January 5, 2015
Welcome to the first update of 2015! I hope that everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday with family and friends. My family has just returned from the sunny skies of Oahu – although it was a chilly welcome, it is always exciting to hear everyone’s stories from the break and to plan for our upcoming January activities. This month will include the first visit from high school counselors, a one-week Spanish artist-in-residence program, the beginning of our basketball season and our first set of report cards!
Welcome to the first update of 2015! I hope that everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday with family and friends. My family has just returned from the sunny skies of Oahu – although it was a chilly welcome, it is always exciting to hear everyone’s stories from the break and to plan for our upcoming January activities. This month will include the first visit from high school counselors, a one-week Spanish artist-in-residence program, the beginning of our basketball season and our first set of report cards!
Accommodation Spanish Bilingual Program and French Immersion Update
As mentioned in the weekly update on December 8, the CBE held two open houses to elicit parent and community feedback regarding the two language programs within Area IV. Attached to this week’s update was a “Notice to Parents” regarding the official designation of Spanish Bilingual and French Immersion students residing in Area IV. Please let us know if you have any questions.
As mentioned in the weekly update on December 8, the CBE held two open houses to elicit parent and community feedback regarding the two language programs within Area IV. Attached to this week’s update was a “Notice to Parents” regarding the official designation of Spanish Bilingual and French Immersion students residing in Area IV. Please let us know if you have any questions.
High School Registration Information
As you are aware, the Introduction to High School Guide was distributed to the Grade 9 students prior to the High School tours in November.
We are pleased to advise you that that the Detailed High School Course Guide has been posted at the top of the High School Page on our corporate website. For your convenience, here is a direct link to the guide, Get Ready, Get Set, Go For It: Your Detailed Guide to High School.
As you are aware, the Introduction to High School Guide was distributed to the Grade 9 students prior to the High School tours in November.
We are pleased to advise you that that the Detailed High School Course Guide has been posted at the top of the High School Page on our corporate website. For your convenience, here is a direct link to the guide, Get Ready, Get Set, Go For It: Your Detailed Guide to High School.
Tell Them From Me Survey
Until January 31, all students will have the opportunity to complete the online school survey called Tell Them From Me, in their English Language Arts classes. The purpose of this survey is to allow students to give their input into school improvement initiatives in an anonymous way. Each student will be given a random username and password ensuring their anonymity. This 40-minute survey measures topics such as the social, academic and intellectual engagement levels of our students. This survey shares important data from our students and we will also share the results with our student, staff and parent communities in February. If you would like more information about the survey, please feel free to contact me directly.
The Impact of Attitude on Learning!
I read an interesting blog on the effect that a "growth mindset" has on students. I encourage parents to also share the following link with students and ask them if they are truly reaching their potential....interesting stuff!
Until January 31, all students will have the opportunity to complete the online school survey called Tell Them From Me, in their English Language Arts classes. The purpose of this survey is to allow students to give their input into school improvement initiatives in an anonymous way. Each student will be given a random username and password ensuring their anonymity. This 40-minute survey measures topics such as the social, academic and intellectual engagement levels of our students. This survey shares important data from our students and we will also share the results with our student, staff and parent communities in February. If you would like more information about the survey, please feel free to contact me directly.
The Impact of Attitude on Learning!
I read an interesting blog on the effect that a "growth mindset" has on students. I encourage parents to also share the following link with students and ask them if they are truly reaching their potential....interesting stuff!
December Celebrations...
Art Market
Congratulations to all the artists who displayed their work in the Art Market on Friday December 12. Thank you to all the students and staff who purchased artwork! In a mere 2 hours, we rang out a total of $2700.00. Above are some examples of the art that students sold. Great job!
Congratulations to all the artists who displayed their work in the Art Market on Friday December 12. Thank you to all the students and staff who purchased artwork! In a mere 2 hours, we rang out a total of $2700.00. Above are some examples of the art that students sold. Great job!
Warm Feet for the Street Celebration!
