Calvin Park Public School
February 2017 Update
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Calvin Park Families,
We are off to a great start as the learning journey continues into 2017.
FEBRUARY: BLACK HISTORIES MONTH
February is Black Histories month. Learning about the diversity of Black African lives and pre-enslavement histories will go a long way to challenge current stereotypes, prejudices, and misinformation. It is important to celebrate and acknowledge the on-going contributions, achievements and presence of all Black Canadians.
We believe that education is the best way to promote change and ensure a better future for all.
I thank Meri McLeod, our Human Rights Education Advisor for offering the following advice for all of us:
All people in Canada have the right to live, learn, work and play free from fear and from any form of harassment and discrimination. This right is rooted in the history of enslaving African peoples from diverse communities and in the simultaneous historical process of colonization of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Helping students to make this connection is of utmost importance to social justice issues today.
Learning about Black Histories provides students with an opportunity to explore past struggles and contributions of Black Canadians for the freedoms and rights of all people - now embedded into Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code and Education Acts. However, the struggle for rights, equity and inclusion continues to evolve. Believing in and encouraging students to imagine, create, and maintain safe, caring, welcoming school communities that respect human diversity remains our most important challenge.
Our hope is that every student's experience at our school is one in which they see themselves and their families reflected in our curriculum and a place where diversity is promoted, and inclusion expected.
We continue to work toward living up to our motto: #CalvinStrong #WeBelong. We believe our diversity is our strength and that within our caring community, every student is important and every one belongs.
PROVINCIAL REPORT CARDS
On February 27, you will receive your child's Term 1 Provincial Report Card. The intent of the Provincial Report Card is for the teacher to report students' achievement of curriculum expectations introduced and developed from September to January/February of the school year, as well as students' development of the learning skills and work habits during that period.
Teachers take various considerations into account before making a decision about the grade to be entered on the report card. The teacher will consider all evidence collected through observations, conversations, and student products (e.g., tests/quizzes, performance tasks, assignments for evaluation). Teachers also take into consideration that some evidence carries greater weight than other evidence; for example, some performance tasks are richer and reveal more about students’ skills and knowledge than others. More recent evaluation opportunities may carry more weight. Teachers will weigh all evidence of student achievement in light of these considerations and will use their professional judgement to determine the student’s report card grade. The report card grade represents a student’s achievement of overall curriculum expectations, as demonstrated to that point in time.
After reviewing the report card with your child, consider the strengths and next steps. Ensure there is clarity on the part of your child about what is required in order to improve in any given area. Ask for an appointment with your child's teacher to seek clarification as needed in order to promote future growth for your child and seek ways you can assist. Consider including students in these conversations where possible to promote ownership in their learning journey.
LOOKING AHEAD
In the next few weeks, many students from across Limestone along with their families will visit our school to learn more about our Choices at Seven programs.
Please remember to check our website at calvinpark.limestone.on.ca and follow us on Twitter @CalvinPark_LDSB for the latest information about our school.
SAVE THE DATE: Grade 8 Graduation - Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - 5:00 p.m.
More information to follow in next few weeks.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Steve Hedderson, Principal
Info for Parents re: High School (available in multiple languages)
Parents - find an overview of the Grade 7 & 8 Health curriculum, information about Mental Health in Ontario schools, bullying, concussions and more you need to know about public education in Ontario.
All of these resources are available in multiple languages.
Check out the website today!
FREE Math Tutoring Online (Grades 7 - 12)
FREE Math Support for Grade 7-10 Students!
Are you finding it a challenge to help with math homework? Certified Ontario math teachers are ready to help!
Getting Started:
Students can register for their free accounts by using their Ontario Education Number (OEN) and birth date. Students' OENs can be found on any old report card or by asking their classroom teacher.
Watch the step-by-step registration video and download the registration guide
Ask A Tutor Chat: Free online math tutoring 5 days a week!
Ask A Tutor Chat is available Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-9:30 pm ET. On these days and times, the Homework Help Tutors are online to help support students' math learning.
Watch the Ask A Tutor Chat How-To video and click here for more information.
24/7 Math Support: Best Sessions, Interactive Tutorials, Listen & Learns
Created in partnership with Ontario educators, Homework Help's Student Resources are available 24/7! Students can review and learn new math concepts at their own pace.
"A Night at the Gallery"
My Reading Life
Chess Club
Chess Club is up and running, thanks to Ms. Yateman and a LARGE number of students interested in playing chess. We purchased A LOT of new boards and they're all being put to use over the lunch hour to support thinking and provide yet another extra curricular opportunity for students. Chess players, stay tuned as we seek out future opportunities for you.
Renewed Math Strategy: Vision for the Mathematics Learner
This sketch note, courtesy of Ms. Tang, captures some of the professional learning conversation amongst teachers in Limestone recently as we continue to deepen our understanding of learning and teaching Mathematics in K-12 schools across Ontario. Interestingly, there are many applications beyond Mathematics for Ontario's vision of the Mathematics Learner. Can you see the connections?
For more math resource support at home, click here.
Pop-Up Art Gallery
Technology: A Calvin Park Program Enhancement
Parent feedback sought on 2017-2018 school year calendar
The Limestone District School Board has begun the process of setting the school year calendar for 2017-2018. The Board is requesting feedback about the 2016-2017 school year calendar and possible options for the 2017-2018 school year.
