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: COURAGE

SEASON’S GREETINGS

We will soon be celebrating the holidays. School will be closed from December 22^nd at 3:30 p.m. until Monday, January 8^th, 2007 at 8:45 a.m., when classes resume.

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

Your Intermediate School Staff

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Beginning this month, I would like to invite parents and guardians to share positive thoughts and suggestions with me regarding specific issues that would improve our school community. Please send written responses to Ms. Russell at the main office.

Holiday Question: How can we make transitions between grades 6 and 7, and grades 8 and 9 more manageable and less overwhelming for our kids?

ADAM SCOTT YEARBOOKS

Our yearbooks are on sale again. $15.00 will buy you a great keepsake of this year’s memories. There is also our contest in which you might wish to take part. Draw a cover for our yearbook. The winner will receive a free yearbook. For buying a yearbook or handing in your design, see Mme. Girard.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

DRAMA PRODUCTION

Crestwood S.S. has invited us to attend their drama production, “A Christmas Carol”, Monday, December 4^th, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Students will be bussed to this event. The cost is $4.00 per person. This play includes a number of elementary school students from James Strath P.S.

FLU SHOTS

The Peterborough Health Unit will be at Adam Scott Friday, December 15^th, to administer flu shots for those wishing to have one.

HISTORICA CLUB

For all students with a special interest in Canadian history, geography, or current events: the Historica Club will begin meeting soon with Mme. Harding. Come and find out about next spring’s “History Fair”, where participants present research projects on the topic of their choice. As with a Science Fair, there are regional and and national levels.

This is a great opportunity to investigate past Canadian mysteries, make personal connections with heritage, or explore issues that affect our land.

In our club, we work on each step of the research process, from brainstorming topics, to developing a point of view, from locating relevant and reliable information to recording sources appropriately, and from writing to presenting skills.

Meetings begin Tuesday, December 5^th, in Mme. Harding’s classroom, Room 110.

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 Royal Canadian Legion speakoffs for a number of years; it has been a positive and rewarding experience for all.

Our first meeting will be Monday, December 11^th, in Room 110.

SCIENCE FAIR AT TRENT

Trent University has once again sent us information regarding this year’s Science Fair. It will take place June 7^thand 8^th at Trent. Students who wish to take part are asked to see Mme. Girard about rules and regulations.

KNIT-WITS

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 1:10 to 1:30 p.m.

Bring any craft you’re interested in to Rooms 118/124. Watch Mme. Ilkiewicz knit a dog coat for her daschhund under the watchful eye of the Knitting Guru, Mme. Girard. Learn, and enjoy the good atmosphere.

ART

The Art Room is open every Thursday at lunch for those who want to work on independent art projects or complete art assignments.

GERMAN/LATIN CLUB

Available this January, learn a new language with Mme. Girard and Mme. Ilkiewicz.

Mit freundlichem Gruss, Frau Ilkiewicz.

Veni in schola Roma, Dona Girard.

BREAKFAST CLUB

Because we believe that students who are not hungry can learn better, we are hosting a Breakfast Club in Room 109 for those students who didn’t get a good breakfast. Muffins, pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches are some of the items offered.

This is not intended to replace sitting down as a family for breakfast, but will be available to those students who, for whatever reason, arrive hungry in the morning.

MUSIC NEWS

Band is playing for Fairhaven, December 6^th.

Band Concert is December 13^th at 7:00.

Grade 7 Band will start mid-January.

SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!

Volleyball Intramurals and Team Tryouts will begin the week after parent-teacher interviews. Look for dates and times on the sports bulletin board! Tournaments are not until February so we have lots of time to practise.

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!).

ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM FOR VOLUNTEERS

Beginning November 20^th, 2006, people interested in volunteering within the school board will be able to register over the world wide web! Information provided by volunteers on the new online form will assist schools with the recruitment, selection and placement of volunteers. To complete the registration form simply:

•          Open Internet Explorer or another web browser. In the address bar type: www.kprschools.ca/parents/volunteers.php

•          Click on the link to the Volunteer Registration Form in the menu on the left-hand side of your computer screen.

