Bellerose Bulletin
February 2022
A Message From our Admin
It has felt as though a lifetime of change has passed since our last newsletter in December. January has been an especially challenging month for our students who continue to have their high school experiences disrupted by this pandemic. This wave has been especially difficult, and we continue to be incredibly proud of our students as they handle these changes with courage and resilience. As Random Acts of Kindness week approaches, seek out opportunities to share kindness, care, and compassion; it might end up being the simplest gesture for you, but end up meaning the world to someone else having a bad day.
As we begin a new semester, our hope is that we will once again begin to enjoy some of the activities and events that bring us all joy. Over the next few weeks and months, stay tuned for more information about our Bubble Boy Musical Production, our annual Bellerose Bikeathon, Bulldog Athletics, and, of course, our 2022 Graduation Celebrations. We will see you all on Tuesday, February 1st for the start of Semester Two!
Take care of each other!
Dawn, Jen & Mike
Important Upcoming Dates
January 31 - No school for students - semester turnaround
February 1 - First day of semester 2
February 10 - No school for students - Teachers Convention
February 11 - No school for students - Teachers Convention
February 21 - No school - Family Day
February 28 - BCHS students receive registration information for the 2022-2023 school year
March 1 - PowerSchool Parent Portal opens for online registration for 2022-2023 school year
March 2 - Bellerose Open House
March 10 - Parent Teacher Interviews 5-7:30pm
March 11 - Deadline for online registration for 2022-2023 school year
March 16 - Parent Teacher Interviews 3-5:30pm
March 25 - No school
March 28 - April 1 - Spring Break (no school)
Open House and Registration Information
Our Open House is coming up, save the date and don’t miss out!
Registration for the 2022-2023 School Year
On February 28th, students will be provided with copies of the 2022-2023 School Guidebook along with instructions for how to select their courses for next year. We encourage students to take this information home and have important conversations with their families about their high school and post high school plans. Please note that our school counsellors and administrators are also available to answer any questions you may have as you make choices for next year.
Surname A-L
Kelly Lajoie, School Counsellor - kelly.lajoie@spschools.org
Mike Thompson, Assistant Principal - michael.thompson@spschools.org
Surname M-Z
Jeff Beaton, School Counsellor - jeff.beaton@spschools.org
Jennifer Bruinsma, Assistant Principal - jennifer.bruinsma@spschools.org
Both high schools in the division will be moving to an online registration process this year where families will log into their Parent PowerSchool Portal (opening on March 1st) to update their demographic information, complete signature pages, and most importantly select their courses for the following year. Further information and instructions will be coming out at the end of the month to help support families with this new process. Until then, please explore our electronic versions of our 2022-2023 school guidebooks.
Mask and Rapid Test Distribution
Although St. Albert Public Schools has not yet received the second delivery of medical grade masks and rapid tests from the provincial government, we do still have medical grade masks available for students. These masks will continue to be readily accessible to students throughout the school for students who choose to utilize them. If your preference is for your student to be given a prepared package of government supplied masks to start off Semester 2, please complete the form below and the school will have 10 masks prepacked in a Ziploc bag ready to be picked up from the front office by the end of the next school day.
Updates to Covid Communication
As we see a decline in the reported number of positive covid cases, Bellerose will return to sending letters only to families of students who are in a class of a reported case. Our daily reported numbers will continue to be accessible through the division Covid Tracker.
Food Options and Lunch Spaces
We are happy to announce that our food services will resume with a full menu for the start of Semester 2.
Students who choose to stay at school for lunch will now be able to choose between any open classroom to sit and have lunch with their friends.
The library and Student Center will now be open for student use during the lunch hour.
The gymnasium will be open for organized intramural activities during lunch. Keep your eyes and ears open for our upcoming events .
At this time, the atrium area will remain closed for student use during lunch, but is accessible for students to use as a study space during their spares.
Students should be aware that atrium space will be limited from Monday, January 31st to Friday, February 11th due to Grad photos.
We continue to ask that food and drink not be consumed in the school hallways or bathrooms.
Students also have the option to enjoy our beautiful outdoor campus, go home, or leave campus during the lunch hour.
Important Reminder for District Email Accounts
Please note that student DISTRICT email accounts should NOT be used with outside organizations. This includes, but not limited to, post-secondary applications, job applications, government websites, ect. Students should be using their PERSONAL email accounts for anything outside of our school district. Once students have left the district, their district email accounts are disabled.
