Parking update - good news!

Dear all, I am pleased to have the following news from Raymond Ngu in Joe Cressy's office:

I wanted to send a quick note to let everyone know that, at last week's City Council meeting, the report to implement the pick-up/drop-off zone was adopted. You can find a link to the report here.

The bills have been enacted so the new regulations should be in place, however, it may take a while for the new signage to go up. I have advised Parking Enforcement about City Council's new regulations along this stretch.

Parent Workshops - building empathy at Lord Lansdowne and Da Vinci

We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Building a Culture of Empathy at LLPS: Invitation to Parent Workshops

Empathy is gaining attention as an important component of emotional intelligence and as a way to strengthen conflict resolution skills. When a person learns to understand and share the feelings of another, the pro-social behavior that results shows up in better relationships, closer friendships and stronger communities.

In order to better equip our children with these pro-social skills, LLPS is partnering with Se Brancher Coeur and
Play in the Wild to offer a new program to build a culture of empathy at LLPS for students, staff and families. From January through April 2017, the program will include teacher training, three in-class sessions for each LLPS classroom and three evening workshops for parents.

Three Evening Workshops for Parents

Please join fellow parents to learn what our children will be learning and how we can support them at home
while acquiring new strategies for families.

When:	Tuesday January 17, Tuesday February 21 and Tuesday April 4, 2017 All workshops are from 6:30pm to 8:00pm Parents are requested to attend all 3 workshops to experience the full benefits of the program
Where:	LLPS Library
Who:	For LLPS and DaVinci parents. Adults only. Free on-site childcare will be available (for toilet-trained kids only.)
Overview:	Learn the practical tools, vocabulary and skills to foster a culture of empathy at home and school, including how to nurture honest expression and empathic listening and offer boundaries that create safety, trust and respect for all. These workshops will include interactive games and practices -- with lots of room for questions.
Facilitators:	Mélanie Whitham, Certified Teacher, Founder Se Brancher Coeur, Co-founder Play in the Wild Catherine Cadden, Certified Teacher, Founder Temba School and Co-founder Play in the Wild Arielle Prince-Ferron, Animator at Play in the Wild and Se Brancher Coeur
Cost:	Free for participants, funded by the LLPS Parent Council (Your fundraising dollars at work!)
Registration:	Space is limited. Reserve your spot at https://buildingacultureofempathyatllps.eventbrite.ca

Message from the Principal - Beth Mills

A message to the community from Principal Beth Mills

I will be absent from school starting Thursday, December 8, 2016. I hope to return by the beginning of February, 2017. I will not be responding to emails during my absence. 

During my absence, Mme Toni Fiore-Lisi will be acting principal.

You can contact her at the school office 416-393-1350 or by email at Toni.FioreLisi AT tdsb.on.ca.

Mme Fiore –Lisi is a very experienced French Immersion principal, and I know that you will find her a caring and committed principal.

Wishing all of you a positive month of December, a restful and rejuvenating holiday with your family - see you in the new year!

Kids Have Stress Too - Take 2!

Kids Have Stress Too!Seminar for all parents of 4-9 year old kids

As part of our school’s commitment to enhance our children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, LLPS is partnering with Toronto Public Health to host a free, two-part seminar for parents to help their kids learn positive coping strategies to deal with stress.

The Kids Have Stress Too! seminar was developed using evidence-based psychological knowledge and experts in psychology, early childhood development, education and stress. It is designed to help parents of 4-9 year old kids understand childhood stress and provide their children with the tools to deal with it effectively. 

Kids Have Stress Too!
When:	Tuesday, Dec 6th and Tuesday, Dec 13, 2016  6:30pm to 8:30pm Parents are required to attend both sessions
Where:	Lord Lansdowne PS, Room 106
Who:	Parents of 4-9 year old kids from LLPS and da Vinci Childcare will be available (for kids who are toilet trained only, please)
Description:	Even the most nurturing home and school environment includes a range of stressors that can both challenge and motivate children. While stress is a necessary part of development and learning, too much stress makes it more difficult for children to get along with others, interferes with children's ability to focus, think and ultimately learn, and has a profound effect on children's physical, emotional and mental health. The good news is that building emotional health and resiliency can help children concentrate, learn, interact more successfully and deal with stressors they may face in their lives. This highly-informative and interactive seminar will provide parents with the knowledge, awareness and skills to help their 4-9 year old children become healthier and more resilient through learning how to manage their stress.
Instructor:	Dakota Marcotte City of Toronto Public Health Nurse Healthy Child Development Program
Cost:	Free for participants, paid for by the City of Toronto
RSVP:	Space is limited so register asap at:https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kids-have-stress-too-second-round-tickets-29063834712 Please enter password: stress Or for more information, please contact lordlansdowneschoolcouncil@gmail.com

Silent Auction Fundraiser!

Please go HERE to buy tickets!Hey there - this year's fundraising and social event, the silent auction - is on NEXT WEEK. Buy your tickets here

Last year's event was really a lot of fun and this year's auction items include tickets for Matilda, gift certificates for restaurants local to the school, special teacher prizes and LOTS more - don't miss out!

PARKING UPDATE

From the office of Joe Cressy, Raymond Ngu sent the following update today:

I wanted to send a quick note to confirm that the pick-up/drop-off zone is on the agenda for this week's Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC). You can find a link to the item here. My apologies for the late notice.

We don't anticipate any issue with getting this passed at TEYCC, especially given Transportation staff's positive recommendation. That being said, you are welcome to submit any comments/letters of support to teycc@toronto.ca.

Again, this will need approval by the full City Council at their next meeting.

School council meeting 23rd November - meeting documents

Dear all - we hope to see you at the school council meeting on Wednesday, 23rd of November.

Here are the links to the relevant documents:

Draft minutes from last meeting (27th of Oct)

Proposed agenda for upcoming meeting

Proposal to council for additional funding for Se Brancher Coeur program

Please review before the meeting if you can and bring copies along to the meeting for reference, if you wish!