Home and School Meeting – Thursday, January 14th
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, January 14th from 7-9pm. Childcare will be provided and there will be yummy snacks, courtesy of Cobs on Danforth. There are quite a few items that will be voted on so if you have an opinion, come out and have your say!
On the agenda:
Walk-to-School Study – Join us as George Mammen, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, presents his findings on Active Walking.
Statistics show the vast majority of school-aged kids aren’t getting enough physical activity – only five per cent of children and youth in Canada reach the daily minimum of 12,000 steps. Adding a walk to and from school is a simple way to help reverse this trend.
George Mammen has worked closely with Professor Guy Faulkner and conducted extensive analysis of active transportation – including his most recent publication, Putting school travel on the map. And his work on how walking as little as 20 minutes a day can help stave off depression (and increase academic performance) made headlines around world.
Home & School Budget
- Finalize and vote on second half of budget for 2015/2016 school year
- Yard work budget discussion
- We’ll be voting on how to use money allocated to STEM initiatives at Withrow
School Council By-laws – we’ll be making a motion to approve our new by-laws (you can view them here)
Annual Giving Campaign
Our Annual Giving Campaign continues and we are extending the deadline for 2015 tax receipts until January 31, 2016. If you would like a tax break for last year, there’s still time to donate! A huge thank you to everyone who has already sent in a contribution – your support of Withrow is very much appreciated.
If you’d like to give, you can do so securely via Paypal by clicking here.
Parenting Series
Our next Parenting Series event will be on March 1st from 7pm-9pm, in the library. The topic is Talking To Children About Dying, Grief and Death. Snacks will be provided by our local Cobs Bakery (Danforth/Broadview location).
Call For Volunteers
We’re looking for parents to work on the monthly newsletter and volunteers to join the After-School Programs Committee. If interested, please email us at withrowhands@gmail.com.
Withrow Auction
Mark your calendars for the most fabulous social event of the year! The annual Withrow Silent Auction will be back Friday, April 1, 2016.
You can help by making a donation. Can your company provide a product or gift certificate? Do you have a couple of Raptors, Leafs or TFC tickets you can spare? Do you have some knowledge or skill you could offer as a unique experience donation?
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.
We would also still welcome new faces on the committee. If you want to help on the committee or can offer a donation – please contact withrowauction@gmail.com.
Community News
Interested in singing? There’s a new choir for children starting in the neighbourhood on Thursday nights! Grades 2 and 3 are conducted by (former Withrow music teacher) Mme Massicotte and Withrow’s own Ms. Parker conducts the choir for children in grades 4 to 6. This week, on Jan. 14th, is open rehearsal if you want to check it out. See the Toronto Choral Society Childrens Choir website for more info. Come and sing!
withrowparentcouncil.com 