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March 16, 2017 155 Wellington St W Aurora, ON L4G 2P4 905-727-3107 905-727-5804 [email protected] Visit us on the web... @YRDSB Important Dates to Remember March 13 - 17 March Break March 20 School resumes March 20 Immunization Clinic March 21 - 24 Student Surveys March 22 P.A.R.T.Y Presentation for Grade 12 Students March 22 - 23 ABCs of Mental Health March 27 Parent Council (rescheduled from the 20th) March 28 Interim Reports Issued during Homeroom Students with 1st period spares will find their Interims in their next scheduled class March 28 OSSLT Student Information Assembly Period 1 March 29 Regional Parent Symposium March 30 OSSLT With spring approaching and the hours of daylight increasing, now is a good time to enjoy the outdoors and our natural environment. Did you know that our Board has five outdoor education centres , and students have opportunities to visit them and other out- door learning spaces throughout their schooling? This is part of our commitment to giv- ing students an opportunity to learn in and about the natural world. This learning sup- ports students in gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of envi- ronmental sustainability. “Modelling continuous environmental sustainability” is one of the goals outlined in our Board of Trustees’ Multi-Year Plan . We believe that we all have a role to play in reduc- ing waste and protecting our environment. Our students, staff members and families continue to show leadership when it comes to supporting student learning and initia- tives to reduce our ecological footprint. Spending time outside as a family also provides a great opportunity to support and en- hance your child’s learning outside of school. Whether visiting a park or museum, read- March 2017 Trustee Greeting On March 22nd and 23rd staff and students will be participating in The ABCs of Mental Health - an initiative aimed at increasing awareness and starting conversations sur- rounding teens and mental health. ABCs of Mental Health During Period 2 on Wednesday, March 22 nd , York Regional Police will be doing a presen- tation for all of our Grade 12 students called P.A.R.T.Y (Preventing Alcohol and Risk- Related Trauma in Youth). This is a mandatory assembly for all students attending prom however, all grade 12 students are expected to attend. P.A.R.T.Y. AHS History Department News and Events by Mr. Steep Aurora Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team by Dr. Park Mr. Fragomeni and Mr. Green want to congratulate and thank the boys hockey team for a successful season. The boys were a lot of fun to be around and their commit- ment and hard work was reflected in their undefeated season! Thank you everyone involved and can't wait for next season. A Successful Season for the AHS Boys Hockey Team by Mr. Fragomeni Guidance News Students who have applied to Ontario Universities and/or Colleges are encouraged to attend a March Break Open House. Registration information can be located on the websites of any specific university and/or college of interest. In addition, Open House information may be found on the College and University boards outside of the Guid- ance office. Grade 12 students are encouraged to review the scholarship bulletin board outside of Guidance for potential application opportunities. This board is regularly updated when new information arrives to our school. CFUW Aurora/Newmarket There are 4 awards of $1000.00 for eligible students from public high schools in northern York Region. Award criteria is available at www.charitabletrustcfuwauroranewmarket.com under Secondary School Awards. We are permitted to send one candidate from our school. Review the criteria and indicate your interest in this award to Ms. Anglin in Guidance by April 5, 2017. Benson Kearnley IFG Five $2000 scholarships are available to Grade 12 students making a positive impact in their community. This is for students who have created a business, philanthropic endeavor or completed exceptional community involvement while in high school. Students can read more about the award and apply at www.studentsmakinganimpact.com Deadline for submission is April 16, 2017 Students who have yet to complete their 40 community involvement hours are re- minded to regularly check our community involvement bulletin board outside of the Guidance Office. Students should always have their potential hours pre-approved in Guidance to ensure the activity fits the description of being a non-profit and/or chari- table organization. Course Selection for the 2017/2018 School Year Thank you to students and families for taking the time to carefully plan and select courses for the 2017/2018 school year. Students will have an opportunity to review their course selections in early April when verifications are distributed . Any further questions may be directed to the Guidance Department. OUAC/OCAS Reminders: Students who have applied to College/University for September 2017 are encouraged to check their OUAC/OCAS accounts to ensure all data is accurate. Semester 1 marks have re- cently been transmitted. Any concerns or errors should be communicated immediately with the Guid- ance Department. Subsequent transmission periods will occur in April and