Twin Lakes Secondary School
Thunderbird News
February 2015
Principal: Irfan Toor
Principal’s Message
The end of Semester 1 has arrived much quicker than I could
have predicted. Like the winter, all of a sudden it was here.
The first semester was full of new experiences for me and for
many students and we have had many great successes. Many
students engaged in their academics and met or exceeded
their own expectations. As well, many also contributed to the
great sports teams here at Twin Lakes and provided success
on the field and in the gym. Others were involved in some of
our Arts events such as the This is Tomorrow art show and
Thunderjazz and the Talent Show. Most impressive is the
overall spirit of involvement the students at Twin Lakes show
for school events and fundraisers.
With this newsletter you have received your students’
Semester 1 Final Report Card. This provides you with
information regarding their progress, credit achievement and
final mark for Semester 1 courses. Our teachers have worked
hard to provide you with relevant feedback regarding what
learning has occurred, areas for future improvement and a
final mark. Please take a moment to review this feedback
with your son or daughter and acknowledge their effort as
well as guide them towards making suggested improvements.
It’s halfway through the school year and there is a lot of time
to make a change.
One of the most important events coming up is the course
selection process. Please consider your son or daughter’s
interests as well as recommendations from their teachers as
they select courses for next year. Remember to consider the
pathway to their post-secondary destination, whether that is
College, University, Apprenticeship or the Workplace.
Different courses in secondary school are geared for different
pathways. As always, our staff are willing to provide guidance
or answer questions about pathways and course selections.
Lastly, don’t miss out on an opportunity to watch our
students in action in a performance or on the sports field.
Semester 2 brings the school performance of Thunderlive as
well as many sports teams such as soccer and rugby. Your
support is always welcomed.
All the best for semester 2.
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE SCHOOL BUS DELAY
NOTIFICATIONS
Did you know you can subscribe to receive school bus delay
notifications from the Simcoe County Student Transportation
Consortium? Sign up on the Consortium’s website:
https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions and remember that you can
also follow the Consortium on Twitter @SCSTC_SchoolBus.
FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Course Selections for 2015 - 2016
Guidance Counsellors will be hosting assemblies, February 2326, to inform students about their course selections the 20152016 school year. During the period from February 26 to
March 9, the students will be entering their course selections
online. All course selections must be submitted by March 11,
2015.
The course calendar, which details all the courses Twin Lakes
offers along with the specifics of diploma requirements, may
be accessed at http://twi.scdsb.on.ca
This is the first important step in planning for next year for
both the students and the school. Decisions about which
courses are offered next year are based on data from
students’ course selections. Therefore, it is very important
that all students along with their parents/guardians
complete the course selection process with care and on
time.
Vice-Principals: Michelle Morris & Harry Stegenga
In April, students will receive a printout showing what courses
they have selected for next year. Students and their
parents/guardians will be asked to review the courses
chosen, make any necessary changes to the courses, sign the
sheet and return it to the Guidance office.
Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to review
Twin Lakes’ Course Calendar for 2015-16 very carefully, with
attention to diploma requirements, prerequisites, and future
plans.
Any questions should be directed to the guidance counsellor
assigned by grade/program.
Grade 9 - Mrs. McGoey
Grade 10 & 12 - Mrs. Pellarin
Grade 11 & eLearning students - Mrs. McCullough
COMMENCEMENT
Attention grade 12 students - Twin Lakes Secondary School’s
43rd annual Commencement will take place Thursday, June 25
at 6 pm at Twin Lakes. Potential graduates will
receive communication in Semester 2 about several
important Commencement items. This year we are ordering
"Souvenir Packages" of caps and gowns at the cost of
$15. Students will be able to keep both items and order
forms will be due April 24th. Grad rehearsal is Thursday, May
21 at 8:20 a.m. It is important that all students attend (even
those students on spare and co-op) as graduates will receive
important instructions for Commencement at this
rehearsal. This will also be when students vote on their
Valedictorian. All potential graduates should be completing
and submitting volunteer hours to Guidance. The deadline
for volunteer hours is Friday, June 5. Good luck in your last
semester of high school, class of 2015!
THUNDER LIVE
Twin Lakes Secondary School is proud to present this
year's production Thunder Live. This musical
production is a collection of hits from the 60's and 70's,
featuring music by The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac,
Queen, Tina Turner, and more. Thunder Live features
our very own Stage Band, Rhythm Band, Choir and
soloists from grades 9 -12. Students have been rehearsing
since June of 2014. They are excited to showcase their talents
in a Rock ‘n Roll style concert for their fellow students,
parents, and members of the community. Tickets can be
purchased in advance in the main office . Adult tickets are
$10 and students are $5. Show times are 7 pm on Thursday,
March 5 and Friday, March 6. Follow us on Twitter
@twinpresents or join or Facebook event "Thunder Live"
Cooperative Education & Other Forms of
Experiential Learning
We currently have approximately 60 students who have
taken advantage of the Co-op Education opportunity. This
program allows students to work for
one half day (2 credits) or one full day
(4 credits) to try on a future job, trade or career while
working with an employer.
A big THANK YOU to Orillia and area employers who have
once again supported the Cooperative Education Program.
Your efforts to share with us in the education of our students,
has and will continue to provide our community with a more
informed and productive work force.
