Frank Roberts
Junior High School
Tel: 834-8002 or 834-9847
www.fris.k12.nf.ca
April 2014
ABILITY AWARENESS WEEK
Ability Awareness Week was held from March 24-28. The focus of this week was on a variety of
disabilities: Learning Disabilities, Autism, Epilepsy, Anxiety, and ADHD/ADD. Staff and students
were encouraged to wear a different colour to represent the disability of the day. Furthermore,
teachers were provided with activities to highlight the different disabilities. A fact sheet for each
disability, classroom tips and strategies along with 2 - 3 activities for classroom use were
provided for teachers to utilize during health, religion or language arts classes. Staff and students
became further aware of the challenges some individuals face in their daily lives and when
completing academic tasks.
SOCIAL STUDIES WEEK
March 31 to April 4 was Social Studies Week at Frank Roberts Junior High. We began Monday
by singing the national anthem. Each day of the week students were given two opportunities to
have their name entered for a chance to win an iTunes gift card. In the morning during homeroom
students viewed a Heritage Minute video and were given a Newfoundland word of the day. At
recess and lunch student volunteers were in the halls with a skill testing question to see if the
students were paying close attention to the video. Students with the correct answers had their
name entered for the draw at the end of the day. They also had their name entered in the draw if
they knew the meaning of the Newfoundland word of the day.
On Thursday we celebrated our Newfoundland Heritage. Students were encouraged to dress in
traditional Newfoundland clothing such as wool sweaters, checkered woods shirts, print dresses,
aprons, salt and pepper hats, oil skins, sou' westers and, of course, rubber boots. We began the
day by singing the Ode to Newfoundland. At recess, the students were treated to tea buns and
some traditional Newfoundland entertainment.
The grade 8 Heritage Fair also took place on Thursday and the projects were on display in the
gym. The top Heritage Fair projects from each of the grade 8 classes were judged to determine
which three projects will represent our school at this year's regional fair being held on May 2-3 at
Amalgamated Academy in Bay Roberts. The projects this year were awesome! The three
students selected by the judges to represent our school this year were Luke Reid from 8-2,
Madison Walsh from 8-9 and Matthew Broders from 8-9. Congratulations to all of the students
that participated in this year’s fair. You have helped make it a great experience for all those
involved.
Thanks to the teachers that helped with the Heritage fair this year. As well, a special thanks to
this year’s judges: Ms. Winter, Ms. Lambe and Councilor Beverly Rowe. We would also like to
extend thanks to the many teachers that helped make social studies week a success. We couldn’t
have done it without you!
VOLUNTEER WEEK
Frank Roberts Junior High has many volunteers who work tirelessly so that students are able to
avail of a daily breakfast program and a wide variety of extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated – without you school life would not be as enjoyable. Thank
you!
PARENT PRESENTATION
On March 25th a parent presentation titled “Parenting the Junior High student” took place at the
school. The presentation provided an overview of the issues some parents face and provided tips
and strategies to deal with junior high challenges.The presentation was well attended and the
feedback has been positive. If you were unable to attend the session and would like a copy of the
slideshow, please contact our Guidance Counsellor, Ms. Denise King at deniseking@esdnl.ca
FINAL EXAMS
Students will write their final exams for the 2013-2014 school year during the week of June 1620. The schedule outlining the specific exams written by each grade level and the day on which
the exams are written will be released in the upcoming weeks. It will be emailed to you, posted in
your child’s classroom and on the school website.
PUBLIC SPEAKING/LIONS CLUB SPEAKOUT
In February and March, during students’ Language Arts classes, speeches were researched,
written and delivered to their classes. Each class selected a representative to compete at their
grade level. On March 11, Frank Roberts Junior High held a public speaking night where these
class representatives competed for first place and runner-up honours. The results were as
follows: at the Grade 7 level Shauna Periera was the winner and Gillian Petten was the
runner-up. At the Grade 8 level, Emily Rowe won the competition while Jacob Gill was the
runner- up and in Grade 9, Erica Butler was the winner with Olivia Tilley named as the
runner-up.
On April 8, Jacob Gill, Emily Rowe, Erica Butler and Olivia Tilley competed against students
from Villanova Junior High and Holy Spirit High School in the annual CBS Lions Club Speakoff.
These students represented Frank Roberts Junior High in fine fashion! Jacob Gill was named
the first runner up and the school won the Grade 9 trophy! These students and their language
arts teachers are to be commended on a fantastic job!
