Semester 1 has flown by and suddenly we find ourselves immersed in culminating tasks and exam review!
Exams start on January 25 and carry through to January 30. Please be sure you review your son or daughter’s exam schedule with them so you know when he or she is expected to be writing. Setting up a study schedule at home or assisting in review is an excellent way to support from home. Of course, our teachers are happy to assist students who need extra help. We also have additional support for students in our Student Success room. Students are welcome to drop by to review work, learn study skills, or work on projects they have due.
We also know this can be a very stressful time for some students as they try their best and work to meet the expectations of the curriculum, their parents and themselves! OSCA (Ontario School Counsellors Association) suggests the following tips for reducing stress with exams:
Coping With Exam ANXIETY
Even with good preparation for an exam, it’s normal for students to feel a little nervous. Here are some strategies to help you deal with your nerves!
- Get a good night’s sleep – fatigue can exaggerate stress
- Breathe deeply – this can help relax your nervous system
- Stay away from other stressed out students – stress breeds more stress!
- Do a brief review of main points an hour before the exam if you feel it would help
- Double check that you have everything you need – pens, pencil, calculator, formula sheet, etc.
- Manage your time during the exam so you don’t stress about running out of it
- Be prepared to not know every answer on the exam – no one will!
As always, please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns. We’d be happy to assist!
Thank you to all parents who attended our Parent-Teacher interview night on Wednesday. There was a great turnout and we appreciate each parent taking the time to come and speak with us about your son or daughter. You also may have had the opportunity to visit some of our displays in the large gym and sample some of the delicious work of our Hospitality classes. We are eager to share the programs and opportunities that are available to our students and community!
Due to the high turnout, if you were unable to speak with a teacher, I hope you left your information so teachers can contact you. Some parents, especially those with multiple students, found it hard to fit conversations into the timeframe. Please know that you are welcome to contact our teaching staff at any point through the school year. An email, a phone call, or arranged visit is a great way to connect with staff and keep you up to date on your son or daughter’s progress.
As always, we are keen to hear your comments and questions. Feel free to speak to any administrator by calling 705-887-2018 or emailing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Happy New Year!
With the coming of the new year, we also know that Semester 1 is quickly drawing to a close. Be sure to talk with your teen at home about final culminating activities taking place in each of their classes over the next 2 weeks. If students need additional support outside of the classroom, our Student Success room, Math Help Centre and Resource Centre all provide supports to students. Student Success and Math Help Centre are open every lunch hour as a space for students to work and to get any necessary assistance.
Exams are scheduled January 26 – January 31 with a snow day on February 1 if needed. Block A classes write exams Jan 26, Block B Jan 27, Block C Jan 30 and Block D Jan 31. Should a snow day occur during the schedule, all exams will be pushed back a day and February 1 will be used for the Block D exam.
As stated in the Code of Conduct, students must attend and write all scheduled exams. Students who miss an examination because of illness or bereavement only must notify the appropriate Vice-Principal prior to the absence and will be required to provide documentation to validate the absence. The examination may then be rescheduled. Students who miss an examination for an invalid reason will receive a mark of “0".
We look forward to a very successful conclusion to Semester 1 and a great start up of Semester 2 on February 3, 2012!
It's hard to believe that we're planning for September 2011 already, but it is true. Right now, students and families are busily selecting courses for the 2011-2012 school year.
Please ensure that you are taking the opportunity to discuss options and pathways available so that you are getting the best possible plan for the next and future years. This includes Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) in Business or Transportation, Cooperative Education opportunities, University and College admission requirements, and interest areas that can be supported through optional courses. Through a little planning and support, your future years at Fenelon Falls will be successful and enjoyable!
If you have any questions or need support, talk to:
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our guidance counsellors, Ms. Browne or Mr. Warren, in Student Services
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our Student Success teacher, Ms. Chiasson
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our Cooperative Education teachers, Ms. Lindsay or Mr. Jamieson
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Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) lead teachers, Ms. Vivian or Mr. McIntosh
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any subject area teacher for information on courses
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any administrator, Mr. Christie, Ms. Sargent or Mrs. MacIver
Please note that a draft school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year has been posted on the website under the FFSS News tab. Please take the opportunity to review the calendar and submit comments or suggestions to me by February 3. Comments will be sent forward to the committee for their consideration.
