Dear Parents and Guardians,

Week 3 saw the end of summer and the start of Fall on Wednesday morning, which means that NHL pre-season

hockey is in full-swing. Could this be the year the Leafs win that coveted trophy?? Uh...probably not, but it will be

exciting (or at least interesting). However, it does mean that meaningful baseball has been played in this

town/country for the first time in 22 years, with the Blue Jays first in their division and most likely heading into the

post-season. Now, that’s exciting (and yes, it’s also interesting). Go Jays!

Mornings were chilly and afternoons were beautiful. I was mentioning to a number of people that only in

Canada do we wear shorts in sub 10ºC weather, in the morning, in anticipation of plus 20ºC weather in the

afternoon. We Canadians are a tough bunch! Can you believe we are heading into October next week?

It is an incredibly busy sports week for Bear Creek student-athletes and their coaches. Good luck to everyone!

Previous e-newsletters are available on the Bear Creek website: http://bss.scdsb.on.ca/

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

something on your mind.

To the members of Bear Creek’s Jewish Community, we wish you “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday) as you

observe Sukkot.

Please follow me on Twitter: @VPWilkinson

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

Bear Creek Students Help Clean Up Forest ................................................................................................... 2

Free Historic Walking Tours this Saturday, September 26th ....................................................................... 3

Terry Fox Run ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Horatio Alger Association Canada Scholarship ............................................................................................ 3

PRO (Parents Reaching Out) Grants .............................................................................................................. 4

Recycle Your Books .......................................................................................................................................... 4

Bottle Drive for Rugby ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Citrus Fruit Fundraiser for Rugby ................................................................................................................. 5

Weekly E-Newsletter

Stay Connected @ BCSS Friday, September 25, 2015

Supermoon Lunar Eclipse on September 27 .................................................................................................. 5

Student ID Cards .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Pep Rally Buy In & Kodiak Spirit Day ........................................................................................................... 5

Fan Buses & Football Game ............................................................................................................................ 5

Yearbook ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

Simcoe County Literacy Results ...................................................................................................................... 6

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge! ...................................................................................................... 6

A & E Canadian Classroom - 2015 Lives That Make a Difference Essay Contest – For Students and

Teachers ............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Learning Partnership’s Entrepreneurial Adventure is Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Spirit! For

Teachers, Students, and the Local Business Community. ............................................................................. 7

2016 Canada's Outstanding Principals ......................................................................................................... 10

School Council - Wednesday, September 30th .............................................................................................. 10

University and College Upcoming Dates ....................................................................................................... 10

University Information Program Evening .................................................................................................... 11

Maclean’s Student Life Expo ......................................................................................................................... 11

Grade 9 Ultimate Frisbee Tournament ......................................................................................................... 11

B. O. B. ............................................................................................................................................................. 12

Bear Wear ........................................................................................................................................................ 12

Now Accepting Applications for Loran Scholar Foundation Awards ....................................................... 12

Simcoe County Special Needs Information Fair .......................................................................................... 13

GSA .................................................................................................................................................................. 14

College Visits ................................................................................................................................................... 14

University Visits .............................................................................................................................................. 14

Me to We Club ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Volunteer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................ 15

Sports News ..................................................................................................................................................... 16

Important Dates .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Positively Speaking ......................................................................................................................................... 17

Parent’s Corner ............................................................................................................................................... 18

Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week ......................................................................................... 19

P.S. (Positive Statement): ............................................................................................................................... 19

What’s Happening at BCSS?

Bear Creek Students Help Clean Up Forest

More than 100 students from Bear Creek Secondary School

participated in a garbage cleanup event held near their school at the

Dyer Tract, Wednesday.

The tract is part of the Simcoe County Forests. This was the first

year the students got involved in the cleanup, in partnership with

the County of Simcoe.

We have awesome students here – just letting you know!

Back to Table of Contents

Free Historic Walking Tours this Saturday, September 26th

Heritage Barrie is sponsoring free historic walking tours conducted by knowledgeable and entertaining Barrie

Town Crier, Steve Travers, in partnership with Larry Cotton author of “Whiskey and Wickedness Barrie”.

“Venerable Souls”: 11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Meeting Point: Union Cemetery, 338 Sunnidale Road entrance

Come explore the history of esteemed people buried at Union Cemetery

“Victorian Rogues and Scoundrels”: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Meeting Point: Memorial Square on Dunlop Street Downtown Barrie

The tours are family-friendly. However, the historical and architectural content will appeal more to older youths

and adults than active young children.

