Thursday, 22 December 2016

Principal's Message for December



To our families of École Golden Gate Middle School,


I would like to thank Mme Buchanan for her 27 years of teaching at École Golden Gate Middle School. Mme Buchanan recently announced her retirement and we wish her all the very best as she embarks on a new chapter in her life. Thank you Mme Buchanan for your commitment and dedication to teaching and to the students of Golden Gate over your career.


Our Great Gator Celebration took place on December 21st! Congratulations to all the students who were recognized for their contributions to the academics, arts, athletics, and/or special achievements. Monthly, students are nominated as Great Gators “Student of the Month” in the areas of band, choir, art and athletics. We had a special awards winner in the area of athletics, academics and special achievement in recognizing a former student, Kienan LaFrance. Kienan, who attended Golden Gate and later Sturgeon Heights, is a member of the Ottawa Red Blacks of the CFL who recently won the Grey Cup! There is Nothing Greater than Being a Gator!


This past week we had lots of fun enjoying Spirit Week! Unfortunately, due to the cold weather we had to cancel our Ice Bucket Challenge but had lots of fun with other activities. We did a great job in raising food items for the Christmas Cheer Board! We were able to provide a “huge” hamper for three families! Way to go Gators for your spirit of giving! Thank you to our Student Leadership team for organizing the week for all of us to enjoy and to help families this holiday season!


In athletics, basketball season is underway. Atomic basketball will begin after the winter break and we encourage students still interested in the game to come out. Just a reminder that we appreciate parental support in driving our students to games, but please ensure that you have completed the Driver’s Authorization Consent Form in advance of transporting any students. Yoga has turned out to be popular amongst students and staff, and is offered Friday mornings at 8 am.  Morning Track and Field will start following the holidays, with sprints, relays, hurdles, jumps and throws.


It is important to review and remind our students of the expectations with regards to snowballs. As this has been a practice since the early years in elementary school, students should understand for safety reasons that snow must be left on the ground at all times. There is no place for throwing snowballs as someone will potentially get hurt, and it is not permitted on or off school property. Students who are not cooperative in following the rule may face disciplinary action.


We are still accepting the Student Self-Assessment/Parent Comment forms that accompanied each student's report card on December 6th.  We appreciate our students and parents taking the time to relay their thoughts, both positive and otherwise.


Our Open House for prospective students will take place on Wednesday, January 18th at 7 pm in the gym.  If you currently have children attending Golden Gate, and have a child in grade 5, we look forward to seeing you out! Next year as a result of the reorganization phase-in, Golden Gate will have English programming for grades 6 to 8, and French Immersion programming for grade 8’s.


Pre-printed student registration forms, which will include student information for our current grade 6 and 7 students, will be going home with the students early in January and we would expect them to be returned as soon as possible. All registration forms must be handed in to the student’s homeroom teacher by January 27th. Prospective incoming new students will be provided a registration form on January 27th. These registration forms will be made available at your child’s elementary school. Registration forms will also be made available online as of January 27th for our new students.


Here are the Open Houses that will be taking place at the High Schools for our grade 8 students for next year……

John Taylor Collegiate, 470 Hamilton Ave. Thursday, February 16

St. James Collegiate, 1900 Portage Ave. Monday, February 13

Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, 2665 Ness Ave. Tuesday, February 14

Westwood Collegiate, 360 Rouge Rd., Wednesday, February 15

**All Information Evenings for the High Schools begin at 7:00 p.m.


Important dates to remember:

December 23 - Winter break begins

Monday, January 9 - Students return to class Day 5

January 18 - 7 pm Open House

January 10 and 24 - Early dismissals

January 10 - 6 pm Ski Trip Parent/Student Meeting in the Gym

January 26 - 7 pm Grade 6 Band Concert

February 7 and 21 - Early dismissals

 

I would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a safe and enjoyable holiday season! Merry Christmas!

Yours respectfully,

Mr. D. Kalynchuk

Principal/Directeur

 

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