ECI Students Visit Maple Leaf Sports Education Complex

On Friday, December 15th students went to the Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment (MLSE) Complex at 259 Jarvis Street, Toronto.  As you can see from the photos below, Students were able to engage in a number of activities ranging from low organized games, ball hockey, basketball and even an opportunity to use the facilities rock walls. This trip allows our students to participate in an official sized gym and explore physical movement in a different surrounding. Students even get a free membership to the Launchpad. With this membership students can go to the facility whenever free programs are being offered. 

Thanks to Mr. Nizich for organizing and making this field trip possible. The students are looking forward to a second trip in the new year.

MLSE is a multi-purpose sports complex with 42,000 square feet of development facilities. More information can found on their website http://mlselaunchpad.org/

Totem Pole Creations

Ms. Greenglass's KNA First Canadians grade 9 class, are learning all about Native Studies and produced Totem Poles. A Totem Pole is a tall wooden pole that is carved and painted with symbols, figures, or masks which represent different Native Tribes. The students loved doing this activity and remained very engaged. Most important the students gained so much knowledge!

Donation To Eastdale

School Donation

On behalf of Eastdale Collegiate Institute and our school community, thank you to the law firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP for their generous donation. This donation will be used for student activities, clubs, and field trips. Again thank you for supporting our students.

Regards, 

Brian Hill, 

Principal

Victorious Girls Basketball Team @ Maplewood Tournament

Eastdale girls basketball team played their final tournament at Maplewood Secondary School and they were amazing! As a team they scored the most points over every other team and were NUMBER ONE! The coach Ms. Greenglass is very proud of them!

Raptors 905 Game at the Air Canada Centre

On December 5, Eastdale students were treated to a 'Raptors 905' game at the Air Canada Centre. Thanks to corporate sponsorship our students watched the game from the 2nd row! WOW see the photos below! Huge thanks to Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment (MLSE), the Raptors, Raptors 905 and Mr. Nizich our Health & Physical Education teacher for organizing!

Raising Awareness & Learning To Stop Violence Against Women

On December 6th Eastdale CI students and staff remembered the mass violent murder of 14 young women at Ecole Polytechnique. Students created videos that were shown at our assembly that helped everyone to reflect on the importance of how to stop violence against women. Click on the following links to view: adobe.ly/2B5Sj6A  & http://adobe.ly/2BDkCFs .

Several peace circles were facilitated in afternoon classes by Peacebuilders that helped to continue the conversations around awareness of the ongoing social issue of gender-based violence and misogyny. A special thanks to Ms. Greenglass, Mr. Perry and Ms. Belisle for their work with students, the facilitation of the assembly and peace circles on this very important issue.

Transitions Evening November 29th 6 pm to 8 pm @ EastdaleCI

Transitions Evening - November 29, 2017 from 6-8 pm

Kudos to Eastdale's School Transitions Team - Mr. Servos, Ms. Driscoll and Mr. Perry who facilitated an evening for parents.  The evening focussed on helping our families navigate the complicated process of accessing agencies and/or Government Services for their children with an MID or ASD exceptionality. 
More than forty families attended.

Parents were guided through the Developmental Services of Ontario (DSO) application, which is the umbrella organization for so many other services and agencies that our students/families require while in school and once they transition out of school. The intention of this information session was to introduce, explore and review documents and agencies that may help to prepare our students to live independent lives upon completion of high school. Many of the services, agencies and employment supports have very long waiting lists, the earlier parents register the greater our chances of placement upon graduation.

A special thanks to our hospitality program who provided refreshments and a light dinner.

Bicycle Maintenance & Repair Course @ Eastdale

The Bicycle Maintenance and Repair course teaches easy methods for maintaining and repairing a bicycle. Students began by simply identifying bicycle parts and tools for working on them before moving into basic adjustments and maintenance. The basics include repairing gears and chains, changing flat tires and adjusting and replacing brakes. This course generally involves more hands-on practice with the bike; however, in addition to basic mechanical education, students have also looked at the principles behind cycling for fitness and they are studying various bicycle routes and terrains. Thanks to the teacher, Mr. De Abreu for providing students with a holistic and 'hands-on' experience!