Space is limited so please register in advance by e-mailing Heritagebarrie@barrie.ca. Indicate the tour you’d

like to attend and the number of people. For more information, visit the online events calendar via barrie.ca or

contact Kathy Brislin at 705 -739-4220 Ext 4440. Back to Table of Contents

Terry Fox Run

Bear Creek staff and students will be doing their Terry Fox run/walk on Friday, October 2nd, all through the day

depending on the grade (Period One: Grade 12's, Period Two: Grade 11's, Period Four: Grade 10's, Period

Five: Grade 9's) for the last part of the period.

Any donation is appreciated and will collected in homerooms as well as when students get on the track. In the

past, the schools I have been part of, implemented the idea of “Toonie for Terry” which, if each student

participated, would raise over $3,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation to eradicate cancer. Back to Table of Contents

Horatio Alger Association Canada Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association of Canada provides $650,000 annually in need-based scholarship support for

deserving students in all Canadian provinces and territories. Scholarships of up to $10,000 are awarded to full-

time students in their terminal year of high school with financial need (family income under $55,000) who have

demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, a commitment to pursue a post-secondary

education, a desire to contribute to society, and a good academic record.

Application Deadline: October 25, 2015

How to Apply

The application process for the 2016 Horatio Alger of Canada Scholarship Programs is now open. High school

seniors from all Canadian provinces and territories graduating in spring 2016 are now able to submit an online

application. Visit the About our Scholarships page to learn more and apply.

See more at: https://www.horatioalger.ca/en/scholarships/#sthash.TUjNHnzN.dpuf Back to Table of Contents

PRO (Parents Reaching Out) Grants

SCDSB Schools Receive Over $73,000 for Parents Reaching Out Projects

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) has been granted more than $73,000 this school year to

connect with parents through the Ministry of Education’s Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School

Councils and for PRO Grants for Regional Projects.

SCDSB School Council Projects

Individual school councils apply for PRO Grants to support initiatives that focus on ways to further engage

parents in their child’s education. These projects feature topics of relevance to each school community,

including mental health, safety online, parent engagement and family literacy and math events. In total, this year

SCDSB school councils are receiving $40,115 in funding for 41 school-based projects.

View a complete list of 2015-2016 SCDSB PRO Grants for school councils.

SCDSB Regional Projects

PRO Grants for Regional Projects are available to various community groups, non-profit organizations and

educational systems to create more opportunities to work with parents as partners.

This year, the SCDSB has been awarded four regional grants:

1. “Inclusive and Assistive Technology Awareness Exhibition” will demystify assistive technology and

demonstrate how it is becoming more mainstream and available.

2. “Transition Program for Students and Parents Involved with School Realignment and Closure” will

encourage positive relationships between families affected by school closures.

3. “We’re All Outside Together” will engage families to enhance the frequency and quality of outdoor

learning experiences to support student achievement.

4. “Circle of Learning- Family of Schools Outreach” will support events introducing healthy eating and

habits to parents, and improve understanding of learning strategies at schools across Simcoe County.

View a complete list of 2015-2016 SCDSB PRO Grants for regional projects.

Further details on PRO programs can be found on the Ministry of Education’s website. Back to Table of Contents

Recycle Your Books

If you have any young readers at home that have outgrown their books and they ready to part ways with them,

we will gladly accept them in the Learning Centre. Please let us know as we are adding new books to our

collection daily. Back to Table of Contents

Bottle Drive for Rugby

The rugby team is doing a bottle drive October 3rd in the community. If you happen to have empties lying

around and would like to bring them to school (portable 405), we would appreciate the support and would save

you a trip to the beer store. Back to Table of Contents

Citrus Fruit Fundraiser for Rugby

A box of oranges can be purchased for $30 or grapefruit for $25. If a student does not ask you and you would

like an order please email Deanna or myself and we will get those delicious items to you in early December.

Citrus is fresh from Florida and last for months in the cold cellar. Back to Table of Contents

Supermoon Lunar Eclipse on September 27

I know this is not directly Bear Creek news, but it is “world” (or “out of this world”) news that I thought you

might find interesting. Here’s to clear skies on Sunday night!

Don't miss the total lunar eclipse this Sunday night.

Sky and Telescope magazine says:

“This eclipse is unusual in one particular way. It’s the biggest eclipsed Moon you’ll ever see! The year’s

closest lunar perigee occurs just 59 minutes before mid-eclipse.”

