Toronto Star teacher award winner: Andrew Reynolds

This week, the Toronto Star published this inspiring profile of Runnymede teacher Andrew Reynolds, who last year helped his Grade 6 students cope with the death of classmate Alex Shapiro. We are truly lucky to have Mr. Reynolds in our community, and we thank him for his exceptional dedication.

International Conference on the Greening of School Grounds visits Runnymede Gardens

Runnymede was one of only three schools in the city to be toured on Sunday by participants of the International Conference on the Greening of School Grounds. Visitors, including educators, landscape architects, and environmentalists from North America, Europe and Japan, were very impressed with Runnymede’s gardens and other creative uses of our yard. Attendees learned about the history, successes, challenges, curriculum connections, and community involvement that made Runnymede’s outdoor program such a success.

Runnymede has much to be proud of!

Thank you for another incredible Yard Day

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the rain for Saturday’s Yard Day and Welcome Back BBQ.

The group of approximately 50-60 volunteers accomplished a great deal of important work, including:

Critical removal of invasive species throughout the Hillside Garden
Significant weeding of the Kinder-Garden and Hillside Garden new planting area
Litter patrol and sweeping
Trimming to clear the overgrown trails
Hula hoop maintenance

Thank you to the Spirit Committee and the volunteers who added FUN to the event with:

Apple peeling
A great Fall Owl craft
Amazing face-painting
A delicious and much-needed and appreciated BBQ to end the morning of work (the hot dogs that did not get cooked today will be donated to a charitable food bank/kitchen which is great)

And thanks also to the volunteers who arranged for coffee and who brought baking to fuel the workers.

Our kids are incredibly lucky to have Runnymede’s gardens as part of their school experience, and it wouldn’t be possible without the families who volunteer their time for Yard Day.

Fall Yard Day and Welcome Back BBQ – September 21

Please join us this Saturday for our annual Fall Yard Day and Welcome Back BBQ. Bring your gardening tools and help clean up our amazing Runnymede yards. (Click the poster to see it in pdf.)

Welcome (back) to Runnymede!

The Runnymede School Council welcomes you (back!) to Runnymede. Our website is a great place for up-to-date information, so bookmark this site and visit it regularly.

We’ve assembled some valuable information for you as we start the new school year:

Key Council & Committee Dates for Fall: Add these key dates to your calendar.
Runnymede Parent Handbook: Find all the information a parent needs, including safe arrival, lunch hour and dress code policy.
How Do I Get Involved? Read how you can get involved at the school and in your child’s education at Runnymede.
The Arts at Runnymede: Learn about the many arts programs available at the school.

Other important information for the fall

Fundraising at Runnymede

Our simplified fundraising strategy was a success last year: we raised $71,542! So, this year we will do it again. Donation envelopes will be distributed in October for parents to return with a recommended per-child donation of $50. We thank you and look forward to your support of our simplified fundraising!

Additionally, the school receives a percentage of sales from QSP Magazines and Mabels Labels. If you need magazines, clothing or lunch box labels, please visit the school website homepage under Hot Topics to make your purchase and support the school at the same time!

Lost & Found Process

Lost & Found is located on the main floor outside of Room 126. Please talk with your children about keeping track of their belongings but also please be aware that items can go missing through no fault of your child! It will be easier to find lost items – especially lunch bags – if you label items with your child’s name and classroom number. Want to help with the Lost & Found? Please contact Juli Belliveau to help!