Student Guluwalk 2010 Information

To:            ETT MEMBERS
From:        ANDY LOMNICKI, EXECUTIVE LIASON – POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Re:            TDSB STUDENT GULUWALK – THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
Date:         March 11, 2010

There are many ways for classes to participate in the TDSB Student GuluWalk to be held on Thursday, April 29, 2010.

Please complete and fax the Student GuluWalk Registration Form to the ETT Office, (416-393-9929), no later than April 19^th.

This is planned as an all day event. Recognizing that bussing would be necessary for classes to be transported to and from the event we have tried to schedule the event in such a way as to allow for full participation without the risk of having to curtail the activity due to the demands of bussing/transportation. Buses should have been able to complete morning runs in time to transport students to the starting point and we’ll be finished in time to have buses pick up students in time to get back for their afternoon runs.

Start: Lawrence Park ravine – one block south of Yonge & Lawrence (TTC subway station)
– drop off for buses along bordering side streets.
Classes can start to gather at 9:30.
Opening ceremonies (introductory speeches & greetings) begin at 10:00.
We’d like to be underway by 10:15.

Finish: Metro Toronto Hall (King & John Streets)
We hope to arrive at Metro Toronto Hall by 1:15.
There will be a short closing ceremony that will be completed by 1:45.
Classes can begin boarding buses (or TTC) by 1:45 - 2:00, allowing time to get back to school in time for standard dismissal.

Route: The Student GuluWalk will go straight down Yonge Street to King Street, where we turn west for a few short blocks until we reach Metro Toronto Hall on the corner of John Street. The route covers just over 10 km (please see map below).

For some students this may be a strenuous journey. Please gauge if your class will be able to cover this distance. In some cases a shorter distance may be more appropriate for your class.  Being a part of this event will be very empowering for your students. If you wish to walk a shorter distance, e.g., from Eglinton and Yonge, or Davisville, or even St. Clair, please make allowances for your arrival and ability to join the march without putting students at risk. Look for a location along Yonge Street, such as school, public building or parkette that allows you a place to wait and an ability to see the GuluWalk route without splitting up your class.

Teachers are encouraged to have students wear school team uniforms or t-shirts of “school colours”. This may be a better way of keeping track of classes than to have everyone wear the GuluWalk orange colour.

There will be no portable washrooms set up along the way. Nor will there be any stops for food.

This should be thoroughly discussed with your class in the pre-planning stages. Convenience stores, coffee shops and fast food restaurants will be open (as it is a regular business day), but it wouldn’t be practical to bring in a class of 25-30, or stopping along the route repeatedly. Students may bring lunches/snacks but they would be responsible for them. Perhaps plans to eat before or after the event would be best.  Smaller, disposable (litterless) lunches would be advisable. Snacks along the way should be of the energy snack bar and/or trail mix variety. Most schools plan on eating lunch at the end location, Metro Hall (washrooms are accessible there).  For water, perhaps a backpack shared among 2 – 4 students could make for a manageable load.

Speaking before the event about the daily conditions that the children in Northern Uganda face would help your students have a better feel for the experience.  Use the various resources that are available, including past participants.

We encourage the Parent Council at your school to get involved in this project. Perhaps they can fund the cost of snack bars and bottled water for your classes.

A little “training” beforehand would be advised. Trips around your school block (several times) or walking around the school yard may be a good precursor to the event and can be covered in physical education classes.  It can give students a sense of what they need to get ready for.

For those classes that may not be able to join in the full GuluWalk event, participating at the school or community level may be a way to become involved. For example, on April 29, classes/schools may wish to walk around their school or neighbourhood to cover the 10 km and still be a part of this day.

Watch for additional information at www.ett.ca or www.guluwalk.com/tdsb or on the TEL Conference (Staffroom: TEL) entitled Student GuluWalk. 

There are a limited number of opportunities for school/class visits by representatives for the GuluWalk organization before the actual event.  School organizers wishing to know more or to book these opportunities are encouraged to contact Kieran Hayward directly, at: kieran@guluwalk.com or visit www.guluwalk.com/tdsb.