Fall Greetings!

Hello everyone! Yes...we are back to school at "The Ridge" and heading into our 3rd week! We are off to a fantastic start in 2011/12 and really happy to be gearing up for an amazing Semester 1. In our first week, we held our "Absolute Think Day" which allowed us to gather as an entire school to listen to a motivational assembly which focused on the theme of "Live Different". Through a series of musical performances, including Canadian Idol, Brian Melo and his bandmates, multimedia and personal story-telling, the "Absolute Youth Team" challenged our students and staff to make changes personally.... to get involved in our community (both locally & globally) and make a real and meaningful difference in the lives of others. In the afternoon, workshops were held for 9 student groups and many individuals from various classes, where the learning and sharing went deeper. The students were given time with their "Think Team" facilitator to brainstorm ideas on how they could "make a difference" in 2011/12.This was a great way to kick off our school year, and as active as we are,  in the school community and the world...we look forward to greater things to come in the next several months as our students get mobilized and put their ideas into action as they "Live Different!" We also welcomed our Grade 9 students and parents on the first day back, with our Link Crew engaging our 9's and our Parent Engagement Group and Public Health Nurse engaging our Grade 9 parents in a session providing tips on "How to Ensure A Successful Transition  for your Teens!" Ensuring a welcoming and  inclusive environment for our Grade 9 students and parents, the morning's activities got us off to a terrific start as we began the building of  new relationships with our newcomers and Class of 2015! This past Friday, we held a "New Student Luncheon" hosted by our Personal Career Counselling Team which was very well attended and much appreciated. We also welcome many new staff for 2011/12. Kate Rehm (VP),Kris Reeve (Student Success), Rachel Stecca (PCC), Michael Fraser (Vocal Music), Caitlin Grieve (French), Jeff Yuill (French), James Caldwell (Canada & the World) Lisa Weir (Special Edcuation) and Susan Hammond (Science). We welcome back Karl Mustoe (Art), Nancy Zigrovic (French), Shalini Singal (Math), Gordana Panoska (English) and Anjay MacKenzie (English/French). All of these folks add so much strength to an already strong teaching staff and we look forward to working with them this year!  So...it's off and running into Week 3, with many of our co-curriculars, teams, clubs and activities ready to formally spring into action. We hope for great success in 2011/12 and invite all of you out to support our students, coaches and teacher/mentors as they engage in athleticcompetition, the "arts", student leadership and additional special events and activities. "Go Ridge!"