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Dear Parents and Guardians,
Week 17 of semester 2 ends with an awesome display of all of the arts
specialities in our Arts Carousel.
Grade 9 EQAO Math Assessments are on Thursday and Friday of next
week.
Athletic Banquet is next week, on Wednesday, June 13th.
We are at the second weekend in June. The time is flying. Get your teen to start prepping for their exams now.
We would like to wish the Islamic members of the Bear Creek community, a blessed Eid-ul-Fitr as Ramadan
fasting ends on June 15th.
We would like to wish the Sikh members of the Bear Creek community, a peaceful and blessed Martyrdom of
Guru Arjan Dev. He was the first martyr, and every year on June 16th, the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev is
commemorated. This day has been marked to honor him and has been commemorated since 1606.
I am always open to suggestions and comments, so please contact me at [email protected] if you have
something on your mind.
E-newsletters are available on the Bear Creek website: http://bss.scdsb.on.ca/
Please follow me on Twitter: @VPWilkinson
Please follow me on Instagram: spfx8691
If you see a topic you want to learn more about, you go to the item and press the “Ctrl” button while you click
your cursor and you will be “magically” transported to the topic you chose. To “magically” transport back to
the table of contents, go to the “Back to the Table of Contents” words at the end of each article, and press the
“Ctrl” button while you click your cursor and you will be “magically” transported back to the table of contents.
Table of Contents
Indspire’s BBF: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards.................................................................................. 2
Green Team ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
It’s In You To Give – Rugby Players .............................................................................................................. 3
Get Paid To Start A Business In South Simcoe .............................................................................................. 3
Dress Code ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Athletic Banquet ................................................................................................................................................ 6
Weekly E-Newsletter
Stay Connected @ BCSS Friday, June 8, 2018
Students Can Benefit From Gap Year: Sylvester .......................................................................................... 6
Fifteen SCDSB Schools Receive OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification .................................................... 6
2018-19 School Year Calendars Now Approved ............................................................................................ 7
Updated Criminal Record Checks Required For Volunteers ....................................................................... 7
Community Involvement Hours – Opportunity For High School Students Who Speak An International
Language ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
Canada Education Savings Programs Are Available To Help Fund Your Child’s Education .................. 8
Safe Kids Week Is June 4 To 8 ......................................................................................................................... 8
Keep Your Kids Healthy, Active And Engaged This Summer...................................................................... 9
Do You Know a Youth, Aged 15-29, Who Is Looking for A Job or to Gain Work Experience? ............... 9
Rock Climbing Club .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Applying for Scholarships .............................................................................................................................. 10
Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario Provincial Scholarship ............................................................. 10
Stay Safe In The Sun ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Summer Camp Can Be A Life-Changing Experience .................................................................................. 11
School’s in for Summer at The SCDSB ......................................................................................................... 12
New Path Offering Child and Youth Mental Health Walk-In Clinics ....................................................... 12
Gilbert Centre Programs for LGBTQ2S Youth and Families .................................................................... 12
OSAP Applications For 2018-19 Now Available .......................................................................................... 13
BCSS Lunchtime Live/Jam Sessions ............................................................................................................. 13
Volunteer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. 13
Sports News ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Important Dates............................................................................................................................................... 15
Positively Speaking ......................................................................................................................................... 15
The Pursuit of Happiness: 3 Myths Everyone Should Stop Believing.................................................... 15
Source: “The Pursuit of Happiness: 3 Myths Everyone Should Stop Believing”, by By Sonja Lyubomirsky,
Ph.D., 2018, .................................................................................................................................................. 17
https://my.happify.com/hd/3-myths-of-happiness/?et=14e9087f-bb7d-462b-a376-1f3a07790be5 .............. 17
Parent’s Corner ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week ......................................................................................... 18
P.S. (Positive Statement): ............................................................................................................................... 18
What’s Happening at BCSS?
Indspire’s BBF: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards The first deadline for Indspire’s BBF: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards deadline is August 1, 2018.
Indigenous students enrolled in full-time post-secondary programs or apprenticeship, skilled trades and
technology programs for the 2018-2019 academic year are eligible to apply.
If you scroll to the bottom, below my email signature, you will find an email blast for your students, as well as a
checklist of the 4 documents students are required to submit with their application.
Access the online application at Indspire’s website or by clicking APPLY HERE!
The ‘How-to-Apply’ webinar, which takes you step-by-step through the online application form, is also
available online or by clicking How-to-Apply.
Parents/students are encouraged to watch the webinar and to email [email protected] with any questions.
Back to Table of Contents
Green Team
Green Team members are reminded of our final pizza meeting next Monday, the 11th, at 10:45 in Room 207.
Come and bring someone else who wants to help the environment. Back to Table of Contents
It’s In You To Give – Rugby Players
To ALL rugby players who are at least 17 years old - do you want to help save lives?
There is a rugby blood donation challenge on Wednesday, June 13th in the morning. Blood services will pick us
up and drop us off as well as provide you with food after you donate.
It is an awesome opportunity to literally give back and each donation could possibly save up to 3 lives!
See Mr. Wilkey ASAP if you want to help out. Back to Table of Contents
Get Paid To Start A Business In South Simcoe
Imagine being a high school student and a business owner.
The Summer Company is a unique program of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Growth,
designed to encourage young entrepreneurs by providing up to $3,000, plus mentoring and hands-on training.
It can be seen as an alternative to a summer job for people ages 15 to 29, who are planning to return to their
studies in the fall.
“It’s simple. Essentially, you get paid to start a business,” said Martin Kuzma of Nottawasaga Futures, which is
co-ordinating the program in South Simcoe for the sixth year.
Over the years, he said he has discovered a surprising fact: it is generally not business students who apply, but
students in the arts, sciences and social sciences, who have a business idea and the drive to put it in action.
The deadline to apply this year is the end of May.
The application process involves developing a business plan, registering the business, and regularly attending
workshops and business counselling with an experienced business mentor during the summer months.
Successful applicants will each receive an initial grant of $1,500 as seed money to launch their businesses, and
they must open a business account, provide receipts, and maintain monthly cash flow records to qualify for a
final grant.
At the end of summer — eight weeks for high school students, 12 for post-secondary students — they receive
an additional $1,500, on top of whatever profit their companies have generated.
Among the local entrepreneurs who have signed on to share their expertise with students are Donna Katz,
founder of Genesis Gymnastics, and Tracy Evans, who left a high-paying job in the corporate world to start
Dreamwinds Equine Assisted Learning Centre.
The mentors provide “real life evidence” of the power of entrepreneurship, “and you can’t beat that,” said
Kuzma.
This is the fourth year Evans has provided mentorship.
“I love the program,” she said. “I love helping youth explore their entrepreneurial spirit. It’s amazing.”
Evans noted that schools tend to stream students towards career options “to get out of school, get a job, and
then retire. That was how it was for me.”
She said it took her years to “break out,” and so Summer Company is an opportunity “to help kids think a little
bit more freely.”
Kuzma said response to the program has been a little slow this year and the increase in minimum wage could be
partly to blame.
“The wages have been higher, but there are fewer jobs,” he said.
Self employment may be the better option, he said, because people can earn money, gain real-life experience,
and it looks great on a resume.
Six South Simcoe students have been accepted to the program so far, with another four still working on their
business plans. Four of the students are from Bradford West Gwillimbury area, he said.
The businesses run the gamut from landscaping and handyman services — “Those are always around,” says
Kuzma — to piano lessons, swim lessons, vegan cupcakes, and social media marketing.
“Sixty (per cent) to 70 per cent of the students use this as a summer job … to pay tuition,” said Kuzma.
Some of them also end up creating a business that is so successful, they return to it summer after summer,
although the Summer Company grant is only available once.
There is still time for students to apply. Interested students should contact Kuzma at [email protected]
or 1-800-509-7554 before the end of this month.
It takes “ambition… chutzpah” to come up with a business plan, said Kuzma, but he and the team “will work
with them, to the point where they have a good chance of getting accepted.”
Source: “Get paid to start a business in South Simcoe”, by Miriam King, Bradford Today, May 27, 2018,
https://www.bradfordtoday.ca/local-news/get-paid-to-start-a-business-in-south-simcoe-933689?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email
Back to Table of Contents
Dress Code
With the warm weather here, we usually have an increase in dress code violations in an effort to stay cool. I
included a graphic for you to share with your teen, in case we (administrators) have to talk to your teen about
this, you know what we are referring to.
One of the things that always happens when we approach Summer is students take out their summer clothes in
preparation for the nicer weather. We see an increased usage of flip flops, tank tops, shorts and muscle shirts
appearing in and around the school. We usually have to remind students that there are appropriate places for
some items of clothing that they wear...but it may not be at school!
For example:
Short shorts are not appropriate at school. How short is short? Well, we don’t use a ruler to measure them,
but generally speaking if the tips of a student’s fingers extend below the hem of the shorts, then the shorts
are probably too short. Another guideline I have been using recently is if the material of the front pocket
can be seen below the hem of the shorts, the shorts are most likely too short.
Tank Tops and Muscle Shirts: We do not allow students to wear these, even in phys. ed. classes. There is a
myth out there, called the “three finger rule”, that says if the straps of the top are more than three fingers
wide the top is OK. Our students have been told that the expectation is that clothing provides “an
uninterrupted line of clothing covering the body from top of the shoulders to mid-thigh”. Tops should
also have appropriate necklines that are not too revealing and there should not be inappropriate graphics or
expressions on the top. Instead of spaghetti straps, think lasagna noodles!
