Dear Parents and Guardians,

Week 2 of semester 2, finds both staff and students excited about Family Day on

Monday.

We had a situation today that resulted in Bear Creek going into a “shelter-in-place”,

where we don’t let students out of the building for their own safety as something is

going on in the community. We are not always sure of the situation in the

community. Through social media, we do our best to inform parents about the

situations (another reason to sign on to my Remind app). School classes and

routines operate the same way; students are just not allowed to leave the building.

When students message out, their messages aren’t always factual, and these rumours

cause a lot of grief for the school staff, administration, parents, and police. If we had the situation as dire as it

was messaged out, you can be assured that we would’ve been in lockdown. We always ask for your patience –

when we know something, we will ensure that you know!

Happy President’s Day to the American members of the Bear Creek community.

Happy New Year to the Chinese members of the Bear Creek community. 2018 is the year of the Dog. People

born in the year of the Dog are conservative and full of justice. Because of their loyalty, Dogs are valued in the

workplace. They rarely break rules, except for people important to them. In life, they only wish to live quietly

with their family.

Happy Family Day to all of the members of the Bear Creek community.

I am always open to suggestions and comments, so please contact me at twilkinson@scdsb.on.ca 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

Weekly E-Newsletter

Stay Connected @ BCSS Friday, February 16, 2018

Vaping – A Letter From the Principal ............................................................................................................ 2

“Vimy to Juno” Exhibit at Bear Creek ........................................................................................................... 3

Cybersecurity .................................................................................................................................................... 3

Parent Resources Available to Support Gr. 10 Students in Preparing for Provincial Literacy Test ........ 3

TIPS for OSSLT ................................................................................................................................................ 4

Practice Supports for OSSLT .......................................................................................................................... 4

Bus Cancellation Information in Case of Inclement Weather ...................................................................... 4

Discovery Day in Health Sciences ................................................................................................................... 5

Green Team ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

OSAP Applications For 2018-19 Now Available ............................................................................................ 5

BCSS Lunchtime Live/Jam Sessions ............................................................................................................... 5

Chess Club ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Parents, Guardians Invited to Learn About Special Education in the SCDSB at Upcoming Information

Sessions ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

Schulich Leader Scholarship Program ........................................................................................................... 6

Sanofi Biogenius Canada – Biotechnology Competition ................................................................................ 7

Volunteer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................... 7

Sports News ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

Important Dates................................................................................................................................................. 9

Positively Speaking ........................................................................................................................................... 9

6 Keys to Get and Stay Organized ............................................................................................................... 9

Parent’s Corner ............................................................................................................................................... 11

Research Reveals Importance of a Success Mindset ................................................................................ 11

Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week ......................................................................................... 12

P.S. (Positive Statement): ............................................................................................................................... 12

What’s Happening at BCSS?

Vaping – A Letter From the Principal

I am writing to let you know we are seeing an increase in a dangerous new trend among youth: e-cigarette use,

also known as vaping. These electronic devices emit a vapor that is inhaled by the user. The liquid substances

used in these devices contain nicotine and other items that are not regulated by the provincial government. It is

of great concern these devices could also contain crystallized marijuana which is odourless and masked by fruit

and candy-scented vape liquids.

Our concern at Bear Creek Secondary School is for student safety. We are seeing increased numbers of

students--including athletes--who are vaping. Dangers that can present from vaping include the spread of

communicable diseases amongst those who share vapes; the poisoning of children and pets who ingest the vape

liquids which can contain 18-20% nicotine; and the explosion of batteries in the devices which can cause

considerable injury to self. Since the vaping solutions are unregulated, many youth believe they are using items

that are nicotine-free. Without regulation in effect, there are no long term studies to identify the effects of

vaping on human lungs.