MATHEMATICS
Congratulations are offered to the school’s Math League teams for their excellent showing in the
Junior High Math League contests. Frank Roberts Junior High sent in two teams with members
Jessica Taylor, Sarah Taylor, Kyra Kennedy and Jonathon Barrett on one team and Ryan
Letto, Riley Flynn and Daniel Trenholm on the second team. Team 2 finished tied for third
place. Job well done!
SAFE AND CARING SCHOOLS
S.T.R.I.V.E. Presentations - In March our grade eight students are involved in the S.T.R.I.V.E
program. This program is presented by Con. Krista Day of the Royal Newfoundland
Constabulary. STRIVE stands for Students Taking Responsibility in Violence Education. The
STRIVE program is based on the notion that all students attending schools in Newfoundland and
Labrador have the right to attend classes, participate in school activities, and enjoy free time
without fear of being the victim of youth violence, being intimidated, verbally or physically abused,
sexually harassed, or made to feel excluded or like a victim.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary STRIVE program was designed to provide information on
youth violence for youth attending intermediate school (grade 8). The goal of the program is to
empower these students to take ownership of the problem and work within their schools and
communities to find real-life solutions to problems encountered. The program contains
information, statistics and photographs that are aimed to inform and enlighten the students to the
effects of their own behavior and to that of other students. The STRIVE program aims to
communicate to youth themes of respect, responsibility, empowerment and action. These
themes compliment each other, and as each one is revealed and discussed in the presentation it
builds upon the next theme.
Internet safety - presentations were held in March. These presentations, done by Con. Darrell
Nixon, of the RNC were given to our grade 7 students and covered internet do’s and don’ts.
Anti-Bullying – presentations will be held from April 8 – 10 for all students. This presentation is
being done by Mr. Grant Fitzpatrick from the mental health association.
FRANK ROBERTS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
The Annual Frank Roberts Junior High School Hockey Tournament is scheduled to begin
May 5 – 9. It will feature junior high school hockey teams from all over the Metro Region and
looks to provide some excellent hockey. Parents are welcome to come to the games to cheer on
the Ravens!! Many thanks to Ms. Rowe for organizing this tournament and to the remainder of
the coaching staff Mr. Higgins and Mr. Crane for all of their efforts.
SHAVE FOR THE BRAVE
On Thursday, April 17 at 1:00 pm, we be holding our Annual Shave for the Brave. Twenty-two
students and two teachers - Mr. Bursey and Ms. Bavis are collecting pledges to support
Young Adult Cancer. This charity raises money to send young adults suffering from cancer to a
retreat - at a cost of approximately $1600.00 per person.
You are welcome to join us for this very worthwhile event!
GRADE NINE FAREWELL – note date change to May 29
Please note that due to a scheduling conflict, the Grade 9 Farewell Celebration has been rescheduled for May 29 from 6:30 – 10:00 pm. Grade 9 students are permitted to bring a guest to
this event but please note that their guest must be approved by the school administration. Guest
applications will be available at a later date. While this is an evening where students do dress up,
it is not the expectation that students spend monies on formal dresses or tuxedoes. Party busses
and limousines are not permitted.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
There will be no classes for students on Friday, May 30 as teachers will be involved in
professional development. Classes will resume for students on Monday, June 2 – Day 4 on your
child’s schedule.
ROBERTS RAVES
Skills Canada – Congratulations are offered to Emma Jacobs! Emma competed at the high
school Skills Canada competition this past Friday winning a bronze medal in Job Skill
Demonstration!
Volleyball – Congratulations are offered to the Grade 8 Boys Volleyball team on their Silver
medal win at the Grade 8 Provincial tournament held in Clarenville. They are also to be
congratulated for their Silver medal performance in the 15U tournament held in Mount Pearl this
past weekend. Thanks is extended to their coach Mr. M. Butler and their teacher sponsor Ms.
Santos.
Hockey – Congratulations are offered to Jessica Davis, Lauren Butler and Faith Hickey of the
Eastern Ice Breakers Triple A Female Bantam hockey team on their Silver medal win at the
Bantam Atlantic Atlantic Championships held in PEI. Fantastic job!!
Dates to Remember
April 17
Last day of school before Easter holidays. Dismissal is at the regular
time. School resumes on April 28 – Day 1 on your child’s schedule
May 19
Victoria Day Holiday
May 29
Grade 9 Farewell Dinner/Dance
busses/limousines permitted.
May 30
Professional Development Day. No classes for students.
June 16 – 20
Final Exams written. Schedule to be released at a later date.
June 26
Report cards distributed. Last day of school.
.


(6:30-10:00
pm).
No
party