New To TMS Parent Kit 2021

Growing our Significance Welcome to the TMS Community

Welcome to TMS Dear New to TMS Families,

Like you, my family and I are new to TMS. It is exciting to know that we will have the opportunity to discover and explore our new school together. The TMS Mission is to “inspire and challenge” our students. I pledge to do my part in collaboration with our leadership team, faculty and staff to ensure that these aims are reflected in your children’s daily experience. But even more than this, we want learning to be fun, engaging, and aimed at helping our students to thrive and find fulfillment in the world they will inhabit in the years to come.

We are going through extremely challenging times around the world, as countries, governments, businesses and families deal with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the leadership transition process, I have been working intensively with the outgoing Head of School, David Young as well as the leadership team, faculty and staff to ensure that TMS is prepared to deliver a world-class education to our students when school re-opens in September. I am confident that your children will quickly discover what makes TMS such a special place to learn, grow and explore.

I look forward to getting to know you and your families, and until then please stay well, take care and all the best.

Andrew Cross, Incoming Head of School, TMS

Welcome

As you and your children prepare to join TMS, I wanted to write a few words of welcome, and also to introduce myself to you. It is a pleasure to know that you and your family will soon become part of our community. You will be joining a school with a proud tradition of excellence, but also one that is engaged in an exciting process of renewal and growth in its facilities, its programs and its place in the educational landscape of southern Ontario.

Time, Talent & Treasure at TMS Building a Culture of Giving At TMS, we believe in the power and possibility of an engaged community. In our TMS Strategic Plan, one of our key areas of focus is Growing our Significance which we define as growing and enriching the fullness of the TMS Community. We desire to actively engage our parents who are invested in TMS. The most effective way to do this is to build relationships across all parts of the School Community.

Creating a Culture of Giving We are committed to creating a Culture of Giving. We define a Culture of Giving as an “all in” culture that is evident through the whole TMS Journey and experienced in a similar way in all parts of the School. At the heart of this Culture of Giving is good connections with parents, building I Am Known into everything we do, providing clear communications and using inclusive language. A Culture of Giving clearly places equal value on the many ways in which our community can engage with the School. Our Culture of Giving focuses on the concept of Time, Talent and Treasure.

Time is a way to define and celebrate meaningful volunteer opportunities.

We welcome the involvement of parents to help with a range of activities and events and to be active participants in the daily life of the School. We have a range of volunteer opportunities such as parent ambassadors, event organizers and committee members. These are posted on the Parent Portal under Volunteering at TMS.

Talent refers to opportunities where parents lend us their expertise. Knowing

we can count on parents’ specific expertise or knowledge makes a big difference to the School. Examples of this in action are parents who offer career advice to our Upper School students or who take on committee positions such as finance and strategic planning.

Treasure, of course, refers to financial donations to TMS. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization with charitable status. This means that the majority of the school tuition is used to cover the costs associated with the School’s day-to-day operations. TMS relies on the generous support of our families to raise funds to assist with the development of new and existing facilities and the enhancement of programs. TMS offers two ways to help financially:

A Culture of Giving

Growing our Significance means we value TMS as a true community that believes strongly in our role of caring for, supporting, guiding, nudging and celebrating our students. We engage our families who often make sacrifices to ensure their children are at TMS. We reach out to our alumni to make sure they always feel a connection to TMS. We seek out ways to make an impact on people and places in the extended community. This is work done best in partnership with our whole School Community.

A Culture of Giving

• Annual Giving donations support a specific need at the School. In 2020, TMS launched The Titan Fund which includes some key focus areas as well as ways to support new and emerging opportunities throughout the year.

The Fund will help to continue our growth as a leading independent school.

In 2020-21, The Titan Fund raised funds to Expand our Campuses, Enhance Vibrant Classrooms and Hallways and Support Outdoor Learning and Sustainability.

• Capital Campaigns are special appeals to raise large sums, typically for longterm improvements such as our Campus Development Plan. TMS is proud to have completed Phase 1 of the Building our Significance Capital Campaign at our Lower School, unveiling a brand new Atrium, Gym and outdoor Grove area. These amazing new spaces were made possible by the generosity of our donors. In the spring of 2021, TMS will launch Phase 2 which will focus on the building of a Dining Hall and classrooms at the Upper School as well as additional enhancements at both campuses.

Please visit www.tmsschool.ca/buildingoursignificance to learn more about the Capital Campaign.

For more information about the Culture of Giving at TMS or to get involved with your time, talent or treasure, please contact our Director of Alumni and Community Relations, Rakesh Tripathi at rtripathi@tmsschool.ca or 905-889-6882 Ext. 2248.

What We Stand For It doesn’t take long for someone new to TMS to see that something here is special.

Throughout the School, from the youngest learners in the Toddler Program to alumni who return again and again to visit, students are passionately engaged in their academic pursuits and committed to improving the world around them.

Our students live the TMS promise of defining and realizing success in university, career and in life through our unparalleled educational experience.

Our Vision To be embraced as an outstanding school with an unparalleled educational experience.

Our Mission TMS delivers a seamless, internationally-acclaimed educational experience designed to inspire and challenge students to discover the best of who they are and to achieve their full potential.

I Am Known I Am Known Is a central tenet of TMS. This phrase seeks to capture an aspirational truth about education that is dear to us: only when a child is deeply and individually known within a teacher-student relationship can a child navigate their own unique journey towards personal excellence both in terms of the development of their character and their learning.

TMS Pillars Academics, Arts, Athletics and Citizenship

IB Mission Statement IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

What We Stand For

We invite you to read through our Vision and Mission, experience The Journey at www.tmsschool.ca, learn about our young but already very engaged alumni, and see how our students are making a difference in their communities.

Lower School Student Life (Toddler to Grade 6) Toddler Program (Half Day) 8:30 – 11:50 am Staggered entry 8:30 – 9:00 am / Staggered dismissal 11:30 – 11:50 am Toddler Program (Full Day) 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Staggered entry 8:30 – 9:00 am

Children’s House Program (Full Day) 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Staggered entry 8:30 – 9:00 am Elementary Program 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (Dismissal between 3:30 and 4:00 pm) Before School Care 7:15 – 8:30 am (Extended Care fee for service) After School Care 4:00 – 6:00 pm (Extended Care fee for service)

Extended Care Program* TMS offers before school care from 7:15 – 8:30 am (7:15 – 8:15 am for Elementary), and after school care from 4:00 - 6:00 pm for a fee for service.

All students who arrive before or stay after regular school hours must be enrolled in the Extended Care Program. For more information please call the Manager of Extended Care at 905-889-6882 Ext. 2335 or visit our Parent Portal at www.tmsschool.ca/parent and click on the Student Life tab on the menu.

Extracurricular Programs* TMS offers a range of Extracurricular Programs to students from Children’s House 1 to Grade 6. Discovering new interests, finding hidden talent and committing to something bigger than oneself are important moments in the growth of any child. That’s why we offer optional clubs and activities to engage the mind and excite the spirit. These programs run after school, some for five to eight weeks and international language programs for the full year. The programs range in cost from $150 to $1,200 depending on topic and length. Some programs are open to students in Children’s House while others are for Elementary students only.

Extracurricular Programs are not part of our in-class work and are completely optional. Students can choose from the following Extracurricular Programs: Ballet • Bucket Drumming • Cartoons / Comics Unleashed • Chess • ESL and ELD Farsi • Gymnastics • Italian • Judo • Karate • Leadership and Public Speaking Lego Architects and Lego Robotics • Mandarin • Mixed Martial Arts My Early Cents Level 1, 2, 3 and Making Cents Level 1, 2, 3 • Soccer • Sportball Tennis/Badminton • Voice Power Jam • Ukulele Jam • Piano • Violin

Co-curricular Programs* The Lower School Co-Curricular Program is designed to complement the four TMS Pillars of Arts, Athletics, Academics and Citizenship. Each program has been created to support our students’ desire to experiment, take risks and extend their knowledge. TMS students develop spirit and courage while they pursue new experiences such as helping communities in need, playing sax in the band, joining the robotics team, singing in the choir or perfecting a basketball layup.

It is a place where students expand the depth of how they are known at TMS. In some cases students tryout or apply for these groups. Some Co-curricular Programs include: Intra-mural & Inter-school Athletics • Choirs (Grades 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) Junior & Senior Concert Bands • Drama Group • Art Club • Media Creation Team TMS Robotics Team • Friends of the Community • Lower School Ambassadors Lower & Upper Elementary Science Clubs • Lower & Upper Elementary French Clubs Upper Elementary Drone Team

Student Life

Children’s House Program (Half Day) 8:30 – 11:50 am Staggered entry 8:30 – 9:00 am

* Please note that Extended Care, Extracurricular Programs, and Co-curricular Programs may not be offered in the 2021-2022 School Year because of COVID-19.

