Tuesday, 31 March 2009

Workshop: What Parents Need to Know About the Video Games Kids Play

You're invited to a Riverdale School Council Workshop:
April 7/09, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Riverdale C.I. Auditorium
1094 Gerrard St. East

Gamer Ed:
What Parents need to know about the
Video Games Kids Play


The debate about the benefits and/or curse that is video games doesn’t seem to end. Are they educational or a mindless waste of time? Do they encourage strategic reasoning or destructive, violent behavior?

Underpinning this debate is an age-old truth; we fear what we don’t understand and many parents today don’t know, understand or get gaming. Why do kids have this passionate love affair with video games? How can they invest so much of themselves in blowing up zombies, decorating an igloo or slaying trolls? How do kids get their thumbs and brains to work in tandem when they can’t seem to find their way to the laundry basket?

As parents, many of us struggle with issues like appropriate game play, game systems and appropriate titles. Or maybe we’re not even part of the conversation and have allowed our kids to parent themselves through the video game landscape.
What is a parent’s role in managing the video-gaming habits of their kids?


Join us at Riverdale Collegiate for an INCREDIBLE night of gaming education

We’ll explain the range of gaming options, review gaming platforms and rating guides, provide parenting strategies, and PLAY SOME GAMES!

This is a fabulous opportunity for parents to educate themselves on an activity that is defining a generation of kids.

Featuring:
- Marc Saltzman: Gaming and Technology Guru, Host of ‘Plugged in with Marc Salzman’, ‘Tech Talk’ on CFRB - Jesse Wente: Gaming and Film Critic, CBC Radio, TIFF programmer ….and the gaming talents of Riverdale students

*** Admission is Free to all students, parents, guardians and TDSB staff.


Click image at left for printable flyer:




Ethnocultural Network Meeting March 31st, 5050 Yonge Street, Ground Floor, TDSB Cafeteria, 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Are you concerned about your child’s performance at school? Would you like your children to be successful in school but need more information as a parent or caregiver?

Please come and attend a meeting of the Ethnocultural Community Network, a liaison group with the Toronto District School Board

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
5050 Yonge Street, Ground Floor, TDSB Cafeteria
6:30pm to 9:00pm
A light dinner and refreshments will be served at 6:30pm.
Meeting will start at 7:00pm sharp

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

Don't Miss Steve Chapelle's Seminar "Streetproof Your Child for the Internet" Monday, March 30th from 7:00 - 8:30

The Earl Beatty School Council is pleased to host Earl Beatty parent and Internet Safety expert Steve Chapelle's popular seminar:

"Streetproof Your Child for the Internet"
Monday, March 30th from 7:00 - 8:30
in the downstairs Multi-Purpose Room,
Earl Beatty Public School,
55 Woodington Ave.


In this one-hour seminar you will learn...


PARENTAL CONTROLS OVER INTERNET CONTENT
  • Teach children responsible computing rules
  • Block inappropriate internet content
  • Understand chat rooms, text messaging and blogs
  • Monitor website and instant messaging history
  • Familiarize with children’s internet friends and contacts
  • Direction on file-sharing (downloading)
COMPUTER MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION
  • Windows update and security
  • MS-Office update and security
  • Virus and spyware removal and blockage
  • Safe email usage to minimize spam
  • Firewall understanding and utilization
  • Data protection
FREE-LICENCE SOFTWARE AND WHERE TO GET IT
  • Internet Content Control
  • Anti-virus
  • Anti-spyware
  • Firewall
  • Text Messaging monitor
  • Popup Stopper

WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY:

  • A greater ability to establish responsibility as it relates to the family or small office computer(s)
  • Familiarity with the latest technological terminology and activities popular among young people
  • Overcoming the sense of being outflanked by computer-savvy children.
  • Understanding the methods necessary for maintaining and protecting your computer, software, data and privacy
  • Your own copy of Streetproof Your Child For The Internet - The Parent’s Handbook
About Steve Chapelle:

An IT professional for more than 20 years, Steve Chapelle has held technical and leadership positions in Technical Support, Operations and Production. Experience has included Microsoft, IBM and Novell operating systems, as well as both corporate and home office environments.

