SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
STS Express
Weekly Newsletter
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CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ........................................................................ 3 BIG ROCKS ................................................................................................................................................... 3
IMPORTANT DATES ........................................................................................................... 5 SEPTEMBER ................................................................................................................................................. 5
SCHOOL CALENDARS ................................................................................................................................... 5
UPCOMING EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ............................................................ 1 STS FAMILY FALL FAIR – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22 ................................................................................... 1
OPEN HOUSE – SHOW OFF YOUR SCHOOL – September 22, 2018 ........................................................... 2
FULL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ................................................................................... 3 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ................................................................................................................................. 3
Fall Fair - Saturday, September 22, 2018 ................................................................................................ 3
Terry Fox Run Follow-up ......................................................................................................................... 3
Elementary School Cross-Country Run – Friday, September 28 ............................................................. 4
Tweeds and More volunteers– Ongoing ................................................................................................. 4
Lost and found volunteers – Ongoing ..................................................................................................... 4
LOST AND FOUND HAS MOVED .................................................................................................................. 5
JOIN POSTS ON FACEBOOK ......................................................................................................................... 5
SIGN UP FOR THE POSTS WALKING GROUP................................................................................................ 6
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS .................................................................... 7 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE 2018-2019 .......................................................................... 7
PARENT VIEWPOINT .................................................................................................................................... 7
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR 2018-2019 ............................................................................. 7
MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS ....................................................... 9 SPEECH AND DEBATE 2018-2019 ................................................................................................................ 9
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR 2018-2019 ........................................................................... 11
MIDDLE SCHOOL EXCHANGES................................................................................................................... 11
LOVE OF READING ..................................................................................................................................... 11
GRADE 7 JASPER IDEALS TRIP ................................................................................................................... 11
MYP PERSONAL PROJECT – 2018-2019 ..................................................................................................... 12
Appendix 1 – Personal Project Design Cycle: ............................................................................................ 13
Appendix 2 – Personal Project Criteria Descriptors: ................................................................................. 14
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Appendix 3 – General timeline for students ............................................................................................. 15
UNIVERSITY PLANNING .................................................................................................. 16 ON-GOING UNIVERSITY PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES ............................................................................... 16
OUT OF PROVINCE UNIVERSITIES FAIR ..................................................................................................... 18
2018-2019 UNIVERSITY PLANNING PARENT INFORMATION NIGHTS ....................................................... 18
UPCOMING UNIVERSITY PLANNING CLASSES ........................................................................................... 19
UNIVERSITY PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY................................................................ 19
REFERENCE INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................... 19
GENERAL APPLICATION TIMELINE ............................................................................................................ 20
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS ................................................................................ 22 4TH GENERATION STUDENT JOINS STS ...................................................................................................... 22
THE 33RD ANNUAL TERRY FOX SCHOOL RUN ............................................................................................ 22
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MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
BIG ROCKS
Happy weekend! Fall is surely upon us and it is one of my favourite times of year. I have
had an amazing welcome to the community and want to say thank you for the kindness,
good wishes and advice. The leadership of our school is in very capable hands. This was
evident seeing the many volunteers with POSTS assisting and nurturing our community on
the opening day. Your involvement as parents is essential and I am grateful to work with
you. I have had the opportunity to watch the Prefects in action at the school wide
assembly and knew instantly that we were going to have a great year. I am looking
forward to the annual Terry Fox Run this Friday and the superhero theme. My faith in
student leadership was affirmed again at the Middle School assembly when two young
women capably emceed and kept us in stitches while generating excitement for the
year. Yes, the leadership of the school is in good hands and I am happy to co-pilot on
this journey with our student and parent leaders.
In response to some themes that have emerged from our conversations I am pleased to
share what I call “big rocks”, which I think is appropriate given our proximity to the
Okotoks erratic to the south. My parents and I camped often in my youth at the Hogg
property that is now a provincial recreation area. When we spent time there, it was
really, as I recall, with permission of the landowners and I have many fond memories of
playing in the Sheep River, hiking and visiting local sites. The erratic always fascinated
me as an amateur geologist. But I digress… Big rocks to me are those foundational
principles that provide stability and anchor us in our decisions. The rapidity of change in
our world is unparalleled and we can succumb to fleeting trends, quick fixes and bad
decisions if we don’t start from a place of understanding of what we value. One of the
many strengths of Strathcona-Tweedsmuir is its ability to be progressive while honouring
strong traditions. The strong focus on the individual and the family is at the centre of this
and it will continue to serve our community well.
The educational landscape is evolving dramatically and I look forward to meeting with
you in the coming months to dwell in possibility as we shape our next strategic plan. I am
truly excited about this work and am excited to see how we continue to position the
school as an internationally recognized Centre of Educational Excellence. It will require
us to be courageous, to be bold, thoughtful and committed: keeping our children’s well-
being and success at the center of our focus. I will be sharing more information as my
team and I begin to formulate the next steps.
In closing, I would like to share two resources with you that have become touchstones in
my leadership work. Deep Learning: Engage the World Change the World by Fullan,
Quinn and McEachen (2018) synthesizes over thirty years of research in the educational
world. The premise of their work in their words is that deep learning “changes learning by
focusing on personally and collectively meaningful matters, and by delving into them in
a way that alters forever the roles of students, teaches, families, and others…learning is
the foundational driver and technology is the great accelerator.” Additionally, it focuses
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on developing the 6C’s of global competencies: “character, citizenship, collaboration,
communication, creativity and critical thinking.” STS is leading the way, in my opinion in
these areas.
The second resource I would recommend reading is a book by Grant Lichtman called
Moving the Rock: Seven Levers We Can Press to Transform Education (2017). I will spend
more time talking about this in future editions but let me share some thoughts from him in
his forty plus year career as an educator and researcher: “There is only one shared
dream that I have heard from all of these people across all of these seeming divides:
that our children be happy, successful, and lead better lives than our own. And nearly
everyone in every country and ever station life aggress that education is key to the
fulfillments of that dream. The value of education is where, despite all that divides us, we
mostly come together.” I am so excited to be part of this journey with you. Enjoy the
week!
Mrs. Carol Grant-Watt
Head of School
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IMPORTANT DATES
In addition to the listed dates below, be sure to check for new events throughout the
year online – the following calendar can be downloaded in an iCal format.
SEPTEMBER
September 14, 2018
Grade 6 Outdoor School Parent Briefing
September 18, 2018
University Applications Information night
for parents of Grade 12 students at 7:00
pm
September 18-20, 2018
Grade 5 Cross Conservation
September 19, 2018
Grade 9 Dayhike
Grade 7 Orientation Camp
September 19-21, 2018
Grade 6 Outdoor School
September 22, 2018
Open House at 10:00 am
Homecoming and Family Fall Fair
at 11:00 am
OE15 Backpacking (Groups A, B)
CAIS Middle School Student
Leadership Conference
September 25, 2018
Grade 7 Study Smart Workshop
Middle3 School Cross Country
September 28, 2018
Casual Dress day
OE15 Backpacking (Group C)
Elementary School Cross-Country
Run
September 30, 2018
Grade 9 Backpacking (Groups A, B)
SCHOOL CALENDARS
For more important dates and upcoming events, the following school calendars can be
found on the STS website:
2018-2019 School Calendar
Upcoming Events Calendar
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UPCOMING EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
STS FAMILY FALL FAIR – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22
On Saturday, September 22, from
11:00 am to 3:00 pm the Parents'
Organization of STS and the STS
Alumni Association will co-host
our annual Family Fall Fair on our
beautiful country campus in
conjunction with our
Homecoming Celebration.
A fun-filled day of activities are
being planned for the whole
family. Aunts, uncles, and
grandparents are welcome too!
Activities planned for the day
include:
food trucks
petting zoo
farmers’ market
STS merchandise booth
art display
cupcake decorating contest – cash prizes will be awarded. This contest is open to all
ages! Come join the fun at the fall fair and find out who our master chefs are! Winners will
be announced at around 1:30 pm at the event.
Full details and entry forms are available, here. For more information, contact Faye
Steinberg at [email protected].
New – Locked Room
New – Monster Obstacle Course
sports and family activities – face painting, carnival games, baked goods, school tours,
an OE activity and a few more surprizes up our sleeve.
Registration not required. Please stop by the information desk at Fall Fair to enter our
draws!
We can’t wait to see you! If you are interested in volunteering to help make the day a success, contact Tracey
Maybaum, STS POSTS Volunteer Chair at [email protected]
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OPEN HOUSE – SHOW OFF YOUR SCHOOL – September 22, 2018
Join us for a fun, interactive Open House on September 22 from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
before you head to the Family Fall Fair!
This month, as part of our annual Family Fall Fair, we are thrilled to be hosting our new
and improved Open House, Saturday, September 22, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm – and we
need your help!
Please help us spread the word! Invite your family and friends to join us for Open House
and show off your incredible school.
As a thank you, please enjoy a lemonade and coffee on us at the Family Fall Fair!
We will give each STS family who sends a new family to our Open House complimentary
lemonade from the Family Squeezed Lemonade food truck or coffees from the
Monogram coffee booth at the Family Fall Fair on September 22. If you know a family
who RSVPs for Open House, please email us at [email protected] and we will send
you your complimentary lemonade and coffee vouchers.
Tour our beautiful new Elementary School wing, and innovative Arts and Design Centre
for Kindergarten – Grade 12, meet faculty, and participate in interactive activities in
classrooms across campus.
Click here to RSVP today!
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FULL SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
POSTS welcomes all new and returning volunteers! Email:
[email protected] to indicate your areas of interest so you can
volunteer as soon as possible. Regardless of grade, volunteering
provides a great opportunity to meet other parents and faculty as
well as get involved with the school.
Specifically, volunteers are needed for the following events in September:
Fall Fair - Saturday, September 22, 2018
Volunteers are needed to help with the Fall Fair on
our beautiful country campus. The fair runs from 11:00
am-3:00 pm. Activities include a farmers’ market,
petting zoo, face painting, carnival games, baked
goods, art show, food trucks, and a few more.
We will need 25+ volunteers to help with all aspects of
the Fair so please consider signing up by clicking here. Most shifts are only an hour so
volunteers will still have the opportunity to participate in the fun before or after their shifts!
Terry Fox Run Follow-up
Pledge Counters
Volunteers Required: 3-4
Time Required: One day at the end of September, as determined by the team.
Responsibilities: Counting money collected by students for the Terry Fox Run
and balancing pledge sheets. Direction and necessary supplies are provided.
Please contact Ms. Nicole Egli ([email protected]) for more information, or email:
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Elementary School Cross-Country Run – Friday, September 28
The Elementary School Cross-Country Run is a fun event for students, parents and
teachers. Come lend a hand and then take on the teachers in the popular Parent-
Teacher race!
Volunteers Required: Unlimited
Time Required: Varies but the event will take place in the morning and be finished
by noon.
Responsibilities: Timers, finish line helpers, photographers, snack prep and snack
serving.
Please contact Ms. Emily Ford ([email protected]) for more information. You can volunteer
by emailing [email protected] or click here to sign up directly.
