J.M. Olds Collegiate Newsletter

September 29, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to a new school year. While we are only into our third week of classes, with your overwhelming participation in our recent school-wide fundraiser, I have already witnessed the support that students and staff of JMOC are accustomed to receiving and I thank you.

I would also like to recognize past relationships and the tremendous time and talent that community and parent volunteers have freely offered to involve our students in programs and activities that would otherwise not exist. Our children and our grandchildren can only benefit from your involvement.

Thank you as well to the staff of J.M. Olds who give generously of their time to offer both co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

I look forward to working with you all.

Sincerely,

Jean Link
Principal

Staff Assignments

This year we have several new teachers who have joined our staff. We extend a warm welcome to all.

Jean Link, Principal & Consumer Studies
Sheena Mills, Vice Principal & French
Sherry Small, Secretarial

Anne-Marie Dalley, Guidance & Career
Jim Small, Instructional Resource Teacher
Dawn Link, Instructional Resource Teacher

Adam Parsons, Jr High English/Social Studies/Science
Amanda Mouland, Jr/Sr High Math
Arthur Mercer, Science/Technology
Cindy Jenkins, Jr High French/English/Social Studies
Jocelyn Bath, Skilled Trades & Sr High Social Studies
Peter Butt, Phys Ed & Jr/Sr High Science
Rod Greenham, Jr/Sr High Math
Sherri Singleton, Jr/Sr High English
Zak Chaulk, Music/English/Learning Resources

Student Assistants

Connie Warren
Sharon Troake

Caretakers

Gus Burton, Custodian
Colin Pardy, Janitor
Diana Bath, Janitor

Bus Drivers

Colin Pardy
Hedley Pardy
Lew Shea
Ross Dalley
Ruth Burt

Ken Watkins, Special Transportation

Public Exam Marks

The J.M. Olds graduating class of 2011 performed extremely well in this year’s public exams, with students achieving at or above both district and provincial averages in all courses. Congratulations to our students and to the teachers who ensured they were well prepared for these formal exams. Results such as these are a testament to the solid parental support received at the school and to the quality teaching that occurs not only in grade twelve, but throughout a child’s school career.

School Website

Please take time to familiarize yourself with the school website, www.jmoc.ca. Here you will find the school’s yearly calendar, staff contact numbers, and daily updates of course homework, assignments, and test dates.

During the first day of classes, our discipline policy was reviewed with all students in Grades 7-12. The Student Handbook is also available online and highlights the expectations we have for all students at J.M. Olds. These expectations are important for the academic and social success of your child here at the school. Parents/guardians are encouraged to review our discipline policy with their children.

Registration Forms

Each year, parents are required to update the information we have on our students. If you have not already done so, please forward your child’s registration form as soon as possible. It is especially important that we have a second telephone contact in the event that your child becomes ill during the school day. If we do not hear from you in the near future, we will assume that our information is up-to-date.

Attendance

Student attendance is closely linked to achievement and all school activities are a valuable part of a child’s educational experience. Students are expected to attend and participate in field trips, spirit days, etc. Parents will be contacted when students are absent without excuse. To avoid unnecessary contact, please notify the school if your child will be out.

Students Leaving School

Students are reminded that they are to check out at the office before leaving school and to check in at the office if they are late arriving. Students are NOT permitted to leave the school grounds at recess time.

Non Smoking School

As per Government regulations smoking is no longer permitted on school grounds anywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador. This policy is not only for students but for all persons who enter the boundaries of J.M. Olds Collegiate. Outside groups using the school facilities are asked to respect our request to maintain smoke-free grounds.

School Pictures

School pictures are scheduled for October 20th. Details will be forwarded at a later date.

Lunch Hour Bussing

Lunch hour bussing is an expense not paid for by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, therefore, Nova Central School District must charge a fee for this service. The fee is $ 65.00 a student to a maximum of $130.00 per family and can be paid in two installments: half before January 2012 and the other half before the end of April 2012. You may make this payment at the main office at any time.

School Council

On behalf of the students and staff at J.M. Olds Collegiate, we would like to thank the outgoing community and parent representatives of our School Council. Mrs. Thelma Stuckey, Mrs. Theresa King, Mrs. Judy Clarke and Mr. Bruce Greenham will not be sitting on Council this year. This leaves us with four openings for two parent and two community representatives. If you are interested in representing the parents of JMOC or the community at large, please contact Ms. Link or Ms. Mills at the school prior to October 7th.

Visitors/Parents Coming into School

All persons visiting the school are asked to check in at the office. Parents are not permitted to go to classrooms. We will call students to the office as necessary.

Holiday Schedule

Thanksgiving       October 10
Remembrance Day   November 11
Christmas Break       Dec 23- Jan 2
Winter Break       February 24
Easter Break       April 6 – April 15
Victoria Day       May 21

Professional Development

School will be closed for students on October 13th and 14th for teachers to attend professional development sessions at the District Shutdown and again on October 26th for an in-school professional development day.

Terry Fox Run/Healthy Commotions

The annual Terry Fox Run for cancer research was held on Friday, September 23rd. In spite of the adverse weather conditions, student participation was high and we raised in excess of $ 550.00. Thank you! This year’s run was incorporated with our Healthy Commotions Day and students enjoyed a morning of fun physical activities.

Fundraiser

Our first and largest fundraiser for the year was again a tremendous success, with students matching the sales made last year. Again, our thanks to parents and the community at large.

First Term Report Cards/Parent – Teacher Interviews

November 22rd – Release of 1st term reports
November 23rd– Parent – Teacher Interviews from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Tutoring for Tuition

Once again this year the school will participate in the Tutoring for Tuition program. Please call the school guidance counselor, Ms. Anne-Marie Dalley, if your child would like to avail of this service or offer his/her services as a tutor.

Math Tutorial

Effective immediately, Ms. Amanda Mouland will be offering Math tutorials on Mondays during lunch hour and on Thursdays after school. These tutorials are open to Math students at all grade levels.

Students Leaving School

Students are reminded that they are to check out at the office before leaving school and to check in at the office if they are late arriving.

Allergies

We have students at the school 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 an allergy to scented products and ask that students be considerate of this condition as well.

Renovations

It is expected that renovations at the school will be completed within the next couple weeks. Thank you to students, staff, parents, and community for their patience. The process has sometimes been disruptive, but the end result should be of significant benefit to student programming.

Upcoming

Representatives from Memorial University will be visiting the school on October 20th to meet with those students interested in attending MUN in September 2012.
JMOC is hosting the Boys’ Regional Softball Tournament on Saturday, October 1st. Please come out and support our team.
Late November, the Irish Descendants will be hosting a concert at J.M. Olds Collegiate. The concert is not sponsored by the school. We are, however, pleased to provide the venue.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the Girls’ Softball Team on winning the Regionals on Saturday, September 24th. The girls will now advance to the Provincials to be held in Pilley’s Island on October 13th, 14th, and 15th. We wish them all the best.