Phase One - What a Change!

We took a tour; here is what we found!

Be safe on Halloween

I like to do trick or treating on Halloween.
But I want to be safe.
So, here is what I did, and you should do it too.
First I put my costume on.
I was a puck……
Then I got my bag ready for all the treats. I used my backpack that had wheels.
I did not go by myself in the dark. My big brother came with me.
I knocked on the doors one by one. They did not see my smile when I said trick or treat!
Most people gave me some candy. I always said thank you.
I went right home. You should always ask your mom or dad to check if the candies are safe before you eat them!
Have a happy Halloween!

posted by Ahmad, grade 4

Room 19 went on a trip to the Brickworks

We are learning about rocks and soil, so our class took a trip to the Brickworks. When we went up and down the hills, it was really muddy. We met Ms. Makinson’s dog. Her name is Shayla.

We learned that when soil gets pushed down it turns into clay and then it turns into rock. Some animals live there at the brickworks. We saw a blue jay and you can see one too. You should visit the Brickworks if you are making a report about soil or rocks.

posted by Tonusri, grade 3

CBC broadcasts from right here!!!

posted by Shamal, grade 5

November 11 is a special day at NMPPS

We all contributed to this important assembly!

posted by Emman, grade 8

Someone Needs My Help - EMPATHY!

This boy fell by mistake and the girl is being kind to him.
She helps him up.
Being nice is very important.
Sometimes people really need help!Posted by Masuma, grade 3

Our Field Trip to Stratford

Stratford is very far from our school and I think we were very lucky to go to see a play there.

The whole class from Room 13 and 10 students from room 16 went that day in October. The play we saw was called “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. It was written by Shakespeare a long time ago. That play was so interesting and funny. It was amazing to see the way the play was put on and it was funny because there were chases. The people from the workshop at Stratford worked with us before the play started.

The bus ride was very long. It took two hours and thirty minutes to go each way. The bus was so cool because there was a bathroom inside at the back of the bus. It was raining outside so we had to eat our lunch inside of the bus. Halima was called to the stage to impress the princess.

If you ever have a chance to go to the theatre in Stratford you will like it there.

Posted by Halima and Nadia

Our Class Goes SWIMMING!

Our community centre has a pool. We go there for swimming lessons. We need to be safe in the water! Posted by Garcia

We are FANS of M.J.'s Music!

Everybody knows who Michael Jackson was and we all know he will R.I.P. but the real amazing thing is that he created the famous Thriller Dance Video. We want to talk about that amazing dance. Firstly, he turned into a crazy dancing zombie! Then other zombies came out of the graveyard. We think that it’s so cool that he danced with such passion!

We all know that M.J. (Michael Jackson) was the BEST dancer in the world and was known as “King Pop” but some of you may not like him. Everybody has their own opinions!

Zero gravity was the best move ever done by M.J. The secret to this move was his shoes! His shoes were made for doing flexible moves on his toes.

Although this incredible dancer will R.I.P., his music will be living for ever. Now please enjoy this royalty-free picture of M.J. from Big Stock Photos.

Posted by Varda, Nadia and Shamal

Remembrance Day at Our School

Reminder!!

posted by Isabel

Our principal is leaving us!

Goodbye Mr. Malabre!!!

Ohh NO, Mr. Malabre is leaving and going to a school called Humber Summit and
we reporters went to interview him today to find out all the details! He told us that Ms. Pearson is going to be taking over, and will be our Principal next year. Mr. Kandenkary will be our vice principal. Mr. Malabre was surprised and both happy and saddened to hear that his transfer was approved. He felt conflicted because he wanted his school to be closer to his home but he still felt a huge dedication to this school and community! He thoroughly enjoyed the years he has been here at NMPPS. He says he will miss us all! Mr. Malabre, we all hope you have good kids and great teachers at your new school, and funny memories of us all.

posted by Rafia and Aisha

Summer fun: keep us up to date!!!!

Here is a place where you can post about all the fun you are having over the summer.

You should be active and ride your bike around. Don't let anybody ruin your summer by bothering you.

Matthew.

Our Very Own Luminato Ladies!!!

The famous Six String Nation Guitar spends some time with its fans: four of our students enjoy its company!

One Million Acts of Green#4: Trees for Life!

We need all our trees for so many reasons: food, oxygen, shade, beauty......

Watch how we committed our special Act of Green, and had fun too!

Posted by the Eco-warriors in room 17!

News Club's "Self" Evaluation!

Click on the comic to see better!

If you think you'd like to be part of this group next year, send us your first name in comments, below!

posted by Hana and Varda, grade 5

Never be CRUEL to ANIMALS!!!

