W E E K LY N E W S L E T T E RThe MirrorMontcrest SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1A P R I L 2 2 / 1 6 V O L U M E 1 2 , N U M B E R 2 8

Bookshare ProgramEvery year in April, the Montcrest community collects new and gently-used books for children and young adults (JK to Grade 8). In May the Grade 5 students and teachers will take these book donations to a nearby school called Rose Avenue P.S. We have partnered with Rose Avenue for the past two years. Each year when we visit, their kids are shocked and delighted that they get to choose books to keep. They LOVE it! Furthermore, our Grade 5 students get to enjoy pairing up with Rose Avenue students to help them choose the right books or read their selections.

Here is the process that we follow for the Bookshare Program. On Monday, April 11th, we started accepting donations of new and gently-used books. Donations can be dropped off at 4 Montcrest or at 658 Broadview. Parent volunteers will come in regularly to sort the books into appropriate age groups. Then, the week of May 9th the Grade 5 classes will visit Rose Avenue P.S. to distribute the books. So, this is your official invitation to look through those shelves and weed out books you no longer need! Thank you so much for your help.

Karen Tanod, Grade 4 Teacher & Community Service Coordinator

Montcrest School strives to challenge children to discover their own voices and deepen their understanding of the world. Our annual speech arts festival, Speak Out Montcrest, is an event that provides such an opportunity for our students. Starting in Grade 4, children select and research a topic that ignites their curiosity. Each student is then challenged to capture their new knowledge, opinions, and wonderings of their topic by writing creatively for an authentic audience. Teachers work with students to use writing techniques that help to engage their audience such as telling a story, mastering metaphors, and incorporating humour. In Drama class and homeroom time, students are further coached on specific public speaking skills such as varying vocal pace, tone, and volume, punctuating words with gestures, and how to connect and interact with your audience. This year, there has also been a focus on complementing words with visual aids.

Public speaking is scary for most people. In fact, it is considered the number one human fear. However, most people will find themselves having to speak publically many times throughout their lives for both personal and professional reasons. The good news is that the fear of public speaking can be cured or greatly diminished through experience and practice. Through public speaking at school, our students can begin to overcome their fears and build skills at their young age in a safe and encouraging environment. It also provides the opportunity to practice risk-taking, resiliency, and to feel success following hard work.

This year, students will be exploring the following speech formats:

Grade 4: Traditional Speech - The Grade 4s this year will be presenting their Project Give Back speeches, which aims to empower children to make a difference in the lives of others. Each child has chosen a charity that they are passionate about. They have then researched the organization and prepared a speech to educate their peers.

Grade 5: TED Talk – The Grade 5s have been inspired by the TED Talk format of spreading compelling ideas in the form of a short, powerful talk. In addition to developing a topic of personal significance, students will choose visuals to support their ideas during their talk.

Grade 6: Persuasive Speech – The Grade 6s will present a ‘PEP Talk’ (Persuasive, Empowering, Passionate) – a speech intended to create awareness in the audience about an issue that young people face in various parts of the world such as health, poverty, or war. Students may write from their point of view or from the perspective of a character from a novel.

Grade 7: Rant – In a Rick Mercer-style rant, the Grade 7s have chosen to address an issue of injustice that is important to them.

Grade 8: Open Format: – The Grade 8s have the option of participating in Speak Out Montcrest. They are able to choose from the range of formats listed above.

The class contests will take place from Monday, April 25 to Wednesday, April 27. At this stage, the homeroom teachers will choose one student from the small classes and two students from the larger classes to go forward to the next stage. The judged inter-grade contest will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. Two students from each grade will move forward to perform at Speak Out Montcrest on Friday, May 6th at 9:00 a.m. This event is a celebration of public speaking featuring the 10 speakers chosen from their divisional events. The audience will be staff and students from Grades 3 to 8 as well as parents of the speakers. All parents are welcome to attend.

Sacha Neesham, Teacher-librarian

Speak Out Montcrest!

Pub Quiz NightPub Quiz NightFriday, April 29th

Gym Doors Open 6:30 p.m.First Quiz 7:00 p.m.

Catering by Daniel & Daniel, Cash Bar All Montcrest parents are welcome!

Raise a pint and rackyour brain!

Raise a pint and rackyour brain!

Click here to order tickets ($30 pp)

Montcrest

Tuesday, April 26th8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

MPA Room in the Lower Level of 4 Montcrest Blvd.AGENDA:

MPA Financial Report, Communications Update, Pub Quiz Night, Overview of the Art Curriculum at Montcrest School

with guest speakers Dara Gellman and Catherine Ionno-Dias.

All Welcome!

MONTCREST PARENTS'ASSOCIATION MEETING

Interim Report Cards Interim Report Cards will be available on the ParentPortal on Thursday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m.

CADDAC Presents - ADHD Parent Readiness Education Program

CADDAC is pleased to announce the repeat of our ADHD Parent Readiness Education Program. ADHD PREP is a comprehensive 12-hour, 2 day, program geared to parents of newly diagnosed children and adolescents with ADHD, and parents wishing to upgrade their knowledge on the more complex aspects of ADHD including ADHD and learning, executive functioning and self and mood regulation. Treatment options, parenting strategies and school advocacy will also be covered.

The program will occur over a two-day weekend. Pricing includes workshop materials and light refreshments each morning and afternoon. A variety of lunch options are 5 minutes away.

When: Saturday May 28th – Sunday May 29th, 2016, 9AM – 4PM each day Where: Japanese Canadian Cultural Center, 6 Garamond Court (Wynford and DVP) Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5 Cost: $160 per person /$300 per couple (CADDAC members receive a 10% discount)

Register and Access the Flyer and Agenda HERE

Earth Day!Montcrest’s Me to We Club and the Eco Team came together today to encourage staff and students to protect our planet. At school today, students were greeted by colourful messages along Broadview Avenue. During recess times students were invited to participate in chalk art, crafts with recyclable materials and two litter clean-ups. Funds collected from our rainbow Grub Day will be donated to The Toronto Bee Cooperative and FoodShare. To continue your environmental education at home we encourage you to cut back or eliminate your use of bottled water, to bring a reusable mug with you to the coffee shop and to stay up to date with the changes to the city’s recycling program.

Please visit the following links for more information: The Story of Stuff Waste Wizard Earth Day Canada

U10 (Grade 3 & 4) Girls Soccer Ms. Page/Ms. Dalley Practice on Mon. April 25 at 7:15 a.m. Practice on Wed. April 27 at 7:15 a.m.

U12 (Grade 5 & 6) Girls Soccer Mr. Bailey/Mr. Coutts Practice on Mon. April 25 at 7:15 a.m. Game on Tues. April 26 at Toronto French School. Depart Montcrest at 3:00 p.m. Game at 4:00 p.m. Finish at 5:00 p.m. Return to Montcrest at 5:45 p.m. Practice on Wed. April 27 at 7:15 a.m.

U12 (Grade 4-6) Boys Softball Mr. Blakey/Mr. Smith Practice on Mon. April 25 from 3:45-5:00 p.m. Practice on Thurs. April 28 on 7:15 a.m.

U14 (Grade 7 & 8) Boys Softball Mr. Spence/Mr. Doone Practice on Mon. April 25 from 3:45-5:00 p.m. Practice on Wed. April 27 from 3:45-5:00 p.m.

Grade 3 Track & Field Ms. David/Ms. Cobham No practice on April 29th due to the school field trip (movie morning)

Jr. Track Team (Grade 4 & 5) Ms. John/Ms. Corman Practice on Mon. April 25 from 3:45-5:00 p.m. First Meet on Tues. April 26 at Pan Am Stadium of York University. Depart Montcrest at 12:20 p.m. Meet from 1:30-5:00 p.m. Return to Montcrest at 6:00 p.m. Practice on Wed. April 27 from 3:45-5:00 p.m.

Sr. Track Team (Grade 6-8) Mr. Nix/Ms. McMeans Practice on Mon. April 25 at 7:15 a.m. First Meet on Tues. April 26 at Pan Am Stadium of York University. Depart Montcrest at 12:20 p.m. Meet from 1:30-5:00 p.m. Return to Montcrest at 6:00 p.m. Practice on Thurs. April 28 from 3:45-5:00 p.m.

U14 (Grade 6-8) Tennis Mr. Dilworth/Ms. Boyd/Mr. Thompson Practice on Mon. April 25 at lunch Match on Mon. April 25 at Crescent School. Depart Montcrest at 2:50 p.m. Game at 3:45 p.m. Finish at 5:45 p.m. Return to Montcrest at 6:30 p.m. Practice on Thurs. April 28 at Mayfair Lakeshore from 12:00 - 1:35 p.m.

U14 Ultimate Frisbee (Grade 7 & 8) Ms. Bain/Ms. Willis/Mr. Prichard Game on Mon. April 25 at Toronto French School. Depart at 2:00 p.m. Game at 3:00 p.m. Finish at 4:15 p.m. Return to Montcrest at 5:00 p.m. Practice on Tues. April 26 at 7:15 a.m. Practice on Wed. April 27 from 3:45-5:00 p.m. Game on Thurs. April 28 at Cherry Beach vs York School. Depart Montcrest at 2:00 p.m. Game at 3:00 p.m. Finish at 4:15 p.m. Return to Montcrest at 4:45 p.m.

Mustangs News Week of April 25-29th

Teams are off to a great start this spring and are busy practicing and getting ready for their first games and meets. Parents of U12 Soccer, Ultimate, U12 Softball and Tennis all received a welcome email with instructions on signing the team permission waiver and commitment letter. Track teams, U10 Soccer and U14 Softball will receive team emails by April 22. If you do not receive an email, please contact me as soon as possible.

Note: Team information can always be found in the mirror, team email, and on the school calendar.

This week’s featured Montcrest Parent Volunteer isErin Wright.

Erin, tell us a little bit about your family.We have two children – Leo Ross who is in Grade 5 at Montcrest, and Issy Ross (Leo's twin) who is in Grade 5 at Whitney Public School.

How long has your family been at Montcrest School?We came to Montcrest in September 2014 after living inLondon and Dubai for 13 years.

What role have you volunteered for with the MPA?I have put up my hand for random volunteer jobs and amnow running the Pub Quiz Night on April 29th. I ran a quiznight at my childrens' British preparatory school in Dubai.

And now for the silly questions. What is your favourite season?I think Spring is my favourite season. I was always amassive fan of the early and prolonged springtime inEngland but I forgot how hard-fought Spring is here. Fromthe stunning yellow forsythia and fragrant creamy pinkmagnolias in bloom around Toronto – I’ve fallen in love with my hometown again.

Chocolate or vanilla?Ten years ago, I would have said vanilla but since I'vebecome a mum I've craved the energy and caffeine hit of dark chocolate.

What is on your bucket list?So many things – a family trip to Haida Gwaii, and running a sub 3-hour marathon (NEVER going to happen!).

What song makes you happy when you hear it?Recently, it’s Earth, Wind and Fire’s “That’s the Way of the World”.

Montcrest

Montcrest Volunteers

In honour and celebration of Earth Week, we are excited that all staff and students in JK-8 will view BBC's Enchanted Kingdom on the morning of Friday, April 29 at Varsity Cineplex. BBC describes this film as an enchanting journey of nature's seven distinct realms in the wildest continent on Earth, Africa. Students will experience this surprising and extraordinary land in what BBC refers to as their most ambitious nature-film project to-date. We are told that after viewing this movie we will never look at nature, or our world, in quite the same way again.

Be sure to fill out the waiver on the ParentPortal.

To learn more about this film please visit http://www.bbcearth.com/movies/enchanted-kingdom/

Montcrest Goes to the Movies!

Rocket Scientist Visits 1P!

Last Friday, 1P had an ‘out of this world’ visit with rocket scientist, Natalie Panek. Ms. Panek inspired our scientific creativity and we were so honoured that she shared her time with us. Don’t be surprised if one day in the future you hear about our Grade 1s being the inventive minds coming up with the latest and greatest in space exploration!

The photo shows Ms. Panek in the lab where she is building the next Mars rover.

Fun Fact!Just a few days after Ms. Panek’s visit with 1P she was featured on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Instagram as part of a series on exceptional young Canadians. Ms. Panek tweeted that she “had a blast talking to Grade 1 students @Montcrest School.

For more school events and important dates, or if you want to know what day of the cycle it is, visit our website at www.montcrest.on.ca and click on calendar at the top of the homepage.

Family Looking for a NannyA new Montcrest family is looking for a full time, live out nanny to begin Aug 1. If you know of anyone who may be

interested in a position in the Beaches (3 children ages 5, 3, and 7 months), please email me their information. colleen.mcdermott@utoronto.ca

Next Week's Highlights:

Key Upcoming Dates for Parents • MPA Meeting - April 26th 8:30 a.m. • Pub Quiz Night - April 29th - 6:30 Doors Open 7:00 p.m. Quiz

Begins

• Kite Day - May 20th - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. NO aftercare/after school programs - Early Dismissal

• Family Dance - May 27th - Time TBC

MONDAY 25thDAY 5

TUESDAY 26thDAY 6

WEDNESDAY 27thDAY 7

THURSDAY 28thDAY 8

FRIDAY 29thDAY 1

- Assembly at 8:30 a.m. - Speak Out Class

Contests

- MPA Meeting at 8:30 a.m.

- Speak Out Class Contests

- Speak Out Class Contests

- JK - Gr. 8 Interim Report Cards on Parent Portal at 6 p.m.

- Montcrest goes to the Movies 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

- Pub Quiz Night - Parent Event 6:30 - 10 p.m.