The Keynote from our Information Evening for new students to George Waters Middle School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Our Information Evening happens February 11, 2015 at 7 PM. Video for slide 26 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcPAqdS1WFg Video for slide 29 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkT9NoOc95c

1. Welcome To Our 2015
Information Evening
Relationships
Literacy
Numeracy
The Academy of Science & Technology
@ George Waters Middle School
Guest Network
Network: SJSD_Guest
PW: 87081049

2. GENERAL INFORMATION
We are the GWMS “Sharks”
- 290 Students, 30 teachers, 15 support staff
- 4 homerooms (3 grades X 4 = 12 homerooms)
- Pods/teams working together
- 6 Middle Schools in St. James-Assiniboia School Division

3. SCHOOL DAY
8:15 am Morning entry
8:30 am Homeroom for all grades
9:55 am Locker stop
11:15 am Lunch
11:35 am Activities
12:15 pm Afternoon entry
12:25 pm Homeroom for all grades
12:25 pm All Sharks reading time
12:40 pm Period 5 begins
1:55 pm Locker stop
3:10 pm Homeroom for all grades
3:15 pm Grade 6 dismissal
3:20 pm Grade 7/8 dismissal

4. Lunch Hour
- Free supervised lunch program
- Full cafeteria Service
- Numerous supervised activities
offered at lunch

5. Academic Program
- Follow standard Manitoba
Education curriculum in all
subject areas
- 6 Day cycle, 8 periods a day
- Grade 6 - 8 take French
- Student Services Department
works within classes
- Technology infused into EVERY
classroom
- All students receive an iPad
mini to support their learning

6. Daily Program
Language Arts - 14 periods (Shiver Time) (29%)
Math - 8 periods (17%)
Science - 5 periods (10%)
Social Studies - 4 (9%)
Phys. Ed./Hockey/Health - 5 (11%)
Arts Options - 4 (9%)
French - 5 (9%)
Practical Arts - 3 (6%)
Digital learning infused into all subject areas
Recommended from Manitoba Education for percentages for each subject area:
LA: 27-35%,
Math: 15-17%
Science: 10-13%
Social Studies: 9 - 13%
Phys Ed/Health: 9 - 11%
Arts: 8 - 10%
Language and other: 9-13%

7. Digital Learning Initiative
and Character!

8. Digital Learning Initiative
Why? Engagement.
“Just as we don’t think about the existence of air, kids don’t question
the existence of technology and media.They expect technology to be
there, and they expect it to do whatever they want it to do”

9. Digital Learning Initiative
Students at Middle Years will each receive a 16
gigabyte, Wifi, iPad Mini along with a fitted
protective case and charger.
In the same manner that you wouldn’t likely
respond well to your dentist working on your
teeth the same way he did 50 years ago, the
connected youth of today don’t respond well
to 50 year old teaching practices and
instructional tools.
More information in room 12 during the tours.

10. Options
Visual Art
Band
Art (Visual or Digital)
Band
Art (Visual or Digital)
Band
Grade 6 Arts Options
Grade 7 Arts Options
Grade 8 Arts Options

11. Choir/Vocal Jazz/Jazz Band
- Concert Choir - Monday, Wednesday
- Vocal Jazz/Jazz Band - Tuesday, Thursday
- At lunch

12. Practical Arts
- Home Economics
- Wood Working
- Destination Imagination

13. Destination ImagiNation
- Done in the 3rd Rotation of PA
- Students work together to open ended
problems
- 21st Century Learning Skills
Creativity, Collaboration, Communication,
Critical Thinking, & Citizenship

14. J.A.W.S.S.
- Teacher Advisory Program
- 10 - 12 students (grade 6, 7, 8) meet a minimum on 2x
per month
- Students build a Comprehensive Growth Portfolio
beginning in grade 6
- Team building and Character Education activities
throughout

15. Unique Programs
- V.E.S.T.
(ICT infused into all subject areas)
- Hockey Canada Skills Academy
(St. James Hockey Academy)
- P.D.H.S.
(Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
- P.A.S.S Program
(Preparing All Sharks for Success)
- C.A.R.E.
(Celebrating and Recognizing Student Success)

