Parent Information Sessions re IEPs and IPRCs - Tuesday, January 20, 2009

December 8th, 2008 Evergreen Foundation Brick Works Ground-Breaking Event

Although the majority of the Beatty Eco-school Team (BEST) were freezing their noses off at the Toronto Island School, five members, Cameron, Hannah, Shaelynn, Laura and Emma braved the cold and snow to attend the Evergreen Brickworks ground-breaking ceremony. Along for the ride, or at least providing the ride, were some of the adult members of the Greening Committee: Tara, Sheila, Kate and Liza.

After a snowy walk around the frozen pond, admiring the snow-covered meadow, the group entered the covered portion of the former brickworks. Much to everyone's delight, the Evergreen Foundation provided organic hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and tomato soup to warm us up. We sat facing the podium where the dignitaries from all levels of government, including our Mayor Miller, expressed their delight in officially opening the Evergreen Brickworks proposed development.

When the speeches concluded, the dignitaries donned their hard hats and planted 5 eastern white pines in the frozen ground. When they were done and the photos were taken, the BEST members tried their hand at planting the trees. They were so good at it, Evergreen Foundation took their photo! You can see it by clicking here: http://www.evergreen.ca/rethinkspace/?cat=21

The plan for the former brickworks includes transforming the existing buildings and building a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly environmental centre where people from across the GTA can come and learn about what they can "do" to be more eco-friendly themselves. This development follows the existing naturalizing of the area and the new organic market that operates in the summer and fall. You can find out more on the evergreen website.

Agenda for EBSAC meeting December 10th, 2008

Everyone is welcome to attend our upcoming School Council meeting.

Please note that for this month only the meeting has been moved from the regular second Thursday, to Wednesday, December 10th, same place same time;
6:00 to 8:00 in the school library.

Click here for the agenda for December 10th's Earl Beatty School Council Meeting.

We hope you will join us for some seasonal cheer.
Sincerely,
Kate Wallis, Chair
EBSAC

EQAO Report - Celebrating the success of Earl Beatty

Originally presented at the Earl Beatty’s School Advisory Council meeting November 13th, 2008 by Steve Travers, Principal. Data, identified areas of need and strategies used with permission by EQAO.

Click here for the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) report on testing results for Earl Beatty PS 2007-2008.

Instrument Donation

Students benefit in many ways from taking part in Earl Beatty’s itinerant Band, String and Vocal Music programs. At our last School Advisory Council meeting a couple of parents indicated that they would like to donate instruments to the school’s music program. If you have an Alto or Tenor saxophone that is gathering dust and you would like to donate it to our Band Program, please call the school at 416-393-9070.

Eco Team Minutes from November 22, 2008

Click here to read more in our minutes from the EcoTeam Greening Committee Meeting
Nov. 22, 2008 (9:30 – 11:30am) at Small World Café, Danforth Ave.

1. Gledhill Silent Auction
2. The schoolyard, and the concern with safety issues:
3. Honest Earl’s Sale – Wrap-up:

• Advertising
• Bake Sale
• Raffle
• Sorting and Storage
• Donations
• Other issues

EBSAC November 13th, 2008‏ Minutes

Greetings Earl Beatty Parents,
and Guardians and interested Community Members;

Please find included in this post a link to the minutes
from the School Advisory Council's most recent meeting.
We got much business done there,
and hope to make future meetings interesting,
informative and fun.

Make note that the upcoming meeting
has been moved from the regular second Thursday,
to Wednesday, December 10th, same place same time;
6:00 to 8:00 in the school library.
We hope you will join us for some seasonal cheer.

Sincerely,
Kate Wallis, Chair
EBSAC


Click here for the minutes and available supporting documents from the November 13th EBSAC meeting.

Summary:

• Minutes

• Website

• Musical Instruments

• Curriculum Night

• Safe Foods List

• Principal/Vice Principal Profiles

• Signage for Beatty Buddies Playground

• Class Parents

• Treasurer’s Report

• QSP Report

• Amendments to the bylaws

• Safety at Earl Beatty

• EQAO

• Eco Team Greening Committee Report

• Honest Earl’s Bargain Basement

• New Business
  

EBSAC meeting minutes from 2006 - present can be found online on this blog by entering "EBSAC" and "minutes" into the search bar.

