Overview of the Month of January:
January 11-15 Online Week 2 (P4)
January 18-22 Online Week 1 (P3)
January 26 Credit recovery day for P3 classes (Exams cancelled)
January 29 Credit recovery day for P4 classes (Exams cancelled)
February 12 Quadmester 2 - Final Reports will be sent home
Announcements:
CAREER EVENT FOR YOUNG WOMEN
There is a FREE VIRTUAL CAREER DISCOVERY EXPO on January 12th from 6:00pm-8:30pm for parents and young women between Grades 7 to 12.
This event will include careers in:
- Skilled Trades
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Emergency Responders
- Entrepreneurship
- Advancing Women
See the attachment to register and for more information.
BRUCE POWER INFORMATION SESSIONS
There will be two Virtual Information Sessions to inform students about co-op placements at Bruce Power for 2021-2022. Each presentation will be identical, so interested students and parents are encouraged to attend one of the dates below:
- Wednesday, January 13 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, January 20 7:00 pm
To receive an invitation to the Virtual Information Session, email Bruce Power co-op teacher, Tim Smith, at [email protected]
Also, see the attachment below for more information about Bruce Power co-op.
Changes for Secondary Students for January 2021
- Teachers will engage students through remote learning until in-person learning resumes January 25.
- Attendance will be taken twice daily, morning and afternoon If your child will be absent, please contact the school as per normal Safe Arrival procedures to indicate the reason for the absence.
- Assigned and marked work during the next three weeks will be used in determining final grades/marks in the course. Students are required to participate and complete work as directed by their teacher. End of course work, ISU’s, summatives or other major assessments are at the discretion of the teacher and are required to be completed.
Co-operative education
Students whose placements are closed will complete the rest of their course through online content. Attendance at an in-person work placement in January will be determined in consultation with the employer and the school Principal / Co-Op Teacher based on Covid-19 lockdown protocols
Supporting Students with Special Education Needs
- All secondary students with special education needs will learn remotely with their classes until in-person learning on January 25th.
- Students will continue to be supported by their teacher with appropriate support as necessary. This may include virtual support from educational assistants and board professionals as required (i.e. Social Workers, Speech and Language Pathologists, etc.).
Ministry Resources
The Ministry of Education also recently announced the launch of two new portals developed by Ontario certified teachers.
- TVO Learn
- As well, Secondary students can access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House, which provides access to course materials that can support a number of Grade 9-12 courses.
Mental Health Supports
- If you require support please visit our Mental Health and Wellbeing supports page.
- In addition, School Mental Health Ontario has many great resources for students, parents and families.
Government Funding for Families
A new Government Support Program for secondary student parents has been launched. If your child is between 13 years of age to Grade 12, you are eligible to receive a one-time payment of $200 per eligible student to help offset education expenses. A similar program was announced earlier for children under 13 years of age and is still open to parents. The application instructions will be available on the Support for Learners web page. Secondary school student applications will be open from January 11, 2021 to February 8, 2021.
Supporting Public Health Safety Measures
As we return from the Christmas break it is more important now than ever for everyone to continue to adhere to public health and safety measures. As we are in this lockdown period to keep everyone safe please continue to Follow the 3 W's – Washing hands frequently, Watching distance (ideally 6ft), and Wearing face covering correctly, and the 2 A’s - Avoid Crowds and Arrange for outdoor activities instead of indoors whenever possible.
Grade 9 Registration Information Page
Helpful Documents & Links for Families
- SMHS Website
- School Year Calendar is available here - no paper version this year.