Dear Parents and Guardians,

Week 6 is complete and I always feel this week (the week after Thanksgiving)

is incredibly tiring – I am not sure why. It is one of the few times I can say that

4 > 5, because you really do 5 days of work, sometimes even 6, in 4 days.

What a busy week!

School Council was on

Wednesday, Pep rally and

football games on Thursday,

and progress reports being

completed to be handed out on Monday.

Parents’ Night is next Thursday. How to sign up for

appointments is a little different this semester. See below for

more information.

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

Interim Progress Report Cards – This Monday ............................................................................................. 2

Parent-Teacher Interview Night – This Thursday ........................................................................................ 2

I Give a Sh!rt Challenge ................................................................................................................................... 3

More Recycling FUNdraising .......................................................................................................................... 6

2019 Prime Minister’s Awards ........................................................................................................................ 7

Barrie Football Teams Duke It Out In Pivotal Senior Game ........................................................................ 7

A&E’s Lives That Make a Difference 2018 Essay Competition ................................................................... 9

Military Co-op Presentation ............................................................................................................................ 9

Weekly E-Newsletter

Stay Connected @ BCSS Friday, October 12, 2018

We Scare Hunger .............................................................................................................................................. 9

School Council Members Invited to Connections Event On October 23 ...................................................... 9

School Bus Transportation Information Available From The SCSTC ...................................................... 10

School Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day ........................................................... 10

Want to Be a Volunteer at Our School? Here’s What You Need to Know................................................ 10

Vimy Pilgrimage Award ................................................................................................................................. 11

Schulich Leader Scholarships of 2018-2019 Academic Year ...................................................................... 12

College Information Program ........................................................................................................................ 12

University Application Seminar..................................................................................................................... 12

Scholarships ..................................................................................................................................................... 12

Cooking Club ................................................................................................................................................... 13

DECA ............................................................................................................................................................... 13

Yearbooks ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

Kodiak Studios ................................................................................................................................................. 13

Now Accepting Applications for Loran Scholar Foundation Awards – due next week ............................ 13

Badminton Club .............................................................................................................................................. 14

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

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

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

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

A Sense of Contentment .............................................................................................................................. 18

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

Encourage Your Teenager To Physically Prepare For Tests ................................................................. 18

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

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

What’s Happening at BCSS?

Interim Progress Report Cards – This Monday

The first report of the current school year will be coming home on Monday, October 15th. The interim progress

report card is a “snapshot” of how the student is progressing to date. It is very useful in identifying any issues

or concerns so that they can be resolved while they are still small. We will be following up with our first

Interview Night on Thursday, October 18th. We hope to see lots of parents out to meet their teen’s first

semester teachers. Back to Table of Contents

Parent-Teacher Interview Night – This Thursday

Parent-teacher interviews will happen on Thursday night, the 18th, from 5:30 until 7:30. You sign up for

interviews a little differnetly this year.

Please go to www.schoolinterviews.ca, select Make a

Booking, and type in the event code “bearc”.

Follow the instructions after that. It is really easy and quick. I booked appointments for my son in all of about

30 seconds.

You will receive progress reports on Monday, the 15th. If the teacher asks for an appointment, please make the

appointment. This evening is important for your child’s success. Back to Table of Contents

I Give a Sh!rt Challenge

Recycling Council of Ontario is a not for profit environmental organization whose mandate is the elimination

of waste through activities that use reduce, reuse and recycling (3Rs) practices. Learn more about what we do:

www.rco.on.ca.

In the spirit of promoting rewear and reuse, we have partnered with Value Village® to challenge all Ontario

and British Columbia secondary schools to organize an in-school clothing collection drive for used clothing

(textiles) during Waste Reduction Week in Canada 2018. A grand prize of $2,500 will be awarded to the school

that collects the most material per student during the challenge. Additional prizes can be won for collection and

efforts to ‘take action’ on the issues of textile waste.

How it works

Register

Register your school Monday, May 7 - Friday, October 5, 2018

Schools must complete the challenge during Waste Reduction Week to be eligible. DONE!

Collect

Collect used clothing items and textiles for reuse or recycling during Waste Reduction Week in Canada 2018 -

Oct 15 - 19 2018.

Share

Share your school’s collection efforts and community engagement on issues of textiles waste through social

media using the hashtag #IGiveAShirt™.

Pick-up

Your donated materials will be collected during your assigned collection window from Nov 5 - Nov 9 2018.

Submit

To be eligible to win a prize, schools must register and complete a final submission form which will be open

from Oct 19 - Nov 16 2018.

Please note: you do not need the final weight of the clothes you collected to submit your results. Recycling

Council of Ontario will send you your totals by the end of November to let you know how your school did.

NEW PRIZES for 2018!

Participating schools are eligible to win prizes based on their collection or community engagement efforts in

the 2018 #IGiveAShirt Challenge. Please read information below on each prize category. Note: One of each

prize available per province (Ontario and BC only). Only one prize available per school.

Collection Prizes

Awarded to schools based on clothing collection efforts. One of each prize available per province (Ontario and

BC only). Participation prize awarded to any school that participates in collection. Winner is randomly

selected.)

Community Engagement & Social Media Prizes

In addition to the clothing collection drive, the #IGiveAShirt Challenge wants students to take action on textile

consumption through the power of reuse (rewear). Participating schools will be recognized for their

participation, community involvement, and creativity demonstrated through social media and online

submissions.

Show us how your school takes action by involving your community in the issues and challenge. Share photos

or videos of your involvement to your favourite social media platform using the hashtag #IGiveAShirt. Our

panel of judges will be looking for submissions that are innovative and creative. Entries can be submitted by

students, student groups, clubs, classes, or as an entire school!

Not interested or able to collect clothing for the challenge but still want to take action on textiles waste for

Waste Reduction Week? Schools have the option of only participating in the innovation, eco-fashion, and social

media components of the challenge (registration still required).

Awarded to a school in each eligible province that comes up with the most innovative solution to reducing

textiles waste through circular economy. Possible solutions could include innovative products, services,

policies, or business practices. Submissions will be accepted through the social media hashtag #IGiveAShirt

and the post-challenge final results form.

Awarded to a school in each eligible province that creatively show their eco fashion " through reuse, repair, and

upcycling.

Sample ideas & inspiration:

Organize an eco fashion show using

upcycled textiles and thrift store finds.

Create an eco fashion blog or vlog.

Trashion Fashion.

Vintage day: assign a day that students are

challenged to wear all vintage clothes.

DIY fashion projects using reused textiles.

Create a new fashion line using only

reused clothing and accessories, then

organize a fashion show at your school.

It's Halloween season! Challenge students

to create their costume using reused

clothes and accessories.

Awarded to a school in each eligible province that best engaged their community by promoting the clothing

collection drive.

Sample ideas & inspiration:

Class presentations.

Organize a clothing swap.

Reach out to local media outlets such as news stations, newspapers, or radio

Create an installation or display using textiles that creates awareness.

Host an event and invite parents, local organizations, and government to celebrate your school’s

involvement in these issues.

Awarded to a school in each eligible province with the most engaging video posted on social media.

Sample ideas & inspiration:

Film a video interviewing your classmates, teachers, and the community about the issue of textile waste

and what is being done to solve these issues.

Film your school's collection progress to show how much clothing are being diverted from landfill

through reuse/rewear

Music videos

A summary video of your school's experience with the #IGiveAShirt Challenge and all the great work

you are doing on this issue!

Awarded to a school in each eligible province with the most engaging photo from the 2018

#IGiveAShirt Challenge posted on social media. Creativity counts!

Back to Table of Contents

More Recycling FUNdraising

Speaking of recycling, the Green Team is holding a metal/electrical waste recycling drive, starting on the

evening of the 19th and continuing until November 2nd. The Green Team will be using funds for more

initiatives, including mailings and eventually the Greenhouse Project (authorization still in the works). There

are volunteer hours as well, for weekend and after school bin monitoring and public assistance.

According to the Midwest Metals website: The metals we recycle fall into one of two categories: ferrous and

non-ferrous.

