr. D & D
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Gifted Open House/Tour @ 1 pm - 2:30 pm
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(3:45 pm) Junior and Intermediate Lacrosse Practice
Thursday, May 9th - Day 4
Days of Significance: Ascension of Jesus Christ
Friday, May 10th - Day 5
Days of Significance: Akshaya Tritya