Thornhill Secondary School

PAW PRINTS

VOLUME10 ISSUE 2 February 2019

INSIDE Page(s)

Physical and Health Ed. 2

TAC 2

Guidance Department 3

Literacy 4

DECA 4

Music Department 5

Learning Commons 6

Family Studies 7

Alternative Education 8&9

Science Department 10-13

Geography Department 15

From Our Trustee 17

Thornhill Secondary School 167 Dudley Avenue

Thornhill, ON L3T 2E5

Telephone: 905.889.5453 Fax: 905.889.0360

Website:: Thornhill.ss@yrdsb.ca

Administration Debbie Ziegler, Principal

Georgia Vatousis, Vice-Principal Kandeephan Ganeshalingam Vice-

Principal

Superintendent of Schools Rashmi Swarup

Trustee David Sherman

School Council Chair Anna Sit

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

This newsletter accompanies the final Report Card for Semester One

(distribution date: February 19th). Congratulations to our students, staff and

community partners on all the successes since the beginning of the school year.

To parents: if you have not received a report card, then please contact your

child’s homeroom teacher. Should there be a study period on your child’s

timetable at the start of the school day, then kindly contact a member of the

Office Staff. It is important to review the report card with your child(ren), to

celebrate their achievements and, where warranted, to ensure that supports are

in place for improvements in Semester Two. Our school staff is always

available to assist.

I am very proud of the progress which we are making as a school community,

reflected in the varied events and activities that were undertaken in Semester

One. Some examples are our annual Terry Fox Run/Walk, our House System

kick-off, Math and Science Contests, post-secondary seminars/fairs, expansion

of our Breakfast Program, seven provincial DECA champions, and acquisition

of new digital devices through the Board’s refresh program. Many other

examples are featured in this newsletter. A key to the progress of T.S.S. is the

dedication of our various stakeholders to excellence. This includes the work of

our school staff in addressing the needs of students who are marginalized and/

or at risk of not fulfilling their potential. As a professional learning network,

we are currently exploring how best to collaborate and create opportunities to

ask questions, to think critically, to co-create and challenge the status quo.

This will ultimately heighten the well-being and achievement of all our

members.

As a general reminder, the Grade 10 cohort and other eligible students will

write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on March 27th.

Success on this test meets the Literacy Requirement for graduation. While our

staff is facilitating preparatory activities with students, we also welcome parent

input. This may include providing reading materials to children, discussing

course materials or texts with them, or completing practice questions from past

tests at the EQAO website.

http://www.eqao.com/categories/home.aspx?Lang=E.

The EQAO Parent Resources and Student Resources are highly recommended.

To students who are Semester One graduates, congratulations on your

accomplishments! See you at the Annual Graduation Ceremony on June 25th.

Please be sure to keep in touch for additional details.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this edition of the school

newsletter. On behalf of the Admin Team, I extend best wishes to one and all

for a rewarding second semester. On a personal note, thank you students,

parents and staff for welcoming me to Thornhill SS and making my first

semester a wonderful experience!

Debbie Ziegler

Looking Ahead Mar 11-15 March Break

Mar 26 Interim Reports

Mar 27 OSSLT (lit test)

April 29 Report Cards

May 2 Prom

June 11&12 Gr9 EQAO Math

June 19-25 Exams

June 25 Graduation

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Physical and Health Education The semester has come to an end but not without plenty of hard work and many successes.

Congratulations to all who completed the second round of fitness testing and who achieved or exceeded their fitness goals. Many

worked hard to try and have their achievements go down in the record books.

All grade 9 classes participated in 5 days of self defense training with Jonestown Martial Arts. Coach Dani motivated the classes

to be strong, assertive and to stand up for themselves in times of need.

This semester the students enrolled in the Grade 10, 11 and 12 Personal Fitness class experienced two days of cooking. The first

day they baked banana bread, chocolate zucchini muffins and black bean brownies. The hands down favourite was the chocolate

zucchini muffin! The second day of cooking was all about protein bowls. The two recipes were a Mediterranean Protein Bowl

or a Spicy Chicken Teriyaki Bowl. Both recipes were executed to perfection and we all enjoyed a great lunch together.

The Grade 12 Leadership students displayed their leadership skills

through the many events they planned and executed throughout the

semester. From a Canadian Leader Circuit for the Grade 10 Phys. Ed.

