A reminder to all students that Course Planning Night for Parents and Guardians is next Wednesday, February 24th from 6:30-8:00 pm.

The deadline for Grade 9 course selections is February 25.

The deadline for Grade 10 course selections is March 2

This week, Grade 9's, watched the PBS documentary, Growing up Online-a compelling look at the positive and negative aspects of social networking and our digital culture. Here's a link to the documentary which can be watched online.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/

Course Planning 2010/2011

Course Planning for Grade 10's is underway. During my Grade 10 DAZE presentation you were given lots of important information and resources so that you can make informed choices. Key points from Tuesday's presentation:

• The courses you choose in Grade 11 lead you to your future.
• Ms. Mavety discussed the various career training opportunities that are available to Tupper students including: work experience, ACE-IT programs, Tupper Tech, and Secondary School Apprenticeship.
• Mr. Lam discussed post-secondary educational options and some of their admission requirements. He is available in The Career Centre, where you can find university and college catalogues and info.
• Course Planning Night for parents will be held February 24 6:30-8---all parents are encouraged to attend, translation in Tagalog, Vietnamese and Chinese will be available.
• I am available for individual advising after school. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board (outside my office)
• Do not hand your course sheets in yet! I will be coming to your Planning classes at the end of February and we will be entering them into the computer together.

Happy Holidays!!! School is back in session January 4, 2010

Stress Management and Resiliency

Below is a link to one of the videos we looked at in the Grade 9 Guidance presentations this week. It is an excellent illustration of the stress response in the body and how our bodies are biologically wired to respond to stressful situations.

http://cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_One/fof.html

(click on play 'Fight or Flight' movie and it will open in a pop up window)

We also looked at the warning signs of stress and you were given some resources and ideas to help manage stress. The links on the right hand side of this blog can be very useful resources in this regard.

Finally we talked about resiliency, or your ability to bounce back from life's ups and downs. We discussed some real-life examples of resilient people like Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. We also discussed ways to increase your resiliency including: cultivating meaningful relationships with your family and friends, looking at other people's perspectives, reading, and discovering activities where you can express yourself and find meaning.

Remember, stress is temporary and help is available. Talk to a trusted adult, family member, counsellor, or teacher if you are feeling stressed--we are here to help!

Scholarship and Educational Opportunities

Grade 9's

The TREK Program at Prince of Wales is accepting applications for next year. This is an exciting opportunity open to all grade 9 students. Application information is posted outside my office door or visit http://pw.vsb.bc.ca for more information.

Grade 9's, 10's and everyone else

The Shad Valley Program is an exciting opportunity for students to experience life in residence at a top Canadian university. It broadens your perspective, introduces you to exciting new people, and gives you an edge on scholarships and bursaries. Visit http://www.shad.ca for more information, the deadline for applicants is coming soon. There is also info outside my door.

Grade 9's/ Grade 10's

The Kids Help Line is looking for students to become ambassadors for their program. Duties include: raising awareness, volunteering at fundraising events, and event planning. This is excellent leadership and public relations experience, come and see me for an application if you're interested.

'Twilight' may skew idea of relationships

'Twilight' may skew idea of relationships

Bella and Edward, is it a healthy relationship? ...or is he a stalker. This is an interesting article from the Vancouver Sun. Some experts find Edward's behaviour disturbing. What do you think?

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to school everyone. It's hard to believe that we are already at midterm! By now your schedule is set and you are halfway through term one.
I have been visiting classes this week to talk about attendance. Here is a reminder....

Unexcused absences may result in school failure, lost marks, and disciplinary action.

Examples of Excused Absences:

• I am sick. I have a note from my parents/guardians that explains why I was away.
• There is a personal family matter or other such emergency and I have a note from my parents/guardians.
• I was on a field trip that my parents have consented to and my teachers approved.

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

• I slept in.
• I missed the bus.
• I don't like my class
• I had to go to Metrotown
• I went home
• I wasn't feeling well, so I just left without signing out or notifying my parents, etc, etc...
  

This leads us to another subject, vacations during the school year.....


From time to time your parents may decide to excuse you from school for: vacation, out of town visits, and other such events. Here is Tupper's policy on these absences:

"The decision to take students out of school for vacations and/or family visits is a family decision-- not the school's. Parents occasionally request that the teaching staff prepare homework in advance or give extra tutorial time and testing after students return from these absences. Although, the teaching staff will assist students as time and circumstances permit, it is not reasonable to expect that the achievement level and progress of students will be unaffected. The consequences of missing an exam will be a "zero" mark which may jeopardize the student's final mark"

If you miss more than a month of school due to an extended vacation, you may lose your place at Tupper and have to re-register upon your return.

So, I have an excused absence from school, what do I do?

1. Bring a note from home on your first day back. The note must include your name, the dates you were away and your parent/guardian's signature.
2. When you get to school, pick up an absence slip from the office. Attach it to your note and get your teachers to sign it.
3. Once it's been signed, return it to the office. THIS IS THE CRITICAL STEP. IT MUST GO TO THE OFFICE TO GET EXCUSED.

So, I have no excuse for missing classes what do I do?

1. It can be overwhelming when you've missed class-- you realize you've missed too much work and it's much easier to live in denial and continue to skip out. But the problem just gets bigger the longer you ignore it. Take responsibility for yourself. It's never too late to make positive changes in your life. There are lots of people here who can support you in this.

2. Talk to your parents and your teachers---they care about you and want to support you making positive changes. Take ownership for your absences, don't blame other people.

3. If there's a problem talk to someone--talk to me, a teacher, coach or family member---we're here to help!