Space is provided for sharing your contact information, location preferences and special skills and interests with KPR schools and volunteer programs. Once the online form is complete, volunteers are assigned a Volunteer Registration Number (VRN#) and directed to contact the school principal/volunteer program administrator to discuss volunteer opportunities and to learn about KPR’s police record check (PRC) requirements.

REPORT CARDS/PARENT INTERVIEWS

Report cards for the first term will be issued November 30^th . Teachers will be available for appointments with parents to discuss the results during the evening of November 30^th and all day December 1^st. Teachers have already sent out appointment forms; if you don’t have one, call your student’s teacher.

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.

IN THE COMMUNITY

  The Canadian Hearing Society will hold an event focusing on hearing loss at the Cobourg Public Library, November 28 from 2-6 p.m. Persons with hearing loss will be able to try out the latest in technology, while family members and the public will learn practical tips for better communication with persons with a hearing loss. For details, please call 705-743-1573 ext. 44 or 905-404-8490 ext. 233 (TTY 705-743-1621 or 905-404-0468).

  The Peterborough County Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Committee is holding monthly support group meetings for parents and caregivers of children, youth or adults living with FASD. The meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at Five Counties Children’s Centre. Information is available from 705-748-2337 ext. 359 or 705-876-9245, ext. 251.

  The second annual Toronto Student Film Festival has been slated for March 30-31, 2007. The festival, which honours outstanding work in film by high school students, has set February 7 as the deadline for submissions. For details, please visit www.tsff.ca

FROM THE STUDENTS ..........

DANCE COMMITTEE

We had a very successful Hallowe’en Video Dance and now, we are focusing on our Hot Chocolate Sale December 13^th-15^th at nutrition break, our main fundraiser for the “Warm Up the Winter” video dance. The dance will be held on December 21^st and you can sign the guest list for the dance for a mere $2 with a student card and $3 without. If your child doesn’t participate, they will go to a classroom to catch up on homework. Students will not be permitted to call home to sign out unless they are ill.

Dance Committee, (part of your Student Council)

ADAM SCOTT'S FOOD DRIVE

Beginning December 4th, 2006, we ask you and your class to contribute food items to Adam Scott's Food Drive. All donations will be given to Kawartha Food Share. A decorated box will be placed in your class room in which students may put their donations. If you happen to fill up your box, please notify Elizabeth (8B) Kathlene (8B), Rabail (8B), Krista (8B), Heather (8A) Jayde (7A) or Amanda (7A) and we will give you a new box. For the class who donates the most items, a pre-decorated ginger-bread house will be awarded. A couple of representatives will go to each classroom before the end of November to explain the food drive in further detail. Your encouragement for this project is greatly appreciated. Thanks and good luck!

CAMERON HOUSE

This December, the Grade7/8 Student Council is asking that each student bring in at least one gift for Cameron House or Brock Mission. We are asking that each gift is either store bought and in its’ original package or, a clean reused item from your home. If the gift is associated with hygiene, please make sure that it is store bought. We are asking that the gifts are pre-wrapped when they arrive at school. Also, please attach a little tag indicating whether the gift is for a male or female and, the intended age. A few gift suggestions are teddy bears, new toothbrushes or books.

Each Day, Student Council members will collect and count up the gifts from each class. The class collecting the most gifts will win free admission to the Winter Dance!

We hope that you enjoy helping people that aren’t as fortunate as us! Thank you from the Grade 7/8 Student Council.

EASTER SEALS

Student Council is planning a Penny Drive for Easter Seals. This is an organization that helps children with disabilities pay for operations, wheelchairs, etc. The drive will be taking place from November 29^th to December 8^th, 2006. We will have a parent come in and speak on behalf of the Easter Seals organization November 29^th, 2006.

Student Council will be by to provide you with baggies in which to put your pennies. All you need to do, is bring in a penny or 2!

INCLEMENT WEATHER ISSUES

During snowy weather, many buses are cancelled. A good number of students may decide to phone parents and ask permission to return home. This ties up our phone system at a time when we need to keep lines clear because parents phone the school for information and we are handling other important issues. 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. Immediate access to bus delay and cancellation information by computer and telephone can be made by contacting Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO), phone 705-748-9240 or visit stsco.ca and click on the bus cancellation button at the top right corner of the home page.

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.