MUSIC AWARDS, MAY 2009

Our Junior and Senior Bands participated at the National Musicfest Band competition where there were bands from all over Canada participating. Our Lynx musicians performed for music professors, and faculty, representing universities from across Canada! Music teachers from Ontario, and abroad, commented on our musicians' performances and professionalism!

The Junior Band performed first with excellent demonstration of teamwork, dedication and developing musicianship. And, the Senior Band performed with professionalism, teamwork and with stellar musical agility! As a result, both bands placed SILVER in their categories!!

Special mention goes out to Sonia (bassoon) and Meagan (Bb clarinet) who were awarded the Merit of Excellence for their excellent musicianship, never-ending dedication, outstanding teamwork and overall great participation in our bands this year!

Lastly, I am very proud of our Lynx Musicians for they continuously bring me joy in working with such stellar musicians and wonderful people!!

Mr. Brard

The winning student group in the Toskan Casale Foundation/Youth Philanthropy Initiative project received $5000.00, to be awarded to the The Mississauga Food Bank. Congratulations to Mr. Breen and his students.

CONGRATULATIONS Senior Boys Rugy Team!
Consolation Championship at the Streetsville Tigers Senior Rugby Tournament

CONGRATULATIONS Bantam Girls Volleyball!
Stephen Lewis' first GOLD ROPSSAA Champions!

CONGRATULATIONS Stephen Lewis Music !

On February 19 2009, Stephen Lewis Secondary School competed in the Golden Horseshoe MusicFest in Hamilton, under the direction of Hubert Brard, Director.

Again this year, the Lynx Senior Band placed a stellar Gold and The Lynx Junior Winds placed an exceptional Silver-Plus. As a result of these wins, Stephen Lewis is invited to the Nationals in Markham in May.

Peel Regional Police and Erin Centre Middle School are jointly hosting an evening on internet safety on Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 pm. See this flyer for more information.

Peel District School Board is hosting the 9th annual Make A Difference in Literacy and Beyond parent conference on Saturday, April 4, from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm at Sandalwood Heights Secondary School in Brampton. This free, on-day conference is exculsively for Peel Board parents and features more than 40 workshops - a powerful keynote, free lunch, door prizes and much more. To REGISTER for the conference, please click here.

Far North Expedition 2009: This new program for grade 11 and 12 studentsoffers a unique experience to learn a U-level interdisciplinary credit while studying global climate change on-site at the world renowned research facitility. The program will take place at Churchill Northern Studies Centre (Manitoba), from July 28 to August 8, 2009.

The Centre for Education and Training is hosting information sessions on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 7:00-8:00 p.m., at Lorne Park Secondary School. If you have questions, contact Courtney Clayton at 90-959-0049, ext. 3225, or email cclayton@tcet.com. The website is: www.peelsummeracademy.com/farnorth

Congratulations to Mr. Harper (Global Studies teacher) for writing a winning publication for OSSTF's Short Unit Plans Proposal. Mr. Harper wrote about socially based curriculum, using the example of our students and the woodlot to promote environmental issues.

The Churchill Meadows Resident's Association is looking for volunteers to help maintain the community ICE RINK this winter. The rink will be built on McDowell Drive between St. Faustina and Churchill Meadows schools. If you're interested, contact Carlos Ramos at carlosramos@ sympatico.ca or at 905-567-7430.

Also, please visit our website for updated information about our community.

NEW Breakfast Club at SLSS

In an effort to ensure that our students are ready to face the challenges of learning, SLSS is opening a Breakfast Club, starting February 2nd. On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 8:25 to 8:55 a.m., breakfast will be available in Room 104 to any student who needs it, for FREE. If you would like more information or are interested in making donations to support the Breakfast Program, please contact Ms. Johnston in the Communications Office (905-363-0289 ext 438).

For more information, please visit Breakfast for Kids, who generously sponsored our program startup.

Amnesty International

Congratulations SLSS for raising over $300 from the Amnesty International Children's Day Bake Sales. Proceeds will go toward helping children in Africa.

Proceeds from the Stationery Drive will be donated to the Breakfast With Santa Foundation. Mr. Brard's class, 3A1, raised the most stationery during last week's drive.

Helping Hands for Honduras

Thank you to all the students who supported the pizza fundraising. We made over $200 towards sponsoring a child in the Honduras. Thank you also to all the organizers and helpers for making this event a success.

Critical Thinking Through the Arts
WE ARE FROM ...

On Wednesday, November 12th, 180 students and teachers from across Peel gathered at SLSS to critically think through how the arts play an integral role in how we understand our culture and social environment. Students explored justice issues, not only in the school, but in the community as a whole.

Faith as an 'ism', racism, classism, ableism, ageism, heterosexism, sexism

The leaves of this "We are from ..." tree are the reflections of student and teacher experiences from the day, from our keynote speaker, Dwayne Morgan, to one of six workshops that students chose.

Reflect on your "I am from ..." and imagine yourself as part of our "We are from ..." community.

Nov 10

Thomas Street Middle School's first CRAFT SALE will be Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Vendors still accepted. For more information, call 905-812-3725.

Annual Christmas Open House at The Old Britannia Schoolhouse, 5576 Hurontario Street (at Matheson Blvd.), Sunday, November 30, 2008, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. This is an opportunity to purchase a variety of unusual gifts reminiscent of times gone by. See the schoolhouse decorated with evergreens and a Victorian Christmas tree. Enjoy Christmas music, mulled cider and goodies.

For more information about the Britannia Schoolhouse, visit their website.

Ms Chirakal's class who raised the most money ($425) for Terry Fox Day, followed closely by Ms Perdue's class ($402). Overall, the school raised $4437.93. Thank you everyone!

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Eden Community Food Bank sends thanks to Stephen Lewis for the 352.5 kg of food donated. Well done, everyone!

Eden Community Food Bank

Darfur Week

On September 29, Amnesty International kicked off Stephen Lewis’ first ever ‘Darfur Week’. The prime goal of this campaign was to raise awareness about the genocide occurring in Darfur, Sudan.

The conflict in Darfur began in 2005. To date, over 300 000 people have died in Darfur and over 2.5 million people have been displaced in refugee camps. The political conflict has led to mass killings and countless human rights violations.

Homerooms were shown a powerful presentation during the READ program, outlining the conflict happening in Darfur and motivating students to participate in the week-long campaign. Evening morning and lunch period, students from the Amnesty International Club held petition and manned information stations, urging staff and students alike to sign a petition to send to the government to encourage international aid. At the end of the week, a movie screening of ‘Darfur Now’ was held at lunch in the library to raise further awareness. The compelling documentary followed six people and their fight against the genocide.

Stephen Lewis’ participation in Darfur Week was a prime exemplar of our school’s commitment to social justice, as over 400 petitions were signed. Darfur is a problem that requires international awareness and obligation. If you would like more information on how to help Darfur, please visit Save Darfur.

Photo Packages / Edge Imaging: To order a package, call Edge Imaging at 866-707-EDGE within seven days and your package will be delivered to the school in approximately two weeks. View packages at http://www.edgeimaging.ca. Prices start at $15. VISA and Mastercard are accepted.