Friday, December 6
Hi Everyone,
A Big Thanks to Our EA Support for Friday Tutoring! We are incredibly grateful to our Educational Assistants (EAs) who are stepping up to provide extra tutoring support on Fridays. This initiative is helping our students stay on track with their learning goals and building confidence. If your child could benefit from this program, please encourage them to connect with their teacher or an EA for more information.
Cell Phone Policy Reminder: A gentle reminder that student cell phones should be kept in their phone hotels or lockers during school hours. This policy helps us maintain a focused learning environment and supports students' health and well-being. By limiting screen time during the day, we’re fostering better concentration and reducing distractions.
For more information about the standards we’re working to uphold, please see the BC Ministry of Education guidelines on student health and well-being: BC Ministry of Education Guidelines.
Thank you for your continued support in helping Don Ross Middle School be a great place to learn and grow.
Have a wonderful Friday!
Graham
Important Dates:
Monday, Dec 9 - Winter Band Concert dress rehearsal, 3pm
Tuesday, Dec 10 - Winter Band Concert, 6pm
Friday, Dec 13 - Grade 9 Visit to Howe Sound Secondary
Friday, Dec 20 - Group B Learning Updates Published to the MYEd Portal
Dec 23 - Jan 3 - Winter Break, no school
**Reminders**
- Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is ready to learn each day. If they arrive late, they need to check in at the office so we can update their attendance.
- Our morning announcements are posted to the website daily. For information on our clubs and sports teams, see link to read what we’re up to on a daily basis.
Grade 9 Visit to Howe Sound Secondary:
Next Friday, December 13th, our Grade 9s will be going to Howe Sound for their first visit of their transition to high school. Students will be led on a school tour in small groups by HSS Leadership students, and will also attend a presentation in the theatre with HSS admin going over scheduling and what to expect in the coming months.
This is a great opportunity for students to get a feel for what elective classes they might be interested in taking, ahead of their Grade 10 course selection in February/March. Please note that students cannot be dismissed from Howe Sound, and must return on the school bus to DRM for regular dismissal.
Athletics
Please see the attached .pdf document regarding the Don Ross Middle School Hockey Academy Program for the 2024-25 school year.
Basketball:
Grade 7 co-ed: Coaches Darcy and Emily (Ms Smirnova as staff sponsor)
Practices: Mondays 3:15-4:45
Games: 1-2 tournaments will be held with other elementary schools in February-March
Grade 8/9 girls: Coaches Meredith and Brook (Ms Butterworth as staff sponsor)
Practices: Tuesday and Wednesday 3:15-4:30
North Shore league games (begin at 4pm):
Sea to Sky league games:
January 23 @ Pemberton 5 pm
February 5 @ Don Ross vs Whistler 5pm
February 12 @ Whistler 5 pm
February 20 @ Don Ross 5 pm
Friday February 28: District Championships @ Don Ross (~1-6pm)
Grade 8 and 9 boys: Coach Mike Wheaton (Ms Smirnova as staff sponsor)
Practices: Both teams practicing together on Thursdays 3:15-4:30
Our grade 8 and 9 boys teams are looking for volunteer drivers to drive students to away games to save on costs. If you are available to drive to Pemberton or Whistler, please fill out the volunteer driver package available on the Don Ross School Website’s athletic tab.
Grade 8 games (starting at 3:30):
*Thursday Dec 12 @ Don Ross vs Whistler
*Wednesday January 8 @ Pemberton
Thursday February 13 @ Don Ross vs Pemberton
*Wednesday February 19 @ Whistler
*Friday February 28: District Championships @ Don Ross (~1-6pm)
Grade 9 games (starting at 3:30):
*January 23 @ Pemberton
February 5 @ Don Ross vs Whistler
*February 12 @ Whistler
February 20 @ Don Ross
Friday February 28: District Championships @ Don Ross (~1-6pm)
Athletics – Departments & Programs
Student Leadership Update
Community Christmas Cares: Eagle students raised over $220 for Community Christmas Cares through our sale of candy cane grams! Candy grams will be delivered next week to homeroom classes.
Food bank collection: Leadership students are collecting non-perishable food items from homerooms for Under One Roof until December 19th. Food is being sorted into team colours, as a way to start building points ahead of our indoor track meet in January !