The ROYAL REVIEW Three Hills School Newsletter November, 2012

“PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY STUDENT”

From the principal… For the 1st year in the past eight, we have a staffing increase in our teacher allotment. We are grateful to welcome four new faces – Mrs. Bartsch (kinder), Mr. Adams (Jr Math/Spanish), Mr. George (Jr/Sr SS & Art), and Mr. Yeo as a part-time gr 6, 7, & 8 Math/Science teacher. We have also added two part-time Education Assistants to work with our K – gr 3 learners - Barb Hicks and TerryLee Stephan. A letter has been sent home to all of our grades 1 – 6 parents explaining the changes in our report cards, and you will be receiving the new Learner Reports next week. Be sure to follow that up with a visit with your student’s teacher on Nov. 15 at our Parent – Teacher Interviews. I want to thank our School Council for their assistance in supporting our plans for these past many years as council members. Several of them were serving as I returned to THS eleven years ago, and we have seen great things be accomplished. The new School Council for 2012-13 was elected last week, and they are as follows: President Robyn Klemmer Vice President Mel Hagel Secretary Patty Fenton Treasurer PJ Rempel K – 3 Rep Jackie Trentham 4 – 6 Rep Tracey Viste 7 – 9 Rep Sandy Andrews 10 – 12 Rep Rhonda Trentham Community Rep Jill Guttridge

Volleyball season is nearing the end for our seven teams. Thank you to the coaches for their time and efforts on behalf of this program. Teams at both the junior and senior levels are all hoping to qualify for Zone Championships, with the senior teams competing for potential entries to the Provincial Championships on Nov. 22 – 24. Go Royals!

Mr. Adams has hauled a very courageous squad of 17 cross-country runners to Canmore to race at the National Nordic Centre! Congratulations to the Jr & Sr High athletes who competed, especially the 3 who carried on to the provincial championships on Oct 20 in Red Deer – Sanne Lansink, Austin Rivers, and Adam Weatherald. Artistically speaking, Mr. Riegel is drawing closer to a comedy sketch performance in early December with his senior high drama class. Mrs. White and her band classes have been playing up a storm; organizing a band camp in Calgary, hosting the guest instructors from Red Deer who helped us join with the RDCollege band for last month’s concert, and establishing a drum line which meets after school, along with her jazz band. As I visit their classes, I see they are already working on scores for their Christmas concert in early December. Wow – lots happening there! BTW, did you know that the artwork in this year’s school calendar is from Ms. Matwychuk’s senior high art class from last year? We are really excited to have her working with senior students in Art classes, and we appreciate Mr. George offering Art classes to our Junior High students! Watch the Capital for articles each week featuring some aspect of our school. Thanks to Tim & Jay Shearlaw for their support for these items. As well, our school website is an excellent source of information about our school. Visit www.threehillsschool.ca to read newsletters, view photos, contact the school, or just gain insight into our school. Finally, stay tuned for our soon to be unveiled Facebook page… Tentative opening date is November 16 for the THS Facebook page – be sure to like us for regular updates and information! Our school sign also provides reminders of key events each week. Check it out as you cruise past the school. Thank you to Mr. Hoover and Mr. George for their work each week to update our sign. We are in the process of adding cosmetology to our senior high list of elective courses. We lost the help of the GH maintenance crew over the summer, as they had to do an emergency renovation to move PCA secondary into new spaces. However, Don Hartman assures me that they will have a cosmetology lab set up and ready for us to begin classes on February 1! This will require significant investment on our part, but the budget has been planned and we are looking to initiate an excellent course for our students! Speaking of money, our enrollment is up, which means we have additional funds available. In addition, we have just received notice on the additional funding that comes to us based on our excellent credits achieved by our senior high students and teachers from last year. The net effect is that we are able to plan to invest in our school in a way

we have not been able to in the past several years. The first way we have planned to do that is in the additional staff: 2 EAs helping out our div 1 students, and a half-time teacher in gr 6, 7, & 8. We are also looking to replace our aging mozza wagon – the white bus we acquired several years ago from the Srs Outreach Program. An additional building improvement project is the replacement of our water fountains. We are looking to install some combination drinking & bottle filling stations. More details to come next month, I hope. Every year we look at the start-up to the school term with great anticipation. It is good to re-connect with our parents; your interest and support are vital components of getting us off to a positive first lap. Thank you for the trust you place in us as you deliver your students into our care; we do not take it lightly. We invite you to participate in our School Council meetings – the November meeting is on the 27th and will feature a review of our 3 year School Plan. Until next month and the Christmas season, Lloyd Boody

