Our Sympathy for Mr. Shea

It is with great sadness that we share with the school community that Mr. Shea's mother, Audrey Shea, passed away on Tuesday, May 20th.

Visitation for Audrey Shea will be held at the Sherrin Funeral Home, 873 Kingston Road, on Friday, May 23rd from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. The funeral mass will be held at St. John's Catholic Church, 794 Kingston Road, on Saturday, May 24th, at 10:30am.

Major School Renovation Details

As you will likely be aware, St. Agnes Catholic School will receive a major renovation in the near future to accommodate (in September 2014, this fall) Ontario's all day kindergarten program. Your CSAC would like to summarize the information received from the TCDSB's Project Team that we believe you need to have:

1) Renovations estimates are like all other complicated estimates. Expect changes and delays.

2) This renovation will commence in July 2014. That is, after the last day of classes.

3) This renovation is not expected to be completed by September 2014.

4) The latest estimate is that this renovation will be completed in mid-October 2014.

5) There is expected to be drop-off/pick-up circle impact while the renovation is completed. The extent and duration is to be confirmed by the TCDSB Project Team and based on the renovation's progress.

6) Until the renovation is completed, the all day Jr. and Sr. Kindergarten classes are expected to occupy the school's library and one other classroom (not a portable).  Details are to be confirmed by the school and the TCDSB Project Team, ASAP.

7) The latest Project Team's renovation drawings are posted to your St. Agnes CSAC's site, in the Key Documents area (top right corner). The drawings (downloadable/printable) are as follows:

Drawing 1: Shows the existing school and the renovation area.

Drawing 2: Shows the single story addition to the renovation area, including a single story extension to the existing kindergarten classroom. Note that the Peace Garden is replaced with a kindergarten classroom; there would be a new stairway from the drop-off circle; there will be a new, entirely fenced and level playground for the kindergarten classes; the existing entrance by the library will remain for non-kindergarten students;  there are many proposed trees to be planted.

Drawing 3: Shows the interior details of the renovation area. Note the new washrooms, cubbies and entrance way for the kindergarten classes.

We hope you find this information helpful and that you'll share it with anyone else who may be impacted by this renovation and not already signed-up for automatic email updates from the St. Agnes CSAC. Hint: they can sign-up on the CSAC site too.

As mentioned in the school's April Newsletter, the drawings provided here are available for viewing in the school's office as well.

Help Your Child LOVE Math! No, Seriously.

Toronto's Catholic School Board has just produced an online web portal of resources to help kids (in grades 1-8) develop a love for mathematics. It's pretty cool.

Games like Math Playground, Johnny's Math Page and Fun 4 the Brain, plus many more, are all there for kids and parents so they can work together to develop a love (or at least a strong like) for math.

Click here for a link to the Board's web portal. A link is also posted to our CSAC blog (with many other multi-lingual educational resources), in the "Information Links" section (bottom left corner).

MAJOR SCHOOL RENOVATION UPDATE

Please plan to attend the St. Agnes CSAC meeting on Wednesday, January 15.

There will be an approximately 1 hour presentation/discussion led by TCDSB staff regarding the very soon to commence major school renovation to accommodate all day kindergarten for September 2014.

This renovation may impact every school parent (from drop-off/pick-up routine to school grounds safety).

The meeting will commence at 6:30 PM sharp in the school's library. A copy of the full meeting Agenda is posted in the Key Documents area of our blog. Please click here for a link to the Agenda.

Please pass on this important news to your friends who may not be registered for automatic CSAC blog updates.

Thank you.

Your St. Agnes CSAC

Calendar Updates For January 2014

Our online CSAC & school events calendar has been updated for the month of January 2014.

The virtue for the month of January is Courage.

Of special note perhaps are:

• Grades 1 - 3 skating afternoons
• Grades 4 - 8 ski trips
• Mats from Milk Bags (Fri., Jan 10)
• CSAC Pizza Lunch (Fri., Jan. 10) - volunteers always needed & appreciated
• CSAC Meeting (Wed., Jan. 15) includes an update on the school's upcoming significant renovation
• PA Day (Fri., Jan 24)

Our great CSAC online calendar (available 24/7 from your smartphone, tablet or desktop) is routinely updated for you, so check-in often!