Birch Cliff Bulletin

April 2012

Fit For Life Fun Run

We are hosting the first-ever TDSB Fit for Life Fun Run to celebrate a year of health and physical activity.

Students, staff and our community are invited to join us, lace up their sneakers and celebrate healthy active living.

Healthy students are better able to learn so the Run is also raising funds for nutrition programs across the Board to help give students a healthy start to the day.

Take a look at our one-stop toolkit for you to help promote the Run to your students, staff and community.

And visit www.tdsb.on.ca/funrun for more general information and to register.

April 11th International day against bullying and discrimination.

Wear something Pink to school that day. Birch Cliff Bulletin April 2012 Page 2

Key Dates

April 10th- Back from Easter April 11th-Parent Council Meeting-6:30 pm April 16th- TPH- HepB and HPV Vaccinations April 20th -Danceathon April 27th –Talent Show -1:00 pm May 9th-Birch Cliff’s Track Day June 26th-Grade 8 Graduation

Sports at Birch Cliff

Senior Girls Volleyball

The girl’s volleyball team enjoyed another strong season. They won all of their games during their league play. The girls showed up early every morning prepared to practice and improved on their skills and team play. There hard work and perseverance paid off and they went into the playoffs undefeated. Hoping to repeat last years city win the final game was a very close match with the girls falling just short and finishing second bringing a finalist banner back to Birch Cliff. Team players include – Jessica, Evaline, Sarah, Maya, Natalie, Taylor, Natalie P., Jemma, Heather, Britney, Maddy. Congratulations girls on your good season!

Senior Boys Hockey

The Senior boy’s hockey team had a good season. They were in a tough division with some grade 7-8 middle schools. They went 3-2 during the season and managed to make it the finals against Joseph Howe. They faced some tough competition during the final game and lost to Joseph Howe. They still brought back a banner to add to the gym. We had a good season and congratulations to Ryan, Nick, Aidan, Jaan, Warren, Jack, Griffin, Bailey, Ryan P, Drew, Zack, Scott, Jack G. Bennett, Lanny.

Senior Co-Ed Volleyball

The Co-ed Volleyball team pulled off an amazing win at North Beach Indoor Beach facilities after March Break. We had a fantastic day not loosing one game in the whole tournament. It was another Championship for Birch Cliff. We played some amazing defense; we made some good and smart plays during our games and an overall good performance the whole day. Shout outs to our MVP Elijah and Ryan, Efaz, Aidan, Eye, Jack, Taylor, Jessica, Natalie and Natalie who all gave MVP performances that day.

Miss Secher Birch Cliff Bulletin April 2012 Page 3

Co-operation April Character Trait

Co-operation is demonstrated when people work together to achieve a common purpose or act together for mutual benefit. At Mason, we work together to make our school the best it can be. How do we foster cooperation?

1.Choose the Positive Good relationships are based on handling problems in a positive way. Avoid creating adversarial relationships or alienating others. 2.Be a Diplomat Negotiating, giving feedback, sharing news and making decisions require good timing and common sense. Be mindful of the whole picture and make your point’s at the most appropriate time. 3 Find Common Ground Shared goals, similar challenges or areas of agreement are great starting points to accomplish work and build relationships. 4 Keep Cool Can you handle unfair attacks with poise? Are you steady when tension is high? Keep cool; avoid defensiveness or counterattacks. 5 Avoid Isolation Don’t limit your associations and relationships. Learn to relate to all kinds of individuals tactfully. 6 Expand Your View Strive to understand others’ views and needs. 7 Listen Active listening is essential. 8 Share Information Keep people informed. 9 Involve Others Share ideas and information. Involve others. Gain their commitment before implementing changes. 10 Be Realistic Every decision has conflicting interests. You can work through challenges from a position of cooperation, trust and respect.

Birch Cliff Bulletin Birch Cliff Bulletin April 2012 Page 4

GUIDANCE AND CAREER EDUCATION

This is the second part of a series on The Bully the Bullied and the Bystander. This month we will look at the “Bullied”

The Bullied

The person who is being bullied is essentially a “victim”. A victim is usually an innocent person who has done nothing to deserve the abuse. Victims should never keep the problem a secret. The only way to stop bullying is to “bring it out into the open”. Bullying is everyone’s business!

Victims must learn to be ASSERTIVE. They must let others know in a positive way how they feel or what they need. Bullies are not assertive: they are AGGRESSIVE. Being AGGRESSIVE is taking advantage of another person in negative ways.

Violence in TV shows, movies, video games, and music often leads young people to believe that bullying and aggression equal power and respect. It is important to remember that what is seen and heard on television is mostly make- believe.

Disclosure is the best defence against being bullied. Often, those being bullied are afraid to come forward. In these cases there may be signs that help others recognize when a person is being victimized.

These could include:  fear of going to school  change in sleeping/eating patterns  unusual aggressive or withdrawal type behaviour  decline in school performance

Creating an atmosphere of trust will help to keep the lines of communication open with children in your care.

Matt Johnston Guidance Counsellor (416) 396-6540 Ext. 20040 Get the latest information: http://blogs.abel.yorku.ca/mjohnston/ "Intelligence plus character - that is the true goal of education." Martin Luther King Jr. Birch Cliff Bulletin April 2012 Page 5

Home and School Council Highlights

Movie Night: Was a big success with over 100 in attendance! Families enjoyed either “Dolphin Tale” or “Curious George 2” and many brought sleeping bags and pillows to add to their comfort. This fun evening raised approximately $400.00 for the school. Thank you Trish Hayhurst and her team for organizing this great event. Maybe we have created a new tradition at Birch Cliff!

Birch Cliff Community BBQ: For the past few years, Birch Cliff Home and School Parent Council has hosted a community fair that is a great way for the families of Birch Cliff to get together and have fun while raising much needed funds for the school. This year, Parent Council has put their collective ideas together and come up with a theme that offers something for everyone..... Saturday June 9 th is the day to come together for the BIRCH CLIFF COMMUNITY BBQ!!!! Our theme is coming together to feed the community. Back by popular demand, the parade will be kicking off this event starting at 10:30am, Community BBQ runs from 11:00am until 3:00pm. More details to follow, but make sure you mark it on your calendar and tell a friend our year end events are so much fun and this year’s is shaping up to be our most successful yet! Over the next few weeks the council will be calling on parents to give of their time to volunteer at this wonderful community event. If one parent from every family contributed an hour or 2 to this event it will run more smoothly and enhance the fun for everyone. To volunteer please contact our volunteer coordinator Anita Hammer-Young [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your support!

Your Home and School Council’s next meeting will be held April 11th starting at 6:30 in the staff room. Babysitting is provided. Regards,

Alison McEvoy Your Home and School Parent Council Chair [email protected]

Folk Dancing is Underway! Spring has sprung and folk dancing has begun! Every Tuesday we have a very talented and dedicated group of students who come out to the gym to learn new dances, practice old ones and have a great time. We are working towards the big show – the Folk Dance Jamboree - which will be held on May 3rd at the Scarborough Civic Centre. More info regarding this must see event will follow. Don’t miss it!