April 21, 2017: Panther Press

UPCOMING DATES  Parent Council  April 24th, 7pm  Return Census to School  April 26th - Thank you!  Mardi Gras Assembly  April 27th, AM  Kindergarten Orientation (for new students)   May 1st, 3:30pm - 4:30pm  TDSB Spring Festival Concert at Massey Hall  May 4th  Speaker Series for Parents - Reducing Anxiety in Children  May 8th  Junior Concert  May 11th, 9am  Dance Share (Grades 4-6)  May 19th  EQAO (for Grades 3 & 6)  May 24th - June 1st (please refrain from  booking appointments during this window)  Garden Fete  May 27th  Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony  June 15th, 1pm  Kindergarten Celebration  June 23rd

CLASSROOM SET UP    It is hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by. As we move into the final 2 months of the school year, teachers and school staff will begin to form the classes for the 2017-2018 school year. Staff put a lot of thought into your child's learning styles and the social dynamic when they build the classrooms. We also welcome your input. If you would like to share information about your child's learning style with us, that you feel would benefit them as we do the class placements, please e-mail Jessica Feldberg (jessica.feldberg@tdsb.on.ca) before May 1 st , 2017. Please note we cannot accept specific teacher requests.

LET'S CELEBRATE THE 100th GARDEN FÊTE!      May 27th is the date for this milestone opportunity as our community comes together to honour another great year at Brown School. Stay tuned for more information on how students, parents and the whole community can get involved through: - The Panther Press - class parents - hand-outs in student backpacks - Brown School website (www.brownschool.ca). Stay tuned: next week, we'll unveil the logo for the 100th GARDEN FÊTE!

DIABETES TEXTILE DRIVE FOR EARTH WEEK   This week the Eco club will be collecting any gently used or even well used clothing and textiles, in any condition. Help keep materials out of landfill sites and give them a second life, either for someone else to use or to be re-purposed as stuffing for furniture etc. Diabetes will collect and sort all materials, will sell what is in good condition and will shred what isn't, to be used in other ways. Old paint shirt? We'll take it! Ripped towels? We need them Ugly drapes? Yes, please! Old sheets? Great! Frayed jeans? Thank you! Please bring donations to the large drop-box marked Diabetes which is located outside the office early next week!

KISS AND RIDE    Please keep the following in mind during morning drop-off:   This is a gentle reminder that Kiss & Ride is a drop off zone, on Poplar Plains Road, for students grades 1-6 only. Kindergarten children must be walked to their classrooms.   This program is staffed completely by Brown parent volunteers, from 8:25-8:40am.    A few reminders for all parents: There is no parking in the designated Kiss & Ride drop off area, or in the school bus zone between 8:25am and 8:40am for ANY reason.   When using Kiss & Ride, drivers must stay in the vehicle; volunteers will open the doors for your child(ren) on the passenger side of the car. If you must enter the schoolyard or your child is not able to walk in alone you need to park on one of the side streets where parking is permitted.  Parking in the Kiss'n'Ride zone is NOT permitted. For safety reasons, the Avenue Road Driveway is only to be used by TDSB Facilities staff, and Brown Administration. Please note that the parking lot off Poplar Plains is for Brown School Staff only. Our program relies on volunteers. Please be courteous with our Kiss & Ride volunteers!               Morning Parking is available in the neighbourhood in these areas: 10 minutes parking on Lynwood between Avenue Rd. and Poplar Plains on Warren Road VERY LIMITED parking on Poplar Plains near Lynwood on Balmoral Ave East and West of Poplar Plains, and East of Avenue Road On Clarendon Avenue.

TWITTER   Make sure you are following @BrownPSPanthers on Twitter! Updates are happening daily!

BROWN WEAR FRIDAYS! We encourage everyone to wear their Brown Wear  or Black and Red every Friday! Go Panthers!

COMMUNICATIONS ARCHIVE Please note that our Communications Archive can be found at - http://brownschoolbulletin.blogspot.ca.

