From the Principal’s Desk
I know that many people say that we are “winding down” in May and June. I beg to differ. We continue to wind up and provide quality lessons and learning goals for all students. Beavercrest has been awarded a Literacy and Numeracy grant to provide a Homework Club as well as receiving funding for teachers to investigate ways to improve student learning. I am excited with the changes happening within our classes that lead to improved student success. Recently I attended a presentation by a leader in education, John Hattie, and his opening remarks included “the difference between an experienced teacher and an expert teacher is passion.” I only had to think about the experts in our building who work to ensure all students are
reaching their potential. We went on to review this summary of the challenge facing teachers and students today:
“One of our major goals as educators is to prepare our students for the futurechallenges they will encounter in an increasingly complex global society.During their school years and in the world they will inherit as adults, ourstudents will need to be proficient communicators able to deal with vast
amounts of information critically, ethically and efficiently. This means they will
need the skills and strategies to cut through enormous amounts of information
and zero-in on the big ideas of a “text.” In other words, they will need
to be able to summarize “texts of all types,” whether they are responding to,
or conveying, information.
There is a growing body of research and evidence-based findings that identify
summarization as one of the essential skills that improves reading comprehension,
writing proficiency and student achievement in general. The skill of
summarization needs to be explicitly taught in all subject areas in order for
students to create and interpret increasingly complex texts.”
Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat 2009
As a parent, you can reinforce this skill by asking your child to restate, rephrase, or retell what they have heard, read, or seen. At the end of this month, our grade 3 and grade 6 students will be taking part in EQAO testing, where this skill is emphasized. Our Grade 6’s write on May 24, May 25 and May 28th and our Grade 3’s will be busy writing their EQAO tests on May 30, May 31, and June 1st. If you are available to volunteer your time as a scribe , please contact our Vice Principal, Gwen Kloosterboer.
I am equally thrilled to write about Azim Khamisa. It’s hard to believe that what started out as an idea this time last year is now a reality. Azim will be speaking to all of our Grade 3-8 students about the “Power of Peace” on May 9th . This presentation will be followed by a “professional forum” in the afternoon of the early dismissal day (child and youth workers, EA’s , teachers, and other community members who work with our youth). I urge you to bring a friend and attend the evening presentation at Grey Highlands Secondary School at 7:00 p.m. on May 9th . Please call to reserve your seating.
On April 19th we had our Cops for Cancer event. I am in awe of the participation rate and the donations that flooded in. We had 7 ponytails donated to Wigs of Kids, 14 heads shaved (including OPP Constable MacPherson raising almost $1,500), and over 85 students/staff dyed their hair. All of this contributed to a donation of $8,840.86!!
Many of our school volunteers were acknowledge at our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Did you know that we have over 60 people who volunteer at our school on a weekly basis. Again, very impressive!
Our School Community Council has an exciting evening planned this Friday (May 4th ). The Movie “Cars” will be the featured film at 7:00 in our gym. This is a free event and students need to have a supervising parent present. Also that afternoon/evening , SCC is promoting a Family Portrait event. Forms were sent home to sign up for this fundraiser. $10 of every photo shoot goes directly to SCC funds.
As we wind up the school year, please do not hesitate to drop in, call, or email me with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Pauline Kelly, Principal
519-986-2990 x527
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