Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 1 | 10
Forest Lawn High School 1304-44 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2A 1M8 t | 403-272-6665 f | 403-777-7799 e | [email protected]
Website | cbe.ab.ca/b813
Newsletter | October - November 2019
Principal’s Message September is already over, and so are many of the great start-up events planned at our school. Events such as the Titan Spirit week and The Terry Fox Run have helped establish us as a true community school. It was with great pleasure that we met parents and guardians at the High School Orientation night and our other welcome back events. It is also my pleasure to welcome all of the new families to Forest Lawn High School. Many of our clubs and teams are up and running including; Leadership, Math Tutoring, Ladies Soccer, Volleyball, Football and Cross-Country running. I would like to encourage our students to get involved with all of the wonderful extra-curricular activities offered at Forest Lawn High School. Forest Lawn High School uses many different online resources such as PowerSchool, D2L, School Messenger and website calendars to keep parents and guardians informed of their son or daughter’s progress and homework throughout the year. You can find links to all of these areas on our school home page, http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/forestlawn/ I would like to thank all of the parents who are involved in our school council and advisory association. We truly value all the time and effort that you donate to making Forest Lawn such a great school. Our next meeting for parents who would like to be involved in our school council and advisory association is Tuesday October 15, 2019.
I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and hope you are able to spend quality time with family and friends during the holiday.
Matt Fell Principal
Student Parking
Students who wish to use the student parking lot require a parking tag. To obtain one they need to see their assistant principal and business office; the cost is $10. Tickets will be issued starting in October for any cars without authorized parking tags.
First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) Oki! Tansi! Tawnshi! Hello! Bonjour! Welcome back, everyone. I hope this newsletter finds you all well. Here in our Dream Catcher room, our students are busy getting settled into this first semester, new school for some, new classes for others, meeting new friends and learning their way through this new school year. My name is Nan Balkwill and I am the Indigenous Student Success Teacher and Indigenous Education Coordinator here at Forest Lawn. This is my second year here and I LOVE IT. I have been with the Calgary Board of Education since 2001 but in the last 4 years have found
Important Dates:
October 1 & 3
Jostens – Grade Ring Order Day
October 3
Alex Bus at FLHS
October 4
IPPs go home today
October 10
The Journey Ahead – Presented
by AIFY 11-11:30 AM
October 11
Marks updated for Parents to view
in PowerSchool
October 14
Thanksgiving Day – No School
October 15
Parent Council Meeting 6:30 PM
October 17
Jr High Band Workshop
4-9 PM
Alex Bus at FLHS
October 18
Periods 1 & 2 – RAP
Presentations (Library)
October 22
Lifetouch Picture Retakes
Page 2 | 10
my passion and reason for becoming a teacher in Indigenous Education. I feel very honoured to have this opportunity to work with our amazing students and staff at Forest Lawn. I work out of the Dream Catcher Room, which is located just inside the Learning Commons. This is a space for our First Nation, Metis and Inuit students to access support for both in and outside of school, to come and work in a quiet space, to eat lunch, to meet new friends, and/or to be apart of a variety of events we have going on. This is also the space we smudge in at school; students are welcome anytime to smudge here. Please come talk to me if you have any questions about anything, if I don’t know I will find out who you do need to talk to.