TMS will confirm availability of these programs before the start of the school year in September.

Upper School Student Life (Grades 7 to 12) Daily Schedule School starts promptly at 8:15 am each morning (Monday – Thursday) and students are expected to be at school by 8:00 am to get ready for class.

Student Life

Morning sports practices start at 7:15 am.

The school building is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with adult supervision.

Each Wednesday, we have a delayed start, with school starting at 9:20 am.

Co-curriculars In the Upper School, the learning environment is a positive, effective, adaptable place and incorporates input from staff, students, Student Council, and parents.

Students participate in the four TMS Pillars, the MYP Community & Service (CS) and the DP Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programs as they engage in life beyond academics. Co-curricular activities enhance the richness of the learning environment, allowing students to develop further in certain areas of interest and skills and offer opportunities for inquiry and independent thinking outside the classroom.

Structure of the Co-Curricular Program at the Upper School* Students are encouraged to initiate clubs. Each club must have a teacher who supervises and guides the group. The structure and calendar is flexible to accommodate these requests. There is no charge for the Co-curricular Program, although there may be additional costs for trips and supplies. In order to balance the opportunities across the four Pillars, the Student Council and the Upper School staff review the club offerings each term. Co-curricular Programs change from year to year based on student interests and range from a single workshop to a yearlong club. Some current Co-curricular Programs include: Student Council • House Council • DECA • Model UN • Debate Reach for the Top • Justice League • Robotics • Programming Social Justice and Amnesty International • Art Club • Watercolours • Rock Band Jazz Band • Upper School Play • Writer’s Corner • Photo Exhibition CIS Music Festival • Wellness Club • Red Cross Club • Tutorials Conservation Club • Art Curating • Athletic Intramurals • Coaching Fitness Fridays • Volleyball • Basketball • Cross Country • Badminton • Curling Track & Field • Ultimate Frisbee • Field Hockey • Chess Club • Coding Club World Religions • Language & Culture • Japanese • Peer Tutors • French Club

* Please note that not all of these clubs will run during the 2021-2022 school year and some may only be offered virtually.

School Closures In the event TMS has to close (severe weather or facilities-related reasons): • An email will be sent to all parents and staff by 6:30 am.

• Information will be recorded on the School telephone line 905- 889-6882 ‘press ‘7’.

• The Home page of our School website at www.tmsschool.ca.

• Radio stations 680 AM and CHFI 98.1 FM and social media.

• School closures are then listed on the Storm Centre of 680news.com.

Safe Arrival / Student Absences Lower School Safe Arrival For ANY planned or unplanned late arrival or absence, we ask that you call or email our centralized Safe Arrival reporting line: 905-889-6882 [press 1] or email SafeArrival@tmsschool.ca.

Upper School Safe Arrival For all Upper School student absences, please send an email to SafeArrivalem@tmsschool.ca or call the Upper School Safe Arrival reporting line: 905-780-1002 (press 1).

More information can be found on the TMS Parent Portal under Handbooks.

TMS Traffic Safety Policy Student safety is the first and foremost consideration in determining how students are dropped off and picked up. The TMS Community must ensure that these guidelines are followed by all students, parents and staff with no exception to the rules.

Drop-Off Zone at Both Campuses At any school, drop off and pick up times can be busy with traffic. One of our primary goals at TMS is to ensure your children are safe. To help keep your children safe and ensure the busy times at the start and end of the day run smoothly, TMS offers a wonderful Kiss and Go program which we encourage all CH2/3 and Elementary parents to use. By using the Kiss and Go, congestion will be reduced and children will be able to wait safely and supervised.

As we finalize our Kiss and Go plans for September, we will provide more specific updates before the start of the school year in September.

Quick Facts

Please note we will be listed as TMS and not Toronto Montessori Schools.

In bad weather, absences and lateness will be excused if severe weather makes it difficult for a family to travel.

Lower School Parent Parking Lot

Quick Facts

• Students in Grade 6 or lower must be accompanied by an adult when in the parking lot.

• Parking is available only in designated areas.

• Please read and obey the traffic signs and the lane markings.

• Maximum speed is posted at 20 km/h.

More information can be found on the TMS Parent Portal under the Return to School pages.

Pick-Up at the Lower School Toddler and Children’s House 1 parents may park and walk their child to their designated entrance. Children in Toddler can then be escorted by the parent to the playground to begin their day and children in CH1 will be escorted to their class from the designated entrances.

