October 20, 2014
What a beautiful weekend! I hope that everyone had an opportunity to enjoy the weather and take advantage of the outdoors. We were fortunate to celebrate my son Charlie’s 8th birthday in Kananaskis - it was an unforgettable event!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Parent-Teacher Interviews. We would like to ask for feedback regarding the interviews. We have created a short 3-question survey to help us plan for future opportunities for discussion. Once this has been reviewed, we will share the feedback with the staff and plan accordingly.
Please go to the following link and complete the survey by Thursday October 23:
High School Registration and Tours
During the interviews last week, we received questions from grade 9 parents regarding high school registration and tours. Ms. Boutilier, Ms. Backman and Mme. MacPhee will be coordinating the registration process this year and can be contacted by email should parents have specific questions. These teachers will also be communicating the details of the upcoming tours shortly but for planning purposes, the following dates will also provide a guideline of the registration process for this year:
High School Tours
We will take all the grade 9 students to their designated school for a tour on the following dates. Please note: students who are not designated but are interested in visiting another school are invited to attend the evening tour with their parents. Also, Spanish Bilingual Program tour dates still need to be determined.
Central Memorial
· November 20 [Student Tour]
· November 20 [Open House at 7pm]
Ernest Manning
· November 19 [Student Tour]
· November 27 [Open House at 7pm]
Western Canada
· November 18 [Student Tour]
· November 19 [Open House at 7pm]
High School Registration
In January and February, high school guidance counsellors come to Bishop Pinkham twice to review the registration process with the students. During the first visit, students will complete a ‘mock’ registration that will then be shared with parents and teachers for feedback and the second visit will be the formal registration. We are also planning on hosting a parent evening where high school counsellors will come to Bishop Pinkham to answer questions. This date will be announced once we confirm when the visits will occur.
French Immersion & IB Information Meeting
On Wednesday October 29, Martin Poirier, Principal of Western Canada, will be visiting all of our gr. 9 French Immersion classes to discuss the French Immersion Program at Western Canada. As well, he will host a meeting at lunch for any interested students in the International Baccalaureate Program.
Halloween Festivities!
Our Halloween Celebration is approaching and the Bishop Pinkham Leadership Committee has been busy planning many fun activities for the afternoon of Thursday October 30th.
A few important notes about the day:
Our Halloween Celebration is approaching and the Bishop Pinkham Leadership Committee has been busy planning many fun activities for the afternoon of Thursday October 30th.
A few important notes about the day:
- Attendance: This is a regular school day and all students are expected to attend the entire day. Events such as this one build community amongst our students and staff and are also important to help our students learn how to make those important connections. Thank you for your support!
- Costumes: This is a dress-up day! No weapons, masks or inappropriate costumes (the dress code still applies!).
- Dance: All grades will be invited to dance together in the Main Gym. We have hired a DJ company that has been paid for with some of the funds from the Entertainment Books.
- Photobooth: Students can have their photo taken in the band hallway (.25 cents per photo)
- Costume Contest: The BPLC will host a costume contest in the gymnasium.
- Other Activities: Additionally, there will be other activities around the school such as a craft room, games room and movie room.
This Week…
Quebec Trip Meeting
Applications to go on this year’s Québec trip are due on Thursday October 23. Last week’s information meeting has been rescheduled for Monday October 20 at lunch in rm. 8. Any grade 8 student considering submitting an application this week and have any questions should attend.
Generation Genesis
As mentioned in last week’s update, our grade 7-9 artists have been invited to participate in the youth art show at the Leighton Centre. Please note that any interested students must attend a meeting on Tuesday October 21 at lunch in the art studio and must bring their signed consent forms with them.
Quebec Trip Meeting
Applications to go on this year’s Québec trip are due on Thursday October 23. Last week’s information meeting has been rescheduled for Monday October 20 at lunch in rm. 8. Any grade 8 student considering submitting an application this week and have any questions should attend.
Generation Genesis
As mentioned in last week’s update, our grade 7-9 artists have been invited to participate in the youth art show at the Leighton Centre. Please note that any interested students must attend a meeting on Tuesday October 21 at lunch in the art studio and must bring their signed consent forms with them.
Grade 8 Wildland Outdoor Ed Trip
There will be an information meeting on Monday October 20 at lunch for any Grade 8 Outdoor Ed students interested in participating in the 2-day Wildland Overnight Trip next month. During the trip, students will learn to develop important wilderness camping and survival skills and learn the importance of proper clothing, packing their backpack, how to build their own shelter, and cooking meals with a backcountry stove. The meeting will be in the Outdoor Ed room, and will start at 11:40. It is important that you talk with Mr. Jordan if you are unable to attend, but are interested in going.