EVENTS
This past month we have already had two events. We went Sage picking with Elder Kerrie Moore up at Nose Hill and we had Elder Hal Eagletail in to speak to students from a variety of classes; English, CALM, Social and PLP. Hal spoke about Tsuu T’ina Nation history, traditional education and Residential schools. He also shared with us his traditional stories and drum songs. We would like to thank the Parent Council for their support in bringing Elder Hal Eagletail in and in promoting Indigenous Education here at Forest Lawn. Monday, September 30 was Orange Shirt Day, a day to promote awareness of the Indian Residential Schools and the legacy that it has left. It is a day for us all to wear orange, honour the Residential School Survivors and stand behind our belief that ‘Every Child Matters’. We also will be attending the citywide Calgary Board of Education Orange Shirt Day Ceremony at the downtown Public Library. Forest Lawn will be leading the march of 40 schools at this Ceremony and one of our own students will be Emceeing the event. On November 15 and December 11 we will be having Elder Kerrie Moore in to do traditional woman teachings and Hal Eagletail will be here Dec. 11 to do tradition men teachings. For more information on any of these events or any other questions you may have please contact me, Nan Balkwill at 403-272-6665 ext. 2244 or [email protected] Nan Balkwill, LL FNMI Grad Coach
Resource Team Inclusive Education is pleased to welcome back all our diverse learners to another great school year at Forest Lawn High School. We are pleased to welcome back Ms. Hare and Mr. Powell in the Paced Learning Program, along with our talented Education Assistants, Ms. Labelle, Ms. Wild, Ms. Horne, and new to FLHS, Ms. Chamberland. We have two new wonderful team members in the class, our Learning Leader of Mental Health, Ms. Foster, and our Behaviour Support Worker, Ms. Horne. We are excited to have Ms. Nan Balkwill, the Indigenous Education Coordinator working with our department to support Inclusive Education this year, and Ms. Sorenson and Ms. Evans will once again be operating the Learning Support/Resource Room, which has moved to a beautiful large classroom in 203. Students who are in need of learning accommodations or extra help may access us all day long or at lunchtime. Knowledge & Employability courses are available for students seeking an alternative to the regular academic classes we offer. K&E provides real-world, workplace-oriented, hands-on learning. Students who complete a full complement of K&E courses can complete high school with a High School Certificate of Achievement in 80 credits, or go on to upgrade to a Diploma track when they are ready. Please call or email Ms. Evans [email protected] or Mr. Rosvold [email protected] in Student Services, or see the High School Planning Guide link for further information at https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/high-school/Documents/Get-Ready-Get-Set-Go-For-It-Short.pdf. Our K&E student numbers are growing every year.
Important Dates:
October 24
Post Secondary Fair 1-3 pm
Main Gym
Parent-Teacher Interviews –
Drop-In – 4:30-7 PM
October 25 NI Day – No School
PT Interviews 9AM-12PM –
Dro- In
October 30
Skills Canada Presenter – Period
3&4 - Theatre
October 31
Alex Bus at FLHS
November 1
NI Day – No School for Students
November 4
Term 2 Starts
November 8
Midterm Report Cards
emailed home
Remembrance Day
Assemblies
November 11 – Remembrance
Day – No School
November 14
The Journey Ahead – Presented
by AIFY 11-11:30 AM
November 18
Basketball Tryouts Start
November 22 – NI Day
No school for Students
November 27
Grade 9 Feeder School
Tours – 9-11 AM
Open House – 6-8 PM
November 28-30
District 4 Boys Championship
Basketball
Page 3 | 10
Individual Program Plans will be sent home on Friday, October 4th through the Titan Time teachers for all students with Exceptional Needs codes. Please sign one copy and return it to the school. Keep one copy at home for your reference. If you wish to make changes to the IPP, you may email the teacher directly or Ms. Evans at [email protected] to discuss your concerns. Have a fantastic fall and let our team know how we can support the learning of your student!
Karie Evans, LL Inclusive Education
Wellness
The Wellness Centre at Forest Lawn High School began in the early nineties through a group of dedicated staff, administration, and community partners. Today, more than 35 agencies work in and through Forest Lawn High School to support students and families.
What is Wellness?
The wellness wheel below shows the 7 intersecting dimensions of wellness. For each of the seven dimensions: Physical, Emotional, Financial, Environmental, Spiritual, Career & Academic, and Social & Cultural, we have agencies and services to support this aspect.
Source:
https://www.sfu.ca/healthycampuscommunity/learningenvironments/resource-library/resources/wellness-wheel.html
How to Learn More?