Grade 12 High School Diploma Achievement
The academic progress of our grade 12 students is regularly monitored and reviewed to help ensure that students have the appropriate academic plans to achieve their intended academic credentials.
At the school level, students and families can make appointments within our Student Center to review the current Graduation Plan and progress towards their Alberta high school academic credential and make any necessary course and/or program changes.
Students with the surname A - L can contact Mrs. Lajoie, kelly.lajoie@spschools.org or book an appointment via calendly.com/kelly-lajoie.
Students with the surname M - Z can contact Mr. Beaton, jeff.beaton@spschools.org or book an appointment via calendly.com/jeff-beaton.
Any students who are enrolled in the K&E or GOALS program can contact Mrs. Renee Miller, renee.miller@spschools.org for any programming questions.
Alternatively, all families may also contact our Assistant Principal and Grade 12 Academic Coordinator, Mrs. Jennifer Bruinsma, jennifer.bruinsma@spschools.org
Student Center Information
For Student Center Support, please contact the school at 780.460.8490 or email bellerose@spschools.org and we will happily get you in contact with one of our School Counsellors.
Alternatively appointments can be booked directly with the School Counsellors by clicking the links below.
Kelly Lajoie - Calendly Link for Surname (A-L)
Jeff Beaton - Calendly Link for Surname (M-Z)
Our school counsellors can support students with post secondary and career planning, post secondary applications, scholarships, current schedule concerns or questions, high school diploma planning, support students and families with accessing mental health, addictions or community support. They can support individual students' socio-emotional challenges so that students can tackle the academic rigor of high school.
Timetable Changes for Semester 2
Students looking to make changes to their timetables for semester two must book an appointment through the calendly link below to make changes. Appointments can be in person, phone or google meet. Hours will be extended February 1st from 7:30 to 4:30pm.
Kelly Lajoie - Calendly Link for Surname (A-L)
Jeff Beaton - Calendly Link for Surname (M-Z)Scholarship Information
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of available scholarships please check out the following Scholarship Information.
Please note the application deadline for many of our school based scholarships is May 1st. Please come to the Student Center if you want more information.
Grad Fundraising
Bottle Depot
Please consider taking your bottles to the Campbell Park Bottle Depot and letting them know you are supporting the Bellerose Grad 2022. This fundraiser is ongoing until June.
Salsa Fundraiser
Our next Grad fundraiser will be starting in February with Red House Salsa. You will find fresh ingredients in the salsa. All the salsa is GLUTEN FREE and 100% VEGAN and made in a 500ml glass jar, that can be reused, because the environment matters!
Order due date: Friday, February 25th
Orders will be ready for pick up: Wednesday, March 9th
Grad Photos
The IB Corner
2022… It does not seem proper to write yet. After some crossed out cheques, I hope to get the hang of it. The Bellerose IB community has much to look forward to in the new year. However, before we gaze too far into the future, I want to take this opportunity to look back. Earlier this year, in response to COVID physical distancing restrictions, our school celebrated its “award night” in a virtual manner. Here, I wish to spotlight the winners of our IB awards.
Each year, Bellerose recognizes the achievements of our IB programme students with two prestigious awards, the Hans Van Kessel IB Medal and the Donna Powell Learner Profile Award. Hans Van Kessel was a long-time and much-beloved science teacher at Bellerose. In 1996, Hans won the Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence Award for developing new teaching methods and ways of assessing whether students have acquired necessary problem-solving and scientific skills. Donna Powell was a long-serving steward of education in St. Albert. After teaching in the district, at the time, known as St. Albert Protestant School District, Donna became a vice-principal at Bellerose Composite High School. During her tenure, she also served as IB programme coordinator, developing the innovative Bellerose IB Youth Mentoring Program that Mrs. Angela Thompson spearheads today. The Hans Van Kessel IB medal is given annually to the graduating IB student with the most total points earned towards their IB diploma. The Donna Powell Learner Profile Award is received by one grade 10, 11, and 12 student each year who best demonstrates the qualities of the IB Learner Profile: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. Each grade level winner is determined by consensus choice among DP teachers. At Bellerose, our IB programme is privileged to attract and develop many young, talented, and ethically-minded students who strive to improve the world. This year, as always, it was difficult to decide the winners. Please join me in congratulating Eleanor Bordian for winning the Hans Van Kessel IB Medal and Stephanie Toews, Nadia Baxandall, and Elly Bordian for winning the Grade 10, 11, and 12 Donna Powell Learner Profile Awards. We are very proud of each of you and thank you all for your many contributions to the Bellerose IB programme.
