Parent Teacher Interviews
Interviews will take place this Thursday, October 20th from 6pm to 8pm. Please have your student request a meeting time with her/his teachers or write a note/email/phone in a request for a specific time.
Professional Activity Day
This Friday, October 21st is a PA Day (no school) for all secondary students in the SCDSB
Science Expo Conference
This year, Science Expo presents ASCENSION, a one-day conference that focuses on the future opportunities and possibilities in STEM advancements, bringing over 150 bright-minded delegates from all across Ontario. Through this conference, delegates will explore the idea of creating a technologically advanced society while tackling problems related to non-renewable resources from a diverse range of workshops, to engaging keynote speakers, to a fun-filled exposition, ASCENSION is the STEM event to be at this November! Join us on November 12, 2016 at the MaRS Discovery District to see where the possibilities lie!
(from Science Expo promotional email)
Workshops include:
- quantum mechanics
- wearable technologies
- modern modeling tools for robotics
- Lighthouse Labs
Keynote Speakers: Mike Kessel and Derek Szeto
Applications are due October 29th at 11:59 PM. Early bird ticket price ends on October 22.
Marion Drysdale Award
Are you creative? Could you use an extra $1000 in your pocket? If you answered yes to these questions then this contest is for you. There are eight $1000 prizes to be won from this year’s MARION DRYSDALE AWARDS. The submission categories are PROSE/ POETRY and VISUAL ARTS based on the student’s grade level. The topic is#MirrorMirror. This theme is open to interpretation by the student, but it should be clear how the final product relates to the title. If you are interested see Mr. Shareski in Rm. 221 for details. The deadline is November 16 , 2016.
(from Mr. Shareski)
Ontario Literacy Test – October 20
(info below from the Barrie North website)
All eligible students (Grade 10s and previously eligible) will write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on Oct. 20, 2016. The test will be completed online at school on school computers.
Students who are writing the OSSLT should arrive our regular start time on Oct. 20. The test will begin at 8:30 am
Preparing to write the test – what you need to know:
The OSSLT is a graduation requirement. Traditionally, it’s written only in March. This year, it is also being written on Oct. 20 because Ontario’s Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has moved the test to an online format.
Students who are not successful in October can write the test again on March 30, 2017 either online or on paper. The October test will not count as a failed attempt.
A sample test is available for students to preview and practice. EQAO has created short videos about the features of the online test.
Revised scheduled for Oct. 20
Students who are not writing the test should arrive at school 4 ¼ hours later. Periods will be shortened.
8:00 a.m. – Arrival for students writing the test.
8:30. – Test begins – students have three hours to complete the test (unless using accommodations as per IEP)
11:30 a.m. – Lunch for students who have written the test
12:05 p.m. – Arrival for students who did not write the test
12:15 p.m. – Period 1
12:49 p.m. – Period 2
1:23 p.m. – Period 3
1:57 p.m. – Period 4
2:27 p.m. – Regular dismissal time
Oct. 20 bus schedule
Students attending school in the morning to write the test, attend county programming or Learning Centre should be at their bus stops at their regular time.
Students attending school for the shortened day in the afternoon should be at their bus stops 4 ¼ hours later than their regular pick-up time.
Buses will follow their regular routes during the morning and afternoon runs. All bused students will be transported home at their regular time at the end of the day.
School Announcements
Did you miss the BNC morning announcements? Viking TV is posting announcements on their Twitter feed.
IEPs
If your daughter/son has an IEP, please know that they will be coming home this week and early next week.
The Northern Appeal
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is holding its three-day Model Parliament Program for Ontario students in grades 10 to 12 from February 22-24, 2017. This program offers civic-minded students a unique opportunity to experience the legislature first-hand. The application deadline is October 30th. We have had North students attend this program. They have thoroughly enjoyed it and have learned a lot from the experience.
Youth Arts Program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Youth Arts Program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario invites youth aged 12-18 to display their artwork in the Legislative Building in Toronto. Artwork can include a variety of media including: photography; sculptures; ceramics and pottery; drawings in ink, pencil and charcoal; acrylic, oil and watercolour paintings. Click here to learn more.
SHAD
*Please Note: I have received an email from SHAD, indicating that they are still actively seeking participants for this year’s program. This is a great year to apply!*
SHAD is a registered Canadian charity that empowers exceptional high school students – at a pivotal point in their education – to recognize their own capabilities and envision their extraordinary potential as tomorrow’s leaders and change makers. Each year, SHAD provides the opportunity for 700+ students from across Canada and internationally to attend a month-long summer program, in-residence at one of our Canadian host universities, focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math). There are currently more than 15,500 SHAD alumni including 30 Rhodes Scholars, Top 40 Under 40 & Top 20 Under 20 award recipients, and many other accomplished professionals, all sharing the transformational SHAD experience and able to leverage their SHAD network for life. Founded in 1980, SHAD is based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Students selected through the rigorous, competitive process for places in the summer program are top performers who are also well-rounded emerging leaders demonstrating initiative, creativity and flair. They are leaders in their schools, volunteers in their communities, and are often gifted musicians, artists and athletes.
Each of our SHAD campuses offers an immersive program of lectures, workshops, projects and activities. Inside and outside the classroom, SHAD builds on the STEAM foundation, introducing participants to a multi-disciplinary program that offers unique experiences and a new way of understanding the world. Speakers include university professors, business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, inspiring students to set aspirational goals
(from SHAD.ca/About)
The due date to apply to SHAD is November 28th. The application process considers both academic results and extra-curricular engagement and is highly competitive. Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 can apply.
IMPORTANT DATES
October
20 – McMaster University Science and Engineering Olympics
20 – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
21 – P.A. Day
26 – Night of Excellence
27 – Picture Retakes
November
2 – Take Your Kid to Work Day (Grade 9s)
9 – Workshop for Parents (7pm)
17 – School Council Meeting (7pm)
18 – P.A. Day
21 – Mid-Term Report Cards sent home
21-25 – Grad Photos
25 – Full Disclosure (you must drop courses before this date or they will appear on your transcript)
30 – Grade 8 Open House (6:30-8pm)
December
15 – Holiday Harmony Concert
24 to January 8th – Holiday Break
January
26 to February 1 – Exams
February
2 – P.A. Day
3 – P.A. Day
6 – Semester 2 Starts
16 – School Council Meeting (7pm)
17 – Semester 1 Report Cards sent home
20 – Family Day (no school)
March
9 – Progress Reports sent home
13 to 17 – March Break
23 – Parent/Guardian – Teacher Conferences
30 – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
April
14 – Good Friday (no school)
17 – Easter Monday (no school)
20 – School Council Meeting (7pm)
27 – Mid-Term Report Cards sent home
28 – P.A Day
May
5 – Prom
22 – Victoria Day (no school)
26 – Grad BBQ
June
1 – School Council Meeting (7pm)
22 to 28 – Exams
29 – P.A. Day
29 – Commencement (7pm)
30 – P.A. Day