Boxwood Public School - Events in 2009-2010

Events in 2009-2010

Whole School

September 2009

• On Thursday, September 24, 2009, the Principal and the teachers met with parents at the annual Curriculum Night.

• School Council held its annual election on September 28, 2009.

October 2009

• On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, Boxwood staff and students participate at the annual Terry Fox Run/Walk event. Many students also created Hearts of Remembrance, Terry Fox Socks and Posters that would be entered into the national poster competition. The school raised about $1300 this year.

• The School Council kicked off its annual Chocolate Fundraiser in an assembly on Friday, October 2, 2009. The oldest child in a student’s family at Boxwood brought home thirty bars of chocolate that he/she could sell to friends and family for $2.00 each. Sales and donations this year exceeded $ 6,500.

November 2009

• At the Character Matters assemblies, on Thursday, December 17, 2009, Boxwood recognized students who best demonstrate character trait of Honesty.

December 2009

• On December 10, 2009, the Boxwood students and staff came together to put on a holiday concert, The Sounds of the Season.

• In December, Boxwood continues its tradition and collect non-perishable items to donate to the Markham food bank for the less fortunate families in Markham.

• At the Character Matters assemblies, on Thursday, December 17, 2009, Boxwood recognized students who best demonstrate character trait of Empathy.

February 2010

• Friday, February 19, 2010 is Boxwood’s Winter Elective Day, a.k.a. Celebration of Winter. Students participate in activities such as skiing, skating, snowboarding, tobogganing and bowling.

• At the Character Matters assemblies, on Thursday, February 25, Boxwood recognized students who best demonstrate character trait of Initiative.

Primary Division

January 2010

• The Kindergarten classes had their Teddy Bear Picnic on January 27 and 28, 2010. Grade 1 students had their Teddy Bear Picnic on Friday, January 22.

• Boxwood’s grade 2 classes welcomed the Mad Scientists in mid-January. They’re working on a science unit about Matter and Materials.

• The grade 3 students had the stage 1 of the Gifted Screening. The test determines eligibility for the Grade 4 Gifted Program.

March 2010

• On March 24, 2010, Ms. Sen's grade 1 class and their reading buddies in Ms. Dundani's grade 6 class put together a production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the Character Matters assembly to emphasize the importance of courage.

Junior Division

October 2009

• On Thursday, October 1, 2009, grades 1 to 6 went to the Markham Fair.

• Grade 6 students visited the Whitchurch-Stoufville Museum’s brand new First Nations Program on Friday, October 30, 2009. They participated in a workshop where they learned the characteristics of First Nations cultures in this region, including their close relationship with the natural environment. They also had the opportunity to become “junior archaeologists” and study the life of the Huron people by investigating artefacts from the Museum collection.

November 2009

• Boxwood students participated in the annual Mathletics competition on November 14, 2009 at the Markham Council Chambers. They were challenged to answer scientific and engineering problems by using mathematics.

December 2009

• On December 17, 2009, Boxwood’s Student Council traveled to the Markham Civic Centre to watch the Olympic torch as it was carried through Markham.

January 2010

• On Friday, January 22, 2010, the grade 6 students organized volleyball game, sold hot chocolate and donuts to raise money for people affected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake. All the events raised $1676.50.

• The Junior Volleyball team finished their season at David Suzuki P.S.

• On January 29, 2010, the grade 5 students visited the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) to see the King Tut artefacts exhibition.

February 2010

• On February 3, 2010 the grade 6s from Ms. Dudani and Ms. MacLean’s class participated in a workshop with a scientist. Students learned to discover “The Tree of Life” while worked as a taxonomist. They learned to identify a variety of animals using the Linnaean Classification System. They examined a microscopic world of protists and bacteria by matching their similarities and differences.

• On February 12, 2010 the grade 4 classes went to the Royal Ontario Museum to study Medieval Times artefacts. They also went to the adjacent Gardiner Museum to see all kinds of ceramics.

• February 24, Miss Lounsbury’s grade 4 class took part in a ceramic workshop with Colour Me Mine. They painted ceramic ornaments including soccer balls, hearts, and holiday ornaments.

Intermediate Division

October 2009

• On October 29, 2009, the intermediate staff and students went to Roy Thompson Hall to hear the performance of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. After the concert, the students went to visit the St. Lawrence Market.

• On Thursday, October 22, 2009, the grade 5 students went to the Ontario Science Centre to learn about the human body.

November 2009

• November 2–6, 2009, the grade 7 students went to an outdoor education centre called Professor E.A. Smith Natural Resources Centre, also known as “Scanlon Creek.”

• On Wednesday, November 11, 2009, the students of Boxwood participated in a Remembrance Day assembly.

• The whole school took their class and individual photographs on November 12–13, 2009.

December 2009

• The intermediates performed at Markham District High School’s annual winter concert, at Markham District High School.

• On December 11, 2009, staff from York Region’s Water for Tomorrow program visited Boxwood’s grade 8 classes to show students how to use water wisely.

January 2010

• On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, two teams and eight girls from Boxwood’s intermediate division participated in the Annual Cardboard Boat Races, hosted by Skills Canada at Black River Public School.

March 2010

• Canadian author Marina Cohen gave a presentation to grade 6, 7 and 8 students on Monday, March 29, 2010. She talked about her journey from being a non-reader to an avid reader and writer.

• The Intermediate Boys Basketball Team participated in the Area Tournament on March 1, 2010. The team won all of their four games and entered the semi-finals. However, they lost a game by two points in overtime in the semi-finals. They won the fourth placae.

• The Intermediated Girls Basketball Team participated in the Mumba tournament held at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School. The Girls Basketball Team also participated at the Area Tournament held at Legacy Public School. They played with great determination and effort but did not enter the finals.