Happy Birthday Ms. Bursey

 

Click to see the video: Happy Birthday Video For Ms. Bursey

Huge thanks to Michael Barnes for putting this thoughtful video message together! 

Let's take a stand today on #PinkShirtDay

Respect. Dignity. Kindness. 

From the Baccalieu Collegiate Teachers: Let's take a stand today on #PinkShirtDay and everyday against bullying and #cyberbullying. 

 

I Dream of Kindness (Brought to you by Grade 11 Homerooms)

 

Practical Nursing Applications now open!

Applications for the 2021-2022 Practical Nursing program are now available here: 

College of the North Atlantic - Program (Practical Nursing) (cna.nl.ca) 

The deadline is April 30, 2021!

Level Up!! Virtual Career Fair

Skills Canada NL would like to invite you to Level Up! an Educational Virtual Career Fair hosted by Skills/Compétences Canada, next Thursday, February 25, 2021!

You can expect interactive booths, sessions, demonstrations and special guests from each of the provinces and territories across the nation.

 

See the poster for more details and register HERE!!

BCP Online Learning Update: Friday, February 14th 2021 (5:20 pm)

 To:   Families & Students

From : Jeffrey E Saxby

Re:  Scenario 3

Privacy 

 (Families and Students)

As you know, your child’s class has moved from in-school instruction to learning from home under Scenario 3 of the District’s “A Safe Return to School” re-entry plan. In this scenario, teachers will be interacting with their students virtually, from your home, through the Google Meet/Classroom. 

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is committed to the protection of privacy of students and families and asks that you take the time to review the following information to ensure the protection of privacy of your child and family in virtual learning environments:

1. Families must ensure that meeting requests or URLs, that are shared with your child to participate in a virtual class, are not shared with others.

2. Families and students must not share or comment on information of other students or families that may be accessed due to your child’s presence in virtual classes.  

3. When a child is connected virtually with their class peers and teacher, families should try, where possible, to create a learning space in which only that student is present in the room/area. 

4. Students are expected to follow established norms for virtual meetings and classes. These include: no screenshots, photos, or recording of virtual meetings or classrooms.

5. Families should discuss these protocols with their child and ensure, to the best of their ability, that they understand the expectations.

Should you have any questions regarding this memo please feel free to contact me at school (709) 587-3211 or via email at jeffsaxby@nlesd.ca

Learning Schedule & Expectations

Grades 7-12

• 7-12 students will follow their regular Bell Schedule and PowerSchool schedule as if they were in school.

• Teachers will use Google Meet through respective Google Classrooms to interact with teachers and classmates every period they are scheduled. This includes both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Teachers will use their professional discretion to decide how this interaction may occur for their specific grade or course. This could be a short lecture, a group discussion, small group break outs, working individually on materials provided (e.g., watch a video link and answer questions), individual conferencing, assessing for understanding, providing feedback and guidance, etc. 

• It is not expected, nor encouraged, for students to sit at their computer for the entire school day and listen to teacher lectures. Lessons are designed to provide daily, meaningful interaction between students and their teachers while also allowing time for individual work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is my child required to participate in online learning?

All students are required to attend online classes. Attendance will be taken for each class including homeroom in the morning. 

What behavioural expectations do students have during at-home online learning?

Simply, expectations are the same for all students as if they are attending in-school learning. Baccalieu Collegiate’s Code of Conduct is to:

• Promote a safe and caring learning environment

• Be Prepared to learn

• Respect yourself and others

• Respect property and the learning environment

• Act responsibly and accept responsibility. 

What will Monday and other days of the week look like for my child?

Students will follow our normal Daily Calendar and bell schedule by first logging in with their homeroom teacher and classmates.  This is done through their respective Homeroom Google Classrooms and by clicking onto the google meet link at the top of the page. Students will then proceed through their daily schedule via Google Classrooms and respective google meeting links. 

What if I do not have a Chromebook or Laptop, can I still access learning?

Yes. Right now we are distributing Chromebooks and eventually IPads to students in need. We are distributing devices by priority starting with Grade 12 students down. Please be patient as we work through the list and look to secure enough resources. Please contact the office if especially in need. 

It is important to note that students can access the learning on their smartphones. It is important to download Google Classroom, Gmail, and Google Meet. Other GSuite Apps are recommended to be downloaded. There will be an option for students to complete work with paper and pencil before scanning or taking a picture and uploading it to the Classroom. Please work and communicate directly with teachers regarding these procedures. You do not need a Chromebook for online learning.

What if my laptop or desktop at home is old and slow? Or if it does not have a webcam or microphone?

No problem. Students can use their smartphone for google meets while completing basic Google Classroom assignments and/or activities on their computer. You do not need a Chromebook for online learning.

Do I need my textbooks and materials from my locker?

Learning resources will come in handy, however will not be required. At current, we are only allowed to distribute essential materials (required for health reasons) and electronic devices for learning.

How do I help my child access online learning?

Have a look at the District’s Google Resources for School Communities for lots of great tips and information to help you learn more about G-Suite applications. If you still have questions, you may contact your child's teacher.

If my child is having trouble, who should be my first point of contact? 

Homeroom teachers are going to be an integral part of students' success. Make sure you’re checking in and regularly communicating with respective homeroom teachers. They are here to support you!

How can I submit handwritten work to Google Classroom?

Take a look at this 2 minute video to find out: How to Submit Handwritten Work on G-Classroom.

How can I best set-up a space for learning at home?

1) Have a designated space to sit each day, (as best) distraction free. Preferably a table or a desk so you can write.

