Good morning, Hope Community!
Today's topics: 1: Important Reminders
2: Curriculum Focus - "IMPART"
3: Learning Highlight - High School Math
4: Hope STEAM Fair schedule
5: House Points
6: Photos of the week
1: Important Reminders
June 12 ~ Teacher's work day (NO SCHOOL)
June 19 ~ Juneteenth (NO SCHOOL)
June 23 ~ STEAM Fair
Details in section 4 below!
June 27 ~ Last day of school
June 28 ~ Parent Teacher Conference
July 3-14 ~ Revision weeks (optional for current Hope students)
July 17-Aug 4 ~ Summer school
Aug 11 ~ 2023 School year Parent Orientation
Aug 14 ~ First day of 2023 school year
2: IMYC Curriculum Focus - The Needs of the Adolescent Brain
At Hope, we support the transition of our learners as they move from Elementary to Secondary and are aware that this is a period of significant change. To support this, our IMYC curriculum puts a focus on what they call “The Needs of the Adolescent Brain” to aid in this transition and raise awareness to our teachers and community about the changes that the students are going through.
In Middle School classes, the initialism IMPART is used to highlight these needs. The needs have been informed by a range of neuroscience research around the adolescent brain.
To give context to each need, here is a brief summary of each:
Interlinking Learning - To support students in seeing the purpose and connection between all of their IMYC subjects, Middle School teachers connect their lessons to a unit’s “Big Idea”. This helps students to see that learning at Hope is connected and purposeful through a common concept that is explored through different subject lenses.
Making Meaning - To support students in putting their learning into a relevant context, through each IMYC unit, students are given time to respond to journaling prompts and reflective questions that allow them to see how their subject learning connects to their life and the world around them. By showing students the relevance of the learning, it is more likely to be retained for longer.
Peers - The adolescent period can be a time where students are very self-conscious and concerned about what others may think of them. By providing regular opportunities to work with a range of their class peers, a class community is built where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas with all.
Agency - By allowing students agency in selecting their project ideas in events such as the STEAM fair, they are provided an opportunity to become agents in their own learning. This is also provided through offering choice in day-to-day learning. Providing students with agency in how they may wish to contribute to our local community as supports them in becoming Globally Competent Learners.
Risk Taking - Adolescents view the balance between risk and reward than adults do and therefore are more likely to put themselves into situations involving risk. The IMYC aims to yield this in a positive way by providing students with task risks in their learning, whether this be through the creation of an Exit Point, how they choose to record and present their learning activities, or events like “English Week” that challenge students to put themselves in new situations.
Transition - The transition part of IMPART acknowledges that moving from Elementary to Middle School can be a time of challenge for students. Students are moving from a holistic one-teacher environment to the more segmented approach of secondary education. To support them in this time of change, teachers at Hope support students to become more self-organised, supporting them in setting appropriate goals and challenges. Transition is also concerned with the move out from Middle School to High School, ensuring that students have the right background of knowledge, skills and understanding for their next phase of education.
3: Learning Highlight
This week, we would like to take a look at our high school mathematics program. Mr. Colin heads this program and has been teaching mathematics to our high school students for the past two years.
Currently the grade 9 students are working through Geometry, and grades 10 and 11 are finishing up algebra and trigonometry. High school students recently completed the mathematics MAP test assessment, and we were very pleased with the growth of our high school students. Please see below for some examples of our student's growth.
(Please note: the snapshots from the growth chart are from our high school students, but we have blocked out the names for privacy)
4: Hope STEAM Fair schedule
Get ready to be amazed at our upcoming STEAM Fair! We invite you to join us on June 23rd for a showcase of our students' talents and achievements in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and logical problem solving.
Here are the essential details:
Session 1: 8:20-9:40
Session 2: 10:10-11:30
At the STEAM Fair, all participants and visitors will have the chance to vote for their favorite presentations. It's an exciting opportunity for students to earn house points in their yearlong competition. (You can see the current House Points tally below!)
The event is organized as free-flow, allowing you to explore any presentation that piques your interest during the session. With multiple groups presenting from each class, there's a wide range of captivating projects to discover.
To ensure you don't miss out, a Google calendar event will be sent to all parents, keeping you updated and reminding you of this occasion.
Come and be part of this inspiring celebration of curiosity, creativity, and innovation. We can't wait to see you at the STEAM Fair!
5: House Points
Hydra: 5833 ➜ 5895
Basilisk: 5953 ➜ 5999
Dragon: 6996 ➜ 7076
Phoenix: 7239 ➜ 7334
6: Photos of the week!
Thank you and have a great weekend!
-Mr. Brandon & Mr. Brian