Nicole's Notes: Volume 3 (Sept. 23/13)

Best looking CSLC 2013 delegation there! :-)

Happy Monday TOSH Parents and Guardians!

What an awesome week we had at CSLC 2013 hosted by Montague Regional High School in Montague, PEI! The staff and students of MRHS are to be commended for the incredible amount of work they put into two years of planning for this event. Our 10 TOSH  student and 4 teacher advisor delegates joined almost 1000 others from across Canada for five days of leadership speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, spirit, and nation building. The schedule was jam packed with learning opportunities, and I know that our TOSH representatives will bring their enthusiasm and new ideas back to share with our school community!

My October Adventure... 

I announced at Meet the Teacher Night that I will be taking a leave of absence for surgery and will be out for at least four weeks beginning on October 3. Jason Gallant (VP) will be Acting Principal in my absence and Faber MacDonald (who is currently teaching Science courses) will be Acting Vice-Principal. I promise to follow doctor's orders (despite my nature!) and rest so that I can get back to school as soon as possible.

Notes from Meet the Teacher Night!

In order for our students to experience academic success at TOSH, there must be three partners working together: the School, the Parents/Guardians, and the Student.

Whenever you see the "three legged stool" icon on my blog, it means that we need your help! Please read the following list of commitments below and know that we, the school, are on your team! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school (888-8460) or via e mail: nmhaire@edu.pe.ca

The School's Commitment to Student Learning Means We Will...

•Ensure a safe space for all students to come each day to learn

•Make positive connections with students on a professional and, sometimes, more personal level

•Maintain up to date records of attendance (daily) and student progress (bi-weekly) on SAS as feedback for parents/guardians and students

•Maintain communication with parents/guardians (via phone and/or e mail) when there is cause for concern and/or celebration

•Encourage students to always try their best and offer help and support during school hours

The Necessary Commitment to Student Learning from Parents/Guardians Means...

•Ensuring that students have their basic needs met

•Offering a quiet place for homework and study

•Contacting the teacher/school if there are extenuating life circumstances/events that might get in the way of a student’s learning

•Talking with your son/daughter about school: How it’s going, if they need any help they are not currently receiving, and then alerting the teacher/school if necessary

•Ensuring that students miss as little instructional time as possible. Please note that family trips outside the usual vacation periods, while valuable, fall under the "Unexcused Absence" category and the student will be responsible to request work ahead of time and/or catch up when they return. The office must also be alerted in advance of any extended absence, please and thanks!

•Reinforcing school policies from home such as the Dress Code, Cell Phone, and Safe School policies

The Necessary Commitment to Their Own Learning from the Student Means...

•Coming to class on time each day with materials in hand and ready to learn

•Giving teachers ample notice if they must miss class time and then taking responsibility for the class work missed

•Handing assigned work in on the due date. Our policy around late assignments was reviewed (see below).

•Alerting the teacher or other support staff if they find learning difficult and need some support with their course work

•Treating others (staff and students) with respect and behaving in a way that respects the school policies found in their Student Agenda

Dates to Remember:

September:
16          Student Photos Begin 
17          Student Photos continue
              CSLC 2013 Delegates Leave (Sept. 17-21)- 10 students and 4 teachers plus Ms Haire
19          Phil Boyte Assembly- 9:00 a.m. 
              Meet the Teacher Night- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Begins in the Gym
20          Provincial Professional Learning Day- No classes!
25          PH Training Day (Peer Helpers and Ms. Peterson Out)
              Scholastic Awards Assembly- 10:30 a.m. 
26          Grad Photos Begin
30          Parent Council Meeting- 6:30 p.m.

October:

2            Nicole's Last Day Before Leave
14          Thanksgiving-No Classes
17-18    Annual Teachers' Convention-No Classes
21          Career Day         
23          Student Photo Retakes

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY (2013-2014)

Students are asked use their time management skills and respect due dates for assignments. We need to assess students in a timely manner so that the feedback can be connected to the learning that took place. We are also mandated by the PEI Department of Education to only assign summative marks (marks that "count" in the final average) to outcomes found in the curriculum. That means that we will not longer be taking a percentage of the mark off for work handed in late unless a time management outcome appears in a particular course's curriculum guide.