The NASA video (1:20) is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKAw_wrIr5s

Make sure you get out for a look between 10:11 and 11:23 EDT. Back to Table of Contents

Student ID Cards

Student cards are available for sale in the school store during lunch from Tuesday to Friday all year. They cost

$15.00. For payment we accept cash or School Cash Online. Student cards are required to play on any team,

club, group, and attend any school event. All the proceeds raised from sales gets re-distributed within the school

for students. Back to Table of Contents

Pep Rally Buy In & Kodiak Spirit Day

During Period 1 on Wednesday, September 30th Student Council is hosting an all grade buy in. All you need is

this year’s student card to attend. Back to Table of Contents

Fan Buses & Football Game

On Wednesday, September 30th, following the pep rally, student can attend the Sr. Boys football game at the

Barrie Sports Complex via Fan Bus. The cost is $5.00 with a non-perishable food item for the Barrie Food

Bank, and this year’s student card. A signed permission form is required.

Back to Table of Contents

Yearbook

Buy a yearbook at the lowest price, for $40, for a limited time only – from September 25th to September 30th.

Don’t pass up this opportunity to re-live memories in the future! Back to Table of Contents

Simcoe County Literacy Results

Simcoe County's students are below the provincial average on the literacy tests taken last spring, but not by

much.

Results are out from the secondary school literacy tests show a pass rate of 79 per cent for Grade 10 students in

schools across the County.

Province-wide, the pass rate is 82 per cent.

The Education Quality office no longer releases school-by-school results for the test, saying the test shouldn't be

used as a measure of a school's quality. Back to Table of Contents

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge!

Would you like to win a share of $500,000 in Samsung technology for your school? Sign up for the Samsung

Solve for Tomorrow Challenge!

The Learning Partnership is joining Samsung Canada to launch the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge, a

national educational challenge designed to inspire Canadian students to reach their full potential and get closer

to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects by applying them to help better their

communities – and win new technology for their schools!

• Students will be asked to identify an existing challenge or issue they are passionate about in their town, city or

neighbourhood, and use STEM to help solve it.

• The challenge is open to all students and teachers in Grades 6-12 at publicly funded schools across Canada.

• Finalist schools will share in $500,000 in Samsung classroom technology. Solve for Tomorrow Challenge

partners include Canadian YouTube stars Mitch Moffit and Greg Brown of AsapSCIENCE. Mitch and Greg

will visit two grand prize winning schools to learn about their winning student projects and feature them in an

AsapTHOUGHT video; they'll also host an epic STEM lab experience at the winning schools.

• The first phase of the contest runs September 23 to November 30, 2015.

To learn more, visit solvefortomorrow.ca and follow @SamsungCanada and #SamsungSolve on Twitter,

Facebook and Instagram.

Contact: Paul Cartwright,

North Strategic for Samsung Canada at paul.cartwright@northstrategic.com Back to Table of Contents

A & E Canadian Classroom - 2015 Lives That Make a Difference Essay

Contest – For Students and Teachers

Welcome to the 2015 Lives That Make a Difference Essay Contest.

If you go to http://www.livesthatmakeadifference.com/index.html , you can learn more about this year’s essay

contest and Official Rules, check out last year’s essay winner, and submit your own essay into the competition!

A Bear Creek Student Could Win $3,000!

Students in grades 5-12 may enter by writing an essay based on someone they think made the biggest impact on

Canadian society in 2015. Prizes are awarded in two grade levels: 5th - 8th grade and 9th - 12th grade. Two

winners will be selected in each level.

GRAND PRIZE FIRST PRIZE

Student: $3,000 Prize Student: $2,000 Prize

Department/Classroom Department/Classroom

of Teacher: $1,000 Cash of Teacher: $1,000 Cash

Contest ends December 11, 2015. Back to Table of Contents

Learning Partnership’s Entrepreneurial Adventure is Unleashing the

Entrepreneurial Spirit! For Teachers, Students, and the Local Business

Community.

I have an IDEA. It can be a BUSINESS.

We can get CUSTOMERS.

It’s EXCITING – it’s ENTREPRENEURIAL!

The Learning Partnership’s Entrepreneurial Adventure is all about sparking students’ natural curiosity,

intelligence and passion to seize an opportunity to take their ideas to market – and discover just what they can

do!

The Entrepreneurial Adventure Program is a hands-on entrepreneurial journey for students in Grades K-12. It is

designed to develop students’ enterprising spirit, financial literacy, innovative thinking and social responsibility.

To date, these student business ventures have raised $2.6 million for charities!

