Dear Manhattan Park Families,
I would like to thank everyone for working in partnership to make a very successful school year. With only a few weeks left of school, we are still packing in as much learning and fun as possible. We met our newest members at Manhattan Park on our Welcome to Kindergarten afternoon, which took place on May 21. The Spring Concert on May 22 was a huge success as students entertained families with a great show. Thank you staff for preparing our students and supporting all the behind-the-scenes work required for the special night. The Bake Sale from the Parent Council was also a huge success, bringing in over $500 for the school.
The annual MP Track and Field event for Grade 1-6 students on May 27 was a great afternoon filled with students participating in a variety of track and field events. All qualifying Junior students will compete at Birchmount Stadium on June 11 with their peers cheering them on as spectators. For Primary students, the Run, Jump and Throw Event will happen on June 18 with other schools onsite. A day of fun for Rooms 2, 3 and 5 is May 29 when our students can participate in physical activities at Variety Village for the annual Barrier Free games for our students with Special Needs. A reminder to all students that May 30 is Future Self Day. On this day, students can get dressed as their future selves. On Saturday, June 7, the Parent Council will be hosting a Fun Fair at the school. All students must be accompanied by an adult. More details can be found on the School Council web page. The Dance Fest is on June 9 for students who are a part of the Dance Club, while the final Bam Dance session for our students with Special Needs will be on June 10. Thank you Ms. Skrivanos and Ms. Shorey for supporting these amazing extra-curricular activities for our students. Thank you also to Mr. Babak for supporting the Manhattan Park Soccer Club every day during the lunch hour for our students!
A special event for our Senior Kindergartens will take place on June 20 at 12:45 p.m. as we celebrate their completion of the Kindergarten program. On the same afternoon, starting at 4:00 p.m., we will be having a Farewell Ceremony to wish our Grade 6s well as they transition to Grade 7 at their new school.
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate and learn from First Nations, Métis and Inuit about the diverse cultures, histories, experiences, creations, perspectives, and achievements. This is a day of significance for many Indigenous peoples in the country we call Canada today. It marks the day when the sun is closest to the Earth. It is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit celebrate the summer solstice. It is a time that reminds us to remain grounded, humble and appreciative. Throughout the year, teachers have embedded and integrated Indigenous perspectives and awareness into the various subject areas.
Sharing the many ways in which we identify with our heritage can provide powerful and meaningful learning opportunities that celebrate who we are, where we've come from and where we may be going. Below are some of the celebrations that are happening in June.
In June, the TDSB marks Pride Month across all TDSB schools and sites. Pride Month is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and reflect on the important work that must continue to make our schools and workplaces more inclusive, welcoming and affirming for all.
Italian Heritage Month is also recognized during June at the TDSB since May 2012. Maintaining Italian traditions and customs from generation to generation are very important and elderly members within families and communities are the key to preserving the vibrant culture of the Italian heritage. There are many exciting stories from Italian ancestors whose contributions helped shape our Canadian cultural mosaic, reaffirm identity, unite future generations, and create new customs and traditions for us to embrace.
Additionally, Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month is proudly recognized during June at the TDSB and has been since 2011. The contributions of the Portuguese-speaking heritage to Canada are significant as they include the arts, sports, music, culinary arts, and many professional contributions to educational and medical service areas. Canadians, along with all TDSB students, staff, and its communities and beyond enjoy the energetic and vibrant traditions that are shared through the customs of this heritage.
The month of June serves as a platform for raising awareness about the distinctive challenges encountered by individuals with an identified dual sensory loss. Deafblindness, a combination of sight and hearing loss to varying degrees, profoundly impacts communication, mobility, learning, and access to information. Those who are deafblind often rely on alternative communication methods, such as tactile sign language, braille, or assistive technology.
Please join me in saying "thank you and goodbye" to Mr. Knight, who will teach at another school for the 2025-2026 school year. We wish him all the best. We also want to show appreciation and say thank you and farewell to our Long Term Occasional Teachers, Mr. Tam, Ms. Khan and Ms. Meraglia who have supported our French/Arts Program, Rooms 3 and 5 respectively. We thank Ms. Manikandan, who has supported Room 5 as well. We also appreciate the work of Ms. Bhoopaul in supporting our Kindergarten class. Finally, we wish Ms. Koehler all the best in her new school. Thank you all staff for your dedication and commitment to student success!
As the school year comes to a close, families may feel a mix of excitement and the need for extra support. The TDSB Summer 2025 Well-Being Guide is here to help, offering culturally responsive and identity-affirming resources to support the mental well-being of both students and families throughout the summer. From mindfulness practices and creative activities to physical movement and access to local programs, the guide includes a wide range of tools to help every family enjoy a healthy, balanced summer. Your child's teacher/class/room for the 2025-2026 school year will be posted on the main entrance windows towards the final weeks of August. Please come by then during one of your summer walks in the neighbourhood. If your address and contact information will be changing over the summer, please call/email the school so that records can be updated. The last day of school is Friday, June 27. The first school day for the new school year is Tuesday, September 2. From Manhattan Park staff to all students and families, we wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy summer.
Warmly,
Ms. Lin
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Please visit the School Council Page or tab to see what the Council has been doing to support student well-being and achievement. Also, learn about various home-school partnerships 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.