Starting high school can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate this new phase smoothly:

Academics
1. **Stay Organized:** Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of assignments, tests, and important dates.
2. **Develop Good Study Habits:** Set aside regular time for studying and review your notes daily to reinforce learning.
3. **Ask for Help:** Don’t hesitate to ask teachers or classmates if you’re struggling with a subject.
4. **Participate in Class:** Engage in discussions and ask questions to better understand the material.

Social Life
1. **Join Clubs and Activities:** Get involved in extracurricular activities to meet new people and pursue interests.
2. **Be Open-Minded:** Be open to making friends from different backgrounds and with different interests.
3. **Balance Social and Academic Life:** While socializing is important, make sure it doesn’t interfere with your studies.

Personal Growth
1. **Set Goals:** Whether academic, personal, or extracurricular, setting goals can help keep you focused and motivated.
2. **Stay Positive:** High school can be tough, but maintaining a positive attitude can help you navigate challenges.
3. **Take Care of Yourself:** Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and take time to relax and unwind.

Practical Tips
1. **Familiarize Yourself with the School Layout:** Knowing where your classes are can reduce first-day anxiety.
2. **Understand the Rules:** Familiarize yourself with the school’s code of conduct and dress code.
3. **Stay Informed:** Keep up with school announcements and bulletins to stay informed about events and opportunities.

Building Relationships
1. **Be Respectful:** Show respect to teachers, staff, and fellow students.
2. **Communicate:** Good communication skills can help you build strong relationships with peers and teachers.
3. **Seek Mentors:**  Teachers and support staff can provide valuable guidance and support.

Time Management
1. **Prioritize Tasks:** Identify the most important tasks and focus on completing them first.
2. **Avoid Procrastination:** Try to complete assignments ahead of time to avoid last-minute stress.
3. **Use Study Groups:** Studying with peers can help you understand material better and prepare for tests.

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be better prepared to handle the academic, social, and personal aspects of high school. And remember….High school are the best years of your life!

Is almost here! Please don’t forget to bring your money next Tuesday and Wednesday as we will be visiting the book fair as a class.

Middle School Students have finally started their first novel studies and so far students are hooked! Grade 6’s started reading Ghost, a coming of age novel about a young boy obsessed with world records. Grade 7 students have started reading The Outsiders, a novel that touches on some heavy themes including in vs out, family, friendship, colour, and social class. While Grade 8 students started Steinbeck’s classic, Of Mice and Men a novel that really dives deep into an unlikely friendship. Please note that all students have a hard copy of their respective novels, but digital versions have been posted on both Google Classroom and the Homework Boards as well.

Happy reading!!!

You talked! We listened. We would like to introduce you all to the new and improved Homework Board! It’s simpler. Less “stuff”. Neat. Tidy. Clean. Organized. User friendly. And may we add, pretty! Original links still work. Your feedback is always welcome! Let’s give this one a go!

This week Middle School English Language Arts students had the opportunity to explore our new reading program, Amplify. This program allows students to read closely by following an interactive graphic novel. Students enjoyed the first step of the program which was designing their very own avatar. This exercise was followed by a dynamic and engaging chapter one featuring the student as the main character. Feedback thus far has been very positive!

The Grade 8s are fundraising! Starting tomorrow we will be selling Bad Monkey Popcorn. Pick up a kosher, vegan, pareve and nut free snack at recess in the main lobby and after school outside the front doors. $2 for a snack bag & $5 for a big bag. We will also be selling at Back To School Night tomorrow.

This week Middle School English Students are getting back into the writing groove. Each class will have a series of various writing topics to choose from, each topic allowing students to showcase their creativity as both writers and thinkers. Stay tuned for our final products!

Welcome Back, Middle School English Language Arts Students!

I hope you had a wonderful summer and that you are just as excited as I am to start another school year. We have lots to look forward to this school year, the first one being our Middle School Retreat (which starts on Wednesday!). But until then, enjoy the beautiful weather today and do something you love.

Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

Grade 8 English students are currently preparing their public speaking speeches. Topics are hot, fun, controversial, thought-provoking, and so much more. Students are encouraged to add their flair and finesse this year. We are moving away from the more formal approach and introducing ways to captivate and engage our audiences – gestures, body language, props, appropriate dress, and even a little acting are all welcome.

They are also working on finishing reading Steinbeck’s To Kill a Mockingbird and are currently in the thick of the trial. Although uncertain where the story was going to go in Part 1, the students have shown keen interest in the courtroom as they closely follow the actions of Atticus. Once the novel is complete (this week), students will be recreating the courtroom scene and will be able to audition for the various roles. Those who are uncomfortable acting will be able to serve as jury members who will determine whether Tom Robinson is guilty.
Towards the end of May, the class will read Romeo and Juliet. This group has never read Shakespeare. An introduction to Shakespeare’s writing is essential before entering High School.

In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie have been sent to a ranch by their employment agency. We can assume that the ranch contacted the agency saying they need to hire some new workers. In this assignment, you will create a brochure to recruit migrant workers to come to the ranch. Your brochure must be divided into 6 parts and should be done electronically. Don’t forget to have a printed copy that can be submitted on the due date (November 21st) so that we can do a gallery walk!