Exams start next week on Tuesday, January 14th for English 30-2 students. The last day of regular classes will be Thursday, January 16th. The January Exam Schedule can be found HERE. Please note that there will be no classes for ALL students between Friday, January 17th and Monday, January 27th. In addition there will be no classes for Grade 12s on Wednesday, January 14th due to the Social Studies 30 diploma exam, which can last up to six hours.
During exam week, students will only be required to come to school for their scheduled exams. The school will remain open for any students wishing to speak with teachers for extra help or a quiet place to study.
All students must arrive for their exam by 8:45am. All exams start at 9am. If a student is late for a diploma exam they can only be allowed to write if they arrive before 10am.
Students should come with the following items:
Pencils are essential!
Snacks and water bottles
Clear pencil cases
Approved calculators
If a student is unable to attend an exam for any reason, please contact the school office prior to the start of the exam. Diploma exams cannot be rescheduled; students will need to take the exam in June. School exams can be rescheduled up until January 27th in consultation with the teacher.
Grade 9 Career Exploration Program
While Grade 10-12 students are writing exams, Grade 9 students have the opportunity to participate in the Career Exploration Program. It is an opportunity for students to learn about the world of work by joining workplaces of interest from January 20-24, 2025. Please see this Parent Introduction Letter for specific details on the program. Students will hear early next week which placement they have been selected for based on their stated field of interest and how their interviews this week went.
School Fundraiser
Casino Volunteers Needed - Please sign up by January 15th!
Every three years our School Council has the opportunity to hold a Casino Fundraiser to support various projects in the school that enhance students' activities and opportunities. The funds raised in 2022 purchased a new sound system for the school gym, furniture for the new student lounge, and equipment for Fashion Design, Music, PE, and Art.
Running a casino requires volunteer parents to manage, organise, and attend the casino. A sub committee led by Dr Brian Sand, our music teacher, and a school council member, met with School Council in November to propose that the January casino fundraises for the Music program. Specifically the music program is looking to add a recording studio and take the band on field trips. It was agreed at the December School Council meeting that the bulk of the fundraising amount (potentially $40,000-$50,000) will go towards the Music program but some money will also be put aside for other initiatives in the school. We are looking for volunteers across our whole school community including BES parents of Grade 7 and 8 students to help us as this will be a legacy investment for our Music program.
Dates: January 29 & 30, 2025
Where: ACE Casino Blackfoot (4040 Blackfoot Tr. S.E.).
Who: 36 volunteer spots filled
Please consider supporting our students by volunteering. Fill out your preferred roles on the sign up link ASAP . *Note: volunteers can work more than one shift but all shifts must be for the same role.
Further details will follow in the new year from the casino sub committee of the School Council.
If you have any questions please contact brian.sand@crps.ca, Kevin Hjertaas (khjertaas@gmail.com), or Marie Eve Jackson (Marie-Eve.Jackson@banff.ca).
Thank you to those parents and guardians who have signed up already.
Through the Lens program
Is your child interested in learning how to take and develop film photographs? In conjunction with the Whyte Museum, we are offering analog photography workshops for grades 10 - 12. This program runs from February - May and will cover topics such as:
How to photograph with film
how to develop your film
how to print your photos in a darkroom
Sign up opens in January and participants will be chosen by lottery. Any questions; contact Ms. Dafoe.
Teacher Support
Assignment completion is a work habit and skill that we hope all students develop as they pass through high school. However, some students need a little more support with being independent in their work habits. Teacher support sessions run over lunchtime on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. These sessions are for students who do not complete assignments by deadlines, who miss a test due to an absence, AND also for students who would like additional support. Students will need to bring their lunch with them.
Extra Curricular News
Athletics
Basketball:
Practices
JR & JV Boys practice on Mondays & Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm
JV Girls practice on Mondays from 5:00-7:00pm and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00pm
SR Girls practice on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00pm and Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00pm
SR Boys practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00-7:00pm
Basketball Games
Friday/Saturday January 17th & 18th - JV Girls tournament @ Oilfields High School
Volunteers 2024-2054
All volunteers need to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check with the RCMP every 12 months. This usually only takes a few days - contact Renee Husdal, in the office for more details and a form. Throughout the year we need volunteers for field trips, as coaches for teams, and other extracurricular activities.
School Fees
Volleyball payments are now overdue. Basketball fees have been added; please check your Parent Portal.
Jan. 29: Knowledge Keeper visit to Humanities 10 classes
Jan. 29 & 30: BCHS Fundraising Casino
Jan. 30: Report cards issued for Semester 1
Jan. 31 & Feb. 1: SR Boys BBall tournament @ Oilfields
Host Families Needed for International Students!
The CRPS International Student Program is looking for local Bow Valley families to join our Homestay Program from Feb-June 2025. Being a host family is a truly meaningful experience for all involved as you share culture, language, activities, and memories that will last a lifetime. Please check out the HomestayWebsite where you will find all the information you need about hosting a student including a link to the Homestay Application.
SWIS Upcoming Events for Parents
The SWIS (Settlement Services in Schools) team is offering the following free events aimed at foreign-born students, parents, and family members. If you have any questions or would like more information about these sessions or other services offered by the SWIS Team please contact them at SWIS@banff.ca. Participants will be able to access Pizza Vouchers for these online sessions, please see the registration links for details.
Positive Ways to Parent Tuesdays: January 14, 21, 28, and February 4 Time: 6:00–7:00 pm (online via Zoom) Pizza vouchers are available. Register here
Schooling in Canada: Open Discussion and Skill Building Monday, January 20, 2025 Time: 6:00–7:30 pm (online via Zoom Pizza vouchers are available. Register here
Schooling in Canada: Grade to Grade Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Time: 6:00–7:30 PM (online via Zoom) Pizza vouchers are available. Register here
News
Bow Valley Settlement Services Information and January newsletter click here.
Follow the link to view the highlights in The Brief from the November CRPS Public School Board Meeting.
BCHS Bear Tools
Parents, please ensure you can log on to Parent Portal. Look for the PowerSchool Quick Link on our school webpage or click here. This is where you will access daily updates on your student’s marks and attendance, school fees, and more.
Grade 10-12 students can access their official Alberta Education transcript of marks through a myPass account (myPass.alberta.ca). Grade 10 marks will start to appear after the first semester.
The 2024/2025 Student / Parent Handbook is available on our home page. Do have a look as it contains a lot of important information about how our school operates, our expectations, our celebrations of student success and dates for the whole year including diploma exams.
A great way to stay connected to our school is through our social media platforms. Make sure that you follow our school social media sites at the following addresses:
Website
Bear Celebrations
If you have a BCHS Celebration that you would like to share with our community, please email natasha.miles@crps.ca
Website