Lake Ontario Wind Farm information session:

Wanted on a Windy Night

Come to

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate
145 Guildwood Parkway, Scarborough
Monday November 24, 2008
7:00 pm
(registration starts at 6:15, get there early to ensure admission)
to support the proposed WIND FARM in Lake Ontario

• 60 Wind Turbines 2 km offshore
• Ajax to Leslie Spit
• Powering 50,000 homes with electricity
• Free bus from Kennedy station 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• Register in advance for a seat
• Email windybus@gmail.com

Toronto Hydro & Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative

More info - Toronto Hydro:
http://www.torontohydroenergy.com/generation_offshore.html

Principal and Vice Principal Profile Earl Beatty PS April 2008

According to Ontario Ministry of Education recommendations, "school councils are invited to complete principal profiles to help their boards select and place principals at individual schools. While such profiles may not be required each year, reviewing the profiles periodically as the needs of the school change is a good practice. A principal profile may simply identify, from a list provided by the board, the particular characteristics being sought in a new principal
or vice-principal. Alternatively, the profile may be a description, developed by the school council after it has considered a number of focused questions. The samples provided on the following pages are intended to give school councils a sense of the many characteristics and skills that may be considered in the selection and placement of a new principal or vice-principal."

Click here to read the Principal and Vice Principal profile submitted this year by the Earl Beatty community.

Ward 16 Council Meeting Monday November 17th

Ward 16 Council Meeting

Monday November 17th at 7:00PM
At Beaches Alternative School, 50 Swanwick Ave.

Green Agenda

• Report from Beaches Alternative School on Green initiatives
• Heidi Campbell, Evergreen; School Ground Design Consultant for Evergreen and the Toronto District School Board will discuss greening school grounds

• Sunday Harrison, Green Thumbs Growing Kids; a group who offers food growing and environmental education programs and teaches urban children and their families to grow and appreciate fresh, nutritious foods, grown in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner, in a hands-on program

• Meredith Hayes, Foodshare; Food to Table School Coordinator will share information on resources and free workshops on food and the environment including school gardens

• Sandra Bussin, Councillor; a discussion on city engagement in school initiatives i.e. recreation programs and green bin pick-up


Childcare and light refreshments will be provided

Election of 2008-2009 School Council

On behalf of Principal Steve Travers, I am happy to announce the results of the 10 November election for the 2008-2009 Earl Beatty School Advisory School. Your Council will be composed of the following parents:

Erica Fyvie, Kate Wallis, Laura Sandwell, Penny Bird-Rudder, Sheila Boudreau, Tara Donavan and Tina Lehtola

At present we do not an elected member of staff; however, Rob Briggs and Marjory Masson have agreed to be staff reps on a rotating basis.

On behalf of the outgoing Council (Hema Murdock, Bev Vandahl, Maureen Hall, and me), I extend congratulations and best wishes to the new Council for a successful year. It has been our honour to work with you over the past year to make Earl Beatty the best educational experience for our children.

Please come out on Thursday, 13 November at 6:00 p.m. to suppport your new Council as they hold their first SAC meeting. Location is the school library.

Sincerely,
Earl Beatty School Advisory Council
2007-2008

CLICK HERE FOR THE AGENDA FOR THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes from the previous two years of council meetings are online -- enter 'EBSAC minutes' in the search bar or scroll down through 'older posts'.

Safe Snacks for Schools

Here is a list of safe foods to help keep potentially life-threatening allergens out of school celebrations.

School Advisory Council Election, Monday, November 10/08, 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On October 7, 2008 the parent community of Earl Beatty convened to take part in the School Advisory Council Elections. The number of nominees was unprecedented in the history of Earl Beatty and it was the intent of all involved to conduct the election with full integrity. Shortly thereafter, through consultation with TDSB experts on electoral procedures, we realized that we did not comply fully with the TDSB, Ministry and School Advisory Council by-laws and legislation. In order to ensure transparency and follow due process we have decided that it is necessary to hold the election again.

All nominees have been informed of the circumstances of the need for a new election. Names and profiles of our nominees will be sent home in the October 30th Thursday Folder.

Click here for the nominee profiles.

We feel it is our responsibility to respond appropriately in order to respect the spirit of the by-laws, Ministry regulations and the role of parents in the school. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

Steve Travers Hema Murdock

Principal School Advisory Council Chair

54 Division Annual Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, November 18th, 6:30 pm

Toronto Police Service 54 Division and the Community Police Liaison Committee invite you to attend our annual Town Hall Meeting.
Date: Tuesday, November 18th
Time: 6:30 pm: Refreshments and Reception
7pm: Opening greetings
Place: Gordon A. Brown Middle School
2800 St. Clair Ave., East (north side of St. Clair between O’Connor Dr. and Victoria Park; free parking at rear)
Topic: “Community and Personal Safety
Through Crime Prevention”
Join us for an informative and interactive evening of crime prevention safety tips as well as to speak personally with officers from 54 Division.
Ask questions, meet your neighbours, and help make this community even safer!
For further information go to - www.torontopolice.on.ca/d54
Or call Cheryl Bremner at 416-808-5419.

EBSAC October, 2008 Minutes

Read the minutes from the October 7th EBSAC Meeting here.

Summary:

• Election of new council
• Discussion regarding minutes
• Principal's report:
• Staffing Model Changes
• Lunchroom use for phys ed and DPA
• Musical Instruments
• Curriculum Night

• Outside Food
• EQAO
• School Council Bylaw Amendments
  
• Meeting time change proposal
• Pizza sale
• Eco Team's Evergreen application
• Banking transfer

Next meeting: Thursday, November 13th, 2008, at 6 p.m. in the school library

Read the Ministry of Education's School Council Guidelines here:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/council/council02.pdf

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/council/updates02.pdf

Honest Earl's Bargain Basement Raises $1,175 for Schoolyard Greening!

Saturday morning, October 18, our school lunchroom was transformed into a bustling cafe and lively second-hand clothing sale. Thanks to all the donors, shoppers and bakers, we raised $1,175 for schoolyard greening. Clothing was also donated to local charities such as Red Door Shelter and Massey House.
Thanks to Small World Cafe, just East of Coxwell on the South side of Danforth, for providing the amazing coffee!

Thanks to Sheryl, prime mover and shaker, and all the many volunteers who helped put together this wonderful event! Keep your eye out for an upcoming sale this Spring!!

Click the image for more pics from this amazing event:

School Councils - Strengthening Parent-School Partnerships

Workshop for School Council Members, Vice-Principals and Principals

Presented by TDSB Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)

Through the sharing of experiences, these workshops are designed to provide information and strategies for all school councils whether experienced or inexperienced on how to strengthen existing parent-school partnerships.

Thursday, November 6, 2008 York Mills Collegiate Institute Library 490 York Mills Road (York Mills Road @ Bayview)

• Light Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. Sessions commence at 7:00 p.m.

• All interested participants are encouraged to pre-register for the session of their choice. To register, please call 416-395-5040 OR email piac@tel.tdsb.on.ca.

• Interpretation and child-minding is available for registered participants. Please call 416-397-3529 or email outreach@tdsb.on.ca to register for these services.

Please ensure your name and the location of you will be attending is indicated when registering.

Honest Earl's Bargain Basement Sale!! Saturday, Oct. 18th, 2008

EBSAC September, 2008 Minutes

Read the minutes from the September 11, 2008 EBSAC Meeting here.

Summary:
*Update on class organization and sizes
*Safe School Procedures
*Fire/ Evacuation and Lockdown
*Students with severe allergies
*Playground Safety
*EQAO results and implications for planning
*Ontario Focused Intervention Partnership (OFIP)
*Preliminary Budget information
*Plant and Facilities
*Election Procedures
*Curriculum Night
*Emergency Procedures
*School Beautification (Greening)
*QSP

Next meeting Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

Honest Earl's Bargain Basement - Fall Sale Sat, October 18, 9am – 1pm

Please save the date!

With the enthusiastic support of Steve Travers and Rachelle Laporte, the Fall re-use clothing sale is a go. It would be fabulous if people could help out with the following tasks, and even a few hours of your time would be greatly appreciated. Not only will we save money by purchasing gently used clothing, but the environment benefits from energy savings, AND all of the funds raised go towards ongoing schoolyard greening / improvements. Plus it's a good time to socialize and meet other parents... with a cupcake and coffee in hand to boot!

1. Making a donation to the sale (gently used, clean items of clothing - including Halloween costumes and winter items).
2. Drop-off location & temporary storage of clothing donations.
3. Advertising (putting flyers up around the neighbourhood - i.e. Kimbourne Church / East-End Drop-in, Pegasus, local schools).
4. Organizing the Bake Sale part of the event (contact Small World, purchase coffee locally / advertising opportunity for them).
5. Contacting local shelters to arrange for donations of unsold items (i.e. the Red Door Shelter and Massy House).
6. Helping to move items donated to the school storage area provided.
7. Friday afternoon (Oct. 17th) set-up for the event (Time: 1 - 4pm).
8. Baking (for the bake sale / cafe area).
9. Saturday (Oct. 18th) sale event (Time 8:30am - 1:00pm).
10. Saturday Sale Clean-up (Time 1:00 - 2:30pm +/-).
11. Take unsold clothing to local shelters (if not needed then items go to Ages and Stages - noting the Earl Beatty EcoTeam account #197, and lastly, the Goodwill).

Thanks!!!

For more information, please contact Sheryl at 416-422-3509 sherylawalsh (at) hotmail.com

Click on the photo to read about last year's very successful "Honest Earl's Bargain Basement" sale.

Neighbours' Night Out - Thursday, 19 June at Earl Lynn Park

You are cordially invited to Neighbours' Night Out on Thursday, 19 June from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at East Lynn Park (no rain date). This city-wide initiative supported by Crime
Prevention Association of Toronto (CPAT) is in its 23rd year and is designed as a fun way to meet people in your area and help build a safer community

EBSAC June, 2008 Minutes

Read the minutes from the June EBSAC Meeting here.