late June. It is the responsibility of all students to remain informed about their applica- tion status on OUAC/OCAS. March Break Open Houses Community Hours Varsity Girls Hockey Team bring Home The Championship by Elizabeth DeBoer This past week, the varsity girls hockey team travelled to York University to play in a tourna- ment against 5 other GTA schools. The girls played four hard-fought games, and demon- strated excellent teamwork, skills and sports- manship. Their effort paid off and the girls brought home the championship with an exciting 3-2 win over Mayfield from Brampton. Great season girls! And if anyone knows of a goalie, we need one for next season! Once again, the Aurora Eagles Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team have reached the top of the podium at the provincial championships. For the third year in a row, both the Level One Girls Ski Team and the Level One Girls Snowboard Team have won the GOLD medal and for the fifth year in a row, the Boys Snowboard Team has finished SECOND in all of Ontario. The Boy’s Level One Ski Team also finished SECOND, by three points, which is a mere fraction of a second in real time. The Level Two Girls Ski Team finished SEVENTH in Ontario and the Level Two Boys Ski Team, finished SIXTH and EIGHTH, respectively. Individually, Jennifer Steenhorst won GOLD in the GS, followed by Abby McGregor with BRONZE. In Slalom, Abby McGregor won SILVER and Taylor Unger won BRONZE. Finally, the Girls Snowboard Team added another GOLD to their win column, with FIRST place at the Ontario High School BorderCross at Beaver Valley. Such out- standing results have become a tradition for Aurora’s Alpine Teams. With this year’s two OFSAA Championships, we have won a total of nine provincial titles. Well done skiers and snowboarders. The Leading Women/Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition Program ac- knowledges and celebrates women and girls who demonstrate exceptional leader- ship in working to improve the lives of others in their communities through volunteer work, such as: Breaking down barriers and encouraging women and girls to get involved in careers where women are underrepresented; Actively promoting equality, diversity, healthy equal relationships Preventing violence against women and girls Reducing racism and discrimination Encouraging women and girls to participate in any part of public service Acting as a positive role model by mentoring, coaching, leading events or organiza- tions Providing a positive example to women and girls in their communities (http://www.women.gov.on.ca/owd/english/leadership/leading.shtml ) AHS student, Shaylyn Benaissa was nominated for this award by a member of our community. As Vice President of Aurora’s first Leos Club, Shaylyn was recognized for her volunteerism and hard work by receiving a Leading Girls award from our MPP, Chris Ballard, at an award presentation last week. Shaylyn and her sister Tayah are founding members of the Leos club, founded in 2016 which is a youth division of the Lions Club. AHS Student wins Leading Woman, Leading Girls, Building Communities Award Every year grade 10 history students at AHS create meaningful posters to commemo- rate and honour Remembrance Day. The posters are placed throughout the school for Remembrance Week and our strongest posters are entered into the Aurora Legion Re- membrance Day Poster Contest. This year Aurora High School is pleased to announce five Aurora High students have won awards. In the Senior Black and White Poster cate- gory Moshe Ihejirika came 1 st at the Branch level and 2 nd and the Zone level. Narita Sar- gees came 2 nd at the Branch level and Samantha Rayner came 3 rd at the Branch level. In the Senior Colour Poster category Emily He came first at the Branch level, first at the Zone level, and second at the District level. Ava Oveisi came second at the Branch level. Congratulations to all students on an awesome performance. You can see some of the contest winners at https://aurora.snapd.com/events/ view/671774 This year marks the 100 th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. To commemorate Canada’s important role in this battle the History Department is participating in a field trip to the Vimy Ridge battle site in France. Seventy Aurora High students will be in at- tendance for the commemoration ceremonies that will take place next month on April 09. Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Trudeau as well as important dignitaries from France and other allied nations are expected to be in attendance. Students have been actively preparing for this important occasion by selecting and researching the historical record of specific soldiers who are buried and will be honoured at an important war grave ceremony in the Vimy region. Students have been accessing databases and utiliz- ing the Canadian war archives to pull off detailed information about the solider they have selected. Students will then have the very moving experience of actually visiting the final resting place of the soldier they have researched and they will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at this cemetery. Photo found at http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/first-world-war/vimy-ridge/100-anniversary