The main element of ferrous metals is iron. Cast iron, steel, and the various steel alloys are ferrous metals.

A metal is still classified as ferrous even if it has less than 50% iron content, as long as it contains more iron

than any other single metal. Ferrous metals can be found from sources including industrial activities, building

demolition and consumer end of life-cycle items. We help to recycle these sources and turn them into income.

Examples of ferrous metals include: end of life vehicle, household appliances, heavy melt, auto cast, rims, and

unsorted loads receive our shred price per ton.

A metal is considered non-ferrous if it contains less iron than any other metal. Many metals utilized

primarily for metal plating, alloying elements or used in the fabrication of parts are classified as non-ferrous.

Our high-tech analyzing equipment and extensive knowledge lets you get the best recovery possible from

these metals.

Examples of non-ferrous metals include: tin, zinc, silver, gold, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel,

copper, and tin alloys.

The following items can be collected: {Prices per pound}Aluminum: aluminum unclean, cans, cast, extrusion

clean, extrusion unclean, low copper, old aluminum, rims, siding, aluminum block transmissions; Electrical:

aluminum jacket bx wire, ballasts, box transformers, Christmas lights, com wire, dry cell batteries, insulated

aluminum, insulated copper #1, insulated copper #2, is wire, large motors, small motors, steel jacket bx wire,

transformers, wet cell batteries; Electronics: circuit boards, mixed e-waste, televisions, towers; radiators:

aluminum clean, aluminum unclean, copper clean, copper unclean, mixed combo clean, mixed combo unclean;

Non Ferrous: compressors, lead, stainless clean, stainless unclean, stove elements; Brass: brass clean, brass

taps, brass unclean; Copper: #1, #2, #3;

{Prices per tonne} Ferrous: auto cast, cars, heavy melt, dealer clips, oversized, shred, steel rims, white goods.

Please bring these items in for recycling starting on October 19th. Schedule of bin times will follow.

Please call, or e-mail, Mr. Wilkinson for more information. Back to Table of Contents

2019 Prime Minister’s Awards

As part of the Prime Minister’s World Teacher’s Day statement, the 2019 Prime Minister’s Awards competition

is now open!

Teachers play an important role helping to build the next generation of successful, caring, and creative

Canadians. We all remember a teacher that changed our lives. The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching

Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM, and Excellence in Early Childhood Education honour exemplary

teachers and early childhood educators who are preparing our youth for the innovation economy.

Prime Minister’s Awards recipients can receive:

• Cash awards worth up to $5,000

• A certificate from the Prime Minister

• National recognition and promotion of their best teaching practices

The Prime Minister’s Award program would like to thank the RBC Foundation for their generous support

towards the recipient’s monetary awards.

Consider nominating an educator for a 2019 Prime Minister’s Award! Download your nomination package and

a poster today by clicking on the web button below, or visiting our website at www.pma.gc.ca. Submit your

nomination electronically or by mail before January 14, 2019.

Back to Table of Contents

Barrie Football Teams Duke It Out in Pivotal Senior Game

Boas, glitter and face paint the order of the day as friends and family come out in droves to see two city teams

battle on the gridiron.

The Bear Creek Kodiaks hosted the Eastview Wildcats in

Barrie, Thursday afternoon, in a battle for second place in

the senior division atop at the Simcoe County Athletic

Association (SCAA) standings.

The Wildcats blanked the Kodiaks, 30-0, to improve to 3-1 on the

season.

With the loss, Bear Creek's record falls to 2-2 and puts them in

third place in the six-team loop.

Barrie North and Bear Creek will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at

the Georgian College Turf Field.

The playoffs start on Tuesday, Oct. 30 with the quarter-finals,

followed by the semifinal on Friday, Nov. 2 and the championship game on Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Georgian

College Turf Field.

In Thursday's junior boys’ action, Bear Creek avenged their school's loss earlier in the afternoon with a 32-0

victory over Eastview, while Collingwood defeated Banting, 32-6.

The Barrie North Vikings sit at 4-0 atop the junior SCAA standings, followed by Eastview at 4-1 and Bear

Creek at 3-1.

Source: “Barrie Football Teams Duke It Out in Pivotal Senior Game”, Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday, Friday, October 12, 2018, https://www.barrietoday.com/local-

news/barrie-football-teams-duke-it-out-in-pivotal-senior-game-18-photos-1081761?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Back to Table of Contents

A&E’s Lives That Make a Difference 2018 Essay Competition

Tell us about the heroes that make a difference in and out of your classroom and win $3,000!

Welcome to the 2018 Lives That Make a Difference Essay Contest

Here you can learn more about this year’s essay contest and Official Rules, check out last year’s essay winners,

and submit your own essay into the competition!

Teachers, be sure to check out our Teacher Resources section to learn how to bring free A&E educational

programming weekly into your classroom.

Here’s How to Enter and Win

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

impact on Canadian society in 2018.

Prizes are awarded in two grade levels: 5th – 8th grade, and 9th – 12th grade.

Two winners will be selected in each level.

GRAND PRIZE

$3,000 for student

$1,000 for Department/ Classroom of Teacher

FIRST PRIZE

$2,000 for student

$1,000 for Department/ Classroom of Teacher Back to Table of Contents

Military Co-op Presentation

Interested on attending Military Co-op next semester? There is an information session for students, parents and

teachers on October 18th, at 7:00 p.m., at CFB Borden. For further information, please see Ms. Richardson in

the Co-op office, room 185. Back to Table of Contents

We Scare Hunger

It is the time of year again when Me to We will be collecting food for the food bank and women's homeless

shelter. A box off to first period classes on Tuesday morning. Please bring in one (or two, or ten, etc.) non-

perishable food items. We will collect these boxes just after Hallowe’en. Back to Table of Contents

School Council Members Invited to Connections Event On October 23

School council members are invited to join us at Connections, the Simcoe County District School Board's

(SCDSB) school council development and networking event.

When: Tuesday, October 23rd, 4 to 7 p.m.

Where: SCDSB Education Centre, 1170 Hwy. 26, Midhurst

Participants can gather tips and important information to help you in your role on school council, contribute to

group discussions, browse booths and enjoy snacks from our approved vendors, and network with fellow school

council and Parent Involvement Committee members. This year, we welcome Jacqui Strachan,

Communications Director, People for Education, who will discuss fundraising and equity within a school

council.

Register at www.scdsb.on.ca/connections. Register by October 16th for your chance to win a $500 parent

engagement grant for your school. The winner(s) will be drawn at the event. You must be in attendance to win

the prize.

Back to Table of Contents

School Bus Transportation Information Available From The SCSTC

For school bus transportation information, visit the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium

(SCSTC)’s website at: main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca. Also, remember to bookmark the school bus

information page at: simcoecountyschoolbus.ca for bus delay and cancellation information on inclement

weather days.

Back to Table of Contents

School Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

School Bus Safety Week takes place October 22 to 26, 2018. To support schools in promoting school bus safety

to students, the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC), in partnership with school bus

operators, will offer bus evacuation training to all home-to-school transported students. During this week,

school bus drivers will educate students on how to evacuate a school bus safely in an emergency situation.

Wed., Oct. 24 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the province of Ontario. It’s a great opportunity for the

school community to thank our bus drivers for all their hard work transporting students to and from school

safely. For more information, visit the SCSTC website at main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca/.

Back to Table of Contents

Want to Be a Volunteer at Our School? Here’s What You Need to Know

We appreciate the commitment of all who volunteer at our school. This school year, we are implementing a

new online Volunteer Portal. SCDSB Community Apps (http://communityapps.scdsb.on.ca) is a new online

portal that allows you to begin the process for volunteering at our school. Here is some information to share as

we’ve been receiving some questions:

Only NEW volunteers

or those who received

a letter in June

indicating you require

an updated Criminal

Background Check

Vulnerable Sector

Screening (5-year

renewal) are able to

register as a volunteer

on the Community

Apps website at this

time.