Apprenticeship
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students and employers
who have partnered for OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship
Program) this term. These students will graduate with their
diploma, a whole new skill set, experience in the working
world and a head start on a skilled profession. While earning
school credits, OYAP students are able to use their Co-op
hours toward their training time and government money will
help fund their education. We continue to encourage
partnerships with employers in the community so stay tuned
for more student signings!
Preston Lahay – Auto Service Technician at Fenton Auto Parts
Kyle Pattenden – Auto Service Technician at John Nyhof
Automotive
Alexandra Harrington – Hairstyling at Avaia Salon & Spa
Job Shadowing
This experience gives grade 10 Careers students the
opportunity to follow an employee for one day in order to
explore a career area of interest. Through observation,
students become aware of the demands in the workplace and
recognize the importance of education in getting quality
employment.
Our Co-op teachers, Jodi Kerr and Lisa Sammon invite you to
contact the Co-operative Education office (room 313B) at
705-325-1318, Ext. 4 if you have any questions or want to get
involved in the program.
ISE Ontario – Student Exchange Program
3 Month Student Exchanges – During The School Year
French Language – France (all regions) and Switzerland
Other Languages – Italy – Spain
2 Month Student Exchanges for Elementary Students
French Language – France and Switzerland
Summer Exchanges – 1 Month France or Spain
3 Weeks Switzerland (French)
Please visit www.iseontario.on.ca or contact ISE Ontario
(705) 722-9440
E-mail info@iseontario.on.ca
ATTENTION: University bound students
The Enrichment Mini-Course (EMC) Residential Program at
Queen's University will be open for registration on February
3, 2015. It is an opportunity for highly motivated high school
students to come to Queen's University for a week to study a
subject of their choosing at an advanced level. The residential
program provides a total university experience; students stay
in residence for the duration of the program, eat breakfast
and dinner each day in the dining hall, and participate in
extra-curricular activities.
Program Dates: May 3 - 8, 2015
Program Fee: $780 including taxes (to be paid to Queen's
University online)
Bus Fee: $70 (to be paid to Twin Lakes Secondary)
by February 20, 2015 to confirm registration
Spaces Available: 22
Please listen for announcements or see
Ms. McCrackin in Room 303 if you are interested in
registering. Bursaries are offered for students in financial
need. Check out esu.queensu.ca/emc for more details.
Learn to drive over the March Break
SCDSB’s Driver Education program, for teens and adults who
currently have their G1, includes 20 hours of in-class
instruction, 10 hours of independent work and 10 hours of
individual in-car instruction. The program meets all Ministry
of Transportation requirements and is a Ministry Approved
Course Provider.
There are sessions during March Break (March 16 to 20) at
the Learning Centres in Alliston, Barrie and Collingwood.
Register today to reserve a space - the cost is $600 plus HST.
Visit The Learning Centres’ website
(www.thelearningcentres.com – click on ‘High School
Student’, then ‘Beginner Driver Education’) for more
information, registration forms, and Frequently Asked
Questions. To register, print and complete the registration
form, and take the completed form to your local Learning
Centre. Call 705-725-8360 for more information.
Circle of Learning Parent Academy - Free workshops to
help you boost your child’s success
As a parent/guardian, you were your child’s first teacher and
you are still his or her most important teacher. Your
involvement in your child’s education has an impact on
success. Register to attend workshops throughout the year
designed to help you support your child’s learning and
development.
The workshops are:
 March: Make the difference in math with a growth
mindset
 April: Math 101 - all parents can support their children in
math
 May: Resilience - Nine things kids need from their
families, schools, and communities
Find workshop dates, times, descriptions and register online
at www.scdsb.on.ca/circleoflearning. The Circle of Learning
Parent Academy is hosted by the Simcoe County District
School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee and made
possible with the support of the Ministry of Education
through a Parents Reaching Out Grant.
SPORTS
The Thunderbirds sports teams excelled in the fall season
with the Jr Girls Basketball team bringing home the SCAA
Championship Banner with a win over crosstown rival Patrick
Fogarty. The Cross Country Running Midget Girls Team won
the GBSSA title and advanced to OFSAA.
Currently we are in playoffs for the winter season with our
basketball and volleyball teams right in the thick of things,
hoping to advance to GB’s. The Twin Lakes Curlers have
exceeded their expectations by making the quarter finals this
week. The Alpine Ski Team is racing in GB’s this week and we
are hoping for great results from our level 1 and level 2 skiers.
Good luck to the Nordic skiers as well, in their GB race this
week.
We are gearing up for the spring season with boys and girls
Rugby, Track and Field, Girls Soccer and Girls Lacrosse which
will be making its debut at Twin Lakes. Tryouts are open to all
Twin Lakes students, although several are no cut sports, as
long as practices are well attended.
UPCOMING DATES
DATE
Wednesday, February 11
Wednesday, February 11
Monday, February 16
Friday, February 20
March 5, 6 (7-9 pm)
March 16 to 20
March 26
April 1, 2
April 3
April 6
April 30
May 18
June 18 to 24
June 25
EVENT
Sem. 1 Final Report Cards Issued
Grad Photo Retakes
Family Day Holiday
Semi-Formal Dance 7-10 p.m.
Thunder Live Musical
March Break
Parent/Teacher Interviews
6-8 p.m.
Volleyball-a-thon
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Mid-Semester Reports Issued
Victoria Day
Final Evaluations
Commencement – 6 p.m.