Our teachers will help set students up for success in this regard by:

* sharing with students how the assignment criteria will be marked prior to the assignment work beginning

* give ample time for assignment completion

* check in throughout the process to see if the student is on track to finish on time

* discuss any concerns they may have about the student's progress and/or pace of completion with the student and the parent

* make accommodations when warranted (special circumstances)

GRADE 10:  We see Grade 10 to be a transition year that requires a bit of a "softer" landing. For this reason, teachers will allow Grade 10 students to negotiate a different due date for assignments, if necessary, within 2 weeks after the due date, as long as the conversation about the change happens before the day the assignment is due. That new, negotiated date then becomes the student's new assignment due date, and we will expect him/her to honour that. If not, teachers will indicate "NHI" (Not Handed In) on SAS which translates to a mark of zero. Please note that there are homework rooms available every day at noon to Grade 10 students. These are located in Room 619 and 620 and are staffed by core subject teachers who can offer support in Math/Science and English/Social Studies. 

GRADE 11 and 12:  Teachers will do their part (listed above) and the expectation will be that students will hand their assignments in on or before the due date. If a student does not hand in an assignment on time, the teacher will indicate "NHI" (Not Handed In) on SAS which translates to a mark of zero. 

You can help by knowing what assignments your son/daughter has due and helping him/her manage the time it will take to get everything completed by the due date. Also, if your son/daughter is struggling in a particular course, please let us know in the office and we will do our best to provide supports that might help. 

TIME MANAGEMENT MONDAYS

Ms. Peterson will be hosting sessions in the CSLC room (inside the Library) on Mondays for students who would like to learn time management strategies. Having good time management skills can lead to greater success in school (and in life!). These sessions begin on Monday, September 23 at 12:00. 

TOSH BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Research shows that students who eat breakfast have the fuel they need to power their brains for learning. Our TOSH Breakfast Program runs five mornings a week from 8 a.m. until bell time so that all TOSH students can make sure they eat before school starts for the day. This program receives a bit of funding, but not enough to cover the cost of running it five days/week. Monetary and food donations are always accepted, and we thank you in advance for supporting this initiative. The Breakfast Program is open to all students, and it will take all of us working together to keep it operating. If you want to know what kind of food to send, please call or e mail Tami Arsenault (YSW) at school: taarsenault@edu.pe.ca. 
Monetary donations can be handed in at the Main Office and any cheques made payable to: Three Oaks Senior High School.

UPDATED POST-SECONDARY VISITS/DATES TO NOTE 

Name	Location	Date
Naval Reserve and Military Display	Hall by Student Services-11:43 Military bus display at noon in the front parking lot	Oct. 1st
Oulton College (Moncton, NB)	Hall by Student Services-11:43	Oct. 8th
Dalhousie Open House	Dalhousie University, Halifax,NS	Register by Oct. 15. Open House is Oct. 18th
Universite Sainte Anne (Church Point, NS)	Student Services	10:30 a.m. Oct. 23rd
TOSH Career Day	In the Gym: 7 – 8:30 p.m. Open to parents and students (Students also visit the displays during the school day)	Oct. 21
McGill Open House	McGill University (Montreal, QC)	Oct. 27th
Queens University (Kingston,Ont.)	Pre-registration required in Student Services-11:30 in Lecture Theatre	Nov 4th
Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB)	Hall by Student Services-11:43	Nov. 5th
Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS)	Hall by Student Services-11:43	Nov. 25th
Memorial  University of NFLD (St. John’s, NL)	Evening session. Pre-registration requested. Open to the public , as well- 6:30 p.m. start in the  Lecture Theatre	Nov. 28th

** Any parents/guardians willing to present an information session about their job during Career Day at TOSH is asked to contact Mr. Jim Donovan: jddonovan@edu.pe.ca

 

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE RUN

The TOSH Free the Children/People Helping People club will be holding a run on Saturday, Sept. 28th to benefit our sister school in Kenya, Kduynu Secondary School.  The cost is $5 for students or $10 for adults. Runners can either participate in a 5 or 10 mile run. We're really trying to encourage students to participate in the run, but all adults from the larger community are welcome to participate, as well. 

Registration is at 8 a.m. and the run begins at 9 a.m.

ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 25

This Wednesday, Sept. 25 we will be honouring students who, during the 2012-2013 school year, achieved academic excellence in their studies through our Academic Awards Assembly. Students will be recognized for having the highest mark in a particular course and/or for achieving Honours standing (criteria is listed in the Course Handbook). I am sure there will be some pictures taken, so stay tuned to next week's blog for the celebration!

TOSH TERRY FOX WALK SEPTEMBER 27

Our Athletic Council and Leadership 621 students will be organizing our Annual TOSH Terry Fox Walk on Friday, Sept. 27 in the afternoon. Although our event is relatively brief, it still goes a long way to raise our school's awareness of the need for continued fundraising in the area of cancer research. Students can bring in donations and any monies received from outside community members will be added into our school total donation. Please remind your son/daughter to wear Red and White to school that day and pack an extra twonie or two for the cause!

Zach Graham-TOSH Class of  2013

GRAD PHOTOS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 26!

Grab the Kleenex, Grade 12 parents! Heckbert's Studios will be here at Three Oaks over the next few weeks to take pictures of our graduates. It is also possible for you to make arrangements to have pictures taken at their studio on Water Street East for the same sitting cost of $20. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the Main Foyer for grads to choose a date/time. After that, they just need to come to the photo area at their assigned time looking good! :) We have the grad gowns, etc. All they need is tidy hair, a clean face, and a smile!

GRANDPARENTS' GROUP AT CREDIT UNION PLACE

Credit Union Place is hosting a gathering for grandparents on Monday mornings that will offer a place for information gathering, learning and support for grandparents who are taking an active part in their grandchildren's lives. Facilitators are Rev. Andrew Richardson, Pat Poirier, Pam MacKinnon,and Arlene MacInnis. There is no cost to this program and tea and coffee will be provided. For more information, please call the East Prince Seniors Initiative at 888-2177.

Alex Rose helps Aidan Smith bundle up!

KUDOS TO OUR KIDS!

To Bronwyn Bridges for representing our school at Encounters With Canada in Ottawa this week!

To Jacob Brown for earning his Silver Duke of Edinburgh medal, as well as the Lord Strathcona Medal and other accolades for his accomplishments in Army Cadets!

To our exchange students from Brazil who have made a very successful transition to life and school in Summerside! They will be studying here for the first semester and are thriving thanks to the love and support of their Summerside host families. Anyone wishing more information about becoming a host family to an international exchange student in the future can contact Mr. Donovan in Student Services. 

To our dedicated fans for braving the cold rain to cheer our Men's Soccer team onto victory against KISH last week!

To Ms. Barrett's ENG 611 class for putting so much creativity into their excellent "Mythology Pageant"!

Challenge: Make sure that you have a SAS log in and password so that you can stay on top of your child's attendance and academic progress this school year. If you do not have one, please call Mr. Jason Gallant at the school or e mail him at: xjgallant@edu.pe.ca. We would like to have all parent/guardian e mail address in our system asap, as well. If you did not receive a reminder about this blog update, then we do not have yours!

Quote of the Week:  "All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them."~ Magic Johnson

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

Nicole's Notes: Volume 2 (Sept. 16/13)

Rock, Paper, Scissors...Jurassic Style! :)

Happy Monday TOSH Parents and Guardians!

Our first full week of school this year was chock-full of activities and fun! It is always a gamble how well things will go when you plan things, but our school community stepped WAY up! As a result, this proved to be one of our best starts ever! Thank you to all our students who organized, and participated in, the various Welcome Back Week events last week. To be honest, these things just can't happen without you!

Parents of Grade 10 students may also have heard some of what took place here the morning of Friday the 13th! We "surprised" our "Class of 2016" with a morning of "TOSH TEAM 2016" activities that allowed them to play a bit and talk to/get to know people in their class they may not have met before. The feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive and many came up to me in the halls throughout lunch hour to thank me for giving them this opportunity to connect with others. Peter Bolo (Retired Leadership teacher/Athletic Director from Westisle) co-facilitated the morning with me and we were very pleased with the level of participation we witnessed from our kids. Thank you to our Climate Crew members who led the way by example and to the Grade 10 teachers who offered up their instructional time to come and get to know their students on another level. Here are some photos from that day and from Welcome Back Week in general. A huge KUDOS to Multi-Media Council President, Caitlin Carr, for capturing the magic on her trusty camera all week!!

