Sept. 21 – WSS Newsletter #5

NEWSLETTER #5

Sept. 21st, 2020

Week 2 Summary

Our first week of full classes went very well. The staggered start, lunch and dismissal times have kept the school very settled and without the normal congestion of 700 students in the hallways at one time. The behaviour of students given the new expectations of hand sanitizing and wearing masks in hallways was outstanding. I am really proud of how our students have responded to our expectations and returned with such a readiness to learn.

There are some minor changes to student start times which are outlined below. As we went through the week, some minor changes were required to provide better transition times for our grade 8 students and staff. The grade 8s will now start their in-class instruction at 8:30 rather than 8:40 (10 minutes earlier) and grade 9s will start at 9:00 (5 minutes later).

Daily Student Self Health Assessment

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Students only come to school if you have completed the Daily Health Assessment. Please review the form in the attached link: (SD42 Daily Health Assessment).

Daily Schedule – CHANGES

To help us streamline our school day we are making some slight changes to our start time for students. These changes allow us to adjust our lunch period to provide more balance to our student’s daily schedule. All schedule times will updated be in our school APP this week.

Starting Monday, Sept. 21st:

Grade 8s – start at 8:30am
Grade 9/10s – start at 9:00am
Grade 11/12s – start at 9:30

PAC Virtual (ZOOM) Meeting – Sept. 21st at 7:00

To attend, send email to westviewpac1@gmail.com. We kindly request that you send your email as soon as possible.

Soccer & Basketball Academy Information

Students in our Soccer & Basketball Academies begin their on field & court training this week. The Basketball Academy has two groups with one on court Monday/Wednesdays from 7:15-8:15 and the other group on court Tuesday/Thursday from 7:15-8:15. Coach MacLeod will have contacted all players about which group they are in. If you require additional information, email Coach Macleod (email).

Our soccer academy begins on field play Monday, September 21st from 2:15-3:30. If you have questions about the soccer academy, please email Teacher/Director Dennis_Schmidt@sd42.ca

Basketball Academy Video (YouTube Link)

Soccer Academy Video (YouTube Link)

Graduation Assessments – Grade 10 & 12s

Grade 12 students are required to have completed two Graduation Assessments, the Grade 10 Numeracy & Literacy Assessments. The Grade 12 Graduation Literacy Assessment has been waived for this years graduating students. The two grade 10 assessments are graduation requirements and must be written for students to receive their Dogwood Graduation Diploma. The assessments measure student competency in both Literacy & Numeracy on a 1-4 scale and are not blended with their class mark. These assessments are not tied to post-secondary entrance.

For current grade 12 students who have not completed the Grade 10 Numeracy &/or Literacy Assessment there will be a session between November 2-6, 2020.

All current grade 10 students will be scheduled to write the Grade 10 Numeracy & Literacy Assessments during the following session dates:

Jan. 25-29, 2021
April 12-16, 2021
June 14-23, 2021

Cafeteria Menu

Monday – Sandwich Lunch Box, Wraps, Assorted Salads
Tuesday – Burger and Fries, Wraps, Assorted Salads
Wednesday – Macaroni & Cheese w/ Garlic Toast, Wraps, Assorted Salad
Thursday – Sandwich Lunch Box, Wraps, Assorted Salads
Friday – Sandwich Lunch Box, Wraps, Assorted Salads

Staff & Program Profile: Mel Unruh (Aboriginal Support Worker / ASW)

As the Aboriginal Support Worker at Westview Secondary, Ms. Unruh acts as an advocate for students of ancestry. She is someone who makes a positive connection; someone who collaborates with school staff and ensures students have the supports they need; someone who can “be there” if the student wants to talk or get help with anything; someone to celebrate their triumphs. In Secondary School ASW’s track all Aboriginal student progress from grade 8-12 and work in tandem with school staff to ensure each student is on track to graduate and has the tools they need to succeed once they leave our halls.

Ms. Unruh’s support could look like:

Providing SEL (social-emotional learning) support
Accessing academic support
Developing a sense of community/belonging
Supporting the development of a graduate plan
Helping access scholarships and funding
Cultural connections
And so much more.

Upcoming Events

Terry Fox Walks (Sept 29th-Oct. 2nd) – details to follow in next week’s newsletter
Orange Shirt Day (Sept. 30th) – a day designed to educate and promote awareness in Canada about the residential school system and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities for over a century—an impact that continues today. More info to come!

I am so pleased that our return has gone so well and that as we approach the end of September we will beginning some of our school culture and community events such as the Terry Fox walks & Orange Shirt Day (in smaller ways) and that our academies are back in action. I love the energy of an active school where students have opportunities to learn, grow, lead and engage. Please do not hesitate to email Principal, Darren Rowell, (Darren_Rowell@sd42.ca) if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Darren Rowell

Principal, Westview Secondary School

-Inspiring & encouraging students to strive for excellence!

Have a Question?
The following list of Counsellors and Administrators and their grades are listed below: