Hello Runnymede Jr & Sr PS Families!

Runnymede School Council is joining with 22 other area schools in an “art action” to acknowledge and honour the 215 children whose remains were found buried at the Kamloops residential school last week.

On Friday June 4, schools across Toronto’s west end are tying 215 orange ribbons at each participating school and leaving messages of support, love and commitment to decolonization in chalk on the sidewalk.

We are inviting all Runnymede families that wish to participate to come to the Runnymede Road yard (fence next to the basketball courts) between 2:30 and 4:00pm this Friday, June 4 to tie a ribbon on the fence and to write a message in chalk to show your commitment to taking further actions of reconciliation in support of generations of First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities across Canada.

Volunteers will be onsite to provide orange ribbons and assist with social distancing. Please bring your own chalk – we will have some available if needed. Please wear a mask and remain two metres apart from anyone outside your family. Your support with this request is greatly appreciated. 

If you want to participate but have concerns about gathering, you are welcome to add to the chalk art on your own after 4pm (or even over the weekend!).

Some suggested calls to action to support the Indigenous community provided by the Organizer of this multi-school event, Ayan Kailie:
• Make a donation to an Indigenous-led charity. 
• Talk to your children and/or read them a book about residential schools.
• Talk to your children about what racism is and how to end racism.
• Talk to your children about stereotypes and why they are dangerous.
•  Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.
•  Support Indigenous artists and businesses.
•  Listen to Indigenous communities, their elders and support what they are asking for from government and non-Indigenous Canadians.

We have included links to some charity and book resources that may be helpful.

We hope to see you there!
Runnymede School Council

Below is a list of participating schools confirmed to-date:
Brock P.S
Carleton Village Junior and Senior P.S
City View Alternative Senior P.S
Clinton Street Junior P.S
Dovercourt P.S
Fern Avenue Junior and Senior P.S
Garden Avenue Junior PS
Holy Family Catholic School
Howard Junior P.S
Humbercrest P.S
Humberside C.I
Indian Road Cresent Junior and Senior P.S
Parkdale Junior and Senior P.S
Pauline P.S
Perth Avenue Junior P.S
Queen Victoria P.S
Runnymede P.S
Shirley Street Junior P.S
St. Cecilia Catholic School
Sunnylea Junior P.S
Swansea Junior and Senior P.S
The Grove Community School
Western Technical Commercial School 

The next Runnymede PS Council meeting is today, Tuesday May 25, 2021 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The meeting will take place virtually via Google Meet (link will be sent via email to all parents who have subscribed to the Runnymede Council email list).

May 25, 2021 agenda includes…

• Executive Committee Updates
• Vacant Council Positions for 2021-2022
• Council Co-Chair and Budget Reports
• Administration & Teacher reports

IMPORTANT – Please note the following meeting protocols:

1. The Google Meet platform provided by the TDSB has a participant limit of 100 people, so we ask that each family please limit their participation to one device;
2. Once you’ve entered the meeting, please ensure you are on mute;
3. Once you’ve entered the meeting, please turn your camera off unless you are presenting;
4. In order to join the meeting you will need to be signed into a Gmail account, or another email linked to a Google account. (instructions to create a google account without Gmail: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/27441?hl=en)

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Parent Council via email at runnymedeps@gmail.com

We hope to see you online, on May 25th!

The next Runnymede PS Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 25, 2021 starting at 7:30 pm (please note the later start time). The meeting will take place virtually via Google Meet (link will be sent via email to all parents who have subscribed to the Runnymede Council email list).

March 25, 2021 agenda includes…

• Executive Committee Updates
• Council Co-Chair Report
• Administration & Teacher reports

IMPORTANT – Please note the following meeting protocols:

1. The Google Meet platform provided by the TDSB has a participant limit of 100 people, so we ask that each family please limit their participation to one device;
2. Once you’ve entered the meeting, please ensure you are on mute;
3. Once you’ve entered the meeting, please turn your camera off unless you are presenting;
4. In order to join the meeting you will need to be signed into a Gmail account, or another email linked to a Google account. (instructions to create a google account without Gmail: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/27441?hl=en)

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Parent Council via email at runnymedeps@gmail.com

We hope to see you online, on March 25th!

The next Runnymede PS Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday January 20, 2021 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The meeting will take place virtually via Google Meet (link will be sent via email to all parents who have subscribed to the Runnymede Council email list).

Jan 20, 2021 agenda includes…

• Executive Committee Updates
• Council Co-Chair Report
• Administration & Teacher reports

IMPORTANT – Please note the following meeting protocols:

1. The Google Meet platform provided by the TDSB has a participant limit of 100 people, so we ask that each family please limit their participation to one device;
2. Once you’ve entered the meeting, please ensure you are on mute;
3. Once you’ve entered the meeting, please turn your camera off unless you are presenting;
4. In order to join the meeting you will need to be signed into a Gmail account, or another email linked to a Google account. (instructions to create a google account without Gmail: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/27441?hl=en)

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Parent Council via email at runnymedeps@gmail.com

We hope to see you online, on January 20th!

As we finish up the last week of school in 2020, Runnymede School Council would like to wish all families a happy and healthy holiday break!

This school year has been unlike any other we’ve ever experienced and we’d like to thank each and every one of you for all the extra time, effort and planning that it’s taken to ensure our children have experienced a positive, safe and engaging school year so far. We know that Runnymede teachers and staff appreciate all the efforts you’ve made to help keep them safe. It certainly takes a community and in true Runnymede spirit, our families have risen to the challenge!

We know this winter break will also be different than any other. We’d like to leave you with a really helpful document shared by Toronto Public Health to help families plan activities safely throughout the holidays.

Here are a few key takeaways…

– Enjoy the outdoors! Walking, hiking, and tobogganing are a go!  Check out the holiday lights or exchange gifts outdoors. If you can’t keep your distance from others (2m), wear a mask – even outdoors.

– Take a pass on indoor playdates, sleepovers and indoor meals / parties with members outside your household.  These are all high-risk activities.

Runnymede teachers, staff and fellow parents appreciate and depend on all of us doing our part to keep loved ones and our school community safe and healthy.  We are in this together!

Happy and safe Holidays to you and your families!

Runnymede School Council