Principal Report November 2013

Principal's report November 2013 General Lake Public School We have had a wonderful event-filled first term leading up to our Progress Reports that went home on November 12, 2013 A few changes in staff Mme Yakabuskie is on a Leave of Absence. Mrs Gratton is replacing Mme Yakabuskie and Mrs Martinell has been temporarily replacing Ms McKay. We also welcome Mrs Van Hoof as an Educational Assistant working in the English Sk-1 class. After looking closely at our school data using a variety of sources including triangulation of evidence (observations; conversations; product; EQAO data; our reading assessment data (PM Benchmarks K-3; Casi 4-8; and our mathematics assessments: Prime) we have developed our School Improvement plan. The plan focuses on oral language development at the kindergarten level; reading and writing development in the primary grades and math at the junior intermediate level. Team divisions have been involved in Professional Learning meetings and workshops to look closely at their student profiles and to explore strategies to inform their practice and improve student achievement. Using the ‘Tell Them From Me’ survey, the ‘Champlain Healthy School’ survey, our Learning Skills data from the report cards, and data from our behavioural reports we are focusing on increasing physical fitness levels of our students by providing a range of activities. We have met several times with the representatives from the Healthy Schools initiative to develop an action plan. This plan includes training in a Peer Mediation plan Grade 4/5 students (PALS program); increased physical fitness activities swimming, dance fit, and DPA challenges. We also look forward to participating in the Jump rope for Heart Challenge. Ms Robillard and Ms Green have begun an intramural program for students in all grades. Intermediate students have been practicing for the up and coming volleyball tournaments with Mme Malette and Ms Green. Finally one area of need reflected in our office referrals data is self-regulation in our kindergarten students. Students are presenting challenges including engaging in aggressive play; difficulty during transition periods or unstructured play; or adapting to changes in personnel. We are exploring ways to better prepare the students for Kindergarten; strategies to address some of the playground issues and finally strategies to assist parents at home. One change we are implementing is a change in the lunch and recess time for some of the classes to cut down on the number of students in out kindergarten yard. Therefore three classes will be eating lunch in classrooms while others are outside for recess. A new Concussion protocol has been introduced by the Board. In a case of a suspected concussion, parents will be called and instructed to pick up their child and bring immediately to hospital. We have a new tool to help us assess the likelihood of a concussion and a copy will be given to the parent in all suspected cases. We continue to have our friendly spirit days designed to create student engagement. We have had four motivational speakers Power of One Anti-bullying Speaker; We day Speaker; Right to Play Olympic Athlete and Ned show motivational speaker and yo yo performer. Craig Keilburger, founder of Free the Children, was the keynote speaker at the recent Parent Involvement Committee symposium. Some General Lake students were in attendance. General Lake continues to be inspired by the work of Free the Children as we participated in the We Starve Hunger collecting over 500 cans for St. Joseph’s Food Bank. One student, Grade 8 Kamrie Lavoie is looking to go on a humanitarian trip next year so she will be putting together a plan to fundraise for her cause. We will be supporting a raffle for a gingerbread house she will bring to General Lake beginning in December. Ms Hansen’s WE club have begun the We Make Change initiative designed to raise money to help build schools. As always, we continue to take bullying seriously documenting and investigating all reports and trying to find ways to address this issue. Parents, Staff and students are invited to meet next week Tuesday Nov 26 at 8:30 to examine our current plan and update. Jer’s vision came to the school today and addressed the classes. Jer’s vision is an organization designed to educate students on the issues of bullying and discrimination. We have also formed a partnership with Kelsey’s restaurant. They have given us 5 certificates to award to students for demonstrating both a positive attitude and making a positive difference in our school. Students who receive the award will receive a t-shirt and a free meal from Kelseys. Students will be able to nominate their peers for this award. Nominations will continue until January. Valour planning is on schedule. During the Joint Staff meeting September 21st the new mascot was unveiled. (‘Valour Voyageurs’) We also participated in planning activities as well as creating a common vision for the school. Many Committees have been formed and the excitement is building as we assist with the selection process of uniforms. Our celebration of General Lake is coming together as we plan a yearbook. We continue to look for other ways to honour the closing of the school. Finally thanks to our Parents and staff, the Scholastic Book fair was a great success. Fifty percent of all the proceeds go back to the school in product for the classrooms. Thanks to Educational Assistant Robin Van Hoof, Jen Gerroir, Lorrie Lavoie, Lindsay Allen, Angela MacKay, Molly Dempsey and Andrea Robb for their work and dedication bringing this to our school. We look forward to another sale in the Spring.