News

News, announcements, and reminders from the council, school, and community.

Pizza Lunch Returns This Week!

Posted: 
Sunday February 12

Pizza Lunch Tuesdays and Pita Pit Thursdays are back starting February 14th and 16th.

Ordering is easy - log on to http://www.lunchboxorders.com and you can order for multiple children, and for as many weeks as you want, at once. If you missed this week, don't worry you can still sign up for next week. Orders have to be in by noon on the Sunday before. 

If you have questions about online ordering, please let us know at info@gardenschoolcouncil.com.

IMPORTANT: Lunch Days can't happen without volunteers. If you can spare an hour on a Tuesday or Thursday at lunch, please let us know. It doesn't have to be every week, but it helps us to have a roster of volunteers to call on. We need 6 volunteers every Tuesday and 3 on Thursdays, starting at 11:30am.

Lunch Lady - UPDATE

Posted: 
Wednesday February 8

Due to unforeseen circumstances we cannot offer Lunch Lady as an option this term. We're working with Lunchbox Orders on a work-around, but in the meantime we are bringing back Pita Pit as the Thursday lunch option.

When you log in to Lunchbox Orders you will now see Pita Pit listed as the option for lunches on Thursdays.

Any parents who have already placed orders for Lunch Lady will be contacted directly by Lunchbox Orders.

We are disappointed to have to make this change and apologize for any confusion.

A reminder, you can sign up for Pizza Lunch Tuesdays and Pita Pit Thursdays online at www.lunchboxorders.com.

We are still in need of volunteers for both Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you can help next week, or any week, let us know at info@gardenschoolcouncil.com. The time commitment is about 1 hour, from 11:30am to 12:30pm.

Safe & Caring Schools Committee

Posted: 
Friday February 3

The next meeting of the Safe and Caring Schools Committee will be held on Tuesday, February 21st at lunch-time. Ms. Hardy welcomes any parents that would like to attend.

This committee looks at strategies to help our students feel supported, included and safe, for example: the creation of a Positive Space within the school that any student can go to if they need to talk to someone.

Financial Support for Field Trips & Activities

Posted: 
Friday February 3

There are lots of great school trips and outings coming up soon! The Grade 5-6 students will be visiting the Island School this year in March for 3 days, which is sure to be an amazing experience for them.

As always, if any family is in need and unable to afford any trip, funds will always be found by either the school or council so that every child is included. Please make yourselves known to a teacher or member of School Council.

Pizza Lunch is back!

Posted: 
Friday February 3

We are very excited to bring back weekly pizza lunches and introduce a new option from the Lunch Lady.

Pizza Lunches - will run every Tuesday from February 14 to the end of the school year.

Lunch Lady - will run for a 4-week trial on Thursdays from February 16 to March 9. We will solicit feedback from parents and students to find out if we should continue with Lunch Lady, or switch to Pita Pit or Subway.

This year, we are trying to go paperless and cashless and will be using Lunchbox Orders as our online ordering solution. You can read more about how to sign up and start ordering in the attached flyer, which will also go home in backpacks this week. Lunchbox Orders allows you to order a week at a time, or for as many weeks as you wish. You can change or cancel your order for the week ahead as late as noon on the Sunday before. 

If you have questions about online ordering, please let us know at info@gardenschoolcouncil.com.

IMPORTANT: Lunch Days can't happen without volunteers. If you can spare an hour on a Tuesday or Thursday at lunch, please let us know. It doesn't have to be every week, but it helps us to have a roster of volunteers to call on. We need 6 volunteers every Tuesday and 3 on Thursdays, starting at 11:30am. 

File(s): 
Lunchbox Orders Introduction Letter

Social Media Fitness Event at Fern Ave. P.S.

Posted: 
Sunday January 29

Fern Avenue P.S. is holding an evening workshop on Wednesday, February 1 from 6:45-8pm in the Auditorium. Social media expert Chris Vollum will be talking to parents about helping their families navigate social media. Fern has invited Garden parents to attend. Childcare is available and there will be snacks for sale.

File(s): 

What does Well-Being mean to you? A Ministry of Education Consultation

Posted: 
Sunday January 29

All TDSB Parents/Caregivers are invited to attend a public consultation being held on Thursday, 2nd February from 6:30-8:30pm at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. 

Presented by the TDSB Mental Health & Well-Being Parent Partnership Committee, this event is an opportunity for all TDSB families to provide their input and feedback to the Ministry of Education on how to enhance and support the well-being of Ontario students.

