During my one year teaching gr. 4, students in Science were assigned a project to create their own Box Car racer. This was part of the Wheels and Levers unit. The vast majority of the students brought 'home made' looking contraptions to school for race day.
One student, however, stood out when everyone rolled in on race day. Spencer brought something that closely resembled what you would see on BattleBots.
Spencer was proud of "his" creation and there wasn't a hallway long enough in our school that could contain his box car racer. When I inquired further about his process in making this box car racer, I discovered his father was a mechanic. There was a large amount of parental help on this box car racer to say the least.
I am reminded of this story when students are allowed to learn and make mistakes with adults there to guide them. A theatrical production could run smoother and cause less stress for a teacher who runs everything and puts adults in charge of the different aspects of a production.
The issue is the kids are the ones who are supposed to be learning and taking ownership of the show, not just the adults. Watching our students prepare for the show from back stage to memorizing lines to performing dance routines makes me confident that the kids are creating memories and connections, not just the adults. Kudos to Mr. Goodyear for giving up some creative control while shepherding a massive production. I can't wait to see it on Saturday.
Have a great weekend!
Ryan
More beautiful art is on display at the school with Ms. Tschritter's Art 10 students contributing this week. Amazing creativity and skill. Well done!
Unified Sports for the Unified Generation
Jayden and Emma are Special Olympics Youth Leaders from Alberta, Canada (and two Bert Church students) who will lead a Youth Innovation Project to expand Unified Sports opportunities for primary school students. Jayden and Emma were inspired to create this project after they noticed that the majority of Unified Sports participants in their community were older students. Through their project, Jayden and Emma hope to increase the number of younger students participating in Unified Sports. They plan to visit schools in their community to share the positive impact Unified Sports has had on their life, and then host a culminating event for school administrators, teachers, and students to see this impact first-hand. In doing so, Jayden and Emma hope to increase the number of Unified Schools in their community.
Over the course of six months, Jayden and Emma will visit schools to talk about Unified Sports and encourage them to begin Unified Schools programming. During their school visits, Jayden and Emma plan to provide the schools with basic sports gear, which will allow students to begin participating in Unified Sports activities immediately following their visit. Once the visits are complete, Jayden and Emma will host a culminating event at their school where attendees can participate in a variety of Unified Sports activities. Jayden and Emma believe that their project will help to normalize Unified Sports as a standard for younger students. By expanding Unified Sports opportunities for all ages, Jayden and Emma are ensuring that the youngest members of the Unified Generation are growing up in a community where inclusion is the norm and everyone has the opportunity to reveal the champion within.
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 December 9th and December 12th at 6:30 PM in the learning commons. The meeting is a repeat so only attend once. Mr. Goodyear and Ms. Tschritter are excited to share what they have planned for Spring of 2021!
And just like that, basketball season has kicked off at Bert Church. All four of our teams were in action this week at the cozy Bert Church gym. Follow the standings for Rocky View at this link all season long.
Hot off the press, please see details of the BYOD sale Staples is having starting the 4th of December. This offer combined with the educational plans make it a great time for parents to purchase a Chromebook for their child. Just passing along some information if you're in the market for a new device!
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Photography students focused their work on portraiture this week...well done kids!
Grades 10 and 11 Social Studies classes from Bert Church visited a former Residential School on the Siksika Reserve. The building, now the Old Sun Community College, is one of only 17 remaining former Residential School buildings in Canada. The students learned about the experiences of students who attended the Residential school from the 1920's until 1971.
Bert Church High School is having its annual food drive again this December. The food drive will run from Wednesday December 4th to Wednesday December 18th. Students are asked to bring in a non-perishable food item to your advisory teacher on Fridays. Each Advisory with the most items/per grade will win a prize. Thanks for your support of this important initiative at an important time of year.
Our cosmetology students enjoyed their time at W.H. Croxford on Wednesday competing in a Rocky View Schools competition. Congratulations to all of our students but special recognition goes to: Kaley T - gr. 9 - 3rd in Nails, Jessalyn G - gr. 12 - 3rd in braiding, Kiara B. - gr. 12 - 2nd in braiding, Tamarah S. - gr. 10 - 1st in braiding. Thanks to Mr. Blumhagen and Mrs. Dix for their continued work with our cosmetology students. Well done girls!
Airdrie is hosting the 2020 Alberta Winter Games from Feb 14 - 17, 2020. Michelle Carr, the volunteer coordinator for the games, presented to our school council last night and they are in need of volunteers. We are asking our community to spread the word as Bert Church is the largest host site for the games. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping out please contact Michelle at volunteers@airdrie2020.com.
Career Centre News December 6, 2019
Time to Choose – now online
Time to Choose your PostSecondary Education. Time to Choose was a magazine and the 2018-2019 version is available in the Career Centre. Time to Choose is a great tool for finding your best fit at Post Secondary and is now online at the ALIS website.
This is a great resource for brainstorming for post-secondary options.
My Blueprint
All students in Rocky View Schools have access to MyBlueprint both while they are a student RVSchools and after they graduate.
Career planning helps you make decisions throughout your career, whether you are just starting or planning retirement. Follow these 4 steps to plan your career.
Start your Career planning at MyBlueprint by getting to know yourself. See Mrs. Smith in Careers if you are having any problem getting set up.
SAIT – Information Sessions
Information sessions help you prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or give you the details you need to make a decision about your future.Program-specific information sessions are open to anyone interested and include:
An overview of the type of work and careers available
An introduction to the program and are of study
Admission requirements
Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates
A tour of leading labs (if applicable to your program)
Don’t Hope for a Scholarship ~ Plan for a Scholarship November Scholarship Tip:
Consider Scholarships that you have better odds of winning. More Work=Fewer Applicants=Better Chances
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
Schulich Leader Scholarship
Every high school in Canada may nominate 1 student per academic year.
The student nominee will be determined in the second week of January.
The nominee will be determined based on the nomination requirements in the Bert Church HS Scholarship Information pamphlet.
There are 25 $100,000 scholarships for Engineering. There are 25 scholarships for $80,000 for science, technology or mathematics.
Students planning a career as a medical practitioner or researcher are excluded from this competition. This scholarship is for entrepreneurial-minded innovators outside of the medical community.
More information on the Bert Church plone site and at the Schulich Leader website
Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
Terry Fox Scholars are ‘doers’ with the ability to inspire and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Suitable candidates are those demonstrate the ideals of Terry Fox – True Humanitarians, individuals who are compassionate and altruistic in their intention to improve the lives of others and human welfare overall.
Serious consideration will be given to those candidates who have experienced and overcome what others might consider an insurmountable obstacle, yet are determined and dedicated to helping others.
