Friday 5 December 2014

The Holiday Season is approaching !!!



As we approach the holidays I want to extend my best wishes to all OTHS families for a safe and healthy holiday season.  On behalf of my family (and from the staff here at school) I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Regardless of your faith the school holiday period provides a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to enjoy time together.  I trust you will have the chance to relax, un-wind, un-plug (!),  and even re-connect with loved ones over the holidays.  If you are travelling to visit relatives, or for a family holiday, safe travels.  We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.


...before we depart however....


15th Week Reports:

As we approach the final third of our first semester we will be e-mailing reports home to parents of any student who currently is struggling to complete any course.  If a student currently has a grade of less than 60% a 15th Week Report will be emailed home on Friday, December 12th.

These reports are sent home with two thoughts in mind: a) give parents a heads up that their child is struggling in a particular course; and b) to provide us with 3-4 weeks in order to support the successful completion of all course work.  This support is coordinated through our Student Success Teacher (Ms. Miles) and includes input from classroom teachers, parents, and students.


Here at School:

Needless to say the student's are getting excited about the upcoming holiday break.  Before we get to the 19th of December however there are lots of activities underway both inside of class and around the halls.

Many classes have begun Performance Tasks (a major assessment  piece) that are included in the determination of the final 30% of a class grade (in combination with the final exam).  Other classes are continuing with course work, tests, and assignments right up to the 19th.

Our Red Devil Council (and other Clubs) are coordinating activities in the hallways that help support charities locally as well as around the province.  It's great to see our students thinking of others and demonstrating such leadership around the building.

Our winter sports season is well underway as well.  Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, and our Ski and Snowboard teams are practicing and competing throughout the week.  I'm hearing great things from our coaches and hope to get into the gym and arena to see the students in action soon.

A couple of Key Dates coming up:

Wednesday, December 10th - Senior 'Winter Wonderland' Formal

OTHS and Red Devil Council are hosting an 'off-site' formal at Otello's (Royal Windsor and Ford Drive).  This is the first school sponsored event in a few years and I'm very hopeful that everyone has an excellent night.
We have set some clear expectations for our senior students for this event.  Not surprisingly there will be no tolerance of any drinking of other drug related use at a school event.  We have also told students that Limousine services are prohibited.  Limo service should be reserved for Prom only. Otello's is in 'our neighbourhood' and as such should not require hired transportation.  I recognize that this may be a slight inconvenience for parents however we believe this will assist with making the event a more successful one.
Thank you to all parents for helping to reinforce these basic expectations around school sponsored events.  We're looking forward to a great evening.

Thursday, December 11th - OTHS Music Presents - Snowy Serenade

Our music students will be sharing their musical talents on the 11th with an evening of music here at the school.  I'm looking forward to seeing the talents of our kids under the direction of Mr. Clarke and Ms. Chow.  We've been hearing great things and are expecting a terrific show.


Early Dismissal on December 19th

As in previous years we will be dismissing students 90 minutes early on the 19th.  All classes will take place however periods will be shortened and a different order will be followed as well (Period 1, 2, 5, 4, and 3).  Look for a synermail message to go home with the specific details.  The final period of the day will end at 1:20 p.m.  If you have any questions please check the school web site as the schedule for the day will be posted (by December 12th latest).

Thank you.


  

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