County Central October Hawk Talk
'Home of the Hawks'
Principal's Point
Dear Parents & Guardians,
I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. Our academic year is fully underway, and our staff is enjoying getting to know all of our new students. We've had a busy first month of school. Our start-up went well, with a staggered start and an opportunity to orient our new students. Our current enrolment is 205, which is split fairly evenly between our junior and senior high students.
Sports have returned! We are so happy to be able to have our students participating in sports again. Our golf teams did well during their short season of play, with the girls team finishing 5th at Zones and out boys team finishing 11th. Our cross country team is gearing up for their meet in Medicine Hat next week, and our volleyball teams have already had several games and tournaments. Thank you to all of the volunteer coaches and managers who have made our sports seasons possible this year!
Our school spent this past week preparing for Orange Shirt Day, which we recognized on September 29th. Classes were able to have discussions about the history of residential schools, watch videos to better understand the perspectives of survivors, and explore the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report. Staff and students wore orange shirts to show our solidarity with residential school survivors and to share the message that every child matters. We hope that our students and their families were able to spend some time on September 30th reflecting on our country's history as we recognized the first Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We recently sent a letter to all families outlining the updated COVID-19 measures being implemented at the school. The key elements include the following:
- Masks are mandatory for all staff and students while inside the school building. Once students are in their classrooms and seated facing forward, they are permitted to remove their masks.
- Hands must be sanitized upon entry to the school and entry to each classroom. Hands must also be sanitized before and after using shared materials, such as Chromebooks.
- Cohorting is by division - students in junior and senior high are kept separated with designated washrooms, stairwells, and separate lunch breaks.
- Enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces is continuing.
- Staff and students are required to complete the AHS Daily Health Checklist before coming to school each day and must not come to school if they are symptomatic.
- The school will notify families when there is a positive case in our building.
- Spectators are not permitted at sporting events.
These measures are in accordance with updated AHS guidance provided on September 22nd.
The Hawk's Nest will be opening on October 4th. We will have food for sale (burritos, pizza pops, noodles, snacks, sodas, etc.), as well as a hot lunch twice a week, which can be pre-ordered through School Cash. We will also once again be offering nutritious food options free of charge (sandwiches, juice, yogurt, veggies, cheese, etc.).
I am pleased to announce that CCHS is participating in a new dual credit program this year. We have 5 high school students taking an 11-week culinary arts program through SAIT. This program is a collaborative effort with 3 other schools (including Huntsville School), and the chef from SAIT will be visiting each school on a rotating basis. Students who are participating will receive 10 high school credits as well as 3 SAIT credits, and we are looking forward to offering more dual credit opportunities like this in the future.
On October 8th, we will be having our first junior high collaborative day of the year, so there will be no school for students in Grades 7 & 8 that day. The junior high collaborative days are built into the schedule in order to offset the surplus instructional hours accumulated by having junior high students follow a senior high timetable and our teachers use these days to collaborate on programming and supports for our students.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all of our parents and guardians to attend the upcoming School Council Annual General Meeting on October 6th. The meeting will be held virtually, and we have several positions open. This is an excellent way to become involved in the school community and to help ensure our students have the best possible experience. If you would like to attend, please contact the school and we will send you the meeting link.
I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving next week and have a chance to safely enjoy the company of friends and family.
B.Sc.Kin., B.Ed., M.A., M.Sc.
Masks- Reminder
Learning Commons
School Fundraiser- Little Caesars Pizza
IT’S PIZZA TIME AGAIN!
Due to Covid 19, our fundraiser will look a little different again this year.
This year, the orders must be placed online (at this time, we are unable to accept any orders in the school).
Ordering is still available to anyone who would like pizza or cookie dough. Those interested can order online themselves or you can collect the money and enter the orders online (under your child's name) and pay for it. Anyone can order from the website under your child's name and pay for themselves also.
The Campaign will run from October 1st - October 27th, 2021. Please remember the last day to enter orders online will be October 27th
Pick up date is Nov 15th. You will be responsible to pick up your child's orders and deliver them. Pick up will be between 3:30-6:00pm. Nov 15th in the small gym. Social distancing rules will be followed.
