2014-2015 Freedom to Excel

Reaching Out Outreach High School Newsletter

Admin News Happy November! First, I would like to thank all of the parents who came to parent teacher interviews last month. As a staff we truly enjoy getting together to talk about your children and work together for their success. While our next formal set of parent teacher interviews is in March we encourage parents to contact us at any time to meet and discuss your child’s progress. November is a busy month. We have diploma exams, Remembrance Day, and we are more than half way to the end of the term. Students will be working hard to get modules done before the Christmas break as there is only a week in January to get assignments handed in for Term 1. Remembrance Day this year is on a Tuesday and we are fortunate enough to have Monday, November 10 off of school, so we have a long weekend. I encourage families to enjoy the break and the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones after a busy start to the year. We are also looking forward to our first games night of the year in November. Keep an eye on Facebook and bulletin boards for details. I want to thank everyone; families, students, and staff for their hard work this year and encourage you to keep it up through November as we enter into the final leg of Term 1! Sincerely, -BrianSamuel

Inside this issue:

Upcoming Events: Swimming—Mondays 10:45—12:00 November 5 — Early Dismissal November 10 — No School November 11— Remembrance Day

The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means to an education. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Admin News

1

Counselor’s Corner

2

Inside Story

3-4

RAP

5

Alta Health Services

6

St. Albert Community News 7-8

Diploma Dates

50 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue St. Albert Alberta T8N 0E7 Phone: 780-458-0839

9-10

November November 2014 2012

Colleen’s Counselling Corner

Page 2

Food for Thought It is important to get into a healthy routine of eating breakfast in preparing for a day of learning. An adolescent in the classroom whose last meal was dinner the night before has gone about 16 hours without food, and that adolescent is hungry, whether he or she knows it or not. A nutritious breakfast will provide energy for several hours-until lunch. Is any kind of breakfast better than no breakfast at all? Unfortunately, no; a doughnut or a can of pop, for example, only provides a quick rush of energy that lasts about 40 minutes, about the length of time it takes to get from the breakfast table to the classroom! Adolescence is one of the greatest periods of change during our lifetime. It is a time of rapid growth and development. Adolescents go through remarkable physical changes of all kinds and their food intake becomes a critical aspect of this growth and development. Recent research shows that eating breakfast consisting of nourishing foods not only makes children healthier, it can improve school performance, make them emotionally more stable and better able to cope with stress and anxiety, increase energy levels, boost self esteem, prevent colds and flus, and upstart their metabolism, which helps with weight control and mood. Adolescents may think that skipping breakfast seems like a good way to save on calories, but research suggests the opposite. In fact, meal-skippers often eat more high-calorie, salty and low-fiber snacks. Eating a healthy breakfast may help adolescents avoid overeating later in the day and prevent unhealthy eating patterns, such as not eating early in the day and eating a lot late in the evening. To ensure our students at Outreach are well nourished and ready to learn we offer Breakfast for Learning. The Student Advisory plays an active role in creating the menu and every morning from 8 - 9am they prepare the breakfast in the common room. Their choices are cereals, milk, juice, yogurts, muffins, bagels and fruit. As well, the teachers at Outreach ensure that fresh bread from Cobs Bakery is ready for a snack during our mid-morning break. It’s back to school time again and as our students head to class, a healthy breakfast will help ensure they get a smart start to each day!

Breakfast for Learning is available every morning in the common area for our Students

November 2014 Page 3

An Outreach Welcome Hello Everyone. I’m Rejena, Outreach High’s new Health Recovery Facilitator. What, you may ask, does that mean? Good question - I asked myself the same thing. I’m a social worker through education and experience. Outreach principal Brian and I are figuring out the scope of my duties within the context of this new position, so it’s a learning experience for all of us. I’m here from Mondays through Fridays to provide support to students and families with respect to mental health education and counselling, accessing community resources and programs, and facilitating conflict management with students, staff, families and/or community agencies. I have been a registered social worker for approximately 13 years, and had several different roles including, working with seniors in the community, community adult mental health, social work in a special needs school, education and counseling in women’s reproductive health, medical outreach with Edmonton’s inner city citizens, and youth outreach with high-risk youth and families. On a personal note, I’m originally from Newfoundland, and have now lived longer in Alberta than anywhere else. I enjoy running, vegetarian cooking, reading and watching zombie, science-fiction, and apocalyptic-themed movies. I’m excited to be part of Outreach High’s team and I look forward to getting to know everyone in the upcoming months. I can be contacted at Outreach High at 780-458-0839 or 780-902-3387 (call or text).

Cheers, Rejena Miles, MSW, RSW Health Recovery Facilitator Outreach High School

Birthday’s at Outreach November Andrew Huculak Brandon Mullins Brandon Smith Ezat Ghazniwal Isabelle Martel

Jake Mykitiuk Joshua Sorensen Kate-Lynn Stevenson Kyra Hart Lara Hyrak

Manisha Minhas Melynda Turner Miranda McCallen Nassir Gibert Simone Guderyan

November November2014 2012 Page 4

January Diploma Exams The dates and courses are found on our ―School Calendar‖, on our website www.outreach.spschools.org and on page 8 of this Newsletter. -All modules must be handed in by December 18, 2014 -Our school final exam must be written by January 8, 2015 NO EXCEPTION If you are rewriting a Diploma Exam make sure you fill out the “Diploma Examination Rewrite form” and submit your payment to Alberta Education. This form is available at the office.

Just a reminder: School fees are now due; if you have any questions please contact Janice at the school, 780-458-0839. If you have any books you are not using right now or will not be using, please return them to the school. We would rather house them here than you keeping them.

If you are working, please see Marlene for work experience.

November 2014 Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

Page 5

Apprenticeship is on-the-job training under the supervision of a skilled tradesperson combined with classroom training. It is an efficient and effective way of providing skilled workers in the trades. The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an apprenticeship program for high school students. Students start learning and practicing their future trade while in high school. Students gain hands-on, up-to-date training, earn high school credits, receive a pay cheque, and accumulate hours towards their journeyman status. RAP students are both full-time high school students and registered apprentices. Students can earn up to eight 5 credit RAP courses available in each of the 70 apprenticeship trades. A total of 100 credits are required for a high school diploma and a RAP completion would give a student 40 of those credits. The time a RAP student spends at school and on the work site can be quite flexible. The student, school and employer jointly agree to a suitable schedule. We have had students participating in RAP in the following courses: an Automotive Service Technician, a Parts Technician, a Plumber, a Transport Trailer Mechanic, a Machinist, an Electrician, a Cook, a Sheet Metal Worker, an Outdoor Power Equipment Technician and a Carpenter. Who can enter the program? Any registered high school student is eligible to participate in the program. How do you sign up for RAP? 1. Choose your trade—check out websites to explore the right trade for your skills, talents and abilities. (www.tradesecrets.org) 2. Find an employer—a journeyman or an employer who employs journeymen can hire you as a RAP apprentice. 3. Complete the application/contract with your employer. When the application form is complete, send it to your nearest apprenticeship and industry training office for registration. Contact Brian for the application/contract for your employer. (780) 458-0839

Alberta Health Service - Addiction Services St. Albert

November 2014

NAAW – National Addictions Awareness Week

NAAW is celebrated for a week in November. It is the time when we tell the world that change is possible and that freedom from addiction can be a reality. We use a turquoise ribbon to say that recovery – in other words CHANGE is possible!!!!

Page 6

There Is a Hole in My Sidewalk Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson

Chapter One I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost…I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend that I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in this same place. But, it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three I walk down the same street. There is a deep whole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in…it’s a habit…but, My eyes are open I know where I am It is my fault. I get out immediately,

Chapter Four I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter Five I walk down another street.

Wendy Gruhlke-Smar BSW/RSW

Alberta Health Services - Addiction & Mental Health 30 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue St. Albert, Alberta. T8N-3A3 P - 780-460-4971 F - 780-460-7152 [email protected]

Wendy is here the first Wednesday of every Month from 09:30-10:30 or please contact Wendy anytime

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volume #9 Issue #9 | November 2014

November 2014 All Month

Family Violence Prevention Month

1

BAM Pumpkin Smash and Bash

5

St. Albert Level 3 Elder Abuse Responder Training

6

Family W orking Group Meeting

6

Neighbourhood Network Conversation Cafe Multi-Family Housing Network

10

Strategy & Mobilization Committee Meeting

13

Elder Abuse Protocol Committee Meeting

15

CIVC Volunteer Fair at Servus Place

17

Bully Free Alberta National Bullying Awareness Week

18

Seniors’ W orking Group Meeting

20

National Child Day

22

Gay / Straight Alliance Conference

26

Youth Working Group Meeting

December 2014 1

Christmas Hamper Referral Deadline

3

International Day of Disabled Persons

4

Family W orking Group Meeting

10

Strategy & Mobilization Committee Meeting

10

Human Rights Day

16

Seniors W orking Group Meeting

Social Master Plan (SMP) Thank you to those who attended and participated in the th Social Master Plan Engagement session held October 8 , 2014. Your interest, commitment and collaboration is valued and needed to move forward. A summation of the collective contributions gathered and next steps will be shared in the next VIBES newsletter.

At the engagement session, reference was made to the draft social development policy that was presented to City Council September 15, 2014. The policy is meant to be the governance portion of the city’s social master plan. The draft outlines responsibilities city council and the city manager is responsible for, along with a set of values and expected long-term outcomes identified in the social master plan. The policy will be going back to City Council for approval January 15, 2015. If you would like to provide comments on the social development policy and/or additional comments related to the engagement session, please contact Cara at 780-459-1756 or [email protected].