As per Simcoe County District School Board policy, vaping is not permitted on school property or buses. The

selling of vaping items or mixing of vaping solutions is prohibited in our schools. Violation of the above will

result in suspension. In order to educate students and staff, we will have education provided through our

addictions support staff and through Simcoe Muskoka Health. As parents, you are encouraged to spend time

with your children talking openly about these potential hazards. You may choose to start a conversation by

asking them what they know about vaping and its effects.

For further information, please visit the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, or call Health

Connection at 705-721-7520, or 1-877-721-7520. Back to Table of Contents

“Vimy to Juno” Exhibit at Bear Creek

Bear Creek is pleased to welcome the travelling exhibit “Vimy to Juno” from February 26 – March 9, 2018.

This exhibit will be open to our community for viewing from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27th and

Thursday March 1st.

Check out the following link for information regarding the exhibit: http://www.vimytojuno.ca/en

Back to Table of Contents

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity awareness is one of our key security initiatives. Cybercrime has become a significant concern for

organizations globally, including Education, and it is becoming more serious and sophisticated by the month.

Hackers are getting smarter about tricking people into clicking fraudulent links or opening up malicious

attachments in emails – ‘social engineering’. Their primary focus is to gain access to your account(s), primarily

to learn personal and/or financial information.

Our cybersecurity awareness partner has provided us the ability for our students and their families to participate

in awareness training. We encourage teachers to share this information as well as teach their students the

importance of cybersecurity awareness as part of digital citizenship. Access to this training is

available at https://www.knowbe4.com/homecourse using the password: “homecourse”.

Back to Table of Contents

Parent Resources Available to Support Gr. 10 Students in Preparing for

Provincial Literacy Test

Grade 10 students in the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) will be taking the Ontario Secondary

School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on April 10, 2018, and public secondary school teachers are using a variety of

literacy strategies to help students prepare for this provincial assessment. Parents can also help prepare their

children for the test by visiting www.eqao.com and choosing Parent Resources.

This test is only available in handwritten (unless IEP accommodated) format only!

Successful completion of the OSSLT is one of the graduation requirements for all secondary school students.

SCDSB secondary school staff members are supporting their students in all subject areas to help them gain

essential skills and practice needed to be successful on the OSSLT.

The resources parents will find at www.EQAO.com explain the reading and writing skills being measured by

the OSSLT and include a tips and planning guide. The direct link to the parents’ section of the EQAO website

is: http://www.eqao.com/en/assessments/OSSLT/parents/Pages/parents.aspx

For more information, visit www.eqao.com or contact your Grade 10 student’s public secondary school.

Back to Table of Contents

TIPS for OSSLT

We are offering a TIPS (Test Improvement Performance Strategies) program to help grade 10 students prepare

for the OSSLT. The OSSLT is a graduation requirement. This program will be offered on Wednesdays from

2:30 until 4:30. We need 15 people to run this program. I have attached a registration form to this e-mail.

Back to Table of Contents

Practice Supports for OSSLT

You can get old tests on the www.EQAO.com site, under the OSSLT section. I also have booklets from a

company that has put together about 100 pages of test questions for students to practice on. The booklet costs

$5, which is what it cost us to buy. Please see me, Mr. Wilkinson, if you would like a copy.

Back to Table of Contents

Bus Cancellation Information in Case of Inclement Weather

As inclement weather approaches, the following information will inform of any school vehicle cancellation.

Through this contact list, school vehicle cancellation information will be provided to local media outlets for

broadcast between 6:00 am and 6:30 am on days when school vehicles are cancelled.

The SCSTC also reminds everyone that school vehicle cancellation information will be available through:

The SCSTC website www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca

The SCSTC Twitter Account @SCSTC_SchoolBus Mr. Wilkinson’s Remind Account @bcsskodiaks (306) 992-6969

If you are on Remind, I will let you know almost immediately when the cancellation message comes

through.

