School Website: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/jrwilcox

In this issue of the Wilcox Word:

1. Upcoming Key Dates
2. Playground Revitalization Has Begun!
3. Professional Development Day - Monday April 8, 2024
4. SAVE THE DATE: J.R. Wilcox Heritage Fair - Tuesday April 30th, 1PM - 3PM
5. SAVE THE DATE: Dance N’ Culture - Friday May 3, 9:10AM - 10:00AM
6. SAVE THE DATE: Zara Moves Thursday May 9th
7. Simon Wiesenthal Centre Student Presentations, May 17th and May 24
8. School Year Calendar
9. Oakwood Vaughan Homework Hub
10. Kindergarten Registration
11. Supporting Young Learners
12. Student Mental Health and Well-being Resources
13. Clothing Room
14. Autism Services, ABA Summer Camps - Surrey Place
15. Toronto Public Health Notice(s)
16. Safe Arrival
17. Trustee Update

Upcoming Key Dates

Playground Revitalization Has Begun!

Facilities have begun the playground revitalization.  A portion of the field and the outdoor staircase by Door 6 is blocked by an orange fence. The access gate along Atlas Avenue is also closed. To support student safety during entry and dismissal times, families are encouraged to use the entry located along Ava Road. Classes 1A, 1/2A and 1/2B will line up by the stone benches area.  Please refer to the video and image below:

Please review the JR Wilcox Playground Revitalization Update.

Professional Development Day - Monday April 8, 2024

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY (PA) DAY

April 8, 2024

During the school year, TDSB school staff participate in a number of Professional Activity (PA) Days. On these dates, students remain at home and schools are open for staff to engage in professional learning.

As per the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 151 , Professional Activity Days Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities, school boards are required to designate three Ministry mandatory PA Days. This year, these PA days will focus on the priority areas of Literacy and Mathematics, Curriculum Implementation, and Student Well-being, School Safety and Violence Prevention.

Additionally, school boards may designate up to four additional PA Days per school year with additional topics identified by both the Ministry and Toronto District School Board. Professional learning activities for PA Days will consider factors such as equity and human rights in education, anti-racism and anti-discrimination, Indigenous Education, and equitable learning opportunities for students with disabilities and special education needs.

Please find information about the April 8, 2024 PA Day, below.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Target Audience: All Staff – Elementary
Topic: Literacy, Mathematics, Curriculum Implementation, Student Well-Being and Belonging
Length: Full Day (In-Person)
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School-Based Staff

Description: School-based teams will review practical and effective strategies to support student learning with a focus on the following:

• Literacy: K-12 instructional strategies (i.e., critical and comprehensive literacy, CRRP, comprehension, striving/struggling readers, literacy across the curriculum, etc.), early reading instruction and universal design for learning.
• The implementation of high-impact instructional practices in K-12 Mathematics through high impact instructional approaches and alignment with curriculum.
• Curriculum implementation, for example, new and recently revised curriculum:

• Language/Français, Grades 1-8
• Indigenous-focused revisions to Social Studies, Grades 1-3
• New learning on Holocaust education in Social Studies, Grade 6

• Student Well-Being and School Safety

• Implementation of new School Mental Health Ontario mental health literacy modules for Grades 7 and 8 students.

SAVE THE DATE: J.R. Wilcox Heritage Fair - Tuesday April 30th, 1PM - 3PM

SAVE THE DATE: Dance N’ Culture - Friday May 3, 9:10AM - 10:00AM

SAVE THE DATE: Zara Moves Thursday May 9th

School Advisory Council has organized a fun and engaging community event.  Zahra Moves will offer dance classes, workshops and lectures that educate people on the complexities and the beauty of Black dances from West Africa and the Caribbean.  More specific information, including start and end times to follow.

Simon Wiesenthal Centre Student Presentations, May 17th and May 24

Ms Baek has co-ordinated a number of on-site visits by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre on the themes of diversity, equity and inclusion for all.

• Friday, May 17: Digital Citizenship Workshops (Grades 3-6)

•  Friday, May 24: Simon’s Story (Gr. 4-6) & Lessons and Legacies of the Holocaust (Gr.7-8).

School Year Calendar

The TDSB made the adjustment due to potential safety concerns with regard to a rare total solar eclipse on that day that will put parts of Ontario into temporary darkness.  

Click HERE to view the updated School Year Calendar 2023 - 2024

Oakwood Vaughan Homework Hub

The Oakwood Vaughan (OV) Homework Hub is a new initiative where students will receive free weekly academic support in a nurturing environment by qualified volunteers. This program is specifically for those who otherwise would not be able to afford tutoring services. The program is designed for grade 4 to 8 and will run Wednesdays from 4 to 6pm, starting March 20th. For information, please see attachment below.  Additional questions can be directed to ovhomeworkhub@gmail.com. Sign up asap to secure your spot!

For more information and registration, see attachment.

Kindergarten Registration

In the Kindergarten program, children develop skills and abilities through inquiry and intentional play-based learning.  Children can attend Junior Kindergarten in the calendar year they turn four and Senior Kindergarten in the year they turn five.  

Registration is now open for Kindergarten at JR Wilcox.  Families are encouraged to complete registration online.

Click HERE to learn about how to register for Kindergarten.  

Supporting Young Learners

Click HERE to learn more about the TDSB’s kindergarten program, including home tips and preparing your child for school.

Student Mental Health and Well-being Resources

Supporting students and fostering daily positive mental health and well-being in all school communities is a priority at the TDSB. Visit the MHWB website to access mental health toolkits, identity affirming resources, and information about a variety of wellness topics. Whether you need immediate support, or want to learn more about a particular topic, there’s information and support available.

Clothing Room

Clothing Room ready for families!

Special thanks to SAC Co-Chair Valerie Tih, Ms Paymaster and Ms Angus for organizing a special outreach to our community.  They have created a clothing room with donated items from our community.  Families can speak to their child’s teacher and the teacher will sign them up for a discreet time to come by and select a piece of clothing.

 Thank you to all our community for your donations!

Autism Services, ABA Summer Camps - Surrey Place

Don’t miss your chance to secure your spot in our ABA Summer Camps! This unique combination of ABA therapy and day camp gives your child the chance to experience the joy and adventure of summer camp with the clinical support to help them thrive!

Toronto Public Health Notice(s)

Toronto Public Health is investigating one lab confirmed case of measles.  Due to travel, measles still occurs in Canada. People born before 1996 who have not had measles should check their immune status.  Please ensure measles vaccinations are up-to-date.  The measles vaccine is available at your doctor’s office or at a TPH Community Clinic for school-aged children.  

Safe Arrival

Download the SchoolMessenger App to your mobile device.

Families are encouraged to download the SchoolMessenger App on their mobile device to receive school messages and report your child(ren) absence(s) with ease. 

Please visit: ttps://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/home

To report when your child(ren) will be absent please use the School Messenger App or contact the Safe Arrival Number at 1-833-250-2290.

Trustee Update

Click HERE to read Shell Laskin’s Weekly Update.

For more information about JR Wilcox please click HERE.

Thank you for your continued support!

Acting Principal:

Josie Efthymiadis