School’s In For Summer
It’s late July, and the Learning Commons
at Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (BCI) is the usual hub
of activity. That’s because classes are in session, and students are using the
time to get caught up, get ahead, or change to a different path. It’s
summertime in Grand Erie, and the learning continues.
“Instead of completing a course in five
months, I like that summer school gives me the option to stay focused on one
course for one month in this more intensive format,” says Rahul Vivekananthan (far right in photo above).
“To be honest, I expected it was going to be easy, but it’s been a good
challenge.”
Summer school is open to students in
Grades 6 through 12, and offers a condensed schedule to accelerate achievement.
The reasons students have for choosing summer school are as varied as their
individual goals.
“My plans changed significantly when I
had a child a year ago, and suddenly it became very important to better myself
and increase my options,” explains Rachael Murphy-Westwater (fourth from left in photo above), who says she
hadn’t given post-secondary education much thought until that life event
changed the course she was on. Since the arrival of her son Jack, she now plans
to attend university, and is upgrading her College Grade 12 English credit by
completing the Grade 12 University course in summer school. “I’d like to pursue
a general science degree, which will keep my options open, and allow me to
build a positive future for my son and myself.”
Some students are looking to lighten
their course load during the school year, or are getting caught up by taking a
course they missed. For Thomas Escobar, a serial summer school student, it’s
all about creating balance.
“By taking summer school, I’ll have a spare next year, which I think will really help me focus on my studies,” says Escobar, who writes his exam today to complete his Grade 11 Math credit. “Next year I’ll probably take Grade 12 English or Data Management during the summer.”
“The curriculum pieces are covered, and teachers work hard to ensure that the credits are authentic and maintain integrity, so by the end, students are well prepared to move ahead,” says Principal Rob Malcolm, who oversees the summer school and eLearning programs. “We’ve also been able to offer new and different programs beyond the core courses, as well as dual-credit courses and co-op options, so that’s all helped the success rates and student engagement.”
Summer school ties into Grand Erie’s
Multi-Year Plan goals through the
Achievement indicator, which sets high
expectations for students and staff, and works towards increasing student
understanding of effective learning strategies.
“The trend is changing,” says Malcolm.
“We’re seeing more students who are reaching ahead and working to improve
grades in summer school vs. those who are catching-up.”
Summer school 2019 began July 2 and
wraps-up tomorrow (July 26).
Get Out / Get Active - Colour House Event at Mohawk Park
The whole school participated in our Get Out/Get Active day on Monday, April 24th at Mohawk Park. Students played together in multi-grade Colour House groups as they rotated through 6 stations (scavenger hunt, parachute games, obstacle course, mural painting, play structure and snack). The weather was perfect for some exercise, team building, and co-operative learning.
Pink Shirt Day - February 22, 2017
The students of Echo Place School participated in several activities last month to educate and inspire our students to stand up against bullying and create a welcome, inclusive and safe school environment. Classes worked together to create posters that are now proudly displayed in our hallways.
They also worked in Colour House groups to create a welcome tree at our front entrance. Each student traced their handprint on coloured paper and wrote how they make this school a safe and kind place for everyone. On February 22, our school participated in Pink Shirt Day and classes presented stories and pledges at our school assembly, to share their understanding of the impact that bullying has, and why we will stand up against it.
The Amazing Math Race
On Tuesday, November 29th several families gathered in the gym to participate in our first Amazing Math Race.
Each family was given a passport and travelled from room to room solving fun math challenges. Each page of the passport was given a stamp when the challenge in that room was completed. When the passports were filled, the families returned to the gym for their prizes.
Everyone enjoyed cake, juice and coffee and all families received valuable resources to support their child's math learning at home. It was a great event.
Echo Place News for October 28, 2016
By Mr. Roberts Grade 6/7 class
Click to View the Echo Place News Report
Missing – Sound system
The sound system we use at assemblies for our microphone and to amplify our slide shows has gone missing from the stage area in our gym. The last time it was used was at our last assembly, on Sept. 30th. We have looked high and low, but have be unable to locate our system. It consists of a large amplifier, with multiple knobs and two large speakers. It is a Fender Passport 150 Pro. We are hopeful that if this system has been take out of the school, someone will spot it and let us know. The staff and students are all very sad that our only system has gone missing.
If you have any information about our sound system, please call 905-753-2931
Let's Chalk!
Echo Place Students participate in Let's Chalk Event
Friendship Bench
Our Friendship Bench is created in memory of Mrs. Linington and Mrs. Kauk, who were friends to everyone at Echo Place. This bench will be placed outside in our school yard, and will be used as a place for children to go when they need a friend. Several students from each classroom helped decorate the bench by supplying their painted handprints.
Golden Dustpan Award
At the end of each month, Ms. Reading (Custodian) will award the cleanest classroom with the Golden Dustpan Award. This month, Ms. Mancini and Mrs. Grandpre's JK/SK class was the winner. They will proudly display their trophy in the classroom for the following month.
At the end of the school year, the classroom that won the Golden Dustpan the most times will win a special surprise.
"We Believe In Clean"
September 2016 Golden Dustpan Award Winner: Mrs. Wainwright's Grade 4/5 Class (below)
February 2016 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Ms Mancini (in for Mrs. Springett) and Mrs. Grandpre's JK/SK Class (below)
January 2016 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Mussi's Grade 1 class (below)
December 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Woodley's Grade 2 class (below)
November 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Springett and Mrs. Grandpre's JK/SK class (below)
October 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Ms. Barrett's JK/SK class (below)
September 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Mussi's Grade 1 class (below)