As in prior years, the SCSTC has divided Simcoe County into four (4) weather zones – school vehicle

cancellations may be specific to a single weather zone, include multiple weather zones or a total Simcoe

County cancellation. The four (4) weather zones are:

North Zone – Elmvale, Midland, Penetanguishene, Orillia and surrounding areas

South Zone – Alliston, Beeton, Bradford, Cookstown, Tottenham and surrounding areas

Central Zone – Barrie, Innisfil, Angus and surrounding areas

West Zone – Collingwood, Stayner, Wasaga Beach and surrounding areas

Bear Creek is in the Central Zone.

You do not have to phone in your child’s absence. Back to Table of Contents

Discovery Day in Health Sciences

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Discovery Day in Health Sciences

WESTERN UNIVERSITY

Friday, May 4, 2018

SCHOOL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

As in the past, high school students will have the opportunity to explore careers in medicine and other sciences

via a keynote lecture, interactive workshops and discussion with a panel of experts from various related fields.

If you have not already done so, the first step is for a contact teacher to register their school by visiting the

Discovery Day page of our website to select the event of interest:

http://cdnmedhall.org/discovery-days

Important details, dates and link to the school registration form can be found on the event specific page.

Back to Table of Contents

Green Team

Meetings are on every Monday, in room 207, at 10:45. 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

Chess Club

Chess Club is on Fridays, in the Career Centre, from 2:30 until 4-ish. All are welcome. No experience

necessary. The schedule of regional tournaments is in the main office. Back to Table of Contents

Parents, Guardians Invited to Learn About Special Education in the SCDSB at

Upcoming Information Sessions

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) will host a series of six information sessions for parents

and guardians to learn about special education in the SCDSB, and how to support students with special

education needs.

The following sessions will be offered:

March 19, 2018

Accessing Supports in the Community

April 16, 2018

Understanding Alternative/Non-Academic IEP Goals

“Parents play a critical role in supporting students’ success, especially for those with special education needs,”

says Chris Samis, Superintendent of Program/Special Education. “Being the parent of a child with special

education needs can be complicated and confusing. Finding ways as a school system to reduce that confusion

helps make the pathway simpler and straightforward, and ensures chances of success for everyone, especially

the child.”

The information sessions take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the SCDSB Education Centre, located at 1170 Highway

26 in Midhurst. Back to Table of Contents

Schulich Leader Scholarship Program

Western University is proud to be one of the 20 participating university partners of one of the largest and most

prestigious scholarship programs, the Schulich Leader Scholarship program.

With this partnership, Western is in support of students pursuing their dreams to become the next global

pioneers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The scholarships are awarded to students on the

basis of academic excellence and demonstrated ability for creative and innovative thought and a passion for

higher learning.

Each year, Western will select 2 students to receive a Schulich Leader Scholarship:

$100,000 to a student pursuing an Engineering degree

$80,000 to a student pursuing a Science, Technology or Math degree

For more information on the Schulich Leader Scholarships including nomination process please visit:

http://www.schulichleaders.com/ Back to Table of Contents

Sanofi Biogenius Canada – Biotechnology Competition

For over two decades, the Sanofi Biogenius Canada (SBC) program has nurtured young minds and fostered

great talent for the future by challenging high school students to carry out groundbreaking research projects in

the field of biotechnology. Detailed information about the competition can be found at www.biogenius.ca.

This is an opportunity for students to work under the guidance of an expert scientific mentor and gain access to

a real-world laboratory environment. Not only will students learn how to structure, conduct and report on your

experience, but you’ll also learn how to share your discovery with others and communicate high-level scientific

concepts to a wide audience.

Ready to apply? Submit your application now! You DO NOT NEED a mentor to submit your application:

http://biogenius.ca/apply/.

More detailed information and promotional posters can be downloaded from their website: www.biogenius.ca.

for more information about SBC’s key managing partner, Partners In Research, visit www.pirweb.org.

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.

4. 5.

