Wilmington E.S.
www.tdsb.on.ca
January 2014
Welcome to another amazing year at Wilmington E.S.
We have had an exciting first few months getting ready
for our new full day kindergarten programs. We have
four classes of kindie students with a teacher and an ECE
for each class. The students have settled into the full day
programs and are enjoying the new retrofits to two of our
classes as well as the Amazing new kindie play area in
the front of our school!!!
Mrs. Dickson has retired and we welcome Ms. Meijer
who has taken over for her grade 1 class. Also, welcome
Ms. Dama who has been working in our JK/SK class and
please also welcome Mr. Mendoza who is our new school
librarian and Ms. Tete who is working in our PALS class!
Also, please welcome back Mrs. Haghani who has
returned from her maternity leave and we would like to
welcome all of our new ECE’s to Wilmington. Please
welcome Ms. Perri, Ms. Akisanmi, and Ms. Bhuchar in
our kindergarten classes to Wilmington.
At this time, I would like to encourage you to contact
your child’s teacher or myself if you have any questions
or concerns centered around your child’s programming
and well being at school. We regard our parents as
essential partners in the education journey! Together we
can accomplish many wonderful and exciting ventures in
education for our children. If you are interested in being a
volunteer at our school, please contact myself or Mrs. To
in our main office.
Students, parents and teachers we would like to thank you for
supporting Wilmington Elementary during our recent Scholastic
Book Fair. Our final total amount of sales is $3585.50. With our
commission credits, we have purchased new books and filled
classroom libraries as well.
This is an EXCITING time and it is with your support that this is
possible. Thank you so much.
Most importantly, to our amazing volunteers we would like to thank
you for making this event a memorable and amazing experience.
Thank you everyone!
All the best,
Diane Bailey
Principal
Wilmington E. S.
School Contacts:
Office – Diane Bailey (Principal), Wendy To (Office Administrator)
Superintendent of Schools – Jeff Hainbuch, 416 394-2032
Trustee – Howard Kaplan (Ward 5), 416 395-8406
330 Wilmington Ave, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5L1 Tel: 416 395-2180 Fax: 416 395-2182
Pick-up and Drop-off
For the Safety or our students, it is essential that:
1. Everyone uses the parking lot for drop-off and pick-up
a. If you are staying in the car, you may wait for a short
period of time beside the fence, closest to the field.
b.
If you need to leave your car, you must use a “proper”
parking space.
c. Please ensure that cars are able to complete a full
(counterclockwise) loop to exit.
2.
The Front Loop is used ONLY by school buses.
3.
All Fire Routes are kept clear of cars. (Please note: The
“Student Drop Off Zone” is part of the Fire Route.
Therefore, the car may only be stopped there while students
are “loading or unloading”)
4. Please ensure that you are respectful of our community
neighbours and their parking spaces and driveways.
From the Cart News
On Tuesday November 19 and Wednesday November 20,
Wilmington ES did our part to help the people who suffered
tragedy and loss in the Typhoon that hit the Philippines in
November. We had a popcorn sale and raised $300.00!! The
money will go to the Canadian Red Cross and will be matched by
the Canadian Government. Thank you for all of your generous
donations. It was a lot of fun and we all enjoyed a nutritious
snack. Stay tuned for information about our upcoming Cookie
Sale before the winter break.
A very special thank you to Mr. John Komlos, who is a
wonderful volunteer at Wilmington, for providing our students
with a chess club two times a week at lunchtime. Mr. Komlos
welcomes all students to attend, no matter what their skill
level in chess is. Stay tuned for the upcoming lunchtime
tournament between the students and the teachers!! It will be
a day to remember!! Thank you Mr. Komlos!
Wilmington students are currently learning and celebrating First
Nation cultures with a focus in Woodland Style Art. First Nation
awareness is highlighted in November of each year and we will
create beautiful artwork as part of our “make and take”
component.
In the library space - students are checking out books about
holiday celebrations and winter traditions. Stories and novels are
in display for students and teachers to read and borrow. We wish
everyone safe and happy holidays!!
From the Library Ambassadors and Mr. Mendoza
a litterles lunch
Your Wilmington Elementary School
Council Report
We want to take this opportunity to thank all
students, parents, teachers and school
administration for their ongoing support of
school council activities. Pizza lunch Fridays
continue to be a hit with parents and students
alike. Our October Movie Night was also a
great success and we are planning another
movie night sometime in the early part of the
new year.
Because of your support so far this year, our
council has been able to fund school buses for
field trips, buy books for our reading resource
room and support bringing in additional arts
programming in our classrooms.
Just a reminder that our Council meets
monthly at 6:45 pm in the school library. Our
next meeting is December 9. We welcome your
involvement and input so please join us soon
or contact us at WilmingtonESC@gmail.com!
Cross Country Running!
Our School council members are:
Congratulations to Wilmington's first Cross Country
Chair: Ihab Khalil
Team! We were happy to see so many children taking
Treasurer:
Sharon Rosenstein
time after school to come try out for the team. It really
Co-Secretaries:
Karen
Stacea
Campbell
showed school
spirit!Machinger,
Ms. Tete, Ms.