Congratulations to an amazing and generous community! This year’s initiative to support, “Warm Feet for the Street,” a program that collects pairs of socks, stuffed with helpful items for a homeless person through the Mustard Seed Homeless Shelter, was a huge success. Our community collected 529 stuffed pairs of socks & over $300.00 in cash for the Mustard Seed Homeless shelter! Thank you so much for your support.
Congratulations to an amazing and generous community! This year’s initiative to support, “Warm Feet for the Street,” a program that collects pairs of socks, stuffed with helpful items for a homeless person through the Mustard Seed Homeless Shelter, was a huge success. Our community collected 529 stuffed pairs of socks & over $300.00 in cash for the Mustard Seed Homeless shelter! Thank you so much for your support.
The BP Holiday Celebration
On Friday December 19, students came dressed in their best holiday themed attire and enjoyed a party in the gymnasium with their peers. Students were treated to a bake sale, free eggnog, photobooth with Santa, games and karaoke. It was fantastic to share the moment and allow students to socialize and wish each other a fun and safe holiday. Thank you to the Bishop Pinkham Leadership Committee for coordinating this affair.
On Friday December 19, students came dressed in their best holiday themed attire and enjoyed a party in the gymnasium with their peers. Students were treated to a bake sale, free eggnog, photobooth with Santa, games and karaoke. It was fantastic to share the moment and allow students to socialize and wish each other a fun and safe holiday. Thank you to the Bishop Pinkham Leadership Committee for coordinating this affair.
Outdoor Education Trips
Both the Grade 9 trip to Banff examining the wildlife corridors and the Grade 7 snowshoe trip to Kananaskis were great successes. Both groups were treated to wonderful weather and students came back with a better understanding of the impact of weather and the environment on animals and man. Thank you to Mr. Jordan for coordinating these learning experiences for our students.
Both the Grade 9 trip to Banff examining the wildlife corridors and the Grade 7 snowshoe trip to Kananaskis were great successes. Both groups were treated to wonderful weather and students came back with a better understanding of the impact of weather and the environment on animals and man. Thank you to Mr. Jordan for coordinating these learning experiences for our students.
Learning Commons Steering Committee
On Monday December 8, a group of 14 students heard from a variety of book distributers and compiled a list of books that they would like to see ordered for the Learning Commons. We would like to thank the steering committee and Mme. Leblanc and Srta. Gilbertson for their help. The following are some pictures of the committee in action!
On Monday December 8, a group of 14 students heard from a variety of book distributers and compiled a list of books that they would like to see ordered for the Learning Commons. We would like to thank the steering committee and Mme. Leblanc and Srta. Gilbertson for their help. The following are some pictures of the committee in action!
Staff Appreciation...Appreciation!
We would like to take a moment to thank our School Council for coordinating our Staff Appreciation Celebration today. Our entire staff ended our day today by sharing the amazing contributions of wine, gift cards and chocolate all donated by our parent community. We were humbled by the generosity from our parents and will happily share this with our families. To the left, is a photo of some very happy staff members when they walked into the staff room and saw the display of treats!
This week…
OSEF
A friendly reminder that for students interested in applying for the student exchange, the school application will be due on Friday January 9. I will be meeting with interested applicants on Monday January 12.
The week-at-a-glance
OSEF
A friendly reminder that for students interested in applying for the student exchange, the school application will be due on Friday January 9. I will be meeting with interested applicants on Monday January 12.
The week-at-a-glance
Monday January 5 · Sr Girls basketball practice from 7-8am · BPLC meeting today at lunch · Jr Boys basketball practice from 3-4:30pm · Bollywood Dance – Mondays from 3-4pm Tuesday January 6 · Sr Boys basketball practice from 7-8am · Sr Girls basketball practice from 3-4:30pm · Homework Club 3-4pm | Wednesday January 7 · Jr Girls basketball practice from 7-8am · Sr Boys basketball practice from 3-4:30pm · Sketchbook Club – Wednesday Jan 7 3-4pm Thursday January 8 · Jr Boys basketball practice from 7-8am · Jr Girls basketball practice from 3-4:30pm Friday January 9 · OSEF school application due |
A little later…
Athletics
Our basketball games will be starting during the second week of January. Please be sure to refer to the Bishop Pinkham Athletics Schedule on our School website. The following is a reminder of the days that the games are schedule.
