
EVENTS &
HAPPENINGS…………… 3
January
2016
 COUNSELOR’S CORNER.
…...…............................9

STAFF OF THE MONTH
……..….…….....…. 16
Calmar Secondary
Accipiter
Principal’s Perspective
ak-SIP-i-ter
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2016!
I hope everyone had a great break and an enjoyable Christmas vacation. Whether people are
celebrating Christmas or just enjoying the holiday time, the focus on the Family and the joy of
positive, family time through the Christmas holidays is such a blessing. I don’t know if it was just
my perception and the groups and activities I was involved in, but this positive Family focus
seemed to really be at the forefront this Christmas season. To paraphrase something I recently read
“parents, in how they live their lives, are their child’s greatest teacher”.
I really appreciate School Council and the positive input and conversations that take place during these
meetings. Thank you. This opportunity for input from parents, community and staff sets the direction for all
the positive changes and continual improvement at Calmar Secondary. Linking it with the Parent Teacher
Association (fundraising) really creates positive connections between school programming and finances.
Your input is welcomed at our next School Council & PTA meeting on January 20 th at 7:00 p.m. Landscape
analysis of school data has provided programming directions such as a focus on academic counseling and
Counseling to Transition beyond high school. We are also adding courses for 2 nd semester such as a high
school reading course to enhance student ability to read at a deeper level with greater comprehension. We
have also added Robotics as a complementary course. Those are great improvements to Calmar Secondary
programming.
Your input is appreciated: Survey’s from the Province of Alberta will be mailed home during January and
February. This is a great opportunity to give us feedback on the areas of continual improvement we have
been involved in. Increased counseling, High School Reading, Robotics, Student Leadership, increased high
school course offerings have all been areas discussed and input provided during School Council. We look
forward to your continual involvement.
Cont’d Page 2
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CSS
Events & Happenings Accipiter
Principal’s Perspective, Cont’d
Thank you Youth Unite: Youth Unite, Student Leadership has been working hard to provide fun activities
amidst the burden of construction. Thank you Ms. de Leon for organizing the World Cup of Soccer draft
selection tournament before Christmas. Players were really vying to raise their rankings for the World Cup of
Soccer draft to take place in January. Look forward to some very exciting soccer rivalries.
Final Exam Time: This is the time when students are putting in that extra effort to try and get their marks as
high as possible. Recognizing the value of doing well in school really pays off for young people. High School is
so diverse in this 21st Century Learning Environment and offers such a wide spectrum of Learning
Opportunities, it doesn’t matter whether you are going into Trades, Technical or Post Secondary, the success
you have in high school is an incredible determining factor in future success. Studying and preparing for
exams takes precedence over jobs and everything in student’s lives at this point. Building their future is the
most important task.
Dennis Dunlop, Principal
Notes From The Principal’s Desk
P.T.A. & School Council:
Wednesday, January 20th
School Council 7:00 – 8:00
Parent Teacher Association (Fundraising) 8:00 – 9:00
Final Exams: Please see the Final Exam Schedule included. Cell Phones are not allowed in the examination
room. Cell Phones brought into the examination room must be placed in a box with other cell phones and
turned off. Calmar Secondary is not responsible for anything that happens to that cell phone. It is in the best
interest of students to leave their phones at home that day.
Staff Links: Check out our CSS Staff Contact database to connect to teacher Links for current classroom events
such as homework, assignments, or projects.
Important D ates This M onth
Early Dismissal—Wednesday, JAN 6 (2:26 pm)
Musical Theatre—JAN 7, 8 ,9 Calmar Legion
Final Exams—JAN 13-28
P.T.A. & School Council Meeting—Wednesday, JAN 20 (7:00 pm)
Staff Planning & Development NO SCHOOL—Friday, JAN 29
Semester 2 Commences—Monday, FEB 1
Early Dismissal—Wednesday, FEB 3 (2:26 pm)
http://css.blackgold.ca/calendar/school-events-calendar/
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Believe ~ Rise~ Achieve
CSS
Events & Happenings Accipiter
For a copy of the schedule go to: http://css.blackgold.ca/january-2016-final-exam-schedule/
This schedule is also available on our Webpage School Events Calendar:
http://css.blackgold.ca/calendar/school-events-calendar/
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Counselor’s Corner
CSS
Accipiter
Diploma Exam Preparation Courses








APEX Diploma Preparation: 780-940-0094 At Vanvliet Center (U of A campus) www.apexdiplomaprep.com/
Diploma Tutorials: 780-448-0631 At Maier Centre (U of A campus)
Next Step Diploma Exam Prep: 780-467-7292 Sherwood Park (Salisbury Comp HS) www.eipscontinuinged.ca/
pages/home
Brain Booster - Metro Continuing Education For info & registration, see www.metrocontinuingeducation.ca
DIPLOMAX - www.primetimelearning.ca or by phone at: 780-448-0631.