April 14, 2017: Panther Press

UPCOMING DATES  Parent Council  April 24th, 7pm  Mardi Gras Assembly  April 27th, AM  Kindergarten Orientation (for new students)  May 1st, 3:30pm - 4:30pm  TDSB Spring Festival Concert at Massey Hall  May 4th  Junior Concert  May 11th, 9am  Dance Share (Grades 4-6)  May 19th  EQAO (for Grades 3 & 6)  May 24th - June 1st (please refrain from  booking appointments during this window)  Garden Fete  May 27th  Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony  June 15th, 1pm  Kindergarten Celebration  June 23rd (New date!)

GARDEN FÊTE TURNS 100     ON MAY 27TH, LET'S CELEBRATE AS GARDEN FÊTE TURNS 100! Please save the date for this milestone opportunity as our community comes together to honour another great year at Brown School. Stay tuned for more information through: - The Panther Press - class parents - hand-outs in student backpacks - Brown School website (www.brownschool.ca).

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PINK    Our students wore their pink loud and proud to remember the International Day of Pink and to stand up against bullying. Way to go Panthers!

PUBLIC MEETING - PROGRAM AREA REVIEW The presentation from the public meeting has been posted online: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/aboutus/strategyplanning/searchallreviews.aspx    2017 - Brown Junior Public School and Deer Park Junior and Senior Public School > Meeting(s) - Community Engagement > Public Meeting - Presentation - April 3, 2017

REDUCING ANXIETY IN YOUR CHILDREN   Please see the attachment regarding an amazing information session for parents being offered on Monday, May 8th and held at Brown. Daycare is being provided for children.

COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR NEEDED    Join a fun and dynamic team of parents in helping get the "news out"!   We are looking for someone to join our communications team. The team works in tandem to coordinate with other committees and administration to send out email blasts and the weekly Panther Press.   Technology background necessary. Ideally an active volunteer in Brown Parent Council and available for Parent Council meetings. Training is provided.   The full description of roles and responsibilities can be found as Item 18 here:   http://brownschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Parent-Council-Roles-and-Responsibilitiesv2-1.pdf Please contact Amanda Demers (mandademers@gmail.com) or Joanna Onoszko (onoszko.joanna@gmail.com) for more information.

KISS AND RIDE    Please keep the following in mind during morning drop-off:   This is a gentle reminder that Kiss & Ride is a drop off zone, on Poplar Plains Road, for students grades 1-6 only. Kindergarten children must be walked to their classrooms.   This program is staffed completely by Brown parent volunteers, from 8:25-8:40am.    A few reminders for all parents: There is no parking in the designated Kiss & Ride drop off area, or in the school bus zone between 8:25am and 8:40am for ANY reason.   When using Kiss & Ride, drivers must stay in the vehicle; volunteers will open the doors for your child(ren) on the passenger side of the car. If you must enter the schoolyard or your child is not able to walk in alone you need to park on one of the side streets where parking is permitted.  Parking in the Kiss'n'Ride zone is NOT permitted. For safety reasons, the Avenue Road Driveway is only to be used by TDSB Facilities staff, and Brown Administration. Please note that the parking lot off Poplar Plains is for Brown School Staff only. Our program relies on volunteers. Please be courteous with our Kiss & Ride volunteers!               Morning Parking is available in the neighbourhood in these areas: 10 minutes parking on Lynwood between Avenue Rd. and Poplar Plains on Warren Road VERY LIMITED parking on Poplar Plains near Lynwood on Balmoral Ave East and West of Poplar Plains, and East of Avenue Road On Clarendon Avenue.

April 7, 2017: Panther Press

UPCOMING DATES  Day of Pink  April 12th, WEAR PINK  Parent Council  April 24th, 7pm  Mardi Gras Assembly  April 27th, AM  Kindergarten Orientation (for new students)  May 1st, 3:30pm - 4:30pm  Junior Concert  May 11th, 9am  Dance Share (Grades 4-6)  May 19th  EQAO (for Grades 3 & 6)  May 24th - June 1st (please refrain from  booking appointments during this window)  Garden Fete  May 27th  Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony  June 15th, 1pm  Kindergarten Celebration  June 23rd (New date!)

DAY OF PINK Next Wednesday, April 12, Brown will be participating again in the International Day of Pink.  In addition to raising awareness about bullying, trans/homophobia, it is an opportunity to discuss gender stereotypes and celebrate diversity in all forms!

