COLLEGE HEIGHTS FALL BLOG

Computer Upgrading...

This summer, over a hundred new computers were delivered and installed at College Heights. There were many start-up problems as you would expect with an operation of this size. It took close to a month for us to say that all of our classrooms and offices were connected to our servers in the building and to the Internet outside. The job is not yet finished, but we are well on our way.

One of the intentions of the new computer plan is to give us the tools to update our teaching methods. One of the features of this was the infusion of twenty video projectors for our classrooms. These are to be connected to the computer in each classroom and thereby bring the latest ideas from the outside world to the classroom. We are continuing to work on this.

Specialist High Skills Majors...

This year we have added two new Specialist High Skills Majors programs, Construction and Agriculture, to our existing Manufacturing, and Hospitality and Tourism programs. The Agriculture program, this semester, is based on Coop classes taking place at the Saint Ignatius centre on Highway 6. Our students have had the opportunity to plant food crops last semester and harvest them recently. The food crops have been used by our students in Hospitality and Tourism, to prepare lunch for both staff and students at Heights.

David Rocco Visits Heights...

Mrs. Furfaro, one of our Technology Heads, is our leader in the Hospitality and Tourism program. One of the major goals they have for this year is to continue to focus on preparing healthy menus and encourage healthy eating habits among our students. To that end, TV chef and celebrity David Rocco, visited College Heights recently and prepared a healthy entree. At the same time, the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky, visited us, along with our local MPP, Liz Sandals. Both worked with David Rocco to promote a healthy dish as a part of this program.

Hospitality Program Upgrade...

Our Hospitality program experienced great growth this year when we had to expand into the Family Studies room, A103, for an extra three classes this year. We certainly could not afford to add any professional food preparation equipment, but we did add a food preparation table and some small items, to get started. This certainly meets the needs of our students, as many of our students could find meaningful employment in the food preparation area.

New Information Display Panel...

Thanks to Mr. Dix and the senior students in our Communications pathway, who have added a large screen display to our front foyer which shows continuous videos and slideshows of activities throughout College Heights. It also shows upcoming events and other school information that is important to all of our students on a daily basis. Next time you are in the school, take a look see. All of the material, for this system, was taken and produced by our students.

New Grade 12 Math College Course...

In the area of grade 12 Math, Mr. Scott has added a new grade 12 Math college course for some of our students who will be attending a college program in the future. This course is MCT4C1 and it runs the same time as the MAP4C1 course.

Good Attendance Encouragement Program...

Starting in early October, we will be running our good attendance encouragement program. This program, run by Mr. Patrick, will reward every week, on a lottery basis, those students with perfect attendance. We will use gift certificates from Wall Mart and meals from our cafeteria as the incentive. We hope to improve student attendance by positive actions and also by the careful monitoring of the attendance of all our students.

UGDSB Autism Hub...

Our school is the Autism Hub for students needing support in this area that will be attending College Heights. One of our teachers, Ms. Raymond, is looking after this program and we are starting to make the necessary changes to provide the necessary support for these students. At the present time, portable 5 is the area where we hope to provide extra support for these students.

Library Facilities Upgrade...

We are continuing to improve our library. Over the summer, we replaced and moved the computer network in the library. We have been able to add the excellent computer program, Academy of Reading, to the computers on our networks. We plan to use this program in most of our English classes to improve the reading and writing skills of our students. Our improvement plan for the library will continue this year.

New Free Reading Program...

Ms. McGuire, our Librarian, late this past summer, put together a selection of reading materials for all of our classes, to assist in our Free Reading time occurring four days each week. The entire school has the opportunity to enjoy some quiet reading time and increase its level of literacy.

New Student Success Teacher, Mrs. Cook...

Also, this year, Mrs. Cook has become our Student Success teacher and will be assisting our students to be successful in their classes. You will be hearing more from Mrs. Cook as the year continues.