Author: Runnymede Home & School Association

School Safety Zone Updates

speed signHave you met our new neighbour?

Just in time for the holidays, a new speed awareness sign was installed on Runnymede Road near the Glenwood crosswalk.  As indicated in November’s letter from Councillor Doucette, these signs are part of a larger School Safety Zone strategy, designed to make the streets around Runnymede safer.

kennedy ave.jpgUnfortunately, there is discouraging news coming from City Hall about a second initiative, which is the proposal to install traffic calming bump-outs on upper Kennedy Ave.  The area in question is north-east of the school, near the parking lot pedestrian walkway.

At our most recent Parent Council meeting, a Runnymede parent shared the proposed design and dimensions for the new bump-outs and voiced serious concerns about the safety of the design.  While pleased with the speed control initiative, residents are worried that the design proposed by the city obstructs sight lines, creating dangerous pedestrian situations for Runnymede students.

Local residents are working alongside Councillor Doucette, school Administration and Parent Council to try to resolve these issues with Transportation Services prior to installation.

If you would like more information about this issue please e-mail Runnymedeps@gmail.com.

Nuit Orange Recap

Nuit Orange 2018 was an incredible success!

Energy, enthusiasm, and a celebration of the arts were on the program last week at Nuit Orange – a spectacle of artistic talent never before seen in the halls of our 100-year-old school. The event drew a crowd of hundreds and treated Runnymede families to a showcase of band, strings, drama, dance, and visual art.

Bravo to Runnymede’s dedicated teaching staff who brought this vision to our school and made Nuit Orange happen, especially Mr. Medley, Mr.Ouelette, Mr. Kim, Mr. Latter & Mme Hatzepetros. Their passion for the arts is contagious.

Thank you to Parent Council’s Arts & Enrichment Committee, who spearheaded the art installations for the JK – Grade 5 students, and to the Spirit Committee and its army of volunteers who were the ultimate hosts with their food & drink stations.

Check out a few pictures from Nuit Orange below, or search the hashtag #NuitOrange on Twitter.

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Ask Me Anything: Q&A Session with TDSB’s John Malloy

Everyone is welcome at this joint Ward 7 & Ward 9 forum.  The format will be “Ask me Anything”, with TDSB’s Director of Education taking questions from the audience about whatever issues you would like to raise.

Childcare and refreshments will be provided.

If you can’t attend but have a question, please contact our Ward 7 Rep Kathleen Hyatt, who can help you get your questions answered.

2018 01 23 Flyer Ward Forum with Director Feb 5 2018

Stafford Hope – A Memorial for Runnymede’s Much-Loved Crossing Guard

A memorial will be held on Saturday January 13, 2018 for Stafford Hope, Runnymede’s beloved former crossing guard, who passed away on December 14, 2017.stafford stop.png

Hope retired in 2016 after 21 years of guiding Runnymede students, parents, and teachers across the busy Bloor West intersection near the school. Sadly, he had less than a year of retirement before cancer took hold.

Watch the tribute video.

The Stafford Hope Memorial Fund

In December, our school community and neighbouring schools raised $4400 for Stafford’s wife Velma to use towards his memorial. Thank you to everyone who contributed (especially the young boy who brought $24 in change from his piggy bank)! And thank you to the lovely ladies in the office who safeguarded the donations. Velma is deeply grateful for everyone’s generosity.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Stafford Hope Memorial Fund, please visit the GoFundMe page.

Share your Condolences

A table has been set up inside the school with photo boards and a condolence book for students, teachers, parents and community members to sign.

Memorial Details

The memorial will be held at the Bethel Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ at 1831 Weston Road, 3rd floor, followed by a procession to Beechwood Cemetery.

Saturday January 13th
Visitation: 9-10am
Memorial: 10am-noon, led by members of the Runnymede community
Cemetery procession: 12:30pm

PARENTING WORKSHOP: Mathematical Mindsets

Thursday January 25, 2018
6:30-7:30pm in the Senior Gym (Exit #5)

Parent Council is thrilled to welcome back Trevor Brown – math professor, author, and former Math Consultant for the TDSB – to Runnymede PS for another informative and fun-filled evening of math!

Mr. Brown is a sought-after presenter who is well-versed in the Ministry of Education’s Renewed Math Strategy.

What to expect:

Geared to parents of children in grades 3-6, this interactive workshop will explore four areas:

  • Multiplication
  • Division
  • Fractions
  • Measurement

RSVP now to take home a free math manipulative! Other math tools will be for sale at the workshop for $3.

Funding has been generously provided by a PRO (Parents Reaching Out) Grant.

The Parent Council meeting will follow in the gym at 7:30.

Thank you for your interest in the Workshop.  RSVP’s are now closed.

Everyone from the Runnymede community is welcome, regardless of RSVP and there will be math manipulatives and resources available for purchase at the workshop.

If you need to cancel or change your RSVP please e-mail runnymedeps@gmail.com