Research says that parent engagement is crucial to a child's learning. At LKS, we are fortunate to have a community of volunteers that assist staff in the classroom ultimately making a positive impact on student learning.
Another form of "engagement" is parental involvement with learning at home. This year, we introduced three on-line programs that parents and children can use at home to supplement the classroom work. Over the next couple of weeks, we will share our reviews of IXL (grade 4 and 5 math ) and RAZ (primary reading). Our third program that we have introduced this year is the Khan Academy. We have mentioned this on-line math tutorial in previous blogs, and it is worth mentioning again.
This year, Mr. Kuru introduced the program to his grade 7 and 8 math classes. Recently, Mr. Kuru and Mr. Bracht completed a staff review of the program. They found the program to be helpful to both the students and the staff as it allows the learner to track his/her own growth and areas of concern. It is an interactive program with a variety of exercises and instant feedback. The teacher can track student participation in the program and Mr. Kuru finds it beneficial to assess areas that he may have to attend to in future lessons.
When reviewing the program, the teachers analyzed a small group of students and found that the children who used the program regularly were doing well in the class program. Even though they looked at a small sample, both teachers agreed that the program can certainly improve students' math achievement. We look forward to discussing this more at Parent Council.
I do want to mention our Seeds of Hope penny drive from April 15th-18th. Students have been encouraged to bring in pennies to help provide clean drinking water in struggling countries. Also, on April 18th, the club will be participating in the "WE ARE SILENT" campaign. The campaign highlights the circumstances of children around the world without at voice. Thank you to the junior/intermediate students and staff, namely, Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Adair, Mrs. Zappi and Ms. Young for organizing both events.
I hope you have a great weekend and wish those celebrating Easter a wonderful time with your family and friends.
MARCH
29th-Good Friday
APRIL
1st-Easter Monday
15th-Parent Council Meeting at 7:30 in the library; Seeds of Hope penny collection
18th-Seeds of Hope "WE ARE SILENT" campaign(students are encouraged to wear black)
19th-Parent Council Parent Social at Earth
23rd- Grade 3 to Black Creek
24th-Grad Re-Photo
25th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies
26th-Pizza Day
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
MAY
4th-Springfest
10th-K-2 Storyteller
13th-Parent Council Meeting
20th-Victoria Day
21st-24th-Book Fair
24th-Sharing Assembly
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
31-Pizza Day
JUNE
6th-Middle School Concert
7th-PA Day
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
End of Week-March 22, 2013
Welcome back everyone! I trust that you and your family had a great March Break. Hopefully the weather will turn warmer pretty soon as I'm getting a bit tired of the snow; just like most of you!
We had a productive first week back as we welcomed Ms. Luckman, a new student teacher to Dr. Grant's class. As some of you know, we host a few candidates a year to encourage collaboration and mentorship among teachers. Teachers enjoy having the students as they usually provide new ideas and activities to the classroom.
On Wednesday, our grade 6-8 students listened to Mr. Vollum who presented a workshop called, "The Social Web 101". He gave some sound advise and practical suggestions mainly around the new privacy settings on Facebook. Parents were invited back that night to hear Mr. Vollum speak on issues and concerns around social media.
Staff continue to teach the final curriculum outlined in the grade long range plans. These plans are on the website if you want to look at them further and keep in contact with the teachers if you have any questions. We are excited to be sending some grade 3 teachers to a workshop next week to learn more about "student inquiry" and the Ministry's "Co-Learn" initiative.
The following is being included on behalf of Parent Council:
SPRINGFEST
Springfest 2013 (Saturday, May 4 from 10 am - 2 pm) needs Committee Chairs and Committee Members.
Do you have one - two hours a week to help on one of these committees? We need you!
* Tombola (5 needed)
* Games (1 more needed, 3 committee members already)
* Silent Auction (3 more needed, 5 committee members already)
* Volunteers (1 or 2 needed)
Please contact Allison Needham by email at allison.needham@rogers.com if you are interested in volunteering.
SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS
The Silent Auction Committee is looking for donations! If you wish to donate a product or service to the auction, please complete a donation form and return it to the donation box in the school office or by email to: Allison Needham at allison.needham@rogers.com or Stephen Montano at stephen_montano@hotmail.com
OTHER WAYS FAMILIES CAN HELP SPRINGFEST:
Other ways parents can help is to sponsor a game, or donate prizes. Sponsors will receive recognition/advertising at the event (if desired).
I hope you have a great weekend!
MARCH
27th-Grade 8 Grad Photos
28th-Pizza Day
29th-Good Friday
APRIL
1st-Easter Monday
15th-Parent Council Meeting
25th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies
26th-Pizza Day
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
MAY
10th-K-2 Storyteller
13th-Parent Council Meeting
20th-Victoria Day
21st-24th-Book Fair
24th-Sharing Assembly
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
31-Pizza Day
JUNE
7th-PA Day
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students
We had a productive first week back as we welcomed Ms. Luckman, a new student teacher to Dr. Grant's class. As some of you know, we host a few candidates a year to encourage collaboration and mentorship among teachers. Teachers enjoy having the students as they usually provide new ideas and activities to the classroom.
