Author: Runnymede Home & School Association

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

Trevor Brown Math Consultant – Additional Resources & Links

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On November 23rd, Runnymede Parent Council was thrilled to host Trevor Brown, Math Consultant for an fun and interactive evening of Primary math!  Trevor’s enthusiasm for math was palpable as he provided parents with new ways of thinking about old problems.

It was a record turn out, and response from Runnymede parents was overwhelmingly positive.  Here is what some had to say about Trevor’s talk:

“Mr. Brown was a great speaker and I feel a lot more confident in supporting my grade 1 in math. Thank you!!!”

“I think this was IMMENSELY valuable for bringing the gap between TODAY’S math homework versus what we were historically taught with a completely different mindset  (and UNDERSTANDING WHY!!!!)”

Attached, are some online resources recommended by Trevor, along with some math problems for your kids to try at home:

Primary Math Resources

Additional Problems

Runnymede will be hosting Trevor again in the new year for a workshop aimed at parents of students in Grades 4 – 6.

K-5 Fine Arts Enrichment

The Kindergarten – Grade 5 Arts Enrichment classes are in full swing!

Over the past three weeks 700 Runnymede students have created original art work in the style of renowned artists from Canada and beyond.

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Facilitated by Sara Fritzlar and Tania Swann of Art in Action, students are learning fine art techniques while incorporating grade-specific elements of design (line, shape, form, space, colour, texture and value).  Each student is creating original art, which varies in complexity and composition according to grade.

Here is a sneak peek in advance of the big reveal at Nuit Orange in January.

Funding for these art classes is provided by Parent Council, and made possible by your generous Direct Donations.
Thank you Runnymede families for supporting the arts at our school!

 

Peaceful Recess Project – Donations Wanted!

Starting in December, Runnymede will be participating in the ‘Peaceful Recess Project,’ designed to offer students a quiet, restful space to spend one recess period per week – so they can unplug and reset.

During their allotted recess time, students will be welcomed into the Peaceful Space by a caring adult. They’ll do a quiet, independent activity that relaxes them. There’s no talking, but there may be some soft music playing. Lights will be low and there will be very little stimulation. All these elements contribute to a feeling of calm, which students will hopefully carry with them for the rest of the day.

Like to support this project? Please consider donating:

  • Small clear twinkle lights, extension cords and power bars
  • Yoga mats
  • Playing cards
  • Bean bag chairs
  • Yoga or relaxation CDs
  • Small puzzles, quiet mind games/mazes
  • Plants
  • Mindfulness colouring pages/books
  • Markers

Please have your child bring donations to Mrs. Wawrow’s office. Dates and classroom locations to follow.