Brookside Connect! April 2024!
Principal's Message
Hello Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,
In between the rain, snow, hail and sleet, spring has arrived at Brookside!
This month, our school is bubbling with activities and special events, such as our Track and Field Day, Jump Rope for Heart and the School Council Cookie Sale.As we prepare for warmer weather, students are reminded that our school uniform standard remains in effect and consists of white, sky blue, navy colours- Brookside Spirit Wear is on sale this month and is always a good option!
A big congratulations to our Grade 6 students, Athuzen and Mathumai, who were successful in having their short story AND poem selected to be published in the Polar Expressions Publishing Contest (www.polarexpressions.ca).We look forward to seeing their work in published books in the near future!
Eid Mubarak to all of our families celebrating Eid Al-Fitr this month! Please be sure to attend the Eid Al-Fitr Scarborough Joint Celebration on April 18th.
Take care,
Eckleton Richards Jr. Sarah Sirbos
PrincipalVice-Principal
Email: brooksidepublicschool@tdsb.on.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @BrooksidePSTDSB
Website: schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/brookside
Table of Contents:
- The Halls of Brookside
- Appreciating the Arts at Brookside
- Brookside Student Council (BSC) Update!
- Jump Rope for Heart
- Brookside Spirit Wear for Sale!- Wednesday, April 3- Wednesday, April 17, 2024
- Track and Field Day at Brookside – April 18th, 2024
- School Community Council- Cookie Sale
- Trustee Yalini Rajakulasingam- Eid Al-Fitr Scarborough Joint Celebration- April 18, 2024
- EQAO Parent and Caregiver Webinars
- Summer School at Heritage Park PS
- TDSB Virtual Community Fair For Parents/Caregivers of Children, Youth and Young Adults with Special or Complex Needs
- Launch of Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System
- **NEW TDSB Webpages**
- TDSB Days of Significance
- Sikh Heritage Month at the TDSB – April 2024
- Latin-America History Month at the TDSB- April 2024
Reminders...
Appreciating the Arts at Brookside
Art is valued at Brookside. Some of our intermediate students have been studying historical art pieces. Reflecting and recreating some of these studied masterpieces gives our students a better understanding of how to apply critical thinking skills to analyse work. When our students are taught to draw or paint, it’s not about creating “pretty pictures”. It’s about teaching our students to see; to look closely at the world around them.
It’s important in a child’s education that the doors need to be open to other modes of thinking, and art is a non-prescribed; a world of possibility. It’s a vital space for children to have their formative years of their education. Art and cultural production within a school is at the very centre of what makes a school what it is, and for an entire new generation not to know the importance of Arts Education is kind of denying their own identity. We are very interested in the dynamics of our school, culture and community in which our students are learning and growing. As well as their own identities, and what we bring to that, we look at our school dynamics of developing inclusivity through the arts, and trying to listen closely to our students’ voices to cultivate creative classrooms and spaces. What Arts Education does to people who are not going to be artists is giving students an opportunity to build certain aspects of themselves that otherwise may be either ignored, undeveloped or repressed. It’s all about our students finding out who they really are, because they are all different.
Our school’s Art Club and their members are hoping these artistic spaces would inspire and empower other students to become more creative and broaden their understanding of self and global understanding through art. There is a great quote by John Ruskin: “Art shows us what it is to be human.”, and for this simple reason, Visual Arts is a vital discipline in our curriculum.
Mr. Lee
Brookside Student Council (BSC) Update!
