SEPTEMBER 2011 · ISSUE 1 · VOL. 9
THE CALGARY SCIENCE SCHOOL
Principal's Message Welcome back, and a particular welcome to our new students and their families. We had another very smooth startup this year. I want to thank the school council for organizing a number of events in the first days of the school year; they hosted a welcome back coffee the first day of school, they organized our first CSS outdoor education gear sale, our parent volunteer coordinators collected many names of potential volunteers in support of numerous activities, our parent run transportation committee has already met, and we’ve hosted a work bee at Camp Sweet in preparation for our Fall camps. We are off to a running start.
Our Fall camps are well underway. Between August 22 and September 30 five hundred students will attend Camp Sweet and our grade nines will have visited Bamfield. I very much appreciate the support of our parent volunteers and, of course, Mr Sweet, in making the camps such rewarding experiences. Additionally, I want to recognize the fact that our teachers go above and beyond in order to provide those camp experiences to students.
teachers is an important part of our commitment to the profession and the development of preservice teachers. It is also a great opportunity for the professional development of our own teachers; deconstructing one's teaching in order to assist a student teacher is a very effective way for a teacher to develop their own practice.
Lastly for this principal's message, I want to encourage parents to attend the school council AGM on September September will also see us 7th. The school council is the welcoming a cohort of student primary conduit through which teachers. There will be 13 parents can advise and inform student teachers working with school administration on the a number of teachers in order operation of CSS. I hope to see to develop their practice in you there. preparation for taking on their Darrell Lonsberry own classroom after gradu graduation. Working with student
In This Issue: September 2011
1
Principal’s Message
12
Forging Connections
22
Volunteering at CSS
3
From the School Office
15
Grade 4/9 Science Quiz
23
Terry Fox Run
4
School Council News
16
Transportation News
24
Performing Arts Welcome
7
Staff Directory
17
Student Pickup/Drop-off
25
Music Notes
8
Meet the New Staff
19
Library News
27
Events in September
28
Events in October
10
Exemplary Teaching
20
Tech Talk
11
Cross Country Season
21
Camp Sweet
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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A Message From the School Office In the event of an absence from school or late arrival to school, parents are requested to contact the school by phone (403-282-2890) prior to 8:45 am, if possible, to indicate the reason for the absence or late. Please leave a voice mail, if there is no one in the office, clearly stating the student’s name, class, and the reason for the absence or late arrival. If you would prefer to email the teacher, please “cc” the office at (susan.m@calgaryscienceschool.com) so that we are also made aware of the absence. Students who are late coming to school must report to the office prior to going to class.
Your child can sign him/herself back in. The Calgary Science School is a “closed campus”. Students are not allowed to leave during the school day. If your child needs to leave school for any reason, we require a parent to come into the office to sign them out. If students live within walking distance of the school, we will allow them to go home for lunch if we have a signed note from a parent on file.
When students are absent without prior notice, the office will attempt to contact parents by telephone. This procedure is undertaken to ensure the safety of our students. It is also very important that parents contact the office when there has been a change of contact phone numbers. Personal information can also be updated by logging into the website.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
Thank you from your Calgary Science School office staff. Nola, Kathy and Susan
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School Council News Welcome back, CSS families! The new school year is off to an eventful start, with our students welcoming new classmates, greeting their teachers, choosing electives and preparing for their fall overnight trips. Your School Council has also been busy: use of the IAC space and other equipment used during • We hosted our largest turn-out yet at the the sale. The gear swap will likely become an annual “Welcome Back” coffee and tea reception. event – so remember to save your used gear! This annual event provides an opportunity to speak with members of the transportation committee, learn about upcoming • Also on “Meet the Teachers” night, we offered a Camp volunteer opportunities, to re-connect with Sweet-style BBQ supper. Thanks to a dedicated team returning parents and welcome new parents of volunteers led by Leslie Schmid, we ser ved up to the CSS community. Thanks ver y much 270 hamburgers. Our intent was to make it easier to Nadine Jones and her team of volunteers for families to attend a volunteer orientation session for organizing the refreshments and to and meet their students’ teachers without worr ying Starbucks Westhills and Sarcee Plaza for about how to get supper on the table at home. Based donating coffee. If you stop at one of these on the number of students hanging out at the Outdoor Starbucks locations for your daily caffeine Activity Centre after school, quite a few families took fix, please take a minute to mention how advantage of this option. We’d also like to thank the CSS much you appreciate their support of our Outdoor Education program for use of the big barbeque school. that accompanies our students to the various camps. • In conjunction with “Meet the Teachers” • We’ll include questions about the gear swap and BBQ night, we hosted the first CSS gear swap. on next spring’s annual parent sur vey, but if you have Our goal was to provide families with a any feedback that you’d like to share before you forget, convenient, low-cost option for fitting please send an email to schoolcouncil@calgar yscienctheir students with the clothing/equipment eschool.com required for CSS overnight camps and other outdoor education activities. This • On the fundraising front, the annual SUTP sale is year, 57 items changed hands for total underway. A portion of the coupon book sales proceeds proceeds of $281. The most popular items comes back to the school. Addtionally, volunteers have were rubber boots and outerwear. Other already collected the order forms for our first Balzac items that changed hands included rain gear, Meats sale of the year. If you missed out this time long johns, winter boots, sleeping bags and around, be sure to watch for another opportunity to sleeping pads. Participating families were purchase hormone- and antibiotic- free meat in the given the option to donate any leftover spring. We receive consistently favourable feedback items to charity. “Hats Off ” to all of the about the quality, tenderness and flavour of the chicken, people who were involved in planning and beef and bacon from this supplier and Balzac Meats was running the gear sale. It was ver y well our biggest fundraiser last school year. organized! The Gear Sale Committee would like to extend a huge “thank you” to all of the parent volunteers and to CSS for
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www.calgaryscienceschool.com
The School Council Annual General Meeting The School Council Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 7 beginning at 7 pm in the CSS gym. The meeting will include the election of a new school council for the 2011/12 school year and annual reports from school administration and the outgoing executive. A more detailed agenda will be distributed via e-mail.
All parents/guardians with students at CSS are automatically members of School Council and are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting and all regular monthly meetings.
School Council
Elected School Council Representatives
For those of you wondering about the purpose and operations of School Council, here’s some background information…
• Advises the principal and the board on • Act as a link between the School Council, parents and the community. the operations of the school. • • Establishes committees to support the school community, including organizing parent education seminars, undertaking an annual parent sur vey to guide council’s • operations, deliver y a fun lunch program, raising funds to support some of the • non-core programs that make CSS our school of choice, organ izing social functions and other actiities to strengthen the • Calgar y Science School community and enhance student learning.
Understand the School Council’s goals and work in a positive manner to achieve those goals. Understand the policies of the CSS Board. Respect confidentiality and maintain high ethical standards. Identify topics for agendas, attend school council meetings and help with committee work .
• Facilitates parent volunteering within the CSS community.
• Communicates and consults with parents and the school community. • Holds monthly meetings to conduct the business of the Council and present speakers from the student body, teaching staff, school administration or invited guests.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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School Council Positions
President
Board Representative
General supervision of all activities of the School Council; presides at the meetings; liaises with the School Administration; and is the official spokesperson of the School Council.
Acts as liaison between the School Council and the CSS Board; attends School Board meetings and School Council meetings and communicates back-and-forth between the two groups.
Vice-President Assists the President and stands ready to take on the If you are interested in any of these President’s responsibilities, if required. positions and have not already registered your interest through the volunteer sign-up sheets or in person with a member of the Secretary existing School Council executive team, Takes minutes at the School Council meetings; please send an email to schoolcouncil@ maintains the School Council correspondence and calgaryscienceschool.com official records; and provides notices of School Council meetings and proceedings. This position can be shared A schedule of School Council meeting by two people. dates for the rest of the school year will be published in the October edition of the Spectrum. If there is a topic you would like Treasurer to see included on a future meeting agenda, Responsible for the financial affairs of the School please email schoolcouncil@calgaryscienccouncil, including depositing funds, issuing cheques, eschool.com maintaining detailed accounts and preparing the financial statements and annual budget.
Denise Kitagawa School Council President
Members-at-Large Act as liaison between members of the school community and the School Council. These individuals serve on any committees established by the School Council to enhance the school community. Between 9 and 15 Members-at-Large are elected each year.
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www.calgaryscienceschool.com
Staff Directory Amy Peebles
Math/Science
D r a ma/D a n ce S p e c ia l is t
Deirdre Bailey– 4.1 & 4.2 Amy Park– 4.3 & 4.4 Greg Neil– 5.1 & 5.2 Valerie Barnes– 5.3 & 5.4 Carolyn Armstrong– 6.1 & 6.2 Candice Shaw– 6.3 & 6.4 Lisa Nelson– 7.1 & 7.2 Erin Couillard– 7.3 & 7.4 Kevin Sonico– 8.1 & 8.2 Louis Cheng– 8.3 & 8.4 Garett Kutcher – 9.1 & 9.2 Jon Hoy t-Hallett– 9.3 & 9.4
Jacquie Moir – 4.1 & 4.2 John Cadman– 4.3 & 4.4 Tanya Stogre– 5.1 & 5.2 Jenny Trinh– 5.3 & 5.4 Mike Neufeld– 5.3 & 5.4 Rick Fawcett– 6.1 & 6.2 Jason Publack– 6.3 & 6.4 Dan McWilliam– 7.1 & 7.2 Jody Pereverzoff– 7.3 & 7.4 Margaret Leland– 8.1 & 8.2 Shashi Shergill– 8.1 & 8.2 David Scott– 8.3 & 8.4 Ivy Waite– 9.1 & 9.2 Jaime Groeller – 9.3 & 9.4
Andrew Bolen
Tammy Berr y
Ed u c a t io n Te c h n o log is t ( h a l f t i me) Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 234
Phy s i c a l Ed u c a t io n S p e c ia l is t
Nola Shewfelt
Dean Schmeichel
Ad m i n is t r a t i ve S e c r et a r y Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 120
Phy s i c a l Ed u c a t io n S p e c ia l is t
Library Directory Donna Alden Te a c h e r L i b r a r ia n Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 230
Office & Administration
Humanities
Visual & Performing Arts
Physical Education
Scott Petronech
Neil Stephenson P. D. & O u t r e a c h C o o r d i n a t o r Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 232
Leadership Darrell Lonsberr y Principal Tel: 403-282-2890 ext 122
Kathy Babiuk O f f i ce Re ce pt io n is t Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 10 0
Scott Petronech A s s is t a nt Pr i n c i p a l( h a l f t i m e) Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 234
Krista Brenner A c c o u nt i ng S p e c ia l is t Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 150
Phil Butter f ield A s s is t a nt Pr i n c i p a l Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 116
Tyler Deezar C o m mu n i c a t io ns D i r e c t o r
Garr y McKinnon
Susan Miller
Su p e r i nt e n d e nt Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 232
O f f i ce A s s is t a nt Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 119
Myra Penber thy
Shannon Mitchell-Flek
S e c r et a r y Tr e a s u r e r Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 121
St u d e nt S e r v i ce s C o u nse l lo r Te l: 4 03 -282-2890 e x t 233
M u s i c S p e c ia l is t
Lorrie Emin A r t S p e c ia l is t
See all our staff pictures and read the bios on our website.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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Meet the New Staff
John Cadman graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree, elementary education major, after having completed a BA in History. He has been working with CSS in a number of capacities, most notably being the on-site coordinator for the Fort Steele Apprenticeship Program. He has a love of the outdoors and thoroughly enjoys passing along that passion to his students.
Jason has been teaching multiple levels of English and Social Studies throughout Alberta and the world for several years. His classroom practices are underpinned by a passion for his subject, engaging students with an enthusiasm that is delightfully authentic. As a graduate with a B.A. in English and History, with a zeal for literature and Canadian studies, he is not only a specialist in his field, but a fan of his profession. Margret Atwood and Neil Gaiman are two authors presently sitting on his bedroom table, and two authors whom he believes define what literature should be. In Atwood’s words, “[Reading] brings us closer to each other. An important step towards understanding our brothers and sisters of the world." Amy has her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Calgary. She is currently working on her Masters of Education with a focus on Leadership, also through U of C. This is her ninth year of teaching and her second time working at CSS. From 2006-2009, Amy taught Grade 8 Humanities at CSS. From 2009-2011, she taught grade 2 and 3 at Heritage Heights School in DeWinton, AB. She is thrilled to be back at CSS teaching grade 4 Math/Science. Her passions outside of school are traveling, exercising, and spending time with her nieces and nephew.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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Ivy Waite graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2010 with a Bachelor of Education degree. Priorr to that she earned a bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology, with minors in both History and English. She is extremely excited to be a part of the CSS team this year, and is teaching grade 9 Humanities. Her first year of teaching was spent in a rural outreach high school in southern Alberta where she was challenged to continually engage students and keep them in school. Her passions include history, art, and spending time outdoors. She is looking forward to coaching the junior girls volleyball and basketball teams, and cannot wait to head off to Bamfield in the Fall.
Mrs. T.� is covering the grade 4, 6 and 8 Phys. Ed. program until Mrs. Berry returns from her maternity leave in mid-September. She has a background as an athlete, coach, fitness professional and nutritionist. She has written a Health and Lifestyle Program for Schools and a Cookbook. Aimee hopes to add value to the learning experiences of CSS students as she learns from them. When not teaching, she is a nutritional consultant. During her free time, Aimee enjoys spending time with her family and friends, skiing, hiking, biking and reading.
Tyler Deezar is a fourth year student at Mt Royal University who expects to graduate in Dec. 2011. Tyler Deezar studies graphic design to develop his artistic skills and passion for art and design. At an early age Tyler had taught himself to draw cartoons, landscapes, animals, and people. He learned to paint and use other drawing mediums in his high school art classes. In his free time Tyler likes playing sports, going for hikes, or reading, and spending time with his family.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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CSS Exemplary Teaching and Learning The teaching staff spent a great deal of time and energy last year developing a framework for teaching and learning at CSS. We Who We Are: Relationships & began at last year’s August retreat by asking the question, “What School Culture does exemplary teaching at the Calgary Science School look like?” Administration, with the able assistance of Neil Stephenson, our • Relationships professional development coordinator, took the feedback from • Culture of innovation teachers and distilled it down to a structure with sixteen criteria organized into four main headings. The document is available on • Student & staff wellness our website, in publications, under plans and reports. • Parents as partners The exemplary teaching framework is a very important one for our school. It summarizes what all of our teachers are working toward in their practice. We have set a very high standard for our teachers, who are already a remarkably talented and committed group of professionals. We are using the descriptors of exemplary teaching in our recruitment and hiring processes, we employ them in our teacher evaluations, the teachers will use it as part of their annual professional growth plans, and the framework will provide us with important criteria that we will use to measure our growth. Each of our classrooms has a poster on the wall of the exemplary learning document so that students and teachers have a constant reference for our expectations. Just as the standard is set very high for our teachers, the exemplary learning document sets a high standard for students. I encourage all CSS parents to read through the document and use it as a basis for discussions with your students about what the expectations are for them in this dynamic learning environment. An breakdown of the categories follows, but more details are available in the pdf on our website.
• Communication
What We Do: Exemplary Teaching & Learning Practices • Inquir y-based practice • Technology enhanced learning • Meaningful curriculum implementation • Authentic assessment • Environmental & outdoor education
How We Do It: Community of Learners • Collaboration • Research focus • Leadership
Professional development W h y We Do It: Learner Engagement & Student Suc cess • Student success • Engagement in learning
Darrell Lonsberry www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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Running Season is back! The CSS Cross-Country Running team has started training. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:45am. Sign-up is ongoing and commitment levels vary. See the Physical Education website under ‘Athletics’ for details and registration. Our runners had a very successful season last year and we are definitely hoping to build on our successes this fall. The schedule will be posted soon on the Athletics site!
Run Club has also started up again on Friday mornings (school days only). We have had great numbers so far. This group is pretty casual and we are hoping to create some cool running opportunities for our athletes throughout the school year. Students, teachers and parents are more than welcome to meet us for a morning jog, Fridays at 7:45 in the IAC.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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CREATIVITY IS KEY TO ENGAGE KIDS IN MATH AND SCIENCE The Calgary Science School is at it again: providing innovative, inquiry-based learning opportunities for students and professional development for teachers. On October 5 and 6 all CSS students and teachers will participate in a series of hands-on workshops examining the connections between art and science.
For example the Artist molds some clay into a beautiful production. The Scientist explains the scientific properties of clay and why it can be molded into a work of art. Finally, the kids get a chance to create their own piece of art out of the clay.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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Forging Connections 2011 is a collaboration of teachers, art and science experts and parents to create the opportunity to integrate art and science more authentically into students’ learning. This two-day workshop will comprise six - 1 hour and 45 minute sessions with 50 students per session. It is a Show/Tell/Do type workshop where the artist (visual, drama, dance and music) shows the students a finished product. The scientist explains the science (magic) behind the art and the kids get a chance to do some hands-on work to create something of their own.