ROAD SAFETY ON POPLAR PLAINS      Please work with us to ensure our students use the road signs properly and, in particular, use the Cross Walk to cross Poplar Plains Road.

MILK      If you have purchased milk for your child, please remind them to come and pick it up at the beginning of lunch.

UPDATE ON SPORTS  Co-ed Volleyball  Grade 4/5 - Congrats on an amazing season thus far, the team is off to the Conference Championship game...details to follow soon.   Grade 6 - Our team is playing in the Semifinals on Friday afternoon, good luck, Go Panthers!     Girls Soccer Team    Grade 4/5 and the Grade 6 Girls Soccer team will have tryouts on the following dates: Wednesday April 12 and Thursday April 13 @ 7:15am at Winston Churchill Park. At the conclusion of the tryouts the team along with the coaches will walk back to school together. A change of shoes and socks for the rest of the school day are highly recommended, the park is still quite muddy. if it's raining, we'll tryout in the Gym.   Mr. P and Mr. D     Badminton Team   Congratulations to the Grade 6 team who won the Conference Championship on April 6th. The team is heading to the City Finals on April 20th. More info will be emailed to the parents regarding the City Finals very soon.   Track and Field Team   Many of the Grade 4 to 6 students have been running the various Track events in PE class. We have started to put together the team but have many spots still to fill. The following events will take place in your child's PE class: 80m, 200m, 400m.  The following events will take place outside of school hours:  60m Hurdles - Friday April 21st @ 7:15am 1500m - Monday April 24th @ 7:15am  800m - Friday April 28th @ 7:15am.   If your child (Grade 4 to 6), makes it on to the Track and Field Team, we will have our 1st competition on Tuesday May9th @ Birchmount Stadium. A letter with detailed information about our 1st meet will be sent home with your child at the end of April.   Mr. P

MABEL'S LABELS Camp season is upon us!  Help support Brown Public School by buying the things you already need! Mabel's Labels is offering early bird pricing for their Sleepaway and Day Camp Label Packs for 2017.  Early bird pricing is only available until April 30th.     Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com and select Brown Public School (Toronto) from the school dropdown list   All purchases made through this link on the Mabel's Labels website throughout the year help support our fundraising goals!   Please see the attachment. As always we are here if you have any questions.

COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR NEEDED    Join a fun and dynamic team of parents in helping get the "news out"!   We are looking for someone to join our communications team. The team works in tandem to coordinate with other committees and administration   to send out email blasts and the weekly Panther Press. Technology background necessary. Ideally an active volunteer in Brown Parent Council and available for Parent Council meetings. Training is provided.   The full description of roles and responsibilities can be found as Item 18 here:   http://brownschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Parent-Council-Roles-and-Responsibilitiesv2-1.pdf Please contact Amanda Demers (mandademers@gmail.com) or Joanna Onoszko (onoszko.joanna@gmail.com) for more information.

KISS AND RIDE    Please keep the following in mind during morning drop-off:   This is a gentle reminder that Kiss & Ride is a drop off zone, on Poplar Plains Road, for students grades 1-6 only. Kindergarten children must be walked to their classrooms.   This program is staffed completely by Brown parent volunteers, from 8:25-8:40am.    A few reminders for all parents: There is no parking in the designated Kiss & Ride drop off area, or in the school bus zone between 8:25am and 8:40am for ANY reason.   When using Kiss & Ride, drivers must stay in the vehicle; volunteers will open the doors for your child(ren) on the passenger side of the car. If you must enter the schoolyard or your child is not able to walk in alone you need to park on one of the side streets where parking is permitted.  Parking in the Kiss'n'Ride zone is NOT permitted. For safety reasons, the Avenue Road Driveway is only to be used by TDSB Facilities staff, and Brown Administration. Please note that the parking lot off Poplar Plains is for Brown School Staff only. Our program relies on volunteers. Please be courteous with our Kiss & Ride volunteers!               Morning Parking is available in the neighbourhood in these areas: 10 minutes parking on Lynwood between Avenue Rd. and Poplar Plains on Warren Road VERY LIMITED parking on Poplar Plains near Lynwood on Balmoral Ave East and West of Poplar Plains, and East of Avenue Road On Clarendon Avenue.