Even though the BSC finished March off with a memorable spirit week, we’ve made sure to make April another spirit filled month this year! Right off the bat, the Brookside Student Council has planned to bring back an annual tradition known as Brookside’s Got Talent (BGT)! Starting from April 2nd, students are encouraged to participate in this well known activity, and can use this as an opportunity to showcase a skill that they are passionate about! BGT has always been an activity for all age groups, and is a great way for students to embrace their unique talents. Students will be able to submit their videos from April 2nd - April 9th, and a BGT Submission Form will be sent out to classes for students to access. After the submission process is completed, the submissions will then be put into several videos over the next few days which will be shared amongst the school to watch and acknowledge! We can’t wait to see the amazing talents at Brookside be recognized, we hope all students partake in this experience as a chance to display their passions! Students will be given more updates regarding BGT on the announcements, and so we would like them to listen in carefully for guidelines! Although Brookside’s Got Talent will happen during the first two weeks of April, The BSC will also be having another Pink Shirt Day in commemoration of the International Day Of Pink. Unlike how the previous Pink Shirt Day stood against bullying in all forms, International Day of Pink is recognized specifically to challenge homophobia and transphobia. Students can wear a pink shirt (as well as non-uniform) on April 10th to show their support regarding the International Day of Pink and its purpose. These two activities will keep April full of spirit for our Bulldogs, and so we encourage our students to participate and enjoy these upcoming events!
Iniya- Grade 8
c/o Ms. Holman, Ms. Ng and Mr. Thibideau
Jump Rope for Heart
1 - https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/events/jump-rope-for-heart
Through Jump Rope for Heart, our students learn the importance of getting active and practicing healthy habits to build a foundation for a healthy life, while helping to fundraise to fund critical heart disease and stroke research that saves lives.
To help our school reach our fundraising goal click “Register to Participate” and set up your own fundraising page!
If you are looking to donate to a student’s page, please make sure you have the student’s direct fundraising page link to ensure your gift will count towards that student’s thank you prize.
Lets’s beat heart disease and stroke together!
Brookside Public School’s Jump Rope For Heart date is May 8, 2024.
Welcome to our school’s Jump Rope for Heart fundraising page!: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/47239
Brookside Spirit Wear for Sale- Wednesday, April 3 - Wednesday, April 17
Brookside PS will be selling Spirit Wear from Wednesday, April 3 - Wednesday, April 17 via SchoolCash Online. Families will have the opportunity to purchase Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve T-shirts in all 3 School Colours, Navy Blue Track Pants and Shorts, Navy Blue and Sky Blue Hooded Sweatshirts, Navy Blue Crew Neck Sweatshirts, and Navy Blue Polo Shirts with the School Mascot Head logo. Students will also have the opportunity to purchase Sky Blue Technical Wear with the School Athletic Mascot logo for Physical Education and Athletic Teams, including a number on the back for an additional cost. Families have been sent an email outlining the costs for each product and instructions for ordering.
CLICK HERE to get a better look at the items available.
To clarify the ordering process, please take a look at the following video: Video of How to Order
Spirit Wear T-Shirts
AS-G500-CBL - Carolina Blue T-Shirt [$15.00]
AS-G500-NAV - Navy Blue T-Shirt [$15.00]
AS-G500-WHI - White T-Shirt [$15.00]
AS-G540-CBL - Carolina Blue Long-Sleeve T-Shirt [$22.50]
AS-G540-NAV - Navy Blue Long-Sleeve T-Shirt [$22.50]
AS-G540-WHI - White Long-Sleeve T-Shirt [$22.50]
Spirit Wear - Hooded Sweat-Shirts
AS-G185-NAV - Navy Blue Hoody [$35.00]
AS-G185-CBL - Carolina Blue Hoody [$35.00]
Spirit Wear - Miscellaneous
AS-G180-NAV - Navy Blue Sweat Shirt [$30.00]
AS-G182-NAV - Navy Blue Track Pants [$30.00]
AK-AS1300-004 - Navy Blue Shorts [$22.50]
AS-G880-NAV - Navy Blue Polo Shirt [$25.00]
AS-G880-WHI - White Polo Shirt [$25.00]
Athletic Wear - Technical T-Shirts
These items come with the Brookside Athletic Bulldog Logo
AG-790/1-COL - Carolina Blue Athletic T-Shirt [$20.00]
AG-2795/6-COL - Carolina Blue Athletic Long-Sleeve T-Shirt [$27.50]
Personalization - F-08-V - Number [$5.00]
Sizes
Youth Small (6-8)
Youth Medium (8-10)
Youth Large (12-14)
Youth XL (14-16)
Adult Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Adult XL
Go, Bulldogs!
