October 21st, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is hard to believe that this is our 7th week of the school year. We are almost to the half way point of our first semester and time is passing almost as quickly as the leaves are changing.

Although we have been working to keep in touch with you at home using voicemails, a newsletter, and the web site, I thought it was time to write another letter. In my correspondence today, I would like to bring your attention to five items as they relate to TRHS: the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Flu Virus, the District 2 Attendance Policy, our Flexible Learning Center for Students, Supporting Students Academically At-Risk, and In-School Tutoring.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Flu

As we continue to work with New Brunswick Department of Public Health to best prepare for the potential arrival of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Flu Virus, we have distributed a pamphlet and letter outlining the planned School Immunization Program. The pamphlet contains information about the vaccine and a consent form that parents must complete for anyone under the age of sixteen that wants to be vaccinated. Anyone sixteen years or older can give their own consent. The Department of Public Health has asked that all of the consent forms for those students that are to be vaccinated be returned to the school by Friday, October 23rd. If you consent, please return the form to your child’s advisor here at the school as soon as possible.

The vaccination clinic for students is scheduled to take place during the school day on Thursday, November 12th. There will be other times in which the general public is able to come to TRHS to receive their vaccination. Please watch for public service announcements for these upcoming dates in November and December.

I would also like to remind you that if a confirmed case of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Flu Virus is reported to us here at the school, we will notify you via a letter home.

For additional information, please contact the local public health office (364-4080) or visit the Government of New Brunswick’s web site: www.gnb.ca/flu.

District 2 Attendance Policy

I would like to remind you that School District 2 has an attendance policy that recognizes the value of proper attendance in supporting student success. When we recognize that a student is struggling to maintain proper attendance, we will work with the student to get him or her back on track, speak with a parent or guardian, and work with everyone involved to put in place supports that the student may benefit from. For additional information on the policy, please review our September newsletter or visit District 2’s web site: www.district2.nbed.nb.ca.

Flexible Learning Center for Students

We are pleased to inform you about a new program at TRHS that allows us to support our students in more flexible ways than the regular classroom sometimes allows. Our Flexible Learning Center for Students (FLCS – pronounced “flex”) allows students to work in an environment that is responsive to their needs. Some students may require more time and support with certain courses whereas others may be ready for an additional challenge such as an independent online course. In either case, the staff that works in the FLCS is able to work to support students in different ways. Whether it is through more one-on-one instruction, use of computer technology, or an individualized pathway of learning, we examine and put into practice what works best for the student.

Jon Estabrooks is our lead teacher in the FLCS. Jon is supported in his work by the school administration, teacher assistants, and teachers in the areas of guidance, resource, and work experience. If you have questions or would like to know more about the FLCS, please call the school to speak with either Jon Estabrooks or Heather Welling, our vice-principal attached to the center.

Supporting Students Academically At-Risk

At TRHS we take great pride in the academic accomplishments of our students. At the same time, we want to make sure that we continually work to accomplish our mission of ensuring learning for all. To this end, we are implementing a new initiative in which we ask teachers every three weeks who is academically at-risk in their class. As a school, we have currently defined academically at-risk as being in danger of failing a course.

As teachers notify students and their parents that the student is academically at-risk, we begin to examine what additional supports are needed to help ensure success. This may include, but is not limited to, additional monitoring by the teacher or advisor, mandatory tutoring, attending the FLCS, or increased attention during study hall.

You can expect to hear from your child’s teacher if he or she is considered to be academically at-risk. Even though we will contact you as the situation warrants, we ask that you please stay actively involved in your child’s academic life here at TRHS. This may include asking your son or daughter what he or she is working on at school, looking over your child’s work from time to time, and staying in touch with teachers at school. Proactive communication with the school will help support your child’s success.

Titan Tutors

We are also pleased to announce the establishment of the Titan Tutors. Under the direction of teacher Julie Jones, a number of student volunteers are available each Tuesday and Thursday at lunch in Mrs. Jones room (238) to help with a number of subjects in both English and French. We will also work with these students to provide tutoring for those that may be academically at-risk during our study hall. These services are provided free of charge thanks to the willingness of our volunteers to help out fellow Titans.

I hope this information is helpful in keeping you up to date with our efforts in ensuring success for all of our students. Please contact the school if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Jason Reath

Principal

School District 2 Education Council - Public Agenda for October 20, 2009 Meeting

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