Agenda:

Welcome:

• Review & acceptance of last meeting’s minutes including Action Items

• Follow up on outstanding action items

Treasurer’s report

New Items

• Grade 8 graduation fund request

• Funfair funds disbursement

• Welcome back breakfast

• Directory and parent volunteer sheet in welcome back package.

• Nomination forms timing of elections

• Strategy for the new year: by-law amendments, fund raising, special parent info nights

Principals Report:

• Principal to provide a succinct overview of recent school activities and issues, report on playground equipment and painting.

• Safe school presentation from Neil

Open Items/Group Discussion/New Business

• Funfair

• QSP co-ordinatior

• Staff appreciation luncheon

• Boys washroom renovations

• Report from Eco-Team

• Community Center

• New Business

Wrap up & outstanding issues

• Receipt of items for next council meeting

Don't forget...

The Danforth East Community Association's Farmers' Market is on again this afternoon/evening.
3pm to 7pm in East Lynn Park - off Danforth between Coxwell and Woodbine Avenues.

Last week was a raving success. Come see why this local market was the most successful Farmers' Market in the city last week.

Change your plans for dinner tonight... Make something with local produce from nearby Ontario farms!

Free Trees!

Would you like a free tree?

Urban Forestry Services plants trees on City owned street allowances fronting residential properties for free. Periodically, Urban Forestry Services will canvass neighbourhoods for tree planting opportunities. Click here for more information:
http://www.toronto.ca/trees/tree_planting.htm

"Strawberries & Asparagus" festival: June 14 from 11.00am to 5.00pm

You're invited to the "Strawberries & Asparagus" festival: a community celebration of all things green. This festival in Toronto's Cedarvale Park promotes public space, local and organic food, local sustainable business, nature appreciation, music, and fitness & health.

Come along on June 14 from 11.00am to 5.00pm and enjoy:

• healthy snacks and solar ice cream
• free activities for children and adults
• live music on our solar stage
• a marketplace for green businesses and environmental organizations
  

This not-for-profit event is organized each year by EvolutionGreen.Com and human capital partner Green Neighbours 21, a grass-roots environmental group in Toronto's Ward 21. There is also an Inorganic Market™ taking place – you can drop off used or broken electronic items for free recycling. Laptops, desktops, iPods, mp3 players, cell phones and more will be collected. Come out, meet the community, and enjoy the fun!

http://www.cedarvalepark.com/2008/04/11/strawberries-and-asparagus-june-14th-2008/

Live green Toronto: conservation rebate and incentive programs

Wishing you could save energy, water, and maybe money at the same time? Here's a great source of information about rebate and incentive programs:
http://www.toronto.ca/livegreen/home_energy_rebates.html

Live Green Toronto will support community-initiated projects such as water conservation, tree planting, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, local food production and green roofs, through three key elements: Funding and incentives, community animators and a dedicated Live Green Toronto website www.livegreentoronto.ca that offers one-window access to rebates, tools and programs at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Contact the office to discuss your ideas today!

Don't Miss Councillor Janet Davis' Environment Day Saturday, June 7, 2008: 10 AM - 2 PM Stan Wadlow parking lots, 373 Cedarvale Ave.

Join Councillor Davis for her fifth annual Environment Day.
Click on the pic of Janet trying a trailer bike at last year's event for more information.

Visit community booths, Learn about City Environmental Initiatives, Pick Up Bike Maps, Free seeds, Free compost, Free rain gauges, Free green bin and kitchen container (with proof of new residency in the last 90 days, or exchange for damaged bins), Shop for green bins and kitchen containers, backyard composters, yard waste bins, water efficiency kits, rain barrells, native plants, Enjoy a community barbecue, A Whiners Music Showcase, DJ Jessica, Face Painting and a craft table for the kids, and, of course, drop off items for recycling, disposal or reuse.

For lists of these items visit www.toronto.ca/environment_days.

Celebrate Canadian Environment Week June 1-7!!

From a Federal Government press release:
OTTAWA, ON - June 2, 2008 - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today launched this year's Canadian Environment Week (June 1-7) and World Environment Day (June 5) by challenging Canadians to do more to protect and preserve Canada's environment.

"As Canada's Environment Minister, I share Canadians' passion for protecting our environment," said Minister Baird. "Canadians want to see their Government take a leadership role but they also want to do their part to protect the environment. That is what Canadian Environment Week is all about. It is an opportunity to focus on the impact Canadians can make towards a cleaner environment, healthier communities and a better quality of life for all."

Click on the poster to go to the website for the Ministry of the Environment.

Looking for ways you and your family can help the environment at home, work, and school? Click on the picture to take David Suzuki's Nature Challenge and find out some simple, effective actions that can make a big difference.










Kids can take their own Nature Challenge at David Suzuki's Kids' site:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/kids/

All Quadrant Meeting Monday, June 9th, 7 - 8:30 pm at Secord, 101 Barrington Ave.