Mr. Westwood
School Community Council
Hooray for cookie day!! Cookie day is back at Brookside Public School. Brookside Students time for a happy cookie day dance!
The cookies will be sold online only and in advance of the actual day. The delivery day for the cookies will be April 24 and May 29th and June 13th. The cookies can be ordered for each day separately on different days or at one time for each day. The cash online sales will close the Sunday prior to each cookie delivery day. (April 21, May 19th and June 2nd).
The cookies will cost $ 1.50 for each cookie and there is a maximum of 10 cookies per type that can be ordered. All cookies are individually wrapped for hygiene and ease of distribution. Please see below for the ingredient list.
1003-D Chocolate Chip Delite
Enriched wheat flour, sugars (brown sugar, sugar), semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
1303-D Funfetti Delite
Enriched wheat flour, sugars (brown sugar, sugar), rainbow sprinkles (icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, artificial colours (allura red, sunset yellow fcf, tartrazine, erythrosine, brilliant blue fcf), gum arabic, carnauba wax), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.
Contains wheat, soy, egg.
Regards,
School Council Co-Chairs - Praveen Molugu & Thulasi Kanagan
Praveen.Molugu@tdsb.on.caThulasi.Sivananthan@tdsb.on.ca
Track and Field Day at Brookside – April 18th, 2024
All Grade 4 – 8 students at Brookside will be taking part in our own Track and Field Meet. It will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024 (Rain date: Friday, April 19, 2024).
This is our own meet where students in grades 4 to 8 compete with one another in fantastic track and field events. They’ve been practising the events in Physical Education classes and are ready to go! All students compete for an opportunity to be considered to move on to the next level of competition which will take place at Birchmount Stadium in May.
The activities include Long Distance Running, Sprints, Standing Long Jump, Running Long Jump, and Triple Jump.
Students should dress appropriately and be ready to participate by bringing the following to school on April 18th:
- Clothes for active participation (running shoes, etc.)
- A hat and/or sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
Coaches: Mr. Thibideau and Mr. Park
Trustee Yalini Rajakulasingam- Eid Al-Fitr Scarborough Joint Celebration
TDSB SCARBOROUGH TRUSTEES cordially invite you to celebrate EID AL-FITR on Thursday, April 18, 2024
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Woburn Collegiate Institute, 2222 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough
RSVP Here: http://tinyurl.com/58vaahbb
EQAO Parent and Caregiver Webinars
Parents and/or caregivers can register for upcoming EQAO Webinars. Please share this information with your students, staff, and school communities. Click here for the link to the EQAO parent webinar registration page: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Upcoming Elementary Parent/Caregiver webinars are scheduled for: April 3 and April 10.
Summer School at Heritage Park PS
Register today! Visit our elementary summer school website to fill out an online application form, or go directly to URL<www.tdsb.on.ca/summer> and click on the elementary summer school button.
Vasuki.Murphy@tdsb.on.ca
https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/heritagepark/
Other TDSB Summer Programs
Explore various TDSB summer programs now open for registration at the TDSB. Programs include:
Elementary
TDSB Virtual Community Fair For Parents/Caregivers of Children, Youth and Young Adults with Special or Complex Needs
Topic: Let’s Talk about Enhancing the Quality of Life for your Child, Youth, Young Adult with Special/Complex Needs
Come meet with Community Partners to discuss important considerations necessary that will improve your child’s quality of life. Important subjects to be covered are Wills, Trusts, when Guardianship and/or a Power of Attorney is helpful, Disability Tax Credit (DTC) as well as setting up a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). You will also get information about Person-Directed Planning and Partners for Planning which provides resources parents/caregivers can utilize in identifying goals and planning for the future of their child with special/complex needs.
