Hello Davenport school friends, neighbours and families,

As the holidays approach, the days have gotten shorter and the excitement (in my household and in schools across the city) is growing. My family and I have been reflecting on how much we have to be thankful for, with loved ones visiting, plentiful food, a warm house, and children that are benefiting from a strong, public education. The kids are a little grumpy about staying in school until Friday (!) but looking forward to some time off.

Heading into 2017, I wanted to share with you a fantastic project I have been involved in. A few years ago, I happened to meet singer/songwriter Leslie Feist in our community. Leslie told me she had been in Malawi recently with Dignitas International and wanted to collect backpacks for children and teens living there with HIV/AIDS. You can read more about this initiative below... We collected 1000 backpacks last year through the community and the great students at Dovercourt Public School and The Grove Community School (congrats!). Leslie even visited the students and thanked them personally. To get involved, check out the information below. Our goal this year is 6000 backpacks!

Have a safe and happy holiday, and best wishes to all in the New Year!

Regards,

Marit

TDSB Chair and Vice Chair Elected

Robin Pilkey was acclaimed Chair of the Toronto District School Board during the annual Organizational Board meeting on December 1, 2016. Trustee Chris Moise was elected to the position of Vice Chair. Chair Pilkey, who was also acclaimed Chair last December, was first elected as Trustee for Parkdale-High Park in the fall of 2014. Vice Chair Moise was first elected as Trustee for Toronto Centre-Rosedale in June of 2016. For detailed results of the elections, as well as the schedule and agendas for Board and Standing Committees, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/boardroom.

Traffic Safety Tips: Help Make this a Safe and Active Winter Season

As winter approaches, we know that colder temperatures and snowy conditions will likely be part of our daily lives for the next several months. Although walking to school during the winter may require wearing a few more layers and taking extra safety precautions, it can be a fun way for students and their families to stay active throughout the year.

Traffic safety is an important matter all year long.  However, with limited daylight hours during the winter months, it is a particularly important to review what we can do to keep students safe. The need to be aware and alert at all times, on any road, and even in the most routine circumstances is key to traffic safety. This applies to students and drivers alike. Road conditions can be challenging in the winter months. So to those of us who drive, please take extra care on the roads and in parking lots, especially in areas where children might be present.

School staff periodically review street and traffic safety with students. Parents can help reinforce these safety messages with children at home. Below are some tips that might be helpful to review.

• Stop, look, and listen for traffic.
• Only cross at corners and crosswalks.
• Make eye contact with drivers.
• Walk on the right side of the crosswalk.
• Wear appropriate footwear to reduce the chances of slipping.
• Wear brightly coloured or reflective clothing, particularly when out at dawn, dusk or at night. 
• Never run into the street.
• Obey crossing signals.
• Cross only if clear.
• Walk on sidewalks.
• Where there are no sidewalks, walk as far away from traffic as possible, facing traffic.

The safety of our students is always a top priority. Let’s work together to make the winter season safe so we can enjoy all it has to offer.