Since 2010, Runnymede Public School Council has been taking a direct and simplified approach to fundraising, asking families to donate $50 per child each year rather than contribute to a variety of fundraisers throughout the year.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive and last year we raised over $35,000.

Our goal is to raise $35,000 again this year by October 24, 2014.

The easiest way to make your $50 per child annual donation is online.

A donation envelope is being sent home soon so you may also choose to make your $50 per child annual donation by writing a cheque and sending it back in the donation envelope.

Here are some of the ways your donation supports your child’s education at Runnymede:

• Your child’s teacher receives at least $300 per year to enrich their classrooms by purchasing supplies, materials, equipment and/or in-class programs.

• Your child receives enrichment programs such as Green Teacher, Arts Enrichment and Scientist in the School.

• Your child has the opportunity to use some of the latest technology through the purchase of tablets such as iPads; and SMART Boards.

• Your child has the opportunity to utilize the Hillside Garden, a well-maintained outdoor learning space.  Our gardens are the envy of the TDSB!

• Your child will benefit from the purchase of recess equipment, sports equipment for Phys-Ed programs and the subsidization of sport teams.

• Your child will receive continued enrichment from our excellent Drama, Band and Strings programs.

All funds raised will be used in the current academic year. Come out to the Parent Council meeting on October 29 at 7pm in the school library to participate in the discussion on the use of the funds raised.  We thank you in advance for your generous donation.

Sincerely,

Leslie Parmar-Robbins, Audrey Robinson & Karen Viswanathan
Co-Chairs, Spirit Committee

Halloween spirit is in the air!  Hopefully you received a notice in your child’s backpack about Runnymede’s First *Gently Used* Costume Sale on Wednesday, October 8th from 3 – 4 pm.

We are still accepting clean costumes in all sizes and any fun accessories so take a peek in your dress-up bins this weekend.  Please bring your costumes to the school office on the morning of Tuesday, October 7th at the latest.

Thank you for contributing to this event and doing your part to make Runnyemede an environmentally conscious school.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee is holding their first meeting of the year on Thursday, October 2nd @ 8 p.m. in the staff room.

This committee implements cool and progressive STEM programs for Runnymede including the mobile technology strategy that provides classes with access to iPads and tablets. STEM recently led efforts to secure grant money to fund technology improvements at Runnymede including coordinating the partnership with Best Buy and Geek Squad to donate and install a broadcast studio in our library.

Please come if you have interest in STEM.  No experience required.

 

Make an Informed Vote on October 27th

for Local School Board Trustee

Join us on October 7th for the All Candidates Debate for the Ward 7 School Trustee position.

Where and When – Runnymede Public School Gym from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

This is a great opportunity to meet the candidates and help make educated decisions about the October 27th School Board Trustee election. Hear candidates present their platforms, answer some predetermined questions from Ward 7 Council Representatives and answer questions from the community members in attendance. The moderator will be Dan Abrahams, a local lawyer and parent who is also an excellent moderator, to which anyone who attended the spring provincial debate on education can attest.  There are seven candidates running to replace Irene Atkinson, links to information on 6 of the 7 follows.

This article poses some great questions about how municipal politicians and parents OUGHT to pay more attention to public education … if you are keen to have some good questions to ask all municipal candidates, have a read!

Visit this Ministry of Education funded website for an overview of school boards, trustees and all the candidates that have sent in their info to be posted.

Here is a list of all trustee candidates and links to their respective websites:

Gordon Foster             Jeffrey Freeman            Jim Henderson

Noel Kent                    Robin Pilkey                   Marcela Saitua

Linda Torry

Additionally you may be interested to read this Villager article which highlights many issues facing Ward 7 Schools.

We are pleased to share the contact information for the 2014/15 Executive Council, Committee Chairs and Co-chairs.

Runnymede is a big and busy school.  Our Executive Council and the Committees arrange enhanced programming, special events and activities for the Runnymede school community over the course of the school year.

Select here for the 2014/15 Executive Council and Committee Contact list.