1-4 Bonnie & Clyde Musical 8-11 Bonnie & Clyde Musical

13-16 Book Grad Photo appointments @ www.scphoto.ca 14 Parent Council – 6:30 pm 17 School Based PD – No school for students

20-24 Family Week – No School for students 28 Grad Meeting during CHAT in Theatre

14 Parent Council – 6:30 pm 15 Student/Parent/Teacher Interviews – 6:00 – 8:30 pm 16 Student/Parent/Teacher Interviews – 4:00 – 6:30 pm 17 District Based PD Day - No school for students 30 Junior High Dance 31 Middle School Day – No School for Grade 7 & 8

Next junior dance: March 30! Look for a survey soon from your CHAT teacher for a survey about playlist recommendations. If you have suggestions about the format of dances, please see Mrs. Karpiuk or Ms. Sand.

My name is Taylor Bronson and I am taking over for

April Welshman’s coverage for Lisa Tessman’s maternity leave in the My Place office. Confusing, I know!

My Place is expanding our universal programming to include high school students, therefore April is moving to Medicine Hat High School to start their new My Place program. Luckily, this means My Place is open in Crescent Heights one extra day a week to accommodate for high school programming. I will be at Crescent Heights for programs and presentations Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I am excited to become a part of Crescent Heights!

In the upcoming month My Place will continue to host Lunch & Learn Activities and after school programs. This month Lindsay Poloni, Community Resource worker with the City of Medicine Hat will be speaking to students about volunteering to teach seniors computer literacy. My Place has also partnered with the Medicine Hat Police Service on February 7 to present on cyber savvy parenting at 6:30pm. If you are interested in attending this event please register at www.cybersavvy.eventbright.ca.

Book your Grad Photos www.scphoto.ca

February 13 – 16

Congratulations to Sharli Clarke, Benoit Filion, Eryk McKenzie, and Landon Scholly. These four Grade 9 band students will be heading to Calgary on February 15th to participate in the Alberta Band Association’s Southern Jr. Honour Band. The band is made up of student’s grades 7-9 from all over Southern Alberta. They will spend three days working with Mr. Tom Spila and give a final concert the evening of February 17th. We know they will do a fantastic job representing CHHS and Medicine Hat!

Track and Field's official start date is February 15th. If you are a Senior High Student and

are wanting to participate in Track and Field please see Mr. Peterson during the first week of February. Our school will be starting Track in March for the Senior Highs and April for the Junior Highs.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interview Wednesday, March 15th 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Thursday, March 16th 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Be sure to check your students Powerschool for updated marks and attendance.

Phone: 403-527-6641

Email: Sheryl.watson@sd76.ab.ca

In order to keep the lines of communication open between school

and home, it is pertinent we have current information regarding addresses and phone numbers.

HAVE YOU CHECKED

THE PARENT PORTAL TODAY?

3.

4.

5.

Your students Full Name

Go to www.chhsweb.ca

Power School Tutorial

CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

1. CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

Please phone the school for your students Access ID and Password – 403-527-6641

This is your relationship to the student.

Once this section is finished scroll to the bottom of the page and press ENTER

6. This is the Username you just chose

This is the Password you just chose

2.

CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

3. 5. Your First Name

Your Last Name

Your Email Address

This is the Username you will use to sign in.

Choose the Password you will use to sign in.

Your Students Full Name

Understanding Gender Identity

Gender is more complex than most of us have been taught. Gender is made up of 3 parts: • Gender biology (our bodies or biological sex – our sex at birth based on the appearance of genitals) • Gender expression (how we dress and act), and • Gender identity (how we feel inside) Not all youth fit neatly into being male or female. For some, the sense of being “both” or “neither” best describes their reality. Sometimes they may identify more as male or more as female on different days; this is described as being gender fluid and is a normal variation of human gender. A person’s gender is not what others tell them, but it is how they feel and who they know themselves to be. As a parent, you can be a great influence in your teen’s life, but you can’t change their true gender identity or expressions of their gender. However, you can help them to have a healthy, positive sense of themselves in relation to their gender. Some people are very young when they become aware of their gender identity – some as young as 3. It is important to not focus on your teen being male or female, but support them in exploring a wide variety of age appropriate interests and talents. Your teen may turn to you if they’re feeling worried, scared, or confused about their own gender identity. This may seem overwhelming as a parent, but it’s important to listen to your child with an open mind and open heart. You don’t have to have all the answers; together you can find more information and support. Understanding who they are can bring joy, relief, and peace of mind to everyone. Your child’s gender identity is a gift, and like their intuition, creativity, and intellect, they are a part of the foundation that makes them who they are. For more information and support please visit the Alberta Health Services www.teachingsexualhealth.ca

