Year End Information

Dear Jackson Families,

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. June is a busy time of year at Jackson as students and staff not only prepare for the end of one school year but also get ready for the next. This email contains important information about our Year End Schedule, Provincial Assessments, Leadership Activities, Student Schedules for next year, Library Books, Locker Clean-Out, Indigenous Peoples Day, Year End Awards Assembly, Core Competency Self-Assessment, Course Completion Days, Report Cards, and our Jackson Fun Day Field Trip to the Water Slides/Movies.  Apologies in advance for the length of this email but hopefully you will find it useful.

End of Semester Schedule

Students are expected to be in attendance full days every day from Monday June 19-Friday June 23 as teachers have planned a variety of culminating learning activities (ie. exams, projects, presentations, labs, portfolios, field trips, etc.) for each of their classes.

All Grade 10 students taking Math or English this semester will be writing their Provincial Numeracy and/or Literacy Assessments during the double block on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday that corresponds to their scheduled Math or English class.

Leadership Spirit Week and Lunches

To wrap up Spirit Month at Jackson our leadership students have planned a full week of spirit activities this week. Each day participants receive points for their team at the booth in the cafeteria. Below is a schedule of the activities planned for each day.

As the last day of our regular lunch program was Friday June 16, Leadership has arranged for some lunch options this week for students interested. Thank you to our friendly chef, Machico, and the other amazing volunteers from the Shuswap Food Action Society for another outstanding year of healthy lunches.

Indigenous Peoples Day

To help celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Wednesday June 21, classes will be invited to the field to participate in Indigenous Games. Grade 9’s will be invited in D Block (12:45-2:08) and Grade 10’s will be invited in C Block (2:13-3:33). Thank you to everyone who helped organize this day for us!

Concert at the Wharf

Come out and watch the award-winning J.L. Jackson and Salmon Arm Secondary Concert and Jazz Bands in the Gazebo at Marine Peace Park on Wednesday June 21 at 6:30pm. In the event of rain, this event will be moved to the Jackson Gym.

Year End Award Ceremony

We are looking forward to celebrating our many student successes this year at a whole-school assembly on Friday June 23 at 1:30pm. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate parents at this event due to the number of students in attendance.  

Core Competencies Self-Assessment

Each year students are required to complete a self-assessment of their core competencies as part of the year end reporting process. At Jackson, this will take place during our C and D Block classes on Wednesday June 21. Students will bring their Core Competencies Self-Assessment home with them at the end of the day. Please ask your child about this assessment and take some time to review it with them, celebrating their successes and discussing some possible goals or next steps.  

Course Completion Days

Monday June 26 and Tuesday June 27 are reserved for student course completion.  Students only need to attend if they are invited to do so by their classroom teacher.  Teachers will directly contact parents if this is necessary for a student.  If a student is not in a position to successfully complete a course, a teacher MAY invite the student in to work with the teacher to complete necessary assignment, projects, and/or tests.

Last Day and Report Cards

Printed report cards will be distributed to students by their A Block teacher on Thursday June 29 at 9:15am.   

There will not be any classes this day.  This is an opportunity for students to say goodbye to friends and teachers.  Busses will be running 4 hours early with the first bus leaving the school shortly after 11:33am.

Locker clean-out and Library Books

We will be asking students to remove the garbage and extra clothes from their lockers on Tuesday June 20.  When a student will empty all the contents of their locker will depend on their individual schedules.  Students can take their locks home after they empty all contents.  We are asking that all students have lockers empty by the end of the day on Friday June23 at the latest.

Please ensure all library books are returned ASAP. Families will be charged for any items not returned.

Student Schedules

We are working hard to make final adjustments to the next year’s timetable and schedule students in their classes.  This is a complex process with many factors to consider. 

Current Grade 9 students – We are hoping to get printed schedules to students in their A Block class by Friday June 23.  When students receive their schedule there will also be instructions explaining how to go about requesting any course changes if needed.

Current Grade 10 students – Salmon Arm Secondary will email students schedules directly to students and anticipate that this will happen prior to the end of the school year.

Jackson Fun Day

Our final school event of the year will be our school wide Jackson Fun Day Field Trip to the Salmon Arm Waterslides and Salmar Movie Theatre on Wednesday June 28. Students must have completed the permission form that was due on Friday June 16 to participate in this activity. Below are some important reminders about this day.

• Students should report to their A Block class at 9:15 on the morning of Wednesday June 28
• This is a school event which means that all school rules and expectations apply.
• The concession at the Waterslides will be closed so students should pack a bagged lunch.
• Students cannot leave the venues for any reason unless a parent is picking them up.
• Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Administration Changes for September

In case you have not already heard, I would like to take this opportunity to inform families of administration changes for September.

Current Vice Principal Mr. Rhys Waters will be moving with our Grade 10 students to Salmon Arm Secondary next year. Mr. Waters will be dearly missed here at Jackson, however, I know many of our students will find comfort in knowing that they will get to see him again at Salmon Arm Secondary.

Incoming Vice Principal Mrs. Patti Lemaire, is coming to Jackson from Shuswap Middles School and is already working part time in our building. Mrs. Lemaire has several years of experience at both the middle and secondary level and comes to us with the advantage of knowing many of our current and incoming students. I believe this will also bring comfort to many of our students.

Please feel free to contact the school at (250) 832-2136 if you have any questions or concerns about the information shared in this email. Thank you for your support this year and have a restful and safe summer.

Sincerely,

Gord Ritchie

Principal – J.L. Jackson Secondary School