NEWSLETTER
May 2017
Principal’s message
We are into the last quarter of the
2016/17 school year, and I think
spring has finally arrived. No
doubt Mother Nature may have
one more white precipitation surprise, but hopefully not on the May
long weekend!!!!
Education Week was established more than 75 years ago
to call attention to the importance of education and to
show parents and the wider
community some of the good
things happening in Alberta
schools. Education Week this
year runs from May 1st to 5th.
This
year
the
theme
is Learning is a Journey.
Contact us:
Onoway Junior Senior High
School
Box 340, Onoway, AB
T0E 1V0
http://www.onowayhigh.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (780)967-2271
Fax:
(780)967-2660
If you come by the new school,
you will see the graduate portraits
from 1940’s to 2016 placed above
lockers in different part of the
school. They are organized by
“decades” and signage will be
posted. The maintenance department has also put up many of our
beautiful art pieces brought over
from the old school. These pictures and portraits add a great
“feel“ to the new school, carrying
on the historical record of education in the Onoway area.
Grades 9-11 have been counselled on course selection and
registration for the 17/18 school
year. Course selection data will be
entered into PowerSchool so we
can determine the numbers of students that have selected classes.
Current Grade 8s and Grade 7s
from our four feeder schools will
be counselled about core and option choices for next year in May.
Then, with final staffing information, the timetabling for the
17/18 school year starts.
Students have been on various
trips as part of course and extracurricular activities. Students in
Honours Band have been off to
Kamloops for a Festival, 3 students went to Ottawa as part of
Encounters with Canada, and a
large group went to Europe over
Easter break. Still to come in May
include Student Council who are
off to a conference in Lacombe,
Outdoor Ed students will be going
to the Hinton area, and not to be
missed, Phys. Ed. students are
going bowling in Wabamun!!
We are having students earn a
variety of credits from outside instructors in First Aid and Food
Safety. Those students in driver’s
training will complete their requirements for 3 credits in May and
June.
With Grad 2017 rapidly approaching, Grade 12 students need to
ensure they are meeting the requirements of being on the grad
list, as the deadline is May 31.
We look forward to warmer weather, so please ensure you are
meeting the dress code expectations. We also will see the beginning of the development of the
track and field area.
Please note the dates of exams
included in this newsletter as it is
the Senior High Final exam
schedule. The Junior High exam
schedule will be available June
1st; junior high students are in
classes and exams until Thursday, June 29.
Have a great May 2017!
John Lobo
OJSH News & Notes
Jon from Augustana University in Camrose spoke to students about the benefits of post-secondary education there.
Cpl. Fitterer and Sgt. VanErp
visited OJSH to talk to students
interested in a career in the
Canadian military.
Mr. Cote spoke to interested students about the
Dual Credit program at OJSH. Administrative Professional, Health Care Aide, Medical Terminology,
and Animal Handling and Behavior are some of the
dual credit programs available to our students.
Outdoor Ed Trip to go to Black Cat Guest
Ranch
From after school Thursday, May 4th to Sunday May 7th,
fifteen high school students will accompany Mrs. Elliott
and Mr. VanCamp on an Outdoor Ed field trip to Black Cat
Guest Ranch, located just outside Jasper National Park.
Hiking, nature studies, and other outdoor activities will
occupy the students’ time. In order to go on the trip, students—and supervisors—had to have first aid training.
Students and staff going on the Outdoor Ed trip had to take
first aid training.
OJSH Band Program
The OJSH Band Program under the
direction of Ms. Neufeld will host
the feeder school tours for all students coming into our school next
school year.
OJSH will visit the
four feeder
schools’ current grade 7 classes
on May 8th and 9th to explain the
programs they will be offered at
our school when the students are
in Grade 8.
Your Invitation
To Please Join us for the Annual
Spring Concert
June 1st
7:00 P.M.
Onoway High SADD Students Attend Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving Conference
Alberta hosted the conference in Edmonton this year,
and it was attended by students from as far away as New
Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest
Territories. Ms. Petherbridge and Mrs. Barr-Stierman
took seven amazing students to the conference: Emily
Lapachuk, Rochelle Serediuk, Ashonti Couture, Lexie
Pelletier, Lindsey Pelletier, Cayde Little, and Taylor Denby.