2) Have all of your class materials in that space so you do not need to leave your seat throughout the class.

3) Only have your class link tab opened on your computer.

What will be the Google Meet Norms for classrooms?

-- You should mute your microphone unless you are speaking.

-- Keep comments in the Chat relevant to what we are learning.

-- Try to be on time for all Google Meets.

-- If you would like to speak, raise your hand and wait to be called on.

-- Be mindful of what others can see on your screen.

BCP Online Learning Update (Friday, February 12th 2021 @ 9:29am)

 Dear Families,

The Baccalieu Collegiate team are currently working on planning for online learning classes to begin Monday, February 15th 2021 as directed by NLESD this morning. 

Please be patient as we mobilize our resources and implement our planning. We recognize students do not have all of their textbooks and belongings, we also recognize many of our students do not have a laptop or desktop computer at home. Our teachers will be planning their instructional strategies accordingly. Learning will not rely on these resources for success. At least, until equity can be established for all.

Recognizing this is an evolving situation, and in preparation for learning next week, please consider and prepare the following:

-- If you have not already completed the Online Device Form originally sent out December 10th 2020, please do so at your earliest convenience. Any updated information please resubmit a new form. Please consider the very limited resources that we currently have to distribute. Resources will be distributed based on priority, starting with Senior High students and working our way down. Smartphones will be essential to learning in the early stages of this Scenario 3 situation. If you are not in absolute need of a Laptop or Chromebook (you have an older laptop or prefer working on your smartphone (for now)) please consider this in your response. 

-- We will provide updates to families regarding distribution of textbook materials or if families can enter the school to gather them. Please be patient as we work through this process (if possible). We will not hold against students learning at home if students are unable to access these materials. 

-- Students should be in a google classroom for all their respective classes. They should also be included in a respective google classroom homeroom. 

-- Our schedule for online learning will be the same schedule that we use for our normal in-class learning. Please note, students will not be required to sit in front of their smartphones and/or laptops all day. Teachers will be finding a balance between direct instruction and work periods, office hours, break out sessions for smaller group support and etc. 

-- Students will still have the ability to complete their work the old fashion way, with paper and pen. Make sure these are available. Please do your best to create a quiet and comfortable space for students learning. Students, with the assistance of their smartphones will have the capability of uploading this information to their respective google classroom assignments. 

I hope this information helps our families for now. Please stay tuned for more specific direction and information. 

Thank-you. Stay safe and pace yourself. We're going to get through this and we're going to be great! 

Suspension of In-Class Instruction (K-12)

 To: Parents and Guardians

From: Jeff Saxby

Subject: Suspension of In-Class Instruction (K-12)

Date: February 12, 2021

_____________________________________________________________________

With the support of Public Health, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is extending the suspension of in-class instruction to all K-12 students in all Avalon region schools. This suspension is effective immediately and will extend until Friday, February 26. 

On February 12, teachers and other staff will be onsite, at their schools, preparing for online learning. Timelines for the commencement of online classes are as follows:

• Intermediate and High School grades will begin online classes on Monday, February 15.

• Primary and Elementary grades will begin online classes on Tuesday, February 16. 

Please note: We will be in contact in the coming days regarding in-school learning for students identified in school-based Scenario 3 plans. If you have any questions, please contact the school. 

We understand this is difficult news for students and families. Understandably, there will be questions and concerns. Please note the following from the Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools:

“If a staff person or student in a school is confirmed by public health as positive for COVID-19, public health will work with school administration to determine what actions should be taken, including if any staff or students who have been in contact with that person need to self-isolate, and if other staff and students’ families should be notified. Specific public health measures are implemented in facilities where an outbreak occurs to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 and keep others safe. Public Health will provide direction if there are concerns regarding a case in school. Schools should not provide notification to staff or students’ families if a staff member or student becomes ill at home or at school, including if they display symptoms of COVID-19, unless directed to by public health.” 

Stay well. We will get through this together if we remain positive and focused on supporting each other and our entire school community.

Update regarding Extra-curricular & Co-curricular activities at BCP.

Dear Baccalieu Collegiate Families,

"On the advice of Public Health and in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is suspending, until further notice, all extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in schools throughout the province. This is effective immediately."

Please see the memorandum for more information. 

As BCP families, students, teachers, and staff know: this suspension will have impacts on not only our students physical and social health, but ultimately our mental health.  One of the main pillars to Baccalieu Collegiate's safe and caring atmosphere and success has always been our tremendous array of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. These activities provide self-care and cultivate positive connections for our youth. Let's do our best as a community and be cognizant of this. As adults, let's do our best to spread optimism and kindness for our youth. Structuring offline time at home, including time enjoying our beautiful outdoors is one positive and impactful step that we can all take to help us persevere through these stressful times. 

 

Covid-19 Update: February 9th 2021

 

Dear Baccalieu Collegiate Families,

We recognize these are especially stressful times with the impending situation of community outbreak in the metro area. It is important, now more than ever to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 guidelines and information delivered by Health officials. 

Please ensure you are strictly following the Pre-Screening Questionnaire. 

Additionally, if you feel you might have come in contact with any known case please be diligent by contacting *811 and follow their directives. For more information/questions please visit the following website: https://www.811healthline.ca/covid-19-self-assessment/

Out of an abundance of caution Baccalieu Collegiate is suspending all school co-curricular activities (after-school activities) for the next two weeks (Feb. 9 - 23). This decision will be reconsidered at the end of this two week. Additionally, please note that administration and staff will be supportive in our families decisions to remain prudent during these times and until we know more in coming days from our Health Officials. 

Stay safe and show kindness!