The Panther Post

Dear Parent(s),

Our commitment to a safe and caring environment for our students is at the forefront of our minds. Today, in coordination with the GYPSD Division office we expanded our FSLC Counselling support for our students. In addition to the Divisional support I have included below a number of community supports you may want to pursue in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you believe your son/daughter need any additional supports at the school level.

This past week the staff reviewed our SCIP (School Continuous Improvement Plan) and the following overarching goals were developed. Our full SCIP will be posted on our website shortly for you to read.

1. Students will increase their writing quality by specifically focusing on writing mechanics such as grammar, spelling and punctuation.

2. Students will increase their understanding of basic computations.

3. Promote Indigenous culture throughout the school.

4. Increase in support for all students.

5. Increase capacity in teacher’s quality standards as per the TQS (Teacher Quality Standards).

6. To develop and maintain strong and productive community and home relationships. Promote, inform, involve, and educate parents and partners in matters that relate to student learning and general well-being.

Warmest Regards,

Darran Lorne

Alberta Mental Health Services - 1-888-594-0211

Mental Health help line- 811- 1-877-303-2642

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868 or text 686868

FEE FOR SERVICE

Aspen Counselling Services

780-728-5997

Centered Self Counselling

780-728-8703

Click HERE for our Library Book Fair.

Science 6 made models of the moon phases using Oreos! They made the models, put them in order and named them. Then they feasted!

Math 8 spent today counting Smarties and making real life ratios of the colours that they found. We discovered that most boxes contained 43 to 46 smarties! After a lot of counting, smarties were enjoyed by all!

Teaching staff spent the Professional Development day analyzing the PAT results and modifying our School Continuous Plan to reflect our needs. We also had a little fun competing against each other in minute to win it events.

Students in grade 8 are developing their a project researching a European or Japanese city to visit and then sharing their journal/slideshow of their vacation!

This week Science 7 have been working hard on a performance task where they were to design, construct, and test an insulating device to keep an ice cube frozen for five hours. The project had them imagine they found a possible extinct insect embedded in the ice in the Cadomin Caves and they needed to get the ice cube to an entomologist before the ice melted. Students worked hard on a multi-step process where they created a scale drawing, then discussed acceptable materials to be used, and then built and tested their devices. Students then had to include math in science and calculate the percentage lost of their ice cube to determine whose device worked best! While some devices lost 100% of their ice (a great opportunity to learn and reflect), others lost as little as 40% of their ice!

This holiday season, we are fostering some friendly competition between homeroom classes. Beginning Dec. 7th with door decorating followed by multiple activities...please see below for details.

At École Pine Grove Middle School, students are expected to dress in a manner that reflects a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, safe and healthy learning environment. School expectations for student attire take into account a student’s right to fairness, dignity and respect, and will not discriminate against students based on race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, socio-economic status, or body type.

• Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent (for example dresses, leggings, or shorts) and shoes.

• Shirts and dresses must have fabric in the front and on the sides (under the arms).

• Clothing must cover undergarments. Fabric must cover chest and buttocks.

• Hats and other headwear must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff.

• Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist.

• Specialised courses may require specialised attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

The dress code further clarifies prohibitions on attire “depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, or hate speech;”

defines parent, student, and staff responsibilities; and addresses appropriate enforcement.

Dec. 13th - Q.M.O. meeting - 7pm

Email: pgms@gypsd.ca
Website: https://pinegroveschool.gypsd.ca/
Location: 4619 12 Ave, Edson, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 723-5929
Facebook: facebook.com/pinegrovemiddleschool