Steps to order online:
Go to www.pizzakit.ca
Click on the “Products” tab
On the left, check on “Shop for Kits”
Click on the box that says “Purchase & Support a Local Fundraiser”
Enter the Fundraiser ID # 394743
Sign up or log in and start shopping!
Any questions, please call Lynn Jones @ (403) 485-2223 or email lynn.jones@pallisersd.ab.ca
Returning Student Registration Forms
We will update you once the system is operational again.
PowerSchool
*Initial set up of Parent Portal needs to be done with the link provided in the email*
Any questions or problems with the app please contact the main office.
School Cash
Alternatively cash or cheque can be accepted in the office.
Keeping Up To Date
Athletics
Hawks Nest
The Hawks Nest will be open starting October 4th! The hot lunch preorders are available on School Cash to purchase and are required by 9:00pm prior to the day of the hot lunch. They will have other items available for purchase as well as free nutritional snacks.
The October menu is:
Oct 4- Bacon Mac and Cheese $5.00
Oct 6- Chicken Burger & Tots $5.00
Oct 12 (due to the 11th being a holiday*)- Taco in a Bag $5.00
Oct 13- Chicken Caesar Wrap $5.00
Oct 18- Tater Tot Casserole $5.00
Oct 20- Pizza & Pop $5.00
Oct 25- Meatball Sub & Chips $5.00
Oct 27- Hot Dog & Tots $5.00
Upcoming Important Dates
October 6 School Council Annual General Meeting
October 8 Junior High Collaborative Day (No School Grades 7 & 8)
October 10 World Mental Health Day
October 11 Thanksgiving (No School)
October 13 ATA Local Meeting
October 22 Junior High Collaborative Day (No School Grades 7 & 8)
October 29 Monster Smash
Youth Get-a-Way Centre
The Youth Centre is open starting Friday, September 3rd.
Follow them on social media to keep up to date regarding hours, events, and
upcoming programming!
Grad Gab
Grad Fundraising
Grade 12 parents and students volunteers are needed to work the games at the Vulcan Arena.
The game dates are:
Oct 16, 22, 23, 30
Nov 5, 12
Dec 4, 10, 18
Jan 8, 15, 22, 28, 29
Due to the Lomond Lakers following the 'Restrictions Exemption Program' all volunteers need to be able to provide proof of vaccination for COVID 19. Any questions or to sign up please call Tanya Campbell at (403)312-2651
Palliser Beyond Borders
For those of you who are choosing to learn with Palliser Beyond Borders this year, please remember the following:
- Demonstrating attention to learning is vital for our teachers. This includes attending synchronous sessions and handing in assignments.
- You can't start your classes until you finish the GO course. Now that the rush of September is done, we will be reducing how often GO is available, so get started today!
- For our high school students, the Outreach is open for you to get assistance on PBB classes.
- For our Live Online students (grade 9's) please contact your teacher for help. Dropping in at the Outreach is not an option unless you have pre arranged this with your teacher.
PBB has a new principal! If you have any questions or suggestions about your courses, please let Mr. Kwasny know (jason.kwasny@pallisersd.ab.ca).
Council Reports
Parent Council
The 2021-2022 AGM will take place on Wednesday, October 6th at 7:00pm. New members are always welcome. This is a great way to become involved in our school community! If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact the school (cchsadmin@pallisersd.ab.ca) and we will send you the link.
Meeting minutes can be viewed on the CCHS website.
Student Council
CCHS Student Council is looking for students to join and get involved yet again. For meeting times and information students can contact Mrs. Wouters.
Halloween Dress-up Friday, Oct. 29 - there will be prizes!
Fridays are "Hawk Days"--wear your Hawk gear and/or blue and black.
Note: Hawk Gear samples will be coming soon--clothing orders will take place this semester!
CCHS Web Page
About Us
Email: cchsadmin@pallisersd.ab.ca
Website: https://www.countycentral.ca/
Location: 504 4 Ave S, Vulcan, AB, Canada
Phone: (403)485-2223
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countycentral.ca/
Twitter: @CountyCentralH1