Lynx High School Newsletter
AIS West January 2021
Welcome Back!
We are delighted to welcome you back for 100% online learning until February 20th as per Mr. Mark Tennant's email. We hope you have had a wonderful break and a happy new year. May 2021 bring you more happiness, achievements and success.
The High School Administrative Team.
January Calendar
100% Online Learning
As previously communicated by Dr. Refsland and Mr. Tennant, we are shifting to online learning until February 20th as per directives from the Ministry of Education. Please note the following important points below including the minor change to class timings (see schedule below).
100% online learning.
Teachers meet with the students through Zoom.
Teachers will use the “flipped classroom” model and provide direct instruction online prior to meeting in Zoom sessions. All resources will be uploaded on Google Classroom to guide the students. Teachers will dig deeper into conceptual learning when students attend online sessions.
In most cases, it is recommended that direct instruction should be limited to 20 minutes per lesson. On occasions that time may be exceeded.
The remainder of lessons is to be facilitated via Google Classroom and/or email.
Students will not follow the cohort A/B/IB division during 100% online learning. They are expected to benefit from the daily and weekly zoom sessions with their teachers and to complete online activities and assessments.
Attendance will be taken.
The rotation of classes is identical to semester one.
The times of classes have been reduced slightly
Sunday through Wednesday - 70 min classes.
Thursday - 60 mins classes.
Classes end at 1:50 pm
Nutrition and lunch break will be available each day.
Office hours will be at the end of every day from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
Important Dates Coming up
Sunday, Jan. 17th: Semester 1 report cards will go live to students and parents. Our support team will be sharing instructions on how to access report cards.
Monday, Jan. 18th: Parents will receive links to the Parent Teacher Conferences.
Tuesday, Jan. 19th: The PTC link will close at 4:00 PM.
Thursday, Jan. 21st: Parent Teacher Conferences through Zoom.
February 20th: Grade 10 & 11 Semester 1 Arabic Ministry Exams. You will receive a separate email with more details when we hear back from the Ministry of Education.
December IB Learner Profile Award
Let us congratulate the student and the teacher of the month for the IB Learner Profile trait of being "Reflective" for the month of December.
Student of the Month: Sherif Tolba
Sherif is a very thoughtful and reflective student. He is always ready to learn something new and self-reflect on his work.
Teacher of the Month: Madame Claire Tremblay
Madame Claire is reflective by nature. She spends time reflecting about her teaching, her students and her life balance. She uses reflections to set new goals.
Our Seniors Are Getting Ready For Graduation!!
Study Tips From the Counselor
Pick a place and a time---everyone has their own idea about the best place and time to study. Whether it is in your bedroom at night or the library, find a study space and a regular study time that works for you and stick with it.
Study everyday---if you study a little bit every day you will be continually reviewing things in your mind. This helps you understand things. It also helps you avoid the stress of last-minute cramming.
Plan your time---it helps to have some plans so you can make the most of your study times set alarms, so you know when to start studying, use a planner to mark when assignments are due and you can look into the future to see when you will have an exam. Make to-do lists, this will help you plan your time.
Discover your learning style---most of us have a preferred way of learning. Get to know the learning style you are most comfortable with and study in the ways you learn best.
Review and revise---at least once a week you should go back over the things you have studied in class. Reflecting can help you to understand the concepts and help you remember when you need them the most.
Take breaks---it is important to take breaks while you are studying, especially if you are feeling tired or frustrated. Working too long on a task can actually decrease your performance.
Ask for help---if you are stuck on something or something does not make sense, you can always ask for help.
Stay motivated---when you are studying it helps to keep in mind your reasons for doing all of this hard work, like a course, career or goal you are working towards. It can help to have something in your study space to remind you of your goals.
App it up---there are a number of apps out there for helping students with all aspects of study. Ask teachers what they would recommend.
Look after yourself---you will study better if you take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well and get enough sleep and physical exercise. Stay well!
Dr. Les Potter
Tips For Getting Into The College of Your Choice
A Message From Dr. Les Potter:
College admission officers carefully assess your high school (9-12th grade) grades, courses taken, test scores, essays, activities, recommendations and interviews (if required).
1) Get the best possible grades you can during ALL four years of high school. Grades are extremely important. If your grades are weak in 9th or 10th grade, colleges do like to see improvement in 11th and 12th grades.
2) Take academically rigorous classes ALL four years. You should take and successfully pass as many challenging courses as possible.
3) Once we find out (Egypt) when you can take the ACT and/or SAT we will let you know. But most colleges want to see you do well on the standardized tests.
4) Spend sufficient time developing your college essays. Think and reflect before you write. Write, edit, and repeat. This is your opportunity to sell yourself. Convey who you are in your writing: energetic, exciting, passionate, and intellectually curious. How can you make the "real you" stand out from the rest of the crowd? Get feedback on the essays from you teachers and others to assist you in developing your essay.
5) Become involved in your school and/or community during ALL four years and summer vacations. You need to keep track of your involvement in extracurricular and curricular activities, sports, and volunteer activities in your school and community. Try and take leadership positions in your clubs, activities and sports. Try and develop a deep interest or talent in one or more areas.
6) Ask your counselors and teachers who know you well for recommendations. Ask at least a month in advance of college deadlines for recommendations. Provide them with personal data, brag sheets and highlights of your accomplishments.
7) Prepare for on campus or zoom interviews, if required by your college. Practice your interview prior to the actual event. Dress nicely. Be articulate. Send or email them thank you notes after the interview.
8) Get organized and stay focused. Keep a folder for each college that interests you and put relevant information in the file. Keep focused on your ultimate goal---getting accepted into the college of your choice!
9) I would suggest googling information about each college you want to apply to. Also if possible, try and visit the college. You will be spending a lot of time, money and effort at your college. Make sure it is the right fit: location of the college, your major, the size of the college, the activities it provides, etc. are all important. Good luck!