http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php Copyright 2012, Principal: Lorraine Methven Principal: Lorraine Methven en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry120117-124039 REMINDER

Friday, Jan. 27th is a PA Day for our students.

There is no school on that day.
We hope that you have a great weekend.]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry120117-124039 Principal: Lorraine Methven Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:40:39 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry120113-122512 ISLAND PUBLIC/NATURAL SCIENCE SCHOOL
30 CENTRE ISLAND PARK
TORONTO, ONTARIO
416-393-1910


KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Do you have a child born in 2008? If you do, and you live within the school’s catchment area, please call now for an appointment to register your child for Junior Kindergarten, September 2012.



Registration will be held by appointment at:

City Side:
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Loblaws, Queen’s Quay East
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Island Public School:
February 14th – February 16th
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

To register you must live in one of the following district addresses:

The Toronto Islands,Harbour Square Apartments (all numbers),
1 – 145 Queen’s Quay W. (odd numbers),
10 Queens Quay W.,
10 Yonge St.

You will need to bring with you:
Your child’s Birth Certificate &/or Passport
Immunization Record
Health Card
2 x proof of residency (ie – lease agreement, utility bill, government statements)

Other applications for admission are considered, on a limited basis, through the Toronto District School Board’s ‘Optional Attendance’ process.
Contact the school for further information at (416) 393-1910.
]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry120113-122512 Principal: Lorraine Methven Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:25:12 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111129-115540
Please note that Friday, December 9th is a Professional Activity Day. There will be no school on this day.

Regards,

Karen Urban]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111129-115540 Principal: Lorraine Methven Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:55:40 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111129-114907 WINTERFEST CONCERT

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE:
Our Winterfest Concert is changed from December 15th to December 16th.

City parents please take the 1:00 p.m. boat from the city; a bus will be there to meet you.
Island parents, a bus will pick you up at 1:10 p.m. at Wards.

If any parent would like additional time at the Book Fair, please take the 12:30 p.m. ferry from the city, and the 12:40 bus from Wards.

SCHEDULE
1:20 – 1:40 p.m. - Book Fair and Cookies
1:40 – 2:50 p.m. - Performances by classes and choirs
2:50 – 3:15 p.m. - Book Fair

DEPARTURE FROM THE SCHOOL

3:20 p.m. - Bus for Ward Island (All parents)

**Students without parents attending will depart at the regular dismissal time.

VISIT OUR ‘BOOK FAIR’ - 12:45 – 3:20 p.m.
]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111129-114907 Principal: Lorraine Methven Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:49:07 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111116-132908
Our Parent-Teacher interviews will take place this Thursday, November 17th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., and on Friday, November 18th from 8:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Please contact your child's classroom teacher for an interview time or return the interview request form sent home last Friday, November 11th.

We look forward to the opportunity of sharing and celebrating your child's learning with you.

Regards,

Karen Urban]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111116-132908 Principal: Lorraine Methven Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:29:08 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111030-211646 School Council Meeting


Please join us for the upcoming School Council meeting:

Date: Tuesday, November 8th

Location: Loblaw's Community Room (Jarvis and Queen's Quay)

Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

All parents are welcome to come share in school news and hear about upcoming projects that they can become involved. We look forward to seeing you out.]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111030-211646 Principal: Lorraine Methven Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:16:46 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111016-125138 Tuesday November 8th, 2011
Loblaws, Lower Jarvis 5:00

• Welcome and Introductions
Carolyn Jeffs called the meeting to order at 5:05pm. Carolyn welcomed parents back and an attendance sheet was passed around.

• Acceptance of Minutes
In addition to being posted on the school website, several copies of the minutes of the AGM on September 30th were provided and Eduarda Sousa-Lall motioned to accept the minutes. Connie Sheppard seconded the motion and the minutes were accepted.

• Follow up on Outstanding Items
• Classroom Rep Program. Magi has had difficulty obtaining parent emails for the classes. Still outstanding are both Kim and Barry’s grade one/two classes and Miss Shannon’s Grade three class.
• Distribution of Lighthouse Foundation Charter. A copy of the original charter from 1986 was located from previous members. Carolyn would like to update the charter and form a committee to create the bylaws and objectives for 2011/12.
• Feed My Inbox update. Heather McNeil was not in attendance. This initiative can be picked up in conjunction with the other forms of communication such as the website and the parent rep emails.
• Playground Committee It was also decided that this discussion and formation of a committee can coincide with the parent rep program to solicit volunteers. Karen Urban noted that this is a big project that involves the school and the city of Toronto and putting a plan in place


• Teacher Dialogue
Carolyn Jeffs turned the meeting over to Mr Caplan and Mr. Vert for the Kindergarten teacher dialogue.

