We had many parents express an interest in being a part of this focus group and as a result will not be able to invite all those who volunteered.

As stated in our original information letter, there is no formal TDSB process for selecting members for this focus group. As such, our Council Chair Dale Cadeau and Principal Amelia Dennis have randomly selected (draw) the following parents to participate in the focus group meeting to take place on Monday January 11, 6:30 — 8:00 pm at Runnymede P.S., in the Library: Pro Sarbadhikari, Sharon Kelly, Camas Winsor, Michael Davidson, Amy Lavender Harris, Allison Madigan, Kathleen Hyatt and Kyle Walker.

Remember, TDSB Staff is interested in hearing parent opinions, proposed solutions and any brainstorming on possible alternate solutions. If any of you who would like to relay your concerns or ideas, please e-mail our Parent Council Chair Dale Cadeau and Amelia Dennis prior to January 11th; we would be happy to share your input.

Keep in mind that this is only a discussion/brainstorming session and no decisions will be made at this meeting.

We are also happy to announce that Trustee Pilkey has agreed to meet with Runnymede parents at our next Council meeting on January 19 th, at 7 pm in the Senior Gym, to answer any questions or address concerns.

Want to know more?  Read the Qs and As  about the focus group.

The TDSB is doing a number of studies in Ward 7, including one specific to Runnymede PS.

The study affecting Runnymede is slated to begin in January 2016 and will be a Grade Change Study, in which they will consider making Runnymede a junior school from K-6, with all grade 7 and 8 students (both French Immersion and English streams) moving off site. Options being explored are moving students to Annette Jr. & Sr. PS and a campus arrangement with Western Technical School, amongst others.

In November, our Superintendent Jane Phillips-Long, attended our Parent Council meeting to continue the discussion.

The first step of the Grade Change Study is to form a Local Feasibility Team (LFT). The team will include TDSB Planning staff, the neighbouring Principals, affected Superintendents, program staff and our local Trustee, Robin Pilkey. This team will look at enrollment projection data and explore potential solutions – short- and long- term – to address overcrowding at our school.

A parent Focus Group that will advise the LFT will be held on Monday January 11, 2016.  If you are interested in participating in this process please fill in the form on the Grade Change Study Page.

The LFT may conclude one of the following options:

1. That monitoring Runnymede’s enrolment is acceptable in the short-term, and that a significant change in demographic data will bring the team back together when needed;
2. That a Program Area Review Team (PART) should be formed to further examine immediate and long-term solutions. If a PART is recommended, this team would include all members of the LFT plus parent representatives.
   • The team would meet at least twice to review the data and discuss solutions.
   • A public meeting would be scheduled to share information and seek input.
   • This PART committee would then bring recommendations to staff and to the Director of Education.

There is NO grade change proposed for Runnymede PS for 2016-17. This regulated process will ensure all points are considered and in place before any 7/8 students would be moved off site. As more information becomes available, we will continue to update the Grade Change Study page.

If you have questions about the Grade Change Study or the Local Feasibility Team process, please contact our Ward 7 Parent Rep Krista Wylie or our School Council Co-Chair Dale Cadeau.

The clocks and bells run four minutes fast at Runnymede.

If you are using a cellphone to keep time, you will find yourself running four minutes behind for drop-off and pick-up.  Your children may be marked late.

Unfortunately our Admin has no control over the bell system, so adjust your alarm clocks and watches at home to avoid those late slips!

DECEMBER 18th UPDATE: The clock system has been updated by TDSB and now runs on regular time

 

The fair is your one-stop shop for the holidays! Great books and awesome stocking stuffers await you.  There’s no better way to thank your family, friends and teachers than by giving them the gift of reading.

The fair will be held in the library, and is open to students and their families from Thursday, November 26th to Monday, December 7th.  Students can shop the fair during their regular library time.  There will also be opportunities to shop during recess and every day after school until 3:45.  We accept cash, cheques, debit and credit.

A large percentage of sales made at the fair go back into our school library.  With last year’s sales we were able to purchase innovative teaching resources in both French and English and a multitude of new fiction and nonfiction for our students.

We look very forward to seeing you at our Book Fair!

If any parents are able to volunteer, please email Ms. Edgar