LION TALES
ADAM SCOTT C.V.I.
An Information Newsletter to Parents
Karin Russell, Vice-Principal Craig Allan, Principal Bill Mitchell, Vice-Principal
Sharron Hatton, School Council Chair February 2006
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
It is with mixed emotions that I must bid farewell to my two Vice Principals. Both gentlemen are moving on to the next stage of their career/life.
Mr. Fenton, our Intermediate Vice Principal is once again moving on to the leisurely life of retirement. Mr. Fenton has done an outstanding job of working with students and staff to set up programs that encourage student involvement. His work with our student leaders has led to a strong and vibrant Student Council.
Mr. Wunderlich, our Secondary Vice Principal will be moving to Courtice Secondary School, a move that will bring him closer to his home and his family. Mr. Wunderlich was well known by our students as a fair and consistent administrator. He seemed to know every student in the secondary section of the school and worked on many occasions with teachers and parents to assist students.
Both gentlemen will be missed. I wish them well in their new endeavours.
I extend a warm Adam Scott welcome to our two new Vice Principals. Our new Vice Principal assuming the Secondary School role is Mr. Bill Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell comes to us from Norwood where he has been a Vice Principal for the past three and a half years. As a past instructor in Outdoor Education, Mr. Mitchell has a keen interest in canoe tripping, white water rafting and fishing. He holds teaching qualifications in geography and science with an overall degree in Environmental Science.
I know that Mr. Mitchell is looking forward to meeting the students at Adam Scott and assisting us with the set up of an Outdoor Education Course. He was also instrumental n the set up of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Norwood; a program that I would like to review for implementation here.
Our Intermediate Vice Principal (Acting) is Ms. Karin Mackenzie-Russell. Ms. Russell comes to us from Crestwood where she was actively working with students in Alternative Education Programs.
She holds teaching credentials in music as well as Special Education and Guidance. As a grade 7/8 teacher in York Region, Ms. Russell taught the core subjects (math, english) as well as music. I know that Ms. Russell is looking forward to working with staff and students to continue and enhance many of our present programs. As the past staff advisor to Crestwood’s Students’ Council, she will be a natural fit to work with our grade 7/8 Council.
Over the next two to three weeks, both Vice-Principals will be out in the school reviewing programs and attempting to learn the names of as many students as possible. Should you have any concerns about your child’s education, please contact the appropriate Vice Principal.
Next School Council Meeting
February 20, 2006 - 6:45 p.m. - Adam Scott Library
Co-operative Education. It’s Working.
This year more than 150 students at Adam Scott have earned credits through Co-operative Education. More than 75 placements are currently being used to link classroom and workplace learning, and this is providing students with hands-on, experiential learning that is helping them make decisions about their futures.
If you are going into Grade 11 or 12, perhaps Co-op is the answer for you. If you know what area you’re interested in, Co-op can place you with an expert in the field to train you and present you with the opportunities to help you gain valuable skills and develop specific goals for your future. If you’re unsure of your post-secondary goals, Co-op can help you explore possibilities. Either way, Co-op allows you to take learning to a whole new level.
Skilled trades people and professional workers alike have partnered with Adam Scott to help students enhance their school programs. We have students placed in a multitude of learning environments, including university research learning labs, fire departments, elementary school classrooms, auto shops, construction sites, dentists’ offices, veterinary clinics and the police department. We have students working with electricians, chefs, hospital technicians...you name it, we can help find you a valuable work placement. Whether you are bound for university, college, apprenticeship or the workplace, experiential learning helps all students in making career decisions, as well as in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are essential in today’s society.
Start thinking about YOUR future. Co-op can help. Select Co-operative Education as a course selection for next year.
For more information, check out the Co-op Powerpoint presentation on the school website: www.adamscott.ca or speak to Paul Courtney or Catherine Delorme in the Co-op Office, 743-7373, Ext. 175.
OSSLT Update
The Ministry of Education has mandated the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test to measure student skills in reading and writing. It is a diploma requirement and is to be written when a student is in Grade 10.
This year the test takes place on Wednesday, March 29, 2006. The reading component consists of an information paragraph, news report, dialogue, real-life narrative and a graphic selection, with 40 multiple choice questions and 6 open-response items. The writing component consists of 2 long open-response items, 2 short writing tasks that require responses in six lines and 8 multiple choice questions. The duration of the test is 2.5 hours and will result in one (1) literacy score.
Adam Scott’s OSSLT Committee has prepared preparatory and practice test materials for Grade 10 students and any senior student who must rewrite the test. These sessions will occur during class time after the March Break and before the test date.
Also, you can find new OSSLT support materials at www.adamscott.ca (go to “Help for the Grade 10 Literacy Test”). On the website you will find a “Getting Ready Guide” and a Sample Test with a Student Answer Sheet.
If students have any questions regarding the OSSLT, they may contact Mr. Mitchell, Vice-Principal, at the school.