Here is a plea for all humans to be kind and responsible to animals... Listen to this podscast by our animal advocate.

Please share your ideas with us about this urgent issue! Click comments below....

posted by Mandeq, grade 5

An amazing medal !

Hi! I'm gonna show you one of the coolest things I have. Check it out below! It is sooooo cool! It is a medal I won last month at a gymnastics competition. It's FIRST place! This is what I think is so cool about winning it. I had to do some incredible dismounts off the balance beam. If I didn't nail them I might have broken all my bones! If I get picked next year I would be really excited to compete again. I love this medal. It means the world to me. I hope I don't lose it!

Park Panthers, GO,GO,GO!

video created by Hajera

One Million Acts of Green! #3: Pizza-eaters, not gas-guzzlers!

Wasting gas pollutes our planet.

Watch how we committed our "Act of Green" and got pizza, too!

What will you do? Leave us a comment!

posted by room 17

One Million Acts of Green! #2: Havin' a party!

We made up our own "Act of Green!"

Take a look at how we saved energy and waste by avoiding disposable plates and cups at our party!!


Are you being "green?" Leave us a comment!

Posted by room 17

One Million Acts of Green #1: Pond Scumbag!

We believe in green!

Check out our video! We've made a commitment to help our planet!

What about YOU???? What 'act of green' will you commit to? Write to us, in comments!

posted by room 17

Are Torontonians being honest?

In Toronto people find wallets that others may have lost.

A reporter for the Toronto Star, on purpose left 20 wallets all over the city to see what people would do. The results were: 16 wallets were returned , but 4 wallets were kept. The wallets each had $43.77 dollars in them.

Sometimes someone might keep the wallet because there might be MONEY, LOTTERY TICKETS, or maybe ID. But 80% of Torontonians give the wallets back to the owners and maybe if the owners are very happy the people might get a reward.

I want your thoughts about Torontonians being honest and what you would do if you found someone's belongings.

Hajera

Don't Be Scared, Be Safe!

If you have heard about the Tori Stafford case, you're probably more than a little bit scared. Any one would be scared if they heard that an eight year-old girl was abducted, then murdered. Well, here's a little update: two suspects have been charged with the abduction and murder of Victoria Stafford. The suspects have been taken into custody by police, and the search for her continues.

Anyway, if you want to be safe here are some things you can do :

1. Make a family code word and tell your parents to tell the person that is picking you up to say the code word. Once the code word has been used, you need to change it, to be safe.

2. Don't be alone. When you go some place, make sure that you are with someone else. The more the merrier. Most of the time.

3. Remember, be smart and stay safe!

Posted by Mandeq

Roving Reporter for N.M.P.P.S

Hey there, I'm the roving reporter at N.M.P.P.S. and I am writing about all sorts of great sports that are happening around the school .

Do you know that Track and Field happens during the Spring/Summer term?

You might have seen that some students are running around the track and jumping during the lunch hour as Mr. Abdul Rashid decides who is going to represent our school at the Spring track meets. On Friday May 22nd, there is going to be a Spring track meet at Varsity Stadium, which is the stadium that Usain Bolt will racing at on June 11th. Mr. Abdul Rashid personally talked to me about the track meet and the excellent Junior runners.

Another sport that's been popular at the school is Soccer!!!!!!!!!

There are four teams for our school who have been practicing and playing. One of them , the junior boys went to a tournament on Friday, May 15, 2009. Unfortunately they didn't win any games, but Michael was excellent and scored the only goal in the first game. The next soccer team is the junior girls who went to a tournament on Wednesday, May20, 2009. They had a great time but unfortunately they lost four games and tied one.
I wanted to tell you about the Sr. girls' soccer team.
I interviewed Ms Sharma's star player Aisha !! The team went to a tournament
and played four games. There were 14 girls actually 13 and an assistant manger.
Here are the names: Stephanie, Felicana, Naura, Gina. Aisha, Ruth, Laura, Alex, Paulina, and Mykeisha, Yemi, Tianna and Ashley. Their wonderful coach was Ms.Sharma.

Finally, children from grades 2 to 6 have been walking to the John Innes Pool with their teachers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for swimming lessons with Moe and Harri. Swimming is an important life lesson, because if you see someone drowning and you don't know how to swim, then what are you going to do? What if you want to go on a boat, kayak or a canoe. So swimming is important!

By your Roving Reporter, Rafia

Ask Lizzy - A Column for our Readers to Ask Her Advice....

