Week of May 28 – June 1, 2018

Dear Ridgemount Families,

This week all grade 3 and grade 6 students will be writing the  EQAO ( Education Quality and Accountability Office ) Literacy and Numeracy assessments. Students will begin writing each day at 9:00am and will write for the majority of the first block (until 10:45am) this Monday May 28 and we will write on Tues, Wed as well. We will leave Thurs and Fri for make up days for those students that have missed a day of writing. Please be sure that your children arrive on time and ready to write so as not to disrupt others in the class that may have already begun writing.

We are also reminding all other students in the school that our grade 3 and 6’s are writing this assessment so to keep the noise level to a minimum.  We will provide healthy snacks for all students and an opportunity to go outside after this lengthy writing period.  Please be sure to tell your children to do their best, not to worry or stress and encourage them to try all questions. The VP and I will be going around to ensure that everyone is calm and comfortable before writing the assessment. The marks will not be included in report card grades and we just want our students to do their best and show their thinking. Although we will be scheduling some make up sessions we do encourage all students to try to attend on the test writing days where possible.

Thanks you t0 everyone for their help organizing and being a part of our Volunteer Appreciation Assembly. We are so lucky to have such amazing volunteers and wish to express a huge thank you to all volunteers for their efforts towards making Ridgemount such an enjoyable and successful place to learn.  Thanks to Ms. Stabile and her helpers for designing the gifts for our volunteers. Our volunteers were thrilled with the lovely little growing pots full of goodies that they received.

A special thank you to Della Chenier (FireHawkWoman) for presenting Ridgemount with a very beautifully made 4 directional medicine wheel to accompany the “dish with one spoon” wampun belt. Ms. Chenier has met and spoken with many of our students and staff about Aboriginal culture and we are honoured to receive this very special gift that we can place in our front foyer showcase.

Congratulations to all of our Organization Learning Skills Award recipients. Our students are demonstrating great efforts towards reaching their goals in Learning Skills and Work Habits. We will be working on the Independent Work Learning Skill and Work Habit for the last few weeks. Be sure to review your child’s Learning Skills comments on their June Report Cards.

A special event has taken place at Ridgemount this week in our ELP 3 Class with Ms. Murray and Ms. Ward. After a great deal of waiting and anticipation, Six beautiful little chicks hatched and students are being invited to visit to be a part of this amazing experience. Thanks to ELP 3 and be sure to ask your children about this as there is a lot of excitement buzzing around Ridgemount over this event!

A reminder that Ridgemount Water Bottles are still on sale for $5.00 each. Please contribute to our Eco Friendly initiative by purchasing one to help save our planet.

Thanks and have a great week everyone! Be sure to hydrate and stay cool. Student recesses and physical activity will be adjusted accordingly. Schools are advised from the HWDSB when weather alerts are in place and will  limit recess times, keep students indoors and closely monitor those students that require cooling down.

Events at Ridgemount this week include: