OHS Group vis i t s the Capita ls of ScandinaviaOHS Group vis i t s the Capita ls of ScandinaviaOHS Group vis i t s the Capita ls of Scandinavia

M A Y 2 0 1 6

Olds High School

Did you know that Olds High

School:

Is consistently at or above provin-cial average in diploma & achievement exams with a 96.1% acceptable rate for diploma exams and an 90.6% acceptable rate for achievement exams.

Is consistently above the provin-cial average for students complet-ing grade 12 with an 92.2% completion rate.

Runs 36 different clubs or teams to enhance life outside of the classroom—these include athlet-ics, fine arts, & global awareness.

Offers a wide range of comple-mentary courses for students to choose from.

Has a strong affiliation with the community to offer RAP and Green Certificates.

Is recognized as an International UNESCO School for the work done in creating a culture of peace & non-violence.

Is affiliated with Olds College to offer programs not available in traditional high schools.

Was the host of the 2015 Provin-cial Leadership Conference.

Above provincial average in students qualifying for the Rutherford Scholarship with a 69.7 % eligibility rate.

Awarded over $112,000 in scholarships in the 2014-2015 school year.

Is a provincial leader in high school redesign.

One of three schools in Canada participating in NORCAN, a math education study with Canada and Norway.

May 2016

On April 15, 33 travellers left OHS to visit the Capitals of Scandinavia. In Copenhagen, Denmark travellers

enjoyed the city sights on a guided bicycle tour engaging in the preferred mode of transportation for cityfolk.

After an overnight ferry trip, travellers arrived in Oslo, Norway and spent two days visiting tourist spots such

as Vigeland Sculpture Park (Gustav Vigeland was the creator of the Noble Peace Prize medal), Viking Ship

Museum, Holmenkollbakkem, Oslo's famous ski jump and a hike along the Akerselva River. The next stop was

Stockholm, Sweden and visits to Granby, the most important Viking settlement around 400AD, Sigtuna, Vasa

Museum, Archipelago and Old Town. We boarded another overnight ferry and concluded our trip in Helsinki,

Finland. Despite the blistering cold wind we ventured to the Fortress of Suomenlinna, an 18th century royal

residence, the Finish Museum of Natural History and enjoyed a Finnish supper (that we prepared as a group) at

Perhon Panimo Helsinki, the Helsinki Cooking School. After ten days, 4 countries, 4 languages, 4

currencies, 3 hotels, 1 hostel, 2 overnight cruise ships, 2 ferries, subway, bus and train pub-

lic transit, with an average of 20000+ steps per day the group arrived safe and sound in Olds

on April 15 with lifetime memories!

A Message from the Superinten-dent

Everyone in Chinook’s Edge works extremely hard to main-tain the high standards of safety that has allowed our division to achieve COR (Certificate of Recognition) status for the last four years. Chinook’s Edge is one of a small handful of school divisions which has achieved COR status in Alberta, and we are recognized as a provincial leader in ensuring high expecta-tions for safety in all of our schools and departments.

This diligent attention to safety is practiced in every classroom, at every building and on every school ground in our division. Our staff members maintain a strictly itemized safety protocol, and each step plays an important part of this overall priority in Chinook’s Edge. We are pursu-

ing optimum safety because we care about the people in our facilities – our students, staff, parents, volunteers and guests – and this priority ensures every-one continues to thrive in our safe and caring schools.

Kurt Sacher Superintendent of Schools

Ensur ing the Highest Levels of SafetyEnsur ing the Highest Levels of SafetyEnsur ing the Highest Levels of Safety

PAGE 2

OLDS HIGH SCHOOL

Mission

Chinook’s Edge School Division will engage every student

in meaningful learning by challenging, encouraging

and believing in them.

Vision

Chinook’s Edge School Division will be universally recognized

as a collaborative learning community where learning is

personalized for all students to achieve success as

compassionate and innovative global citizens.

The Chinook’s Edge

Superintendency Team:

(accessible by calling Divi-

sion Office at 403-227-7070

or toll free 1-800-561-9229):

Kurt Sacher (Superintendent of Schools)

Wanda Christensen (Associate Superintendent of

Student Services)

Dr. Lissa Steele (Associate

Superintendent of Learning

Services)

Ray Hoppins (Associate

Superintendent of People

Services)

Shawn Russell (Associate

Superintendent of Corporate

Services)

Allan Tarnoczi (Associate

Superintendent of Corporate

Services)

Karyn Barber (Associate

Superintendent of System

Services)

As we enter the month of May there are some major things to be aware of. Over the next few weeks online registration for the 2016-2017 school year will take place and we will start to run schedules for next year through the computer. It is important that students sub-mit their requests to ensure that they have a better chance of securing the courses they need. Congratulations to Jansie Nel on being named the 2016 OHS valedictorian. Jansie has an average of 97% and we are proud of her academic accom-plishments. Congratulations also to Angie Dezall for being selected as an ‘Excellence in

Teaching’ semi-finalist. She will receive a special profes-sional development grant of $1500. Graduation will be held on Friday, May 27, 2016 and Saturday, May 28, 2016. The two events open to the public are the Cap and Gown Cere-mony on Friday night at 7 pm and the Program on Saturday at 7:30 pm. Graduation will be held in the gymnasium. Thanks for all of the support you provide.

