Here - Thorsby Junior/Senior High School

Thorsby Junior Senior High School
www.tjshs.blackgold.ca
January 2016
Principal’s Message (AKA The Ganton Gazette)
Thorsby High School Community,
Welcome to 2016. In an effort to increase our communication with the school community, we
are resurrecting our monthly newsletter. THS has had an excellent start to the year with many
new and exciting changes. Before we touch on said changes, allow me to introduce myself to
those of you I have not had the pleasure to meet. I have been involved in education since
2006, when I graduated from the University of Alberta. In my 10 years in education, I have
taught in five different schools: Ashmont Secondary School (Ashmont); St. John’s School of
Alberta (Stony Plain); John Maland High School (Devon); New Sarepta Community High
School (New Sarepta); and finally Thorsby High School. My primary background is as a high
school math and science teacher and this is my first year as a principal. I have completed a
Masters Degree through the University of Portland in Educational Leadership.
Now that’s enough of the boring stuff. I grew up in Devon where my main interests were playing hockey, baseball, basketball, and golf. I now live in Edmonton with my wife Bethany and
my two children: Jack, who is five, and just started kindergarten; and Ruby, who is two, and
does an excellent job of being two.
To the dismay of many in the grade 12 class, we have made some changes this year at THS:
We have many new staff members: Mr. Jonah Feil has replaced Mr. Lidkea; Mr. Justin
McFadyen has replaced Mr. Klaassen; Mr. Theo Dykstra has replaced Ms. Fouquette; Mrs.
Cheryl Raugust is our new Librarian/Educational Assistant; and last but not least, Mrs. Pam
Fouillard, also an Educational Assistant.
In September, thanks to the hard work of Mr. Klaassen and everyone last year, we were able to
start a breakfast program with money that was fundraised. The breakfast program currently
runs on Tuesday and Thursday and is available to the entire school population. We would
welcome any help with running the program that the community can offer to ensure its continued success.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Some of the more minor changes that THS has seen: we have a new logo and crest (new spirit
wear will be available soon). Our FLEX program has become primarily a core remediation
block giving students time to work with staff on their homework or areas of struggle. Also, our
exam week will run a little differently with all exams being written in the morning and a study
hall being run in the afternoon. Finally, the grade 12’s the most controversial change was that
we have switched the order of announcements and O’Canada with the latter being played prior
to the announcements.
December................................. 4
In the new year we at THS really want to focus on accountability. We need students to recognize the importance of their education, and be motivated to do well and positively contribute
to their school and community. We want everyone to look towards the future! We request
your help to give your children the education that they deserve.
September................................ 2
October .................................... 2
Awards Night ........................... 3
PTA Report .............................. 5
Sports ....................................... 6
Exam Schedule ........................ 8
SPECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST
 Staff/Students play basketball game—who won?
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call the school or drop by in person.
Thank you for your time in reading this message and I look forward to working with you.
 How much money was given
out for awards? Check it out!
Cheers,
 PTA News—who’s the executive
Jon Ganton
 Exams are coming quick
SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
September was a busy month.
Welcome to our new staff
members:
Mr. Jon Ganton
Mr. Justin McFadyen
Mr. Theo Dykstra
Mr. Jonah Feil
Mrs. Cheryl Raugust
Mrs. Pam Fouillard
Terry Fox Run
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the
world.” Nelson Mandela
OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS
2
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
AWARDS NIGHT
Awards were handed out to
a large number of ur students on Friday, November
20 at our annual Awards
Night. Students were recognized for their achievements
in Academics aw wall as
Citizenship, Volunteerism,
Yearbook and Athletic
Awards.
Our male teachers participated in Movember.
The students and staff raised over $800 for
Men’s Health !
PTA NEWS
This year, two new scholarships were given to students.
Thanks to Miss Ormberg
and Miss Brown, we now
have an Art and a French
award.
By the end of the ceremony,
almost $8000 was presented to our students. Congratulations to all and a tremendous thank you to all who
have sponsored awards for
these amazing students.
Here are the 2015-2016 Board Members of the
Parent Teacher Association.
President: Denise Seib
Secretary:
Lorelei Stern
Treasurer: Shelly Birch
AGLC Rep: Kathy Mudry
Community Reps :
Sharon Powlik
Gloria Peterson
3
DOOR DECORATING
The annual Door Decorating Contest took place
the last week of school
before holidays. The
Grade 9 Class took first
place!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Students in Grade
9, a few Grade 10’s
Miss Ormberg,
Mrs. Verhun and
Mr. Olson enjoyed
a presentation of “A
Christmas Carol” at the Citadel Theatre on December
16.
All dressed up!
STAFF VS STUDENTS BASKETBALL GAME
Students in grades 7-10 and 12 competed against staff
members in a Basketball game on Friday, December 11. It
was a hard-hitting game, and the teachers came out victorious! It was a great game enjoyed by all!
