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CHARGER CONNECTS
Friday, Feb 7, 2020

Athletics

  • Feb. 7-8   Jr. Boys Basketball Tournament in Strathmore  
  • Feb. 7-8  Curling Zones  Springbank/Cochrane
  • Feb. 11  Jr. Girls Basketball  Croxford vs BCHS  6-7:30pm
  • Feb. 11  Sr. Girls Basketball  Croxford vs BCHS  7:30-9pm
  • Feb. 12  Jr. Boys Basketball  BCHS @ Croxford  6-7:30pm
  • Feb. 12  Sr. Boys Basketball  BCHS @ Croxford  7:30-9pm
Upcoming Events
  • Feb. 11  Yearbook mtg and Club 3:16 @ lunch
  • Feb. 12  Chill Zone @ lunch
  • Feb. 13  GSA @ lunch
  • Feb. 14  PL Day - No School

For all events happening in the school, subscribe to our calendar at http://bertchurch.rockyview.ab.ca/calendar

From the Principal's Desk
by Ryan Reed

 

Hi Everyone,

We are off and running for Semester 2 and completed the course change process this week. Having hundreds of conversations at the start of S1 and 2 is always a refreshing thing for administration. Hearing students advocate for themselves and their learning always encourages me. While some of the changes kids make seem to be for 'non academic reasons' a lot of them are aware of where they are at and where they need to go. These conversations seem to occur more in gr. 11 and 12 as kids have a better view of what life after high school will look like. 

One of the goals in high school education over the past decade has been giving students choice and a voice to make a change. We know these skills will pay off for them as they leave our school and we heard it loud and clear this past week.

Thanks to our student services and office team for their hard work, to teachers for being flexible with changing class lists, and to students for understanding the complexity of school timetables. 


Have a great weekend,

Ryan
 

ECO YOUTH AWARD 2019

Congratulations to BCHS student Megan Machan on being awarded a $300.00 ECO Youth Award for her proposal. To read more about her plans, see below! Well done Megan!
 

Machan, Megan Maisie photo


Overview

The ECO Youth Award provides Airdrie youth recognition for their efforts on a wide range of environmental stewardship initiatives as well as to help them implement or enhance projects and programs with an environmental focus.

Nine submissions received in 2019 for Eco Youth program, two individual applicant, two student groups and five classrooms from various years. There is a total of $3000 in funding available for this award; $1500 donated by FortisAlberta and $1500 will come from the Waste & Recycling Services budget.

Airdrie Tree Huggers

Individual Application Grade 10 student Megan Machan

Trees in Airdrie

Project Overview

Megan is striving to have more trees in Airdrie and wants to start Airdrie Tree Huggers to increase awareness, funds, and trees. In the coming weeks, Megan will meet with Airdrie Parks Department to consider various opportunities that she has outlined such as “adopt a tree, delivery/ planting fundraiser, birthplace forest, memorial trees” and other ideas. Megan will be working with the City’s Parks team and a few local experts/ non-for-profit groups that already do ‘Tree’ work in the community.

Parent participation a must!

Image result for survey

Alberta Education’s Accountability Pillar Parent Survey

As an annual check-up on the education system, the Accountability Pillar provides an opportunity for Alberta Education and school authorities to ensure that we are equipping students for success.

The Accountability Pillar uses a set of 16 indicators. Data on these indicators consists of surveys of students, parents and teachers on various aspects of education quality, student outcomes such as dropout and high school completion rates, and provincial assessments of student learning.

From January to the end of February, Alberta Education will be conducting the annual Accountability Pillar Survey.  

  • In January, parents of students in grade 10 will receive a survey from Alberta Education. The survey can be completed on paper or online: https://public.education.alberta.ca/apos/
  •  In February, students in grade 10 and all teachers will be completing their surveys online at school. 

All surveys are anonymous and ask questions about experiences with your school.  In addition to English and French, the parent survey is available in Chinese, Punjabi, Arabic, Blackfoot, Dene, Cree, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog and Urdu.

Your participation in the survey helps provide important information on the quality of education your child is receiving, so we encourage you to return your survey promptly.

Survey results will be available to school authorities in May 2020, and will be reported publicly as part of their 3-Year Education Plans and Annual Education Results Reports.

