MSS students had many opportunities this to make positive decisions and take action.
On October 20, 143 MSS students from Grades 10-12 participated in the first online of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Although there were some delays with login, MSS was able to participate successfully in the morning session. During the afternoon session, while the second half of the students were partway through the test, the EQAO cancelled the test. The reason they cancelled it was because of widespread technical issues in southern Ontario. This was frustrating for students and staff. It is not yet known whether or not the work students did will be marked and counted. EQAO issued the following statement: “We recognize that you spent considerable time and energy preparing for the trial assessment and that you had hoped to offer your students an opportunity to satisfy their literacy requirement. We acknowledge your frustration and share your sentiment that things should have gone better.”
April Torkopolous, a Grade 10 student, said, “I don’t think it was ever a good idea to do the test online. I prefer pencil and paper. Everyone was stressing about this test and tried their absolute best, we should not have to re-do it.” Rainbow District School Board students have launched a petition on Change.org to the Ministry of Education for their tests to be marked. Community members who wish to support this petition can find it at the following address: https://goo.gl/QO67lP.
Every morning from October 17- 21 there were announcements about the dangers of texting and driving, impaired driving, and being responsible passengers from the OPP. This was a campaign to encourage newly licenced and soon to be licenced MSS drivers to stay safe on the roads. Also this week was Waste Reduction Week. Announcements were made to remind students to do their best to recycle, recycle, recycle. On the 21st, Students in SHARE/Go Green walked around at lunch, looking for good doers. If they noticed someone with a litterless lunch or sorting waste properly, the person was offered a cookie or brownie. Waste Reduction Week is meant to raise awareness and encourage good choices.
SHARE/Go Green, led by Amber Wahl, has started Kenya Kollections. This a plan to raise awareness about conditions in Nairobi, Kenya and encourage students and staff to donate to the cause. The Christmas Craft Sale, Give Change to Make Change, and the coffee house are all coming up to support Free the Children projects in Kenya. SHARE is also committed to helping in the local community. We Scare Hunger sign ups will be in the front foyer of the school, so students could sign up to collect non-perishable items on Halloween night. This is a good way to give back to the community and help those who need it. Households are encouraged to donate a canned good, package of pasta, or any other non-perishable food items for the Manitoulin Food Bank.
On October 21 at 1:30, the staff of MSS surprised the students with a Student Appreciation Day. The school was evacuated by a fire alarm, and as students filed out of the school, a fire truck and an OPP cruiser pulled into the school. As students made their way to the soccer field, Mr. Zegil and Mr. Davy came out of the fire truck and announced the first ever Student Appreciation Day. The first activity was a massive Capture the Flag game. The Grade 9s and 12s took on the Grade 11s and 10s. The 9s and 12s won the game after storming the opposing team’s goal post. Once the game ended, the students were given hot dogs. Then two games of ultimate frisbee were started on either end of the field. The Grade 9s and 10s played against each other, while the Grade 11s and 12s played on the opposite end of the field. During both games, Garret Gauthier treated everyone to karaoke, singing classic country and popular songs. Throughout the afternoon students talked with their friends, participated in the games, and enjoyed their period off.
The Students as Researchers Conference is a response to students’ suggestions about the importance of learning life skills like research and critical thinking. The conference provides new ways to gather student perspectives and incorporate students’ views into school policy and directives. Four students from MSS went to the StAR conference this year. Annie Blodgett and Savannah Webb went with the Student Senate. Victoria MacDonald and I went with Ms. Bauer from October 25-27. The groups participated in workshops, team building activities, and planning sessions for the research that will be conducted by students in their schools throughout the year.
Students’ Council is hosting the first school dance of the year: a Halloween dance. The dance will be on October 27. Attending students will be encouraged to show off their costumes, and dance with their friends.
Whether it’s toughing it out through a frustrating literacy test, signing up for We Scare Hunger, or bringing a litterless lunch, MSS students and staff showed resilient work ethic and a positive attitude. ‘Til next time, stay golden, Mustangs.
