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News & Updates

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News & Updates

Welcome to 2017.  I hope you had the opportunity over the winter break to spend time with family and friends. January will be focussed on finishing up our first term learning.  At the end of the month, our educators will write report cards for all Kindergarten to Grade 8 students.  First Term Report Cards will be sent home on February 17.  

Introducing…
Welcome to staff members:  Mr. Karatas, Educational Assistant, Mrs.O’Coin, Grade 1 and Ms Nicolaides, Grade 4/5 .
All staff contact co-ordinates are found here.  

Mindfulness Project
In February, some of the Primary classes (FDK-2) will be part of a mindfulness project. Ms Persaud will be Peer Mentoring teachers at Sir William Osler and Yorkview schools. The mindfulness project uses the MindUp curriculum, a brain based, non-secular resource.  The students will be participating in lessons and core practices throughout the day to help the students notice and pay attention intentionally to what is happening in the present moment. To have a closer look at the resource please see: https://mindup.org/

SWO Learning Commons
Over the last few months a committee has been collecting data, samples and expert feedback connected to the Sir William Osler Library and working towards the transformation to a Learning Commons.  With input from experts in design and staff, the first phase has been completed and the new concepts are being sourced for completion of the newly designed SWO Learning Commons.  To read more: please go here.  

Grade 8 Transitions
Grade 8 Option Sheet Presentations are booked and we look forward to having Student Services staff from DVSS on January 19th presenting to classes 8A, 8B and 8C and Student Services staff from Westdale on January 31st presenting to classes 8FI.  This event is for students only.
A reminder for parents / caregivers:   Grade 8 Option Sheet Nights
Resources:  DVSS Grade 9 Handbook    Westdale Grade 9 Info Book 2016 – 2017

Grade 8 Graduation Photos are coming soon!  Click here:  February 1st, 2017  to view details and flyer.

Grade 7 & 8 Overnight Educational Excursions
In November,  grade 7 & 8 students completed a survey sharing their interest with respect to overnight educational excursions. Result are here. Being responsive to student feedback and meeting the Education Excursion guiding principles, two trips will be offered:  Montreal in May and Camp Cooch in June.  Currently we are finalizing itineraries, bussing and pricing options along with authorization.  More details will be shared in early February.

Grade 8 Presentation – January 24, 2017
Officer Drozd from Hamilton Police Services will be at SWO in the Learning Commons presenting to Grade 8 students on a topic connected to health and wellness, safety and security. She will be facilitating a session entitled:  Substance Abuse:  Life Up in Smoke.

Athletics
Update about teams and intramurals can be found here.  

Go Girls continues to meet regularly with Mrs. Acevedo & Mrs. Kott.  In December, they sold candy canes, collected food and donations on Pyjama Day and enjoyed a spa afternoon in the Learning Commons. They appreciated having Aimee Cholette in to teach the girls about skin care.  As a result of their efforts, over $400 was raised to purchase Christmas gifts for some students in our school.  Also, over $200 was collected and donated to Food4Kids.  The Salvation Army also received a large donation of non-perishable food items.  They look forward to more great events in 2017!

Health Action Team continues to meet weekly with Mrs. Kott and Mrs. Greenway from Public Health. The focus for the team this year is on “Healthy Eating” and specifically reducing students intake of sugary beverages. They are in the midst of collecting data about the water consumption habits of staff and students. This data will be used for planning their next steps.

Leadership Council In December, Leadership Council raised money through a dance and bake sale. With the funds raised from these events, $150.00 gift cards were given to two families who were experiencing challenging times over the holidays. In addition,  a cheque for $300.00 will be given to “Food 4 Kids” local organization. Council is currently making plans with Mrs. Ligas to help countries in need.

Community Resource sent home to all families today! 
Growing Together is a community education guide for parents, children and youth listing courses, groups and workshops available in Hamilton. Here is how you can view online the Growing Together course and workshop guide, for January to August 2017.

Homework Help – Is a free online math tutoring program offered by TVO. Students in grade 7 to 10 can access live certified teachers online to assist with math instruction. https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/.  Students can login through the HUB with some of the account permissions already signed up. https://home.hwdsb.on.ca/students.php

Updated on Friday, January 13, 2017.
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