Hello,Thanks to all parents who came to parent-teacher conferences this past Wednesday night. Teachers were busier than ever with your visits and they appreciated the time you took to come in to discuss your children with them. We hope you felt this to be an engaging evening and helpful in us perhaps helping you as we work together to encourage and facilitate academic success for students.Boy, are we excited! This Friday October 30, 2009 Bell HS is hosting Dr. Frank Hayden, founder of the Special Olympics movement back in 1969. In the beginning stages of developing a community partnership with Special Olympics – Ottawa chapter, Bell HS will graciously host Dr. Hayden who will speak to the students on the remarkable achievements of Special Olympics as well as the latest initiative PAHL – Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyle Project. Other community partners will also be in attendance including one or two players from the Ottawa Senators. Not to be outdone, Christina Campbell a Special Olympics World Games Gold and Silver medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics will also be performing for our students. The presentation will begin at 12:40 p.m.

Below, please find attached information about a parent evening to be held at Carleton University on October 29, 2009 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The presenter is Dr. Shelley Hymel, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia and whe will be giving a talk for parents and professional on: Bullying in Schools: Psychopathology? Part of growing up? Or human nature? It will be held at 7:30 pm in the Kailash Mital Theatre. Admission is free and a reception will follow.Shelley Hymel has studied human social development for over 30 years, with a focus on social-emotional learning in educational settings. She works regularly with schools on issues of bullying, and has directed summer camps and classroom programs to facilitate social growth. She is currently one of four directors of the Canadian Initiative for the Prevention of Bullying, and one of six members of a 5-year research network funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research to understand gender and aggression.To view the poster and details for the event, link to:http://www2.carleton.ca/ims/kailash-mital-theatre/coming-events/Questions should be directed to Tina Daniels, Past Chair, Hopewell Avenue School Council at tina_daniels@carleton.caA reminder that tomorrow night we will be holding our monthly School Council meeting beginning at 7 p.m. in the Staff Lounge. Please feel free to join us!

Please find attached this weeks version of Bell This Week as an aid to planning your family schedule this week.attachment:Â bell-this-week-oct-26-30.doc

Have an outstanding week.

Bruce Whitehead – PrincipalÂ

Hello,

By this time you should have received a progress report by ground mail to your home. Each student had one anecdotal report mailed home to parents/guardians this past week. These anecdotal reports are designed to give you, our parents, a “snapshop” of how things are going in each of your child’s classes. Following these important documents are parent-teacher interviews being held this Wednesday October 21, 2009 beginning at 4 p.m. All parents are encouraged to visit teachers on this evening. Appointments are booked using the schedule on the back of each progress report you received. Students transport these documents back to their teachers to confirm a time. Students in turn bring the confirmed time home to parents. We very much look forward to seeing you Wednesday night!

Please see the most recent update from Ottawa Public Health on the H1N1 virus and schools.

attachment: h1n1-letter-to-parents-oct-16-final.doc

For convenience in your planning, please see this weeks edition of Bell This Week attached as well.

attachment: bell-this-week-oct-19-23-2009.doc

Have a super week.

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Hello,

This Wednesday evening a group of approximately 100 parents and students participated in a University/College information session put on by our Student Services department. Mr. Jeff Hemstreet capably led parents through a very informative session pertaining to the university/college application process as well as the considerations that are important for families during this exciting time in their lives. Many thanks go out to Mr. Hemstreet, Mrs. Green, and Mr. Spidell and their painstaking efforts in putting this evening together.

Progress reports have been completed by teachers, printed, and will be mailed Tuesday October 13, 2009. Please watch your mailboxes for one of each of these anecdotal reports next week. Please note the parent-teacher interview booking sheet on the back of each one. Parent-teacher interviews are scheduled for Wednesday October 21, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in meeting with your child’s teacher(s), please return the progress report to the school with your son/daughter with the time request on the back of the sheet. The time will be confirmed by the respective teacher(s) and returned to you by your child. We look forward to seeing you on the evening of the 21st.

Below is an important message about Student Accident Insurance. Please read it carefully as it answers questions about injuries and school and insurance coverage.

Please see this weeks edition of Bell This Week, attached below.

attachment: bell-this-week-oct-12-16-2009.doc

Have a super Thanksgiving weekend!

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Hello,

Thanks to all parents who attended our first School Council meeting of the year this past Monday night. I would like to congratulate our current Chair, Mrs. Donna Bussiere-Finnigan for agreeing to remain on in this role for the 2009-2010 academic year. Donna did an outstanding job last year in her first year in the role and I look forward to working with her again this year. She is a wonderful advocate for all parents in our school community. Please note that if you are interested in staying abreast of council information that is passed along including minutes of our meetings and cannot attend the meetings themselves, please contact Donna through the school office and request your name be added to her email list.

Community service hours. This is a mandatory requirement and to date, 50% of our graduating class has yet to complete their mandatory 40 hours and they cannot cross the graduation stage without them. Please, please, please speak with your children if they have not completed this requirement as time is of the essence. It may seem early in the year but as quickly as September passed us by, June is right around the corner. For parents of students in grades 9 through 11, please continue to encourage your children to complete theirs in a timely fashion. Information concerning hours and types of activities along with community service opportunities can be sourced out in our Student Services offices.

Final staffing is in. Our spring projection of 942 was easily met and our final number at the end of September was 987 students attening Bell. This has translated into additional staffing to support a packed timetable. A bit of this staffing will be used in semester one to alleviate some pressure points and the remainder will be used semester two.

A reminder to parents of students in grade 12 of the Grad Information night being held in the school cafetorium and hosted by Guidance personnel this Wednesday October 7, 2009 beginning at 7 p.m. I would encourage you to join us for this informative evening where you may have all of your questions answered concerning the college and university applicaiton process. Don’t miss it!

Please see attached this weeks edition of Bell This Week.

attachment: bell-this-week-oct-5-9.doc

Have a super week.

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal