September 15, 2017

SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 STS Express Weekly Newsletter CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ........................................................................... 3 CREATING A CULTURE OF DIGNITY ............................................................................................ 3 IMPORTANT DATES ............................................................................................................... 4 SEPTEMBER .................................................................................................................................... 4 SCHOOL CALENDARS ................................................................................................................. 4 UPCOMING EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDAR! .............................................................. 5 NEW PARENT RECEPTION - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 ............................................................. 5 R.S.V.P. TO YOUR GRADE SOCIAL(S) ......................................................................................... 5 EXPERTS IN EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 ........................... 6 SAVE THE DATE FOR APRIL’S EXPERTS IN EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES EVENT ...................... 7 FULL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ...................................................................................... 7 SCHOOL EMERGENCY PROGRAM ............................................................................................ 7 BUSSING REMINDER ..................................................................................................................... 7 JOIN POSTS ON FACEBOOK ....................................................................................................... 7 TWEEDS AND MORE NEEDS YOUR HELP .................................................................................... 8 NEW TO CALGARY WALKING GROUP – SIGN UP! ................................................................... 8 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ........................................................................................................... 9 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY RUN – OCTOBER 2 ................................................ 9 LOST AND FOUND ........................................................................................................................ 9 TWEEDS AND MORE .................................................................................................................... 9 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ..................................................................... 10 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTICES ON MY STS PARENT PORTAL ............................................. 10 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE 2017-2018 ...................................................... 10 PARENT VIEWPOINT REMINDER ................................................................................................ 11 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS ....................................... 11 PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS LAUNCH PAD ................... 11 MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ....................................................... 12 GRADE 10 PERSONAL PROJECT – SHARING YOUR PASSION ............................................... 12 2018 SPAIN/FRANCE LANGUAGE TRIP FOR GRADES 10-11 .................................................. 12 STS ATHLETICS INFORMATION SESSIONS .................................................................................. 13 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ STS EXPRESS – Weekly Newsletter Page | 1 UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING OFFICE .......................................................................................... 13 UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES VISITING STS ............................................................................. 14 OUT OF PROVINCE UNIVERSITY FAIR ....................................................................................... 15 UNIVERSITY PLANNING PARENT INFORMATION NIGHTS ........................................................ 15 UNIVERSITY PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY ............................................... 16 UNIVERSITY SEARCH TOOLS ...................................................................................................... 16 WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS ................................................................................... 17 GRADE 10 ORIENTATION CAMP .............................................................................................. 17 PYP INQUIRY UNIT: OUR WORLD ROCKS! ................................................................................ 18 32nd ANNUAL TERRY FOX RUN – CANADA 150....................................................................... 18 GRADE 1s CHOOSING WHERE THEY LEARN BEST ................................................................... 19 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ STS EXPRESS – Weekly Newsletter Page | 2 MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL CREATING A CULTURE OF DIGNITY Social media has provided a popular platform for young people to use for communicating with friends. Some would tell you that it is their preferred and primary communication method. There are certainly some benefits to these platforms. But they have also enabled and indeed amplified opportunities for poor and unkind behaviour such as cyber-bullying. Their ubiquitous nature makes them somewhat inescapable and some (adults and young people) have become addicted to their use; in some cases, impairing their productivity and mental health. And despite their promise to connect people, some users are left feeling more isolated than ever. Moreover, many students are more knowledgeable and adept than their parents in using these tools, which makes it difficult for even the most vigilant parents to monitor. In her recent article in The Atlantic entitled, Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?, Jean Twenge paints a rather stark picture of the role that smartphones and social media are playing in shaping the lives of young people today. The statistics in this article are American, but I doubt there is much difference among Canadian youth. You may find it disturbing, but I highly recommend that you read this article, which can be found at: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a- generation/534198/. At STS, we are taking steps to teach students more about digital citizenship and the use of social media. However, we are a microcosm of our broader society and our students are not immune to exposure to some of the socially troublesome behaviours enabled by smartphones and social media. As part of our continuing efforts to educate both parents and students on this perplexing issue, we will be presenting bestselling author and renowned public speaker, Rosalind Wiseman in the C.A. Smith Arts Centre (theatre) at STS on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 pm as part of our Experts in Education Speaker Series. Ms. Wiseman will speak about young people's friendships, social media use, gossip, drama, bullying, and the constant pressure to "keep up”. She will share how children and teens develop their sense of self and guide their decision making in everything from their academic choices, friends, and how they manage conflict. In addition, she'll give concrete advice to parents and educators so they in turn can guide their children through the normal yet challenging problems young people face. She will also be spending time with students in Grades 4 – 12, September 26 and 27, to have an open conversation about what they are dealing with and to provide some tools to help them traverse these sometimes tricky waters. I guarantee that the September 26 evening presentation will be both eye-opening and informative, and parents will leave with some concrete strategies on how to navigate through the social media conundrum with your children. If you can only attend one event at our school this year, I highly recommend it be this one. Dr. William Jones Head of School ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ STS EXPRESS – Weekly Newsletter Page | 3 IMPORTANT DATES In addition to the listed dates below, be sure to check for new events throughout the year online – the following calendar can be downloaded in an iCal format. SEPTEMBER September 21, 2017 Kindergarten Social September 22, 2017 Grades 1 and 2 Social September 23, 2017 Grade 7 Social September 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm New Parent Reception September 26, 2017 at 7:00 pm Experts in Education Speaker Series – Rosalind Wiseman September 29, 2017 Casual Dress Day Grades 5 and 6 Social SCHOOL CALENDARS For more important dates and upcoming events, the following school calendars can be found on the STS website: 2017 – 2018 School Holiday Calendar Upcoming Events Calendar ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ STS EXPRESS – Weekly Newsletter Page | 4 UPCOMING EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDAR! NEW PARENT RECEPTION - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 We invite all new families to STS to join us at the New Parent Reception on September 25 at 7:00 pm at the Calgary Delta South to hear from Dr. Jones. Electronic invitations have been sent to all brand-new STS families. We look forward to seeing you! R.S.V.P. TO YOUR GRADE SOCIAL(S) We are pleased to invite all STS parents to your child(ren)’s 2017–2018 grade social where you can socialize with

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