LION TALES
ADAM SCOTT C.V.I.
175 Langton Street, Peterborough, ON K9H 6K3 (705)743-7373
An Information Newsletter to Parents
Principal: Craig Allan Vice-Principals: Bill Mitchell & Karin MacKenzie-Russell February 2007 Superintendent of Student Achievement: W. R. Hick School Council Chair: Sharron Hatton
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.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
At the time that you are reading this newsletter, we, hopefully, will have completed another successful start up to semester II. We are expecting to have approximately 25 more students in the school, with some students returning and others transferring here from other schools.
We have a few teachers leaving, and there will be a few new faces in front of our students. Lynda Hodgins, one of our LLS teachers, has retired and is being replaced by Pam Perkins. Pam has been working in many of our LLS classes over the past two months and is well known by the students. Cheryl Murray (Family Studies/Math), Tracy Minnema (Family Studies) and Kimberley McBride (Phys. Ed./Science) are all going on maternity leave and will be off semester II. Jacquie Anderson is returning in her role as an English teacher and Steve Peers is returning to the Math department for a new assignment. Glenn Shillinglaw is returning to our Technical Department after a restful semester off enjoying the world. Karen Seymour, a graduate of Adam Scott who once ran the high school fashion show, is returning as a teacher in our Family Studies/Social Sciences department. She will be assisting with the Fashion Show in a supervisory role. These new teachers bring new energy/enthusiasm to a very active teaching staff.
At this time of year, we begin planning for next year by having students complete COURSE SELECTION sheets. On January 24th, we had all our potential grade 9 students visit the school for an information meeting and tour of the various optional subject areas. Grade 8 students are to have their grade 9 course selection sheets completed and sent to Adam Scott by the middle of February.
On February 20th, all students will attend (by grade level) an information session in the auditorium led by our Guidance department. The course selection process will be outlined by staff, as well as, the various pathways to college, work or university. This information along with course descriptors is available in the course calendar (in each class or Guidance) or on our website www.adamscott.ca.
It is very important that students plan their high school education over the 4-5 year term, and if possible use the information provided at the assemblies and in the course calendar. A long term plan allows students to sequence their courses in the correct order and to allow for the alternate year offering of some subjects. It is also very important that the short term (next year) course selection sheet be completed as accurately as possible. This data is very important in determining which courses will be offered next year and, in many cases, at which time of day.
The school subject timetable is generated with the assistance of a computer program to give the greatest number of students their timetable choices on an appropriate schedule with no conflicts. A conflict arises when a student choice is scheduled at the same time as one or more of their other choices. If this occurs, then the student can still take the one choice but must choose another course to complete the timetable.
When building a timetable and actually placing a course in a specific period and semester, many things must be taken into account. These include room/facility availability, teacher availability, class size limits, course sequencing and the
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number of sections of that course. When all of these factors are taken into account, the computer program will place the course in the period available where the largest percentage of students can get the course. In a school with a large population (1000+ students), it is easy to timetable 85% of the students into subject choices. Adam Scott will have approximately 800 students next year and as such, the number of sections of courses offered will be smaller and the timetabling success rate will fall to approximately 72%. This means that about 220 students will have to be called to the Guidance Office in the Spring in an effort to resolve their timetable conflicts.
I have outlined this process to bring to your attention the importance of students choosing the correct options (prior to timetabling) and to explain why smaller schools tend to offer fewer options. With a population of 800 students, a good mix of course options is still available but student course selection data becomes extremely important.
LITERACY TEST
Earlier this semester, all our Grade 9 and 10 students and those still needing to pass the Ontario Literacy Test were given the opportunity to write a “Practice Test” intended to provide a measure of how prepared our students are for the EQAO Test. The test was marked by a team of our teachers drawn from various Departments in the school including Science, Art, History, English, Geography, our Student Success Teacher and Special Education. The results were tabulated and individual reports prepared for each student which are included with the report card. It is important to note that only GRADE 10 students and those who have yet to pass the test are required to write this year. The Grade 9 results will be used to help prepare our Grade 9 students for the test next year. This year, the Ontario Literacy Test will be on March 29th (Thursday). Additional information regarding the actual test will be provided later in the second semester.
The “Practice Test” was distributed as two separate booklets which were written over 2 consecutive days during the students Period One class. You will note that the report indicates which books your child wrote - some students missed one of the booklets due to illness or other reasons which precluded their attendance at school. Some of our identified students only wrote Book Two to provide them with the additional time which their Individual Educational Plan (IEP) requires.
The Literacy Team at Adam Scott will offer support to our students as they prepare for the test in March. Additionally, resources are available for students and parents at the school and on the web sites indicated on the report.
It important to reinforce with all students the importance of success when the Ontario Literacy Test is written - it is a requirement for graduation. We are very proud of the continual improvement which Adam Scott students have achieved over the past several years and we look forward to another successful year. Working together, we can accomplish this.
If you have any additional questions regarding interpretation or resources, please contact Ms. Linda Hancox at Adam Scott (743-7373).
IMPORTANT DATES
February 8 - Sem. I Final Report Card Distribution
February 19 - School Council Meeting - 6:45 p.m. ASCVI Library
February 20 - Gr. 9, 10, 11 Math Competitions
February 23 - Grad Photo Retake Day - Secondary
March 9 - Non-Instructional Day (for both panels)
March 12-16 - March Break
March 21 - Progress Reports
March 28 - Parent/Teacher Interviews
March 29 - Grade 10 EQAO Literacy Test
April 6 - Good Friday
April 9 - Easter Monday
April 11 & 12 - ASCVI Fashion Show - 7:00 p.m. - Auditorium
April 16 - School Council Meeting - 6:45 p.m. ASCVI Library
April 17 - Gr. 12 Math Competition
April 18 - Gr. 9, 10, 11 Math Competitions
April 20 - Last Day Semester II - Day 1
April 23 - First Day Semester II - Day 2
April 26 - Interim Report - Sem. II
