St. Andrews Junior High News

• Open House
• Character Development
• Food Drive
• Activity Days
• QSP Magazine Information
• Cafeteria Menu
• Updates from the Library
  • Red Maple
  • MS. Read-a-Thon
  • Chess Club
• Staff / Student Basketball and Volleyball Games
• Holiday Assembly
• Important Dates in January

Open House

Please click here for information on our upcoming Open House for all, and Grade 6 Information Evening on January 13, 2010.

Character Development

The Toronto District School Board’s character development trait for the month of January is teamwork. There will be a contest this month for students with prizes awarded. Students (individually or in pairs) can create a poster, poem, rap, sculpture, or any other presentation about teamwork. Students need to submit their work by Jan. 22nd to the Office.

Food Drive

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the food drive by sending in donations. We had many boxes to give to the North York Harvest Food Bank to help others. We appreciate your generosity.

Activity Days

Activity Days are coming up on January 14th and February 4th. Thank you to all who promptly submitted permission forms and cheques. We hope everyone has a great day learning ‘out-of-class’ during their activities.

QSP Magazine Information

Remember you can order magazines year round at qsp.ca – our school continues to earn profit and people can order any time of the year – for themselves, or as a gift…for birthdays, Mother’s day, Father’s day, Valentine’s Day!

QSP Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-667-2536

Although many magazines will have started by now (online orders often arrive within a few short weeks), some titles take a little longer. If you call this number, you can check on any orders you may have a concern about.

Cafeteria Menu

Our cafeteria manager has made some changes to the “specials” menu for the new year:

• Mondays – soup, sandwich and drink
• Tuesdays – beefaroni, garlic bread and a small drink
• Wednesdays – roasted chicken leg with Chinese noodles over mixed vegetables
• Thursdays – soft beef taco with steamed rice and a small drink (lean beef is used and whole wheat taco)
• Fridays – personal size pizza slice with celery, carrot sticks and dip and a small drink (instead of veggies they can have fries)

Note: All of the above are $5.00 combo

Updates from the Library

Red Maple

The nominees for the 2010 Red Maple Reading Award have been announced. The library has purchased many copies of these terrific books and they are available for circulation. Students will have the opportunity to join the reading program and vote on their favourite author in the fiction category. Grade 7 students were introduced to the reading program through their English classes this week.
READ, READ, READ!!!

MS. Read-a-Thon

The St. Andrew’s Library is pleased to announce that the school will once again be participating in the MS Read-a-Thon during the winter term. The kick-off assembly, for grade 7’s, will be on January, 21, 2010 at 9:15. All students wishing to participate in the Read-a-Thon will need to pick up a registration package from Ms. Greenspoon in the library.

Scholastic Book Fair

The library will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair again this year in the main foyer. Funds raised at the book fair are used to help supplement the ever growing library collection. The Book Fair will be held from Monday, February 8 to Tuesday, February 16th. The fair is open before school, during both lunches and after school – this means the library will not be open before school or for lunch during this week to give the students an opportunity to purchase books for home. Parents and siblings are welcome to check out the great deals and support the St. Andrew’s Library.

Chess Club

Chess club has begun Thursdays at lunch. There is still room for more students during both lunches. If you are interested, see Ms. Greenspoon in the library. The annual St. Andrew’s Chess Tournament will take place later in the winter term; stay tuned for announcements.

Staff / Student Basketball and Volleyball Games

Two outstanding competitions were held during the final week before the holidays with staff and student teams. Both events were positive and spirit-raising! It was inspiring to see both staff and students competing so hard and playing with such heart. Spectators had a great time and cheered for both teams. Thanks, students and teachers, for participating, and to all who worked together to help put these events together.

Holiday Assembly

During Period 6 on the final day of school before the holidays, staff and students participated in a wonderful assembly of celebration. With readings and drama pieces about Diwali, Christmas, Hannukah and Eid, we gained a better understanding and appreciation for each others’ traditions and celebrations. We listened to wonderful musical versions of holiday music and joined in a singalong with Mr. Lo and several talented students at the piano. Everyone enjoyed listening to the staff rendition of the Twelve Days of St. Andrew’s and finished up together with a rousing version of the St. Andrew’s school song. Thank you to everyone who took part in the assembly organization and presentations. It was a great start to the holidays!

Important Dates in January

• 1/11 – Shortened Day for Staff meeting: dismissal at 2:36: Shortened Day Timetable
• 1/13 – Open House (7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) and Grade 6 Information Evening (6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
• 1/14 – Activity Day #1
• 1/18 – Parent Council Meeting 7pm
• 1/25 – 01/29 – Grade 9 exam week
• 1/27 – Ward Forum