The national competitionincludes Canada’s best skilled trade and technology students, on behalf of all provinces and territories. More than 500 students took part in the national event which included more than 40 skill
sections ranging from robotics to welding and cooking to aircraft maintenance.

The competition sees the top student talent in Canada tested against rigorous industry standards configured by a National Technical Committee consisting of skilled trade and technology professionals from industry and education.

Paul Chislett, Communications Technology Teacher at Bell High School says, “The competition allows the students to shine on the provincial and national stage. It is proof positive that skilled trades and technology programs are valued and respected by both educators and industry leaders. There is a high level of pride and professionalism exhibited by the students who are putting into practice the skills, topics, and techniques they have learned in the classroom.”

The provincial and national competitions are designed to raise awareness of the growing career opportunities in the trades and technologies workforce. Statisticians are forecasting a shortage of about 1 million skilled trade workers by the year
2020. With continuing collaboration from the Government of Canada, industry leaders, and educators, these students signify a bright future for the next generation of skilled trade and technology workers.

Way to go Agastya and Belden!

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

United Way Pancake Breakfast…

This is gentle reminder of our annual United Way Pancake Breakfast taking place this Friday morning from 7:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Many gracious hosts from the District office as well as greater school community will be in attendance. Please consider beginning your day with us; breakfast after all is a critical start to your day! Five dollars will get you a stack of pancakes with real maple syrup, a sausage, and fruit as well as coffee or juice. It is a can’t miss morning for everyone!

Resume Writing/Interview Preparation Skills

Are you actively searching for a job? Would you like to be briefed on the art of interviews as you prepare for your next interview?

The Ottawa Public Library is hosting two sessions in upcoming weeks specifically speaking to these two critical aspects of landing a job. Please see the attachments below for more information.

attachment: May 11 blog resumeprep1

attachment: May 11 blog Interview skills program 2

Bell This Week

For your planning, please find attached this weeks edition of Bell This Week.

attachment: 12_05_14 Bell this Week

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Having met with city By-law officials today, I want students to be fully aware that given the new provincial by-law pertaining to smoking in public places, there remains no area around Bell HS in which it is permissible to smoke. This includes all parks, arenas, and parking lots adjacent to the school. Fines have already begun.

The fines for smoking or supplying tobacco to a minor are $305 and $365 respectively. Please don’t put yourself in a situation where you are smoking on school property. As administrators, we are obliged to submit witness reports if and when we see students smoking anywhere on school property and from here, fines will be issued.

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Annual United Way Pancake Breakfast

For the past number of years Bell HS had been hosting an annual Pancake Breakfast in support of the United Way. Each year dignitaries from the District and our greater school community grace us with not only their presence but also a helping hand in many instances! Thanks to the terrific work of Mrs. Alison Green as the staff member heading up this awesome event and the generous help this year of her student team this years event is promising to be one of the biggest ever.

Bell’s charity of choice for the proceeds is Rideauwood Addictions and Family Services. Also in attendance in past years have been Directors of Education and Superintendents of Instruction as well as local politicians including Lisa MacLeod (MPP), Pierre Polievre (MP), Hon. John Baird (MP; former Bell graduate), and Jennifer Mackenzie (Chair of the Board). Breakfast is served between 7:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. at a cost of $5 per plate. Each plate includes pancakes with real maple syrup, sausages, fruit and a beverage (juice/coffee). Not only do these folks attend, they also give a helping hand serving meals for which we are truly grateful!

I would be remiss if I did not thank our very generous community partners for their gracious donation of food for without them this event would not be as much of a success. Please include Bell’s Pancake Breakfast on Friday May 18, 2012 in your calendar; it is after all the most important meal of the day!

Student Kudos

Ontario Skilled Trades Competition

On April 30 and May 1, 2012, two Bell HS students (Agastya Kalra, Belden Pham) participated in a 3D animation contest in the skilled trades and technologies in Waterloo, ON against students from across Ontario.

It is with pleasure that I report that the boys won the Gold in the secondary school competition and will not be moving on to Edmonton for the National competition. My congratulations go out to Mr. Paul Chislett (teacher supervisor) for his work in supporting our students through this competition.

Way to go and thanks for being tremendous ambassadors for Bell HS.  

Bell This Week

For your planning, please find attached this weeks edition of Bell This Week.

attachment: 12_05_7 Bell this Week.doc

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

I just wanted to take a moment to inform you that Bell HS performed a practice lockdown this afternoon. Lockdowns are practiced to allow staff and students to verify and review procedures in instances where there is imminent risk to student safety.   

