I cannot believe that we have only two more months together. Time flies when students are learning, having fun, and enjoying school. With only a couple of months left of school, please let the office know whether you will be moving and not returning to Manhattan Park in September. It is a privilege and pleasure to work with your children alongside you. Thank you for your partnership.
The polling station for the Federal Election will be held in our school’s gymnasium on April 28, and students and staff will not be able to access this space on this day. Visitors accessing the polling station will enter through the external gym doors. Clear signage will be posted, and elections staff will be on school property to direct voters to the polling station and ensure that they remain in the designated polling area. Schools have an important role in local communities, particularly when it comes to facilitating voting opportunities. These protocols will help maintain separation between the polling station and students so that learning may continue as normal.
Please mark May 22 on your calendar. At 6:00 p.m., doors will open for our Spring Concert! Students and staff have been preparing for weeks. We hope you will be able to join us for the evening. Other dates to note are: May 30, which is Future Self Day. On this day, students can get dressed as their future self. 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 from the School Council will be shared closer to the date.
There is much happening at Manhattan Park as the Mixed Volleyball Club, Dance Club, Blue Spruce Reading Club, Chess Club and LEGO Club continue to meet either during the lunch hour or after school. Thank you to Ms. Skrivanos, Ms. MacNeill, Ms. Wojtowicz, and Ms. Shorey for supporting these extra-curricular activities. Bam Dance will be joining us again on May 13 and June 10 to provide dance lessons for our students with Special Needs. Another fun day for Rooms 2, 3 and 5 is May 29 where our students can participate in physical activities at Variety Village for the annual Barrier Free games. Student-athletes will also soon prepare for the annual Track and Field Meet happening onsite on June 18 for our Primary students. We will be hosting multiple schools that day for a day of competitive fun!
Yes, there is still quite a bit of snow just north of us in Huntsville. Ms. Rankin's Grade 5/6 class had a great time outdoors on their overnight camp trip. Everyone had loads of fun and arrived safely home just in time for the April long weekend.
A friendly reminder to families to refrain from walking through the Parking Lot. Using designated walkways helps to ensure the safety of everyone and is good practise for our youngest students. Another good habit to maintain is coming to school on time. Arriving to school late on a regular basis disrupts the learning and teaching rhythms of the classroom.
This year’s TDSB Asian Heritage Month theme for the month of May, Asian Canadians Up and Rising, celebrates the strength, resilience, and achievements of Asian Canadian communities. It recognizes individuals and groups who have contributed to shaping Canada’s past and present, while also highlighting emerging voices and future leaders. For students and staff in the TDSB community, this theme serves as an opportunity to explore stories of perseverance and embrace the unique identities that contribute to both the school community and to the diverse Asian diaspora in Canada. May is Jewish Heritage Month. The Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Jewish Canadians have made to Ontario’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Jewish Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the inspirational role that Jewish Canadians have played, and continue to play, in communities across Ontario. By learning about and celebrating these diverse perspectives, schools can promote inclusivity, equity, and a deeper appreciation for Asian and Jewish Canadians.
There are a few milestones that will be taking place in the next few weeks. We look forward to all our new Junior Kindergartens arriving to school in the coming Fall. Our Welcome to Kindergarten Event will be on May 21 at 3:30 p.m. 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.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will once again offer summer school programs from July 2nd to 25th for students. Here is the link for more information: Elementary Summer School. For students currently enrolled in the Developmental Disability, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or Physical Disabilities Intensive Support Programs (ISPs), this information flyer and the Special Education and Inclusion Summer Program site will contain more details. All of these half-day programs will be held in person at various locations throughout the TDSB. Students will be supported in developing their independence through programming in functional literacy and numeracy skills, activities of daily living, communication, and social skills.
May 11 is Mother's Day. Wishing all in various roles of motherhood a Happy, upcoming, Mother's Day!
Stronger Together,
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. Our next School Council Meeting is scheduled for May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Here is the link to join the virtual meeting: Join the meeting now. Please also read Trustee Shan's Webpage which contains his monthly newsletters here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward17/Ward-17/Ward-17-Newsletters.