Mr Caplan teaches in the Kindergarten classroom in the afternoon. Mr Vert is there for the full day. They have been taking the kindergarteners on fieldtrips around the island and reinforcing the perimeter of the schoolyard. They have also focused on rules, routines and procedures as well as learning how to be in a group of 30/27 kids (this is the very first time some of them have been in a group situation).

They have finished the drafts of the report cards that will go home next Tuesday. Parent teacher interviews will be held on Thursday for SK families. February will be JK’s interviews and then all will be assessed in June.

Karen asked for a show of hands how many parents at the meeting had a child in JK and a majority of parents raised their hand. Karen pointed out that they assess the SK’s first because the JK’s are still learning rules, developing socially and developing norms and establishing routines. They have not had as much time to just be observed in the centers (literacy etc) as the SK’s who are more familiar with routines.

Carolyn Jeffs opened the meeting up for questions.

Shannon Clancy asked whether communitty snack was going to be implemented. Mr Vert said it would be easy to start up and he’s done it in the past. He explained that currently, 10:00 and 3:00 are snack time and they all sit down together for snack so every child does have an opportunity to eat. He asked that parents reinforce that they are not to share snacks. There are extra snacks available from the teachers if a child is without one and he pointed out that if a child consistently didn’t have enough food, or if there was any other ongoing problem, that the parents would hear from him or Mr. Caplan.

Carolyn Jeffs addressed comments from some parents who feel concerned if the teaching assistance in kindergarten is absent. Karen Urban replied that absenteeism is a school/employee services/union matter that is confidential. Parents are encouraged to call Karen directly with concerns.

Mr Caplan explained that there are a large number of volunteers in the classroom. Today, for example, he had three volunteers in for a total of 6 adults in the classroom. The ratio in the classroom is averaging 1:6 right now and the teachers feel supported.

Connie Sheppard requested that Mr Vert and Mr Caplan include a list of names of regular volunteers in their next newsletter. They agreed.

Another parent worried that the classroom would feel too congested as the weather cools and could another room be found or could the kids be split into smaller groups. Mr Caplan answered that the children are often divided into smaller groups or by JK and SK and that there are a few other spaces available (like the gym and his other classroom) when needed.

Carolyn wrapped up the open forum and encouraged parents to email them if they have any other questions.


• Principal Report
Karen Urban said the staff is constantly looking for ways to improve student learning. As a team the staff work together to develop pathways throughout the school year to implement a School Improvement Plan. Data from EQAO, DRA and CASI (reading scores), report cards and ongoing assessment are all utilized to determine realistic goals and professional development needs. For example, if it was determined that students had difficulty demonstrating their knowledge through written response, students would use talk to demonstrate understanding, which would then help them organize their ideas on paper. The first focus will be oral summarizing. Second term focus will be mathematics (determine pathways for each classroom as well as professional development if needed). Third focus will be on technology and allowing children to demonstrate their understanding through some sort of technology piece. Karen will keep us updated on this.

They have also decided to implement multiple intelligences as part of the School Improvement Plan. Currently the junior teachers are trained. The teachers attended a full day course at the end of October and will slowly start incorporating what they learned into the program. This is a 3-year commitment of sending two or three teachers each year to be trained so that it becomes school wide. Karen and Mr Caplan set up an example in the neighboring room so that all in attendance could experience an example.

Canadian Children’s Opera Company has started in the school. They are on their third week of a six-week program and are teaching the junior children (grades 4-6) how to write a mini opera. The children are doing everything: writing the script, set design and back drops, designing costumes and writing and learning their own songs. The parents will be invited to see the finished performance (most likely before Christmas)

Parent workshops: They have queried the parents on what it is the parent community needs to support student learning. The overwhelming response has been positive discipline and homework help. The school has initiated the first workshop and sign up sheets will go home tomorrow.

Principal also noted that our school is also very active with extracurricular activities. Our slo-pitch boys team made it to the South west conference finals and the girls slo-pitch team was the runner up at city finals! Cross-country also had a strong showing this year with 19 students moving on to the south west conference finals. Schools that are three times larger have the same number of children moving on. Trey and Nicholas in grade one both made it to the city finals.

Andrew Suri asked about how the teachers support equity in the school. Karen explained that an analysis had been done to see what the school has in its libraries and resources and what the gaps are so that it’s a reflection of our community.

Chudleighs trip has been cancelled as it was decided to go every other year.

Connie Sheppard asked whether student agendas could be started at an earlier age (students currently begin using them in grade four).
This topic has been held over for Kim Saunder’s and Barry North’s teacher dialogues.

• Financial Update:
Shannon Clancy (treasurer) thanked everyone for attending the wine and cheese. It was a successful social event that broke even (was not intended as a fundraiser). Currently we are still at just under 36K. A 30K GIC came due in October and the treasurer rolled 10K over until January and put the remaining 20K in a GIC for another 9 months. The 10K coming due in January was in anticipation of giving money to the school for the programs and wish lists that we support annually. The 20K is held over in anticipation of playground or other big ticket items.