Entrepreneurial Adventure helps develop Canada's next generation of entrepreneurs by teaching essential 21st

century skills, such as marketing, business planning, team building and the importance of social responsibility.

Together with teachers and volunteer business mentors, students from kindergarten to Grade 12 develop

innovative business ventures that raise money for local, national and international charities.

Entrepreneurial Adventure Goals

Enhance critical and creative thinking

Cultivate the spirit of adventure and enterprise, risk and reward, and sense of satisfaction from

transforming an idea into reality

Develop self confidence in developing and

communicating ideas

Experience collaboration and team work

Develop project and time management skills

Develop leadership and collaborative skills (ability to

lead a team and work within a team)

How Does Entrepreneurial Adventure Work?

Local volunteer business partners and teachers work together with the class to:

1. Identify a venture concept

2. Plan, promote and launch their ventures at school and

public showcases

3. Celebrate its success at the Entrepreneurial Adventure Showcase held every May at high visibility public

venues

4. Profits of the venture are usually donated to a local charity

Through mentorships from teachers and business partners, students work together to learn about planning,

teamwork, presentation skills, risk management, marketing, financial literacy and business as well as develop

personal enterprising qualities.

We aspire to expand the EA program coast to coast across Canada and engage even more high school students

than ever before. The goal of the program is to instill a sense of entrepreneurial adventure in the students,

by harnessing local resources and providing students with a foundation of knowledge that will allow them to

envision, create and operate their own entrepreneurial undertakings.

How to Get Started With the Entrepreneurial Adventure Program

Partners are matched in the fall of the school year, and the programs operate between January and May.

Entrepreneurial Adventure Showcases are held in cities across Canada at the end of May every year.

Why Entrepreneurial Adventure?

The program benefits not just the teachers, business partner volunteers and students, but the entrepreneurial

ventures become a point of pride for communities and generally result in funds being raised to support special

causes.

By instilling a sense of entrepreneurial adventure in the students, the program also opens the door for economic

development and innovative projects to occur in communities and could effectively reduce the amount of youth

out-migration by illustrating the boundless opportunities that an entrepreneurial venture provides.

Teachers and Business

Partners Timelines:

September: Register on the Entrepreneurial Adventure

Upon registration, gain access to resources and information

December: Professional development workshop is provided

Meeting with business partner

Planning time is coordinated between partners

“Seed money” may be needed to begin the business venture

January: Classroom visitations begin and a timetable is set for future visitations

Project implementation begins

May: Showcase celebrations – the Big Day!

What's in it for Students?

32% of young people view entrepreneurship as the most desired profession

Explore various career opportunities

Learn business skills, financial literacy, presenting and promoting to the public

Learn how to plan, organize and deliver a project – project management skills

Make the curriculum relevant, using real-world projects and authentic learning

Develop teamwork skills, interpersonal skills and support creativity

Build self-confidence and resilience

Make a significant contribution to their community, develop personal & social responsibility

Have fun!

What's in it for Teachers?

Entrepreneurial Adventure aligns and is easily integrated into the provincial curriculum

Appeals to students at all ability levels

Develops community partnerships

Teach students to be more creative, strategic thinkers

Professional development opportunities

Access to ideas, activities, and a library of recourses and discussion forums

Networking with other colleagues from different schools and boards

Chance to win a national award and cash prize for your classroom

Have fun!

The Role of the Teacher

Act as a facilitator in the classroom

Agree to time commitment with the partner – one hour and a half per week as a starting point

Communicate with the business partner on a regular basis to establish a solid partnership

Attend the Entrepreneurial Workshop as part of Professional Development

Develop a business plan and raise money for venture start-up costs

Brainstorm with students on the plans, projects and implement it through curriculum objectives

Complete the application for the National Awards (optional)

Complete the project by May, ready for the Showcase and Celebrations

What's in it for Business Partners?

Give back to the community by contributing to public education and serve as a role model

Share your knowledge and expertise

Establish your brand and profile in the community

Gain access to The Learning Partnership’s national forum and a library of resources

Demonstrate corporate social responsibility - instill the value of giving and caring

Promote the value of one and the power of many

Have fun!

The Role of the Business Partner

Work with the class to identify and develop a business venture

Assist the students to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes that such a venture requires

Share personal knowledge and expertise

Make presentations to the class that relate to the desired outcome of their venture

Help develop or acquire resource materials that students may need

Help to assess the ideas, opportunities and venture plans of the students

Provide opportunities for students to visit a business

Connect the class to other businesses in the community

Assist in the completion of the application for the National Awards (based on the class’ decision to

participate) Back to Table of Contents

2016 Canada's Outstanding Principals

DO YOU KNOW AN INNOVATIVE AND OUTSTANDING SCHOOL PRINCIPAL?

