Adam Scott C.V.I./I.S. has a focus on student achievement with clearly stated expectations and equitable assessment guidelines. This mandate will be met within a purposeful learning atmosphere that is free from the threat of physical or emotional harm, delivered within a climate which is supportive of curriculum and instruction, and addresses the learning needs of both staff and students.

CHARACTER EDUCATION ATTRIBUTE OF THE MONTH: INITIATIVE

VICE PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

- MS. JOHNSTON

 I can not believe it has been over 3 weeks since we returned from the holidays. Volleyball, the Musical, Band and a million other things are in full swing!! Welcome to 2008.

Reminders.......

•    Students continue to come to school without their winter coats and are freezing at recess time. There is cool and then there is too cool! Please remind your children to wear proper winter outdoor gear.

•    Some students appear to be forgetting their pens, pencils and paper and are not coming prepared for class. Please check with your child to make sure he or she has what they need. Often kids “run out” mid year.

•    Grade 8 students are beginning the process of choosing their courses for next year in grade 9. These are big decisions which require much conversation and consultation with this year’s teachers. It was so great to see so many parents and students out to the grade 8 open house hosted by the High School. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email your child’s homeroom teacher or Mrs. Janie Kelly, Head of Guidance at Adam Scott Secondary School. (743-7373)

Email addresses:

Halina Ilkiewicz - Halina_Ilkiewicz@kprdsb.ca

Steve Timms - Steve_Timms@kprdsb.ca

Catherine LeGros - Catherine_Legros@kprdsb.ca

Michael Colling - Michael_Colling@kprdsb.ca

Janie Kelly - Jane_Kelly@kprds.ca

•    Adam Scott Intermediate students are not permitted off school property without parent permission. If your son or daughter wants to leave for lunch they will need a note from a parent/guardian which they must take to the office before school begins.

Upcoming events:

Feb. 1                          P.A. Day

Feb. 14,15 and 16       “Crazy For You “ Musical

Feb. 18                        Family Day Holiday

ADAM SCOTT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL’S GOAL FOR READING ACHIEVEMENT

Every school creates a school goal which focuses on one aspect of Literacy which our students need to improve on. Using our data (report cards, CASI testing) we as a staff at Adam Scott Intermediate have chosen to focus on Reading.

75% of all Adam Scott Intermediate students will be reading at Level 3 or better by June 2008 as measured by CASI.

We are working towards this goal by creating SMART goals in each classroom that focus our teaching and learning on very specific reading skills. Some examples of the skills being worked on are:

Point of View

Summarizing a Text

Making Connections

Explaining the Main Idea

Here are some activities and conversations you can have with your child which will support your child’s reading improvement:

1. Family Reading Time - set aside everything else for ½ hour two or three evenings a week and read! Current reading research tells us that when parents model reading for their kids, it is more likely that kids will view reading as a positive activity.

2. Reading Out Loud - We are never too old to be read aloud to! Yes, even teenagers still enjoy the opportunity to listen to a story. As well, if you are reading a newspaper or magazine and come across something funny or interesting, read it out loud to share with your kids.

3. Have reading material around the house. Crossword puzzles, wordplay books, magazines and newspapers are fun and educational to have around the house for kids to pick up at their leisure. As well, going to the public library once a month to stock up on books is not only fun but FREE!

4. Talk to your kids. Ask your kids to tell you about what they are reading. Questions that really help are ones that are open ended and promote discussion. Try "Why do you think the author included that in the book?" or "What do you think the main message or idea of the book is?" or "What does reading this remind you of?"

5. Enjoy! Reading should be fun and not a chore or something you HAVE to do. Try to make it an enjoyable experience by involving yourself in reading and showing your kids what reading is all about.

SKILLS WORK!

Skills Canada-Ontario is excited to announce that they will be hosting a “Skills Work! For Youth” Student & Guardian Evening in Peterborough on Monday, February 11, 2008 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Fleming College, Sutherland Campus (Brealey Dr.)

The “Skills Work! For Youth” Student & Guardian Evening provides an opportunity for students in grade 7 and 8 and a parent or guardian to learn more about the skilled trades and technologies through hands-on activities. Presented in partnership with Fleming College, the event focuses on both the apprenticeship and college pathways while encouraging students to discover career options in these high-demand areas.

Students and Guardians will have the opportunity to explore electrical trades, culinary arts and carpentry trades through interactive workshops presented by Fleming College instructors and students. Skills Canada - Ontario staff will also provide a brief overview of the careers available in the skilled trades and technologies. Light refreshments will be provided.

This wonderful event was developed in response to feedback they received from educators during their classroom presentations. Teachers told them that parents need to hear the message about the exciting and rewarding careers available in skilled trades and technologies. Please encourage your child to participate in this award winning event.

Registration Cost: $5 per person

For more information or to register for the event, please contact William Howe at 705-750-0726 or email williamh@skillscanada.com.

CONNECTING BY EMAIL

We are planning to create email mailing lists for every classroom at Adam Scott Intermediate. This would allow teachers and administration to send information home more consistently, more quickly and in a more environmentally friendly way. We would include regular homework updates as well as information often shared in this newsletter and other flyers which may presently be resting in your son’s or daughter’s backpack!

