Blue inspired hands. Green letters underneath Marie Philip School. Blue letters underneath The Learning Center for the Deaf.
In this Newsletter:
  • Secondary expectations: Respect, Readiness and Responsibility
Important Dates/Reminders (Link to Academic Calendars)
  • September 28: Early Release (12 PM)
  • September 28: Secondary Open House, 6:00-8:00 PM
  • October 10: (No School) Indigenous People’s Day 
  • October 11: Elementary Open House, 6:00-7:15 PM
  • October 12: Early Release (12 PM)
  • October 12: ECC Open House, 6:00 PM 
  • October 15: Homecoming
  • October 26: Early Release (12 PM)
  • November 2: Early Release (12 PM)
Note: Translations provided by DeepL
Hello Secondary families! Thank you for your patience with the technical difficulties we experienced. This newsletter was supposed to be sent last Friday, and was delayed until today.
 
Last Friday, the three Secondary administrators – myself, Kevin Cronin, and Maria Mair Stanley – held community meetings with the high school and the middle school. This year our Secondary community has what we call the 3 Rs: the expectations of respect, readiness and responsibility. Last Friday the administrators explained and reviewed some additional expectations related to the 3 Rs.
 
The first expectation is related to attendance. We reviewed with students the difference between excused and unexcused absences.
If a student knows they will be out, they should communicate with the Secondary office, or their following teacher. If a student is absent, work is always available in Google classroom. For high school students, there is the possibility this year of excessive absences impacting credits and graduation. Also this year for both middle school and high school, soon we will start sending a notification letter when a student is absent 5, 8, and 10 times. That notification will go to parents or caregivers as well as the LEA, in order to make sure that you are aware of the impact of the absences.
 
The second expectation we discussed on Friday is related to school devices, such as a TLC-provided Chromebook, iPad, or laptop. Students are expected to use their TLC device when they are at school. They should not bring a personal device. Middle school students who attend CMS are allowed to use a CMS Chromebook for their CMS class. High school students who take two or more classes at FHS are permitted to use their personal laptop. If a TLC device is not accessible for a student, they should communicate with their following teacher and we will ensure they have a device that meets their needs. TLC devices are expected to be used for educational purposes. Staff do monitor students’ computer and Internet use to ensure it is safe, appropriate, and related to education. Families will be responsible for any damage or repairs needed to their TLC device. We encourage students to be mindful about how they are using TLC property.
 
The next expectation we discussed with students is their personal phones or other devices. Students should not be using their phones during the school day, with the exception that high school students are allowed to use phones during lunch time. If a student needs to communicate with a family member or other person using their phone during the school day, they should first communicate with their classroom teacher or staff. We encourage students to contact their families if needed through the Secondary office. We would also like to ask families to help us maintain an environment that is focused on learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please go through the Secondary office rather than contacting your child directly. We always want to make sure students and families have contact and support during the day, and the best way to do this is through the Secondary office, or the following teacher. Some additional details related to phone expectations are still being worked out, such as where students are expected to leave their phones during the school day. We recognize that some students use alarms on their phone to remember pull-outs or their mainstream schedule, which is a great tool for students. Also some students use their phones to listen to music during the school day. These are some of the details we are still in the process of working out. For now the expectation is students should not be using their phone during class time, and we ask students and parents/caregivers to communicate through the office if they need to be in touch.
 
The last community expectation is related to school attire. We had an excellent discussion with both high school and middle school students on Friday, where students were engaged and passionate about the topic. Students shared a lot of good feedback, and the topic has not been concluded. Maria and I will continue to have conversations with students, with the goal of having a mutually agreeable expectation of school attire for Secondary students. 
 
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to myself, Kevin Cronin, and Maria Mair Stanley.

We look forward to working with the community to develop expectations for this school year. Have a wonderful week!
Secondary Principal
Secondary Assistant Principal
VP: 774-999-0926