BIRCH CLIFF PUBLIC SCHOOL

1650 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ontario M1N 1S2 Telephone: 416-396-6060 | FAX: 416-396-6061 ​ ​ ​ Principal: Patricia Muir | Superintendent: Peter Chang | Trustee: Parthi Kandavel ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Newsletter​ ​*​ ​Summer 2018 Principal’s Office Message * Events * Reminders * Clubs * Council Updates

From Admin & Chairs

The 2017-2018 school year has been a fantastic year! It’s hard to remember all of the great happenings at Birch Cliff since last September! As a community, Birch Cliff was able to have a strong focus on our four As (Academics, Arts, Athletics, and Attitude). Academically, all of our ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ students progressed in all subject areas including mathematics, language, science, social studies, the arts, and physical health. Thank you to all of the teachers and support staff who made this possible. The arts had a Theatre Troupe that did a fantastic job as well as the daily artwork done by the individual classes. In the athletics, we had a variety of clubs and teams, and of course our regular Phys. Ed. periods and DPA. Lastly, the attitude at Birch Cliff continues to become stronger. All of the positive energy and supportive members of our community make all of this possible.

A special thank you must go out to our Parent Council who has put in endless hours of organization and fundraising to make a lot of what we do at Birch Cliff possible.

Lastly, we are saddened by the announcement of Mrs. Muir’s retirement. We will miss her dearly as she has put in almost a decade of her time as the Principal of Birch Cliff. She has done an amazing job and we wish her well. As you have all read last week, Birch Cliff’s new Principal, Ted Vine, will be heading our school in September. He is a very strong leader and well respected throughout his current community. We are all welcoming Ted with open arms and looking forward to working alongside him as our school leader. Welcome Ted!

We wish all of the family, friends, and Birch Cliff community a happy and safe summer. Rest up and we cannot wait to see everyone on September 4th.

~ Mrs. Muir, Ms. Shah & Mr. Brown

Dates to Remember

~ Sep. 4: First Day Back There will be no classes for the months of July and August. School will resume on ​ Tuesday, September 4th, 2018.

Visit the TDSB public website at 2018-2018 TDSB Dates of Significance can be found www.tdsb.on.ca to view the school year calendar or the ​ here. Birch Cliff Calendar for specific events. ​

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Goodbye Mrs. Muir :(

It is with much sadness that we have to say goodbye to Patti Muir as she is retiring from Birch Cliff Public School. She has been with the Birch Cliff Community for 10 years.

Patti, your valuable contributions to the school, staff, and community will be remembered. Your love for children, your compassion and sensitivity to those who needed help, your pleasant and helpful manner, and your drive to promote academic excellence from all your students will be missed.

Thank you for being so passionate about teaching and giving your all to the school and the community.

Congratulations on your retirement! You have been a part of many unforgettable memories here. As you leave this school, we wish you all the very best as you begin the next chapter of your life. May you find peace, happiness and fulfillment. We hope you will keep in touch with us.

~ Birch Cliff Staff

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From the Office If there are any changes in your home or business phone numbers, please inform us as soon as possible!

Administrative Staff for 2018/19 Teaching Assignments for 2018/19 K (FI) - Mme. Hiler Gr. 1 (FI) - Mme. Clark Gr. ½ (FI) - Mme. Ristuccia K - Ms. Secher K - Ms. Briggs K - Ms. Morgan (Best of luck on Maternity Leave) Principal - Ted Vine Gr. 1 - Ms Stewart Gr. ½ - Mrs. Brady Office Administrator - Mrs. Walpole Gr. ⅔ - Mrs. Hopkins Gr. ⅔ - Mrs. Adams Head Caretaker - Mr. Milley Gr. ¾ - Mr. Kranjec Gr. ¾ - Ms. Shah Support Staff: Gr. ⅘ - Mr. Bolton Birch Cliff has been allotted 7 ECEs. We have also been Gr. ⅚ - Ms. Corker allotted a CYW to work in our Autism program, 1.5 SNAs, Gr. ⅚ - Mr. Baxter 0.5 EA, and 0.5 clerical in the morning. Gr. 7 - Mr. Barlow Gr. ⅞ - Mrs. Scott Lindsey Gr. 8 - Ms. Calce Phones will only be answered the 1st Jr./Int. French - Mdm Knappe Davis week of July and the last week of August. Jr./Int. Autism Program - Mr. Kavaratzis Class lists will be posted after 10am on Arts - Ms. Ribble Thursday, August 30th, in the main foyer. Gym - Mr. Butler HSP - Mrs. Barlow ~ Mrs. Walpole Library - Mr. Brown and Mr. Fok

Kindergarten Graduation

During the afternoon of Friday, June 22nd, the Birch Cliff Senior Kindergarten students took their places on stage in the gymnasium and welcomed the audience of family members and loved ones with carefully rehearsed speeches. The students proudly received their Kindergarten diplomas to joyful applause. The new graduates entertained the audience with their recitation of a special poem that culminated in a spectacular confetti surprise! Families remained afterward to toast the graduates, celebrate with their child’s classmates, and enjoy some tasty treats.

A huge congratulations and félicitations to the Senior Kindergarten - soon to be Grade 1 - students from Room 18 ​ ​ (Ms. Morgan), Room 18A (Ms. Crawford), Room 19 (Madame Hiler), and Room 20 (Miss Secher). We hope you have a wonderful summer and well-deserved rest to prepare for September.