Every year The Learning Partnership honours principals across the country who exemplify excellence in public

education. Nominations for the 2016 Canada's Outstanding Principals awards are now open. Submissions are

invited from school boards, colleagues, parents, teachers, students and all community members.

Nominate an Outstanding Principal Today! Submission Deadline is November 2, 2015

For more information, please contact: Jon Powell, Program Manager at 416.440.5112 or

jpowell@thelearningpartnership.ca Back to Table of Contents

School Council - Wednesday, September 30th

Our first school council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Cafetorium, on Wednesday, September 30th.

Back to Table of Contents

University and College Upcoming Dates

SOME GRADE 12’S: University Application Tutorial: Tuesday, November 3 per. 2 in the cafe

SOME GRADE 12’S: College Application Tutorial: Wednesday, October 28 per. 1 in the cafe

Back to Table of Contents

University Information Program Evening

The Standing Committee on Student Recruitment has finalized the schedule for the fall 2015 University

Information Program (UIP). They are looking forward to visiting Barrie to connect with interested students and

their families.

Please save the date and plan to join them at this year’s University Information Program at:

School Name: St. Peter's CSS

School Address: 201 Ashford dr.

Date: Monday, October 19th, 2015

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Format: Traditional Style (15 min you + 3 x 35 min. Presentation + 30 min. Roam)

See Guidance for more information. Back to Table of Contents

Maclean’s Student Life Expo

Thinking of upgrading your future? Be inspired! Entertained! And Informed about various pathway options

available as you prepare for your post-secondary lives. Plan to attend the Maclean’s Student life expo at the

Metro Toronto Convention Centre on October 17th and 18th. Free tickets are available in Guidance. Pick some

up today! Back to Table of Contents

Grade 9 Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

Link Leaders are very excited to be hosting a grade 9 and Link Crew Ultimate Tournament on Tuesday

afternoon.

Here are the Link Crew members:

Here are the grade 9’s:

Here are the refs:

A great day was held by all. Thanks to all the participants, teachers and

Mrs. Ketcheson for organizing this fantastic event! Back to Table of Contents

B. O. B.

Attention all past, present and future “BOB” (The Bunch of Believers) club members! We will be meeting on

Tuesdays at lunch, in room 206 on Tuesdays! Please see Mr. Rourke or Mrs. Grant if you have any questions!

Back to Table of Contents

Bear Wear

Get your Bear Wear today! Visit the School Store to check out all of our Kodiak clothing and spirit items!

Those of you who pre-ordered this past spring, your items are ready for pick-up. Come to the School Store in the

forum between 10:50 and 11:30! Back to Table of Contents

Now Accepting Applications for Loran Scholar Foundation Awards

Online applications are now open for the Loran Awards. Students can find out more about eligibility criteria, the

application process and see a sample copy of the application form.

Each high school can sponsor up to three students for these scholarships, which are valued at up to $100,000 each

over four years of university. October 21 is the deadline for sponsored applications.

If more than three students are interested in applying, some can apply without sponsorship to the direct pool. Direct

pool applications are due October 28.

What do we look for in selecting scholars?

Loran Scholars are young people who deeply value integrity and honesty. They are curious by nature, and are

interested in a wide range of subjects. Furthermore, they are willing to take meaningful risks and prioritize results

over appearances. Each one has shown a sustained commitment to service in the community, has taken the initiative

to create positive changes and is interested in working for a better world.

Sponsorship & Reference Guidelines

1. Candidates wishing to be sponsored must select Sponsored by my school in the online application, and

then enter the name and email address of their school sponsor under School Contact in the Educational Background

section.

2. Every candidate must get a letter of reference, whether they end up in either the sponsored or direct pool.

The reference does not have to be completed by the school sponsor. Anyone who knows the candidate and their

activities well, who is not a family member or a friend, may complete the letter of reference.

3. Once the letter of reference has been submitted, the school contact will receive an email asking whether or

not the student is being sponsored by the school. This email will include a copy of the student's application and

transcript. The online sponsorship form takes about 2 minutes to complete.

4. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that both the reference writer and the school sponsor have

sufficient time to complete their parts before the deadline. We are encouraging all candidates to express interest to

their schools as early as possible.

5. If the student is not one of the sponsored candidates, or if their sponsorship is not complete by October 21,

they will be automatically entered into the direct pool.

