Eric Graves Memorial Junior High School
NOVEMBER, 2014 NEWSLETTER
School Email: egmjh@hrsb.ns.ca
School Website: www.egmjh.ednet.ns.ca
Principal’s Message
Parent – Teacher Visitations and Professional Development –
November 17th
Our first Parent - Teacher visitations will be held on November
17th from 1:00 to 3:00 and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please come by
and meet with your child’s teacher. Teachers will be set up in the
gymnasium and lists will be available for parents who are not sure
of all their child’s teachers.
Teachers will be involved in PD during the morning of the 17 th.
There will be no students present on that day.
We are just a month away from First Term Report Cards so I
would like to take this opportunity to remind all the students to
make sure they have their assignments in to teachers and all
work up to date.
Flea Market/ Book Sale
I would like to thank all of the parents, students, staff and
community members for donating items, volunteering their time
and attending our 4th Annual Flea Market and Book Sale. It was a
very successful event and we raised $870.00 which will be used
for classroom materials, subsidizing school trips and updating
technology for the classrooms.
Phone: 435-8325
Safe Arrival: 435-8325
Take Our Children to Work Day
On Nov 5th our grade 9 students participated in the national Take
Our Children to Work Day. For our students this is an
opportunity to:
 Complete curriculum outcomes for AHL that are difficult
to complete in the classroom.
 Understand the importance of staying in school by
learning first-hand what skills are required in today’s
workplace.
 Develop an appreciation for careers and roles as adults in
the workplace.
 Start exploring career options in a practical way and gain
a better understanding of just how many career choices
are open to them.
Many of our students went to work with their parents while others
attended the workplace of extended family, neighbors and friends.
Thank you to all the adults who make this day possible for our
students!
Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held on Monday,
November 10th. The ceremony will be a mixture of students and
veterans speaking and presenting to the school. I would like to
extend an invitation to any parents or members of the community
who would like to join us that morning. It is always nice to have
people from the community at this ceremony.
We Day is Nov 28th
Every School in HRSB will be participating in We Day.
Thousands of students will be at the Scotia Bank Centre hearing
inspirational speakers and entertainers in an all-day program. Eric
Graves was allotted 25 student tickets to this event and the
students will be selected through a lottery of those interested.
These students are expected to participate with our school in one
local and one international initiative to make positive change in
the world. See more at: weday.com
Please contact Mr. Ingram if you have questions.
Please remember to call or stop into the office if you have any
questions or concerns. My door is always open and I look
forward to speaking with you.
Double Double
Eric Graves is about to launch a new campaign to help raise
money for UNICEF.
Karen Dale
Principal
Specifically, the money we raise will help poor children receive
the vaccines that they need and we often take for granted.
The money raised by Eric Graves will be matched dollar for dollar
by a community member.
That amount will then be matched by a corporation working with
UNICEF.
Grade 9 Trip
The grade 9 yearend trip to Big Cove will be taking place from
June 1st to June 3rd. This has been an extremely popular trip over
the past four years. The trip was attended by over 90% of our
grade 9 students last year. Students, as well as staff, always have
a great time. The total cost for the 3 day trip is $150.00. This is
$30.00 less than last year due to a grant the school received from
the Department of Education this year. The $150.00 covers cabin
accommodation, all food and bus transportation to and from Big
Cove.
Ms. Syms and Mr. Ingram spoke with all the grade 9 students
today about the trip. At that time they also handed out pink
permission forms. Please note that the permission form and
payment of $100.00 is due on Thursday, November 27 th.
Peanut Sensitive School
Eric Graves is a peanut sensitive school. We have students who
are highly allergic to peanuts or foods that contain peanuts. Please
refrain from sending these types of food(s) to school.
Scents at Eric Graves Memorial Junior High
Just a reminder for students to please refrain from wearing
scented deodorants, colognes and perfumes (especially AXE and
TAG) to school. We are asking parents to please provide their
children with a stick or roll-on deodorant as aerosols end up being
sprayed and have caused some serious health issues to both
students and staff. Some of our students and teachers have very
severe allergies which can result in loss of breath and / or severe
swelling when coming in contact with particular scents. In some
cases, they may require an immediate Epi-pen injection. This is a
very serious matter and we ask all students to treat it seriously.
Every dollar raised by Eric Graves will turn into $4.00 to help
children around the world receive the vaccines they need.
More information is available at unicef.ca/vaccinate
Nutcracker
Eric Graves students in grade 7 & 8 have been invited to a
performance of the seasonal dance classic “The Nutcracker”.
Space is limited and we will only be taking the first 40 students
who complete the permission form and return it to the office. This
is a true theatre experience and will be a cultural and seasonal
event that many would not otherwise experience. Some Eric
Graves youth are in the dance troupe that is re-enacting this
traditional dance story.
The Economics of Success
Junior Achievement Nova Scotia will once again be hosting
workshops for the grade 9 students entitled The Economics of
Success. On November 12th grade 9 students will spend the
morning with local business personnel. Students will be working
through different scenarios to visualize the impact education
makes on their future endeavors.
GSA Conference
OUTstanding is the name of this year’s provincial GSA
conference. It is being held on Saturday, November 29th starting
at 10:00 am at Prince Andrew High School. All grade 8 & 9
students are welcome. Lunch is provided and the conference is
free. Registration is online this year. Please let Mr. Ingram know
if you are registered to go or if you have any
questions.
http://youthproject.ns.ca/gsa/gsa_event_signup.php
Tigers’ Tails Athletics News
Give Where You Live
On Nov 7th, TELUS will bring its innovative ‘Give Where You
Live’ program to Eric Graves Jr High School. This program,
developed in partnership with Free the Children, educates,
encourages and empowers young people to become ambassadors
of positive change and visionary leaders of tomorrow. There will
be a school wide assembly / presentation for all students in the
morning followed by workshops for 25 selected students on
leadership, empowering others and positive change.
Volleyball Hoodies
It’s time to pay for the hoodies! The cost is $27. Cheques made
payable to Eric Graves. You can pass this money into Ms. Forrest
in the main office.
Subway Fridays
We had lots of students order subs for the months of November.
Look for order forms the last week of the month to order for the
following month.
Gr. 7 Girls’ Volleyball
This group will meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning at
7:30am beginning Nov. 20th. Grade nine volleyball team
members volunteer as coaches. The team will train for our
upcoming Candy Cane Invitational Volleyball Tournament on
December 18th here at Eric Graves.
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 Top Tigers thus far have been:
Oct. 6 – Oct. 10 Owen Darrow
Oct. 13 – Oct. 17 Cole Fauteux
Oct. 20 – Oct. 24 Nick Osborne
Oct. 27 – Oct. 31 Shane Hartling
Congratulations!!!!
Students of the Month
Students of the Month for October
Congratulations to the students listed below whom have been
chosen as the Student of the Month for the month of October,
2014. 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
Nick Osborne
Anika Thomas
801
802
Rhys Grady
Lena MacKay
901
902
Susan Davis
Taylor Bullen
Girls’ Volleyball
Our school will be hosting a girls’ volleyball tournament Nov. 21st
and 22nd. Games will run Friday from 3:30 to 8:00 pm and
Saturday from 9am until 3pm.
Boy’s & Girls’ Basketball
Try outs will commence in the next 2 weeks. Please listen to
announcements for details.
Important Dates to Remember
November 7 – Free the Children Presentation
November 10 – Remembrance Day Ceremony – 10:45 a.m.
November 11 – Remembrance Day – No Students Present
November 12 – ESIS – Economics of Staying in School –
(Grade 9’s)
November 17 – Professional Development – a.m. – No
Students
-Parent Visitation 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
-Parent Visitation 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
November 21 – 22 – Girls Volleyball Tournament at Eric Graves
November 24 – SAC Meeting
November 28 – WE Day
November 30 – GSA Conference at Prince Andrew
December 1 – Assessment Day – No Students Present