DATES TO REMEMBER

Nov. 02/03 JV. Girls VB Tournament Nov. 02/03 Sr. Girls VB Tournament in Rocky Nov. 04 Daylight Savings –Turn Clocks Back One Hour Nov. 05 JRAC Nov. 05 AB Post-Secondary Event Fair (1-3pm) Nov. 06 Jr. A VB Teams League Playoff Nov. 07 Sr. VB Team League Playoff Nov. 06/07 Grad Photos Nov. 07 Grade 9 Take Our Kids To Work Nov. 08 Hot Dogs Nov. 08 K-12 Report Cards Go Home Nov. 08 Remembrance Day Service 10:30 a.m. Nov. 09 Interview Lieu Day –NO SCHOOL Nov. 09/10 Sr. Girls VB Host Regional Playoffs Nov. 09/10 Sr. Boys VB at Oyen for 2A Regionals Nov. 09/10 Jr. A Boys & Girls Zone Playoff @ PCA Nov. 11 Remembrance Day Nov. 11-> International Education Week Nov. 12 NO SCHOOL Nov. 15 Hot Dog Day Nov. 15 K-12 Parent-Teacher Interviews Nov. 16/17 Sr. Girls VB Zone Championships at Brooks Nov. 16/17 Sr. Boys VB Zone Championships at Didsbury Nov. 19 Grad Meeting @ Noon Nov. 19 JRAC Nov. 20 Grad Parent Meeting 7pm Nov. 21 School Staff Meeting 3:30 Nov. 22 Hot Dog Day Nov. 26 JRAC Nov. 27 Parent Council Meets 7pm Nov. 29 Breakfast of Champions Nov. 29-Dec. 07 Senior High Ski Trip to Lake Louise Nov. 30 Flex Friday NO SCHOOL Dec. 03 No JRAC Dec. 4,5,7 &8 Senior High Drama Performances (pm) Dec. 06 Hot Dog Day Dec. 06 Band Concert

LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The library will be selling discarded books on the evening of Parent-Teacher Interviews. There will be books for students of all ages. Suggested donation is $0.10 to $0.25 per book – just pop the money in the box. The books will be set out in the common area during Parent-Teacher Interviews. The book sale will continue in the library after interviews until November 23rd.

Literacy Tip for the Month of November

Reading at home helps children do better in school. Have lots of

children's books in your home and visit the library every week.

Help your children get their own library cards and let

them pick out their own books.

Early Literacy Team

Check out the newsletter online at our school website.

It looks so much better in colour!!

threehillsschool.ca

MAGAZINE FUNDRAISER

The students and staff of Three Hills

School would like to thank everyone

who assisted in making our magazine

subscription campaign a great success!

Thank you again for helping us to

reach our $3000.00 fundraising goal!

The grade 7/8 Split Class and the

grade 9A class won the top selling Ice

Cream Sundae Party, Max Cunningham

was the Top Seller and Hayley Reece

was the 2nd Top Seller, as well, the

many other students listed below

were the lucky recipients of over

$250.00 worth of cash and $1000.00

worth of prizes throughout the

campaign!

If you placed your order online, you may already be receiving your

subscriptions. The paper orders were submitted this week and therefore

should be arriving in the next 4-6 weeks. All of your subscriptions are 100%

guaranteed! If you DO NOT receive your subscriptions within the next 6

weeks, please address any service concerns to CCRP at 1-800-665-5133

or by email service @ccrp.ca

Magazine Sales Lucky Winners

Aiden H Rylan L Layne K Callie H Max C Hayley R Eric V

Jaylin H Drew B Belinda P Jarod M Kristian M Zach H Kyle S

Nick H Maddy M Kyra V Marshall W Justin C Curtis H Patrick D

Owen V Josh K Adam L Rory V Dyllan G Denver J Jayden W

Courtney Y Jordan L Keara M Laura M Lucas F Brett T Vanessa J

Greg M Grayson M Brandon R Cassandra R Bailey H Evan B Sadie K

Delaney M

Anyone who missed out on purchasing a grad ring can still do so by contacting Sean Kelly @