Exam Root – online, Diploma Practice Exams: examroot.ca or (587)773-3273
RTD Learning Edmonton—www.rockthediploma.com/edmonton/ or (780) 328-0955 or Toll Free 1-888-665-8803—
Grant MacEwan University City Centre.
Diploma Exam Prep: 780-467-7292 Sherwood Park (Salisbury Comp HS) www.eipscontinuinged.ca/pages/home
What is iPrep?
iPrep Plus is an electronic home support that allows you to review with resources of 50-150 pages and support videos,
each 5-10 minutes in length.
Student Advantages: Allows for unlimited ‘review of concepts’ - no more unfinished homework due to lack of understanding. Help in completing daily assignments, preparing for quizzes and tests, and even improving the quality of the review
required for writing diploma examinations. This can provide the student with quality, unlimited access to a comprehensive
electronic Student Notes and Video support package. For more information go to http://iprepplus.com/index.cfm or SequelSolutionsInc@gmail.com or 780-863-7826.
Alberta Official Transcript of High School Achievement
High school transcripts can be ordered online at your own time and your own pace.
How to order:

If you are applying to an Alberta post-secondary institution, the post-secondary institution can order
transcripts online on your behalf from Apply Alberta. Transcripts ordered from ApplyAlberta on your
behalf are free of charge.

To order transcripts for other purposes, you can order online from myPass.alberta.ca. There is a $10.00
non-refundable processing fee for each copy.

You can request transcripts to be sent on your behalf to any destination of your choice.
For more information go to: Alberta Ed High School Transcripts or Transcript Office Address/Contact
Information
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Counselor’s Corner
CSS
Accipiter
Transitioning High School
ApplyAlberta is a secure, made-in-Alberta post-secondary application system that makes it simple to apply to
one or more post-secondary institutions. It also takes the guesswork out of requesting Alberta high school and
post-secondary transcripts.
For complete details, please go to https://www.applyalberta.ca/pub/index.asp for more information.
myPass
myPass is an Alberta Education secure self-service website for Alberta
students to:
View and print diploma exam results
Order high school transcripts
View progress towards a credential (diploma or certificate)
View student personal information
View and print a Detailed Academic Report (DAR)
Order additional copies of an awkward credential
Visit myPass.alberta.ca to request access.
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Counselor’s Corner
CSS
Accipiter
10 High School Study Tips for Students
Having trouble getting serious about studying for a test? These high school study tips will get you in the right mindset to
get prepped for your final exams, or just for your average, everyday quiz.
1. Study Alone
Unless you've got a couple of friends who are super-serious about getting down to business, stay away from group study
sessions because they tend to get off-topic pretty quickly. Save the social time until after you've handed in your test.
2. Create Your Perfect Study Area
The place where you study should be quiet, comfortable and free from distractions. Go to your room, close the door and
kill as many distractions as possible - like music, television, and even the internet and your phone. If you don't have your
own room that you can sneak away to, consider studying at the library instead.
3. Get it All Out
Your study materials, that is. Before you dig in, make sure you have all your books, notes, study guides and writing utensils
in front of you. Don't give yourself another excuse to get up and rummage around.
4. Turn Your Notes into Flash Cards
Now that you've got all your notes in front of you, open up a pack of index cards. As you read through the important facts,
rewrite them in Q&A form on the cards. For instance: to study historical facts, write the historical fact on one side of the
card and the key details on the other side. To study geometry formulas, right the name of the formula on one side and the
formula itself on the other side.
5. Snack Healthy While You Study
If you want to stay sharp while you study, stay away from junk food. Instead, snack on studying-friendly foods like dark
leafy greens, whole grains, peanut butter, milk and seafood. Feeling sluggish? Caffeine or energy drinks won't help you in
the long run. Get your energy boost instead by eating a banana or an apple.
6. Narrow it Down
If you try to study every single thing your teacher's ever said, you'll go crazy. Instead, focus on the most important topics. If
you're not sure what those are, read the study guide (if there is one), or ask your classmates. Once you've nailed down the
important stuff, if there's still time left before the test, you can move onto the finer details.
7. Take a Break
Your brain can only take so much hard work at one time. For every hour that you study, take about 15 minutes to do
something mindless, like taking a walk, listening to music or playing a computer game. (You can even take a 15-minute nap,
if you're confident you can wake yourself up at the end of it.) It'll keep your stress level down and give your brain a chance
to let all that information sink in.