Everyone is welcome to attend the "All Quadrant Meeting" of Central, Southeast, Southwest and North Schools on Monday, June 9th at 7:00 – 8:30pm, Secord Elementary School, 101 Barrington Ave. (1st street east of Main, south of Danforth – one way street running north)
Daycare will be provided
Agenda:

• Share, Evaluate, Plan Next Steps
• Swimming
• After School Programs
• Eco Initiatives.
  

LEAF Danforth Tree Tour May 24 2008

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) held a wonderful Tree Tour on Sunday, starting from Woodbine Station and meandering through the leafy neighborhoods of the East End. More than 50 people enjoyed the fantastic weather as Todd Irvine and Susan Gulley from LEAF gave their fascinating and informative tour of trees old and new in our local neighborhood.
For more information about LEAF:
http://www.leaftoronto.org/
For more information about upcoming Tree Tours:
http://www.treetours.to/event
Click on the photo for more pictures of the event.

Earl Beatty's old Oak Tree gets a checkup from LEAF

An arborist from LEAF stopped by our school to have a look at our old oak tree in the little kids' play area on Woodington. He gave us lots of ideas for ways the Eco Team and the school can help keep the tree alive as long as possible.

Click on the photo for more pictures of our visit.

The red oak is possibly as old as the school (80 years!). The leaves seem healthy enough, but some branches are dead or dying, indicating the tree is under stress. Much of the area around the tree is paved, making it difficult for water to reach the roots which may extend from the trunk even beyond the canopy of the branches. The arborist offered many suggestions such as watering with a soaker hose during hot, dry spells in the summer, adding nutrient-rich mulch, and breaking up the soil patches between the paved areas to allow water to seep down to the roots.

Other trees in the schoolyard include a sugar maple and a Turkish filbert. They seem to be thriving and providing us with much-needed shade on the West side of the building. We are fortunate to have so many lovely trees and should do whatever we can to keep them healthy as long as possible.

The TDSB also sent Bruce Day to assess the tree and offer his recommendations. Click the Photo for more pictures.

Jackman School Video Launch: "Raising the Green Roof" Tuesday, June 10 4 pm -- all are welcome!

Historica 2008

Students in Rooms 16 and 21 participated in Historica this year. The Historica Fair is similar to a science fair, but the topics are all Canadian, related to history or heritage. On April 23, we had our School Fair and 10 projects were selected to attend the Regional Fair, held at the Scarborough Civic Centre on May 2. Our projects were well received and demonstrated dedication and attention to detail. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the fairs. Our Regional Fair projects will be on display in the school library. Drop in for a visit!

-Ms Bradbury, Librarian

Honest Earl's Bargain Basement raises $1170 for Schoolyard Greening!!

After weeks of organizing, Honest Earl's Bargain Basement was a big success. On April 25th, the Eco Team and many friends did a brisk, coffee-fuelled business (thanks to Alternative Grounds for the free Fair Trade, Organic coffee!!) and enjoyed delicious baked goods while shopping for great quality, hand-sorted children's clothing and sporting goods. "Personal shoppers" were also on hand to ensure an entertaining shopping experience was had by all.

At the end of the sale, the grand total raised for schoolyard greening was $1170!!!!

But the dividends did not stop there!

The clothing that was leftover went to:

• Red Door Shelter for abused women and their families
• Massey House for young mothers (newborn/baby clothes)
• Ages and Stages for Earl Beatty's Greening Fund

Ages and Stages has set up an account #197 for the EB Eco Team for the schoolyard greening fund. The leftover clothing that went to Nikki's store will continue to generate income for the school's greening fund. Next time you're dropping off used clothing at Nikki's store, consider putting some in the account to raise money for the school.

And finally, the biggest winner is the environment!!
There is no other way to buy greener than to buy second hand.
So thanks, Sheryl, Sheila, Liza, and everyone who helped so much to create this wonderful event. We look forward to doing it again next October.

Click here to read the minutes from the wrap-up brunch meeting about the event.

Click here for more photos from the event.

Community Clean Up April 19th, 2008

Thanks to everyone who came out to help with the 2008 Community Clean Up! Click the photo for some pictures from the event:

Central Quadrant Meeting: Monday, May 12th, 7:00pm, Earl Haig, 15 Earl Haig Avenue

EBSAC May, 2008 Minutes

Agenda:

Welcome:

• Review & acceptance of last meeting’s minutes including Action Items

• Follow up on outstanding action items

Treasurer’s report

New Items

• Parent directory maintenance

• Painting of door, and new equipment

• Grade 8 graduation fund request

• Funfair funds disbursement

• Follow up of Grade 7 and 8 playground use

• Fan purchases

Principals Report:

• Principal to provide a succinct overview of recent school activities and issues

• Safe school update from Neil

Open Items/Group Discussion/New Business

• Honest Earl’s update

• Report from Eco-Team

• Community Center

• Funfair

• New Business: QSP coordinator and Staff appreciation Luncheon

Wrap up & outstanding issues

• Receipt of items for next council meeting

Earl Beatty at Save our Pools Rally at Queen's Park

A hearty group of Earl Beatty parents and children braved the chilly weather and went to Queen's Park on Thursday, May 1st to show their support for their pool and instructors, Sarah and Paul. There was an enthusiastic rally of people from all age groups, as well as local politicians, who voiced their concern over the closing of so many of our city school pools.