4
BASKETBALL NEWS
Basketball is in full swing at Thorsby Junior Senior High School.
The Senior Boys and Girls are in a few upcoming tournaments:
Sr: Boys: Westlock—-January 8/9
Ponoka—-February 19/20
Warburg—-February 26/27
Sr. Girls: Westlock—January 8/9
Ponoka—February 12/13
Warburg—February 19/20
Check out the calendar online to find league games for all teams.
Go Sabres!
SKI CLUB
Ski Club is up and running
again! We will be making
evening trips to Rabbit Hill
and capping off the season
with a trip to Marmot Basin!
Rabbit Hill Nights
January 11 (Mon)
February 8 (Mon)
February 18 (Thurs)
Marmot Trip
The Marmot Trip has been
scheduled for Tuesday, March
22 and Wednesday, March 23.
More details will follow.
*Skiers must attend 3 Rabbit Hill nights to be eligible for the ski trip to Marmot Basin and be in good
academic standing
February 22 (Mon)
March 1 (Tues)
March 7 (Mon)
March 17 (Thurs)
We leave right after school and
return to the school at approximately 9:00 pm. Fees are due
the week before each ski night.
5
STUDENTS UNION
Our Student Union President is Jodi Jacob and our
Vice President is Paige Forster. We’ve been busy already this
year. We planned all of the Halloweek activities, had a couple
theme days, and delivered Santa–grams at Christmas.
Here are a couple of upcoming events we have planned:
Pizza Sale: Tuesday, January 19
Valentine’s Day Candy Grams will be sold February 10, 11 and 12.
The Career Centre in the Library has a wealth of
information to help you apply for secondary
education,scholarships, and financial aid.
TJSHS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We are doing our very
best to keep our website
up to date now. Newsletters, calendars, and permission forms will now
also be available online as
well. Check it out at
www.tjshs.blackgold.ca
Follow Student Union on
Instagram @
ths.studentsunion
The Breakfast Program
runs Tuesday and
Thursday mornings.
The Concession is open
at lunch on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday.
If there is no school on
Monday or Friday,
changes to the schedule
are posted.
6
EXAM SCHEDULE
Exam Procedures
A.M.
8:35—9:20
Review for upcoming exams
9:20—9:30
Exams written
9:30-11:30
(Sr High can leave after 1 hr, Jr High must be in the gym until 11)
11:30—12:15
Lunch
12:15-3:08
Optional Study Hall (students can only leave with a signed permission form—no
phone call releases)
All Junior High and Senior High exams are held in the gymnasium. Diploma exams will be held
in Computer Lab, Band Room or Extra office
January 2016
**Diploma Exams are
written from 9:00
am—11:30 am**
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
3
4
5
6
7
1
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
English 30-1/30-2
Part A
Social 30-2 Part A
20
21
22
23
30
17
18
19
2
9
English 30-1/30 Social 30-2 Part
-2 Part B
B
24
25
26
27
28
29
Math 30-1/30-2
Jr High Social
Jr High Science
Jr High Math
NO SCHOOL
Jr High English
Chem 20
Math 10 C/10-3
Bio 20
Social 10-1/10-2
Science 10/20
Social 20-1/20-2
English 10-2
Math 20-1/202/20-3/20-4/20-5
PD Day
Math 30-3
31
7
January 2016
Sun
3
Mon
4
Tue
5
Wed
Thu
6
7
Early
Ski Night
Dismissal
10
11
Ski Night
12
13
14
Fri
Sat
1
2
8
9
Sr Boys and Sr Girls
Basketball @ Westlock
Sr Boys and Sr Girls
Basketball @ Westlock
15
16
22
23
30
Jr Boys Basketball
vs Caledonia
Jr Girls basketball
vs Clear Vista
Sr Basketball vs
Breton@ Breton
17
18
19
SU Pizza Sale
Jr Girls Basketball
vs Louis Bull
24
25
26
20
21
Jr Boys Basketball
vs LJH
Jr Boys Basketball
@Dansereau
27
28
29
Jr Boys Basketball
vs Clear Vista
PD Day
No School
31
February 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
Early Dismissal
Teachers’
Convention
Teachers’
Convention
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
10
11
12
13
Candy grams for
sale
Candy grams for
sale
Sr Girls Basketball
@ Ponoka
Sr Girls Basketball
@ Ponoka
Start of
Power School
Marks for S1
available
Semester 2
7
8
9
Ski Night
Candy grams for
sale
14
15
16
17
Family Day
18
19
20
Ski Night
Sr Boys Basketball
@ Ponoka
Sr Boys Basketball
@ Ponoka
Sr Girls Basketball
@ Warburg
Sr Girls Basketball
@ Warburg
26
27
No School
21
22
Ski Night
28
29
23
24
25