town centre montessori private schools“the official town centre montessori private schools”, ......

Town Centre Montessori

November 2015 Main Campus Elementary Information Bulletin

Inside this issue:

IB Updates 2

Terry Fox 3

Remembrance Day 3

Parents and Visitors 3

Drive Carefully 3

Bullying Prevention Week 4

SAC Food / Toy Drive 4

Gr. 6 to 8 Basketball

Charity Day

4

Gr. 2 to 5 Intramurals 4

Sick Students and

Medication

5

High School News 6

Montessori Pre-School, Private Elementary School, & Private High School, Three Distinct Programs - One Unique School

Dates to Remember:

November 2 to 6

Gr. 6 to 8 Midterm Test Week

November 4

Gr. 8 Intro to High School

November 11

Remembrance Day Observances

November 16 to 20

Bullying Prevention Week

November 18

Gr. 2 to 5 Intramurals

November 19

Gr. 6 to 8 Basketball Charity Day

® Private Schools

Keep updated with the latest TCMPS news and events!

Help us grow our presence; like us on Facebook,

“The Official Town Centre Montessori Private Schools”,

and follow us on Twitter, “tcmps@tcmps”.

Town Centre Montessori Private Schools


IB – International Baccalaureate® Updates:

IB Learner Profile Focus for November: Thinkers

“Thinkers use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take action on problems. They exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions."

IB Information Session on October 15

Thank you to the many parents who attended the last IB info session on October 15. For parents who

missed this session, there will be further opportunities to attend more info sessions throughout the year.

Any parents with questions about the IB program are encouraged to contact Mr. Russell Ash or

Mr. Rocco Lamanna in the Main Office, and Mr. Douglas Parker in the High School Office.

IB Questions and Answers:

In each bulletin, we will keep you updated about IB news and answer some

questions about the IB program. Here are 3 of the most commonly asked

questions from other interested parents:

Q. How will this affect my child in the classroom?

A. Students learn best when their learning experiences have context and are connected to their lives and

their experience of the world that they have experienced. The underpinning philosophy of the IB is

that if students can construct meaning around the content then they can apply it in the world around

them. While not every lesson will be driven through this lens, the overall methodology to teaching

will shift from teacher driven to student driven and student centered. Students will often be posed

questions and asked to think critically to help build meaning around the content they are

learning. So, in short, teachers will frame their lessons differently to help students to develop

complex meaning.

Q. Are teachers being trained? What is the training process?

A. It is the philosophy of the IB that we are all learners, and to that end, the IB requires that all teachers

are trained in both the learning philosophy and teaching methodology. All of our teachers will

receive training either in house through IB trained educators, or in most cases at IB workshops in

various places in Canada and the United States. We want all of our teachers to have the best

research based best practice possible to enhance the teaching and learning in their classrooms.

Q. How does IB affect university applications? A. The IB, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in particular, enjoys a high level of respect and recognition

among the world’s higher education institutions. For students, success in the IB often results in

advanced standing, course credit, scholarships, and other admissions related benefits at many

universities.

Town Centre Montessori Private Schools


Terry Fox Update Thank you once again to all the staff and students for

a successful Terry Fox School Run event. With the

combined efforts of our Pre-School, Elementary and

High School divisions, we were able to exceed our

goal for this year, and donate $15,179.28 to the

Terry Fox Foundation this year which brings our

grand total to about $163,100.00 for the 10 years

that TCMPS has participated in this worthwhile

event. On behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation, we

would like to offer a special thank you to everyone

for your generous contributions!

Parents and Visitors For safety and security reasons, all parents and guardians must vacate the premises by 9:00 a.m. Any adults

or non-staff members who are in the school corridors after 9:00 a.m. will be reminded to go to the Main

Office or leave the school promptly. As well, parents who are dropping off lunches or snacks during the

school day must go directly to the Main Office rather than the classroom. The office staff will ensure that

the deliveries are given to the students.

All school doors will be unlocked before and after school but during instructional hours, only the front

door and the side door by the High School Office will remain unlocked. All visitors to the school must

report directly to the Main Office. Thank you for your cooperation with this very important matter.

Please Drive Carefully We are reminding all drivers to exercise care when driving around the school

parking lot. PLEASE SLOW DOWN! We have many children attending

school as well as many younger siblings who accompany parents when they

drop off and pick up students. For the safety of everyone in this school

community, please drive carefully and show courtesy to other drivers and

pedestrians.

Remembrance Day Observances Remembrance Day will be observed at school on Wednesday, November 11th with students attending

Remembrance Day assemblies. Students will recite poems, hear stories, and observe a minute of silence to

honour the memory and courage of all those who have served in the Canadian Forces. Students will bring

home a poppy with a donation envelope and a memo regarding donations to the Markham District Veterans

Association. Please note that the donations for the veterans are completely voluntary.


Main Campus Elementary Information Bulletin

Basketball Charity Day for Grades 6 to 8 Students The grades 6 to 8 students will take part in our annual Basketball Charity Day on Thursday, November

18th. Students will have the opportunity to play in a series of basketball events and attend school in casual

clothing also known as “civvies” with their paid fees. All proceeds will go to the Markham Stouffville

Hospital Foundation along with the Toy Drive donations demonstrating the school’s social commitment for

the upcoming holiday season. The Basketball Charity Day is a fun day which the students certainly look

forward to.

