The Raven Report

Eastside Secondary School is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for all students which allows students to thrive in an atmosphere which emphasizes respect for learning, self, others, authority, property and the environment. We actively promote acceptance of all students and we teach understanding, tolerance and communication. There is no place for violence, intimidation or foul language at Eastside Secondary School.

As valued partners in your student(s) education, we need your help to have important conversations at home about kindness, civility, inclusivity and the harmful impact that non-inclusive and derogatory comments have on others. As we continue learning together, we will see more students, parents, educators, and school staff addressing hateful actions with the ultimate goal of ending them in our school community.

Students are expected to review the full Student Responsibilities.

We will be hosting our Family/Teacher Interviews on Thursday, October 24th from 5 - 7pm in the gymnasium. Parents/guardians can show up whenever it's convenient for them and wait for their child's teacher to have an opening. If you're not able to make it but would like to set up a meeting at an alternative time, please reach out to your student's teacher directly. https://ess.hpedsb.on.ca/about_ess/staff_directory

We have our first dance of the year coming up on Otober 25th. Students MUST purchase tickets in advance - no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at lunch in the foyer.

Grad Clothing can be ordered through the following website - https://eastsidegrad2025.itemorder.com/ Orders are due by October 20th.

University Fair Trip to Queen’s University, Kingston – October 17th

Skilled Trades Trip to Oshawa – October 22nd

College Fair Trip to Fleming College, Peterborough – October 25th

Applications to Ontario Colleges – www.ontariocolleges.ca with equal consideration February 1, 2025

Applications to Ontario Universities – www.ouac.on.ca with equal consideration January 15, 2025

Lunch time sessions will be available in guidance every Thursday in November to support student applications and research. We hope to have applications completed before the break in December.

The vibrant Arts department at ESS is already blooming. We are excited to announce the creation of a new visual art club called the Living Artists Society. Our nationally-ranked Improv Team is getting ready for the season, and the Concert Band will return for a holiday concert in December.

We are thrilled to offer many dynamic classes in visual art, ceramics, drama, guitar, instrumental music and Indigenous Arts and Culture. Students are excited and engaged in many creative opportunities.

We are currently beginning to line up special guests for the fall and to plan for our first Coffeehouse evening on October 24th at 6:30pm.

Boys Volleyball - The Jr. Boys' Volleyball team currently sits in 3rd place in the BOQ standings with five matches left in the regular season. Cheer the boys' on as they make the push for the top seed heading into playoffs.

Junior Girls Basketball - The Jr Girls basketball team is currently sitting 3rd out of 10 teams in Bay of Quinte play. The junior Ravens have honed skills in a tournament in Brockville and are preparing to make a run into playoffs.

Junior and Senior Football - Both junior and senior football teams are sitting in third of four teams. The Ravens are working hard on and off the field. Last week the football team supported Food for Learning by helping to hand out breakfast items to fellow students.

Cross Country - Congratulations to our Cross Country Team that competed at Bay of Quinte this week! We had many personal bests and outstanding performances. A special shout out goes to Abigail Rowe who placed 5th, Quinland, Jude, Mat T., and Nathan Ferris who placed 3rd as a team, Theo Lavender won the Senior Boys race, and our senior girls team placed 4th. Congratulations and good luck at COSSA next Wednesday!

SOCCER: Riley Murray - Riley has been a key member of our varsity girls rugby team. As captain, she positively leads her team as they learn a new, complex sport while maintaining a high degree of commitment to improving her own skills. All of her coaches are very impressed with how much we can rely on her in practices and games, both on and off the pitch.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Brooklyn Maracle - Brooklyn is a leader on the team, she never misses a practice and she rarely comes off the floor. Her stamina allows her to play a lot of minutes, she has an amazing shot and her control while bringing the ball up the court brings a calming presence to the game. This quiet leader has so much potential this season on the Basketball court and we can't wait to watch her soar in her years to come.

Toby Hassan - Toby has taken time to develop his skills outside of the school playing within the community and its transferred into confidence and execution on the court in game. Keep up the good work Toby!

CROSS COUNTRY: Abigail Rowe - 31st at the prestigious Trinity Invitational. Ever present at practice.

Quinland Hoard - 21st at the prestigious Trinity Invitational. Ever present at practice.

GIRLS RUGBY: Mya Rouse - Mya came to our first rugby practice and announced she had no knowledge of the game, and had not been on sports teams, but she wanted to try and be involved. To say she is committed to the team is an understatement. She puts forth her very best effort at every practice, she is driven to do her best and grow as a player, and she is a positive presence for her teammates. We are very impressed by her dedication!

BOYS SOCCER: Mustafa Hashemi - Mustafa has displayed an immense amount of hardwork. He gives everything out on the soccer pitch and he has been a force to be reckoned with on offense scoring two crucial goals for the team. One of which was a fantastic volley in our first win of the season against PECI.

Keagan Barr - For his willingness to play in many different positions on the field, often playing on defense where the team needs him most. Also for his work on and off the soccer pitch with his positivity and hard work as he has attended all of our practices and games.

Nicolas Cook - For his leadership and accountability on and off the pitch. He has attended all practices and games and is often the source of our offensive attacks as he scored our first goal of the season.

FOOTBALL: Jenson Shaver has been selected as September's Junior Ravens Football Athlete of the Month. Jenson secured the starting quarterback position by consistently demonstrating skill development and leadership in practice and games. Congratulations, Jenson!

Spencer Henshaw has been named our September Senior Ravens Football Athlete of the Month. He secured a starting role as a cornerback through consistent performance in practice and games and has grown into a team leader. Congratulations, Spence!

Attending regularly and being on time for class are required for academic success. We expect you to be in classes if you are at school.

If you will be away, please let us know in advance. It’s only acceptable to be away from class for school related activities like trips and sports, or illness, bereavement, unavoidable causes (medical appointments, emergencies), and religious holidays. By using SafeArrival, parents/guardians can report an absence in advance, 24/7, using their choice of a mobile app. the SafeArrival website, or an interactive toll-free phone number. Future absences can be reported any time.

It is important for you to take responsibility for your learning and to be focused on classroom activities. Cell phones must be stored in a student's locker during instructional time. If your family needs to contact you, they can call the main office.

As directed by the Ministry of Education in Policy/Program Memorandum 128, starting in September, all Ontario school boards will be required to follow the updated Provincial Code of Conduct. This includes all students being required to follow strict anti-vaping guidelines. Students cannot bring electronic cigarettes (vapes), tobacco and/or nicotine products to school (including school transportation). If a student is in possession of an electronic cigarette (vape), tobacco or nicotine product it will be surrendered and disposed of and parents/guardians will be immediately informed. If a student is vaping/smoking on school premises, a progressive discipline approach will be followed, which will include an out of school suspension.

Eastside Secondary School has an active School Council that consists of parents, staff, students, and community members. Meetings are held regularly. The team works together as an advisory group to support excellent programming and to foster ongoing school improvement.

If you are interested, please RSVP to join us at 5:30 on Monday, November 21st in the library.

In order to support parents navigate the new world of online learning, below you'll find a photo of some "look-fors" when you receive an email about your student's online learning progress. If you have any questions about their progress, please email their teacher directly.

Oct 24: Parent Teacher Interview Night 5 - 7pm

Oct 24: Coffee House Event 6:30 - 8pm

Oct 25: Grade 9 - 12 Dance 7 - 10pm

Nov 1: Diwali

Nov 6: Grade 8 Parent Open House and Information Night

Nov 11: Remembrance Day

Nov 18: Midterm Marks Available

Nob 22: PA Day

For all events, be sure to check out the calendar on our website: ess.hpedsb.on.ca

At Eastside, we want our students and families to be well informed. We have multiple ways that we will communicate with you:

1. Direct email: please make sure that when you review the information form in September that you verify a correct email address.

2. Social media: please follow up on Facebook and Instagram so that you can stay up-to-date on the amazing things happening at ESS.

3. Website: be sure to check out ess.hpedsb.on.ca as it has a lot of great information including an ESS Events calendar.

4. Newsletter: We will publish “The Raven Report” newsletter each month and send it directly to the email that we have on file.

We also encourage two-way communication between the classroom teacher and home, so please reach out to your child’s teacher at any point. Contact information can be found on our website.