Welcome Back!
I hope that all of you had a fantastic March Break. There is a lot going on in the coming weeks. Read below to learn more.
Progress Reports
Progress reports were sent home before March Break on March 9th.
Parent-Teacher Night
Please join Barrie North teachers to discuss your student’s progress this Wednesday, March 23rd from 6pm to 8pm. Students are highly encouraged to attend these meetings. Appointments can be made via the interview schedule sheet that your child received prior to March Break. You can also call or e-mail teachers to book meeting times.
SCDSB Student Trustees
Interested in representing SCDSDB students at the Board Office while earning a credit and a $2500 honorarium? Click here to learn more.
Parent Participation – School Climate Survey
Parents and guardians can provide feedback on the climate at our school through a survey that will be open from Feb. 22 to March 11.
Survey topics include: the overall tone of the school, feeling of safety, student well-being, and equity and inclusion.
Complete the survey now
Password: SecondaryParent2015
A similar survey is being conducted with staff and students. Each school will receive a report of the school results. The Simcoe County District School Board’s (SCDSB) senior administrative team and Board of Trustees also review the board-wide results.
The data will show our progress over time, and will highlight areas of strength and areas in need of improvement.
The parent and staff versions of the secondary school School Climate Survey are new this year and will be added to the elementary school survey next year. Student feedback has been collected since 2007.
Questions can be sent to research@scdsb.on.ca.
(from the Barrie North website)
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
Grade 10 students will be writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on the morning of Thursday, March 31, 2016. A change in transportation will allow students who are not writing the test to arrive 3½ hours later for a afternoon classes at Barrie North. This is a modified school schedule which will include all four courses. Students not writing the test will be picked up at their regular bus stops 3½ hours later than their regularly scheduled pick-up time. Students and parents can learn about the test and look at sample questions by following the links at the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) website: www.eqao.com.
(from the Barrie North website)
Family Presentation with Stu Sanders on Resiliency and Coping
Barrie secondary schools will host an event for local students and parents on resiliency, coping skills and how to positively react to change on March 22.
This event is part of a regional Parents Reaching Out grant to support change and transitions in Simcoe County District School Board’s Barrie high schools. Motivational speaker Stu Saunders will offer tips to cope with change, and support students in being successful and resilient individuals. He will explain how families can support children as they change schools, let go of negative emotions and look at the positive power of change.
Stu Saunders is the founder and owner of Youth Leadership Camps Canada (YLCC), a summer camp and leadership training centre. In 2005, Stu was awarded the Canadian Leader of Distinction Award recognizing him for his contributions to youth leadership in Canada. In 1999 he was recognized as one of North America’s funniest young comedians.
The event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Fisher Auditorium at Barrie Central, located at 125 Dunlop St. W. in Barrie. All Barrie-area high school families are welcome to attend.
(from the SCDSB website)
Bootcamp for Brains
Click here to learn more about and apply to Boot Camp for Brains
Google Science Fair
Take the opportunity and click here to learn more about how YOU can enter the Google Science Fair 2016.
Barrie Library Events for Teens
Teen Coffee House – Monday March 21, April 18 , May 16 (6:30pm-8:00pm)
Knitting and Crochet Circle – Tuesday April 12, May 10 (7:00pm-8:00pm)
Teen Colouring Drop-In – Thursday April 14, May 12 (7:00pm-8:00pm)
OSAP and Scholarship Assistance Night – Tuesday May 3 (6:30pm to 8:30pm)
Comic Con 2016 Teen Logo Contest – Deadline is Saturday, May 7th
See the Barrie Public Library Calendar and Newsletter for more details
BNC #1 in MathLeague
An exciting update from Mrs. MacPhail, our Math department Chairperson and Math League coach:
This month The Barrie North Math League Team moved into 1st place in Simcoe County!!! We now sit 26th in the province out of the 76 schools that participate. For those of you are not familiar with our Math League, there are 27 members from grade 9-12 who write a monthly math competition from Standford and Windsor Universities. I am really proud of these dedicated Mathletes.
Discovery Days in Health Science – McMaster University
Discovery Days are one-day workshops that give secondary school students (primarily Grade 11) the opportunity to explore a variety of career options in medicine and the health sciences.
