DOVERCOURT SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
  • Home
  • About
    • 2024/2025 SAC Leadership
    • Request funds
    • Volunteer with SAC
    • Dovercourt SAC Bylaws
    • SAC 101
  • News
    • 2024/2025 school year
    • Past years
  • Meetings
    • 2024/2025 school year
    • Past years
  • Events
    • Calendar of events
    • Past school year events
  • Spirit Wear
  • Contact

2022/2023 news (archive)


June 27, 2023
June 2023 SAC News

Picture
Our June 2023 newsletter—our final one of the year—is out! Read on for a highlight reel of SAC initiatives over the course of the 2022-2023 school year, plus a recap of Spring into Summer and Grade 8 graduation activities, an appeal to summer volunteers for our school gardens, and info on our school's Roots of Empathy program next year. Plus a profile of SAC enrichment lead Melanie Kramer!  
​

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC June 2023 News
File Size: 802 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


June 19, 2023
Spring into Summer: Wow, Dovercourt!

Our Spring into Summer event on Friday, June 16th was a triumphant success! The weather held out, and our Dovercourt community came together for a wonderful afternoon of food, games, arts and crafts, dance, silent auction, and—to cap things off—a talent show that would put put professionals to shame. As one of our SK students reported to a parent on Friday evening: "Today was the best day of my life!"
Picture
Is this Dovercourt PS, or a major music festival? Who can tell?
Massive thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen, especially our scrappy and resourceful SAC Events committee (led by Hilary Hall and Stephanie Nause​), our amazing volunteers (more than 50 strong!), our hardworking Dovercourt teachers and staff, our generous sponsors and donors, and most of all, our incredible students, whose enthusiasm and energy was the real magic of the day.

(Psst: We're already thinking of Spring into Summer 2024. Email us at [email protected] if you have ideas, or join us at SAC in the fall if you'd like to get involved!)

Three cheers for Dovercourt!
Picture
Thank you to our SIS 2023 sponsors
File Size: 782 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


June 1, 2023
Mark Your Calendars for June 16:
Spring into Summer is Coming!

Picture
Mark your calendars for June 16th: It's the date of Spring into Summer at Dovercourt PS!

Key details
If you're unfamiliar, or were never able to attend our previous Spring Fling events, Spring into Summer is our fabulous, fun, year-end school event to create some after-school fun for our kids, mark the end of the 2023 school year, and celebrate the awesome Dovercourt community. 
  • What: Spring into Summer
  • Where: Dovercourt PS (north and west yard)
  • When: Friday, June 16th from 3:30pm to sunset (rain date: Thursday, June 22nd)
  • Who: Dovercourt students, staff, parents, guardians and caregivers
  • What: Fun, fun, and more fun! We're planning an amazing talent show, lots of fabulous food (available for purchase), a bake sale, a dance party, a silent auction, outdoor games, interactive art activities, an on-stage jam session (bring your talent, musicians!) and plenty of surprises.
  • Why: Because our kids are great, because our school is great, and because we think both those things are worth celebrating!

Working schedule (subject to change)
  • 3:30pm: Event begins! Our ticket sale booth, popcorn stand, bake sale, and silent auction will open. Free games, face-painting, and arts and crafts will start in the yard.
  • 3:45pm: Flash Mob dance begins in west yard. We are creating our own “Ray of Light” with a massive group dance. Local choreographer Monica Dottor has filmed a tutorial, available via YouTube (and embedded below). Study up and join in!​
  • 4:00pm: Dance workshops begin on the north yard stage.
  • 4:30pm: Dinner begins. Pizza, samosas, and beef patties, and others will be available for purchase, via tickets
  • 5:15pm: Family jam session begins on main stage. (All musicians, young and old, are welcome!)
  • 6:00pm: Talent show begins.
  • 7:00pm: Silent auction bidding closes.
  • 8:00pm(-ish): Event closes.
    ​
What to bring
  • Cash or debit card. We are selling tickets for food. We will accept cash (small bills and change appreciated) and will have debit readers handy. Plus, you’ll want to bid on our silent auction, featuring (among other things) outdoor planters custom painted by each Dovercourt class!
  • Your musical instrument (and talent) for the family jam session at 5:15.
  • A lawn chair and/or picnic blanket to enjoy the 6:00 talent show in comfort.
  • Reusable water bottle. Gotta stay hydrated!
  • A willingness to get silly and have fun!
    ​
Get involved
The event is going to be heaps of fun, but will require lots of work. We need your help! Please get involved. Here's how:
  • Sign up for a volunteer shift before, after or during the event. (We need at least 50 parent, guardian and caregiver volunteers to make the event a success—even an hour can go a long way!)
  • Bake something (nut-free!) for our fundraising bake sale! Sign up using this online form.
  • Donate a product or gift certificate for our silent auction, which will help cover the costs of the event and future Dovercourt SAC initiatives that help our kids. Email us to donate!

