This is one of the shortest weeks of the year.  Thursday is our professional development day and Friday is a school closure day.

1. Our school recognized Remembrance Day this morning with a touching assembly.  So many MACC students participated and shared their skills with our school and community.  We want to recognize the musical talents and skills of Roger and Tren, for their piping and trumpet solo; the advanced band and choirs for their presentations and time given to preparation and practice; the many student readers including Winfield, who spoke with confidence and expression; the tech crew who helped with the sound, video and lighting to create an honoring and respectful environment; Maggie, Tara and the many candle lighters who helped focus our remembrance.

2. Students in Ms. Abbot and Ms. Moody’s classes are continuing to work on their written responses for our literature circles.  We are spending more time working through the writing process, so there will be less written responses this term and a greater focus on drafting and editing writing.  Response questions are and will be posted on edmodo in the Literature Circle 2012-13 group.

3. Science Fair timelines were reviewed this week.  Students are currently working on clarifying their topics and completing a Project Feasibility Review.  Timelines will be put on the calendar and will be uploaded to edmodo.  We have encouraged students to focus on innovation and experiments.  We will be working with them next week on refinining questions and beginning background research.

4. Congratulations to all our volleyball players!  The volleyball season has wrapped up and all our teams participated in tournaments.  The next sports seasons will be starting soon.  Listen to announcements for basketball start up and intramurals beginning.

5. So the students all have the day off…. but what are the teachers doing on Pro-D?  Ms. Moody is enroute to Portland for the ALME (Association of Middle Level Educators) Conference.  She will post next week about the highlights of the conference.  She is looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate and learn with middle level teachers from across North America.  Ms. Abbot is participating in a collaboration session with Ms. McKay, Mr. Buhler and other teachers from Coquitlam middle schools on project based learning.  Our school is going to be developing future plans for our school goal on social responsibility and beginning the next steps.  We are all looking forward to the synergy that comes from working and learning with other people passionate about education.

6. Congratulations to Ted! He won the Write a Review and Win a free book draw for October!  Read a book and write a review in November to try and win a free book!  Check out our school library website for more resources and information.

Please remember that Monday is a stat holiday for Remembrance Day. Some information about Remembrance Day in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Belcarra Park Cruise.  We looking forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday.