YOUNGSTOWN SCHOOL NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER November 2015 Volume 7, Issue 3 October is done, and we are into November. The leaves are gone, and the weather is getting colder. Where did the time go? This last month we had several wonderful events happening for students including the Senior High School Career Fair in Hanna and We Day for Students Union. There are poppies all around the school in preparation of our Remembrance Day ceremony; a time to pause and reflect on the great freedom we have in this country. I invite everyone to join us for our ceremony on November 6 th at 10:10am. November is also the start of the month long event Movember where moustaches are grown to raise money for Men s Health causes. We will be having a Movember Photo Booth again this year, and donations are being accepted at the office. Report Cards go home on November 6. I look forward to seeing parents for interviews on November 18. I will be available all evening if you have any issues you want to discuss or just want to chat over coffee. The next School Council meeting is on November 24, and everyone is invited to attend. They are still looking for someone to volunteer to be President, so if you are interested in helping out the school, please put your name forward at this meeting. Our Dinner Theatre this year is a true collaboration with all students in Grades 7-12 taking part in it someway. It is written by Grade 12 student Kayla Behr, with other students acting, cooking, serving, and decorating. Last year s performance sold out quickly, so be sure to get your tickets right away! Thank you to everyone parents, students, and staff for making this such a wonderful community devoted to the education of each and every student. -Mr. Giesbrecht In This Issue High School Redesign Calendar of Events Monster of a Book Fair November Habits of Mind & Dinner Theatre YSU Events connected Portal Access
Youngstown School is proud to be part of High School Redesign, a shift in thinking, focussing on student-centered learning. This year our goals are to provide a personalized, flexible learning environment that focuses on rigorous and relevant mastery learning. As we are a small school, many of these goals will be implemented as a whole school initiative. High School Redesign is really about helping students experience success. As of September 2015, 206 high schools from 54 school jurisdictions across the province will embark on a journey to bring to life the vision and policy shifts articulated in Inspiring Education and build on the learning of the High School Flexibility Enhancement Pilot Project (2009) and other High School Completion projects. These learnings have allowed for a shift in thinking resulting in the Moving Forward with High School Redesign initiative. Moving Forward With High School Redesign is about more than simply shifting a timetable. It s about shifting mindsets. While High School Redesign removes the former 25 hour rule per one credit (called the Carnegie Unit), and moves toward a mastery approach to student learning, it affords schools flexibility to find ways to help students master learning outcomes at their own pace. High School Redesign opens the door for schools to create flexible learning environments, the mindset shift leads to changes that are used to support increased student engagement in learning, improved student achievement and enhanced teacher practice. When students are engaged in school and find meaning in their learning-they succeed. The shift in mindset to a focus on student-centered learning happens as a number of key practices are put into place. These practices are centered on the following Foundational Principles: Personalized Learning Developing Meaningful Relationships Flexible Learning Environments Creating Rigorous and Relevant Learning Opportunities Supporting Mastery Learning Common School wide Assessment Practices Educator Roles and Teacher Collaboration Positive School Community Relationships Welcoming, caring, Respectful and Safe Thank you for your interest in our new school initiatives. We strive to make Youngstown School the best it can be!
CALENDAR of EVENTS WITH GRATITUDE Thank you to the United Church Ladies for allowing our Europe Trip students the opportunity to share in their annual Turkey Supper fundraiser. The students sincerely appreciate the support and look forward to sharing their trip experience with you when they return! November 2 - Milk Forms Go Home, Working It Out Presentation Gr. 9-12 November 3 - Early Out 2:37pm & Staff Meeting November 4 - Career Day at JCC Gr. 9-12, REACH at YST School November 5 - Class Group Photo Retakes in morning & Individual retakes at JCC in the afternoon, Newsletter Goes Home November 6 - Milk Forms Due, Report Cards Go Home, Samaritan s Purse Shoebox Deadline November 9-13 - No School November Break November 11 - Remembrance Day November 17 - YSU Meeting after school, Europe Trip Bottle Drive 5pm November 18 - SADD Presentation Gr. 7-12 at JCC, Parent Teacher Interviews 3:30-9:00pm November 19 - Leadership Meeting in Hanna November 20 - Jr. Achievement Gr. 9-11 November 23 - Drama Club Dinner Theatre November 24 - School Council Meeting 7pm November 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Milk Forms Go Home, Working It Out Presentation 3 Early Out 2:37pm, Staff Meeting 4 Career Day at JCC, Reach at YST School 8 9 10 11 15 16 17 22 23 Drama Club Dinner Theatre 29 30 NO SCHOOL YSU Meeting, Europe Trip Bottle Drive 24 School Council Meeting 7pm Remembrance Day 18 SADD Presentation, PTI s 3:30-9:00pm 5 Class Photo Retakes at YST & Individual Retakes at JCC 6 Milk Forms Due, Report Cards Go Home, Shoebox Deadline 7 12 13 14 19 Leadership Meeting 20 Jr. Achievement Gr. 9-11 21 25 26 27 28
Thank you for helping to make our MONSTER Book Fair such a success!