Congratulations to the following CHHS winners in the Alberta Winter Games Art & Poetry Contest:

1st Place Poetry: Rylee Anderson 2nd Place Poetry: Traynor Donovan 3rd Place Poetry: Ainsley Spencer

1st Place Art: Rae Thornhill 2nd Place Art: Dillan Bircham 3rd Place Art: Colton Backlun/Niomi St. Paul

Fentanyl: Information for Teachers and Parents What you need to know? You may have heard recently about a dangerous drug called fentanyl that is causing a lot of harm in Alberta and across Canada. Fentanyl is an opioid (painkiller) that can be used safely when it is prescribed by a health professional and taken as directed. But it is also being made and sold illegally. Fentanyl is very toxic. Just a small amount of fentanyl, the size of two grains of salt, can be deadly. Fentanyl is made and sold in many different forms and can be hiding in other drugs. Talk to the kids in your life: Kids and young adults are especially vulnerable to substances since their brains are still developing. It is not always easy, but talking to your kids about fentanyl and other dangerous drugs is one of the best things you can do to keep them safe. • You can start a conversation by telling your kids you care about them and you want them to be safe. • Ask them what they know about fentanyl and encourage open and honest communication.

• Tell them what you know about fentanyl ♦ It’s a very dangerous drug that is being seen more and more in Alberta ♦ 272 Albertans died from fentanyl in 2015 ♦ It can stop your breathing ♦ It can be hiding in any street drug and may even look like prescription medication ♦ Drug dealers may not know if the product they are selling contains fentanyl.

• Ask your kids if they are ever around drugs and let them know it is ok to say no if they are ever offered drugs. What parents and caregivers can do? As parents, you are an important influence in your kids’ lives. Although there is

no guaranteed way to prevent drug use, there are some things you can do that we know are helpful: • Spend quality time with your kids, be involved in their lives. • Encourage and support your kids to help them do well in school. Support and help your kids be involved in activities that build on their interest, hobbies (sports, learning, community activities, and leadership development). • Help kids and youth understand the risks and consequences of drug use and have clear expectations. • Support your kids to make healthy decisions and what to do if someone is pressuring them or their friends to use drugs. If you think your child might be using fentanyl or other drugs, there is help. Call Health Link at 811 and their trained staff will help you with what to do next. What teachers can do? As teachers, you contribute to healthy and supportive school environments and help students

make positive choices. Talk to your students about drugs, and promote drug-use prevention initiatives in your school. Prevention initiatives that have been shown to be helpful in the school setting include:

• student led programs • programs that connect students with positive role models (mentoring) • encouraging meaningful participation (student council, peer tutoring • programs that focus on life skills (social skills, managing conflict, etc.). Research shows that the most effective drug prevention programs focus on positive social and behavioural development and put the students at the centre of the design, taking their needs and realities into account. Signs of an overdose: If you are using drugs, or are with someone who has used drugs, and you or they have any of these symptoms call 911: • breathing is slow or not breathing at all • nails and/or lips are blue • choking or throwing up • making gurgling sounds • skin is cold and clammy • can’t wake them up Learn more about overdose prevention and what you can do to keep yourself and others safe at drugsfool.ca.

When someone overdoses on fentanyl, they may stop breathing. If you come across someone who you think may be overdosing and is not breathing:

1. Call 911 immediately. 2. Follow the SAVE ME steps: Stimulate (to see if a person is responsive) Airway (check and clear) Ventilate (1 breath every 5 seconds) Evaluate Muscular Injection (1ml of naloxone if available) Evaluate (consider second dose of naloxone if needed) 3. Stay with the person until help arrives.

Rescue breathing is best performed with a barrier mask to prevent the potential transfer of disease. Naloxone is a drug that may help someone start breathing again after an opioid overdose if given right away. However, its effect is only temporary.