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End of Week 15
Published on Dec 14, 2018 18:04

Hi everyone,

We are heading into the last week of school before Christmas and it's clear there is much excitement and energy in the building already. However, we also remember that this is a time of worry for some students. If you are concerned about your teen's mental health please give us a call and we can work on a support plan as we have extensive links to mental health agencies.

Our Christmas Activity Day is running next Friday. Students who did not sign up for out of school activities can take advantage of free, fun activities here at the school for the day, including open gym, video games, baking, and movies. Huge thanks to Mr. Burke for his incredible organizational work in keeping this 30 year school tradition going for another year, and to all the teachers who are supervising the various activities.

Planning is underway for next year's Mission Trip to Ecuador! Students are invited to attend a preliminary information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 18th, and we plan to have a parent information evening January 16th at 6 pm. to review the program and costs. This is an exciting multi-credit travel experience. In past years we have proudly participated in Mission Trips to Kenya, Ecuador and China. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend on January 16th.

We are also looking at a History Trip to Europe in May of 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II (VE Day). More details will be forthcoming in the New Year.

We are holding a parent information evening Wednesday Dec. 19th for our grade 9 Geography Trip to Tobermory. This is a fun, informative, and interesting opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning by exploring the Bruce Peninsula. The trip is scheduled for Friday May 31 - Saturday June 1 and the cost is $292 including transportation by coach and overnight accommodations. 

Chartwell's, our cafeteria food service provider, is encouraging parents and students to get swipe cards for the cafeteria. You can load up a card with credit so that your teens don't have to carry cash, and you don't have to worry about them going off school property for lunch. It is simple to do -- this flyer provides all the information you need to get started. And you get a 10% bonus on the card for every $50 you load onto it.

As was expected the changes the Smoke Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017 became fully realized on October 17, 2018 to parallel the legalization of recreational cannabis. In the coming weeks Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEO’s) from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will be visiting all high schools, adult and alternative learning centres in the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s service area to complete mandatory annual inspections.
 
Under the revised SFOA:
  • Vaping will be treated like smoking and is therefore prohibited on school property;
  • Recreational cannabis is prohibited in the same places where smoking and vaping is prohibited; 
  • Prohibited areas have been expanded to include an additional 20 metres from any point on the perimeter of the school grounds;
  • Schools have the responsibility to ensure that No Smoking and No Vaping laws are followed on school property.

We thank you for observing these important restrictions. 

Once we return from Christmas Break, we are into final evaluation/exam season. Students will have a lot on their plates as they prepare for the end of the semester. Please avoid unnecessary absences from school as we don't want students missing critical deadlines for presentations, submissions, or assessments. A reminder that semester 2 begins Monday February 4, 2019.

Finally, you may receive (or may have already received) an email with a communication letter from your teen's teacher(s). This is important information as we head into the last days of the semester. It is not too late to connect with the teachers to figure out a plan if your teen is falling behind. We also have Student Success and Resource teachers who can assist.

This will be my last weekly message until the New Year, so on behalf of the staff I wish you a very merry, peaceful, and beautiful Christmas. May you all take time to reflect on the importance of this season, and enjoy the precious company of your families and friends. I am truly blessed to work in such a wonderful school community. 

God Bless,

Brian McKenzie
Principal