Welcome to you last year of High School!

On this page and on Tupper 2012/ Facebook you should find some really useful information to help you this year—and in your future post-secondary life planning. Please read this information carefully, explore other sources (like the Official websites for each post-secondary institution) and think for yourself.

We are no longer directing your path, although we will help light the way!

To be successful in your post-secondary planning, you must be informed. I strongly encourage you to take ownership by: attending any school tours we will be offering, visit the Career Centre as much as possible, visit the websites of your chosen schools and the Open Houses and Information Nights that they will be having throughout the year, and contact the advisors at those schools to make sure you have the latest information. You should anticipate ongoing updates from post-secondary institutions as they often have changes.

Grade 12 is the year where the students who pursue excellence really see the benefits of their hard work. Excellence is: doing your very best not just doing enough to get by, attending all classes (and on time), living ROARS, keeping your priorities in check, not making excuses, completing your work on time, and placing ‘needs and responsibilities’ over ‘wants’.


It’s going to be a good year!

SLOW DOWN!

According to ICBC unsafe speed and alcohol were among the
top contributing factors for fatal crashes involving
youth drivers in 2009.

24 per cent of speed-related injuries or fatalities were 16 to 21 years
old!

A big thank you to Greg Drew who shared the story of his son's death at an assembly last week. This presentation was powerful and really showed us how our choices impact ourselves and others.

Greg's mission is to educate teens on the tragic outcome of speed. His son, Jay, died after a high speed crash. Jay's choice that day--and the permanent impact it has had on his family and friends--is something no parent should ever go through. The photo above is the car that Jay died in, which serves as powerful reminder to students of the deadly impact of choosing to speed.

Visit Greg's website: www.jammin4jay.com for more info

Acceptance

This is so cool. Students from Churchill Secondary and David Lloyd George Elementary came together in this inspiring Flash Mob, spontaneous performance, at Oakridge Mall recently. This performance raises awareness of homophobia and has a powerful anti-bullying message.

A New Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Prevention Program

For the past 18 months, I have collaborated with some really great people from around the district and support agencies in the creation of the Planning 10 Program, "What's Consent got to do with it?"

Learning about informed consent is so important because consent plays a big role in our life, from getting permission to go on a field trip, to posting pictures online. In BC, there are laws around consent, especially consent for sexual activity.

This program starts by looking at consent, and gets students to understand the definition. Then, after a presentation by the School Liaison Officer, students will better understand how the use of drugs and alcohol can hamper a person's ability to give consent. Finally, we looks at how consent impacts your daily life, online safety and ethics, and sexual assault prevention/awareness.

Please visit the link below for more information
http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/police-vsb-partner-teach-students-about-drug-facilitated-sexual-assaults

Happy New Year: Important Opportunities for Gr 11's!

Hello everyone

We've had an introductory planning session for Grade 12 where we discussed the main post-secondary pathways that you may embark on directly after graduation.

Training or Technical Institute

Community College

Apprenticeship/ Trades

University

Employment

We also talked about the differences among all five pathways, we learned about different types of diplomas, certificates and degrees. We talked about having gratitude for people who give us references and finally we discussed the importance of interpersonal skills. Good interpersonal skills assist us in our post-secondary life, career, schooling and some say they are key to success.

I will be coming around to English classes 2 more times to discuss course planning and am available to meet individually with students and families for advising. In addition, there will be a course planning assembly next Thursday during second period. I will also hold a session for students hoping to go directly to a BC university from high school on Tuesday, February 1st, at 3:10 in Mr Demers' room (rm 418). Finally, all students and parents are encouraged to come to Course Planning Night for Parents next monday, January 24th from 6:30 to 8.
Also want to mention three educational opportunitites open to Grade 11's

SFU Supertour. Visit http://students.sfu.ca/tour/ for more info.


Vancouver Fire and rescue Services Firefighter Academy. A great opportunity to spend a week on the job with the Fire department, see Ms H or visit


Leadership One at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
Participation in leadership opens a wide variety of opportunities for the youth who participate. Youth receive job training and potential employment as a Children's Activity Leader, take part in a fun environment where they gain practical skills and acquire volunteer hours for graduation or post secondary applications, and obtain references for their resumes. The first session is January 25 (next Tuesday). See the posters outside my office for more info.

November Wrap up

Well the month of November is coming to an end.

This month at school we ackowledged the sacrifices of Canada's veterans through a beautiful Rememberance Day assembly.

Also, for CBC's Newsday, one of our students produced a respectful piece on how Tupper was impacted by the death of Jomar Lanot --- and how the school has strived to honour
his memory. You can view her excellent piece at this link

http://www.cbc.ca/bc/newsday/

Finally, tomorrow, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. HIV/ AIDS currently impacts the lives of almost 34 million people worldwide. There are many myths and misconceptions about the disease.

There are several ways that you can raise awareness of this incurable disease.

• You can visit good resources for HIV/ AIDS education like Youthco and educate yourself http://youthco.org/index.php/get-the-facts/hiv-info/
• You can wear red tomorrow or a red ribbon to honour the lives of people impacted by HIV/AIDS
• Come down to the foyer and get more information on the myths and fact of HIV/AIDS

Upcoming events before winter break:

• December 10th, Term One report cards are sent home
• December 14th, Parent Teacher Interviews
  
• December 16th, Grade 8 Link Crew Skate
• December 16th, The Snow Ball, our first dance of the year
• December 17th, SChool closes for Winter Break

New website for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual and Transgendered Youth: It gets better!

In September of 2010, 9 U.S. teens killed themselves over a span of 22 days. They were victims of homophobia and anti-gay bullying:

• Justin Aaberg (15) July 9, 2010, Minnesota
• Billy Lucas (15) September 9, 2010. Indiana
• Cody J. Barker (17) September 13, 2010. Wisconsin
• Seth Walsh (13) September 19, 2010. California
• Tyler Clementi (18) September 22, 2010. New Jersey
• Asher Brown (13) September 23, 2010. Texas
• Harrison Chase Brown (15) September, 25 2010. Colorado
• Raymond Chase (19) September 29, 2010. Rhode Island
• Felix Sacco (17) September 29, 2010. Massachusetts
• Caleb Nolt (14) September 30, 2010. Indiana

On October 20th, many Tupper students wore purple in honour of these victims and to show their respect for diversity.

Here's a link to Dan Savage's It Gets Better Project. Please check out this youtube channel where you can find videos that remind G/L/B/T youth that it really does get better...even when it feels like it never will.

http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject

What can you do to stop homophobic bullying?

• Confront homophobic bullying, when it is safe to do so, every time you see or hear it. Recognize that your silence indicates your support for the bully’s behaviour. Communicate that homophobic bullying is wrong and not acceptable.
• Educate yourself and others regarding the negative consequences that homophobic bullying has on all children and youth.