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Originally stewarded by Dr. Shelley Robinson, former Assistant Principal at CSS, and a committee of parent volunteers, the Forging Connections Conference began last fall planning an Art Workshop and applying for a provincial grant. After work began on the grant application, we learned that the program had been cancelled but that couldn’t stop us! Everyone was so excited about this unique opportunity for CSS students and teachers that the project continued with the support of Administration and the Board.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
At the Calgary Science School conference, local Calgary artists, together with scientists from the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University, will share their expertise in the areas of visual arts, drama, dance and music. Over two days, the artists and scientists will work together in labs and studios with teachers and students to create a deeper understanding of the connections between art, math, science and nature through a series of hands-on workshops. One module, for example, teaches the kids how to make their own paint from natural ingredients and then use that understanding to apply paint in an artwork. This workshop was created by a pioneer in science outreach, scientist Dr. Wendy Hutchins at the University of Calgary, andt artist Irene Naested, Chair of the Department of Education and Schooling at Mount Royal University.
“Teaching students how to make paint alongside teaching them painting techniques links chemistry and physics into the art of painting in an integrated way”, says Hutchins, with Let’s Talk Science, a national charitable organization that delivers hands-on science programs and services to children and youth. “Many pigments are produced by plants or animals, and then modified by processes that people worked out, such as fermenting, adding lime or aging. There is physics behind what we see as colour...the magic of colour is the physics of light and reflection. “ As a scientist who makes her own paint and her own art, Hutchins embodies the creative juxtaposition of art and science. “To me, there is wonderful art in the science that I do and the science of the universe as a whole, but there is also a world of science behind the art we enjoy,” says Hutchins. Watch The Spectrum for more information and possible volunteer opportunities as October gets closer.
October 5 – Grades 4-6
October 6 – Grades 7-9
Per io d 1
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Drama/Dance Visual Arts Music
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Drama/Dance Visual Arts Music
Per io d 2
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Drama/Dance Visual Arts Music
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Drama/Dance Visual Arts Music
12:35 -1:20 pm Period 3 3:10-3:25pm
LU N C H – – –
LU N C H
Drama/Dance Visual Arts Music
Homeroom
– – –
Drama/Dance Visual Arts Music
Homeroom
Jackie Stewart and Wendy Baillie Co-Chairs, Forging Connections 2011 14
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
Grade 4’s and Grade 9’s Science Quiz It is not often that Grade 4s and Grade 9s can write the same tests but that is just the way school starts at CSS. This isn’t your average test though, as it is actually enjoyed by the students and the Grade 4s often help their grade 9 buddy through some of the questions. The annual “Science Quiz” serves as a quick way to introduce the grade 4s to their large neighbours upstairs and welcome them to the school. It was not long before the grade 4s and 9s were laughing together over each other’s answers.
“It was a good way to let the grade 4s know we aren’t so scary,” said a grade 9 student. “My partner was actually on my bus and he talks to me in morning now when before he always seemed nervous. I think it really helped.” If this is the final result, the quiz was a success even if some people, who shall remain nameless, thought Big Bird was part of the local ecology.
Garett Kutcher & Deirdre Bailey
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www.calgaryscienceschool.com
TRANSPORTATION NEWS Welcome back to another exciting year at the Calgary Science 4. CSS has many excellent School!!! Whether you are new to the busing system or a qualities and one of them is the returning user here are a few helpful reminders: support of the parent volunteers! We need volunteers to 1. Don ‘t Forget: if you wish to be notified when your bus is join us on our Transportation delayed (due to cold weather or traffic issues) you must register Committee as we currently have online at the start of every school year (August) for this bus notifi- a few routes without anyone to cation system. The reason for this is due to the large amount oversee them. We are specifiof memory this information imposes on the system it needs to be cally looking for volunteers to cleared every year. Therefore, you must register every year even help with Route #2 and Route if you already did last year! Go the the CSS website; click on the #4. If you can spare a little of Family Login (top righthand corner); logon under Family and go to your time please contact us via Bus Notifications. email or through the CSS office. We would love to hear from 2. Please note each bus route will be re-timed once the flow you!!! of traffic increases from other schools re-opening in September. The start time of some routes will be adjusted accordingly and you will be notified of any changes via email. 3. If you have any problems or questions regarding your bus route feel free to contact the Transportation Committee. We are a group of volunteer parents who act as representatives for each Bus Route. The email is: transportationatcss@gmail.com.
