Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Almost Winter Break!

Tomorrow (Thursday, December 20) is the last day of school before the winter break. Classes resume on Monday, January 7.

Don't forget to bring in your gift exchange gifts for tomorrow morning!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Important Reminders

Remember to bring in your pennies for the "We Create Change" penny drive activities happening next week!

Remember to purchase and wrap your $10 (or less) gift for the homeroom gift exchanges happening next Thursday. Any families unable but wanting to participate please email jaime.g@calgaryscienceschool.com.

A notice went home this week regarding the fun lunches happening in 2013. They are organizing this digitally, so please read the notice carefully for details. (It was on green paper.) If you lost or missed the notice, here is a digital version of it:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz9UAqoetbUycDZTUldoOHBhU1U

Skating forms were due last Monday. Anyone hoping to skate or play on the ice this season MUST return a skating form. 8.2 and 8.4 will be skating on Tuesday for Peace Festival. Please ensure the form is in if you want to skate that day. Proper ski or skate helmets only; no bicycle helmets that do not wrap around the back of the head allowed.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Bring your Pennies and Loonies tomorrow!!!!

 The Grade 9's and some Me to We students are trying to put on a Carnival at lunch tomorrow to raise money for KidSport and the Penny Drive. Students be sure to bring pennies and loonies to the gym at lunch to participate in various games and raise some money!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

8.2/8.4 ONLY - Skating Next Week

One of the activities 8.2 and 8.4 will be taking part in for Peace Festival next week is skating. This will happen on Tuesday, periods 3 and 4. Please ensure you have the proper gear (skating/skiing helmet, skates, sticks if you want) and your skating permission form in. If you do not, you will not be able to join us on the ice. Either way, come dressed for the weather, as all 8.2 and 8.4 students will be coming with us to the rink area, and the forecast at this point is for a cold week like this one has been.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Holiday Gift Exchange Information

An email was sent out to all students and parents with the following information today:

Dear Grade 8 Parents and Students,

On Thursday, December 20, all grade 8 students can take part in a holiday gift exchange in their respective home rooms. Instead of Secret Santa we are asking all students who would like to participate to bring in a wrapped gift to contribute to the gift pool. We will then play a game where students can open and steal presents, known to some as a "White Elephant" gift exchange. Students can begin bringing in gifts as early as tomorrow, as long as they are wrapped!

It is VERY important that the rules of this game are followed. Presents must NOT exceed a value of $10. In the past, families have been generous and provided larger gifts. This is kind, but ends up causing quite a bit of difficulty and a feeling of "unfairness." Furthermore, if there are any students/families with financial concerns who are unable to provide a gift, but are interested in participating, please contact your homeroom teacher via email to maintain anonymity.

Please note that the gift exchange is NOT mandatory, but only those that contribute to the gift pool can participate.

Please contact your child's HOMEROOM teacher with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

The Grade 8 Team

Monday, December 10, 2012

We Create Change Campaign Penny Drive


The Me to We elective is running Free the Children's "We Create Change" campaign here in the school as a school-wide initiative. Instead of having a classroom competition as we did for the "We Scare Hunger" food drive, we are asking the school to come together as a large community and fill up the penny container that is outside of the office. This initiative directly benefits those in the world without access to clean water, and by participating CSS is fulfilling its promise as a "We School." 

The campaign ends December 21, so we only have 11 more days to collect and deposit our pennies! We raised 720 pounds of food for the Calgary Food Bank, and we know CSS can come through again for those without access to clean, safe drinking water. 

For more information on the campaign, please visit www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/campaigns/we-create-change/ or email Miss Groeller at jaime.g@calgaryscienceschool.com

Sincerely,

The Me to We Elective

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Lakeview Community Skating Rink - CONSENT FORM

It is that time! The rink is frozen, and we are all ready to get out on the ice.

This CONSENT FORM was sent home today, and should be returned by Monday December 10th.

Remember that all students need to have a CSA approved helmet to go on the ice, and that skates must be in a bag (or equipped with blade covers) if they are brought on the bus.

Looking forward to some ice time!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Student-Led Conference Forms

Just a reminder to all parents and students that the student-led conference forms are due this Friday, November 30. Every student must complete this with a parent or guardian and hand a form into their homeroom teacher. Last week, a hard copy of the form was handed out to each student, but here is a digital copy for printing if that copy was misplaced:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz9UAqoetbUya0FyQVdwdW9FbTQ

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Student-led Conferences

Just a reminder that student-led conferences are this Thursday (4-8pm) and Friday (8am-1pm).

All grade 8 students are required to take their parents through a conference, and there is a "worksheet" provided to EACH student to help the students, and provide the parents opportunity to comment. This is considered an "assignment" that must be completed. Because we realize students and parents are VERY busy, we do NOT require this to be done at the school. It can easily be done at home at a time that is most convenient for your family. The due date for these "worksheets" to be handed in is November 30, which gives everyone a week to complete the conference. Please ensure that both student and parent sign the document.

