Merry Christmas from the MidSun Staff

Open House Information for Louis Riel

Staff changes

This week we will be saying goodbye to some special staff members and saying hello to some new ones. Ms. Power has been here since September teaching Language Arts and social studies to grade 8 and 9 students.  She has worked diligently with the literacy planning committee to create lessons that support all of our students.  We hope to see her back at MidSun substitute teaching.  Marta Pelletier will be here in January to take over the classes.  She will be available at Parent Teacher interviews to meet parents.

This week we also say goodbye to Lori White who works hand in hand with Scott Campbell in the band program.  She has been working with our band and band parents association since the school opened.  She headed up the bands fundraising arm and field trip support and has made it possible for many students to learn music who might not otherwise have had the chance.  She received a standing ovation at our Christmas concert in thanks for her outstanding dedication to our band program. She is retiring and hopes to travel South with her husband in the New Year.  We thank her for her years of service and hope she won't be a stranger.  We welcome Jennie Shipley as her replacement.  Jennie is no stranger to MidSun or our band program and has been working with Lori this fall for a smooth transition.

This is an exciting week at MidSun.  Wednesday we are asking students to share their Christmas Spirit by wearing Christmas sweaters, Santa hats and red clothing. 

Guinness World Record Certificate

Congratulations again to all the staff and students that participated in the "Carved Pumpkin" Challenge in October.

Parent Teacher Interview Booking Opens December 16th!

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

This is a reminder to go online and book for our upcoming parent student teacher conferences using Conference Manager.  These are scheduled for Thursday December 19, 2013 from 5:30-8:00 PM and Friday December 20 from 9:00-12:00 PM. 

Teachers have been contacting parents of students that they believe need some extra support and booking appointments this week.

The site opens for booking by parents at 6:00 AM on Monday December 16, 2013. Each time slot is 5 minutes.  Core teachers recommend booking two consecutive sessions.  You may add any comments to let the teacher know if you have a particular concern you would like to talk about. Be sure to put travel time between interviews.

You are able to view marks and attendance records on HomeLogic on a consistent basis now.  Please check your child’s information prior to your appointment so you can have the most up to date information available to you as you discuss your concerns.  http://www.midsunschool.blogspot.ca/2013/12/midsun-homelogic-news-update.html    For more information about Home Logic, please go to http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b691/parents.htm   and click on HomeLogic introduction for parents.    You can log in to HomeLogic by going to  https://sirswebapps.cbe.ab.ca/homelogic/ 

We hope that this will allow our teachers to be prepared for your interviews and make the time more productive for everyone.  Please call our office at 403-777-6430 if you have any concerns.

MidSun School

Parent-Teacher Conferences- December 19 & 20, 2013

The link for the Conference Manager is: https://midsun.schoolsoft.ca

A Parent Account is required to use the Conference Manager. However, you only need to go through the registration process the first time you use the system. If you have never registered in the Conference Manager use the link above and click the “Register Now” button.

Can’t remember your password?

If you already have a Parent Account, click on the link above, select “Forgot your password” and enter the email address you used to register in the system. You will then receive an email containing instructions for resetting your password. If you do not receive an email, you might have entered an email address the system does not recognize. Please also add appointments@schoolsoft.ca to your address book in your computer mail.  This will override any spam filters that might be blocking the email. If the problem persists, please contact the office and ask them to access your Parent Account, confirm your email address and reset your password.

Step 1 - Conference Manager Opens to Parents – 6:00 AM December 16, 2013

If you used the Conference Manager in the past, your email and password are still in the system. You can simply access the Conference Manager using the link above.

Step 2 – Book your Parent-Teacher interviews

Select the teachers with whom you want to book interviews. You will see each teacher’s schedule. Select one session for a 5 minute interview or two consecutive sessions for a ten minute interview.  Be sure to leave travel time in between your interviews. After booking your appointments you can print off your schedule. You will also receive an email confirming your bookings. You can log into the system at any time to view your bookings, print, cancel or re-schedule appointments.

If you do not have Internet access, you are welcome to contact the office and we will schedule your conferences on your behalf.

We recommend adding

appointments@schoolsoft.ca

to your address book

Important Dates: 

December 16 – Start scheduling your interviews at 6:00 AM

December 19 – 5:30 - 8:00 PM Parent Teacher Interviews

December 20 – 9:00 – 12:00 PM Parent Teacher Interviews

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact the school at 403-777-6430. Please let us know if you like this system! Special thanks to the School Council for purchasing the conference manager!

