City Councillors Sarah Doucette and Gord Perks have prepared this website, www.letsmakewaves.ca, opposing proposed budget cuts to pool funding. The website features a petition you can sign online, or you can print this  hard copy petition, sign and/or gather signatures, and send in. The issue at hand is: “The City of Toronto 2012 Budget proposes to cut funding for the following Ward 13 and 14 children’s services: The Runnymede C.I. Pool, the Lambton Arena, the Keele Community Centre, the Mazaryk-Cowan Community Centre, the Warren Park Breakfast Program, and St. Mark’s Daycare.”

We have been asked to share the following notice from Irene Atkinson’s constituency office:

Over the past year there have been many parents voicing concerns over the current methods of teaching math to elementary students. In order to help parents understand the new methods and tools we have arranged with Central Board staff to host an Elementary Math Curriculum night.

The event will be held at the Western Tech cafeteria on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who had a hand in all of Runnymede’s amazing holiday concerts and charitable efforts, helping us to kick off the holiday season in style. On behalf of the Runnymede School Council, we wish the entire Runnymede community the very best of the holidays. We look forward to seeing everyone back on January 9, 2012!

Mark your kids’ calendars for these fun spirit days sponsored by the student parliament — one every month, all on Fridays:

• December 23rd – REALLY Red, WONDERFUL White and GEORGEOUS Green Day
• January 20th – PERFECT PEACEFUL PJ Day
• February 24th – MAD ABOUT PLAID DAY (come wearing any combination of plaid)
• March 30th – BALMY Beach Day
• April 20th – GRASSY GROOVY Green Day / Earth Day
• May 25th – Crazy Hair Day
• June 22nd – ROARING Runnymede Spirit Day (Wear Orange and Black and Runnymede clothes)

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Runnymede is sharing the spirit this year by inviting all students to
participate in Runnymede Schools’ Parliaments gift-giving initiative. Each class in the school will be asked to create two gift boxes for children in need, (one boy and one girl) to whom these gifts will be given. Each gift will be put into a wrapped box to be given to the child for the holidays. Runnymede students are asked to donate one small gift for the box value not exceeding five dollars; gently used gifts are welcome as well. Gifts can be given anytime between December 3^rd and December 19^th.  They will be picked up Monday December 19^th from each class by members of Parliament for distribution.

The giving goes on…..Runnymede Parliament is also organizing a can drive. This will begin on December 1^st and will end on the 21^st. All proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Food Bank. Classes’ can collection will be monitored by members of parliament, and the class which donates the most cans in each division will win a pizza party.  Good Luck Runnymede and Parliament thanks you for your Generous Runnymede Spirit.

Runnymede thanks you sincerely for your participation and if your
child/children have any questions please encourage them to ask a member of Student Parliament.

Hailey Radigan
Minister of the Environment
Runnymede Student Parliament