Hello Jennie Elliott families,
This week we had some fun with our students as they slowly caught on to our Super-Secret Staff Spirit Week throughout the week. We started subtle, with staff dressing in plaid on Monday, moved into a slightly more obvious western wear on Tuesday, then drank from “anything but a cup” on Wednesday. The kids were squealing, “Ew gross, Ms. Tahmazian, why are you drinking from a boot?” The staff were very creative! By Thursday, our students started to catch on to what we were doing when we dressed tropical for the “balmy” weather, especially when they saw us all outside together for our evacuation drill! Some of the gr 6’s played detective to figure out the theme for Friday and joined us in dressing in pyjamas! Here’s a glimpse of the week:
Holiday Happenings Week
Now it’s our students’ turn to join in the fun! Please see below for each day’s theme for our students, if they wish to participate, from December 16-20.
Lakeview Senior Event
Each year, as part of our Jennie Gives Back initiative, our students have decorated holiday cards for seniors. This year our students were invited by the Lakeview Community Association to create cards and holiday decorations for the Lakeview Seniors Event that took place on December 4th. Our students really came through and the Lakeview hall looked beautiful with our students’ artwork! Some of our cards also brought joy when they were shared with the senior’s facility in Garrison Green. I had the privilege of joining the event for a bit to say hi to our seniors and take some pictures of our students’ decorations. Thank you to the Lakeview Community Association for partnering with us for this special occasion.
Grade One Learning Celebration
Our school and the grade one families got into the toe-tapping and hip-hop spirit with the grade ones when they showcased their incredible Sound Kreations residency moves today. We are so grateful for the funds raised through School Council events that let us bring in experts to teach specialized classes like hip-hop dance that we can all learn from.
We were also treated to a glimpse into what the students have been learning about in Music. It was so impressive to see the grade ones following the music, singing and moving to their choreograph on their own direction while Ms. Ling played the piano. Well done, grade ones!
Highlights from the Music Program & Ms. Ling
“Music and child brain development are closely linked,
with language, concentration, and learning all improved through singing.”
~ Tamarin Foundation
This quote summarizes the belief that underpins the music program for the primary grades. Grade 1 and 2 students have been exploring nursery rhymes through singing and movement. By singing these simple songs, students explore the concept of rhyming words, strong and weak beats, regular phrasing. Because many of these songs have a simple melodic shape, it is a good introduction to the concept of “solfège” (do-re-mi naming of notes). During the Celebration of Learning assembly on December 6th, students shared what they have learned so far as they sang and moved to these songs.
SIRR, SDP and Report to Parents on Fees
Our SDP (School Development Plan), SIRR (School Improvement Results Report) and the Report to Parents on Fees is now posted on our website. We have been sharing this information during School Council meetings as well but the annual Parent Engagement meeting on February 4th, prior to the School Council meeting, will provide further information and an opportunity for you to ask questions.
School Fees
School Fees are posted in your MyCBE portal. Please log in to review items for payment. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the main office for clarification.
News From School Council
We had another great School Council meeting on Tuesday evening with the Grade 5 teacher team presenting how the year has been going, and future plans for the year. Grade 5’s sound like they really enjoyed the Lacrosse residency, are having a blast in music and working hard in Readers Theatre to improve their fluency. A huge thanks to Mr Spencer, Ms Petsinis and Mrs Bevilacqua for taking the time to share. We really do appreciate getting an inside glimpse from the teachers into the daily life of our students every month.
We also had a great presentation by Ms Tahmazian and our new Assistant Principal, Ms Hynes. Lots was discussed about grades being visible to parents/guardians through MyCBE/PowerSchool, the new report card comment system for the CBE, clubs happening at the school during lunch hour, updates from the recent student and parent surveys and preparation for our next meeting on February 4, 2025, where we will hear about the School Development Plan.
As an active member of the school council and Jennie Elliott we would like to recognize the importance of the parent/guardian community to attend the meeting in February in person or online as it is one of our biggest opportunities to hear from our Administration on the instructional direction of the school. This meeting has been so invaluable to us as parents, to understand how decisions are made for our school, where all the money goes, what informs these decisions, and probably most importantly, have our voice heard. We have seen many adjustments made because of our discussions that have happened at these meetings.
On a last note, in the spirit of International Volunteer Day that was on December 5th, we love this Jennie community and feel it is so very special with amazing people all around. Jennie Elliott has a very engaged parent population, but we have seen a significant decline in volunteers to fill school and School Council needs. We recognize these are busy times, but we need parent participation to help run all of the amazing opportunities we are so proud of that makes our Jennie Elliott community so special. With 580 students, if one parent/guardian per family committed to volunteer at just one event this year our volunteer needs would be more than met, and we would be able to continue offering the excellent opportunities to our kids without leaning on the few volunteers that often help with this work.
If you want to see the volunteer opportunities available in our school, please visit this form. Please fill it out and let's see what magic this community can do.
If you are wanting to help out with our next event, the cookie decorating night desperately needs volunteers as only 6/26 volunteer spots have been filled. Please click here to volunteer.
With lots of gratitude,
School Council
Upcoming Dates
Dec 8 - Bodhi Day
Dec 10 - Human Rights Day
Dec 12 - School Council Holiday Cookie Decorating Event
Dec 16 - Fun Lunch
Dec 16-20 - Holiday Happenings Week
Dec 20 - Last day of classes before Winter Break
Dec 21 - Winter Solstice
Dec 25 - Christmas
Dec 26 - Kwanzaa Dec 25-Jan 2 Hannukah
Jan 1 - New Years Day
Jan 6 - Classes Resume after Winter Break
Jan 7 - Orthodox Christmas
Enjoy a fabulous weekend everyone!