Hello,

Next Friday March 6, 2009 will see BHS host its perennial Multicultural Show. Tickets begin going on sale Monday March 2, 2009. If you are interested in coming please get your tickets early. Congratulations to the planning and organizing team who have put copious hours into the organization of this wonderful event in celebration of Bell’s rich diversity. Â

As we turn the corner into March there are a few important dates that I wanted to remind you of. Progress reports will soon be completed by teachers for all students. The purpose of these reports is to provide parents/guardians with a “snapshot” of student progress in each of their courses to date. These documents will be mailed home on March 23, 2009. While it might seem early to be passing on this information March break is just around the corner from March 16 – 20th, 2009.

On the heels of progress reports are parent-teacher interviews (PTI’s). On the back of the progress report pages you will find schedules to book PTI’s with teachers. Please feel free to send these back to school with your children to confirm appointment times for March 30, 2009. Whether you have concerns or not, I would encourage you to consider meeting with your child’s teachers.

The OSSLT will be written on April 2, 2009 this year. This mandatory graduation requirement will be written on this day by all current grade 10 students as well as any previously unsuccessful students. In preparation for the test we have begun setting up study/tutorial groups at the school which will continue over the course of the next few weeks. To provide additional exposure to the test for your children, please feel free to visit www.edu.gov.on.ca for specific practice materials and student examplars.

Finally, please find attached below the weekly calendar for March 2 – 6, 2009 for planning purposes.

attachment: bell-this-week-mar-2-6.doc

Have a super weekend.

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Hello,

Monday February 23, 2009 is Running Shoe Day @ Bell HS. With course contracts due to Student Services on Tuesday February 24, 2009, this opportunity will allow students to visit teachers across departments during the regular school day to seek clarification about courses and selections for next year. To achieve success with this opportunity it will be important for students to being their course contracts and calendars with them for this activity.

Thanks to those parents who came out to our Parent Course Contract evening this past Wednesday. About 60 parents took advantage of the opportunity and it is unfortunate that the weather likely played a factor in keeping others away. Due to the postive feedback and success of this evening we will be hosting an identical evening next year to assist you, our parents, in guiding course choices and pathway destinations for your children.

Friday February 27, 2009 is semi-formal night. Student Council has been busy readying themselves for this wonderful evening for which we are still looking for parent volunteers. If you are able to help as a chaperone for a two-hour timeslot please feel free to call the school office and share your name and contact information. Students will follow up with you in a timely manner to arrange things with you for Friday night.

Finally, our next School Council meeting will be held Monday February 23, 2009 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Staff Lounge. Please feel free to join us to hear more about whaat is going on in the school.

attachment: bell-this-week-feb-23-27.doc

Have an awesome weekend.

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Hello

Please see attached for planning purposes.

attachment: bell-this-week-feb-16-20.doc

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Hello,

I wanted to take a moment to remind you of the upcoming Parent Course Contract iinformation session this Wednesday February 18, 2009 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the school cafetorium. Parents of students in grades 9, 10, 11, and returning 12′s are invited to see an informative session provided by our Head of Student Services, Mr. Steven Spidell. This inaugural presentation is aimed at educating all parents with regards to the course contract process while at the same time also providing the opportunity for questions. Please feel free to join us this Wednesday.

A gentle reminder to parents that report cards were distributed to students in their period 1 classes this past Thursday. If you have not already done so, please request to see these important documents and discuss them with your children. As we enter course contract time in planning for next year final marks in courses are a great way to help plan future courses.

Student’s Council is busily preparing for their next dance; a semi-formal to be held on February 27, 2009. Parent volunteers are very much welcome as chaperones on these evenings and are integral to the success of such events. With 350 students expected to attend we are in fact in need of additional help. The dance begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude at 10:30 p.m. STC is running a 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift and a second 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift. If you are interested in lending a helping hand, please feel free to contact the school office at 613-828-9101.

Bell This Week will follow tomorrow (Tuesday).

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – PrincipalÂ

Hello,

A busy but successful start-up to semester 2 has begun with one full week under our belts. As we continue down this road it is important to remember that we, along with students, are in the planning phases for next year and students will be receiving course contracts next week. It is important that you work with your children in guiding their course choices. To faciliate this process we are providing an information evening on Wednesday February 18, 2009 beginning at 7 p.m. in the school cafetorium. The purpose of this evening is to present what we feel is important for you to know about completing these course contracts with your children and more importantly provide any guidance and help we can by answering your questions. We look forward to hosting you this evening so please join us for what we hope you will find a helpful and informative session.

Course contracts have been posted as being due February 20, 2009. This deadline has been extended to Tuesday February 24, 2009 to provide students and their families with a bit more time on the heels of the parent information evening to make course choices for next year. In terms of those choices, please note that these are very important decisions. The requests students make are those that are used to staff the school for next year, so students are asked to choose very carefully. Sufficient interest in any subject area leads to the hiring of teachers to deliver the curriculum there in the Spring. Significant changes in course options over the summer after hiring has been completed can be problematic from a staffing perspective and no guarantees can be made at that time.

OC Transpo buses (600 series) will begin to run again Monday February 9, 2009. The following message from the OCDSB is being passed on for your information:

Have an awesome weekend.

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal Â