Dr. J. M. Denison Secondary School Principal: Janet Atkinson -- Vice-Principals: A. Cowan, T. Stein

March 3, 2017

Upcoming Dates March 10th – Interim Report Distributed

March 13- 17th - March Break March 30th - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

March 30th – Teacher Interview Night

March 2017 Trustee Greetings With spring approaching and the hours of daylight increasing, now is a good time to enjoy the outdoors and our natural environment. Did you know that our Board has five outdoor education centres, and students have opportunities to visit them and other outdoor learning spaces throughout their schooling? This is part of our commitment to giving students an opportunity to learn in and about the natural world. This learning supports students in gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of environmental sustainability.

“Modelling continuous environmental sustainability” is one of the goals outlined in our Board of Trustees’ Multi-Year Plan. We believe that we all have a role to play in reducing waste and protecting our environment. Our students, staff members and families continue to show leadership when it comes to supporting student learning and initiatives to reduce our ecological footprint.

Spending time outside as a family also provides a great opportunity to support and enhance your child’s learning outside of school. Whether visiting a park or museum, reading with your child in your home language or asking questions about their day at school - know that there are many ways you can support their education and that you are making a difference.

I hope you all have a happy and safe March Break and enjoy the warmer weather ahead.

Spirit Week

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) The Ontario Secondary Literacy Test will be held on Thursday, March 30th. Throughout the 2016/17 school year, teachers have been preparing students for the OSSLT. They have been providing targeted instructions to Grade 10 students and Previously Eligible students (Gr. 11 and 12) who have not completed the literacy requirement. In addition, Administration will hold an assembly on March 7th for all grade 10 students writing the Test and March 8th for all previously eligible students. Students have received targeted instructions for the following topics: - Strategies for answering multiple choice questions - Short writing tasks and punctuation - News report - Opinion Essay The following sites are helpful: Tips for the Test: http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/denison.ss/students/Pages/default.aspx Sample Tests for Booklets 1 and 2. Students should record their answers in the Answer Booklets. http://www.eqao.com/en/assessments/OSSLT/Pages/example-assessment-materials-2016.aspx#paperbase

YRDSB Science Olympics Logo Contest Winner is from Denison!

The Denison Science Club is extremely proud to announce that the winner of the 2017 YRDSB Science Olympics Logo Contest is our very own Ingrid Campbell! Ingrid took a rough idea dreamed up at a club meeting and used her creative magic to create a logo that wowed the judges. Congratulations on a job well done.

The theme of this year's Olympics is "Fun and Games"

Run for It! The Run for It! program is a 6 week mental health workshop and running group for female students.

Female students will meet as a group 2x/week on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. They will be training to participate in the Shoppers Run for Women 5km run/walk on Sunday April 30th in Unionville. The promotion of mental health and wellness are the foci of the running program. Female police officers, as well as other guest speakers, will be presenting and will be joining the students on their runs/walks. Workshops/Running groups will commence after March Break. If you would like additional information, please contact Ms Russell or Ms Morrison.

Guidance News March Break/April Open Houses at Ontario Colleges! Grade 11 and 12 students are encouraged to attend to see the campuses and answer questions about post secondary education.

Colleges: Date: Algonquin: Ottawa campus Pembroke campus

March 18 March 11

Cambrian April 8 Canadore April 1 Centennial March 26 Conestoga Kitchener and Cambridge Campuses Waterloo Campus Guelph Campus

March 11 March 18 March 18

Confederation March 15-116 Durham March 25 Fanshawe March 25 Fleming April 1 George Brown March 30

April 29

Georgian April 8 Humber April 8 Lambton April 1 Mohawk March 25

April 1 April 6

Seneca April 1 Sheridan April 22 St. Clair March 25 St. Lawrence April 8

March Break/April Open Houses at Ontario Universities! Grade 11 and 12 students are encouraged to attend to see the campuses and answer questions about post secondary education.

University: Date: Algoma March 13-15 Brock April 2 Carleton March 13-18 Guelph March 26 Lakehead Orillia campus

March 13-17 March 14-17

Laurentian March 11 McMaster May 13 Nipissing March 11 Ottawa March 18 Queen’s March 11 Ryerson March 13-17 U of T Mississauga Scarborough

March 19 March 25

Trent Durham Peterborough

March 14 March 16

UOIT March 4 Waterloo March 18 Western March 11 Wilfrid Laurier Brantford Waterloo

March 15 March 11

Windsor March 4 York Glendon Keele

March 5 March 11

Army Reserve Co-op Students who are interested in taking the 4 credit Army Reserve Co-op should speak to Mrs. Cherutti in the Co-op Office, room 305, as soon as possible. This experience is a joint undertaking of the various Southern Ontario school boards and 32 Canadian Brigade Group. This experience is open to grade 11s and 12s and it runs only during second semester. The primary location for the Co-op placement is at the Honourable John Graves Simcoe Armoury, 215 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, Ontario. This is a paid Co-op experience and students can expect to earn anywhere between $9,000 - $12,000 for the semester. Students will choose 4 credit Co-op on Career Cruising and then fill out an application that will be ready for them in the spring. Students will also be required to complete (and pass) a medical test, a fitness test, and an aptitude test.

Dr. John M. Denison Secondary School, 135 Bristol Rd., Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 8J7 Tel. 905-836-0021 – Fax 905 836-0028 -- Website http://denison.ss.yrdsb.ca