The Edugator
December 2015
CHARLES GORDON SR. PUBLIC SCHOOL
25 Marcos Blvd, Toronto Ontario
M1K 5A7
Message from the Office:
The winter break is upon us and Charles Gordon has been very busy. The students have been engaged in Volleyball, African Drumming, Robotics, Student Council, Eco Team, Dance Troupe, Debate Club, Art Club, Media Club, Mindful Mediation, Chess Club and Homework Club.
As part of curriculum, the student now have access to two mobile laptop carts with 20 laptops per cart and a mobile iPad lab with 10 iPads. This will allow students to have access to technology in a meaningful way in order to develop the use of technology as a tool to support academics.
The Charles Gordon Snack Program continues to be a great success with students running the program and ensuring that all students have access to three food groups in the morning. This ensures that all students are ready for learning all day long.
First Lego League Robotics
Recently two First Lego League teams represented Charles Gordon at the TDSB East Competition, winning three awards: Coach of the Year forMs. McLaren, 1st Place Core Values and 1st Place Project.
Traffic Safety Tips: Help Make This a Safe Winter Season
Now that winter is here, we know that severe weather will be part of our daily lives for the next few months. While traffic safety is an important matter all year long, this is a particularly good time to review what we can do to keep students safe.
The need to be aware and alert at all times, on any road, and even in the most routine circumstances is key to traffic safety. This applies to students and drivers alike. Road conditions can be challenging in the winter months. If you drive, please take extra care on the roads and in parking lots, especially in areas where children might be present.
School staff periodically review street and traffic safety with students. Parents can help reinforce these safety messages with children at home. Below are some tips that might be helpful to review.
-Stop, look, and listen for traffic.
-Only cross at corners and crosswalks.
-Make eye contact with drivers.
-Walk on the right side of the crosswalk.
-Wear appropriate footwear to reduce the chances of slipping.
-Never run into the street.
-Obey crossing signals.
-Cross only if clear.
-Walk on sidewalks.
-Where there are no sidewalks, walk as far away from traffic as possible, facing traffic.
The safety of our students is always a top priority. Let's work together to make the winter season safe so we can enjoy all it has to offer.
TDSB Website Shutdown December 26-31, 2015
Over the winter break, TDSB is installing a new generator to modernize and improve our IT infrastructure. In order to complete this work, TDSB’s website and all school websites will be shutdown from 7 a.m. on Saturday, December 26 until 7 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2015. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Grade 8 to 9 Transition
During the 3rd week of January, grade 8 students will submit their course selection sheets for next September. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to return these sheets to your child’s homeroom teacher by the due date of January 25 to ensure that your child has completed a course selection for their home secondary school.
When choosing your child’s courses for Grade 9, it is essential to think about the program that is most appropriate for their success. To help you and your child decide on his/her Grade 9 program, your child will be receiving the following items with their course selection sheet:
- Recommendations from your child’s teacher with regards to appropriate courses
- The Choices Tabloid which provides descriptions of courses in secondary school
You can also refer to the Choices for 9 pamphlet that was sent home in November and talk to your child’s teachers.
Upon completion and return of your child’s course selection sheet, the elementary school will be responsible for forwarding them to the secondary school. There are some situations, however, where it will be your responsibility to initiate the required procedures for the Grade 8 to 9 transitions. Some of these situations are as follows:
- If you want your child to attend a specialized program outside of your home school
- If you want your child to attend a regular program in a school outside your home area
- If you want to enroll your child in a catholic or private school
- If you will be moving outside of the TDSB before next September
Important Dates for 8-9:
Week of January 11th —15th:
Course Selections Sheets for Home Secondary Schools distributed to all students.
January 25th:
Home School Course Selection sheets due to homeroom teachers from all students.
January 29th:
Optional Attendance Applications due to secondary schools. Specialized schools may have had earlier deadlines that were announced at their parent evenings and outlined in their application packages.
February 12th:
Parents to be notified of acceptance to optional attendance schools. Parents must confirm the offer of admission by completing another course selection sheet to replace the Home Area School Course Selection Sheet. Students must notify Mr. Woodrow of acceptance between Feb 15th – 19th.
February 26th:
This date is the deadline for your child’s elementary school to forward finalized course selection sheets to secondary schools. All course selection sheets need to be to the school well in advance of this date.
Please contactMr. Woodrow@ 396-6130 for further information
Dates to Remember
January 3 Back to School
January 13 Extended French Parent Night
January 30 Holiday Concert
February 10 Reports Go Home
February 13 Parent /Teacher Interviews
February 17 Family Day
February 25 School Council 6:00 PM