Principal’s Message
The year is now in full swing at SOSS and there are many posi-tive activities happening.
Our staff goals for the school this year are built upon the goals we were working on last year and the inquiry questions our staff collaborates on each month.
*Increase Social Emotional Connections
*Provide further opportunities for connections through extra-curricular involvement
*Create more opportunities to develop school spirit
*Increase Student Academic Connections
*Increase Project Based/Inquiry Learning opportunities
*Utilize RTI approach to en-gage all learners
*Provide further experiential learning opportunities through the introduction of the EPIC Program
*Explore possibilities of having an environmental sustainability program (enclosed school greenhouse)
*Improve Student Self-Regulation
*Development and full implementation of Work Ethic Rubric for all classes
*Increase self-regulation skills for students with develop-mental disabilities
These goals will also be introduced and elaborated on at the District Education Forum, along with other school’s goals, on October 14th at the School Board Office at 4:30 pm. Parents are welcome to attend this meeting.
Interim reports for any student who is currently “at risk” in one or more classes is being sent home Tuesday morning. “At risk” could include not handing in assignments, unsatisfactory effort, struggling with the course material, or poor attendance. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Oct. 21st from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This will provide an excellent opportunity for parents to sit down and meet with teachers to discuss any issues they may have or receive more information about specific courses and expectations.
Tracy Harrington and Alison Podmorow will once again be taking a group of 21 students to WE Day in Vancouver, at Rogers Centre, on October 21st. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain valuable leadership motivation and skills and acquire a greater perspective on what young people are capable of in making a positive difference in our world.
Next Tuesday Oct. 13th, we have an important Grad parent meeting in the Library. We strongly encourage all parents of students in grade 12 to attend this 1 hour meeting. We will be
discussing many issues pertaining to graduation, scholarships and bursaries, prom, dry grad, and planning for the next steps after high school.
Also on Tuesday Oct 13th, at 7:00 pm in the Library, we are hosting a grade 8 parent meeting. This meeting is for parents to meet with counsellors and administration to dis-cuss SOSS and the transition from elementary school.
We are excited about offering students of grade 9 and 10 a fantastic opportunity next semester with our inaugural EPIC program (Experiential, Project Based, Indigenous, and Community). We are getting closer to filling our seats with students eager to experience learning that has a more project based, outside the classroom approach. Stay tuned for more details on this program as we get set to take off into an exciting and innovative new approach to delivering curriculum.
I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy breaking bread with friends and relatives and re-member to appreciate one an-other and the gifts we have all been given.
Marcus Toneatto
Home of the Hornets!
SOUTHERN OKANAGAN SECONDARY SCHOOL