"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
CMHA’s Mental Health Week is an annual national event that takes place during the first week in May to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. Visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca for more information. Check out the activities in the Bulletin to do at home with the family!
Just a reminder that Monday is Sub Lunch. Lunches that are not picked up are brought to the office and given out at the end of lunch. Please make sure your child picks up their lunch.
Have a spectacular week!
~ Ms Broderick and Ms Rosenbloom
Did you know...
...that Bessborough has been connecting to schools outside of Canada?
Mystery Class Via Skype
Ms Thurow's class connected with a mystery class using Skype. Each class asked each other questions to figure out where they are from. These Gr 2's figured out their mystery class is from Chicago!
Problem Solving with Vietnam using Pepper
Many of our Grade 5 - 8 classes are involved in Mathematics Online Problem Solving (MOPS) project where each class takes turns solving a question and the other class provides descriptive feedback. Bessborough is connected with other classes in TDSB as well as classes in Vietnam. It's a great opportunity for both teachers and students to learn from each other. MOPS uses Pepper which is a OISE/UT platform created by Professor Jim Hewitt.
Mental Health Week Activities:
The following are five Mindfulness Activities for each day of CMHA Mental Health Week.
MONDAY, MAY 1ST Happy Monday, and thank you for joining us for this year’s CMHA Mental Health Week! Help settle in after the weekend by taking a social media break for the day. Checking your notifications on Facebook or Twitter can be exhausting and stressful, so spend your Monday social media free!
TUESDAY, MAY 2ND
The adage goes that you are what you eat, and this is especially true when it comes to being mentally healthy. Your diet can play a huge role in your overall mental health, not only what your diet consists of but also how much you eat in one day. Today, we ask that you take note of what you eat. Keep a log of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and anything you eat in-between those three meals.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3RD
Happy Hump Day! Do you feel stressed out from the week’s activities? Do you need a moment to breathe so you can feel refreshed? If that’s the case, then take a moment to go for a fifteen-minute walk. See how much of a difference fresh air and stretched legs make!
THURSDAY, MAY 4TH
Being mentally healthy means different things for different people. For some, it can mean reframing your thoughts in a much-healthier way. Today, we advise you to try meditating! When you have time, find a quiet part of your house or apartment, turn your phone off, and try meditating for five minutes straight.
FRIDAY, MAY 5TH TGIF!
Thank you very much for being a part of this week’s activities for CMHA Mental Health Week. Sometimes, it’s difficult to put our feelings into words, but in order to better understand ourselves – and to be understood by others – we have to find ways to express our feelings. Today, try to write out an emotion or feeling you have about something that bothers or worries you. You don’t have to show it to anyone, but if you feel comfortable sharing your words then by all means go ahead.
Thank you for joining us for CMHA Mental Health Week.
Donations Needed!
We are hoping we can help by donating the following items:
Items for the Rummage Sale:
Do you have items lingering in your home and would be useful in another home? Items for the Rummage sale can be dropped off at Bessborough on Monday May 1st. The Rummage sale will take place Tuesday May 2nd. Large or small...all items are welcomed!
Baked Goods for the Rummage Sale:
There will be a bake sale on Tuesday May 2nd. Please drop off Baked Goods in the large gym on Tuesday morning. Please remember to make all items peanut free!
Cakes for the Cake Walk:
We are running our 2nd annual Cake Walk on Wed. May 10th. We are seeking for cake or cupcake donations. More information about where and when donations can be brought in will be sent at a later date.
Each class will be given a specific time during the day to participate. If your child would like to participate in this musical-chair like activity to win a cake, bring a toonie on May 10th!
Each class will be given a specific time during the day to participate. If your child would like to participate in this musical-chair like activity to win a cake, bring a toonie on May 10th!
Request to borrow your 5 Gallon water containers:
"WE walk for water day" is coming to Bessborough. Students will learn about access to clean fresh water, and the limitations for children all over the world. We are doing a hand's on outdoor activity and are looking for 5 gallon water jugs (we require 20). Please label with your name, and we will return these at the end of May. Please Drop Off at school for Ms Ciobanu by Wednesday, May 3.
Save the Date! - Sunday May 28th 2017
Don't forget we have our Annual Mayfair day on May 28th! Lots of fun and activities for students and their families!
Blue Jays Day Photos for the Yearbook
The Yearbook committee is looking for photos from the school Blue Jays Day last week. If any parents were on the trip and have any photos you’d like to share with us, please send to bessboroughyearbook@gmail.com along with any other photos you’d like to share.
Be sure to send best quality and the largest file size you have (highest 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
Reminder: Enter to win the Yearbook Cover drawing contest! Any student who wants a chance to have their drawing on the cover of this years’ yearbook should drop off their entry in the office by May 15.
Wellness:
This week the Wellness Group discussed ways to ease anxiety. We will be sharing some of our favourite suggestions during the morning announcements.
We continue to fill our High 5 Board with acts of kindness. Be sure to add a high 5 hand when you see someone doing something kind and let's all work towards making kindness part of our day.