Guests: Pooran Law, Community Living Toronto, and Partners for Planning
When: Monday, April 15th, 2024, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon and the same information will be repeated on Monday, April 22nd, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 255 846 447 429
Passcode: 3BWFVF
Download Teams | Join on the web
For more information send email to virtualfairinfo@tdsb.on.ca
Or call Larena Case at 416-570-3314 or Maria Antonia Aymerich at 416-524-1930 or Vanessa Wong at 647-229-0730.
Launch of Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System
The Ministry of Education is pleased to inform you that the Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System was launched this past month.
This new resource will provide parents with helpful information that supports them to have a stronger role and actively participate in their children’s education. The guide covers several subjects such as knowing how their child is doing in school, learning about suspension and expulsion processes, attending a school council meeting or parent involvement committee meeting, and knowing about specialized supports to help all children succeed.
This initiative is part of the government’s recent efforts to increase transparency and accountability in our school system.
The full guide can be found at www.Ontario.ca/educationguide.
**NEW TDSB Webpages**
Substance Use, Misuse and Abuse Resources for Parents, Caregivers, Guardians, Staff and Youth
TDSB’s website Substance Use, Misuse and Abuse has information for parents, caregivers, guardians, staff, children and youth which includes tips, identity affirming community agency contacts, and where one can seek supports for youth substance use, misuse and abuse.
Resources to Address Inappropriate Social Media and A.I. Images For Staff, Parents, Caregivers, Guardians, Children and Youth
Welcome to our latest online resource, Resources to Address Inappropriate Social Media Images and AI. dedicated to helping you, Parents, Caregivers, Guardians, Staff, Children and Youth on navigating the digital safety world safely.
Explore preventative measures and intervention strategies for inappropriate social media content, sextortion, and sexting.
Find tips for parents, caregivers, guardians, staff, children, and youth on preventing and addressing inappropriate online content.
Watch a short video from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, offering essential insights into protecting children online.
TDSB Anti-Sex Trafficking Resource Webpage
As part of our commitment to combating sex trafficking, TDSB’s anti-sex trafficking professional development resources and learnings, in alignment with the TDSB Anti-Sex Trafficking Policy P099, are below. Please share the myPath links to staff and the webinars to staff, parents, caregivers, and guardians
Calendar
Embed://
2 - Click on this icon to add the calendar to your personal calendar!
TDSB Days of Significance
Sikh Heritage Month at the TDSB – April 2024
Sikh Heritage Month has been proudly recognized at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) since 2016 as the Board of Trustees voted to designate April of each year as Sikh Heritage Month making the TDSB the first school board in Canada to do so. Sikh Heritage Month is recognized nationally across Canada.
This year’s the Sikh Heritage Month’s theme is Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind). According to Sikh beliefs, Chardi Kala is a state of mind that radiates positive energy, optimistic attitude, strong confidence, and virtuosity. With true belief in the supreme power of the Almighty and the oneness of humanity, this state of mind can pave a way for the well-being and happiness of all.
The TDSB community, students, and staff are invited to join our virtual Sikh Heritage Month launch to learn about the Sikh heritage and traditions! Join us for a remarkable morning of information and celebration on Wednesday, April 3rd from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., zoom webinar link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/94688340698).
The results of our Sikh Heritage Month Poster/Video Challenge are posted below. Kudos to all our students for their submissions, we’re so proud!
The Sikh Heritage Committee is continuing with its Podcasts series that began last year. This year, we’ve added two new podcast episodes that reflect our current theme of Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind):
§ Episode 1 looks at SEVA: Selfless Service (Episode 1 Transcript);
§ Episode 2 discusses Oneness: Equity and Justice for All (Episode 2 Transcript);
§ Episode 3 talks about Chardi Kala: External Resilience: Optimism and Joy (Episode 3 Transcript).
