September 8, 2014
We hope that everyone had a good first week back to school and that everybody is looking forward to the upcoming school year! We would like to thank all of the parents who were able to join us for the Meet the Principal Evening on Thursday night. One of the topics discussed, included the new K-9 report card that will be utilized for all K-9 schools in the CBE.
Photo: "DJ K" or Mr. Khubyar, who was the MC
at our school dance last Wednesday!
I came across an interesting article about how to encourage kids to talk to parents about their life at school. Click on the following image to get more information:
We hope that everyone had a good first week back to school and that everybody is looking forward to the upcoming school year! We would like to thank all of the parents who were able to join us for the Meet the Principal Evening on Thursday night. One of the topics discussed, included the new K-9 report card that will be utilized for all K-9 schools in the CBE.
Photo: "DJ K" or Mr. Khubyar, who was the MC
at our school dance last Wednesday!
I came across an interesting article about how to encourage kids to talk to parents about their life at school. Click on the following image to get more information:
I. Assessment and New K-9 Report Card Info
As you will read in the course outlines that will be shared with parents this week, we will continue to have 2 formal report cards in January and June as well as 3 formal opportunities to meet with teachers; including the upcoming Meet the Teacher Night and Parent-Teacher Interviews in October, February and March.
As discussed during the Meet the Principal Evening, the change to report cards will communicate how students are able to demonstrate their learning based on the outcomes outlined by the Alberta Education Program of Studies. These Learner Outcomes will be emailed out in the school update and will also be in all course outlines. All K-9 schools will use a common numerical indicator scale and individual narrative comments will continue to be a part of the reporting process.
The report card is only one means of communication and as such, we will continue to use D2L, Parent-Teacher Interviews, emails and conversations as on-going sources of communication regarding student learning. As mentioned, the report card will use a numerical indicator scale from 1-4 to specify how students demonstrated their learning according to each outcome. In addition, teachers will continue to use a variety of evaluations throughout the year to share student learning including the following:
* Please note that tasks will continue to be assessed using a variety of methods: rubrics, percentages, complete/incomplete, comments…etc.
We are excited by this new assessment focus primarily because it allows learners to continually demonstrate their learning throughout the year. By using both formative and summative evaluations, assessment will now be focused on 4 factors: that it is supportive of student learning, consistent, accurate and meaningful. Student reflections are another important component to assessment. This year, we will also use Iris, an online website, to allow students to interactively discuss their learning and share their next steps with their teachers and parents.
During the Meet the Teacher Evening on September 17 from 6:30-8:00pm, Ms. Shantz and I will be available to discuss this in further detail. In the meantime, there is an excellent website for parents to review the new assessment and report card process and see a sample report card.
As you will read in the course outlines that will be shared with parents this week, we will continue to have 2 formal report cards in January and June as well as 3 formal opportunities to meet with teachers; including the upcoming Meet the Teacher Night and Parent-Teacher Interviews in October, February and March.
As discussed during the Meet the Principal Evening, the change to report cards will communicate how students are able to demonstrate their learning based on the outcomes outlined by the Alberta Education Program of Studies. These Learner Outcomes will be emailed out in the school update and will also be in all course outlines. All K-9 schools will use a common numerical indicator scale and individual narrative comments will continue to be a part of the reporting process.
The report card is only one means of communication and as such, we will continue to use D2L, Parent-Teacher Interviews, emails and conversations as on-going sources of communication regarding student learning. As mentioned, the report card will use a numerical indicator scale from 1-4 to specify how students demonstrated their learning according to each outcome. In addition, teachers will continue to use a variety of evaluations throughout the year to share student learning including the following:
* Please note that tasks will continue to be assessed using a variety of methods: rubrics, percentages, complete/incomplete, comments…etc.
We are excited by this new assessment focus primarily because it allows learners to continually demonstrate their learning throughout the year. By using both formative and summative evaluations, assessment will now be focused on 4 factors: that it is supportive of student learning, consistent, accurate and meaningful. Student reflections are another important component to assessment. This year, we will also use Iris, an online website, to allow students to interactively discuss their learning and share their next steps with their teachers and parents.
During the Meet the Teacher Evening on September 17 from 6:30-8:00pm, Ms. Shantz and I will be available to discuss this in further detail. In the meantime, there is an excellent website for parents to review the new assessment and report card process and see a sample report card.
II. Homeroom – Friday Schedule
As many of you are already aware, twice a year, students in the CBE complete the Tell them from Me Survey, which measures student academic, social and intellectual engagement throughout the year.
Last year, when we reviewed the survey from Bishop Pinkham, students shared many positive experiences about their learning; such as a high level of academic and intellectual engagement. Upon closer examination, there were also 2 areas of concern that were apparent; students wishing to feel more connected to a teacher and students feeling a high level of anxiety and stress. In response to these concerns, we are intending to use homeroom time more consistently this year to encourage a more direct connection with teachers. As well, over the next 4 Fridays, grade communities will be meeting in homerooms to support students and focus on the following topics:
We would appreciate hearing feedback from students and parents to see if these sessions are effective. If so, we may plan to continue to meet as homerooms at different points in the year.
