Principal - David Myrvold Vice Principal - Penny Hope Vice Principal - Denise Severin

At Adam Scott, we believe that education should have these purposes: to help us reach our full potential; to teach us to accept responsibility for our development and behaviour; to increase our awareness of the needs of the world, and through our understanding and positive actions, to make it a better place.
 

Welcome back to another positive and productive year. The year 2002 promises to bring a new perspective with new leadership at the school board level. As I am certain many of you are aware our new director, Avis Glaze will be beginning her tenure at Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board this term and we are all looking forward to getting to know her and introducing her to the wonderful staff, parents and students of Adam Scott.
 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents who took the time to respond to our school improvement survey in December. Ms Hope collated the results of the survey and compared them to the survey results from June of last year.
 

Improvement has been reported in 28 of 30 points. This increase is especially notable in the following areas: equity in office discipline, consistent values, access to the Learning Resources Library, information pertaining to assessment procedures and extra-curricular programs offered at the school.
 

Areas of Strength
 

100% of respondents reported that there is a satisfactory procedure to follow if there is a concern you would like to see addressed at the school.

100% of respondents reported feeling comfortable approaching the school when there is a problem or concern.

96% of respondents feel that academic achievement is given priority at the school.

95% of respondents feel that the school offers sufficient extra-curricular programs for students.

95% of respondents report that their child enjoys attending Adam Scott.

95% of respondents reported that their child's experiences at Adam Scott are consistent with the values taught at their home.

94% of respondents are satisfied with the school communication process re: upcoming events etc.
 

Most Improved Areas
 

95% up from 55% of respondents reported that the school offers sufficient extra-curricular programs from students at the school.

95% up from 71% of respondents reported that their child's experiences at Adam Scott are consistent with the values taught at their home.

91% up from 68% of respondents believe that the school administrators fairly enforce the rules.

82% up from 63% of respondents reported that they were satisfied with the learning resources library.

91% up from 71% of respondents reported that they are satisfactorily informed about assessment procedures.
 

Areas of Concern
 

28% of respondents want more information about how they can better help their children at home and support the school program.

24% of respondents are concerned that programs at the school do not adequately allow for individual differences and accommodations.

20% of respondents are unsatisfied with the arrangements for eating lunch at school.

18% of respondents are dissatisfied with the access time allowed for the Learning Resources Library.

18% of respondents do not feel that they are adequately informed about their child's progress.

The areas of concern outlined here emphasize the need for continual plans for improvement. Even though the overall results of the survey indicate a vast improvement in many areas of the school there is still room for continued growth in some areas. In order to address these concerns the following plans have been developed:
 

1. Information for Parents: A section of each newsletter will be dedicated to suggestions for parents as well as a list of resources available to assist parents in helping their children be as successful as possible. Many of the suggestions will be related to organization and time management skills as these are the areas of greatest concern over all.
 

2. Individual Differences: Resources will be made available for teachers that deal with individual issues and learning concerns for students with a variety of special needs. Individual Education Plans will be updated and reviewed by all teachers so everyone continues to be aware of the special learning needs of our identified students and staff meetings will incorporate some professional development or discussion time about how to deal most effectively with special needs students.
 

3. Eating Lunch: Intermediate students have 20 minutes to eat their lunch and then they are expected to go outside for the remainder of the noon hour. The students need to vacate the cafeteria so the 1000 secondary students can then have access to the space. As much as some parents have voiced their concerns about having the students go outside it is important for safety and supervision reasons for all students to be together and in an easily supervised area. If students are left to wander through the school they can then mingle with the Secondary students and be more difficult to supervise. During very cold weather days the students will be allowed to stay in the cafeteria.
 

4. Learning Resources Library: Feedback from parents indicates that more parents are satisfied with the Learning Resource Centre access than in previous years; however it is still a concern for some. We will arrange for students to have access to the library before school, during the noon hour and after school in addition to during their regular library time. It is imperative; however, that the students make arrangements to obtain a hall pass from their teacher so they can go to the library during these times.

Congratulations to all Grade 7 and 8 Concert Band Members who performed on our December Day trip at Portage Place Mall and at Edmison Heights Public School. The Band and the Ensemble musicians did a tremendous job playing musical selections for the audience from whom we received positive feedback.
 

