Final video from Luke and Lauren

Hello everyone, I hope you've enjoyed your first two days of placement. We know it's going to be a busy time for you, so Luke and Lauren prepared one last video message to you to round out the academic year.

Here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XUF6Gao4yE, including a special message to this week's Math Competency Exam writers.

Please take good care of yourselves, and as Catherine Hannon says, "Work hard and have fun!"

Frances

Heritage Place Student Commons - Hours of Operation During Placement

The HP Student Commons will be open the following hours during the placement period of March 22 - April 27, 2018:

Monday to Friday  8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday                12:00pm - 4:00pm

Please Note:  The HP Library services are available by appointment.  You can contact the library to make arrangements via orlib@lakeheadu.ca, or call 1-705-330-4008 ext. 2252.

Weekly Video Blog

Hello again everyone. I hope you are enjoying your last few classes. There's a real atmosphere of celebration in the building, and also a little wistfulness, knowing that this is the last time some of you will be together.

This week's video from Luke and Lauren includes some information about next week's Math Competency Exam, the Resume and Interview workshop, and some words of support for placement. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKbvaojfAc

For those of you who have devoted so much time and effort to improving your Math understanding, you've worked very hard this year and my wish is that you emerge from the experience of the exam with confidence and knowledge. 

As for your placements, I hope that as you all bring your best selves to the classroom, you are able to combine your course learning with the classroom experience, in order to make a difference in the lives of the children you encounter. Teaching is a serious and yet a very magical endeavour, and I hope you embrace both qualities.

All the best,

Frances

REMINDER - Resume and Mock Interviewing Workshop - Tuesday March 20, 2018

Reminder that the session will be held in Room 4. 

Please bring a copy of your resume to refer to when the principal presenters are offering tips for writing effective resumes. There will be opportunities to receive one on one coaching from a principal regarding your resume if you would like to participate in that process. Principals will discuss effective interview strategies. You can participate in short mock interviews and receive specific feedback to enhance your responses. 

Who?  

Teacher candidates from all our program years who want to prepare for the job application process

What?  

Local principals and vice principals and Faculty Advisors will:

• Provide feedback re your resume- strengths and areas for growth

• Share effective strategies for approaching interviews

• Conduct short mock interviews with candidates and provide feedback

When?
Tuesday, March 20, 2018  from 5:00-8:00pm  
 
Why?  
It is never too early to prepare for your future career paths!

Where?

Heritage Place, Rooms OH4 and OH7

There are still many spaces available if you haven't yet signed up.  Please sign up in the Education Office. 

If you have questions about this upcoming session, please email Catherine.

Reminder - Heritage Place Lockers

This is a reminder that HP lockers must be vacated by April 30, 2018.

Any items left in a locker, will be removed by the University.

Please see your receipt for additional details.  

Library Services During Placement - March - April 2018

~Forwarding on behalf of the Library Staff~

Dear Education Students:

The Lakehead-Orillia library wishes you best of luck during your winter 2018 placements!

While you are away, please visit this library page for a list of services & online resources that are available to you:https://libguides.lakeheadu.ca/education_1006/placementservices

That page includes resources like the Ontario Educational Resources Bank (lesson plans and more), and electronic books packages like Tumblebooks.

HERITAGE PLACE LIBRARY HOURS
The Heritage Place library is offering By Appointment hours this term. Please contact us in advance to make arrangements.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AT UNIVERSITY AVENUE
You may also arrange to pick up or return education resources at our University Avenue location after hours. Please contact us to discuss this option.

CONTACT US 
Phone - 705 330 4008 x 2252
Email - orlib@lakeheadu.ca

Have a great time on your placement!

PRC/VSS Original Documentation Return to 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of 2 Year) B.Ed Students

This is to advise all 1 Year B.Ed and Year 2 (of 2 Year) B.Ed students completing their Mar/April 2018 placement in Simcoe County District School Board,  that you can pick up the originals of your PRC/VSS documentation for Winter 2018 placement, tomorrow: Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 at the Education Administration Office.

PRC/VSS Pick up times are as follows:9am until 1pm and then again from 2pm until 430pm.

Cohort C2 - Available Time to Meet with your Faculty Advisor

Good Afternoon Students in Cohort C2,

Your Faculty Advisor, Heather Headley MacLeod, has some available time to meet with students from Cohort C2, around their upcoming placement. 

Note:These available meeting time slots are optional for students. 
The available 20 minute time slots run from: 1:50 until 4:10 p.m. 

The meetings will be held in Room OH10.

Please sign up for an available time slot in the Education Office by Friday, March 16th at 4:30 p.m.

Therapy Dogs at Heritage Place

Leacock Museum - K. Valerie Connor Memorial Prize Poetry Contest

The K Valerie Connor Memorial Competition was created by the late Harry Connor in honour of his wife, a former local poet, artist, and volunteer in Orillia. 

Enter your poems for a chance to win cash prizes in the Elementary, Secondary, or Adult categories. Elementary and Secondary entrants submissions are free, and Adult submissions are $5 per poem. Enter up to five. Submissions open March 2, 2018 - June 20th.

Below you will find the link to the contest description and submission forms, in the drop down menu at the bottom of the page under 'Contests'. 

https://www.orillia.ca/en/visiting/leacock-museum-and-national-historic-site.aspx

Math Competency Exam (P/J) - March 20, 2018

Below you will find some important details regarding the Tuesday March 20, 2018 sitting of the P/J Math Competency Exam.

When:  Tuesday March 20, 2018
Time: Exam will start promptly at 10:00am and finish by 12:00noon
Where: Heritage Place Building
Classrooms: OH2, 4, 7,8 and 10 - your specific room assignment will be emailed to you

Address Where Exam Is Being Held:(Map found here: Map To Heritage Place )

Lakehead University
Heritage Place Building
1 Colborne Street WestOrillia, ONL3V 7X5

Important Note About Parking at Heritage Place:There is absolutely no parking on-site at Heritage Place.
Every student will be responsible to locate adequate parking arrangements for the duration of the exam.
We have included a link to a map of all available Municipal Parking Lots.
Link: http://www.orillia.ca/en/insidecityhall/resources/Engineering/Downtown_Parking_Lots.pdf

Students will not be permitted to leave the exam to feed a parking meter - so please plan accordingly.

We would encourage carpooling wherever possible.

Details To Consider - As You Prepare For The Day:

• Please bring your student ID and something to write with.
• If you have bags or extra clothing they need to be put  at the back of the room for fire regulation purposes. There can be no large purses or knapsacks underneath the chairs. We recommend bringing only what is necessary to the exam.
•  No calculators or cell phones are allowed
• Students must remain seated for the first 30 minutes or the last 15 min. if you are still writing.
• When you receive your exam, put your name, either your EDUC 4050, 4032 or 4073 Instructor's name and your COHORT LETTER on the answer booklet, exam and graph paper. All of these must be handed in at the end. All scrap work should be done in the booklet (one side rough the other good). Please put your final answers on the front of the answer booklet.
• When you are ready to go raise your hand and we will come and collect the exam, booklet and graph paper.

Good luck to all of you and see you then.

Weekly Video Blog

Hello everyone. This week's message includes information about professional development, as well as a reminder for 1st Year students about preferences for next year's placement locations. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw4Cs3uTi6k

Have a great week!

REMINDER - No Parking at St. James Church

Please be reminded that there is absolutely no student parking at St. James Church.

All Lakehead community members should be locating permissible parking in the available downtown municipal lots.

Thank you.  

REMINDER - Kindergarten Workshop on Wednesday March 7, 2018

What:  "Welcome to a Kindergarten" session - Presented by local Kindergarten Teachers and Lakehead Instructors

Who:  Teacher Candidates going out on a Kindergarten Placement/Teacher Candidates who would like to learn more about Kindergarten Planning and Assessment

Where:  Heritage Place, Room OH4

When:  Wednesday, March 7 from 5:00-7:30pm 

Why:  Learn more about...

• Using the Learning Opportunities planning template to plan for placement
• Provocations and how to incorporate them into your planning
• Four Frames
• Noticing and naming the learning
• Assessment- Documentation of Learning and Learning Stories

Sign Up for this session in Education Office by Monday March 5th, 2018

Weekly Video Blog

This week's video with Luke and "Lauren"  features information about placement preferences, preparation for graduation, Math brush-up sessions and other items of interest. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8JVwNbXsic

Year 1 students, please note that the deadline to notify the office of next Fall's placement preferences has been extended to March 14th. This is an important task that can be easily overlooked, so take care not to let it slip off your radar :)

Don't forget that today is Baked Potato Day, sponsored by the Lakehead University Alumni Association.

Have a great week!

Indigenous Art Show on March 18, 2018 at St. Paul's Centre

Please see the poster below for additional details about this exhibition.  

Meetings Regarding Approved Accommodations - While Out on Mar/April Placement

If you want to have a meeting to discuss any possible accommodations while out on your March/April 2018 placement, please contact Catherine as soon as possible to set up a date for a meeting, by March 9th, 2018.

Catherine will contact Accessibility to ensure that you are registered for these services and to organize a meeting to discuss it further.

Accessing The Education Portal & Release Of Your Winter 2018 Placement Details - 1 Year B.Ed & Year 2 Professional Program

PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS EMAIL VERY CAREFULLY

Your First Step:

Confirm that the placement you see in the Education Portal online match that of our Departmental records BEFORE contacting your host school

A table will be set up on Thursday March 1st, 2018 between 10:30 - 12:30, to verify the confirmed placement data you see in the portal, matches our records.

If you are unavailable during this scheduled time to visit the table, please be sure to confirm details within the Faculty of Education Administration Office at Heritage Place, before contacting your Associate Teacher. Every student is required to verify their placement details in-person. 

WE REQUEST THAT YOU DO NOT INUNDATE US WITH EMAIL.

Important Placement Confirmation Practices:

• No requests for board changes will be considered 
• We do not permit confirmed placements to be traded
• Confirmed Placements will only be changed for circumstances involving personal or professional conflicts of interest
• Remember that while out on placement, you can communicate with all of the other B.ED students via your D2L 4499  or  4498 Group Section 
• (This is also a requirement as outlined in your EDUC 4499/ 4498 syllabus.)

Where We Stand Today:

• 96% of our Legacy 1 Year  and 2nd Year B.Ed Professional Program students have confirmed placements
• At times the teacher or grade information may have changed due to internal circumstances at the placement school.  We will notify you if we receive such information, or alternatively, please notify us immediately if your placement school notifies you directly
• There may be changes to confirmed placements - but we will notify any impacted students if required

New Conflicts Of Interest?

It is important that our "conflict of interest" school records for each student is accurate.  This refers to any schools where you have immediate relatives/ spouse or schools you have worked or attended within 6 years - if there are any to add please let me know by email.

What If A School Board Cannot Locate A Placement For Me?
If a school board is unable to arrange a requested placement, the individual teacher candidate will be contacted and asked to name an alternative partnership board.

Required Documentation For Entry Into A School:EVERY student must supply the Education Administration Office with copies of their PRC with VSS and their TB skin test (if required) BEFORE they are permitted to step foot inside a host school.    All up-to-date original documentation required (police record check/vulnerable sector screening and tb skin test - if required) must be presented before the school Principal will allow you into the school.  

Review your school board's documentation & Health & Safety training expectations found on our website, to be sure.

Incorrect Information Appearing In Your Placement Details?
If any of the information appears incorrect (including your Faculty Advisor ) please let me know.
(If you are not sure who your Placement Faculty Advisor is - this is your instructor for EDUC 4490/4499 or 4498).

Are You Ready To Check The Online Education Portal For Your Placement Details? 

Find your placement details here:  https://fieldexperience.lakeheadu.ca/candidate/
PLEASE REMEMBER: YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO MYINFO TO VIEW YOUR PLACEMENT DETAILS

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS  ABOVE URL/LINK - YOU WILL NEED IT AGAIN

Please let me know if you have any issues logging in or if any error messages appear.  

Okay, What Do I Do Next?

Once you have confirmed that both the departmental records and electronic placement information that appears in the Education Portal MATCHES you may contact your associate teacher, anytime after March 2nd, 2018.   It is important to note that the Education Administration Team will be sending out electronic Welcome/ Resource Information Packages, for all Associate Teachers.    We aim to send all email packages to all Associate Teachers and Principals before Friday March 9th, 2018 (for all confirmed placements recorded).

Please let us know if you discover incorrect spelling of names, email addresses or phone numbers for your host school or your associate teacher.

Good luck, have fun and learn lots!