It was a great conference with a combination of workshops on awareness activities students can create for
their schools, informational sessions on the dangers of
impaired driving, guest speakers relating their stories,
entertainment such as improv and a magic show, great
food, and a dance. It was a very busy three days and for
six of the students, this was their first opportunity to
attend a SADD conference.
tence). We were honoured as a group because she chose
CYAID as the first place she would tell her difficult story to
a group.
There was lots of information given about the dangers of
impaired driving and the fact that street drugs, prescription drugs, tiredness, or alcohol can all lead the driver to
becoming impaired. It is important to arrange a safe ride
home BEFORE someone consumes impairing substances.
All at the conference learned the consequences of not
doing so. FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS DRINK AND
DRIVE!
If students are interested in joining SADD, please contact
Mrs. Barr-Stierman in Room 211.
One of the presentations that several of the students
mentioned was very powerful was one given by a teacher
from Saskatchewan. Her sister, brother-in-law, six year
old niece and two year old nephew were all killed in a car
crash caused by an impaired driver. She discussed her
family memories, the day of the crash, and the trial that
followed (the impaired driver was given a ten year senling Office in May. The local elementary schools that
feed into OJSH - Onoway, Rich Valley, Darwell and
Congratulations go out to: Kelly Hodgson for being Alberta Beach—will be visited by Mrs. Villneff and Mr.
Bellerose during the week of May 8. During the
conditionally accepted into the Faculty of Arts at the
presentation, the students will receive registration
University of Alberta. Kelly is planning to become a
information and be able to ask any questions they
teacher.
have about attending OJSH in 2017-2018.
Applications are available for students interested in
On Thursday, May 25, the parents of our feeder
the Health Care Aide Dual Credit program. All
school students will come to OJSH for a presentadue Friday May 5, 2017
tion at 7 pm. Finally, in late May-early June, the stu.
dents from our feeder schools will come to OJSH for
The Minister’s Youth Council is looking for 32
a tour of the school.
Junior and Senior High Students with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives to advise the Minister of Education. Applications are due For any parents that require further information,
by Friday May 5. You can download an application at please call the school office and ask to speak to Ms.
education.alberta.ca/myc or see one of the counsel- Dundas, Mr. Bellerose or Mrs.Villneff.
lors.
Counselling News
It is certain to be another busy month in the Counsel-
Out and About OJSH
Easter vacation 2017 was a thrilling adventure for
36 OJSH students as they travelled throughout
Germany. They were also able to spend two days
in Prague, Czech Republic and two days in Vienna,
Austria as well during their travels. Many students
were bitten by the travel bug and are eager to
travel the world in the future. They brought home
souvenirs, photos, and a wealth of memories.
Grade 12 student Denni Sutherland has been signed by the
women’s hockey team, the NAIT Ooks. Denni will be attending
NAIT in the fall taking a one-year certificate course in carpentry
and mill working with the option of extending her education to
a diploma in carpentry or cabinet making.
Denni, who has played hockey for 10 years, currently plays left
defense for the Ft. Saskatchewan Fury. She was scouted
throughout her 2016-2017 season and said being signed by the
NAIT Ooks was a dream come true.
Max Westerlund (l) and Alby Parokkaran (r) took part in NAIT’s Student for a Day program in early April. Both young men went to Instrumentation Engineering and spent half a school day in class. On
the day that they were there, the two experienced two different
lab classes in the faculty. They both said they enjoyed their day at
NAIT and want to go back if time permits to be Student for a Day
in Electrical Engineering.
Leaving for the Cantando Music Festival at the Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops, BC.
Miss Peer’s Junior High Drama class
planned, rehearsed and put on their
plays on the drama stage in the main
foyer of OJSH.
Mr. Daly’s Grade 9 Food Studies class
had a “Cake Wars” competition. Six
groups of students vied for the best
cake: taste, appearance and difficulty
were rated by a panel of guest judges.
Each group did an amazing job!
Encounters with Canada salutes Vimy Ridge
From April 2 to 7, 2017, over 125 youth aged 14-17
from every corner of Canada travelled to Ottawa to
take part in a remarkable opportunity with Encounters with Canada. Although Encounters with Canada
runs programs throughout most of the year, this particular session was of particular historical significance as the theme was Vimy.