Please feel free to call 887-2018 ext 32018 or email me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. I'm looking forward to your comments!
Katherine MacIver
The holiday is over and now is the time for some dedication and hard work! Our students are returning to school for a final 2.5 weeks of classes before exams commence on Thursday, January 27, 2011. It’s an opportunity to review the course, complete culminating tasks, clear up loose ends, and prepare for the final evaluation.
Over the past semester, students have understood, used, and applied the key concepts of each credit course. Both the culminating task and the exam are designed to evaluate your ability to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skill, with respect to the key learning and expectations of the course. Ultimately, if a student has remained up to date, completed assignments, and reviewed the course tasks and notes, he/she will perform well on these final assessments. However, it can still be a stressful time.
To minimize stress and encourage success, take care of your physical needs. Ensure that you are eating nutritional meals, drinking plenty of water and getting a full night’s sleep. Talking will also help. Discuss the final assessments in courses at home, and work with your family to review course material and discuss areas of confusion or difficulty. Don’t fall behind! Seek assistance from the classroom teacher to clarify any areas of needs or discuss the issue with a classmate or friend. Talking about it will help to make sense of it and will ensure that you are on track for success.
When it comes to the final exam, be prepared. Use a variety of studying techniques: highlighting or re-writing key passages, making cue or study cards, re-label diagrams, get quizzed by a friend, or create and answer test questions. Ensure that you are paying close attention to classroom reviews. Teachers tend to give many hints as to exam questions during review!
Work hard, be prepared and we know you will achieve success.
The only limitations you will ever face
will be those you place upon yourself.
-Keith DeGreen
The Spirit of Christmas is alive and well at Fenelon Falls Secondary! Through the efforts of students, staff, and the community, and led by our own Ms. Susan Sainsbury, Fenelon Falls Secondary has supported 25 families and 6 individual students this Christmas season. The entire school has come together to both donate items for families and to raise funds through a variety of events, such as SOFA, the Turkey Shoot, eco-friendly gifts, and many more.
Giving back to the community is an important part of good citizenry. These activities give our students the opportunity to give with the knowledge that their work is directly making a difference for someone else. It is both inspiring and astounding the strength of character exhibited by our students on a daily basis. While we’re coming to the close of the Spirit of Christmas, we have a variety of activities to continue these opportunities such as creating mats for Haiti, promoting eco-friendly activities for the environment, and raising money for our Foster Parent program. Talk about Falcon pride!
Another item of pride took place mid-December. I hope many of you were able to take in the SOFA presentation on December 14 and 15. Our students performed, played and displayed for 550 Grade 7 and 8 students from our feeder schools before completing an evening presentation for parents and community members. They wrapped up SOFA for our own students on Wednesday morning. What a whirlwind schedule which received accolades from all who saw it! Congratulations to our students and the staff who made this happen.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and wish all the best for you and your family. Take the time to rest, relax and reinvigorate over the next two weeks. January 10 comes quickly and shortly after the wrap up for Semester 2!
All my best,
Katherine MacIver
Today is the Board-wide Day of Kindness. Staff and students from Fenelon have been recognizing this event all week long through a variety of activities such as paying it forward, classroom activities, signing an anti-bullying pledge, and finding puzzle “peaces”. Our week ends with a “Pink” Day which is a reminder to all of the responsibility that we have to stand up against bullying. While it is a week-long event, we know that the intent should last a lifetime. We will be looking towards more activities throughout the year to remind us all of the importance of kindness and respect for all.
Please note that midterm report cards will be going home with students on Friday, November 19. Please ensure that you have received the report and have discussed it with your son or daughter. Parents are a vital part of the school community and their involvement and encouragement are essential to student success.
The remainder of the semester brings a multitude of activities. First, MADD Canada will be here on November 23, 2010 with a presentation to students. December 6 is a Professional Development day for staff and there will be no school for students. SOFA will take place December 14 and 15 so please mark your calendars for those dates. The last day of school prior to December break will be Thursday, December 23 with students returning to class on Monday, January 10, 2011. Please click on the calendar under the Students tab on the website to see upcoming events. We look forward to using the website as a communication hub and would love to hear from you about the website and any additions you feel are needed.