8. Put Yourself to the Test
Once you've got your set of flash cards, test yourself with them. If you don't trust yourself not to cheat, give the cards to
your parents and have them test you. Don't stop till you've made it through the whole stack without any mistakes. And be
sure to bring your flash cards to school with you on the day of the test: you'll be amazed at how much more you can retain
if you run through the cards right before your teacher hands out the test packet.
9. Get Some Sleep
You might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but if you do, you'll only be hurting your chances of getting an A. Get a full 8
hours of sleep so your brain is in good shape on test day.
10. Study All Semester Long
It's tempting to hold off on studying till the last minute, especially if you tell yourself that anything you try to memorize
earlier on won't really stay in your brain. That's not true. Take some time throughout the semester to review all of your
notes and re-read important passages in your text book. It might seem tedious, but it'll really keep all those facts in your
brain on test day.
Source:About.Com
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Counselor’s Corner
CSS
Accipiter
What Scholarships and
Bursaries are out there?
You can explore a diversity of awards
(scholarships and bursaries) available to
supplement funding of your post-secondary
education through the Alberta Student Aid
Website.
Alberta Scholarships
Other Awards
Laurence Decore Award for Student Leadership
https://www.ausu.org/services/scholarships-awards/
Application Deadline: March 1, 2016
Hal Rogers Endowment Fund Bursary
http://www.kincanada.ca/hal-rogers-endowment-fund
Application Deadline: Monday, February 01, 2016
50th Anniversary Legacy to Albertans from Alberta Blue Cross
https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/aboutus/scholarship-program.php
Historica Canada 1-866-701-1867 EXT 247
ww.our-story.ca
Application Deadline: March 31, 2016
Alberta Child Health Benefit
Get free eyeglasses, prescriptions and dental visits through the Alberta Child Health Benefit plan. The
Benefit plan helps pay health care bills for families with limited incomes. Signing up is easy. Fill out one
form and mail it in. For more information CLICK or contact us. Print the application form (Please
complete on line, print, sign, and send the form to the address provided on the form).
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Counselor’s Corner
CSS
Accipiter
Career Planning
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Simplify the path to success
1 Find out what you’re good at.
Career planning starts with gaining an
understanding of your interests, skills
and abilities.
Career Planning Tools….more
2 What occupations are out there?
Learn about the occupations to help you
in your career decisions.
Occupation and industry
information...more
TAKE NEXT STEPS
Unsure of what you want
to do after high school?
Try on an occupation:
by volunteering
doing work experience
at a summer job
doing information
interviews
3 What education is right for you?
Planning for your career requires that
you spend some time exploring your
learning and training options.
Education and training planning...more
4 How can you pay for your education?
Paying for post-secondary education
usually comes from a combination of
financial sources.
Scholarships, grants, bursaries, students
aid….more
checklist:
CONTACT CENTRE
In grade 9 to 12?
Use these checklists to help
you get organized:
Entering apprenticeship
Planning for college
Considering university
Career Information
Hotline
Toll-free:
1-800-661-3753
Edmonton:
780-422-4266
Submit an e-Question
5 What are your next steps?
Start making plans for the work world or
your move on to post-secondary studies.
Explore the possibilities...more
Go to Alberta Learning Information
Services for access to a wide range of tools
on career planning for high school
students.
CAREERinsite
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CSS
Athletics
Accipiter
JUNIOR BOYS TEAM ROSTER(GR7-9)
Basketball
COACH: Mr. Brehmer
CO-COACH: Ms. de Leon
JUNIOR GIRLS TEAM ROSTER
(GR7-9)
COACH: Miss Dean
Kaitlyn Spiker
Trinity Chubocha
Morgan Gartner
Paige Stene
Gracie Risser
Regan Chamberland
Callie Rector
Delainey Hansen
Lauren Day
Shea Andersen
Shelby Armstrong
Ciara Harrish
Jaedyn Cox
Alexa Hawkins
Kelsea Zurbrugg
SENIOR GIRLS TEAM ROSTER
(GR10-12)
COACHES: Miss Hanson & Mr. Osborne
Brittney Hansen
Brooklyn Osborne
Breanna Fedor
Cassidy Kabanuk
Edith Peeters
Kristen Spiker
Hannah Wurban
Olivia Fryk
Raylene Crawford
Kendra Woodall
Sage Soosay
Taylor LaPlante
Rebecca Makepeace
The Calmar Hawks High School Girls Basketball team
has already began their season with a few practices in
December. Heading into January they will play in their
first tournament in Redwater January 8th and 9th. The
season will continue and the girls are entered into two
other tournaments taking them to Devon February 5th
and 6th and then to Warburg February 26th and
27th. Mr. Tim Osborne has offered to help with
coaching once again this year and we both hope to have
a great developing year with the girls.
