News

Safe Schools & Mental Health
If you would like to be part of our Safe Schools / Mental Health Committee, we meet 11:50am – 12:30pm the last Wednesday of each month in the Library, please plan to attend to see how you can help and share your ideas.

The next meetings is Wed. Nov. 25, 2015.

The committee is a forum for sharing, consultation and promotion of safety and student/staff/community well-being and mental health.

Ideally we would like reps from the students (student council), each employee group, school council (parents/guardians) and the community (PFLC, RCCC, other, etc.) and all those with an interest and willing to give some of their time. Admin, social work and psychology are standing members and the more , the merrier.

If you are interested, please do attend. No RSVP required.

Introducing Our New Buddy Bench
If you haven’t heard yet, we have a new Buddy Bench that was recently featured by the TDSB. Check out this link for more information:
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/ArticleDetails/TabId/116/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/847/Roden-Public-School-Equinox-Holistic-Alternative-School-launch-Buddy-Bench-.aspx

Lunch Room Supervisors Needed
If you are available and interested in a part-time, temporary job in one of our seven lunch rooms, please leave your name at the main office and we’ll be in touch. We are currently looking to expand our supply list for the new year.

Some of the ideas communicated at the assembly include empathy and anti-bullying. The Buddy Bench was also officially introduced and explained to the students.

Mr. Lasso also acknowledged that our school campus is situated upon traditional territories and a grade 8 student performed a traditional dance.

Please click on the photos to enlarge.

This Friday November 20th is the first Subway Lunch day, instead of Pizza Lunch Day.

You can build your child’s Subway sandwich using the form sent home with a juice for $5.50.

Forms must be returned between 8:30am and 8:45am:
Tuesday November 17
Wednesday November 18

MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF DONNA QUAN, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

It is with mixed emotions that I am writing today to inform you that I will be leaving the Toronto District School Board to pursue a secondment as a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, effective 14 December 2015.

As mentioned in the Chair’s message, my new role at the Ministry will involve working in conjunction with York University and school boards across Ontario to inform the feasibility for collecting additional province-wide student and education related data to address the principles outlined in Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario. The project will potentially provide information to further inform understanding of student populations and school communities. The Renewed Vision aims to “broaden the measures of success and the use of perceptual and demographic data so that program and service enhancements address the specific needs of students who continue to struggle.”

Over the past 30 years it has been an honour and a privilege to serve this inclusive and dynamic organization in various roles, most recently being your Director of Education. Every day I come into work knowing that I have been supported by dedicated staff as we worked to accomplish the many progressive goals outlined in our Years of Action plan. Tremendous accomplishments have been made for, and by our students and their communities because of our collective efforts and will to see every student succeed.

Every day, our staffs in schools, central departments, and facilities have all, in some way, contributed to the academic achievement and well-being of our students.

I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that we have worked so hard to achieve together. Ontario is recognized as one of the best education systems in the world and our Toronto students are achieving and are among the strongest. Great things happen in our classrooms each and every day.

Over the next month, I will work with the Chair of the Board, Associate Directors and Senior Team to ensure a smooth transition. I am confident that the Interim Director of Education will carry forth all our collective efforts to ensure high levels of achievement and success for all students and communities.

As part of the transition process, I will provide an updated message in the weeks ahead. Until then, thank you to all for your continued high expectations and care for our students and each other.

Regards,

Donna Quan
Director of Education