16. Athletics - Two Gyms
Atomic to Tier One in all teams
- Cross Country
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Indoor Track
- Outdoor Track (Brand New Facility)
- Badminton
- more...
Tournaments
(Invitational and Divisional)

17. Intramurals
- Students sign up to
participate in intramural
activities
- Intramurals take place
throughout the year for any
interested student at lunch in
the gym

18. Clubs
- Improv Club (The
Guppies)
- Anime Club
- PS Club (Philanthropic
Sharks)
- Marathon
- Drama Production
- Games Room
- ICT at Lunch
- American Sign Language
- Smudging
- Bike Club
- Dance Club
- AAA Groups
- Caring Circle
- Guitar Club
- Reading in the Library
- Grade 6 Club
- Science Club
- Animation Club
- Chanters (Bag pipe)
- Science Fair Club
- Heritage Fair Club
- Rubik’s Cube Club
- We Day
- Destination Imagination
- Tabs for Wheelchair
program
-Public Speaking Club

19. Other Important Information
• Gym Blasts
• Spring Camps
• Transportation (bussing)
• Home/School Communication
• Daily Reflections
• School Safety
• The Levels of Sharkdom
• Registration Information

20. Gym Blast
House System (Hammerheads, Makos, Bulls, Tigers)
- All students are put on a house team
- Houses gather points throughout the year in low
organized fun events, team building

21. Spring Camps
Grade 6 Camp
2 days and 1 night at Camp Arnes (Spring)
Grade 7 and 8 Camp
5 days and 4 nights at Pioneer Camp (Spring)

22. Transportation
- Easily accessible by city transit
- Catchment students in grade 6 who live North or
Portage Avenue and grade 6 students who walk more
than 1.0 km to GWMS are bussed free of charge.
- All grade 6 - 12 students from Brooklands are bussed
free of charge.
- If student is in daycare in catchment but lives out of
catchment bussing may be provided
- Non Residents and non-catchment area students must
provide their own transportation to school
- More information in the cafeteria during the tours

23. Home/School Communication
- Call back system - secretary calls parent directly if
child is absent
- Teacher websites/blogs
- Email: georgewaters@sjsd.net
- School blog: http://gwmssharks.blogspot.ca
- School website: http://georgewaters.sjsd.net
- Twitter: @andrewmead73
- Instagram: @gwmswpg
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWatersMS
- REMIND: (204-800-2782)
- GWMS Youtube page: https://m.youtube.com/user/gwmswinnipeg
- Student Phone
- Parent Portal
- SHOWBIE Account (Share files electronically)
- iTunes U (course delivery in some areas)
- iPads
- FAX Hashtag: #GWMSwpg

24. Daily Reflection Slips

25. Safety IS First
- Main Entrance monitored beginning at 8 AM daily
- Vigilant/Caring Staff
- Camera Surveillance
- Regular Fire drills and Lockdown drills
- Staggered lunch hour and dismissal
- 4 administrators in ASTEC
- School social worker and psychologist
- Numerous of activities for everyone to get involved in
- Code of Conduct
- 'It’s Cool to Care' Program
- Safe Schools Committee
- www.stopabully.ca
- Focus to teach Kindness

26. Three Levels of Sharkdom

27. Registration Information
- Residents of the SJASD - February 17, 2015
-Registration forms will be available at your elementary
school on February 17, 2015 (or on the GWMS webpage)
- Registration forms due Friday, February 20, 2015 (return
to elementary school)
- Non-residents of the SJASD - TODAY
- Forms will be available in the cafeteria
- Return by February 20, 2015 (or sooner, waiting list)
- Order of Acceptance to GWMS
1. residents within the GWMS school catchment area
2. residents within the St. James- Assiniboia School Division
3. residents within Manitoba
A waiting list will be made for students outside the GWMS catchment area.

28. Our Community at GWMS

29. Time to explore GWMS!
Families can meet current
students, our fabulous staff
and see all the wonderful
things that happen everyday
at #GWMSwpg!
Self Guided
Tours