III. Who’s new in the zoo
In June, we wished Mme. Caron, Mme. Sheena, Mr. Way, Mme. Woodworth, Ms. Marques and Mr. Nelner good luck in their next ventures at their new schools.
We would now like to take the time to welcome our newest staff members to the BP family!
As many of you are already aware, twice a year, students in the CBE complete the Tell them from Me Survey, which measures student academic, social and intellectual engagement throughout the year.
Last year, when we reviewed the survey from Bishop Pinkham, students shared many positive experiences about their learning; such as a high level of academic and intellectual engagement. Upon closer examination, there were also 2 areas of concern that were apparent; students wishing to feel more connected to a teacher and students feeling a high level of anxiety and stress. In response to these concerns, we are intending to use homeroom time more consistently this year to encourage a more direct connection with teachers. As well, over the next 4 Fridays, grade communities will be meeting in homerooms to support students and focus on the following topics:
- Health and Wellness
- Study Skills
- Organization and Time-Management
- Conflict Resolution
We would appreciate hearing feedback from students and parents to see if these sessions are effective. If so, we may plan to continue to meet as homerooms at different points in the year.
III. Who’s new in the zoo
In June, we wished Mme. Caron, Mme. Sheena, Mr. Way, Mme. Woodworth, Ms. Marques and Mr. Nelner good luck in their next ventures at their new schools.
We would now like to take the time to welcome our newest staff members to the BP family!
Mme. R. Leblanc – Gr. 5 French Immersion M. M. Julien (replacing Mme. Huffman) – Gr. 6 French Immersion Mme. J. Neeser – Gr. 6 French Immersion Mme. N. Bergerova – Gr. 7 FLA/Social Studies Mme. Scott – Gr. 7 FLA/Social Studies and Gr. 8 ELA Ms. D. Boutilier/Ms. C. Backman – We are welcoming back these amazing teachers, who will job share gr. 9 ELA/Social Studies and Gr. 7 Social Studies | Srta. Rosa Castilla Cortijo – Gr. 5 Spanish Bilingual Sr. C. Marin Caro – Visiting teacher from Spain |
IV. Sports Tryouts
The sports season has begun! The following schedule will apply for the soccer and volleyball season:
Please note the upcoming tryouts this week –
The sports season has begun! The following schedule will apply for the soccer and volleyball season:
Please note the upcoming tryouts this week –
- Junior Boys Volleyball – Tuesday at 7:00am (Gr. 6-9)
- Boys Soccer – Monday at 3:00pm (Gr. 6-9)
V. From the School Council & BPMPA
Entertainment Book Fundraiser
As mentioned in last week’s update, the School Council and BPMPA are coordinating our first fundraiser beginning on Monday, September 9.
o From Sept 8-Sept 22, we will be selling these books and hope to raise $14000.00!
o All students will be bringing home a book on September 8. There will be more information to follow.
Healthy Hunger
Need a break from making lunches? We have a solution for you! Bishop Pinkham Parent Council will be offering some special lunches once a month. In order to participate in them you will need to go to healthyhunger.ca to register. You create an account, add your child (children) to their appropriate class, 5C1, 7E1, etc and order lunch. Once you are registered you will receive email updates when new lunches are posted.
We will be offering the following:
Next School Council Meeting
Please join us at our first School Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons
VI. Upcoming Dates:
VII. Communication
Entertainment Book Fundraiser
As mentioned in last week’s update, the School Council and BPMPA are coordinating our first fundraiser beginning on Monday, September 9.
o From Sept 8-Sept 22, we will be selling these books and hope to raise $14000.00!
o All students will be bringing home a book on September 8. There will be more information to follow.
Healthy Hunger
Need a break from making lunches? We have a solution for you! Bishop Pinkham Parent Council will be offering some special lunches once a month. In order to participate in them you will need to go to healthyhunger.ca to register. You create an account, add your child (children) to their appropriate class, 5C1, 7E1, etc and order lunch. Once you are registered you will receive email updates when new lunches are posted.
We will be offering the following:
- Sept. 26 Booster Juice
- Oct. 24 Little Caesar’s pizza (Please note that there is a gluten free cheese pizza option)
- Nov. 28 Subway (We will be offering a chicken salad, and vegetarian salad as a gluten free option. *When picking a drink choice that it is one drink per order.
Next School Council Meeting
Please join us at our first School Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons
VI. Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, Sept 8
- Picture Day
- Entertainment Book launch
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Meet the Teacher Evening from 6:30-8:00pm (BPMPA AGM)
- Friday, Sept. 19 – Non Instructional Day (no students)
- Tuesday, Sept. 23 – School Council Meeting at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons
VII. Communication