Monthly Archives: February 2012

• Tuesday, February 21
• 7:00 p.m.
• Runnymede School Library

The TDSB has targeted $80 million in reduced spending in next year’s budget. Many may have significant impacts to Runnymede. Parent Councils will be asked by way of their Ward 7 representatives on February 28 to provide feedback to our trustee, Irene Atkinson, at a Ward 7 meeting. This feedback directs how the trustee should vote on March 6 at a meeting where the TDSB is to vote on the potential budget cuts. After that date, the staff reduction notices will be promptly sent out, so this is the only opportunity to provide feedback into the process.

At next week’s meeting, we will review proposed budget cuts and determine which we can live with and which we should direct our Ward 7 representatives to fight against and recommend the Ward 7 trustee, Irene Atkinson, should vote against at the TDSB budget meeting on March 6.

The parent consultation period should have been much longer, but the TDSB took longer than they had planned completing the budget. We need your input to make a difference!

Join Parkdale parents for an evening workshop with guest speaker Sabrina Gonsalves, school social worker, TDSB.

The teen years can be a difficult transition for our children. There are many issues that affect them and it can be difficult to know how to support them. Sabrina Gonsalves has worked with parents across the community bringing both her extensive professional experience and her own experience as a parent. She can help you support your child in dealing with issues such as stress, anxiety, peer relationships, and self‐esteem.

•  Presented by Parkdale Collegiate School Council
•  Thursday February 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
•  Parkdale Collegiate Institute, 209 Jameson Ave in the library
•  Light refreshments will be served.

All parents are welcome.

The February issue of the school newsletter, The Rapport,  is now available, and it’s chock full of photos of our kids! Check it out to find out lots about all the great goings on at Runnymede, in sports, arts, library, and more!

One correction to the Rapport: the March pizza lunch is on March 30.

Mr. Rodriguez in guidance has asked us to share the following timelines for grade 8 students.

• February 15: Parents/guardians and students will be informed of the status of application for Optional Attendance.
• February 2 to 24: Grade 8s complete Course Selection Sheets. For questions about course recommendations, contact Mr. Rodriguez or teachers. The Choices for Nine booklets will be distributed.
• February 24 : Course Selection Sheets due to Mr. Rodriguez.
• March 1: Course Selection Sheets due to all secondary schools. (Mr. Rodriguez will deliver the Course Selection Sheets.)

Questions? Contact Mr. Rodriguez.

The latest grade 2 art project (one of four the kids will do this year as part of the Arts Enrichment program) had our kids channelling Kandinsky and his famous concentric circles.

Here are some more photos of our recent arts enrichment activities. Check out their concentation!

Runnymede’s new motto — “Let Out Your Inner Lion” — and school crest were unveiled yesterday to kick off the four-year countdown to our centennial. What a great new look! A big thank you to the senior students who suggested mottos and voted for their favourite. Also unveiled was the great banner that you see at the top of our webpage – you can see a full-size version hanging at the school. Exciting times for Runnymede!