November Habits of Mind Listening with Understanding & Empathy Understand Others! Devoting mental energy to another person s thoughts and ideas. Make an effort to perceive another s point of view and emotions. Fall Drama Club Production Monday, Nov. 23 Tickets available at the office. Cost: $15/adult $10/child (10&under) Doors open at 5:30pm with show starting at 6:00pm.
Yearbook 2014-2015 2014-2015 Yearbook The 2014-2015 Yearbooks will be in on October 6th. Copies will sell for $10 each. Only 40 copies have been ordered so do not delay in picking up your copy of this beautiful keepsake! Milk Program Milk forms go home Nov. 2 and are to returned Nov. 6. Please send the exact amount for payment. The Elementary Class Council would like to thank everyone who graciously donated and purchased items at their bake sale on October 7th. It was a tremendous success! Thank you again. Conoco Phillips Tech Prep Bursary Recipient Congratulations to Brody Tattrie, this year s recipient of the Conoco Phillips Tech Prep Bursary. Brody is currently enrolled in the Environmental Sciences, Fish & Wildlife Conservation Major Program at Lakeland College. Thank you to Conoco Phillips for investing in the future of our graduates. Europe Trip Bottle Drive November 17th On Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 5pm, the 2016 Europe Trip students will be going around town collecting bottles and cans to fundraise for the trip. As well, a trailer labeled Europe Bottle Drive will be parked outside of the Youngstown Community Hall during the Mini Fair on November 19. If you need bottles picked up, arrangements can be made by calling the school at (403)779-3822. Thank you for your bottle donation towards our trip. School Council News Youngstown School Council s next meeting will be Tuesday, November 24 in the school starting at 7pm. The School Council is looking for a President to preside over the 2015-2016 School Year. If you are interested please contact Scott MacPherson, Vice President. Everyone is welcome to attend!
GratItude QuIlt happenings October 30 Skeleton Relay Race at Noon & Pictures and Costumes at Flex Thank you to John & Vera Verbeek for the giant pumpkin. Colton had the winning guess closest to 180lbs!!! November 30 events $1.00/Photo Enjoy the month of MOVEMBER & support men s health! YSU activities during flex & at noon! FIND THAT MUSTACHE!
Cross Country Running ZONES Dixon and Jaxen competed at the Cross Country Zones at the Sundre High School on Oct. 6th. Jaxen finished in the Junior division 47 out of 79 competitors with a time of 19:04.3 and Dixon finished in the Midget division 80 out of 114 with a time of 11:43.1. Competition was good and it was a beautiful day and run location. WHAT ARE YST STUDENTS UP TOO? Elementary Class Council The Elementary Class Council organized a bake sale fundraiser for their winter dance. With the amazing support of the school, parents, students and community they were able to raise funds to host their planned event. Thank you to Mrs. Mainhood for graciously sharing her Family Night at the book fair with the students. Short Story Published Last year Mrs. Mainhood introduced the students to a creative writing opportunity that was shared with the school. Jaxen wrote a short story and submitted it to the contest. His entry was selected to be printed in the book, The Observer. Two copies have been purchased for the library. Thank you to Mrs. Mainhood and Mr. Ashley for lending your support in this writing endeavor and congratulations Jaxen! The Observer A new collection of short stories written by young Canadians. (students in grades 9-12) We Day was held on Oct. 27th in Calgary. We Day is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. We Schools is the yearlong program that nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create transformative social change. The YSU was invited to attend the high energy production with inspiring messages, giving the students inspiration to be positive change makers in their local and global community.