Saving Green Space Leaves Runnymede PS 5 classes short for September 2014.

Last Wednesday, the TDSB Trustees rejected a plan to generate $45million over three years to pay for necessary capital projects. This Five Year Capital Plan would sell 6 closed schools and severed land from up to 30 schools with large sites (> 12 acres). The failure of the Capital Building Program has a direct impact on Runnymede P.S.

 
Currently, our school enrolment of 1,130 students in a building with a capacity of 866 students places us at 130% capacity and our enrollment grows year-by year. In September 2014 the school is required to implement Full-Day Kindergarten needing 5 additional classrooms which we don’t have!

Boundary changes have been made to divert students to nearby schools. There is insufficient space on the Runnymede P.S. site to accommodate any more portables or an addition. The soil structure prevents any vertical additions. The only possible relief for the overcrowding at Runnymede is to build an addition at Keele St. P.S. (currently JK-6), so that they could retain the Gr. 7 & 8’s in their catchment area who currently come to Runnymede P.S. But, Keele St.’s addition was on the revised Capital Plan, which was voted out of existence. The project is now on indefinite hold until a new, funded Capital Plan is developed by the TDSB and approved by the Ministry of Education. In the meantime – 5 classes of Runnymede PS students will be without classrooms in September 2014.

If you are interested in participating in a discussion about the over-capacity at the school, and the imminent inability to accommodate all the children in the catchment area, please come to the School Council meeting on Thursday Nov. 29 2012 at 7pm in the Runnymede PS school library.

Please lend your voice and efforts to help us avert this situation!       

Aquarium of Canada

Coming soon, to the foot of the CN tower...

The aquarium, which is planned to open in just over a year, is coming along nicely. Apparently, there will be space for 13,500 underwater creatures with exhibits from Atlantic, Pacific, Great Lakes and Tropical habitats. There are plans for 'breed and release' programs for a number of endangered species including Sand Tiger Sharks. It sounds like it could be a great addition to downtown Toronto.

Sneak peek at Toronto's new Streetcars

This photo, taken at the production plant at Thunder Bay shows one of the first of the new TTC streetcars still in production. It is taken from behind and clearly shows a sign that will ward motorists not to pass to the right as the doors are open and passengers are alighting - great idea! I love the current ones which look so retro, but these are going to be much more practical.
The first car is due to be delivered in September 2012 and I am sure that we will see them flying up and down St. Claire - first for testing, and eventually revenue-generating.

email is sent on behalf of Trustee Irene Atkinson, Ward 7

Trustee Atkinson says...

Hello,

In recent days there have been a number of reports regarding facility services, the skilled trades and the cost of individual projects.

As trustees, we will be meeting on July 11^th at an Operations and Facilities Management Committee to be updated on the changes that have been made and the next steps that will be taken to address these issues.  

Over the past few years we have taken action and made a number of important changes such as hiring a new Chief Facilities Services Officer and a new Head of Construction from outside the Board. We are also holding staff accountable for their actions which has resulted in eight dismissals in the last six months.

As a Board, it is our responsibility to ensure that public money is respected and used to support our students and schools. I am committed to making the changes that are needed to build a system the public trusts to deal with issues before they become problems.

Moving forward, we will be working with the Ministry of Education on a deep operational review of Facility Services that will be conducted by Price Waterhouse Cooper. At the September 5^th Meeting of the Board we will report on the steps that are being taken to strengthen oversight and accountability in our maintenance and construction system.

Proposed Development: 441 Jane St.

 441 Jane St. Toronto
An application is going to be submitted to build a 4 story stacked townhouse development (24 units) on the site currently occupied by Yorkview Auto Service Centre. This is on the east side of Jane, on the corner of Haney St. and Jane St. This is in the current King George catchment area.

The photos below shows how the site has looked over the last 40 years. Ironically, we can probably confidently predict what it will look like with stacked townhouses on it for the next 40 years too.

This is an image of the building at 441 Jane St. taken sometime in the 1960's. Appears remarkably similar to this day. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)

Aerial Photos for BWV

On April 3rd 1942, a series of aerial photographs were taken of the area around and including BWV. They are very cool to compare with the area as we currently know it, and I had fun having a quick spot-the-difference. Firstly, Runnymede PS is much smaller as the white extension hadn't bee built and the Portapaks are not there. I think that the church on the N. side of Annette St. at its junction with Willard Ave. is smaller too. The biggest difference is the lack of parked cars - where the streets are now packed with cars nose to tail, in 1942 they seem like they were still a rarity.

The aerial photographs themselves are posted on the City of Toronto Archives site. You can zoom in to backyard level. what a great way to introduce children to maps.

Summer Solstice Festival @ The Junction

The Junction Summer Solstice Festival, June 23rd, 10 am to Midnight! 

Great entertainment, circus acts, music, buskers, dance shows, family entertainment, movie screening of the Midsummer's Night Dream and more. 

The Junction businesses staying open late to bring you artistic workshops, games, info sessions, sales, giveaways, competitions, presentations, music performances, health activities, and delectable foods.

More info at http://thejunctionbia.ca/events/the-...tice-festival/