Parenting Speaker Series: Resiliency Parenting
Withrow’s first Parent Speaker Series is on Wednesday, November 18th, 7pm in the Withrow library. Our topic will be Resilient Parenting.
Resilient Parenting
Capturing the complexities of contemporary parenting, the “Resilient Parenting” workshop will focus on teaching our children various ways of dealing with inevitable hassles, stressors and challenges head on using their character strengths while developing a growth mindset, seeing problems as possibilities and failures as buds for growth.
We have two experts who will be speaking on our topic. We are incredibly lucky that they are also Withrow parents!
- TAYYAB RASHID, PH.D, C.PSYCH
Tayyab Rashid is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher at the Health & Wellness Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), Canada.
- DR. AFROZE ANJUM, PSY.D., C.PSYCH
Dr. Afroze Anjum is a licensed school psychologist at the Toronto District School Board.
Please join us as there will be lots of wonderful information on a difficult and sensitive topic to help us be even better parents. Discussion and Q&A to follow. 7-9PM in the Withrow Library. Babysitting is provided.
Greening Committee
We had a great turnout to help shift compost back in October. The next compost day is scheduled for Sunday, November 22nd, 1pm. If interested in attending, please send a quick email to sonyagoldberg@hotmail.com. We will meet in the food garden at Withrow (near south entrance to the school). All are welcome!
Parent Social
Stop the presses — we have a date change! The parent social is now Friday, December 4th, 8pm at Over Joy Bistro. Don’t worry, this will not be your boring office party, nor will it be your annual cringe-fest at Great-Aunt Edna’s (apologies to any real Great-Aunt Edna out there). This is a fantastic night out, so book yourself a sitter and get your glad rags on! Tickets are limited, buy yours at withrowparentsocial.eventbrite.com.
Silent Auction update
It’s no joke! The 2016 Withrow Silent Auction will be back Friday, April 1, 2016. Planning is already underway. If you’re interested in helping on the committee, we’d love for you to join us.
A huge part of the success of past auctions has been the interesting and fun donations provided by parents in the Withrow community. Could your company provide a product or gift certificate? Could you part with Raptors, Leafs or TFC tickets? Do you have some knowledge or skill you could turn into a unique experience? Some of our favourite past experience donations include: a medical kit and lesson from a doctor for a child, sewing lessons, stand-up paddle boarding lessons, and an evening of skeet shooting at a private club.
To volunteer with the committee, or if you can make a donation, please contact withrowauction@gmail.com.
Next H&S/School Council meeting
We’ve moved the next meeting to Thursday, January 14th, 2016 at 7pm (NOT December 3rd). We have a great speaker lined up: George Mammen, who has recently published a study about the many benefits of walking to school. This includes learning, physical activity and extra bonus for us, reduced traffic on our school streets. You can read more about his research here.
Next steps after the strike
It was with great relief that the teacher and CUPE workers’ strike ended last week. Some teachers have already taken kids on neighbourhood walks and are planning field trips. And doesn’t the school look nice and clean again? We are sure that many of you were frustrated during the strike and if you have older kids, many of them have already seen two strikes during their very brief school career. A big part of the problem is that only two-year contracts are negotiated. And strike action eats into the timeline of the two-year contract. As parents, we can lobby for 4-year contracts; if you feel strongly about this, we would suggest that you contact Minister of Education, Liz Sandals.
Community News
Toronto East Rotary Club’s Arts and Crafts Sale
This Arts and Crafts sale is happening this Saturday, November 14th, 10am–5pm at Eastminster United Church. Lots of local artists and proceeds go to support local charities including Out of the Cold. www.facebook.com/events/555748887915306/
Pape Silent Auction
Pape School will be having their first stand-alone Silent Auction Friday, November 20th at 7pm. Lots of great items listed here (like a bat signed by Edwin Encarnación!).
Rock for Syria – A Benefit in support of Syrian Refugees
This event is being organized by some Withrow parents. Please join them Friday, November 27th, 8pm at The Jam Factory. www.facebook.com/events/1126387024057007/
withrowparentcouncil.com 