1-877-252-1774

Join us Thursday, November 08th at 10:30 a.m., in the main gym of Three Hills School for our annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

International Students Return to Celebrate Wedding When Kevin & Teri Enns began planning for their daughter’s wedding it was only natural that they would invite the international students who had lived with them over the past few years. The girls had become part of their family and were thrilled to be included in the big event. The surprising thing was that all of them came. Natalia from Brazil, Marion from Germany, Andrea from Mexico and Linjie from China all arrived in time for the September 1st wedding.

L to R: Jeni Coleman (grew up in Africa), Rachel, Kevin & Teri Enns, Marion Winkler (Germany), Andrea Nunez (Mexico), Natalia Verdelho (Brazil) and Linjie Zhou (China)

EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS / INCLEMENT

WEATHER

Background Every reasonable effort is to be made to hold school on the days stipulated in the annual school calendar. When the weather poses a significant safety concern for the welfare of students, bus route service may be cancelled and /or schools may be closed. The Division supports the decision of parents who choose not to send their children to school, or to ride a school bus, because of safety concerns during severe weather.

Procedures

1. When severe or inclement weather exists, the bus driver shall make a decision about whether or not it is safe to transport students. If the bus driver deems it unsafe to operate his/her bus, the driver/ contractor shall:

1.1 Notify by 6:45 a.m. the Principal and the Supervisor of Transportation.

1.2 Notify the parents of all students on the bus route. A phone fan-out may be used to facilitate the rapid dissemination of the announcement.

1.3 If all bus drivers who serve a particular school cancel the routes, one driver acting on behalf of all shall contact the Principal.

2. The Principal is responsible to notify the Superintendent of the bus route closures which affect his/her school.

3. Schools are expected to remain open with staff in attendance for those students who are able to attend even if a bus route, several routes, or all routes affecting the school, do not run, unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent.

4. If the Superintendent authorizes the Principal to announce a school closure due to severe weather, the inability of most or all buses to serve the students, and the inability of staff to reach the school in reasonably safe traveling conditions, provision shall be made by the Principal to ensure that students who arrive at the school have access to the facility and supervision until alternative arrangements can be made with the parent(s). If more than one school in an area is affected by the severe weather, the Principals in the area may consult with one another regarding the closure of schools within the affected area. One Principal, acting on behalf of the group of Principals, will contact the Superintendent for authorization to close the affected schools.

5. In situations where severe weather conditions occur or weather conditions have deteriorated after the students have been transported to school, no school bus shall transport students home until the regular dismissal time.

6. If the conditions are such that it is not safe for the buses to take rural students home, it is the responsibility of the Principal and staff to alert parents to the situation, and where necessary, to arrange for local billeting of students and /or their accommodation at the school. Schools are to obtain emergency contact numbers and alternative emergency contacts and billets for students at the time of registration.

7. If school staff are unable to reach the school because of severe, inclement weather resulting in impassable or dangerous road conditions, the staff member will incur no loss of pay. The staff member must notify the Principal. When the Principal is aware of severe weather which may pose a significant danger to staff, he/she may contact staff to advise them of the dangerous conditions and that travel to school is not required.

8. In the event of a school plant emergency which may be related or unrelated to weather conditions, a school closure may be announced. This decision is made by the Principal in consultation with the Superintendent.

9. Each Principal shall have a communication plan to inform parents, students, and staff in the event of a school closure. The communication plan, which may include a fan out telephone system, must include provisions for communicating with those who are normally transported by school bus services and those who are not. The communication plan shall describe a process for ensuring that public service messages about school closures are broadcast on local radio stations. Principals are advised to communicate this administrative procedure to parents through the school handbook, newsletters, or announcements.