Congratulations to our curling teams for a great week of action. A big shout out to our gr. 9 team for capturing the divisional championship with some wonderful curling. Thanks to Mr. Verhees for his work with our students and congrats kids!
Our Math dept. spent Thursday morning exploring more strategies to encourage engagement in math classes. Seeing our staff committed to making their classroom environments better for kids is awesome!

Some of the learning our numeracy team has been doing this year has focused on how best to get students to think. Without thinking, learning doesn't occur. Often students thrive on 'mimicking' behaviour where they display to the teacher what they think the teacher wants to see (compliance, attentiveness, etc...) but there is very little to no actual thinking going on. By changing the structure of a math classroom, we can encourage thinking by our students, which should then lead to more learning occurring. 

One way to get kids thinking is by using rich tasks. Here is a terrific example of a rich task.

 
The Painted Cube
 
Imagine a large cube made up from 27 small red cubes.

Imagine dipping the large cube into a pot of yellow paint so the whole outer surface is covered, and then breaking the cube up into its small cubes.

How many of the small cubes will have:

0 faces with yellow paint?
1 face with yellow paint?
2 faces with yellow paint?
3 faces with yellow paint?

The first person with the correct answer to email rreed@rockyview.ab.ca will receive some BCHS swag. Good luck! (no google allowed!)

 https://rockyview.schoolcashonline.com
Is your child interested in going on a trip to New York to explore their passion in drama or art? If so, there is a parent/guardian meeting on March 11th at 6:30 PM in the learning commons.  Mr. Goodyear and Ms. Tschritter are excited to share what they have planned for Spring break 2021!
Thanks to everyone's efforts we have had over 1/2 the outstanding books returned. 

We are down to 425 missing items, down from just over 1000.   We are still short Chemistry and Biology books.  Thanks for double checking at home!
Career Centre News
January 31, 2020
“The most important day of a person's education is the first day of school, not Graduation Day.”

 
What you can do to prepare for Post Secondary when you are in Grade 11
  • April 8 during Parent Teacher Interviews, there will be several Post Secondary Institutes in the Learning Commons.
  • Applications for Post Secondary Education open up in September and October.  Figuring out where you want to apply and how to apply will take away some stress that  you might feel in grade 12. 
 
Nutrien Sustainable Agriculture Youth Trip
The Award – Travel to Kenya on a ME to WE Trip from August 3 – 14, 2020
  • Apply at www.WE.org/growtogether by March 20
    • Tell us about your commitment to global issues and volunteerism in your community.
    • What are some ways you can get involved in sustainable agriculture in your community?
    • How would this award help you continue your work as a change-maker?
  • Trip recipients have a chance to contribute to sustainable agriculture programming by volunteering in total WE Villages.  Lots of opportunity for personal growth while you connect with families in rural villages, dive into a vibrant culture, learn Swahili and go on a safari!
  • More info in the Career Centre
 
SAIT Open House on February 8 (Saturday)
Bow Valley College – Calgary – Career Exploration Day – March 13
  • Field Trip to Bow Valley College on March 13  (room for 5 students)
  • Please let the office know if you are interested.
RCMP – Youth Depot Camp
  • For students aged 16 – 19 (Grade 11 and12)
  • Two Camps:  July 20-24, 2020  and July 27-31, 2020
  • Participation and observation of activities such as
    • Drill
    • Driver simulator training
    • Firearms simulator training
    • Defense tactics
    • Police officer scenarios
    • Fitness training (PARE)
    • Troop graduation
    • Tour of RCMP Heritage Centre and much more!
  • Application  is due on March 1, 2020
News from U of C
  • 10, 500 students have applied to U of C.  They will receive Alberta transcripts on February 14 and expect to issue a large number of offer letters for students once first term grade 12 marks have been reviewed.
  • Deadline to be considered for admission and awards is March 1, 2020
  • Competitive High School Awards and Bursaries (Application required) Deadline: March 1, 2019
    • Multiple awards and bursaries available; valued at $500 to $8,500
  • Automatic Entrance Awards (no application required)
    Deadline: Apply for admission by March 1, 2019
    • President’s Admission Scholarship – applicants whose admission average is 95 per cent or higher will receive $5,000
    • International Baccalaureate awards – 20 awards valued at $3,500 each for students entering UCalgary who've completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program with a minimum score of 35
UCalgary Next Steps

