Dear General Crerar Families,

 

Thank you families for attending Curriculum Night. It was so nice to meet those who were able to join us. If you were unable to join, there will be other opportunities for parents to connect with the school. If you have questions for staff, please email or call the school for an appointment to meet with the teacher. Although we welcome all parents/guardians into the building, please refrain from walking into the hallway without checking in with the office first. Safety is of utmost importance, and all adults in the school must be accounted for. Thank you for your understanding. 

 

We are hoping you consider attending our School Council meetings. Meetings are in-person with a virtual option to join and will alternate between 6 pm and 9 am in the school library. The first Council meeting will take place on October 15 at 6 pm. All parents/caregivers are welcome to attend meetings. After our Parent Council meeting on October 15, Voting Members will elect the Executive Members. Our Parent Council page under “For Parents” on the school website contains more information about School Councils. Here is the link as well: Parent Council Information. 

If you are joining us virtually on October 15, here is the meeting link: Join the meeting now.  Meeting ID: 216 360 159 109.  Passcode: AqpKct

 

Student enrollment has increased recently resulting in a need for increased staff members. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Noun, our new Early Childhood Educator who will be working in room K2 with Ms. Malcolm; Ms. Cheav, our new Grade 5 teacher who will be working in Room 14; as well as Ms. Akhtar, our morning Grade 7 teacher and afternoon Arts teacher! 

 

September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Together we recognize the legacy of Canada's residential school system and continue to learn the many truths of these institutions. At General Crerar, we had a schoolwide reflection/assembly on September 30th, as well as participated in multiple writing and art activities for the past weeks (and will continue the learning yearlong) that incorporate Indigenous knowing, being and learning into classrooms. Thank you, Ms. Cook and Ms. Ahier for organizing events around the school to enhance the learning. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Islamic Heritage Month (IHM) during the month of October. This recognition follows the motion passed by the Board of Trustees on June 22, 2016.  Proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. The TDSB also proudly recognizes Somali Heritage Month during the month of October. The TDSB has been marking Somali Heritage Month since June 2016. Ontario and the TDSB recognizes the economic, political, social and cultural achievements and contributions of Somali Canadians in all aspects of Ontario society. 

 

All families are strongly encouraged to register for a School Cash Online (SCO) account. All excursions and fundraising endeavours will be put on SCO. Here is the parent brochure that gives step-by-step instructions on how to create an SCO account and how to attach your children. Purchases are made using credit cards or e-cheque (so it is not required to have a credit card, just a bank account):  Parent instructions on how to set up SCO account and attach students. More details on our school website: School Cash Online tab.

 

General Crerar is participating in the Terry Fox School Run on October 4. Here is the link to make a donation and continue Terry's legacy: https://schools.terryfox.ca/GeneralCrerarPSScarborough. Thank you for joining us in the fight against cancer! Thank you Ms. Walker and Ms. McLean for organizing the event. On October 7, our Cross Country Runners will be going to Thompson Park for their Meet. Thank you Coaches, Mr. Arnfield, Ms. Routledge, Ms. Walker, and Ms. Sampson for helping our students prepare for the big day. Thank you parent/caregiver volunteer drivers for providing transportation that day as well!

 

Families are invited to join us at General Crerar Public School for our first Chai and Chat / Family Gathering on October 21 at 9:00 a.m.

The Toronto District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school-sponsored activities. Parents/ guardians can decide whether or not to purchase student accident insurance.  The insurance program options range from $17 to $33 per year.

Letter: TDSB Student Accident Insurance Letter

Flyer: Student Accident Plan Flyer

Website: Student Accident Plan

Should further information about the above including the policy or purchasing details, please visit  www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or call 1-833-560-0527 (toll-free) or 416-916-1588 (local).

 

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. From there, you can 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. Trustee Shan's Ward Forum and Events are also posted on his website. 

 

Stronger Together,

Ms. Lin

 

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Important Dates:

Terry Fox Run/Walk:  October 4

P.A. Day:  October 11 (Thanksgiving - October 14)

School Council Meeting: October 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Photo Day: October 17  

Chai and Chat: October 21 at 9:00 a.m.

Photo Re-take Day: November 18