February's Bus Pass

The February's bus passes have arrived! Please come by my office some time during the day to pick yours up.

Because I have mini school interviews in the morning, you would only be able to find me during lunch and after school. I will remain in my office after school until around 3:45 p.m.

Thank you very much!

Away Notice

I will be helping out with the mini school interviews tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan 31) morning and will not be in my office during the first two classes.

For assistance, please see another counsellor (Mr. Mark, Ms. Radic, or Ms. Foster), or one of the administrators (Mrs. Roberts, Mr. Mesich, Mrs. Duncan). I will be back at my office following lunch.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Canucks Kids Fund launches mindcheck.ca

The Canucks for Kids Fund (CFKF) in conjunction with Fraser Health and Provincial Health Services Authority, and BC Children’s Hospital are proud to announce the launch of Mindcheck.ca, a resource website designed for BC youth and young adults, as well as family members and friends, to recognize symptoms and better understand the challenges of mental illness. Vancouver Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa lends his voice to the site to share his experiences with a close friend and teammate, Rick Rypien, who suffered from depression.
This is a very resourceful website that can educate you on various issues surrounding mental health and mental illness. Of course, only a medical professional can accurately diagnose a person suffering from mental illness, and only such professionals can offer the appropriate help. If you have questions about yourself, your family member, or your friends, please don't hesitate to seek the help that may be needed.

Block Rotation Reminder

Just a reminder to all of you that we will have our next block rotation Monday, January 23.

For Day 1, the blocks would go from B-A-D-C (i.e. 1.2, 1.1, 1.4, 1.3)
For Day 2, the blocks would go from F-E-H-G (i.e. 2.2, 2.1, 2.4, 2.3)

Please make sure you go to the proper classes in the morning! If you are not 100% certain what courses you should be going to, please don't hesitate to come and see me.

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Youth Outreach Academy

Are you interested in a career of firefighting? The Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services if currently accepting application for its 2012 Youth Outreach Academy.

The five day non-residential program covers hose operations, self contained breathing apparatus use, search and rescue and firefighting operations. In addition to the fire related skills the students are also taught life saving CPR skills and the safe use of portable fire extinguishers - skills which they will take with them to the workforce and the home environment. Days typically run from 7:30am to 5pm and those attending are expected to arrive on time and ready to begin the days activities.

For more information, including the application form, please go to Youth Outreach Academy's website (click here).

Application deadline is February 29, 2012. Spaces are limited, so hurry up if you are interested!

Public Safety Announcement regarding Ecstasy

The following is a public safety announcement made by Vancouver Coastal Health. This announcement was made in response to several deaths recently related to the use of the illicit drug ecstasy. It is a very serious issue and a very alarming one.

The full document can be viewed by clicking the following link:
Should I worry about Ecstasy? Yes! Here's the latest on "E" in B.C.

As the document warns: the best idea is not to do "E," especially right now. You never know what you are taking, and what you are taking can kill you.

Also, keep a watchful eye on your friends. If a friend is taking a drug and is starting to feel sick or overheat, he/she must go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY.

Be safe.

The Vancouver Sun and CBC Student Video Awards

The Vancouver Sun/CBC Student Video Award is open to all grades 8 to 12 students interested in film. The top films in each one of the seven categories are eligible to win one of seven $1000 gift price from Best Buy.

The categories include: documentary, public service announcement, animation, music video, feature - drama, feature - comedy, and fan favourite.

Contest rules and details of the contest can be viewed under the Vancouver Sun's website (click here). Contest deadline is March 9, 2012.

Volunteers needed for grade 7 conference

The Templeton Community School Team is looking for outgoing and reliable volunteers for the Grade 7 Conferences held in April. The positions for both girls and boys will be to run workshops for the grade 7s and tell your stories, talk about healthy choices and peer-pressure, as well as high school preparedness, play games, and interact.

Anyone interested can sign up and then attend a meeting for those selected to be held in the upcoming weeks. This is an exciting, once-a-year opportunity to help out with the grade 7 transition into high school.

For more information, please see Jasmine Oliver in Room 105 (Community school office, across from the counselling suite).

Salsa Dance Classes

For those who are interested in salsa dancing, here's a free opportunity to learn!

The Templeton Community School team will host afternoon salsa classes at the Templeton Park Pool's Activity Room starting January 18 at 3:30 p.m.

The lessons will be taught by Michael Gabriel Rosen, and all lessons are absolutely FREE for all Templeton students!

Classes begin next Wednesday - mark your calendar, and don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Make-up Provincial Exams

Students who wish to write a make-up provincial exam may do so on January 25 (Wednesday) and January 26 (Thursday) in the school library.

The exams available to be written include:

• Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10
• Foundations and Math and Pre-Calculus 10
• English 10
• Science 10
• Social Studies 11
• English 12
• Communications 12

You must register with Ms. Coulter from the office first in order to write these exams. Some exams have a specific start time. They include:

• English 10: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on January 25 (Wednesday)
• Social Studies 11: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on January 25 (Wednesday)
• English 12: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on January 26 (Thursday)
• Science 10 and Communications 12: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on January 26 (Thursday)

Exams for the two math 10 courses can be written at one of the above times. Please see Ms. Coulter for details.

For students who have taken a summer school course this past summer, or were in Science and/or math challenge last year, but did not write the provincial exam either in June or August, it is CRUCIAL that you register to have these exams written in January. If you have any questions, please come to see me ASAP.

Calendar of Events: January 2012

Happy new year! I hope all of you have had a restful break. It's the beginning of another calendar year - may this be a time for you to set some new goals for a successful remainder of the school year.

Below are some key dates to jot down for the month of January:

• Jan 3 (Tuesday): School re-opens. It is a Day 1, by the way.
• Jan 3 (Tuesday): January bus-pass pick up - please see me for your bus pass
• Jan 12 (Thursday): Instructional Planning Period. Students start at 10:00 a.m.
• Jan 23 (Monday): Block rotation to B-A-D-C (2-1-4-3).
  
• Jan 24 (Tuesday): Block rotation to F-E-H-G (2-1-4-3).
  
• Jan 23 to 27 (Monday to Friday): Provincial Exam make-up session (see separate entry for details)

It is not a month with a lot of events, but it is certainly a good time to re-focus, and to start nicely for term 2. Please don't hesitate to come and see me if you need any assistance!