Equinox Holistic Alternative School Council
151 Hiawatha Rd M4L2Y1 Toronto, ON, Canada

Evergreen and the City of Toronto collaborated on this beautiful guidebook with activities our ravine-loving children will probably enjoy. Link to download the free PDF: https://www.evergreen.ca//Evergreen_RavineActivityBook_120

This seems like a sweet idea that might not require much time. A love note a day on the bedroom door from February 1st to 14th, or for us more last-minute types, fill a jar or envelope with heart notes to read on Valentine’s Day morning. https://masandpas.com/kindness-notes-for-kids/

THURSDAY 7 p.m. - We are all invited to attend this conversation and to deepen our understanding of what the school experience can be like for racialized students. This is such an excellent lineup of speakers. Thank you to Clairlea’s Equity Committee for hosting this. http://bit.ly/clairlearealtalk

Here is a really great age-by-age guide for talking to children about gender. https://www.todaysparent.com//how-to-talk-to-kids-about-g/

WHAT IS HELPING? We are such a creative community that one way we can help take care of each other right now is by sharing the small (and big) wins, the clever ideas, strokes of genius and of luck that are making online learning (a little) more manageable in our homes. Have you come up with a dining room desk hack that's working well? Or found an easy, cheap granola bar recipe that saves on snacks? Maybe implementing Pajama Mondays has gotten you through some tough mornings?... ... Virtual School families, have you smoothed some of the online learning bumps at home and have ideas to share? Our circumstances (and children) are all very different so not all of these ideas will make sense for everyone but by sharing what is helping in our homes, we might create a menu of ideas. And be reminded that we're all working the same puzzle, apart but not entirely alone with it.

We are sending love to everyone in our school community who is grieving, and are especially holding in our thoughts, the children. If you are supporting a grieving child at our school, you may speak to your teacher or Cathy or Vu about it at any time. We've put together a short list of community resources in case there's something here that helps, too.... WEBSITES & ONLINE RESOURCES Dr. Jay Children's Grief Centre / Camp Erin Toronto has a list of resources for parents, caregivers, and professionals: https://drjaychildrensgriefcentre.ca/programs/resources/ (If you are in a position to do so, Dr. Jay Children's Grief Centre is solely funded by donations, which go towards counselling bereaved children and they are in need of financial support: https://drjaychildrensgriefcentre.ca/donate/.) KidsGrief.ca offers resources specifically for students and the classroom that are geared to parents, guardians, and teachers: https://kidsgrief.ca/ Andrea Warnick Consulting is a grief counselor and educator with these recommendations: https://andreawarnick.com//resources-for-parents-and-care/ BOOKS Sarah McBrien Keast is a friend of Equinox, widowed mother to bereaved school children, and co-owner of Crying Out Loud, a small shop committed to mental wellness and grief awareness on the Danforth. She put together a book list for us for school-aged children, based on her own experience. (Thank you, Sarah!) - Lasting Love by Caroline Wright - The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr - Something Lost Something Found by Natalia Paruzel-Gibson - The Invisible String & The Invisible String Workbook by Patrice Karst - The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup Toronto Public Library has copies of these books with the exception of Something Lost Something Found and The Invisible String Workbook. Crying Out Loud carries them if you would prefer to buy: https://cryingoutloud.ca/collections/kids-books Thank you to everyone doing the beautiful, hard, important work of caring for grieving children.

Mental health is so important every year and always, and challenged in different and new ways this year. Cathy reminds us that our school is part of our support network. If your kiddo is having a bumpy time, reach out to your teacher or Cathy or Vu. Here is an article from Parents Engaged in Education with some tips: HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR SCHOOL TO ACCESS SUPPORT FOR YOUR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH ... In Ontario, schools are the most common place where children and youth access mental health supports. You can work with your school to help make sure your child gets the support they need. Educators and other school staff are trained on how to create mentally healthy classrooms and how to recognize when a student may be struggling and in need of additional help. Early identification of mental health concerns can help prevent future problems. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, you can speak to your child’s classroom teacher. Be specific about your concerns so you and the teacher can figure out the best way to help. Share any information you think may be helpful to the teacherfor example, situations your child has dealt with that may impact their mental health, approaches that seem to help your child, specific behaviours you’re noticing Ask the teacher what they’ve noticed at school. Some children may seem fine at school, but display different behaviours at home. Discuss what you’re seeing. You can request a meeting with other school staff as well to talk through how to support your child. The teacher may suggest this too. Ask about options for ongoing communication so you can share new information with the teacher. Educators aren’t mental health professionals and can’t diagnose issues. But, they do have an important role in the circle of support for students and remain a vital part of the support team for students who are receiving treatment. Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource: smho-smso.ca/emhc/

TDSB NEWSLETTER FOR FAMILIES OF VIRTUAL SCHOOL STUDENTS: https://www.tdsb.on.ca//FINALElementaryVSNewsletter-Novemb

There’s been a lot of discussion about this. The minister of education’s latest statement says there will not be an extended winter school holiday. We will continue to support each other’s health as a community by keeping distance, wearing masks properly, handwashing, staying home when sick, and limiting our interactions outside of school, in alignment with Toronto Public Health guidelines. Thank you all for everything you have already done for our school, all the sacrifices made, to ensure students have a safe place to learn together this year.

TUESDAY, NOV. 24 at 8:45: Abby will be collecting non-perishable foods from our school community for Glen Rhodes Food Bank. She and her blue car will be parked out front so we can put items in the trunk for her to deliver. All non-perishable food items are appreciated but here are a few priority items to consider: - shelf stable milk alternatives (rice, almond, soy, etc) - cereal... - pasta and sauce - canned meats and fish (tuna, salmon, ham) - peanut butter - wow butter (school-safe non-nut butters) - spices (salt, pepper, cinnamon, oregano, ..) - formula - macaroni and cheese - canned fruit - canned vegetables - instant food mixes that only need water - hearty soups and stews Glen Rhodes Food Bank is also requesting clean, reusable bags. THANK YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. This year, our community food banks need what we can share more than ever.