A Message from the NTCI Parents Mailing List: _______________________________________________
Acknowledgements and Upcoming Events The collective thoughts of the Toronto District School Board are with the victims of the tragic events that unfolded on Yonge Street in North York this week - steps away from the TDSB Education Centre. Sadly, at least 10 people lost their lives and 15 people were injured in this senseless attack on people who were simply walking along Yonge Street. Media coverage of this tragic event can be challenging for some students. Our Professional Support Services staff has assembled the following tips for parents that may help with discussions with children, who may experience a wide range of reactions and emotions at this time. Speaking with Students about Tragic Events 1. Sadly, when tragic events happen here in Toronto or around the world, we know that some students may experience a wide range of reactions and emotions. TDSB Professional Support Services staff have prepared the following tips that may be helpful for parents whose children are experiencing difficulties. 2. Bring up the topic at a time and place where a discussion can occur. If there are distractions, a shortage of time or if either you or your child are too tired or busy, it is likely the conversation will be interrupted. 3. Begin by listening. Let your child tell you what they believe they know, how they learned it and how they are feeling. Don't rush to correct or reassure. Allow them to finish their thoughts. Open-ended questions are better than specific ones. It is better to ask, "How are you feeling about what happened?" than "Are you scared because of what happened?" You can be a bit more specific if general questions fail. 4. Respond to what your child tells you. Their concerns may be specific or general, concrete or abstract, closely related to the events or related very little. Address what they are concerned about. Don't overload children with information or solutions. Talk to them with ideas they can handle at their age. If you help them with their concerns today they will likely share more in the future. 5. It is normal for people to try to make sense of things when a serious loss occurs. Allow your child to share his or her ideas and speculations. Help them to separate what they know from what they are guessing about. 6. Limit exposure to media coverage as it can become overwhelming. 7. Be aware that new stresses may open old wounds. When a child is confronted with a crisis, losses and upsets from the past may be remembered. The child may or may not wish to talk about these old issues. 8. Talk about specific things you can do to make your child feel secure. 9. While tragic events can be extremely upsetting, it can be helpful to remind children that this type of event is very rare. 10. Children deal with stress in many different ways and at different paces. While children may not wish to talk today, they may wish to talk in weeks or days to come. Follow up discussions may be helpful. Parents, students and staff are encouraged to contact their school principal for more information about additional supports through our Professional Support Services department. School Council contact address: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Next meeting: Monday May 28 at 7:30 pm in room 215 at North Toronto CI (17 Broadway Avenue) Topic: To Be Announced May 1 & May 2: early closing for Maytime Melodies dress rehearsals Parents, families and friends of the North Toronto CI community are invited to our 72nd Maytime Melodies on May 3rd and 4th at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased by students at lunch and after school in the main foyer of the school, or at the door on the nights of the performances. Tickets can also be purchased online at the following link: https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com<https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/>. If purchased online, you will pick up your tickets at the school box office on the night of the performance upon showing your receipt. Performing groups include multiple choirs, bands, string orchestras, soloists, the symphony orchestra, the stage band, the Hodgson MS Wind Ensemble, a percussion ensemble, and electronic ensembles. We look forward to celebrating our students' hard work and talents that allow us to continue NTCI's long tradition of musical excellence. Our Music Banquet this year will be at Uptown Lofts - 2464 Yonge Street, and will begin at 5:30 on May 23rd. Tickets are only $20. Students can begin to buy tickets through the cash online system at https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com<https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/> starting Friday April 27th. Students can also buy tickets during intermission of Maytime Melodies, and at lunch or after school until May 16th. North Toronto/Northern SS blood donor clinic Every year at the beginning of May, North Toronto CI and Northern SS alternate hosting a Blood Donor Clinic. This clinic also includes OneMatch, which does swabbing/screening for potential stem cells donors. The North Toronto/Northern SS blood donor clinic will be taking place on Tuesday, May 8 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Northern SS (851 Mt. Pleasant Rd<https://maps.google.com/?q=851+Mt.+Pleasant+Rd&entry=gmail&source=g>.) in the South Gym. In order to book an appointment online for that day, please visit: https://blood.ca/en. 1. Click on the Find Clinics; then, 2. Click Advanced Search Options; and, 3. Enter webcode #468555 Cuba Service Trip - a parent information session will be held regarding next year's school trip to Cuba. Students who are part of the Music and/or Spanish programs in Grade 10-12 are given priority to available spaces for the trip. Parents are invited to attend the information session on May 9 at 6:30 pm in room 215. William Mack Principal North Toronto Collegiate Institute _______________________________________________ Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you do not wish to receive e-mail from North Toronto, please unsubscribe at https://ntci.on.ca/ntparents-unsub/ To contact the school, 393-9180 or e-mail: [email protected] ________________________________________________ North Toronto Collegiate Institute 17 Broadway Avenue Toronto, Ontario, M4P 1T7 ________________________________________________ NTparents mailing list: [email protected] http://ntci.on.ca/mailman/listinfo/ntparents_ntci.on.ca _______________________________________________
