Updated: November 5, 2008

The Principal's Newsletter: June 2008

This has been a busy and exciting year in the Technology Department. We have officially launched our High Skills Major Program—Primary Industry: Landscape Design and Construction (SHSM). The SHSM is a specialized program that consists of a defined combination of courses and experiences that relate to Landscape Design and Construction. Students have now completed First Aid/CPR and WHMIS training.

They have been working on landscape construction projects in our construction facility and have been creating landscape designs in our AutoCAD lab. Students entering grade 12 will have the opportunity to work with our landscape partner, International Landscaping, to gain industry experience. International Landscaping will be offering a scholarship to the student who shows the most initiative to continue in the landscape trades and professions. Students entering grade 11 will have an opportunity for reach ahead experiences and job shadowing with International as part of their SHSM training. Speak to Ms Durst or Ms Fisher for more information.

Grade 9 students had a fun and rewarding experience in Integrated Technology. They learned how to follow a design process from design and drafting through to construction. Students have made pop bottle rockets, learned how to use digital video cameras, made movies using iMacs, and used woodworking machines to construct and race CO2 cars. This course has prepared students for all areas of Technology Education at the grade 10 level.

Our Transportation Technology program is a wonderful addition to the department. Mr. Blaney is working with students in our state of the art facility. Students learn how to maintain vehicles, use computerized diagnostic equipment and learn about the automotive care industry. Students have a bank of computers available at all times, installed with automotive software, in order to access all aspects of the Transportation sector.

It has been an exciting semester for the Communications Technology students. Classes, working with Ms Durst and Mr. Tombs have had the opportunity to do full studio productions, create original music scores, and complete graphic design projects, including next year’s agenda cover. Students completed a number of projects based on the themes of Diversity, Safety and Anti-Bullying.

The Technological Design program is now fully underway. Classes learn how to design and draft using industry standard AutoCAD software. They have the opportunity to design and construct full-scale models and prototypes of their designs. We welcome Mr. A. Brenyo to the department in the fall. Mr. Brenyo brings his architectural knowledge to the department and will be assisting with the Secondary High Skills Major program.

The Computer Engineering and Computer Information Science courses provided students with the essential skills they will need to be successful in the Computer Industry. Mr. A. Sayed and Mr. Tombs have worked with students to disassemble and reassemble computers, design and code their own games, design specialty software and circuitry, and construct electro-mechanical interfaces to communicate with their own programs.

Technology at Stephen Lewis Secondary School

Are you interested in a hands on course that will teach you how to create, design and problem solve using state of the art equipment? Then technology education is for you! Click on the link at right for a brief description of the technology programs offered at SLSS. Technology Education starts here! Talk directly to the technology teachers: Ms Durst, Mr. Tombs, Mr. Blaney and Mr. A. Sayed about these exciting programs.

Technology News from Semester I 2007-2008

This has been a busy and exciting semester in the Technology Department. 

Grade 9 students have had a fun and rewarding experience in Integrated Technology.  They have learned how to follow a design process, from design and drafting through to construction. Students have made pop bottle rockets, learned how to use digital video cameras, make movies with original music and are making CO2 cars in our new construction shop. This course has prepared students for all areas of Technology Education at the Grade 10 level.

Our new Transportation Technology program is a wonderful addition to the department. Mr. Blaney is working with students in our state of the art facility. Students learn how to maintain vehicles, use computerized diagnostic equipment and learn about the automotive care industry. Transportation is becoming a high tech career. To support this, students have a bank of computers available at all times installed with automotive software, in order to access all aspects of the Transportation sector. 

The Communications Technology program is in full swing.  Classes, working with Ms Durst and Mr. Tombs have had the opportunity to do live broadcasting, full studio productions, create original music scores, and to complete graphic design projects including next year’s agenda cover. Students completed a number of projects based on the themes of Diversity and Safety. Their safety awareness videos will be submitted to the WSIB student safety awareness competition. 

With the approval for operation of the construction lab, the Technological Design program is now fully underway. Classes learn how to design and draft using industry standard AutoCAD software. They have the opportunity to design and construct full scale models of their designs.  

Stephen Lewis Secondary School has also been approved as a pilot school for the new High Skills Major Program-Primary Industry: Landscape Design and Construction. This exciting new program will commence next semester in the tech design program.

The Computer Engineering and Computer Information Science courses have provided students with the essential skills they will need to be successful in the Computer Industry. Mr. A. Sayed and Mr. Tombs have worked with students to disassemble and reassemble computers, design and code their own games, design specialty software and circuitry, and construct electro-mechanical interfaces to communicate with their own programs.

Students were intrigued by the Technology display at the Course Selection Fair