Posted onOctober 29, 2020|Comments Off on 2020 Pizza Lunch Update
Hello Parents and Guardians,
As you are aware, due to COVID-19 and the schools closing in March the remaining 4 pizza lunches from the last school year had to be cancelled. With the current changes to school regulations due to the virus, volunteers are not allowed to enter the school and all pizza lunches have been cancelled by TDSB for this school year.
You have the option of getting a refund or donating your balance to the school council. As you know the council is unable to fundraise at this current time, however with the money that was raised last year from the pizza lunches and other events, we as a council have so far bought Brita water filters for every classroom and mats for the wellness room. We would love to continue helping our teachers and school as much as possible.
If you decide that you would like a refund, please email GSCPIZZA@GMAIL.COM and a refund will be issued to you by cheque. If you choose to donate your funds there is no need to email us as we will consider no response as a donation to the council.
Thank you all for supporting the pizza lunch program. We will be back when this is all over! Thank you to all the parents who volunteered at the lunches.
Stay safe everyone. Gledhill School Council Pizza Lunch team
Posted onOctober 28, 2020|Comments Off on Reminder- Gledhill School Council Election
The Gledhill School Council Election and first formal School Council meeting is on Thursday, November 5that 6:30pm
We encourage you to consider joining us on the council this year as we work together to overcome obstacles and look for opportunities in this unprecedented year. All council positions and descriptions can be found here: https://gledhillguardian.com/council/roles/
To nominate yourself for a position on the council, just complete our easy form on Survey Monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FJBZNPX or pick up/submit a paper copy outside the main door of the school beginning on Friday, Oct 23rd.
Nominations (survey or paper) are due by Thursday, October 29, 2020.
Posted onOctober 22, 2020|Comments Off on Gledhill School Council Election
GLEDHILL SCHOOL COUNCIL WELCOMES YOU!
The Gledhill School Council Election and first formal School Council meeting is on Thursday, November 5that 6:30pm
Make a difference in your child’s experience in school this year!
No contribution is too small. Learn how you can support, chair or join a committee, or feel free to just listen in. This meeting will constitute our election of council positions for the 2020/2021 school year and set the stage for council work for the year ahead. Every parent/guardian of a Gledhill student (including virtual students) have a vote.
All support and ideas are welcome! All meetings will be held via Zoom until further notice. Zoom details and meeting agenda will be circulated next week.
We encourage you to consider joining us on the council this year as we work together to overcome obstacles and look for opportunities in this unprecedented year. All council positions and descriptions can be found here: https://gledhillguardian.com/council/roles/
To nominate yourself for a position on the council, just complete our easy form on Survey Monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FJBZNPX or pick up/submit a paper copy outside the main door of the school beginning on Friday, Oct 23rd.
Nominations (survey or paper) are due by Thursday, October 29, 2020.
Elected Council positions: Council Chair/Co-chair, Secretary and Treasurer
Committees: Parent Engagement, Remote School Representative*, Communications, Fundraising, Grants, Healthy Kids, School Improvement, Volunteer Coordination, Ward and School Advocacy, Eco and Governance
We have had a lot of inquiries about Breakfast Club over the last month.
Here is the latest update from our Breakfast Club Coordinator: “At this time, the Breakfast Club is not able to proceed as a before-school breakfast program. Volunteers are not able to be in the school, and we are not allowed to provide any cooking to the students. The Breakfast Club Coordinator along with the school administration is working on launching a morning snack program served during school hours instead. When we have more details, Gledhill families will be informed.”
Posted onOctober 14, 2020|Comments Off on Minutes from October 6th Parent Council Meeting and Presentation
Hello Gledhill families!
Here are the minutes from our first Parent Council meeting this year. We had 74 people attend online, and were joined by Ms. McAlese, Ms. Bambrick, Ms.Pace and Ms. Jeens. The teachers and school admin were able to answer parent questions that had been submitted prior to the meeting. Thanks to all who were able to attend!
Posted onOctober 4, 2020|Comments Off on Join our First School Council Mtg: Tuesday October 6th from 7-8pm
When: Tuesday October 6th from 7-8pm
Join us for our first virtual School Council meeting when our school administrators and teachers will answer your (previously submitted) questions about the return to school in these challenging times.
All parents/guardians of Gledhill students – in-class or virtual – are welcome to attend. Questions focus on in-school processes and procedures.(Please note as we only have an hour, we will be focusing on the questions that were submitted in advance.)