Adam Scott’s Grade 9 Open House
Thursday, January 26th
Grade eight students and their parents from Adam Scott Intermediate, Chemong, Queen Elizabeth, Prince of Wales (Fr. Imm.), Westmount (Fr. Imm.) and several other area schools had the opportunity to tour the grade nine option areas and to talk with those teachers. Mr. McAuley & Ms. Davies (Spec. Ed.), Ms. Dalton (Fr. Imm.), Ms. Lasenby (Science) and Mr. Robert (History) led tour groups to see the Art, Business, Family Studies, Music and Technology classrooms. Adam Scott’s Principal, Mr. Allan welcomed our future students and their parents. Our Head of Guidance, Mrs. Kelly provided students and parents with the information they require to select courses for grade nine along with helpful hints to make the transition to high school more comfortable and enjoyable. Students attending this presentation were able to enter a draw for Adam Scott t-shirts. Two shirts went to Chemong (Brian & Amanda), one to Queen Elizabeth (Brittany) and two to Adam Scott (Matt & Taylor). Congratulations and thank you for attending. We will see you at the end of August BBQ where you will be able to pick up your timetable. Think Lions! Think Green & White!
Inclement Weather - Bus Delays & Cancellations
Effective January 9, 2006, by calling the STSCO Information Line (local access number 705-748-9240 or toll free 1-866-433-4441) you can check on the status of bus operations and find out if there are any large scale bus cancellations (i.e. regional or county-wide) on the day of the call.
Effective January 16, 2006, if you have internet access, by going to the STSCO website, stsco.ca, you can click on the bus cancellation button in the top right corner of the main page to see if any routes are affected by weather on the day of the inquiry.
Local radio stations will continue to broadcast bus delays and cancellations on bad weather days and you are encouraged to continue to use this method as well.
Adam Scott Yoga Club
Stressed out with school and the social scene? Grades? Tests? Homework? Peer Pressure? Why not give yoga a try? Yoga is a system of exercise developed in ancient India. It is a non-competitive practice that allows participants to learn and develop their own pace. Practising yoga is an excellent way to develop flexibility and co-ordination as well as muscle tone and balance. In addition, the contemplative side of yoga provides effective strategies for dealing with day-to-day stress. All ages, fitness levels and body types are welcome! Stay tuned to the morning announcements for more details.
Rugby Girls Launch Website for BC Tour
Thanks to Mr. Nevin, Adam Scott’s librarian and computer genius and to coaches Greer and Keay, the Adam Scott Girls’ Rugby Team has launched a web page for their tour to British Columbia this spring. You can access the site through the Adam Scott school link (www.adamscott.ca) or simply type the following web address: www.adamscott.ca/tour2006.
The site features the list of players who will be touring; coming events and important dates; a list of sponsors; and pictures of the team in action. While on tour, the team will be updating family and friends through photographs and diary entries to this site.
The next fundraiser for the tour is a Silent Auction which is being held at the school from February 27th to March 3rd. You can check out the items up for bid as they will be listed and described on the rugby website. Instructions on how and where to enter a bid will also be posted.
LIBRARY NEWS
Check out our school web site at www.adamscott.ca. It has a lot of useful information including: important dates, course outlines, latest news, school profile, links for the Gr. 10 Literacy Test, links for colleges/universities, scholarship information, individual teacher assignments and previous newsletters.
The Adam Scott web page is also a great place to start research assignments. Links are provided to the best educational sites. Four paid for on-line sites are available for students: Encyclopedia Britannica World Book Encyclopedia, EBSCO Host - search for full text articles from 1000 magazines and Career Cruising. Get the logins and passwords from the school library.
IMPORTANT DATES
February 10 - Sem. I Final Report Card Distribution
February 20 - School Council Meeting - 6:45 p.m. - ASCVI Library
February 24 - Grad Photo Retake Day - Secondary
March 10 - Non-Instructional Day (for both panels)
March 13-17 - March Break
March 22 - Progress Reports
March 29 - Grade 10 EQAO Literacy Test
March 29 - Parent/Teacher Interview Night - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
April 14 - Good Friday
April 17 - Easter Monday
April 18 - Last Day Semester II - Day 1
April 19 - First Day Semester II - Day 2
April 26 & 27 - ASCVI Fashion Show - 7:00 p.m. - ASCVI Auditorium
April 27 - Interim Report - Sem. II
April 28 - Marks Due to OCAS & OUAC
May 15 - School Council Meeting - 6:45 p.m. - ASCVI Library
May 22 - Victoria Day Holiday
June 9 - Adam Scott Formal
June 12 - 20 - Activity Moratorium
June 21 - Last Day of Classes - Secondary
June 22, 23, 26, 27 & 28 - Secondary Exam Days
June 29 - Assessment Day
June 30 - P.A. Day (for both panels)
July 5 & 6 - Final Report Cards - available for pick up
July 7 - School Office Closes