Let's Make Waves to Save our Pools!

Check out this new website with tons of contacts, links and places to direct letters and inquiries about saving our pools:

http://www.letsmakewaves.ca/

The East Lynn Farmers' Market is a go!

From the Danforth East Community Association:

First, let me say that there is a group of women, led by Alison McMurray, who have been working on every detail of this farmers' market since January. They've been out measuring parking spots in the snow, cajoling people all over the place and generally working their butts off to make this happen and we are all the lucky beneficiaries of their work. You're going to hear and see more of these farmers femmes over the coming months, but for now, let me be the first to say thanks ladies for an unbelievable amount of work. And now this note below is from Alison - they got us this far - now we need you to help make our community farmers' market a roaring success. Now with 1 month to go we have to get busy!!!!

Volunteers are needed for the following areas and if you have already signed up at the meeting there is no need to respond. After you sign up you will receive more information about the details and you can respond about availability. Please spread the word among neighbours and friends and help be a market ambassador!

Here are the areas we need help with:

• handing out postcards and putting up flyers.
• market support ie. traffic control, community table, vendor support....
• food table - help with food fundraisers, fireman's fire pit
• art table
• festival event committees - please note, you must be present for the month that you are volunteering for!
• June - strawberry festival
• July - peach/plum festival
• August - corn/tomato festival
• Sept - apples
• October - pumpkins, squash

Thank you in advance and spread the word, we need all the help and support we can get to show everyone how vibrant and strong our community is!!!!

For more information or to volunteer to help out, contact Alison at eastlynnpark (at) rogers.com

WANTED: QSP Campaign Manager for 2008-2009 School Year!

Greetings everyone,

As you know, QSP is one of the school's biggest fundraising initiatives. Traditionally, we raise between $3000-$4000/year; these funds are distributed equally to all classrooms, with the individual teachers determining how they would like to spend the money for their classes. The campaign usually takes place during the first few weeks of October and lasts 2-3 weeks. Although October seems far away, we have to make a decision NOW as to whether we want to run the campaign again in the upcoming school year.

For the past 4 years, Laura Sandwell has been managing the QSP campaign, along with her crew of wonderful volunteers. This year, Laura is unable to continue in this role, and consequently, we are seeking someone to take her place. Responsibilities include:

- preparing all correspondence (kickoff letter, teacher letter, weekly reminders, wrap-up letter)
- assembling the take-home packages - assembling the teacher information package
- coordinating in-school promotion (display case, assembly, announcements, posters, mascot, special events, etc.)
- collecting and processing paper order forms and payments- tracking sales - submitting order forms to QSP
- checking and distributing prizes
- checking QSP reports for accuracy and following up on any discrepencies versus sales records
- following up on any rejected orders (e.g. credit card failure, etc.)
- coordinating with EBSAC Treasurer for deposit of cash and cheques, final cheque to QSP, etc.

QSP provides a rep who is the campaign coordinator's key contact. The rep provides a set of suggested best practices to maximize sales and also conducts the kickoff assembly. The rep is also the first point of contact for any questions or issues that may arise.

Laura has kindly agreed to mentor her successor and to be available for any questions, so you won't be on your own. Additionally, others usually help to assemble the take-home packages and coordinate the in-school promotional activities.

In general, you would need to dedicate 6-8 weeks of your time to this worthwhile project. Soooo, if this is the call you've been waiting for to get more involved in your school community, we would LOVE to hear from you. Please think about it and let us know ASAP, either by contacting us at ebsc_info@yahoo.ca or by leaving a message at the school. It is a lot of work, but the return on investment is definitely worth the effort!

Thanks,
Hema Murdock
Chair, Earl Beatty SAC

LET'S MAKE WAVES AND SAVE OUR POOLS!

Save Toronto Pools Rally - May 1st 4:15-6:15 pm at Queen's Park (front lawn)

If you can swim, or you ever want to learn to swim, this rally is for you! YOUR help is needed to save Toronto pools for all the citizens of this city. Keep them open so all children can learn to swim and stay safe, youth can train and compete, and adults can stay fit and healthy. Come out to show our elected officials that this is an important issue for the people of Toronto! We want the Province, City, and TDSB to work together to find a sustainablelong-term solution.

Make the rally a fun event with friends and family. Make signs. Wear your swim suit, bathing cap, and goggles. Bring your life jacket and waterwings. Wear your swim team track suit!!! Please do what you can to attend and make a difference. Come after school, leave work a bit early, bring the kids, grandparents, everyone and anyone.The more of us there are, the more we'll make a difference.

