Important Dates

Principal’s Message

Thank you to everyone who brought in used electronics to support our school music program.  We filled several bins, which is great for the environment and our school. There have been lots of events occurring since we returned from Winter Break including volleyball tryouts, cross-country ski excursions, preparations for our upcoming middle school play, celebration of holidays and the amazing diversity around the world and at MHS. We also welcomed guidance counselors from Lord Beaverbrook High School to meet with our grade 9 students as they begin the registration process.

A reminder to students and parents that electronic devices are away for the day, which means they are not visible in the school setting and stored in student lockers.  This Ministerial Order has been such a positive game changer for middle/junior schools and I am sending a reminder as they are not to be in the pockets of students which assures there are no audio recordings of pictures of students or staff taken without consent.  Thank you for reminding your student.

Report Cards will be published and go live to parents and guardians on January 27.  We are excited to start semester II on January 28.  Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Mr. Martin, Principal

Winter Arts Gala

Come enjoy an evening of the arts, on Wednesday, January 22 from 5:00-6:30, put on by our talented MHS students!

The evening will include baking and beverages prepared by the foods students, art exhibits and displays prepared by our art students, musical performances by our grade 8/9 band students, and a production of the play Big Bad by our grade 9 drama students. The art gallery will be open at 5:00 and our musical and theatrical performances will begin at 5:30 in the main gym.

Entrance to the gym will be through donations to our arts programming here at MHS (as small or as large as you would like 😊). Please come and enjoy as we celebrate the students’ hard work!

Week Ahead in Athletics

The following volleyball practice schedule will remain constant throughout the season. Any changes to the practices will be communicated out by the coaches. 

Monday

Sr Girls at 7:15am – 8:15am

Sr Boys at 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Tuesday

Jr Boys at 7:15am – 8:15am

Jr Girls at 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Wednesday

Jr Girls at 3:30pm – 4:45pm (Aux Gym Only)

Thursday

Sr Girls at 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Jr Boys at 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Friday

Sr Boys at 7:15am – 8:15am

Lunar New Year

As we welcome the Lunar New Year, we recognize this special time as a moment of celebration, reflection, and connection for many in our school community. Lunar New Year is observed by millions around the world, including those who celebrate it as Chinese New Year, Tet, Seollal, or Spring Festival. It marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar year and is a time for honoring traditions, spending time with loved ones, and looking forward to new beginnings.

At McKenzie Highlands, we value the diverse cultural traditions and heritage that enrich our community. This holiday provides a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another, celebrate the richness of our shared experiences, and promote understanding across cultures.

To those who celebrate, we wish you and your families a joyous and prosperous Lunar New Year filled with health, happiness, and success. May this year bring peace, unity, and hope to all.

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant school community.

Yearbooks Deadline Approaching!

The deadline to order the 2025 yearbook for your student is Monday, February 10.

The cost is $40 for a full color book of memories that will last a lifetime!

How to order your 2025 yearbook!

1. Go your MyCBE Account

2. Fill in your Username and Password

3. Select the student

4. Click on to ‘School Based Optional Fees’

5. Click on to the box with ‘Yearbook’

6. Make sure to choose ‘Add to Cart’ for your selection.

**If you are having issues ‘attaching’ this fee to your account, please phone the school for assistance**

LAST YEAR WE SOLD OUT!!

Learning Commons

Lunch Club News 

This week we will continue with all things warm and fuzzy and make some yarn creations.  The grade 4 and 5 students will continue with finger knitting and grade 6-9 students will learn how to crochet.  All skill levels are welcome!

(As always there will also be board games and other activities available)

Mondays:  Grades 5

Tuesdays: Grade 6

Wednesdays: Grade 4

Thursdays: Grades 7-9

Book Highlights

We will continue to follow the lead of a wickedly good movie and feature fractured fairy tales.  These are novels that are loosely based on a familiar fairy tale but take a creative twist.  What can students gain from reading these?   Often these stories show a different perspective on a previous story.  This can open up a world of questions for students to consider.  How did the original author manipulate me to root for a different character?  What other stories could be twisted into an original story and in what way?  Do I take the time to understand another’s perspective in the real world?  Here is another familiar tale that can be found in our collection.

Go The Distance by Jen Calonita – In this twisted tale Jen Calonita has asked herself what happens in Hercules' "happily ever after".  In this retelling, Calonita has Zeus telling Megara that she can’t be with Hercules because she’s mortal.  Hera has a solution offering Meg a chance to prove herself worthy of a spot on Mt. Olympus as a god.  All Meg has to do is complete a mysterious quest.

Author Quote of the Week

“True power is learning how to put others first and not judge a book by its cover, so to speak.”

                                                                                                                           –Jen Calonita

It’s Contest Time!

During the next two weeks, students can enter to win a $15 gift card (Chapters or Tim Hortons, their choice), by putting a little thought into how they would make their own twisted tale.  What fairy tale would you alter?  How? Students can enter between January 20-29th and the winner will be drawn on January 30.

Upcoming ENVOE Trips

ENVOE 7A – Nordic Skiing – February 24 at 8:30am – 5pm

ENVOE 7B – Nordic Skiing – February 25 at 8:30am – 5pm

ENVOE 8 – Nordic Skiing – February 26 at 8:30am – 5pm

ENVOE 9 – Nordic Skiing – February 27 at 8:30am – 5pm

Friday Schedule

Daryl Martin, Principal                       Tiffany Jernigan, Assistant Principal