Growing our Significance TMS Community
Welcome to TMS. I’m thankful for your decision to join our School; it is a community we love and in which we believe our students thrive.
By intention, TMS cultivates our students’ desire to pursue personal excellence in their areas of passion. Equally, we value goodness, particularly a commitment to practical engagement that benefits one’s own community however you choose to describe community. This combination of excellence and goodness creates a palpable yearning in our students, not for mere success, but rather to stretch for Significance. The combination of our Montessori start and IB finish provides a unique framework for learning. Our Lower School creates a landscape of exploration, extension and independence through which self-confidence, joy in learning and care for community are nurtured. Our Upper School then embraces this child of wonder and engages them in a learning experience that leads to new levels of excellence and compassion for the world. Our graduates attend top programs at top universities and are proactive about improving the communities in which they live and learn. They go on to successful careers and are considerate citizens. From the base of feeling known and genuinely cared for in their youngest years, they grow into adults who take for granted that they will excel in whatever they pursue and be passionately engaged whilst they do so. At TMS, each student travels at their own pace with their preferred end in mind. They have experienced guides in the form of their teachers, ongoing support from their peers and a connection to the larger TMS community to help them along. While the role of the teacher as expert advisor is pivotal, the partnership between school and family also ensures that each student finds success during this time of rapid and radical change. We are delighted you are here. I would love to meet with you and get to know you further. My door is always open as are the doors of every teacher and my leadership team. Please ask questions, suggest ideas and enter fully into a partnership with this school that will be an integral part of your family’s life for years to come.
David Young, Head of School, TMS
Welcome
Choosing a school for your child is a centrally important decision. At its best, a school will provide a landscape and “family” from which your child can fall in love with learning and establish friendships that sustain them for a lifetime. A great school immerses children in a culture where they develop a strong sense of who they are and an understanding that engagement in their community is the true measure of goodness.
Time, Talent & Treasure at TMS Building 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.
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 and event organizers.
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-today 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: • Annual Giving donations support a specific need at the School. As part of our Strategic Plan, all donations from now to 2021 will support the TMS Building our Significance Capital Campaign. • TMS launched the Building our Significance Capital Campaign in 2017. Capital campaigns are special appeals to raise large sums, typically for long term improvements such as our new Campus Development Plan. We are well underway with the planning for these changes and, thanks to the support of our families, we are already making significant progress towards our goal of creating beautiful new spaces to animate the work of our students. You can see the progress of our plans at https://www.tmsschool.ca/buildingoursignificance
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 Advancement, Rakesh Tripathi at rtripathi@tmsschool.ca or 905-889-6882 Ext. 2248.
A Culture of Giving
At TMS, we believe in the power and possibility of an engaged community. In our TMS Strategic Direction, 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.
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 (Toddler to Grade 6) Student Life 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 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, 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 web site at www.tmsschool.ca (under the tab STUDENT LIFE, select Lower School and then select Extracurricular and Extended Care).
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 eight weeks and others for the full year. The programs range in cost from $150 to $1,000 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: Aerospace/Robotics • Ballet • Chess • ESL and ELD • Friends of the Community Gymnastics • Karate • Lego Brick Club • Mandarin • Piano • Sportball Stand up & Speak • Stretch ‘N’ Grow • Tennis/Badminton • Violin • Yoga ...
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
Student Life
Children’s House Program (Half Day) 8:30 – 11:50 am Staggered entry 8:30 – 9:00 am
Upper School (Grades 7 to 12) Student Life Daily Schedule
Student Life
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. 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 Friday, 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 co-curricular activities 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 Dean of Student Services, review the club offerings each term. Co-curricular Programs may range from a single workshop to a yearlong club. Some Co-curricular activities include: Student Council • House Council • DECA • Model UN • Debate Reach for the Top • Justice League • Robotics • Programming The Provocateur Newspaper • 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
Weather Closures TMS will remain open during all but the most severe weather. If the decision is made to close the School:
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.
Safe Arrival / Student Absences Please call 905-889-6882 Ext. 2263 if your child will be absent. 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 • Please do not leave vehicles unattended in the “Drop-Off Zone” (Kiss and Go area) or in the “No Parking Zone”. This zone is a fire route and parked vehicles are subject to being tagged or towed. • Please do not stop in the marked pedestrian crossing. • Please do not park or stop in left lane next to the “Drop-Off Zone”. If a spot isn’t immediately available, circle, and stop when a spot becomes available. • Students in Toddler and CH1 must be escorted to their classes.
Lower School Parent Parking Lot • 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 Handbooks.
Pick-Up at the Lower School Toddler and Children’s House students must be picked up at their classrooms. After 4:00 pm, students will be taken to Extended Care for supervision. Parents are required to sign their child out of the program when picking up from Extended Care.
Quick Facts
• An email will be sent to all parents and staff prior to 7:00 am. • Information will be recorded on the school telephone line 905- 889-6882 ‘press ‘7’. • The Home page of our School web site 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.
Bus Transportation Between Lower and Upper School
Quick Facts
TMS offers a shuttle bus for students between campuses in the morning and afternoon for a fee for service. For more information visit the TMS Portal under Handbooks.
