So often we highlight all the fun and exciting things that happen on Action Fridays or special events, that we neglect to recognize that real learning happens within these walls every day. But learning is a big deal! After all, that is the main reason we are all here. So here are some pictures of some of our boys working hard at the ordinary, every day kind of learning.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
FRI. OCT. 16 – Action Friday: Ball Hockey & Art Gallery Visit
Tomorrow the boys will go to Visions Sport Centre for ball hockey and visit the Christine Klassen Gallery where Carl White, our resident artist, has an exhibit.
MON. OCT. 19 – Healthy Hunger: Subway
WED. OCT. 21 – Picture Re-take Day
WED. OCT. 23 – Action Friday: Orienteering
REMINDERS
Dresscode
We have noticed that a few of the boys are not adhering to the dress code. Please ensure that your son wears any one of his North Point branded shirts on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If he wears a North Point hoodie, he must still wear a North Point shirt underneath in case he gets hot and takes the hoodie off. Any pants/shorts that are clean and tidy are acceptable. On Wednesday, the boys should wear their navy North Point polo shirt and khaki pants/shorts. Please remind your sons that we DO NOT allow the boys to wear hats or toques indoors (classrooms or hallways).
Dress for the Weather
The cooler weather has come upon us in a hurry. Please ensure your son is prepared for whatever the weather is doing on a particular day as gym classes may still be outside and the boys are still going outside for recesses. Please have your son bring an indoor pair of shoes to school. They should leave their dirty outdoor footwear in the boot racks by the playground doors or in their lockers. Edna has lots of cleaning to do as it is, we would like to make her job easier.
SAVE THE DATE
TUES. Oct. 27 – Townhall and Fun Lunch
THURS. Oct. 29 – Halloween at North Point
FRI. Oct. 30 – Non-instructional Day: NO SCHOOL for students
Gaga Ball
By Riley C., Grade 6 – Mr. Hirtle
Has your son come home and told you about how he won a Gaga ball tournament or he got 5 people out in a single Gaga ball match, but never told you about any of the rules? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. The pit of Gaga ball at our school is an above ground hexagonal shape and is usually quite dirty with all the dirt and the rocks. Sometimes it gets really muddy in the pit. Some of the mud from the pit gets tracked into the school and makes a big mess in the hallways and classrooms. Students definitely need their indoor shoes. Though Gaga ball can be quite a messy game, it is still very fun and entertaining. As a Gaga ball player, I will tell all about the gameplay and the rules of Gaga ball in this article.
First, I will teach you the rules of Gaga ball which are pretty simple: you get in the pit and you don’t want to let that ball hit you below the waist. But some of the more complicated rules would be that you can’t touch the ball twice before it touches the wall of the pit, also known as a double touch, or If the ball touches the wall of the pit and then hits your leg/foot you’re still out – also known as a wall hit. I know, it’s complicated, right?
Once you have mastered the basics, you are ready for the more advanced strategy in the game. Now some strategies are all about hitting and getting really aggressive. This would be a good strategy for a tournament with fewer people. Another strategy would be to lay low near the boards of the pit and not hit the ball till later in the game. This would be a good strategy for a match with a lot more people in the pit. The last type of strategy I’m going to talk about is the dodging strategy. This would be a good strategy for honestly all types of games whether it is a tournament or a casual game, it’s always good to dodge. I usually play more of an aggressive type of play.
To conclude, I think Gaga ball is a game of skill and athleticism, and I hope I have helped you learn more about Gaga ball and have a better understanding of how your son came home filthy, but has a grin from ear to ear.
INTRODUCING…
We are pleased to be adding Mr. Brandon Ogle to our teaching team at North Point. Mr. Ogle will be teaching PE to all grades on Mondays and Wednesdays as well as Health & Lifeskills classes on Fridays. Mr. Ogle has been working as an educational assistant in the CBE for the past 4 years, while completing his Bachelor of Education. Mr. Ogle was introduced to North Point by Mr. Fagan as they knew each other at Notre Dame High School in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and have kept in touch over the years. Mr. Ogle has been a substitute teacher for us on multiple occasions already this year and we are very happy that he is able to join our North Point teaching team in an expanded capacity.
- What’s your favourite food?
Chilli - What are your hidden talents?
I play guitar and I can draw pretty well! - What are you most proud of?
When I was in grade 6, a teacher told me I would never amount to anything. Looking back on that moment today, I’m very proud to have achieved two degrees and my first teaching job! - Which 5R resonates with you the most and why?
Relentless, because it’s extremely important to never give up when overcoming the challenges and obstacles that are a part of life and learning. Whether you win or lose, honestly giving it all you got is its own kind of success. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you imagined, in my experience, it has always been worth the effort. - Why did you choose to become a teacher?
I struggled with school growing up. If it wasn’t for a few inspiring teachers I had in junior high and high school, I don’t know where or who I would be today. I want to make that kind of positive impact on my students! I want them to know that they can do more than they currently imagine, and anything they set their mind to. They just need to find the right strategy; I want to help them do that.
Welcome aboard Mr. Ogle!
REAL-TIME REPORTING
North Point School for Boys is launching our real-time reporting plan. As a result, we will not be sending out paper report cards at the end of each term. Instead we are using an online application which will allow you to check on your son’s scholastic progress in real-time. We will still conduct our regular Checkpoint meetings three times a year where we will update our IDP’s/IPP’s and discuss student progress and we will be providing our parents and students with a paper report card at the end of the year.
You will receive an email with the subject: Confirm your North Point School for Boys account from SchoolCloud, our Alberta-based Student Management System. Please follow the instructions to set up your account. You will be able to log in to your account from any device at https://schoolcloud.ca to access your son’s marks and attendance in detail.
Our real-time reporting is an evolving process, and we would appreciate your feedback as we roll it out this year. Do not be too concerned if marks are not populated right at the outset as the framework, especially for the elementary grades, is still being set. You are welcome to contact your son’s teacher at anytime if you have any questions about how they are doing. Ultimately, our goal is for this process to give you a better understanding of how your son is progressing in a more timely manner. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dorothy at dreimer@northpoint.school.
MEME CONTEST
The 3rd Annual Financial Academy Meme Contest is underway. The challenge is to take a photo and make a meme on a financial topic like Managing Money, Banking, Business, Marketing, Economics or Investing. The contest is open to all students from grades 1-10. It should relate to the student’s everyday life in a fun and creative way. Winners receive a $25 gift card. There will be 1 winner chosen from the grade 1/2 class and 2 winners chosen from each of the 3/5, 6/7 and 8/10 classes.
Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, and clarity of the message. The deadline for submitting memes is Monday, October 26. Prizes are awarded Monday, November 2. We will start posting entries as they come in for your viewing enjoyment. Selected memes will be published in an upcoming edition of the newsletter and possibly on our social media channels.
Complete details on the Financial Academy Meme Contest can be found here.
NAVIGATOR SQUAD POINTS
| MOUNTAINEERS ••• | MARINERS ••• | ASTRONAUTS •••• | AVIATORS |
| 60 | 224 | 80 | 130 |
Contact Mr. Fagan to get your books counted.
VOLLEYBALL
Practice: Mondays 3:30-4:30 after school
Parents, please pick up your son up at the school at 4:30pm.