We can't wait to celebrate with you on the 16th!

(Huge thank you to Dovercourt parent Kristine Do for designing our stunning Spring into Summer poster!)
Spring into Summer 2023 poster
File Size: 92 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


May 31, 2023
May 2023 SAC News

Picture
Our May 2023 newsletter is out! Read on for heaps of information on Spring into Summer on June 16th, a report on our May 31st visit to the Ontario Legislature to protest school cuts, a profile of SAC members Vivian Fleet and Nuno Silva, and more.
​

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC May 2023 News
File Size: 946 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


April 28, 2023
April 2023 SAC News​

Picture
Our April 2023 newsletter is out! Read on for news about our efforts to Stop School Cuts (see post below, as well), information about several upcoming SAC events, a call-out for Spring into Summer volunteers, a profile of SAC member Deborah Walsh, and more.
​

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC April 2023 News
File Size: 890 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


April 14, 2023
Stop school cuts: How you can get involved

Picture
Dovercourt Public School is facing serious cuts, with essential teaching and support positions at risk at a critical time for our students. 

Dovercourt SAC is working to fight these cuts.

We have drafted a letter that we will be submitting to federal, provincial and municipal politicians, as well as several TDSB authorities. You can read our letter here. (If you're visiting from another school, please feel free to adapt and use the language in the letter for your own purposes.)

We hosted a 
virtual Town Hall on April 12th at 6:30 pm to discuss these cuts and to organize our response to them. In the Town Hall, we shared background about the proposed cuts, and strategies for talking with family, friends and neighbours to help us organize against them. You can see some highlights in this Google Slides deck. We also heard from Ms. Ling, a longtime teacher at Dovercourt, about the negative effects these cuts will have at our school. You can see her speaking notes here. 

Whether or not you were able to join the meeting, there are several things you can do now to voice your opposition to these dangerous cuts.


1. Sign our petition!
It's available here, via Google Forms, and also via this QR code, to share with others.

2. Send a personalized email to the following provincial political representatives voicing your objection:
  • Davenport MPP Marit Stiles: [email protected]
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford: [email protected]
  • Ontario Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones: [email protected] and [email protected]
  • Minister of Education Stephen Lecce: [email protected] and [email protected]
  • Please cc Davenport - Ward 9 TDSB Trustee Alexis Dawson: [email protected] 

Below is some text you can adapt to use for this email:

Dear Premier Ford, Minister Lecce, and Deputy Premier Jones;

I am a [parent/caregiver/guardian] with children at Dovercourt Public School in the Toronto District School Board. I am very concerned about the state of the Education Budget, the deficit in the TDSB Budget, and corresponding cuts which will have a direct impact on student
achievement and well-being.
[Optional: Include something personal about how you or your family have been affected by the chronic underfunding of our schools]
I urge you to support the request, by TDSB Director Russell-Rawlins and the Trustee Chair Chernos-Lin in a letter on March 22, 2023, to reimburse the Board for all pandemic costs to assist with balancing the TDSB Budget.
We cannot rebuild from the pandemic without our kids having safe public schools where they can continue unfinished learning. My local school cannot sustain any more cuts to adults in the building. Everyone left is essential to keep the building safe and operational. We need you to act now and fund what our schools and our kids really need to succeed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Your contact information]


3. Share with your network:
Please bring this up over dinners with family members and conversations with friends, and encourage them to contact their MPPs. We need the Ontario government to hear from people across the province! We appreciate your action and your help spreading the word among the community given the urgency of this decision.

We've prepared some guidance and questions for how to best engage people on the issue. You can see them in this Google Slides document.

4. Participate in an upcoming rally:
Dovercourt SAC may organize (or participate in) a rally in our neighbourhood. In the meantime, you are invited to join an East End Rally for Public Education for Saturday April 15 at 11am at the Coxwell Parkette (SW corner of Coxwell and Danforth) organized by East End Parents 4 Public Education. Dovercourt families are welcome to come and bring the whole family! You can make signs beforehand (potential slogans: “Cuts Hurt Kids,” “Fund Public Education,” “Children are Worth More,” “Public Education for a Strong Economy”) and we understand there will be markers and cardboard there for you to make your own.