Tweeds and More volunteers– Ongoing
Tweeds and More is looking for volunteers. After
meeting so many families during back to school, we
hope you can join us and become part of the Tweeds
and More group of in-store volunteers. Tweeds and
More is a great place to meet other parents,
employees and kids. Tweeds is run by POSTS and
functions entirely through the support of parent
volunteers. Scheduling for Tweeds and More is done
every three months and is very flexible based on your
availability. Shifts take place during Tweeds opening
hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 am and 1:00 pm and Fridays 2:30-
4:00 pm. To sign up as a Tweeds and More volunteer, please contact Maggie Jegen at
Lost and found volunteers – Ongoing
Lost and Found Volunteers needed! Please help once a month, or when you can,
separating lost items and identifying and contacting owners. Lost and Found now has a
new location next to Tweeds and More, and adjacent to our new Volunteer Lounge.
Lost and Found hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,11:00 am – 1:00 pm. This is a
very important and rewarding way to help the School. Please contact
[email protected] if you are able to help.
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LOST AND FOUND HAS MOVED
Lost and Found has a new location. Please visit our
new Lost and Found next to Tweeds and More, and
adjacent to our new Volunteer Lounge. To maximize your chances of retrieving lost label all the
uniforms, backpacks, lunch boxes. Please also label
any outdoor wear.
Mabel’s Labels are a great option for personalized
labels for your child’s clothes and belongings. When
you order labels, STS receives 20% commission – no
fees and no mark-ups. The more labels the STS
community orders the more money STS gets to reinvest in the School. Click here for more
information and to order.
Lost and Found hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,11:00 am – 1:00 pm. This is a
very important and rewarding way to help the School. Please contact
[email protected] if you are able to help.
JOIN POSTS ON FACEBOOK
Are you a Facebook user and current STS parent? Join the new POSTS
Facebook group, and keep current with POSTS news and events.
The POSTS Facebook group is a helpful, parent- to-parent resource
where STS parents can post questions or information that help other
STS parents. Look here for timely information about volunteering at
STS, Tweeds and More, lost and found items, special events
announcements as well as other news from POSTS.
Whether you are selling your kids’ used skates or need someone to answer a question
about the start time of the Elementary School Assemblies, POSTS wants to help make
connections easier for STS parents.
Information shared within the POSTS Facebook group will only be seen by other group
members, and all group members must be current STS parents. Join at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsorganizationofSTS/
Please contact Jennifer Barber, POSTS communications chair, if you have any questions
or need assistance.
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SIGN UP FOR THE POSTS WALKING GROUP
For new and existing STS parents of all grades, take in some fresh air and join us for regular
walks and a cup of tea. We will meet at 2:00 pm in the Black Watch Bistro, walk our
beautiful country campus, then enjoy a refreshment together at 3:00 pm. For more
information and to be put on our distribution list for these events, contact Lesley Sealy-
Thompson at [email protected]
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE 2018-2019
Please see the updated dates for our upcoming Elementary School assemblies which will
take place in the C.A. Smith Arts Centre (theatre) (unless otherwise indicated) at 2:50 pm
September 28
October 19
November 16
November 30
December 14 - PYPx Assembly
December 21
January 18
February 22
March 8
March 22
April 12
April 26
May 17
May 31
June 14
June 18
PARENT VIEWPOINT
Please complete and return the Parent Viewpoint questionnaire to your child’s
homeroom teacher by Friday, September 21, 2018. This information will help us begin the
school year with valuable information and assist us in providing an optimum learning
environment for your child. The Parent Viewpoint is in the Elementary School section of
the website.
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR 2018-2019
Fall brings the start of the rehearsal season for 5 of our STS choirs. We are working towards
our Holiday Concert on Wednesday, December 12 and are excited to start singing and
playing some wonderful music. Singing is an ensemble art and we are better when all
singers are at rehearsal on a consistent basis. We would appreciate knowing if your child
needs to miss a rehearsal. Electronic Consents were emailed for our Elementary School
Choirs and the Junior Choir can be signed up for on Managebac.
