February 1st is an important day in Runnymede’s history: on that day in 1916, Runnymede Junior and Senior Public School opened its doors for the first time. As we prepare for our HUGE centennial celebration in 2016, we will mark each February 1st.

Runnymede’s Original School Crest

At this year’s celebration assembly, we will be unveiling our new school crest and the winning entry to our school motto contest. Last year, with the help of the Senior Student Parliament, the seniors were asked to submit motto suggestions. The Student Parliament then narrowed these to their top 5 choices, and students were asked to vote in an online survey in the library. The selected motto and new crest will be on display on our brand new school banners on Wednesday! Check back here for details as well.

To get you in the centennial mood, here are some photos from the archives, collected by the Centennial commitee (part of the School Council).

Ursula Franklin Academy is hosting a Parenting Workshop:  “Working Through Teen-Parent Conflicts,” Presented by Gary Furlong

Tuesday, January 24th, 6:30-8:00 pm

This event is open to everyone and is FREE!

Reminder to all interested Runnymede families.  Friday, January 13 is our good luck night as the Runnymede Family Swim Club swims at Humberside Pool.  We’d like to keep celebrating the new year with an invitation to Bring a Friend For Free evening.  We are waiving the $5 one-time visitor fee and encouraging you to invite a friend or family member to join us and try out the fun family swim night as our guests.  We have the whole pool for swimming, diving and playing from from 7:00 to  9:00 pm.  Hope you can make it!

A note from Runnymede administration:
Head Lice Screening Day: Grades JK-6
Thursday, January 12, 2012

 Head lice and their eggs (nits) are a nuisance that can infect any of us. If you have experienced them, you know how frustrating and time consuming it is eliminating the lice and nits from your child(ren), and your home.

 The classroom screening for head lice and nits will take place at our school on Thursday, January 12, 2012,for all classes in Grades JK-6.

 If a child is found to have lice or nits, the parent or guardian will be informed through the office. Children will not be informed in the classroom in order to maintain confidentiality.

 In accordance with TDSB procedures, if a child is identified as having head lice or nits, the parent will be required to make arrangements for treatment and to keep the child at home until the problem is cleared. Nits must be removed before the student returns to school. The student will be re-admitted with a form signed by the parent indicating the treatment used and confirming that all nits have been removed. A Treatment Instruction Sheet will be provided to each parent or guardian of an infected child.

 Parents who do not wish their child(ren) to participate in this screening must inform their teacher in writing by Monday, January 9, 2012. Parents whose children do not participate in the school screening are expected to do the lice check themselves. If your home lice check reveals the presence of lice or nits, do not send your child to school. Please inform the school right away and we will send you the appropriate information and instructions.

 Thank you for your co-operation and support.

 Sincerely,
Amelia Dennis, Principal
Rob Hochberg, Vice-Principal