How Does One Become a Big Bear?

VOL. 1 | OCTOBER 2014

VOL 1 | OCTOBER 2014

(c) Nancy Chu, 2013 How Does One Become a Big Bear? They need to begin by having a good attitude, be active members of the school community, and By: Paul Jacoby, Ryan Tsui, Adriana Luccetta and finally, they must apply for the position. Emek Yaakov A good attitude is vital to the success of a Big Bear. Schools in York Region are founded upon several transferable character traits that a Big Bear must possess. Throughout the day, the Big Bears are faced with team-building exercises, which are impossible to complete without applying these character traits. Some of these include: responsibility, fairness, optimism, initiative and respect. For example, there is an activity called the “web of trust,” where the Big Bears will, without a doubt, be facing a question in their ability to lead. They must be able to successfully lead their whole It's a fact that grade nine students would be lost team through the empty spaces provided in the web, without their mentors, the Big Bears. Big Bears are without touching the web at any point. The activity grade eleven and twelve students who have the requires teamwork and responsibility, as the Big honour of being chosen to be the peer-mentors of Bear needs to ensure that the group does the activity grade nine students at Langstaff Secondary. A very safely; they need optimism as they should cheer select few are chosen to accompany the grade nines their team on throughout the activity; and they'll to Camp Green Acres for two days of bonding need respect as there will be grade nines who do not exercises and never ending fun. The grade nines feel comfortable doing the activity, and the Big then return, accustomed to high school life, and to Bears have the responsibility to respect their wishes. their new classmates. The process to become a Big Few people possess the traits vital to a successful Bear is highly vetted and every teacher in the school day. The search for Big Bears can be difficult, and it is involved within it. Students need to proceed is important to start with recruiting students that are through the following steps to become a Big Bear. actively involved within the school community.

Experience is an important trait to becoming a Big Bear. A goal of the Bear Necessities program is to help the grade nines become accustomed to high school. Langstaff offers a variety of extra- curriculars, ranging from sports, to academics, to the fine arts. The school truly offers something that caters to the interests of each individual. A large part of having a successful year in high school is often is based on whether or not a student has contributed to the school. Big Bears who are actively involved within the school are able to guide is important that the applicants complete the the grade nines with their experiences. For example, applications honestly, and with the right if a grade nine is interested in trying out, or even grammatical conventions. The form also asks for starting a team, the Big Bear mentors will be able to teachers’ signatures. Teachers play a big role in the explain the process. That way the grade nines can application process. After the forms are handed in benefit more from their past high school on time, an e-mail is sent out to all the teachers with experiences. This is why this type of experience is the names of potential Big Bears. If names are met imperative to the success of a Big Bear, by having with concerns from teachers, the students may be the know-how to deal with others; it contributes to taken off the list. Ms. McAvoy and Ms. Mendez de their success in leading. Starting a club or team Franca, however, make the final decision. requires a lot of initiative, so hopefully, the Big According to Ms. McAvoy, they try to choose Big Bears will instill that trait in the grade nines. Bears from a variety of backgrounds. This means not choosing all of the athletes or the drama kids, but rather a mixture of both. They also try to select Big Bears from a variety of backgrounds and interests. Not all applicants need to have extremely strong academics. All selected Big Bears must then attend a meeting to confirm their commitment.

If these steps are followed directly, one can succeed in becoming a Big Bear. However, it is important to note that the application process should be taken seriously, and not every person who applies can become a Big Bear. The Big Bears are by definition Although it seems obvious, applying is vital to friends and mentors to the grade nines. Contact becoming a Big Bear. Big Bears must apply the between the two should not be severed at the end of year before. Announcements are made, and tweets Bear Necessities. Big Bears should always be are sent to all the potential applicants. The available to counsel the grade nines and answer any applicants must then take the initiative to retrieve a questions grade nines may have about high school form from room 101 in the Family Studies hallway. life throughout the year. After all, Langstaff The form needs to be correctly filled out, by believes in maturity through responsibility, and if answering questions like: “How has your maturity is the goal, what requires more experience at Bear Necessities benefited you?” and responsibility than mentoring the next generation of “Describe your involvements around the school?” It Langstaff students? 2

Langstaff’s Colour Run

School Dance: BLACKOUT BVBLACKOUT

Photos provided by: Shawn Ness, Skylar Peters, and Kristian Fabbro BLACKOUT: Q: Hey Adriana, I want to get started on my community hours but I don’t Langstaff's First Dance know where to start. Also, are there any afterschool By: Jenny Chu activities within the school? Help! Mandy2000 A: Hey, Mandy2000!