If you’re a current,

approved school volunteer, you can still volunteer at our school for the time being. You should have

recently received a letter with your access code. This code will allow you to register as a volunteer on

the Volunteer Portal through the Community Apps website.

Back to Table of Contents

Vimy Pilgrimage Award

The Vimy Foundation created the Vimy Pilgrimage Award to recognize the actions of young people who

demonstrate an outstanding commitment to volunteer work through positive contributions, notable deeds, or

bravery that benefits their peers, school, community, province, or country.

The Vimy Pilgrimage Award consists of a fully funded week-long educational program in Belgium and France

to study Canada’s tremendous First World War effort. The program, scheduled for April 2–10, 2019, is offered

by the Vimy Foundation and features daily visits to important First World War sites including museums,

cemeteries, and historic battlefields. A total of 20 students will be selected for the 2019 program.

Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay describing their volunteer work; a 500-750-word biography

of, and tribute to, a solider or nursing sister; a 500-word motivation letter; a resume detailing their relevant

experiences; and a reference letter from a teacher, guidance counselor or principal, service club, volunteer

organization, etc. In choosing award winners, the Award Committee will take into consideration all elements

submitted for the application with special emphasis placed on the applicant’s volunteer work/service to their

communities. Click the ‘Apply Now’ link below for full application instructions.

For more information about the rules and criteria for the program click here.

Apply now for the 2019 Vimy Pilgrimage Award! (Link will take you to Canada’s History website to access the

application page.)

Entry deadline is November 18, 2018, midnight (Pacific time).

Curious about past programs? Click here for the 2018 Vimy Pilgrimage Award recipients.

Click here to view photos from the 2018 Vimy Pilgrimage Award program.

Additional questions? Email programs@vimyfoundation.ca

Back to Table of Contents

Schulich Leader Scholarships of 2018-2019 Academic Year

Launched in 2012, this $100 million program funds 50 undergraduate scholarships each year, across top

Canadian universities. Schulich Leader Scholarships are the largest and most prestigious undergraduate

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarships in Canada, with a value of up to $100,000

each. Fifty students receive this celebrated award each year – 25 for Engineering at $100,000 each, and 25 for

Science, Technology, and Mathematics at $80,000 each.

In order to become a Schulich Leader and receive the scholarship, students must first be selected by their high

school as a Schulich Leader Nominee. High schools may select one Nominee each. Only Canadian schools are

eligible to participate.

To be eligible, students need to demonstrate:

- 2 of 3 of: Academic, Leadership (entrepreneurial, business, community), or financial need

- AND be entrepreneurial minded in: Technology, Engineering, Innovation, or Research (Research into

questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses)

- AND be: A Canadian citizen, graduating in 2018-2019, and enrolling in partnering universities

- AND MUST NOT be: heading into medicine or medical research

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

http://www.schulichleaders.com/

Back to Table of Contents

College Information Program

Grade 12 Potential Graduates…Another academic year is underway and the Ontario College Information

Program is happening on Friday, October 26th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This is your chance to meet College

representatives from around the province, get information about certificates, diplomas, degrees and

apprenticeships, while also learning about admissions, student life and more. Sign up in Guidance ASAP, as

there are only 30 spots available. Back to Table of Contents

University Application Seminar

University Application Seminar is period 2 on Monday, October 15th, in the cafeteria. Back to Table of Contents

Scholarships

ScholarTree is still committed to helping reduce student debt in Canada by making scholarship more accessible.

Most people don’t realize how many scholarships are awarded early in the school year. ScholarTree.ca has

$997,500 worth of scholarships that are currently accepting applications. Students can find which scholarships

are best fit for them by signing up at ScholarTree.ca.

To help with students prepare and transition to post-secondary life we have launched the ScholarTree Blog.

University students write the blog because we want the information to be as relevant to current student life as

possible. The main areas of focus for the blog are:

1. Student Life: general advice and hacks 2. Scholarship Tips 3. Entrepreneurial Spotlight: stories about students starting their startup or not for profit 4. How to: tips for applying and getting into prestigious programs

Make sure to subscribe, so you don’t miss the weekly updates. Back to Table of Contents

Cooking Club

Hey Kodiaks! Do you love food? Do you want to learn how to cook? Well, come on over to room 198, the

hospitality room, on TUESDAYS, for the Bear Creek Cooking Club. We are going to be trying different

recipes from a varieties of cultures. Bring a toonie, and enjoy trying something different!

