Gordon Bell – Grade 9 English and Social Studies

Please be aware that we are viewing Schindler’s List on Monday, December 19th.  Please read the attached letter for more information.

schindler’ list letter

Take note of the following information…..BRING A LUNCH!!!!  We are leaving EARLY in the morning.  BE ON TIME!

The organizers have asked that we share the following letter with you….click on the link to open the PDF file.    we day notice

As always, please call if you have any questions.

Grade 9

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences Appointments

Mr. Blakey and Mr. Reimer will be available separately.

  Please make an appointment to see which teacher you would like to see.

Report cards will be sent home Nov. 18th and the first Student-Parent-Teacher conferences are just around the corner. This fall, the day for the S-P-T conferences is November 24th during the evening and Nov. 25^th during the day. Please phone Ms. Melissa Bart (Secretary) at 774-5401 to make an appointment.  Please note that each meeting will be limited to 15 minutes only.  If extra time is needed, the teachers will be able to make an appointment for a later date and time.

            We will also be contacting some families to make appointments.

November 24^th – appointments area available from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Please call and indicate what time you would like to meet with each teacher.

November 25^th – appointments are available from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Please call and indicate what time you would like to meet with each teacher.

Your regions of Canada test can be re-written on Friday at lunch!  Bring your lunch to room 321 and be prepared to eat and write at the same time!

Your presentations will start on Wednesday during the morning classes.  Please be prepared with eveything you need.  If you need me to make copies of your “fact sheet” and test,  please give me the original before 8:30 am on Wednesday.  This will allow me to make the copies for you on time!

Recently, the Manitoba Education and Youth released a document related to assessment, academic responsibility, honesty and promotion or retention.  A copy of it can be found here:  http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/assess/docs/policy_k12/index.html

Our staff at Gordon Bell High School has taken a look at the Academic Honesty portion of this document and developed the following statement:

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic Honesty is taught at all grade levels and in all subject  areas in Gordon Bell. Lessons  are designed to reflect the age and grade of the student, level of student understanding and be specific to the requirements of differing subject areas. Topics  include: what is deemed to be plagiarism, copying and/or cheating; how to research; how to reference; reliable sources; use of technology and the internet; citing; copyright; royalties etc.

Consequences for plagiarism, copying other student work, cheating etc., will vary according to age, grade, understanding and whether the offence has occurred before. Consequences  may include:  re-doing the work; loss of marks; consultations with parents/guardians; loss of computer privileges; suspension etc.

Teachers will clearly outline to students, both orally and in writing, the expectations in assignments, tests and exam situations related to Academic Honesty.

Make sure to ask your teacher about their expectations related to Academic Honesty.

Confidence at schools spells success in life  (courtesy of the Metro)

A new school year is fast approaching and once again children have a brand new slate.

If we take time now, say education professionals, to stir up some excitement for learning, the usual back-to-school anxiety will not only be reduced, it will be replaced with a growing confidence.

1.  Develop a regular study time everyday.  Ask your child if he or she works best right after school, just before dinner, or immediately after dinner – and while flexibility is required, do ensure that the study time is a habit that occurs everyday.

2.  Help your child to manage assignments and tests by spreading the work out.  Remember, procrastination feeds anxiety.  Encourage your child to be prepared and begin assignments early.

3. Take an interest in what your child is learning by asking questions and offering ideas.  This gives your child an opportunity to review work and extend learning.  Encourage your child to ask for help when needed.

4.  Review your child’s homework each day to ensure completion and to support the development of good study habits.

Preparation key to a successful school year (courtesy of The Metro)

It’s just as important for parents to be prepared for the new school year as their children.

Being in the right frame of mind when the school bells ring will help parents make smart, supportive decisions than can help their children find success.  However, even the most experienced parents can make mistakes.

5 Tips to avoid common mistakes

1. Underestimating your children’s abilities – Don’t assume your children will be weak in a subject just because you were and don’t underestimate their abilities.  Expect your children to reach their potential in all subjects, not just the ones that are easiest.  If your children are struggling in math but love reading, help them discover new ways to enjoy math.

1. Expecting perfection instead of progress – If you only praise your children when they complete a task or reach a goal. They may give up long before ever finishing.  Demonstrate to your children that you believe in them by giving genuine and frequent praise for progress and effort.

1. Allowing your children to quit whenever the work gets hard – Encourage your children to perservere when schoolwork becomes challenging by becoming their coach to get them through tough spots.  Help them take a step-by-step approach.  Work with your children to identify the information needed to solve problems and pinpointplaces where you think they’ll get stuck.

1. Allowing your children to be disorganized – To help ensure that children become successful students, parents must help them aquire good study habits and stron organizational skills.  Start by creating a special learning area at home and set aside time for homework and reading.

1. Refusing to admit that your children are capable of doing anything wrong – Children are individuals, and no matter how hard they try, they can still make mistakes.  However, mistakes are oppourtunities for learning.  Remember this the next time a teacher, friend or parent brings to your attention your child’s behaviour.

Over the year I’ve been approached with questions and concerns relating to not having the same access to software that we have at school.  I have directed students to appropriate sites that have access to software that they can download and use for FREE!  This would allow them to complete assignments at home, e-mail them in or print them off to hand in.

Here is one of my favorites, programs that I use a fair bit and that I encourage students to become familiar with.

Openoffice.org provides a open source version of common word processing and spreadsheet programs.  As with all open source software there is NO technical support.  What I mean is that there is no 1-800 phone number you can call for help but there are plenty of forums and discussion groups that can help solve any problems.

Remember to save in a format you can use at school (.doc or .docx, for example)!

www.openoffice.org

Happy creating!!!!