The choice of footwear is somewhat more flexible, but it must be appropriate (for safety reasons) to the
class. While sandals may be appropriate in an English class, they would not be appropriate in a technical
class or a science class (spilled chemicals could pose a hazard).
No clothing should have inappropriate language, drug or associated paraphernalia, weapons, or alcohol images
on them. Again, these may be fine for out of school, but in an educational institution, they are not appropriate.
There are lots of ways to dress for school...
...but there are a few things that aren't okay.
Our board’s dress code is one way that we embed the principles set out in the SCDSB and Ministry of
Education documents, Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario, and Equity and Inclusive Education to ensure safe,
inclusive and equitable learning environments for all of our students. In SCDSB schools, we believe that
students should be able to learn in a safe and caring space that is free of bias and discrimination. When making
choices about what to wear to school, we respect your individuality. To ensure that our learning environments
are safe and respectful spaces, our board has consulted with students and staff to develop this set of shared
standards for student dress. Your clothing cannot pose a safety concern or conceal your identity. Note that
exceptions are granted to students who wear head coverings or other garments/objects for the purposes of
religious observance, medical or sensory needs, or other reasons protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Back to Table of Contents
Athletic Banquet
What an awesome year it has been for Bear Creek sports! Let's all celebrate with the annual athletic banquet.
The banquet will be Wednesday, June 13 at 5:45 p.m. in the Cafe.
Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, June 7th at lunch in the forum for $10 each, $15 for sports who did not pay
an athletic fee. Ticket includes meal and take-home gift. It is open to all athletes who represented our school
on a sports team... there is a limited number of tickets for sale...first come, first served. Back to Table of Contents
Students Can Benefit From Gap Year: Sylvester
In an interview with CBC, Cam Sylvester, North American Regional Director of Lattitude Global Volunteering,
argues that some students can benefit from a year off between high school and university, or at some point
during their university careers. “We don't give kids much time to think about who they are and where they're
going to go. They've been told by most of their counsellors they've got to go right into university, their parents
are telling them that,” said Sylvester, citing higher GPAs, lower dropout rates, and quicker completion rates as
some of the potential benefits of a gap year. CBC states that volunteering, working, or taking time to think
about future opportunities are popular options for a gap year.
Source: CBC
Back to Table of Contents
Fifteen SCDSB Schools Receive OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification
Students and staff at Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) schools are celebrating after earning
fifteen Healthy Schools certifications from Ophea. Ophea is a not-for-profit organization that champions
healthy, active living in schools and communities and leads the provincial Healthy Schools initiative.
Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification recognizes and celebrates school communities for promoting and
enhancing the health and well-being of students, school staff and the broader community. Participating schools
complete the Six-Step Healthy Schools Process, which aligns with the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for
a Healthy School resource. Through a point-based system, schools planned their Healthy Schools process over
the course of the school year. Schools outline the steps needed to achieve certification and apply to be certified
as a gold, silver or bronze.
“We are proud to be part of the 238 schools across Ontario that have been certified as being a healthy school,”
says Paula Murphy, Superintendent of Education and Well-Being, SCSDB. “Our schools focused on many areas
- physical activity, healthy eating, safety and injury prevention, growth and development, mental health and
addictions – to support the SCDSB’s strategic goal of well-being.”
This school year, SCDSB schools earned seven golds, three silvers, four bronzes and one participant level
certification. View the full list here: https://www.ophea.net/sites/default/files/pdfs/HSC/hsc_allschoolslist-
board_14my18.pdf. Last year, SCDSB schools earned five certifications.
Here are the highlights from some our school that that allowed us to reach certification with our initiatives this
school year: If you check the list, you’ll find that we were the only high school in our Board to do this – you
now don’t have to check the list (but you can if you want to). I believe I am repeating myself here BUT I told
you we were the best school in the Board, and here’s one of the reasons why:
SILVER
Bear Creek SS
The Staff Wellness Committee at Bear Creek SS, in collaboration with the student-led Kodiak Wellness Team
and community partners, decided the priority health topic for the year would be substance use, addiction and
related behaviours. The school provided learning opportunities to staff and students throughout Addictions
Week, including a Truth and Consequences Conference for Grade 9’s.
Back to Table of Contents
2018-19 School Year Calendars Now Approved
The Ministry of Education has approved the elementary and secondary school year calendars for the Simcoe
County District School Board's 2018-19 school year.
2018-19 Highlights:
First day of school: Tuesday, September 4, 2018
First day of school for Junior Kindergarten students: Thursday, September 6, 2018
Winter Break: December 24, 2018 to January 4, 2019
March Break: March 11 to 15, 2019
Last day for elementary students: Thursday, June 27, 2019
Last day for secondary students: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
You can view the 2018-19 calendars on the SCDSB website (www.scdsb.on.ca) by clicking on ‘Schools’ and
then ‘School Year Calendars.’
