We have made it to our spring break and while it feels more like December, I'm sure our students and staff are looking forward to ignoring the alarm clock for a few days. Please see below for a few updates from the school.
1. Portables
Our staff are starting to move some of their personal effects into the assigned rooms and we are inching closer to occupancy. As any of you who navigate the parking lot are aware, there is still work being done to ensure the water lines running to the fire hydrant are functioning. I have been told they should be ready for when we return from break. If this does occur, we will transition those classes to the portables in a thoughtful manner.
The move to the portables will see 8 teachers establish a new teaching area in the school. This means that currently, we have 8 people sharing spaces or travelling from room to room on a cart. The portables will give us much-needed space and make the school feel less crowded. We are looking forward to moving into them and regaining some space in the main building.
2. Netflix Acting Opportunity!
W.G. Murdoch School in Crossfield is hosting a film production for Netflix over the coming months and the lead for casting is looking for High School students to be part of the production. She needs to quickly find a number of students aged 16-19 (18-19 preferred) who would be available over the coming spring break, May long weekend and through the summer to be part of the production taking place in Crossfield. Students should be able to work over that time in its entirety if possible, but availability for portions of the filming may work as well. As with the film industry, there may be long days, short-notice requirements and interest in acting/film. There are scenes that involve football in the background, so students with experience in this sport are needed as well.
Casting will be happening in the next week, so please reach out ASAP if you are interested.
Thank you to our leadership students for organizing a fun spirit week to send us into the break. Between the dodgeball tournament and anything but a backpack day, there was lots of energy in the building.
4. April 25th - June 15th
Upon returning from break, we will have 7.5 weeks of regular classes remaining till our exam period. This might come as a welcome relief to many while others might be wondering where the time went. In those 38 instructional days, we are busy with musical theatre, provincial achievement tests, graduation celebrations, field trips, sporting events, moving into the portables, timetabling for next year, hiring new staff, and a variety of other activities that keep us busy. Staff are looking forward to resting up over the break and heading into the final stretch energized and ready to go!
5. Wellness Together Canada is a mental health and substance use website to support Adults and Youth across Canada. They provide resources for you at NO cost:
Information and videos on common mental health and substance use issues, such as this session from TAO on understanding depression and this article from Kids Help Phone on managing stress
Thank you for your continued support - have a great weekend!
Ryan Reed
Principal | Bert Church High School
This week the Indigenous Studies class met with Terry Norman to continue our planning of the school’s Reconciliation Garden. Mr. Norman helped us to explore some of the more fundamental aspects of the garden once it is ready to be constructed. We want to invest the time into ensuring we have a solid plan that will create a legacy for Bert Church High School alumni, as we seek to inform the community, respectfully incorporate various aspects of Indigenous knowledge, and show our commitment to reconciliation.
Mamma Mia tickets are on sale now! We're thrilled about the return of live theatre at BCHS and can't wait to see it!
Spirit week saw many creative ideas and costumes. Thanks to our leadership students for planning a fun week!
Our Foods 10 students showed off their cooking skills with souffles' this week. Looks good kids!
On April 7th Mr. Dorner hosted a workshop/demonstration from the Canadian Drumline Association through St. John's Music and Yamaha Canada Music. Michael Beauclerc worked with students discussing some of the finer points of drumline and how it can be used throughout a school community for all events and can include ALL students. This was demonstrated by the 23 students and staff that took part, learning and performing a brief routine. Every student that participated has been talking about it a week later! Mr. Dorner is very intent on bringing a drumline program to BCHS and looks forward to having it open to all students and being present at as many events throughout the school division as possible. Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to purchase chocolate-covered almonds or chocolate bars, you can contact Mr. Dorner at cdorner@rockyview.ab.ca
Ms. Brown's English 20-1 class learned how to use rhetorical devices through "Speed Dating Debating." Students applied the use of Ethos, Pathos and Logos to various debates ranging from "Is a hot dog a sandwich?" to "Is climate change a hoax?" As you can see, we really got into it! Sorry to the classes around us who heard the noise!
Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp(August 7– 13, 2022) Application Deadline: May 15, 2022 -send your 13 to 15-year-old business-minded kid to camp this summer. It costs nothing to apply www.rotaryayec
Are you interested in a summer apprenticeship with Fortis to be a Power Linesman? If so, stop by the office and get an application from Mr. Reed.
