When it comes to work and learning, students and staff at Summit Heights P.S. have much to be proud of and they should be pleased with their efforts to make a difference not only in their own school but also in the surrounding community and the world. We have a number of exciting school learning activities and initiatives to report on this month.

On April 3^rd, our Primary Family Math Night combined with the annual School Book Fair was a huge success. It was lovely to see so many families in the school playing math games and having fun with their children. Thank you to all that dropped by the Book Fair and made a purchase. Our school librarian, Mrs. White said we made $1240 thanks to the generosity of the Summit Parents.  All of the proceeds will be used to go towards enhancing the reading collection for students to borrow from the library.

Thank you to Ms. Mercer and the Grade Six Student Leadership team for leading the school-wide focus of acceptance on International Pink Day, April 11^th. An inspired group of Grade six student leaders wrote scripts, created and recorded their own plays which they shared with students in every class. This helped to focus the message of kindness and caring for all students no matter what their gender. The pink t-shirts worn by everyone and pink bracelets handed out by the grade six students sent a message to all that we must continue to work together to create a caring, inclusive school community where acceptance is the norm and not the exception!

On the theme of fun and fundraising there are a number of teachers and students in the school that have excelled at making a difference:

First, thank you to our Grade Four Classes, their teachers and everyone in the school community for supporting the food drive for the Daily Bread Food Bank, a grand total of 1124 pounds of food was collected for needy families in theToronto area. This is 200 more pounds than was collected last year.

Thank you to Ms. Marchiori and the school Eco-Team for organizing numerous earth friendly activities during the month of April: Earth Rangers Presentation, Diabetes Clothing Drive, Walk to School, Earth Day, and Pitch in Canada – Clean Up Campaign. One of the highlights was on April 16^th,SummitHeights was selected by CTV to partner with the Diabetes Association to Kick Off Earth Week. It was a very exciting, windy evening with CTV weatherman Tom Brown broadcasting live from the front of the school. Over a one hour period enthusiastic students and members of the school community dropped off a total of 1187 pounds of gently used clothing for the Diabetes Clothesline® clothing drive. All net proceeds raised by the Clothesline® program directly support the Canadian Diabetes Association and their world leading diabetes research, education and -advocacy.

 

We have also heard back that the school community raised a total of $665.00 for Free the Children from our Festivals of Light event back in December.  As a school community we have now raised over $8100.00 for this charitable organization.

On April 18^th, Ms. Da Silva and Ms. Andrews supervised over thirty students from Grades 3-6 in their Math Club as they participated in writing the national Mathematica Contest. Student tests have been sent to Quebec to be marked and we look forward to hearing the results. Thank you to both teachers for providing an enriching extra-curricular noon hour program for students.

It is hard to believe that the end of the year is just two months away. We have so much more to do. Please check the list of important dates below so you do not miss out any special event.

Summit Shines at the Oscars

 

The annual Summit Shines was a huge success with lots of fun and laughter had by all. This year we were taken to the Oscars at NorthviewHeights Secondary School and the atmosphere was perfect. A number of people must be thanked as this production takes much team work. Firstly from the Arts Committee, thank you to our talented Ms. Arpi Greco for writing and directing a musical that delighted and entertained everyone.

 Thank you to the organizers and choreographers Ms. Levine-Shapiro and Mr. Maskerine for spinning excitement into each performance. Thank you to Ms. Bates, Ms. Anderson, Mrs. White and parent volunteer Mrs. Kogan for ensuring the students looked their very best. Thank you to Mr. Vender and past parent volunteer Mr. McNellen for setting the stage for a great sound production. Thank you to Ms. Rutenberg that prepared the program and a special video montage that opened the show. Thank you to our Summit Staff, Ms. De Lira, Ms. Bernstein, Mr. Craze, Ms. Andrews, Ms. Da Silva, Mr. Khaja, Mr. Eschele, Ms. Mercer, Mr. Anton, Ms. Smith and Ms. Bermingham that remained back stage to care for students between performances.

Thank you to Ms. Magnani who ensured all the paperwork for permits, programs and bussing was correct. Thank you to Principal Paputis and NorthviewHeights for allowing us once again to put on our production in their school. And finally a special thank you to the Summit Heights School Council and school community for providing the funds to support this special arts production. This was truly an amazing collaborative production. Photos from this event will be included in the yearbook.

