We are very fortunate at "The Ridge" to come together at this time of year to celebrate 2013 while also looking forward to 2014. Today at lunch our Parent Engagement Team and Social committee honoured our staff with a Holiday Luncheon. We are so privileged and thankful to be learning, working and playing together at IRHS, as we truly do believe we could not be in a better place! This is my fourth year at our school and each and every day I am very proud of how hard our staff work on behalf of our students, families and extended community. We couldn't have a more supportive group of parents & caregivers and our relationships with our community are very strong and supportive. This past week we had 30 members of our staff and community partners meet together for our Community Net working Meeting. This is a forum where we share current trends and issues representative of students, staff, our Safe School Action Team, our service side (Administration,Personal Career Counselling, Student Success, Social Worker & Public Health Nurse) as well as vested members of our community. Tom Adams attended representing the Town of Oakville, our local community library was represented as well as other members of the Oakville and Halton Region of Health and Recreation Services. Our parents were also represented during this morning of information sharing, networking and relationship building. It is particularly gratifying to have so many folks engaged, all with the hopes of assisting and providing positive opportunities for our youth. We are very lucky that this group of individuals really believes in the importance of continuing to build and provide for the building of the 40 Developmental Assets which contributes to our young people's positive health, success and achievement.This partnership is extremely important for Iroquois Ridge High School and continues to be a very, strong union as we move forward. Our hope is to include our Feeder Schools next year to increase our membership and hear from very important voices that have not been heard as of yet. This Town Hall format really can make a difference in the actions, plans and next steps that all of us can immerse ourselves in, as a follow-up from important information shared. Next steps can and will make a difference for our students. So....soon it will be holiday time for all members of our "Ridge Family"...we all take this time of year to be thankful and reflect on all that we have, all we have done and all we have given.
On behalf of our admin team (Andrew Bigham, Jim Noble and myself), we wish all of you a safe and happy holiday with those you love and care for. We also wish you a very happy and prosperous 2014!!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
December Thoughts!
We are in the home stretch before the holiday! Life continues to be very busy at "The Ridge." Winter sports are up and running,; clubs and organizations are planning for many special activities and events in the next few weeks ensuring that all members of our school community will be fully engaged until 1:15 pm on December 19th! Of course, that is the official dismissal time for our launch into the holiday break.
Today we hosted our Semester 1 - Luncheon of Champions where we celebrated 24 of our "Ridge Champions. It is always a pleasure to host such an event like this where we open our doors to our Ridge Family Members while also being inspired by the student stories that our "nominating" staff share.
This is an event sponsored by our Personal Career Counselling Team (Nancy Anstett, Melanie Spelman, Rachel Stecca, Kris Reeve, Elaine Fung and Georgina Cook) which promotes and celebrates students who have made contributions inside and/or outside of their classrooms in a very unique and sigificant way. Many of the Champions have demonstrated personal growth, perseverance or have overcome challenges to succeed...which makes this event very, very important and special. Some times it takes only one acknowledgement like this from ourselves...."significant adults" in our student's lives that can bolster a sense of confidence in our students and I am always inspired and touched by what our staff say on behalf of our kids. With family and other supporters attending this luncheon...the words spoken are genuine and heartfelt with the attendees clearly impacted by the accolades...sometimes the tears follow on hearing so many positive comments and reflections about our resilient teens! A wonderful event that continues to promote and sustain relationships with all members of our Ridge Family! Thanks to Nancy and her PCC Team for continuing to plan, organize and host this tribute to our "Ridge Champions!"
In the spirit of our holiday season, we are hoping to see many of you out this evening for our Winter Holiday
Concert to be held in our "Street." We are looking forward to listening to our musicians and choir under Kevin MCConvey and Caitlin Belanger's leadership. The concert begins at 7 pm...hope to see you there!
In addition, our One Act Plays are happening on Wednesday December 11th at 7pm in our theatre. The plays are directed by our students and they are looking forward to an evening of very interesting and entertaining performances. Please come out and support our kids...they will appreciate that greatly!
Just a reminder that there will be an early dismissal for our students on Thursday December 19th as noted above in my opening remarks.
On behalf of all of us here at "The Ridge" we hope that you will join us prior to the holiday break in celebrating the holiday season. We wish everyone a safe, relaxing and rejuvenating break as we ready ourselves for 2014!
Happy Holiday Season everyone!
Today we hosted our Semester 1 - Luncheon of Champions where we celebrated 24 of our "Ridge Champions. It is always a pleasure to host such an event like this where we open our doors to our Ridge Family Members while also being inspired by the student stories that our "nominating" staff share.
This is an event sponsored by our Personal Career Counselling Team (Nancy Anstett, Melanie Spelman, Rachel Stecca, Kris Reeve, Elaine Fung and Georgina Cook) which promotes and celebrates students who have made contributions inside and/or outside of their classrooms in a very unique and sigificant way. Many of the Champions have demonstrated personal growth, perseverance or have overcome challenges to succeed...which makes this event very, very important and special. Some times it takes only one acknowledgement like this from ourselves...."significant adults" in our student's lives that can bolster a sense of confidence in our students and I am always inspired and touched by what our staff say on behalf of our kids. With family and other supporters attending this luncheon...the words spoken are genuine and heartfelt with the attendees clearly impacted by the accolades...sometimes the tears follow on hearing so many positive comments and reflections about our resilient teens! A wonderful event that continues to promote and sustain relationships with all members of our Ridge Family! Thanks to Nancy and her PCC Team for continuing to plan, organize and host this tribute to our "Ridge Champions!"
In the spirit of our holiday season, we are hoping to see many of you out this evening for our Winter Holiday
Concert to be held in our "Street." We are looking forward to listening to our musicians and choir under Kevin MCConvey and Caitlin Belanger's leadership. The concert begins at 7 pm...hope to see you there!
In addition, our One Act Plays are happening on Wednesday December 11th at 7pm in our theatre. The plays are directed by our students and they are looking forward to an evening of very interesting and entertaining performances. Please come out and support our kids...they will appreciate that greatly!
Just a reminder that there will be an early dismissal for our students on Thursday December 19th as noted above in my opening remarks.
On behalf of all of us here at "The Ridge" we hope that you will join us prior to the holiday break in celebrating the holiday season. We wish everyone a safe, relaxing and rejuvenating break as we ready ourselves for 2014!
Happy Holiday Season everyone!
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