As always, space and time is provided for these conferences to take place here at the school in one of the grade 8 classrooms. All four grade 8 teachers will be present the whole time at the conference, but any one-on-one meetings must be arranged for a time outside of the conference hours.

The assignment sheet is provided below in case the hard copy provided is lost or forgotten!

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz9UAqoetbUya0FyQVdwdW9FbTQ



Monday, November 19, 2012

Operation Christmas Child

Mrs. Armstrong's and Ms. Emin's family groupings are organizing donations for Operation Christmas Child. The information is below:


Here's the list of things we are collecting:


Fill your shoe box
Fill your shoe box with a well-balanced variety of items from the following categories:
  • School Supplies - Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
  • Toys & Other Gifts - Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
  • Hygiene Items  - Please place soap in a sealable bag
  • Personal Note  - Include a personal note and/or a photo in your shoe box (not inside the donation envelope)
DO NOT INCLUDE: 
  • Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
  • Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
  • Used items (due to customs regulations)
  • Playing cards (other card games such as UNO are allowed)
  • Liquids or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break - Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
  • Items that can scare or harm a child - War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.
  • Using a backpack instead of a shoe box is problematic because it creates unfair circumstances at distribution events.  Backpacks can also cause problems when cartons are being packed, and when shipments are going through Customs. 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Call for Volunteers

Attention All Students!

Do you like free food?

Do you like supporting your friends?

Do you like gaining volunteer experience?

If so, we need you!

CSS is hosting a debate tournament on November 28th, from 4:00-8:30 pm and we are in need of 44 volunteers to help with timekeeping and running the events as a chairperson.

If you are interested in being a part of this event, please email Mrs. Waite asap.




Pottery Elective Self Reflection

Please access the self reflection at this link: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0By0M3Q6yglkoZFZ6dkFtb1NvOWc

COMPLETE BY WEDNESDAY!!!!

Message to Parents and Students Regarding Report Cards


As the end of term 1 approaches, the grade 8 team would like to reinforce the intentions of the evaluative rubric used at CSS on report cards and assignments. As a team, we have been working with the students to re-evaluate the understanding of this rubric, and affirm the following:

4 = Exceeds Expectations: indicates that the student consistently performs above grade level and/or goes above and beyond expectations.

3 = Capable: indicates that the student consistently performs at grade level and meets expectations

2 = Developing: indicates that the student is able to perform at grade level, but sometimes requires guidance and is still working towards consistency.

1 = Requires Assistance: indicates that the student is not meeting grade level expectations and is in need of consistent guidance, and often outside help.

We would like to emphasize that a student demonstrating a “3” in a category does not indicate ¾ or 75%. Similarly, a student demonstrating a 2 does not indicate 2/4, or 50%. If a student earns a “2” in a category, it is an indication of developing skill, not a failure to comprehend in any way, and not necessarily cause for concern. For students who do require additional assistance [for example, those demonstrating concerning behaviour, or who consistently struggle with skills], the teachers will always contact parents directly in order to arrange meetings and ensure assistance is provided.

Finally, the last report card students received was at the end of grade 7, after 2 years with the same teacher. With a new grade, new material, and new teachers, students will find that their report card does not look exactly the same as their final report card in grade 7. This should be expected, and is no cause for concern!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Picture Retakes Monday, November 5

Photo Retakes will be done on Monday, November 5 in the morning.

Students who want photo retakes need to bring their proof envelope back on retake day or bring a note from their parents.

Photos will also be taken for anyone who was away on the original photo day.

Friday, October 19, 2012

PLEASE BRING IN FOOD DONATIONS!!!!!


FROM THE ME TO WE ELECTIVE:

Did you know that 38% of people who use food banks are youth?  Our goal is to raise 310 pounds of food to help fight against hunger in Calgary.  The campaign consists of a homeroom competition to see which homeroom can bring in the most amount of non-perishable food items.

To start us off, and to provide some incentive, we will be hosting 2 “cookies for cans” bake sales.  Anything the students bring in for the bake sale will count towards their homeroom goal! 

Bake sale:

-Will be held on October 23 and October 25 at lunch
-In the IAC
-Students may bring in however many non-perishable food items to trade in for treat (one treat for one item), but they will only get a maximum of five treats each.  

DEADLINE FOR ALL DONATIONS TO BE IN IS NOVEMBER 1!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Week at Camp


Hello All,

While half of us are gone, here are a few things to note for this week.
Cross Conservation forms need to be submitted ASAP as the trip is for this friday (8.1/8.2) and Monday (8.3/8.4)

A HUGE thank you to the volunteers that had stepped forward for both Camp Sweet and our trip to ASCCA.

