Report Cards

Next Monday, report cards will be sent home indicating first term progress. Interviews have been scheduled at different times, but mainly for the 3rd and the 4th. In kindergarten, only the Seniors will be getting a Progress Report this term. This is the second year staff have completed the report cards using our new process on the TDSB Web. It has been a success so far.

If you haven't had a chance to read the book I recommended last year (Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax), I encourage you to pick it up from the store. I was reviewing some of the chapters this week, particularly the one on video games. He states that the average teenage boy spends more than 13 hours a week playing games and then he delves into different reasons and tasks that might or might not motivate young boys. Overall, the book is a good resource to keep us thinking, questioning and evaluating our practices as educators when working with boys.

Please remember that Empathy is our focused Character Trait this month. Students were recognized at our Sharing Assemblies this week with a special braclet and certificate. Congratulations!

Finally, special thanks goes to our student reps who participated in the Vow of Silence today. The students, vowed to stay silent and refrained from communicating via the computer for 24 hours to support children around the world who are denied their basic rights. November 20 is special as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The student body contributed donations to this cause. If you would like to still support our student leaders, please drop off your donation in the office.


NOVEMBER

23-Class Safety Rep Meeting @ Lunch; Eric Walters returns to the middle school
24th-Artist to visit Mrs. Taylor;Jr Vball @ James S. Bell
25th-Sr Girls' BB Tournament @LKS
26th-Grade Eight Special Education Review Meetings-morning(
27th-Pizza Lunch; Sr Boys' VBall @ LKS all day; Author Adrea Beck to visit K-2
30th-Report Cards Go Home (Only SK Reports-Jr Kindies get a report second term; Sr Boys' Vball at LKS

DECEMBER
1st-3rd-Book Fair-lunch, recess and before/after school; Grade 4 Charity Bakesale-p.m.
2nd-Eco-Warriors Meeting and Walking Wednesday
December 4-Interview Day(the 3nd at night)
7th-City Hall trip for Grade 5 (Ms. Walker and Ms. I)
8th-Grade 1-5 Concert @ 6:30 p.m
9th-Grade 6-8 Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
10th-Author Visit Grade 3-8
11th-Athletic Assembly @ 9:00 a.m.
14th-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m.; Kindergarten Concert @ 6:00 p.m.; City Hall Trip for Mrs. Young's class; Carols in the gym at 9:00 a.m.
18th-Carols in the gym @ 1:00 p.m.

Upcoming Holidays

This week we hosted two of our three concerts this year. Many thanks goes to all staff and parents involved, especially Mr. Samotowka, Ms. Hoffman, and Mrs. Tyndall for organizing the whole program. The pieces that were picked this year were beautiful compositions and through many hours of practice, you could really see the difference in the kids' skill level from September. Next week the Kindergarten performance will be on Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m. I'm sure like me, many parents appreciate the artistic talents demonstrated throughout our school.

On that note, a few of our junior classes have been working with a professional artist this past week. The kids have been working on landscape paintings. We cannot wait to display them as they look fantastic! Mr. Ourique's grade 6 art classes have also been creating some outstanding masks that will be displayed in the front hall shortly and a big thanks to Mrs. Iafrate's grade 2 "dragon" display in the front showcase; amazing renditions!

Many thanks to Mr. Page for hosting our First Term Athletic Assembly. The whole school recognized all the students who participated in Houseleague, Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Once again we thank our staff coaches: Mr. Page, Ms. Hoffman, Mr. Kuru, Ms. Shklar, Mr. Bracht, Mr. Elias, Mr. Ellerker, Mr. Blais and Mr. Ross. Thank you to all of the coaches for supporting our general philosophy of having fun, trying our best and playing safe!

Do you believe that among all the concert rehearsals the grade 4 (and 3 & 5 classes) hosted a Bake Sale on Wednesday! This has got to be one of the highlights for the students-they absolutely love this experience! It takes a lot of work from parents and staff to put on such a great event, and we thank everyone. A special thanks to Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Zappi and Mrs. Stratton for organizing and counting all that money! Happy Eating!

Next week, we are looking forward to:
15th-Officer Keith begins visiting classrooms (16th & 17th also; Carols @ 1:00 p.m.; Grade 8 classes visit ECI (our feeder school) all day (Parents: Please drop the kids off at the main doors for 9:00 a.m.)
16th-Kindergarten Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
18th-Grade 6-8 Dance
19th-Carols @ 9:00 a.m.