Class to events on nutrition, mental health, school spirit, physical

activity and recreational games. Students also experienced leadership

through mentoring, each student selected a class and for one month

assisted students one on one. Congratulations on stepping out of your

comfort zones and rising to the challenge!

We are eagerly awaiting the warmer weather so we can get out onto

the fields for some outdoor activity.

Leadership is not a position or a title, it’s

an action and an example. Cory Booker

Headline: The Thornhill Athletic Council thanks everyone for an amazing first semester and a fantastic start to

2019!

Thornhill’s Athletic Council has been working hard on a series of projects within the school community throughout first semester

and into the new year. In the month of October, TAC hosted the annual silent auction and raised over $500 for the Healthy Eating

and Active Living Department. Thank you to our community partners and parent/guardian community for your support.

Additionally, as 2018 came to a close, TAC opened up Spirit Wear Sales, offering a variety of products to students as a display of

school spirit. Products included hoodies and caps. Spirit Wear Sales were highly successful and we hope that Tigers enjoy their

products and wear them with pride.

On the athletic front, our athletes have made Thornhill extremely proud with the girls volleyball team winning their first playoff

game and the senior boys basketball team having their first playoff game this Tuesday. TAC also wants to give a shoutout to Liam

Fischer (Golf), Camren Korhani (Senior Boys Basketball) and Aysan Baghani (Varsity Girls Volleyball) as the Athletes of the

Month for October, December and January respectively. Congratulations to all, you’ve made TSS proud!

While semester one may be over, TAC has planned many events for the new semester. Kicking off the new semester will be the

annual retro sale where vintage jerseys and Thornhill SS merchandise will be sold at discounted prices. Make sure to drop by and

check it out! As semester two begins, it also means that we are getting closer to one of the most anticipated events of the year, the

Athletic Banquet. Keep your eyes open as tickets are limited and you will not want to miss the celebration of our teams! TAC

can’t wait to make this year our best yet!

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Guidance Department

YRDSB has partnered with myBlueprint to provide you and your child with an online education and career/life planning and course selection tool. Student access this online tool www.yrdsb.ca. Click on the “My Pathway Planner” button. You can also find the “My Pathway Planner” button on any YRDSB school website

myBlueprint Education Planner (7-12) includes many beneficial resources to support your child as

they progress through their education including:

Who Am I – Complete 5 assessments to learn and discover more about yourself, including Learning

Styles, Myers-Briggs Personality, Holland Interests, Knowledge, and Motivations

High School – Visually plan courses, track progress toward graduation, and instantly identify post-

secondary eligibility for opportunities in all destinations

Post-Secondary – Explore post-secondary options and compare detailed information on

apprenticeships, college programs, university programs, and workplace sectors across Canada

Goals – Set S.M.A.R.T. goals and action plans to help achieve them

Occupations – Explore occupations and compare comprehensive information on job outlooks, salary

ranges, and more, including the ability to identify occupations that are a good match

Resumes & Cover Letters – Record personal experiences, build resumes, and write cover letters

Money – Build a budget to learn about income and expenses and develop financial literacy

Job Search – Explore real-world job postings that relate to occupations of interest

Portfolios – Document and reflect on learning, keep record of important learning, and share your

progress with parents, teachers, or future employers

Students are now choosing courses for the 2019-2020 school year on Myblueprint. We encourage students to submit their courses online by Feb 22nd, 2019. After submitting your course selections, click on the “Print Sign-Off Sheet” button. Return a signed copy of your Course Selection Sign-Off Sheet to your homeroom teacher or the Guidance Department by February 27th.

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March 27, 2019

OSSLT Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

What is the OSSLT?

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether or not students are meeting the

minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the

OSSLT is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

When? March 27, 2019

Where? For additional information go to EQAO’s website

http://www.eqao.com/en/assessments/OSSLT

Who? Questions about the OSSLT? Literacy Contact: Kim Earle

kim.earle@yrdsb.ca

In preparation for the OSSLT, students will have the opportunity to receive additional support and/or materials in February and March through:

In-class preparatory materials

After School Literacy program

Resources in the school Library

Resources posted on the Literacy Google Classroom

Congratulations on representing

Thornhill Secondary School at Deca

Regionals!

