Middle School Update
November 17, 2022
Message from the Head of Middle School
Last Friday’s Remembrance Day assembly was a special one for us, as we had the honour of being the venue for the presentation of the Medal of Sacrifice to Captain (Ret’d) Ryan Carey. The boys behaved exceptionally, and listened attentively to the messages of remembrance and mental resilience. This day, solemn as it was, showed us how well the boys are able to rise to the occasion when the situation calls for it.
In our regular assemblies over the past few weeks, and continuing into December, we have been explaining the ‘True to Others’ aspect of Veritas. Selwyn House defines this as acting with respect, inclusivity, compassion, and kindness. While we are trying to provide a solid understanding of the terminology we use, we are also promoting an appreciation of being ‘True to Others’ through action. Leading into the holiday season, the students will, in their Teacher Advisory Groups (TAG), embark in our annual ‘Holiday Basket’ tradition where goods are collected and delivered to specific local families in need. Our hope is that these exercises in good citizenship will help the boys recognize that the way they treat others is the most important indicator of their character.
Today and tomorrow mark Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews, which are an important aspect of helping the boys to learn more about themselves as students. Most often, the students will have a good understanding of how their levels of engagement are linked to their teachers’ reporting and observations. Sometimes, we need to help them make those connections, and we feel that open and transparent communication is key to helping them achieve this.
Mr. Sebastien Lajoie ~ lajoies@selwyn.ca
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, November 17: Parent-Teacher-Student interviews via Zoom from 1:30-8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 18: No classes for Middle School
Friday, November 18: Parent-Teacher-Student interviews via Zoom from 8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov 20 - Tuesday, Nov 22: Class 8-3 overnight Outdoor Ed. Trip.
Thursday, November 24: Founder’s Day Reception from 6-9pm in Coristine Hall.
Friday, November 25: Founder’s Day Holiday - school is closed
Wednesday, November 30: Beach Day - themed dress down day. Details to follow.
Monday, December 5: Pre-University (Grade 12) Information Evening at 7pm in Coristine Hall. RSVP link and details below.
Tuesday, December 6: Grade 7&8 Jazz Band Concert during MS Assembly 9:30-10am in Coristine Hall
Friday, December 16: MS Trivia Night from 4-6pm in Coristine Hall with Villa Sainte-Marcelline
Wednesday, December 21: Last day of classes before winter break, dismissal at 2:45pm
need to know
Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews continue tonight until 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m via Zoom. If you were unable to arrange Parent-Student-Teacher interviews for whatever reason, you may contact the teachers you would like to meet with and arrange a Zoom meeting or telephone call at a later date. Please note:
pickAtime has emailed you the Zoom links and booking confirmations - be sure to check your junk folder and/or add them to your contact list;
Do not click the Zoom link(s) until a few minutes before the actual meeting date/time;
Once connected to the meeting, you will be placed in a “waiting room” until the host (teacher) arrives and admits you;
Zoom passwords for all SHS Parent-Student-Teacher meetings: 123456.
Please note that this year, teachers' Zoom accounts have a 40 minute time limit per "meeting". Teachers will be ending and starting new Zoom sessions periodically between interviews;
Students are expected to attend the Zoom interviews with their parents.
Clubs and Tutorials: MS Students have the option of attending clubs, intramurals and tutorials any day of the week! View the list of School Life Opportunities that are available now. All of these “extras” are optional and require no long-term commitment. We encourage all students to try new activities and get involved in the activities that interest or intrigue them. Students are encouraged to see Mr. Lajoie with ideas of new clubs and activities they want to champion in Middle School.
Dress for the weather! Students are going outside every day for recess and must come prepared to play in any kind of weather. Boots and coats are required and hats, mitts, snow pants and extra socks are recommended for when the snow arrives! Dress shoes and gym shoes should be kept for indoor use only.