Course registration does not begin until May, but for high school students who have recently accepted an offer of admission from the University of Calgary, they may be getting excited about their next steps.
This year, we are sending monthly post-admission communications to all students who have accepted their offer of admission and paid their admission deposit to ensure they are kept informed of their next steps and can begin planning for course registration early.
Here are some highlights from the January communication:
  • Spotlight on resources: students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University Calendar and make a wish list of the 200-level courses that interest them.  Upcoming editions of the e-newsletter will guide students through understanding the required (and option) courses for their chosen program and how their course wish list can help them in this process.  This will be helpful when the schedule launches March 1 and they need to begin thinking about building a course schedule for May registration. 
  • Workshops & Webinars: We are planning a series of registration-focused in-person workshops and online webinars in March and April so students can become familiar with the tools and resources they will need to register successfully.  Dates and registration information will be shared with admitted students in their monthly e-newsletter and the coming editions of the counsellor newsletter, so stay tuned.
St. Mary’s University is having an Open House on Saturday Feb 8
  • Head down to South Calgary and visit St. Mary’s University between 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday Feb 8, 2020
  • St. Mary’s is a smaller university with undergrad degrees including Social Justice and Elementary Education.    www.stmu.ca  14500 Bannister Road SE Calgary
University of Lethridge in Bert Church HS during Flex on Feb 26, 2020
  • The recruiter from University of Lethbridge will be here with Mr. Burns in Flex on room 2043 on Feb 26
  • Every grade is welcome to attend.  If you have already applied and are wondering what your next steps are, come and get your questions answered. 
  • If you are in grade 11, come and get your questions answered so that you know when and how to apply when you are in Grade 12.
  • Sign up in Flex to learn more about U of L and if it is the right school for you. 
  • U of L – Flex – Feb 26 in room 2043 with Mr. Burns
University Pathways at St. Mary’s University

Register at St. Mary’s University in Calgary to take Engl 030 or Math 030
  • These are HS level courses that can be presented for admission to university
  • Final exam is set by St. Mary’s University and students do not write provincial diploma exams
  • Classes are July 7 – Aug 27 2020  Tues * Wed * and Thurs  - Engl 9 – 12 AM *  Math 1 – 4 pm
  • Register online:  www.stmu.ca/class
Calaway Park – Upcoming Auditions for Dancers and Actors
  • Hiring 30 seasonal Entertainment cast members.  Minimum Age:  16
  • Auditions:  Saturday February 8, 2020
    • Dancers at 9:30 AM      -      Actors at 11:00 AM
  • Go to Employment at the Calaway Park Website www.calawaypark.com to get all the audition details.
Canadian Forces in Flex on February 25, 2020
Full time and Part-time opportunities.Possibility of Debt Free university education.
  • To learn more, sign up for Flex with Mr. Lucas on Tuesday Feb 25, 2020
 
Science Competitions coming up
  1.  HYRS Program – High School Youth Researcher – at university of Calgary. 
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
  • Currently registered in grade 11  
  • A clear interest in pursuing a health research career
  • A minimum of 85% standing in each of Math-20-1 or 20-2, Biology 20, and one other grade 11 science (transcripts or interim reports are required)
  • Prepare soon, the deadline to apply is in March 2020
A maximum of 2 students per high school will be selected for the Alberta Innovates Heritage Youth Researcher Summer program.
Go to the website to see the application
  1.  Canadian Association of Physics annual High School Exam for the Province of Alberta. 
    • 3 Hours exam to be written on April 8, 2020
    • Results of the exam will be used to select both national and provincial winners for prizes and to help select the Canadian team for the International Physics Olympiad
  2.  Brain Bee – Hotchkiss Brain Institute – See Mrs. D. Smith or Mr. Verhees if you are interested in preparing for this competition. 
  • Students in Grade 9 – 12 are invited to compete
  • The winner of this competition will represent Canada at the 2020 International Brain Bee Championship in Washington DC
Careers Next Generation – RAP Skilled Trade & ICT Fair
Students and parents learn about the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), careers in skilled trades, and Information & Communication Technology.
  • Connect with 40 + Employers and Industry Associations; Post Secondary & Education Resources; Dual Credit & Exploratory Program
*February 19, 2020 (Wednesday) 6:30  - 8:30 pm at Lord Beaverbrook HS
*March 11, 2020 (Wednesday) 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Notre Dame HS
*April 8, 2020 (Wednesday) 6:30 – 8:30 pm at James Fowler HS
  • At 7 pm there is a short Careers Presentation on RAP and ICT
 
