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Principal's Message January 26-February 1

This Week at Lord Tweedsmuir  Thursday February 1st 2024

Happy 2nd semester to all Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary Panthers!

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Good morning everyone.  It has been a week of transition at the school with the close of Semester #1 and a new beginning for Semester #2.  As always, our time at school has been full of instruction, assessment, planning and support.  Staff have been very focussed on completing their courses, evaluating students, writing report cards, planning for next semester’s courses and helping our students transition to their next learning journey.  2nd semester staffing, facility management and organizational planning are all very important tasks at this time of the year!

Last week I had the chance to drop by our Social Studies Department to celebrate some amazing student projects.  The criteria for the assignment was to take everything they have learned in their SS course and apply it to the creation of their own building.  As Urban Planners, they decided how to make improvements to Downtown Cloverdale and make it a walkable, livable city.   They were given a business or service needed in a thriving community and then decided how to add density, answer the social justice concerns of a community and include environmental ideas to improve quality of life.   Overall, our students came up with unique and interesting proposals and enjoyed working through the process.  I am very impressed! 😊

 

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Monday was the final day of regular classes for the semester.  It was an active day of final assessments, good-byes and excitement.  We are very proud of our students and their learning during the first half of the year, and I am very pleased with the level of commitment and work ethic that we have witnessed throughout the term.   Congratulations Panthers.

On Monday afternoon, we met as a staff to discuss various semester-end procedures, and ongoing school systems.  We also spent time in discussion regarding the many success stories of our Indigenous students.  It was gratifying to hear some of the strategies and learning successes that have occurred across both curricular and extra-curricular areas.   The strengths of our students from semester #1 were shared with our teachers for semester #2.  As a school, the support of our Indigenous students and the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation process will continue to be a very high priority.  

Tuesday and Wednesday were Semester Completion Days and a chance for students to come into the school to complete missing tasks in order to reach success in their courses.  Students, parents/guardians are reminded that these are important opportunities for learning.  The school is open, staff are available, and all students are encouraged to utilize this time if needed.  At the end of the 2nd semester, we will again be scheduling Semester Completion Days.  Students just need to schedule a time with their teacher(s) to take advantage of this additional time and support.

On Tuesday evening, our Senior Boys Basketball team was back in action against Fleetwood Park Secondary.  Again, we watched two very evenly matched teams play a competitive and hard-fought game.  Congratulations to both teams. We were happy to see our boys emerge with the victory at the end of the 4th quarter.  Way to go boys!

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Our teachers have been working very hard this week preparing final report cards for Semester #1.  As most students and parents/guardians are aware, we are implementing a new Provincial Reporting order this year.  This has required significant change across all our grades and additional time from our teachers in preparing these formal learning summaries.   Thank you very much to all teachers for your professionalism and hard work in creating these important reports for our students and families.  (Note:   Report Cards will be published online in MyEdBC Monday, February 5th.)

Also on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Lord Tweedsmuir Drama Department hosted the District’s One Act Drama festival.   Hundreds of students from across the Surrey School District joined us to perform in front of their peers and showcase their talent and hard work.  Congratulations to all cast and crew of the Panther Players Drama Troupe!  

Today is the first day of Semester #2 and a new learning journey begins for our community.  As always, time moves past us very quickly.  We are now in the second half of the year… and our school year will unfold even faster.  All students are requested to log into MyEdBC to download your 2nd semester schedule.  Paper copies will not be provided.  I wish everyone, students, parents, Support Staff, Teachers the very best for this term.   I know that by working hard, taking care of each other, celebrating our school community and pursuing new opportunities for learning will result in success and joy.  Have a wonderful semester Panthers!

All the best for a happy Friday and a relaxing weekend.  

Ken

Traffic Safety

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Traffic safety around Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary is a critical priority for our community.  With increased enrollment, the number of vehicles navigating around and within our school grounds also increases.  It is essential that all drivers are very cautious while driving near the school and are aware of the many student pedestrians who are nearby.

All students and parents/guardians are requested to consider the following:

  • If possible, students - please walk and/or bike to school.  Fewer vehicles attempting to drop off and/or pick up students will be very helpful.
  • Consider dropping off/picking up 2-3 blocks away from the school and avoid the traffic congestion around the school.
  • Consider drop-off/pick up earlier and/or later in the morning/afternoons to avoid peak traffic times.

 Thank you for your help in protecting the safety of our students.  

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