Please forward your email address to Debra_Soucie@krdsb.ca to be put on the list. We hope to have this up and running very soon. If your child would also like his or her email address to be on the list – great- just add the address!!

GRADE 8 GRADUATION TRIP

All grade 8 parents have received a package of papers for our year-end Niagara Falls trip this June. All 3 forms must be returned by February 5 with the $50.00 deposit. If you require more information or have not received the letter home, please contact either Catherine_Legros@kprdsb.ca or Jennifer_Knox@kprdsb.ca .

We will be fundraising to lessen the cost of this trip for all students. Ms. LeGros' grade 8 class has organized two hot lunches on Thursday January 24 and 31. Many thanks to Mrs. Livingstone for all of her help with this!! Also, chocolate almonds are being sent home with all grade 8 students on Wednesday, January 23. Please try your best to sell your box. Chocolate almond sales lower the cost of the individual student trip. Keep your ears open for more fundraising coming up!

GRADE 7 MUSIC

As we are approaching the half-way point in the school year, the grade 8's will be leaving the music room and taking art for the remainder of the year while the grade 7's will be beginning their instrumental music experience at Adam Scott Intermediate. A form requesting a music fee will be sent home with each student in mid February, once he or she has chosen an instrument. This fee assists in paying for new music, fixing instruments, buying reeds and upgrading instruments when required and is vitally important to keeping our music program running smoothly.

CRAZY FOR YOU

All of the hard work is finally paying off. Adam Scott's musical "Crazy for You" is weeks away from taking the stage! Our students will have an opportunity to see their classmates perform in the musical Tuesday, February 12 for $4.00. Please check our school website www.adamscott.ca and click on the Crazy for You link for more show times and evening ticket prices!

THANK YOU TO…..

Joanne Livingstone (mother of Shelbey Livingstone) who has almost single handedly organized our canteen for the volleyball tournament to hot lunch days. From pricing and picking up, handing out and counting money…. we appreciate your time, energy and effort Jo – thank you.

Lynn Sansom (mother of Deanna Schroeter) has been volunteering in our classrooms, working with students and assisting the teachers every Tuesday morning since December. Thank you for making a difference in our students’ lives and your commitment to our Intermediate hall.

VOLLEYBALL TEAMS

Lions Volleyball

Mrs. Knox and the girls’ competitive volleyball team hosted a tournament here at Adam Scott on Monday, Jan. 28^th. The girls fought hard all day, winning several games and losing close matches. They were great competitors and made Adam Scott proud.

The girls’ recreational team and Mr. Timms traveled to Kenner on Tuesday, Jan. 29^th. They won 8 of 11 games, and were one of the top teams in a field of 16 schools. Well done ladies!!!

The boys recreational team headed to Lakefield on Wednesday, Jan. 30^th with Mr. Colling. They won many matches and played tough all day. Way to go guys!!!

 Mrs. And Mr. Findlay will also go to Lakefield with the boys’ competitive team on Thursday, Jan. 31^st. Have a great day team – Go Lions Go!!

There will be two competitive mixed volleyball teams heading to Creatwood on February 11^th – Good Luck Lions!!

SPELLING BEE

Congratulations to Shyam Shukla of 8A on winning this year’s CanWest CanSpell School Spelling Bee! He has now moved on to the written qualifier stage for the Toronto Regional Bee.

Well done - it was a lot of fun working on this together!

NO SCHOOL ON FAMILY DAY, FEBRUARY 18

There is one change to our school year calendar. After the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board distributed this year’s calendar to parents, the provincial government announced a new statutory holiday: Family Day, on Monday, February 18. There will be no classes on that day, and all schools and Board offices will be closed. The rest of the school year will follow the previously approved calendar.

Synervoice messages were sent out Monday, January 14 and January 21. They informed families that parents and students were strongly recommended to attend Information Night on Tuesday, January 22 in the auditorium from 6:30-9:00. Course calendars were distributed.

FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION

A Family Day Celebration is being held on the grounds of the Old Millbrook School, 1 Dufferin Street, on Monday, February 18 from 1 pm – 4 pm. A group of community volunteers has organized this FREE event. The Old Millbrook School houses both the Old Millbrook School Family Centre and the Cavan Monaghan Library. The location provides the outdoor space necessary for the outdoor activities, as well as the indoor facilities for additional events and a warming space.

The Old Millbrook School Family Centre will be open for hot chocolate and warming up. Early indications are that the Cavan Monaghan Library will sponsor a special concert. Organizations throughout our community have been invited to participate in this first-ever Family Day Celebration in our township. A line-up of fun-filled family activities are planned so that people can get outside, get active and enjoy a wonderful winter community gathering in the company of friends and neighbours.

Events planned include:

1.Winter Olympics-style games, including relay races, synchronized snow angel contests, puck shooting contests and more

      2.   Snow sculpture contest

3.   Horse drawn wagon rides

      4.    Rescue dog demonstration