Colby Halwa
Cyrus Donovan
Logan Buck
Carter Kittlitz
Dallin Rector
Curtis de Milliano
Parker Oppegaard
Austin Halwa
Jeff McIntosh
Nick Blush
Jason Ritchie
Mark Ritchie
Zach Day
Morgan Zorn
Ashton Stene
We are excited to start another basketball season. This
year we have one junior boys team (7-9) We have
selected a team and begun practicing in preparation for
our league games which start after the Christmas break.
Due to the construction we will not be hosting any
games—but anyone is welcome to travel with us to away
games to cheer on the squad!
SENIOR BOYS TEAM ROSTER
(GR10-12)
COACH: Mr. Ellis
Jacob Rees
Gabriel Bitar
Kamil Bitar
Chris McIntosh
Regan Kittlitz
AJ Bauer
Austin Lyka
Justin Belozer
Cole Gordon
Get your Hawks swag!
See Mrs. McAviney to purchase your spirit
wear
T-shirts $10
Sweats $20
Hoodies $25
Athletics Schedules will be
posted on our Webpage
Calendar
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CSS
Notices
Accipiter
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CSS
Notices
Accipiter
International Student Travel
Superintendent Yanitski presented updated information from our insurance agency, ASBIE on International Student Travel, and he
provided information on the international travel survey distributed to parents and staff and posted on the BGRD website. There were
755 responses to the survey. Thank you to all parents and staff for taking the opportunity to respond to the survey. Trustees
appreciated the survey information.
Trustees discussed the safety and risks associated with student travel. Trustees have been talking to their constituents and receiving
responses back. Some parents have decided to pull their students from certain trips, whereas others are hoping that trips are not
suspended. Parents do understand that trips may be cancelled for the remainder of this school year, but hope the trips are not
cancelled any further. Other jurisdictions are only suspending trips for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year right now. Trustees
discussed the implications of cancelling for one year, and then reviewing further trips at the first meeting in September 2016.
Trustees felt that the Board needs to ensure safe and caring environments, and also are concerned for the supervisors/chaperones
responsible for the trips. They discussed the political climate change, and that it could change for future travel trips.
Associate Superintendent Romanchuk presented statistical information on the number of students signed up for the Vimy Ridge field
trip. It was noted that parents have the right to pull students out of field trips at any time. Also noted was that the Board could cancel a
field trip at any time.
Trustees were also concerned with the fundraising that students are part of, and where these funds will go if trips are cancelled.
The Board cancelled all international field trips up to August 31, 2016.
Marmot Trip
Date: February 4-5 (PD Days)
Age: 13-18
Cost: $250-$320*
*see brochure for information (with and without rentals)
Registration Deadline: January 20, 2016
Join us for an incredible winter experience! We are going to
Marmot Basin to hit the slopes! This two day trip includes:
transportation, lift tickets, accommodations, and some meals!
For More Information:
Andrea Oneski
Ph: (780) 955-3555 ext 3268
Email: Andrea@leduc-county.com
REGISTER ONLINE:
www.bookking.ca/bkleduccountypub/
Brochures are available at the school office.
Hockey Hooky Tickets are available to Junior
High Students (GR 7/8/9)
Edmonton Oil Kings VS Victoria Royals
Rexall Place
Monday, February 29, 2016 11:30 AM
Please turn in your forms and payment of $25
into the office.
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CSS
Notices
Accipiter
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CSS
Notices
Accipiter
ATTENDANCE REPORTING
Please remember to notify the school at 780-985-3515 if your child will be absent from school for any reason.
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
Monday
All hot lunches must be pre-ordered by
Thursday for the following week’s lunches. Tuesday
You can login to ACORN to make your order Wednesday
and payment online. Forms are also available
in the office or follow the link to access the
form to print off. The forms and payment
can be submitted to the front office.
http://css.blackgold.ca/parents/hot-lunches/
https://powerschool.blackgold.ca/public/
Hamburger
$4.50
Cheeseburger
$5.00
Donair
$5.25
Hotdog
$1.25
Donut
Juice
Chips
$0.80
$1.00
$1.00
Combo A
Hotdog, Donut,
$3.00
Juice
Combo B
Hotdog, Donut,
$4.00
Juice, Chips
Thursday
Subs - Pizza or Ham & Cheese
$5.50
Friday
Pizza - Cheese, Pepperoni or
$2.50
/Slice
Hawaiian
CALMAR SECONDARY SCHOOL – BELL SCHEDULE
2015/2016 School Year
http://css.blackgold.ca/about/schedule/
BLACK GOLD REGIONAL SCHOOLS 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR
CALENDAR
Please click on the link below to access the calendar:
http://www.blackgold.ca/news-calendar/division-annual-calendar-2/
LOST & FOUND
Please have your child check the front office if they may have lost any small personal items. Additionally, please
turn in any items found to the office where there is a Lost and Found box.