Spring performances are planned at the Kiwanis Festival (April 2-12), and hopefully a Band exchange with a school from the Kingston area, in May and a Rock & Bowl activity the first Friday night in March. Fundraising will include the sale of Valentines affordably priced at $1.00, and a Baked Goods Draw for which parents are welcomed to contribute.

The proceeds will be used to offset busing and other costs.
 

Additional hepatitis B vaccine clinics will be held at the Health Unit on two upcoming Professional Activity days.
 

If you missed the first dose of the vaccine or are in grade 8 and missed either dose, call the Health Unit at (705)743-1000 to book an appointment.
 

Upcoming clinic dates:

Friday, February 1, 2002 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 20, 2002 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• After 6 lates - parents will be contacted and teachers will discuss late behaviour with them. Working closely with parents will undoubtedly help to solve many of the attendance issues.

 
• After 9 lates - student will be referred to the office and he/she will be given a noon hour detention.

 
• After 12 lates - student will be referred to the office and he/she will be given an in-school suspension.

 
• After 15 lates - student will be referred to the office and he/she will be suspended for one day.

 
POSTER CONTEST

Show off your Artwork on TV

in the CNIB

WHITE CANE WEEK Poster Contest

If you are 8-12 years old,

design a poster that describes

what the white cane means to you.

All entries will be displayed on the

Cogeco CNIB Teleton

on Sunday, February 10^th from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Prize Winners will receive their prizes "ON AIR".

To Enter:

Simply drop off or mail your poster to the CNIB Office at 236 King Street, Peterborough, ON K9J 7L8

All Entries Must Arrive by Wednesday, February 6^th to qualify
 
 



IMPORTANT DATES







01 February - P.A. Day

- teachers will be involved in various Professional Development activities and meetings

08 February - Pizza Lunch

08 February - Grade 9 Option Sheets Due, last day

14 February - Valentine's Day

22 February - Pizza Lunch
 
 







SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS







1. Provide a quiet, clean work space, whether it be a desk or kitchen table.

• Keep an agenda, diary or calendar of assignments and events.
• Stay in contact with the school, attend meetings, read newsletters and attend parent-teacher interviews.
• Know what is going on in your child's life.
• Encourage and support your child.
• Show your child how you work hard and learn new things. Help him or her find answers to difficult questions in books, library resources or on the Internet.
• Make sure school comes first in the family's priorities - before sports, jobs, socializing. Parents should be present when homework is being done.
• Don't sweat the hairdos, clothes, Pokemon cards or music of otherwise happy students.
• If something goes wrong and your child fails a subject or a year, offer hope and a chance to redeem himself or herself.
• Love your child and show it. This is the cornerstone of success.

 

 
 
 


 

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS







A delightful evening was spent at the Christmas Open House in mid December and we want to thank you for your attendance and support. Is your poinsettia still blooming?! School Council raised close to $400.00 through the cheese and poinsettia fundraiser.

We hope that you received the notice regarding pizza lunches. It is not too late to participate in the program. There are still 9 dates available over the course of the academic year and your child can sign up by bringing in a cheque for $18.00, made out to Adam Scott Intermediate School Council. If you have any questions, please call.

Activity days were discussed at our January council meeting and a visit to local areas of interest such as the Canoe Museum and Art Gallery is under consideration. We would be delighted to have your input and ideas.

Last spring, Green Concepts Plus, a greenhouse on River Road supported a successful school fundraiser, offering high quality annuals including Geraniums, Impatiens, lobelia along with many other varieties. They have agreed to participate again and our plan is to have the flowers ready for pick up just prior to the Victoria Day long weekend. Following March Break, more information will be sent home!

Every household received a copy of the first annual Ontario Parent Survey on Education, 2001. If you have not completed it or lost the form, you can access it on the ministry website at www.edu.gov.on.ca.

The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 13th at 7:00 pm in the Adam Scott library. We look forward to seeing you there!

Anne Morawetz, School Council Chair

748-9470
 

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Our newsletter contest continues.
 
 
 

Congratulations to the winner of the December draw, Angela Chaput (8D).

Please sign and return this portion of the newsletter to the school to indicate you received and read this newsletter. Your child's name will be entered into a draw for a prize. Return by Tuesday, 05 February 2002.
 

Name of Student HR .
 

Parent/Guardian Signature Date