Parents' Page: 2013

Thursday 14 February 2013

Your Child's Course Selection: Important Decisions

Counselors are beginning to come to your child's classes to talk to them about their options for next year, but it's a great opportunity to talk about the future and consider many significant options you may not have been aware of. As a family think long-term, what inspires your child, what they want to learn more about, what they want to experience, and what they will need for their future.

* Here's a link to L.A. Matheson's courses available to them for the choosing
* Connect with the Career Centre! Explore your options beyond the classroom:
* Through the Career Centre students can try on different careers and venture into the world in experiences of their choice while still completing all of their classes. Also, through the Surrey school district there are over 30 apprenticeship opportunities in a wide variety of trades, as well as learning partnership opportunities with BCIT, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Vancouver Community College. Your child has opportunities for post-secondary learning experiences and credit provided free through their high school education
* I know you may only be in grade 10, and graduation seems far away, but here's important information of what you need to do for yourself starting now: Grade 10 College Planning Timeline

Explore the information, have these conversations with your son or daughter, contact the school with any questions, and together we can ensure that your child has the best experiences and opportunities available to them.

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Welcome to Semester 2

It's hard to believe that it's already February, but that means a new semester, a fresh start, and hopefully, some more sunshine in "Rain City."

I look forward to working with you all in any way I can to support your children in their learning and growth. It is going to be a wonderful semester. For full information about the school schedule of events including meet the teacher night, parent-teacher conferences, report cards, concerts, art shows and more visit L.A. Matheson's school website

EHow offers some tips and links on how to best help your children get ready for this new semester and how to support them as they work towards their success.

Assessment of Student Learning

I structure assessment around two general principles: opportunity and responsibility. Students' learning is a collaborative process, one that involves students, their peers, class time and experiences, and their teacher. It is a process they must take an ACTIVE role in. I use a few summative evaluations where students demonstrate their learning and skill level, but throughout each course our time is devoted to opportunities for inquiry, practice and growth. Attendance and active participation and involvement in their own learning are critical, are required. Students' grades are based on skill sets: effective communication in all forms, critical reading and inquiry of our world, collaboration skills, and skill builders. Each student will create a portfolio demonstrating their development and learning, and it is required that they reflect and plan throughout the process. Assessment will be regular, ongoing and focused on improvement in learning. Student choice in modes of demonstrating their learning is offered, and student co-creation of evaluation criteria is utilized. Classes will integrate varieties of assessment practices including academic and creative writing, visual and multimedia creations, guided reads, role-plays, literature circles, quizzes, games, performances, blogs, debates, inquiry projects, independent and collaborative assignments, portfolios, etc. Standards of excellence will be high, challenging, but attainable. Students will have opportunities to redo work and demonstrate greater learning and attainment of skills throughout courses. Assessment standards and samples can be found at BC Performance Standards and the BC Ministry Prescribed Learning Outcome sites.

Top 10 Things Parents Can Do

TOP TEN THINGS parents can do to support their teenage child's learning (according to Mr.Thielmann's award-winning educator parent blog):

1. Provide a loving, peaceful, positive environment

2. Fulfill (& be attuned to) your child's real needs

3. Take an interest in what your child does

4. Be accountable & expect accountability back

5. Be responsible & expect responsibility back

6. Be a learner, show your passion for things you find interesting

7. Put a high value on education-graduating, and post-secondary

8. Help with time management- School as daily priority over social media

9. Read to your child

10. Talk, and listen, to your child