Dear Readers,

I'm Lizzy. I want you to ask for me for advice and I will reply to your problems. Okay, these are some things you can ask me about:

1. Swine flu (H1N1)

2.Friendship

3.New grades

4.New homes in or out of Regent Park
5.Clubs
6.Tests/Grades as on report cards
7.Bullies
8. LOVE Problems

If you have any other suggestions please tell me on the blog.
Just to be safe about this please don't use your name. You'll feel safer and more private if you make yourself into an a nickname, just for ask Lizzy!

We look forward to your questions and comments.

From,

Lizzy

Regent Park's Gift : Memories - Part 2

Here is the second installment of the beautiful testimonial our grade 4 and 5 students in room 20 have created to Regent Park, their home.

They would especially like you to listen to their words and voices as they accompany singer-songwriter Katherine Wheatley who helped them to craft their beautiful song. At the end is their "thank you" to this generous and gifted artist.



Share your thoughts and feelings with us, by clicking "comments" blow. Be sure to include your first name.

Regent Park's Gift : Memories!

The grade 4 and 5 students in room 20 offer a beautiful testimonial to their home.
It is fitting that this be posted on the very day that prior residents, displaced 4 years ago while their buildings were demolished and renewed, are moving back in!

Our part of Regent Park will be transforming in this same way very soon..... and there will be challenging adjustments our students face during this very personal and public transition.

This heart-felt piece, says a great deal about their courage and the love and support of their community.

Allan Gardens - Paradise in our own neighborhood!

Room 20 visited Allan Gardens to practice planting and to learn the importance of GREEN in our world!



video created by Aisha, grade 4

MiniMag #1

News as it's happening: see it first on "Rising Every Time: The Blog"



posted by Hajera and Hana, grade 5

New Babies!!!

Ms Burton was my grade 4/5 teacher in room 13. She already had a boy name Jake, who is about 2. Recently, she had a baby girl. Her baby was 3 pounds and 14 ounces. Ms Burton is a really nice teacher and we miss her. Now we have a new teacher named Ms Wells, who used to teach room 16, which now has Ms Bryce. (This is not an actual picture of Ms Burton's baby. We're waiting for one of those!)

Also, Ajike, who has had many different teaching jobs at the school had twin girls names Olympia and Grace. This is a picture of Ajike's baby girls. They have a big brother named Ezekiel!

posted by Nadia, grade 4

Jewels For Shelters

Jewels For Shelters is about helping and I'm proud of it because I invented it! It is part of my project for Future Possibilties. I call it a goal because it is. First, I tried to make a idea from nothing and I'm nearly done! Girls and women get bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and sets of jewelry. I work hard to make these pieces that you see in the picture. Then I sell some of them and this money goes to help women, girls, homeless people and hospitals. Please help me in donating bracelets, please.

If you want to know about how you can join Future Possibilties and help other people, just go on www.fpcanada.org

posted by Nadia, grade 5

Good bye, Will

In Room 20 a cool guy came in. I wondered who it was but then he explained himself.

He said his name was Will, and that he was a student who would be here until April 16. He was assigned to us from George Brown College where he was learning to be a Child/Youth worker. I thought he was just some ordinary guy but, when I got to know him better, I started to see how cool a guy he is.

It was great having him around the classroom because he helped people out with their work and shared some stuff with us. He also made some fun activities for us like designing our own chocolate bars. He LOVES graffiti, he also has his own graffiti crew. On the last day he wore his hair in a Mowhawk. That is his usual style.

posted by Matthew, grade 5

Our Officer Frank

Officer Frank is COOL!
Guess what? Officer Frank is back. He told us that bullies are losers. Bullies are always scared. He said that you could get arrested at any age, and you can be charged here in Canada when you are 12. There is no JUVI in Canada, only in the U.S. One thing that sucks is if you get arrested, you cannot do all the things you always wanted to do. There are restrictions on you, like if you wanted to visit the U.S. and you are about to cross the border. The man in the booth would look at your record, and if it said, maybe, "arrested for domestic violence" then you would need to turn around and drive all the way back. You would not be able to leave Canada!

One thing is very important! Officer Frank said if you ever did get bullied, it is not your fault!
posted by Matthew, grade 5

Officer Frank's Important Visit
On April 7th, Officer Frank from 51 division came to Room 13. He talked to us about bullying and that you can get charged when you are twelve if you bully someone. He told us the story about a teacher on yard duty who witnessed a boy push another boy into a fence. The boy injured his face on the fence. The bully was sent to the office where his mom was informed. The principal said that her child was in trouble for assault and that the other boy was going to the hospital. The bully was arrested.