Back to Table of Contents

DECA

Interested in business? Want to compete against the best in our region, province and internationally? Travel the

province, including Toronto, and possibility Orlando, Florida? Pick-up information sheets about DECA on the

door of the Business Office, room 130, and register today! Back to Table of Contents

Yearbooks

All this week, come to the yearbook table in the forum to purchase your yearbook. It's only 45 dollars and for a

limited time you will get a free name engraving! You can also buy it from room 121. Don't wait - buy before the

price goes up! Back to Table of Contents

Kodiak Studios

Kodiak Studios will be hosting many lunchtime events, including: jam sessions, coffee house performances,

improv club and more. So if you're interested in learning or practicing your guitar or ukulele, want a place to

perform, or a chance to break out of your shell. Kodiak Studios will have something for you starting up NEXT

week in behind the stage in the drama studio. Stay tuned for more info. Back to Table of Contents

Now Accepting Applications for Loran Scholar Foundation Awards – due next

week

The Loran Scholars Foundation is beginning its search for the 30th class of Loran Scholars. We are deeply

grateful for your participation, helping us discover students who are dedicated to serving others, show promise

of leadership and have integrity, courage, compassion, grit and a high level of personal autonomy.

Grade 12 students may now apply at apply.loranscholar.ca. They may also view the application overview and a

sample application form. As in previous years, they will need to submit a transcript, request a reference from a

teacher or community member and have their school sponsorship confirmed (if applicable) before the deadline.

This year, we are delighted to announce a new selection committee for school sponsored candidates in Northern

Canada! Regional interviews will take place via Skype. Interested students from the region may consider

selecting this committee when applying this fall.

The deadline for applications is 8:00 pm (Eastern Time) on October 17th for school-sponsored applications and

October 24th for direct pool applications (without sponsorship). Each high school may sponsor up to three

students.

Find out more:

Eligibility Criteria

Our Awards

How To Apply

FAQs for Applicants

FAQs for Schools

We will grant up to 34 Loran Awards, each valued at $100,000 over four years of undergraduate studies, as well

as up to 104 finalist/provincial awards ($5,000 or $2,000 each, respectively) to promising candidates.

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 18 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 25th.

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

Badminton Club

Something new this year is the Badminton Club. It is on Thursday nights from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. Students

can come and play for fun or to be competitive. There will be coaching available. Come for fun! Come for

training! Come for exercise!

We are opening this opportunity for the family of schools for Bear Creek. Grades 7 and 8 students are welcome

to participate as well, from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m.

See Mr. Wilkinson for more information.

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.

2. Mr. Wilkinson is looking for students to be part of the Grounds Crew. Please see him in his office

(upstairs admin tower) on Thursday for more information.

3. 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.

4. Please set aside Saturday, October 20th for a tree planting event in partnership with Lake Simcoe Region

Conservation Authority.

Now more than ever, we need to plant as many trees as possible.

For the first time in our history on Earth, every citizen of every country faces a global crisis; namely, ever

increased global warming which is triggering dramatic changes in our climate.

Trees play a vitally important role in mitigating the devastating effect of climate change such as famine-

producing droughts and deadly flooding, they reduce our energy costs, and vastly reduce our soaring health care

costs. We will all reap the benefits of cleaner air, as the billions of hairs on the leaves of trees trap dust, dirt,

and nasty pollutants such as lead, mercury, and sulphates.

Trees provide a safe habitat for numerous forms of animals and birds.

Seeing that we are a key community partners Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, I hope that as many

members of Nature Barrie as possible will make a concerted effort to participate in a tree planting event right

here in Barrie.

Date: Saturday, October 20

Time: 10 am - 12 noon

Location: Barrie disc Golf Course

434 Ferndale, Barrie

5. STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

Frightful Forest & Haunted Wagon Ride at Drysdale’s Tree Farm

We need ZOMBIES, we need WITCHES, we need YOU!