The evening will include a special presentation on Mindful Parenting & Resilient Children/Youth. Childcare and light refreshments are provided.

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-well-being-mean-to-you-a-ministry...

 

Backpacks for Malawi

Posted: 
Sunday January 29

Garden Ave. is participating in Backpacks for Malawi again this year, from January 30 - February 3. 

TDSB Trustee Marit Stiles and Leslie Feist are the sponsors of this initiative in support of the Dignitas International Teen Club, to provide backpacks for children and teens living with HIV in the African country of Malawi. The backpacks are unexpected allies in helping the kids keep their medication safe and in helping them maintain privacy in a country that still stigmatizes HIV. The bags can be big or small, worn-in or never-used, for kids or adults. Please tuck inside any school supplies, books or games for kids. Markers, tape, notebooks, construction paper, sharpies, pencil cases, tote bags, crayons, decks of cards, books…. anything at all! (though no clothes or shoes, please).

A donation box will be in the foyer of the school from Monday, January 30 to Friday, February 3.

 

Garden School News - Week of Jan 30 - Feb 3

Posted: 
Sunday January 29

We hosted an interesting and engaging Ward 7 Meeting last Tuesday night with our gorgeous Indigenous murals being the backdrop. Thank you to the School Council executive for your organization of the event and to Sonya Gammal and the West End Food Co-op for the yummy food they provided. I would also like to give a special thank you to Charles and Henry (g. 4) for the wonderful slide show of pictures that they created especially for the event.

During the month of February, Celia will be completing all of the new JK registrations for the 2017/2018 school year. To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. If you have a child that is ready to start school in September please book an appointment with Celia.

I have been advised by the TDSB that they will be beginning on the west roof replacement next week. They are hoping to complete most of the work on the weekends however they may need to work a few days during the week as well. I will certainly be letting parents know more information as it becomes available.

I would like to welcome Adele, our new night caretaker to our staff at Garden. I would also like to thank Cheyanne for all her hard work at Garden. She has left the TDSB to become a building superintendent. She will be missed.

Just a reminder to parents; if you have concerns about your child in either the classroom or the school yard, please know that you are always welcome to speak to your child’s teacher. Teachers are always willing to help explain how problems were solved or to support your child if they are experiencing difficulties. If you feel that it is a recurring problem/concern or you need further clarification please know that my door is always open. We spend a great deal of time each and every day teaching and supporting students to learn how to solve problems. If you have questions please ask.

Ms. Hardy

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean” - Ryunosuke Satoro

File(s): 
Parent Week at a Glance - Week of January 31 - February 3

Ward 7 Meeting at Garden

Posted: 
Tuesday January 24

This month's Ward 7 meeting will take place at Garden Avenue Jr. P.S. on Tuesday, January 24 from 7-9pm in the school gym.

Ward 7 meetings happen once a month during the school year and include representatives from all of the schools in Ward 7, and offer an opportunity to hear about TDSB initiatives and issues affecting the Ward (http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/Find%20Your%20School/School/PDF%20Maps/Files/ward7facilities.pdf). Robin Pilkey is the Trustee for Ward 7, and also Chair of the TDSB.

One of the topics for this month's meeting is childcare and the proposed cuts in the City of Toronto budget that will make licensed childcare in schools less accessible. See the attachments for the meeting agenda and more info on the proposed cuts.

Garden School News - Week of Jan 23-27

Posted: 
Sunday January 22

Dental Screening begins on Thursday January 26th. The dental hygienist will receive the list of students who have had parental requests to not be screened and will be following up with students who require feedback. If you do not want your child screened please let Celia know in the office.

February is fast approaching and February is Kindergarten Registration Month. At Garden, our Kindergarten teachers recognize that children come to school with diverse backgrounds and rich experiences. Our Kindergarten programs will build upon these experiences and support child to learn, grow, and succeed.

Our youngest learners benefit from engaging in a variety of rich and authentic learning, both indoors and outdoors. Our classroom programs are designed to bring The Kindergarten Program 2016 to life by providing children opportunities to learn through play, inquiry, and exploration. Throughout the two-year Kindergarten program, classroom educators support the children in developing their sense of belonging, well-being, and problem solving skills. Throughout the day, children explore literacy, mathematics, science, physical education and the arts.

To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. Please come and visit with Celia in the office to book your appointment to register.

Your child's lifelong journey of learning begins at the Garden Avenue Public School!

Ms. Hardy

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean”
- Ryunosuke Satoro

File(s): 
Parent Week at a Glance - Week of January 23-27

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Posted: 
Friday December 23

It has been such a busy and successful first half of the school year.  Together as a team; Teachers, Students and Parents we have all worked hard, worked smart and worked together.  To one and all, I wish you a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays. May you spend beautiful moments with your friends and loved ones; May you find time to rest, relax and rejuvenate for the excitement that 2017 brings!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

We look forward to seeing everyone on January 9th in the New Year 2017.

Ms. Hardy

Primary Night of the Arts

Posted: 
Sunday December 18

Please mark your calendars on Tuesday December 20th at 6:15-7:30 PM for our Primary Night of the Arts. Our primary students are so excited to show off their beautiful art which will be displayed throughout the first floor of the school. There will also be performances from the Primary Choir Club and the Ukulele Club beginning at 6:15 PM in the gym.

Please note: Students that are performing in the Primary Choir Club and Ukulele Club are asked to arrive in Room 105 for 5:45 PM. They are asked to wear black bottoms and white tops or anything festive.

We are looking forward to a wonderful evening celebrating Primary Arts at Garden.

Garden School News - Week of Dec 19-23

Posted: 
Sunday December 18

Please join us for a Primary Night of the Arts on Tuesday December 20 at 6:15PM – 7:30 PM. Our primary students are so excited to show off their beautiful art which will be displayed throughout the first floor of the school. Please take some time to visit all of the exhibits.

There will be some performances along with the Primary Choir Club and our Ukulele Club beginning at 6:15PM in the Gym. Parents may choose to join us in the gym for these performances and/or peruse the school to see your child’s art.

Please be sure to stop in the library and shop at our Another Story Book Fair.

Please note: Students that are performing gin the Primary Choir Club and Ukulele Club are asked to arrive in Room 105 for 5:45 PM. They are asked to wear black bottoms and white tops or anything festive.

We are looking forward to a wonderful evening celebrating Primary Arts at Garden.

Friday will be the last day of school before our two week Holiday vacation. Please do remind your child to bring all of their clothing and backpacks home for the Holidays, especially their lunches. We are all looking forward to a fresh smelling New Year.

Ms. Hardy

File(s): 
Parent Week at a Glance - Week of December 19-23

Garden School News - Week of Dec 12-16

Posted: 
Sunday December 11

Congratulations to our first Garden Robotics Team!! They competed last Saturday at Runnymede Collegiate and were able to complete 5 missions and even win an award – The Gracious Professionalism Award. This award was presented to a team that “encouraged high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community”. Thank you to Ms. Umezawa, Ms. Childs, Ms. Chawla, Mr. McClure and Ms. Baum for all your hard work preparing our team. And to our Robotics team thanks for making us all so proud!!

Please mark your calendars on Tuesday December 20th at 6:15-7:30 PM for our Primary Night of the Arts. Our primary students are so excited to show off their beautiful art which will be displayed throughout the first floor of the school. There will also be performances from the Primary Choir Club and the Ukulele Club beginning at 6:15 PM in the gym.

Our book fair is coming! On Tuesday, December 20th, from 3:30 until the end of the Primary Arts night, we will have our annual Holiday Book Fair with Another Story Bookshop. Come on out and pick up a book (or seven) to share the love of reading with your families over the holidays while also supporting our Garden Avenue School Library!

Ms. Hardy

File(s): 
Parent Week at a Glance - Week of December 12-16

Thanks to the Movie Night Crew!

Posted: 
Sunday December 4

The Holiday Movie Night was a lot of fun. Thanks again to all of the volunteers, including Glenn Zembal for managing the A/V, and to our great Grade 6s who manned the pizza and popcorn sales!

Movie Night marked the first use of the new sound system that Garden School Council purchased for the school. The school now has two Bose L1 compact sound systems that can work together, or separately, with an 8-channel mixer. Each unit can be used for a room of up to 150 people, or work together for a bigger audience. Thanks to Eli Klein for arranging the purchase from Long & McQuade.

The sound system will be used for school concerts and performances, movie nights, presentations, the Fun Fair, the Talent Show and many other events throughout the school year. This is just one example of how Garden School Council uses the money that we raise to support enriched programming for all Garden students.

 

Garden Shopping Days at Scooter Girl

Posted: 
Sunday December 4

Support a great local business this holiday and help your school at the same time!

