BCP Family Weekly Updates: BCP Family Weekly Updates: September 4th 2024 (DAY 1) (1st Day of the 2024-25 School Year!)

Dear Families, 

Welcome back to a new school year! Baccalieu staff are excited to connect with students and work with them in a constructive environment. I would like to remind our families that Baccalieu Collegiate Vision is to build a safe and caring community that cultivates life-long learning. Our efforts will continue to do just this, build a powerful community. It will not be without its discourse, but nothing worthwhile ever came easy. Please see the following important information regarding students' first day of school. There will be more information forthcoming, however, it is just to get you started. Please note: each week you will receive a weekly update doing our best to keep you organized with the many events happening at Baccalieu Collegiate. Weekly updates are sent via email, posted on our school's website (www.baccalieucollegiate.ca). 

Firstly, I'd like to introduce you to our BCP staff this year! 

Baccalieu Collegiate School Staff (2024-25)

Administration: Principal – Jeff Saxby

Guidance: Krystle Doyle

Teaching Staff: Abigail Petten (Rm 204), Shannon Reid (Rm 141), Nancy Oliver (Rm 153), Michael O’Keefe (Rm 207), Adya Sequeira (Rm 156), Nadine Howell (Rm 212), Marlene LeShane (Rm 144), Silas Holloway (Rm 148), David Barrett (Rm 203), Pamela Slade (Rm 147), Denise Reid (Rm 149), Nana Kofi Atakorah  (Rm 206)

Teaching Learning Assistant: Hilary Eddy

Speech Language Pathologist (Itinerant): Laura Tulk

Secretary: Rayna Warren

Student Assistant: Ruth O’Leary 

Caretakers: Gord Preston, Ann Marie Pike

Cafeteria Staff: Crystal Wheeler

Bus Information:

Bus Run 1: Leaves Winterton at 7:40am and picks up students to the end of Lead Cove.

Bus Run 2: Leaves Ochre Pit Cove at 7:50am and ends at Caplin Cove.

Bus Run 3: Leaves Bay-de-Verde at 8:05am and also runs to Red Head Cove.

Bus Run 4:  Leaves Grates Cove at 7:40am and travels to Old Perlican (Old perlican may have to judge accordingly during the first couple of days)

Bus Run 5:  Leaves Low Point at 8:00am (mini-bus)

Important BCP Cell Phone Policy for All Grades 7-12: Please review these updates with your family. This policy will be reinforced for students on Wednesday. Memo: BCP Cell Phone Policy

Underage Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Policy: Please review these updates with your family. Memo: BCP Underage Smoking and Smokeless Device Policy

Acceptable Use of Technology Policy and Social Media Student Use Terms and Conditions: Acceptable Use of Technology Policy and Social Media Student Use Terms and Conditions

Cafeteria Services: Cafeteria Services will begin on Monday, September 9th 2024. www.harbourbreezecatering.ca. We encourage all families to DOWNLOAD THE FREE HARBOUR BREEZE APP ON YOUR ANDROID OR iOS MOBILE DEVICE. Use the app to order student lunches to ensure they get what they want and do not need to handle money. 

Day 1 Schedule: All students should proceed to the gymnasium after arriving at school on Wednesday, September 4th 2024. We will have a general assembly to kick off the year before sending students to their homeroom to connect. After the assembly and homeroom students will follow a condensed schedule that will allow them to be introduced to all of their assigned classes. 

Grades 10-12 Course Selections: For any students seeking to change their course schedule there will be an ADD/DROP form available for completion and approval prior to any changes being made. Students should continue to follow their schedule until approval and change is finalized. Changes are not guaranteed. Add/Drop forms are available for pick-up at the office. 

Absence/Sign-in/Sign-out: It’s very important that you make attendance a priority for our youth. Consistent attendance is crucial for academic and social success, as it ensures that students are actively engaged and able to fully benefit from the educational opportunities we provide. When students attend school consistently, they not only keep up with their lessons and assignments, but they also develop important life skills such as responsibility, time management, and perseverance. Being present and engaged in the classroom allows students to participate in discussions, collaborate with peers, and build strong relationships. By reinforcing this message, we can work together to encourage our students and their families to prioritize attendance and make the most of their educational experience.

Powerschool makes a daily call-out to families of students who had any unexcused absences or unexcused lateness. Please go to the website to review our sign-in, sign-out, and absent procedures including access to our BCP ABSENT FORM (and/or call the office or email homeroom teacher) to formally notify school of an absence. If your child will be late to school you can complete the absence form and indicate in the comments the time that they should be arriving and the reason why. Students signing in late must first report to the office. Furthermore, any students signing-out early for appointments etc. must have a parent/guardian come into the school before their dismissal from class. Once a student is dismissed from class they must come to the office directly before approval to leave. 

Powerschool -- Rycor Payment/Forms Baccalieu Collegiate will continue its implementation of the Rycor online form/payment system in September 2024. Please review the links below and access (set-up if needed) powerschool parent portal. You will need to use your parent email that is on file at Baccalieu Collegiate. Please note the Rycor system will work on all devices however it is recommended to use a computer where possible. The following link will provide you with information on the Rycor system and troubleshooting tips: https://www.nlschools.ca/studentsfamilies/rycor.jsp. Further instructions after logging into the Parent portal of Power Schools can be found here: PS Rycor Parent Instructions

Communication at Baccalieu: 

1. Powerschool: Please ensure families download the Powerschool app and access their students account regularly. Currently Powerschool serves many functions including keeping track of students grades, assignments, and attendance. The apps functionality has been extended this year to include completion of important forms and money transactions. 

2. Website: Our website is a priority for updates and information. Please view the website for access to calendars, news, scholarship info, forms, guidance, etc. www.baccalieucollegiate.ca. Weekly updates will be posted under "News."

3. School Messenger: Every Monday morning there will be a BCP Weekly Update email sent to families outlining the majority of events in the coming week and down the road, along with important updates and information. Please notify administration if you are not receiving these. 

4. Facebook: Join our Baccalieu Collegiate facebook page for various updates and information. Many important announcements will be shared to the facebook page from the website including our weekly updates. 

5. X: You can join our Baccalieu Collegiate @BaccalieuSchool for various updates. Oftentimes there are Tweets and retweets that will not be shared on other platforms. These tweets are more celebratory and often not vital information for families. 

6. Instagram: Our Baccalieu Collegiate instagram account simply shares some fun pictures etc. 

7. Teacher Emails: Teachers will be sending out emails to parents/guardians, and students to ensure they organzie and keep on track. 

Please stay posted for future updates and information. 

Happy to have our students back! BCP Proud! Go BCP Go!