FEBRUARY
26, 2010
GECDSB Book Launch
The Greater Essex County District
School Board has launched its very own children’s
book, What Did You Do at School Today? Written
and illustrated by teachers Lisa Cranston, Sherry
Doherty and Lisa Galvan, the book will be given to
all children registering for kindergarten this year
at our schools.
“The book creates an opportunity for parents and caregivers to read to
their child while, at the same time, introducing them to what school will be
like as they prepare to enter the early learning program,” says Superintendent
of Program Clara Howitt. The story and illustrations focus on the play-based
learning centres that are in each kindergarten class across the district. The
children portrayed in the book also reflect the amazing diversity evident in
the Greater Essex County District School Board.
FEBRUARY
11, 2010
Kindergarten Registration
The Greater Essex County District School Board is getting ready to welcome a
new class of young learners. Registration for kindergarten will be held at
schools throughout the district beginning February 22nd through to March 5th.
Beginning in September 2010, schools in the City of Windsor will be switching
from a half-day every day program to full-day alternate day program.
Starting September 2010 a full day everyday program will be offered at the following
schools: Marlborough, Dr. H.D. Taylor, John Campbell, Prince Edward, W.G.
Davis, Eastwood, Colchester North, Amherstburg, Belle River, Mill Street and
Gore Hill Public School.
Parents or caregivers of children,
who will be at least 4 years of age by December
31st, 2010, can make an appointment to register
by calling your local public school.
Parents and children are invited to attend the Kindergarten
Open House at their neighbourhood school on February
24th, beginning at 5:30 p.m.For more information, visit
the Kindergarten section of our website.
JANUARY
13, 2010
Aid for Haiti
School communities throughout
the Greater Essex County District School Board reacted
swiftly to the immense natural disaster in Haiti
and the incredible need for immediate aid.
Not long after the early estimated level of destruction
had been reported, coin drives were started, fund
raisers were planned and action was taken to provide
support for the survivors of the devastating earthquake.
A suggested Board initiative was to collect funds
to purchase Shelterboxes (check out: www.shelterbox.ca)
which provide much needed temporary housing and
basic comforts to the thousands of people left
homeless. Some schools have elected to direct their
contributions to the Canadian Red Cross or Doctors
Without Borders.
So far thousands of dollars have been raised by
the students and staff of the Greater Essex County
District School Board for the people of Haiti.
JANUARY
13, 2010
Grey Cup @ Brock Public School
Former student Walter Robinson
Spencer brought the Grey Cup to General Brock Public
School during his day with the cherished Canadian football
trophy.
Spencer is a member of the Montreal Alouettes, who defeated the Saskatchewan
Roughriders in an exciting CFL final in November.
He told Principal Chris Inverarity that his former elementary school was at the
top to visit with the Cup. Spencer said he has great memories from his time at
Brock and he wanted to inspire the current students “to believe in themselves,
do not let anyone stop you, you have the choices to make, you choose your friends
wisely, you do your best in school...that is your ticket in the world. Do not
let anyone stop you.
See
Images >
JANUARY
12, 2010
Full Day Learning Announced
The Ontario Ministry of Education
has released the list of schools which will have full
day, every day kindergarten programs beginning in September
2010. The Full Day Learning Plan will be implemented
over a 5 year period, with all schools across the province
participating by 2015.
Eleven schools in The Greater Essex County District School Board will offer full
day, every day kindergarten this fall:
Dr. H.D. Taylor Public School (Windsor)
Marlborough Public School (Windsor)
Prince Edward Public School (Windsor)
Eastwood Public School (Windsor)
John Campbell Public School (Windsor)
W.G. Davis Public School (Windsor)
Amherstburg Public School
Belle River Public School (Lakeshore)
Colchester North Public School (Essex)
Mill St. Public School (Leamington)
Gore Hill Public School (Leamington)
NOVEMBER
30, 2009
Herman Urban Schools Project
Students at W.F. Herman High School,
their families and many people, both kids and adults
are benefiting from the Herman Urban Schools Project,
which is funded through a grant from the Province of
Ontario.
Herman is one of 34 high schools in the province offering this program to provide
support and develop resources in urban communities.
This past summer Herman operated tremendously successful music and sports camps. “It
was wonderful to be able to provide those opportunities to students in our community,” says
Principal Tom Halliwill. “Especially since many other programs in the city
were not available.”
Currently Herman is conducting an after-school music program for students in
grades 5-8, Saturday morning athletic instruction and a daily academic support
program for any student in any school in the community.
There’s also a Holiday Cookie Exchange and a Gingerbread House Building
Workshop being held this December as well as the Herman Christmas Concert, featuring
the talents of the students in the after school music program.
You can find out more about the Herman Urban School Project at www.hermangriffins.com.
NOVEMBER
5, 2009
We Care We Can Campaign
In its first 2 years, the
Greater Essex County District School Board’s
We Care We Can Campaign has piled up impressive
numbers. More than 250 tons of food valued at
approximately $3.2 million has been collected
by schools to help hundreds of people through
food banks in the eight communities we serve.
As well, thousands of students have learned the importance and the value of community
service through the simple act of giving.
This year’s We Care We Can Campaign begins Monday, November 9th. Over the
next two weeks many schools will be holding food drives to collect canned goods
and other non-perishable food items. Our partners from the Rotary Club and Mayflower
Moving will pick up the collections and deliver them to the Unemployed Help Centre
from where it will be distributed to members of the Windsor-Essex Food Banks
Association.
The Windsor Spitfires will also be having a We Care We Can collection at an upcoming
home game at the WFCU Centre.
OCTOBER
20, 2009
Take
Our Kids to Work
Wednesday,
November 4th is Take
our Kids to Work Day.
The Greater Essex County District School Board enthusiastically
supports this community based learning experience
for Grade 9 students and we encourage them to participate.
OCTOBER 20, 2009
Character
Development Workshop
An
exercise in fostering a character development
network of teachers and students had delegates
from every school in the Greater Essex County
District School Board limbering up their compassion
and generosity during a workshop held at the
Ciociaro Club.
The students, who were selected by each school’s
Character Development Contact, got a chance
to talk openly about their issues while the
teachers were given a seminar on ways to
help positive habits flourish.
Renowned facilitator Micah Jacobsen conducted
sessions with integrated groups to help them
realize their capacity for change. He
exhorted them to open their eyes to possibilities…to
emerge from “a state of constraint
to a state of capability.”
The objective of the workshop was to empower
students and the Character Development Contacts
to, in the words of Teacher Consultant Shelly
Duben, “just don’t do nothing.
There’s a lot of need out there.”
