Spring ....into "Action!"

It is almost here...we think...although Mother Nature continues to tease us with a very, interesting Spring! Needless to say, though, the rhythm of our life at "The Ridge" unfolds despite the weather. Mid-term reports have come and gone, our Spring Co-Curriculars and Athletics are gearing up and our "staffing season" begins. Our students have made their course selections and we have been allocated sections for the 2014/15 school year. We were fortunate at this time to be interviewing for some sections for next year. In the midst of "staffing season" we also have the "comings and goings" of our staff. We are excited that the following staff are taking the opportunity for new positions at new schools: Kristen McCoy (Science/Geography), David Bell (English), Ian German (Transportation) are off to new challenges at Dr. Frank Hayden Secondary School while Mike Tarantino (Business) is off to Garth Webb Secondary School. There will be additional hiring as the months unfold and our enrollment firms up, right until September!

We are looking forward to a significant schoolwide event this upcoming Thursday May 8th. Rob Ellis will be coming to our school to do a Workplace Safety Presentation for students, staff, members of our extended community and special guests. Rob lost his son to an industrial accident many years ago and has travelled throughout North America to get the word out to youth and their right to "safety in the workplace." His story is an impactful and emotional one. Rob brings with him over 20 or so, local "CEO's" and workplace safety champions to participate in a 1/2 day event with our students, staff and special guests. As you know, our school prides itself on a number of things but nothing is more important than the safety of our young people!
We are very excited and extremely fortunate to have Rob and his team coming to our school for such an important educational experience.

The format for the event is as follows:

8 - 9 am              Networking Breakfast (IRHS Library)
9 - 10 am            Schoolwide Assembly (IRHS Gym)
10-11:10 am       Facilitated Workshops (led by our CEO's and Workplace Safety Champions)

Our students and staff will have an excellent opportunity to network with Rob and our "Champions", who will promote the importance of safety in the workplace while also sharing some career advice in the various occupations that they have experienced throughout their lives.

Thanks in advance to the student, staff and parent team who have planned and organized this amazing event on behalf of our kids and as part of our ongoing Safety & Wellbeing work at "The Ridge."