 

Kindergarten Shines at their Spring Sing

Thursday May 3^rd was a beautiful spring evening for our Kindergarten Spring Sing. The students and staff in all three kindergarten classes had the opportunity to share with Moms and Dads the learning they have been engaged with in their kindergarten classroom. They followed that up by putting on a concert of lively songs in the gymnasium for everyone to enjoy. The performances were very special. Thank you to the Kindergarten team members that coordinated the evening events: Ms. Bernstein,

Ms. Anderson, Ms. Marchiori, Ms. Dumitchie, Ms. Bates, Ms. Peer-Gilbert, Ms. Bower and Ms. Ford. Thank you as well to all the parents that came to celebrate this evening of learning and song.

Congratulations & Thank you!

Well done to Ms. Magnani, earlier this month she completed an advanced two day First Aid training course where she was certified in not only First Aid but CPR as well. We want to thank her for dedication to her role and her willingness to upgrade her skills to keep all of our Summit Heights students and staff safe!

On a note of safety, we would also like to thank the School Council for approving at their last meeting the purchase of Walkie Talkies for the classes in the portables and additional playground equipment to keep our students positively engaged over recess and lunch hour. In our next newsletter we will share with more good news items from the School Advisory Council.

Construction

The new Kindergarten Playground is under construction and the transformation happening in the school yard is an exciting one. A big thank you to the School Advisory Council, and the school community for partnering with local Councillor James Pasternak and the City of Toronto to raise the funds to pay for this new playground! The kindergarten classes are keeping an eye on the construction and they are anxiously waiting for the day when it will be completed. The School Advisory Council said the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be on May 17^th at 6:30 p.m.  An e-mail blast and flyer will be sent out closer to the event.

Children’s Mental Health Week is May 6 – 12

One in five Canadian children suffers from a mental health disorder and many of these go either undiagnosed or untreated. During Children’s Mental Health Week, the Toronto District School Board joins organizations and individuals across the country in raising awareness. Last year at SummitHeightswe purchased a large collection of child friendly picture and information books from Parent Book Store to help teachers address with students a range of mental health disorders. During Mental Health Week students at Summit Heights take part in a number of special activities: walks, increased physical activity and stories that continue to highlight the importance of inclusion. On May 11^th there will be a presentation by Luke Anderson, a young man that became a quadriplegic at the age of 19 after a cycling accident. He will talk to the students about the changes in his life and what he is doing with his life to make a difference for others.

Education Week (May 7 – 11)

Each year, the TDSB participates in the provincial Education Week celebration. It is a time for students, teachers and parents to recognize teaching and program excellence and student achievement. The week is an opportunity to increase public awareness and appreciation of the great programming and leadership in our schools.

This year’s theme, entitled “Equity for All at TDSB” follows up on the theme of the 2012 FUTURES Conference – Equity and Inclusive Education. It also ties in to the TDSB’s Opportunity Gap Action Plan and the various initiatives and programs that have started or will start in the near future in an effort to help students reach their highest possible levels of achievement.

This year Ms. Mercer’s Class represented Summit Heights P.S. and NW3 Family of Schools at the FUTURES Conference. Ms. Mercer and three of her students shared the Pink Day initiatives from the last two years that focus on anti-bullying, acceptance and inclusion.

 

 

Important Dates:

May 6-12 – Children’s Mental Health Week

May 9 – School-wide Photo

May 11 – Luke’s Presentation – Primary & Junior Assemblies

May14 – School Track & Field Day

May 15 – Author Ruth Ohri Visits with JK-Gr. 3

May 16 – Gifted Open House

May 17– New Kindergarten Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – 6:30 p.m.

May 18 – Regional Track & Field

May 25 – Grand Pal Day

May 29 -31 – Dental Screening

May 28-31 EQAO Grade 3 & 6

June 1 – PA Day

June 6 – Volunteer Breakfast

June 21 – Grade 6′s to Robin Hood Camp

June 21 – Summer Reading Book Exchange

June 22 – Play Day

June 25 – Play Day Rain Day Date

June 27 – Grade Six Graduation

June 27 – Talent Show

June 27 – Report Cards go Home

June 28 – Students last Day

June 29 – PA Day

Have a Safe and Happy Summer!

 

 

 

 

 

Summit Heights was very busy during the month of April!

 

EARTH HOUR

Summit Heights’ students prepared for Earth month by participating in the TDSB Earth Hour on Fri. March 30 by turning off lights and not using electronic devices between 2 and 3 pm. Some students also encouraged their parents to participate in the international Earth Hour on Sat. March 31! Remember to always turn off unnecessary lights and electronic devices not being used!

 

EARTH RANGERS PRESENTATION

On Wednesday, April 4^th, Earth Rangers came to Summit Heights with some of their animal ambassadors—a tagu lizard, a lemur and an owl. They taught the students how important it is to preserve the habitats of animals. We would like to thank Earth Rangers for this free presentation. We would also like to thank all the parents who donated money to protect the habitats of some endangered Canadian animals!

 

WASTE FREE WEDNESDAYS

During the month of April we held Waste Free Wednesdays. Every Wednesday in April the Eco team went around the lunch rooms to check which students were bringing in waste free lunches.  Although they found that many students were indeed using reusable containers, they also found that many were still using plastic baggies, aluminum foil or plastic wrap for their lunches. Students who consistently brought waste free lunches to school were acknowledged at our Future Ace assembly on Cooperation! Parents are asked to support our efforts to reduce our waste at SummitHeightsby investing in reusable containers and sending their children to school with waste free lunches every day!

 

GRADE 6 ECOTEAM TRIP

On Fri. April 13, Mrs. Marchiori took her Grade 6 Eco team members to the Exhibition for the Green Living Show’s Youth Day. They used public transportation to get there and learned how they can help the environment. Mrs. Marchiori hopes that they will continue to be enthusiastic about caring for the environment and about teaching others how important this is when they go to their new schools in September. The Eco team members and Mrs. Marchiori would like to thank Julia Schwartz’s parents for volunteering on this trip!

 

CANADIAN DIABETES CLOTHING DRIVE

On Monday, April 16, many parents generously donated used clothing for the Canadian Diabetes Clothing Drive. The Canadian Diabetes Association chose to kick off their Earth Week clothing drive campaign at Summit Heights and CTV news was there to televise it. Some members of the Eco team as well as some other students helped Mrs .Sambrook and Mrs. Marchiori represent the school by loading the bags of donated clothes into the truck. Thank you all for recycling your used clothing!

 

SPRING WALK TO SCHOOL DAY

On Fri. April 20, many parents and students began celebrating Earth Day at SummitHeights by leaving their cars at home and walking to school.  We would like to thank everyone who reduced their carbon footprint by walking to school. “Spring into Spring” by walking to and from school everyday!

 

BORN TO BRING BACK THE WILD COSTUME CONTEST

 

The Eco team made posters to encourage everyone to wear an animal costume on Earth Day for “Born to Bring Back the Wild”. Students were nominated by their classmates and the Eco team then decided who had the best costumes. Rachel Brooke won for Kindergarten, Marlee Schwartz won for Primary and Emily Winiker won for Junior. You can see photos of the winners as well as the students who were nominated on theEcoSchool bulletin board outside the computer lab.

 

PITCH IN CANADA CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN

During the month of April, some classes participated in the Pitch-In Canada program by picking up garbage on the school grounds and around the neighbourhood. In May, the Eco team will be cleaning up the gardens and watering our flowers, bushes and trees. We would like to remind everyone to put garbage in its proper place!

 

SHERIDAN NURSERIES

Mrs. Marchiori would also like to remind parents who are planting and working around their yards that if they shop at Sheridan Nurseries from now until March 2013, they can collect their receipts and hand them in to Mrs. Marchiori (photocopies will also do).  At the end of this time, the school will receive 2% of all sales. The money will go towards our Eco-School team’s environmental initiatives.

 

PLEASE HELP US MAKE EARTH DAY BE EVERYDAY!

 

WE HAD MANY REQUESTS TO POST SAMPLES OF THE COMPOSITE ONLINE. PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT. WE WILL EXTEND OUR DUE DATE TO FRIDAY MAY 11th.