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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Student Pickup and Drop-off Directions To ensure that our students are as safe as possible, we ask you to If you are entering Lakeview please use the following routes if you are dropping off or picking from Crowchild Trail, please up your children. enter on 66 Ave. and turn north onto 34 St. After dropping your child off in the designated zone, which is along the playground on 34th Street SW, please exit to 37 St. via 58 Ave. or leave via Lakeview Dr. If you enter Lakeview from 37 St., please enter the drop zone on 61 Ave. and exit on 58 Ave. This will aid in creating good traffic flow. Student safety is increased when they are dropped off on the east side of 34 St. We appreciate that our parents have heeded our request to not use Lewis Drive when dropping off their children and we ask you to again follow these recommendations to maintain a safe environment.
Parking We work hard to maintain positive relationships with our neighbors here in Lakeview and it complicates those relationships when parents neglect to follow traffic laws and courtesy when parking near the school. I had another Lakeview resident in my office last week, who expressed frustration that her driveway has been blocked in the past and, during Meet the Teacher, she was almost unable to negotiate her alleyway because there were cars parked on both sides of the alley. Please follow these guidelines when parking near the school so that we minimize the disruption to our neighbors:
• One of our neighbors on 34th street has designated handicap parking in front of their house (there are signs indicating that zone) – please do not park in front of that house.
• Do not block driveways or alleyways. • Do not park in alleys. • Do not park on crosswalks or on corners at intersections. • For evening events,please feel free to park in the teacher parking lot.
Thank you for your cooperation. Darrell Lonsberry 17
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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News from the Anne Tingle Library It was wonderful to greet returning students and staff as we returned from our summer break. I take particular delight in watching grade 4 students arrive, all bright and shiny, with eager faces, and energy to spare. We’re all ready to begin a new year of school, and expect it to be spectacular. The library website will soon be updated, with details about activities, student privileges and responsibilities, etc. Included on this site is a “Parent Resources” section, which is a listing of resources of particular interest to our parents, and the offer to loan those books to parents as well. From time to time, a brief review of a book may be offered here in the Spectrum, written by a parent or myself.
time, the key message is that this is a library where all students are welcome. This is our library, within our school. Returning students know this, and no doubt have already been in to check out books, or come in and read. The library is an instructional space in which students participate in a number of learning activities and presentations, as well as a space within which familiar library activities take place. The library collection focuses on supporting and enriching the curriculum, as well as the unique areas of interest our staff and students have, such as the environment and outdoor education. It is also a collection that is being developed to reflect the fact that all our students have access to web resources all the time. There are information searches that are best done online, others where books offer a more desirable result, or provide alternative and supplementary information. Inquiring students need to be good researchers of information, online and in print format. We also have a terrific fiction collection, which emphasizes quality, Canadian content, and a broad range of reading levels. The library collection, along with my activities in planning and/or teaching, support students working in a technically rich and inquisitive learning community.
There is currently a significant, but temporary, change in our library services this year. As yet, we do not have a library assistant- the support staff position through which most of the clerical and technical services is offered- but that will soon be remedied through a school/library assistant position. My position of teacher-librarian is that of a professional (I am a qualified teacher with teaching experience, and hold a graduate degree in Library & Information Studies). I work on a part-time schedule, and that means the library is open to students 3 days a week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, which includes all instructional periods, as well as before and after classes, and during recesses. Soon, we will be open every day of the week, and, as always, continue to offer our very best in school library services and materials. I invite your feedback and suggestions, and look forward to seeing familiar faces and By the time this issue of the Spectrum is published, all meeting new parents as this new school grade 4’s will have had their first library period with year unfolds. In the meantime, enjoy the their Humanities teacher and myself. During this initial remaining summer.
Donna Johnson Alden Teacher-Librarian
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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A Short Note on Textbooks to Parents Beginning in Grade 7, students are required to borrow individual copies of textbooks through the library. Like library books, textbooks are loaned with the expectation that they will be taken care of and returned in good condition for the next year’s students. Textbooks, unlike library books, carry a higher replacement cost (some over $100.00), and are in the student’s possession for the full year. One challenge some students face is that the textbooks often look the
same as classmates’ copies, and during classroom activities may get mixed up. Returning someone else’s textbook at the end of the year will only remove it from the student’s account that borrowed it. This is the same procedure and expectations for the laptops, laptop cases and chargers, as well as in any library, or other rental system such as for movie rentals. Students should understand the procedure and reasoning behind it.