Bring Your Own Banana Day!

Banana Splits...YUM!!

Activities Council "Scoopers"

Life is better with chocolate sauce!

Athletic Council sponsored Dodgeball!

Excellent form!

Video Dance Fever!

First dance in the Gym!

Put your hands in the air!

Beating the heat!

Brazilian Dance Moves!

Charlie capturing the fun!

TOSH TEAM 2016...Surprise! :)

" I WILL say hi to you in the halls!"

Human Knot...What now?!

Pre-Spartans Game Bonding!

Dates to Remember:
September:
16          Student Photos Begin 
17          Student Photos continue
              CSLC 2013 Delegates Leave (Sept. 17-21)- 10 students and 4 teachers plus Ms Haire
19          Phil Boyte Assembly- 9:00 a.m. 
              Meet the Teacher Night- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Begins in the Gym
20          Provincial Professional Learning Day- No classes!
25          PH Training Day (Peer Helpers and Ms. Peterson Out)
              Scholastic Awards Assembly- 10:30 a.m. 
26          Grad Photos Begin
30          Parent Council Meeting- 6:30 p.m.

BAND PARENTS PLEASE NOTE BAND PRACTICE SCHEDULE: 
Symphonic Band (formerly known as Grade 10 Band): Mondays and Wednesdays at 8am
Wind Ensemble (formerly known as Senior Band): Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8am

TIME MANAGEMENT HELP

"Time management Mondays" will begin Monday, September 23 at 12:00 with Ms. Peterson in the CSLC room (inside the Library). 

STUDENT PHOTOS (SEPT. 16-17) 

LifeTouch Photography will be in the house on September 16 and 17 to take student photos. These can be ordered at a later date and all students will receive a student picture ID card. Retakes will be available Oct.23 if needed. Students will be called down for pictures by homeroom, so they should be ready for either day.

PHIL BOYTE ASSEMBLY/MEET THE TEACHER SEPT. 19
We are excited to be hosting motivational speaker, Phil Boyte, at TOSH on Sept. 19. Phil hails from California and he helped provide the foundation for our school's climate work in 2011 when he involved more than 300 students in his "Breaking Down the Walls" program. This time around, Phil will address our school community at a full school assembly in the morning and then return to address parents at Meet the Teacher Night that same evening (6:30-8:30 p.m.).

For a sneak peek check him out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYB5L7L_yWk&noredirect=1

$26 STUDENT FEES ARE NOW DUE!
If you have not done so already, please send $26 to school with your son/daughter ASAP. These fees can be dropped off to Mrs. Rodgerson in the Main Office and they cover:
* the rental of a locker/lock ($5 refund in June when the lock is returned)
* student picture ID card
* printing of school related documents on school printers
* graduation fee

Please note that students who do not pay their fees are not permitted to participate in extra-curricular groups, teams, or school activities (i.e. dances and proms).

Please contact me via phone (888-8460) or e mail (nmhaire@edu.pe.ca) if you have any questions or concerns about the payment of student fees.

TOSH BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Research shows that students who eat breakfast have the fuel they need to power their brains for learning. Our TOSH Breakfast Program runs five mornings a week from 8 a.m. until bell time so that all TOSH students can make sure they eat before school starts for the day. This program receives a bit of funding, but not enough to cover the cost of running it five days/week. Monetary and food donations are always accepted, and we thank you in advance for supporting this initiative. The Breakfast Program is open to all students, and it will take all of us working together to keep it operating. If you want to know what kind of food to send, please call or e mail Tami Arsenault (YSW) at school: taarsenault@edu.pe.ca. Monetary donations can be handed in at the Main Office and any cheques made payable to: Three Oaks Senior High School.