Ayala
and Mr.
Mendoza had the privilege of taking 20 students from
grades 3 and 4 to Earl Bales Park to compete in the
Cross Country Match on October 9th. All of the
students showed great team work, dedication and
sportsmanship!
The Scream: A Grade 2/3 Artistic Experience
Our class learned about the Norwegian artist Edward
Munch and we learned that the theme in most of his
work was sadness and sorrow. We made our own
artwork of The Scream. We used a straw to blow the
paint on to the paper to make the hair. We only used
the primary colours and when we blew the paint the
colours mixed up to make secondary colours. We
really enjoyed blowing the paint with the straw. It
was a lot of fun!
We also created haiku poems to go with our scream
theme. The poems tell about what makes us scream.
We used an app called “Photo Booth” on our class
iPad to take swirly-looking pictures of our faces that
looked like we were screaming. Every student’s
picture looked really funny because their face was
changed a lot. By: Daniel T. and Polina
Chinese Brush Painting

Our grade 3 classes had the opportunity to learn Chinese Brush Painting. We
had a professional artist from the Arts Council visit our classes for 4 half days
each. She taught us the technique of using the brush to create images of
gardens, landscapes and patterns. It was a new way for us to hold the paint
brush and use the paint brush. We used black ink and paint on rice paper. We
created some beautiful work!
Thank you Parent Council for funding this initiative.
Submitted by Ms Bramm and Mrs Dennis’s classes.
Student Transportation
At the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) bussing service may be provided for elementary students (grades K-5) residing 1.6 Km or more from their
designated school. TTC tickets may be provided for middle school students (grades 6-8) residing 3.2 Km or more from their designated school.
The safety and welfare of students is a shared responsibility. Parents can help to ensure that it remains safe by stressing school bus safety with their
children. Below, please find useful information that will help to make your child's journey a safe one.
Boarding/Departing Bus
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review their child's walking route to the bus stop, advising about safety concerns. Students getting off a bus at a
stop must have an adult there to pick them up.
Bus passengers should arrive at the bus stop no later than five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Two minutes after dismissal time, buses
will depart the school. Once bus doors are closed and the bus has departed, drivers cannot stop for late arriving students.
While waiting at the bus stop, students are expected to stand a safe distance from the street. Students are expected to respect private property. When
the bus approaches, students must observe the instructions of the driver. This is particularly important in the winter when slick road conditions exist.
If students are required to cross the road, they should follow the driver's instructions and always cross in front of the bus with the aid of the flashing
stop sign lights and crossing arm.
Accidents/Breakdowns/Delays
School bus travel is extremely safe. Bus drivers are trained in defensive driving techniques and buses are carefully maintained. The size and bright
yellow colour make school buses very visible. The school bus is designed to protect passengers from impact. The floor is raised, the window glass is
shatterproof, and there are strengthened reinforcements along the sides of the bus. Yet, given the thousands of miles travelled annually, and the traffic
conditions in our area, accidents, breakdowns and delays due to inclement weather can happen. All the buses have two-way radios and help can be
just minutes away. One of the most important things to a bus driver in the event of an accident or breakdown is passenger cooperation. In case of
delays of more than 10-15 minutes, parents are encouraged to contact the school.
Severe Weather
Occasionally, severe weather conditions may require the TDSB to cancel transportation. This may occur before the beginning of the school day or if
conditions become severe during the school day. To ensure the safety and welfare of students during school hours, the Board Severe Weather
Procedures will guide decisions and operations. Visit the web site at www.tdsb.on.ca or listen to the local radio or TV station from 6:30 am onward for
bus cancellation announcements. Parents and guardians should familiarize themselves with the procedures and communication plan to ensure the
safety of their children.
Passenger Safety
The bus driver is responsible for ensuring each student arrives to and from school safely each day. Drivers receive special training and rigorous
examinations and must maintain a good driving record. Occasionally, seating assignments may be necessary to ensure the safety of all passengers.
Safe, respectful conduct is expected of all passengers.
The TDSB reserves the right to suspend transportation privileges for any student who demonstrates behaviour unreasonably distracting to the driver
which may contribute to unsafe operation.
In order to change their normal bus and/or stop, parents must contact the school office.
Parents are requested keep the school and transportation company up to date on any changes to your child's medical health. Also, it is critical that
phone numbers for parents/guardians and emergency contacts be accurate at all times throughout the year.
February
January
Pizza Lunch every Friday (except PA day)
Heritage Language classes after school on
Thursdays
January 13 SAC meeting @6:45 in the Library
January 24 PA day no school for students
January 29 Movie Night at CH Best
Pizza Lunch every Friday (except PA day)
Heritage Language classes after school on Thursdays
February 5 Toronto Symphony Orchestra – Gr.1-Gr.3
February 7 Dragon Dance – AM
February 10 SAC meeting @ 6:45 in the library
February 11 Report Cards go home
February 17 Family Day
February 18 & 19 Kindergarten Registration
February 27 Whole school Pediculosis check
Our mission is to enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge,
skills, and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society.