Principal’s Message
We are quickly approaching the end of the school year and staff and students are becoming excited about the upcoming summer holidays! Eric Graves Memorial Junior High has enjoyed another successful year with avid participation in our extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, intramurals, etc.) and high academic success.
Parent and community support has been positive and very much appreciated by all the staff and students. I continue to encourage you to contact the school if there are any questions or concerns.
On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for your kindness and support of the past six years. Although the decision to retire after 30 years was a difficult one, it is even more so because of this wonderful, supportive community. Over the past month I have received many emails and phone calls wishing me luck in my retirement and I thank you all for your very kind words.
It has been an honour and privilege to work at Eric Graves Memorial Junior High School and I wish you all the very best.
On behalf of all of us at EGMJH, we wish you all a most enjoyable summer!!
Karen Dale
Principal
Yearbooks
Our 2014-15 EGMJH yearbooks will be available to students at a cost of $20.00. Due to the high cost of printing we need to pre-order all yearbooks. The students received order forms this past Monday and all orders need to be in on Monday, June 15th. We hope to be distributing these at our annual “Yearbook Signing” on Wednesday, June 17th.
June Exams
Our schedule for the grade 9 exams is:
Thursday, June 18th - English (a.m.) Social Studies (p.m.)
Friday, June 19th – Science (a.m.) Math (p.m.)
Monday, June 22nd - Make-up Day (Doctors note required)
Remember, nightly studying and preparation will ensure success.
Grade 9 Volunteer Day
Grade 9 students will be taking part in the annual “Grade 9 Volunteer Morning” on Friday, June 12th
During this time students will be volunteering their time by taking part in a community litter pick-up or our community food drive supporting Feed Nova Scotia. Each activity will be supervised by teachers. This has been a huge success in the past and much appreciated by the community and local food bank.
EGMJH Sports / Extra-Curricular Awards
All students will assemble in the gymnasium on Friday, June 12th at 1:00 p.m.for our Sports and Extra-curricular Awards. Medals will be awarded to students for success in each sport, as well as, students who excelled in clubs/activities. Parents / Guardians are all welcome to join us!
Year-End Dance - June 23rd
The dance will be held from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Although the year-end dance is often referred to as a semi-formal, we do encourage students to dress casually and comfortably, and not to spend a lot of money on formal wear. The guest passes are available from the office and must be completed and returned the main office by the end of the day on Friday, June 19th. Guests must be registered and in good standing at their own school. Please note that any lost textbooks need to be paid for before entry into the dance. Thank you
Grade 9 Year End Awards Ceremony & Barbeque
Our Grade 9 Closing Exercises and Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 24th at 10:00 am. All grade 9 students and teachers will gather in the gym for a formal celebration of their junior high years. Awards will be presented to many of our students and I would like to take this opportunity to invite any parents / guardians who are able to join us in this celebration. A barbeque for the grade 9 students and parents will follow outside.
Textbook Return/Locker Clean-out – Thursday and Friday, June 18th and 19th
Students will be returning their textbooks to the teachers and cleaning out their lockers on Thursday and Friday, June 18th and 19th. If teachers need to use textbooks from this point on it will be within the confines of the classroom. If needed, students will be allowed to carry a small bag/backpack with them after this time. If there are any students who have lost a textbook it must be paid for before they are permitted to attend the year-end dance.
Grade 7 & 8 Upper Clements Park – Class Trip
The grade 7 and 8 classes will be heading to Upper Clements Park on Monday, June 22nd. The bus will be leaving the school at 8:00 am (arrive at school by 7:50 a.m. please) and students will be returning by 5:00 pm. All the students will receive a bracelet which allows them to participate in all rides and activities (excluding Zipline). Please note that students are not permitted on the Zipline as part of School Board Policy. The cost for the trip is $40.00. Don’t forget to pack suitable clothing, sunscreen, water and snacks.
Assessment Days
There will be no students at school on Friday, June 26th and Monday, June 29th. These are teacher assessment days.
*** Please note this is a change from the original school calendar.
Last day of School
The last day of school is June 30th with dismissal starting at 10:00 a.m. Report cards cannot be distributed to students prior to dismissal at 10:00 a.m. If your student will be absent on this day we ask you provide the office with a self-addressed stamped envelope for the report card. We will be sure to mail them out on that day.
Agenda Cover Challenge
We had MANY excellent entries this year in our “Design Next Year’s Agenda Cover Challenge”. This year’s winner is Emma Hawes. Emma designed a cover that combined wonderful artistic talent with representation of school life at Eric Graves. Congratulations Emma! Honourable mention goes to Jenna Lewis and Sam Collins. Thank you to all who participated.