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 19th Tuesday 20th Wednesday 21st Thursday 22nd Friday 23rd Nordic Skiing

OFSSA

Championships

Nordic Skiing

OFSSA

Championships

Jr. Boys’ Basketball

vs. Bradford

Girls’ Curling

@ Eastview

Jr. Girls’ Volleyball

@ Eastview

Wrestling

GBSSA

Girls’ Hockey

vs. Banting

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.

Badminton Club runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:15 to 6. You need a student card to play. Anyone

can come out. There may be a slight cost to cover equipment. The various badminton teams will be chosen

from the club members. See Mr. Wilkinson for more information.

Back to Table of Contents

Important Dates

Friday, February 23 Full Disclosure

Monday, March 12 – Friday, March 16 March Break

Monday, March 19 Progress reports go out

Thursday, March 22 Teacher Interview, 5 – 7 pm

Back to Table of Contents

Positively Speaking

If you were to come to my office, you might say “His office is so disorganized and cluttered. How does he get

anything done?” While the disarray does cause some people stress, I happen to be a very busy person and I also

happen to know where everything is. My admin colleagues are also very busy and have lovely organized

offices. My mind doesn’t work that way – never has, most likely never will. Just ask my mom, my wife, my

teaching partners, my daughter, etc.

I am going to try to follow the below points and maybe get even more organized. See what you think.

6 Keys to Get and Stay Organized

A friend recently had a house fire. She forgot a pot of soup broth on the stove. Her last memory was of the broth

gently boiling. Hours later she returned to find her home filled with black smoke. The family has since moved

into a hotel and the house is in the process of being steamed and scrubbed.

Ever optimistic and in the middle of the chaos, my friend found a silver lining. She told me that often she

wished her house would gently tip sideways and all the contents would fall out, leaving a neat and empty home

ready to start over again – and so she could see what was in there! In the midst of working and raising a family

it seemed there was more in the closets and corners than she had time to deal with.

No one ever says: I’d like to be more disorganized. We all crave our spaces to make sense, to be functional, to

allow for the ease of living and working. That is what getting organized is really about: more time and space to

do the things we need to do and want to do.

No one, and not likely a force of God, is going to tip our home, office or workspace on its side to allow us to

start over – and we certainly are not wishing for a fire. But my “house- tipping” friend hit on a few key ideas

when it comes to getting organized.

Here are 6 key ideas to help you get and stay organized.

Sometimes it takes a crisis to take stock

No matter where we are on the organizational spectrum, it is never too late. If it feels overwhelming, we are not

alone. Even the most organized individual has seasons of, “Oh my goodness, this is out of control – where do I

start?”

Take out the stuff

Over time we accumulate stuff. We might need to take it out and see what our drawers or file folders really

hold. Sometimes we find hidden gems. Often we are a little surprised to find that we still have items that are

just taking up space.

Assess what is of value

After we take a look at what is hidden away, it is necessary to ask what purpose each item serves. At one time it

may have been useful or valuable to us, or maybe we just never put it away or tossed it out. If we don’t need it,

use it or love it, then it might be time to find it a new home.

Find a place for everything

Once we have taken stock and decided what to keep and what to get rid of, we need to have a place for

everything. No guessing where the scissors are – they have a spot. No looking for ongoing projects – they have

a place. No searching for that important file – it has a home. No surprise closets.

Don’t neglect the upkeep

Maintenance is key in keeping things organized. Spaces, like muscles, naturally atrophy if we don’t keep

checking in and making sure they are being well used.

Be kind to yourself

If you are feeling overwhelmed and in the midst of disarray, ask yourself, “How long did it take to get here?”

You may not get organized in one day. You also did not arrive where you are without a back story. Recognize

that change takes time.

Finding yourself in a bit of chaos can be about life being full and the pace in fast forward. This doesn’t mean

we are disorganized or lazy. In fact, it might just mean we have been doing other things – so don’t feel bad.

Besides, guilt is not a productive emotion.

Decide on one thing to do or change, and then it is no longer up for deliberation. Choose carefully. It may be

small; in fact it is often the smallest changes, if consistently followed, that have potential for large impact.