Grade 5 Vaccinations
This is a friendly reminder that our Grade 5s will be having their first set of vaccinations on Tuesday October 21. We would like to thank our Community Health Nurse, Nancy McCaig for coordinating this and also the School Council for providing juice boxes for our students.
There will be an information meeting on Monday October 20 at lunch for any Grade 8 Outdoor Ed students interested in participating in the 2-day Wildland Overnight Trip next month. During the trip, students will learn to develop important wilderness camping and survival skills and learn the importance of proper clothing, packing their backpack, how to build their own shelter, and cooking meals with a backcountry stove. The meeting will be in the Outdoor Ed room, and will start at 11:40. It is important that you talk with Mr. Jordan if you are unable to attend, but are interested in going.
Grade 5 Vaccinations
This is a friendly reminder that our Grade 5s will be having their first set of vaccinations on Tuesday October 21. We would like to thank our Community Health Nurse, Nancy McCaig for coordinating this and also the School Council for providing juice boxes for our students.
School Council Meeting
We invite all parents to join us on Tuesday October 21 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons for our School Council meeting. Please note that we will be sending out the agenda for the meeting in a separate email on Monday afternoon.
We invite all parents to join us on Tuesday October 21 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons for our School Council meeting. Please note that we will be sending out the agenda for the meeting in a separate email on Monday afternoon.
From the Bishop Pinkham Music Parent Association (BPMPA)
All parents are welcome to attend our next meeting on Wednesday October 22 at 7:00 pm in the Music Room. We will be reviewing and voting on a number of expenditures related to the school's "wish list." We would like to encourage parents to get involved with the BPMPA! We are the primary parent fundraising body for Bishop Pinkham School, and we are the stewards of a budget of approximately $30,000/year that is used to support Bishop Pinkham's music and many other complimentary programs. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
All parents are welcome to attend our next meeting on Wednesday October 22 at 7:00 pm in the Music Room. We will be reviewing and voting on a number of expenditures related to the school's "wish list." We would like to encourage parents to get involved with the BPMPA! We are the primary parent fundraising body for Bishop Pinkham School, and we are the stewards of a budget of approximately $30,000/year that is used to support Bishop Pinkham's music and many other complimentary programs. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
Pizza Fun Lunch
Thank you to everyone who signed up for our October Pizza Fun Lunch that will take place on Friday October 24. In addition to not having to organize lunch for the students, a portion of the money also comes back to School Council to help fund school events throughout the year.
The week at-a-glance
• Monday October 20
o Junior Boys Volleyball (4:15/5:00/5:40pm at BP)
• Tuesday October 21
o Grade 5 Vaccinations in the morning
o Junior Girls Volleyball (4:15/5:00pm at Vincent Massey)
o Boys Soccer (4:30pm at BP)
o School Council Meeting at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons
• Wednesday October 22
o Senior Boys Volleyball (4:15/5:00pm at Vincent Massey)
o BPMPA Meeting at 7:00pm in the Music Room
• Thursday October 23
o Senior Girls Volleyball (4:15/5:00/5:40 at Bishop Pinkham)
• Friday October 24
o Healthy Hunger Pizza Fun Lunch
A Little Later…
Thank you to everyone who signed up for our October Pizza Fun Lunch that will take place on Friday October 24. In addition to not having to organize lunch for the students, a portion of the money also comes back to School Council to help fund school events throughout the year.
The week at-a-glance
• Monday October 20
o Junior Boys Volleyball (4:15/5:00/5:40pm at BP)
• Tuesday October 21
o Grade 5 Vaccinations in the morning
o Junior Girls Volleyball (4:15/5:00pm at Vincent Massey)
o Boys Soccer (4:30pm at BP)
o School Council Meeting at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons
• Wednesday October 22
o Senior Boys Volleyball (4:15/5:00pm at Vincent Massey)
o BPMPA Meeting at 7:00pm in the Music Room
• Thursday October 23
o Senior Girls Volleyball (4:15/5:00/5:40 at Bishop Pinkham)
• Friday October 24
o Healthy Hunger Pizza Fun Lunch
A Little Later…
Photo Reminder
Reminder that photo retakes will be on Monday October 27. For online ordering information, please go to mylifetouch.ca and order using their Portrait ID and Access Code.
- Monday October 27
o Junior Boys Volleyball (4:15/5:00/5:40pm at Vincent Massey)
- Tuesday October 28
o Junior Girls Volleyball (4:15/5:00/5:40pm at BP)
- Wednesday October 29
- Thursday October 30
- Friday October 31
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