Athletics
Our basketball games will be starting during the second week of January. Please be sure to refer to the Bishop Pinkham Athletics Schedule on our School website. The following is a reminder of the days that the games are schedule.
School Council
Next Meeting
The next School Council meeting will be on Tuesday January 13 at 6:30pm. We will also be inviting Ms. Jill Tuttle our Learning Leader of Assessment to join us to discuss the upcoming report cards. The School Council Minutes can be found on our website under Parents and School Council.
Healthy Hunger
This is a friendly reminder to sign for our next Special Lunch opportunity by Sunday January 18. The next Healthy Hunger lunch will be on Friday January 23.
Next Meeting
The next School Council meeting will be on Tuesday January 13 at 6:30pm. We will also be inviting Ms. Jill Tuttle our Learning Leader of Assessment to join us to discuss the upcoming report cards. The School Council Minutes can be found on our website under Parents and School Council.
Healthy Hunger
This is a friendly reminder to sign for our next Special Lunch opportunity by Sunday January 18. The next Healthy Hunger lunch will be on Friday January 23.
High School Registration
High School Counsellors will meet with our Grade 9 students in January and again in February. The purpose of the 1st visit will be to review specific program offerings and to complete a draft of the course registrations. Please note that these forms will need to be approved by parents and teachers. The following are the dates of the visits for Ernest Manning and Central. We will share the remaining dates when they are confirmed.
Spanish Artist-in-Residence
Beginning on Monday January 19 – Friday January 23, all students in the Spanish Bilingual Program will work with a Spanish artist-in-residence and will participate in a series of workshops that focus on the urban arts. We look forward to this opportunity for our students to experience the Spanish language and culture in an authentic way while also developing an appreciation for the arts. We would like to thank Mr Ken Goosen, a parent and the producer for GlobalFest, who is making this opportunity possible for Bishop Pinkham this year.
From the Board of Trustees...
High School Counsellors will meet with our Grade 9 students in January and again in February. The purpose of the 1st visit will be to review specific program offerings and to complete a draft of the course registrations. Please note that these forms will need to be approved by parents and teachers. The following are the dates of the visits for Ernest Manning and Central. We will share the remaining dates when they are confirmed.
- Ernest Manning – Friday January 16 [9E1/9E2]
- Central Memorial – Friday January 23 [9E1/9D2]
Spanish Artist-in-Residence
Beginning on Monday January 19 – Friday January 23, all students in the Spanish Bilingual Program will work with a Spanish artist-in-residence and will participate in a series of workshops that focus on the urban arts. We look forward to this opportunity for our students to experience the Spanish language and culture in an authentic way while also developing an appreciation for the arts. We would like to thank Mr Ken Goosen, a parent and the producer for GlobalFest, who is making this opportunity possible for Bishop Pinkham this year.
From the Board of Trustees...
Communication
- e-mail
We are using e-mail more now to provide directly relevant information to BP families. Most teachers use e-mail as their primary communication tool with parents. Staff e-mail addresses are found on our webpage at: staff contact list. Send a note to [email protected] with your child's name and we will make sure that your address is added to our records.
social media
We are continuing to increase our use of the school Facebook page and Twitter accounts. If you 'like' our Facebook page at bit.ly/bishoppinkhamfacebook, daily updates will find their way into your News Feed. Following @bpbulletin will provide you with daily updates, as well.
school webpage
The webpage at cbe.ab.ca/b645 will continue to contain much of the important information for parents, including calendars and bus information. We will try to keep it as updated as possible with the information it contains.
contact me
As always, I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns by e-mail at [email protected] or telephone at 403 777-7840 [2123]
Thank you - Michelle Howell, Principal
Bishop Pinkham School