"There is no one giant step that does it. It's a lot of little steps." ~ Unknown
On Tuesday, classes will be participating in Drumfit, a fast-paced, non-competitive fitness program that combines music, movement and drumming. It's a different way to be active while listening to music. Here are two videos of what this looks like. The first video integrates activity with math.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxoSVz9L--M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JStAPpvcCnw
Only 7 more weeks of school fun!
Have a mindful week!
~ Ms Broderick and Ms Rosenbloom
Did you know...
...Ms Ciobanu brought GUSH to our Gr 8 students. This program helped students problem solve ways to create paths for clean water. It opened up moral and ethical discussions about the pipeline and it's impact on the Native community. A great way to integrate literacy, science and history.
Wellness Day:
It's that time of year again! Wellness Day is just around the corner on Monday, May 15th. Both students and staff are looking forward to a day full of stress-free, technology-free workshops. Students should dress in comfortable, weather-appropriate attire including running shoes.
Primary students will be treated to a variety of different activities ranging from meeting some furry friends to engaging in physical activity. The Juniors and Intermediates have had the opportunity to choose three of their workshops allowing them to differentiate what Wellness Day looks like for each student! Our focus of the day is to provide a positive mental space for students while doing activities they enjoy.
Thank you to all parent volunteers, staff, and sponsors! This day could not take place without you!
- The Bessborough Wellness Committee
Student Safety:
Just a reminder to parents to send a written note or email the school if your child will be leaving an
event (sports/trips) before the end of the school day. Drivers for these events must return students to school unless arrangements have been made with the teacher in charge or the office.
All the Best Ms Jain!We would like to send our best wishes to Ms Jain who will be on maternity leave. We look forward to seeing pics of your new expanded family!
Yearbook is Coming to Life!
Last Call for Yearbook Photos and Cover Drawing Contest Entries
The yearbook committee is putting out one last call for any photos that you’d like to share with us for this year’s yearbook, especially any group team or club photos. We’re hoping to have any photos in by the end of the week. Please send photos to bessboroughyearbook@gmail.com
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
Thank you to everyone who has sent in photos. It’s been a huge contribution to our yearbook.
One more thing: Monday, end of the day, is the deadline for entries in the Yearbook Cover Drawing Contest. Students can submit them in the office.
Wellness:
This week the Wellness Group brainstormed recess games that we can play to help maintain good mental health. We also discussed why these games help us stay mentally well. We will be sharing some of our best ideas during the morning announcements next week. The Wellness Group also went outside to play the Mirror Dance game. Ask one of your friends in the Wellness Group to show you how to play!This week's Mindful Minute was Standing Balance Yoga and the link can be found here:
Standing Balance Yoga
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!
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.
Financial Literacy
Discovery Education and Jackson Charitable Foundation are proud to present Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids! This partnership amplifies this engaging and fun financial literacy program, extending its impact to schools and homes across America. Join the Cha-Ching band as they prepare kids grades K-6 with the knowledge, tools and practice they need to make informed decisions to reach their goals and dreams.
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
|
MAYFAIR!!!
The Countdown is On!! Join us Sunday, May 28th for our annual community fun day and fundraiser. A Leaside tradition for over 25 years, it is great fun for kids of all ages - inflatable rides, Zorb Balls, slap shot hockey, paddle boats, face paint, glitter tattoos, photo booth, petting zoo as well as the 16’ adrenaline jump.
Enjoy a BBQ, Candy Floss and the Candy Shack. The event runs from 11am-3pm. Admission is free with pay-one-price wristbands for all activities.
To purchase your tickets or wristbands, please see the attached Mayfair form.
Volunteer at Mayfair
Mayfair would not happen without our volunteers. With close to 200 parent volunteers required, we need you!
The specific volunteering tasks have been broken up by classroom. You can either sign up on the attached form or on our google sign-up sheet below. Look across the bottom for the event tabs to signup:
Silent Auction Donation – Per Class The Mayfair silent auction traditionally raises close to $5,000 each year. These funds have been used towards the purchase of classroom and athletic equipment, book programs and art programs.
This year we are hoping each class can secure at least one donation with a minimum value of $50.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kristine Locklin at klocklin@gmail.com or Jenn O’Donnell at jodonnell@curacomm.net.
Social Series Events are BACK!
Think Ladies Night, Men with Axes, SkyZone, Ice Cream Parties... there are so many fun social events Bessborough puts on for both parents and kids. And remember, all the money you spend on having fun goes back to the school! The catalogue of events - and Wish List order form - is also attached to this email.
Hand in your Wish List at the Social Series Desk at Mayfair which will be located just inside the gate in the South Yard on the Bessborough Dr. side. It will be open from 10:30am-12:30pm. First come first serve! Don't miss out!
Have a Say! Join Home & School!
H&S is a committee of parent volunteers who are focused on enriching the in-class and extracurricular experience of all students. With the support of our parent community, we run events such as Mayfair that foster school spirit and raise funds for the school. It is fun and fulfilling to be part of a group that influences such a positive atmosphere at Bessborough.
Next year, there are opportunities for you to get involved. Here are positions available:
Intermediate Divisional Representative - (2 people - grade 7 and grade 8 parent): work as the liaison between the H&S Committee, administrators, teachers, and class parents.
Volunteer Coordination - Co-Lead (1 person): this role is ideal for someone who’d like to meet new people or expand on existing networks. This partnership works closely with the Event Teams to help our parent volunteers find a way to contribute that works for them. Time averages about 1 hour a month.
Communication - Co-Leads (2 people): This job has been divided into 2 positions, though could be combined to one. Our writer offers the voice to H&S, pulling together weekly bulletins and other communiques with help from the Committee. Our Webmaster keeps our H&S website current with this same info. Approximate time is 2 and 1 hour(s) per week, on average, respectively.
Co-Chair - (1 person): Robyn Israel needs a partner. Don’t be daunted by the title – this role is a lot of fun and not as consuming as you may think (especially when you have a great team!)
Please feel free to approach us and talk about being involved. You can contact Lisa (lisa.suutari@gmail.com), Robyn (robyneisrael@gmail.com) or Stacey (staceyniman@gmail.com) – let us know what you’re interested in and we’ll find you the right role.
Enrichment Update
Let the outdoor learning (and games!) begin. The sand has arrived, the sod is down and our new kindie yard is in gear. We look forward to many smiles from kids and teachers alike as this fun and useful teaching facility is enjoyed for years to come.
Appreciation Corner
A HUGE shout out to Michelle Iwata for her many years of work as Co-Chair and Past Chair on our H&S executive. Her dedication, energy and insight have been invaluable. While she’s stepping away from a formal role, we look forward to her shared wisdom and involvement in years to come. THANK YOU Michelle for everything!
Visit www.bessboroughhomeandschool.com now for details on all of this and more!
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.
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.
- Next one: Friday, June 16th, 2017