In School: Visit Student Services, watch the announcements on the screen in the rotunda, posters in the school
Outside of the School: Check out the FLHS website and Wellness Centre blog coming soon
Kara Boehnert, LL Wellness
Page 4 | 10
ELL Department ELL Department Members: Amber Dromey - LEAD Teacher Cheryl Demchuk - LEAD Teacher Jeff Homenuik - Canadian Studies 15 Teacher Jolene Robinson - Language Level 3 / 4 Teacher Michelle Belsek - Multi-Level Language Teacher Kara Boehnert - ELL Guidance Karen Vogel - Language Level 1 & 2, ELL Science 15, ELL Learning Leader Welcome We’ve had a busy start-up welcoming so many new students to our ELL program and organizing our classes to best meet the language proficiency levels of our students by completing student reading and writing assessments. In fact, we will continue to have students enrolling now and throughout the year. Our English Language Learners truly represent a variety of linguistic and cultural background making our classrooms diverse in terms of individual learners, learning styles along with language and prior schooling backgrounds. Our classrooms are lively and interactive!
LEAD Program and Tim Horton Camp On September 10th, we hosted a LEAD Parent Night. The purpose of the presentation was to share information about the LEAD program with our families, which included important information about the Tim Horton Children’s Ranch. Each year the LEAD students and their teachers have an amazing opportunity to enjoy a 3-day (2 night) Canadian camp experience in the Kananaskis. This year the students will be attending two camps – one at the beginning of October and the other in mid-April. In addition to taking part in activities such as hiking, archery, climbing, and navigating low ropes courses, students also learn about environmental stewardship and the qualities in themselves to develop leadership and confidence. The opportunity to extend friendships with other high school LEAD students across the city, and practice English with the camp staff round off this awesome experience. Students in the LEAD program have been participating in this unique learning opportunity since 2014. Good luck campers for good weather as you head to the mountains for Oct 2-4th! ELL Parent Orientation On September 19, the ELL Department hosted a special presentation about the ELL program and pathways at Forest Lawn High School. This presentation was held in conjunction with the FLHS Parent Orientation Night. We were pleased to have families, interpreters join us for our session where we could share information about learning English, the differences between basic communication skills and academic language development, and how parents can support their children at home with their language learning processes. At this time, we are looking forward to next year’s presentation and having even more parents join us! ELL Programs and Clubs Students have been learning about various clubs and programs that are available to them on a weekly basis: Tuesdays: Girls Culture Club Lunchtime Room 389 Tuesdays: Next Gen Homework Club 3:30-5:45 LC Thursdays: Mentorship 3:30-5:00 Room 390
Page 5 | 10
Parent Teacher Interviews Finally, we are looking forward to meeting with our ELL families during Parent Teacher Interviews, which will be taking place on October 24 (4:30 – 7:00 pm) and October 25 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm). Interpreters will be booked for families – and then specific interview times will be arranged with the interpreter. More information will be sent home with students in mid-October! Karen Kadatz-Vogel, LL - ELL, LEAD, International Students
English Department
Welcome back! We hope you had a restful summer and are now ready to get back into the routines of school life. There are plenty of great things happening at Forest Lawn, and the English Department hopes that this school year outshines your previous ones. Yes, it is true, that school can be difficult, but as the daylight dwindles and the cold seasons descend, it is important to turn to the inspired words that reside in so many of the books on our shelves. Take Robert Frost, for instance, he had a way of capturing a moment succinctly:
A voice said, Look me in the stars And tell me truly, men of earth, If all the soul-and-body scars Were not too much to pay for birth.
There are posted tutorials and scheduled learning opportunities during Titan Time this year. Any student looking to improve his or her learning should refer to these scheduled times throughout the week. Jay McIntyre, LL English
Social Studies Department
Social Studies has been focused on having a positive start to the beginning of the year. We were encouraged with the progress from last year as we saw a significant improvement in our Grade 12 diploma results and completion rates in Social Studies. This year our department focus is going to be in reworking our assessments to better reflect the program of studies. Grade 10 and 11 students may notice the difference in how grades are organized, and what assignments hold significance. Social Studies is now offering a consistent tutorial time on Wednesdays before and after school in the learning commons. Students that have questions, would like help on assignments or simply need more time to complete their work are welcome to attend. Any student that is achieving below 65% in their Social Studies class is recommended to attend until their marks have improved. This is meant to supplement the work and help given by the classroom teacher, not replace it.
WHERE IN THE WORLD: Every month the Social Department will also include a where in the world challenge. The first person to correctly guess the location in the picture can claim the monthly prize from Mr. Hoogendoorn in room 224.