Today’s practice drill went very well. Staff and students in most instances carried out their specific reponsibilities appropriately and efficiently. We will be debriefing with staff after school today and are seeking feedback from students through Student Council as we move forward with this important aspect of ensuring student safety in these situations.

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Graduation Date Correction

In last weeks blog I mentioned a commencement date that was not accurate. For the record, this years commencement ceremony will take place at Centrepointe Theatre on Friday June 29, 2012 beginning at 10:00 am. My apologies for any inconvenience the date as published last week may have caused.

Mid-term Report Cards

Report card time is upon us once again. With term 3 now behind us, teachers are busy entering mid-term marks into our data management system as we prepare to print mid-term report cards.  These reports will be sent home with students on Thursday April 26, 2012. Please be sure to request them as your children arrive home from school that day. With nine (9) weeks left in the semester there remains a lot of work to be done by all students. If your child is in their graduating year and on the heels of our perennial Graduation breakfast this past Friday, please be sure to ensure they have completed their mandatory 40 hours of community service. This is a mandatory requirement in order for students to participate in our upcoming ceremonies this June. Students not completing these hours will not be crossing the graduation stage as they will not have met Provincial graduation requirements.

Cafeteria Student Survey

Chartwells, the District provider of cafeteria services, is requesting students complete the attached online survey. Feedback is important as it will assist the provider in shaping what cafeteria services look like in our cafeteria at Bell High school. Student may simply click on the link below.

link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ontschoolsmay2012__

Bell This Week

For your planning, please find attached this weeks edition of Bell This Week.

attachment: 12_04_23 Bell this Week.doc

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

April School Council Meeting

April’s school council meeting will be held on Monday April 30, 2012, not Monday April 23rd as previously communicated through council. If you are interested in hearing more about the “inner workings” and specifics of Bell HS from behind the scenes, please feel free to join us! All meetings begin @ 7:00 a.m. in the staff lounge.

Grad Breakfast

Grads, mark your calendars! This years graduation breakfast is taking place this Friday April 20, 2012. All potential graduates are invited to this event in celebration of their accomplishments and impending graduation. Here, students will be have the opportunity to pay their graduation gown fee of $25 that includes a cap and gown for the actual ceremony. Potential graduates will also be advised of a few logistical things important for them to know at this juncture in the year. This will include reminders from staff about not “shutting down” academically, and any outstanding community service hours and/or OSSLT requirements where applicable. Once again a reminder that June 15, 2011 is the absolute deadline for submission of community service hours to be recognized in time for graduation.

Commencment Ceremonies

We are busy gearing up for this year’s commencement ceremonies taking place on Friday June 30 June 29, 2012 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Centrepointe Theatre. Formal invitations are being handed out to students who are projected to have successfully completed all graduation requirements (30 credits, 40 hours of CS, successful completion of their OSSLT) so they can plan. Students on the potential graduation list who, according to school records, are not aligned to complete all of these requirements have not received their formal invitation as of yet. If our records require reconciling in the eyes of students they are requested to see their Guidance counselor immediately to rectify any discrepancies and receive their formal invitation. In order to accommodate all graduates and their families, invitations go out with a three seat guest maximum. If as a family you are interested in obtaining additional seating for family members at the event, please have your child see Mrs. Seguin in the main office. She will compile a list and if additional seats become available and we can accommodate part or all of your request she will inform your child in the upcoming weeks.

Bell This Week

For your planning, please find attached this weeks edition of Bell This Week.

attachment: 12_04_16 Bell this Week.doc

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal

Elaine Wright, Bell High Schools’ – Cooperative Education Teacher and OYAP / Dual Credit supporter, received the first of  five OYAP – Star Awards being presented to OCDSB teachers for their ongoing work and support of students who are interested in pursuing apprenticeship programs through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. 

The OYAP program, in conjunction with the Dual Credit program (http://www.ocdsb.ca/programs/sec/dc/Pages/default.aspx)  is moving our youth forward in their career pathways.  Thanks to Elaine and all our Cooperative Education and Dual Credit Contact teachers throughout the OCDSB, our OCDSB students’ lives are being changed! 

Congratulations Elaine!

To learn more about OYAP , go to: http://www.ocdsb.ca/programs/sec/oyap/Pages/default.aspx

For your planning, please find attached this weeks edition of Bell This Week.

attachment: 12_04_09 Bell this Week.doc

Have a super week!

Sincerely,

Bruce Whitehead – Principal