§ *NEW* Episode 4: Chardi Kala and Education with Guest Superintendent Harpreet Singh Ghuman (Episode 4 Transcript )
§ *NEW* Episode 5: Chardi Kala and the Arts with Guest Author Harman Kaur (Episode 5 Transcript)
Lastly during the month of April, Sikh Canadians recognize Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, which celebrates the Sikh New Year across Ontario. This year Khalsa Day will be celebrated on Sunday, April 28 in downtown Toronto at Exhibition Place This celebration is the third largest parade in Canada with thousands of individuals joining in the festivities! We hope you are available to join the festivities and celebrate!
Latin-America History Month at the TDSB: April 2024
The month of April is proudly recognized as Latin–America History Month at the Toronto District School Board. This year the focus and theme of 2024 is: "Weaving Our Legacies: Return to Our Collective Path | Enlazar Nuestres Legados: Volver a Nuestre Camino Colectivo."
The “e” in Nuestres was purposefully chosen to disrupt the dominant and default patriarchal binary gender grammar system of the colonial language of Spanish. The intentional use of the letter “e” as gender inclusive was created by LGBTQIA+, gender non-binary, and feminist communities in what is recognized today as Latin-America.
Sources: https://callmelatine.wordpress.com/
Since the creation of the Latin-America History Month Volunteer Planning Committee in 2016, the membership, which is comprised of educators, community organizers, parents/caregivers and TDSB staff and alumni, continues to ensure that we are reflective of all intersectional differences within our communities of Latin-America / Abya Yala / Pachamama and its diaspora, including those right here at the TDSB.
In alignment with this year's theme, we are centering weaving individual and collective legacies of resistance, struggles, joy, love, and healing as peoples of the Latin-America / Abya Yala / Pachamama and its diaspora. While also focusing on the communal purpose of raising consciousness and moving towards reclaiming our whole authentic selves and a (re)commitment to reciprocal relations, solidarity, and action towards a just world.
During the month of April, several activities are being planned for students, staff, and community members. We invite everyone to join us to kick off Latin-America History Month with a virtual launch, on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Should you miss this event a video will be posted afterwards for all to enjoy!
Reminders...
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for all TDSB English Kindergarten programs begins in February. 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.
Preparing for High School Information for Grade 8 Families
Grade 8 to 9 Transition Timeline: Visit the TDSB Beyond 8 website.
Please use the Grade 8 Transition Year - At a Glance to help navigate the Grade 8 to 9 Transition process this year.
Resources:
§ To view the Secondary School Virtual Open Houses and Information Sessions, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Open-Houses-and-Information-Nights
§ For more information about transitioning from Grade 8 to 9 in the TDSB, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Beyond-8
§ For more information about the Central Student Interest Programs in the TDSB, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/csip
§ For more information about Alternative Schools in the TDSB please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/alternativeschools/
Contact Information:
Grade 8 families and students should connect with their Teachers, Elementary Guidance Teachers, and Principals for more information.
Learn4Life Adult Community Programs - Spring 2024 Registration Now Open!
Spring 2024 registration is now open for Learn4Life's Adult General Interest Program! Open to adults 18 years of age and seniors, the Learn4Life program offers a unique and valuable opportunity for individuals to pursue their interests, expand their knowledge, and engage in lifelong learning with a wide range of courses and activities designed to cater to diverse interests and passions.
Just some of the new courses this term include:
- Pickleball Power Hour: Smash and Drive Mastery
- Birdwatching for Beginners – Explore Feathered Gems Right in Our Backyard!
- Feng Shui
- Payroll Level II
- Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking
- Introduction to Henna Body Art and the Ancient Art of Mehndi
- Sweet, Savoury, Flaky and Fun!
- Latin Rhythms: Salsa and Merengue for All
- Outdoor Soccer
- Aerobics to the 80’s! Let’s Get Physical
- Creating A New Vision for My Life
- Personal Finance and Investment Basics for Women
- Arabic Beginner Level II
AND MUCH MORE
Visit Learn4Life’s program page for more information.