Construction Update From Principal Hochberg

Phase Three of window installation began over March Break.

The beginning of the new window installation project is mainly a preparation stage. In order to ensure safety around the project, wood hoarding has been built in the all the classrooms that face Colbeck St. (South Side of School Building).

We are working with the project manager and the construction company to ensure that there is proper air flow in the classrooms and the students are in a comfortable learning environment. However, with the weather being unpredictable at this time of year and the temperatures fluctuating, it is requested that students dress in layers. Further information will be provided over the following days.

Thank you for your understanding,

Rob Hochberg
Principal
Runnymede Jr. & Sr. PS

Runnymede Hot Lunch Info

Parent Council is pleased to announce that starting on Tuesday February 21st, Rose Reisman Kids Lunch will be providing nutritious, warm, home-cooked meals to Runnymede students!

Meals will be cooked from scratch in their catering kitchen, individually packaged and labelled, then delivered to your child in their lunchroom or classroom.

You can order online from a selection of healthy meals, all served with a side of fruits or vegetables.

Healthy, nutritious hot meals for your kids, and a weekly break from packing lunch for you!

FAQ’s

1. When will the hot lunch program start?
The first day of meal service will be Tuesday February 21st. Lunches will be offered once per week (Tuesdays) until school ends in June. This is a trial run, and we’ll collect feedback in June to assess frequency and options for next year.

2. Who can participate?
It is available to all students, from JK – grade 8.

3. Does my child have to participate?
No, it is completely optional.

4. How much will it cost?
Meals range in cost from $4.75-$7.75 including a side fruit or vegetable. For big appetites, there are add-ons or larger sized meals.

5. How did you choose the vendor – Rose Reisman Kids Lunch?
A feasibility review was done with several companies, resulting in a shortlist of two vendors. Both vendors did a brief presentation to Parent Council on Jan. 26th including food samples. Council members were surveyed on various criteria: taste, quality, menu choices, company philosophy and waste management. In every category, Rose Reisman Kids Lunch(RRKL) was the overwhelming favourite.

6. I am concerned about nutrition. Will the food be healthy?
Healthy food was the #1 criteria cited by parents at the Council meeting.
Rose Reisman is a Registered Nutritional Consultant and the company’s food is prepared from scratch, never processed, with local/sustainable ingredients where possible.
RRKL has been approved by the TDSB as a hot lunch provider and will follow PPM150 guidelines for nutrition. Ingredient lists are available by e-mailing kidslunch@rosereismancatering.com.

7. Is the menu the same every week?
Yes, but there are many options to choose from including vegetarian and gluten-free meals. The menu will be refreshed in April.

8. My child has food allergies, can these be accommodated?
All food is prepared in a nut-free and tree-nut-free facility.
Gluten-free and dairy-free choices are available, and other allergies and food restrictions can be accommodated. RRKL will provide a Food Allergy/Modification form if requested and discuss your concerns at any time.

9. What will be done with the garbage/waste from these meals?
To comply with our Eco School philosophy and Boomerang lunches, each lunch will be distributed in a reusable lunch bag. RRKL collects and sterilizes the lunch bags for reuse, and takes all packaging & leftovers back to their kitchen for recycling.
The only garbage generated will be from utensils and container lids.

10. Do I have to send any food on Tuesdays?
Yes, you still need to send morning & afternoon snacks and a water bottle.
Drinks will not be offered on the menu, to avoid spills and messes in our busy lunchrooms.

11. What if my child is sick on Tuesday? Do I get a refund on my child’s meal?
If you email kidslunch@rosereismancatering.com by 8 am on Tuesday, your account will be credited.

12. When/how do I sign up?
All ordering is done online at www.kidslunch.ca. Before setting up your account, read the step-by-step instructions here to ensure a smooth signup! Our password is RPS39.
Runnymede Hot Lunch Day will be Tuesdays. Orders must be in by midnight the Sunday before (or order all meals in advance if you’d prefer).

13. How do I pay?
Visa or Mastercard is accepted.

14. My child isn’t interested right now, can he/she sign up later?
You can sign up at any time and no minimums are required, so you can even order this week, and skip the next.

15. What if I have questions?
Please send your questions directly to: kidslunch@rosereismancatering.com. Any questions regarding ingredients, allergies, deadlines, etc. will be promptly handled by Rose Reisman’s staff, not the school office. If you would like to provide feedback or send a suggestion to Parent Council about the program you can e-mail runnymedelunch@gmail.com.

Curriculum Night, From Principal Hochberg

This years Meet the Teacher night will take place on Thursday September 15th.

Meet the Teacher is a chance for parents / guardians to meet their child(rens) teachers and gain an understanding of the classroom program and structure for the school year. Rotary teachers will be available throughout the evening in the Library. We will post classroom locations throughout the main floor of the school.

Babysitting will not be provided during this event. You may choose to attend with or without your children.

Here is a schedule of events:

[table id=8 /]

Welcome (Back) To Runnymede!

