|
End of Week 10
Published on Apr 20, 2018 18:23
Hi everyone
I promise not to start this week's message with a comment about the weather. We've heard enough about it. This week's unscheduled long weekend means that teachers were working a little harder each day to keep on track, so if your teen had a little extra homework this week you know why.
Today we held a special ArriveAlive assembly for our grade 10, 11 and 12 students. We chose today, April 20th (or as it is known, 4/20) because it is a day associated with marijuana use. With the upcoming legalization of recreational marijuana we thought it was important to spend some time with the students reviewing the dangers of impaired driving, whether by alcohol or drugs. A Breathalyzer Technician and Drug Detection Specialist officer were on hand to tell students about what happens if they get pulled over on suspicion of impaired driving, and we also talked about the consequences of a conviction. Our overall message was of safety and the importance of making good decisions.
The coming weeks have a lot going on. Monday April 23rd will be our next Parent Council Meeting. As I mentioned, we will discuss ideas for fundraising as we are looking to make a new investment in computer technology in the school. The last infusion of new technology was in 2008, so it is sorely needed but the financial responsibility is the school's. If you are interested and available, I hope you will attend.
Next Friday, April 27th, is a board-wide PA Day. Students have the day off but staff will be attending professional learning sessions on First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education, Inclusion, and Global Connections. It promises to be a busy and informative day for staff.
Midterm report cards will go home during the week of April 30th. I will send out a notification on the day they go home so you can be sure to obtain them from your teen. If you have questions or concerns about your teen's progress, please contact the teachers directly as they are best able to answer your questions. If there are a number of concerns with progress, personal issues, mental/physical health etc. you can contact Guidance at ext. 185 to discuss support needs.
The week of May 6 - 12 is Catholic Education Week in Ontario. Catholic Education continues to be under attack from those who wish to see one publicly-funded education system in Ontario. I encourage you all, as supporters of Catholic Education, to contact your MPP, the Minister of Education and/or the Premier of Ontario to express your views about the importance of Catholic Education in Bradford. We will have special activities during this week as well, including our annual Pilgrimage Walk to Holy Martyrs of Japan Church, school mass, Honour Roll Breakfast, and Good News Awards assemblies.
As you know, Bradford is a fast-growing community, and we are growing along with it! Our enrollment projections for September show significant growth above 12%! This means new staff, but it also brings some challenges, like crowded lunches, increased hallway traffic, portable classrooms, and others. Over the coming weeks you will hear more from me as we work out plans to manage the growth. But it is a very exciting time.
Please note that I will be sending a special follow-up message this week with information about an important event coming up in our community.
I hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable weekend.
God bless,
Brian McKenzie
Principal
|