St. Ignatius High School - St. Ignatius ZIP IT Campaign

St. Ignatius
High School
DECEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
Mark Your
Calendar
12.4
Business Lunch Market
Talent Show
12.11
Advent Mass
BULLYING PREVENTION WEEK
12.17
Christmas Music Concert
12.18
Semi-Formal
12.19
Dress Down Day
Christmas Assembly
12.20
P.D. Day
01.09-10
Drama Production
“Happy Days”
01.24-29
Exams
01.31
P.D. Day
02.03
Semester 2 Begins
During our anti-bullying week Nov. 18-22nd photographs were taken in support of
our schools “Zip.It!” campaign. Go to www.ignatiuszipit.com to see more photos!
STUDENT SERVICES
BY MISS LESCHUK
Welcome Back!
We blinked – and the first few months flew by! Student
Services has been bustling with activity. We are
pleased to welcome Mr. Riley McWhirter, a long-time
social science teacher, as our newest guidance
counsellor.
Guidance counsellors returned to work during the last
week of August, to answer inquiries, adjust students’
schedules and host an extremely successful
“Welcome to Grade 9” orientation barbeque for our
newest Falcons. Grade 9 students and their parents
gathered in record numbers to meet teachers and
explore their classrooms in preparation for their first
week of high school. Thanks for counsellor Mr. Frank
Carpino for co-ordinating this event and to all the
staff members who assisted and came out on a
beautiful summer’s evening to greet the new
students.
During September, counsellors conducted transition
assemblies for all grades. They reviewed diploma
requirements and school procedures, as well as “best
practices” students should employ to ensure their
successful achievement. More importantly, they
stressed the availability of resources, services and
adult support to assist students as they navigate
adolescence and their secondary experiences. Our
new school social worker, Jaymee Martin, was also
introduced to all students. Following these
assemblies, counsellors held individual “meet-n-greet”
sessions with grade 9 students to familiarize them with
the services available in the office area.
October hosted numerous events, starting with postsecondary preparation for grade 12 students, with
many university and college presentations as well as
scholarship information sessions. Counsellors went
into classrooms to instruct students on the postsecondary application process and have been
assisting them in completing their on-line application. As well, we continued our promotion of Volunteer Day
events co-ordinated by Volunteer Thunder Bay. Representatives from VTB regularly visit the school to
inform students about the many community service
opportunities available to them. Our annual
Recognition Night was held on Wednesday, Oct. 23
to acknowledge students’ achievements in the
2012-2013 school year. Mr. McWhirter, Mrs. Advent
and Mrs. Henderson worked hard to co-ordinate this
function and were delighted to see so many students
and their families attend.
Other members of Student Services have also been
working hard to establish students’ programming. Students in the Lifeskills and Transitions programs are
participating in mainstream classes and co-op work
placements. Our Peer Leadership course enters its
second year, and the Empower Reading program is
being piloted. Co-operative Education students are out
in the workforce and Special Education teachers have
met with students to ascertain their needs and to offer
resources and support, and have embarked on a coteaching project with some of our classroom teachers. Our Alternative Education Program teachers are
working to help vulnerable students maintain sound
educational pathways. Guidance counsellors are
planning for next semester and even starting preliminary
plans for the next school year! Careers teachers are
welcoming in guest speakers to help grade ten students
learn about the different opportunities available to
them in their future educational and career planning.
As you can see, the first half of the semester has been
jam-packed…. staff and students look forward to a few
more weeks and then a little holiday time to recharge!
NEW SCHOOL SOCIAL
St. Ignatius High School has teamed up with Children’s
Centre Thunder Bay to provide mental health and
addiction counselling to students and their families.
Jaymee Martin is the new school social worker and can
be reached at 807-346-3161. She is available Monday
through Friday from 8:15 am to 3:45pm.
Counselling services are confidential and can help
students deal with a variety of issues such as:
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Abuse
Family Conflict
Teen Issues
Child Behaviour
Depression & Anxiety
Grief & Loss
Suicide
Separation & Divorce
Sexual Assault / Sexual Abuse
Stress
Appointments can be arranged through Student
Services at 344-8433 and walk-ins are welcome.
I AM
NORM!
I am Norm is a student group whose
purpose is to redefine what “normal” is and
promote inclusion in our school.
Meetings are held in the drama room (802)
every second Thursday. Our next meeting
is Dec. 12th at lunch.
See Miss Lacaria or Mrs. Tolone-DaCosta if
you have any questions.
Go to our schools anti-bullying website:
http://www.ignatiuszipit.com/article/i-amnorm-151.asp
to see more I am Norm posters!
MATHEMATICS
MR. D. BUSET
The Grade 9 EQAO Provincial Assessment of Mathematics took
place in January and June of the 2012-2013 school year. The results
are reported as the percentage of students who achieved a score
at or above the Provincial Standard (Level 3 or 4). Our students
once again did very well. At the academic level, 89% of St.
Ignatius students, and at the applied level 67% of our students
achieved results at or above the provincial standard.
The
provincial averages were 85% for academic students and 52% for
the applied students.
A much anticipated event at St. Ignatius is the annual math
competition, which is developed and scored by the University of
Waterloo.
Congratulations to our grade twelve team who
achieved the highest combined score in Northwestern Ontario in
the Euclid Mathematics Contest. The winning team consisted of
Brennan Mao, Peter McKitrick and Bryan McGowan. Our grade
nine and ten teams ranked second in Northwestern Ontario.
Congratulations to our grade 9 team consisting of Stefania Flanz,
Sara Cooper, Noah Sissons, Branden Mandaric, and Anastasia
MacDonald as well as grade 10 team members Ashley Andrea, Ally
Biniaris, and Kittima Ratana Rueangsri. Ashley had the second
highest score in the grade 10 contest in Northwestern Ontario. The
grade 11’s ranked third in Northwestern Ontario. Congratulations
to team members Hayley Krasowski, Lois Yuan, and Aleksis Penna.
This year the grade nine to eleven math contests will take place on
February 20th, 2014, while grade 12’s will write their contest on April
15th, 2014.
Parents are reminded that the dates for our grade 9 provincial
assessment are January 14th and 15th, 2014 for first semester grade 9
math students and June 10th and 11th, 2014 for students taking
grade 9 math in the second semester. Grade 9 mathematics
students must be in attendance on these dates.
Positive Space
Initiative (P.S.I.)
Are you someone who is concerned about how
LBQTTIQPA students are treated in our school? Do you
support equal rights? Do you want a safe place to
meet with other students? The PSI group is your answer.
This group hopes to reduce homophobic and other
forms of bullying in our school by bringing these
problems to light. Meetings are held weekly on
Wednesdays at 11:23am in room 508.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
MR. G. JOHNSEN
Geography Adopt-a-Roadway Program
Contour lines, profiles, and paper mâché! The
students' in grade nine Geography class put their skills to the
test. In pairs, they created their own topographic map and
labelled elevations. From there, they created a series of five
parallel profiles, and then a 3D paper mâché model.
Anthropology/Sociology/Psychology
Bulletin Board
The grade eleven students in Anthropology class discussed
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In these discussions, students
acknowledged that many people do not have their
psychological needs of self-esteem, respect of others and self,
confidence and achievements met. As a result, a beautiful
and positive bulletin board was created to promote these
needs.
Fort William Historical
Park Field Trip
The grade nine Geography classes headed to FWHP for the
day, where they learned how to use a GPS. A great day was
had by all. It was wonderful to see the students interact and
get to know each other - it was an awesome experience!
Here is a group of students from Mrs. Peterson's class who
are heading out on their GPS Scavenger Hunt, and
another photo of the group at the end of the day.
