A Message from the Administrative Team:
~ John F. Kennedy"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
Thank you for signing up for our Parent Email list. We have most families online and look forward to connecting throughout the year.
Our grade 7 students had an amazing time at Kilcoo with lots of rain and shine throughout their activities. It was an opportunity for the students to bond and create new friendships for this school year. Other grades are participating in some school trips and activities which also help students get to know one another.
Sports teams have started as well. A new Athletic Council has been created to help communicate and organize these events.
Students have a long weekend as we have a PA Day on Friday Oct 7th and Thanksgiving on Monday Oct 10th. We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Have a fantastic week!
~ Ms Broderick and Ms Rosenbloom
Dropping Off Lunch?To minimize disruptions during instructional time, please go to the office and let Renee and Gail know you will be leaving a lunch for your child. They will let the teacher know where your child can pick it up.
Leave the lunch bag on the table outside the office and use a post it to label the lunch with your child's name.
Read & Write Gold - Download Info
Read and Write Gold is designed to provide literacy support for students of all ages and abilities. It supports a Universal Design of Learning model and aids students in completing reading, writing and research assignments.
Read and Write Gold is now available to all schools in the TDSB. All students also have access to the Read and Write software on their home computers.
See the following attachments and the USERID and Password.
Free Microsoft Software for Bessborough
Microsoft provides free Microsoft office products to all students and
staff of school boards (with a TDSB email account). Office works on
Apple, android and PC products.
Students can use their school email
(firstname.lastname@student.tdsb.on.ca).
For more information,
visit www.Microsoft.ca/freeoffice.
The Terry Fox National School Run/Walk Day - Thurs. Oct 6th
Bessborough is pleased to announce that we will be participating in The Terry Fox National School Run/ Walk on Thursday, October 6th, with the rain date scheduled for Thursday October 13th. The run is scheduled as follows:
Grade 4 to 6 - 9:05 - 9:30
K to Grade 3 - 9:35 - 9:55
Grade 7 and 8 - 10:00 - 10:30
Our walk will be around the Bessborough School block (Bessborough, Field, Sharron, Hanna). Teachers will be on hand to supervise and assist students along the way. Any parents who are interested in helping to supervise, please contact Mr. Couper at ritch.couper@tdsb.on.ca.
All students will take part in this school event. Please ensure your child is wearing clothing suitable for physical activity and appropriate for the weather. Students have already completed a permission form, which indicates that some parts of the Phys Ed program will involve activities that are in the community. We will include this walk as part of the Phys Ed program and therefore separate permission forms to participate will not be necessary.
We invite you to participate by walking with your child on October 6th. We are asking students to get pledges from friends and family online.
Step 1- Log onto www.terryfoxrun.org.
Step 2- Select “Give to a student/school”.
Step 3- Enter “Bessborough”
Step 4- Select Bessborough Elementary and Middle School from the drop down menu.
Step 5- Fill in your information and click “next”.
Step 6- Verify the details and click “submit”.
Please note we are not able to accept cash or cheques at the school.
We are very proud to be associated with The Terry Fox Foundation and believe that our involvement will launch a successful, positive and meaningful school year. Our goal is to have every student participate in The Terry Fox Run/ Walk and surpass last year’s fundraising total of $2,275.00 We are confident that we can realize this goal with the full participation of the school community. We hope to count on your support. Let’s keep Terry’s dream to find a cure for cancer alive!
Thanks,
The Bessborough Terry Fox Run Team
Sarah & Claire's Food Drive
The Food Drive is on it's way! The east schools have been challenged by the west schools to see who can raise more food! Don't forget, you can also donate instead of bringing in perishables. $1 = 1 lb of food.
To donate online, visit http://dbfb.convio.net/site/TR?team_id=13532&pg=team&fr_id=1542.
To donate online, visit http://dbfb.convio.net/site/TR?team_id=13532&pg=team&fr_id=1542.
Parent Volunteers Needed!Ms. Surdivall is looking for a parent volunteer to help with clerical work in the library like sorting, shelving, and labeling.
She is also looking for someone to run the birthday book program. For more information contact tina.surdivall@tdsb.on.ca.
Caring & Safe School Committee - Parents WantedWe are looking for 4-5 parents who are interested in participating in this year's committee. This committee involves parents, school staff and students. Meetings will run approx. once every 6-7 weeks during the lunch hour. The committee will reflect on current practices and ways to better create a safe space for our students.
If you are interested in joining our committee please contact caroline.rosenbloom@tdsb.on.ca.
Appropriate Use of Technology: Cell Phones & Personal Devices
When children are at school, we want them focused on their learning. It is expected that they will
not use cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) at school, unless directed by their
teacher.
