Please find the full version of Trustee Pei's newsletter in the Trustee's Corner section.

Dear Cummer Valley Parents, Guardians and Caregivers:

This is an important reminder that all parents are invited to attend an Internet Safety Presentation by Paul Davis on Monday, March 3, 2025 @6pm (Zion Heights Middle School, 5900 Leslie Street)

Have you ever wondered about how to keep your children safe on the internet? -  Smartphones Security, Cyberbullying, Sexting/Sextortion, and Internet Safety ...

Paul Davis is a recognized Cybersecurity expert and will be speaking to our parents. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Join this in-person presentation with social media & cybersecurity expert, Paul Davis at Zion Heights MS (5900 Leslie Street) - Monday, March 3 @6 -7 PM • This content of this presentation is for adults only. • Childminding will be available with registration. • Parking will be available on-site.

Please register here for this FREE event.

Dear Cummer Valley Families:

We are pleased to announce a few upcoming events that will celebrate and support the students, parents and school community. The School Council is truly appreciative of your amazing support of our Pizza Lunches in the last few weeks. Although we had to postpone the Parent Interviews due to the snow day, many parents were able to reschedule the teacher meetings for alternate time. The consistent connection between teachers and parents is an important strategy for student success. We are truly appreciative of this opportunity. Many students continue to be active in clubs, teams and arts activities; and many students are taking advantage of the Term 2 Free Literacy and Numeracy Tutoring Program offered to our Grade 7 and 8 students. This information is posted on our website, and parents can still sign up if they wish. https://forms.gle/8aQqRcXuYWvoQUQMA

Our School Council is partnered with the CICS Settlement Workers and our school staff to organize events for our families that celebrate the diversity and lived experiences of our school community. As in previous years, the school partners have organized events and activities for meaningful engagement and celebration of our community. We are fast approaching that time of year again where our Muslim families will be observing the holy month of Ramadan. In consultation with our parents and the MSA (Muslim Students Association), if students require accommodations for fasting, please do not hesitate to contact the main office. Ramadan Mubarak to those who will be observing Ramadan. Feedback from the monthly council meetings have also identified some areas of learning and improvement such as reviewing the Cafeteria food options, School and Traffic Safety and learning about Internet Safety.

Please take note and we hope you can participate in the following upcoming events - more to come. Everyone is welcome!

March 3, 2025 @6-7pm (Zion Heights Middle School) - Internet Social Networking Safety Presentation - Paul Davis, Cybersecurity Expert, jointly presented by Zion Heights, Cummer Valley and Highland Middle Schools

Paul Davis Presentation Flyer March 3 2025 Zion Heights.pdf 

March 5, 2025 @11:30am - Pizza Lunch

March 5, 2025 @5-7pm (Cummer Valley Middle School) - Norouz Persian New Year - Celebration & Conversations - partnered with CICS Settlement Workers - contact Kimia Nouri to help out 647-999-8623 Kimia.Nouri@cicscanada.com

Norouz Event at Cummer Valley school-March 5- revised version.pdf 

March 19, 2025 @11:30am - Pizza Lunch

March 26, 2025 @5-7pm (Cummer Valley Middle School) - African Heritage - Celebration & Conversations - partnered with the TDSB Social Workers and the CVMS Melanin Code Society

April 23, 2025 @6-7:30pm (Cummer Valley Middle School) - School Council Meeting

May 21, 2025 @6-7:30pm (Cummer Valley Middle School) - School Council Meeting

June 11, 2025 @6-7:30pm (Cummer Valley Middle School) - School Council Meeting

June 12, 2025 @5-7pm (Cummer Valley Middle School) - OPEN HOUSE - welcoming incoming Grade 5 Students

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the school or school council if you have any questions or suggestions for inclusion in our meetings. 

~Cummer Valley Middle School & School Council

8 to 9 Transitions: Webinars and Resources

Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers and Students in Grades 7 and 8, 

A smooth transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9 contributes to a strong foundation for success in secondary school and beyond. Grade 8 is a time for students to look to the future and begin thinking about their selection of courses for Grade 9 and throughout high school. The information and links below will assist Grade 8 students and families in planning:

• Open Houses and Information Sessions
• TDSB Beyond 8 website
• Out-of-Area Admissions
• Secondary Schools without a Boundary
• Central Student Interest Programs website

Please note: There is a ‘Translate’ button at the top of the TDSB website that will translate the contents of the web pages to your preferred language.

