Brookside Connect! May 2025!
Principal's Message
Hello Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,
Great things are happening at Brookside Public School for the month of May! The month has just begun and we will soon be hosting our Kindergarten Spring Concert on May 15th. Next week, on May 8th, our amazing Kindergarten Team will be welcoming our incoming Kindergartens and their families with our Welcome to Kindergarten event. We will also be hosting our School Council Pizza Lunch, and our Student Spring Concert Showcase on May 22nd!
Classroom Placements for the 2025-2026 School Year
Also, during the month of May, our staff will be meeting to begin forming classes for the 2025/2026 school year. This is important work, as our goal is to create classes that ensure student success for all. Many factors are considered when creating classes; they include ensuring that class sizes follow Ministry and Board guidelines; while maintaining a balance of gender, social skills and academic abilities. It is important that we acknowledge the unique needs of children in the process and we invite parents to let us know of any academic needs or considerations that need to be taken into account when placing your child in a classroom for next year. If you would like to notify us of any specific needs of your child that should be considered when placing him/her/they in a class, please do so in writing at brooksidepublicschool@tdsb.on.ca, outlining your special circumstances by Friday, May 16, 2025. This process does not include requests for specific teachers or classes. All planning is subject to realignment and staff adjustments, which can happen into mid- to late-September.
Have a great month of May!
Eckleton Richards Jr. Sarah Sirbos
Principal Vice-Principal
Email: brooksidepublicschool@tdsb.on.ca
Follow us on X: @BrooksidePSTDSB
Website: schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/brookside
Table of Contents:
- Brookside Student Council (BSC) Update!
- Eco-Team
- Art Club
- Brookside Global Citizens
- French: Manie Musical with Mme.Seaborn and M. Papa
- School Community Council
- School Teams (Volleyball & Badminton)
- Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session: Strategies and resources to support students with ADHD
- Parking Lot Safety
- Summer School 2025
- Summer International Languages & African Heritage Program (July 20-July 25)
- Are You Moving???
- Repeats and Reminders
- Upcoming Brookside Events
- Kindergarten Registration
- Public Health Reminder: Reducing the spread of Respiratory Illnesses
- Days of Significance & Heritage/History Month at TDSB
- May 5 National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ People: Red Dress Day
- Asian Heritage Month at the TDSB
- Jewish Heritage Month at the TDSB
- Mother's Day
- Vesak Day
- Victoria Day
- World Cultural Diversity Day
- National Child and Youth Mental Health Day
- National Accessibility Week May 25-May 31
- Google Calendar
Brookside Student Council (BSC) Update!
During the month of May, the Brookside Student Council will be doing to classroom visits which will focus on integrity.
Students will be educated about integrity through interactive activities, books, fun games, etc.
The Brookside Student Council hopes that by the end of these class visits, students will gain a better understanding of what integrity is.
By: Poomiha
Brookside Eco Team
Hey Bulldogs,
As our year ends, that means the end of Brookside’s 2024 - 2025 Eco Team.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all students for consistently engaging in our initiatives and we hope you continue to show and spread your passion for the environment through words and actions.
Eco Team, Out!
Brookside Art Council (B.A.C.)
Student Workshops
Hello Brookside! The student workshops have now come to an end for this year! The last few months have been incredible with students being creative and inspiring others. Children have such creative mindsets and to see them use their amazing minds on art is incredible. Art is not just drawings, it’s a form, a way to express yourself, or other topics!
Brookside Arts Council (B.A.C.)
While the workshops are now finished, the Brookside Art Council is still working on a new, big project. Soon our project will be showcased in the stairwell. Infact, our project is made out of recycled materials. And if you heard the rumors, then you’d know that the B.A.C’s big project is a… Fish! Yes, a fish. The fish represents life on Earth and is to go with the theme of oceans and nature. We hope Brookside’s Art Council next year will be just as spectacular as this one has been. Thank you, Mr. Lee!
By: Hashini
Brookside Global Citizens
The Brookside Global Citizens made a powerful impact this year through their compassion and initiatives. Dedicated to making the world a better place, the group organized a successful needs drive, collecting essential items for local shelters and families in need. In addition, they led a series of kindness activities—including kindness bingo, secret kindness class, and random acts of generosity—designed to uplift spirits and strengthen community bonds within the school. Their efforts are a shining example of how young people can lead with empathy, unity, and purpose. We thank you for your support this year in all of our initiatives and look forward to spreading change next year!