Be sure to bring your signed petition, or sign one when you are there:petition@letsmakewaves.ca. If you plan on attending, let the organizers know the numbers by e-mailing events@letsmakewaves.ca. Visit www.letsmakewaves.ca.

Some things to remember...

*This is a peaceful, family-friendly demonstration, so please respect the rules for demonstrating at Queen's Park.
*Please stay on the front lawn of Queen's Park. Do not demonstrate on driveways or the steps of Queen's Park.
*Please do not enter Queen's Park.
*Please hold signs. Do not post them on monuments or pierce the lawn with signs on stakes.· *Please do not enter Queen's Park to use washrooms. Instead go to neighbouring buildings.
*Please take the TTC to the Queen's Park stop, as parking is limited in the area.

Don't Miss Honest Earl's Bargain Basement! - Friday, April 25th - from 3:45 to 7:00pm

Coming soon, to a lunch room near you... the first re-used children's clothing and sporting goods sale at Earl Beatty. Don't miss your chance to score some amazing deals, while raising money to support the Eco Team's schoolyard greening initiatives.

Fair Trade Organic tea, coffee, hot chocolate and yummy baked goods will also be for sale - while quantities last!

Help us reduce waste by BYOM (mug) & BYOB (bags). See you there!

Principal/Vice-Principal Selection Process

Children's Mental Health Forum

Safety Forum at East York Civic Centre

Visit the Eco Team's Litterless Lunch Display

The Eco Team worked hard tonight to create a Litterless Lunch display outside the lunchroom.
Thanks to all the parents, Martha, and the many kids who coloured, stamped, cut out, stapled, taped, and drew examples of what goes into our lunches:

• "Litterless Lunches" using reusable containers, cloth napkins, and cutlery
• "Not-so-good Lunches" using recyclable containers, paper and plastic: it still takes energy and resources to gather, transport and recycle old items into new ones -- and the resources degrade with each cycle, so recycling isn't quite as eco-friendly as reusing
  
• "Landfill Lunches" using single-use items that go directly into the garbage like foil, plastic cutlery, styrofoam, and plastic baggies

Eco Team's "Save the Oak Tree" Bake Sale a Big Success!

Wow! the Eco Team kids raised $175.45 in their campaign to help the majestic oak tree that shades the Woodington playground. Congratulations to the kids and thanks to Ms Hale and all the fabulous bakers!

Liza Ordubegian,the Garden Mum, says, "the tree in question is under stress, as it loses small branches frequently, leaves look a bit droopy and fall before times.This stress is likely due to the following:

1. being surrounded by mostly asphalt;
2. when the playground was reconstructed, the box was built around the tree - and likely the soil was built up around the trunk - not good for the tree;
3. the little kids like to walk around and around the trunk, thereby compacting what little soil is there - great for the kids, not so good for the tree;
4. the dense canopy of the tree also does not allow much rain to reach this small area of soil - also not good.

What needs to be done is likely removing the box and providing open ground around it so that the tree can access water, a good pruning of dead and weak branches, possibly cabling if there are splits between the trunk and the main branches, and a good feeding."

Bruce Day from the TDSB will be coming to check on the tree and LEAF's arborist will be including a visit to our tree as part of their "Tree Tour" on May 25th.

EBSAC April, 2008 Minutes

Read the minutes from the April EBSAC Meeting here.

Welcome:

• Review & acceptance of last meeting’s minutes including Action Items

• Follow up on outstanding action items

  • Parent wish list

Treasurer’s report

New Items

• Final decision on paint of doors

• Follow up on spending of Fun Fair funds and fans

• By-law amendments

• Principal and Vice principal Criteria

• Change of policy for Grade 7 and 8 use of school yard

Principals Report:

• Laurie Reid to provide a succinct overview of recent school activities and issues

• Safe school update from Neil

Presentation from 54 Divison

Open Items/Group Discussion/New Business

• Report from Eco-Team

• Parent committee

• Community Center

• Funfair

• New Business

Wrap up & outstanding issues

• Receipt of items for next council meeting

My School Review Central Quadrant Meeting: 7 pm Monday, April 14th at Earl Beatty Public School, 55 Woodington Avenue

Please plan on attending the MSR Central Quadrant Meeting on Monday, April 14th at 7 pm at Earl Beatty Public School, 55 Woodington Avenue. Central schools include: Crescent Town, D. A. Morrison, Earl Beatty, Earl Haig, Gledhill, Parkside and Secord. The meeting will be led by our Trustee, Sheila Carey-Meagher.
Agenda:

Update on My School Review -Sheila

Develop tasks for each of the following strategy groups:
• Food & Nutrition
• Parent & Community Engagement
• Transition Issues
• After School/After Hours Programs
• Eco Ideas
• Enhanced School Programs - Everyone

Designate a chair from each strategy group to report on progress at next quadrant meeting – May 12th

Resources available

Next Steps

Other business

Next Central Quadrant Meeting May 12th

Regular meetings will be held on the 2nd Monday of every Month

Action urgently needed to Save Our Pools!