WELCOME BACK, FROM RUNNYMEDE PARENT COUNCIL!

On behalf of Runnymede Parent Council, we would like to extend our warmest welcome to all new families, and to those of you returning to Runnymede. Week one of school will be hectic as our children settle into new classrooms with their new teachers, and we are here to help now and throughout the school year. Look for Parent Council members at the Welcome Tent and in the school yard on the first day, we’ll be in our bright orange Runnymede t-shirts, ready to help you find your way.

We have a new Principal! A warm welcome to Rob Hochberg, who returns to Runnymede as Principal after having spent the last few years as Principal at Twentieth Street Jr. School. Rob was our VP several years ago, so his name and face may be familiar to some. Council looks forward to continuing a strong partnership with Rob and his team on our many initiatives.

2016 has been a big year for the Runnymede! We held our big Centennial Fun Fair in the Spring, and completed our Centennial Playground Project fundraising campaign. Thanks to your generous donations, construction is already under way. The climbing structures and basketball courts (Phase One) will be finished by Fall 2016, the painted play areas (Phase Two) will be finished by Spring 2017.

We cannot run a great Parent Council without great parents! We have a number of Parent Rep and Council positions vacant, as current members have reached the end of their term. Please take a look at some of the roles, and let us know how you can help with Parent Council this year.

This website is always the best place to find up-to-date information, including our interactive school calendar. Bookmark our site and visit it regularly.

Here is a bit more need-to-know information for Fall:

Fall @ Runnymede – Key Info and Dates
School & Council events you don’t want to miss!

How Do I Get Involved?
Read how you can get involved at the school and in your child’s education at Runnymede.

From your Council Co-Chairs,

Dale Cadeau
Jackie Marrie

Welcome Back, From Principal Hochberg

Dear Runnymede Community,

On behalf of the Faculty and Staff at Runnymede PS we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your children to our school. Whether you are new to our school community or have been a part of the previous year’s success, this year is promising to be fulfilling in many ways. Our staff focus will be on developing each student as a ‘whole’ child. This means high expectations for each child to meet curriculum expectations, develop character traits that lead to good citizenship skills, and extra-curricular activities that will engage students and expose them to a variety of activities and interests. Teachers work hard to prepare for each day. They program accordingly for their students and communicate with parents on a regular basis. It is important for parents to be involved in their child’s education. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have concerns, speak to your child about school on a daily basis, and develop routines that will help lead your child to success. These routines include: arriving at school on time, appropriate bed times, healthy diets, and support with daily reading and homework assignments.

All of the teachers at Runnymede take pride in knowing and helping all of our students at school. Furthermore, we have outstanding caretaking staff and lunchroom supervisors. Our head caretaker, Mr. Thompson and his staff take a lot of pride in keeping the school clean and welcoming. Our lunchroom supervisors ensure the safety and well-being for our students over the lunch hour. The Office Administrators are always willing to meet the needs of our students and families and are available at the main office throughout the day.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

As you are aware there has been on-going construction throughout the summer months. The Centennial Playground, funded by the Parent Council, looks like it will be a popular spot for our students. Phase One will be completed for use by the start of the school year. Phase Two will begin in the Spring 2017.

You will notice scaffolding on the Runnymede side of the building. This is for window replacement. The scaffolding will remain in place until mid-September. There will be fencing around the building where windows are being replaced until the jobsite is safe. Anticipated completion is the end of October 2016.

Work continues on the north wing addition. Three classrooms will be ready for use at the start of the school year. Students will be required to access these classrooms by entering from the outside doors on the east side of the building (Exit #8). Three other classrooms should be complete by the New Year 2017.

Construction updates will be communicated when there is information to be shared.

STAFFING UPDATE

There are several changes to the staffing roster.

Please note that the Vice Principal profiles have changed. Anna Intarakosit will be working with the senior division students in Grades 6, 7, and 8. Susan Wawrow will be working with the Primary and Junior Students FDK to Grade 5.

Room 113 – FDK Teacher – Ms. Francesca Ukwuoma.
Room 122 – FDK Ms. Amy Pepper will not be returning due to pregnancy leave. Ms. Ashley Zaharia will begin the school year as the classroom teacher.

FIRST DAY PROCEDURES

Due to construction, the first day procedures will be different then previous years.

FDK teachers will meet their students in the Adventure Yard.
Grades 1 -6 will meet their teachers on the Runnymede Turf. Teachers will be on duty to meet their students at 8:35am. Teachers will be holding pink grade signs for identification.
Grades 7 and 8 students will go directly to the Senior Gym through door # 5. Please refer to the attached map. [NOTE: Updated]

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please be aware that there is a possibility of classroom reorganization due to student enrollment in the first month of the school year. If there is a need to reorganize classrooms, all students and parents who will be impacted by reorganization will be notified in a timely manner.

Looking forward to a great school year!

Rob Hochberg Susan Wawrow Anna Intarakosit
Principal V.P. K–5 V.P. 6-8