Back to Table of Contents
Updated Criminal Record Checks Required For Volunteers
We appreciate the commitment of all who volunteer at our school. In an effort to ensure the safety and well-
being of our students, and in accordance with the Education Act, the SCDSB requires a complete and up-to-
date Criminal Record Check Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) for all volunteers across the system. If
you are a current, approved volunteer and your CRC-VSS is more than five years old, you will be receiving a
notification this month indicating that you are required to submit a new CRC-VSS. If you wish to continue as a
SCDSB volunteer, please complete the following steps:
1. Contact the school principal to obtain a CRC-VSS request letter.
2. Bring your CRC-VSS request letter to your local police detachment.
3. Submit your original and complete CRC-VSS to the school office for review by Oct. 31, 2018.
If you are a current SCDSB employee volunteering in the system, you are required to submit an updated CRC-
VSS to the school where you will be volunteering. If you have completed a CRC-VSS within the past six
months of the start of the school year for another organization, you may submit that original CRC-VSS for
review. If you have questions, please contact the school. Back to Table of Contents
Community Involvement Hours – Opportunity For High School Students Who
Speak An International Language
Do you speak Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu or Vietnamese?
The SCDSB is currently looking for high school student volunteers to help support the Saturday morning
international language classes for students in Grades 1 - 8. The classes run from 9 to 11:30 a.m., starting Sept.
15, at the Barrie Learning Centre (Bayfield Mall) and the Bradford Learning Centre (157 Holland St. E., Suite
200). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the program coordinator, Amanda Hickling, at
[email protected] . Back to Table of Contents
Canada Education Savings Programs Are Available To Help Fund Your
Child’s Education
The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to use Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP) to save
for a child’s post-secondary education, which includes full- or part-time studies at a trade school, CEGEP,
college, or university or in an apprenticeship program. Employment and Social Development Canada
administers two education savings incentives linked to RESPs:
$ Canada Education Savings Grant - a basic grant of 20% on the first $2,500 in annual personal
contributions to a RESP (this grant is available to all eligible Canadians regardless of their family
income), as well as the additional amount of Canada Education Savings Grant.
$ Canada Learning Bond - available for eligible Canadian children from low-income families born in
2004 or later and provides an initial payment of $500 plus $100 for each year of eligibility, up to age 15,
for a maximum of $2,000. Personal contributions are not required.
$
For more information, visit: www.canada.ca/education-savings. Back to Table of Contents
Safe Kids Week Is June 4 To 8
This year’s theme focuses on concussion at home, at play and on the road:
Help reduce the likelihood of head injury, like concussions, during sports, recreation and unstructured
play by encouraging your teen to use correctly fitting protective equipment and to follow safety rules.
Remind your teen to walk with phones away and heads up.
Teach your teen how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, which can happen even
without a direct hit to the head and without losing consciousness. If your teen does have signs of
concussion, remove them from the activity and seek medical care.
Be sure to inform your school principal if your teen sustains a concussion, either on or off school property.
Learn more at www.parachutecanada.org. Back to Table of Contents
Keep Your Kids Healthy, Active And Engaged This Summer
Summer is the time for kids to get outside and grow. But for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the
body and mind ends with the school year. Studies show 90 per cent of children ages five to 11 years old in
Canada do not meet their minimal physical activity requirements. We know that having an active lifestyle in the
early years is essential to healthy child development and has a positive impact on mental health. Here are a few
tips on how to keep your child's mind and body active this summer:
Learn a new skill! Over the summer months, there is a wide variety of programs to keep children and
youth active. Whether outdoors or in a facility like the YMCA, swimming is a summer time favourite.
Consider signing your child up for swimming lessons, giving them the confidence they need to be safe
in and around the water.
Unplug and enjoy the outdoors! Did you know that the average Canadian child spends almost eight
hours a day in front of a screen? Research tells us that when children are connected to their
environment, they are healthier and happier. Look for opportunities for your child to get connected with
nature.
With some creativity and advanced planning, parents can keep their children’s minds and bodies active this
summer! To learn more about the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.
Back to Table of Contents
Do You Know a Youth, Aged 15-29, Who Is Looking for A Job or to Gain
Work Experience?
The Career Centre can help. Services include paid employment training, support with job searches and more, at
no cost. Meet with an Employment Consultant today, or visit the Career Centre website at
www.barriecareercentre.com for more information, including hours of operation. The Career Centre is operated
by the Simcoe County District School Board. This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the
Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Back to Table of Contents
Rock Climbing Club
This is a reminder that rock climbing club will be departing after school Fridays from Portable 403. See Ms.
