Sunday 18 December 2016

Week of Dec 19th

A Message from the Administrative Team:


"Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment.  Enjoy not having to look at at watch. "      
                                                                                                                                   ~ Evelyn Glennie

What a week we had with two amazing holiday concerts!  Thank you everyone for supporting your child and coming out even in the really snowy weather.  It was a great night for all.  Videos will be posted on Google photos soon!

This is our last week before the break.  Please remember to call the office if your child will be leaving early. Desks and lockers will be cleaned out this week!  We still have a few intermediate students without locks.  Please pick up a lock over the break to ensure all items are stored safely in your child's locker.

Grades 3 - 8 will be going to the 905 Raptors game on Tuesday.  Dress for the weather as we will be taking TTC.

From all the staff at Bessborough, we would like to wish all our students and families a very happy holiday and new year!  Be safe and enjoy this special family time.

~ Ms Broderick and Ms Rosenbloom



Spirit Week Activities:
Dec 19 - 23

The Student Engagement Committee is introducing Spirit Week from December 19 to 23. Mark these dates!



Dec 19 - Mimic Monday- Come dressed as someone else, it could be a teacher, friend, relative or a celebrity  

Dec 20 - Vibrant Tuesday- wear your brightest colours that make you shine and don't forget your sunglasses

Dec 21- Wacky Winter Day- wear your wackiest winter outfit to celebrate the first day of winter.

Dec. 22 - Zoom to the Future- Dress like you're a hundred years old 

Dec 23 - Jammy Day-  Last Day for Winter break- wear your most comfortable jammies and don't forget your winter stuffy 



Covenant House


Dear Bessborough Drive Community ,
As you know winter is almost here and snow is not far behind.  There are many youths who have no place to call home.  There is an estimation of 1000 to 2000 youths looking for shelter on our Toronto streets daily.   Covenant House is a non profit organization that offers shelter for youth, aged 16 to 24, unfortunately many are fleeing homes due to abuse and neglect.
Bessborough Drive would like to do their part in helping this worthy initiative by conducting a "Spirit of Caring" benefit.  From Monday December 12 to Wednesday December 21 home room classes  will be collecting TTC tokens, wallets (male and female), chapsticks, along with $5 and $10 denomination cards to Subway/Walmart, Tim Hortons and Shoppers. For our upcoming school Holiday Concerts, chapstick (lip balms) will also be collected at the Leaside Auditorium doors.   Student ambassadors will be showing videos that they have created to continue to raise awareness.  In addition, homeroom teachers will also be having rich conversations surrounding our TDSB’s character traits of kindness and caring.   We know that our students can help make a difference in this worthy cause.

We appreciate your support.


Yearbook Photos:  
Ho Ho Holiday Concert Photos!
While your photos are still fresh in your phones and cameras, the Bessborough Yearbook Committee would love you to share them with us. Send in any good quality photos you would like to share from bothHoliday Concerts for the Bessborough 2016-17 Yearbook. We’re always looking for photos, so send any you want to share from any other recent school event too! 

Please send your best quality photos to bessboroughyearbook@gmail.com. Be sure to send the largest file size you have (best resolution) or if sending from your iPhone, please send “Actual Size”. For any questions, please email Sue Thurow at susan.thurow@tdsb.on.ca or Corey Ferguson at c.ginou@sympatico.ca.


Need gifts and want to help the school raise funds?



Check out www.ulmann-canada.com for items to purchase.  You can view the attachment for more information.



Bessborough Wellness Group

The Bessborough Wellness group is made up of a group of students and teachers  who are interested in building awareness around  Mental Health and Well-being. This group's mission is two-fold:

1. To set personal wellness goals, and establish strategies to accomplish those goals, to improve the personal well-being of each member; and
2. To act as leaders, mentors and advocates for the well-being of everyone in our Bessborough  community.

The focus during our first week was on kindness.  Just a small act of kindness, a helping hand, and friendly smile can serve to brighten someone's day. The Wellness group initiated daily announcements about kindness, reminding all Bessborough staff and students about the importance of kindness to our well-being.

During the second week of announcements, our focus was on confidence. Sometimes it can be difficult to put ourselves out there and participate. Shoring up our confidence can help us meet challenges and try new things.

