November

Dear Crerar Families, 

 

It is hard to believe that we are already in November of the current school year. Thank you to all parents/caregivers who were able to attend the School Council Meeting on October 12 and engaged in the rich discussions that took place. Our next Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on November 9th. Thank you also to all the parents/caregivers who were able to help support the Cross Country event by either driving athletes and/or helping to supervise students. Your help is much appreciated. We also appreciate the staff members who helped to coach and support the team! Bravo! Thank you also to the caregivers who were able to drive our Flag Football team members to their tournament! We are grateful for your support!

 

November is Indigenous Education Month at the Toronto District School Board! Throughout the month, students, staff, and community members honour a number of important days to deepen knowledge, learn from our shared histories, and strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. It is important to remember to centre First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives, voices, histories, and contemporary realities across the TDSB every day. This month places emphasis on creating opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives on treaties, leadership, achievements, resurgence, futurities, and creativity. The TDSB is committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (TRC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

 

Hindu Heritage Month (HHM) is recognized and celebrated at the TDSB during the month of November.  Hindu dharma is one of the oldest living religions which have flourished for over 10,000 years.  It is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the rich tapestry of traditions, teachings, and values that are integral to Hindu dharma and practiced by millions around the world today.  November is an opportunity to celebrate the Hindu way of life, examine its impact and contributions to the world culture, and recognize values that promote compassion, peace, and inclusion.

 

For families who have Grade 8 children, please go to the Grade 8 to 9 Transitions tab on our school website to learn more about the process of transitioning to high school. Please also visit some of the Open Houses offered so that you can make informed decisions. 

 

TDSB schools do have a Scent Awareness policy, and it is to be mindful of bringing/wearing scent and scent-related products. We do have staff and students who are very sensitive to perfumes, lotions, and other products that have scents. Symptoms range from skin irritation to trouble breathing (Asthma) to other respiratory issues. Although products with scent cannot be entirely avoided, being mindful of not wearing/bringing products that have strong scent can help provide a bit of relief for those who suffer from scent. A reminder to families that "Nutella" (chocolate spread) does contain nuts and should not be brought to school. We have several students who are allergic to nuts, and Nutella contains hazelnuts, which should not be brought to school. Thank you for understanding. 

 

We would like to invite parents/guardians to our school on Tuesday, November 14th at 9 a.m. for a special presentation offered by the Toronto Public Library (TPL). A light appreciation breakfast will be served for those who attend as well. TPL will share with you the endless possibilities around supporting families with attaining knowledge not just through books but through valuable programs as well. Thank you Community Support Worker, Donna Cardoza, who was able to secure this special presentation for our school. TPL will share some information about the items below, and more!

  • Diverse Language Collection: TPL offers a remarkable selection of books in over 40 different languages, including Anishinaabemowin, Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Mandarin, Tamil, and of course, French and English. This means your child can explore the world and its cultures without leaving your local library.
  • Wide Range of Formats: Whether your child prefers the tactile experience of flipping through the pages of a physical book or the convenience of digital reading, TPL has it all. With regular print books, ebooks, and audiobooks, there's something for every young reader's taste.
  • Read Along for Kids: TPL  Read Along collection is a fantastic resource for children. With physical books that come with audio reading aloud, children can embark on literary adventures independently or with your guidance.

This presentation will highlight some resources that can make a meaningful impact on your child's learning journey. Please join us for an engaging and informative morning after you drop off your child(ren), and have breakfast with us! We hope to see you there. 

 

library

 

 

School updates and information will be shared in our monthly newsletters which will be posted on our school website: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/generalcrerar. Also, visit the Community Supports page often (updated regularly) to learn about various learning/job opportunities and how you can support your child(ren) and family throughout the year.  Please also read Trustee Shan's Webpage which contains his monthly newsletters here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward17/Ward-17/Ward-17-Newsletters.

 

Stronger Together,

 

Ms. Lin

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

School Council Meeting: November 9th at 6:00 p.m.

Toronto Public Library Presentation at Crerar; Light Breakfast:  November 14th at 9:00 a.m.

Parent/Teacher Interviews:  November 16th (p.m.) and November 17th (a.m.)

P.A. Day: November 17

Photo Re-take Day: November 21