Holiday Drama Showcase at the Horizon

Today and this evening the Triple Threat Theatre Company and the Woodhaven Glee Singers performed at the Horizon Stage.  This afternoon students from school had the opportunity to view the performance and tonight it was open to the public.  I am making an admission here... I, the principal, am not able to attend.  I have been covering classes for Ms. Neumann and was unable to go tonight.  I hate missing productions.  Why do I hate missing?  Performance is one way that we are able to test ourselves by taking risks.  I am so impressed that Mr. Tokarsky, Ms. Nuemann on the drama side and Mrs. Morris who directs the Glee singers, can get the students prepared and comfortable enough to see beyond the risk and really perform.

There was one thing Mr. Tokarsky told me today that speaks to the power of performance and how our students step up to the challenge.  One girl in the Theatre Company from Greystone has a very commanding stage voice.  Mr. T witnessed a girl from Woodhaven and another Greystone girl go up to her and ask, "Will you teach us to project the way you do?"  Kids teaching kids is a powerful thing.  They want to get better each time out.

Well done performers!  Wish I could have been there.

Formal Thursday

And you didn't think you could dress them up.  Grade 7's Mr. Luck proved that statement to be wrong.  He started an underground movement called Formal Thursday which sees him and students kicking up the standard of dress in our hallways to a whole new level.  As you can see...very impressive.

Hello to the Blogosphere

Hello

I have started this blog as a way to communicate directly with our school community and keep you up to date on goings on from a principal's point of view.  The first term of the year is almost past and I am wondering how I misplaced those three months.  It has flown by. 

Here are some reflections on the term....thanks School Counsel parents.  Your dedication to Woodhaven is truly outstanding.  With your assistance we raised $7 000 to purchase new learning technology for the students.  Your help with grab and go breakfast in the morning is   I know that work is critically important to our kids.  The Counsel is also running a casino in the spring with the funds going to finish tech upgrades in the building and enhance our library.

I want to thank all those who coached our volleyball teams this year.  Mr. Chan, Mr. McLachlan, Ms. Getz, Ms. Van Natter, Mrs. Lucki, Mr. Bradshaw, Ms. Schaber, Ms. Morris, Mrs. Daniels, Ms. Lyster and Ms. Lyster II, and Mr. Jones dedicated hours of their personal time to advance the skills of our kids. Did you realize that all Woodhaven teams are coached by staff members and often the teams have two staff members coaching.  This is a rarity and shows the dedication of our staff.  Thanks to you all.

The holiday season is upon us and I want to thank Mr. Chan for arranging the lighting our hallways with lights to brighten our season....that sets a great mood in the building.  In the holiday spirit, Woodhaven will once again be putting together hampers to support families in our community during the Christmas season.  They will be done by homerooms and your contributions are greatly appreciated.  Students from Woodhaven will once again be travelling to help at inner city missions on the last day before the break.  This is one more instance where our students reach out to help others.