Welcome back everyone. I trust the break was a good time to push pause on some of the rhythms of life and look ahead to a new decade with optimism. We are back in the swing of things at BCHS with the final 2 weeks of regularly scheduled classes prior to exams. Coming back from the break in a high school setting is odd because you rush right into diploma, PAT, and in class final preparations. You'll notice a 'thinned down' version of the Charger Connects for the next few weeks as I won't be putting lots of photos of students writing exams in rows in this space!
A couple reminders for exams:
1. Please check the webpage to ensure you are aware of when and where you write. Missing a final exam is not good.
2. Please ensure you come prepared to write your final exam with everything needed depending on the subject.
3. Please respect the quiet needed in the building to effectively administer exams and act appropriately on your way in and out of the building.
4. Please start studying sooner rather than later. Rest is important and writing a test on little sleep does not allow your brain to function the way it needs to.
For Diploma exam writers, in the event of school closure on the day of your diploma, the below message will go out:
“Due to severe weather, all Public schools in Airdrie will be closed today, except George McDougall, St. Martin Catholic, Bert Church, WH Croxford, and the North RVSCLC Campus. These High Schools will remain open for students writing Gr. 12 diploma exams. No buses will be running”
Students are asked to safely transport themselves to school on the day of their diploma as the exam will still be running for them.
We look forward to seeing our student's hard work pay off as they complete their courses for the first semester in the weeks ahead.
Have a great weekend,
Ryan
In our Western World History options course, students have spent weeks researching a variety of inquiry questions, including: What are the similarities of architecture around the ancient world? Should modern movies do more to provide an accurate depiction of history? What is the true impact of the plague? What do our nursery rhymes really mean? Students then built creative ways to display their findings to their peers. This week we had the opportunity to learn from each other. There were fantastic movies, displays and even games created by the students.
Congratulations to JT Luterbach on receiving this award. We're proud of you JT!
Final exams are starting soon after we return from our Christmas break. Ms. Tiemstra has created a webpage to help students and parents access resources to prepare and deal with the stress of exam season. Please follow this link for more information on how to have success at this time of year!
Scott Strasser, a tireless local reporter who often is writing about our school, compiled the top 10 sports stories from Airdrie in 2019.
Abygale Reeve is carving out a legacy as the person to beat for her age group in Alberta BMX racing, capping off the 2019 season by winning her eighth consecutive provincial title in September.
The 14-year-old, Bert Church High School student was consistent throughout the summer, finishing atop the Junior Development Female category of Alberta BMX’s 2019 provincial series, which included nine stops throughout the province.
Nationally, Reeve holds the N4 plate, which means she is the fourth-ranked female BMX racer for her age group in all of Canada. Having finished fourth at nationals this July, she competed at the 2019 BMX world championships in Belgium, where she raced to a top-20 placement. The trip to Europe marked her second time competing at worlds.
But it’s not just on the dirt track that Reeve excels. A multi-sport athlete, she won gold with U14AA Zone 2 Ringette at the Western Canadian Championships, as well as the provincial championships. She also successfully tried out for the Big Country ringette team that will feature at the 2019 Alberta Winter Games, a multi-sport tournament that Airdrie will host in February 2020.
As well, our Chargers football team made the list after their excellent run in the 2019 season.
We're proud of our Chargers!
Career Centre News January 10, 2020 2020 is the beginning of a new decade – make it a good one.
University of Alberta – Calgary Info Week
There is still time for students that have applied to the University of Alberta to join us for our first ever Calgary Info Week!
Students will be able to participate in presentations and advising sessions and discover more about the programs that interest them. They’ll also have the chance to:
Learn more about what they’ll study at the U of A
Find out about AP and IB recognition
Learn what it’s like to be a U of A student
Talk with UAlberta advisors and get their questions answered
It’s their opportunity to explore options and get inspired about their future.
More information can be found at uab.ca/yycinfo.
University of New Brunswick – February 7 during TA in Ms. Gouw (Room 2041)
What do you want to study at University?UNB (University of New Brunswick) probably offers it.What would it be like to study in New Brunswick? Come to a presentation on Feb 7 during Advisory in Room 2041 and find out about the education you could receive in this province that is close to the Atlantic Ocean.Experience Canada while you gain an education.
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
Women in Engineering – At University of Calgary – Feb 20, 2020
During Women in Engineering Day, about 300 young women in grades 10 or 11 visit UCalgary.
Explore Schulich Engineering labs and meet student mentors
Engineering design competition
Hear from a panel of successful female engineering alumni and learn about amazing careers in this field.
Find out more about the diverse array of engineering disciplines
Are you interested in attending this day? See Mrs. Smith in the Career Centre.
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
Horticulture & Land Preview Day
*Arboriculture Technician * Horticulture Technologist * Land & Water Resources * Turfgrass Management
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
University of Alberta – Green & Gold Getaway- May 22 - 24
Open to Grade 11 Alberta students
20 spots available to test out U of A
Be reimbursed for travel to Edmonton, accommodation and whirlwind of exciting events
Applications accepted www.uab.ca/GGG until end of day on Sunday January 26.
Summer Jobs
Jobs and Scholarships are both means to increase your pot of money for Post-Secondary Education.
Oftentimes, finding full time summer work is a real challenge. Spend some of your time applying for scholarships, but also spend an appropriate amount of time figuring out where the best summer jobs are. If you are lucky, you will find a full time job where you are hired back every summer until your post secondary education is complete.
The City of Airdrie hires students for day camp programs and for looking after parks and public spaces. If you don’t see a suitable ad the first time you go to the website, you can set up your profile and sign up for alerts for jobs that match your skills and interests.
Rocky View School Division has a few summer positions as well.
Don’t Hope for a Scholarship ~ Plan for a Scholarship Scholarships
January Scholarship Tip
January Scholarship Tip- This tip is from MacLeans magazine article: How to get a university scholarship: six tips for success: “It pays to start looking early and widely for financial support”. by Kat Tancock Dec 29, 2017
Highlight your strengths
While academic merit is the primary criterion, awards committees are looking for well-rounded students, too—and it’s not just about a resumé that checks all the boxes. Usually there’s a point system used to score applications, Nolt says, and longer-term activities tend to have more weight than one-offs. She reminds students not to discount things they do that might seem banal but actually reveal responsibility and maturity. “I was recently reading applications from students who were really involved in 4-H,” she says. “They forgot to mention they were also responsible for getting up in the morning and making sure the cows were milked.”
Confident Writers Scholarship – Essay Contest
Choose a topic:
Topic 1: Is technology making people smarter or dumber?
Topic 2: What was your first experience making money?
Topic 3: What’s your dream job and why?
Topic 4: What is the most dangerous type of sports and why?
1st prize - $700 2nd prize - $500 3rd Prize - $300
Write a 500-700 word essay and submit via email to condfidentwriters@gmail.com as a Microsoft Word attachment no later than January 15, 2020
You will be notified by January 28 if you are a winner.
Ambrose University - Presidential Scholarship
Ambrose is committed to making a significant scholarship investment in an exceptional student who has strong Christian character as well as academic and servant leadership potential. This scholarship is offered to a current high school student whose Ambrose education will enable them to be servant leaders involved in transforming their workplace, church or community for the glory of God.
Presidential High School scholarship applicants will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the Presidential Scholarship competition, March 2-3, 2020 on the Ambrose University campus. Value: Full Tuition Deadline: January 31
The Presidential Scholarship provides full tuition for up to four years, eight consecutive semesters or the completion of one degree. Apply Here
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
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.
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