Dear Parkdale Families,

This week we had a well attended School Council meeting where items including budget and committee reports were given. Past minutes and agendas are shared prior to meetings, so if you are interested, please look for these documents in early December. If you have any questions regarding School Council, please email, parkdaleparentcouncil@gmail.com.

Another important agenda item at the meeting was around issues with the increase in aggressive behaviour incidents in our school yard. In particular, these incidents have involved students in grades 1,2 and 3. Often referred to as “bullying” incidents, these issues mostly involve students who during play become emotionally dysregulated and attempt to solve the issue through some sort of physical aggression (i.e. hitting, pushing, kicking etc.). These incidents are difficult for supervisors to prevent because they happen quickly. Hence, we have been brainstorming ways in which the school can work to further student's learning regarding how to better regulate emotions when things get heated.

Some of the ideas generated include: teaching games for primary students in their Physical Education classes that students can then continue playing during recess. Ensuring students are reminded and are in a proper mindset before going out for recess. In fact, this week, we have experimented with a mindful minute before leaving the lunch room. Another resource is soliciting the help of both our social worker and potentially an organization called CDI (Child Development Institute) to create social skills groups with students as well as entire classes. Classroom teachers are also discussing the issues during community circles within the classroom.

It’s important to note that the school cannot do this work alone. It takes the partnership between school and home to ensure that expectations and acceptable behaviours are consistent. Putting your hands on another student to fix your problem is NOT AN OPTION. Once again, please have this discussion with your children at home. There are two sides to every incident, and often the escalation can be avoided when students take the time to think about what they and others are doing.

Progress Report Cards

On Tuesday, students will be bringing home their Progress Report Card. You will see the progress your child is making at this point in the school year. However, teachers will not be using letter grades or percentage marks.

Your child’s progress is reported as follows:

The first page indicates how well your child is developing the learning skills and work habits that are essential for success. They are:

• Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative, Self Regulation

The second page provides a report on your child’s overall progress towards the achievement of curriculum expectations. Your child’s teacher(s) will check one of the following to indicate:

• progressing very well, progressing well, progressing with difficulty

An essential part of this reporting period is the parent-teacher interview which shoudl be happening throughout the week. This face to face meeting is so important to discuss your child’s strengths and areas to improve.

A Message from the School Council Eco Committee

Parkdale has a newly formed Green Team made up of teachers and parents. Each week, we will share one “Green” tip to help shrink our school community’s eco-footprint. If you’d like to be a part of Parkdale’s Green Team, send Jen an email at jensmball@gmail.com.

Your Tip of the Week from Parkdale School’s Green Team!

Did you know it can take up to 1000 years for a used marker to decompose in a landfill? Sadly, the City of Toronto does not accept pens and markers in the blue bin. If you’ve got any dried-up pens or markers at home, tuck them in your child’s school bag. Parkdale has a new bin near the office especially for this type of landfill clutter. We’ll make sure your used pens and markers are recycled and turned into something useful.

Tired of throwing all those dried-up colouring markers and pens in the garbage? Then bring them to school for recycling through our Marker Recycling Program! You or your child can drop them in the collection box outside the office (see photo). Once the box is full, they will be taken to Staples for recycling; Staples works with TerraCycle to create new products such as benches, picnic tables, and even playgrounds. Note that any brand of pens and pen caps, mechanical pencils, markers and marker caps, highlighters and highlighter caps, permanent markers and permanent marker caps can be recycled. You can learn more about Staples' recycling program here.

Winter Fair

Dec. 7, 20019 (10:00am - 2:00pm) The Winter Fair needs your help to make it happen!

Please help make this another successful year to help bring our community together for a fun day and raise funds for important initiatives aimed to help our students and school community be well and successful.

We're looking for help and leadership for:

· Arts & crafts lead(s) - plan and coordinate activities for children to enjoy with volunteers - ideas could include decorating wood ornaments, colouring table, etc.

· Entertainment co-lead with Geoff Olsen (organizing performances, acting as MC, helping to set up/take down, etc.)

· New ideas!: Lead something you want to see happen!

· Silent Auction - Support this awesome fundraiser with gift certificates, play or sports tickets, services, and gifts.

· Penny Auction - Donate or collect new gifts for children to try to win with raffle tickets for (4 for $1).

· Lucky Dip - Donate smaller used trinkets and items that kids can pick as a prize for free, help to gift wrap these items beforehand.

· Advertising - Want to be our social media point person? Up for helping us coordinating getting the news out about this event?

Please contact parkdaleparentcouncil@gmail.com to let us know what you can help with!

Neighbourhood Party

Tonight's the night you've been waiting for. I'm sure you haven't had butterflies in your stomach like this since your last high school dance. Here are some of the details:

It's going to be a ton of fun! Lots of Parkdale Parents going so you will definitely know people there.

Geoff Olsen, a Parkdale parent, will be playing a live music set

It's walking distance to your house so you can feel good about your carbon footprint.

All of the money will be going back to people in need in this community! Zero admin fees.

You will dance so wear comfy shoes.

You will get to meet all of those people you see on the street but never say hi to. Your neighbours from the other schools are very excited to have Parkdale as a part of this. So come represent our great school.

Dates to Remember

• November 12 - Progress Report Goes Home
• November 14-15 Parent Teacher Interviews
• November 15 PA Day
• December 6 - PA Day
• December 7 - Parkdale Winter Fair
• December 19 - KG COncert 9:30 AM
• December 20 - last day before Winter Break
• January 6 - School Resumes
• January 17 - PA Day

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