A Discovery Day comprises a dynamic keynote lecture, interactive workshops and a career panel discussion. Students gain a clear picture of what it would be like to be a health professional by interacting with researchers, clinicians and educators in their real-life work setting. Teachers/guidance counsellors are also welcome, but not required, to attend. Pre-registration is required.
Sample workshop schedule from last year’s event (2015)
(from the Discovery Days website)
PLEASE NOTE: Barrie North can only register 5 students for this event. If you are interested, please see Mrs. Reesor ASAP to ensure you are provided with the link to the registration form. This event is not a school field trip; students are responsible for attending independently or with a parent/guardian.
SCDSB Brain Games
On March 9th, students from Barrie North’s Gifted and Enriched program participated in the first annual SCDSB Brain Games challenge. Working with students from Twin Lakes SS and Innisdale SS, BNC team members used upcycled materials and various computer devices to solve global health issues.
Our students were wonderful BNC ambassadors and offered creative solutions to complex problems. We’re looking forward to next year’s event on March 1st, 2017.
Pictures from this year’s event can be found here.
Inspiring Future Women in Science – Perimeter Institute, Waterloo
Perimeter Institute is hosting its third Inspiring Future Women in Science conference on Friday April 15, 2016 from 9:00 am – noon. The conference is aimed at bringing together like minded young women currently in high school with a strong interest in pursuing science as a career path.
The conference is tailored to giving female high school students an opportunity to interact with STEM professions through keynotes, panel discussions and mentoring.
Additional information and registration form may be found here .
Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on an as received basis.
(from the Perimeter Institute website)
Quantum Cryptology School for Young Students (QCSYS) – University of Waterloo
Are you an exceptional high school student with a thirst for knowledge? Apply to the Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS). This exciting eight-day enrichment program is hosted by the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo from August 5-12.
During the program, the students will experience an unique blend of lectures, hands-on experiments, group work and mentoring sessions focused on the science, mathematics and engineering underlying quantum cryptography. Quantum Cryptography is a cutting-edge technology that utilizes the fascinating laws of quantum mechanics to develop unbreakable encryption that protects personal and other sensitive information.
This experience will give students a first-hand look into quantum mechanics, quantum optics, photonics, cryptography, quantum computing and many other topics. Not only do they meet and collaborate with some of the most renowned researchers in the field, they get to build relationships with each other through daily social activities and during their stay in a university residence. All students, including those from Waterloo region, stay together with QCSYS chaperones.
This school is for students:
- In grades 11 or 12 (or equivalent) — exceptional grade 10 students may be accepted, space permitting
- Age 15 and older
- Enrolled in or have completed grade 11 mathematics or higher (grade 11 physics is recommended but not mandatory)
- Fluent in English
Costs, the application and other information can be found here.
Be sure to send your online applications, including references, byMarch 25, 2016.
(From the QCSYS communication e-mail)
L3 Writer’s Conference
On April 21st, Barrie North’s Ideology program will welcome the internationally renowned Shane Koyczan, as well as other prominent writers and spoken word poets, to BNC for the L3 Writer’s Conference. Students are encouraged to attend the daytime presentations and workshops. Parents and students are encouraged to attend the evening performance, which will feature Shane Koyczan, Damian Lopes, Holly Painter, IFthePoet and Ian Keteku.
March
23 – Parent-Teacher Night
25 – Good Friday (No School)
28 – Easter Monday (No School)
31 – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (Grade 10 students write)
31 – Parent Workshop: Homework Wars (7pm)
April
1 – Spring Semi-Formal Dance
14 – School Council Meeting (7pm)
15 – PA Day
28 – Parent Workshop: Youth Mental Health and Addictions (7pm)
28 – School Musical “Cabaret 2016”
29 – Mid-Term Report Cards sent home
May
5 – Model UN @ SCDSB Education Centre
6 – Prom
9 – Full Disclosure (courses dropped past this date will be displayed on student transcripts)
19 – ArtBeats (6:30 pm)
23 – Victoria Day (No School)
26 – Art Beats Showcase
27 – Grade BBQ
JUNE
1 – Athletic Banquet
2 – School Council Meeting (7pm)
2 – Music Banquet (6pm)
22 to 28 – Exams
29 – PA. Day
29 – Commencement (7pm)
30 – P.A. Day
July
7 – Semester 2 Report Cards mailed home
Note: Text is that italicized is quoted directly from the source of the opportunity/event/ announcement. These words belong to the organization or institution listed in the post.
