February News
 The "February News" is now available! The newsletters are distributed monthly to students and are also available
online; please click HERE! A lot of important information is communicated via the school
newsletters such as upcoming events, successes, and program and policy
information. Please note that parents and guardians of students are now able to
check attendance online using Students Achieve.
Spaghetti Dinner
 A
Spaghetti Supper, including delicious homemade garlic bread, caesar salad, and a
lemon dessert, will be held on Saturday, February 4, from 5:00 to 6:30pm, at
Saint Paul's Parish Hall (corner of Prince and Richmond). This event will hosted
by the students of Birchwood Intermediate School who are participating in the
Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program. Tickets are $10
adults and $6 Child, and are available at the door or from Program members.
Intermediate Honors Band Concert
 A
number of Birchwood Band students will be part of a performing group that
include 126 grade 9 musicians from across PEI who will be performing at the
Confederation Centre at 3 pm on Sunday, February 5. Tickets will be on sale at
the box office before the concert. Ticket prices are $5 for students and seniors
and $10 for adults. The UPEI Wind Symphony will also be performing the Lord of
the Rings Symphony. Come and support our students in this great musical
opportunity!
 Student
Wins Big!
Congratulations to Grade 8 student A.J. Baldwin, who recently placed 2nd in a
video game development competition sponsored by the University of Prince Edward
Island. Due to A.J.'s age, he is unable to accept a summer internship; he did,
however, win a $500 UPEI or Holland College scholarship and a $200 gift
certificate from Future Shop. Students who are interested in participating in
this year's Game Force: Video Game Development program are asked to contact Ms.
Squire in room 221.
French Immersion Meeting (2012-2013)
Birchwood School will be holding our annual French Immersion Information Meeting
for parents on Thursday, February 2, at 7:00pm in the Library. Parents of Grade
6 students who may be interested in the Grade 7 Late immersion Program are
invited to attend.
2011-2012 Calendar
The "2011 - 2012 Calendar"
will be available online very soon. Please note that the calendar is SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Students are
advised to listen to the daily announcements, and parents/guardians are asked to
read notices and newsletters sent home with students throughout the school year
as there are times when the calendar requires changes.
Students interested in signing up for the video game development program
this year are asked to leave his or her name with Ms. Squire in Room 221. This
is to determine interest.
PBL Prepares Students for 21st Century
Project-based learning (PBL) is an evidence-based teaching strategy that allows
students to work through an extended process of inquiry and investigation in
response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. While allowing for some
degree of student "voice and choice," these rigorous projects are carefully
planned, managed, and assessed to help students learn key academic content. The
goal is for students to practice 21st century skills such as collaboration,
communication and critical thinking to create high-quality, authentic products
and presentations.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie meets with Grade
9 science students (L to R) Myranda Newson, Madison MacEwen, Patricia
Nino-Esparza, and their teacher, Mariska terMeer. The Birchwood Intermediate
students built model wind turbines to examine whether or not it was efficient
and feasible to power a personal electronic device, such as an iPod, with
renewable energy. For more information, read the "News
Release".
Student Absence
Parents are requested to please call the school before 8:30 am if your child is
ill. Please make sure your child brings a note to his/her homeroom teacher
to explain his/her absence or call the office at 368-6870.
Breakfast Program
The Birchwood Breakfast Program provides a nutrition start to the day for
many students on a daily basis. Community groups, organizations, businesses, parents and
guardians, and individuals who wish to help with donations of supplies, monetary
donations, or volunteer support, please contact us by calling the school at 368-6870.
International Baccalaureate Programme
 The grade 10 preparatory year for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
began in the 2008-2009 school year at Charlottetown Rural
High School and at Colonel Gray High School.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year
curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16-19. It leads to a qualification
that is widely recognized by the world's leading universities. Students learn
more than a collection of facts. The Diploma Programme prepares students for
university and encourages them to: ask challenging questions, learn how to
learn, develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture, develop the
ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and
cultures. For more information visit
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/
More coming soon...
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