FEBRUARY 2021 GRANDE PRAIRIE COMPOSITE HIGH SCHOOL CONTACT US: 11202 - 104 ST. GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB T8V 2Z1 PHONE: 780-532-7721 FAX: 780-532-6036 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.GPPSD.AB.CA/SCHOOL/GPCOMPOSITE

School Update Hard to believe Semester 1 is behind us already! Reports Cards will be posted online through PowerSchool. We will not be mailing home paper copies. If you do not know your PowerSchool Parent Portal login information, please contact the school. Semester 1 text books and library books are to be returned now. Any books not returned will be billed to your student's account. If you have been charged for a lost book and then find it, we will remove the charge. If you paid for the lost book, we will refund you back the amount paid.

Statements for student accounts have been sent out. You can pay online through PowerSchool or payment can be made at the school.

Please continue to monitor your children for symptoms of COVID-19 using the Alberta Health Services Daily Checklist for Students available by clicking on this link. Important Dates Monday, February 1 - Semester 2 begins, Q3 begins Monday, February 15 - Family Day (school closed) Wednesday, February 24 - Pink Shirt Day Friday, February 26 - PL Day (no school for students) COMP School Wear March 3 - COMP Spirit Wear Day The COMP School Wear online store is open. Click here to shop! Store closes Feb. 5th. March 4 & 5 - Teacher's Convention (no school for students) Friday, March 19 - Day in Lieu (school closed) COMP Grad Wear is also available online. Click here to shop! Store Closes Feb.15th. Friday, March 26 - PL Day (no school for students) Friday, April 2 - Good Friday (school closed) April 5 - 9 - Spring Break (school closed) Cafeteria Monday, April 12 - Classes resume Click here to view this week's menu. Monday, April 19 - Q4 begins Friday, April 23 - PL Day (no school for students) Monday, April 26 - Parent Teacher Interviews 4:00pm-8:00pm Tuesday, April 27 - Parent Teacher Interviews 4:00pm-8:00pm School Council Meetings Friday, May 7 - PL Day (no school for students) School Council meets the first Monday of every Monday, May 24 - Victoria Day (school closed) month from 6:00-8:00pm. At this time, meetings will be held virtually. All parents/guardians are Friday, June 4 - PL Day (no school for students) welcome to attend. A link to attend the virtual Thursday, June 17 - Last day of Semester 2 Classes meeting has been emailed out. Please check June 25 - Last day for students except those writing optional your inbox and junk folder. Diploma exams on June 26. Meeting Dates: Feb. 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7. LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TODAY AND FOLLOW ALL THE COMP NEWS! FOLLOW US ON IG @GPCOMPHIGH GRAD CORNER

Stay informed with up-to-date Grad information by visiting our GPCHS Grad page. Submitted ENGLISH DEPT. by Mr. Chiba Letter from Chibaland

Confidence is an interesting thing. In most contexts, confidence is seen as a positive thing. To be able to meet life’s challenges with confidence is a good feeling; it implies that we have the necessary tools and strategies to handle anything. As teachers, we want to help students attain a healthy level of confidence when it comes to their studies. There are times when confidence can be misplaced, however. These situations can be challenging. As in most things, the classic ‘90s sitcom provides a compelling example of how too much confidence can lead someone astray. In Season 8, Episode 4 (The Little Kicks), Elaine tries to inject life into a company function by dancing. Elaine confidently strides to the centre of the dance floor as the music kicks in, and proceeds to inadvertently make a spectacle of herself. She is so assured in her own dancing ability that she is not aware of how her co-workers see her. As a result of her own comical ineptitude, Elaine loses respect in the workplace. It is not until Kramer’s brutal honesty pierces Elaine’s delusional certainty about her dancing ability that Elaine is shaken from her complacency. Elaine turns to Jerry for reassurance, but Jerry tries to avoid the discomfort of being honest with his friend. Forced to reveal his true assessment, Jerry finally lets Elaine know what he’s known for the past five years: she is a terrible dancer. “But I really enjoy dancing.” This is the counter-argument Elaine musters, confusing enthusiasm for competence. As Jerry points out, Elaine’s personal enjoyment adds to the horror for her audience. Despite the direct testimony of two friends, as well as her recent issues in the workplace, Elaine refuses to accept her confidence is misplaced. Elaine’s ego is so invested in her own abilities that she rejects any evidence to the contrary, with disastrous consequences. Jerry’s role is one most teachers can identify with. We don’t want to be the bearers of bad news, because all too often it is the messenger who gets shot. If only someone had been honest with Elaine earlier, before things had degenerated to this point, Jerry would not have been placed in this awkward position. Jerry could have been honest with Elaine five years earlier, when Elaine’s cringe-worthy dancing first appeared, but he hoped that it would just go away. If he had been a true friend, Jerry would have said something at the time. But selfishness is a cardinal characteristic for Jerry, and the path of least resistance is always the most appealing for him. For parents, there are occasionally those moments when your child’s teacher provides you with information that runs counter to your own perceptions. Teachers are not like Kramer - we try to present the information within a larger context, along with any mitigating factors. It is natural to question this information, and every teacher will be happy to support their position with evidence. While it can be hard to take bad news, try to avoid lashing out, or dismissing the message, and look at the bigger picture. by raising the issue now, there is a better chance that it can be addressed. We don’t want anyone going out into the world unprepared for the judgment of others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5dogmMj-s0 Library Learning Commons LLC Reminder to return overdue items. Fines have been added to your account for any outstanding items. Fines will be removed from your account if they are returned.

To view fines for textbooks and library materials log into your library account.

HTTPS://DESTINY.GPPSD.AB.CA/ Submitted by INDIGENOUS STUDENTS Ms. Bouvier

Attention all Indigenous grade 12 Students!

The Indigenous Program is hosting a virtual University of Alberta presentation on February 2nd, during lunch hour in Room 103 by Student Services offices.

Ms. Bouvier requests that you please sign-up for the presentation, as lunch will be served and to make sure there is enough food for everyone.

If you have any questions regarding the U of A presentation and to sign-up, please see Ms. Bouvier in Room 109, by Student Services office.

UPCOMING YOUTH CONFERENCES

Edmonton’s Dream Catcher’s Virtual Youth Conference on March 9th – All day virtual event with a Round Dance in the evening. More information TBA.

Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Spirit Seekers Virtual Youth Conference on March 19th and 20th. Theme “Reimagine the Future”. More information TBA.

A-L