Friday, May 9, 2014

This week we were so lucky to be involved with a variety of activities. On Monday, the grade 4-8 students watched a Jazz Presentation from Humber College. It was fantastic and the students got an opportunity to see young adults pursuing their dreams at the post-secondary level. Thanks to Dr. Grant for organizing this performance. 

The grade 3s were able to go to Pioneer Village; an annual trip that supports the social studies curriculum. I'm sure they gathered lots of ideas to incorporate into their future projects.

Today, Ms. Sunde, Ms. Kim, myself and our grade 6-8 Film Club participated in a TIFF workshop on motion and animation. It was such a fun experience. We learned how to make animated movies using "real" actors-us! We're hoping to incorporate some of our learning into the club next year.  I'd also like to thank Ms. Chandra for taking Maddie and Frances (grade 8) to the AGO on Wednesday to see their own film they created on friendship! 

On Wednesday, Ms. Dacyshyn, Ms. Young, Mrs. Younger, myself and Ms. Hoffman attended the conference: When Everything You've Tried Hasn't Worked: Creative Ways to Resolve Persistent School Behaviour Problems. The speaker, John Murphy, presented practical techniques to use with students when problems occur.  Often, people will use the same strategies or solutions when trying to solve reoccurring problems in their lives which only results in more problems. According to Murphy, the answer is simple-we need to change the solutions or strategies. It sounds simple, basic and logical, but this doesn't happen a lot. He presented "The Change Pie" that showed four factors of change that teachers, parents and other professionals working with students to resolve behaviour problems, need to incorporate into their practice to achieve more desirable outcomes at school or in the home. It was good professional development that we will be sharing with staff and the community at Council. 

 I'd like to thank Parent Council for organizing Jennifer Kolari to the school on Wednesday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m in the library. The topic is: CONNECTED PARENTING. You can learn more at:  http://connectedparenting.com/connected-parenting/about-jennifer.  

Finally, congratulations to all of the students who attended the Track and Field meet this week. You are to be commended for your talents and efforts! You make us proud! 

May-Integrity 

14th-Officer Rich visits Kindergarten; Mayor's Cricket Tourney; Mr. Ross visits Children's Book Bank 
15th-Grade 5 Museum in lunchroom; Sr Boys Soccer Tournament 
16th-Forest of Reading Lunch; Jr Ultimate Tournament 
19th-Victoria Day
20th-Book Fair Begins until the 20th; Junior Girls Soccer Tournament  
21st-Grade 4 to High Park (and the 22nd); Sr Girls Soccer Tournament 
22nd-Jr Boys Soccer Tournament 

26th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Begins
28th-Conference Final Track Meet 

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; Sr Frisbee Tournament 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

4th-Cricket Tournament 
5th-Grade 4 to Medieval Times; Grade 3 to Kortright 
6th-PA Day
9th-Cricket Semi-Finals 

10th-City Finals Track 
12th-Grade One and Combined 1/2 to Zoo 

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec Trip 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
23rd-Mrs. Burn's Graduation 
24th-Mrs. Iafrate's Graduation 
25th-Mrs. Tyndall's Graduation 

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25th-Lunch on the Lawn 
26th-Reports Go Home 

27th-Last Day for Students