Dear Parkdale Families,
Next week of course is Halloween. Here at Parkdale, we take a low key approach to this holiday as many families do not celebrate Halloween. However, students (and staff) are welcome to dress up on the 31st. We ask that if your child’s costume include a mask that the mask be left at home for the day as it may be a safety concern if worn at school. Furthermore, if children’s costumes include any type of replica weapon, that these also are left home. Each class may be doing some various fun activities, so please check in with your child’s teacher regarding any special plans.
Photo Retakes
You should have received the proof from photo day earlier this month. On November 5, students who were either absent, or parent has requested a photo retake (please send a note with this request to your child’s teacher) will have pictures taken. In addition, if parents would like to have a photo of siblings taken, please complete the form that was sent home (here’s a copy)
Toys at School
We are continuing to have issues with students bringing toys to school. In particular, Pokemon cards and Bay Blades. Often, these items result in conflict over lost, stolen or other issues. For this reason, we are asking parents to please do not allow your children to bring these to school. If staff see these items, we will confiscate them and return them to the children at the end of the day. Thanks for your support with this!
School Council Funding Requests
Funding requests for all programs should be requested by filling out the following form and returning it by October 31st. Preference is given to the programs that target multiple pillars.
All requests should be filled out by Oct. 31 for consideration in November meeting. If funds remain, additional requests will be considered.
This message will be posted on Facebook as well. Please feel free to spread the word if you know of teachers or parents looking to sponsor a program this year.
French Programs Application Deadline
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's French Immersion or Extended French programs, we offer an online process at this time, we guarantee an offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) to all on-time applicants. The timelines for applying for these programs for September 2020 are:
• Applications for Early French Immersion which begins in SK (for a Junior Kindergarten aged child), must be completed online between November 4, 2019 and November 29, 2019.
• Applications for Junior Extended French which begins in Grade 4 must be completed online between January 6, 2020 and January 31, 2020. Please note that this will be the last entry class for this program as it will be transitioning out - Grade 4 Immersion Program will continue
Offers of placement within your chosen program will be made to all on-time applicants in the weeks following the close of the application window.
Please note that families with an older sibling currently in a French program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
Please also note that transportation for French programming is currently being reviewed and there may be reduced bussing offered for all in French programming from 2020 and onward. Please note there may be uncertainty at the time of the application.
For further information about French as a Second Language programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french.
High School Information Nights
To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools host open houses and information nights for parents and students each year between October and January. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. Please click here for the schedule https://www.tdsb.on.ca/OpenHouse. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.
Please note that not all programs/schools are open to Optional Attendance if you do not live in the school's catchment area. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability. The procedures, conditions and timelines relating to optional attendance are described in the Optional Attendance Policy and the Optional Attendance Operational Procedure. Each year in December, schools are classified as limited or closed to optional attendance based on the space they have available for the upcoming school year.
Dates to Remember
- November 5 - Photo Retake Day
- November 6 - School Council Meeting
- November 12 - Progress Report Goes Home
- November 14-15 Parent Teacher Interviews
- November 15 PA Day
Follow us on Twitter @ParkdalePS