Monday Memo
Week of October 22nd, 2018
In case you missed it.....
Effective Anchor Chart
Supporting the Student Vote
Outdoor Education Centre
Important Dates
- All day - Math PLC’s in the conference room
- Please join me in welcoming Melissa Woodcock to room 220
Tuesday, October 23rd - Day 4
- All day - Junior boys and girls rugby tournament
- 1:30pm - Meeting with Supt. Nigro
Wednesday, October 24th - Day 5
- All day - Mme Morin to Outdoor Education Centre
- 9:30am - Jenn meeting with artist Alice Vander Vennen
- pm - Kelly out for a meeting; Brent in for the afternoon
- 2:40pm - Room 115 case conference
Thursday, October 25th - Day 1
- 9:45am - Jenn in math teleconference meeting
- am - Emma and Megan finishing Writing Scope and Sequence
Friday, October 26th- Day 2
- PM - Jan, Kelly and Jenn for Health and Safety Inspection
- 3:20pm - Support Staff team meeting
Upcoming
- October 30th - Month End Assemblies (note change of date)
- October 31st - Initial Observations of Learning/Progress Reports due to the office
- November 9th - Initial Observations of Learning/Progress Reports sent home
- November 12th - Staff Meeting and School Council
- November 16th - Photo Retakes
Important Information for the Week
Indoor Recess Duty
As you are aware, there are days when we just can't get outside at recess. The supervision schedule clearly lays out any changes to the duties if you should be out but are now in. It is critical that you know where you're supposed to be, and that this information is included in your OT plans. Every time we have been inside, we are left scrambling to find missing duty staff and this is VERY unsafe. It is your professional responsibility to be on duty in the location assigned - inside or out. Please help to ensure indoor recesses run more smoothly moving forward!
Monday Math PLC's
Just a reminder to please bring your pre-assessments (the actual student work) to the Math PLC's on Monday. More info about the PLC's and the schedule are located in the GT Math folder.
Initial Observations of Learning/Progress Reports and Interviews
As you are aware, Initial Observations of Learning/Progress Reports must be complete by 3:20pm on October 31st. It is your obligation (homeroom or subject teacher) to let Mary know when your report writing is done so that she can print for Steve and I to read. November 22nd is the date selected should you wish to stay late (3:20pm - 9pm) to complete interviews with Admin support in the building. A sample interview letter has been posted in the Important Information and Documents folder. Please ensure that you have submitted your interview schedule to me by Friday, November 16th.
OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification
Are you passionate about promoting physical and mental health? Are you looking for a way to increase student leadership in our school and highlight the amazing things we are doing in these areas? Then maybe leading Ganaraska Trail towards OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification is for you! So far no takers, but there is still time. Please see me if you're willing to consider going on this journey together.
Parents - Peek at the Week
Starting today I will be providing a "Peek at the Week" to all parents on a weekly basis. I would really appreciate all you can do to encourage parents to check it out as well.... including encouragement to sign up on Edsby if they haven't already. You can find the link for Peek at the Week (parent version) on Twitter, Instagram, Edsby and our school website.
The first annual Great GT Pumpkin auction
A reminder that room 144 has created a fantastic pumpkin auction with all proceeds going to Pedal for Hope. Enter your bid by the end of the week on the following google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n7G4bSc6RkPo5tngVQoYwqwZwZsgisgYnPBdt1K0kIU/edit?usp=sharing
Tech Committee
Interested in the future of Technology at Ganaraska Trail? Then we need your voice! We need to pull together a 5 year plan determining our direction for tech budget spending moving forward. If you're interested in being part of this committee, please let me know.
Keys (and the gym cupboard too!)
A reminder to ensure that you have a key (all GT staff) that works for classroom doors, as well as the gym equipment cupboard. If you have an issue, or for some reason don't have a key, please see Steve.
Food request Passes
Every classroom was provided "I need more food!" passes for students to bring when they come to the office if they are still hungry. MANY students are not bringing them which leaves us wondering if they have even asked permission to leave the classroom. Please make sure that if you are on duty - you know where to find the passes in the classes you are in and that students have one when coming to the office. Homeroom teachers - if they have gone missing let me know asap so they can be replenished.
Concussions
There are new protocols with regards to concussions, based on Rowan's Law that came into effect on September 26th. What do you need to know now? Moving forward if you coach ANY extra-curricular team, you are required to ensure a video and discussion about concussions happens BEFORE any try-outs. Come see me if you are planning to start a new team soon. This will also be a requirement for all grades as part of Health/Physical Education....more info on this piece to come shortly.
School Council Update
This past week your amazing School Council met to consider what initiatives they are fundraising for this year, and what events will allow them to raise funds. The fundraising plan is attached for your reference. Major highlights: We will have 3 - 5 school wide arts experiences this year, based on your feedback (this is in place of class funds for class based experiences). I am meeting with local artist Alice Vander Vennen this Wednesday to begin planning for our first major visual arts project. In addition, each class will be allotted $100 for in-school opportunities to invite parents in to classrooms. More info about this piece will be shared by Merna, Carolyn and Sarah at our November Staff Meeting. Most other initiatives and fundraisers are consistent with previous years. We hope to also have a Playground committee come together after our November meeting to consider a 3 - 5 year plan for playground improvements.
Something to Think About......
Jennifer Sampson
Email: Jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: https://ganaraskatrail.kprdsb.ca
Location: 34 Percival Street, Port Hope, ON, Canada
Phone: (905)885-5631
Twitter: @ganaraska_trail