Maybe you are even bold enough to write it down or tell someone.

And as you begin, do not let the following “stay disorganized” myths trick you or derail your efforts.

Common Myths that Derail Our Efforts

“I’m not the organized type.”

Sorry, there is no type. It is a choice; organization requires energy and on-going commitment – no biological

dispositions get us off the hook.

“I tried it and it did not work.”

The reality is that being organized includes maintenance. It not a one-off kind of behavior. This myth is like

saying I tried healthy eating once. It is easy to give up. Try, try, try again.

“I don’t want to be thought of as cold.”

Some of the most organized people I know exude warmth. Being organized doesn’t mean you have cut out your

heart and replaced it with a clock. In fact, organized people often plan their homes and workspaces so they can

invite others in and have comfortable places to linger, share and collaborate.

“I will lose my spontaneity.”

Organized people do schedule the things that matter most – priority work projects, exercise, hobbies and family

time – and they also have lots of time for leisure. Being organized might give you the wiggle room to be more

spontaneous, not less. It might help you find the paint, brushes and easel. It might give you a few hours on the

weekend to go exploring.

Remember, getting and staying organized is not about being a minimalist or following the newest organizing

scheme. Organization is not about uniformity – it is about functionality.

Source: “6 Keys to Get and Stay Organized”, by Wendy Loewen, February 16, 2018, https://blog.achievecentre.com/6-keys-get-stay-organized/

Back to Table of Contents

Parent’s Corner

The Board has given us training and support to promote a “growth mindset”, as opposed to a “fixed mindset”.

This means that learners (teachers and students {and admin}) don’t give up on their learning; don’t reject new

ways of thinking; don’t make assumptions about their learning; and so on.

I like to look at it this way: each day brings a brand new set of experiences. Experience, they say, is the best

teacher. Thus, each day I am open to learning something new.

I think growth mindset and success mindset are exactly the same but different words. Tell me what you think

after reading the below article.

Research Reveals Importance of a Success Mindset

The band director handed out a difficult new piece. But your teen wasn’t worried. “I’ll just practice until I get

it.”

Then later, his math teacher introduced a new math skill. Your teen rolled his eyes. “I can’t learn this,” he said.

“I’m no good in math.”

The truth is that the same strategy your teen learns to master his music is the one that will help him learn the

difficult math problems. But many students do not see the connection between practice and results in the

classroom.

Researchers at Stanford conducted a study on motivation. They divided students into two groups. They praised

one group for their ability (“You must be smart to get that right”). They praised the other group for their effort

(“You really worked hard to figure that out”).

Over time, students in the group praised for their ability backed off a challenge. But the teens praised for their

work effort said, “Bring it on.”

How do you see school success? Do you believe your teen can learn anything if he works at it? That is what

researchers now call the “success mindset.” It’s critical to helping students stay motivated to face—and

overcome—challenges.

Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” Turns out that he

was exactly right!

Source: “B. Goodwin, Changing the Odds for Student Success: What Matters Most, Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning.

Back to Table of Contents

Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week

(Feb. 19 – Feb. 23)

Monday 19th Tuesday 20th Wednesday 21st Thursday 22nd Friday 23rd

FAMILY DAY

Challenge your teen

to keep track of how

many times he

checks social media

today.

The next time you

drop your teen off at

practice or

rehearsal, stay a few

minutes and watch.

Look for a movie

that’s based on a

book. Read the

book with your teen

before seeing the

film.

Do some research

on electronic

cigarettes. Make

sure you and your

teen have the latest

facts.

Back to Table of Contents

Have a great and restful long weekend!

Drive safely! Stay dry!

Go Canada Go!

Report cards went out on Thursday.

Happy Family Day on Monday.

Be well!

Terry Wilkinson

Vice Principal

Bear Creek Secondary School

P.S. (Positive Statement):

“Love your family. Spend time, be kind & serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not

promised & today is short.”

- Unknown 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.