There are many ways to get involved around the school by volunteering. You could check the board Langstaff started off the new school year right with near the guidance office every now and then to see a night to remember. On October 2nd, some of the upcoming events and volunteer opportunities! They student body gathered in the small gym to dance the are lots of fun and you can collect your hours! night away! This year, the theme was BLACKOUT, Here’s a tip: Make sure to get your hours early. and those that wore white glowed in the dark! Once you get busy with school, you’ll keep pushing Before entering, students had the chance to grab glow sticks and apply face paint of various colours opportunities away and it’ll most likely be too late to spice things up. With music provided by a by the time you’ll want to start! Some amazing brilliant DJ, students had the chance to have a great opportunities are with L.E.A.F and parent teacher time with their friends while sneaking in a workout. interview night! You can also ask your teachers if they need any help after classes to gain volunteer

hours!

For after school opportunities, try signing up for clubs like Free the Children, H.O.S.A, R.A.C.E/ Red Cross, Book Club, J.S.U, and many more! For only $12 per person, Langstaff's annual These help take up free time and give you the beginning of the year dances are a must-go, chance to meet new people and have a great time! regardless of your grade. Shout out to all those that Also, if you are interested in drama, fall plays and attended and kudos to Samara Bengall and Rachel spring plays are some of the best experiences you Booth, who planned the event! will have during your high school years! Make sure to audition when they start to get involved! Ask Adriana Don’t stress: everyone starts somewhere. Once you start volunteering, you’ll never want to stop because of the amazing experiences and the many skills you’ll learn! Good luck!

Q: Hi Adri! I am so scared! I have a heavy workload but I want to Are you curious about something but too shy to spend time with friends and live my teenage years ask? Don’t sweat it! Send your questions to Adriana without missing out on anything. What would you and she’ll make sure to get back to you as soon as suggest I do to balance these two important things? possible. Your questions are all anonymous, so there’s no need to worry! Thanks, Anonymous

A: Hi, Anon! body. Also, in the long run, it can help No need to fear. Start off with taking a deep breath. prevent disease, so Scaring yourself over something that can easily be drink as much of it as balanced is unnecessary! First off, start by making a you can! If you find schedule of all the work that needs to be done that regular water boring, day or week. An agenda is one of my necessities for you could add some wedges of your favourite citrus school! When you have spare time, do extra work fruit, cucumber slices, or even some crushed fresh because when it comes to the night before the mint leaves to spice up your drink. It adds flavour assignment or test, you’ll be thankful that you don’t naturally and helps your immune system, so drink have to stay up and cram. Procrastination is NOT up! the key!

Making sure that you have enough time to study and Step 2: Exfoliate have a social life is very important. Give yourself Two of the worst breaks every now and then and treat yourself to symptoms of something you enjoy. Another amazing way to dehydration are dry balance your social and school lives is by making flaky skin and study groups with friends. With this method, you’ll chapped lips, usually be in each other’s presence and get work done! brought on by the There are many effective ways to balance these two cold, dry air of the fall months. One of the best important factors, and it all depends on how you weapons to battle this is by using an exfoliator on approach it. Try out different methods and you’ll your skin. There are many exfoliators on the eventually get a feel for what is most effective for market, but here’s one you can make that’s you. I hope some of my methods help! chemical and cost-free, with ingredients you have at home! 2 D.I.Ys to Combat Stress Here’s how to make it: By: Julia Pivetta 1. Take one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon October is finally here! School is in full swing, of sugar; which means that there are tests, quizzes, and worst 2. Put both ingredients into a small bowl; of all, stress. During these tension-filled times, it can be difficult to properly take care of your body if 3. Mix with a spoon until you have a smooth paste. you don’t have the time to get the right amount of exercise and sleep. Stress can take a huge toll on How to apply: your body and mind, but have no fear! I'm here to Take a grape-sized amount of the paste and gently share two essential and effortless tips that will help rub it all over your face and lips, avoiding the eye keep your body and beautiful skin glowing! area. To remove, rinse your face and wash away any residue with cold water. Step 1: Hydrate Voila! You've created an all-natural face mask and Water is your best friend. Not only is your body gotten rid of the dead skin cells, leaving behind made up of 70% of it, but it also helps you lose smooth, beautiful skin, and it hasn’t cost you weight, expel toxins, and hydrate your skin and anything!