FCSS would like to publish holiday related service activities and deadlines (food hampers, seniors in need,etc) in the December VIBES newsletter. Please send information to Cara at [email protected]. Thank you.

City of St. Albert | Community Vibes Newsletter

Page | 1

Community NEWS Draft Social Policy presented to City Council September 15, 2014 St. Albert Housing Market expected to pick up Helping more families - Housing society looks to help 20 families next year. A different approach to parenting - Triple P now offered through PCN, Family Resource Centre and schools

Community EVENTS NEW! The St. Albert 50+ Club is launching monthly Caregiver Information Sessions. These short informative sessions are being offered to caregivers in our community who are unable to commit to a nine week program. For more information visit the St. Albert 50+ Club website.

Raising Awareness November is Family Violence Prevention Month. Since 1989, the Stop Abuse In Families (SAIF) Society has provided services to clients that are experiencing abuse and its devastating effects to the family unit. SAIF also offer support groups, and provide educational prevention programs to schools and groups in our community. SAIF is hosting an Open House and proclamation in recognition of Family Violence Prevention month on Tuesday November 18, 2014 at SAIF office from 4 – 7 pm. National Child Day is celebrated on November 20th each year and is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and in communities, as active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decision-making. This includes the opportunity for children to have a voice, be protected from harm and be provided with their basic needs and every opportunity to reach their full potential. Visit this site to learn more and to access resources for parents, caregivers and educators.

Seniors Housing Tour October 27, 2014 Gay / Straight Alliance Conference for students and teachers who have a GSA group or are interested in starting one in their school. Faculty of Education, University of Alberta on November 22, 2014 as part of the province’s Bullying Prevention Awareness W eek activities. Volunteer Fair November 15, 2014 You can help ensure that volunteerism continues to thrive through increased recognition and public awareness of community groups and associations. For volunteers, this fair will be an opportunity to seek volunteer opportunities which suit their interests; for organizations, it will be a great opportunity to promote their services, recruit volunteers, and network with other nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations. The St.Albert Kinettes are looking for families in need to receive Christmas Hampers. The deadline for submission of Christmas Hamper Recipient Referral is December 1, 2014. If you know of anyone who could use a helping hand this holiday season please contact Destiny Tremblay, Co-chair of the Kinette Christmas Hamper Cell: 780-9656454 Fax:780-458-5354 Click here to view the St. Albert Family Resource Centre calendar of educational programs, services and events!

Family Volunteering Volunteering together will strengthen your family bonds as well as your community. Now more than ever, help from all kinds of people of all ages is needed right here at home as well as across the world. Working together can be a chance for you and your children to connect, and at the same time make a positive difference. Your kids will experience how good it feels to lend a hand, and they might learn something new in the process. Volunteering can be particularly memorable when you spend time afterwards talking about and reflecting on what happened. Here are a few ideas:  

  

Volunteer as a family in your community. Encourage your children to be involved in volunteer opportunities at school or through their involvement in other activities. Volunteer yourself and talk positively about it with your children. Discuss the importance of giving back to your community and the positive impact it can have on others. Organize or participate together in a fundraiser such as a walk or a run. You can do the walk or volunteer your time to help work the event.

Permission is hereby granted to City of St. Albert Family & Community Support Services to reprint the Developmental Assets® list, as well as sections of Instant Assets, and the MVParents® Web site for educational, non-commercial purposes only.

City of St. Albert | Community Vibes Newsletter

Page | 2

November 2014 Page 9

January 2015 DIPLOMA EXAM SCHEDULE December 2014 15

16

17

18 All modules must be handed in

19 Early Dismissal Christmas Holidays

January 2015 5

6

7

First day of Classes after Christmas Holidays 12

13 9:00-11:30 English 30-1 English 30-2 (Part A)

19 Last Day of Regular Classes

14 9:00-11:30 SS 30-1 (Part A) 9:00-11:00 SS 30-2 (Part A)

15

21

22

20 9:00-11:30 English 30-1 English 30-2 (Part B)

26 9:00-11:30 Math 30-1 Math 30-2

8

9

All School Final Exams for Diploma Courses MUST be written

9:00-11:00 SS 30-1 SS 30-2 (Part B) 27

9:00-11:00 Physics 30

16

23 9:00-11:00 Biology 30

28 9:00-11:00 Chemistry 30

29 9:00-11:00 Science 30

30 NO SCHOOL Semester Turnaround

If you are rewriting a Diploma Exam make sure you fill out the “Diploma Examination Rewrite form” and submit your payment to Alberta Education. This form is available at the office.

November 2014 Page 10

5

6

7

8

9

12

13

14

15

16

23

Frist day of classes after Christmas Holidays

NO SCHOOL in the morning 19

NO SCHOOL in the morning

20

21

22

27

28

29

LAST DAY OF CLASSES All Assignments/ Modules and Final exams MUST be written on or before this date 26

30 NO SCHOOL Semester Turnaround

Monday February 2, 2015

Semester 2 starts