J.M. Olds Collegiate Newsletter

December 12, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We have had a busy fall at J.M. Olds Collegiate as we continue to work together to ensure students receive a quality academic program, enriched and strengthened by a varied roster of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

We are fortunate to enjoy the support of parents and community on a daily basis, and while we may not recognize that support as often as we should, it does not go unnoticed.

We are delighted to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Student Interns

In January two student interns from Memorial University will be joining our staff for the winter semester. Mr. Gregory T. White will be working primarily with our senior high English teacher, Ms. Sherri Singleton, and Ms. Susan Roberts with our intermediate Math teacher, Mr. Rod Greenham. We welcome them both to our school.

First Term Reports / Midterm Exams

First term reports were released mid November. Congratulations to those students who performed well.  For those students who may have been disappointed with the results in some of their courses, we encourage them to seek help from their teachers and to take full advantage of the student tutoring program in place here at school.
Midterm exams begin on January 23rd.,  With an intense focus on study over the next few weeks, students can make significant improvements in their grades.

School Council

On behalf of the students and staff at J.M. Olds Collegiate, we would like to welcome the following new members to the School Council: Vanessa Dove, Connie Warren, Mandy Young, Hardy Troake , Colleen Froude,. Stephen Chipman, Nicholas Canning and Jean Link. Jim Small and Sheena Mills are returning members.

The School Council meets once a month. It is currently working on an updated  School Policy Handbook and is also looking into the possibility of implementing a Breakfast Program for our students.

Christmas Concert

Our annual Christmas Concert will be taking place on Thursday, December 15th, starting at 7:00 p.m.. Admission is $ 4.00 for adults and $ 3.00 for students. The canteen will be open during intermission. All proceeds will be used to support the JMOC Drama Club and Contemporary Band.

Following the concert, the Drama Club will have a bake sale. Lots of Christmas goodies!

Snowball Dance

The Student Council will be holding the annual Christmas Snowball Dance on Tuesday, December 20th from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Tickets sold before the dance are $5.00 single and $ 7.00 double. Tickets purchased at the door are $6.00 single and $8.00 double. Outside guests must be signed in by noon on December 20th . Snacks will be provided at the dance. Students are reminded that the Snowball Dance is a semi-formal and jeans are not permitted.

Annual Christmas Awards Assembly

The annual Awards Assembly will take place on Wednesday, December 21st from 1:20 – 3:20 p.m. Parents are invited to attend as we again take time to recognize our students for their academic achievement.

Tutoring for Tuition/ Homework Haven

The Tutoring for Tuition Program is now in place and many students are availing of this opportunity to improve their grades. Following the Christmas Break, students will also be able to avail of Homework Haven. Twice a week students can register during the day for one hour of after school tutoring. Please contact Mr. Jim Small if you have questions regarding tutors.

Minor Hockey Christmas Auction

Minor Hockey will be hosting a Christmas auction at J.M. Olds Collegiate on Wednesday evening, December 14th.

Allergies

As the holiday season approaches, students sometimes share treats at school. We would like to remind parents that we have students with severe allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, and seafood. Please refrain from sending food to school that may contain either of these items.  We also have a staff member with a severe allergy to scented products. We ask that students be considerate of this condition as well.

Scholarships

While many of our students will receive scholarships at the upcoming Awards Assembly, we would also like to recognize the following students of the 2011 Graduating Class: Earlier this fall, Benjamin Center and Emily King were both awarded $ 1000 Electoral District scholarships for the Isles of Notre Dame. April Anstey and Zachery Dalley were also awarded $1000 Centenery of Responsible Governments scholarships.

JMOC Teacher Receives Award

This fall, our music teacher, Mr. Zak Chaulk, was recognized for his contribution in leading and supporting the arts within our school community at the Arts Work Conference held in St. John’s.

“The Provincial Government, through our Cultural Connections strategy, recognizes the importance of enhancing the arts and incorporating cultural content into the school curriculum,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “For the past five years, Arts Work conferences have connected teachers with artists, musicians and performers, offering practical and effective experiences that they bring back to their students. I congratulate the recipients of the 2011 Arts Work Educator Awards, as well as all of our arts teachers throughout the province who champion the development of the arts within our schools, and help foster important links with the arts community.”

Christmas Activities

Some of our homeroom classes will be having Christmas parties. These will take place on Thursday morning, December 22nd. All students are invited to wear their Santa hats.

Thank You

On November 28, the staff of J.M. olds enjoyed a beautifully cooked supper at the Pentecostal Tabernacle. Thank you to our hosts, Pastor Brushchett, his wife, Kathy, and their congregation for this kind gesture of appreciation.

What’s Happening?

• For the first time ever, JMOC sent a team of five intermediate students to the Skills Canada First Lego League Robotics Competition in St. John’s. Students were accompanied by teacher sponsors, Mr. Parsons and Mr. Mercer, who will attest to the enthusiasm JMOC students brought to the event.

• The JMOC Math League attended tournaments in Grand Falls and Gander this fall. Ms. Amanda Mouland, teacher supervisor, reports that our students performed well when tasked with some very challenging questions. Team members included Ashley Pelley, Kristen Pelley, Nicholas Canning, Stephen White, Ben Sansome, Justin Roberts, Brianna Simms and Shelby Stuckless.
  

• On December 3rd, JMOC, under the direction of Mr. Peter Butt, hosted the Busted Ball Tournament and our students played extremely well. Thank you to Mrs. Jocelyn Bath for making the trophies this year.

• Another first! Rock the Gate, a day long musical extravaganza, highlighted the incredible talents of veteran student musicians and vocalists as well as a number of junior students, new to performing. So much to look forward to as these students mature as performers!!

• Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Anne-Marie Dalley, recently arranged for the school to partner with  Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital to host a Career Fair for our senior high students. Students rotated through twenty-three presentations as  they gained exposure to a wide variety of careers.

• Under the guidance of Ms. Singleton and Ms. Jenkins, the JMOC drama club prepares for this year’s debut at the upcoming Christmas Concert.

• The Photography Club, under the direction of Ms. Dawn Link, continues to gain experience, their most recent photo shoot involving Santa. We look forward to seeing more of their work as the school year progresses.
  

• As part of Bullying Prevention Week, the Student Council and teacher advisor, Mrs. Sheena Mills, organized a number of events and activities that encouraged students to Stand Up to Bullies. We were pleased to partner with the local RCMP in some of these activities and are ever appreciative of the support of Constable Shawn Coady, Constable Tonia Antonissen and Constable Jill Edmunds.

• Cpl. Anne Noel, drug and organized crime awareness coordinator of the RCMP detachment in Gander was also on site this fall to present the PARTY program to our Level I students. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth)