Baccalieu Collegiate Family Weekly Updates: Monday, January 27th 2025 (DAY 8)

Dear Families,

Welcome back after a focused past week. I hope everyone enjoyed the cool but sunny weather this past weekend.  Congratulations to all of our staff and students on making for a very productive week of assessment and learning. Thank-you in advance for taking the time to review updates and important reminders! Any questions or concerns let me know. If I have missed anything please reply-all to this email. 

BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form: A focus at Baccalieu Collegiate in the 2024 school year is to build a strong and connected community. A pillar to building this is effective communication. Volunteer coaches, members of town council, families etc.  are invited to share information, events, and/or good news with our BCP community via BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form. Please complete the form to have your news pertinent to students and families shared on our BCP weekly updates email. 

Updates and Important Information

Drama practice this week: Drama practice times this week and every week- senior drama practice, Monday from 3-4:30pm and Thursday 2:50- 4pm. Junior drama practice, Wednesday from 3-4:30 and Thursday from 4-5:15. Please make every effort to attend, including arranging appointments outside of practice times if possible.

Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy:  All students who bring PED to school are required to check-in their PED at respective hotels. Any students leaving PED home must have a parent/guardian email their respective homeroom teacher informing them. If you have not done so already, please read the policy closely. Baccalieu Collegiate PED Policy

Career Education Splash Centre: This Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, we are excited for our Career Education 2202 students to take part in curriculum-based workshops organized by the Splash Centre. Students will be excused from their classes to participate. 

Sr. Boys Basketball: Come and check out the action this Tuesday, January 28th 2025 when Baccalieu hosts Laval High School in Atlantic Edge Basketball league play! Tip off is 6pm. $2.00 admission at the door. 

Jr. Boys Basketball: After a strong fall of training our Jr. Boys will see competition this Wednesday, January 29th 2025 at Carbonear Academy. First game starts at 4pm. Good luck!

Bus Safety Guide: Dear families, this is a reminder to please reference the NLSchools Bus Safety Guide as a reminder of bus safety rules to be followed by our students. 

NISEP Host Family Information (Families): Any families interested in hosting a student to come to Baccalieu Collegiate from abroad please see the following NISEP MEMO. This mutually beneficial program allows everyone a win! 

Good News Report 

• Grade 8 Girls volleyball: Congratulations to the grade 8 girls volleyball team! They got GOLD in tier 2 this past weekend ! The team played strong and with amazing sportsmanship and represented Baccalieu so well ! BCP proud !! Congratulations girls we are so proud of you , keep playing hard.
  
• Sr. Boys Basketball Team: Congrats to our Sr. Boys Basketball squad for taking down the giants in a pair of home games this past weekend. BCP defeated Carbonear 55-46 and the Ascension Astros 55-50. Thank-you to all of our fans for coming out and supporting the team! It was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Thank-you to all the players' families and our caretakers for supporting the set-up and take down!
• School Council: Thank-you School Council! 
• BCP Tribe: Thank-you staff for holding fort this past week while I was away! Great work!
• Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy: Thank-you to all of our teachers, students, and families for supporting the PED policy this past week. Great job!
  
• Mid-Course Exam Schedule and Guidelines: Congrats to everyone on their efforts this past exam week. Congrats on stepping up to the challenges and persevering. 
  
• Thank-you: Huge thanks to Mr. Holloway for extending Study Hall for all students who need added focus and support after hours at the school!
• Lighthouse Project: Thank-you to our Lighthouse Project team who helped video the boys basketball games and snap amazing photos, as well as documenting the two shows at Trinity Hall this past weekend that included the great and powerful Alan Doyle!
• Baccalieu Bucks: Congrats to our students' engagement in the Homeroom Baccalieu Buck challenges. Leaderboards will be posted soon!
• Check Facebook/Twitter: For more updates on good news and information check out our Baccalieu Collegiate facebook/twitter page. 
• Did I miss something? If I missed anything please be sure to reply-all. There are so many amazing things going on at Baccalieu already, so chances are I might miss something. Celebrate whenever you can! 
• Got some good news?  BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form

Baccalieu Collegiate Weekly Updates: Monday, January 20th 2024 (DAY 3)

Dear Families,

I hope you all enjoyed a productive yet restful weekend! Wishing our families the best with the fun and exciting academic challenges of mid-course exam week ahead! Praise effort not outcome. Utilize this process for learning and support a growth mindset. Thank-you in advance for taking the time to review updates and important reminders! Any questions or concerns let me know. If I have missed anything please reply-all to this email. 

Wishing a Happy Belated Birthday to Ms. Marlene LeShane and Ms. Pamela Slade!!! 

BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form: A focus at Baccalieu Collegiate in the 2024 school year is to build a strong and connected community. A pillar to building this is effective communication. Volunteer coaches, members of town council, families etc.  are invited to share information, events, and/or good news with our BCP community via BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form. Please complete the form to have your news pertinent to students and families shared on our BCP weekly updates email. 

  

                                                                  Updates and Important Information

Test Strategies and Stress Management Resource for Students: CLICK HERE for Voiceover Version or CLICK HERE for No Voiceover Version

Mid-Course Exam Schedule and Guidelines: Please see Baccalieu Collegiate Mid-Course Exam Schedule for January 20 - 24 2025. Please read the schedule and guidelines closely.  Baccalieu Collegiate Mid-Course Exam Schedule_January 20-24 2025 & Baccalieu Collegiate Mid-Course Examination Guidelines and Expectations. Classes resume outside of exam times. 

Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy: Along with Exam week will be the official start of our Personal Electronic Device PED Hotel Check-in and Check-out process. All students who bring PED to school are required to check-in their PED at respective hotels. Any students leaving PED home must have a parent/guardian email their respective homeroom teacher informing them. Please read the Policy closely. Baccalieu Collegiate PED Policy

School Council Meeting: January's School Council meeting will take place Monday, January 20th 2025 at 6:30pm. 

Drama practice: No senior drama practice this week due to mid-course exam week. Grade 8 drama students will have practice on Thursday from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Grade 9 Drama students do not need to attend if they want to study for their exam on Friday. 

Badminton: This week's Badminton will go ahead on Wednesday until 4. Any and all students in Grades 7-12 are encouraged to come.

Bus Safety Guide: Dear families, this is a reminder to please reference the NLSchools Bus Safety Guide as a reminder of bus safety rules to be followed by our students. 

Baccalieu Senior Boys Basketball Home Games: The Senior Boys Basketball team will be playing two home games this weekend Saturday, January 25th 2025. The first game tips off at 9:30am against Carbonear Collegiate. The second game tips off at 11:30am vs. the Ascension Astros. Come out and support your home team! Any students looking for volunteer hours please approach Mr. Saxby to discuss how you can be part of the action and help out!! 

NISEP Host Family Information (Families): Any families interested in hosting a student to come to Baccalieu Collegiate from abroad please see the following NISEP MEMO. This mutually beneficial program allows everyone a win! 

Good News Report 

• Exams: Thank-you to teachers for preparing students for mid-course exams and all their learning needs. Thank-you parents/guardians for supporting our teachers incredible work and in doing so supporting students' resilience, time management, and developing a champions mentality. 
• Thank-you: Huge thanks to Mr. Holloway for extending Study Hall for all students who need added focus and support after hours at the school!
• Staff Meeting: Thank-you teachers for your work together at our last staff meeting!
  
• Grade 9 volleyball team: I would like to congratulate my grade 9 girls volleyball team for placing third in their pool and placing third in their 3 ,they played hard and showed great sportsmanship and at the end of the tournament despite the injuries and unfortunate circumstances they had lots of fun,they made me proud to coach them!
  
• Check it Out!: Congratulations and thank-you to our Lighthouse Project Crew. Check out our developing space on our website under the tab: "Lighthouse Project"
• Cash Lottery: Huge thanks to Ms. Warren for working steadily to prepare our students who qualify for payout and the intensity of all the paperwork required to complete the Lottery event. 
• Baccalieu Bucks: Congrats to our students' engagement in the Homeroom Baccalieu Buck challenges. Leaderboards will be posted soon!
• Check Facebook/Twitter: For more updates on good news and information check out our Baccalieu Collegiate facebook/twitter page. 
• Did I miss something? If I missed anything please be sure to reply-all. There are so many amazing things going on at Baccalieu already, so chances are I might miss something. Celebrate whenever you can! 
• Got some good news?  BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form

Reminder: Mid-Course Exam Week Guidelines and Expectations

 Dear Families,

As we prepare for Mid-Course Exam Week, I’d like to take this opportunity to send a friendly reminder about the Exam Guidelines and to address some key behaviours we’ve observed during recent practice assessments.

First, thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students prepare for this important time. We recognize that for many, especially those in junior high, this may be their first experience with a formal exam environment. While we are committed to supporting all students, it’s equally important to ensure they meet the expectations set out for this process.

Quiet and Respectful Behaviour

A foundational expectation during exams is maintaining a quiet and respectful environment for all students. While it’s natural for some students to feel nervous or uncertain, we want to remind everyone of the following:

• No communication with others (verbal or non-verbal) is permitted during the exam.

• Questions regarding clarity of exam instructions are welcomed and encouraged. However, questions seeking help with answers or content are not allowed.

• Disruptions or distracting behaviours are not acceptable, as they impact the focus and performance of others.

We have observed some behaviours this past week during practice assessments that fall below this standard, and we kindly ask for your support in reiterating these expectations with your child.

Our Support for Students

We understand that many students, particularly in junior high, may find this environment new and challenging. To help, we are:

• Reviewing expectations in classrooms.

• Ensuring students understand the purpose of maintaining focus and silence during exams.

• Providing reminders about how to ask appropriate questions during exams.

At Baccalieu Collegiate, we strive to create a supportive atmosphere while upholding the standards of behaviour needed for academic success. Your partnership in reinforcing these messages at home is greatly appreciated and vital to ensuring a positive experience for all students.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we wish all students the best as they approach their exams.

Warm regards,
Jeffrey E Saxby
Principal
Baccalieu Collegiate

Attachement: Baccalieu Collegiate Mid Course Exam Schedule 2024-2025

Attachement: Baccalieu Collegiate Mid Course Exam Guidelines 2024-2025

Reminder: PED Hotel Check-In Policy Begins Monday, January 20, 2025

 Dear Baccalieu Collegiate Families,

I hope this message finds you well. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a focused and distraction-free learning environment, we would like to remind you that the Personal Electronic Device (PED) Hotel Check-In Policy will take effect on Monday, January 20, 2025.

To support student engagement and create a positive, distraction-free space for learning, all students will be required to turn off their PEDs and check them into their assigned slot in the classroom PED hotel for each and every class they attend.

Important Reminders:

• PED Check-Ins: PEDs must be powered off and placed in the designated hotel for the duration of each class.

• Assigned Slots: Each student has been assigned a consistent hotel slot number for all classes.

• No Exceptions During Class Time: PEDs may not be kept on a student’s person, in bags, lockers, or vehicles during instructional hours.

• Recess and Lunch: Students may use their PEDs during these breaks.

• Option to Leave PEDs at Home: Families are encouraged to support this policy by keeping their child’s PED at home. If you choose this option, please notify your child’s homeroom teacher.

Attached to this email, you will find a copy of the full Personal Electronic Device Policy for your reference. Please take a moment to review it with your child to ensure a smooth transition.

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in supporting this policy. Together, we can create an environment that prioritizes learning, builds healthy relationships, and fosters the overall well-being of our students.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school office at [insert contact information].

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey E. Saxby
Principal, Baccalieu Collegiate

Attachment: Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy

Baccalieu Collegiate Family Weekly Updates: Monday, January 13th 2025 (DAY 12)

Dear Families,

Congrats on a fun and successful week back! I hope you had a restful weekend. Looking forward to another week! Thank-you in advance for taking the time to review updates and important reminders! Any questions or concerns let me know. If I have missed anything please reply-all to this email. 

BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form: A focus at Baccalieu Collegiate in the 2024 school year is to build a strong and connected community. A pillar to building this is effective communication. Volunteer coaches, members of town council, families etc.  are invited to share information, events, and/or good news with our BCP community via BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form. Please complete the form to have your news pertinent to students and families shared on our BCP weekly updates email. 

                                            Updates and Important Information

Mid-Course Examinations: Please note that Baccalieu Collegiate has reinstituted Mid-Course Examinations this year during the period January 20th to 24th 2025. These assessments will be 1hour in length and 10% of the course grade. In Junior High, students will write the following exams respectively to their grade: Math 7, Math 8, Science 8, Math 9, Science 9, English 9. High school students will see mid course exams in Academic and Advanced Level courses in Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. The Schedule will be shared with families at the end of the day Monday, January 13th 2024.

Mid-Course Exam Preparation: Mr. Holloway will be staying after school each day next week, from Monday Jan. 13 to Friday Jan. 17 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm for any students who want to stay after school and get some help studying for their mid-year exams, or if anyone just wants a quiet place to study. *Tutors for Tuition can also be available upon request. 

BCP PED (former cell phone) Policy: A reminder to students and families that our Classroom Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy has been implemented. We had a successful first week but we are looking forward to the arrival of our PED Hotels for students! The PED Hotels will be necessary to ensure students are not focusing their time on hiding their PED (especially phones) and so teachers are not spending their time with student infractions. Some students have expressed they will keep their phone in their cars or lockers. While we appreciate the consideration, we will be requiring all students check-in their PED in their assigned PED Hotel "rooms" after they are installed. This process is to ensure the integrity of the policy for all students and teachers. Thank-you in advance for your understanding. If you have not read through the policy please do so at your earliest convenience which outlines the clear expectations for the PED policy. Together, we can prioritize learning and foster better connections! BCP Memorandum: 2024-25 PED Policy (January 6 2025)

Reminder: Students are asked to please keep their eating confined to the cafeteria for sanitation reasons. 

Drama practice: This week junior and senior drama troupes will begin preparations for the regional drama festival. This week we will only do one practice per group to ease you all back into it following the holidays. This week we will have junior practice from 2:50- 4pm on Wednesday and senior practice from 2:50-4 pm on Thursday. Please make every effort to make it to practice.

Badminton: Badminton will go ahead this week on Wednesday and Thursday after school. Both of these sessions will be open to any students in Grades 7-12 that want to play badminton for simply fun and/or competition. There will be a short meeting for any Senior interested in trying out for the school badminton team on Tuesday at recess time in Ms. Oliver's room #153.

Practice times: Wednesday 2:45 - 4:30 & Thursday 2:45 - 4:00

Excessive Classroom Leaving Observed/Documented (Families): Dear Parents/Guardians, please note that on January 6th 2025 emails were sent to parent/guardians of 20 students (out of 168 students) indicating their child was observed by teachers leaving classes excessively and totalling a significant amount of missed instruction throughout September to December 2024. These emails were not sent to every home. If you received this email you are encouraged to work with your child and/or the school to remedy the concern. To see a copy of the letter: CLICK HERE. 

NISEP Host Family Information: Any families interested in hosting a student to come to Baccalieu Collegiate from abroad please see the following NISEP MEMO. This mutually beneficial program allows everyone a win! 

Good News Report 

• Check it Out!: Congratulations and thank-you to our Lighthouse Project Crew. Check it out! Voices of Baccalieu: An Exchange Student's Journey at Baccalieu Collegiate
  
• Baccalieu Collegiate Cash Lottery: Thank-you to everyone who supported the BCP Cash Lottery! Congrats to our winners! Student payouts, Homeroom winner, and more will be announced this coming week!
• Baccalieu Bucks: Congrats to our students' engagement in the Homeroom Baccalieu Buck challenges. Leaderboards will be posted soon!
  
• Grade 8 & 9 Girls Volleyball: Congrats to coaches and players for a successful weekend! 
• Senior Boys Basketball: Congrats our BCP boys basketball team for a strong showing at Carbonear this past weekend. The boys fell to Carbonear and Laval while defeating Clarenville High in overtime - a team that beat us by more than 30 points earlier in the year! Great progress for a young but hardworking and talented group of student athletes. Thank-you to everyone who came out to support our tribe!
• Doorways: Thank-you Doorways for attending Baccalieu Collegiate
• Check Facebook/Twitter: For more updates on good news and information check out our Baccalieu Collegiate facebook/twitter page. 
• Did I miss something? If I missed anything please be sure to reply-all. There are so many amazing things going on at Baccalieu already, so chances are I might miss something. Celebrate whenever you can! 
• Got some good news?  BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form

Check it out: Mid Week Updates

Baccalieu Collegiate Family Weekly Updates: Monday, January 6th 2025 (DAY 7)

 Dear Families,

Welcome back! Happy New Year! I hope our community enjoyed the well deserved break over the Christmas holidays. We have another busy but rewarding term ahead of us. The winter will include high expectations for our students in the classroom, updated PED policy, newly implemented mid-year exams, along with lots of opportunity for fun and healthy competition including Winter Carnival! Thank-you in advance for taking the time to review updates and important reminders! Any questions or concerns let me know. If I have missed anything please reply-all to this email. 

BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form: A focus at Baccalieu Collegiate in the 2024 school year is to build a strong and connected community. A pillar to building this is effective communication. Volunteer coaches, members of town council, families etc.  are invited to share information, events, and/or good news with our BCP community via BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form. Please complete the form to have your news pertinent to students and families shared on our BCP weekly updates email. 

                                              Updates and Important Information

1) Baccalieu Collegiate Cash Lottery: The Big BCP Cash Lottery Draw will be this Friday, January 10th 2025! All tickets sold and unsold must be in to respective homeroom teachers by Monday, January 6th 2025.  

2) School Cleanliness: Baccalieu Collegiate will likely be operating with only one caretaker for some time. There is limited availability of casual caretakers on call-in. This is making it difficult and stressful for the upkeep keeping our school clean. Thank-you to Ms. Ann Marie Pike for working under such stressful conditions for our school community. In order for the school to maintain a sanitative environment we will be requiring the following cooperation from students: 1) KES Breakfast Program food must be consumed in the cafeteria. 2) Recess and lunch food must be consumed in the cafeteria. We thank our students in advance for cleaning up after themselves and remaining in the cafeteria while eating their food. Staff will be reminding students to follow these rules. In addition, washroom checks will continue and at an increased presence to remind students they must eat their food in the cafeteria and not the public washrooms. Again, thank-you in advance for understanding. 

3) BCP PED (former cell phone) Policy: We are excited to announce the implementation of a new Classroom Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy designed to minimize distractions and enhance student learning. This policy outlines clear expectations for phone use during class time and promotes a focused, engaging environment for everyone. We encourage all students, and families to review the policy in detail. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the guidelines to ensure a smooth transition. Together, we can prioritize learning and foster better connections! BCP Memorandum: 2024-25 PED Policy (January 6 2025)

4) Check it Out!: Congratulations and thank-you to our Lighthouse Project Crew. Check it out! Voices of Baccalieu: An Exchange Student's Journey at Baccalieu Collegiate

5) Baccalieu Bucks: Baccalieu Student Leadership Group will be introducing Baccalieu Bucks to the school in order to incentivize student spirit! Students will present this idea to students. Please see Presentation (CLICK HERE) for more details.

