June Newsletter
Principal's Message
Hello Parents and Caregivers,
It is June! We have begun the last month of another terrific school year. To me it sure passed by quickly.
There are a lot of special events this month including regional track and field, district track and field, many fun end-of-the-year field trips, EQAO for grade 3s, and grade 8 graduation just to highlight a few things for you.
There is a 2nd annual special event that I need to highlight. It is our Block Party! Please join us on Saturday June 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Once again, a lot of volunteer work has gone into planning this fun event for all of our families. There will be a magic show, a touch-a-truck event, face painting, a pie auction and so much more. Parking on site will be limited that day, plan for a bit of a walk. Please bring lots of loose change, Toonies and Loonies, and smaller bills. Safety is always key, all children must be with an adult.
Planning for next year is in progress but at this time there are still many decisions to be made. This is especially when it comes to staffing. Look for a year-end mini newsletter closer to the end of this month where I will share all the information that I have at that time.
I do have one piece about staffing for next year that I want to share with you at this time. I have made the bittersweet decision to retire. I have worked tirelessly to get as much work done as possible during my principalship at Brookside and will use this last month to continue to do this. I cannot imagine not seeing the students and staff of Brookside in the fall. I will miss supporting them immensely. I have worked in several schools in the Avon Maitland District School Board, there are only two that still remain. Brookside is one of them; I will be able to keep it close to my heart and remain loyal to it for a long time to come. For this I am grateful.
Mr. Joshua McClinchey will be the new principal at Brookside. He will be a wonderful addition. I know that you will welcome him with kindness.
In the meantime, as always, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or great ideas to share.
Respectfully,
Angela Cowley
Principal
Brookside Public School
Student Classroom Placement for 2024
Each year, our staff works as a team to carefully consider future classroom placement for each one of our students. Academic, and social and emotional well-being are at the forefront of our decisions. We also gather student voices so that they can let us know a friend or two that they would like to be in class with. Each situation has its own set of circumstances, and we appreciate your support in understanding that we are making these decisions based on what we feel would be the best possible placement for academic success for your child, knowing that each one of our teachers has something special to offer all of our students.
The Umbrella Project
We focused on the Umbrella skill of INTEGRITY during the month of May. Students learned that integrity is doing the right thing, even when it is hard and even when no one is watching.
For June the skill of focus is HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, how fitting as we move into the summer. Students will learn more about the importance of healthy eating, sleeping enough and exercising regularly. Doing these things reduces stress, elevates mood, improves immune system function, and makes learning easier.
To learn more about the Umbrella Project visit: The Umbrella Project
Enrollment
Brookside is continuing to grow! We have 36 new junior kindergarten students starting in September and a projected enrollment of 343 Bulldogs for 2025-2026. To help us with our planning, please let us know if you will be moving outside our school catchment for the September 2025/2026 school year or if you know of anyone that has not yet registered for September.
Grade 8 Graduation
This year graduation will take place on Friday, June 20th at 7:00pm in the Brookside gym. A class graduate picture will be taken in front of the school at 6:45 pm sharp.
Track and Field
Our school track and field meet was a great success again this year. An extra special thank you goes out to Mr. Beddow and all of the staff for planning and carrying out the day in the perfect way. The exercise, the challenging of personal bests and the community of students cheering one another on were such important components of the day. The athletes in grades 4-8 that qualified will represent Brookside at the regional meet at GDCI on Tuesday June 3, 2025 and will have more information to follow. District track and field is on Tuesday June 17, 2025 at GDCI.
Princess Project 2025
The Rotaract Princess Project lends out new and gently used dresses for Grade 8 Grad...and it’s completely free! If you are interested in looking at our collection, visit us on our website or social media. The Rotaract Princess Project is here for you: https://rotaractgoderich.wixsite.com/home
Field Trips
Every class will be going off school grounds on a day trip this year. Trips take a lot of planning and some board level approval. We have tried to keep our costs low (as bus and other costs rise). That being said we know it is still a lot and if you require assistance please do not hesitate to ask as we do not ever want the cost to be a barrier to the experience. Permission forms will come home for signatures and payment will be opened on school cash online.
Footwear and Sun Safety
We have an amazing yard, but not a lot of shade during recess. Please ensure you send a hat and apply sunscreen and have light layered clothing. Flip flops are not allowed on the playground equipment. Our students are active and a lot of outdoor physical and learning activities are planned and safe footwear is important.
School Council
And here we are! June arrived and with it the anticipation of a strong finish. Last School Council meeting will be held on Tuesday June 10th at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
On Saturday June 7th we will be having our marvellous Brookside Block Party. There will be magic involved with the 'Amazing Andy'. Our Pie Auction is back and hopefully we can crack last year's topnotch bid of over $70. If you would like to bake the winning pie - let us know. If you would like to be the new record holder- come on out and raise your hand. 50/50 tickets have been available at the school office or any of the SC executives (Miriah, Annemarie, Vicky, Makenzie or Nikki). The jackpot will be higher than ever. Just imagine how much ice cream you could buy over the summer if you win. If you are interested in lending a hand with set up or the day off, contact Vicky at 519-357-8530. We would love to have you there.
Looking back at the last month there wasn't just the weather that made us smile. Track and Field was a big hit with amazing weather, friendly competition, new personal records and a snack shop that generated another $619.63 towards our playground. Leading up to the day we saw some greatly appreciated community involvement again. Thanks to Matt Fielder and Johnston's Gravel the students were able to use the sandpit for their long jump and triple jump. The pit is looking better than ever and we can't thank you guys enough for stepping up and getting the job done.
We are sure everyone heard about the McHappy Day at school and how the name was on everyone's face. Looking at the photos on social media and in the newspaper it's obvious that it was a day with lots of smiles. Enjoying a treat and doing a good deed is a win/win and with the additional donation of $1200 to the Ronald McDonald House specifically to the London branch. Brookside has shown the biggest heart. Thank you for your generosity and showing the Brookside spirit again. We are proud!
Now let's have a fantastic last month with a great Block Party, field trips, sunshine and knowing how much the kids thrived within the last year and how amazing the next year is going to be.
Your School Council
Food Days
Just a reminder that the last pizza day is Thursday June 12th and last day of Milk is Friday June 20th.
Important Dates:
June 3- Regional Track and Field @ GDCI- June 4 Rain Date
June 6- PD Day!
June 7- Brookside's Block Party 10am-2pm
June 10- School Council meeting at 7:00pm in the library
June 10- Ms.Thom(1A), Mrs. Fairbairn(1B) and Mrs.Scholl(1C2A)-Trip To Camp Kintail
June 16- Mrs.McDonald(5B6A), Mr.Eadie(6B) and Mrs.Luiting(7A)- Trip To Camp Kintail
June 17- District Track & Field @ GDCI-Rain Date June 18
June 19- Mrs. Schumacker(2B), Mrs.Glenn and Mrs.Ingram(2C3A)- Trip to Camp Kintail
June 20- Kindergarten Classes-Trip to Camp Kintail.
June 20- Brookside Grade 8 Graduation 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Brookside Public School Gym
June 24- Mrs.Young(4C5A), Mrs.Cook(3C4B), Mrs.Ward & Mrs.Johnston(3B4A)-Trip to African Lion Safari
June 24- Report Cards and Communication of Learning Reports Send Home
June 26- Last day of school-Spirit Day “Get Ready for Summer”