The Brookside Global Citizens
Junior/Intermediate French: Manie Musical with Mme. Seaborn & M. Papa
The Maine Musical is a French contest where French singers compete for first place.
This year our competitors included Gims, Lubiana , Elioz & Ridsa, Les Salsbarbes, Tali, Yannis Ouda & FNX, Black M, Ouidad, Dr. Yaro, Floran, Lou & PeTitom, Cornellie & Sookling, Mc Solaar & Marie-Flore, Kimberose, WeRe-VaNa & Rène Geoffry, and Margot abate.
The two songs that made it to the final round of this competition were Gims with “Sois pas timide”, and Dr. Yaro with “Minimum ça”. These two songs are very legendary songs, and there were many hard debates on who to choose, but there could only be one winner and that winner was...... DRUMROLL PLEASE…..
Dr. Yaro with the song "Minimum ça"! His and Gim’s song, "Sois pas timide" were almost in a tie!
Scores all over the school ranged from 55% to 45%, 49% to 51%, and even 50% to 50%! But in the end it was Dr. Yaro with the most votes!
We hope that next year some of our favorite artists come back and it will be just as great as this year!!
By: Prithikaa & Hashini
School Community Council
PIZZA LUNCH--TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
We are planning our second Pizza Lunch for this year on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. We do require parent/caregiver volunteers at lunchtime to help organize and distribute pizza to classes. If you are available and interested in lending a helping hand, please contact us via this Google from at: Pizza Lunch Volunteer Form. We urge you to consider joining us on this day as we are really relying on our parent volunteers to make this happen for our children.
Pizza lunch orders will soon be available through School Cash Online. Orders were due no later than Monday, April 28. NO CASH or LATE ORDERS will be accepted.
Please join us for our next School Council Meeting on Monday, May 26 @ 6:30 p.m. in the Library.
Regards,
School Council Co-Chairs
Neerajah Ponnampalam and Andrew Ariyaratnam
Email: 4073SC01@tdsb.on.ca
Volleyball and Badminton
Our Junior and Intermediate Volleyball and Badminton Teams have been busy practising for our upcoming tournaments!
Please note the following dates:
Grade 5/6 Volleyball (w/Mr. Park and Ms. Steward) hosting at Brookside: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Grade 7/8 Volleyball (w/Mr. Park) @ Henry Kelsey: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Grade 5 Badminton (w/Mr. Lyn) @ Samuel Hearne: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Grade 7/8 Badminton (w/Mr. Lyn) @ Military Trail: Wednesday, April 26, 2025
Grade 7 Badminton Team
On April 16th, 2025 the Grade 7 Badminton Team travelled to Military Trail P.S. to play against Henry Kelsey, John Buchan, and Tredway-Woodsworth. The Grade 7 team had an amazing victory against Treadway Woodsworth in all matches, including Girls and Boys singles, Girls and Boys doubles, and Mixed doubles. Second, the Grade 7 team played John Buchan and once again secured an incredible victory. Their final match was against the great Henry Kelsey, known for their incredible skill in sports and as our long-time sports rival. We successfully secured our spot in the Conference Semifinals with a win!
Brookside successfully made it through with a 3-2 record. The girls doubles, co-ed doubles and girls singles won for us making us in the top group of our pool going against Sir Alexander Mackenzie on April 22nd.
Unfortunately at the Conference Semifinals, the Grade 7 Badminton Team did not qualify against Sir Alexander Mackenzie. They will not be going to the Finals. Great Job, Bulldogs, you'll get them next year!
~Arushi
Grade 8 Badminton Team
On April 24th the Grade 8 badminton team went up against DA Morrison. Sadly, they only won 2 out of their 5 matches. Go bulldogs!
By: Nihashini
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session: Strategies and resources to support students with ADHD
Special Education and Inclusion will host a session to explore strategies and resources to support students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Here is the flyer.
School Parking Lot Safety
PLEASE KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE! Our staff parking lot is an extremely busy zone during morning entry, lunch and dismissal times and unfortunately we cannot accommodate student drop-off and pick-ups. When driving your children to and from school, please park your car on one of our nearby side streets and walk to Brookside to greet them. To ensure student safety, we can only allow staff vehicles and school buses into our driveway. There is often a staff member at the driveway in between the two large orange drum pylons. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
TDSB Summer School Programs
Elementary School (Registration is open): Elementary Summer School
Secondary School: Continuing Education Secondary Credit (Registration opens Tuesday, April 22nd)
e-Summer School Program (Registration tentatively opens on Monday, April 15th for TDSB students and Tuesday, April 29th for NON-TDSB students)
TDSB Global Leadership and Communication Camp 2025
Special Education: Special Education and Inclusion Summer Program
Summer International Languages & African Heritage Program (July 20-July 25)
2025 Summer International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program
When: July 2 to July 25, 2025 (Monday to Friday).
