Student Leadership

As promised, I'm here to write about our amazing student leaders.

Last week at Tay Shores PS we handed out over 250 applications to students who wanted to become members of our Shore Squad Leadership Team. These students are all from grades 5-8 and are keenly interested in helping make Tay Shores PS the best school in the SCDSB.

After completing their applications, we opened up the gymnasium for a giant Job Fair. Students went around to the various tables to meet their Teacher coordinators and to 'interview' for their positions. This is a really fun process to observe and to take part in. The students milling about, trying to get 'hired' for leadership positions, teachers interviewing prospective leaders. As the saying goes, "You had to have been there", to witness this event.

Now our Shore Squad has been hired. We have over 100 students performing many leadership roles around our school. They are leading in the following ways: Library Helpers, Kindergarten Monitors, Primary Monitors, Recycling Helpers, Office Helpers, Athletic Equipment and Recess Equipment Monitors, Technology Set-Up Crew, House League Coordinators, Breakfast Club Helpers, Announcement Anchors, Publicity Photographers/Videographers, Bus Patrollers, RAK Team Members and our very popular Shore Squad Spirit Team.

I'd like to take the time to thank all of the students who took an interest in leadership and submitted their applications. We have outstanding young leaders in our school this year.

I'd also like to take the time to thank all of the teachers who have volunteered their time to mentor and coordinate these students this year. As they say on A&E, it is "Time Well Spent".

We are also on the lookout for outstanding Shore Squad leaders who we can send to OELC this year. The Ontario Educational Leadership Centre (OELC) is located on Lake Couchiching and offers a wonderful 4 day program for young leaders each year. This May we will be sending 6 students to this camp. Over the course of this year, we are offering 4 leadership training sessions at our school for all students who have given up their time to join the Shore Squad.

Your first opportunity to see our Shore Squad in action will be on Thursday September 29th, when we host our Grand Opening and Meet the Teacher event at the school. Our Shore Squad Spirit Team will be on hand to take parents/families on tours of our new building. You'll be able to spot them in their bright neon yellow t-shirts.

I look forward to working with these outstanding students this year!!

And we're off...

       It's been a long time since my last post. That's the reality of moving 500 students and all of their educational materials across a township and into a new facility - your writing time goes out the window.

       What an amazing week we've had. Every year, the first few days of school are always the best. It's always wonderful to see the students in their new clothes and backpacks and hear their excited voices as they reconnect with friends and meet their new teachers. This week has been better than any other year. The students, teachers and parents have come into our new building with eyes wide open, filled with awe and excitement, as they see and explore the new rooms and materials.

         We know that this process has been quite long. Students have had to move multiple times, meet new friends, close familiar buildings and go to school in really cramped quarters. I think our students are realizing that it was all worth it. Our new facility is state of the art. It's beautiful. It's large. And...it will be the envy of all of the schools in North Simcoe. The students and families of Tay Township deserve this amazing facility. If you haven't had the chance to come and see the building, please join us soon. You won't be disappointed.

        Speaking of visiting our school. Our official Grand Opening will take place on September 29th. It will take place alongside our "Meet the Teacher" event. Parents and students will have from 4:00pm to 7:00pm to tour the building and meet with our educational staff. At 7:00pm we will gather in the gymnasium for a more formal presentation. The Director of Education, along with Superintendents, and representatives from the Ministry of Education will be on hand to deliver greetings and our own Tay Shores Choir will entertain the attendees. We will also be officially naming our new meeting room, "The Paul Delaney Room". This new room will be used for student leadership meetings, school council meetings and other medium sized groups. We hope that all of our families and community members will choose to attend this celebration.

          In tomorrow's blog, I will proudly talk about our Shore Squad Leadership Team. They are getting themselves organized and ready for another busy year.

          Thanks, everyone, for the great start to our school year. I'm so glad to be working with all of you!!