OJSH Grade 12 student Celine Sewepagaham was
in Ottawa at Encounters for Canada for this special
week. “The Vimy: Canada’s Coming of Age” week
was an in-depth look at Canada’s participation in the
First World War, with seminars and debates on the
Canadian Corps, the capture of Vimy Ridge, Canada’s 100 Days, the conscription crisis and the home
front, Canada’s new identity following the First World
War and the legacy of Vimy.
Celine attended many ceremonies to commemorate
Vimy Ridge: at the National War Cemetery, the
Mayor of Ottawa’s commemorative ceremony, and a
noteworthy one with the Governor-General at
Rideau Hall. Celine and the other students from
across Canada toured the Canadian War Museum
with its special exhibition on the Battle of Vimy
Ridge. As well, the students toured Parliament Hill,
and sat in on Question Period, and listened to the
Prime Minister. They toured the Diefenbunker, a four
-story, 100,000 square foot underground bunker built
between 1959 and 1961, that now acts as Canada’s
Cold War Museum. Celine and her fellow students
were able to speak with a U.N. Peacekeeper and a
veteran of WW II.
Celine said she enjoyed the experience very much
and that meeting high school students from all
across Canada was exciting. Learning of Canada’s
role in WW I and the impact of the Battle of Vimy
Ridge was rewarding and made her appreciate the
freedoms we now enjoy in our country. Celine highly
recommends Encounters with Canada to any high
school student. Onoway Junior Senior High School
is proud to support our students in this program.
OJSH Grade 12 Student Celine Sewepagaham standing
second from the right, next to Governor-General David Johnston.
Grade 8 Cultural Exchange
What happens when one Grade 8 Social Studies class finishes their Japan “Edo” unit and another grade 8 class
finishes their Aztec unit at the same time? The answer:
the classes have a cultural exchange!
Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum expands on the concept of intercultural contact and continues to develop
historical thinking skills through an examination of past
societies in different parts of the world. Mrs. BarrStierman’s Grade 8 class just completed studying the Edo
period of Japanese history. Ms. Wallace’s grade 8s just
finished their unit on the Aztecs. After being challenged
at a PD day to create a new type of learning experience
for their students, the two OJSH Social Studies/ English
teachers decided to combine their classes for a cultural
exchange of ideas.
Each class divided up into small groups and intensively
researched a cultural or political aspect of what they had
been studying. In addition to creating a project to share
with their classmates, each student group had to create a
five question worksheet for others to fill out as they
viewed each project.
The students were engaged in their learning, displayed an
in depth knowledge of historical cultures that they had
studied and had fun sharing their knowledge with their
peers.
Grade 8 Social Studies students exchanged ideas and
discussed their research.
Aztecs used Art as
a conveyor of political and religious
messages .
The student groups from Ms. Barr-Stierman’s class went
to each of the approximately 10 student stations of Ms.
Wallace’s Aztec class. The groups were given about 2 to 3
minutes at each station to hear explanations of the project, to ask questions of the project group and to fill out
their worksheets.
Once all the groups had circulated through the projects
and filled in their worksheets, “banker” students gave
each participant their wages: a coffee bean.
Then, Ms. Wallace’s class culturally travelled to Mrs. BarrStierman’s class to view those projects, ask questions, fill
out worksheets and learn about the Edo period of Japan.
Once again, each student group was given about 2 – 3
minutes to accomplish this. Once all the groups had circulated through the projects and completed worksheets,
they were allowed to use their wages – the coffee bean –
to purchase teriyaki beef and rice as well as coloured tortilla corn chips and salsa.
The Aztecs had a social hierarchy.
A 3-D map was created by
one group to show Edo Japan.
Student bankers gave out
coffee beans as ‘wages’.
The Edo period of Japan also
had a strict social hierarchy.
6 Symptoms of Video Game Addiction
by SOS Safety Magazine
published March 30, 2017
Parents today are faced with a dilemma that their parents
never had to deal with. Video games. Today, when their child gets
home from school they will most likely immediately turn on their video gaming console. This will launch an inevitable internal struggle in
the parent’s mind. Should they tell the child to stop? Play outside
first? Tell the child to do their homework? Or let them play for a bit?
