September 2018

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Perth Avenue Public School

14 Ruskin Avenue,

Toronto, ON

M6P 3P8

Tel: 416 393-1410

Fax: 416 393-1403

Principal’s Report

PERTH PULSE

Welcome back to all of our wonderful students, parents and all members of the Perth

community. It is going to be a great year. A special welcome to the students and families

who are new to Perth.

Every September, schools review actual student enrolment as compared to initial projec-

tions from last April. We do our best to plan for the school year but there are always

factors such as new or departing students. The Ministry of Education sets our specific

class size requirements to benefit student learning. We currently have 420 students

registered at this school. As a result of the changing student enrolment at our school,

we needed to re-organize some of the JK and SK students. As a result, the children who

began in Room 107 with Ms, Meyers were re-distributed to our other 4 JK/SK classes.

We will miss Ms. Meyers who did a phenomenal job with the children , ensuring a success-

ful transition to Junior Kindergarten.

We are grateful for the dedication of our office staff, Ms. Eeva and Mrs. Fisher and the

custodial team in preparing the school for this year. We acknowledge the staff members

who have devoted much time and energy to create classrooms ready for learning. Thank

you to all the parents who attended our Curriculum Night this year.

Yours in Partnership,

Andrea McPherson

Proud Principal @ Perth Ave JPS

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 2—Grades

2-6 Cross Country

Running Event

October 2—Orange

Shirt Day

October 5—PA Day,

no school

October 8—

Thanksgiving Holiday

October 15—SAC

Meeting, 6:30

library

October 18—Photo

Day

October 26—Pizza

Day and School

Spirit Day—Crazy

hat or hair day

October 31—

Halloween Costumes

Anaphylaxis is a serious reaction that can be life threatening. This medical condition

can cause a severe reaction to specific foods or other materials and can result in death

within minutes. We have students who attend Perth and

suffer from severe and life threatening allergies.

We appreciate the co-operation of the entire school

community in NOT sending any lunches or snacks that

contain peanuts or any other type of nut that could po-

tentially harm a vulnerable child. Please note that other

restrictions may apply on a child by child basis. Please

make sure all your children’s caregivers are aware of

food restrictions.

Please do not send food for birthday or special occa-

sions. There are many other alternatives such as stick-

ers, pencils or erasers. If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s teacher.

Anaphylaxis—Taking All Necessary Precautions

Fire Drills and Lockdown Procedures

At the beginning of each school year, our students and

staff prepare for the year ahead by establishing the

foundations for a successful year. Though no one ever

wants to see an emergency at school, it’s important for

school staff to be equipped to deal with these situa-

tions, should they occur.

One aspect of emergency preparedness is the lock-

down and fire drills. All schools are required to con-

duct a minimum of two lockdown drills and six fire

drills each school year. It is important that all staff

and students are prepared and know how to respond.

EQAO results for Perth Ave JPS

On September 19th, EQAO releases each school’s results to the public of the provincial assessments that

took place for Grade 3 and 6 students in May of the previous year. The purpose of the assessments is to

gauge student achievement results at or above the provincial standards. The data enables the school to

gain rich insights into student learning. EQAO data is one of the many tools we use to help plan and moni-

tor student achievement.

Our results are as follows

Grade 3

Reading 67% (up 1%)

Writing 63% (up 2%)

Mathematics 52% (up 2%)

Grade 6

Reading 94% (was 100%)

Writing 83% (was 100%)

Mathematics 56% (was 81%)

Individual Results will be going home to parent shortly.

SLIME ALERT!

Many children have been making homemade slime using Borax

as one of the ingredients. We are asking children not to bring

their homemade slime to school anymore as some children

have had skin irritations. Thank you!

Page 3 PERTH PULSE

Students in 201 and 202 explore humans’ connection to nature through the paintings of Oji-Cree artist Bruce

Beardy during Dance/Drama with Ms. Carpenter.

Rooms 201 and 202 Dance Exploration

The Grade 5 and 6 students were invited to the Outdoor Education—Toronto Island Over-

night trip September 19-21. Due to a water main break, our trip was cut short a day early.

We are hoping to return to the Island School later this year. Despite this, the students,

Mr. Bezaire and

Ms. McPherson

had an amazing

time learning

about Biodiversi-

ty.

