Principal’s Message..Mary Helen Hartman-Hayes

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Spring may be slow to arrive but everything else is moving quickly at Maplewood. Can you believe that we have already begun our fourth term? Our school year has been very busy and very rewarding. This term we welcomed a couple of new staff members to Maplewood. Mr. Larry Hazelwood has re-energized our auto program. From the first day that Mr. Hazelwood joined the Maplewood staff, he has demonstrated his passion for education. Students enjoy fun-filled classes where they raced cars up the hall-way. Little did they know that the fun was filled with education! Students learned about compressed air, air pressure, velocity and force. We also welcomed to our staff, Mr. Barrington Brown, who joins us from George Vanier C.I. as a Child and Youth Worker in Ms. Blaney’s class. Welcome! In February we held a Valentine’s Dance. Dances, which are very popular with the students, give them the opportunity to gather socially and exercise as well. We have music at lunch time every Friday so that students can get on stage and dance. Thank you to Mr. Caesar who takes great pleasure in being the D.J. for these events. We are fortunate at Maplewood to be able to provide the students with a free student lunch to celebrate Black History Month. Students in our SAC were able to meet and provide choice in the menu for the lunch. These same students also guided and directed the event, both in seating students and providing the lunch directly at the tables. What a great opportunity for our student leaders! These types of events would not be successful without the ongoing support of our amazing food school staff. Thank you so much to all who were involved. In March we hosted a school “SPIRIT WEEK”. What a great time we all had decorating doors, wearing our PJ’s, wacky hats and “bling” and having a day to “dress like your favourite person”. Of course there was a staff member who might have gone a little over the top dressing like me. Right Mr. Tipoff? A special thank you to Ms. Dina Rallis who spear-headed this event! It was a lot of fun and brought the school community together. On March 26 our school was part of the TDSB District Review Process. A team of trained educators came into our building and visited each and every classroom, spoke with students and observed our school. At some point in the next 2-3 weeks we will be given a report on our best practices and suggestions for focus in the future. A special thanks to our District Review In-School Committee, Ms. Klinger, Ms. Lupo, Ms. Lavos, Ms. Myers-Taylor, Ms. Paul, Mr. Rickerby and Mr. Dye. In March we had IPRC meetings. Thank you to all parents/guardians who came out to the appointments, of-fered suggestions and provided information so that we can meet the individual needs of our students. Please remember that parents/guardians can contact a teacher at any time throughout the school day by calling 416-396-6765 and leaving a message requesting a return call. As of early April our assistive technology program is up and running. Teachers and students are doing amaz-ing things with their iPads. We have 10 classes that are using these assistive technology devices and we’ve already seen improvements in communication. We are learning as well as having fun! The weather is beginning to change. The robins have returned, the crocuses are popping their heads out of the ground and daffodils are in the stores. With this new season comes a renewed sense of purpose that we are doing a great job and that the remainder of the year holds great things including Badminton Team, Sewing Club, Pottery Club, Track & Field and a free student lunch in May. In June we will be enjoying the Tech Cel-ebration, Co-op BBQ, year-end BBQ’s, Prom and Commencement. We are looking forward to the next two months.

Mary Helen Hartman-Hayes,

Principal

P A G E 2

“...take ad vantag e of th e long evening s at this time of year with a recreational walk.”

More Great Events……….

On April 5th twenty-two of Ms. MacBeth’s students set off for the Toronto Eaton Centre and Dundas Square. They left the school at 9:20 and, with Ms. Kent, Mr. Osborne and Ms. Smith headed out to catch the “86” bus to Kennedy Station. After transferring at Yonge station they were lucky enough to catch one of the gleaming new trains for the remainder of their trip. Disembarking at Dundas station they explored the area around Toron-to’s Dundas Square. We then walked down Yonge St. and into the Eaton Centre from Queen St. The staff and students spent 2 hours exploring the shop-ping centre, having lunch and completing a comparison shopping assignment. It was a very enjoyable day and our Maplewood students were excellent representatives of our school out in the community. They were respect-ful and polite and returned to our meeting point in such a timely manner that we returned to the school earlier than anticipated. Congratulations to all students and a huge thank you to the very patient staff who participated.

Making Ice-Cream in the Classroom… Ms. Khaja Students from Ms. Khaja’s Grade 9 Science Class col-laborated with students from Ms. Seccareccia’s class to make mint chocolate chip ice cream in the classroom on April 5, 2013. They added milk, cream, sugar, vanilla essence and mint chocolate chips to a ziplock bag. They placed the ziplock bag in a larger plastic bag con-taining a mixture of salt and ice. They then shook the bags until the mixture froze and Voila, they had a re-freshing frozen treat!

EATON CENTRE FIELD TRIP… Ms. MacBeth

Students enjoy a field tip to the Eaton Centre

The last few days of Winter found Mrs. Appleton’s class at the Metro Toronto Zoo, where they were greeted by many zoo animals all “wild” to see them! Favourite sightings: monkeys and great apes, the pigmy hippopotamus, otters, roving bison, and best of all the lunch counter! A great day was had by all and planning for our next adventure took place on the bus ride home.