Toddler and Children’s House 1 can be picked up at the playground using Entrance 1 from 3:00-4:00.

All CH2/3 and Elementary students can be dropped off (8-8:25am for Elementary and 8:30 t0 8:55 for CH2/3) and picked up (between 3:30-4:30 depending on Grade) at the main entrance using the Kiss and Go program.

We will confirm specific details before the start of the school year.

Visitors/Parent Badges If TMS is allowed to have visitors in the school, parents and guardians will be provided with a TMS identification badge and are asked to wear it at all times on School property. All visitors, including parents without their badges, are required to sign in at the Main Office and obtain a visitor badge, which must be worn while in the School. Please check the Return to School pages on the Parent Portal for details about campus access.

Communications The Home-School Partnership and Two-Way Communication At TMS we recognize the paramount importance of an effective home-school partnership. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time in person, by telephone, by e-mail or with a note. We much prefer to hear about issues or concerns directly so we can address them immediately.

When students, parents or staff members want to initiate an event, implement an idea, discuss an area of concern or suggest recommendations about an issue, they should contact the appropriate person via e-mail or telephone.

Academic Andrew Cross Incoming Head of School across@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2252 Carolyn Reid Head of Toddler & Children’s House creid@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2251 Rachel Marks Head of Elementary rmarks@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2264 Sheila Thomas Head of Upper School sthomas@tmsschool.ca 905-780-1002 Ext. 3360

Athletics Dave Cordner Athletics Director, Lower School dcordner@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2372 Ashley Willis Athletics Director, Upper School awillis@tmsschool.ca 905-780-1002 Ext. 3267

Community Development

Development and Alumni Relations

Kirsten Eastwood Executive Director, Community Development keastwood@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2234

Ryan Rodrigues Director, Development rrodrigues@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2285

Marketing & Communications Dionne Malcolm Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing dmalcolm@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2261

Enrolment Management Silvana Fazzari Director, Enrolment Management sfazzari@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2230 Marina Spalla Assistant Director, Enrolment Management mspalla@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2254

Rakesh Tripathi Director, Alumni and Community Relations rtripathi@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2248

Student Services Andrea Ng-Willis Director of Academics, Elementary ang@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2263 Peter Hill Assistant Head of Upper School phill@tmsschool.ca 905-780-1002

Finance Vince Haines Chief Administrative Officer vhaines@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2233

Communications

A successful partnership depends on good communication between family and school. Your child’s teacher is the first person to contact if you have questions concerning your child. If your question is not answered to your satisfaction please see the appropriate Academic Head, and ultimately, you may contact the Head of School.

How We Stay Connected • Classroom Pages and Google Classroom for Lower School • Managebac (Upper School)

Communications

• Twitter Updates through our Academic Heads’ Accounts • @SheilaThomasTMS • @RachelMarksTMS • @CarolynReidTMS • TMS This Week email each Monday to provide reminders and updates • TMS Headlines stories that celebrate School events and updates as they happen • Regular e-Notify email messages from the Head of School • Going Beyond, bi-annual School magazine

TMS Parent Portal The TMS Parent Portal is our “one-stop” for all information at TMS. While some sections of the Portal are accessible without a password, others are passwordprotected. Those sections are marked with a padlock and designed to protect proprietary school information.

Parents will be assigned a username and password once their child is enrolled at TMS. For new to TMS parents, this typically happens in August. A temporary password is issued in May so parents can access school information like forms and calendar dates. Parents can click on the Forgot Username or Password option if login information is forgotten, and the information will be sent by email. For any questions regarding the TMS Parent Portal, please email website@tmsschool.ca.

Go to: www.tmsschool.ca

Select: Parent Portal (Top Left)

For more details on using the Parent Portal please refer to the Parent Portal page in this kit.

TMS Website Student Portal Access is available to all Grade 7 to 12 students

TMS Website Alumni Portal Access is available to all TMS Alumni

TMS Alumni Network The TMS Alumni Network (tmsalumni.ca) enables our alumni to find and connect with other TMS alumni, share information about themselves, find a mentor or offer their services as mentors, and provide employment and internship opportunities to our alumni.

TMS Printed Calendar The TMS printed calendar is distributed to all families during the first weeks of September. Please contact the Main Office at either campus if you do not receive one. A digital copy of the printed calendar and an updated electronic version are available on the Parent Portal. Please note that the calendar on the Parent Portal is updated each week so that version is the best one to check for any event changes or addition of new events.