Who: Senior Kindergarten (as of Sept 2025) to Grade 8 (TDSB and non-TDSB students).
Cost: $20 (for materials fee). Please note that a minimum of 25 students is required to open a class.
Registration Requirements:Ontario Education Number (OEN) and OHIP card is required at the time of registration. (OEN can be found at the top of your child’s report card).
Registration:
Online Registration: Register now
Registration closes: June 22, 2025
For more information, please visit www.ileahprograms.ca or call/email 416-338-4100, ile_ah@tdsb.on.ca
Download and Print the Flyer (PDF)
Are You Moving???
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Re: Students Moving
Each year at this time the school is busy working on class organization for the following school year. In order to assist us in our planning and organization for September 2025, we would appreciate it if families that are moving over the summer would complete and submit the form below.
Once a student moves out of Brookside P.S. area he/she must register in his/her new school area. Please indicate below if you will be moving out of the Brookside P.S. area during the summer. This information will greatly assist us in organizing classes for the 2025/2026 school year.
Transfer forms will be sent via courier for students who are moving outside the Toronto District School Board area. If your child will be attending another TDSB school, the information will be transferred electronically.
PLEASE CLICK HERE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS MOVING FORM AS SOON AS YOU FINALIZE YOUR MOVE.
Thank you,
Ms. Oyeneye, Mr. Richards and Ms. Sirbos
Repeats and Reminders...
Important Upcoming Dates of Brookside Events and Parent Sessions
- Swim to Survive Parent Informatoin Session (Gr. 4) - Wednesday, May 5 (6:30pm - 7pm)
- Welcome to Kindergarten Family Night - Thursday, May 8 (6:30pm-7:30pm)
- Gauss Contest for Intermediate Students - Wednesday, May 14 (11:00am -12:00pm)
- Kindergarten Concert - Thursday, May 15 (1pm-2pm)
- Brookside Student Spring Concert Showcase for Gr. 1-8 - Thursday, May 22 (6:30pm - 8:30pm)
- Upcoming Teams (more details to come)
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for all TDSB English Kindergarten programs begins in January. Families have the option of registering their child online at www.tdsb.on.ca/kindergarten or in-person at the school. With both options, families will be invited to come to the school to validate registration information and participate in a Welcome to Kindergarten event hosted by the school.
Public Health Reminder: Reducing the spread of Respiratory Illnesses
May is .....
May 5 - National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ People: Red Dress Day
May 5th is Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), also know as Red Dress Day. As a way to commemorate and honour the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada, Métis artist Jaime Black helped inspire the Red Dress Movement, where red dresses are hung from windows and trees to represent the pain and loss felt by loved ones and survivors. Please see the Final Report MMIWG for more information.
Asian Heritage Month at the TDSB – May 2025
Asian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized at the Toronto District School Board during the month of May since 2007. This month marks the 20th anniversary of the royal ascent of the Asian Heritage Act, 2005 in the Province of Ontario. It is also recognized across Canada since May 2002 with the declaration to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada.
This year’s theme at the Toronto District School Board is Asian Canadians Up and Rising.
This year’s Asian Heritage Month theme, Asian Canadians Up and Rising, celebrates the strength, resilience, and achievements of Asian Canadian communities. It recognizes individuals and groups who have contributed to shaping Canada’s past and present, while also highlighting emerging voices and future leaders. For students and staff in the TDSB community, this theme serves as an opportunity to explore stories of perseverance and embrace the unique identities that contribute to both the school community and to the diverse Asian diaspora in Canada. By learning about and celebrating these diverse perspectives, schools can promote inclusivity, equity, and a deeper appreciation for Asian Canadians.
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.
All students, staff, and TDSB community members are invited to join us in at our upcoming Asian Heritage Month Virtual Launch Celebration.
Asian Heritage Month Virtual Launch Celebration
Thursday, May 8, 2025
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Zoom Live Stream Link: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/stream/LiveWebcast-Asian-Heritage.html
Follow us on X: @AsianTDSB
Jewish Heritage Month at the TDSB
When the Province of Ontario passed the Jewish Heritage Month Act in 2012, it recognized the important contributions that Jewish Canadians have made to Ontario’s social, economic, political, and cultural fabric. Since its inception in 2015, the TDSB's Jewish Heritage Committee (JHC) aims to do just that.
