Dear Dr Freda Miller Families,

It really is about the little things. A small interaction can so quickly shift an experience for someone in our school community. Taking the time to stop and be present, hear someone’s story, or find out how they are doing, acknowledging each other. The small gestures create the glimmers in a day. It is how we respond in the moment that can change the direction of a conversation or interaction. Holding a door for someone, asking about their weekend, how are they feeling about an upcoming event or experience, picking up the paper towel on the floor, and welcoming someone new into our community. In my role, I get to experience these moments with our students, our staff and you, our amazing parents. These little things matter.

Support Staff Week

I want to take this time to celebrate and express my deepest gratitude to all the amazing staff who help our school community. I would like to start with our office staff who are the glue of our school, keeping everyone and everything running smoothly. A few of the many things they do is ensure accurate attendance, welcome students back from appointments, place orders, manage phone calls and emails, support injured students – in whatever they do, they always go above and beyond and help shape the experience of our families at the school.

Our office staff are: Ms. Elham Merhi, Ms. Angele Borreli and Ms. Amina Haroon.

Our amazing and dedicated lunch room supervisors step into classrooms during student’s lunch hour and outdoor play time. They work closely as a team under the guidance of our lead lunchroom supervisor, Ms. Aru. As it is a busy time and they step in during a more unstructured time of the students day, this position is hard, but they lean in to supporting students in all ways possible, connect closely with teachers and love working with your child to ensure they are eating, and expending the energy needed to transition back into their afternoon of learning.

Our Lunchroom staff are: Ms. Aru, Ms. Kaye, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Ganna, Ms. Caitlin, Ms. Prajakti, Ms. Daniela and Ms. Yogita.

In our library/den is Ms. Ryan. She works exceptionally hard to manage the library books, help students with recommendations and keep a very busy space ready to welcome all students. Ms. Ryan is one of the kindest library assistants I have ever met and we so appreciate her. She is here with us until Ms. Marti returns from her leave.

We are also incredibly fortunate to have the most amazing facility operator who honestly goes beyond what should ever be asked of someone! There is something about school bathrooms that bring disbelief even to the most seasoned of staff. Mr. Williams always steps up and leans into whatever will come his way. It is my forever wish that students would treat our school with the upmost care as though it was their own. This is work in progress.

Our school community is also supported by staff that enrich and develop our students in both emotional and academic ways. They are our Educational Assistants, Behavioural Assistant and English Additional Language Assistant. They are the glue that keeps students moving forward. We are so grateful.

They are: Mr. Godwin, Ms. Campbell, Ms. J, Ms. Renee, Ms. Mari, Ms. A, and Ms. Connie

Cookbook Fundraiser

Our cookbook fundraiser is being extended for two weeks and will close May 9, due to us not selling the minimum. It is a wonderful way to get your child engaged with cooking and thinking about creating a healthy routine in your home. We have a few cookbooks in our library and they are a very popular item among our students. Cookbook Fundraiser QR code 

https://buy.stripe.com/6oU14o2E49m00IM1sfdAk05 

Spring Family Dance – Tickets available until midnight April 24

It’s not too late to buy your tickets for the Family Dance. It is wonderful way to connect with other families and watch your student apply their new dance moves from our Sound Kreation residency. Tickets can be purchased through Healthy Hunger Healthy Hunger. If your child is in Kindergarten and you want to purchase tickets, please reach out to funlunches@dfmses.com

Upcoming Dates

On behalf of the amazing staff of Dr. Freda Miller School, we wish you a wonderful, albeit windy weekend.

With gratitude,

Elan