TFS - Canada's International School

Do you have records or memorabilia from your or your child's time at TFS? Please get in touch with the TFS Archives at archives@tfs.ca. Société '62, the support of many parents over the years has been instrumental to the school's progress. She noted how, in the early days of TFS, parents would welcome teachers from different countries into their homes, help them find a place to live and ease their transition to life in Canada. Diane shared one instance when a Belgian teacher staying with her asked if she could find a cage for his parrot, Geronimo, who would soon be arriving with his wife and two dachshunds. The parrot had apparently saved the teacher's life in Zaire and held a special place in his heart. Diane accepted the challenge and located the right cage. A few days later, the Mandells went with the teacher to the airport. "The two dogs, collectively known as Chin Chin, had to be quarantined for 30 days. Geronimo took one look at his errant master and began to squawk using some choice words. Somehow, we were able to bundle one exhausted wife, one aggrieved parrot, one smiling teacher, several pieces of luggage and ourselves into a station wagon," recounts Diane. From host family to fundraiser, from organizing science fairs to launching book drives, the Mandells and their fellow volunteers embraced every challenge. "We felt very much a part of the TFS dream and were determined to help this remarkable enterprise succeed. Volunteering together was our way of building for the present and the future." BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE Like the Mandells, Kathleen Mackenzie began her involvement with TFS when she enrolled her eldest daughter. It was the '80s and Kathleen's first role as a volunteer was in the library. Three years later, her younger daughter joined the school. Kathleen had become President of the Parents' Association and was serving on the school's Board of Directors when it was determined that, due to the expanding influence of electronic media and computer technology, a review of the school's mission and long-term strategic plan was necessary. "It almost sounds quaint now looking back over the years and reflecting on our concerns for a changing world," said Kathleen. "However, society is going through much the same situation now with similar and different challenges. AI to name but one!" By the time the review started, Kathleen was Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and was asked to lead the initiative. A steering committee and a 25-member strategic planning team representing all of the school's different constituencies was formed, with six action planning teams. The initial planning phase took 18 months. The completed long-term strategic plan reflected a new vision for the school. It required a change of focus to the development of the whole child, while recognizing the need to integrate the new vision into the school's historical continuum of proven academic excellence within an international perspective. With Kathleen now serving as Board Chair, the school began to adopt the new vision. This led to the Building on Excellence campaign from 2001 to 2003 that saw significant new construction take place at the school, including 29 new classrooms, a double gym and pool, a full service cafeteria, meeting spaces and a library. "The academic excellence TFS was renowned for continued and grew," said Kathleen. "By the time the new plan was acted upon and new facilities were built, I and many others involved in the entire process had no children remaining at the school. However, it gave us great pleasure to have been part of the process that helped build on the strength of the original Toronto French School." REMEMBERING OUR PAST, STRENGTHENING OUR FUTURE In contrast to her fellow co-chairs, Nancy Cohen's involvement at TFS started as a student. Since the day of her graduation in 1978, Nancy has remained actively engaged with the school, both as an alumna, parent and exemplary volunteer. Acting as Alumni Class Representative in 1978, co-founding the Alumni of Distinction Awards, and providing valuable guidance as a member of the TFS Board and the TFS Foundation Board, are just some of the many roles Nancy has played during over four decades of volunteering. In 2006, as a member of the TFS Parents' Association, she helped organize the Rendez-vous, a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the PA. "We gathered as many past volunteers as we could find to renew those friendships and showcase the new school buildings, which were only a few years old at the time," Nancy recalled. As part of the anniversary, volunteers and staff began collecting and organizing school memorabilia that would eventually become the basis for the school's archives. At each school milestone thereafter, the archives would grow. Finally, during the Soaring Beyond campaign, from 2010 to 2016, Nancy assumed a leadership role and, with her husband Stephen, helped fund the establishment of a formal archives program at TFS. From then on, there would be dedicated space, staff time and budget for the archives. To this day, the collection preserves the school's unique history and celebrates its founding role in French immersion education in Canada. "Société '62 is another step in gathering and honouring TFS' history, its successes and contributions. This time, it's about our most senior leadership volunteers and distinguished members of our community," Nancy added. "My co-chairs, and all TFS volunteers, have always been an inspiration to me and working alongside them is why I am so passionate about getting Société '62 going!" 67 TFS

• Cover