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: OPTIMISM

VICE PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Welcome back! I hope that your summer break has left you relaxed and ready to face an exciting new year at Adam Scott Intermediate School.

Although we consider all areas of the curriculum important, our emphasis this year will be on literacy and numeracy. Along with a literacy block and assigned silent reading time, teachers continue to develop instructional practice in order to explicitly teach and model reading and writing. It is our great fortune to have Alison Scott as our Literacy Coach. Her job is to help teachers to implement the highly effective instructional strategies that are known to improve reading and writing. The High School Reading Tutor Program is also back. Based on specific criteria, selected students will be paired with a high school student to receive assistance in developing a reading and writing “toolbox”.

In order to support high expectations for student achievement, we will be collecting and analyzing student data in order to determine exactly where our students are beginning, where they need to go, and how they are going to get there.

This is the beginning of an exciting journey for all of the people involved in the education of your child – the school and home community.

Karin MacKenzie-Russell

How can I, as a parent, help with literacy skills?

Here are a few ways to support your teen’s success in reading and writing:

•  Model a love of reading for your teen.

•  Encourage your teen to read everything – from magazines to brochures – for fun and information.

•  Join a public library and read together. Discuss your reading and ask your teen to summarize what he/she has read.

•  Have popular magazines and other publications of interest to your teen in your home.

•  Discuss issues together such as bias in newspapers, magazines, and television shows.

•  When writing letters or invitations, have your teen read and edit them to develop valuable proofreading skills.

(KPR Pamphlet, 2004)

How can I, as a parent, help with math skills?

Math is everywhere in the world, especially in the home. Engage your teenager in activities that require application of mathematics in everyday life. Here are a few ways to support numeric success together:

•  Calculate how much paint or wallpaper would be required to cover the kitchen or bathroom.

•  Calculate how much fertilizer might be required to maintain the lawn or gardens.

•  Have your teen collect information that is of interest to your family, for example, how much television you watch, or how many kilowatts of electricity is consumed on a monthly basis. Record the results on a graph.

•  Involve your teen in creating a family budget by calculating grocery, phone and other bills.

•  Have your teenager create a financial plan for post-secondary education and discuss it together

(KPR Pamphlet, 2004)

How can I, as a parent, make literacy and math interesting and fun?

Many activities use a combination of both math and literacy skills. The following is a list of familyactivities you can do with your teenager to support success in both literacy and numeracy:

•  Play family games that involve intellectual challenges, such as Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, or Risk.

•  Have Involve your teen in planning both the itinerary and budget for a “dream” or real family vacation.

•  Have Encourage your teen to research interests and careers online, find facts and discover statistics.

•  Have Discuss how you use literacy and numeracy skills in your job.

•  Have Discuss your teen’s future and the way literacy and numeracy may be used in his/her chosen career.

(KPR Pamphlet, 2004)

TEACHING STAFF

Grade7                    Ms. Knox       7A/Phys. Ed.         Ms. Legros     7B/Music

Grade 8                    Mr. Walker     8A/Science

                                 Ms. Book        8B/Science

French/Art/English  Mme. Harding

French Immersion   Mme. Girard    7D

Core French             Mme Ilkiewicz 8D

LLS                         Mr. Melchionna

Resource                  Mr. Whetung

                                 Ms. Segriff

Literacy Coach        Ms. Scott

SCHOOL HOURS

8:45-8:50                 Attendance

8:50-10:50               Class

10:50-11:00             Nutrition Break

11:00-12:30             Class

12:30-1:30               Lunch/Recess

1:30-3:00                 Class

OPEN HOUSE

There will be an open house on September 28^th from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

6:30 Greetings in the Auditorium

7:00-7:30 Parents to homeroom

7:30-8:00 Parents visit rotary classes

Although this evening will provide an opportunity for you to meet you child’s teacher, we would ask that you schedule an appointment if you have specific concerns that need to be addressed.

SPORTS AT ADAM SCOTT

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING

The cross-country team is underway and over 30 students are training with Madame Dalton and Mrs. Knox after school. The meet will take place October 12th at King George PS. Good luck team!

SOCCER

Soccer tryout was Monday, September 18th. Mr. Melchionna will coach this year's mixed team.

USED TEXT BOOKS

If, in the past, you purchased text books for your children and want to sell or donate them, feel free to let us know. We will post the information in our next newsletter.

Grade 7 Science Textbook for sale – call the office if you are interested.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

•    September 28^th Open House

•    September 29^th is our first PA Day, so you are reminded to keep kids at home on the day

•    October 2^nd Hep B Clinic

•    October 12^th Terry Fox run

•    November 7^th High School Fair

•    Band practice takes place from 7:30-8:30 every Monday and Wednesday morning. Students must be dropped off by parents.

TERRY FOX RUN

This year our Terry Fox run will take place October 12^th. Permission forms will be sent home shortly and we ask that students collect $5.00 in order to participate in the run.

BITS AND PIECES FOR PARENTS

•   Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion students are reminded to buy a Becherelle.

•   Please make sure that children have a healthy snack for the Nutrition Break. Some suggestions are: fruits and veggies, yogurt, crackers and cheese, unsweetened applesauce, and granola bars.

•   Students are not to bring iPods, cell phones, or CD players to class.

•   Check to see what homework your children have by going to www.adamscott.ca. Most teachers post regularly on this site.

•   Students are offered the chance to purchase books through Scholastic on a monthly basis. Mme. Girard supplies the forms and collects money during the Library period.

•   A few copies of the 2005-2006 Yearbooks are still available for $15.00. See Mme. Girard.

•   Remember to send $10.00 for the Core French Cahier and $25.00 for Music Class.

•   Students need to bring a healthy attitude and necessary clothing to gym class.