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THORNHILL MUSIC

The Thornhill Secondary School Music Department hosted their annual Winter Concert on Dec

13th 2018 at TSS showcasing the TSS Symphonic Band, Guitar and Keyboard classes, Jazz Band, Vocalists, Asian Heritage

Ensemble, and several featured soloists and small ensembles including special guests from Glen Shields Public School. Come

out and join us for future performance opportunities at TSS and mark your calendar for upcoming performance dates!

Upcoming Dates:

Music Alive Festival Symphonic Band Newmarket Theatre April 1st 2019 Music Alive Festival Jazz Band Cosmo Music Hall April 25th 2019 Spring Music Night Thornhill SS

May 16th 2019

Student Quotes “Overall, our performance was one to remember! We managed to showcase our skills and hard work in our performance. Everything we do as a band is a learning experience for the future.”

Grade 12 student enrolled in AMR4M1 “Winter Wonderland was a great success and was an experience that has allowed me to reflect on the musical

development of both the band and myself.” Grade 12 student enrolled in AMR4M1

“The ‘Winter Wonderland’ concert was a beneficial experience for me to build my performance skills in my high

school.” Grade 11 student enrolled in AMI3M1 and AMR4M1

“This concert was an important milestone for me, as it was my first time performing, being a part of the Thornhill

Music Department. This was the first achievement of a musical journey that began through the day class and after school band. The “Winter Wonderland” concert of 2018 allowed me to reflect upon my musical abilities and makes me continue to look forward to my future in music.”

Grade 9 Student enrolled in AMI1O1 and AMR1O1

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Library Learning Commons

Hooked on Books - Student Book Club

All students and staff are welcome to join Hooked on Books. Next book: The Uglies By Scott Westerfield. Meetings are the last Wednesday of each month. Drop by the LLC to sign out a copy of the book and get more details.

Research Support Are you working on a research assignment? Are you having trouble finding CREDIBLE sources? Be sure to visit the Library Databases Page to access millions of articles, videos and images to support your learning. Use the digital tools to link the work you have done to your GAPPS account. Need help? Come by at lunch and a Teacher Librarian will be happy to help you get started. Go to http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/thornhill.ss/library/Pages/Databases.aspx

E-Books All students and staff have access to E-books (including graphic texts and audio books). Go to http://yrdsb.lib.overdrive.com to get started. Need help? Drop by the LLC and ask a Teacher Librarian.

Thank you Mrs. Hung!

On January 31st Sally Hung, our 17 year library technician, retired. We wish Mrs. Hung all the best as she starts the next chapter of her life.

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FAMILY STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Thank you to Ms. DiLorenzo, Ms. DeBora, Mrs. Cohen and our

Family Studies students for a great first semester!!!

All of the students taking foods classes did an amazing job on creating their delicious dishes for their cooking competitions. Here is only a tiny sample of what was served to the judges. All students should be extremely proud of themselves! It was incredible to see the focus, determination, and creativity in the kitchens!

It is now course selection time for the 2019/2020 school year. Please come to Room 203 and 204 if you have any questions regarding any of our courses. We would be more than happy to answer any questions and explain what our courses are all about.

· In Grade 9, we offer Exploring Family Studies (HIF1O1).

· In Grade 10, we offer Food and Nutrition (HFN2O), and our new Clothing (HNL2O) course. Please check out our advertisement in this newsletter.

· In Grade 11, we offer Food and Culture (HFC3M/HFC3E), and Working with Infants and Young Children (HPW3C).

· In Grade 12, we offer, Sociology of Gender and Sexuality (IDC4U3/IDC4O3), Human Development throughout the Lifespan (HHG4M), Nutrition and Health (HFA4U/ HFA4C), and Families in Canada (HHS4U/HHS4C).

Looking forward to seeing the great things that happen

in our department this semester! Can’t wait to see you in the Family Studies Department next year!!

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Personalized Alternative Education Department

A big thank you goes to the staff, students and students from Alternative Education who

are helping with the Breakfast Program!!! These students arrive in the morning around 8:00

and help unload, set up and distribute the food in the cafeteria. This is a great way for these

students to accumulate volunteer hours. Currently, there almost 200 students coming in the

morning for the breakfast program!!!! We would also like to

thank York Region Food for Learning which provides the

funding and encourages high quality student nutrition

programs.

It’s been a really busy Semester One in our Alternative Education Department!! First, we would like to welcome

back some teachers to our department, Ms. Fidai, English, Mr. Gatti (Math), Mr. Catapano (Science), Ms. Cohen

(Food and Nutrition) and Ms. Nolis (Math). Joining us this semester are Mr. Zinman (History/Careers and Civics)

and Ms. England (English). The Alternative Education Department would like to thank and congratulate the

teachers and students for a successful and fantastic Semester One and wish you all Good Luck for a Great

Semester Two!!!!

Food for Learning - The Breakfast Program at Thornhill Secondary School

A BIG, BIG, BIG Thank You to our

Parent Council for their GENEROUS

Donation to our Breakfast Club!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO HIRO REGORGO for completing his Dual Credit

in Security Management!! Hiro was able to experience College while still in

high school. As well, Hiro earned high school credits AND College credits at

the same time in the same course. He was able to learn in college state-of-the-

art facilities, explore different pathway options and try something new.

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Personalized Alternative Education Department Continued Speaking of College…… Students had an opportunity to visit Seneca College and explore the Hospitality and

Tourism Program offered at Seneca. Students were treated to a hands on experience with a fantastic Chef, who has

actually cooked for our very own Prime Minister Justin Trudeau!!!!

What an awesome day we had learning about life as a College Student!!

Thank you Seneca College!!!!

Students on the Friendship Bench at Seneca College!! Making pastries with a famous Chef!!

Students cooking delicious Tacos in Ms. Cohen’s Food and Nutrition Class!! And our very own Principal, Ms.

Ziegler sampling the YUMMY food!!!! Great job everyone!!!

GOOD LUCK NEXT SEMESTER EVERYONE!!!

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Thornhill Secondary School Science Department Newsletter February 2019

Grade 8 Open House & Take Your Kids to High School (TYKTHS) Day November 2018: Electricity can be a “shocking” experience! Mr. Catapano went all in demonstrating the Van De Graaff

generator to visiting Grade 8 students on TYKTHS day. That is rabbit fur on his head and he is standing

on a plastic recycling bin which acts as an insulator. The Van De Graaff causes a buildup of electric

charge on his torso and the strands of rabbit fur which repel and stand up. Rabbit fur, aluminum pie plates

and bits of paper placed on the Van De Graaff launch into the air as the charge builds up. Students had a

fun introduction to some Grade 9 electrostatics activities.

Also on display were our three new digital compound microscopes (with detachable 8" LCD tablet) and a

new C-Scope Binocular Microscope for use in Biology classes. The Wi-Fi digital tablet transmits live

images to iOS or Android devices and the tablets include preloaded Motic apps. These microscopes were

purchased with funds through our Health & Wellness SHSM program and will enhance our Junior and

Senior Biology activities.

HOSA – Future Health Professionals Club HOSA students are prepar ing for their upcoming

Spring Leadership Conference and Competition. Information on various competition categories and why

you should join HOSA can be found at https://hosacanada.org/home/.

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Science After-School Tutoring Club: Every Wednesday from 3:20 to 4:30PM after school, students can

stop by Rm. 124 for peer Science Tutoring. No appointments are required and students can leave at any

time. Many thanks to Mr. Salavati for organizing this club and our student tutors for their hard work.

Hands-on Activities: TSS Science students have enjoyed many hands-on activities. Grade 10 Science

classes completed a frog dissection (virtual for those who preferred not to use the real thing!). Did you

know there are Frog Dissection Apps in the Itunes store?! TSS Chemistry students complete a LOT of

chemistry labs and are extremely well-prepared for necessary University or College lab skills.

Grade 9 Science Owl Pellet Dissection:

What is an owl pellet you ask? Owl pellets are masses of bones, teeth, hair, feathers, scales, and insect

skeletons. They are produced and regurgitated by owls, which swallow their prey whole or in large

pieces. Each whole owl pellet usually contains virtually complete skeletons of the animals which the owl

ate the night before the pellet was formed. Students used a chart of different rodent skeletons to identify

the prey (voles, shrews etc.) found in each owl pellet.