Every textbook is labeled with a unique item number, teachers usually record those numbers for textbook checks, and there is the option to put a removable name label on the cover of the book. Some even buy or make covers for their books to make them easy to identify, and keep the books clean. Students are encou raged to store their textbooks in their lockers, and may come into the library at any time to verify they have the right copies. Bottom line- it is the students’ responsibility to look after and keep track of the textbooks they have borrowed.
Donna Johnson Alden Teacher-Librarian
Tech (nol ogy)Talk I am excited to say that CSS is entering into its sixth year of our 1:1 laptop initiative. It is still unique to find public schools that provide grade 4-9 students with this level of technology. I am always proud to tell people that I work at this school. It is exciting to know that we have responsible students that can be trusted with computers and mobile devices and innovative teachers who know how to integrate these tools in the classroom. We are entering into a new technology initiative this year. Grade 7 students are being provided with an iPad2 instead of a laptop. We are eager to see the ways that this mobile device supports and enhances student learning.
meeting before students are permitted to take their laptops/iPads home. This presentation will cover technology expectations, the insurance policy and answer questions related to our 1:1 project. If you are unable to attend, please contact me at the school. We can set up an alternate meeting. In future issues, I plan to discuss current trends in technology and provide strategies for supporting your children at home. Next month’s article will examine Facebook and the benefits and drawbacks of students engaging in social networking sites.
As mentioned in a previous notice, there is a laptop/ iPad orientation on September 7. Everyone is welcome, but parents new to CSS are required to attend this 20
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
Scott Petronech
Camp Sweet Our fall outdoor education trips are now well under way at Camp Sweet Over forty parents and students attended the work bee on August 20th to clean the site, set up camp, and prepare the cooking and dining
studying the physics of flowing water while cooling off in the river Stargazing on the night hike was unparalleled as the Milky Way was a predominant feature on moonless nights. The camps will continue through facilities. A huge thank you to all those who to the end of September amid the hope of continued helped out; as a result of the overwhelming favourable weather and further memorable experiturnout most of the jobs were completed ences. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher before lunch was served. if you have any questions regarding upcoming camps. The grade 7’s have now completed their fall camps under sunny skies and were able to spend a considerable amount of time
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Phil Butterfield Assistant Principal
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Volunteering at CSS A big thank you from the volunteer committee to the 40 volunteers who helped out at the camp sweet clean up. That’s the biggest turnout that CSS has ever seen. What a way to start the year! We have already been busy this month gathering volunteers for various school activities and were happy to meet a lot of new parents at the welcome coffee. Our next priority is getting our Parent Room Rep project under way. We are piloting the program this year with some of the teachers and are excited to get started. We look forward to another exciting year of growth for our committee. Any suggestions or questions you may have can be forwarded to our email volunteers.css@gmail. com
Parent Volunteer Committee
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Terry Fox Run This year’s Terry Fox Run will take place on Friday September 9th at North Glenmore Park. A kickoff assembly for students was held on Monday August 29th to reinforce the importance of this event in supporting cancer research. As an added incentive, house points will be awarded to every student who submits a pledge form with at least one donation. Please note that while we are asking students to record all their pledges on the form, it is preferable that donations be made on line at http://www.terryfox.org/SchoolRun/school2. html. You may then search for the Calgary Science School pledge page. Grade 4-6 students will participate in the run on the morning of the 9th following a brief assembly in the gym. They will then walk to the west end of North Glenmore Park and run towards the canoe docks and back to the start. Grade 7-9 students will repeat the procedure in the afternoon with a slightly longer run to the intersection of Crowchild Tr. and 65th Ave. before returning to the Weaselhead parking lot. Parents are welcome to participate in the run and may meet your child’s class at North Glenmore Park to join in this extremely worthwhile event.
