Year End Message to Junior High Schools

MEMORANDUM

TO: Families of 7-12 Students

FROM: Andrew Hickey, Assistant Director of Education-Programs (Avalon Region)

DATE: May 6, 2021

SUBJECT: YEAR END MESSAGE TO JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS – FAMILIES __________________________________________________________________________________

This memo is intended to provide direction for families of Junior and Senior High School students relative to the final days of instruction in June of 2021.

Schools will provide meaningful, engaging learning opportunities for all students up to and including the days prior to report card pick-up in the final week of school. Learning and instruction will not end when we normally would have at the beginning of an exam period. We expect all students to attend their classes.

It is important for students to know that learning will continue, and they will have every opportunity to improve their grades up to the end of instruction. Students will be able to demonstrate improved competency and this will be reflected on the final report distributed on the last day for students. How this looks in each school may be different as school teams consider opportunities to build rich learning activities for their students.

For the vast majority of schools, Thursday, June 24, is the scheduled pick-up day for report cards. Scenario 2 schools will have to use Wednesday, June 23, as well. Schools will communicate arrival and dismissal procedures in the near future.

Community Food Drive

Hello MacDonald Drive Community Members!! In partnership with NLEats and the Airport Heights Food Co, MDJH is hosting a Year-End Community Food Drive from Monday, May 17 to Friday, May 21, 2021! You will be thrilled to note that we are also partnering with Roncalli Elementary and Gonzaga High School as well! Any non-perishable food items donated can be dropped off in the mornings on the tables just inside the cafeteria. All donations will be going to local food banks in our community! This is a great time to clear out your cupboards and to donate to such a wonderful cause!

MDJH Updates

Condensed day

  • We no longer have a homeroom period, instructional time begins at 8:05. It is more important than ever that students arrive on time for school.
  • Food from Chartwells can ONLY be purchased through online ordering until 8am on the same morning, and will be brought to the class. Students will not be able to purchase food from Chartwells during the lunch period. Students can also bring a packed lunch from home.

Upcoming Professional Development Days and Holiday

  • May 12 – PD day
  • May 31 – PD day
  • May 24 – Holiday

Science Fair Results

Congratulations to our participating MDJH students, as they obtained great results from the the Eastern Newfoundland Regional Science and Technology Fair

Orpa Hawlader – Surface Tension on Floating Objects and Cheerios Effect

  • Gold Medal – Junior Physical Science
  • First Place Overall Junior Project – $250
  • Canada Wide Science Fair Finalist 2021

Dipayan Dhar – Here Comes the Sun: The Potential of Solar Energy in NL

  • Gold Medal – Intermediate Physical Science
  • First Place Overall Intermediate Project – $250
  • Canada Wide Science Fair Finalist 2021

Adhira Ganesh and Alpita Patro – Resistance is fruitile

  • Gold Medal – Junior Life Science
  • Second Place Overall Junior Project – $150

Honourable Mentions

  • Arika Rahman and Meghna Saha
  • Sheza Chowdhury and Nasarajswari Devarapalli

Way to go, Grizzlies!

Upcoming Chess Event

On May 1, Chess Buddies Canada will be hosting the first ever Simul Event!

Daley Merrigan (current highest ranked chess player in NL) will be leading the event and will be taking on all challengers! It is a great opportunity to play a strong chess player! The only requirement is for players to have a Lichess.org account. It is free, and you only need an email address to register. The link to join the Simul Event is https://lichess.org/simul/52jMPXJ8.

If you have any questions, or want to learn more about how the Simul Event will work, please contact Tanish Bhatt at tbhatt_S@nlesd.ca.

For more information regarding the club and future events, visit our website at Chessbuddies.ca