Stay tuned for more information as we work to protect public education!
SAC Stop School Cuts petition QR code
File Size: 48 kb
File Type: png
Download File


April 11, 2023
Reminder: Wear pink on April 12th!

Picture
A friendly reminder to wear pink on Wednesday!

April 12th, 2023 is International Day of Pink, which is
 honoured every year at the Toronto District School Board in support of creating a more inclusive and diverse world by encouraging young people to challenge social norms, ask more of their educators and stand up against bullying towards their 2SLGBTQIA+ peers.

We encourage all Dovercourters to show up proudly in pink on April 12th—by wearing a pink item of clothing, or by wearing a pink accessory, or even by taping a pink paper heart to your shirt.


The Day of Pink website is full of resources, including images and information you can share on social media.

March 30, 2023
April 12th Town Hall: Stop School Cuts!

Picture
As you may know, Dovercourt Public School is facing serious cuts. We need your voice to fight them.

We're hosting a virtual Town Hall to discuss these cuts and to organize our response to them.

Background:
  • From 2017-18 to 2021-22, the provincial government cut funding by an average of $800 per student. The latest budget provides no increases to education funding, and includes a hidden $47 million spending cut, before inflation.
  • The TDSB has recently announced their planned staffing allocations. They plan to implement the provincial cuts by cutting 485 positions across the city—from teachers to caretaking staff.
  • At Dovercourt, we are set to lose our vice-principal, library support and special education staff. Our kindergarten classes will go up to as many as 32 students each.
These cuts will make our schools less safe and inclusive. They will have devastating effects on our kids, who are still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic. We cannot allow them to happen.

Join our Town Hall:
  • What: A virtual Town Hall hosted by Dovercourt SAC to organize our response to upcoming cuts that will damage our school.
  • When: Wednesday, April 12th, 2023, from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Where: Via Zoom meeting
  • Who should attend: Anyone concerned about cuts to our Dovercourt school community
  • How to attend: Register to join the Zoom meeting here.

Sign our petition: Available via Google Forms, here.

Families across Toronto and Ontario must fight back against these cuts. Join us on April 12th to learn more about our plans!

Download our Stop School Cuts Town Hall Flyer below to spread the word and learn more.
Stop School Cuts Town Hall Flyer
File Size: 973 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


March 30, 2023
Spring Food Drive: Donate now!

Picture
This spring, Dovercourt Public School is once again helping our neighbours at the Oasis Dufferin Community Centre as they provide vital food, counselling and support services in our community. With one in six Torontonians experiencing food insecurity, every donation makes a difference.

If you're able, please open your cupboards and your wallets. Our campaign runs until April 28th.

Here's how to help:
  • Donate food and personal care items. Bring or send non-perishable food and/or personal care items to the donation box in front of the office at Dovercourt PS.
  • Donate gift cards. Drop unused cards for grocery stores in the donation box.
  • Donate money.​ Via our Dovercourt PS fundraiser for Oasis at canadahelps.org.  Tax receipts are available!

March 30, 2023
Spring after-school enrichment: Registration is open!

Picture
We’re excited to bring two optional, paid after-school enrichment programs to Dovercourt this spring!

Program 1: Brixology by Mad Science Extracurricular
Participating students will use LEGO to learn about and solve new engineering challenges each week
  • For: Students grades 1 through 6
  • Time: Tuesdays, 3:25 - 4:25 pm
  • Dates: April 18th - June 6th (8 weeks)
  • Fee: $155 + HST per student
  • More info and registration: Click here

Program 2: Crayola World of Design by Imagine Arts Academy
Kids will use design thinking processes to solve real-world problems in these fun art-based sessions!
  • For: Students grades 1 through 6
  • Time: Wednesdays, 3:25 - 4:25 pm
  • Dates: April 19th - June 7th (8 weeks)
  • Fee: $155 + HST per student
  • More info and registration: Click here

​Space is limited, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now!

March 28, 2023
March 2023 SAC News

Picture
Our March 2023 newsletter is out! Read on for news about spring after-school enrichment activities, information about our Spring Food Drive, a profile of SAC member Hilary Hall, and much more.
​

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC March 2023 News
File Size: 444 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


March 7, 2023
Update: March SAC meeting

The March SAC meeting is taking place on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:00 pm in the Dovercourt staff room. Please join us to talk Spring into Summer, upcoming enrichment activities, and more!