Visitors/Parent Badges Parents/Guardians are 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. For more information visit the TMS Parent Portal under Handbooks.
Parent Portal The TMS Parent Portal is our “one-stop” for all information at TMS. We require you to sign in because much of the content includes specific student information. Parents will be assigned a username and password once their child is enrolled at TMS. 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: My TMS
Select: Parent Login
The TMS Parent Portal contains detailed level information on: Uniform Lunch Programs Student Success Parent Resources Classroom Updates School Events Volunteer Opportunities
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 David Young, Head of School dyoung@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 Blaine Seamone, Director, Teaching & Learning, Lower School bseamone@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2237
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
Upper School Student Services & University Placement
Kirsten Eastwood, Executive Director, Community Development keastwood@tmsschool.ca Josephine Parody, Dean of Student Services, 905-889-6882 Ext. 2234 Upper School jparody@tmsschool.ca Marketing & 905-780-1002 Ext. 3382
Communications
Ann Bianco-Harvey, Director, Marketing & Communications aharvey@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2261
Enrolment Management Silvana Fazzari, Director, Enrolment Management sfazzari@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2230 Sharron Cooper, Enrolment Management Officer scooper@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2254
Advancement Rakesh Tripathi, Director, Advancement rtripathi@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2248
Lower School Extracurricular Programs & Extended Care Program Jennie Yeung, Manager, Extracurricular Programs & Extended Care, Lower School jyeung@tmsschool.ca 905-889-6882 Ext. 2335
Finance Stuart Ferrie, Chief Administrative Officer sferrie@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 • Thursday Envelopes – Lower School • Weekly electronic messages from your child’s Academic Head • Monthly TMS Headlines where you can read about School updates and events • Messages from the Head of School
Communications
• Going Beyond, bi-annual School magazine
TMS Website Parent Portal The TMS Parent Portal is our “one-stop” for all information at TMS. We require you to sign in because much of the content includes specific student information. Parents will be assigned a username and password once their child is enrolled at TMS. 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: My TMS
Select: Parent Login
The TMS Parent Portal contains detailed level information on: Uniform Lunch Programs Student Success Parent Resources Classroom Updates School Events Volunteer Opportunities
TMS Website Student Portal Access is available to all students Grades 7 to 12
TMS Website Alumni Portal Access is available to all TMS Alumni
TMS Printed Calendar The TMS printed calendar is distributed to all families during the first weeks of September. Please contact the Main Office if you do not receive one. The printed and updated electronic versions are available on the Parent Portal.
August 27, 2018 Classes commence at 12:00 pm for DP Students (Grades 11 and 12)
September 4, 2018 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) commence regular hours Elementary Classes Gr 1, 4 & New to TMS begin - 8:30 am Elementary Classes Gr 2, 3, 5, & 6 begin - 9:30 am
September 5, 2018 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) Elementary Classes commence regular hours
September 6, 2018 Children’s House 3 (5 year olds) commence regular hours All Toddler and Children’s House 1 Classes commence regular hours
October 5, 2018 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)
October 8, 2018 Thanksgiving (School is Closed)
November 9, 2018 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)
November 12, 2018 Mid-Term Break (School is Closed)
November 24, 2018 TMS Holiday Marketplace 2018
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)
December 17 to 19 Elementary Winter Celebrations. See calendar on Parent Portal for details.
December 20, 2018
Year at a Glance
Last Day of School before Winter Break
December 21, 2018 to January 6, 2019 Winter Break (School is Closed)
January 7, 2019 Return to School
February 15, 2019 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)
February 18, 2019 Family Day (School is Closed)
March 9 – March 24, 2019 March Break
April 19, 2019 Good Friday (School is Closed)
April 22, 2019 Easter Monday (School is Closed)
May 17, 2019 Professional Development Day (School is Closed)
May 20, 2019 Victoria Day (School is Closed)
June 14, 2019 Last Day of School
TMS Parent Portal The TMS Parent Portal is our “one-stop” for all information at TMS. We require you to sign in because much of the content includes specific student information. Parents will be assigned a username and password once their child is enrolled at TMS. 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.
If you click on the TMS logo, it will bring you back to the main website. www.tmsschool.ca
Select: My TMS
All new and current announcements at TMS are displayed here. From upcoming events to changes at TMS, parents can find the latest information here.
Select: Parent Login
Headlines – Full stories can be found here. Parents are emailed ‘teasers’ of TMS stories that recap events from the past month.
Calendar - Sorted by Lower School and Upper School events and lists School holidays. The Calendar is constantly updated. Parents also sync their iPhones to the calendar. There is a how-to manual located here. Forms - Organized by grades, Parents can find all forms pertaining to their child’s grade. Giving Back - This is information pertaining to donations of time, talent and treasure. Handbooks - All the handbooks for both the Lower and Upper School are located here. (Uniform, Lunches, Inclement Weather & Outdoor Activities, Code of conduct) TMS Resources - All resources and guidebooks are located here. School Blog - Find all weekly messages by grade/level here. The Lower and Upper School Athletics pages are updated by the Athletic Directors at both the Upper and Lower School. Other information: Student Successes & Classroom Updates
Parent Portal
Go to: www.tmsschool.ca
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