Dear Summit Heights Parents,

Please make note of the following updates:

Evening/weekend Vehicle access (bus loop and parking lot)
Due to reports of vehicles illegally driving in our school yard, field and track in the evenings, we will be locking the chains to the access points by our parking lot and bus loop entrances.  The chains will be locked from 6:30pm and unlocked the next morning by 7:00am.

While we have reported these concerns to the TDSB security office, this extra measure will help keep these unwelcomed visitors off our property.  We take strong offense to people driving their vehicles on our school yard (pavement or grass areas) and on our track.  We hope by keeping these infractions out, it will also deter other unwanted visitors to our property during non-school hours.

You will still have access to our grounds by foot.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Parents, please review with your child:
Please remind your child that when they are on our school property, if they have a cell/smart phone, these devices should be put away (in a backpack, coat pocket etc) and put on silent.  If your child is using their device for the Health Screen Pass, then they are welcome to take their device out at the 9:03am bell.

Please also remind your child that at all recesses, students should be wearing their masks, even while outdoors.  If they elect to find a spot during recess where they are at least 2m away from anyone else, then they are welcome to remove their mask for a “mask break”.   Rest assured, our staff regularly takes their classes outside for mask breaks as well.

Students should still be practicing social distancing while outside (before school, at recesses and at dismissal).

Unfortunately, we have witnessed some students not following these important rules.  Our staff have reminded these individuals directly to comply, however repeat offenders will soon be given time-outs or be referred to our office for progressive discipline and remediation.  Please encourage your child to abide by these health and safety rules.

While we have reminded our students via the morning announcements and in class, we ask that you please help us by reviewing these points with your child(ren) at home.

Student absences & school work
A reminder, to report a student absence please call our school absence phone number 416-395-2923.

As discussed at the last SAC meeting and our staff meeting earlier this week, our staff will communicate with students (or parents) about what work has been missed during the absence – but please allow up to 24 hours for this communication.   Most staff have an online format (Google Class or Brightspace) that has this information already.  We do request that students (if old enough) or parents reach out to their teachers for this missed work as well.

Halloween Reminders
Students, staff (and parents!) are welcomed to wear a Halloween costume to/at school on Friday.  If your child is in costume on Friday, we ask that you send a change of clothes in the event they want to change out of their costume.

The COVID-19 mask policy is still in place, and Halloween masks should not replace PPE masks, nor be worn over a PPE mask.  TPH has also announced that Halloween parades should not take place in schools this year.

In years past, we have prohibited Halloween masks as we need to be able to identify our students for safety needs.  Likewise, “weapon-like” props are not permitted.  These rules are still in effect.

Because of the COVID-19 rules around sharing items, we also will not be permitting the sharing of any food/treats.  Classes may elect to host a party/celebration, but we are not to share food/treats or have a communal sharing of food/drink.

Staffing Update
We welcome our new head caretaker, Mr. J. Barnes to Summit Heights, and we wish Ms. L. Nagy (our previous head caretaker) the very best as she is now at Ancaster PS.

We also wish our Superintendent, Mr. L. Papathanasakis the very best as he is retiring from the TDSB as of October 30!  Welcome back to Ms. L. Curtis, who is stepping in as our acting Superintendent!

Thank you for reading,

Mr. B. Mah,
Principal.

Dear Summit Heights Parents,

Our staff will be hosting the annual Curriculum Night next week (see the schedule below).  Given the circumstances of the ongoing pandemic, this year’s Curriculum Night will be virtual or via phone calls.

Our Teachers/RECE’s will be communicating specific details about their curriculum night, including the link to the virtual meetings or how to request a phone call.  Please be on the look-out for this communication from our staff.

2020 Curriculum Night Schedule

Thank you,

Mr. B. Mah,
Principal.