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, childcare will not be available for this meeting. Thank you for your understanding.

February 27, 2023
February 2023 SAC News

Picture
Our February 2023 newsletter is out! We have updates on our Spring into Summer event, a rundown of tutoring options available to students, and a profile of SAC member Stephanie Nause.
​

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC February 2023 News
File Size: 555 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Picture

February 24, 2023
Volunteers needed: Spring pizza lunches

The return of pizza lunches at Dovercourt has been a great success, and we're that they will continue after March Break, twice a month, on the following dates:
​
  • Friday, April 14
  • Friday, April 28
  • Friday, May 5
  • Friday, May 19
  • Friday, June 9
  • Friday, June 23

The pizza lunch program is run by the school, led by Ms. Pizzonia. SAC supports the program by arranging for parent and guardian volunteers to serve pizza. Please sign up for a volunteer slot using our sign-up form, available here.

As a reminder, all pizza orders for the spring must be made by March 24 and paid for via School Cash Online. Orders cannot be made after that time, as the school must pre-order all pizza for all dates at once.

February 23, 2023
Dovercourt is giving the gift of life!

Picture
Our Neighbourhood School Blood Donor Drive is on for a few more days, and we're only a few donations away from reaching our goal!

All this month we at SAC are encouraging members of our school community to book an appointment to donate blood. We are working with Regal Road PS and Pauline PS to make this the biggest Neighbourhood School Blood Drive Toronto has ever seen! Please join our campaign, show your love and book your appointment today. (Check out the post below this one for more details about the campaign.)
 
​You may have noticed a small sheet of red paper with a heart on it in your kids' backpacks—if you've donated, or plan to, or have done so in the past, please fill it out and send it to school with your kiddo! We're working to fill a bulletin board at Dovercourt with stories of donations, to help explain to students why giving blood is so important. (You can see a few examples in the picture, above.) 

Huge thanks to everyone who has donated so far—especially those who did so for the first time, or the first time in a while.

Together we are giving the gift of life!


January 26, 2023
Join our Neighbourhood School Blood Drive!

Picture
February is Heart Month at Dovercourt!

For the entire month of February, our school is working in partnership with neighbouring schools and Canadian Blood Services to launch our first ever Neighbourhood School Blood Drive!

We are asking parents, guardians, family and friends of our Dovercourt students to to donate blood and give a gift of love to someone in need. Join our campaign!

If you have an account with Canadian Blood Services, you can book an appointment for any time or location that works for you and simply use our campaign code--DOVE0107737—when you make the booking. Or follow the prompts on our campaign page.

Never donated before? Want to go with others? We have reserved some spots specifically for our school community to attend together. Join the campaign online and you can reserve a donation spot on Wednesday, February 22nd from 6:40pm to 6:50pm at the College Donor Centre (67 College St).

Still have questions?
  • About your eligibility to donate: Click here.
  • About the donation process: Click here.
  • About Canadian Blood Services: Visit the website at blood.ca, or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
  • About our Neighbourhood School Blood Drive? Email us at [email protected].

Join is in giving the gift of life!

January 26, 2023
January 2023 SAC News

Picture
Our January 2023 newsletter is out! Learn about our Spring Into Summer end-of-year event, get involved in our Neighbourhood School Blood Drive, find out why we have a poop problem, and more. 
​

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC January 2023 News
File Size: 2752 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


January 16, 2023
Join us for the January SAC meeting this Wednesday!!

The January SAC meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in the Dovercourt Public School staff room.

As a reminder, all parents and guardians from the school community are welcome to attend any SAC meeting.
Free childcare is available.

Every meeting features updates and discussions about our school community, as well as planning for future SAC events and initiatives. You can see the agenda for the January meeting here.

​Please join us!

December 14, 2022
December 2022 SAC News

Picture
Our first newsletter of 2022-2023 is hot off the presses! Meet our co-chairs and leadership, learn about our Holiday Food Drive, get the info you need for our revived Pizza Lunch Program, and more.

Download the newsletter as a PDF by clicking the image above or the link below:
Dovercourt SAC December 2022 News
File Size: 3138 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


December 13, 2022
Survey: What after-school activities do you want to see at Dovercourt?

Picture
The School Advisory Council (SAC) would like to know about your interests and priorities for optional after-school programs offered at the school for Dovercourt students. These programs would be run by third parties, for a fee.

What paid, optional after-school activities might be of interest to your families? Please take a moment to complete this short survey.

Your answers will help shape what extracurricular programs we're able to bring to our school. Thank you!