Feedback:

"I've attended a number of seminars and workshops on Internet safety, and Steve Chapelle's 'Streetproof Your Child for the Internet' was certainly the most practical. I left the seminar knowing what I had to do and why, and with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to do it. It was time well spent." - John, parent and APSGO member (Association of Parent Support Groups in Ontario)

“Streetproof Your Child For The
Internet’ is an excellent seminar. Steve details the pitfalls of internet safety and gives clear explanations of how to make our home computers safer places for our families.” - Nicole Herbert, Chair, Leslieville School Council

“Steve's information and in the format
that he explained it all was exceptional, easy to understand and fun.” - Charlene D, Toronto parent


Please visit Mr. Chapelle's website for more information:

http://stevechapelle.ca/

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Fun Fair Committee at our next meeting on Wed Apr 1st at 7pm in the school library

Please join the Fun Fair Committee at our next meeting on Wed Apr 1st at 7pm in the school library. We’re still looking for more parents to join our group to make our 5th Annual Fun Fair & Ball Hockey Tournament a great event. Refreshments will be available so come out and bring your great ideas!

Thanks, Penny

Sunday, 22 March 2009

EBSAC March 12th, 2009‏ Minutes

Hello, Earl Beatty Parents, and friends,

Please click here to read the minutes from our March 12th School Advisory Council's meeting.


Our March meeting was very well-attended and action-packed. We had two special presentations: a report from the Eco Team's Greening Committee and a visit from Superintendent Kathy Cowan who informed us about the outcomes of Earl Haig's recent decision to become a K-8 school.

Please join us for our next EBSAC meeting:
Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the STAFF ROOM


Also, please save the date for our upcoming seminar:

"Streetproof Your Child for the Internet" with Steve Chapelle
Monday, March 30th from 7:00 - 8:30 in the downstairs Multi-Purpose Room (lunchroom).

Hope to see you there!


Sincerely,
Tara Donovan, Secretary
EBSAC

Saturday, 7 March 2009

Ward 16 Council Meeting Tuesday March 10th at 7:00pm

Presteign Heights, 2570 St. Clair Avenue East

Agenda
  • School Signs update
  • School Promotional Brochure
  • Presentation - Live Green Specialist - Martina V. Rowley
Live Green Toronto is a new, five-year program initiated by the City of Toronto. Live Green will
  • Help identify potential funding opportunities, including financial incentives and grants for programs such as, home energy retrofits; green power generation; community gardens; water and energy conservation, tree plantings and green roofs.
  • Assist in navigating through regulatory and other approval processes
  • Co-ordinate Live Green Toronto workshops to provide the know-how needed and make connections with other experts and suppliers.

The website www.livegreentoronto.ca will provide the information

Click image at right for a printable agenda.

Thursday, 5 March 2009

Bowling at Danforth Bowl - Part 2! Monday, March 16th, 2:30 - 4:30

Given the overwhelming interest in bowling with friends from Earl Beatty on the Friday of March Break, we how have a full house for that date. But for those who are still interested there is a possibility of having a second bowling event on the Monday. Please email ebsacinfo@gmail.com asap if you are interested in having your kids participate (note: adult supervision required).

The cost is about $5.00 total per child, and includes a box of fruit juice and a bag of chips. Last year's event was great fun. Hope to see you there!

Thanks, Sheila

For more information about Danforth Bowl see their website:
http://www.danforthbowl.com/

Agenda for EBSAC Meeting Thursday, March 12th, 2009 in the MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM (Lunch Room), 6:00-8:00 pm

Hello, everybody!

Welcome one and all to the School Advisory Council meeting next week, Thursday, March 12th, at 6:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room (a.k.a. the Lunchroom). Please note the change of venue!

Click here for the agenda for the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Tara Donovan, Secretary
EBSAC

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Fun Fair Committee Meeting: Wed Mar 4th at 7-9pm, Earl Beatty’s library

The Fun Fair committee would like to thank all the parents who attended the first meeting on Feb 4th. Your participation was greatly appreciated! We’re looking for more people to join our group to make this 5th anniversary Fun Fair the best one yet. Please come to our next meeting on Wed Mar 4th at 7-9pm, Earl Beatty’s library, to hear what the fun is all about.

Penny Bird Rudder

Ward 16 Council Meeting Minutes February 10th, 2009.

Click here for the minutes from the February 10th Ward 16 council meeting at Duke of Connaught Public School.

Up-coming Ward 16 Council Meeting dates: March 10th, May 11th & June 9th.

Tara Donovan
EBSAC Secretary