For further inquiries:

website: www.loranscholar.ca

phone: 416-646-2120

toll-free: 1-866-544-2673

email: info@loranscholar.ca Back to Table of Contents

Simcoe County Special Needs Information Fair

Do You Have a Child with Special Needs Ages 0 - 21?

Find answers to your questions at the Simcoe County Special Needs Information Fair

• Free Admission

• Free Skilled Child Minding for Children of all Ages and Needs

• Everyone Welcome including Parents, Families, Caregivers, Teachers and Therapists

• Get connected and access information on everything from recreational activities, family resources, financial

help, funding, therapy options and so much more!

• Public and private services will be present

• Drop in - No need for registration

• Information sessions offered throughout the day - topic details and times will be posted on the CTN website at

www.ctnsy.ca closer to the date

Thursday, October 8, 2015

1:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Mapleview Community Church

300 Mapleview Drive West, Barrie ON

For more information contact:

Lori Brown 705-719-4795 ext.2255 / lbrown@ctnsy.ca Back to Table of Contents

GSA

The Gay-Straight Alliance meets during lunch in room 120 on Fridays. Bring your lunch, and new members are

always welcome. Back to Table of Contents

College Visits

The sign up binder for college rep visits is now available in guidance. Sign up today to get a spot reserved, for:

Humber College September 29

Fleming College September 30 Back to Table of Contents

University Visits

The sign up binder for university rep visits is now available in guidance. Sign up today to get a spot reserved,

for:

Laurentian University September 28

University of Guelph September 29

Nipissing University October 1

UOIT October 2 Back to Table of Contents

Me to We Club

Do you want to change the world? The Me to We club meets every Monday, in room 238, at lunch. Come on

out and see what it’s all about! That's Me to We, Monday at Lunch, room 238.

There is the Me2We trip is on Thursday to the Air Canada Centre. It looks like it will be a FANTASTIC day!

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; I also have attached it) to the Guidance office as soon as it is signed by both

you and a parent.

1. Do you need community service hours? Do you enjoy watching sports? Do you want to get involved in

the sporting community at Bear Creek? Then the Home Game Crew might be for you! The home game

crew is a group of people who help to set up for and score keep all the various sports that happen at Bear Creek.

If you are interested, please see Mr. Wilkey in Student Success room 110.

2. The South Simcoe Theatre, Innisfil’s home for Great Community Theatre, is getting ready to begin

another year of entertainment. They are putting the call out for student volunteers from our local high

schools, whether they are looking to complete volunteer hours, continue a love for the arts, or are just looking

for a great experience! They’ve had countless former and present students take part and many have returned

even after their hours are completed.

This year, South Simcoe Theatre will be presenting two musicals, one play, one Christmas pantomime,

and a play reading weekend. Mounting this season will require volunteers in different capacities from

September through to June.

They are always looking for technical and backstage crew to help put their shows on. Students that are

interested in learning this side of the theatre work closely with the director, stage manager, and actors to craft

the show and bring it to the stage. These positions require a commitment to be at the theatre for rehearsals and

shows for the run of the show, which is roughly three to four months, three to four nights a week that could

include weekends.

If you can’t commit to something long term or on a set schedule, they also need help on their Saturday

set building crew. Headed up by experienced artisans, students will construct set and prop pieces and use any

number of techniques to make them as a realistic as possible. There are many students who come out to help

with all the season’s productions in this capacity. No previous artistic skill is required, just a great attitude and a

willingness to learn.

If you have a sporadic schedule filled with a lot of other commitments, volunteering with the Front of

House team allows you the flexibility of coming in on your own schedule. Their shows run for three weeks on

Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. The commitment here would be three to four hours

on whatever days you could make it. The Front of House team collects tickets from patrons at the door, hands

out programs, prepares and sells the snacks for sale and intermission and provides any general information a

patron could ask for.

Their business has always run on the strength of volunteers and they welcome you to join in that long

standing tradition. They want to work with you to find the best fit for you. Please contact them at the theatre’s

box office number of 705-458-4432 or by e-mail at info@southsimcoetheatre.com or to Daniel Galea at

danielgalea99@hotmail.com. You can also check them out on our website www.southsimcoetheatre.com that

has a link to their Facebook page.

3. Drysdale's Tree Farm are offering volunteer opportunities to high school students during their Halloween

Festivities, which run every weekend in October. They are seeking student volunteers for this Halloween

season to assist with the various attractions they offer to the public here at Drysdale's. A portion of their

proceeds go toward Camp Quality – Southern Ontario, a national charitable organization devoted to providing

free camp experience and year-round programming for children with cancer.

They are seeking enthusiastic performers to play a part in their Haunted Wagon Ride and in their Harvest

Village (which includes pumpkin picking and face painting).

If any students are interested, please have them contact drysdaleshalloween@gmail.com for more information.

4. Why you should volunteer at Goodwill:

Goodwill offers flexible, 7 days/week scheduling for the following positions:

• Build new skills to improve your resume

• Enhance your communication and customer-service skills

• Obtain results-oriented experience

• Complete your 40 hours of community service

Apply online at www.goodwill.on.ca or email volunteer4good@goodwill.on.ca

Volunteers must be a minimum of 14 years of age. Accumulation of community involvement hours may begin

the summer after completing Grade 8. Back to Table of Contents

Sports News

The scores and schedules across the County are on www.hometeamsonline.com; type “scaa ‘your sport’” in for

league (i.e. scaa football).

Next week’s sporting events look like:

September 28th September 29th September 30th October 1st October 2nd Girls’ Flag

Football

@Bear

Jr./Sr. Boys’

Football

@Midhurst

X-Country Race

@Horseshoe

Jr./Sr. Girls’

Basketball

Tournament@Bear

Jr./Sr. Girls’

Basketball@OSS

Girls’ Flag

Football

@Eastview

Sr. Girls’ Golf

@Settler Ghost

Boys’ Soccer

@Innisdale

Sr. Tennis

@Barrie Courts

Sr. Boys’ Golf

@Tangle Creek

Jr. Boys’

Volleyball

@CCI

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 130, I think) to fill

out the necessary forms so you can play sports this year.

The annual Junior Girls’ Basketball tournament will occur on October 2nd and 3rd (after school on the 2

starting at 3 and all day Saturday).

The annual Senior Girls’ Basketball tournament will occur on October 23rd and 24th (after school on the 23

starting at 3 and all day Saturday)

Back to Table of Contents

Important Dates

Starts nightfall of Sunday, September 24 - Sukkot

Ends nightfall of Sunday, October 4

Wednesday, September 30 School Council, 7 pm in Career

Centre

Friday, October 2 Terry Fox Run

Back to Table of Contents

Positively Speaking

In honour of our Terry Fox Run on Friday, I would like to include a teen cancer survivor story.

Osteosarcoma

My life was forever changed on August 22, 2012 when I found out I had cancer; that was the last thing as an

active sixteen year old I expected to hear. To start let me give you a little peek into my life. Since I was small

my parents said that I have always been an active child and as I grew up I became highly involved in sports:

baseball, track, badminton, volleyball, and most especially hockey.

One thing most people probably don't know about me is that I always think everything happens for a reason and

after days of sitting in the hospital with my first round of chemo, knowing the Terry Fox run was approaching, I

realized something: Terry Fox had the exact cancer I have, and he didn't give up, and when he was done

treatments, he didn't avoid the topic, he did the exact opposite: he decided to run across Canada to increase

cancer awareness. I then realized how much cancer treatments and surgeries had changed since his time, and it

is mainly because of what he did. I realized how important cancer research is, and creating awareness of this, so

that's what I am trying to do, talking at schools to try to make people, especially kids, realize how important

cancer research is, and I'll begin by telling my experience with cancer.

I was playing baseball in an annual tournament. In an attempt to steal home plate, I slid, and in doing so, injured

the inside quad of my left leg, but I wasn't overly worried; as an athlete, I had endured many injuries, and this

one did not prevent me from walking. After seeing my family doctor he said it appeared to be a torn quad,

however even with rest it still got worse we headed to the city to see a doctor who specialized in sports injuries.

He checked over my leg, and felt the lump I had found the day before, he figured it was a torn muscle, which

had torn completely off, and that that was the lump we felt, and I would have an MRI done to determine if I

needed surgery to reattach the muscle. We explained to him that I had AAA hockey tryouts two weeks later, so

he said he would make sure the MRI was done within a week.

That Friday, we met with my oncologist and after more tests, she verified that I did, indeed, have cancer. The

first question that came out of my mouth, thinking of Terry Fox was, "Will I lose my leg?" She told me she

wasn't going to lie to me, that, yes it could happen, but not to worry about that, because chemo treatments have

changed greatly since Terry Fox had cancer, and there are many things we can do before it would get to that

point. She also told me I needed to have more tests done and an exploratory surgery to have a biopsy done to

determine which type of bone cancer it was.