December 1, 2022
​Pizza Lunches are returning!

Picture
After a long two year hiatus, pizza lunches are coming back to Dovercourt Public School! We will be commencing pizza lunches in the new year.

If you're new to Dovercourt, or need a reminder: the pizza lunch program allows participating students to purchase a hot slice (or two) for their lunches once a week. This is an optional program that helps us raise funds for initiatives that benefit all students and enhance the Ontario Curriculum, such as the popular Scientist in the School program.

Pizza lunch schedule for Winter 2023:
  • Friday, January 20th
  • Friday, January 27th
  • Friday, February 3rd
  • Friday, February 10th
  • Thursday, February 16th
  • Friday, February 24th
  • Friday, March 3rd
  • Friday, March 10th
​
We will be offering cheese slices at a cost of $2.50 each. If you would like to purchase pizza for your child(ren), we require pre-payment for all eight lunches by December 23, 2022, via School Cash Online.

All payments are to be made online only, via School Cash Online. No late orders will be accepted, and we cannot provide refunds if your child is absent for a pizza lunch.

(If you've never used School Cash Online: It's the TDSB's platform for online payment of fees related to school activities. You can find more information about School Cash Online, and instructions for setting up an account, by visiting this page and selecting the "New Users" button.)

All pizza slices being offered comply with The Ontario Ministry of Education’s Memorandum No. 150: School Food and Beverage Policy.

Dance-a-Thon: Friday, November 25

Dovercourt's annual Dance-a-Thon is back! Sponsor a student and help our School Advisory Council (SAC) raise funds for enrichment activities, field trips and other things that make our school great! Donate now!
Picture
Our goal is to raise $6,000 to support our work at Dovercourt PS. You can help us get there by donating, via School Cash Online, here. Tax receipts are available. No donation is too small—every bit counts!

The Dance-a-Thon will feature:
  • Dancing all day in the gym!
  • Music by DJ Adam!
  • Draws for classroom pizza parties!

Sponsor our students today! 

Dovercourt Spirit Wear - Extended!

Dovercourt Spirit Wear Sales have been extended!
You can order until Wednesday November 16th at midnight. Don't miss out - order today:

https://dovercourt-2022.itemorder.com/shop/home/


Support our City of Toronto school crossing guards!

Please consider signing this petition to support our school crossing guards in receiving a fair contract. 


Elementary Summer School 2022

The focus of the 2022 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus. 

Programs are offered in-person to students in K to Grade 8 from July 4, 2022 to July 29, 2022.

This year, one online (remote) summer school program will be available.

New Bloor Collegiate Institute and ALPHA II Alternative School

A new building is planned for Bloor Collegiate Institute and ALPHA II Alternative School!

​
Check out these slides from a recent Community Meeting for more information.

Grade 7 - 12 Immunization Clinics

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is offering Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal vaccines for students in grades 7 through 12 who haven't yet received them. 

To receive these vaccines through City of Toronto immunization clinics, make an appointment online.

Thanks for all your support through the Dovercourt PS silent auction!

The SAC would like to thank the Dovercourt community for contributing to our last big fundraising push for the 2021/2022 school year.

A huge thank you also to all the local businesses who provided amazing items for the auction, including:


Blood Brothers Brewing, Long and McQuade, MakerKids, Mama Earth Organics, PAUSE Beauty Boutique, Philosophy Fitness, Nuthouse, The Keg, TutorBright, Dupont Naturopathic Family Centre, Jack Of Sports, Majesty’s Pleasure, original oil painting on canvas by Lawren Nause, and Veuve Clicquot Brut from Stephanie Nause - Homeplicity Realty Group. 
Picture
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

Dovercourt Reads 2021 - 2022

Dovercourt Reads is a way to support our school while you shop! Each Indigo gift card purchased through Dovercourt Reads will automatically donate 20% in gift cards for our school. In other words, if you buy a $20 gift card, Dovercourt Public School will get a $5 gift card in return. Past campaigns have raised over $1,800 -- this year, our goal is to raise $2,000.

Visit https://indigo.flipgive.com/f/1578556 to make a purchase, and please share this link with friends and family!
Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • 2024/2025 SAC Leadership
    • Request funds
    • Volunteer with SAC
    • Dovercourt SAC Bylaws
    • SAC 101
  • News
    • 2024/2025 school year
    • Past years
  • Meetings
    • 2024/2025 school year
    • Past years
  • Events
    • Calendar of events
    • Past school year events
  • Spirit Wear
  • Contact