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Grade 11 Physics Rocket Project: This is Rocket Science! Grade 11 Physics students became rocket

scientists and had a “blast” with their Bottle Rocket Culminating Project! The bottle rockets use a pump

and air pressure to propel water and launch the rockets to surprising heights! Rockets also carried a raw

egg payload and students re-entry vehicles had to protect the egg from breaking on impact. Image of a

rocket and video of a launch and slow motion version can be seen at: http://tiny.cc/tssrockets Many

thanks to Mr. Salavati for designing this engaging project and the Grade 11 Physics teachers (Ms.

Chaudhary, Ms. Ibragimova and Mr. Salavati) for running with it. Students created some awesome

designs that reached great heights!! Information on how to make a bottle rocket can be found at https://

www.science-sparks.com/making-a-bottle-rocket/.

Science Contests: Contests including the University of Toronto National Biology Competition, the

University of Waterloo Sir Isaac Newton Physics Competition and the University of Waterloo Avogadro

Chemistry Contest will take place in the spring. Students can stop by the Science Office (Rm. 134) or

speak to their Science teacher to register.

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York University Faculty of Science Tri-Sci Tourney: Five Grade 11 TSS Science students

will be competing in York University’s Tri-Sci Tourney on February 21st.

Advanced Placement: Thornhill Secondary School’s Science Department offers Advanced

Placement (AP) courses in Grade 11 & 12 for Physics, Chemistry & Biology. These courses offer an

academically challenging curriculum and are available to students with a recommendation from their

Grade 10 Science teacher.

Science rules!

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Geography Department “You, too, can see the world differently” National Geographic Society

Welcome Geographers! Congratulations on finishing a busy first semester! As we look ahead to the next semester, Geographers continue to ask: “what is where, why there, why care” and “what to do” ? Grade 9 Geographers have been discussing key industry and resource management issues such as: freshwater, energy sources including the oil sands, and climate change. Students took on the role as “urban planners” they examined the local community and problem-solved how to redesign their communities to be more livable and sustainable. Planning for tomorrow… Students in the Grade 11 Travel and Tourism course have been busy “virtually” exploring emerging destinations in Southeast Asia, backpacking through Europe, and examining recent events impacting the global tourism industry. The students finished the course by planning a responsible tourism excursion to many unique world destinations! Bon Voyage! Grade 12 World Issues students have been researching, analyzing and discussing global resource issues such as food, freshwater and climate change. Looking “beyond the brand”, students examined the components of globalization and the impacts that our consumerism has on the global community. Students concluded the course with powerful awareness-raising campaigns about a wide range of pressing global issues. Is Geography in your Future Plans? Course selections for the upcoming school year will soon take place for students. Senior Geography course offered at TSS include:

Travel and Tourism: A Geographic Perspective CGG 3O

World Issues: A Geographic Analysis CGW4U or CGW4C For more information ask Mrs. Earle, Subject Head (room 213) or go to the course descriptions.

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Message From Our Trustee

Happy 2019! I hope your holiday season was festive, and your vacation restful. I like

to welcome this season with renewed enthusiasm, seeing it as a time for

reflection at the year ahead, building upon our accomplishments of the past.

I am honoured to not only serve as your trustee, but also as Budget Chair, where I will

work tirelessly to ensure that resources are directed to areas that best serve

students and the continual improvement of public education. We have exciting

initiatives in the works. The new Board of Trustees is filled with a varied set of skills

and experience, driven to bring forward innovative ideas to York Region

District School Board.

Schools are our children’s home away from home; in recent months I’ve had the

opportunity to visit our schools, and see the wonderful work being done by our teach-

ers and staff members. I’ve spoken with parents and teachers about ways we can

collectively improve educational outcomes and support the priorities in the Trustees’

Multi-Year Strategic Plan:

Foster well-being and mental health

Build collaborative relationships

Champion equity and inclusivity

Empower ethical leadership

In the upcoming months, I will continue to engage with principals, school councils,

parents and students about our journey ahead. Each and every individual’s insights are

invaluable to strengthening our education system, and I look forward to

achieving our goals together.

I’m always happy to hear your thoughts - and you can join the conversation on Twitter

@david4thornhill.

Warmest regards,

David Sherman

Trustee, Markham Ward 1 - Vaughan Ward 5

Phone: 647-992-6334

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