Principal Update – Nov 17

Hello,

This week started with a “Fear Factor” taste challenge for Mr. Blunsdon and myself, it was part of a celebration assembly to recognize the school surpassing its goal for fundraising in the Terry Fox run. Ancaster Meadow raised over $6 100 this year and has raised over $66 000 since the school opened twelve years ago. This is a fantastic accomplishment. A thank you to Cindy Meyers at Ancaster Dominos for donating the pizza for the class fundraising awards.

Mr. LoSchiavo was featured last Sunday on CHML 900 highlighting the importance of Remembrance Day services in schools. Mr. LoSchiavo and his 78 class organized a wonderful Junior/Intermediate assembly to honour the this important day. We also had an assembly that was age appropriate for our K to 3 students.

As a follow up to the trip to the play Fatty Legs, a story of the Residential school experience, we welcomed the Woodland Cultural Centre in for a presentation to our gr 6 classes regarding the Residential school experience. This workshop is intended to explore the truths of what happened at residential schools, the impact on the indigenous family, the loss of cultural identity and the lasting effects of systemic racism still felt today.

At the School Council meeting this past Tuesday I highlighted the areas of focus for our school annual plan. This aligns with the Strategic Directions of the HWDSB. There are three areas of focus:

Equity and Well Being – Students feel that their culture and background is represented in the classroom.

Reading (K-1) – 90% of students in Kindergarten and grade 1 will be progressing well on a continuum of oral language and early reading skills.

Math (gr 2-8) – Teachers in each grade are monitoring student progress in a math skill specific to each grade. The goal is to monitor student progress in this skill and reduce the number of students having difficulty.

On Tuesday our Gr 5 and 6 students will be  going to the movie Wonder. Some classes are reading the book and using it as an opportunity to talk about issues of bullying.

This Wed Nov 22 is the Gr 8 parent night at Ancaster High from 6-8pm. All grade 8 families are encouraged to attend. To find out more information about high school. For those grade 8 families considering the Westmount program please note the parent information night is Thurs Nov 30. Westmount is a unique program and there is a specific process that is required for registration, it is important that interested families attend the information session.

An additional piece of information for our grade 8 families is that we have had to move the Graduation Date  to Wed June 20th.

Looking ahead, a reminder that Fri Dec 1 is a PA Day and there is no school for students.

Information about the HWDSB TipOFF program is attached to this update. TippOFF is an online/ app based option for students and parents to anonymously report concerns. Please see the attachment for details. A poster is also located by the front entrance.

Mathies.ca, hosted by Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME), is designed for Ontario K – 12 students and parents. This website includes games, learning tools, activities, and additional supports for students to explore, build and enhance their mathematical thinking. A parent ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section includes: “How can I help with the learning of mathematics?”, “What mathematics activities can we do together?”, “What digital supports are available?” and “What additional support is available?” https://oame.on.ca/mathies/

Have a great weekend.

Simon Goodacre, Principal

TipOff Overview 2017