Chair's Video Message

Hello everyone. We've been dealing with many weather-related issues in the past week. In tonight's video I share some of the concerns expressed by many of you. In addition, I can offer the following information:

1)  Details on the status of the campus can be found here:https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus/weather

2)  Detailed policy on campus closure/class cancellation can be found here:https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/policies/general/campus-closure-class-cancellation-policy

3)  Safety tips can be found here:https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus/weather/winter-safety-tips

I'm asking everyone, instructors and teacher candidates, to develop an emergency plan in case of inclement weather. For some teacher candidates this will mean making childcare, overnight or alternate transportation arrangements, and for others it will mean setting up a digi-buddy who can use Skype or Google Hangout to connect them with the classroom. It is your decision.

The bottom line is that it is up to each individual instructor and student to respond to inclement weather and if an individual has to miss a class, that individual should be prepared to work through the consequences.

Attendance is expected but not graded, and any teacher candidate who is absent for any reason needs to notify the instructor. This will likely mean that the teacher candidate may experience gaps in learning; it is each teacher candidate's responsibility to close the gap. Absences should be reserved for emergency situations. Missed classes due to inclement weather, like all absences, will not be an accepted reason why program requirements are not met.

Here's a link to the video: https://youtu.be/FT_FspN_Fic

Share it with your cohort!

And here's one more message from the organizers of the Gifted Conference, for anyone who has passed the Math Competency Exam and was successful in the first practicum: Are you interested in signing up for the Gifted Outreach Conference? It isn't too late! Contact Liz Breton (elbreton@lakeheadu.ca) or Chloe Verner (ceverner@lakeheadu.ca) to sign up! You will be required to attend 3 sessions (Jan 20, Feb 3 & March 9 all at 5PM) to plan a conference session alongside another teacher candidate partner. You'll meet SCDSB board officials, teachers and gifted students! You also get a great certificate to add to your resume and portfolio! Contact Liz or Chloe ASAP for more information and to register! 

Have a great week everyone!