Phil Butterfield Assistant Principal 23
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Welcome back to the Performing Arts! I am very excited to begin another school year here at CSS, with so many eager students ready to explore the fine and performing arts. Within this year’s time table, we have found a balance that allows time for exploration in art, music and the performing arts (drama and in some cases, dance) for grades four, five and six. Although we are still maintaining our philosophy to expose our students to as many of the fine arts as possible, our grades seven through nine students have the ability to choose which fine arts are most suited to their individual tastes. This year brings new challenges and opportunities for learning. Our first major performance will be the talent showcase on Friday October 28, 2011; we encourage parents and family to attend and share in our students’ success! If you are interested in helping out with our performances or volunteering with the fine arts, we are currently in the process of putting together a team of parents to work specifically together on projects more focused on the fine arts. We also will be piloting a new website that has information on all upcoming important dates and upcoming performances in the fine arts department here at CSS. From there we will be able to access the individual disciplines within the arts for a more detailed focus on each area of study. We hope to have the new site up and running very soon, but as always, if you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at amy.v@calaryscienceschool.com or (403) 282-2890 ext. 228. Please stay tuned for more information as important upcoming dates are confirmed!
Mrs. Vercleyen
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Music Notes Welcome back. I Hope your summer was replenishing yet relaxing. Students can expect to have their hands full with many activities including choir, hand-bells, jazz band, rock bank, concert band, talent shows, and other school performances throughout the year. Grade 4
Grade 6
Students will be introduced to camp fire songs and then start their recorder unit. If your student in Grade 4 has a recorder that is in good condition They should please bring it to music class after Labor Day weekend. Students are taught music concepts and how to play the recorder, which starts with an easy piece of music but gets progressively more difficult with each piece. Laptops will be used to record their performance with background music to display onto their digital portfolios.
Students have already been working hard with band clinicians last month learning about their instrument, how to assemble it, make a good tone, and eventually play together as a concert band. Their first band concert will be in our gym on Wednesday October 26, at 7pm. This concert is a Demonstration Night, allowing students to show parents how productive they have been.
Grade 5
Grade 7-9
Students will be returning from Camp Sweet and be casted into a musical called “The Case of the Missing Parts of Speech�, an intriguing mystery with humor and songs involving investigators and detectives. All students will be involved in the production including, acting, singing, dancing, and set/costume design. Look for their performance in November.
Students will have the opportunity to join Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Choir, for in and out of school performances. Signup for these extracurricular activities will begin after the Labor Day weekend outside the gym hallway. All students are welcome to participate in these activities regardless of playing ability.
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BAND The Parent Band Committee meets the last Tuesday of each month in the meeting room. All meetings start at 8:30 am and are welcome to all CSS parents looking to volunteer for various activities / performances throughout the year. As music is a requirement for all students in grade 6 your child has the special opportunity to have this in the form a of a band program. The first opportunity for parent helpers is Oct 26 at the first Beginning Band Concert including setup of chairs, music stands, and equipment. Any interested parents can email at: Andrew.b@calgaryscienceschool.com Also a band handbook will be emailed to all band parents including important information about the band year, instrument rental and return policies, uniforms, practicing, rehearsing and performances. Students who are interested in performing in the Concert band Grade 7-9 will have their first rehearsal Sept 13 3:45-4:45pm. Rehearsals:
Important Performance Dates:
Concert band rehearsals– Tuesday, 3:45 – 4:45pm starting September 13 Jazz band rehearsals– noon hours at a date yet to be determined. Choir rehearsals– noon hours at date yet to be determined
• October 5/6– Forging Connections at CSS during school hours • October 26– Beginning Band Concert at CSS at 7pm • October 28– talent Showcase at CSS at 1pm • November 26– Remembrance Day Ceremony at CSS at 10am • December 8–Winter Sine Arts Showcase at CSS at 7pm
Andrew Bolen Music Specialist
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September 2011 28
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CAMP SWEET 5.1/5.2 4
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TECHNOLOGY ORIENTATION FOR NEW PARENTS 6:00 - 7:00 PM
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TERRY FOX RUN GR 4-6 9AM 12PM GR 7-9 1PM 3PM
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING 7:00PM – 8:00PM
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CAMP SWEET 8.3/8.4 CAMP SWEET 8.1/8.2 BAMFIELD GR 9’S 18
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CAMP SWEET 6.3/6.4 CAMP SWEET 6.1/6.2
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4 VACCINATIONS: ALL GRADE 5'S, GRADE 9 GIRLS
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ORGANIZATIONAL DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
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