Wilson-Weir if you have any questions. Back to Table of Contents
Applying for Scholarships
Now is the best time for grade 12 students to apply for scholarships, we are in the heart of peak scholarship
season. At ScholarTree.ca, we are continuing to improve on what is already the best site for Canadian students
to find and apply for scholarships.
We've listened to feedback from students and have made some significant changes to the scholarships page.
New Features:
- View scholarships by category
- Filter scholarships
- More sort options
- More accurate matching algorithm
- Improved mobile interface
ScholarTree is 100% free to students! Back to Table of Contents
Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario Provincial Scholarship
Deadline: June 30, 2018
Value: $1,000
Selection:
This scholarship is provided for students furthering their formal education as a full-time student at a post-
secondary institution (in their first year). For scholarships to be awarded, proof of enrolment must be received
by the FWIO Provincial Office by September 30th. Scholarships are forfeited after this date and will be awarded
to the alternate.
Eligibility:
For the 2018 scholarship, students must complete a 500-word essay, answering the question:
"Advocacy has always been a big part of the Women's Institute. What do you see as a topic the Institute should
be advocating for? Why and how should this be done?"
Awarded on the basis of academic achievement upon entrance into the program. A transcript of marks for the
most recent academic year showing the numerical grade average in percentage form for the complete year (e.g.
85%).
Three signed reference letters from community organizers and/or high school faculty (no more than 2 from the
school).
Applicant must be a Canadian Citizen, a resident of Ontario, and a prospective high school graduate. Previous
winners are not eligible.
Full-time students entering their first year of studies at a post-secondary institution.
Conditions:
Candidates may apply only once in any one year.
When only one application is received, a grade point average of 75% must be attained for the full scholarship
award. Half of the scholarship amount will be awarded for a mark under 75%.
FWIO Provincial Scholarship Application Form (PDF)
The above application form has been created in a fillable format. Please complete and return to FWIO by the
above deadline. Back to Table of Contents
Stay Safe In The Sun
It only takes one bad sunburn in childhood to increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. As the
weather gets warmer, follow these sun safety tips to keep you and your family safe:
use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and SPF 15 lip balm
apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside (even on cloudy days) and always follow the label
instructions
apply sunscreen to any exposed areas of skin – nose, ears, back of neck, tops of feet, etc.
reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours and after sweating or swimming
wear loose, long sleeved shirts and pants, a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses
if possible, avoid being in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
when you’re outside, look for shade.
For more sun safety tips, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-
877-721-7520 to speak with a public health nurse.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Back to Table of Contents
Summer Camp Can Be A Life-Changing Experience
According to a recent study from the University of Waterloo, the positive development that children and youth
experience at summer camp results in sustained behavioural changes at home, school and in the community.
Friendships blossom, self-confidence emerges and independence grows – helping children and teens build
resilience to help them face new challenges throughout their lives. Here are four life skills fostered at summer
camp:
Increased independence and self-confidence – Camp is the perfect place for kids to practice making
decisions for themselves without parents and teachers guiding their every move.
Making new friends and being part of a positive group – Free from the social expectations pressuring
them at school, camp encourages kids to relax and make friends easily.
Increased environmental awareness – When children are connected to their environment, they are
healthier and happier. Summer camp provides kids with the opportunity to “unplug” from technology
and enrich their perception of the world, while enjoying the great outdoors.
Improved attitudes towards physical activity – Children spend so much time indoors these days and
mostly sitting down. A recent Statistics Canada study found that only seven per cent of youth aged six to
19 got the recommended hour a day of exercise they need. Summer camp is a great way for kids to get
outside and move.
The benefits of camp are plenty – from life lessons beyond the classroom to appreciating nature and building
confidence and leadership skills. Learn more about the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka camps at
YMCASummerCamp.Ca.
Information provided by the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka
Back to Table of Contents
School’s in for Summer at The SCDSB
Are you and your child planning their courses for next school year? Looking for a way to create flexibility in
their timetable and earn a credit? Consider summer school! Each year, the SCDSB offers a variety of summer
programs to over 2,000 students. Summer school options include open, college and university level courses
from Grades 9 to 12. Courses are offered in-person or online. Interested students can also travel and earn credits
with the summer EduTravel program. Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres
website at http://www.thelearningcentres.com/high-school-student/summer-school . Current SCDSB students
should speak to their Guidance Counsellor for information and to register. Please see attached registration
pages to bring that to your Guidance Counsellor. Register now so that your summer school choices align with
course selection for next year! Back to Table of Contents
New Path Offering Child and Youth Mental Health Walk-In Clinics
New Path now offers Child and Youth Mental Health Walk-In Clinics in five office locations throughout
Simcoe County: Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood and Orillia. The Walk-In Clinic provides a single
session to children, youth and families who require support for emotional, relationship or behavioural
challenges. The Walk-In Clinic can be accessed by children, youth and families as often as they require support.
Children, youth and families can self-refer by attending one of the walk-in clinic locations across the county.
