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.

SEASON’S GREETINGS

We will soon be celebrating the holidays. School will be closed from December 23^rd at 3:30 until Monday, January 9^th, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. when classes resume.

We recognize that some in our community have just celebrated Ramadan, while many others are preparing for Hanukah and Christmas. All faith groups share the common values of goodwill toward others and the importance of one’s family and we know how important it is to share time with our loved ones. Enjoy and treasure those special moments together!

We extend our sincere best wishes to all for a safe and happy holiday season!

Your Intermediate School Staff

CLICK HERE FOR DECEMBER 2005 AND JANUARY 2006 INTERMEDIATE CALENDAR

HALLOWE’EN DANCE

HOWLING SUCCESS!

The big Hallowe’en dance was held October 28^th. It was planned by the Student Council and the kids did a fine job from decorating to ticket selling.

Most students were in costume and all were impressive. We have some very creative students. The first prize winners are pictured above, Maggie Donohue & Andrew Russelle. Second place went to Madeleine Brown & Trevor MacIntyre. Prize winners could select either a jumbo box of Skittles (sorry parents) or a gift certificate for a popular C.D.

The Student Council is now planning a Winter Holiday Video Dance which they have named “Winter Wonderland”! Ms. Knox has agreed to take some time and teach students some new dances! We’ll get some pictures and share them with you.

INCLEMENT WEATHER ISSUES

On Thursday, November 24^th, we experienced some snowy weather and many buses were cancelled. A good number of students who arrived at school between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. decided to phone parents and ask permission to return home. This tied up our phone system at a time when we needed to keep lines clear because parents were phoning the school for information and handling other important issues.

In the future, on snowy mornings, we will allow students to call home for emergency situations but not merely to return home.

Unless the Board of Education has closed schools entirely, staff will be here with teachers in the classroom to receive students. If buses are cancelled and fewer students arrive, it is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to have a great deal of teacher attention. They can catch up on work or even enjoy enrichment activities. We feel it is important for students to be at school learning every day.

BUS SAFETY

Bus operators are the sole responsibility of the bus companies. Parents and students need to know the following:

1.         Bus Company

2.         Phone Number

3.         Bus Driver’s Name

4.         Route Number

5.         Cancellations

BUS/SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS

Bus Students

Each morning, parents and pupils should listen to one of the local radio stations for notification of bus delays, cancellations or shortening of runs and school cancellations. Parents should determine with their children how long beyond the usual bus pick-up time they will wait at the bus stop before returning home.

If a school bus does not run in the morning because of inclement weather, it will not run at night.

It is imperative that parents understand that if they transport their own children to school under such conditions, they are responsible for transporting the children home at night.

Walking Students

The decision on whether or not the student is sent to school in bad weather rests with the parents. If students come in the morning, they are expected to stay for the regular school day. Walkers are encouraged to attend school. Teachers use these days to provide individual attention and extra review in specific areas.

EMERGENCY EARLY DISMISSAL

The decision as to whether or not the school should be dismissed early for safety reasons will generally be a judgment made by the principal in consultation with the Superintendent and/or Director of Education.

When the decision is reached that a school or schools will be dismissed early, the Board’s Transportation Department will be notified and, in turn, will alert the local radio stations — CRUZ, The Wolf 101.5, STAR 93.3, CFMP, CKPT AND CKQM - as well as bus operators.

Parents shall advise their children about the procedure to be followed (i.e. alternate house to go to) if the student is returned home early and the parent is not there. Parents must advise the school of the contingency plan to be followed in this event as well. This information is reported to the school on the student information sheet. Please provide the school with this necessary information.

HISTORICA CLUB

Historica Club has begun! We have a number of students already brainstorming topics and questions for their “History Fair” research project. Topics from Canadian geography, history and current events are all acceptable in this event. This is a great opportunity to investigate past Canadian mysteries, make personal connections with heritage or, explore issues that affect our land.

New members are welcome to join the group in Mme. Harding’s classroom (Room 110) Wednesdays at lunch recess to share interests and develop research skills.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Students interested in public speaking are invited to meet with others to share ideas, develop writing skills and, fine tune their presentation with feedback from the Adam Scott Public Speaking group and Mme. Harding. Adam Scott Intermediate School has sent students to both the Lions Club and the Legion speak-offs for a number of years; it has been a positive and rewarding experience for all.

The Peterborough Lions Club is holding its contest in late January this year so, we are making an earlier start this school year. Students will still be able to participate in the Peterborough Legion contest which traditionally takes place in late February or early March. Meetings are held at lunch recess on Tuesdays in Room 110 beginning November 29^th.

SCIENCE FAIR AT TRENT

Trent University has once again sent us information regarding this year’s Science Fair. It will take place April 11^th at Trent. Students who wish to take part are asked to see Mme. Girard about rules and regulations.

ADAM SCOTT YEARBOOKS

Our yearbooks are on sale again. $15.00 will buy you a great keepsake of this year’s memories. The price will go up later this year.

There is also our contest in which you might wish to take part. Draw a cover for our yearbook. The winner wins a free yearbook. For buying a yearbook or handing in your design, see Mme. Girard.

SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!

Tryouts are underway for the boys and girls volleyball teams. It is very competitive as over 50 students have tried out and made for some difficult decisions for Mrs. Knox!

Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t make the team – everyone is welcome to play Intramural Volleyball – over 85 students are currently playing volleyball (and avoiding having to go outside in the cold)!

We are currently in a Volleyball unit in gym and are pleased that the student teacher, Mr. Colling, is so knowledgeable and fun. We will have a few quick dance classes in gym before our Christmas dance in an attempt to increase the number of “dancers”. Thanks to Jessica Hamblin, from 8B, for burning the CD’s for Mrs. Knox, and assisting in bringing her ‘up to speed’ on some current, popular dances.

Phys Ed reminder: many students are still not changing for class and it is important for mobility, safety, and hygienic reasons that everyone brings proper gym attire (shorts, sweatpants, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and running shoes – preferably ones that tie up!).

HOMEWORK POSTED ON THE WEB

Our teachers post homework on our website so that you can monitor progress. You can access it at www.adamscott.ca.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN ROOM 116 AT LUNCH ON THURSDAYS!!

The Student Council has been very busy lately, planning dances, intramurals and a lot of other fun things. The Student Council is trying to bring the Christmas spirit into our hallways by having a door-decorating contest. The classroom with the best door will win a pizza lunch. We also have our Winter Wonderland dance planned for Friday, December 23^rd, from 12:30 to 2:30. It’ll be a blast!

The Student Council is working very hard on revising the point system for the AAACS for ASIS. We are also hoping to be starting a Breakfast Club in the morning before classes in the cafeteria. We are going to be starting a Girl’s Club on Fridays after school for anyone who is interested. Listen to the announcements for further details.

Adam Scott is proud to invite a motivational acting group called the “Half Pints” to come and give us a presentation impersonating the Intermediate teachers in mid February. They will talk to us about the negative effects of bullying and teasing and provide strategies to stop the negativity.

Claire VanLeeuwen

President, SAC

DOOR DECORATING CONTEST

The Student Council is having a Door Decorating Contest to spread the winter spirit around the hallways. Each home room will decorate their door any way they would like. The class with the best door will win a pizza lunch. The judging will be held on Tuesday, December 20^th. The winning class will have their pizza lunch the following day.

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL BREAKFAST CLUB

Because we believe that students who are not hungry can learn better, we are commencing a Breakfast Club for those students who didn’t get a good breakfast. Muffins and cereal will be the main staples. This is a pilot project so we will be studying how well it works.

It is not intended to replace sitting down as a family for breakfast but will be available to those students who arrive hungry in the morning for whatever reason. Student leader, Taryn Sparkes, will be overseeing the project.

REQUEST FROM CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH!

Due to a series of resignations, caused by moves from the city and health problems, our chapter has lost ALL EXCEPT ONE of its exective committee members. At present, we have only one person to run the entire chapter: Joanne Findon.

If we do not have several other members step forward to join the executive by the end of December 2005, we will have to suspend our chapter. This would be a shame, given what we have accomplished in the past year as an amalgamated group (composed of the chapters of both public and separate boards) and given our healthy financial situation. We have all the resources we need to proceed - EXCEPT for PEOPLE.

Please contact me if you are interested in helping out. The chapter will not survive without your assistance.

Joanne Findon

Chair (and everything else, at the moment)

jfindon@cogeco.ca

748-1011 extension 1723

ANNIE THE MUSICAL

This year’s musical production of “Annie” will be the best gift you could give to family and friends! Students from grade 7 to 12 are involved in acting, singing, dancing, set construction, crew, make up, costuming and lighting. Our production features some fabulous choreography numbers with the cast of orphans and “adults”, such as; “It’s a Hard-Knock Life”, and “Hooverville”. Thanks to Mrs. Rachel Bemrose for her amazing energy and talents.

Listen for great musical solos from Lauren Davidson, our “Annie” and Daniel Parrington, “Daddy Warbucks”. Look out for the “low-life” characters of Miss Hannigan, played by Erin Maxfield; a decidedly villainous orphanage director and “Rooster”, played by Joe O’Gorman. But, it’s the orphans who will steal your hearts; our own Grade 7 and 8 students. (See list)

The pit orchestra, directed by Mrs. Locklin features Adam Scott students (Andrew Olson, Kyle Nourse, Emma Hillier, Laura Tyler, Ryan Zhou and Alex Harvey) in combination with local musicians who love the show so much they wanted to perform with us! You’ll love the swing, New Orleans, and the Dirty 30's Musical score.

Tickets are on sale at the main office, $5 students and seniors, $10 adults and $25.00 for a family of 4.

Show Times: 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 8^th, Friday, December 9^th and Saturday, December 10^th.

REPORT CARDS/PARENT INTERVIEWS

Report cards for the first term will be issued December 8^th. Teachers will be available for appointments with parents to discuss the results during the evening of December 8^th and all day December 9^th. Teachers have already sent out appointment forms; if you don’t have one, call your student’s teacher.