ADS Newsletter November 8,2024

Almost every day this week was gorgeous outside. I feel we are near the end of the beautiful weather and time to bring out the coats and boots. We held our fall program information night for incoming grade 8 families who are considering attending Acton District. First there was a slide presentation and then parents and students toured the building to see the classrooms/shops and ask questions. There is no better school in the north than Acton District School.
The low teacher:pupil ratio permits the kind of personal attention and academic support found only in private schools. Helping students achieve their highest possible overall average at the end of garde 12 is our goal too. That is what a close-knit smaller school can promise. We offer nearly all the same sports and clubs as the big box schools but the odds of your child being able to play and participate is 10X greater here because we have a smaller population. We head to OFSSAA every year for volleyball, swimming etc. We all know your students–all of us–even if we don’t teach your child. Yes, there are some specific programs that we can not offer e.g. cosmetology, but unless your student is convinced that is where they want to head for their future of work, then I know we have many other interesting alternatives to engage your child before they make that decision. Often they don’t know what they want until they try a variety of options and develop a passion for something. Our passionate teachers nurture creative passion in their students. 4 years of high school is about success in academics, developing relationships and making happy memories. Acton District is the best place for your student to become what they are meant to be. I couldn’t be more proud of our graduates and the outstanding accomplishments they achieve in their time with us. Send us your student and we’ll send you back a graduate ready for anything.

My Best, Kelli.

"Our children are already genius when they come to us in schools and classrooms. We only need to cultivate it...To cultivate something is to water and nourish what is already existing inside of our students."

~ Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

We are studying optics in grade 10 science. We learned about light reflection, concave mirrors, and absorption of light energy. This culminated in the students doing a STEM project building and testing solar ovens. The goal is to make a Smore (melt chocolate and marshmallows on graham crackers in the oven using only sunlight!)

The warm temperatures are giving us a chance to remain outside for phys-ed. Students are reminded to bring layers in case the sun hides behind the clouds and makes the temp a bit chilly. Pictured here: 7/8 - 1 playing flag football

Our Library is looking for BOOK donations. Do you have books that are taking up space and that you would like to donate to a good cause? We are looking for books for ALL ages for our Library and to sell at this year's Holiday Craft Sale in November. Money raised will be used to support events in our school and for donation to The Downie Wenjack Foundation. Please bring your gently used books to the school and drop off in the wood bin in our front foyer. Your generosity is much appreciated.

Intermediate Badminton Club is starting next week (Nov 12 & Nov 15)). Students need to pick up a permission form from Mr. Bloemendal or Ms. Baxter and return it prior to participating in the first practice. This will be an intramural club. Students are expected to find their own transportation to school (no additional busing will be provided) as practices will occur on Tuesdays (grade 7) at 7:40am-8:40am and on Fridays (grade 8) at 7:40am-8:40am. The club will run for a total of 10 weeks.

For our Grade 7 and 8 Families

Want to learn more about the provincial report card and how you can help your child at home with their learning? Join me online for a virtual session on Monday November 25th @ 2:00 pm. It is hosted by myself, Erika Fellner-Stagg. I am the ESL teacher for Sam Sherratt, E.W. Foster, Acton Elementary, MSB and Boyne. While I support students learning English at a variety of levels, this session is general information, so all parents and guardians are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to fellnerstagge@hdsb.ca and the Google Meet link will be emailed to you closer to the session date. Looking forward to seeing you online!

Important information on 2024/2025 enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)

For the 2024/2025 school year, Halton Region Public Health will be enforcing Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)(external link) for students born 2007 to 2012, and 2017 who are missing immunization records with Public Health.

The ISPA requires that all children and adolescents attending school be fully immunized against several designated diseases. Parents/guardians must review and report all vaccines their children receive to Public Health.

Students must have up to date immunization records (or a valid vaccine exemption) for the following ISPA designated diseases(external PDF)

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio;
Measles, Mumps, Rubella;
Meningococcal Disease; and
Varicella (chickenpox) (required for children born in 2010 or later).

If your child is unable to be immunized for medical reasons, or if you choose not to immunize your child, you must submit a vaccine exemption to Halton Region Public Health. For more details about this process, please visit the Vaccine Exemption for Children page for more information.

Parents/guardians will be notified by mail if their 2007 to 2012, and 2017 born child’s record is missing information, starting in October 2024. These students may be suspended from school in early 2025 if their immunization records remain incomplete.

Please note: If you have recently reported your child’s immunization record, processing time may take up to 4 to 5 weeks.

With temperatures still keeping us guessing, winter weather could surprise us any time! To stay prepared, families are encouraged to review the HDSB Inclement Weather Reminders to know how we communicate important updates about school closures and bus cancellations. A printable version of this information is also available. If your child is bused to school, please ensure you know which transportation zone you are located in. Let’s stay connected and safe when wintry conditions arrive!

Please visit our Student Services Page on our website for the most up to date information:

https://act.hdsb.ca/student-services

Social Work Support at ADS

HDSB Social Workers work with students, families, and school communities to promote student well-being, mental health, and academic success.

ADS has one social worker to support our students: Lisa O’Halloran. Students can self refer by emailing our Social Worker anytime. Please see the flyer for more information on services provided.