Christmas Critical Thinking Clue 4

You're getting close to the end.  Remember, email Mrs. Denet (mdenet@psd70.ab.ca) if you know who this is.

Christmas Critical Thinking Clue 3

This is your third clue.  Got it yet.  If yes, go to Monday's blog for how to respond to Mrs. Denet with your answer.

Great Job On the Hampers Woodhaven!

Mrs. Gericke emailed this afternoon to report that our school came through in a big way in bringing in donations to support families in need this Christmas.  Classes helped each other out with a notable thank you going out to Mr. Smithaniuk's Grade 8's  for their support of Mr. Hardman's Grade 6's who helped collect donations from around the school.  Well done!

A big thanks goes out to all the parents who delivered our donations to the Elk's Hall.  Our parents rock!

We had a great response from our students who wanted to join their class mates working for the inner city missions.  We have a group going to the Mustard Seed on Thursday, the Boyle Street Coop on Friday and another group working with the Salvation Army.  Way to step up Wolfpack....and again, our parents are supporting this work.  This is the most parent volunteers we have ever had.

Critical Thinking- Clue #2

Here is the second clue to your critical thinking challenge....did you know that Mrs. Denet and Mrs. Gericke are in charge of teaching our staff how to imbed critical thinking into their lessons!

Woodhaven Wonders? A Critical Thinking Challenge for Families

WHO IS IN THE WORLD MEDIA

Your critical challenge is to identify who, in the world media, is depicted in the pictures.  Each day, you will receive a picture clue to help you.  Remember that all of the pictures relate to the same person.

        Use your background knowledge of history and current events, evidence from direction observations, and inferences to make connections.  Look for evidence in the pictures and relationships between the pictures to make your judgments. When you are ready to make a “reasoned response” please do so by email to mdenet@psd70.ab.ca with the word “challenge” in the subject line (send answers only as the emails will not be replied to).

Clue 1

Hold On To Your Kids

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Gabor Mate, family physician and noted writer on adolescent issues, is returning to speak at Woodhaven Middle School.  Dr. Mate was last with us in January 2009 and spoke to a packed gym of parents their children.  It was so well received and was such a powerful message that Woodhaven has joined with Greystone, Broxton Park and Meridian Heights to have Dr. Mate join us again to talk about how to 'Hold On To Your Kids'.

The Woodhaven staff deals with the trials of adolescent life on a moment to moment basis in our Middle School world.  As much as no kid wants to admit it they need us.  Adolescents crave a clear bottom line regarding what it means to 'Do Right'.  They want predictability in their world because it makes it emotionally safe for them.  Kids also want to feel in control.  That's why it is critical that we keep an open dialogue going while we are trying to help them navigate through their trials and tribulations.

Dr. Mate will give you ideas and suggestions on how to build that kind of relationship with your child.  He wants your advice to matter more than the advice of your child's peers.

We invite you to join us to listen to Dr. Mate on Monday, January 31 at 6:45 in the Woodhaven gym.  He will also be speaking on Tuesday, February 1 at 6:45 at Meridian Heights  in Stony Plain.  Brochures outlining the evening are available at the office.

School Boundary Review Being Undertaken

The following is a message for all parents.  From my perspective I believe that PSD is trying to be as open and transparent as possible as we try to work through issues related to space for students in our schools.   Please take a moment and look this over.

System Review of School Boundaries

Parkland School Division has been challenged to deal with changing demographics in several school communities.  In an effort to ensure that schools have adequate space for students, PSD is undertaking a system review of the current attendance area boundaries.  The review will consider current area attendance patterns, future residential growth and resulting projected enrolment and options for an attendance boundary that will optimize enrolment capacity with enrolment projections for the area.

Mr. Hugh Skinner (Stantec Consulting Ltd.)  who has extensive experience and expertise in this field, will be guiding the process and working very closely with Senior Administration and the Board of Trustees.  Mr. Skinner is currently gathering an extensive amount of data that will provide him with the background necessary to create options for school attendance boundary changes that the Board may wish to consider.

Parkland School Division believes in the importance of community consultation and is committed to ensuring that it is a critical factor in the work ahead.  As details become available, each school community will receive clear and timely information regarding the timing and process for consultation.   It is anticipated that the consultations will happen in January and February with the review  being completed by March 2011.

We encourage parents, students, community members and staff who are interested to check the PSD website for updates regarding the progress of this work.  Information will also be provided to School Councils as it is available.

Keeping You in the Loop

Communication is so important in our people business and we are working hard to ensure that the lines of communication are open.  Please check out the PSD website for the monthly messages from Board Chair Richard Gilchrist and Superintendent Tim Monds. http://www.psd70.ab.ca/Pages/Default.aspx