The start dates and rehearsal times for your child’s choir are listed below:
Grade 5 Handbell Choir- Beginning Monday, September 17 at lunch recess
Primary Choir (Grades 1 and 2) - Beginning Wednesday, September 19 at lunch
recess
Elementary Choir (Grades 3 and 4)- Beginning Wednesday, September 19 at 3:50
Intermediate Choir (Grades 5 and 6)- BeginningTuesday, September 18 at 3:50
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Junior Choir (Grades 7-9)- Thursday September 20 at 7:15 am for Grade 8 and 9
singers
Thursday, September 27 at 7:15 am for ALL singers
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MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPEECH AND DEBATE 2018-2019
Speech and debate are original pillars of the STS founding schools, and are deeply
routed in our history and culture. STS strongly believes in the importance of preparing
students to be confident speakers, empowering them with skills that will go beyond the
classroom. Once again, we look forward to an exciting and rewarding year for our
students in Speech and Debate.
Practice Times:
Speech and Debate both in the Middle and Senior School begin this week with Speech
practice occurring on both Tuesday and Wednesday after school. Students are
encouraged to attend one or both of these practices. Debate practices occur on
Thursday after school for both Middle and Senior School.
Following is the schedule of Speech tournaments for both Middle and Senior School for
the school year.
Speech Schedule
John Diefenbaker High School: Friday, September 28
Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy (Canmore) Friday, October 12
Renart School: Friday, October 26
Sir Winston Churchill: Friday November 9
Bob Edwards: Friday, November 23
Western Canada High School: Regional Tournament, Saturday December 15
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School: Provincial Tournament, Saturday, February 2, 2019
It certainly is not mandatory that all student compete at each tournment. However,
students must compete at least at two tournaments to qualify for the Regional
Tournament. The top half of all competitors advance to the Provincail tournament which
qualifies 7 students in both divisions to attend the National Speech Tournaments.
At each of the tournaments, students can choose to enter one of the following
categories: Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive speaking, Interpretive Reading of Prose,
Interpretive Reading of Poetry, Solo Acting, Duet Acting. We encourage students to enter
a variety of categories througout the school year to gain expereince in the different
formats of public speaking.
These tournaments cannot take place without parent judges; therefore, each students is
expected to provide an adult judge. No expereince is required and prior to each
tournament a judges briefing takes place which reviews the rules and what judges should
look for in each category. Judging is a rewarding expereince and in the past, our parents
have enjoyed the opportunity to see a range of talented students!
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Debate Schedule
Middle School
Louis Riel Junior High: Thursday, October 4
Connect Charter School: Thursday, October 11
Our Lady of the Snows ( Canmore) Wednesday, October 24
Calgary and French International School; Thursday, Novmeber 29
Western Canada High School: Friday, November 30
Westmount Charter School: Thursday, December 6
Balmoral School: Thursday, Januory 24, 2019
Senior School
Western Canada, Dates: October 24, December 2, February 5, 2019
University of Alberta Oxford Qualifier. Date: October 27
Ernest Manning High School: Senior High Beginner Debate, Date: Friday
November 2
Henry Wise Wood High School: Impromptu Debate: Date:Thursday,
November 15
Location TBA Regional Tournament, Saturday, February 9, 2019
These tournaments cannot take place without parent judges; therefore, each students is
expected to provide an adult judge. No expereince is required and prior to each
tournament a judges briefing takes place which reviews the rules and what judges should
look for in the debate. Judging is a rewarding expereince and in the past, our parents
have enjoyed observing students in the art of debate.
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ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR 2018-2019
Fall brings the start of the rehearsal season for 5 of our STS choirs. We are working towards
our Holiday Concert on Wednesday, December 12 and are excited to start singing and
playing some wonderful music. Singing is an ensemble art and we are better when all
singers are at rehearsal on a consistent basis. We would appreciate knowing if your child
needs to miss a rehearsal. Electronic Consents were emailed for our Elementary School
Choirs and the Junior Choir can be signed up for on Managebac.
The start dates and rehearsal times for your child’s choir are listed below:
Grade 5 Handbell Choir- Beginning Monday, September 17 at lunch recess
Primary Choir (Grades 1 and 2) - Beginning Wednesday, September 19 at lunch
recess
Elementary Choir (Grades 3 and 4)- Beginning Wednesday, September 19 at 3:50
Intermediate Choir (Grades 5 and 6)- BeginningTuesday, September 18 at 3:50
Junior Choir (Grades 7-9)- Beginning Thursday September 20 at 7:15 am for Grade
8 and 9 singers
Thursday, September 27 at 7:15 am for ALL singers
MIDDLE SCHOOL EXCHANGES
Grade 7 students will have the opportunity to participate in an exchange at Hackley
School in New York. If your family is interested in hosting, please contact Ms. Emily Fraser
([email protected]) for more details.
LOVE OF READING
The Love of Reading campaign starts on September 15 and runs until
October 7! Students in Grades 7-12 are encouraged to bring spare
change to their homerooms, where jars will be located. All funds raised
will help purchase books for the Heloise Lorimer School in Airdrie as part
of Indigo’s campaign. The homeroom who raises the most funds will win
a pizza/booster juice party, sponsored by the Ruparell family.
GRADE 7 JASPER IDEALS TRIP
Between October 18-22, Grade 7 students will have the opportunity to participate in a
Jasper Ideals Trip organized between STS and Collingwood School in BC. It is run through
Parks Canada and students will participate in a variety of activities including Jasper’s
Dark Sky Festival. If your child is interested in applying for this opportunity, please contact
the Middle School Round Square Coordinator: Ms. Fraser ([email protected]).
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MYP PERSONAL PROJECT – 2018-2019
Grade 10 is a time of transition and growth for all of the students at STS. They are now in
Senior School where academic demands and expectations for independence increase,
and they finish their last year of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). It is an exciting
time for Grade 10s, and the MYP Personal Project is both a catalyst for their growth and a
means to reflect on how far they have come in their learning and maturation.
The MYP Personal Project is a culminating activity for the Middle Years Programme, and is
an opportunity for Grade 10 students to become fully engaged in something they are
passionate about. It is an expression of everything our MYP community has been working
towards to meet the ideals of the IB mission. Students will pick a project topic and goal
which excites them and creates an opportunity for learning while also showcases their
Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills. Grade 10s will utilize the design cycle to research,
plan, create, and reflect while they maintain a process journal which documents all of
these pieces. As they work towards the goals they set for themselves, students will
complete a report for all of their findings and reflections, starting with rough drafts due
periodically. Finally, they will submit a report with evidence of how they have met each
criterion, evidence of their product or outcome, and a completed academic honesty
form – all due March 6, 2019.
Throughout their MYP Personal Project, students will work with a faculty supervisor who will
provide guidance and regular checkpoints to keep students focused on their four
criteria: A-Investigating, B-Planning, C-Taking Action, and D-Reflecting. The MYP Personal
Project Coordinator will provide guidance to all participants, including monthly seminars
to explore the various components of the project during the Wednesday Grade 10
Advisory period.
The IB suggests that students spend roughly 25 hours on their Personal Project. We know
that our diverse Grade 10 community will have different degrees of skills and approaches
which will impact the time and efficiency with which they complete this project.
Therefore, students are encouraged to take full advantage of the structures in place to
support their successful completion of the Personal Project by meeting with their
supervisors regularly, by utilizing Grade 10 advisory periods, and by connecting with
various experts in their topic area.
The complete MYP Personal Project Handbook is available on-line. If parents/guardians or
students have any questions throughout the next months regarding the MYP Personal
Project, please contact Ms. Tina Kennedy, the MYP Personal Project Coordinator, 403-
938-9114.
