Parent Council vote on Sept. 17

Our election for voting members and executive positions will be held on Wed. at 7 p.m. in the library. Everyone is welcome to attend. Babysitting is not available.

Who Does What in Education

People for Education has tips for parents in more than 12 languages. This week, check out People for Education’s Who Does What in Education tip sheet. When parents need help or information, they may be uncertain who to approach for support. Ontario’s education system is complex, involving different levels of government and staff within the school. And with a municipal election around the corner, it is important to understand the role of your local trustee.  

The tip sheet has everything parents need to know about the roles of the Ministry of Education, the Ontario College of Teachers, the Education Quality and Accountability Office, local school boards, and school staff.

Thanks to Second Cup at Humbertown

Thank you to those parents and caregivers who came out to the parent council’s welcome back coffee on Friday morning. A special thank you to Patti Grimes for organizing the event 
and to Second Cup in the Humbertown plaza for donating the coffee. 

We hope you had a chance to catch up with old friends and made some new ones!

Welcome Back Coffee - Friday, Sept. 5 from 8:30-9:00

After you drop off the kids, join other parents by the friendship garden on Hartfield to enjoy coffee or tea and a snack before heading out for the day. Catch up with old friends and make some new ones!

Welcome Back!

Another school year begins with great expectations for learning and making new friends.  We welcome back old friends and look forward to meeting new families.

Humber Valley Village School is fortunate to have a very active School Council.  The Council is made up of 25 voting parent members, the Principal and a teacher representative. 

Council meetings are open to all parents of children in the school, and you are encouraged to attend the meetings. These meetings are a great way to keep informed about what is going on in the school. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of most months during the school year, so please join us and find out what we are all about! If you cannot attend meetings, check out our link on the school website to find out what events we are working on or to see the monthly meeting minutes.

What is the purpose of your School Council?

The Humber Valley Village School council was formed to:

• Enrich the school and community life of all students through financial support,
• Support the Principal and teachers within the framework of the school’s curriculum and objectives,
• Give parents a better understanding of the role of the school, teachers and themselves in the educational process, and
• Provide a forum to pursue issues related to the school and the students.

  How can you become involved in your child’s school?

• Come to council meetings
• Volunteer to help out at events
• Donate items that can be used in the school’s fundraising efforts
• Offer your expertise

You can also choose to become a voting member of the School Council. The election for Council parent representatives will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the school library.  If you would like to run for one of the 25 positions, complete the Nomination Form enclosed in this package and return it to the school office by Monday, September 8, 2014.

Please contact your 2014-2015 School Council Co-Chairs with any questions or ideas you may have throughout the year.  The new council executive will be announced after the voting meeting on September 17.

French as a Second Language Advisory Committee

Below is news sent on behalf of the French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC):

1. Don Mills CI Student Wins BIG

Shannon Gui, grade 11 Core French student at Don Mills CI won a full scholarship to Ottawa University, valued up to $32,000. Shannon took first place in the Canadian Parents for French (CPF) national public speaking contest - Concours Oratoire. This year’s national final was held in Prince Edward Island. Congratulations to Shannon! We are so proud of you! 

Shannon - “I started learning French in Gr 5 when I first came to Canada, and most absurdly, it was my least favorite subject for a long time! Somehow, I began to love French and wanted to one day master the language. The National Concours at PEI marked one of the most amazing weekends of my life. It was so exciting to meet people from every corner of the country, and I was awed by every finalist's skilled delivery and fascinating speech topic. Through fun-filled activities on the beautiful island, everyone became such good friends in merely two days. This experience is one that I will treasure for my entire life. Thank you TDSB and CPF so much for offering us these amazing opportunities!”

2014 marks the 30th anniversary for the annual Ontario CPF  (on.cpf.ca/) festival and competition which is co-hosted by the Ontario Modern Languages Teachers’ Association (OMLTA). At the Ontario competition, the finalists included students from these TDSB schools: Earl Haig, Lawrence Park, York Mills, Northern and Richview. Bravo students!

A big, big thank you goes to all of the TDSB teachers and FSL staff who run the event at their schools, regionally within the TDSB and are OMLTA judges at the finals.

2. Summer French Fun

The Toronto Public Library is offering FREE French activities at branches across the city. Contact your local branch for details and check here: www.tpl.ca/frenchprograms 

Celebrate Bastille Day in Toronto at Wychwood Barns on July 13: http://consulfrance-toronto.org/spip.php?article3277 

For Ontario wide ideas: http://on.cpf.ca/resources/for-parents/2014-summer-fun-in-french-2/ 

For camps across Canada: http://cpf.ca/en/files/CPFNat_2014SummerCampListings_eVersion.pdf 

3. Franco-Fête July 4-6 – Yonge – Dundas Square

Help your kids flex their French muscles over the summer right here in Toronto…The annual French music and culture festival will be held from July 4-6 at Yonge-Dundas Square. There will be activities and entertainment for all ages. Mini TFO will be there! www.tfo.org/mini . The full program will be available soon (in English and French) www.franco-fete.ca  .

4. Great News - Immersion/Extended Expansion 

Five elementary schools will have new senior kindergarten French immersion programs in September: Blake, Bowmore, Islington, Melody Village and Perth. Melody Village will be transitioning over the next several years to become a French immersion only school. This September, all Senior Kindergarten French immersion classes will be full day. FSL staff report that the increased time in French in SK means that students are better prepared for grade 1.Two schools will have new grade 4 extended programs in September: Chester and Rene Gordon. 

Overall, 5081 students are entering immersion/extended in September 2014, up from 4666 in 2013. The annual enrolment report on French immersion/extended was given to trustees at the recent Program and School Services Committee:  www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/Elementary/FSL/140528%20FSL%202337.pdf

Policies and Procedures are under ‘FSL in the Boardroom here: 

www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac 

5. TDSB on Pinterest

Pinterest is a wonderful source for resources for student learning. It is really easy to set up a free account and roam through tons of creative ideas. The TDSB has a board: www.pinterest.com/tdsb . There are suggestions for French books, audiobooks and even some French-inspired dinner ideas. Quiche anyone?

 6. Registration Still Open for Summer School!

The TDSB is offering summer French programs for elementary and secondary students. Programs are free of charge to TDSB students. Transportation is NOT provided. For more information, go to: 

www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Innovation/SummerPrograms.aspx  

Kindergarten to grade 8 Programs:

Humbercrest (K- 8 French Immersion ½ day programs); 

Cassandra (Grades 1-8 French Immersion & Extended ½ day programs);

JB Tyrell (Grades 6- 8 Core French ½ day programs); 

The Waterfront School (K-8 for different entry levels of French – full day program); 

Westmount (Grades 7-8 French immersion-1/2 day programs) 

Secondary Credits:

York Mills is offering 4 credit courses for French immersion students: 

French Immersion Gr 10 FIF2D5; Introduction à la psychologie,la sociologie et l'anthropologie HSP3U5;

Functions - French Immersion MCR3U5; Histoire du Canada depuis la Première Guerre Mondial  CHC2D5

CW Jefferys, George S. Henry, Harbord, L’Amoreaux, Lester B. Pearson and Monarch Park are offering remedial Grade 9 Core French: FSF 1DU, FSF 1PU.  Lester B. Pearson is also offering remedial Grade 10 Core French: FSF 2DU

7.  App Happy

TFO, our provincially funded French educational broadcaster, heard from parents that they were looking for someone to check out educational apps and make informed recommendations for parents. TFO formed review panels of teachers, parents and tech experts and their picks, both English and French can be found here at their new website: edululu.org/en 

8. Where is FSL on Twitter?

Many organizations, teachers and parents who support and promote French as a Second Language are on Twitter. Common hashtags are #onted #onfr #fsl #frimm #fslchat. Check these out:

@ocolCanada @YouthforFrench @explore_odyssey @OMLTA @IISLE_epsb @CPFontario @CDNP4F 

9. You are invited!

Parents, students, trustees, teachers and staff are invited to attend and participate in FSLAC meetings. The Board’s mission for the FSLAC is:  “to consult with and advise the Board on French as a Second Language matters. As a Board community advisory committee, the FSLAC will contribute to the work of trustees and staff. This partnership of trustees, staff and parents will foster excellence and growth in FSL programs at the Board.” Meetings start at 7 pm at the TDSB offices at 5050 Yonge St., ground floor. FSLAC information is posted on the TDSB website: tdsb.on.ca/fslac .

Upcoming meetings: June 17, September 23, November 4, 2014.

Week of June 2

PARENT SURVEY - June 2

School Council would like your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief year-end survey by June 2, at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MFJHSMY

COUNCIL MEETING - June 4

Everyone is welcome to attend the council meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the library.  

LUNCH ON THE LAWN - June 5 

Please join us for our annual picnic lunch on June 5 from 11:40-12:40. Our ukulele kids will perform at 12:15. Get ready to party Hawaiian style!