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Health Talk
CSS
Accipiter
Healthy Teens
Parent Newsletter
January 2016
Being Mentally Healthy
Why It’s Important for You and Your Teen
The terms mental health and mental illness are often used
to mean the same thing, but in reality, they are different.
Everyone has mental health; not everyone has a mental illness
like depression. Having good mental health helps us manage our
emotions, care about others and cope with problems. It’s
important for teens and adults alike.
The importance of learning the social and emotional skills that
help keep us mentally healthy are sometimes overlooked at
school because of the emphasis on academic success. However, research shows a strong link between
having social and emotional skills, being resilient and having school success. Teens who have developed
social and emotional skills find it easier to manage themselves, relate to others, resolve conflict, do
better in school and feel positive about themselves and the world around them. Family life is our first
“classroom” for social and emotional learning.
As a parent, you can be a strong positive influence on your teen’s social and emotional growth and you
can reflect and build on your own skills, helping you and your child in the process. Here are 5 areas you
and your teen can learn more about and work to improve.
Self awareness: Know your emotions and recognize their impact on your behaviour.
Self-management: Know how to control your emotions and behaviours in challenging times and how to
set and work towards goals.
Social awareness: Understand, respect and have empathy for all people and their perspectives.
Relationship skills: Know how to establish healthy relationships with others by communicating clearly,
listening, cooperating, managing conflict, resisting peer pressure and seeking and offering help.
Responsible decision making: Understand how your choices impact you and others.
Adapted from www.parenttoolkit.com and www.casel.org
To find an electronic copy of this newsletter, visit: www.albertahealthservices.ca/csh.asp
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January Staff of the Month: Miss Hanson!
We recognize Miss Hanson as our January Staff of the Month! When we asked her what
her job is at CSS, she replied, “I’m a teacher!”. This is currently Miss Hanson’s 7th year at
Calmar Secondary School where she teaches Math, Biology and Health and Life Skills. She
has also been busy coaching the Junior Girls basketball team for the last six years and has
decided to move up with the core group of grade 10’s to help coach with Mr. Tim Osborne
this year. Her favourite part of working at CSS is that “the school is very welcoming—
there’s always a friendly good-morning given by either a fellow co-worker or student
waiting for class to start”.
Miss Hanson attended the University of Alberta to get her Education Degree. She majored
in Math and minored in Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys playing slo-pitch in the
summer months and playing co-ed ball hockey in the winter months. Her choice genre of
movies is dark comedy; she really likes the movie “Little Miss Sunshine”. As for music, she
listens to most kinds of music. “I tend to station surf when trying to decide on what radio
station to listen to.”
After all this activity , Miss Hanson unwinds to her delicious authentic Thai Red Curry—
with extra spice! Or Thai Tom Yum soup, “a place called Boualoung serves the best soup
in Edmonton”. However, her preferred indulgence is ice cream. She states, “It’s often
enjoyed in ice-cream cake form. I sometimes buy myself a whole cake and enjoy a piece
throughout the next few weeks!”.
Calmar Secondary School
Mission
Stay
Connected
Phone (780) 985-3515
Fax (780) 985-3682
css.blackgold.ca
We believe in providing the highest quality education for all
students within the community of Calmar and surrounding
area. Students come to us with different styles of learning and we
believe in developing the strengths and abilities of all students in
an inclusive and accepting learning environment.
Inclusive
education means providing everyone the opportunity to have
success in their community school. Together, with students,
parents and community, we will strive to maintain a safe and
caring school culture, to have tolerance and acceptance while
engaging students to achieve their potential academically,
physically, socially, and emotionally.
@CSS_Hawks
@CSSHawks
Please make sure the
Office has your most
current email address
so you can receive the
newsletter and relevant school updates!
Calmar Secondary School is
part of Black Gold Regional
To Inspire Success
3rd Floor 1101 5th Street, Nisku
Phone: (780)955-6025
Fax: (780) 955-6050
https://powerschool.blackgold.ca/public/
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