News from our Secondary Principal, Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
We hope you and your families have enjoyed a fun-filled and restful summer holiday. As we begin a new school year I want to share some information with you.
We are really excited to move to our new five day schedule. The schedule change from an eight day to a five day schedule was done to support learning goals for GAA students.
Goals related to the schedule change include:
- Preparing our students for high achievement in their IB Diploma courses. We know that the higher our students score the more doors open to students as they apply to universities. Previously, world language had been offered as a partial credit course. Increasing world language courses to a full credit was a vital change in helping our students to be better prepared for success in the world language portion of their IB courses.
- Preparing our students for growth in all areas of their development, not just academic, is an important piece in developing well rounded global citizens who will be successful functioning adults. Spending dedicated time devoted to preparing students for this success is important. Adding a true advisory program helps accomplish this goal in meaningful ways.
- Providing more individual support for each of our students. Students who are well supported achieve higher success. We have personalized the student experience by having advisory teachers check in personally with each student every two weeks on their academic progress and social emotional well-being. The addition of advisory time allows for us to do this and therefore take better care of each of our students.
- Research shows that longer breaks between classes increase student concentration and performance. By eliminating the morning homeroom which was 30 minutes and instead creating mini 10-15 minute breaks between classes we have provided the longer breaks that research says leads to increased performance. We have done this without any loss of instructional time so we still meet all of our goals for time spent in class. An additional side benefit of longer passing time is that this will allow students to only carry the books that they need and not have to lug around heavy backpacks all day.
- Research shows students perform better when there are steady regular class times. On the eight day schedule students would often have anywhere from four to eight calendar days between courses. This is not optimal for learning because with this amount of time off between classes extra time is spent re-teaching what was taught in the previous lesson. In the five day schedule almost every single class will meet three times a week ensuring better continuity in student learning.
We are also really excited to add a true advisory to our program this year. On Sundays and Wednesdays there are 35 minute advisory classes. This new addition is a fantastic opportunity for us to better care for our students. Elements of this advisory will include a bi-weekly personal academic and social/emotional check-in. During this check-in, each advisory teacher has individual mini-meetings with each student. During these meetings teachers look at current grades, discuss these, and check in on student’s personal well-being at school. If areas of concern arise, teachers will contact teachers and parents as appropriate. Additional parts of advisory will include mini-lessons on things like study and organizational skills, friendship and anti-bulling skills, cyber safety, college readiness, communication skills, IB learner profile traits, and digital citizenship among many others. Time dedicated to supporting our students’ holistic growth does prepare them for success as 21st century learners. Lastly, advisory will also include bi-weekly middle school and high school assemblies. During these assemblies we will bring in guest speakers, display school talent and student council events among many others with a goal of building and growing school and community spirit.
Below is what the timetable will look like next year.
Please know that student schedules for the new school year will be sent out electronically before the first day of school on August 30th.
New student orientation will take place August 27th from 8:00-10:00am beginning in the auditorium. Additionally we will be hosting a Parent Information Session that morning in the auditorium at 9:15am. We are excited about both of these events.
We look forward to having you all on campus soon for the beginning of an exciting new school year full of learning and growth at GAA.
Craig Randall
Secondary School Principal
New student orientation will take place August 27th from 8:00-10:00am beginning in the auditorium. Additionally we will be hosting a Parent Information Session that morning in the auditorium at 9:15am. We are excited about both of these events.
We look forward to having you all on campus soon for the beginning of an exciting new school year full of learning and growth at GAA.
Craig Randall
Secondary School Principal
The First Day of School for Secondary Students
For students who are completely new to GAA, on Thursday 27th August we will hold a new secondary student orientation session. This will begin at 8:00am and finish at 10:00am. Upon arrival on Sunday 27th August, students are to proceed straight to the auditorium.
We will also hold a Secondary Parent Information Session from 9:15am to 9:45am on Thursday 27th August in the auditorium. This session is open to new and returning parents.
GAA Secondary student’s first day of school will be Sunday 30th August. Students are to proceed straight to their first class on Day 1 as indicated on their schedule.
Students should expect to receive their schedules before the first day of school. All students will begin regular school hours, 7:45am- 2:55pm, from August 30th.
The First Day of School for Secondary Parents
In order for parents to get orientated with Secondary School we will be providing two additional opportunities for you to attend the Secondary Parent Information sessions. We do hope you are able to attend one of the following sessions:
For students who are completely new to GAA, on Thursday 27th August we will hold a new secondary student orientation session. This will begin at 8:00am and finish at 10:00am. Upon arrival on Sunday 27th August, students are to proceed straight to the auditorium.
We will also hold a Secondary Parent Information Session from 9:15am to 9:45am on Thursday 27th August in the auditorium. This session is open to new and returning parents.
GAA Secondary student’s first day of school will be Sunday 30th August. Students are to proceed straight to their first class on Day 1 as indicated on their schedule.
Students should expect to receive their schedules before the first day of school. All students will begin regular school hours, 7:45am- 2:55pm, from August 30th.
The First Day of School for Secondary Parents
In order for parents to get orientated with Secondary School we will be providing two additional opportunities for you to attend the Secondary Parent Information sessions. We do hope you are able to attend one of the following sessions:
Secondary School Supplies List
Please note that all High School students (Grades 9 to 12 for 2015/16) are required to own and bring an approved graphing calculator to every mathematics class. For your guidance I have attached a list of the approved and prohibited calculators. The majority of GAA students and mathematics teachers use the TI-84 as the color screen is highly recommended.
For Middle and High School students - The Mathematics department would also suggest reviewing concepts and skills over the summer – just like sports and music, our talents and abilities are at their best with regular practice. Please follow the below link and refer to the table contained therein.
https://sites.google.com/a/grauerschool.com/grauermath/home/summer-math-packets
Note: While these packets are not required, they will help make next year all the more successful and easier. If your child is currently in grade 6 or Math 7, they could refer to the review for Pre-Algebra; Those currently in Pre-Algebra should refer to Algebra 1; Current Algebra 1 refer to Geometry and/ or Algebra 2; current Geometry refer to Algebra 2.
(Intro to HS Math and Business Math are not offered at GAA.)
Thank you for a fun year of math at GAA. We have fond memories of pi Day and look forward to making next year’s math event(s) bigger and better.
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Ms Parker on [email protected] or Ms Ruderman on [email protected]
For Middle and High School students - The Mathematics department would also suggest reviewing concepts and skills over the summer – just like sports and music, our talents and abilities are at their best with regular practice. Please follow the below link and refer to the table contained therein.
https://sites.google.com/a/grauerschool.com/grauermath/home/summer-math-packets
Note: While these packets are not required, they will help make next year all the more successful and easier. If your child is currently in grade 6 or Math 7, they could refer to the review for Pre-Algebra; Those currently in Pre-Algebra should refer to Algebra 1; Current Algebra 1 refer to Geometry and/ or Algebra 2; current Geometry refer to Algebra 2.
(Intro to HS Math and Business Math are not offered at GAA.)
Thank you for a fun year of math at GAA. We have fond memories of pi Day and look forward to making next year’s math event(s) bigger and better.
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Ms Parker on [email protected] or Ms Ruderman on [email protected]
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Here is our Community and Secondary School Calendar - Scroll through the months to see what's planned for this year at GAA
Please make sure you check this calendar regularly for updates and new events