BLENHEIM DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

	February 2006

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Principal’s Message

The report card coming home at this time contains the results of the efforts made in semester one by your son(s) and/or daughter(s). We hope the marks are all in the passing column. Daily attendance and effort, regular homework completion, submitting assignments and projects on time, seeking help when needed: these characteristics all lead to success.

Should there be areas of concern, please contact the teacher involved, Student Services or a school administrator. Our common purpose is to help each of our students do the best they can in the classroom. Success at school should carry over into the adult world.

Students who needed timetable adjustments because of a failure will have already been contacted by Student Services. Class sizes are capped; that is, there is a maximum number of students allowed in each class, as determined by the teachers’ contract. In some cases, this does limit the options available to the students. Some classes were cancelled and schedules rearranged to accommodate the cancellations. No student has been denied the opportunity to take a compulsory credit because of the teacher contract.

We wish all our students much success in semester two. If you have any questions, please call the school and make arrangements to see the necessary staff to help.

Yours in education

S. Blackshaw

Guidance Office - Option Selections

Guidance counsellors will be visiting classes in mid-February to assist students with course selections for next year. Prior to these visits, students will have the opportunity to do some preparatory work with their teacher and at home with their parents. Students will be issued their own course booklet, which contains a planning sheet. All students are asked to bring the course selection materials including the completed planning charts to class when they are completing their option sheet with the counsellor. After these course selections have been entered into the computer, a form indicating student options will be sent home for parental approval. The form will indicate the courses chosen by the student. Space will be available to make any changes, additions or deletions. Approval of these course selections is indicated by the presence of both student and parent signatures. Changes can only be made at a later date for valid reasons.

When selecting courses, students are reminded to think carefully about their decisions. The courses selected now will greatly impact on the program we are able to deliver next year. Students are expected to follow through with their ommitment to the courses they have selected, timetable permitting.

Course Loads

The Lambton Kent District School Board states that all students must be full-time.

· Students are expected to carry 8 courses in Grades 9, 10, and 11

· 4^th year students are expected to take a minimum of 6 courses (3 in each semester)

· Students may return for a 5^th year to take additional courses or to upgrade marks. These students will also be strongly encouraged to take 3 courses per semester

Graduating Students

In mid-October, every graduating student was invited to participate in a Grad session to outline timelines and expectations for post-secondary applications. All applications to post-secondary schools are now done on-line. In late November students were provided with instruction in our computer lab regarding this process. Students were then able to apply for their programs of choice either at home or at the school. Assistance with applications has been available for any student experiencing difficulty. Simply come to the Guidance Office – if we don’t know the answer, we can soon find it.

Graduates and their parents are encouraged to book visits soon to the schools they are considering. “You should never buy a car without kicking the tires”. Individual visits are arranged with the schools by the student. During March Break; all post secondary institutions hold OPEN HOUSE programs with activities for students and information sessions for parents. Check out the Bulletin Board across from Guidance for dates and times.

Community Volunteer Hours

Any student who is intending to graduate with an OSS diploma, during or at the completion of this school year, must submit their completed Community Involvement Tracking Form including signatures to the Guidance Office by Friday, May 12, 2006.

Awards & Bursaries

Graduating students are required to submit their profile sheets and applications for local awards, scholarships and bursaries to Guidance by March 31, 2006. Keep listening to announcements and reading the posted flyers on the Bulletin Board outside Guidance.

Financial Preparation

Tim Brunet - University of Windsor will be here on May 26^th to do a financial presentation to graduating students. Invitations will be sent to each student who has applied to college or university. Only those who indicate an interest in attending will participate. PARENTS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO ATTEND.

OSAP

In mid-late May, OSAP applications will be available to students on-line at osap.gov.on.ca

Homework Club Attention Grade 10, 11 and 12 students

The Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent is providing a Homework Club for children who are experiencing difficulty in basic subject areas and organizational skills. In order to offer this service, reliable, committed volunteers are required.

*Would you like to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

*Learn how others learn differently?

*Explore possible careers?

*Complete your volunteer hours?

The Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent is looking for volunteers to work with elementary age students.

Volunteers are needed for

Homework Club Program

Harwich Raleigh Public School

3:45-4:45 p.m.,

Tuesday and/or Thursday beginning February 8 until April 16.

Please call the Learning Disabilities Association at 352-2024 if you are interested in participating.

Learning Centre

The Learning Centre has been well used by many students. Students are reminded that the best way to improve is to complete all work assigned, seek help as soon as difficulty is encountered and be willing to give extra time to study preparation.

Over 220 exams were written through the L.C. This opportunity for quiet, extra time and computer use is possible because of the support of the entire teaching staff including the educational assistants. Students with identified learning needs will benefit from understanding their strengths. Take time with your student to review the IEP. This is the time to make adjustments to best reflect their learning style. Interviews will be held during the first two weeks of semester 2 to discuss semester one’s successes and areas to improve. Semester 2 timetables will be reviewed also. Students are encouraged to be active participants in their education.

Our initial focus for semester two will be preparing for the OSSLT or Literacy test on March 29^th.

Yearbook

The 2005-2006 Yearbook is currently in the planning stages – a lot of work is still ahead of us.

We need your help parents and students.

The more Yearbooks that are ordered, the more we can put into it – more pages, more colour, more pictures,

etc. This is where we need your help.

If you did not order a Yearbook at registration, we would appreciate if you would do so as soon as possible. Payment of $45.00 may be made at the Office.

Advertising

We are currently in the process of preparing our 2005-2006 BDHS Yearbook, as well as, our 2006-2007 BDHS Student Planner. Each student and staff receives a Planner.

We are very proud to have had many businesses as “Bobcat” Yearbook Sponsors in the past and we hope that you will show your support for this school year by becoming one of our advertisers. Marketing students will be visiting and calling local businesses in the coming months.

Advertisement Sizes Available (in black & white only)

Full page in Yearbook and ⅛ page in the Student Planner = $250.00

½ page in Yearbook and ⅛ page in the Student Planner = $160.00

¼ page in Yearbook and ⅛ page in the Student Planner = $95.00

1/12 page in Yearbook and ⅛ page in the Student Planner = $70.00

Letters will be going out soon to past advertisers requesting their continued support for this school year. We look forward to working with the local community in keeping the price of the yearbook reasonable so that many students may enjoy owning one.

Assertiveness Training for Teens

Mrs. Jobin will run a workshop series of eight sessions in assertiveness training in Semester 2 for any interested students. This program is designed to help students with learning confidence-building strategies, honouring themselves with positive self-talk, using effective and empowering communication strategies, standing up for themselves in ways that respect themselves and others, managing anger, building healthier relationships, handling themselves in threatening or challenging situations, and strengthening self-esteem.

Who couldn’t use some help with improving these critical life skills? Participation requires students to commit one lunch period per week to the 8-week program. Contact Mrs. Jobin in the Guidance Office for more information. Sign up for the next session will take place in the next few weeks. Bobcats, listen to the P A announcements and watch for posters for more details.

Eating Disorders

Confidential counseling is available to students who are involved in eating disorders. Obsession with body image, food intake, and weight can indicate a problem and lead to unhealthy behaviours. A professional counsellor is available at BDHS to help students overcome eating disorders or who want more information about them. Interested students should stop by the guidance office and request an appointment.

Peer Tutoring Course

Semester 1 provided a valuable experience and a university-bound credit to a number of Grade 12 students, while giving new Grade 9 and at-risk students some extra help in the classroom. Leading, Learning and Relating is a challenging new Grade 12 course offered for the first time at BDHS this past semester. It involved a demanding academic component and a placement in a host classroom. Students must be very strong, mature leaders with good communication, time management and organization skills in order to be considered for the program. Host teachers and their students have been very appreciative of the extra support our peer tutors gave. Thank you so much, Peer Tutors! Great job!

