After our second report card comes out on March 18, 2016, and in conjunction with our Communication of Student Learning (CoSL) report card, Sarah Thompson School will begin using the PowerSchool’s Grade Book application in a limited capacity. Through iTunes, parents can download the app “PowerSchool Mobile” on your Smartphone or other device. This will allow tracking of school absences, and some grades. The purpose of this limited exposure is to acquaint everyone with this new program. Eventually, feedback in all subject areas will be placed in Gradebook. This feature will offer timely information but will not take the place of the feedback your child’s receives from his/her teacher. Nor will it take the place of the email/phone/agenda communication already taking place between teachers and parents. It will add another layer to a parent’s ability to see his/her child’s progress in a timely manner.
Positive communication between the home and school is an important component of a student progress. In the coming months we will provide and support our parents with more information in regards to PowerSchool.
This past week, Rocky View Schools’ teachers participated in the Palliser Teacher’s Convention. This two-day event provided teachers with current, timely and relevant professional learning opportunities. This year’s keynote speaker was Sheldon Kennedy. He won a Memorial Cup, World Junior Gold Medal, skated for three teams in his eight-year NHL career, and he was a victim of child abuse. Sheldon has been instrumental in bringing governments, public and private sector partners together to work collaboratively to influence policy change and improve the way child abuse is handled. He began the “Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre” (http://www.sheldonkennedycac.ca/)in February 2013 in northwest Calgary. In September of this year, a documentary of Sheldon’s life will become available on Netflix called “Swift Current”. Having partnered with all of the above, he now brings his message to the field of education to bring awareness of the trauma of child abuse.
Just a few notes and reminders for the coming weeks:
February 24th, we stand-up to bullying by having our annual “Pink Shirt Day”
March 16th , is our Spring Concert. There are two performances, 1:30 and 6:30, where our grades one and two will be performing. Tickets for the evening performance will be $2.00 per person and due to fire regulation we must cap the number of tickets to 3 per family. Tickets for the afternoon performance are free. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
March 18th, Report Cards go home
March 18th, 6-8pm School Dance brought to you by FoSTES. Children must be accompanied by a parent
March 21-23rd – Grades 1-5 students will participate in curling with the Rocks and Rings program in our school gym. (Thanks to our School Council and FoSTES)
March 29th – Class, Spring and Kindergarten Grade Photos