Grade 5 and 6 Island School Adventure—Part 1

Page 4

LUNCHROOM Supervisors The TDSB is always looking for new and supply Lunchroom Supervisors. At Perth, we are looking for individuals

who could supply during the Lunch Hour. If you have a flexible schedule and are interested, please check out the

link below. If you have any questions, please contact Eeva Solala-Oliviera in the main office.

http://tdsb/_site/JOBViewItem.asp?siteid=250&menuid=2139&pageid=1658

From the Public TDSB site:

Click on employment, bottom left

Click on Support Staff in left column

Click on On-call/Supply Lunchroom supervisor

Page 5 PERTH PULSE

Perth Runs for Terry Fox—September 21

We are collecting Toonies for Terry at our annual Terry Fox Run. We had an amazing assembly in

the morning with some classes performing. Mrs. Maxwell led the school in a stretch before the run.

Mrs. Dueck led the students on their walk on the RailPath and within the community. The weather

was perfect! Thank you Perth.

Grade 3 Universal Screening Test:

As part of the TDSB’s Universal Screening Process for Grade 3 students, all grade 3

students will take the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test: a standardized group test of

ability.

The results will be used by school personnel to gain a better understanding of each

child’s learning strengths and needs to provide educators with key information for

differentiating instruction to improve student achievement.

The test will be administered by Grade 3 teachers during the first two weeks of Oc-

tober. Following the assessment, a copy of the results will be placed in your child’s

Ontario Student Record and a copy of the results will be shared with the parents.

Page 7 PERTH PULSE

Library News—From the Desk of Mrs. Dueck

“The overall goal of the school library is to foster learning and improve student achievement (TDSB).”

At Perth, we want to encourage the love of reading and learning! There are many ways for students to

explore and discover the library. We have a wonderful space to enjoy books and participate in many interesting

literacy based activities. All students have opportunities to come to the library.

I encourage each child and teachers at Perth to see me for books they need. All students have to op-

portunity to come and exchange a book from 8:30-8:45am on days 1, 2, 3, and 4.

*Please enter from the schoolyard and let the yard duty teacher know that they are going to the library.

Please do not use the front door to gain access to the library! Kinders and their caregivers can come into

the library at 8:30-9:00am on days 1, 2, 3, and 4, to relax and read and take a book home.

All kinder classes have library with me 3 times a week, where I teach Literacy through the Arts, includ-

ing music, drama, dance, and sometimes art.

Students from grades 1-6 in French and English classes come in once a week for a library class. They

can also exchange books during open times at recess TBA. Later in October, we will start a book/movie club at

lunch once a week. The library is an interesting place (nature table, book displays) and fun to enjoy (reading,

puzzles, computers, Ipads, magazines, music, smartboard)!

Library classes could include; read-a-louds, discussions, current events, special projects, curriculum top-

ics being covered in the class, reading support to help

choose “Just Right” books, as well as, music, drama, and

dance for all kindergarteners. The Forest of Reading pro-

gram drives the program for read-a-louds and topics for

discussion and other extended activities during library clas-

ses.

Each child is encouraged to take home a

“Learnmark”, a bookmark that gives you passwords to go to

the TDSB’s Virtual Library. There are many sites that will

help students with research projects and they can play

games that connect to the curriculum to reinforce what

they learn at school. They will be sent home with each stu-

dent when they arrive.

The Scholastic Book Fairs continue to help us in

purchasing new and current books for the library each year

(November and February).

This year we will invite several authors to speak to

the students TBA. The students loved seeing the authors of

“Yellow Dog” and “The Branch” last year. It would also be

awesome to invite an illustrator to demonstrate for the stu-

dents.

I look forward to another excellent year at Perth! Please let

me know if you have any questions.

Gourd Paintings of the Kindergarten children of Room 110 Learning Goals • Explore the art medium of tempera and oil pastels • Create a plan and follow it through (e.g., First, then…) • Explore the elements of visual arts (e.g., colours of autumn, shape of the gourds, adding the details and textures of the still-life) • Practise fine-motor skills • Share my artistic accomplishment in a gallery walk • Critique their work and others using the one star/one wish method (e.g., I like the colours you used or I wish I had added more details) -Pallotta/Hwang Thank you students in Room 110 for sharing your beautiful art with us

Falling in Love with Fall Art—Gourd Paintings Room 110