Here is the link for this week's Mindful Minute:
STEM Day
Bessborough STEM Day 2017 was a huge success thanks to the staff, students and Home and School! We are thankful for the partnership between Bessborough and Leaside high for providing us with about 70 high school students to help run the PM session on our STEM day.
Each division was actively engaged in a variety of activities throughout the afternoon and students had the opportunities to work collaboratively with mixed groupings of peers. Intermediate students were involved with exploring Makey Makeys with coding and made slime! Junior students created a group roller coaster made from straws and mixed up some amazing crystal geodes! Primary students created tomato transport systems and various water filtration systems that cleaned some pretty dirty water! Kindergarten students used the Doodle Buddy app to create a plan for building a garden!
Many photos were taken of the learning and excitement that the students were involved in. Please have a look at the video below to see some of the photos!
Stay tuned for more information about our amazing STEM day in an upcoming issue of the Leaside Life!
Ms. Buksner & STEM Committee
Used Bike Drive - Drop off at Mayfair
Tell
friends, family and neighbours as Morning Glory & Gears' goal is to donate over 250 bikes to youth
in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood!
Do you
have unused bikes cluttering your garage you could donate to their annual bike
giveaway in October? Used bikes can be dropped off at Bessborough during Mayfair.
Please see the attachment for more information. You can also contact Andrew MacEachern at andrew@informationpackaging.ca.
School ClubsMany 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
|
Ms Surdivall
Ms Collins
Ms Rosenbloom
|
5-8
|
Rm 10
|
All year - lunch (Mondays)
|
Smoothie Chat (Aka Girls’ Group)
|
Ms Angheloni
Ms Ho
|
7&8
|
Staff Room
|
Wed All year- before school
|
Movie Making Club
|
Mr King
Ms Reid
|
6-8
|
Library
|
Wednesday after school starting in January
|
Yearbook
|
Ms Thurow
|
6-8
|
Rm 17
|
Wednesdays after school
|
We Club
|
Ms Ciobanu
Ms Angheloni
|
5-8
|
Rm 31
|
Every Friday at lunch
|
Folkfest
|
Ms Cook
Ms Willoughby
|
3-6
|
Gym
|
Tues lunch Feb - May
|
Primary STEM
|
Ms Ho
Mr King
|
1-3
|
Rm 1
|
Wed October-May
|
Library ambassadors
|
Ms Surdivall
|
5-8
|
Library/
Rm 10
|
Tuesday, all year, lunch
Thursdays, all year, lunch
|
Junior Boys Club
|
Mr Baker
|
4-6
|
Rm 11
|
Thursdays @ beginning of lunch
|
ECO club
|
Ms Gamm
Ms Pornaras
|
1-8
|
Rm 2
|
Thursday @ lunch Jan-May
|
Concert Band
|
Mr McMillan
Ms Collins
|
7-8
|
Music Room
|
Thursdays after school (3:25-4:25), all year
|
Student Engagement
|
Ms Angheloni
Ms Ciobanu
Ms Wong
|
6 to 8
|
Rm 31
|
Thursday @ Lunch
|
Wellness Group
|
Ms Buksner
|
3-8
|
Rm 9
|
Wednesdays, Lunch
(November-June)
|
Junior Girls Club
|
Ms Wong
Ms Azodi
|
5/6
|
Rm 12
|
Tuesdays @ Lunch - 12 pm start
|
Sub Day!
A reminder that this Monday May 1st is our next Sub Lunch Day so no lunch packing needed if your kids are signed up!
Red & White on the Green
Our Lawn Bowling Social is coming up quickly and this year we’re going with a Canada 150 theme! So, get your tickets now and show off your Canadian pride!
It’s all happening on Saturday, June 3rd. Bessborough parents are invited to eat, drink and bowl with old and new friends - and it’s all for a good cause as the money raised goes back to our school! See the attached flyer for all the details.
Northlea Math Nights
A reminder that Northlea Home and School is hosting two math education nights for parents this week. Bessborough parents are invited to attend.
Sought after math guru Trevor Brown will be giving a talk called "Learning and Teaching Mathematics in a Technological Age: A Paradigm Shift".
The first talk - on May 1st - is aimed at parents of children from Grades 6-8, and the second - on May 3rd - is geared to parents of younger children, kindergarten to Grade 5. You can read more about these two events and be sure to RSVP here.
Appreciation Corner
A HUGE shout out to Cabrina Skillen for the countless hours of work she has put in over the last few years as the Social Series Chair for Home & School. She will be stepping down from the role after this school year and we want to acknowledge her many contributions. Cabrina has organized and executed fun events for our kids and parents and raised a ton of money in the process. THANK YOU Cabrina for everything!!
Visit www.bessboroughhomeandschool.com now for details on what’s happening at the school!
Trustee Gerri Gershon
Ward Forums
These meetings are held in the evenings in a local school. They are attended by the Supervisory Officers for our area, some principals, parents and community members. There is an Agenda and usually a speaker as well as reports from the Board.
- Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017
Community Coffee
These meetings are held in the mornings in a local restaurant (often Longo's on Laird). They are attended by the Supervisory Officers for our area, parents and community members. There may be a report from the Board but there is no Agenda and attendees raise issues they would like to discuss.
- Friday, June 16th, 2017
For more information v