Each year, school boards are required to prepare, approve, and submit to the Ministry of Education a proposed calendar. The regular school year is the period between Sept. 1 and June 30 and shall include a minimum of 194 school days of which 7 days are designated as Professional Activity Days. The remaining school days are instructional days. A board can also designate 10 instructional days as examination days.
The Ministry template for the 2017-2018 school year includes 194 school days between Labour Day, September 4 and June 29. The template also outlines a winter holiday break from Saturday, Dec. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 7, with students returning to school after the Break, on Monday, Jan. 8. The Ministry template has a March Break from Saturday, March 10 to Sunday, March 18.
The process for deciding on the calendar for the next year begins with the School Year Calendar Committee made up of LDSB stakeholders representing the following groups: trustees, parents, unions, federations, non-union employee groups, human resources, and administrators, who meet in January and February to provide input for a proposal to take to the Tri-Board Student Transportation. School council and parent input is also a valuable part of this process.
Representatives from the three Boards in the Tri-Board Transportation Consortium (LDSB, Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board and Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board) meet to discuss the pros and cons of their proposals. A common draft calendar is then taken by each Board’s representative to their respective Board of Trustees for approval. It is anticipated that a draft calendar will be presented to Limestone Trustees in April 2017. The calendar is then sent to the Ministry of Education for approval before it is released to the LDSB community.
Your input is important to us and we appreciate your time in submitting your feedback and comments. You can take the survey here.
This survey needs to be completed online or on paper by Friday, Feb. 10, 2017.
LLF Canadian Crystal Vocal & Instrumental Auditions
The Limestone Learning Foundation presents the LLF CANADIAN CRYSTAL, a light and sound show celebrating Canadian music and the Arts with our nation's 150th as a backdrop Saturday, November 4, 2017.
This all-Canadian event will offer exquisite food pairings specifically created for this occasion, and a sleek, contemporary entertainment program showcasing the many talents of students from across the Limestone District School Board, while raising funds for the Foundation.
Interested student vocalists, who are currently in Grades 7-11, may audition for CANADIAN CRYSTAL.
Audition forms are being distributed directly to LDSB schools, so students may simply sign-up at their school office by the end of the day, Monday, February 27, 2017. Auditions will be held Saturday, March 4 at the John Deutsch Centre, Polson Room, Queen's University.
As well, CANADIAN CRYSTAL is looking for student musicians to form a stage band for this event. If you're currently in grades 7 - 11 and you are interested upload your video audition to the LLF Canadian Crystal Facebook page. We're looking for rhythm section players (percussion, bass, guitar, keyboard), brass players (trumpet, trombone, and possibly French horn), woodwind players, fiddlers, banjo, guitar. The exact instrumentation will be determined as song choices are made for... our vocalists.
DEADLINE FOR INSTRUMENTAL AUDITIONS IS FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017.
This house band will be responsible for accompanying student vocalists for approximately a 60-minute performance.
By uploading your video audition, you agree to the following: • I know my audition can be accessed by the Facebook community at large.
I agree to allow the Limestone Learning Foundation to access my contact information through the Limestone District School Board.
If I am under the age of 18, I have parental consent to upload an audition video or visual arts submission.
PROCESS FOR INSTRUMENTAL AUDITIONS:
You can "Share" a video - either upload an existing one or record one on the spot with your own web cam.
Upload.
In the comments box, write something about the video you have uploaded, and include your name, grade and school. Please do NOT include any other personal information such as telephone number, email or home address.
All students, both vocalists and student musicians, must be prepared to attend rehearsals at the end of August 2017 as well as regular rehearsals throughout September and October.
Good Luck! For more info, visit http://llf.limestone.on.ca/Events/Crystal
School Council Executive & Next Meeting
Your voice matters. Consider joining our School Council. Everyone welcome.
THANK YOU to our School Council for organizing the pizza days we've had thus far to help raise money for our Graduation and to enhance technology at the school. Your support is very much appreciated!
Our next meeting is: Monday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 206.
2016-17 Executive
Chair: Melissa Hudson
Secretary: Hilary Wollis
Vice-Chair: vacant
Treasurer: vacant
Community Rep: David Wilson
Members-at-Large: Linda Baumann, Beatriz Sugarman, Jill Waugh
Teacher Representative(s): Mrs. Boyce, Mrs. Leeman & Mr. Wartman
ATLAS Information Night (for Current Grade 6 Families)
Monday, Feb 27, 2017, 06:00 PM
Calvin Park Public School (LCVI Cafeteria), 153 Van Order Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
LEAP Information Night (for Current Grade 6 Families)
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017, 07:00 PM
Calvin Park Public School (LCVI Cafeteria), 153 Van Order Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Challenge Information Night (for Current Grade 6 Families)
Wednesday, Feb 1, 2017, 07:00 PM
Calvin Park Public School (LCVI Cafeteria), 153 Van Order Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Calvin Park Public School
Calvin Park Public School is the largest Grade 7 & 8 school in the Limestone District School Board. #CalvinStrong #WeBelong
Email: calvp@limestone.on.ca
Website: calvinpark.limestone.on.ca
Location: 153 Van Order Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-542-2796
Twitter: @CalvinPark_LDSB