This past week saw many fun holiday activities for students and staff! Each day had a different dress up theme along with door decorating and gingerbread house making. Of course the week finished off with our traditional pancake breakfast: staff make pancakes and sausages to help our students start their 2 week winter break. Thanks to all the staff and students involved in making these fun activities happen!
A reminder that classes will resume on Monday, January 6.
Holiday Supports in the Bow Valley
For some families, the holidays can be a difficult time. CRPS has created a comprehensive list of supports that families may find useful during the holiday season. Please check out the amazing organizations that offer many different types of support right here in the Bow Valley.
The January exam schedule an be found HERE. Please note that there will be no classes for all students between Friday, January 17 and Monday, January 27. Students only need to come to school for their scheduled exams; however the school will remain open for any students wishing to speak with teachers for extra help (please contact your teacher ahead of time) or a quiet place to study.
Grade 9 students have the opportunity to take part in the Career Exploration between January 20th and 24th during exam week. Mr Holthuis was in Grade 9 Health classes this past week speaking to students about the program. Please see below for more information.
Grade 9 Career Exploration Program
The Grade 9 Career Exploration Program is an opportunity for students to learn about the work they are interested in from January 20-24, 2025. Please see this Parent Introduction Letter for specific details of the program. Students have been discussing work and career interests over the past number of weeks in their health classes. They have also learned about workplace safety to prepare for their workplace placement. On Wednesday, December 18 during health classes, Grade 9 students will learn about the possible work placements available and how they can participate in the program. Grade 9 parents please look for a Parent Information Update in your inboxes before the holiday break.
Music program fundraiser
Every three years our School Council has the opportunity to hold a Casino Fundraiser to support various initiatives in the school that enhance students' activities and opportunities. The funds raised in 2022 were spent over the last two years to purchase a new sound system in 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 came forward 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 and some will also be put aside for other initiatives in the school. We are looking for volunteers from our whole school community helping our music parents and school council executive make this fundraising effort a success.
Dates: January 29 & 30, 2025
Where: ACE Casino Blackfoot (4040 Blackfoot Tr. S.E.).
Who: 36 volunteer spots open
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 must be in the same role.
Further details will follow in the new year from the casino sub committee of 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
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
** Mandatory Senior High Reffing Clinic on Wednesday January 8th from 6:30-9:00 pm at CCHS. All players on senior teams must attend. **
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
Thursday, January 9th - JR Boys vs OLS @BCHS from 3:30-5:00pm
Thursday January 9th - SR Boys vs CCHS @ BCHS from 5:00-7:00pm
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.
*NEW* Basketball fees have been added; please check your Parent Portal.
Debit or credit card payments can be made online through your Parent Portal.
If you wish to pay by cheque, cash, or tap & pay, you can do so through the BCHS Main Office.
In cases of financial hardship, please email Renee Husdal for a "Fee Waiver Form" or call her at 403-762-4411.
The Week Ahead
Monday, January 6, 2025
School reopens for 2025
JR & JV Boys BBall practice - 3:30-5:00pm
JV Girls BBall practice - 5:00-7:00pm
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
PE 10 classes - skating @ Fenlands
Green Team/High Hopes meeting at lunch
Teacher support at lunch
SR Girls BBall practice - 3:30-5:00pm
SR Boys BBall vs OLS at BCHS from 5:00-7:00pm
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
PE 10 classes - skating @ Fenlands
Teacher support at lunch
Student Leadership meeting at lunch - room 115
JV Girls BBall practice - 3:30-5:00pm
SR Girls Basketball @ CCHS - 5:00pm
Thursday, January 9, 2025
PE 10 classes - skating @ Fenlands
Teacher support at lunch
Settlement Services Pizza Lunch
Grad committee meeting at lunch in room 115
JR Boys Basketball vs OLS from 3:30-5:00
SR Boys Basketball vs CCHS from 5:00-7:00
Friday, January 10, 2025
JR Boys & Girls Basketball Tournament - CCHS
Upcoming Dates
Jan. 14: English 30-2 diploma exam - Part A
Jan. 15: Social Studies 30-1 and 30-2 diploma exam - Part A
Jan. 16: Last Day of Semester 1 classes
Jan. 17: Exam Week begins - exam schedule is HERE.
Jan. 17: Math 30-1 & 30-2 diploma exam
Jan 17th & 18th - JV Girls BBall @Oilfields Tournament
Jan. 20: English 30-2 diploma exam Part B, Biology 20
Jan 20 -24: Career Exploration Program Grade 9
Jan. 21: Social 30-1 & 30-2 diploma exam Part B
Jan. 22: Science 10 lab exam homeroom 10A
Jan. 22: Math 10 exam homeroom 10B
Jan. 22: Social 20-1 & 20-2 exam
Jan. 23: Chemistry 20 exam
Jan. 23: Chemistry 30 diploma exam
Jan. 24: Science 20 & 24 exam
Jan. 24: Science 10 lab exam homeroom 10B
Jan. 24: Math 10 exam homeroom 10A
Jan. 27: Science 30 diploma exam
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)
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 December 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