Community Involvement

          What is Community Involvement?

·         40 hours of community involvement activities

·      a requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma

·      a volunteer activity – not for pay or credit

·      a constructive contribution to the community

         Why has the Ministry of Education mandated it?

·                  reinforces civic responsibility

·                  strengthens the community

·                  enhances one’s self-confidence and self-image

·         offers networking for future employment

·         provides an experience for students to include in their portfolios

        

         When must students complete it?

Ø  any time during the secondary school program, beginning in the summer before they enter grade 9, and prior to graduation.

Ø  outside class hours, for example:

Ø  during lunch breaks

Ø  in the evening

Ø  on weekends

Ø  during school breaks

Ø  during the summer months

How to Get Started

      When you begin to plan, think about activities in your community, school or with       

      an individual. Some ideas are listed below, but use your imagination. The list is endless.

·         Check with your neighbours

·         Inquire whether there are appropriate initiatives at summer schools/camps etc.

·         Contact your local volunteer centre for current activities

·         For further suggestions about volunteer opportunities visit:

 www.volunteertoronto.on.ca , www.solacaritas.com, 40hours.ca

What Else You Need to Know

·         Parents must verify that the activity selected is in a safe nurturing environment from the TDSB approved list of activities. Only eligible activities will be accepted by schools.

·         Parents* are responsible for ensuring that the activity is from the approved list, and monitoring the completion of hours and the safety of their children.

·         A signed verification letter, indicating the contact information of the placement, the activity performed, and hours completed, must be brought to the secondary school guidance department no earlier than the first week of October.

The following list of community involvement approved activities for the Toronto District School Board provides suggestions of activities from which students may choose.  Other activities of a similar nature may be approved at the school level.

HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURS

·         provide service to seniors or to others who have difficulty leaving their homes – raking, shoveling (no snow blowers), shopping (students should not drive vehicles for this purpose), visiting, reading, meal preparation

·         assist a neighbour with child care – take child to park, watch child while parent prepares dinner

·         tutor younger students – read, take to library, help with homework

HELP YOUR COMMUNITY

·         volunteer at a seniors’ home/centre – visit, read, play cards or board games, take seniors for walks, make crafts

·         help organize local community events – food drives/banks

·         take part in environmental initiatives – cleaning and recycling operations, park cleanup, planting trees and flower beds (students should not use power tools – lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, wood chippers, etc.)

·         get involved in charitable activities – walk-a-thons, daffodil sales, canvassing for organizations

·         assist with sports teams – community leagues, parks and recreation programs

·         volunteer in leadership role with community groups – youth groups

·         volunteer in hospitals, libraries or any organization recommended by the Volunteer Centre of Toronto

·         volunteer with social service or animal welfare agencies – Red Cross, United Way, Humane Society

·         get involved in the democratic political process – scrutineering, canvassing, campaigning

·         offer service through religious communities/places of worship

·         assist with literacy initiatives – at local libraries, day care centers, community centers

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS PLEASE VISIT US AT

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/programs/guidance ---> Community Involvement

Source:  TDSB Fact Sheet Community Involvement Hours (Grade 8-9) - Issued May 2011

Children's Mental Health Week: May 4-10, 2014

1 in 5 Ontario children and youth has a mental health problem - that's about 500,000 kids. Disorders range from anxiety, depression and conduct disorder to eating disorders, psychosis and bi-polar disorder. Left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse and even suicide.
Children's Mental Health Week is about increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health problems, decreasing stigma and understanding that help is available and treatment works! 

The more educated we are on the subject, the more capable we are to reach out for support. There should be no shame in talking about mental health issues. The more we talk about this, the more we reduce the associated shame and stigma so that young people can get the help they need when they need it most.

Celebrating Children's Mental Health Week

Events being planned across the Province include: 

• Green ribbon campaigns;
• Schoolyard walks for mental health awareness;
• Parent information nights;
• Municipal proclamations declaring the first full week of May as Children’s Mental Health Week

Source: http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/news_and_events/cmhw-2014.php

Seven Ways to Better Organize Your Study Time

1. Allot enough time for study.
   Study is a major priority in college.  While 6 hours may be too much for one student, it may be what is necessary for another.  Therefore, you must examine your own needs and then allot your time appropriately.
2. Make use of your free hours between classes.
   If your schedule permits, the hours between classes can be used to review notes before a class or to begin an assignment.
3. Study at the same time daily.
   Having specific hours set aside each day will maintain the systematic organization of your schedule and keep you actively involved in studying.
4. Schedule a weekly review.
   Plan to review each classes’ notes from the beginning to end once a week.  This only takes a short time and will reduce the amount of study time needed before an exam.
5. Schedule daily reviews.
   Spend 15 - 20 minutes reviewing your notes immediately following class or when classes are done for the day.  Again, this will reduce the amount of study time needed before an exam.
6. Account for project time.
   Remember to allow an appropriate amount of time during the course of the week for long-term projects (i.e., papers, group projects, journals, etc.)
7. Allow for flexibility.
   Although your schedule should be very systematic, you should allow for some flexibility.  It is important not to over schedule thus allowing for a variety of “non-academic” activities.