Bullying Awareness & Prevention / Awards Assembly

November is Indigenous Education month, and Nov 20-24 is National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week. 

Students presented their own bullying awareness & prevention video and the choir performed ‘Try’ by Pink, a song that encourages the growth mindset.  The lyrics repeat, “You gotta get up and try, try, try” was what made it relevant.  The choir decided the song was modern and upbeat with a strong message of encouraging everyone to try their best.  We then recognized the character/qualities of our students that support the positive connection of communities based on the Seven Grandfather Teachings (more details and photos below). 

A big thanks to the Mr. Perry for organizing the assembly, Mr. Carey and Ms. Johnston and the choir,  Mr. Servos for co-creating with students, the bullying awareness video.

The Seven Grandfather Teachers are seven characteristics or teachings that are understood to be necessary for a healthy community.

At Eastdale our goal at the assembly was to recognize every student for at least one way in which they have connected to and/or contributed to community:

LOVE - Represented by the Eagle: To be at peace with yourself and able to express love to your family, friends and community through your actions and words. 

RESPECT – Represented by the Buffalo: Respect is an attitude. To honour and listen to your Elders, parents and teachers is a sign of respect. Respect for self and for others. The buffalo represents Respect because for as a long as we have been here, we have sustained our lives through the Buffalo in terms of clothing, food, shelter, medicine and art. *

COURAGE – represented by the Bear: Listen to your heart. It takes courage to do what is right. Courage is being brave in the face of life’s problems. Daily challenges take courage to overcome. Never give in, never give up. *

HONESTY – represented by the Sabe (a giant who walked among the people; also known as kitch sabe): Never lie, cheat, steal or gossip. Be honest with yourself and others. Speak from your heart. Be true to your word. 

WISDOM – represented by The Beaver: Everyone has a special gift. Show wisdom by using your gift. Wisdom is gained through experience and knowledge. To have wisdom is to know the difference between right and wrong and to apply these qualities to your daily life. 

HUMILITY: represented by the Wolf: Think of others before yourself. Humility is to live your life free from arrogance, to not be boastful, and to have a modest sense of your own worth. 

TRUTH – represented by The Turtle: Always seek truth. Living the truth is living the Seven Teachings.

Maple Leaf & Sports Entertainment (MLSE) Visits Eastdale

Students were excited to learn about leadership and several opportunities @MLSELaunchPad located at 259 Jarvis. It is a multi-purpose sports complex with 42,000 square feet of development facilities. A big thanks to Mr. Nizich for inviting MLSE to Eastdale and for taking our health & physical education classes to MLSE next month!
To all community members it is for everyone! A list of activities is posted below or go to http://mlselaunchpad.org/ for more information.

Dental Screening for Eastdale Students

On Monday October 30^th, Eastdale welcomed our wonderful colleagues from Toronto Public Health Dental who provided free voluntary dental screening to all of our students.  This services makes it easy for all students to have a quick and painless check of their oral health, and learn about ways to maintain strong and healthy teeth and gums.  Where needed, referrals are made to ensure that all students have access to professional dental services.  Thank you to Penny and Anne, our awesome TPH contacts who helped make everyone feel safe and comfortable during their visit today.  We look forward to seeing you again next year!  If you have questions about where you can find dental services in Toronto, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Matt Perry in the Guidance office at Eastdale to find out more at 416-393-9630 x20042 or by email at matt.perry@tdsb.on.ca

Hallowe'en Activities @ Eastdale

Students and staff had a great time celebrating Hallowe'en on Tuesday, October 31st. Period 4 was
a time for students to choose and move to various activities throughout the school. Mr. Servos provided 'Spooky Science', while Mr. Capizzo and Ms. Andreou painted students faces in the cosmetology room. Several staff assisted with the Dance in the cafeteria and Mr. Nizich and Mr. Laufer ran a basketball game in the gym. The photos below speak for themselves as students had lots of fun. Congratulations to the Hallowe'en contest winners!

• Sean for the best costume
• Charlotte, Alyssa, Shamaya and Brianna for the funniest costume 
• Anaijah for the scariest costume.