Midsun HomeLogic News Update

Book Club Info

The Mid Sun Book Club will meet Tuesday, December 10^th during lunch break in Mr. Pratt’s room (2031). **Note this is a new day of the week and a new location**.

While eating our lunch, we will be talking about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.

Last month we discussed The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. The students rated that book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Set in Berlin in 1942 it is told through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy. The students found the narrator quite naïve for his age, showing the stark difference between a child in that era and a child in today’s media savvy world.

Next up is Gone by Michael Grant.  If you are looking for book recommendations for your reader this holiday, some titles we have really enjoyed include: All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin, Maze Runner by James Dashner, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, and Divergent by Veronica Roth (coming out as a movie in 2014). Or check out this link for the top selling 50 books for teens http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/teens/top-50-books-for-teens/?langtype=4105.

Happy reading and remember we are always happy to have new members join us.  See Mrs. Bergh in the Library for more information.

Carnival - Dec 5 Information

Teachers begin to work on new report card slated for 2014/2015 school year

As parents know, we will be moving to a new report card format for the 2014/2015 school year.  On Friday, our teachers looked closely at the descriptors that will appear on the report card and began to organize their student learning outcomes to align with the new indicators (also called stems).  Over the course of the next 7 months, you will start to hear teachers referring to your child's learning using the outcomes or the stems that will appear on the next school year's report card.  This is part of our transition plan as we migrate to the new report card.  For this year, you will still see a percentage as the summative indicator of your child's achievement.  If you want more information on the new report card, Ms. Saretsky will be speaking about it and the process we are using to get there on January 15, 2014 at 7:00 PM at our School Council meeting.

Adopt-A-Family and Carnival Update

Changes made to Basketball Tryout Schedule

LINKages Program at Midsun

26 Students are participating this year in our LINKages program.  Once every two weeks they head over to the McKenzie Towne Centre and visit with a senior.  They play cards, listen to music, have conversations and share a laugh or two.  It is interesting to see them interact and realize that we have so much more that brings us together than what separates us.  This is one of the ways our students demonstrate strength in character and citizenship.  Congratulations to Nicky Amirault and her LINKages students: Alissa B, Kiana B, Pierce B, Trinity C, Sophia C, Cherise C, Lauren E, Shae E, Jessamie F, Natalie H, Samuel H, Jillian H, Jordan H, Mitchell M, Mikayla M, Kaylee N, Jordan P, Nicole R, Karen R, Caitlin S, Joseph T, Danielle T, Lyndsie T, Miranda W, Justin Y and Logan Y

 

More information on LINKages can be found at: http://www.link-ages.ca/

Lifetouch Photo Order Information

School Fees Reminder

The second reminder of unpaid school fees will be sent home with students this week.  Payment of fees can be made by cheque, debit, Visa, Mastercard or cash. Payments by  Debit/Visa/Mastercard can be made on-line, in person, or over the phone.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our bookkeeper, Edwina Ewart. We are happy to discuss payment options as well.  Telephone number 403 777 6430 ext 2377.

You can check the status of your fees at any time by going on-line:  http://www.cbe.ab.ca/Parents/fees.asp

Thanks

J

Volleyball Wrap Up

We have wrapped up the 2013 Volleyball Season with a respectful standing from all our teams.

Gr 8 girls – 3^rd place

Gr 8 boys – 3^rd place

Gr 9 boys – 3^rd place

Gr 9 girls – 2^nd place

Congratulations to all the players & coaches

Our grade 7 Volleyball club had a great season as well, and we look forward to cheering them on in League Play next year.

A big Thank You to all the parents who came out to cheer on and support our teams this year.

Grade 8 Boys (no photo)

Coach Mr. Pratt

Hassan H, Carson S, Landan R, Matt J, Matt R, Luke E, Ethan O, Dean P, Kaiman S, Blaze L, Drew D,

Blake E,

Grade 8 Girls

Coaches Miss Miles and Miss Hill

Carly A, Tavia D, Ashlyn D, Shae E, Maddy F, Emma G, Natalie H, Kim H, Shaelyn K, Victoria L, Brooke T, Sydney W

Grade 9 Girls

Coach Mr. Rae  Assistant Coach Miss Arnold

Bria B, Brooklyn S, Danielle T, Jaden B, Jessamie F, Kayla B, Kaylee N, Kalena P, Kate T, Maeve M, Rebecca L, Skye G, Samara W

Grade 9 Boys

Coach Mr. Johnston

Parks L, Nathan S, Kai S, Kevin H, Konnor Y, Gabe W, Chris B, Chris D, Garrett B, Kyle S, Luis V

Peer Math Tutoring is Back!

We are happy to announce that peer tutoring with Centennial students will be back up and running beginning Wednesday, December 11.  We will run two sessions in December and will start again on February 5, the beginning of Semester 2.  Students from Centennial, who excel in math, come work with MidSun students on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:45.  If your son or daughter is in need of extra math support, please direct them to the library where they will be connected with a tutor from Centennial.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Ms. Norcross at: nenorcross@cbe.ab.ca.

Reminder Purdys Fundraiser

Reminder that Tuesday, November 26th is the last day to order your Christmas Purdys Chocolate in support of MidSun Education Enhancement! Thanks for your support.

Great learning resource!

Digital Resources in AlbertaCORE - albertacore.ca

We are excited to share that students and teachers now have the unprecedented opportunity to access, share, and remix digital resources, including those that they create through the  new, secure, digital repository called Collaborative Online Resource Environment (CORE). Your child can access CORE through any Internet enabled device by logging in with their CBE username and password at https://www.albertacore.ca.

Students and teachers can safely rate and comment on resources in diverse formats that come from a wide range of service providers including Discovery Education and CBC Learning. In instances where students access such third-party resources, only sufficient information to authenticate their student account is shared, which includes first name and CBE email address. To get a better sense of what CORE offers users, you can watch the brief video: How I Use CORE at http://bit.ly/1cGnleH. (Note the interface has been upgraded since the video was created – but functionality is the same).

Accessing and contributing resources to CORE does require that students understand the importance of Digital Citizenship and are able to make appropriate decisions about posting content and comments in CORE.  For more information on Digital Citizenship, please visit http://bit.ly/cbedigc and for more information about CORE please visit the CORE FAQ page at http://bit.ly/coredcp.

If you have any questions or comments about CORE, please do not hesitate to contact the CORE Team at: core@cbe.ab.ca.

Healthy Hunger Lunches ARE BACK!

The Healthy Hunger Program is Back at Midsun.  Please read all the details and instructions.  If you do not have a credit card, you can use Prepaid Visa card that you can buy at most stores.  Payments will NOT be accepted at the school this year.

Home Logic Open

Home Logic access will be open to parents today, November 15, 2013.  Using this program, you will be able to view current marks and attendance.  It closes again on November 19, 2013.

Please go to  https://sirswebapps.cbe.ab.ca/homelogic/  and register if you have not done so already.  

For more information about Home Logic, please go to http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b691/parents.htm and click on HomeLogic introduction for parents

Upcoming Open House Information for Grade 9's

Centennial High School Grade 9 Open House

55 Sun Valley Blvd S.E

November 21 (7:00-9:00pm)

We will be hosting a program that will cover Academics, Complementary Courses and Sports/Clubs.  The evening will begin in the gym at 7:00 with the Principal’s Welcome followed by a presentation by Guidance. In the Library at 7:45 the Career Centre/Work Experience and RAP department will be presenting.  Lastly, there will be an information session about our Advanced Placement program.

Central Memorial High School Open House

5111 - 21 Street S.W.

November 21 (7:00-8:30pm)

Join us for an informative and entertaining evening where we will share out facility and the many innovative programs and opportunities that Central offers.  A short presentation will take place in the theatre at 7:05 pm followed by an opportunity to visit and talk with our staff. 

Advanced Placement, Performing and Visual Arts, Career and Technology Studies, Knowledge and Employability, Athletics and Extracurricular, Awards and Recognition, National Sports Academy, Student Leadership, TASC

Area V International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

Open House

Henry Wise Wood Senior High

910-75 Ave S.W.

December 4, 2013 (6:30)

  A program of academic excellence currently offered to over 1,121,000 students in 3,647 schools in 146 countries, the IB Programme provides a comprehensive, balanced and challenging curriculum with a strong emphasis on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship.

Interested Area V Grade 9 students can obtain more information on the IB Programme and the application process by:

Contacting the counsellor or principal at their junior high school

Calling the Area V IB Senior High School

Henry Wise Wood Senior High School

Scott Garen, IB Coordinator

253-2261, ex. 2142

sagaren@cbe.ab.ca  

Visiting the Henry Wise Wood High School website: www.henrywisewood.ca and clicking on Programs/Specialty/IB

Attending the open house/information evening.

