V.I.S. Newsletter
November 28, 2003
by: Marie Lardino
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Scientifically Speaking
by: Simmy Zaret
Hi Folks, Here's a little blurb to keep you up-dated on our busy science program! There's no question that our young scientists are enthused by the many hands-on opportunities going on regularly in class. Whether we are condensing water with the aid of a boiling kettle or watching liquid pass through the cell membranes of a dried cranberry through osmosis, exploring concepts by "doing" serves as a great way to learn!
Over the past few weeks our grade 7 students have been studying about nature in relation to our ever-changing environment. Merely stepping outside our school to study our local allay-ways and sidewalks has allowed us to see plant succession taking place right here! (You may have to ask your son or daughter to tell you what that means!) Exploring the carbon cycle has worked beautifully as our lead-in to a look at fossil fuels, as well as alternative renewable energy resources available to us. Next week we will be hosting a visit with Alex Winch, owner of Beach Solar Laundry. (Thank you Lynn Kieran for the suggestion!) Alex will be teaching the students all about solar power! Following his talk, we will be walking over to his Cleaners to tour his solar-powered facility. It should be an energizing and worth while experience! This past week we had a workshop with Scientist Judy, from "Scientists in School". Judy brought in all the equipment needed to explore solvents and solutions. "Close Encounters of a Chemical Kind" took the students through a series of hands-on investigations, which proved to be "super-saturated" with great fun!
This term the grade 8 class has continued to look at how cells come together to form organisms. As the topic evolves, we are now examining how the cells in our body work together to form tissues, organs and organ systems! Over the next while the students will be studying the human body and working on projects and displays as a means of sharing their expertise with others! It continues to be a joy teaching your wonderful children! I couldn't ask for a more eager (and clever!) bunch!
As always, if you have any science ideas or resources to share, feel welcome to pass them on.
Well, that's "Scientifically Speaking!"
Simmy Zaret
Holiday Performance
Press Release by Cathie Webb
Voice Theatre Presents...
Lost and Found
It's December at World School of the Arts, and the students are busy preparing for their Holiday Charity Performance. This year's Charity: Make-A-Wish Foundation! It's a wonderful opportunity for the kids to reach out and help grant a wish to a child suffering from a terminal illness. The tickets have been sold and the final touches are in place! Opening night is a week away! But wait a minute...something has gone wrong...the MONEY IS MISSING!
"Where did it go?"
"Who took it?"
" Has it been stolen?"
" I bet you it was her!"
"It was him!"
The gossip runs through the veins of the school as fast as the young subway...Will they be able to put the show on? Will the children of Make-A-Wish Foundation be able to get their wishes in time for the Holidays? Stay tuned... The donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation is not just fictional...it's REAL! It will provide our students with the possibility of granting a wish to a child with terminal illness.
Kids Can Free The Children Fundraiser
Our kids did it! They spent 24 hours at school in the company of Mr. Taylor, myself, and Lynn Kieran who volunteered to join us for the night. The kids raised a hefty $2 730. The fundraiser was launched by two inspirational speakers, Arielle Kieran and Madeline Hampton, who educated us on the importance of local action for global change. It was indeed an emotional beginning that left our kids empowered and proud of their efforts. Arielle offered suggestions on how funds could be spent, so our kids decided to contribute to the construction of a school in Sierra Leone, which they intend to sustain year after year by providing a teacher's salary and school supplies. During the evening we were joined by a jazz band, and breakfast was donated from Edward Laveque Kitchen on Queen St E.
The left over food was taken to a local woman's shelter by Doreen Dotto with the help of six of our kids.
We thank the many parents who sent an abundance of dinners and lunches, and parent volunteers Ginny McFarlane, Lynn Kieran, Crystal King, Lilly Chong, Doreen Dotto and Gordon Chong who took shifts to supervise with us. A big congratulations goes out to Mr. Taylor for organizing and carrying out this fundraiser, and a huge round of applause goes out to all our kids for their dedication and commitment to this project.
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