Eleanor Bordian
and
Donna Powell Learner Profile Award, Gr. 12
Nadia Baxandal
Stephanie Toews
Bulldog Athletics
Our Bulldog Athletics continue to be in full swing with our Basketball and Indoor Soccer teams. Teams will step into action again on the upcoming dates:
Feb 1 - Mixed Curling begins @ Ottewell Rink, 3:45pm
Feb 1 - Bulldog Soccer @ South Soccer Center, 4:30pm
Feb 1 - Jr. Boys Basketball @ Paul Kane, 6:30pm
Feb 2 - Jr. Boys Basketball @ J Percy Page, 5:00pm
Feb 2 - Sr. Girls Basketball @ Holy Trinity, 6:30pm
Any girls interested in playing Rugby are asked to attend a meeting on Friday, February 4th at 10:45am in the large gym.
For any students interested in playing Badminton, please watch for upcoming meeting information.
Student Activities
With the start of the new semester on Tuesday, February 1st, the planning of many great student activities and events is underway. Planning for Bikethon19 has started and so much more. Students should stay tuned to school announcements and communications for all upcoming events.
In the Classroom
Dual Credit & RAP Messaging
Are you a student in Grade 11 or 12 looking to explore and discover postsecondary? Do you have a desire to earn some 30 level credits and a University course at the same time? Sign up for Dual Credit. Some of the classes being offered are Psychology 104, Sociology 100, and Indigenous Studies. There will also be Lakeland and Old's college courses available (see Mr. Turnham for more information).
The commitment is 1 afternoon/evening a week starting in the 2nd semester. Courses typically run 1 day a week for 15 weeks (Feb. to May) and are on-line with direct teacher instruction and student support. Most courses run 4 pm to 5:30 pm on-line with some other independent student reading/work required.
Courses would cost upwards of $1000 if a student were to take them on their own. Your cost…. A $50 registration fee that is it. Textbooks are supplied.
Limited spots are available as we approach 2nd semester, so if you are interested ensure you get your registrations in no later than Feb.4th . Email Mr. Turnham, Dual Credit Coordinator at bill.turnham@spschools.org
Want to know more, click here!
Ready to sign-up? Register today. Click here!
Looking to sign-up for Work Experience in the 2nd semester. Connect with Mr. Turnham ASAP to register. Students should email Mr. Turnham ASAP to ensure registration details are in place. Email Mr. Turnham at bill.turnham@spschools.org
Want to learn more about Off-Campus Programs and their credit and learning potential? Click here.
A Message from the Library
The Library has many, many NEW fiction and non-fiction books – come in and check them out! The Library is a great place to READ, do homework, study or just chill!
With Semester 2 beginning, you will need to have your school ID card, a picture of the card saved on your cell phone, OR download an APP such as STOCARD and create a scannable barcode using your 8-digit school ID number. Scannable ID is required to checkout textbooks, Chromebook, calculators and Library books.
Please check your student email account @5565 as Textbook/Library OVERDUE notices are sent to you there. Parents/Guardians also receive the email notices. Thanks everyone for returning your textbooks, etc.
2021-2022 School Fees
Course fees for Semester 2 will be added to your account in March. If you have not yet paid your current school fees, please do so as soon as possible. Payments may be made with Visa, Debit, or Mastercard online through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Payment will also be accepted in the school office by cash, cheque, debit or credit card. (Please make cheques payable to: St. Albert Public Schools 5565. Please note that all debit/credit transactions are subject to a 2.4% service charge.)
If you have any questions/concerns regarding school fees, please email br.fees@spschools.org
Student Drop Off
Parents are reminded that the East parking lot (where the Bellerose sign is located) is the staff parking lot, and every parking space other than the ones designated Visitor Parking is allocated to a staff member. Please refrain from parking in staff parking stalls.
Parents dropping their students off are requested to do so in FRONT of the school, rather than in the Staff parking lot.
Lost and Found Items
Student Absences
Parents, please email br.absences@spschools.org if your student will be late or absent for class.
Changes of Demographics
School Council
The next School Council meeting will be held virtually on February 15, 2022 at 6:30pm. If you are interested in attending please email dawn.rothwell@spschools.org to receive a copy of the meeting link.
Bellerose Composite High School
Email: bellerose@spschools.org
Website: https://bchs.spschools.org/
Location: 49 Giroux Road, St. Albert, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 460-8490
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelleroseCompositeHighSchool/
Twitter: @BCHSBulletin