Peer Tutor	Host Teacher	Course
Danielle Bourgeois	Miss Hearn	Gr 9 Visual Art
Vanessa Burke	Mr. Willmore	Gr 9 Academic Geography
Sarah Capeling	Mr. McConnell	Gr 9 Music
Aaron Casier	Mr. J. Johnston	Gr 9 Technology
Laurel Coatsworth	Mrs. Daigneault	Gr 9 Business
Shirley Giffin	Miss Parry	Gr 9 Applied Math
Chantell Louwerse	Mr. Maerz	Credit Recovery Course
Andrea Kominek	Mr. Hendrie	Gr 9 Academic Science
Kraig Quagliotto	Mr. Zakaria	Gr 9 Academic Math
Matt Randle	Mrs. Carder/Mrs. Johnson	Gr 9 and 10 English
Amy Rodger	Mrs. Wood	Learning Centre
Emily Seaton	Miss Sullivan	Gr 9 Essential Math
Kelly Snobelen	Mrs. Roman/Mr. Terriault-HRPS	Gr 4/5 French Immersion
Heather Terris	Mr. Willmore	Gr 9 Business
Nicole VanHintum	Mrs. Wood	Learning Centre
Lindsey Vynckier	Mrs. Carder	Gr 9 Applied English
Ashley Ward	Mrs. Hendrie	Gr 9 Applied Geography
Jamie Wood	Mrs. Carder	Gr 9 Academic English

Drama

Drama is a unique and culturally diverse experience. Actors are provided with the opportunity to explore and expand their confidence and emotions.

We recently enjoyed a rousing production of the musical Guys and Dolls, directed by Mr. McConnell and assisted by Mrs. Johnson. There were many fine performances, led by Tom Mifflin, Kelly Snobelen, Matt Randle, and Adriana VanKeer, with Nick Authier, Cody Srokosz, Sean Brophy and Addison Ebert in supporting roles.

With the wealth of dramatic talent in the school this year, we decided not to limit ourselves to only one play in the Sears Drama Festival. Hence B.D.H.S. Players are presenting two plays: It’s Tough To Be Somebody, directed by Adriana VanKeer, and The Drunken Sisters, directed by Kelly Snobelen. It’s Tough To Be Somebody is a satire on education and revolves around a lesson in how to cope with fame. The Drunken Sisters, another satire based on the ancient Greek tradition of the satyr play, features the Greek god, Apollo, playing a trick on the three Fates. There will be an evening of performances for the public at the school on Friday, February 24 at 7 p.m., and two festival performances at the Kiwanis Theatre, Chatham Cultural Centre, on March 1 & 2. We encourage everyone to come out and support us at these events, and have fun in the process.

Also in this year’s calendar for the Drama Club is a trip to Stratford to see the musical Oliver! on May 8, 2006.

Summer Company Program

Students can apply now for the 2006 Summer Company Program. This program offers students up $3,000 in grant monies to assist with starting and operating a company throughout the summer. Students are approved for the Summer Company Program on an ongoing basis. The deadline for submissions is April 10, 2006. Students can apply on-line at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s website: www.ontariocanada.com/summercompany. For further information and a local contact please call 519-351-7700.

Honour Roll

Grade 9 Hayder Al-Jaishi Nick Dassios Taylor Stepniak-Knowler

Veronica Attewell Colin Dorssers Graydon Koehler

Troy Belcoure Lily Gallagher Trevor Nethery

Kelvin Bokor Brett Hope Jeff O’Brien

Alicia Bond Luke Jackson Melissa Vandersluis

Toni Cameron Ryan Jenner Adrian VanRaay

Erika Cayer Dan Jeon Jessica Ward

Jessica Craner Dan Knight

Grade 10 Stephanie Authier Heather Capeling Erie Snobelen

Brian Bondy Tyler Haskell Cassandra Stover

Tom Bondy Angela Jack Katie Wammes

Kaitlyn Boundy Laura Montgomery Brianne Webster

Sean Brophey Jesse Onland

Grade 11 Sarah Cook Henry Fehr Dan Nichol

Clinton Dorssers Andrew Lanz-O’Brien Taylor Purdy

Eric Drouillard Chris Maris Jessica Rumble

Addison Ebert Tom Mifflin Kelsey Swance

Ethan Wells

Grade 12 Ahmed Al-Jaishi Nicole English Julie Russell

Nick Authier Amanda Forget Stephanie Segeren

Danielle Bellamy Shirley Giffin Kelly Snobelen

Karla Bliss David Hamm Jon Sparling

Danielle Bourgeois Kaitlyn Jessome Heather Terris

Vanessa Burke Amanda Johnston Jackie Therrien

Sarah Capeling Chantell Louwerse Ryan Travene

Emily Carey Brittany Moor Nicole VanHintum

Colin Chrysler Danielle Mulder Lindsay Vynckier

Jen Dreveny Matt Randle

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