This all happened in a matter of days, and then on September 6th , we had an appointment and the pathology

results were back from Vancouver which verified I had osteosarcoma, the same cancer Terry Fox had, that

following morning I started my first chemo treatments.

Before I knew it, it was time for surgery… I was off to Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto as I was told he was the

only surgeon in Canada who could perform the surgery I required, and he was world-renowned for the type of

surgery he did. This surgery would allow me to be able to, theoretically, be able to do everything I once could

before.

It was Sunday, August 19 when I had that first MRI, and the next day we received a call that we needed to come

in asap. On Wednesday, August 22, we went back for yet another MRI, an X-ray, and another visit with the

doctor. When we met with the doctor, he told us that I had a tumor the size of an orange in my leg, and that I

had an appointment at CancerCare two days later. I sat there with my head down, thinking about what I was

about to go through, because something told me it was cancer, that there was no chance it wasn't.

This whole procedure took just under 16hours. Eleven days post-surgery, I was out of the hospital, and we flew

back home. A week later, I was back to chemo treatments.

On January 22 five months to the day I found out I had cancer I was told the pathology test came back from

what they took out of me at surgery and 100% of the cancer was dead which meant the chemo worked! I still

however had to continue with my chemo till the end of May.

By April I was able to begin to put weight on my leg, and by the end of June, about three weeks after I was

finished my last round of chemo, I was walking without any crutches, just the help from my brace because my

muscles were still too weak. I still go to CancerCare once a month for follow-ups.

My experiences with chemo treatments, and the children I have seen at CancerCare who suffer from the disease

has, in some ways, made me stronger than I ever was before, and is what drives my determination for me to

continue to bring awareness to others, hoping I can make others understand why it is so important, and how the

research really does make a difference; think of Terry Fox, and then think of me. Because of him and his vision,

I survived. Since he first ran over $600 million has been raised worldwide in Terry's name, and so the survival

rate of cancer has increased drastically. Terry Fox was, and in my eyes will always remain a hero. I thank Terry

Fox for every day of my life, I hope I can be half of the person he was, and help people understand how

important research is and how important his impact is.

Source: “Osteosarcoma”, by Kailee Robinson, posted on 2:26 PM, September 13, 2013; http://www.terryfox.org/cgi/page.cgi?_id=1025

Back to Table of Contents

Parent’s Corner

Prepare Teens for Adulthood by Giving More Responsibility

Your teen may be used to your telling them what to do and when to do it. But as they grow up, they should gradually

take over their own schedule.

The start of the school year is the perfect time to give your teen a calendar or a planner. Encourage them to think

about assignments and events and to write everything down so they don’t forget anything.

Then, suggest that your teen start thinking:

• Monthly After filling in their calendar with school, activity and family commitments, they should look at

the whole month. Are there any conflicts? Is there a big project coming up next month that they

need to start working on now?

• Weekly It’s important to review the week ahead, as well. Do they have any tests next week? They will

have to allot more study time for that subject this week. If they wants to go out with friends on

Friday night, they may need to do their laundry on Thursday instead.

• Daily Your teen can make to-do lists to help keep them on track. That will ensure they get everything

done.

Review the schedule with your teen. If they’re at school for eight hours a day, sleep for eight hours a night and

studies for three hours each evening, do they really have time to join the soccer team?

With practice, your teen will learn to make responsible decisions about how to spend their time.

Source: High School Parents Still Make the Difference, Vol. 21, No. 1, September 2013, www.parent-institute.com

Back to Table of Contents

Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week

(Sept. 28 – Oct. 2)

Monday 28th Tuesday 29th Wednesday 30th Thursday 1st Friday 2nd

Not all teens want to

go to college.

Explore other

options, such as

trade school or the

military.

Give your teen a

spiral notebook to

use as a journal.

Ask them to write in

it for 10 minutes a

day.

Give your teen

today’s newspaper.

Have them report on

a news item during

dinner.

Do you have to

drive your teen to

activities? Use car

time to talk.

Do not allow your

teen to diet unless

their doctor

determines they

have a health

problem. Back to Table of Contents

Have a great, restful weekend! The walking tours sound interesting. There is also the Coldwater Fair (~45

minutes north) and/or the Great Northern Exhibition in Collingwood.

Be well!

Terry Wilkinson

Vice-Principal

Bear Creek Secondary School

P.S. (Positive Statement):

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been

saving up all year for the grand finale.”

- Lauren DeStefano, Wither 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.