August 30, 2021 Classes commence at 12:00 pm for DP Students (Grades 11 and 12)

September 7, 2021 Toddler Phasing-In begins - 8:30 -10:00 am or 10:30 am -12:00 pm (time assigned by TMS)

Children’s House 2 (4 year olds) and New to TMS Children’s House 3 (5 year olds) 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Elementary Classes Gr 1, 4, 5, 6 & New to TMS begin - 8:30 am Elementary Classes Gr 2, 3, begin - 9:30 am Classes begin for Grade 7-10 students

September 8, 2021 Toddler Phasing-In continues - 8:30 -10:00 am or 10:30 am - 12:00 pm (time assigned by TMS) Children’s House 1 (3 year olds) Phasing-In continues - 8:30 am - 12:00 pm (all Children’s House 1 students) Children’s House 2 (4 year olds) and New to TMS Children’s House 3 (5 year olds) 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Elementary Classes commence regular hours

September 9, 2021 Everyone back at school regular hours

September 2021 Upper School Outdoor Leadership Camps - Timing of fall camps will be decided closer to the time.

October 8, 2021 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)

October 11, 2021 Thanksgiving (School is Closed)

November 12, 2021 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)

November 15, 2021 Mid-Term Break (School is Closed)

December 16, 2021 Last Day of School before Winter Break

December 17, 2021 to January 4, 2022 Winter Break (School is Closed)

January 4, 2022 Return to School

Year at a Glance

Children’s House 1 (3 year olds) Phasing-In begins - 8:30 -10:00 am or 10:30 am -12:00 pm (time assigned by TMS)

February 18, 2022 Mid-term Break (School is Closed)

February 21, 2022 Family Day (School is Closed)

Year at a Glance

March 11, 2022 Last day of classes before March Break

March 14 to March 25, 2022 March Break

March 28, 2022 Return to School

April 15, 2022 Good Friday (School is Closed)

April 18, 2022 Easter Monday (School is Closed)

May 20, 2022 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)

May 23, 2022 Victoria Day (School is Closed)

June 17, 2022 Last Day of School

TMS Parent Portal The TMS Parent Portal is our “one-stop” for all information at TMS. While some sections of the Portal are accessible without a password, others are passwordprotected. Those sections are marked with a padlock and designed to protect proprietary school information.

Go to: www.tmsschool.ca

Select: Parent Portal (Top Left)

Navigating the Portal TMS Logo - Clicking on the TMS Logo will bring you back to the main website, tmsschool.ca Athletics - The Lower and Upper School Athletics pages are updated by the Athletic Directors at both campuses.

Calendar - Sorted by Lower School and Upper School (events, activities) as well as all School holidays and closures, the calendar is constantly updated. Parents can also sync their iPhones to the calendar. There is a how-to manual on the calendar tab.

Volunteering at TMS Learn about the different volunteer opportunities for parents at TMS.

Classroom Pages - This is an exciting platform used at the Lower School to communicate the events in the classroom.

The Classroom Pages are designed specifically by each classroom teacher as a way to share updates, resources, assignments, special days and events.

Forms - Organized by Grade, parents can find all forms pertaining to their child’s level of the School.

Handbooks - Please note that for the 2021/22 School Year we will be using the Return to School site for school updates (rather than the handbooks).

Please click on the Return to School button to access information on Classroom procedures, uniforms, drop off and pick up and lunches.

Headlines – This is constantly updated with all the events that take place at TMS. Every Monday, parents receive an email reminder (TMS THIS WEEK) to check out photos and stories about what happened at TMS and what’s coming up.

Photo Gallery - You can find photos here, from events to classroom activities.

Important Resources This is updated weekly and provides quick access to forms/ documents from the pizza day form, monthly food menu (Real Food for Real Kids (Toddler to CH1), TMS Health Policy and much more.

Student Life - You can find information about extended care, extracurricular programs and co-curricular programs offered at TMS. Parent Resources - All resources and guidebooks are located here.

Announcements – You can find a range of community announcements here from upcoming uniform sales through InSchoolWear to school photograph information

Parent Portal

Parents will be assigned a username and password once their child is enrolled at TMS. For new parents, this happens in August. A temporary password is issued in May so parents can access school information like forms and calendar dates.

Parents can click on the Forgot Username or Password option if login information is forgotten and the information will be sent by email. For any questions regarding the TMS Parent Portal, please email website@tmsschool.ca.

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Social Media

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