POST-SECONDARY VISITS 2013-2014

We start talking about planning for post-secondary studies as soon as your son/daughter enters our building in Grade 10. In their Grade 12 year, however, these discussions become even more time-sensitive and important for students. I will be providing updates throughout the year to let parents know when representatives from the various post-secondary schools will be at Three Oaks providing information on their programs. The timetable as it exists now is below and it is important for ALL parents to note that recruiters from a variety of universities, colleges, training programs, and recruitment offices will be on hand at our Career Day Fair in the gym the evening of October 21. Mark that date on your calendar, please!! This is open to the parents of ALL students (just in case you are looking ahead!!).

POST-SECONDARY VISITS/DATES TO NOTE 2013-2014

Name	Location	Date
St Thomas University (Fredericton, NB)	Hall by Student Services-11:43	Sept. 17th
St. Francis Xavier (Antigonish, NS)	Hall by Student Services-Afternoon Recess	Sept. 18th
Oulton College (Moncton, NB)	Hall by Student Services- 11:43	Oct. 8th
Queens University (Kingston,Ont.)	Pre-registration required in Student Services- 11:30 in Lecture Theatre	Nov 4th
Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB)	Hall by Student Services- 11:43	Nov. 5th
Memorial  University of NFLD (St. John’s, NL)	Evening session. Pre-registration requested. Open to the public , as well- 6:30 p.m. start in the  Lecture Theatre	Nov. 28th
TOSH Career Day	In the Gym: 7 – 8:30 p.m. Open to parents and students (Students also visit the displays during the school day)	Oct. 21

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE RUN

The TOSH Free the Children/People Helping People club will be holding a run on Saturday, Sept. 28th to benefit our sister school in Kenya, Kduynu Secondary School.  The cost is $5 for students or $10 for adults. Runners can either participate in a 5 or 10 mile run. We're really trying to encourage students to participate in the run, but all adults from the larger community are welcome to participate, as well. 

Registration is at 8 a.m. and the run begins at 9 a.m.

KUDOS TO OUR KIDS!

To Morgan Dehmel, Lexi Drummond, Lisa Gallant, Reanna Graham, Rachel Murray, and Lauren Sheidow for representing our school at Encounters with Canada in Ottawa last week!

To Nicole Gallant, Noah Richardson, Kristyn Reeves, Melissa MacKay, Julie Campbell, Millee McKay, Jesse MacFarlane, Rebecca Drummond, Keira Gallant, and Samantha MacIntyre for representing our school and our province at the Canadian Student Leadership Conference this week at Montague Regional High School!

To Jesse MacFarlane for coming out on top as the Rock, Paper, Scissors "King T-Rex" at our TOSH Team 2016 event on Friday! 

To Spencer Groom and Matt Gardiner who played soccer in Winsloe this summer because there was no team in their age category in Summerside and their team won provincials! They are heading to Nationals in Kamloops BC in October. Congratulations!

To Charlie Steele for the great video work he did at the dance!

To all students who performed in the Coffee House on Friday!

To all students who wore their jerseys on Wednesday and dressed up in Green and Gold on Thursday! Great school spirit!

To all students who "manned" their respective club/group booths during the Club Fair on Friday at noon!

To Alex Casey for agreeing to thank Phil Boyte after his presentation this Thursday!

Challenge:  Plan to attend our Meet the Teacher evening on Thursday, Sept. 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. sharp in the Gym!

Quote of the Week: "The one thing about being a parent is the ability to be selfless: To give up the things you want and need for the benefit of someone else."~ Danny McBride 

Have a wonderful week!

Nicole 

Nicole's Notes: (2013-2014 School Year) Volume 1 (Sept. 9/13)

CLIMATE CREW ROCKS THE BARBQ!

Happy First Monday of the New School Year TOSH Parents and Guardians!!

I trust that everyone had a restful summer, and we were happy to welcome your son/daughter back to school on September 5! We had an excellent turn out for our Welcome Back Barbeque for new students on Sept. 4, and a HUGE kudos goes out to our newly formed "Climate Crew" (pictured here-->) for the work they have been doing from that day onward to make all students feel welcome and safe in our school.