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Appendix 1 – Personal Project Design Cycle:
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Appendix 2 – Personal Project Criteria Descriptors:
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Appendix 3 – General timeline for students
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UNIVERSITY PLANNING
ON-GOING UNIVERSITY PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the school year, Senior School students and parents have many opportunities
for learning around planning for university. These include:
Grade 10
CALM Classes
My Blueprint Web Account
University Representative Visits
University Fair (50 out-of-province universities on campus)
Individual/Parent Meetings as Requested
Parent Information Nights
Grade 11
Bi-Weekly University Planning Class
My Blueprint Web Account
Strong Interest Inventory
University Representative Visits
University Tours (BC and Eastern)
University Fair (50 out-of-province universities on campus)
One Counsellor-Initiated Individual Meeting
Additional Individual/Parent Meetings as Requested
Parent Information Nights
Grade 12
Bi-Weekly University Planning Class
My Blueprint Web Account
Lunch and Learn Workshops
University Representative Visits
University Tour (BC)
University Fair (50 out-of-province universities on campus)
Two Counsellor-Initiated Individual Meetings
Additional Individual/Parent Meetings as Requested
Parent Information Nights
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Appointment Requests
Parents and students are welcomed and
encouraged to book an appointment with Ms.
Caines to discuss the university planning process.
Parents, please email [email protected]
to set up an appointment. Students can book
appointments directly through their STS Outlook
account by using the “Scheduling Assistant”
feature.
University Counselling Office
The student area of the University Counselling office offers resources about post-
secondary planning and program information from around the world. Please feel free to
stop by and check it out anytime.
University Representatives Visiting STS
In the next several weeks, the following universities will have a representative visiting STS.
All Senior School students and parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend as
many as possible to gain insight into a variety of programs. Unless otherwise announced,
these sessions will be held in room 51, across from the University Counselling office.
Date Time University
Monday, September
17
12:00-12:35 pm St. FX University
Tuesday, September
18
12:10-12:45 pm Dalhousie University
Monday, September
24
12:00-12:35 pm University of Alberta
Tuesday, September
25
12:10-12:45 pm Ivey Business School
Tuesday, October 2 12:10-12:45 pm Western University
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Wednesday, October
3
12:00-12:45 pm Boston University
Tuesday, October 9 12:10-12:45 pm Acadia University
Monday, October 15 12:00-12:35 pm Queen’s University
Tuesday, October 16 12:10-12:45 pm University of Toronto
Monday, October 29 12:00-12:35 pm University of New Brunswick
Monday, November 5 12:00-12:35 pm University of Calgary
Tuesday, November 6 12:10-12:45 pm University of Saskatchewan
Monday, November 12 12:00-12:35 pm University of British
Columbia
Tuesday, November 13 12:10-12:45 pm University of Victoria
OUT OF PROVINCE UNIVERSITIES FAIR
Friday, October 26 from 10:00 am-12:00 noon in the Sandy Heard Sports Hall:
Representatives from universities across the country will be at STS to share information
about their programs. All Senior School students will have a scheduled opportunity to
attend this event. Parents are also welcomed to attend.
2018-2019 UNIVERSITY PLANNING PARENT INFORMATION NIGHTS
University Applications (for Grade 12 Parents): Tuesday, September 18 at 7:00 pm in the
Peter B. Ditchburn Library. All Grade 12 parents are encouraged to attend.
Academic and University Planning for Parents New to the Canadian Education System
(for Grades 9-12 Parents): Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00 pm in the Peter B. Ditchburn
Library.
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University Planning (for Grade 11 Parents): Tuesday November 20 at 7:00 pm in the Peter
B. Ditchburn Library. All Grade 11 parents are encouraged to attend.
Academic, Career, and University Planning (for Grade 9 and 10 Parents): Tuesday,
January 22 at 7:00 pm in the Peter B. Ditchburn Library.
UPCOMING UNIVERSITY PLANNING CLASSES
Grade 11
September 19 - Exploring values and criteria for finding “best fit” universities and
programs
Grade 12
September 20 - Starting on university applications
UNIVERSITY PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY
Please note, the information below is provided for information only. These are not STS
sponsored events and, as such, there will be no STS supervision provided.