Officer Frank talked about cyber-bullying and verbal-bullying. Bullying isn't just about physical pain. Words can hurt too. He suggested talking to a teacher on yard duty, or another adult who you trust. He said that bullying can affect your future. Any charges will stay on your record and you won't be able to be a teacher, or a judge, or a police officer. You won't be able to have many jobs because of a bad choice.

I think the students learned a lot from Officer Frank. Hopefully students will see the dangers of bullying and know how to deal with it.
posted by Nadia, grade 5

photo posted with permission of Officer Frank!

Let's All Go to the Ball !

We had some wonderful lessons, and now we get to show off the best of our moves on the dance floor in front of the whole school!

Video created in Photostory by Varda and Aisha, grade 4

People's Feelings Can Get Really Hurt!

I think bullying is a serious issue because people are getting hurt and they do not stand up against bullies. I understand how people feel because I had to handle

someone else's problems because they were scared and I sometimes feel scared but we should have courage to handle this kind of stuff. I feel upset that some people cannot tell an adult how they feel if they are in trouble.

Posted by Rafia, Grade 5

Enjoy Your Paperless Paper, here!

Your April issue of your trusty school paper, delivered right to you! Enjoy, and make sure to respond with your comments to the authors who have worked so hard to engage you with their ideas.

Our Band Rocks, Bigtime!!!

Whenever our school has one of our concerts, our band "blows us away!"

Video created in News Club by Nadia and Varda, grade 5

Amazing Evolution

It is inspiring to see how the efforts of our students have evolved into this blog. The topics and issues that are posted are current and relevant to not only our community but the world. I am very interested in the discussions that have occurred on the blog and look forward to being an active contributor. Congratulations to all students in making this blog a meaningful and relevant part of our school community and a positive contributor to our world.

posted by Mr. Malabre, your Principal

Mandela Kids Show Off Their Talent!

Watch this video to see the amazing things our kids can do! Our Talent Show this year was on March 13th. Maybe YOU will be in next year's show?

Created in Photostory by Mandeq, grade 5

YOU DANCE YAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever seen ballet dancers dance in big hats and clothes? Well I just saw that on April 2, 2009 at Canada’s National Ballet School.I enjoyed the dance called Giselle; it was sad and romantic. We got a chance to perform our dance too. It was easy when we were performing on the stage because there weren’t many people watching, but when we were performing in front of the dancers, it was hard.I would remember mostly every thing, but the thing I would remember most is the funny dance we watched: there was a girl who was really confident and a boy who was a bit shy. They were in a dance hall. It was really funny… especially at the end when the girl who was confident fell on top of the guy who was shy.After all that I learned that ballet is not just for dancing, it’s also for fun.If I had a chance to change or do something different I wouldn’t because it was so well done that there was nothing to change or do differently. If I had a chance to do it again I would love to. It was so fantastic that anyone would want to see it again.

posted by Shamal, grade 5

I enjoyed dancing because it was a good dance we did and it was really fun. I liked watching the performance by the professional dancers because their dances were very cool.The difficult part was sitting still while I watched room 17 because I really wanted to dance but they still did very good. I learned if you pay attention you will get through it faster then you think. I would like to do YOUDANCE again. The only thing I would have changed would be doing two dances instead of one!

posted by Tiffani, grade 4

Two classes have done YOU DANCE and two more classes are about to do that !!!!

YOU DANCE is a National Ballet group in Canada and you learn some dances and get to watch and meet amazing dancers. I am excited about YOU DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want more imfomation check out their website http://www.youdancecanada.ca/

posted by Rafia, grade 5

Are you glad you live in Regent Park ?

Do you feel safe in Regent Park ?

I was not born in Regent Park but I am living here now. To me Regent Park is very different.
One thing that is different is that the neighborhood is all closed up. In Regent Park it is easier to get away with crime and do drugs. Regent Park is sometimes very violent. If I could do something about it I would spread out the buildings. Another different thing about Regent Park is that people don't listen to signs like NO TRESPASSING. They get in trouble for it and they don't even care. One more thing about Regent Park is that a lot of people don't put their litter in the garbage and don't
care about the Environment.

When I'm in my school I do feel safe. I go to Nelson Mandela Park. Nelson Mandela is a school where teachers teach students how to behave properly. Some kids don't learn how to behave but most kids do learn not to be violent.

Please leave comments about how you feel in Regent Park!

Matthew, grade 5

photo from iStockphoto.com

Get Ready, Get Set...EARTH HOUR!

Attention everybody, attention!!!
Guess what's happening this Saturday in Regent Park and all over the world?
If you don't know let me remind you...It's Earth Hour. Turn off all your lights and electrical things and be ready at 8:30 to watch all the windows do dark. Be part of the global solution!
See you there!
Rafia