Where: Drysdale’s Tree Farm 6635 Simcoe County Road 56, Egbert

When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October

To Register: Contact Luke - 705-424-9719 or info@drysdales.ca

6. Are you a grade 12 University bound student currently taking advanced functions? If you are interested

in tutoring mathematics to a younger Bear Creek student for either cash or community involvement

hours, then come see Mr. Gunson, in Guidance, to learn what's available.

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:

Monday 15th Tuesday 16th Wednesday 17th Thursday 18th Friday 19th

Jr./Sr. Girls’

Basketball

vs. Collingwood

Jr. Girls’

Basketball

vs. Bradford

Cross-Country

Match #4,

@ Little Lake

Park, Midland

Jr. Boys’

Football

@ Nantyr

Sr. Boys’

Football

@ North

Jr./Sr. Girls’

Flag Football

Playoffs

vs. TBD

Barrie Community

Sports Complex

Jr./Sr. Boys’

Volleyball

@ Orillia

Boys’ Soccer

Playoffs

vs. TBD

Springwater

Township Nursery

Fields

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.

The Senior Boys’ volleyball team continued their unbeaten streak, on Wednesday, October 10th, after an

amazing 5 set win. The boys lost the first 2 games against a good hitting Eastview squad. But after a few

changes to defense and offence, the guys won the next 3 games.

The Junior Boys’ volleyball team travelled to Eastview, on Wednesday, October 10th, afternoon to take on the

undefeated Wildcats. The boys came out strong crushing Eastview 25-11 in the first set. They went on to win

the match 3 sets to 1, and once again, all players contributed to the victory with Mason Coolen scoring the

game winner. Highlights include some outstanding work at the net by Hayden White, some devastating kills by

Aidan Lambert and Kaleb McConnell, all thanks to some awesome setting from Owen Miller.

Congratulations to the Bear Creek Cross Country team who competed on Thursday, October 4th, at the Pre-

OFSAA Championships, in Hamilton. The Senior Boys’ team was led by Brayden Degrasse, who finished in

19th out of 475 runners. Amber Fisher finish 12th overall out of 475 in the Senior Girls’ 6 km race. Our

Midget Boys’ team of Caleb Wallis, Austin Morby, Justin Tate, and Jackson Cole were led by Caleb

finishing in the top 10 and therefore, the midget boys finished 5th out of 152 schools competing.

Back to Table of Contents

Important Dates

Monday, October 15 Interim/Progress Reports out

Thursday, October 18 Parent/Guardian Night, 5:30 – 7:30

Monday, October 22 P. D. Day

Friday, October 26 Picture retakes

Wednesday, October 31 Hallowe’en (school theme –

camping)

Thursday, November 1 Night of Excellence

Wednesday, November 14 Take Your Kid to Work Day

– grade 9’s

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Positively Speaking

This was an extremely busy weekend after an extremely busy week, with another busy week ahead. Am I

stressed? Not really. I got/get a lot done.

This weekend for instance, I chopped up the huge branch that fell from our tree, after taking it down Thursday

and Friday, I fixed our oven (which wasn’t heating up), I took our dock out for the season, I took the boat out

for the season, and I spent a terrific Saturday with family and friends at the Bala Cranberry Festival (where I got

more of my Christmas shopping done).

Am I rested? No, that is why I am doing this e-newsletter at midnight on Sunday evening (which is okay – adds

to the contentment).

Am I content? Very. With Thanksgiving just past, I am reminded of my many blessings, some of which are to

be physically and mentally able to some of the above tasks…successfully.

I thought the below article would be useful – hope you enjoy it.

A Sense of Contentment

One of the hardest challenges we face in our everyday life is achieving a sense of being content. In fact, we are

consistently urged in the direction of resistance to “being content”. It is somehow felt that feeling content leads

to being complacent. However, if we are to achieve our full potential, then we must learn to be content in our

circumstances. That does not mean we stop striving to improve them. It just means that you accept where you

are today, take from it all that it gives and give back to it all that you can.