Scottish Universities Session (Thursday, October 18 ; 6:00-7:00 pm at E.P. Scarlett) –
Learn about university opportunities in Scotland. Open to all students and parents.
Study & Go Abroad Fair (Saturday, October 20; 12:00-5:00 pm) - Don’t miss this
opportunity to start planning to study abroad. Learn about university and college
programs, scholarships, travel and
volunteer opportunities in over 100 countries worldwide. For more information, go
to: http://www.studyandgoabroad.com/calgary/
REFERENCE INFORMATION
My Blueprint Access
All Senior School students have access to a powerful educational planning tool through
our school subscription. Please visit www.myblueprint.ca to utilize this application.
University Search Tools
Canadian Universities: http://www.universitystudy.ca/search-programs/
American Universities: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
UK Universities: http://search.ucas.com/
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GENERAL APPLICATION TIMELINE
Please familiarize yourself with the up-coming and current timelines for university
applications. There is information, support, and guidance available for each step of this
process.
Fall of Grade 10
Meet with Ms. Caines to discuss US admissions process
Winter of Grade 10
Start studying for ACT or SAT entrance exam (for US only)
Fall and Spring of Grade 11
ACT or SAT entrance exam (for US only)
June of Grade 11
Write SAT Subject Tests for Early Admission (as required by each university)
Summer after Grade 11
Write UKCAT and or BMAT (for Medicine in UK only)
Prepare School Nominated Awards Package
Work on Essay Drafts for International Applications
Study for SAT or ACT
September/October of Grade 12
Submit Application for School-Nominated Awards
Repeat ACT or SAT (optional)
Research and Start Preparing Visual Portfolios and Auditions
October/November of Grade 12
Apply to UK and US early admissions
Write the SAT Subject Tests for Regular Admission (as required by each university)
Write Cambridge/Oxford Admission Test
November of Grade 12
Send Interim Transcript (optional - process varies by university)
October-December of Grade 12
Apply to 4-6 Canadian Universities
Apply to University-Specific Major Awards
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January/February of Grade 12
Send Midterm Transcript (process varies by university)
Apply to UK and US regular admissions
Many Portfolios and/or Supplementary Application Documents are Due
Apply for Residence (for universities without guaranteed residence)
Spring of Grade 12
Submit Final Transcript Request through MyPass
Apply for Residence (for universities with guaranteed residence)
Register for First Year University Courses
Apply for Rutherford Scholarship
Process paperwork for learning accommodations
Apply for a visa if you are studying abroad
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WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS
STS has a blog! Visit https://www.strathconatweedsmuir.com/blog/ for stories and what is
happening on campus. Be sure to bookmark this page! In addition to the blog, here are
some highlights this week:
4TH GENERATION STUDENT JOINS STS
Last week, Archer Rathwell ’31 joined the STS
community as the first 4th generation student to
attend STS following his mother, Mrs. Erin (McFarlane)
Rathwell ’00, his grandmother Dr. Janice Heard ’75
and great grandfather Mr. W.A. “Sandy” Heard ’47,
founding Headmaster of STS.
Welcome to STS Archer!
THE 33RD ANNUAL TERRY FOX SCHOOL RUN
Today STS hosted its annual Terry Fox Run for the 33rd year in a
row! We are proud of the way the STS community has
continuously come together to support this cherished full-
school event in support of the Terry Fox Foundation’s
fundraising efforts and to honour the memory of Terry’s
‘Marathon of Hope’. To date, the STS community has raised
over $624,000 in support of cancer research, and this support
is greatly appreciated.
It was great to see so many Super Heroes on the course this
year and we were thrilled to have so many family members
join us for this wonderful event.
Pledge sheets were distributed to students earlier this week or
alternatively, donations can be made through The Terry Fox
Foundation’s online funding page at -
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http://www.terryfox.ca/StrathconaTweedsmuir.
Thank you again for your support and we look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s
run!