Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/609675
Classical Accolades TWELVE STUDENTS from Grade 7 through Level IV spent four days in May at the 47th Ontario Student Classics Conference at Brock University. They worked wonderfully as a team and came back with 21 individual and three team prize ribbons. They also particularly distinguished themselves for their performance in the per capita rankings: second among 16 competing schools in creative achievement, fourth in academic and fourth overall. Especially noteworthy team efforts included a second-place finish in the archaeological dig, the most demanding competition at the conference, in which TFS has come first or second eight years in a row. Our students also received a second-place finish in chariot design. All five oral readers won prizes for dramatic readings in ancient Greek and Latin. Outstanding individual achievements included first place finishes by Victoria S., Anaïs K., Michelle L. and Greger W. Michelle L. also headed up the academic honour roll with eight individual academic prizes. ACADEMICS A THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE TO A GLOBAL PROBLEM AS THE CULMINATION of their "How we organize ourselves" unit of inquiry, the Grade 4 students from the West Campus fought for the ban on microbeads in cosmetic products, as a serious Great Lakes pollutant. The students were invited by A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW EVERY YEAR BRIGITTE MATTHEY, Senior Kindergarten teacher at the West Campus, invites to class an ambassador from CNIB. As part of the "Qui sommes nous?" (Who are we?) unit of inquiry, students learn about blindness and its causes, as well as the challenges and opportunities those affected face. The goal of the class is to increase awareness and compassion towards others, in a way that is age-appropriate and engaging. A Gift Like No Other WHILE MOST ART PROJECTS end up in a child's knapsack to share with a proud parent, the Grade 1s at La p'tite école participate in an annual gift from them to the school. Each year for the past five years, the outgoing class has created a gift of art to leave at the branch as a souvenir of their time. Parents can walk the halls to see the PYP Learner Profile-inspired mosaics; the handprints of each student joined together to make the world; hand-created ceramic self-portraits; and a mural with a ravine theme. Last year, the class brightened up the schoolyard where all the children play. A board was cut to the height of each student, who then painted his or her best self. At the Grade 1 graduation day, parents and students worked together to install the unique fence. Mirna Hafez, principal of La p'tite école, says the projects build not only a sense of community and belonging, but also of giving back to the branch that taught them during such formative years. Mississauga Councillor Jim Tovey to present to city council in April. The council voted unanimously to send their petition, on behalf of the City of Mississauga and the Region of Peel, to Prime Minister Harper in hopes that Canada would also consider the ban on microbeads. It was a great opportunity for our students to understand their role as citizens, and help protect the environment. 5 TFS ENTRE NOUS 2015