Preparing for High School Webinars
The TDSB will host two Preparing for High School Information Sessions, including:

1. Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transitions: October 29, 2024 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
   Registration Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tzXpk9qmTrmFOTCCreWMtw

This session will focus on the Top 10 Tips and Considerations in the Transition to High School. This presentation is designed to augment the work already taking place through secondary open houses and at the Grade 8 schools. For more information, visit the TDSB Beyond 8 website.
 

1. Student Interest Programs: October 30, 2024 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
   Registration Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MFibCA5VSoqLJqDF0B6QSg
   The TDSB offers over 50 programs with a particular focus. These programs are for anyone who demonstrates an interest and passion in the particular program area. The Student Interest Program Webinar will provide more information about Secondary Schools without a Boundary, local programs, Out-of-Area Admissions and applying to Central Student Interest Programs (CSIP), including:
   • Arts Focus Programs/Schools  
   • Exceptional Athlete Program
   • Integrated Technology School 
   • International Baccalaureate Programs 
   • Leadership Pathway Program 
   • Math, Science & Technology Programs 

Application for CSIP programs opens on November 4 and closes on November 22, 2024 at 4 p.m. 

Requests for interpretation services can be made in the registration form and must be made no later than Friday, October 25, 2024. The recordings of these events will be available on the TDSB Guidance site.

To further support students and families with the application process, TDSB staff will host two Central Student Interest Program Application Support Sessions to answer questions that students or families may have about the application. Live, online support will be available on the following dates:

o  November 12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (Click here to join)

o  November 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Click here to join)         

Staff will not be able to answer specific program and/or school-based questions.  

For more information about the programs available at schools across the TDSB, attend the schools’ Open Houses and Information Sessions. To learn more about the central student interest programs, visit the Central Student Interest Programs website.

Students with Special Education Needs

Students with an exceptionality for whom a change in setting or program is being considered for grade 9 will be discussed at the Annual IPRC Review. Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and no formal identification, will be discussed at the School Support Team (SST) meeting. Please note this meeting will occur with the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver(s). 

Grade 8 to 9 Transition Timeline

Please use the Grade 8 Transition Year - At a Glance to help navigate the Grade 8 to 9 Transition process this year.

TDSB Elementary Central Student Interest Programs

Applications for elementary Central Student Interest Programs open soon. At the elementary level, we offer arts-focused programs at four different schools in the TDSB. Application for these school programs open on November 4, 2024 and closes on November 22 at 4 p.m. 

Learn more about each of these programs on the elementary central student interest programs website. You can also review program and application requirements, get dates for upcoming open houses and webinars and all application timelines. 

October 30, 2024 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. - Student Interest Program Webinar
Registration link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MFibCA5VSoqLJqDF0B6QSg

Parents/Guardians/Caregivers are asked to register for the event prior to the Webinar. Requests for interpretation services can be made in the registration form by Friday, October 25, 2024.

To further support students and families with the application process, TDSB staff will be hosting two (2) Central Student Interest Program Application Support Sessions to answer questions that students or families may have about the application. Live, online support will be available on the following dates:

o  November 12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (Click here to join)

o  November 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Click here to join)

Staff will not be able to answer specific program and/or school-based questions. Families are encouraged to attend Open Houses for school- and program-specific information.  

To register, use this link.

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

As we embark on October and the fall season, we are thankful for a smooth start to the school year and the amazing staff that have created all the opportunities for our students. Please take note of the following 2 dates. You are invited to an introduction to the school and meet our teachers on October 10, 2024. You will learn about the programs and extra-curricular and co-curricular activities at the school.

Cummer Valley Curriculum Night 2024

Thursday, October 10, 2024

6:00-8:00pm - Cafeteria

*You are also invited to our first School Council Meeting on October 16, 2024.

School Council Meeting - October 16, 2024 @ 6:00-7:30pm – Please complete the form if you are interested in helping out on council this year or would like to serve in a formal capacity in the School Council

https://forms.gle/jiHVtLKF4ehL4oBfA

We hope to see you all!
Esther Leung Tou, Principal and Kin Irving, Vice-Principal