Source: http://www.fau.edu/freshmanadvising/faasorganize.php

Streetproofing Tips

At school, the safety of your child is our most important priority. We remind you to keep your school staff up to date with your address, phone number, childcare arrangements, to whom your child may be released, etc. We also encourage you not to permit your child make alternate arrangements over the lunch hour if they are in a lunch program. We need you to let us know about any changes of routine and to sign your child in if they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason.

The Toronto Police streetproofing program encourages you to teach your child:

      1. his/her name, address, phone number;

2. to Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency;

3. to communicate with you when they feel unsafe or afraid;

4. to keep you informed as to his/her whereabouts at all times;

5. never to admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone;

6. never to invite strangers into the house or answer the door when alone;

7. never to approach or enter a stranger's car or hitchhike;

8. never to travel or play alone- always be with friends;

9. to trust their feelings and say "NO" to an adult if that adult wants them to do something that is wrong;

10. not to accept gifts from strangers;

11. to tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you;

12. that no one has the right to touch any part of his/ her body that a bathing suit would cover;

13. that if he/ she is being followed, or approached too closely, to run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help;

14. to report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who act suspiciously towards him/ her;

15. never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas;

16. never to enter anyone's home without your permission;

17. to avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields;

18. never to show his/her money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk injury;

19. that a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when he/ she is lost or needs assistance. 

Source:  http://tdsbweb.tdsb.on.ca/webdocuments/Principals_Site/docs/Streetproofing%20Tips.pdf

Important Transition Information, Dates and Deadlines

Important Dates 

     January  31^st – Optional Attendance forms are due to high schools (delivered by parents/guardians).

 Week of February 10^th –14^th or before - Students are informed of their acceptance to Specialized Programs and Optional Attendance schools.
     By February  24^th- Completed course selections are verified and signed by parents/guardians  and returned to classroom teachers.
     February 28^th  – All course selection sheets are delivered to high schools by Mr. George

All Grade 8 students should have received a Grade 9 Course Selection Sheet for their designated “home” secondary schools based on the home address of the students.  Students who have applied for Special Programs or Optional Attendance will be informed of their status before February 14^th by the secondary schools directly. If accepted, those students will then have to decide which school they wish to attend and follow directions received from the school of their choice. Those students, who have not been accepted, must then be registered with their designated “Home” secondary school.

All completed Course Selection Sheets are due back to the elementary schools by February 24^th, 2014.  Please remember that appropriate placement of a student in grade 9 is of vital importance to the student’s ability to succeed in secondary school. With this in mind, please give careful consideration to each teacher’s recommendations when choosing Applied, Academic or Locally Developed courses. Teacher recommendations are based on the student’s educational history, grades, learning style, attitude, motivation, special interests, talents and abilities. Pages 38 and 39 and insert pages D and E of CHOICES: Secondary Schools Course Selection & Planning Guide provides an explanation of the differences between the various course types. The following link is another great resource:  http://www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/studentsuccess/index.aspx?id=13546

All pathways (College, University, and Workplace) are accessible from any course type in Grade 9. As long as a student successfully meets the expectations in a Grade 9 Applied or Academic course, the student can go on to take either type of course in Grade 10. The Mathematics curriculum requires a mandatory transfer course to facilitate a smoother transfer between levels.

Each student received a copy of CHOICES to share with you. You will find this guide most helpful in assisting your child to make wise and informed decisions.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding course selections or any of the information above, please contact me at paul.george@tdsb.on.ca (416)-396-6075 ext 20040. 

RH King Registration for Leadership Students

Registration for leadership students and in area students who missed the first date is February 6 from 4 pm - 6 pm.  Please refer to the RH King web site for additional information. http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/rhking/

Wexford CSA Course Selection Information Evening - Feb 6th, 2014 (7 pm-8 pm)

This information night is for parents of grade 8 students attending Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts next year.

Location + Time:

Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts

Thursday February 6, 2014

7pm - 8pm

In the Resource Centre/Library