In like a Lion!

MARCH - "In like a Lion and our like a Lamb"


March sure came in like a Lion (let's hope it does go out like a lamb) with a big snow storm earlier this week.  The students (and staff) were excited for the possibility of a SNOW DAY !!!  Alas, it wasn't to be and students and staff all made their way through the snow (and increased traffic) to school.  As we rapidly approach March Break (March 14-18) I'm sure we're all hoping that we've seen the last of any big storms.


Student Activities

Sports - The winter sports season is winding down with many OT teams achieving great results on the court; the ice; the slopes; and in the pool.

As I put this blog entry together our Snowboarders are up in Collingwood showing off their skills against the best high school boarders in the province.  Following their success regionally we fully expect to be celebrating provincial medals next week.

Last week our Skiers competed at OFSAA as well.  Once again OT students were extremely successful with

Our swimmers are competing in Windsor this week.  Our Senior Boys team captured the Halton and GHAC championship last week and are chasing medals at OFSAA.

Thank you to our Volleyball, Hockey, and Basketball teams for their great effort this season.  While championships eluded us it was fantastic to see how our basketball teams competed hard each and every game.  It looks like basketball is making a rebound (no pun intended) and we look for continued success in the years to come.

Our Volleyball teams were competitive with the best in Halton again this year.  While we came up a little short the girls were in every game and a break here and there may have spelled a different outcome.

Our Red Devils Hockey team had another strong season even if they fell short of their championship goals.

Thank you to all coaches and players for representing yourselves, your family, and your school with composure and class.


OT Improv

Our OT Improv team has been competing with other Halton schools over the past couple of months and last weekend they performed well at Regionals.

OT Debate

This year marks OT's return to Debate competitions and our students represented OTHS well in competitions against other Halton schools.  Thank you to Ms. Cohen for bringing this challenging opportunity back to OT.


5th WEEK REPORTS


5th Week reports will begin heading home (via e-mail) on Monday, March 21st (through Wednesday, March 23rd).  All Grade 9 students and any student who is currently performing below expectations (using a threshold of marks below 60% as our benchmark) will receive a Markbook Printout for each class.

If a family does not receive a markbook printout it is indicative of your child doing well in each class (not being a student of concern).

Markbook Printouts will NOT indicate a cummulative grade at this point in time.  Due to the limited evidence available staff are formulating impressions based primarily on the learning skills being demonstrated in class (Initiative, Self-Regulation, Collaboration, Independent Work, and Responsibility) as opposed to a volume of evaluations that have been collected.  Any assessments or evaluations that have been collected and graded will be visible on the printout.

If you have a child in Grade 9 you should expect to receive your emails no later than Wednesday, March 23rd.  If you do not receive one for each class please contact the school asap.


PARENTS' NIGHT

Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday, March 31st (6:30-9:00 p.m.).  Our format for this evening will be similar to in previous semesters.  First there will be an informal (not private) meet and greet where parents may say hello, and receive quick feedback on the start of the semester.  At 7:40 p.m. we will begin more formal (more private) interviews where parents may engage in greater conversation around areas of concern.

Parents are encouraged to avoid waiting for the official parents' night is questions or concerns are presenting themselves.  Please don't hesitate to reach our via email to any staff member should you wish to discuss your child's progress AT ANY TIME in the semester.

Look for information around Interview Night to arrive in your email inbox following March Break.


OSSLT  LITERACY TEST

Thursday, March 31st - All grade 10 students will sit for the Literacy Test (a graduation requirement in Ontario).  The morning of the 31st will see a special schedule for all of our Grade 10's.  Over the course of the previous five months our Literacy Team has been working with staff and students to ensure their readiness.

If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact the main office.


OTHER OTHS UPDATES

As a part of our on-going effort to maintain the positive physical environment of the school we will be replacing a number of 'locker fronts' over the March Break.  I believe the fresh, bright, new lockers make the hallways look better and create a more positive sense of pride and ownership of our school for all students.

I want to thank your Parents' Council for their continued support of plans to re-vitalize the Atrium.  While our project has taken far longer than expected we are close to seeing some changes in the space used by students each and every day.  I'm not sure the changes will be ready over March Break......but we're getting closer and closer (materials picked out; orders submitted; ......now we wait to secure installation dates, etc.)