More studies are highlighting the negative effects of gaming, and this causes concern about whether frequent and lengthy
playing sessions can lead to an addiction.
Professionals in the field of mental health have differing
opinions and this subject still requires much more research. However, most medical and mental health professionals agree that pathological video game use is a problem.
A study done in 2009 estimated that around 12% of boys
who play video games exhibited pathological play and only 8% of
girls.
This study also observed that those who were pathological
gamers had double the chance of having ADD or ADHD. This may
be because children who have these disorders – or are somewhere
on the autism spectrum – are drawn to the more structured environment. In life, people are unpredictable, but in video games, reactions
and events are programmed. It provides clear and consistent rules
for interaction, in contrast to the chaos and uncertainty that is everyday life.
Other people who are at risk of video game addiction are
people who have conditions like Asperger’s, depression, anxiety, or
PTSD. These conditions make life harder, whereas it is far easier to
be successful and get recognition in a video game. People can turn
to the world of video games and feel respected and admired for their
achievements in the game, this recognition can take the place of the
real-world respect that these individuals do not feel they are getting.
A young person who is not well connected has a poor relationship with their family, and has a mental illness on top of it all is
very vulnerable and susceptible to this kind of addiction.
Another added risk factor is early exposure. In a report
published in 2010, elementary aged students averaged 7.5 hours on
electronic time DAILY. These children’s brains are rapidly developing, and they are developing a dependency on these devices, rather
than human interaction.
IS IT THE VIDEO GAMES FAULT?
From the paragraphs above, it is easy to deduce that some
kids are prone to pathological video game usage. However, there is
cause to wonder if video games themselves are causing the problem. They certainly do play a part. Addictions are related to the
pleasure centre of the brain, and video games provide levels of
pleasure. On the very first level, there is intermittent reinforcement –
which is the unpredictability of reward. This is the basis of a gambling addiction as well.
Video games are designed to ‘hook’ the player using a well
-established psychological technique – presenting a challenge that
the player can master. When a player masters the first goal they are
rewarded with dopamine, and so on for every mastered challenge
after that. Video game designers carefully plan how to make the
game just difficult enough to reward the player upon mastery, but
not so difficult that they get frustrated and give up. Addictive qualities are built into the game so the gamer seeks out that mastery and
reward.
SYMPTOMS OF A VIDEO GAME ADDICTION IN A
CHILD:
Lack of respect for boundaries set up by parents around console usage, screen time, etc.
Lies or deceives a parent or guardian in order to gain more
playing time
Is no longer interested in other activities – other than computer
or console usage
Suffers a drop in school grades and participation
Is sleep deprived because of unhealthy sleep habits
Forgets to eat
Like in all other aspects of life, balance is key. No two children
react the same way to screen stimulus and helping your child live a
healthy life, independent from screens, may take some trial and
error.
Some mental health professionals caution that you should
keep electronics away from your child until they are 13 years old.
The reasoning behind this is that children have rapidly developing
brains that need to be learning complex physical and social tasks,
and being constantly distracted by a screen will prevent them from
doing so to the best of their abilities.
However, some parents reading this may realize that keeping your children away from screens for the first 13 years of their life
is virtually impossible. Other mental health professionals of a much
more manageable opinion. They suggest that technology should be
introduced as the child is old enough to make use of the educational
properties of whatever device they are using. For example, setting
your child up with a reading game on the iPad when they are starting to learn to read can be a fun, and more effective method for
them to learn to read. Another thing to factor in is when your child
can distinguish fiction from reality, most kids can’t make this distinction until about 8, so up until then parents should be very careful
about the content their children is consuming.
If your child is letting video games get in the way of them
living a healthy a productive life, they might need to seek help.
There are many mental health professionals who are equipped to
help young people navigate this kind of addiction and there are rehabilitation programs available as well.
This article was submitted by Tammy Charko BA, BSW, RSW,
with permission given by sossafetymagazine.com. Tammy is Northern
Gateway Public School’s Division Social Worker. She is a support for
schools, students, parents and caregivers to ensure success in school.
Tammy advocates for students and provides a link between the student
and other supports within the community. She is a mom to 4 kids (3 of
which are teenagers!) and loves to compete in mud obstacle races.