TWITTER   Make sure you are following @BrownPSPanthers on Twitter! Updates are happening daily!

March 31, 2017: Panther Press

UPCOMING DATES  Program Area Review Public Meeting, Hodgson Public School  April 3rd, 6:30pm  Parent Council  April 24th, 7pm  Kindergarten Orientation (for new students)  May 1st, 3:30pm - 4:30pm  Asian Heritage Month Assembly  May 5th, 12:30pm  Junior Concert  May 11th, 9am  Dance Share (Grades 4-6)  May 19th  EQAO (for Grades 3 & 6)  May 24th - June 1st (please refrain from  booking appointments during this window)  Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony  June 15th, 1pm  Kindergarten Celebration  June 26th, 9am (NOTE: DATE CHANGE)

PERFORMANCE April 12 at 9:00 in the gym: Quackling Performance-Mme. Clouthier's Class will be presenting a new interpretation of an old French folktale about a duck and his friends who travel to see the king who owes the duck some money. The duck and his friends use their smarts to outwit the king and reclaim what is owed. The production is entirely in French and includes some catchy musical numbers. The class will then take the production on the road to Palmerston Public School where they will share it with other French Immersion Students.

PROGRAM AREA REVIEW As you know Brown is working through an Area Review. There is a public meeting being held at Hodgson on April 3rd, at 6:30pm. You are all welcome to attend.   For information on the review please follow the link below.   http://www.tdsb.on.ca/aboutus/strategyplanning/searchallreviews.aspx    Under 'Program Area Reviews' > 'Brown Junior Public School and Deer Park Junior and Senior Public School' > 'Helpful Information'   As always we are here if you have any questions.

COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR NEEDED    Join a fun and dynamic team of parents in helping get the "news out"!   We are looking for someone to join our communications team. The team works in tandem to coordinate with other committees and administration   to send out email blasts and the weekly Panther Press. Technology background necessary. Ideally an active volunteer in Brown Parent Council and available for Parent Council meetings. Training is provided.   The full description of roles and responsibilities can be found as Item 18 here:   http://brownschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Parent-Council-Roles-and-Responsibilitiesv2-1.pdf Please contact Amanda Demers (mandademers@gmail.com) or Joanna Onoszko (onoszko.joanna@gmail.com) for more information.

CROSSING GUARDS    Calling all Grandparents, Retirees, or anyone interested! Toronto Police Service School Crossing Guard Association is looking to hire school crossing guards! If you know grandparents and/or retirees in the neighborhood who are interested in helping out and getting some fresh air throughout the school day, please have them contact: Officer Wai Lau P.C. #3765 School Crossing Guard Coordinator 53 Division Toronto Police Service 416-808- 5327

KISS AND RIDE    Please keep the following in mind during morning drop-off:   This is a gentle reminder that Kiss & Ride is a drop off zone, on Poplar Plains Road, for students grades 1-6 only. Kindergarten children must be walked to their classrooms.   This program is staffed completely by Brown parent volunteers, from 8:25-8:40am.    A few reminders for all parents: There is no parking in the designated Kiss & Ride drop off area, or in the school bus zone between 8:25am and 8:40am for ANY reason.   When using Kiss & Ride, drivers must stay in the vehicle; volunteers will open the doors for your child(ren) on the passenger side of the car. If you must enter the schoolyard or your child is not able to walk in alone you need to park on one of the side streets where parking is permitted.  Parking in the Kiss'n'Ride zone is NOT permitted. For safety reasons, the Avenue Road Driveway is only to be used by TDSB Facilities staff, and Brown Administration. Please note that the parking lot off Poplar Plains is for Brown School Staff only. Our program relies on volunteers. Please be courteous with our Kiss & Ride volunteers!               Morning Parking is available in the neighbourhood in these areas: 10 minutes parking on Lynwood between Avenue Rd. and Poplar Plains on Warren Road VERY LIMITED parking on Poplar Plains near Lynwood on Balmoral Ave East and West of Poplar Plains, and East of Avenue Road On Clarendon Avenue.