We have all heard the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.

Well, that’s not always true; in fact, it rarely is. There is the story of a farmer who toiled on his land for several

years and didn’t feel he was getting ahead. He decided to sell the farm and go out into the world to make his

fortune. Not long after, the new owner was walking by the stream that ran through the farm when something in

the water glinted and attracted his attention. He bent down and picked up a shiny, sparkly piece of rock. He

carried it home and then took it to be analyzed - it turned out to be a diamond. Some years later, the original

property owner, still seeking his fortune, returned, he found a diamond mine on his farm, and the man he had

sold the farm to, had made his fortune. The farm he sold is the site of Kimberley Mines in South Africa, the

largest diamond mine in the world.

The moral: do the best you can, with the talents you have, or learn, where you are. Give the best of you and

take the best of that which is returned to you and you will live a fulfilled and contented life. One that gives

hope and encouragement to others, and who knows, you may even make your fortune.

Source: The Perkolator, Barrie, March 20, 2013

Back to Table of Contents

Parent’s Corner

I thought this would be appropriate as the interim progress reports go out this week.

Encourage Your Teenager to Physically Prepare for Tests

Your teen can (and should) study for days leading up to a big test – but they’re not truly ready until they prepare

their body for the test as well as their mind.

How can they do that? Share these test preparation tips with your teen:

Avoid pulling an all-nighter Your brain works best when it’s well rested. Schedule your studying in

advance so that you can get at least six hours of sleep the night before a test.

Set an alarm clock Set a backup alarm, too, if you’re concerned you may oversleep. Ask your

parents/siblings to ensure that you are up.

Eat breakfast Food fuels your body and your mind, giving you energy and helping you focus. Avoid a

big meal, which could make you groggy. Try something like a bagel with peanut butter and a piece of fruit.

Show up early Allow yourself five minutes before the test begins to get settled – get out your pen,

pencil, calculator, etc. and take a few deep breaths.

Source: “Test Preparation Tips,” TestTakingTips.com, www.testtakingtips.com/test/genpre.htm

I had my students try a number of other things that I realized worked for me, as a student:

When you get to the test, put the notes/textbook away – you are only going to stress yourself out because

you are going to see something that you don’t fully know and you will panic.

Don’t talk to anyone before the test – they will commiserate with you, yes, but they may ask you things

that may shake your confidence; get into a “zone”.

Play stress release music on your I-pod/mp3 - If you have some sort of musical device, have it playing

soothing music to relax you. Google “Mozart effect” or “Pink Floyd effect” to get more information. Quiet

soothing music calms the panic beast.

Review, review, review - If it is a math or science test, do all the review questions at the end of the chapter.

The more review questions you do, the harder it will be to be tripped up by something you haven’t seen

before.

Breathe - If on the test, you panic, put down your writing instrument and relax (including breathing). Take

ten deep breaths and when you can breathe “normally”, go back to writing the test. The 30 seconds you

spend relaxing will save you much anxiety time later.

I hope these help!

Back to Table of Contents

Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week

(Oct. 15 – Oct. 19)

Monday 15th Tuesday 16th Wednesday 17th Thursday 18th Friday 19th

No homework

tonight? Have your

teen review or read

ahead. Daily study

time means just

that.

Challenge family

members to learn

two or three new

vocabulary words

each week.

Discuss the dangers

of marijuana with

your teen. It limits

the brain’s ability to

absorb and retain

information.

Is study time before

dinner? Be sure to

have healthy snacks

on hand. Hungry

teens can’t

concentrate.

Is your teen

planning on

attending a post-

secondary

institution? Get a

schedule of their

visits to the school. Back to Table of Contents

Have a great weekend!

Be well!

Terry Wilkinson

Vice-Principal

Bear Creek Secondary School

P.S. (Positive Statement):

“Everyone must take time and sit still to watch the leaves turn.”

- Elizabeth Lawrence 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.

I don’t know about you but I am already in line for my Stanley Cup

finals tickets. Leafs and Vegas!

That being said, it is nice to be a fan of a winning team – 5 – 1, with 10

points.