Please take note of these upcoming events.

• Halloween Activities: October 31 – Please see the attached flyer
• Photo Re-take Day: November 5
• Chapters Night: November 26, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
• Winter Concerts:
  • AM Kindergarten: December 12, at 9:30 am
  • PM Kindergarten: December 12, at 2:30 pm
  • Primary (Gr. 1 – 3): December 18, at 9:30 am
  • Junior (Gr. 4 – 6): December 12, at 7:00 pm
  • Senior (Gr. 7 & 8): December 5, at 7:00 pm

Runnymede, through the Council’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Committee, has been very fortunate to receive a grant for over $3,100 from the TD Friends of the Environment for environmental education. Some of the items in the grant include a weather station, solar and electric cars, wind and hand powered energy kits, and a number of smaller items relating to science kits that promote environmental education.

We also received a grant of $1,200 from Bayer Canada for work on our science kits.

Thanks to TD Friends of the Environment and Bayer Canada for helping us improve our science programs!

We would also like to acknowledge the support from First League Lego ($250) and the TDSB ($330) which is indispensable to our our First Lego League robotics programs.

The Ontario government has introduced Regulation 274, which forces school principals to prioritize seniority over quality and suitability in the teacher hiring process. Parents, teachers and administrators alike want this regulation revoked. Please read these attachments for more information:

• Regulation 274
• Globe editorial Sept 26, 2013 Regulation 274 Toronto Star Sept 25 2013 article
• Toronto Star Sept 25 2013 article

Please consider emailing the Premier and Minister of Education expressing your concerns. Here is a sample email:

Email to: kwynne.mpp@liberal.ola.org; lsandals.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Dear Premier and Minister of Education,

I am on the school council/a parent at Runnymede Public School. As you and I know, Regulation 274 will seriously damage the quality and suitability of teachers hired and thereby hurt our students. This Regulation also creates unreasonable administrative and managerial problems for all principals and school boards across the province.

The issue of favouritism is a red herring which can be eliminated by school boards having an oversight process and providing certain hiring information to the relevant union.

Please get rid of Regulation 274 as soon as possible!

Best regards,
(name & email)

cc to: krushowy@thestar.ca; calphonso@globeandmail.com

The following attachments will provide you with valuable information regarding grade 9 transition and information nights at various Secondary Schools. 

Please make sure to attend the Information Night at Runnymede Public School this coming Wednesday, October 23, 2013, Senior Gym, at 7:00 pm  

As well, a reminder to parents of students who will be attending the Etobicoke School Of the Arts (ESA) student open house on the afternoon of Tuesday Oct. 29th, permission forms are going home today and must be returned to homeroom teachers by Friday Oct. 25th.