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

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

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. 

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!

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.