Intramurals for Grades 2 to 5 Students The grades 2 to 5 Intramural Sports Day will be held on Wednesday, November 18. Students can earn

points for their House League teams: the Green Hornets, the Red Rockets, the Blue Bombers, and the

Yellow Stingers. Students should wear their House League team colour instead of their school uniform. All

students must have a pair of running shoes in order to participate. Intramural Sports Day is a great way for

students to show teamwork and school spirit.

Bullying Prevention Week Elementary students will be participating in a Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, which will take

place from November 16 to 20. All students will participate in a special activity with their class to engage in

meaningful dialogue about bullying using art, drama or group work. For the older elementary students, part

of the focus will be about electronic or cyber bullying through internet, social media and email forums.

Students will also participate in assemblies and fun activities throughout the week which will further emphasize awareness, teamwork building skills and the theme of caring.

SAC Food Drive and Toy Drive In preparation for the Christmas Holidays, the

elementary Student Activity Council (SAC) will

be organizing a Food Drive for the Markham

Food Bank and a Toy Drive for the Children’s

Ward of the Markham Stouffville Hospital

Foundation. Parents and students are asked to donate non-perishable food items and new

unwrapped toys which may be dropped off in

the donation boxes located near the Main

Office. The Food Drive will begin on Monday,

November 16 and the Toy Drive will begin on

Monday, November 23. All contributions are

completely voluntary. The SAC thanks you very

much for your support!


Main Campus Elementary Information Bulletin

Sick Students Parents are reminded that sick students should remain at home. If students

are unwell or still contagious, they should not be brought to school. If your

child is going to miss school, please call to notify the Main Office prior to

9:00 a.m. If students become ill while at school, parents will be contacted

and asked to pick up the student as soon as possible. Students should not

return to school until they feel well enough to participate fully in all aspects of the curriculum including Physical Education and outdoor recess;

exceptions will be made with a doctor’s note.

Dress Warmly for the Weather Now that the weather is starting to turn cooler, we would like to ask all parents to make sure that their

child is dressed appropriately for the weather with a warm jacket. All students will be going outside for

recess breaks throughout the day to enjoy fresh air. Now is a great time to find your hats, mitts and

scarves!

Hand Washing Our staff have reviewed with our students some basic hygiene protocols including how to wash their

hands properly, and how to cough into their sleeves. Most experts agree that proper and frequent hand

washing is the single most effective way to prevent illness. As well, the school’s cleaning and maintenance

staff will continue to clean common surfaces with increased frequency.

Homework When sick students are at home, they should rest in order to feel better. Please do not ask teachers to

provide missed class work for students while they are away. Students should make up the missed work

after they have returned to school and have received proper instruction from the teachers.

Medication

For the safety of all the students entrusted to our care, parents are asked to bring all student

medication to the Main Office where they will be asked to complete a medical form. Please do not give

your child any medication including Tylenol or Advil to keep in his or her locker, lunch box or pocket.

The school requires the following information and

conditions to administer medication:

name and classroom of the student

name of the medication

dosage and time the medication must be given

storage instructions

a parent’s or guardian’s signature

medication must not be expired

medication must be in the original container

Main Campus / Head Office 155 Clayton, Drive Markham, Ontario

L3R 7P3 Phone: 905-470-1200 Fax: 905-470-0184 E-mail: [email protected]

Milliken Campus

3 Clayton Drive Markham, Ontario L3R 8N3

Phone: 905-470-8178 Fax: 905-470-0570 E-mail: [email protected]

Amarillo Campus

76 Amarillo Avenue Markham, Ontario L3R 0V3 Phone: 905-474-3434

Fax: 905-474-3113 E-mail: [email protected]


If you have any questions, please call or stop by the High School or Main Office

Academic Awards Assembly TCPHS recognized our top students and celebrated their great academic accomplishments earlier this month at our annual Academic Awards assembly. The top students from grades 9, 10 and 11 for the 2014-2015 school year received awards. Special recognition went to our Honour Roll and Principal’s List scholars, as well as to the various subject award winners.

Halloween Dance The school’s first dance of the year took place on the evening of Friday, October 30. This was a “Middle School” Halloween video dance for students in the Elementary (grades 7 and 8) and High School (grade 9) divisions of the school. The students who attended had a great time! Thanks to all of the teachers and to the students involved for their efforts in planning and organizing this event.

Grade 8 Students Visit Grade 9

On Wednesday, November 4, our

grade 8 students will experience a day

in the life of a high school student as

they attend 3 periods of high school

classes taught by our own high school

teachers. The students will gain valuable

insight into our high school program

and learn about the exciting clubs and

programs at TCPHS. The high school

Principal, Mr. Parker, will be pleased to

speak to any parents who have any

questions about high school.

Wed. November 4 “Take Your Kids to Work Day” (Grade 9)

Grade 8 students visit the High School

Wed. November 11 Remembrance Day Assembly

Thurs. Nov. 26 – Fri. Nov. 27 Parent Teacher Interviews

Town Centre Private High School News

Coming Up in High School...

www.tcmps.com

www.tcphs.com

town centre montessori private schools“the official town centre montessori private schools”, ......

Documents