School Closure Phone List

Country 105 QR77 Peak107

262-6397

CBC 1010 Fan 960 Lite 96 Jack 66 CFR Global

521-6197 fax 291-4368

AM1060 CJ 92 Vibe 985

240-4100

Q91 1-800-666-7715 or 823-3384

CHFM 291-0000

A Channel 508-3305 508-3333

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING INCLEMENT

WEATHER

1. Who decides if the buses will run?

Each bus driver decides for his/her route and/or the bus company decides in consultation with drivers. The decision is based on a risk assessment. The driver or company is responsible to notify the Director of Transportation services, the school principals affected by the route closure, and all affected families on the route.

2. If one bus doesn't run, are all buses cancelled?

No. The decision is route - by - route. The Division is over 3000 square miles and conditions vary throughout. Usually the buses in a general area are all affected. For example, if there is a storm in Three Hills those buses may not run while the buses in Strathmore area may run.

3. What conditions result in a bus route closure for the day?

If the conditions appear to pose a significant risk to students, then the route will be cancelled. Risks include conditions like fog, snow-blocked roads, extreme cold, icy conditions, and impassable roads due to wash-outs. In Alberta winter driving conditions occur from September - May so the buses are equipped for normal winter driving. Cancellations occur only in extreme circumstances. Often the first inclement weather of the season causes the most difficulty.

4. How many times do bus route closures occur?

This depends entirely on weather conditions. Based on past experience, on average, a bus route might close 2-3 times per year.

5. Are schools open when buses aren't running?

Yes. Schools are open to receive children who are able to get to school. Remember that one or two route closures may impact only a few students. Many times a bus route or two is closed but school carries on in the normal way because the vast majority of students are able to attend.

6. When and why are schools closed due to bad weather?

Schools are closed only when it is apparent that all or nearly all the buses can't run. If the buses can't run, then our staff usually can't make the drive to

work either. If there are too few students and/or too few teachers to make school a safe and worthwhile instructional experience, the school will be closed. The principal, in consultation with the superintendent, decides when a school will close. School closures could occur for more reasons than inclement weather, but that is the usual reason. School closures are generally rare events - once or twice a year at most and some years not at all.

7. If the school is officially closed, will someone be in the building to receive students who may not know about the closure?

Yes. Someone, usually the principal, will be in the school at the regular time to open doors and ensure that children have a safe, supervised place to stay until their parents or another caregiver can arrive and take them from the school.

8. How will I know if the bus route is cancelled or the school is closed?

If your bus driver calls to inform you, or you receive a call from another parent who is part of a "fan out" for phone calls, you will know that the bus is not running. Route closures are also announced on several local radio stations. If the school is closed, buses won't be running. Announcements about school closures are also on the local radio stations.

9. Why don't the schools close every time the bus routes are cancelled?

Because bus route closures may not affect even the majority of the students and because parents count on schools to provide child care services, the schools don't automatically close because of bus route closures. The school closes only when the route closures are pervasive and staff, too, cannot safely drive to work.

10. If the school is open but the bus isn't running, should I drive my child to school?

Use your best judgment. If you live a short distance from town, believe your vehicle is well equipped to handle road conditions that buses cannot safely drive, and you are confident that you can pick up your child if conditions worsen or at the end of the day, you may choose to transport your child. If you choose not to drive, that will also be supported. You are the parent so you can decide what risks you wish to take.

11. What if the school is open, the buses aren't running, and I feel compelled to have my child at school?

Please don't take unnecessary risks. If your child attends school regularly, then missing a day or two over the course of the year, due to travel conditions will not affect his/her achievement. Missed assignments due to weather can be rescheduled to accommodate your child.

12. How soon will I know about bus route closures or a school closure?

The people who make the decisions about route closures consult as early as 6:00 a.m. Sometimes the conditions are forecast to improve so the decision may not be finalized until closer to 6:30 or 6:45. If the decision is made to

close your route, you will receive a phone call from the driver or a parent who participates in the fan out. If the decision is made to close all bus routes you may not receive a personal call, rather you will hear a public service announcement on several radio stations. If the school is closed, you will hear a public service announcement. It is a good idea to keep the radio on in the mornings when you suspect that a route closure or school closure could occur. If travel advisories have been issued, or the conditions for travel appear dangerous, there is potential for a closure of a route and/or a school. The Division serves over 6000 students so we rely, too, on the efforts of parents to keep themselves reasonably informed by listening to the radio. The Division does not have the people-power to call 6000 students before 8:00 a.m. so your efforts to listen for announcements is much appreciated.

13. Why should I send my child to school when some bus routes are cancelled, because many students are away, and the class seems to be a waste of time? Do kids spend all day watching movies and playing games?

No. The truth is that under very rare circumstances do kids watch movies. The video materials available for school use are almost exclusively chosen because they support outcomes in the Program of Studies, so a video watching at school is not like video watching at home. It is not entertainment. If you have concerns about the appropriateness or inappropriateness of activities on inclement weather days, please don't hesitate to raise these concerns with your school administrator.

On "snow days," students have a rare opportunity to work one-on-one with their teachers to review, work on essays and other projects, and / or study in preparation for exams. Students can engage in interesting conversations with staff and other students and the small group environment is often more conducive to hearing from students who are reluctant to speak in large groups. Snow days are great days to have your kids at school!

14. Most of the bus information applies to bus routes for students who live out of town. What about students who live in town?

Bus drivers in town can often drive their routes when closures are necessary for out-of-town routes. If the town buses won't be running, you will hear an announcement on the radio. Town buses usually run in all weather conditions UNLESS the school is closed. If the school is closed, please do not send or transport your child to the school. If you are unaware of the closure, please remember that staff will be at school to ensure your child's safety. Please do not expect a personal phone call. Thank you for listening to the local radio stations whenever you suspect a school closure or bus route closure due to weather conditions.

15. If a bus route is cancelled in the morning, will the bus run at the end of the school day to take students home who were able to find other transportation to school?

No. If a bus route is cancelled in the morning due to weather or school closure the route is cancelled for both pick up and drop off or return service.

Yearbook Orders as of October 29, 2012 Following is a list of people who have ordered a yearbook . If you think your name should be on this list please call the school @ 403 443-5335. If you would like to order a 2012-2013 Colour Yearbook, please send $40.00 for a plain yearbook or $45.00 for an engraved yearbook, to the school office.

PLAIN Luke Anhorn Emma Campbell Connor Cunningham Lauren Cunningham Nicholas Desrosiers Patrick Desrosiers Shaelynn George Ryder Guttridge Daryn Hebert Laura McNeely Laramie Meding Dylan Reece Kirsten Schlaugh Kadence Smithson Rowan Smithson Jordan Trentham Sarah Vaughan

Connor Viste Alec Whitehead Blake Wilson

ENGRAVED Sarah Benson Hunter Frere Aiden Hanger Austin Hanger Callie Hanger Layne Kolke Landon Nygard Natalia Nygard Dylan Reece Hayley Reece Rebecca Richards Alexander Trentham Daniel Weatherald

October 12, 2012

Nominations open for 2013 Excellence in Teaching Awards

Teaching awards recognize Alberta Edmonton... The Excellence in Teaching Awards celebrates its 25th anniversary in May 2013, and nominations are now being accepted

to recognize outstanding educators from across the province. “To be nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award is a great honour, because nominations come from the nominees’ own students, parents, colleges, and community members,” said Education Minister Jeff Johnson. “Over the years, the stature of these awards has grown and we are proud to continue the tradition of recognizing excellent educators in this way, for a 25th year.”

Since the program began in 1989, almost 9,000 teachers have been nominated and over 500 teachers and principals recognized with Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Award recipients receive certificates of recognition, access to $4,000 for professional development, and will be formally honoured at a dinner and ceremony in Edmonton with the Minister of Education in May 2013.

“Quality teachers in our classrooms are very important to our children’s success,” said Johnson. “The Excellence in Teaching Awards provides a great opportunity to showcase the many effective teachers we have and promote examples of innovative teaching practices.”

Nomination packages are available at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/excellence.aspx and include details of eligibility and selection criteria. Nominations can be submitted to Alberta Education from October 15, 2012, to February 8, 2013.

From the eligible nominations received, approximately 130 semi-finalists will be selected. Twenty of those semi-finalists will receive provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Alberta Education hosts the 25th annual Excellence in Teaching Awards with the support of the Alberta School Boards’ Association, the Alberta School Councils’ Association, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the Association of Alberta Deans of Education, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards and the Edmonton Journal.