Bloordale Middle School Advisory Council

The world has changed so much in the past year that the council would like to grow and focus on what really matters to all of our Bloordale community. We want to take this time and get to know more about how you see the world and how you see that affecting your kids now and in years to come. This is a great time for us to get your input and to have honest conversations with all our school community. We may not be meeting as much but with your help on this survey, we will have more purpose moving forward. If you have not yet done so, please click  the following link which will take you to our family survey that we will use to focus our work over the next couple of years. https://forms.gle/1v3aZS9npzXBcpvH7

Outside of the work being done behind the scenes we do need to remember that the year is not over yet and so we are looking to start an informal, informative, and fun way for families to connect. No matter where your kids are learning, in-school or virtually,  we are a community and many of us are craving interaction with our friends and neighbours. While we are not able to yet be together in person, we can use what we have and so I am putting together an online book club for any Parent, Guardian, or Caregiver who would like to spend an hour, once or twice a month, talking books! This is a parent-led initiative and will be led by parent volunteers and not school staff. For more information please fill in the form and a separate email will be sent to those who wish to take part. For planning purposes, please complete the form by Monday April 5th: https://forms.gle/G2K7fimFXMMzRnvB9

This week all Bloordale Parents and Guardians will be invited to nominate another member of the school community or to nominate themselves to become a voting member of the our school council for the 2020-21 year.  School Councils are a great way for parents/guardians to become engaged in the school. The purpose of the Council is “to improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents (Reg.612/2.1) through active parent engagement.  Nominations - open Monday October 19 until Friday October 23rd at 9pm  • There are 15 vacant positions for parent/guardian representatives on council who will serve a one year term. Please note as a voting member you are expected to attend all meetings, the first meeting of this new council will be held virtually on Wed. Nov 4, at 6:30pm • All parents/guardians with children in our school are eligible to be elected for the school council.  • If a person is employed at the Toronto District School Bo...

So many families in our city find the expenses related to food difficult in the best of times; in the last couple of months this stress has become even worse for so many more families. There are families all over our city and beyond who earlier this year could never have imagined that they would be faced with food insecurity in a matter of only weeks!  As we all were looking forward to the end of a long winter and making plans for this spring and coming summer, future plans just stopped in place. I know I don't need to go on but what I want to use this post for is to let those of you who may need some help know who you an turn to here in our own community! Please use these links to locate services: Hands Up Toronto  https://handuptoronto.org/ Library Pop-up Food Bank @ Eatonville Library Every Friday from 2pm to 4pm This is supported by Daily Bread Foodbank Toronto Cares  https://toronto-cares.ca/food-delivery-%26-help Haven on the Queensway  https://www....

Well, what a year 2020 is turning out to be, one we will never forget and one that our kids will tell tales of to future generations. But while we are able to one day tell stories of this time, many are still trying to come to terms with this new way of life. It is not easy and for many it is down right scary, if you need any help at all, you can reach out to your extended Bloordale family at anytime :) The TDSB has so many links at your finger tips to help you get started in finding help where you need it; from online learning to mental health, the website has got you many starting points. From one parent to another, you know your kids and if you can see that they are having trouble adjusting to the new school norms, reach out to your child's teacher; we are all in this together and this is new and unprecedented for all of us :) Looking for some online resources, the TDSB website may have what you need. To help you navigate, here are some specific links on the TDSB Website: ...

Join us at our next meeting on Thursday Feb 20 at 6:30pm.

More information to come later this week!