The very first Runnymede FLL Robotics teams, Hurricanes (Gr.4-6) and Lions (Gr. 6-8), competed last weekend in the TDSB Regional FLL Tournament with 25 other teams. The tournament focuses on four activities: Robot Missions, Robot Design, Written Project, and Core Values. They had a great day! Here are the highlights:

1) Robot Missions – The Lions finished 6th (214 points) and the Hurricanes 10th (151 points) out of 25 teams.

2) Callbacks – Runnymede teams performed so well that they were called back to perform in front of a second set of judges. The Lions were called back for “Robot Design” and the Hurricanes for “Core Values” (demonstrating “Gracious Professionalism”).

3) Awards – There are a few awards that are given to teams apart from their final scores. The Hurricanes were awarded the “Inspiration” award given to a team that inspires Core Values, FLL’s most important code. All of the team members were participating in their first tournament which makes receiving this award in their first year simply amazing. Jerry Tiessen, the parent coach of our FLL Robotics Teams, was voted by team members and judges as the “Coach of the Year”.

The STEM committee would like to thank the students of Runnymede Collegiate Institute and Western Tech for their help with the FLL program. We would also like to thank the teachers Kathryn Daye, Shannon Nyers, Jon Johrendt, and Stan Hallman-Chong and vice-principal Sean Hume for their contributions. Their time was essential to the success of these teams.

 

The next meeting of the school council will be on Thursday, November 28, starting promptly at 7 p.m. in the school library. Child care will be available in room 122.

There will be two guest speakers at the meeting, discussing 1) artificial turf for the field and 2) programs at Western Tech. See attached for the full agenda.

Miss the last one? Please see the minutes of the October 30 meeting.

We received this information from Irene Atkinson’s office:

All members of the community are invited to attend a free presentation by Dr. Audrey Huberman on Skills for Living at the Swansea Community Centre on January 14, 2014 at 7 p.m. Dr.Huberman will share social, emotional and behavioural skills for parents, teachers, students and others to help them manage the complexities of family life and to support young people in improving their social-emotional functioning at school and at home. Mark your calendars!

Now at Pizza Lunches, each lunchroom has a green bin for food waste. Runnymede’s parent volunteers and Green Team members will be assisting with this program to ensure it runs smoothly.

The Front Door Mural is up!

The mural looks amazing, and helps to restore the front of the school to what it would have looked like almost 100 years ago.

The mural is a beautiful piece of artwork by local artist Elizabeth Jackson Hall. A huge thank you and congratulations to Angela Buechner who coordinated this entire project, and also to her husband Peter who helped with the mural installation.

Leading up to the Centennial in 2016, a 2nd floor mural above the door designed to look like a stone etched lion (the school’s crest), will be added. Depending on funds, the Parent Council hopes to have the next phase of the mural complete by the end of the school year.