Speed, Distance, and Time School-caused stress can be tough to deal with, but with Julia's essential beauty tips, you'll have a healthier body and radiant beautiful skin. Stay gorgeous! Here is another common formula in both physics and mathematics. This formula will help you find Memorizing Formulas 101 speed (how fast an object is going), distance (how far an object is travelling), and time (how long it By: Chloe Anderson took for that object to travel).

Can’t get the hang of memorizing that quadratic To remember the formula, just use this sentence: formula by heart? It isn’t just history class that wants to test your memory! If you aren’t Cam Watch the speed of that dog running over to the Jansen, it’s probably difficult for you to memorize toy! numbers and formulas. To help you out, there are Area and Circumference of a Circle some memorable tricks to get those equations burned into your head, in time for your big test. Here are a few ideas to get you going. Once you get the main idea of these “cheats,” you can apply them These two formulas are used to find the area and to any formula, set of digits, or other information circumference (perimeter) of a circle. To refresh you need to memorize. your mind on the basics, the area is the amount of 2- D space inside the circle and the circumference is Density, Mass, and Volume the distance around the circle.

To remember these formulas, just use these

sentences:

A pie runs too! (area) See two pies run! (circumference) Although less common in high school mathematics, this The Digits of Pi formula will sometimes pop up during a physics or chemistry This most likely isn’t a requirement for school, class. This formula measures however it may or may not help you in math if you mass (how much force an object is exerting), forget the digits of pi. This can also be a neat trick volume (how much space an object takes up), and you can use to impress your friends. The number for density (the quantity compacted into an object per pi ( ) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its unit volume). If you don’t care about that and just diameter. You can also apply this memory trick to want to know this formula, continue onwards. remembering phone numbers or any long list of numbers in general. This trick involves assigning a To remember the formula, just use this sentence: word to each number. The word should have the In Den City, the mountains are over the valleys. same number of letters as the number you have assigned it to. Just remember that the more numbers you have, the harder it is to think of sentences!

3. 1 4 1 5 Yay, I have a trick! 4. The “Lazy Night” Costume

3. 1 4 1 5 9 Just wear whatever you wear while Can I have a small sunflower? binge-watching Breaking Bad.

Last-Minute Costumes for

the Busy Student 5. Want to be a Banksy?

By: Sasha Pollak Throw on a black top, white bottoms, backward cap, bandana and a bouquet, and you’re a Banksy piece. Halloween is on its way and so is the end of October! Go out 6. Feeling crafty? Be a bag of Jelly Beans! with a bang with one of these bangin’ A clear trash bag (with holes for your arms and costumes. They’re legs) with some nutritional facts, filled up with super-easy and perfect colored balloons, and finished off with a bow. for your last minute costume, that we students love to throw together. But, who can blame us? These 7. Couple Costume Alert: Velma and Shaggy costumes require minimal effort so go on and take a look at what could be your 2014 Halloween For Velma, throw on an costume! uber-fashionable orange turtleneck with socks, a 1. 404 Error: Costume not found. red skirt and red shoes, with some black-rimmed Grab a Sharpie and go at it on a plain white tee and glasses. Shaggy just needs you get a clever costume with minimal effort! a baggy green shirt and brown pants to tie it all in. 2. 1-2-3 Smile You’re a Tourist! 8. Group costumes alert! Care Bears Add a fanny pack and bang! Literally any outfit you already have Make some coloured ears out can instantly become a tourist of felt or paper then wear costume. But, it doesn’t hurt to pull clothing that matches a out that Hawaiian floral or sun colour with a white belly block! (paper or felt) stuck on. Colour in your signature care 3. Wednesday Addams bear symbols with sharpies to finish the look off. Grab any of your black button-down shirts tucked into a black skirt. Add double braids, put on a scowl, and you could practically be part of the family.

of the LSS student body, this movie rules supreme Director of the Month: among Halloween movies and probably pulls at all those nostalgic strings this time of year. Tim Burton #2. The Nightmare Before Christmas By: Michelle Pollak

Tim Burton's instantly recognizable dark, gothic and unique style has earned him the prestigious title of the Bear Truth’s director of A Halloween movie you can watch at Christmas? the month. Brilliant. Written and produced by our Director of Burton, 56, is known for the Month, Tim Burton, this film without fail exhibits his unique styling and appreciation for his stylized films bringing characters like Edward Halloween. The film is set in a Halloween town that Scissor Hands, Jack Skellington, and Betelgeuse revolves around and is obsessed with the holiday. A (Beetlejuice) to life in his most iconic films. These beautiful work of claymation, this film is both films include Batman Returns, Charlie and the artistically beautiful and entertaining! Chocolate Factory, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and many more. #3. Beetlejuice With Halloween coming up, Burton is the perfect Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelge- Make sure not to director of the month with all of his movies say this crude ghost's name three times or your expressing a quirky, slightly creepy vibe, yet still Halloween may end up being a bit wilder than you always having a comedic aspect: perfect for had initially envisioned. This movie is equally dark, Halloween. Alongside an Emmy, Golden Globe, fantastical, and just downright funny. Instantly and countless other awards and nominations, he can recognizable as the unique styling of Tim Burton, now tuck The Bear Truth’s Director of the Month this movie is one with laughs and scares. award under his belt. #4. The Addams Family

October’s Movie Countdown These masters of the macabre are infinitely fascinating By: Michelle Pollak characters and not your regular family. Celebrating the Too old to go trick-or-treating? Then how about a dark and gloomy, this family Halloween movie marathon with your family or not only embodies the pure friends? This month we will be looking at six of our essence of Halloween, but they favourite and most iconic Halloween movies to get do it all year long. This family you in the spirit for this spooky season. is creepy, kooky, and altogether spooky! #1. Halloweentown

You're never too old for Halloweentown. If this #5. Hocus Pocus movie wasn't a part of your childhood Halloween, or every Halloween for that matter, you need to stop Three witches are resurrected on Halloween night and ask yourself, why not? It's never too late to get and on the hunt for children to eat. Does this flick into this creature and pumpkin filled flick. For most resurrect those feelings of nostalgia for you? 8

#6. Dracula A Letter from the Editors You know what’s even scarier than a man creeping into your bedroom in the dead of night and sinking his teeth into your neck? Someone who has never seen this mega classic! It’s the real OG (Original Gangster) of Halloween. We’ve all seen the costumes and heard the tale, but the movie is terribly good in all of its black and white goodness.

Scotland’s Independence Referendum Hello students of Langstaff!

Scotland's referendum for independence has been a Thank you so much for taking interest in The Bear big talking point internationally. The vote for Truth's first issue this year! We hope you loved Scotland's independence was held by the National reading it and are anticipating next month's issue. Party of Scotland, who won the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election. On the 18th of September Our goal for the paper this year is to create a 2014, voters across Scotland and the U.K. set out to bimonthly newspaper that not only highlights events polling booths to answer the YES or NO question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" The around the school, but provides articles that are Bear Truth decided to see what the students of helpful and fun to read for students like YOU! With Langstaff had to say and held our own voting poll your help, we can make this happen! Feel free to These were the results... drop by Room 149 after school on Mondays to listen in on a meeting to see what we're about. We will keep you updated on when they will take place Langstaff Voted: via email or the Langstaff's Student Body page on Facebook. There are tons of ways to participate, so 60% just ask either one of us on Facebook, in person, or Against through our email, [email protected]. Separation With your support and participation, we know we can make this the best year, yet! Everyone is 40% welcome to contribute. For more information about joining the newspaper club or to submit articles, Pro-separation please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Twitter @LSSBearTruth.

We would like to thank all the writers and editors To participate in our next poll, make sure to join the that contributed to this issue. Another special thank Langstaff Student Body Facebook group! Keep an you goes to our teacher advisor and editor, Mr. eye out for future polls and remember to vote! Link, for walking us through this first publication. We couldn’t have done this without any of you!

Jenny Chu and Sasha Pollak

The Bear Truth Chief Editors

Volleyball Intramural

Girls Basketball

Cross Country Team

Photos provided by: Shawn Ness, Parnian Tajbakhsh, and Ksenia Ioussoufovitch