Shop at Scooter Girl Toys on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 and mention that you're a Garden parent at checkout. Scooter Girl will generously donate 15% of the total purchase to Garden School Council.

http://scootergirl.net/

 

Gingerbread House Raffle

Posted: 
Sunday December 4

The Gingerbread House creations will be on display in the first floor hallway starting Tuesday, December 6 and tickets for the raffle will be on sale in the foyer before and after school, or in the office. Tickets are $1 each or 12 for $10. The draw will be held at the Holiday Sing-Along on Thursday, December 15.

A reminder to all Gingerbread builders: please bring your creations to school, wrapped in cellophane, on Monday, December 5.

 

Garden School News - Week of Nov 28 - Dec 2

Posted: 
Sunday November 27

The School Council Meeting has been re-scheduled to Monday November 28th at 6:30-8:30PM in the library. Please feel free to join us.

The following message is courtesy of Ms. Bell and Ms. Cox: Our 4th annual Garden Avenue food drive starts this coming Monday, November 28th and runs until Thursday December 8th. Please bring in any non-perishable food items and place them in our collection box in the front hallway. We always collect a tremendous amount of food for the Daily Bread Food Bank-- let's keep up our tradition this year!!

Stay Healthy During Flu Season. Flu season is here again. In Canada, flu season tends to run between October and April. The Ontario government is encouraging Ontarians to avoid getting sick this flu season by getting their annual flu shot. Toronto Public Health is recommending that whenever students and staff experience flu-like symptoms, they are sent home and do not return to school until they are no longer infectious to others. Therefore, ill students and staff should be symptom-free (especially from vomiting and diarrhea) for at least 48 hours before returning to school. The primary concern is for the health and safety of all students and staff. Please note that no special measures are required when there is a case of influenza in a school or daycare. However, everyone should do their part to stop the spread of the flu. As parents, you can also assist by:

  • reminding children to wash their hands often especially after using the washroom and before and after eating;
  • reminding children to cover their sneeze and cough;
  • watching for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and/or high fever;
  • informing the school if your child is ill;
  • keeping your child at home when he/she is ill.

Ms. Hardy

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

― Leo Buscaglia

File(s): 
Parent Week at a Glance - Week of November 28 - December 2

Food Drive Begins

Posted: 
Sunday November 27

Our 4th annual Garden Avenue food drive starts this coming Monday, November 28th and runs until Thursday December 8th. Please bring in any non-perishable food items and place them in our collection box in the front hallway. We always collect a tremendous amount of food for the Daily Bread Food Bank-- let's keep up our tradition this year!!

Council Meeting Postponed to Monday, November 28

Posted: 
Wednesday November 23

The November council meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday, November 24, has been postponed to Monday, November 28, due to illness.

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you next week!

 

Garden School News - Week of Nov 21-25

Posted: 
Sunday November 20

We are still looking for a couple of parent reps to be part of our Caring and Safe Schools Committee. This committee works towards creating a school environment where each and every student and staff member feels valued and safe in a nurturing, positive and respectful environment. This environment can only be created by all of us working together; students, schools, family and community. This committee works together to create and implement a safe schools plan for our unique school of Garden. If you are interested in being part of our team please contact me in the office. Our first meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday November 22 at lunch in the library.

We are in need of lunchroom supervisors. This is a TDSB paid position that runs Monday to Friday from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM. The main responsibilities include: Supporting and supervising all students while they eat their lunch and play outside. If you are interested in learning more about this position please contact the office for details.

The following message is courtesy of Ms. Cox: We will be building bee hotels in our primary classes as part of our partnering with Ms. Cox. This will be a really fun STEM challenge for our students and is connected to our ongoing study of bees. If you have any of the following items, please send them in to our school so that we can transform them into bee hotels: Unused straws, bamboo (with a hollow center- not bamboo skewers), small, clean, clay pots, cleaned plastic water bottles/ pop bottles (1L or 2L size). Thanks so much for your support of our STEM programming!

Ms. Hardy

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
Leo Buscaglia

File(s): 
Parent Week at a Glance - Week of November 21-25

Holiday Movie Night this Wednesday

Posted: 
Saturday November 19

It's time for candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup!

Our Holiday Movie Night selection is "Elf".

Doors open at 6:00 pm and the show begins at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 30 in the school gym.

There will be pizza, popcorn and drinks for sale, so don't be a cotton headed ninny muggins, put on your best Christmas PJs and come out for an evening of laughs.

Holiday Sing-Along

Posted: 
Saturday November 19

This year's Holiday Sing-Along will be on Thursday, December 15th from 6-7pm. There will be carols and a performance by the Junior Strings. Will we also draw the winners of the Gingerbread House Raffle.