March 24, 2017: Panther Press

UPCOMING DATES  Beach Day Assembly  March 31st, AM  School Dance  March 31st, PM  Program Area Review Public Meeting, Hodgson Public School  April 3rd, 6:30pm  Parent Council  April 24th, 7pm  Kindergarten Orientation (for new students)  May 1st, 3:30pm - 4:30pm  Junior Concert  May 11th, 9am  Dance Share (Grades 4-6)  May 19th  EQAO (for Grades 3 & 6)  May 24th - June 1st (please refrain from  booking appointments during this window)  Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony  June 15th, 1pm  Kindergarten Celebration  June 26th, 9am (NOTE: DATE CHANGE)

OFFICE DROP OFFS After the March Break we will be trying something a little bit different! If your child has forgotten something at home, such as their lunch or their project - we will ask that you drop it off in the office and place a sticky note on the item with your child's name.   As we would like to avoid calling into classrooms and interrupting learning time, we ask that you tell your child to check for said items at a convenient break in the day (e.g. recess or lunchtime).

PROGRAM AREA REVIEW As you know Brown is working through an Area Review. There is a public meeting being held at Hodgson on April 3rd, at 6:30pm. You are all welcome to attend.   For information on the review please follow the link below.   http://www.tdsb.on.ca/aboutus/strategyplanning/searchallreviews.aspx    Under 'Program Area Reviews' > 'Brown Junior Public School and Deer Park Junior and Senior Public School' > 'Helpful Information'   As always we are here if you have any questions.

COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR NEEDED    Join a fun and dynamic team of parents in helping get the "news out"!   We are looking for someone to join our communications team. The team works in tandem to coordinate with other committees and administration   to send out email blasts and the weekly Panther Press. Technology background necessary. Ideally an active volunteer in Brown Parent Council and available for Parent Council meetings. Training is provided.   The full description of roles and responsibilities can be found as Item 18 here:   http://brownschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Parent-Council-Roles-and-Responsibilitiesv2-1.pdf Please contact Amanda Demers (mandademers@gmail.com) or Joanna Onoszko (onoszko.joanna@gmail.com) for more information.

LUNCH TIME AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS  Please see the attachments if you are interested in signing your child up for Act One (Beauty and the Beast), Hatch (coding & keyboarding programs), Chess and/or Mad Science. Please see the link below to sign up for Explore It All Programs:  http://www.exploreitall.ca/registrations/brown-public-school

PRESENTATION     Please see the attached flyer regarding a Social Media Presentation for parents and caregivers. The presentation is being held at Cottingham Public School on Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-7:30pm and is open to all families at Brown P.S. as well.

CROSSING GUARDS    Calling all Grandparents, Retirees, or anyone interested! Toronto Police Service School Crossing Guard Association is looking to hire school crossing guards! If you know grandparents and/or retirees in the neighborhood who are interested in helping out and getting some fresh air throughout the school day, please have them contact: Officer Wai Lau P.C. #3765 School Crossing Guard Coordinator 53 Division Toronto Police Service 416-808- 5327

KISS AND RIDE    Please keep the following in mind during morning drop-off:   This is a gentle reminder that Kiss & Ride is a drop off zone, on Poplar Plains Road, for students grades 1-6 only. Kindergarten children must be walked to their classrooms.   This program is staffed completely by Brown parent volunteers, from 8:25-8:40am.    A few reminders for all parents: There is no parking in the designated Kiss & Ride drop off area, or in the school bus zone between 8:25am and 8:40am for ANY reason.   When using Kiss & Ride, drivers must stay in the vehicle; volunteers will open the doors for your child(ren) on the passenger side of the car. If you must enter the schoolyard or your child is not able to walk in alone you need to park on one of the side streets where parking is permitted.  Parking in the Kiss'n'Ride zone is NOT permitted. For safety reasons, the Avenue Road Driveway is only to be used by TDSB Facilities staff, and Brown Administration. Please note that the parking lot off Poplar Plains is for Brown School Staff only. Our program relies on volunteers. Please be courteous with our Kiss & Ride volunteers!               Morning Parking is available in the neighbourhood in these areas: 10 minutes parking on Lynwood between Avenue Rd. and Poplar Plains on Warren Road VERY LIMITED parking on Poplar Plains near Lynwood on Balmoral Ave East and West of Poplar Plains, and East of Avenue Road On Clarendon Avenue.