Page 6 | 10
This month’s photo:
Ben Hoogendoorn, LL – Social Studies
Career and Technology Studies
CTS classes are well underway and have completed their first module. Consider accessing the many client service options our school and Jack James campus have to offer (Eg. Horticulture, Mechanics, Cosmetology).
Vanessa Loke, LL - CTS
Science Department
With another school year underway, our science classes have been busy. Our grade 10 program includes both Science 10 and Science 14. Students are working towards outcomes based on their competencies demonstrated in junior high as well as being encouraged to challenge themselves every day. High school can be a big adjustment for some students, so our Science department is checking in with our students regularly to make sure they are finding the right place and finding success on their outcomes. Our grade 10 team consists of four teachers working collaboratively to make sure that all of our students are finding success in the grade 10 level and adjusting to high school successfully with the help of our High School Success teacher, Mr. Ranieri. Our Chemistry 20 classes are working on their bonding units. Learning about bonding between molecules and the shapes and structures that they form and contribute to their interactions with other molecules.
Page 7 | 10
The Chemistry AP class learned how to make standardized solutions and dilute a copper (II) sulfate solution. The Biology 20 classes are done their Photosynthesis/Cellular Respiration units and are working on the Ecology/Evolution units. Students are learning about the flow of energy and the cycling of matter in the biosphere unit. They are creating posters that detail how both living and non-living factors affect balance in an ecosystem.
The Physics 20 classes are learning about Kinematics/Dynamics and starting to draw free body diagrams. The Chemistry 30 students have been in the lab numerous times this semester. Learning about the efficiencies of Hess’ Law by building their own calorimeters. The Biology 30 students have completed two dissections so far, one on a sheep’s brain and the other on a cow’s eyeball to learn about the nervous system and the senses. Science 30 did the heart dissection and luckily, nobody fainted even after the blood spilled on the floor! Teachers are available for tutorials at various times throughout each day. Students are encouraged to seek extra help from their teachers if they miss any classes or days of school. Tutorial schedules are posted around the Science wing and in every teacher’s classroom. The test center is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:00pm for any students who miss a test and need to make it up. Remember, all absences must be excused through the attendance line. Rachel Gustafson, LL - Science
Math We are proud of the student's strong Math Diploma marks from June 2019, in both Math 30-1 and 30-2. This a result of hardworking students and staff throughout the last three years at Forest Lawn High School. Having students committing to after-school tutorials, completing their homework and focused study habits increased their success in these courses. Have your student talk to their teacher if they are struggling with the material; in some cases, a minute of extra help can save hours of frustration. All students should know when their teacher is offering tutorial times. In addition, the YMCA is offering tutoring on Thursdays between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, have your students ask their teacher for an application form. Focusing on your studies at the start of the semester sets the stage for future success. Loran Davis, LL - Math
Fine Arts Department
Dance Dance Team Auditions will be taking place in October. If any students are interested in auditioning for the Dance Team please attend the information meeting on: October 9th at lunch in the Dance Studio. The audition will be on:
Page 8 | 10
October 16th from 3:30-5:30PM in the Dance Studio. Please be aware that in order to audition for the dance team students must be enrolled in or already have credits in Dance 15. If you have any questions please contact Ms. McMahon or Ms. Janz [email protected] [email protected] Drama The Drama Department is off to a busy start with Tech Theatre students already meeting and helping to run the High School Orientation presentation in the theatre. We have an enthusiastic group that is going to do a fantastic job helping to support all of the dance, music, and drama performances from throughout the year. One of the productions that they will play a major hand in, is our drama production, Wedgie by Jason Patrick Rothery. Wedgie is about a group of elementary students waging a resistance against their middle school oppressors, the dreaded 7s. Wedgie will run later in the spring, but auditions will be taking place in early October. Music Music students are getting back into the swing of things. We have some new groups, more students and a new room! It all takes getting used but, together, we are all figuring it out. Rehearsals take place according to the following schedule: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday AM Concert Band Jazz Band 1 Concert Band Jazz band 1 Flex day Lunch Sectionals take place Monday-Thursday at lunch. The schedule is posted in the music room PM Choir Jazz band 2 Flex Choir All of the groups are working hard and improving and they will be ready for their first performance at the Remembrance Day assembly in November. Duane Lebo, LL - Fine Arts
Titan Athletics Fall athletics are in full swing here at Forest Lawn with several sports underway. Currently. we have Senior & Junior Boys and Girls Volleyball, Cross Country, Football, Girls soccer and swimming will begin shortly. Our teams have already shown success and great sportsmanship in early competition and look to continue the trend moving forward. Fall athletes have recently received new team Spirit Packs that include athletic swag that shows our new logo and it seems to be a hit. As competition progresses and the seasons move into full gear we are excited to continue representing our great school through athletics. To follow all things Titans Athletics follow our revamped Instagram @forestlawn.athletics. Go Titans! Jared Wasden, LL - Athletic Director
We had our second Cross Country Meet at Prairie Winds Park; the name clearly a precursor for the weather!