Dates and times of the clinics are posted on the New Path website (www.newpath.ca). For more information,
contact New Path’s Central Intake Department at 705-725-7656 or from the 905 area code in Simcoe County by
calling 1-866-566-7656. Back to Table of Contents
Gilbert Centre Programs for LGBTQ2S Youth and Families
The Gilbert Centre is a community-based, not-for-profit, charitable organization that provides programs and
services to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals and families in Simcoe-Muskoka.
Visit the Centre’s website at www.gilbertcentre.ca for more information about these programs:
LGBTQ2S Youth Connection drop-in groups
LGBTQ2S Youth Connection is a drop-in and social space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, 2spirit,
trans, asexual etc. and questioning youth. Groups are a place for youth to connect with each other and to
community. Groups take place in Barrie, Midland and Orillia.
Parenting LGBTQ Youth sessions
These free sessions, ‘Parenting LGBTQ Youth,’ are offered in April, May and June in Alliston, Barrie,
Collingwood and Orillia. Dinner is provided. To reserve your spot, contact Jake at
[email protected] or 705-722-6778 ext. 107.
Back to Table of Contents
OSAP Applications For 2018-19 Now Available
Going to college or university next year? The 2018-19 Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is now
accepting applications for full-time students. Apply early to get an estimate of the amount of grants and loans
you could receive. Apply now at: www.ontario.ca/osap. Back to Table of Contents
BCSS Lunchtime Live/Jam Sessions
Jam Sessions is a “safe space” mental health initiative that allows staff and students to learn and play guitar
and/or ukulele, for FREE.
Jam Sessions is now in need of any gently used acoustic guitars and currently looking for a Cajun (slap) drum
or djembe drums.
BCSS Lunchtime Live provides a venue to showcase their talents - some of which performing for the first time
(students with high anxiety too!). BCSS Lunchtime Live mainly features music but will have other themed
events like poetry, dance, and improv as well.
Eventually we're looking to have our own sound system for Lunchtime Live as we increase our performances
from 2 times per month to every available Friday lunch: microphones and speakers/amps. (Tech crew is busy as
is and we can't always rely on booking out their equipment.)
Any community support, donation, connection that will help with equipment or costs would be appreciated.
Back to Table of Contents
Volunteer Opportunities
VOLUNTEER!
GET INVOLVED!
BE A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY!
Do you want to volunteer or get a summer job? Not sure where to start? Check out Bear Creek’s volunteer and
student job opportunity board located outside of the Guidance office. It is updated weekly with fantastic
opportunities! Still not sure what to do? Make an appointment with your Guidance Counsellor for some
further suggestions.
Remember, EVERY student must complete a minimum 40 hours
of volunteer work to graduate.
Please submit your “Completion of Community Involvement Activities” sheet (this sheet can be found either
on-line or at the Guidance office) to the Guidance office as soon as it is signed by both you and a parent.
1. Do you like sports? Are you in need of community service hours? Do you want to get a jump on
community service hours? Well the home game crew might be for you! We are in need of capable and
trustworthy students to help with sports scorekeeping for the year. Basketball and volleyball are the main sports
in which we require help. Please sign up on the list outside of the student success office room 110 or see Mr.
Wilkey.
2. Mr. Wilkinson is looking for students to be part of the Breakfast Club. Please see him at the Breakfast
Club table any day for more information and to sign up.
3. Mr. Wilkinson is looking for students who need volunteer hours to come out and join him on the front
gardens. Lots of fun digging, exhilarating weeding, and planting will be had by all. Contact Mr.
Wilkinson for more information.
4. Kerry’s Place in conjunction with Community Works Canada needs volunteers
Seeking volunteers ages 15-21 to provide peer mentorship to youth with autism once a week for 11
weeks in Barrie
CommunityWorks Canada® is an after-school program for teens with autism to make new friends and gain
valuable work experience while building communication and social skills.
Earn up to 30 volunteer hours
Make a difference in someone’s life
Build leadership skills
Gain valuable volunteer experience
Make new friends
PROGRAM PERIOD: APRIL 18th to JUNE 27th, 2018
WEEK 1: ORIENTATION
WEEK 2-11: WORK EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES AT VARIOUS LOCAL BUSINESSES
Get involved today by calling (647)296-6476 or email [email protected]. Visit
www.worktopia.ca for more details.
Back to Table of Contents
Sports News
To check out scores, schedules, standings, etc., please go to: http://www.scaasports.ca .
Next week’s sporting events look like:
Monday 11th Tuesday 12th Wednesday 13th Thursday 14th Friday 15th Athletic Banquet
5:45 cafe
Are you a new student to Bear Creek in grade 10, 11, or 12 and are interested in playing sports? Did you
transfer from another high school? Please come to see Mr. Wilkey in Student Success, room 110, to fill out the
necessary forms so you can play sports this year.