RELIGION
MRS. C. CORBETT
Mrs. Vaillant’s classes have been very
busy putting their Christian values into
practice. The grade 10 classes
celebrated a short prayer service in the
Chapel to recognize Thanksgiving.
Students wrote all they were thankful for
on a piece of paper. These intentions
were offered in communal prayer along
with readings of Scripture.
The period two class has begun knitting
scarves to be distributed from the Soup
Van at Salvation Army. Volunteers from
the community come to our class once
per week to help the students.
All
materials have been generously
donated. The scarves will be delivered in
January.
Mrs. Vaillant's grade 10 classes hosted
guest speakers from Salvation Army on
October 25.
Social work students on
placement from Confederation College
prepared a power point presentation,
which outlined the Mission Statement
and community involvement, which the
Salvation Army generously shares. Cathy
Oleschuk shared appreciation for the
scarves, which were knitted in past years.
Cathy also conveyed gratitude for the
Christmas cards, which were written by
the students and delivered to the
Correctional Centre.
The Grade 11 teachers have just
completed a unit of study on Primal
Religions and Aboriginal Spirituality.
Studies from this unit concluded with the
students participating in a presentation
and drumming session.
The Common Bonds Social Justice group
has been extremely busy this fall. Pictured
on the right are students volunteering at
the “Empty Bowls, Caring Hearts” Dinner
in support of Shelter House/Regional
Food Bank
Oct 20. All students are
invited to contribute to the worthy efforts
made by Common Bonds to make a
positive difference and be a Christian
witness in our community of Thunder Bay.
Common Bonds Social Justice Group
A MESSAGE FROM OUR
CHAPLAIN
MISS LACARIA
Our school will be collecting donations
of non-perishable food items and
money for Christmas Cheer until
Friday, December 13th.
Our goal is 10 000 donations this year.
Please help us reach our goal; help us
“For it is in
giving that
we receive.”
~ Saint Francis
of Assisi
SCIENCE
MR. M. FURTADO
What’s Happening in Science?
The St. Ignatius Science Department is pleased to announce the following science contests for the 2013-2014 school
year. Students in the coming months will be busy preparing for the following contests:
Grades 9-12
Grade 12
Grade 11
Grade 10
Grades 9-12
- Northwestern Ontario Science Olympics – November 2013
- University of Waterloo Chemistry Contest
- Sir Isaac Newton Physics Contest
- University of Waterloo Avogadro Chemistry Contest
- Ontario Association of Physics Teachers Physics Contest
- Dr. Michael Smith National Science Challenge – March 2014
- Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair – April 2014
A Winning Tradition Continues
St. Ignatius is coming off a successful year with many students posting impressive results in this year’s science fair and
contests. The best and brightest from across the region and the country come together through these opportunities
to help benchmark their scientific and technological achievements against those of their peers. Participation in these
events help to create a positive scientific and social experience for all those involved.
St. Ignatius was well represented at this year’s Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair. The senior team of David
Evans and Patrick Gravelle entered their science fair project entitled ‘Connecting Student Academics, Sleep and
Consumption of Alcohol.’ Their project captured the Lakehead University Book Award as well as the Northwestern
Ontario Regional Science Fair (NWORSF) 50th Anniversary Award.
In the intermediate division, the Ontario Power
Generation Renewable Energy Award was won by Kanistha Ratana-Rueangsri for her project entitled ‘The Anaerobic
Digestion – Methane Production of Fruit.’
The contest results are highlighted by the performance of Kittima Ratana-Rueangsri, Victoria Erickson, Peter McKitrick,
Christain O’Brien, and Brennan Mao. Both Kittima and Victoria scored in the top 10% of all participants in the Dr.
Micheal Smith Science contest. In the UWO Sir Isaac Newton Physics Contest, Peter scored an impressive top% 4 in
Ontario and finished 57th overall in the province – a truly impressive result! The Science Department would like to
commend all participants for a job well done. Students interested in any of this year’s contests are asked to see their
science teacher for more information.
Contest
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
OAPT Physics Contest
Liam Farrow
David Evans
Avogadro Chemistry Contest (UWO)
Kes Dunill
Chem 13 News Contest (UWO)
Kanistha RatanaRueangsri
Christian O’Brien
Matt Olinski
Chris Perrier
Kittima Ratana-Rueangsri
Brennan Mao
Gabriela Coccimiglio
Dr. Micheal Smith
Grade 10 Science Contest (UBC)
Kittima Ratana-Rueangsri
(Top 10% in Canada)
Victoria Erickson
(Top 10% in Canada)
Sir Isaac Newton Contest (UWO)
Peter McKitrick (Top 4% in Christain O’Brien (Top 5%
Ontario - 57th overall)
in Ontario)
John Bourget
Karli Lynch
(Top 25% in Canada)
Brennan Mao
(Top 6% in Ontario)
HEALTHY ACTIVE
SCHOOLS &
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Our Falcon cross-country running team out at the Kamview
races enjoying some great competition.
MRS. L. MACFARLANE
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
has funded Ophea to implement a schoolbased tobacco prevention pilot program in
24 schools (elementary and secondary)
across Ontario during the 2013/2014 and
2014/2015 school years (working in close
collaboration with partners at the provincial
and school/community level). This program
will be implemented using a healthy schools
approach, with a focus on providing youth
leadership opportunities to address tobacco
and other risk factor areas in participating
schools. St Ignatius has been chosen to
participate in this healthy schools initiative
under the lead of Physical Education teacher
Frank Ruberto.
Exercise sciences students learning sports injury prevention and
taping techniques.
Captain's Club
This year's team captains have stepped up
yet again in volunteering to coordinate
working at the Dew Drop Inn at St Andrew's
church on the fourth Sunday of the month
until June. Pictured are Falcon Thomas
Walser and Lucas Sandberg from our senior
boys football team who helped out Oct.
27th. Thank you for giving back to our
community. Way to go Falcons!
Battle of the Beverages from the TBDHU sharing with
our students the amounts of sugar in the beverages we drink.
Congrats to contest winner - Brooke Basaraba!
WE DAY 2013 “A TRULY INSPIRING EXPERIENCE”
GR. 10 STUDENT HILARY MACDOUGALL
On Wednesday, October 30th, fifteen students and our chaplain from St. Ignatius High School attended WE
Day 2013 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Hosted by Craig and Marc Kielburger (the founders of Free the Children),
the day was an incredibly inspiring event. Among the many powerful speakers and performers were Martin
Sheen, Martin Luther King III, Molly Burke, Spencer West, Shawn Desman and the Kenyan Boys Choir.
WE Day helped us to realize that positive change can and is happening right now. Throughout the day we
listened to speeches about bullying, equality, the environment, human rights, mental health and local and
global change. Each person that went up on stage at the MTS Centre influenced our views as individuals
because of the amazing stories they told. The energy in the building was astounding and it was amazing to
see that thousands of students just like us want to help people all around the world. One uplifting speaker, Amanda Lindhout, exclaimed, “We are responsible for nothing less than the future of our
world.” She told the audience how she was held hostage for more than a year in Somalia, and how she
vowed to make a change if she was ever set free. The former president of Mexico, Vincente Fox, said, “You
are leaders, each one of you, and you all have the power within to change the world!”
The moving WE Day speakers challenged us to make a change towards what we believe in. Each speaker
was a role model and helped us to realize that even if we are only one person we can still stand up and
support a cause or person in need. What they said will stay with the audience forever and impact our future
decisions. By the end of the day we were all motivated to make a change in our own community and school
with whatever causes we stand by and support the most.
Sitting in the MTS Centre that day, surrounded by 16 000 young people, I felt excited, empowered and truly
blessed. Now, back in Thunder Bay, as a member of our school Common Bonds group, I will continue to work
with my peers to make a difference in our world.