Please circulate to your community:

1. Decide which people in your group/area are doing a deputation on April 10th TDSB meeting and get in by or before Monday morning April 7th. All you need to do to submit the deputation request with title of your deputation and address it to Board Communications and Call David Tomczak at 416 3973288 or email david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca or fax: 416 393-9969. To ensure we get as many people heard as possible, please ensure your speech is brief and to the point (I’d try and limit it to 1 minute – time yourself).
2. Please come at 6 pm to 5050 Yonge Street on Thursday April 10th to rally outside and to ensure we are all inside the meeting before 6:30 pm when it starts.
3. Every school needs to be involved where you have a pool at risk or not because its about a bigger funding issue - FUNDING FORMULA MUST ADDRESS UNIQUE EDUCATION CONDITIONS OF THE GTA. Every school is affected. All students and all parents, please please please come!!! Rally your school to come now! As well, all other special groups like TSC and the Masters program need to come out so we can demonstrate the health and fitness and sport issues demonstrating the fact that the pools are being used by the community outside of the school.
4. Please come out to the Mock Funeral at Malvern Collegiate on Tuesday April 8that 4 pm. We will have CTV there. The kids are getting the drama department involved and I think it will be out of this world amazing. The more people we have there from other communities the better. It is so important to show that this is a City issue and that we all support each other because we careabout our education system and physical activity and sports. The address is 55 Malvern Avenue (416 393 1480 – ask for Molly or Cori and say its re Mock Funeral). Malvern runs north from Kingston Road just east of Main (west of Victoria Park). There is lots of parking in the lot and around on thestreets. If you are coming on TTC, go to Main Subway Station on the East Line, take the bus south to Kingston Road and then either walk east toMalvern or take the street car (I’d recommend walking as its not that far). Its really easy to get to and if you are not from the beach area, please make an evening of it and go for a walk on the Boardwalk after and perhaps have a bite to eat. If it’s a nice day, it’s a nice getaway in the city.
5. Please keep on sending emails and calls and visits to your Liberal MPPs (constantly). Please continue to get media involved. Please keep getting the message out there. AS A UNITED TEAM OF CONCERNED CITIZENS WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

Jessica Monk

EAST LYNN FARMER'S MARKET: Information session Monday, 21 April at 7:00 p.m. at Earl Haig PS Library

The Danforth East Community Association (DECA) has been organizing a Farmer's Market in East Lynn park that will run every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., June 5th to Oct. 30th. Our community, local businesses, Councillor Sandra Bussin and the parks supervisor have offered support. DECA has been working with an established group that organizes markets all over Ontario.

While waiting for final approval from the city, DECA would like to plan events and co-ordinate volunteers so that all is ready to go once that final hurdle is crossed.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS and plan on attending the East Lynn farmers' market information session and volunteer sign-up on MONDAY, 21 APRIL at 7:00 p.m. at EARL HAIG PUBLIC SCHOOL library (just south of Danforth on Coxwell).

PLEASE encourage your friends and neighbours to attend and find out more about how we can all be a part of making this market happen. If you cannot attend but would like to be a part of the market committee, email DECA or visit http://www.eastlynnpark.com/

or email eastlynnpark (at)rogers.com.

Thanks!

EBSAC

Your help is needed to save our Pools!

From the Save Keele Pool blog:

A new development in the fight to save our pool:
The city was scheduled to begin decommissioning up to 35 neighbourhood swimming pools this June. However, it was recently revealed that Beaches-East York Councillor Janet Davis was able to find alternative funding to save two pools in her ward at G.A. Brown and S.H. Armstrong public schools.

The question:
What does Councillor Davis know that our own Councillor Bill Saundercook doesn't?
And why isn't he out there finding out?
What can you do?

Toronto City Council is meeting next Monday, March 31st. On the agenda is a Budget Committee recommendation to Executive and Council to have the 2008 Budget include funding for G.A. Brown and S.H. Armstrong pools.

Your help is needed to write letters, faxes or emails to urge Councillor Saundercook to follow Councillor Davis' lead and save our pool as she is with those in her ward. In fact, this does not apply to just our ward. If you're elsewhere in the city where there's a pool slated to close due to lack of city funding, use the below table to find your councillor and write to them as well.

What to write:
To make it easy, two sample letters are available as guides. You can copy them verbatim (personalized with your information) or just use them as reference for your own letter. However, it's important that this be done before this Friday.

See the link below for more information and sample letters:
http://www.savekeelepool.ca/member_alert_03-25-08.html