HOW DO I GET INVOLVED AT RUNNYMEDE?
RUNNYMEDE COUNCIL
Visit the Council website: http://www.runnymedecouncil.org.
Parents, administration and teachers work together on Council to promote participation, co-operation,
understanding and effective communication within the school community. Council provides a forum for you to hear
information directly from school administration and to discuss and recommend action on key educational issues. This
group of volunteers determines how money fundraised by Council is spent, with an objective to fund projects that
will benefit the largest number of students OVER THE LONG TERM.
Here are a few examples of how Runnymede Council has spent fundraising money in recent years:
• Runnymede has music, drama, arts & athletics that are not standard in all TDSB schools; it benefits from
additional financial support.
• Our outdoor classrooms, Green Teacher, Yard Days, Eco-School status & Peacekeeper Program require
extra funding.
• Every Runnymede teacher received from Council approximately $300 last year to spend on enriching
their classroom.
• Council contributes towards technology purchases, as Runnymede has not been a priority for TDSB
funding for technology.
RUNNYMEDE COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The committees of Runnymede Council work to benefit the school in very specific ways. You don’t have to attend Council
meetings to be involved in the committees.
SPIRIT COMMITTEE
This group of volunteers is committed to creating a sense of community and raising the funds to deliver the many
“extras” that we have come to expect as standard for our children at Runnymede.
The Runnymede parent community expressed a strong desire to simplify fundraising, and based on this
format, the Spirit committee continues to:
•Rely on a request to parents of $50 per child as its’ main fundraiser.
•Organize fun community-based events: pizza lunches, The Spring Thaw Art Show, parent pub night &
silent auction, the teacher appreciation lunch.
•Be involved with fundraising through QSP magazines.
To lead an initiative or volunteer a few hours contact us for a fun way to get involved at the school. Co-chairs: Leslie
Robbins-Parmar & Audrey Robinson – Runnymedespiritcommittee@gmail.com
ARTS ENRICHMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
This committee is focused on ensuring that equitable and varied Arts programming is brought to the students. You do
not have to be an artist to join this committee. Chair: Alice Bell
We continue to:
•Support the JK-Grade 3 Arts Enrichment Program.
•Build the outdoor art on display at the school.
•Support the school’s vibrant drama, strings and band programs.
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
On February 1st, 2016 Runnymede school will celebrate its 100th anniversary. This committee is researching the
history of Runnymede, collecting archives and beginning preparations for the Centennial Celebration. If you are
interested in planning or promoting Centennial events, promoting or researching the school’s history, this committee
would welcome your involvement. Co-chairs: Vangelia Nitsis & Marshall Leslie can be contacted by email at
mailto:runnymedecentennial@gmail.com
YARD COMMITTEE
Yard Committee needs anyone with a willingness to help out around the school yard. You can also support this
committee by donating old garden tools or Canadian Tire money at the school office or by attending the Fall and
Spring Yard Days – fabulous family-friendly events.
The Yard Committee continues to:
•Maintain everything from the basketball hoops & play structures, to Hillside Garden, stone amphitheatre,
peace circle & outdoor art projects.
•Work with teachers to share curriculum-based lesson plans that can be implemented in Runnymede’s
outdoor classroom.
Chair: Sarah Frame – angus.sarah.frame@sympatico.ca
RUNNYMEDE COUNCIL COMMITTEES (CONTINUED)
STEM COMMITTEE
(Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
Our goal is to support programs that ignite and sustain our students’ love of math and science.
We have:
•Implemented activities in two pilot classrooms
•Worked with admin. to support new opportunities within the school
•Actively participated in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Jr. and Sr.
Robotics Leagues.
Co-chairs: Jen Atkinson, Julie Phillips and Jerry Tiessen - runnymedestemcommittee@gmail.com
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
This committee works to improve communication with parents. One way is through our website, with its regular
updates and online school calendar of events. We also run the email distribution system with timely news from both
the School and Council. Parents with experience in communications or ideas on how to improve communication are
encouraged to join.
Chair: Rohit Parekh – rohit.parekh@me.com Committee runnymedeps@gmail.com
WARD 7 REPRESENTATIVES
Runnymede has two Ward 7 Reps: Parents who attend the Ward 7 meetings about issues facing our schools and the
TDSB and communicate to the Runnymede community. If you are interested in the issues or in mobilizing parents to
take action on specific issues, the Ward 7 Reps would appreciate your ideas and involvement.
Contact Krista Wylie.
AT THE SCHOOL
There are also ways to get involved at the school, separate from Council and its committees. The school adheres to
the TDSB policy regarding Volunteer Police checks. Please speak with Administration if you have not had this done.
If you are interested in helping with any of the following programs, please contact the School Office (416) 393-9055
School Committees
There are several school committees, lead by teachers or a member of administration, which require parent
representatives, including the Staffing Committee, Equity Committee, and Safe Schools Committee.
IN YOUR CHILD’S CLASS
Perhaps the most direct way to impact your child’s school experience is to get involved in their class. Each child’s
teacher will correspond directly with you about specific needs and philosophies but here are some ways you may get
involved in your child’s class:
Scholastic Book Orders
Teachers appreciate a parent taking care of processing Scholastic order forms & delivering books once received.
School Trips
Teachers often need parent volunteers to attend school trips.
Class Contact Lists
A class contact list can be really helpful (particularly in younger grades) for busy parents to facilitate playdates,
birthday parties etc. so teachers may appreciate parent help.
Sharing Expertise:
Teachers appreciate offers to share special skills or talents that tie into the classroom curriculum or special class
activities (for example, musical concerts).