The Committee aims to celebrate Jewish heritage and culture in impactful, innovative, and inspirational ways for students - with the fight against antisemitism and all forms of hate providing the core goal of this work. 4The JHC is pleased to present two educational programs for May 2025 that have been vetted and approved by TDSB staff. Being Jewish in Ontario. This brand-new collection for middle and high school educators contains a 10-minute short film and lesson plans with supporting materials in English and French. It explores what it means to be Jewish today through the voices of youth and their family members. Students learn how Jewish immigrants throughout Ontario built a sense of community, belonging, and opportunity during the early 20th century, despite facing societal exclusion. Through stories of individual and collective action, this history not only educates youth about a specific heritage, but also highlights a universal connection to the generational efforts that foster positive, lasting legacies for vibrant community life and contributions to all Canadians today.
Please visit the Being Jewish in Ontario website to access the film and learning resources. Being Jewish in Ontario is a partnership between Facing History and Ourselves and the Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre. The Children’s Republic This play is written by Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch and produced by the Harold Green Theatre Company and Koffler Arts. It casts local Toronto actors, including high school students, and relays the heartfelt and inspirational tale of Dr. Janusz Korczak's selfless journey to bring safety to Polish-Jewish orphans within the Warsaw Ghetto. His struggle to advocate for children's rights and shelter his orphans from the horrors of the Holocaust ended with his death in 1942. The Children’s Republic is a powerful and true story of beauty, heroism, and legacy in a world devoid of freedom and even the necessities of life. Please see the play's flyer for locations, dates, and times.
Mother's Day (May 11, 2025)
Mother’s Day is a special day set aside to honour and appreciate mothers and mother figures for the love, care, and sacrifices they make every day. It’s a time for people around the world to come together and recognize the important role mothers play in families and society. Some families go out for a special meal, while others prefer to cook at home or simply spend a quiet day together. The day is not just about gifts—it’s about showing gratitude. A simple phone call, a handwritten note, or even a warm hug can mean a lot. It’s also a time for remembering mothers who are no longer with us and honoring their memory. Overall, Mother’s Day is a reminder to appreciate and thank those who have given us love, guidance, and support. Whether through big celebrations or small gestures, it’s a day to say, “Thank you, Mom.”
By Nihashini
Vesak day - May 12, 2025
This year Vesak Day is celebrated on May 12, 2025. It is also known as Buddha Day or Buddha Purnima and is a sacred day for Buddhists worldwide. This day is to recognize and reflect on the Buddha’s teachings, practice compassion and strive for peace. Some common practices on this day include visiting temples, offering food or flowers for monks, chanting, praying and releasing caged animals.
By: Poomiha & Akshara
Victoria Day - May, 19, 2025
This year 2025 Victoria Day is celebrated on May 19th. It is celebrated to recognize the British sovereign’s birthday. The Canadian parliament agreed that Victoria Day can be a legal holiday in Canada. Now, Queen Elizabeth’s birthday is also celebrated on Victoria Day. On this day people put up fireworks to celebrate. Enjoy the long weekend, Brookside!
By: Raghavi and Lakshara
World Cultural Diversity Day
Hey Brookside!! On May 21, 2025 it is World Cultural Diversity day! We celebrate World Cultural Diversity day to celebrate people with all different types of cultures. We honor many sorts of people. Some religions such as; Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Taoism and MANY more are celebrated all over the world. Some people celebrate this day by going to museums to learn about the religion/culture, play cultural music, bake their traditional foods, learn about their language and holidays and various other stuff! So Brookside, have fun celebrating World Cultural Diversity day!
By: Kavinash
National Child and Youth Mental Health Day
National child and youth mental health is about helping kids and teens feel good in their minds and emotions. It means making sure they get help if they feel sad, worried, or have trouble behaving. Doctors, teachers, and families all work together to support young people so they can grow up healthy and strong. It’s also important to teach everyone that it’s okay to talk about mental health and to ask for help. When children get the right care early, they can do better in school, make friends, and feel happier in life.
National Child and Youth Mental Health Day - May 7th
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day 2022
National Accessibility Week - May 25-May 31
National Accessibility week is the week in Canada where people celebrate inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. During this week Canadians recognize the contributions of Canadians with disabilities to make a more accessible and inclusive Canada. So Brookside let’s try to raise awareness for people with disabilities and learn during National Disability Week!
Lakshara and Raghavi
Calendar
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