• Chair Report:
Annual Fund: This will be the third year for the annual fund. Direct donations can be made to the Lighthouse Foundation to support education at the school and tax receipts can be issued for amounts over $20. Information will be coming home on this and the United Way directed giving. Look for it this month in your child’s backpack.

Teacher wish list: Typically we spend 8-10K per year on different programs for the school. Carolyn read the teachers wish list. (see attached) and Andrew Suri motioned to accept the list as read. Shannon Clancy seconded the motion.

The long-term requests for the school are a primary playground and a primary smart board. Shannon Kang motioned to purchase the smart board. Connie Sheppard seconded the motion. The treasurer said that we will have the funds available.

School Council updates: Carolyn again mentioned the need to develop a committee to create objectives and goals of the organization. Carolyn mentioned an article that Andrew Suri sent her about the changing role of the school council. If you’d like to be a part of this committee to create a strategy moving forward please volunteer. Andrew Suri volunteered.

Magi Oman applied for a Speak UP Grant for a program called recess success, which involves getting children to run games and activities at recess. This fits well with our peacemaker program and is a good stop=gap until we get more playground equipment.

Magi introduced the MacMillian Cookie Fundraiser opportunity. Valerie Delany is going to take this on as a fundraiser, with monies raised being directed towards the new playground. More information to come home in kids backpack sometime in November.

School Council will organize a Holiday Cookie Exchange. This will be on the city-side after school. It's an opportunity to mingle with others and stock up on holiday baked goods. Event will take place in December. More information will come home in backpacks sometime in November.

• Next Meeting: Tuesday January 17th from 5-6 p.m. is the date of the next meeting.

Please note that the venue might change to accommodate the large numbers who may turn out. A reminder will be sent to parents a week prior to the meeting.


9. Motion to Terminate
Shannon Clancy motioned to terminate the meeting. Meeting was terminated at 6:08 pm.

Minutes prepared by: Shannon Kang, November 8, 2011

Minutes reviewed by: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________

Minutes approved: _________________________________________ Date: _________________________




2011/2012 School Council Annual General Meeting

Friday, 30th, September 2011
10 Queens Quay, 5:30

-MINUTES_


In Attendance:

See attached


-MINUTES-

1. Welcome and Introductions
The meeting was called to order by Sally Han at 5:45pm. Sally welcomed parents back, noted the many new faces and large turnout and asked everyone in attendance to introduce themselves.

2. Acceptance of Agenda
Magi Oman motioned for acceptance of the agenda and Catherine McNally seconded the motion. The agenda was accepted.

3. Approval of Financial Statements
Shannon Clancy reviewed the 2010/2011 financial statements. A hard copy was provided to all in attendance (attached). Shannon reviewed spending by the school council for the 2010/2011 school year, as well as fundraising totals for the year. She noted that the school council has a large balance of $36,571.20. $30,000 was deposited into a GIC that comes due in October. It was noted that this money can be held and carried over if it is earmarked for a large expenditure. A parent questioned that history and mandate of the lighthouse foundation. Connie Sheppard moved to accept the financial statements. Deanna Hylwka seconded the motion and the financial statements were approved.

****Carolyn Jeffs and Shannon Kang will try to locate the original Lighthouse Foundation Charter for the next School Council meeting on November 8th.

****Shannon Clancy will place 30K into another short term GIC.



4. Election of Members
Sally Han turned the meeting over to Carolyn Jeffs. Carolyn explained that the role of the school council is to enrich the education of the Island School’s children by enhancing the current curriculum. She noted that all parents are welcome, any involvement is appreciated and parents can be involved as little or as much as they are able. Carolyn, together with the principal arranged for the parent council meetings for the year to be on the following dates and times:

Tuesday,November 8th 5-6:00pm
Tuesday, January 17th 5-6:00pm
Tuesday, March 27th 5-6:00pm
Wednesday, May 2nd 5-6:00pm

All meetings will be held upstairs at the Loblaws on Queens Quay (10 Lower Jarvis Street) and all meetings will have free childcare provided.

A list to sign up for the school council was passed around. The following nominations for the executive were made by Sally Han and accepted for the 2011/2012 school year:

Carolyn Jeffs – Chair
Shannon Clancy – Treasurer
Magi Oman – Arts Chair
Shannon Kang- Secretary

The following parents nominated themselves to be on the 2011/2012 school council:

Executive:
Carolyn Jeffs (Chair)
Shannon Clancy (Treasurer)
Magi Oman (Arts Chair)

Members at large:
Andrew Suri
Shannon Kang
Connie Shepherd
Catherine McNally
Valerie Demelo
Janet Heisey
Sally Han
Dana Henning
Eleonora Deini
Marilu Sahely

All nominations were accepted.


5. Introduction of Classroom Rep Program
Magi Oman explained the classroom program and agreed to be the coordinator of all the classroom reps.

The reps are as follows:
Shannon Clancy – Kindergarten m/w class
Connie Sheppard – Kindergarten t/th class
Nina Nakajima – Kim Saunders 1-2 class
Janet Heisey – Barry North 1-2 class
Sally Han – Miss Shannon’s grade 3 class
Joan Bowman – Jenny LeeShee’s grade 4 class
Karen McKinnell – Ana Fonseca’s grade 5-6 class

Heather McNeil suggested that every parent subscribes to “feed my inbox”(www.feedmyinbox.com) as a tool to use to keep up to date on teacher’s websites and the Island school’s website (www.torontoislandpublicschool.com).

****Heather will produce a handout for the school body with an explanation of the “feed my inbox “ tool and how to sign-up.

6. Principal Report
Karen Urban spoke about the upcoming year with the key goal of academic success in a caring environment. She detailed the programs the school has in place to achieve this goal such as peacemakers, bully prevention and safe schools, as well as the “I’m a great kid” self-esteem program (the school is considering implementing for grades 2-4) and the new Ferry Ambassador program that Trish Pelc successfully implemented.

Karen shared that the Canadian Opera Company will be coming in Oct for grades 4-6 to create a mini opera.

The EQAO results from 2010/2011 are in and the Grade Three’s were at 88% across the board. The Grade 6’s achieved 90% in reading and writing and 85% in math.

Karen also noted that two teachers will be present at each of the four school council meetings this year to give a brief update about what is happening in their classrooms.

****Karen Urban will post which two teachers will be present before each meeting.


7. Chairs Report:
Carolyn Jeffs answered questions and spoke about the playground initiative, parent involvement and communication. Alan Heisey suggested that items that are forgotten or dropped from previous meetings be carried over into the next meeting. Carolyn agreed and noted that the current school council executive endeavors to take minutes at each meeting, follow up with past minutes and action items, and post the minutes of each meeting on the school website.

Carolyn indicated that the school council is interested in building a new playground and would like to have volunteers form a committee to make an action plan and determine feasibility. Alan Heisey noted that basketball nets are also needed at the school as the children are forming big lines to use them. Alan also suggested that the playground committee get parks and rec on board to contribute to the playground on the theory that other people will use it when the students are not there.

**** Carolyn Jeffs to assign a secretary for each meeting.

**** Carolyn Jeffs and Karen Urban to make sure the minutes are posted on the website for parents to access after each meeting.

****Carolyn Jeffs and Magi Oman to email parents through parent reps requesting volunteers and a chair for the playground committee.

8. Open Forum
The school supervision during lunch hour and outside play was queried by a new parent to the school. Karen requested that the parent call her directly with any concerns but noted that we have 2 lunchroom supervisors for the 147 children as well as a teacher for the last fifteen minutes. Parents were reminded that Karen that if there are any concerns specific to the school than they are to contact her.
It was also noted that Magi Oman and the classroom reps are also a great resource for information or concerns.

There was a motion to add a safety chair to the School Council.

**** Trish Pelc and Carolyn Jeffs to discuss possibility and role of a Safety Chair


9. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting is on November 8th at 5:00 at the Loblaws on Queens Quay (10 Lower Jarvis Street), upstairs. Childcare will be provided.

10. Motion to Terminate
Carolyn motioned to terminate the meeting. Meeting was terminated at 7:48pm.




Minutes prepared by: Shannon Kang, October 4th, 2011


Minutes reviewed by: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________



Minutes approved: _________________________________________ Date: _________________________








]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111016-125138 Principal: Lorraine Methven Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:51:38 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111012-101155
Please be reminded that we are now on the Winter Schedule for the ferry. The Ongiara will run to Ward's Island on a limited schedule. The schedule can be found at: toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule

Warm regards,

Karen Urban]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry111012-101155 Principal: Lorraine Methven Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:11:55 GMT
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http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry110927-172028 Our first School Council AGM meeting will be on Friday, September 30th from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Location: 10 Queen's Quay
2nd Floor

Please join us and share your input as to how we can work together to support our school.

Note: Please see School Council AGM link for additional information.


WINE AND CHEESE:

The School Council will be hosting a Wine and Cheese Tasting following the AGM.

Location: 10 Queen's Quay
2nd Floor

Time: 7:15 p.m.

Tickets: $20.00/person (Childcare is provided)

Please RSVP to Carolyn Jeffs @ carolynjeffs@rogers.com for tickets by Wednesday night.


]]> http://www.torontoislandschool.com/index.php?entry=entry110927-172028 Principal: Lorraine Methven Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:20:28 GMT