For ASCCA we currently have:

8.1/8.2 - Friday
Eeva Harrop
Liesa Miller
Duncan Johnson


8.3/8.4 - Monday
Angela matthews
Patti Paccagnan
Lois Petherick
Adriaan Kruger

Thank you to all that had submitted your names as many of you know, our school would not be able to have the ability to do the things we do without our volunteers.

Terry Fox Run is this Thursday, please bring your pledges and weather appropriate clothing along with running shoes.  8.3/8.4 students will be running at Camp Sweet - pledge forms will ideally come in tomorrow, or early next week.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

8.3/8.4 Camp Sweet Trip Needs Volunteers

We are still short on parent volunteers for 8.3/8.4's Camp Sweet trip September 26-28. Please email Miss Groeller (jaime.g@calgaryscienceschool.com) asap if you can volunteer!


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Countdown to Camp!

Please find the attached camp information linked below.  As many of us are excited for our Grade 8 camp activities, packing for a variety of weather will ensure a comfortable trip.  In addition to bringing items of need, we are also concerned about bringing our Grade 8 parents out to share in our experiences and help make this trip one to remember (in a good way).  The 8.3/8.4 pod is currently short on parent volunteers, if you are interested, please email Ms. Groeller (Jaime.G@calgaryscienceschool.com)

To save on paper, only the camp forms were sent home and digital copies can be found here:
Camp Sweet Overview, Menu and Packing List
Camp Sweet Itinerary
Camp Sweet Forms

Monday, August 27, 2012

Call for Parent Volunteers for Camp Sweet

Camp Sweet for the grade 8 classes is just around the corner!

8.1/8.2 - September 24-26
8.3/8.4 - September 26-28

Okay, it is still a month away, but that month will fly by! We need 5 parent volunteers for each trip, preferably a mix of moms and dads. As always, you must have the appropriate security clearance for this trip as you will be required to interact with the students, and it is overnight.

Miss Groeller  will be organizing the parent volunteers for both trips, so please email her if you are interested. (Just click on her name to email, or send an email to jaime.g@calgaryscienceschool.com.)

The Camp Booklet will be posted here on the website a.s.a.p.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Friday Fun Lunches and Snack Attack Wednesdays

Please find the forms for the fun lunches and snack days below. A paper copy went home with all students as well. These forms must be submitted WITH PAYMENT by AUGUST 30. One payment per family is fine, but please indicate this on the forms.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz9UAqoetbUybUVtVGV3dUhwVVE

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Agendas Have Arrived!

Agendas were distributed to everyone today! 

Please have those conversations about staying organized and maintaining open communication regarding what is happening in classes and at the school in general.

Remember that while all students have an agenda, they may choose their own method of organization. That being said, they must choose one. iCal and GoogleCal are both accessible from the laptop, or on a mobiles device, and they can be shared with other people; so they make great choices.

Happy organizing!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Balzac Meats Fundraiser

Please find a link to the Balzac Meats order form. It has been sent home with youngest and only students as well.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz9UAqoetbUyZmN1X29XX3VhWlU

Monday, August 20, 2012

Student Learner Profiles

In keeping with the best practices in Education, we are endeavouring to develop profiles for each student that will become a living document.  Through the course of the year, students will set goals, track achievements and in time see their own growth.  For this to work, students will need to:

1. Log into their Google Account
2. Open this link
3. Save a copy of this document in their GoogleDocs or Google Drive
4. Share this document with their teachers
5. Complete the initial sections to begin their profile.

This living document should be referred back to regularly and adjusted when significant successes or failures occur to best help the student plan their learning.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Parent Night Info

Hello all,

Thank you so much to all of those that were able to make it to our Meet the Teacher night!  For those that had drifted off in our droning voices, or for those that were unable to attend, please find the needed information in this linked PDF.  Please remember that all four Grade 8 teachers are available to meet for any reason and that IT IS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE for us when you email with concerns or requests for meetings.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Significant Upcoming Events

Hello All, 

Welcome back, and welcome to our Grade 8 Website! Here you will find school wide and grade wide notices and events. To find specific information regarding Humanities or Math/Science, please click the appropriate tabs above. Like many years prior, this year is similarly busy. Please note the following dates below:

    1. Picture Day – Thursday Aug 16
    2. Volunteer orientation - Thursday Aug 16 – 4:45pm
    3. Gear Swap - Thursday Aug 16 - during meet the teacher
    4. Camp Sweet work bee – Saturday Aug 18
    5. Camp Sweet Parent Orientation – Tuesday Aug 21
    6. Technology Orientation – Wednesday Sept. 5 – 6:00pm
    7. School Council Meeting - Wednesday Sept. 5 – 7:00pm
    8. Terry Fox Run – Thursday, Sept. 27