BUSINESS,
COMPUTERS
& ARTS
MR. M. PERZAN
The fall school start is always full of
surprises and this year is no exception.
The Arts has now joined the Business
and Computers department and we
look forward to the ways in which
these disciplines can work together to
provide students with exciting and
rich experiences.
The department has historically
worked both inside and outside the
unit to help enrich the learning for
students. Mrs. Kruse's marketing class
is busy getting ready for their annual
cookie sales as well as the wellreceived lunch market. Ms. Haavisto’s
Grade 9 BTT class will be helping them
with these endeavours. Mrs. Pedri's
Grade 12 Leadership class will be
working with the elementary schools
to provide a play day as well as a
Halloween event for the school. Mrs.
Zurevinski's Grade 10 arts students will
be providing artwork for Mr. Vaillant's
Halloween music concert. Ms.
Tolone's class is working on a class
production and will be utilizing the
skills and knowledge of many
students and teachers. Mrs. Brimage's
classes will be working on submissions
for the 2nd annual "Age Friendly
Poster Contest" sponsored by the city.
Please
see
"http://
www.agefriendlythunderbay.ca/
poster-contest.html" for more
information.
The school library is getting the
newest fiction ready for the shelves.
The "Reading by Degrees" project has
also started where a student can
receive an "honourary degree" in
their genre of reading if they read five
or more fiction or graphic novels.
Mrs. Brimage’s grade 11 media class is presently working on a mural
depicting body image for the girls’ change room. The mural is done in
metallic to represent the fact that we are all precious like metals even
though we have different body types. We will also be working on one for
the boys change room.
MODERNS
MRS. B. BOSCH
In May of 2014, students of St. Ignatius are
embarking on an unforgettable voyage to
Quebec City and Montreal. They will be able to
truly experience the French culture and
language learned in our classrooms! Among
many activities, we will be visiting Notre Dame
Basilica, cross the suspension bridges at Ste.
Anne Canyon Falls, attend a circus school
workshop and go to a rock climbing facility. We
will take walking tours of Old Quebec and
Montreal, dine and dance at an authentic
Quebecois sugar shack and reenact the Battle
at the Plains of Abraham. Students will also have
the opportunity to go to La Ronde amusement
park and dance the night away on a disco
cruise. Everyone is very excited! If you wish to
enroll on this fantastic excursion please contact
Mme. Bosch.
DRAMA CLASS PRODUCTIONS
MRS. C. TOLONE-DACOSTA
The period 2 grade 11 and 12 drama classes will be performing “Happy
Days” the musical on January 9th and 10th in the St. Ignatius Auditorium
at 7:00pm. This class production is full of dancing, singing and colourful
costumes! There will be special guest performances by our very own St.
Ignatius male teacher dance group, Le Stelle Alpine Italian dancers and
a special intermission dance performance by the grade 10 period 1
drama class! Tickets are on sale at our main office for only $5.00! What a
great Christmas gift idea or stocking stuffer!
(Right) Happy Days Cast performs a flash
mob at recognition night.
(Below) Drama students perform “Thriller”
and “Time Warp” dance routines at
Halloween music concert.
Cosmetology
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Welcome to our new cosmetology teacher (above far right)
Mr. Vincenzo Mollicola! This years cosmetology classes will be
collaborating with our drama students preparing for the
upcoming drama production “Happy Days”. Student’s will be
creating men’s and woman’s hairstyles from the 1950’s. Thank
you to Mr. M. and his students for helping out with hair and
make-up for the drama flash mob and 1920’s men’s hair for
our murder mystery film!
(Left & Above) Drama students begin filming 1920’s black and white silent film at local restaurant “Cirque du Manger”.
The murder mystery will be used as an introduction to their “special presentation” taking place at intermission at the
Happy Days musical January 9th & 10th 2014.