...Ms. Appleton

P A G E 3 I S S U E 2

Success on Co-op………. Ms. Filla Congratulations go to Marvin Tomas who has gained employment with Shopper’s Drug Mart at Markham and Lawrence. Marvin is working part-time when he is needed. He worked over the March Break and is now on their payroll. Marvin’s success comes as a direct result of the development of his work and employability skills such as showing up for work every day, being on time, following directions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and having developed good customer service skills at all his previous co-op placements. Other successful co-op placements include Ryan Seebaran who worked at Staples and was also offered part-time employment. Unfortunately, Ryan had to turn the offer down since he still works part-time at Fa-mous Players Theatres where he also completed a successful term of co-op. Dylan McClelland has also gained employment through Community Liv-ing at Celestica in the cafeteria. This was also a direct result of all his previous hard work and successful co-op placements. Dylan is commit-ted to having a successful future and listening well to those who want to help make this happen.

And last but not least, Stephen Hendricks was offered summer employ-ment at Harvest Kitchen after completing a successful co-op placement there. Well done students!

Marvin Tomas at Shopper’s Drug Mart

Stephen Hendricks at Harvest Kitchen

P A G E 4

“Great discoveries

and improvements

invariably involve

the cooperation of

many minds.”

(Alexander

Graham Bell)

N E W S L E T T E R T I T L E

Trustees Chadwick and Moyer invite

you to a joint Ward Forum – Community Budget Consultation

140 Borough Dr. – Committee Rms. 3 & 4

First Floor Thursday, May 30th, 2013

7:00pm – 9:00 pm

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Craig Snider – Comptroller of Budget, Revenue and Finance, Toronto District School Board 3. Q & A 4. Communications with the Trustees Email– jerry.chadwick@tdsb.on.ca Phone Jerry – 416-397-3096 or Administrative Liaison – kim.beauchesne@tdsb.on.ca Email– elizabeth.moyer@tdsb.on.ca Phone Elizabeth – 416-393-8815 or Administrative Liaison – rob.little@tdsb.on.ca 5. Other Business 6. Adjournment

*** Light refreshments will be served***

On Monday, May 27th from 10 am – 11:00 am we will be holding an information session for parents/guardians and students who are interested in ODSP Employment Supports. Mr. David Gouveia has been working with our students for over 5 years helping to find them jobs and, through Community Living, coaching supports. If you are interested in learning more, please join us in the Library on the 27th.

FUTURE PLANNING/EXIT NIGHT...Wednesday, May 8th at 5:45 pm

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

CAPACITY CAFÉ—MAY 14, 2013 @ 6:30 P.M.

A CHANCE TO TALK WITH MAPLEWOOD STUDENTS IN A “TALKING CIRCLE”

ABOUT ACADEMICS, PERSONAL AND

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND OUR SCHOOL AS A LEARNING COMMUNITY…

PLUS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

PLEASE ATTEND!

THERE WILL BE A LIGHT SUPPER SERVED

School Library at 6:30 p.m. May 14th

Transition planning is a partnership involving parents, students, teachers and community and adult service providers. In an effort to coordinate community agencies and our parents/guardians, we would like to cordially invite you to attend our Exit Night at Maple-wood High School on Wednesday May 8th 2013 from 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm. This event will offer an opportunity for service provid-ers in our community to connect with parents/guardians in a col-laborative effort of transition planning for our students. As many parents/guardians are aware, it is important to connect with agencies early as there are often long waiting lists. Develop-mental Services Ontario (DSO) will begin the evening with a short presentation at 5:45 pm. From 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, families will have the opportunity to visit with different agencies in the areas of employment & employment supports, recreation, respite and day programs.

Cosmetology Specialty Class… Ms. Lupo Our students experienced an amazingly successful and busy Term 3. These first ten weeks included a variety of events such as: performing hair and esthetic services for clients, participating in a braiding workshop with Ms. Smith and participating in Spirit week where our class won a class Pizza lunch based on 100% team spirit and a creative poster. The students transferred acquired technical skills and knowledge in their every-day routine by demonstrating: professional ethics, safety in a tech shop environ-ment, adapting practical skills from a mannequin to a person, and implementing personal management, such as being prepared for the next day’s activity. Student success was evident everywhere and students’ confidence and progress was at an all-time high. Zeeshan gave haircuts and line up’s. He was in high demand. Vinitha’s dipped and dyed hair styling was also in high demand, Ardi-jana became a blow dry expert. Stacey mastered the curling iron on short diffi-cult hair. Kiki gave a great shampoo, style and massage. Mezena’s braiding designs were absolutely beautiful. Sakira and Lauren produced some beautiful flip hairstyles. Dabina, Emily, Samantha, Amanda and Rajeeka worked their magic providing caring and skillful customer service to various, regular custom-ers. Overall Ms. Vettyvelu and Ms. Lupo were so proud of the workmanship and professional customer service that these students continue to provide – they truly are the superstars in Cosmetology.

UPCOMING EVENTS… Mark Your Calendars! Wednesday, May 8 - Regular Day Exit Night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 - Regular Day Trinity Theatre Capacity Café Presentation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16 - Regular Day Free Student Lunch (please note change in date) Monday, May 20 - No School Victoria Day Holiday Monday, May 27 - 12:35 Dismissal Staff Meeting/PLC Wednesday, May 29 - Regular Day Prom (Details to be announced) Wednesday, June 5 - Regular Day Tech Celebration Thursday, June 6 - Regular Day Co-op BBQ Friday, June 7 - Regular day MID BBQ at Morningside Park Thursday, June 13 - Regular Day ISP BBQ at Morningside Park Wednesday, June 19 - Regular Day Commencement at 6:00 p.m.