Alternative High School Open House  

5003 – 20 Street S.W

December 5, 2013 (8:30-11:00)

Come get a tour of Alternative High School.  Hear from students and staff of Alternative about what makes us “alternative.” You’ll be able ask questions and get clarification regarding our program and our philosophy.  Consider if you have students who may find Alternative High School a good fit for their high school education.  Hear about our two satellite sites – AARC and Hera.  Find out how students can apply.  Coffee and snacks 8:30-9:00 followed by an Info session and tour 9:00-11:00.

                               

For more information – call Alternative at 403-777-7730 or check our website at www.cbe.ab.ca/b863

Please RSVP to Ginette Morin (gmmorin@cbe.ab.ca )

Customer Number for Purdys Order

The Customer Number you need to use when placing Purdys orders online is 24054.

Orders will be into the school for pickup, the week of Dec 13th.

Thank you for your support

Purdy's make great Christmas gifts!

It is that time of year again, the snow is drifting down and we begin to dream of Christmas holidays.  One of our traditions is to sell Purdy's Chocolates to enjoy over the holidays.  They make great gifts too!  Our School Council is generously supporting this event and has made it easy to participate:

• Go to: www.purdysgpp.com
• enter your contact information
• Click: Register
• Click: Continue
• Enter customer number and click search
• MidSun School comes up.  scroll down and click: Join this group
• Click: Go to group home page
• Place your order and submit payment online
• All orders must be prepaid
• Click: Invite to email link to Friends & Family
• Make Cheques payable to: MSEES
• ordering support: karenphileric@shaw.ca

Ordering Deadline: Tuesday November 26, 2013

Remembrance Day Assembly

Our students proudly participated in a moving Remembrance Day Assembly today that featured student MC's and readers.  Our Drama Department presented a movement piece and our band played several selections, including The Last Post and Reveille.  Mr. Howie's grade eight social studies classes created a video called "Time to Pause" and Mr. Reynard shared his PowerPoint, "Each Flag".  We were very fortunate to have Master Corporal Kevin Fensom share his experiences of his two deployments in Afghanistan and helped us have a deeper understanding of Canada's role in that country. Mr. Joey Bleviss, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Calgary Poppy fund and veteran of the Canadian Forces, also spoke. Many parents joined us for this act of remembrance.  It was a wonderful way for MidSun staff and students to gather together with our community to reflect and be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy today.  We would like to thank the many people who made the event so special with their kind contributions and especially to Mr. Scott Campbell for organizing us all.

Tomorrow is a professional development day for our staff who will be gathering to take a closer look at the learning outcomes in their respective programs of studies. This is part of the process for our teachers as we look to moving to an outcomes based report card for the 2014-2015 school year.  More information about the new reporting methods will be discussed at our school council meeting in January.

Have a good weekend!

MidSun Parent Council Agenda for November 13th 2013

MidSun School Council

AGENDA

Wednesday, November 13^th, 2013 7:00 p.m. MidSun School Library

Item No.	Minutes allotted	Topic	Speaker
1	3	Chair's welcome	Reg Curren
2	2	Chair report ·         Renewal of MidSun Council Web domain	Reg Curren
3	15	Principal's report Feedback from Assessment document and Parent/Student/teacher interviews ·         Outdoor classroom update/costs	Veronica Saretsky
4	20	Curriculum report                  Learning leader in charge of Language Arts and Social Studies will be at the meeting to answer any questions about that program or about out New Literacy class	Jennifer Black
5	5	Treasurer's report	Michelle Den Hoed
6	5	Volunteer/room parent report	Kim Bender
7	5	Approval of minutes of previous meeting(s)	Patricia Vercuiel
8	5	Fundraising ·         New requests	Various
Total	60

MidSun School Education Enhancement Society

AGENDA

Wednesday, November 13^th, 2013 9 p.m. MidSun School Library

Item No.	Minutes allotted	Topic	Speaker
1	5	Chair's welcome & report	Reg Curren
2	5	Treasurer's report	Michelle Den Hoed
4	2	Approval of minutes of previous meeting(s)	Patricia Vercuiel
5	10	Fundraising ·         Grocery store gift card report ·         Update on CBE tax deductible donations ·         Scholastic book fair report ·         Purdy’s Chocolates fundraising ·         New Ideas	Michelle Den Hoed
6	3	Other business
Total	25