Hopefully, you received a Welcome Letter home from me (via your child) with a space below for you to record your e mail address to be returned to school so that we can enter your information into SAS. If we have your address, you should get an e mail reminder from me each weekend letting you know that this blog has been updated. If you are not receiving those, just call the main office or e mail Jason Gallant, VP (xjgallant@edu.pe.ca) with your information. Course teachers may also be contacting parents via e mail throughout the semester, so it is important that your contact information be accurate in our system!

I will be using this blog as a way to keep you informed about upcoming dates and to celebrate the many "happenings" here at TOSH. I include a "Kudos To Our Kids" section each week, so if you know of TOSH students who are achieving greatness in activities in or outside school, please forward that information to me so that we can celebrate them! I usually post in time for Monday morning and I had everything ready to go Sunday evening, but when I hit the "publish" button, my two hours of work disappeared!! ARGH! Technology is great when it works!

We welcome some new faces to our staff this year:  Mr. Faber MacDonald, Mr. Andrew MacDougald, Ms. Beth Peters, Mr. Rick Sparkes, and Ms. Marlane MacNeill (EA). We also welcome back Mr. Mark Gregory and Mrs. Tracy MacDonald to year-long term positions and Mr. Richard Beaulieu as our full time Welding instructor. Semester 2, we will be welcoming Ms. Emma Boswell who will replace M. Mario Fiset when he goes off on leave in February.

Dates to Remember:
September:
9-13      Welcome Back Week Activities (See Schedule Below)
              Presidents' Council Meeting at 11:45 a.m. (With Ms Haire in the Conference Room) 
14          Men's Volleyball Kick Off Tournament
16          Student Photos Begin
17          Student Photos continue
              CSLC 2013 Delegates Leave (Sept. 17-21)- 10 students and 4 teachers plus Ms Haire
19          Phil Boyte Assembly- 9:00 a.m.
              Meet the Teacher Night- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Begins in the Gym
20          Provincial Professional Learning Day- No classes!
25          PH Training Day (Peer Helpers and Ms. Peterson Out)
              Scholastic Awards Assembly- 10:30 a.m.
26          Grad Photos Begin
30          Parent Council Meeting- 6:30 p.m.

Bring Your Own Banana Promo!

WELCOME BACK WEEK ACTIVITIES!
The Activities Council has a week chock-full of fun activities to get our school community started off on a positive foot. The events include:
Monday:          Pancake Breakfast 7:30-8:50 a.m. in Caf
                        Skateboard and Plunger Races in 100's skylight at noon
Tuesday:         BYOB (Bring Your Own Banana!) at noon in Caf
Wednesday:    Jersey Day-Wear your favourite one!
                         Dodgeball in the Gym at noon
Thursday:       Green and Gold- Wear Yours!
                        School Dance- 8-11 p.m. in GYM ($5 admission;
                          $4 with  non-perishable food item)                                     Friday:         Scruff Day- Dress Uber Comfy!
                                                                           Coffee House at noon in Caf                                                                                                                        Club Fair- around Caf area at noon

WELCOME BACK WEEK DAY 1!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST MONDAY MORNING!

STUDENT PHOTOS (SEPT. 16-17)
LifeTouch Photography will be in the house on September 16 and 17 to take student photos. These can be ordered at a later date and all students will receive a student picture ID card. Retakes will be available Oct.23 if needed. Students will be called down for pictures by homeroom, so they should be ready for either day.

PHIL BOYTE ASSEMBLY/MEET THE TEACHER SEPT. 19
We are excited to be hosting motivational speaker, Phil Boyte, at TOSH on Sept. 19. Phil hails from California and helped provide the foundation for our school's climate work in 2011 when he involved more than 300 students in his "Breaking Down the Walls" program. This time around, Phil will address our school community at a full school assembly in the morning and then return to address parents at Meet the Teacher Night that same evening (6:30-8:30 p.m.).
For a sneak peek check him out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYB5L7L_yWk&noredirect=1


MS. HAIRE'S BLOCK D "RAZZLE DAZZLE"! 

