Nicole's Notes: Volume 34 (May 13, 2013)

Happy Monday TOSH Parents and Guardians!

And Happy Belated Mother's Day to some of you! I trust that our TOSH moms had a restful weekend and that they were "loved up" for the time, love, and support they provide our TOSH students on a daily basis. I know WE appreciate the work you do and the support you show us as we work with your kids!

For those who did not receive my e mail communication late last week, I just wanted to provide our parent community with some clarity around the incident that happened here at Three Oaks. A student did fall from the upper skylight and no other students were involved in any way. The student is recovering well in hospital and, thankfully, is going to be o.k. after receiving the proper treatment. I am also grateful for the quick and professional response of some of our TOSH staff members in dealing with this crisis. Our thoughts and prayers remain with our student and the family.
This is a difficult time for one of our own, as well as for those closest to this student, and I am asking for your support in helping to stem the rumours and gossip that often transpire in a small community following an event like this. I have asked our TOSH students to respect this student's privacy by not engaging in on line discussions about this situation and most have respected that request. We have been trying to instill a "treat others the way you would like to be treated" philosophy here at Three Oaks, and this family deserves to have its privacy respected. Anything you can do from home to help us in this regard would be very much appreciated. 
There will be no details shared with the media and please be assured that supports have been put in place here for any students who need them. If your son/daughter needs anything from us, please let us know right away.

Upcoming Dates to Note:

May

15      Badminton Zones- Single (KISH @ 3 p.m.)

          TOSH Trivia Night Fundraiser (Proceeds to our sister school in Africa)

16      "Bully" Video showing in Gym-Free admission and everyone 12 yrs and older are welcome

            (7 p.m. start: 90 min video)

18      Badminton Zones- Doubles (TOSH @ 3 p.m.)

20      Victoria Day- No Classes

24      Relay for Life- Community Gardens, K'ton

25      Grad Prom

          PEISAA Badminton Championships (and 27th)
30      "Standing for the Silent": Kirk Smalley presentation to parents- 7 p.m.
31      Kirk Smalley Keynote- Full School Assembly

June
1       Band Banquet
4       Extra-Curricular Awards Assembly
6       TOAD: "Three Oaks Activity Day"  (11:50 a.m.- end of the day)
8       Athletic Banquet
10     GRADE 12 FINAL EXAMS- BLOCK A
11     GRADE 12 FINAL EXAMS- BLOCK B
12     GRADE 10, 11, & 12 FINAL EXAMS- BLOCK C
13     GRADE 10, 11 & 12 FINAL EXAMS- BLOCK D
14     GRADE 10 & 11 FINAL EXAMS- BLOCK A       
17     GRADE 10 & 11 FINAL EXAMS- BLOCK B
18     Grad List Posted- 9 a.m.
20     Graduation Breakfast and Rehearsal
         Graduation- Credit Union Place- 7 p.m. (Open to the public-no tickets required)
         Safe Grad to follow
25     Report Cards for Grades 10 & 11: 9-10:30 a.m.
28     School Closes for the Summer!

DRESS CODE:  WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Although the warm weather is most welcome, we are starting to see more fashions coming to school that are in violation of our school dress code, particularly the length of skirts, dresses, and shorts. Some years, the "styles" work against us and this seems to be the case this season. Please ask your daughter to be sure that her skirt or dress extends below her fingertips when her arms are held by her side. It is more difficult with shorts, because very few in stores meet our "finger tip rule". However, "short shorts" are definitely something to wear in another place/time, and we will have discreet conversations with any students who prompt a raised eyebrow or two. We continue to monitor all aspects of our Dress Code, but this seems to be our biggest issue at the moment. We appreciate you being proactive at home by monitoring what your child is wearing to school each day.

TOSH A RUGBY WOMEN COLONEL GRAY TOURNAMENT CHAMPS!
Congratulations to our A Women's Rugby team who won the final game against Colonel Gray (10-5) to win the Colonel Gray Rugby Spring Tip Off Tournament in Charlottetown this past weekend! Our TOSH A Men's team represented us well also and we are proud of all our TOSH athletes!

PETER AND CORINA BOLO'S "AFRICA" PRESENTATION THIS WEEK!
TOSH welcomes retired teachers Peter (Westisle) and Corina (Alberton Elementary) to our school this week to share the experiences and insights they gained from a recent trip to Africa. They will speak to both of Mr. Chisholm's Global Issues 621 classes and then to selected classes during Block C. While in Africa, Peter and Corina helped build schools and worked with orphans in communities raged by AIDS.




TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER WEDNESDAY!

Our Free the Children/People Helping People club have organized a Trivia Night for this Wednesday, May 15 from 6:30-9 p.m. in the TOSH cafeteria. Admission is $3 per person and participants are invited to come in teams of 2-5 people. All proceeds will go to benefit our sister school, Ndunyu Secondary School in Kenya, Africa.

TOSH CLIMATE CREW AND PARENT COUNCIL PRESENT TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS FOR PARENTS IN MAY!

Please mark your calendars now for the evenings of May 16 ("Bully" movie showing at TOSH- 7 p.m.) and May 30 ("Standing for the Silent" evening featuring a presentation by Kirk Smalley at TOSH- 7 p.m.) Kirk is the father in the "Bully" video from Oklahoma who lost his 11 year old son to suicide as a result of the bullying he endured. More information about his organization, Stand for the Silent, can be found at:  http://www.standforthesilent.org/ 

We will be opening both events up to community members and parents from other schools, so please help us spread the word! Both events are free admission, as well.

STUDENT LOAN PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT!

There will be an information session for parents and graduating students interested in applying for student loans-both federal and provincial-on May 22 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the TOSH Lecture Theatre. There will also be some information provided about various bursary programs our province provides including: George Coles and Island Skills/Student Awards, along with provincial debt reduction grants for those who qualify upon completion of their studies.

KUDOS TO OUR KIDS!

To Rebecca MacCormack for being chosen to participate in the Quebec Exchange next year! 

To our Calculus 611S and English 611 students who wrote their AP exams last week!

To our Climate Crew members who are facilitating the showing of the "Bully" movie on Thursday!

To our Grade 12 French Immersion students who completed their international DELF testing last week!

To the Global Issues 621 students who participated in a project display fair last week which allowed them to learn more about the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals! (Pictures below)

Challenge:  Plan to attend the showing of the movie, "Bully" on Thursday evening, May 16

-7 p.m. start- and bring along some parent friends. This documentary explores the important issues around bullying and is not appropriate for students under age 12.

Quote of the Week:  "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."~ Dalai Lama

Have a wonderful week!

Nicole