Have internet? Join us by clicking on the Zoom link below. No internet? No problem! Join us by phone by dialing one of the phone numbers below.
Posted onSeptember 29, 2020|Comments Off on Orange Shirt Day- Wednesday September 30th
Tomorrow, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day – an important opportunity to create meaningful discussion with our children about the legacy and lasting impacts of Residential Schools.
Activities and lessons are planned in the school that will foster students’ connection to the Orange Shirt Day motto of “Every Child Matters” and increase understanding of the history and impact of residential schools in age appropriate ways.
Staff and students are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to school tomorrow, September 30th to commemorate the day. Any orange shirt will do!
Why Orange Shirts?
Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the St. Joseph Mission residential school, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually. Hear Phyllis’ story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=E3vUqr01kAk
Nationally, Orange Shirt Day takes place on September 30th. This is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and provides an opportunity to set the stage for belonging, learning, and active reconciliation for the coming school year. It is also an opportunity for First Nations, Metis, Inuit, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
We regret not being able to make our Orange Shirt Day clothesline happen this year. But there are so many ways to continue the conversation at home. There are many wonderful books available for children of all ages that can deepen understanding of the impact of Residential Schools and promote reconciliation. The following books reflect on the residential school experience and/or reconciliation in different ways; many are available through the Toronto Public Library or through major booksellers. (Note: This list is compiled from various sources.)
The Orange Shirt Story, by Phyllis Webstad
When Phyllis Webstad turned six, she went to the residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away and never returned. This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. It is also the story of Orange Shirt Day, an important day of remembrance for all Canadians.
Shi-shi-etko is a young girl who has four days before she leaves home for residential school. Her family has many teachings to share with her, about her culture and the land.
This award-winning book tells the story of six-year-old Shin-chi as he heads to residential school for the first time with his older sister. It is the sequel to Campbell’s Shi-shi-etko.
This trio of stories about a 10-year-old girl named Agatha is based on the childhood experiences of beloved Inuit author Michael Kusugak. The book begins with a tale of Agatha ‘saving’ her community from a monstrous flying object.
An elderly Kookum (grandmother) recounts her experiences at residential school – a time that changed her forever. The book has been described as running parallel to the story of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. “Her tornado had arrived. It rushed up and slammed to a halt just past the wonder world she had created,” writes Eyvindson.
Winner of the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award for children’s illustration, this heartwarming story of a grandmother explaining residential schools will bring you all the feels. It’s so beautiful and so gentle, and therein lies its transformative power. Julie Flett continues to dazzle with her highly original illustrations.
Peyton loves to dance, and especially at pow wow, but her Auntie notices that she’s been dancing less and less. When Peyton shares that she just can’t be comfortable wearing a dress anymore, Auntie Eyota asks some friends for help to get Peyton what she needs.
I Am Not A Number, by Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer
This remarkable story of Dupuis’ grandmother and her family’s journey with residential schools deserves every accolade it’s received since being published. Dupuis is an advocate for community stories and it shows in her vivid book, a volume that has made it into classrooms and homes across the continent, sparking conversation and building reconciliation through story.
Fatty Legs: A True Story, by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
Margaret, an 8-year-old Inuvialuit girl, wants to learn how to read so badly that she’s willing to leave home for residential school to make it happen. When she gets there a mean-spirited nun known as the Raven is intent on making Margaret’s time at school difficult. But Margaret refuses to be defeated.
No Time to Say Goodbye: Children’s Stories of Kuper Island Residential School, by Sylvia Olsen This collection of fictional stories of five children sent to residential school is based on real life experiences recounted by members of the Tsartlip First Nation in B.C.
Cree author Larry Loyie writes about his last summer with his family before going to residential school, in Northern Alberta in 1944. Lawrence learns things like how to care for a baby owl, and how to gather medicinal plants with his Kokom. Loyie’s story highlights how his education at home was disrupted by the residential school system.
Posted onSeptember 28, 2020|Comments Off on Q & A Session- Questions Wanted!
Have questions about the return to school? Would you like to better understand daily routines or have questions for the School Council or School Administration?
In partnership with the Principal and Vice Principal of Gledhill, the Gledhill School Council is planning a Q&A session Tuesday October 6th from 7pm – 8pm and would request that you submit questions you would like addressed in advance. We ask that questions are related to school-wide inquiries, specific questions related to your child should be addressed with your child’s teacher or the School Administration one-on-one. Please send questions to thegledhillguardian@gmail.com by Thursday October 1st.
The Gledhill Guardian 
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