I will be visiting all students in their Block D class this week to personally welcome them to school and to review some of our expectations and hopes for each of them this year:
* That they try their best academically and ask for help as needed
* That they take advantage of the many supports we have in place (extra help classes, homework rooms (grade 10), Peer Helpers, etc.) to maximize their chance for academic success
* That they attend class every day and come prepared to work
* That they treat everyone they meet with respect and adhere to the school's behaviour policies

I will be reviewing all report cards at midterm (yup, all 800 of them!) in an effort to determine who should be celebrating and who might need some form of intervention before the end of the semester. Course teachers will do their best to keep parents informed of any academic concerns throughout the semester, as well.

$26 STUDENT FEES ARE NOW DUE!
Homeroom teachers are collecting student fees from their Block A students this week. If you have not done so already, please send $26 to school with your son/daughter ASAP. These fees cover:
* the rental of a locker/lock ($5 refund in June when the lock is returned)
* student picture ID card
* printing of school related documents on school printers
* graduation fee

Please note that students who do not pay their fees are not permitted to participate in extra-curricular groups, teams, or school activities (i.e. dances and proms).

Please contact me via phone (888-8460) or e mail (nmhaire@edu.pe.ca) if you have any questions or concerns about the payment of student fees.

FIRST SCHOOL DANCE THURSDAY: "JAMMIN' IN THE GYM!"

Our first school (VIDEO!) dance of the year will take place this Thursday, Sept. 12 from 8-11 p.m. in the Gym. Admission is $5 or $4 with a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank. Wear your funkiest socks (colours, toe socks, whatever works!) and come out to have some fun to end Welcome Back Week off right!

CLUB FAIR SEPT. 13

There is a lot of evidence to support the fact that students who make a positive connection to their school enjoy their school experience more. There will be a Club Fair on Friday, Sept. 13 so that all students can see what clubs/Councils/groups currently exist in our school and allow them the opportunity to join one or more of them!

KUDOS TO OUR KIDS!

To Hannah Taylor for her silver medal win in Wrestling at this summer's Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec!

To Nicole Gallant, Rebecca Drummond, Bronwyn Bridges, Tanner Mendoza, Charlie Steele, Jesse MacFarlane, Logan Maddix, Taylor McAulay, Brittan Turner, Jessica Campbell, Ty Wright, and Zak Farah for their work planning the Climate Crew welcome activities (in the summer even!!)!

To all the Grade 10 Homeroom Buddies for making our new students feel so welcome on Opening Day!

To Olivia Inman, Connor Loerick, Charlotte Sullivan, Julia Campbell, and Paige Rankin for offering their friendship to students new to our school on Monday!

To Charlie Steele for his awesome work with the school television broadcast system!

To Justin MacEachern for taking over the Teacher of the Week citation duties for the year!

To Jarrod Murray for helping a fellow student locate their acorn!

To Zak Farah for helping Mr. Lilly with the morning PA music this year!

To our Council Executive members for stepping up to lead their respective Councils this year:

Activities Council:
Nicole Gallant- President
Kristyn Reeves- Vice-President
Melissa MacKay- Communications Officer

Athletic Council:
Lauren Sheidow- President
Jesse MacFarlane- Vice-President
Brittan Turner- Communications Officer

Community Works Council:
Millee McKay- President
Kaitlin Morrison and Julia Richard- Vice-Presidents
Scott Richard and Bruce Ramsay- Public Relations Officers

Fundraising and Finance Council:
Aquila Bias and Serafina Calcaro- Lead Treasurers

Multi-Media Council:
Caitlin Carr- President
Rest TBA

Music Council:
Alex Casey- President
Christie-Anne Campbell- Grade 12 Vice-President
Rachel Brown- Grade 11 Vice-President
Jillian Russell- Communications Officer

Student Government Council:
Justin MacEachern- President
Shalynn Buss- Vice-President
Jill MacIntyre- Communications Officer

Challenge:  Encourage your son/daughter to check our the Club Fair on Friday and connect with at least one school group/club/team/Council this year!

Quote of the Week: " I looked on childrearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully interesting and challenging as any honourable profession in the world and one that demanded the best I could bring to it."~ Rose Kennedy 

This is a year of personal change and challenge for me as I saw my youngest child off to university this fall. I encourage you to cherish these TOSH years with your son/daughter (Believe me, they FLY!!), and we will do our very best to support them along the way!

Have a great week!
Nicole