We also initiated our Mindful Minute practice, which encourages our whole school to take a mental health moment. During our first week, we learned about chair yoga. Follow this link to learn more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO5C2NyZ65Q

During our second Mindful Minute, we played the game "Atoms". Follow this link to learn more. https://drive.google.com/a/tdsb.on.ca/file/d/0B1NbKoxA56eZUW9MOUotZWtqNFk/view?usp=drivesdk

From the Athletic Council:


The Bessborough Athletic Council is going to start up intramurals In the week of January 16, 2017. Further information will be given before then such as what grades can participate.

Thank you for your patience as we try to sort out details.


School Clubs
Many staff have dedicated their time to provide opportunities for students to be leaders, have an impact at the school or community. Please see the schedule below for the clubs and times these are available.

Name of Club
Teachers Involved
Student Grade/Division Applicable
Location
Day of the Week
&
Time of Day

Tech Committee
Tina S & Caroline
5-8
library
All year - lunch (Mondays)
Smoothie Chat (Aka Girls’ Group)
Bianca & Karen H.
7&8
Staff Room
Wed All year- before school
Movie Making Club
Mark K & Tina R
6-8
Library
Wednesday after school starting in January
Yearbook
Sue .
6-8
Room 17
Wednesdays after school
We Club
Mirela & Bianca
5-8
Room 31
Every Friday at lunch
Folkfest
Heather & Nancy
3-6
Gym
Tues lunch Feb - May
Primary STEM
Karen H. & Mark
1-3
1
Wed October-May
Library ambassadors
Tina S
5-8
Library
Room 10
Tuesday, all year, lunch
Thursdays, all year, lunch
Junior Boys Club
Mubarak
4-6
11
Thursdays @ beginning of lunch
ECO club
Steph G & Kelly
1-8
Room 2
Thursday @ lunch Jan-May
Concert Band
Justin & Laura
7-8
Music Room
Thursdays after school (3:25-4:25), all year
Student Engagement
Bianca,Stephanie W& Mirela
6 to 8
Library

Thursday @ Lunch
Wellness Group
Sarah
3-8
Library
Wednesdays, Lunch
(November-June)
Lego Robotics
Neil, Ryan, Laura, Jeff
6-8
Rm 30
Tuesdays @ lunch (now-Jan)
Junior Girls Club
Steph & Melika
5/6
Rm. 12
Tuesdays @ Lunch - 12 pm start
Choir
Tina R & Ryan D
3-8
Music Room
Wednesday morning
(8:00 am - 8:30 am)


Trustee Gerri Gerson - Update
For more information visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward13


Kindie Yard Update
Thanks to all who voted on the revised financial support to update our kindie yard as a teaching and play space for our 70+ kindies.  The proposal was passed, and we can now get the work order into the Board and get the construction scheduled.  We will keep you posted on the schedule.

Lots of Drama
But in a really good way!  A big THANK YOU to Sarina Condello & Sheila Philcox for their amazing drama and music programming for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.  H&S funds allowed for this extra, curriculum-based arts programming which culminated in our wonderful holiday concerts last week.  We’ve had great feedback from kids, teachers and parents in support of continuing this program.


Appreciation Corner
A big THANK YOU also goes out to our Admin and all our Staff for a busy, fun and full fall term.  We also want to wish all Bessborough families a very happy holiday!  See you in 2017!

Remember you can always visit www.bessboroughhomeandschool.com for details on all of this and more!

Sunday 11 December 2016

Week of Dec 12th

A Message from the Administrative Team:


"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. "      
                                                                                                         ~ Steve Maraboli


We hope you enjoyed the weekend and are preparing for the snowfall we will have this Monday!  Please remind your child to have boots, hats and gloves. Roads will also be slippery.  Make sure you ask your child to check both ways before crossing the street.

For severe weather, Communications and Public Affairs will inform the media of the decision by 6:00 a.m. to be shared with the public by 6:30 a.m. You can find out by checking the following.



We look forward to our holiday concerts this week.  Please see below for more information.

Have an incredible week!
~ Ms Broderick and Ms Rosenbloom


Spirit Week Activities:
Dec 19 - 23

The Student Engagement Committee is introducing Spirit Week from December 19 to 23. Mark these dates!



Dec 19 - Mimic Monday- Come dressed as someone else, it could be a teacher, friend, relative or a celebrity  

Dec 20 - Vibrant Tuesday- wear your brightest colours that make you shine and don't forget your sunglasses

Dec 21- Wacky Winter Day- wear your wackiest winter outfit to celebrate the first day of winter.

Dec. 22 - Zoom to the Future- Dress like you're a hundred years old 

Dec 23 - Jammy Day-  Last Day for Winter break- wear your most comfortable jammies and don't forget your winter stuffy 



Covenant House


Dear Bessborough Drive Community ,
As you know winter is almost here and snow is not far behind.  There are many youths who have no place to call home.  There is an estimation of 1000 to 2000 youths looking for shelter on our Toronto streets daily.   Covenant House is a non profit organization that offers shelter for youth, aged 16 to 24, unfortunately many are fleeing homes due to abuse and neglect.
Bessborough Drive would like to do their part in helping this worthy initiative by conducting a "Spirit of Caring" benefit.  From Monday December 12 to Wednesday December 21 home room classes  will be collecting TTC tokens, wallets (male and female), chapsticks, along with $5 and $10 denomination cards to Subway/Walmart, Tim Hortons and Shoppers. For our upcoming school Holiday Concerts, chapstick(lip balms) will also be collected at the Leaside Auditorium doors.   Student ambassadors will be showing videos that they have created to continue to raise awareness.  In addition, homeroom teachers will also be having rich conversations surrounding our TDSB’s character traits of kindness and caring.   We know that our students can help make a difference in this worthy cause.
-->
We appreciate your support.


Upcoming High School Information Sessions:  
Dec 5 - 14th 
A reminder that the following High School Information sessions will be taking place:

December 14 - North Toronto - 6:30 pm 



Need gifts and want to help the school raise funds?


Check out www.ulmann-canada.com for items to purchase.  You can view the attachment for more information.



Free 2017 Discovery Pass

2017 is the 150th anniversary of Confederation. As Canada's gift to you, the 2017 Discovery Pass will provide free admission for the entire year to Parks Canada places from coast-to-coast to coast.
Find adventure, fun for the whole family, or a short break from the everyday. There's never been a better time to make your Parks Canada dream a reality!

Start planning your next visit at parkscanada.gc.ca/visit.




Holiday Concerts:


Kindergarten Concert - Wed Dec 14th @6:30 pm.
Bessborough Large Gym
Please bring kindergarten students to their classrooms between 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm.

Grades 1-8 Concert - Thurs Dec 15th @6:45 pm.
Leaside High School Auditorium

Students are to arrive at 6:15 at Leaside (front doors by the auditorium) on Thursday. Once kids start to arrive, teachers can walk them to their holding classrooms (listed below). Grade 8 student helpers will be there as well to help out. We will have signs up as well.
The concert starts at 6:45 pm. Grade 8s will be coming to the holding rooms to pick up the classes and take them to the backstage area about 10 minutes before their performance. The holding rooms are as follows...


Grade 1 Ms. Gamm and Mr. Chong (Room 212)
Grade 2 Ms. Thurow and Ms. Ho (Room 213)
Grade 3 Ms. Jain and Ms. Dominique (Room 214)
Grade 4 Mr. Kahn and Ms. Millan (Room 215)
Grade 5 Mr. Baker (Room 226)
Grade 6 Ms. Buksner and Ms. Azodi (Room 227)
Grade 7 Ms. Robertson, Mr. Day, Ms. Surdivall (Room 301 and 304 - there won't be all of the 7s, just a group of them)
Grade 8 (most of the ones attending will be runners, the rest will be in the backstage room and in band)


Hour of Code @ Bessborough


We will continue our Hour of Code this week. Please see the following links for your child to try.

TDSB Hour of Code Site Activities
https://sites.google.com/a/tdsb.on.ca/hour-of-code-starter-kit/find-an-activity
- Lots of activities for all grades that can be filtered. Great place to start.

Code.org 
https://code.org/learn
- Probably the easiest and most popular site to use >> lots of great activities here!

Scratch 
https://scratch.mit.edu/go?utm_source=twitter
- Activities to get started with Scratch

Khan Academy Hour of Code Resources 
https://www.khanacademy.org/hourofcode
- Instructional videos on how to code.

Intro to Coding HypeDoc (Grades 3+) 
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s_HGfr3ldtkWWAAOTX1T0hxxq8Apf4UlhMdoVzUOG34/edit#slide=id.g1986a458c9_0_534
- Use in Present Mode and click on the links to try. This can be shared directly with students.

Tynker 
https://www.tynker.com/hour-of-code/
- Activities for K-6+.  Site allows you to learn to Code, build Cool Games, & collect Certificates!!

Lightbox 
http://lightbot.com/hocflash.html
- Program Lightbot to light up all of the blue squares!


Apps
Here are a few apps that can be used on the iPad. Go into the catalogue on the iPads to download.
Scratch Jr

Screenshot 2016-12-02 14.21.06.png
Kodable

The Foos

Screenshot 2016-12-02 14.21.11.png
Tynker

Tickle


Hour of Code @ Bessborough - Share what you are doing!
... Twitter icon | by Jurgen ...
Twitter

If you are sharing tweets of your participation in the Hour of Code on Twitter, please use the hashtag #BessHOC so that we can curate those tweets together.


School Clubs
Many staff have dedicated their time to provide opportunities for students to be leaders, have an impact at the school or community. Please see the schedule below for the clubs and times these are available.


Name of Club
Teachers Involved
Student Grade/Division Applicable
Location
Day of the Week
&
Time of Day

Tech Committee
Tina S & Caroline
5-8
library
All year - lunch (Mondays)
Smoothie Chat (Aka Girls’ Group)
Bianca & Karen H.
7&8
Staff Room
Wed All year- before school
Movie Making Club
Mark K & Tina R
6-8
Library
Wednesday after school starting in January
Yearbook
Sue .
6-8
Room 17
Wednesdays after school
We Club
Mirela & Bianca
5-8
Room 31
Every Friday at lunch
Folkfest
Heather & Nancy
3-6
Gym
Tues lunch Feb - May
Primary STEM
Karen H. & Mark
1-3
1
Wed October-May
Library ambassadors
Tina S
5-8
Library
Room 10
Tuesday, all year, lunch
Thursdays, all year, lunch
Junior Boys Club
Mubarak
4-6
11
Thursdays @ beginning of lunch
ECO club
Steph G & Kelly
1-8
Room 2
Thursday @ lunch Jan-May
Concert Band
Justin & Laura
7-8
Music Room
Thursdays after school (3:25-4:25), all year
Student Engagement
Bianca,Stephanie W& Mirela
6 to 8
Library

Thursday @ Lunch
Wellness Group
Sarah
3-8
Library
Wednesdays, Lunch
(November-June)
Lego Robotics
Neil, Ryan, Laura, Jeff
6-8
Rm 30
Tuesdays @ lunch (now-Jan)
Junior Girls Club
Steph & Melika
5/6
Rm. 12
Tuesdays @ Lunch - 12 pm start
Choir
Tina R & Ryan D
3-8
Music Room
Wednesday morning
(8:00 am - 8:30 am)


Trustee Gerri Gerson - Update
For more information visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward13


Lunch Programs - Register Now!
You may not be ready for winter, but we are!  At least when it comes to lunch programs at school.  From Lego, Coding and Chess, to Mad Science and Monkeynastics, there are lots of fun things for your kids to do at lunch time next term.  Pawsitively Pets is also back by popular demand and we have a new sewing program and a mixed martial arts program being offered.  All the details are on our site and registration is OPEN!  Don’t delay, these will fill up fast!

Kindergarten Playground
In November, the H&S membership voted on a number of exciting initiatives for Bessborough students to which H&S fundraising dollars will be allocated.  One of those was a re-design of the Kindergarten playground.  Since that meeting, the TDSB has provided a final cost that is higher than the initial quote, so we must conduct another vote to ensure H&S membership is still in agreement with us funding this project.

Click here for updated information on the re-design, pictures, and the cost changes.

We will conduct the secondary vote on Thursday December 15th at the Holiday Concert.  As you arrive into the school, H&S members will be able to submit a ballot.  If you are not yet a member, please go to our site to get a form.  Thank you very much for your continued support.

Appreciation Corner
A big THANK YOU to Laura Rumble and Jacqui Dickens for organizing all the amazing lunch programs for the Winter term.  It’s a big job making sure our kids are kept entertained and active over the lunch hour so THANK YOU!

Visit www.bessboroughhomeandschool.com now for details on all of this and more!