Students and families are asked to establish routines for communication that do not involved the use
of cell phones during the day. If students bring cell phones to school, they may not use them
anywhere on school property between the time of arrival at school and their return home. Please be
aware the school is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.
As a minimum standard if devices are brought to school:
• Cell phones, ipods, ipads, laptops or other personal communication devices are to be turned
off and kept out of sight during the school day except with the explicit permission of the
classroom teacher.
• Cell phone camera functions are not permitted to be used on school property without explicit
permission from the principal/vice-principal or designate.
• Infractions will be dealt with as student discipline, under the Caring and Safe School policy. Students need a clear understanding that inappropriate use of technology, including
electronic devices such as cell phones and social media, will result in consequences should
the behavior directly impact the learning environment.
If you need to get a message to your child, call the office. Please do not send texts or emails to
your child during the school day as we do not want students put in a position where they feel they
need to respond during the instructional day.
Please support your child’s understanding of these policies through discussion and through your
own commitment. Your support in making our school environment a safe place that
values learning is much appreciated.
Thank you!
Bessborough Staff
Use of Social MediaSocial Media is a great way to communicate, gather information and share ideas. However, use of social media can construe comments and ideas in both positive and negative ways. When used inappropriately, social media can have serious impacts on the school environment.
It is recommended that parents follow their children on social media and/or have access to their accounts.
Open communication with children about the social responsibility required using these types of forums.
For more information, please see the TELUS document attached to the email for other tips on how to help our kids navigate their wired world.
Programs a Plenty!
Your kids won’t want to come home for lunch when they see all the amazing lunch time programs being offered at Bessborough this fall. Explore art, make dinosaur bones, build your dream home or tower, go crazy with Lego, learn chess or guitar or go Mad with Science. Most programs start the week of October 17th so don’t delay. Go to our site and sign up today! Any questions? Contact Jacqui Dickens at jacandphil98@hotmail.com or Laura Rumble at laura.rumble10@gmail.com.
Dance-a-Thon Volunteers
We still need a few more people to help run this year’s Dance-a-Thon. It’s being held on Monday October 31st and it is always a blast for the kids. If you can help out, please contact Liz Speller at ejspeller1@gmail.com or Stacey Niman at staceyniman@gmail.com
Axe to Grind?
Of course you don’t. This is a night for FUN! There are just a few tickets left for the much anticipated Men with Axes night out on Friday October 14th. Come support our school, throw some axes, see old friends and make some new ones. You can buy tickets at www.menwithaxes.com
Join Us!
Have a say in what happens at Bessborough and join Home and School! You can only vote on how our fundraising dollars get spent if you are a member. The first H&S meeting is on Thursday October 6th at 7pm. Go to our site and sign up for a membership today!
At the November H&S General meeting we will be voting on the Enrichment Budget for this school year. This budget covers one-off items (ie: not operational expenses) requested by the school administration, staff, clubs and families. If you would like to submit a proposal for spending, please see the Disbursement Guidelines and request form on the H&S website: bessboroughhomeandschool.com Please note that to be included in this year’s Enrichment Budget, forms must be received no later than October 11th. Submit forms to our Co-Chairs Robyn Israel (robyneisrael@gmail.com) and Lisa Suutari (lisa.suutari@gmail.com) .
The proposed budget will be distributed in advance of the meeting via this Bulletin. Again - to vote, you must be a member of H&S.
Kendra Fisher Talk - This Week!
A final reminder that Kendra Fisher will be coming to speak to our parent community this Thursday, October 6th at 7pm in the library. Kendra’s hockey career was sidelined after she was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder coupled with panic attacks, depression and agoraphobia. Kendra now shares her personal journey in an effort to bring mental health issues to the forefront. She spoke to students in the spring and they sat in complete silence listening to her story. Every parent will find her talk interesting and worthwhile so please come out on October 6th. Open to all parents. Babysitting will be provided. For more info on Kendra, you can check out her website: Kendrafisher.com
To see the agenda for the evening of October 6th, please click here
Hats Off to Great Bessborough Style!
Show your Bessborough spirit with a limited edition hat! And feel good doing so as money raised goes back to the school! Hats are $20. Choose from red flat or curved brim. Click here for an order form. Please make cheques out to Bessborough Home & School and hand in with your form to your child’s teacher. Contact mary.holmes@rogers.com if you have any questions.
Appreciation Corner
With the start of the school year comes lots and lots of forms. A huge THANK YOU to Shawna Hogan, Janet Embir, Jennifer McGowan, Cabrina Skillen, Lisa Jones and Laura Rumble for doing shifts in the office sorting and organizing all that paper. It’s not glamourous but it’s a HUGE help to the school. Thanks ladies!