Our energetic team of eight proved themselves quite formidable against the wind, with Pa S. finishing 11th out of 119 junior boys (Seriously - wow!) and Natalie H. finishing 18th out of 69 for junior girls (another wow!)
Page 9 | 10
Overall, each runner tried their best and pushed themselves to their limits.
We have a ton of pictures (thanks, Kelly!) so I've only included the girls conquering the route's big hill, along with a group warm-up and view of the park.
Ashlee, Carolyn, Kelly (tired but happy coaches!)
Physical Education
The Physical Education department at FLHS aims to ensure that our PE students are afforded the best possible experience, both on campus and off, where learning opportunities are tailored in order to best allow for each students’ overall success. As one anonymous PE 20 student said:
“Mr. Richards has enabled us to have the opportunity to go on so many off site activities this semester already. This gives us students the chance to do activities that we would never otherwise do; such as golfing, canoeing and hiking.”
Our PE 10 students have developed their new routine in their new surroundings and have spent the first month getting comfortable with each other, their teachers, and the expectations of high school Physical Education. Thus far our PE 10’s have enjoyed time both inside and outside in modules such as Low Organized Games, Football, Rugby, and Field Hockey.
Overall, the PE program is off to a great start! With 250 PE 10 students, 35 PE 20 students and 60 PE 30 students, a solid foundation has been set for the 2019-20 school year and all classes are now in full swing. Some highlights from the first month include hiking in Kananaskis Country, mountain biking at Canada Olympic Park, and golfing at RCGA.
Tyler Fisher, LL, Physical Education
Work Experience / Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) Upcoming events: Oct.10 - The Journey Forward (formally Career Talks) in the Fishbowl – see Mr. Shirley for a ticket. Oct.18 - SAIT Open House Field Trip – A signed permission form is required, see Mr. Shirley. Oct.24 - Post Secondary Fair (main gym) – Teachers/Class sign-up to come, closer to event date. Oct.30 – Skills Presentation (Theatre) – Teachers/Class sign-up to come, closer to event date. Work Experience / Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) / Online Safety Students can sign-up during the current school year, to learn more visit our school website under Teaching & Learning -> On / Off-campus Education. Website: http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/forestlawn/teaching-learning/classes-departments/work-experience/pages/default.aspx To learn more about these student programs, visit our website at CBE Unique Pathways: http://cbe.ab.ca/unique-opportunities Business Management | Dual Credit – Applications due: Nov.29, 2019 Health & Nursing Pathway 2 | Dual Credit – Applications due: Nov.14, 2019 Health Care Administration Pathway 2 | Dual Credit – Applications due: Nov.15, 2019 Health Care Career Essentials | Dual Credit – Applications due: Nov.15, 2019 Visual Communications & 3D Object Design | Dual Credit – Applications due: Nov.19, 2019
Page 10 | 10
Junior Achievement Company Program | Exploratory – Applications due: Oct.15, 2019. Register for JA information session by Oct.8, 2019 - https://jasab.ca/ja-programs/company-program/ Please submit applications to Mr. Shirley in Student Services. Jeremiah Shirley, On-Off Campus Coordinator
