Hello,

I’d like to begin by congratulating all staff, students, parents and community members for persevering

through a very eventful first month of the school year! In September, we focused on the Character Trait

of Respect as teachers and students discussed how this can be modeled on a daily basis to ensure a

supporting learning environment for all. Monthly, we have sharing assemblies where this is discussed.

This month marks Hispanic Heritage Month (City of Toronto), Ismalic Heritage Month, Somali Heritage

Month, and Women’s History Month. There is so much to be celebrated and learned about each other

and cultural differences that we can honour.

From Kindergarten to Grade 5, there is a high level of student engagement in classrooms as we strive to

ensure high expectations of teaching and learning at Presteign. We hope to continue providing various

hands-on resources to students and teachers in creating 21st Century Learning opportunities each day.

All classes at the school participated in practice Fire Drills as well as a Lockdown Drill to ensure health

and safety standards are upheld and that each individual in the building feels safe at all times. Parents,

you play a critical role in the education of our students and this was evident from the great community

turnout for our Welcome Back BBQ & Curriculum Night Sessions. Thank you for your continued

support to the school as our partners in education.

The past month also highlighted some exciting events at the school including our annual Terry Fox Run

as we continue to raise awareness in the fight against Cancer. Presteign also celebrated Orange Day as a

school-wide event as we continue to reconcile with the Indigenous community.

As we look ahead to October, our Character Trait focus will be on Responsibility. Our student leaders

from Grade 5 who will be serving as Prefects will play an important role in this regard as they provide

support during recess periods and lunch as well as serving as ambassadors throughout the school.

There will be opportunities for students to continue experiential learning as classes begin taking part in

various field trips in addition to hand-on experiences in classrooms in the areas of Mathematics, Science

and other subjects. We hope to provide enhanced access for students and teachers to integrate

technology through the use of iPads, chrome books and Interactive Whiteboards.

We want to thank the Parent Council for their hard work, particularly in planning so many special

events. Their support is always great appreciated.

As we look forward to another exciting month ahead embracing Islamic and Somali Heritage Months,

Women’s History Month, Cancer Research Month, Hispanic Heritage Month for the City of Toronto as

well as the teaching and learning, we thank you parents for your continued support.

It’s truly an honour to serve the students, staff and community at Presteign Heights.

Sincerely,

Peppi Kondilis-Minos

Principal

1 International Day of Older Persons United Nations 5 World Teachers’ Day United Nations 3 Maha Panchami (Durga Puja Festival) Hinduism 4 Maha Sasthi (Durga Puja Festival) Hinduism 5 Maha Saptami (Durga Puja Festival) Hinduism 6 Maha Ashtami (Durga Puja Festival) Hinduism 7 Maha Nabami (Durga Puja Festival) Hinduism 8 Bijaya Dashami (Durga Puja Festival) Hinduism 9 Yom Kippur* Judaism 7-11 Body Confidence Awareness Week (2nd Week Oct.) Toronto District School Board (TDSB) 9 International Walk to School Day Highway Safety Research Centre (University of North Carolina, USA) 10 World Mental Health Day World Health Organization 14-18 Week Without Violence YMCA 11 International Day of the Girl United Nations 14 Thanksgiving Day Canadian Government 14-20 Sukkot* Judaism 16 World Food Day United Nations 17 International Day of the Eradication of Poverty United Nations 17 Karva Chauth Hinduism 20 Gurgadi of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru Sikhism 21 National Elections 21-22 Shemini Atzeret* Judaism 22 Simchat Torah* Judaism 25 Monster Mash 6-8pm 27 Bandi Chhor Divas Sikhism 27 Diwali Hinduism/Jainism/Sikhism 27 Kathina Ceremony/Paváraná Day Buddhism 28 Parent Council Meeting 6:30-8pm 28 New Year (Enlightenment of Gautamswami) Jainism 29 Birth of the Bá’b* Bahá’i 30 Birth of Bahá'u'lláh* Bahá’i Nov 4 – Photo Retake Day! Nov 6 – Sight/ Sound Screening Nov 11 – Remembrance day!

October 2019

Presteign Heights Elementary School Proud to be a Platinum Eco-School 2570 St. Clair Ave. East, Toronto, Ontario M4B 1M3

T:416.396.2430 F:416.396.2347

Peppi Kondilis-Minos, Principal

Nadira Persaud, Superintendent

Michelle Aarts, Trustee

Email: Presteign@tdsb.on.ca

School website:

http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/presteign/

Kids and Flu

The flu germs spread when people cough, sneeze or talk. The flu

germs can also live on surfaces like toys, countertops, and door

handles for up to eight hours.

Students can pass the flu germs to each other, to school staff

and to family members before they show symptoms. Children

under five, seniors and people in poor health are at greater risk

of complications from flu.

Vaccination is the best protection against flu. It takes 2 weeks

for the vaccine to be fully effective so get it early.

Tips on staying healthy this flu Season:

1. Get your flu shot early 2. Wash your hands often 3. Avoid touching face and eyes 4. Cover your cough or sneeze 5. Do not share drinking cups and utensils 6. Disinfect common surfaces like door handles, hand

railings, keyboards, cell phones and tablets.

For more information, visit toronto.ca/health/flu

Terry Fox Run/ Walk

On Friday, September 27th, our school had its annual Terry Fox Run. This year, we decided to hold it on the field, with the Kindergartens through Grade 3s doing 3 laps (about 900 metres) and the Grade 4s and 5s doing 5 laps (about 1500 metres). We had a beautiful afternoon for our run, and it was indeed a run as the vast majority of students in all grades did their best to run their distance. The older students went first and ran to the cheers and screams of the younger ones, and then the order was reversed. Many students were wearing Terry Fox tattoos and everyone was wearing a sticker explaining who or what they were running for. Best of all, as a fundraiser for the Terry Fox Foundation. Thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to a great afternoon of school spirit!

Did you know?

It is TDSB policy that dogs and smoking are

not permitted anywhere on school property at

any time!

Please help us to look after the comfort and

safety of our students by respecting these

rules. Please share this with your neighbours.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you love to read and want to encourage grade 1 children at Presteign Heights ES to engage in reading too please join Volunteer Readers Programme! We read one-to-one with the students during school hours, with the goal to instill a love of reading as we help the children attain grade level skills. We’re seeking Volunteers from the community who will commit one half-day (at the school, during school hours) weekly or bi-weekly from October to mid-May. Teaching experience is not necessary. Our volunteers come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including many who work at home and retirees. We help with the required Police Reference Check. To volunteer or obtain further information complete the form on our website www.volunteerreaders.ca and mention your preferred school or contact Managing Coordinator Kristina Hunt (kristinavrp@gmail.com; 416 220-5928).

Parent Council Desk

Parent Council is always looking for parent

volunteers to help out with various events

or efforts. Please email

SC.PresteignHeightsElementarySchool@tdsb.on.ca

if you are interested in connecting with our

Presteign council. Please include your

preferred phone numbers that you can

reached at, and of course, your detailed

contact information.

Stay tuned for the next parent council

meeting where we will continue to discuss

how we can support the school and next

steps for 2019-2020.

Me to We

All of the Presteign Kids who were in Me to We

club want to thank Mme. Marcelin and Mme.

Bouchard for running the club and getting us

motivated to help out our community and the

world. On September 19th, four Me to We

students went to We Day. We day talked about

how we are all superheroes and heroines

because we care about other people around the

world. By Myah and Eleni.

Cross Country / Terry Fox

On October 4th, 106 children in our school participated in the first Cross-Country Meet of the season, down at Ashbridges Bay. We have one of the smallest schools in the TDSB but always have one of the largest Cross-Country teams. Students in Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 each competed in a race against their grade and gender on a course that was at first on the beach, then in the park and finally on the boardwalk. These students worked hard all September practising at lunch hours for this day and everyone, when asked by Mr. C, said they had tried their hardest and gone for their personal best. And that is all anyone could ask for! Stay tuned to hear about the results and who moves on to represent us.