Congratulations to the Girls’ Rugby team who travelled to Mississauga this last Monday, June 4th and Tuesday,
the 5th, to compete at AAA OFSAA rugby championship. The girls faced the 7th seed team Arnprior in their
first match. They came out strong and were first to put points on the board. Their effort was relentless and the
score was 12 to 17 for them with less than a minute they scored their final try to put the score 22 to 12 in their
favor. Day two the Kodiaks faced Georgetown and defeated them by a score of 22 to 7. The second game of
the day, your Kodiaks were up against TA Stewart. The girls came out hard and fought to the bitter end. We
had key subs step up and replace our starters. The entire tournament was a team effort and both coach Wilkey
and Catling are extremely proud of their attitude, effort, and sportsmanship that was demonstrated throughout
the tournament.
Congratulations to the Bear Creek Girls’ Softball team for winning the SCAA Tier 2 Championship on
Tuesday, June 5th! They battled hard against some very tough teams to make it to the finals, where they faced
Nantyr Shores for the third time this season. Nantyr gave everything they had, forcing the game into extra
innings, but the Kodiaks responded with another thrilling walk-off to get the win.
Back to Table of Contents
Important Dates
Wednesday, June 13 Athletic Banquet, 5:45, cafe
Wednesday, June 13 Grade 9 EQAO Math Test
Thursday, June 14 Grade 9 EQAO Math Test
Sunday, June 17 Father’s Day
Wednesday, June 20 – Tuesday, June 26 Sem II Final Evaluations
Thursday, June 28 Commencement
Friday, July 6 Sem 2 report cards sent out
Back to Table of Contents
Positively Speaking
When I was younger, I often compared myself and my life to those around me. Didn’t have the newest gadgets;
didn’t have the newest car; didn’t have the biggest, nicest house, etc. Since I wasn’t at where I wanted to be, I
thought and believed my life to be a failure.
I recently watched the Marvel movie, “Dr. Strange” and about 20 minutes in to the movie, he considers his life
a failure because he can’t do what he thought he should be doing. However, he had love, material goods, his
life – but still considered his life a failure. I was like that – I was so blinded about the things I believed would
make me happy, I didn’t see the things that were truly important.
As an older (much older), hopefully wiser man, I see that none of that matters and I really don’t care what
anyone else has. I have a healthy, happy family. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, safe
neighbourhood/country. I’ve got it good and the level of happiness is where I expected it to be 20-30 years ago.
I hope you like this article. I made me reflect on the truly important things in my life.
The Pursuit of Happiness: 3 Myths Everyone Should Stop Believing
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I'll finally be happy when I'm married." Or "If I land this job, I'll finally feel
totally fulfilled." Or maybe you relate more to the opposite side of this coin: "I'll never be happy now that I have
this medical diagnosis." Or "I can't be happy when I'm struggling to pay my bills." Psychological research has
revealed two important findings when it comes to these beliefs: Things that we think will make us happy never
make us happy for as long as we think they will. Conversely, negative life events and challenges don't have as
enduring an impact on our happiness as we believe they will, either.
To get your brain off autopilot when it comes to your beliefs about what will—or won't—make you happy,
Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D. shares 3 valuable lessons from her book, The Myths of Happiness:
Happiness Myth #1: I won't be happy until I get a promotion or land my "dream" job.
Think back to the moment when you were hired at your current job—you probably felt a big boost of well-
being, and you were excited by the opportunities and challenges of your new role. Unfortunately, the
excitement we feel happens less and less as we turn our minds toward the countless daily hassles, uplifts, and
distractions of life. We begin to feel our novel and stimulating work experiences have simply become our "new
normal."
One way to prevent yourself from taking your current job for granted is to remind yourself on a regular basis
what your former (less satisfying) work life was like. If you were paid less, set certain time periods (say, one
week per month) to limit your spending to match your earlier consumption habits. Or if you used to have
unfriendly colleagues, have lunch by yourself once in awhile. Such re-experiencing will encourage you to
appreciate your current job and to obtain more pleasure from it simply by mentally transporting yourself to (less
fortunate) times past. And remember, a "dream job" isn't necessarily the best reference point because we tend to
create a fantasy job in our minds of something that doesn't really exist. For example, films tend to glamourize
working at the CIA as one James Bond adventure after another, but real CIA workers often find themselves
sitting in cubicles for much of the day.
Happiness Myth #2: I'm going to lead a sad, lonely life because I'm single.
Imagining a solitary life, sitting by the window with just the cat for company? Erase that picture from your
mind! People who remain single all their lives draw value and purpose from other sources in their lives—from
friends, siblings, extended family members, communities, jobs, or dedication to a great cause. In fact, research
has found that relative to their married (or once-married) peers, single people tend to be closer with their
siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and they continue to develop new friendships as they age as well as stay
in better touch with friends. Research has found that older women who have always been single typically have
up to a dozen important, meaningful friendships, which they've maintained for decades.
