Last day before holidays is December 19, Return Jan 5

December 12, 2014

Our school celebrated Active Living on December 1-3, 2014 and encouraged our students to keep their brains in shape by keeping their bodies in shape!  We enjoyed some fantastic support from our community and would like to extend our sincere thanks to Kelly Saunders for teaching a yoga session (sowingseedsyoga@gmail.com), Bogi, local personal trainer and fitness instructor (http://boglarka3.zumba.com/) for teaching a fun filled Zumba class, Maeghen Cotterill, 6th time world kickboxing and karate champion from www.5elementscalgary.com for leading us in a kick boxing class and fitness instructor, Janay Wilson, for leading an Insanity workout! Our students also enjoyed a Dance-Off TA challenge and a fun time was had by all who came out!

Our Parent Student Teacher Conferences went smoothly and we are continuing to have conversations with our parents about our new assessment and reporting methods.  These were discussed at our School Council meeting on December 11^th and a short question and answer period occurred.  One of our struggles has been finding a way to provide parents mark updates that inform them how their child is doing in a way that is logical and easy to understand.  The current use of Home Logic is much more difficult for teachers to display achievement and very time consuming.  As such, parents agreed that the only mark update that will be provided for the second semester will be on March 13.  This is just prior to the next set of Parent Student Teacher Conferences and will help parents decide which teachers they will want to speak with. Updates scheduled for January 15, May 1 and June 5 are cancelled.  Teacher will continue to inform parents when students are falling behind and will work together with parents to support students.

Several students presented to the school council a proposal for amendments to our dress code.  They had already made a presentation to staff earlier this school year.  Parents and staff agreed to a trial of the proposed changes.  The changes will be announced at a school celebration of learning assembly on January 28, 2015.

Our band held their annual Christmas concert on December 10, 2014.  The Salvation Army Band was on hand to warm up our sold out audience.  The dollar admission was donated to their cause.  All three of our concert bands played as well as our Jazz band.  It was a great way to get us into the Christmas spirit!

Our classrooms have been very active with engaging learning tasks.  I have seen worm dissections, bridges and towers being built, The Great Canadian Mail Race in grade seven, knot tying in ENVOE, kids dancing in physical education, paper bag book report presentations and many more fun ways to learn.

I have received some concerns from parents of Grade 9 students who wish to apply for IB and/or AP applications for high school since the published date for submissions is prior to our report card timeline.  I have been assured by the principals of Centennial and Henry Wise Wood High Schools that they will accept applications from our students for those programs into the first week of February.

As the holidays approach, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families a wonderful, fun filled, time off.  May there be peace in each home and lots of rest and relaxation for all.

Merry Christmas,

Veronica Saretsky