Go Gryphons! On Friday, Nov 18 at 2:00pm, come cheer for your Gryphons as they compete against Collège de Montréal for the RSEQ Football Juvenile Div 3 Banner at Percival Molson Stadium or watch via Livestream.
World Cup Bracket Challenge: Students and staff were invited to participate in a World Cup Bracket Challenge by picking the winners for the upcoming 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Students can check your email from Ms. Torry for more details and the link to complete your bracket. Please note: there is a $5 entry fee per bracket that will be used for prizes and remaining proceeds will go to Pour 3 Points.
No formal December exam period for Middle School: A regular class schedule will remain in place in December, with a dismissal at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21. In-class assessments being held in December will be posted on mySelwyn, including math exams for both grades in the week of Dec 19-21. A formal exam period will take place in June for Grade 7&8 with clear expectations and support provided throughout the spring term.
Middle School Trivia Night: MS students are invited to this inter-school event taking place on Friday, December 16 from 4-6pm at SHS. $5 admission fee covers the cost of snacks and prizes. Teams can sign up using this form; registration is complete once all team members have submitted payment to Ms. Beech.
Friday Night Ski Club: Our ski club has once again organized ski/snowboard trips for Selwyn House students. The only requirement is that participants have skied/boarded a minimum of 3 times in the past. If you are interested in having your son participate, please carefully read all the information included in this consent form and submit the form by December 16. Act fast - these trips fill up quickly! For any additional questions, please contact Ms. Segal.
We have 4 ski nights scheduled for the 2023 season:
- Friday, January 13 to Bromont
- Friday, January 20 to Mont Olympia
- Friday, January 27 to Bromont
- Friday, February 10 to Mont Saint Sauveur
Donations Desperately Needed For Next Gryphon Sale: Thank you to all those who have dropped off gently used uniform items over the Fall, but our sales inventory is at the lowest it has been in years, enough so that we may not be able to have the January sale, scheduled for January 11, 2023. If you have any items that you were planning on donating, could you drop them off at the school in the next few weeks? The donation bins are located right inside the front doors of the school. Thank you again for your generosity.
REMINDERS
Visit MS Updates from the previous weeks for news you may have missed such as:
- Visit our Covid Corner for the latest health & safety guidelines
- 2022-23 Trip Opportunities are listed in this trip brochure
- School Life Opportunities for MS Students (including tutorials, clubs and athletics)
- Looking for volunteering opportunities? Click here to see how you can make a difference!
- MS Gryphon Podcasts are posted HERE.
FOCUS is back! Ms. Schaffer will be supervising our homework program between 2:50-5:50 pm every day. Students will be able to arrive and begin work at any time during these hours, including after physical education. This program supports students to get homework done in a timely and conscientious manner. If you are interested in having your son participate, please contact Ms. Beech for more information (fees, etc.)
Please note: There will be no Focus this Tues-Thurs, Nov 22-24, exceptionally.
Pre-University (Grade 12) Information Evening: On Monday, December 5, we are hosting this event from 7:00-8:00 pm. There will be presentations about the program and updates on our implementation progress. Registration for this event is required. Please register here. More information about our Pre-University year can be found at www.selwyn.ca/preu or by emailing PreU@selwyn.ca.
PVA hosts Parent Trivia Night! Middle and Senior School parents are invited to join us Thursday, December 8th for a Parent Trivia Night at Selwyn House. It will be a fun evening filled with trivia, food, and festive holiday attire. Pick a team captain and form a team of six. Not to worry if you don’t have a team, individuals will be placed on teams. Each adult needs to sign up via the google form by December 1st. Questions? Please reach out to Krista or Amanda at kristaplank@gmail.com or amandajelowicki@hotmail.com.
Selwyn House School
Website: www.selwyn.ca
Location: 95 Chemin de la Côte-Saint-Antoine, Westmount, QC, Canada
Phone: 514-931-9481
Facebook: facebook.com/selwynhouseschool