On Wednesday, our grade 6-8 students listened to Mr. Vollum who presented a workshop called, "The Social Web 101". He gave some sound advise and practical suggestions mainly around the new privacy settings on Facebook. Parents were invited back that night to hear Mr. Vollum speak on issues and concerns around social media.
Staff continue to teach the final curriculum outlined in the grade long range plans. These plans are on the website if you want to look at them further and keep in contact with the teachers if you have any questions. We are excited to be sending some grade 3 teachers to a workshop next week to learn more about "student inquiry" and the Ministry's "Co-Learn" initiative.
The following is being included on behalf of Parent Council:
SPRINGFEST
Springfest 2013 (Saturday, May 4 from 10 am - 2 pm) needs Committee Chairs and Committee Members.
Do you have one - two hours a week to help on one of these committees? We need you!
* Tombola (5 needed)
* Games (1 more needed, 3 committee members already)
* Silent Auction (3 more needed, 5 committee members already)
* Volunteers (1 or 2 needed)
Please contact Allison Needham by email at allison.needham@rogers.com if you are interested in volunteering.
SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS
The Silent Auction Committee is looking for donations! If you wish to donate a product or service to the auction, please complete a donation form and return it to the donation box in the school office or by email to: Allison Needham at allison.needham@rogers.com or Stephen Montano at stephen_montano@hotmail.com
OTHER WAYS FAMILIES CAN HELP SPRINGFEST:
Other ways parents can help is to sponsor a game, or donate prizes. Sponsors will receive recognition/advertising at the event (if desired).
I hope you have a great weekend!
MARCH
27th-Grade 8 Grad Photos
28th-Pizza Day
29th-Good Friday
APRIL
1st-Easter Monday
15th-Parent Council Meeting
25th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies
26th-Pizza Day
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
MAY
10th-K-2 Storyteller
13th-Parent Council Meeting
20th-Victoria Day
21st-24th-Book Fair
24th-Sharing Assembly
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
31-Pizza Day
JUNE
7th-PA Day
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students
Friday, March 8, 2013
End of Week-March 8th!
We are so proud of the students who participated in the grade 7 and 8 hockey tournament this week. I had the opportunity to watch both our teams play against each other! Again, thanks to Mr. Bracht and Mr. Lanis for coaching this year.
I also want to thank Nicolette and Dana from grade 7 as they were instrumental in organizing and running our grade 4-6 girls' houseleague. We will be running a grade 4-6 boys houseleague program after March Break.
Congratulations to all the students who checked out a book in the library. Last month, we checked out 1844 books school-wide compared to 1501 books in February of 2011. Keep up your reading over the Break everyone!
Finally, we hope Ms. Olabanwo, one of our lunch room supervisors, the best of luck as she welcomes her third baby to her family.
Have a great March Break!
MARCH
11th-15th-March Break
20th-Grade 6-8 Internet Safety Presentation, followed by presentation for parents @ 6:30 p.m.
22nd-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
27th-Grade 8 Grad Photos
28th-Pizza Day
29th-Good Friday
APRIL
1st-Easter Monday
15th-Parent Council Meeting
25th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies
26th-Pizza Day
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
MAY
13th-Parent Council Meeting
20th-Victoria Day
24th-Sharing Assembly
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
31-Pizza Day
JUNE
7th-PA Day
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students
 |
| Grade 7 and 8 Houseleague |
 |
| Grade 4-6 Houseleague |
 |
| Kindergarten Reflection |
 |
| Kindergarten Reflection |
This week, our kindergarten classes attended the Young People's Theatre to watch "The Cat Came Back"! They really enjoyed themselves and loved talking to the actors as they left. Thanks to Mrs. Mendrinos, Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Tyndall and Mrs. Iafrate for organizing and taking the kids, and a big thank you to all the volunteers!
 |
| Grade 8 Conference |
On Thursday, Mrs. Chandra and myself attended a conference with four grade 8 girls to celebrate International Women's Day. The day focused on girls' self-esteem and body image. Gender issues were looked at on a global perspective.
Congratulations to all the students who checked out a book in the library. Last month, we checked out 1844 books school-wide compared to 1501 books in February of 2011. Keep up your reading over the Break everyone!
Finally, we hope Ms. Olabanwo, one of our lunch room supervisors, the best of luck as she welcomes her third baby to her family.
Have a great March Break!
MARCH
11th-15th-March Break
20th-Grade 6-8 Internet Safety Presentation, followed by presentation for parents @ 6:30 p.m.
22nd-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
27th-Grade 8 Grad Photos
28th-Pizza Day
29th-Good Friday
APRIL
1st-Easter Monday
15th-Parent Council Meeting
25th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies
26th-Pizza Day
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
MAY
13th-Parent Council Meeting
20th-Victoria Day
24th-Sharing Assembly
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
31-Pizza Day
JUNE
7th-PA Day
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students
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