6) TWEP: Tutoring Work Experience Program (210 hours) is still available until March 2025. Any past graduates who would like to gain experience and income please reach out to the school. For more information on the program please see TWEP

7) NISEP Host Family Information: Any families interested in hosting a student to come to Baccalieu Collegiate from abroad please see the following NISEP MEMO. This mutually beneficial program allows everyone a win! 

8) Brandon Parrott Memorial Boys Basketball Tournament: Baccalieu Senior Boys Basketball will be participating in the 1st Annual Brandon Parrott Memorial Basketball tournament taking place at Carbonear Collegiate this January 10-12 2025. Come out and support your BCP Boys! Tournament Schedule Click HERE

9) Mid-Course Examinations: Please note that Baccalieu Collegiate has reinstituted Mid-Course Examinations this year during the period January 20th to 24th 2025. These assessments will be 10% of the course grade. In Junior High, students will write the following exams respectively to their grade: Math 7, Math 8, Science 8, Math 9, Science 9, English 9. High school students will see mid course exams in Academic and Advanced Level courses in Math, Science, Egnlish, and Social Studies. Schedule TBA. 

10) Heritage Places contest: Morning folks, Heritage NL is having a poster contest for kids in the province. Thought I’d share as a fun activity if anyone at BCP is interested:

https://heritagenl.ca/programs/poster-contest/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3YRHPvjGCUsk__-BQu6zhreKJjItbqfWwvYsP2BpnNpzJzn4_9eI7Rbrw_aem_ST0MO73YiQDYHmpz7t5IYA

11) Edutopia Article of the Week: Science Backed Studying Techniques

Good News Report 

• Graduates of 2023-24: Special Congratulations to our Graduating Class of 2024! Click HERE and HERE to see some of the excitement!
• Christmas Theme Day Homeroom Challenge: Congrats to 10A (1st place 40%), 11 (2nd place 36%), and 7 (3rd place 32%) for a great showing of BCP XMas Spirit! You will all receive Baccalieu bucks for your accomplishment!
• Student Leadership: Huge thanks to our Student Leadership group and organizing Trivia, dance, and the many other fun activities for our crew! 
  
• Christmas Food Drive: Thank-you to everyone who donated food for our food drive prior to the holidays!
  
•  School Council Christmas Dinner: Thank-you to our very supportive School Council for putting together a feast of epic proportions! We also thank Royal Greenland for donating turkeys and vegetables to the feast!
• Senior Boys Basketball: Great work Senior Boys Basketball for the work over the holidays! Hard work pays off. 
  
• Awards Night: Hugh thank-you to Ms. Tara North and Rayna Warren for working tirelessly to support another very successful 2023-24 Awards Ceremony for our Grades 7-11 and a very successful Cap & Gown ceremony for our graduates of 2023-24. Thank-you Ms. Slade and Ms. LeShane along with all of our very supportive Baccalieu staff! Thank-you to our many sponsors who contributed to over $12,000 going into the hands of our hardworking and kind students. Finally, thank-you to Crescent Collegiate for lending us their cap and gowns for the ceremony as ours did not get through the Canada Post strike. 
  
• Christmas Outing: Huge thank-you to Ms. Doyle and our Baccalieu staff for supporting another successful Baccalieu Christmas Outing! Everyone had a blast!
• Doorways: Thank-you Doorways for attending Baccalieu Collegiate
• Check Facebook/Twitter: For more updates on good news and information check out our Baccalieu Collegiate facebook/twitter page. 
• Did I miss something? If I missed anything please be sure to reply-all. There are so many amazing things going on at Baccalieu already, so chances are I might miss something. Celebrate whenever you can! 
• Got some good news?  BCP Weekly Updates Submission Form