Happiness Myth #3: I can't be happy when…
...I'll never be thin.
...I'll never have kids.
...I'll never be a doctor or an astronaut.
We all have dreams that we've harbored since the early years of our lives, but we often have flawed
assumptions about whether we can still be happy despite not achieving those dreams. Psychologists argue that
to be truly unburdened by regrets involves freeing ourselves from our "lost possible selves"—the neurosurgeon
self, the grandparent self, the small-business owner self. To do this, we need to reflect on our lost promises to
gain a new perspective, which in turn, enables us to understand ourselves and our lives better, and to set new
priorities and envision new futures for ourselves.
It can take time to shed a "lost possible self," but you might use journaling or a "Dear Diary" format to describe
the facts about your experiences, as well as your thoughts or feelings about them. You could create lists of the
pros and cons of what happened or what might have happened. Or you could even imagine—or draw—a life
map of dates, locations, goals, and situations. When a particular goal becomes untenable, you might refer to
that map and ask yourself, "How did I get here?" and most importantly—"Where am I heading?" That's the
critical next step: To move on by committing ourselves to new pursuits, and the exciting possibilities that lie
ahead of us.
Source: “The Pursuit of Happiness: 3 Myths Everyone Should Stop Believing”, by By Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., 2018,
https://my.happify.com/hd/3-myths-of-happiness/?et=14e9087f-bb7d-462b-a376-1f3a07790be5
Back to Table of Contents
Parent’s Corner
With final exams approaching in less than 8 days (afternoon of Wednesday, June 20th), there is no time like the
present to get ready for exams.
This article helps you help your teen prepare for the final exams.
How to Revise Before the Exams
Exam preparation starts at day one of semester. But don’t panic if you haven’t started yet, it’s never too late!
What you have to think about is what MUST be studied, what SHOULD be studied and what CAN be ditched,
especially if you are running out of time. But if you are reading this, then you are well on the way to being
proactive and taking effective steps towards exam success.
Revision essentials:
Get organized. Get all your material together and organize your study space.
Find out about your preferred learning style and match your study techniques to suit this.
Start reviewing early: daily reviews, weekly reviews and major reviews.
Use active learning techniques for revision.
Keep a record of all the exam hints that lecturers and tutors give through the semester, especially
towards the end of semester. Never miss lectures at this stage!
Create and plan a revision topic list and study schedule (work backwards).
Know where you stand! Find out what your cumulative marks are so far and how many marks you need
to just pass the exam or get the credit, and any hurdle requirements.
Learn about the exam type, length and format. For example, exams can consist of any combination of
the following formats: essay exams, multiple choice questions, open book exams, short answer
questions, problem-solving questions, take-home exams, practical exams, oral exams and so on.
Obtain previous exam papers so you can do relevant exam questions and obtain feedback from teachers.
Maintain a balance of mind, body and spirit. Eat well, and eat healthy foods.
Continue to exercise as it has been shown to improve memory and reduce stress. Take time to relax and
visualize success!
Enlist support from friends and family. Ask others to do your chores for you! Remember you can
always reciprocate after exams!
Study difficult subjects when you are at your peak concentration and study subjects you dislike most
first.
Use course outlines to revise objectives, list of topics and brief content descriptions.
Use the SQ4R (Survey, Question, Read, Review, Recite, Recall) method.
Prioritize! It’s better to know a few topics well than to know bits and pieces.
As the exam gets closer find out about the location, time and transport.
Do past exam papers under mock exam conditions. Have an exam party with your friends!
Source: http://www.educationforum.co.uk/revisionstyles.pdf
Back to Table of Contents
Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week
(June 11 – June 15)
Monday 11th Tuesday 12th Wednesday 13th Thursday 14th Friday 15th
Take time for a
bedside chat with
your teen tonight.
End it by saying, “I
love you.”
Look for a volunteer
activity you and
your teen can do
together this
summer.
Does your teen have
a cell phone? Tell
them not to talk on
the phone while
driving. Not only is
it VERY dangerous,
it is illegal.
It is now the #1
cause of teen-
related driving
fatality, even over
drunk driving!
Have every family
member become an
expert on one thing,
and then teach it to
the rest of the
family.
Go through an old
photo album
together. Tell your
teen stories about
your family.
Back to Table of Contents
Have a great weekend!
Go Jays!
Be well!
Terry Wilkinson
Vice Principal
Bear Creek Secondary School
P.S. (Positive Statement):
Life has two rules:
#1 Never Quit
#2 Don’t forget Rule #1 Back to Table of Contents
P.P.S.: If you like what you have read so far, please tell
another parent/guardian, get them to e-mail me, and I’ll add
them to the e-mail list.