To quote our graduation poem: “Look out, Grade One! Here we come!” ​

- page 4 - ​ Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart

A great big thank you goes out to the students of Birch Cliff who raised over $5,819.00 for the Heart and Stroke ​ ​ Foundation during our Hoops for Heart/Jump Rope for Heart event in early June. We have participated in this event now for 16 years and our community always rallies to support this worthy cause.

All students have received their incentive prizes. If there are any discrepancies, please come and see me before the year is over and I will try to correct it. Thank you again to all Birch Cliff students and the Birch Cliff community.

~ Miss Secher

TDSB Nutrition: Healthy Learning, Healthy Living

The Healthy Learning, Healthy Living initiative is focused on changing the lifestyle of ​ ​ students, families, and communities to enhance food literacy and adoption of health and nutritious eating habits. It includes a variety of approaches such as community outreach, education, curriculum, marketing, and funding.

Fuelling Student Success at the TDSB: Making the connection between what we ​ eat and how it affects wellness is one of the most important lessons we can learn when it comes to healthy eating. At the TDSB, we focus on empowering you or your child to take charge of your own wellness, and sharing your knowledge to promote healthy eating throughout your school community.

Feeding Our Future: Toronto District School Board, through its Nutrition Foundation ​ Statement, recognizes the direct relationship between healthy nutrition and the ​ academic achievement of our students. Well-nourished children are ready and able ​ to learn in our classrooms. The TDSB is committed to working with its community partners to ensure that students have equitable access to high quality school-based nutrition programs and that through curriculum activities, have opportunities to develop good nutrition habits that last a lifetime.

Feeding Hungry Students: Access to fresh and affordable food is a starting point to a healthy diet. Lack of access to ​ healthy foods has affected both low-income urban and rural communities for decades. A study released by the ​ ​ TDSB shows the significant role a nutritious breakfast plays in academic success. ​ ​

Are you interested in volunteering with the nutrition program at your child’s school? Or have questions about the nutrition programs offered? Please review these frequently asked questions for further information. To find out more ​ ​ ​ about our student nutrition programs and how our community partners support the programs, please visit Toronto ​ ​ Foundation for Student Success or www.studentnutritiontoronto.ca. ​ ​ ​ ​

Also, check out our health and physical education page to read more on how the MoE is preventing childhood ​ ​ ​ ​ obesity by getting kids active.

~ The TDSB (http://www.tdsb.on.ca/ElementarySchool/SupportingYou/Nutrition.aspx) ​ ​ ​ ​

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Pedestrian Safety

The TDSB has some very important information for families to read regarding pedestrian safety. Topics included by the TDSB are as follows: (click on the topic for the link)

● Pedestrian Safety - Walk Safe PSA ● Tips for Parents and Frequently Asked Questions ● Making the Case for Active School Travel ● Canadian School Travel Planning Guide ● Vision Zero: Toronto's Road Safety Plan ● TDSB School Traffic Management Program

To read all of their suggestions and watch their videos, please visit this link: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Active-Transportation-Charter/Pedestrian-Safety

The Toronto Public Health has issued a memo on the importance of walking to school along with how to walk to school safely. To read that memo, please visit this link: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/AboutUs/Innovation/docs/2018_03_01_Pedestrian%20Safety%20Info%20for% 20Parents.pdf

From the Parent Council

Greetings BC Families,

Thanks to everyone who helped and participated throughout the school year at the various events and fundraisers. Together, we continue to accomplish and make great strides at Birch Cliff for our children.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our Principal, Patti Muir's retirement. It was a very successful event that was enjoyed by all. We wish Ms. Muir much happiness and joy in the next chapter of her life!

The June Home and School Association elections were closed on Friday and the new members will be announced soon.

Have a safe and happy summer!

~ Arlyssa Brown Chair, Home & School Association

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June Character Trait: PERSEVERANCE

Dear Parent, Guardian, or Caregiver:

Every month the TDSB staff and students focus their attention on a specific character trait. Your child is involved in learning activities designed to develop good character and help children make good choices. Our focus for June is PERSEVERANCE. ​ ​

What does perseverance mean to you?

Your child can show perseverance by: ● completing tasks once you begin ● seeking help when you are stuck and need help ● completing homework and keeping his or her school work organized ● helping with household chores even when they are difficult and you don’t want to do them ● goal setting and achieving your goals

Questions to discuss with your child: ● What is perseverance, and what does it mean to be perseverance? ● When did you have to persevere at school, at home, and in the community? ● How can perseverance affect others in a group?

Projects to do together: ● Assist your child with organizing his or her school notebooks and agenda. ● Plan family activities, and involve your child in the planning process. ● Set clear expectations for your child, and hold him or her accountable for his or her actions (for example, setting bedtimes, curfews, and wake-up times). ● Teach your child to set realistic goals and support your child when achieving those goals.

Encouraging Perseverance in Your Child: ● Remind your child about being perseverance for his or her daily school work by helping with homework or reviewing their day. ● Remember to be patient as your child’s perseverance improves (this may take time). ● Encourage and praise your child when he or she perseveres. ● Share an example of a situation in which someone you know persevered and was successful.

Thank you for supporting our Character Development program.