Adopt a Village
Our campaign has been very successful and is now over. Our small school was able to raise $2000.00 to support a village. The village is in Sierra Leone in Africa and our money will go towards education, clean water and alternative income. This was truly a community effort with every class in the school contributing and many students going above and beyond. Parents also helped out by baking, delivering phone books and sending in money for this worthy cause. Special thanks to Ms. Robinson for organizing our phone book delivery; Mr. Howell for the pink mohawk; Ryan Bowers as our coordinator and the Adopt a Village planning team. (Jayden Rose, Dakota Morrisey, Emma Goulden, Kaitlyn MacDonald, Jenna Robinson, Marcus Tran, Sophie Evans Cummings, Shelby Whilhelm, Malcom Dort, Joshua Paquette & Bryson Cowen)
Maritime Philanthropy Awards
The Maritime Philanthropy Association had their gala dinner on June 4th and recognized the best philanthropy work in the Maritime Provinces. Their top honour / award in the youth category went to Ryan Bowers for the work he did at our school for Adopt a Village.
Gay Straight Alliance
The Eric Graves GSA had another successful year. Special thanks go out to our student led planning team who worked hard to organize events and activities for the GSA. Hunter Lively, Marcus Tran, Sophie Evans, Simone Simmonds, Leah Riehl and Allison Driscoll
Big Cove
This was Eric Graves’ 5th year at Big Cove. It was also by far the worst weather that we have ever encountered. The students withstood temperatures as low as 5° in the pouring rain and yet everyone maintained a positive attitude. It was rewarding to see students challenging themselves in the various activities but what was most impressive was the spirit as students helped each other overcome challenges. The Big Cove staff said it was the best group they have had. “CAMPFIRES” – “WE LOVE CAMPFIRES”
A special thank you to our parent chaperones (Mr. Chris Riehl & Ms. Jennifer Bathurst) and staff members Ms. Syms, Mr. Ingram, Mr. Hughes and Ms. MacCulloch who went above and beyond by giving up their time to put up with miserable conditions and yet maintained a smile throughout.
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the students listed below whom have been chosen as the Student of the Month for the month of May, 2015. These students are chosen by their teachers as having made an outstanding positive contribution to the environment of the school and making that extra effort in their classroom. Each student receives a certificate as recognition of their achievement, and a small prize. Each student’s picture is taken and displayed on our “Student of the Month” showcase.
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Kennedy Bullen
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Jillian Robinson
801 Dylan Young
802 Jack Hawkins
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Ryan Murphy
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Lisa Leil
Top Tiger Program
The Top Tiger Program was started 3 years ago as a way to recognize positive behaviour and contributions to the school by our students. Each week teachers nominate students who they feel are deserving of this recognition.
Our Recent Top Tigers:
May 18 – May 22 Sophie Evans-Cummings
May 25 – May 29 Kaitlyn MacDonald
June 1 – June 5 Tyler Evans
Congratulations!!!!
T
igers’ Tails Athletics News
Congratulations to Kaitlyn MacDonald and Nora Adham for their outstanding results at the Provincial Track and Field meet held at Acadia University. Kaitlyn placed 6th in the Province for the 100 meter (13.43 seconds) and Nora placed 7th in the shot put (9.03 meters). Way to go Tigers!!
PRINCE ANDREW
FOOTBALL INFORMATION NIGHT
WHO: PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
WHERE: PRINCE ANDREW HIGH SCHOOL
WHEN: TUESDAY, JUNE 16 AT 6:30 P.M.
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET HEAD COACH JOE FLEMMING AND HEAR ABOUT THE PANTHERS FOOTBALL PROGRAM. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT THE FOOTBALL TEAM.
THIS MEETING IS FOR PARENTS OF RETURNING PLAYERS AND NEW PLAYERS.
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT LORI LAWTON - richard.lorilawton@ns.sympatico.ca
Important Dates to Remember
June 11 – Band Concert – 7:00 p.m.
June 12 – Sports Awards
June 18, 19, 22 – Grade 9 Exams
June 22 – Grade 7 & 8 Year End Trip to Upper Clements Park
June 23 – Year End Dance – 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
June 24 – Grade 9 Closing Exercises – 10:00 a.m.
June 27 and 29 – Assessment Day – No Students Present
June 30 – Last Day – Report Card Pick up at 10:00 a.m.
Eric Graves