Post Secondary Events
Event When Where What
Preview Days Olds College Feb 7, 2020 Olds College
Olds AB
Animal Science Preview Day
*Animal Health Tech * Veterinary Medical Receptionist * Veterinary Technical Assistant
Open House St. Mary’s University Feb 8, 2020
10 – 2 pm
St. Mary’s University
Calgary
 
RAP, Skilled Trades and ICT Fair Feb 19, 2020 6:30 – 8:30 Lord Beaverbrook HS Careers Next Generation
Women in Engineering Feb 20, 2020 University of Calgary https://schulich.ucalgary.ca/about/outreach-recruitment/women-engineering
Preview Days @ Olds College Feb 21, 2020 Olds College
Olds, AB
Business, Hospitality & Brew Preview Day
*Business Management * Brewmaster & Brewery Operations Management * Hospitality & Tourism Management * Sports Management
Canada Forces in Flex Feb 25, 2020 Flex Flex at BCHS Sign up for Flex with Mr. Lucas on Feb 25. 
Preview Days @ Olds College March 5, 2020 Fashion Institute @ Calgary Campus *Apparel Technology-Fashion Apparel Major or Costume Cutting & Construction Major
RAP, Skilled & ICT Fair Mar 11, 2020 Notre Dame HS Careers Next Generation
Career Exploration Day at BVC March 13, 2020 Bow Valley College, Calgary Field Trip for up to 6 students
Preview Days @ Olds College Mar 20, 2020 Olds College
Olds AB
Agriculture & Trades Preview Day
*Precision Agriculture-Techgronomy * Agricultural Management * Agriculture Integration Technology *Ag&Heavy Certificate * Agriculture Equipment Technician Apprentice * Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship * Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship * Welder Apprenticeship * Pre-Employment Programs – HET, Motorcycle, Welder
Preview Days @ Olds College April 3, 2020 Olds College
Olds, AB
Horticulture & Land Preview Day
*Arboriculture Technician * Horticulture Technologist * Land & Water Resources * Turfgrass Management
Post Secondary Recruiters at Bert Church HS April 8, 2020 BCHS Learning Commons Parent Teacher Interviews                                                 5 – 8 pm                                                                            Post Secondary Institutions will be set up in the Learning Commons.
RAP, Skilled & ICT Fair April 8, 2020 James Fowler HS Careers Next Generation
Open House St. Mary’s University May 13, 2020
6 – 8 pm
St. Mary’s University
Calgary
 
 
Youth Job Fair At Airdrie Boys and Girls Club – March 12, 2020
  • Youth Job Fair Hosted by Boys and Girls Club Airdrie, 3-6pm200 East Lake Cres. NE Airdrie
  • Come out to meet actively hiring employers face to face, enter to win door prizes and have some hot chocolate!
  • For more information call 403-948-9711 or emailinfo@rwemploymentservices.com​
Scholarships
Don’t Hope for a Scholarship ~ Plan for a Scholarship
Bachelor of Humanities High School Essay Contest – Carleton University, Ottawa
You could win $500 by writing an essay on the following question:  What is Literature For?
Deadline:   March 1, 2020

 
 St. Mary’s University - Scholarships
  • Deadline to apply – April 30, 2020  www.stmu.ca for complete list of St. Mary’s University awards
  • Presidents Circle Scholarships are automatically awarded to new high school graduates who achieve an average of 80% or higher on the five grade 11 or 12 subjects used for admission
Scholarship Average of 90% or higher Up to $2500 in first year
Scholarship average of 85 – 89.9% Up to $1750 in first year
Scholarship average of 80 – 84.9% Up to $1000 in first year
 
 
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