From the Principal
2010-08-12
Originally published June 2010, distributed with report cards
Hello! What a wonderful year it has been. I trust that students will enjoy time with friends and family this summer.
As we prepare for September, I would like to take this opportunity to personally communicate with you. Entering my fourth year as Principal at Bell HS, I am excited and very much looking forward to continued growth with you this academic year. With all of our current programs running again this year, I would encourage you once again to stay “connected” through our school website at w.bellhs.net where we will consistently be sharing important school-related information with families. For convenience, I will place my “Principal’s blog” on the website each Friday, highlighting the events of the week and keeping you abreast of upcoming events of importance. A weekly schedule of student activities including field trip reminders, team practices and game schedules, as well as Student Council activities will also be provided each week.
Students are invited to come to Bell HS before school begins on assigned days (see below). This will facilitate the administrative procedures of the pick-up of report cards, clearing outstanding textbook liabilities, the assignment of individual lockers, and the payment of school fees. Once again this year, Bell High School will have an lnterac/Debit card system to facilitate payment by students. Students may present themselves in person to reserve their own locker and must also present their Dudley lock for combination verification. Only Dudley locks are permitted. Locks that are not verified and registered by the main office will be cut off and replaced at the student’s expense. Students must have their own locker (no sharing).
GRADE 12 - Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 9:00 am to 11:00am
GRADE 11 - Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
GRADE 10 - Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 9:00 am to 11:00 am
GRADE 9 - Anytime on Tuesday or Wednesday to pay fees and pick up the school agenda. Lockers, schedules, and t-shirts to be distributed via their LINK group on Sept 7. - 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
With support from School Council, we are extremely excited as we report the continuation for the third consecutive year of LINK, an initiative in support of our newest Bruins. By connecting grade nine students with senior student mentors, this program facilitates the difficult transition for grade nine students to high school and supports them as they strive for social and academic success. To support grade nine students through the LINK initiative and create a first day atmosphere that is less busy and more relaxed, we are asking students in grades 10, 11, and 12, report to their period 1 classes at 1:40 p.m. Please arrive early should you need to take care of school fees. In period 1 class, students will be provided with their timetables and have the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification from their teachers. Students will visit all four classes meeting all of their teachers for 20 minutes each with the day finishing at 3:15 p.m. Please note that all school buses will run at regular times that day in the morning and afternoon.
I wanted to take a moment to discuss our voluntary student fees requested from students in the first week of school. This fee helps to offset school initiatives and programs for students including costs associated with student planners, intramural sports and activities, awards ceremonies, student council, student leadership, convocation, and motivational speakers. The fee is $50 per student and guarantees every student, remitting their fee, a yearbook in June 2011 making this “time capsule” available for every student.
On behalf of the entire staff at Bell HS, we hope that this information helps you better prepare for a seamless September 7th startup. If you have any questions prior to the first day of school, please feel free to contact the school office at (613) 828-9101.
Sincerely,
Bruce Whitehead
Principal