Eric Graves Memorial Junior High School
FEBRUARY, 2015 NEWSLETTER
School Email: egmjh@hrsb.ns.ca
School Website: www.egmjh.ednet.ns.ca
Principal’s Message
We have certainly had our share of snow storms over the
past few weeks. As the snow piles up in parking lots and
streets there is less visibility for both drivers and
pedestrians. Please remind your children to watch for cars
when they are walking to and from school.
We are approximately half way through second term so it is
important for students to continue focusing on their work
and also completing any outstanding assignments / projects.
Please contact the teacher if you have questions about your
child’s progress.
Twitter - Eric Graves Memorial Junior High now has its
own Twitter account. We are just getting used to posting but
we invite you to follow us @egmjh
Olivia Jollota Scholarship Fund – Olivia was a grade 9
student here at Eric Graves when she passed away suddenly
three years ago. The Olivia Jollota Trust will be presenting
scholarships to deserving students at Prince Andrew High
School in June (this would have been Olivia’s graduating
year). Eric Graves Memorial Junior High has donated $500
towards these scholarships.
High School Course Selection
The Grade 10 course selection process has begun. All
course selection will be completed on line but students and
parents need to have courses chosen prior to completing the
online component. Speakers from Prince Andrew have been
here to talk to the students about courses and programs
offered (IB Program and O2 Program).
Next Tuesday the teachers from the Prince Andrew math
department will be here to talk to the students about the
different math courses being offered. Mr. Sinclair will also
be preparing math recommendations for each grade 9
student.
On March 4th and March 6th, Greg MacKinnon, the
Principal of Prince Andrew High School will be here at Eric
Graves to work with the students to be sure they have
entered the correct courses for their grade 10 year.
The Parent Information Session is being held at Prince
Andrew High School tomorrow evening, Thursday,
February 12th at 6:00 p.m. Break-out sessions will be held
for the IB Program and O2 Program following the
presentation.
Karen Dale
Principal
What’s Normal – The grade 7 students
participated in a special conference at Eric
Graves on Feb 5th. The conference was aimed at
giving students a wider view of the world and to help them
appreciate the challenges young people face growing up in
other parts of the world. The students impressed all of the
speakers with their intelligent questions and excellent
behaviour.
Phone: 435-8325
Safe Arrival: 435-8325
A special thank you to Heidi Newell, Nick Cuthbertson,
Shannon MacLean and Sarah Reaburn for giving their time
and energy to educate our grade 7 students.
Unfortunately our second day of the conference (Feb 6th)
was cancelled because of a snow day. Hopefully a new date
will be announced soon for the remaining speakers.
Destination Imagination
Teams are gearing up for the DI tournament next month.
Just a reminder to parents that his will take place on
Saturday, March 28th at Auburn Drive and run from about
8:30 – 3:00 and students should be prepared to stay the
entire day.
Chinese New Year
Feb 19th is the beginning of Chinese New Year,
2015 is the ‘Year of the Sheep’. Grade 7
students will be taking a break from their unit on
Global Development to look at some of the
customs and history behind Chinese New Year!
“Wishing You Great Happiness and Prosperity”
________________________________________
Gong Xi Fa Cai, (pronounced gong shee fah chai)
Top Tiger Program
The Top Tiger Program was started 3 years ago as a way to
recognize positive behaviour and contributions to the school
by our students. Each week teachers nominate students who
they feel are deserving of this recognition.
Our Recent Top Tigers:
Jan. 12 – Jan. 16 Amanda MacKinnon
Jan. 19 – Jan. 23 Daizy Saoud
Jan. 26 – Jan. 30 Jenna Robinson
Feb. 2 – Feb. 6 Paige Colpitts
Congratulations!!!!
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the students listed below whom have
been chosen as the Student of the Month for the month of
January, 2015. These students are chosen by their teachers
as having made an outstanding positive contribution to the
environment of the school and classroom. Each student
receives a certificate as recognition of their achievement,
and a small prize. Each student’s picture is taken and
displayed on our “Student of the Month” showcase.
701
702
Owen Darrow
Nick Highmore
801
802
Alyssa Gillam
Jonathan Parsons
901
902
Sarah Kate Cuthbertson
Allison Driscoll
Tigers’ Tails Athletics News
Girls Basketball
Basketball for the girls is still in full swing. The season
winds up mid to late February.
Boys Basketball
As my third year coaching boys basketball at Eric Graves I
can honestly say it was by far my favourite; for the simple
reason that the majority of the team had never played
basketball and the ones that did were very supportive and
encouraging of those that didn’t.
It is a great example of learning and hard work that
produced another winning season. “It doesn’t take talent to
hustle” was our saying all year. Great attitudes and great
work produce great people. That is what we have here.
Congratulations to all the boys, good luck with the rest of
the school year!
Coach - Big, big Jacobs
Upcoming Sports
Next in line will be Badminton. This year along with our
intermediate and junior teams there will be a separate grade
7 team. Ms. Syms will be the badminton coach and will be
announcing try outs within the next two weeks.
On the horizon and on the heels of badminton is girls and
boys indoor field hockey, again coached by our wonderful
community volunteers, Jessica and Deanna Kimber and goal
tending coach Megan Vigneau (all EG alumnae). The girls
are defending champions and the boys were runner up last
year so we are really looking forward to this season.
Important Dates to Remember
February 11 – 02 Program Information Session for
Grade 9’s
February 12 – Ski Wentworth Trip
February 12 – Parent Information Session – Prince Andrew
High School 6:00 p.m.
February 13 – PD Day – No Students Present
February 16 – Viola Desmond Day – No Classes
February 17 – Math Information Session for Grade 9’s
February 24 – Pre-IB Test Drive
March 2 – SAC Meeting – 5:00 p.m.
March 16 – 20 – March Break
March 27 – Assessment Day – No Students Present