French (Canada) 
On October 20th, the Cycle I students, along with Ms Ghanem, Ms. Derby, Ms. Ungureanu, and Ms. Suvorova, braved the rain and ventured north for their annual Classe Nature trip. This year, the grade 7 and 8 students were hosted by Base de Plein Air Jean-Jeune at Lac des Plages in Outaouais, Quebec. In groups, they experienced the best of the expansive forest surrounding the site. They ran a rope obstacle course and acquired some new survival skills, including how to start a fire and cook bannock. One of the most unique opportunities was playing "archery tag," a completely safe and extremely fun team-building activity utilizing the archery skills that they had learned earlier on.
Indoors, students made bouncy balls and slime from common household items. Though the weather prevented an outdoor campfire, they were treated to some scary stories from the counsellors by the indoor fireplace. This overnight trip is always a great chance for students to get to know each other and bond outside of school, and this year was no exception. Everyone came away with new friendships, new experiences, and a lot of wonderful stories.
By Jillian Derby
Being 'Giving Tuesday' on November 29th, 2016, a National Giving Day in Canada, it was fitting that the Kells' students spent their day lending a helping hand at Chez Doris, a women's shelter. About twenty members of our Student Council along with Ms. Blain and Ms. Rubenovitch, the coordinators of the council, participated in the Chez Doris outing. Initially, the students were given a tour of the space led by the Executive Director, Marina Boulos-Winton.
Read more …With plans for a middle school in the works for 2017, Kells Academy is once again expanding
Continued increases in registration were the impetus behind the recent acquisition of a third building by Kells Academy in N.D.G. While the school has always been able to provide students in Grades 7 and 8 with exceptional resources, staff is now excitedly looking forward to housing a middle school in the added space. As a result, they’ll be able to accommodate a greater number of students as well as expanding upon those core values that put an emphasis on academic goals, arts and sports programs, and the popular Flex program.
Read more …Kells Academy, for example, has allowed students to “flip the classroom” in that they can watch videos of their lectures from home ahead of class time and, therefore, class time can be used more effectively.
The students have a digital “check-in” program via their iPads where they check in to class, and the teacher can monitor everything that is on their screens (to avoid distractions).
“We’re creating a technological plan for the school where we are literally putting together a plan in the best interests of the students, both in learning the curriculum as well as applying technology in other parts of their life,” explained Lily Gulrajani, the school’s communications consultant.
Read more …Technology is helping students and teachers alike, both inside and outside the classroom
More and more, technology has crept into every facet of our lives, and this is especially true when it comes to teaching. Technology has allowed the classroom to expand exponentially beyond its four walls, and has enabled both teachers and students to explore all corners of the globe — and beyond.
From iPad programs and techsavvy clubs to software that caters to the student’s learning capabilities, technology is making it possible for schools to teach their students in a very hands-on way — and administrators are enthusiastic about this change.
Read more …