Student Council News
After a lot of hard work, the Onoway Junior Senior
High School finally has their own mascot. The emerald green mustang was presented to the students in
the pit on April 7th before walking around the
school to introduce himself to the students. Our
new mascot needs a name and we are leaving it up
to the students to choose it. After students return
from Easter break, they will have the opportunity to
input their ideas for a name for our mascot, and the
winning name will be chosen by the Student Council. We hope that every student takes part in this
contest so we can find a unique name.
The Student Council is looking for a team of students willing to be our mascot as well as join our
cheer team to assist the mascot. Any interested students should talk to Mr. Huxley about this opportunity.
The Student Council has also introduced schoolwide spirit wear to the school. Mr. Lobo has put a
survey on the school’s website asking for student
and parent input on which products the school
should provide for the school community to purchase. There is a variety of jackets, hoodies, shirts
and other products to choose from. What our
school provides for spirit wear will depend on the
demand shown in this survey. Please see the
school’s website before the Easter Break for more
information and to fill out this survey.
Onoway Junior Senior High School will once again be
sending eight Student Council representatives to the
Alberta Student Leadership Conference. It will be
held in Lacombe, Alberta from May 28th to May
30th, 2017.
Students will have the opportunity to meet others
from across the province and learn new ways to
promote school spirit as well as make their school
and community a better place.
The Student Council hope students had a Happy
Easter Holiday.
-Drew Fitzgerald
Senior High Final Exam Schedule June 2017
Note: Exams in BOLD indicate Diploma
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Day 2
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Eng 30-1 30-2 225/226
pt A
9 am -12
Friday, June 16, 2017 Day 1
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Social 30-1,
30-2 A
225/226
9 am -12
Wednesday, June 21 2017 Aboriginal day – no exams
Last Day of Gr 10 /11 /12 regular classes
Thursday, June 22 , 2017 Day 1
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Eng 30-1 30-2 225/226
pt B
9 am -12
Chemistry 20
Classrooms
1230pm325pm
Social 10-1
9 am -12
1230pm325pm
Social 10-2
9 am -12
1230pm325pm
English 20-1
9 am -12
English 20-2
9 am -12
Classroom
June 2017 Senior High Exam Schedule Continued
Friday June 23, 2017 Day 2
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Social 30-1,
30-2 B
225/226
9am -12
Science 10
Classrooms
1230pm325pm
Math 10c
Classrooms
Math 10-3
9 am -12
Science 24
1230pm325pm
Social 20-1
1230pm325pm
9 am -12
1230pm325pm
Monday, June 26 , 2017 Day 1
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Math 30-1
225/226
9am -12
Physics 20
Classrooms
1230pm325pm
Math 20-2
English 10-1
English 10-2
Classrooms
1230pm325pm
9 am -12
1230pm325pm
9 am -12
1230pm325pm
9 am -12
9 am -12
Tuesday June 27, 2017 Day 2
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Chemistry 30 225/226
9am -12
Makeup day
Classrooms
1230pm325pm
Math 20-1
9 am -12
Classrooms
Math 20-3
9 am -12
Biology 20
9 am -12
9 am -12
Wednesday June 28, 2017 Day 2
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Biology 30
226/226
9am -12
Math 31
Classroom
9am -12
Thursday June 29, 2017 Day 1 ( these courses are not offered at OJSH in sem 2)
EXAM
LOCATION
TIME
Physics 30
226/226
9am -12
Science 30
1-4pm
28
21
Mother’s Day
14
Outdoor Ed Trip
7
Sunday
29
Victoria Day
22
15
30
23
16
31
7 pm
Spring Concert
1
- New Student
Parent meeting
Credit Graduation
25 - Dual
PD Day- No
School
School Dance
7pm-11pm
24
18
2
26
Day in Lieu – No
School
19
12
Outdoor Ed Trip
Outdoor Ed Trip
11
5
Friday
4
Thursday
17
School Council
meeting 7 pm
-OMPA meeting
6:30 pm
- Gr 9 PAT ELA
Pt.A
10
9
8
3
Wednesday
2
Tuesday
1
Monday
May 2017
3
27
20
13
Outdoor Ed Trip
6
Saturday