SHPS November Update
Dear Summit Heights Families,
We hope this email finds you well! We’re happy to say that the school year is moving along relatively smoothly, particularly given how the Covid-19 pandemic is still front and centre in our world. Our school community continues to adhere to the TDSB rules around mask wearing, limiting visitors to the school, hand hygiene and many more. Recently on our announcements we reminded students and staff that it’s best to stay home if you are not feeling well or have a cold. It’s important to rest and recover but also limit the spread of colds to others.
A reminder that students can take off their masks while outdoors on our property as long as they are maintaining social distancing. This is the main reason why we have outdoor recess, even in the rain, to give our students the much-needed mask breaks and fresh air. We’re pleased to say that the vast majority of our students are prepared for outdoor recess, even in the rain – well done parents on helping your child in this matter!
The TDSB recently announced that to speed up the process of screening, students who use the TDSB Health Screening App need only show you the green checkmark to enter the school.
Please review the following updates:
Remembrance Day ~ Lest We Forget
Our student council will be organizing and leading this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th. Poppies will be provided to every student on this day. Donations for the poppies can be made by returning the envelope that will be sent home early in the week, or online (an email will be sent next week). We ask that any cash donations (via envelope) be loonies, toonies or greater (please no nickels/dimes/quarters). 100% of the donations will be sent to the Royal Canadian Legion.
Progress Reports & Interviews
Students learning in-person will receive their Progress Report at the end of the day on November 17th. Students in the Gifted Grade 5/6 Virtual Class will receive their report via email.
Your child’s teacher will be communicating about parent-teacher interviews that will take place during the weeks of November 15 and November 22nd. Please note that the interviews will be virtual or via telephone, there are no in-person interviews as per TDSB policy at this time.
Photo Re-takes
Photo re-take day is Wed. November 17th in the afternoon. Photo retakes are by request only (including if your child was absent during our original photo day). Please send a note or email to your child’s teacher requesting a re-take if needed.
PA Day
Friday, November 19 is a PA day, there are no classes at Summit Heights on this day, so the school is “closed” to students and visitors.
Terry Fox
A huge congratulations to our school community for raising $3,193 for the Terry Fox Foundation! This is an outstanding amount considering the size of our school. Special thanks to Ms. Bernstein and Ms. Magnani for organizing this year’s drive!
From SAC (re: Digital Friday Files)
Earlier this school year we had sent out instructions to sign up for this year’s Digital Friday Files, and we thank those of you who did. A number of people reported issues with not having received confirmation emails to complete the registration which meant our lists were incomplete.
Due to the issues we’ve had, we are reverting back to the solution we used last year. Please take a moment to click on https://forms.gle/X2ZXe1kGVrUvnomb8 and fill out the form for your student(s). Sometimes the content is different based on grade/classrooms, so please fill it out once for each student.
If you have any questions, please emailshpsfridayfiles@gmail.com
Covid-19 Test Kits
Our school has Covid-19 test kits from Sick Kids Hospital. Kits can be picked up from our office staff by buzzing our front door or contacting our office staff. Completed kits are returned to the school and picked up once a day by Sick Kids Hospital, with the results available online.
TDSB Specialized Schools and Programs Public Consultation
The renewed Specialized Schools and Programs Draft Policy consultation and survey were launched on November 1, 2021 following a year-long pause due to the pandemic. The policy consultation is open and there are a number of ways parents/guardians, staff, and students have been asked to engage and participate.
Starting Monday, November 8, we will have paper copies of the survey available for families without access to technology. Families who would like a paper copy should contact our main office to request a paper version of the survey, which will then be sent home with their child.
TDSB Clarification about Optional Attendance for Admission beginning September 2022
A revised Optional Attendance policy (P013) and a new draft Specialized Schools and Programs policy are currently being finalized. The two policies will be brought to the Board of Trustees for approval in the winter of 2022 for implementation in September 2022.
This year, the Optional Attendance process is following the existing policy document.
Thank you for reading,
Mr. B. Mah,
Principal.