Tom Christensen Principal

Vice Chair. I also want to say thank you to Deborah Wheeler for the support and reminders from the School Office to get the minutes and agendas posted and these newsletter submissions in on time! Doug, Gayleen, Kent and Tom - OHS is fortunate to have you. Our May meeting is my last meeting as Chairperson, and as such we are needing parents to come forward to fill the role of chairperson and, po-tentially, other executive roles with School Council. A few responsibilities of the chair-

As the school year draws to a close and students are looking forward to their futures, whether the next grade or graduation, I am looking back at the years I have been part of the Olds High School Coun-cil. I want to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to those that came before me and those that have supported me as Chairperson these last two years. Deb Unger for your minute taking, Char Dagg for stepping in when Deb could-n’t be there and Lana Cissell, who has been invaluable as

person are: to act as a parent advisor to the Principal, draw up the meeting agenda, direct the meetings and send in newsletter submissions. Olds High School Council does not fundraise; there is no treasur-er. We would love to see the parents of our Grade 9 and 10 students come out to support School Council – our next meeting is May 30, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Colleen Sturrock OHS Council Chairperson

A Message from Our Pr inc ipalA Message from Our Pr inc ipalA Message from Our Pr inc ipal

School CouncilSchool CouncilSchool Council

PAGE 3

MAY 2016

CONGRATULATIONS Mrs. Dezal lCONGRATULATIONS Mrs. Dezal lCONGRATULATIONS Mrs. Dezal l

PAGE 4

MAY 2016

Mrs. Dezall is a semi-finalist in the Alberta Education ‘Excellence in Teaching Awards’. She is

one of 30 teachers from across Alberta who have been named to the semi-finalist list. Mrs. Dezall,

along with the other recipients, will be honoured at an Alberta Education awards presentation in

June.

Learn Spanish in the beautiful Ma-

yan Riviera! The Olds Community

Spanish Club is accepting applications for

the November 2016 program. This is

a Spanish language and culture

trip in which participants will study

at our partner school Instituto Tepeyac

Campus Xcaret in Playa del Car-

men, homestay with a Mexican

family and explore some of the

many beautiful attractions in the

Mayan Riviera. Students have the

opportunity to earn credits for

Spanish 20. Community mem-

bers are also welcome. Con-

tact mhillier@cesd73.ca or btoew

s@cesd73.ca for more infor-

mation.

May is Fa ir Trade month!May is Fa ir Trade month!May is Fa ir Trade month!

PAGE 5

MAY 2016

May is Fair Trade month! To celebrate, the OHS Fair Trade Committee will be selling banana splits for $1 on May 11. We will also be serving Fair Trade coffee throughout the day. Please come celebrate with us by purchasing your Fair Trade banana split and enjoying a free coffee.

You can also join us on May 13 as we participate in the Word Fair Trade Chal-lenge by keeping track of how much Fair Trade coffee you drink. Check out www.fairtradechallenge.org for more details.

Olds High School Interact Club Fundraising Banquet

The 6th Annual Olds High School Interact banquet was held on March 10 and was again a huge success and your kind donation helped make it possible. With your help, OHS Interact students were able to raise just over $4500 toward their causes.

Our goal this year is to begin a four year commitment to a young woman in Malawi, Africa. We will sponsor a girl who is beginning her first form at the Atsikana Pa Ulendo School for Girls. We hope to be able to fundraise annually and support her as she progresses through to the end of her high school program. We are looking toward developing more communication and connections between this student and

our students at OHS. It will be an interesting and exciting journey for both our students and the students in Malawi.

Our second fundraising goal is to begin annual contributions to the GOWNS FOR GRADS program. This program will see new or gently used grad gowns available to grads at a significantly reduced rate. Funds raised from the sale of the gowns will also be used to subsidize costs of formal wear rental for male graduates who would benefit from some assistance.

Since its inception, the OHS Interact club have benefitted from the continued support and guidance of the Olds Rotary club. Each year, Olds Rotary have sponsored up to 6 students to attend leadership camps and each year they work hard to support the Interact student initiatives. One very exciting possibility that has opened for us through this relationship has been that the Rotarians generously offered to match our fundrais-ing dollars for the Malawi project. Students have been excited to see that, with community collaboration, we may be able to see our fundraising grow up to ten times! We have partnered with the Olds Rotary Cub who in turn are working with a Calgary West Rotary Club and the final donated amount will be taken toward the district level to be used in an application for 3:1 grant dollars. Basically, this means that our donation of $4500 has the potential to lead toward a much more sizable donation.

It has been excellent for the students to see the value of community partnerships and working together. The very generous donations from both individuals and local business of raffle table items, bake sale items and the support of the Rotarians have reaffirmed what a great community we are working and living in.

Thank you again for helping our club and being a part of this wonderful community we live in.

CLC Lear ning Commons NewsCLC Lear ning Commons NewsCLC Lear ning Commons News

PAGE 6

MAY 2016

Parent Contact

If you are interested in being part of the OHS Parent Contact List which will include emails from Mrs. Statchuk regarding scholarships, post secondary opportunities for your son/daughter, helpful websites, career planning, and other rele-vant information email Mrs. S t a t c h u k a t l s t a t c h -uk@cesd73.ca

Green Certificate Induc-tion Meeting

Any student interested in regis-tering for green certificate must attend the induction meeting with their parent and trainer (if the trainer is someone other than the student’s parent) in early June. If you are interested in attending please email Mrs. T s c h oumy a t c t s c h ou-my@cesd73.ca.

Gordon Mitchell Memorial Sports Bursary

This award is to encourage youth whose growth and poten-tial would benefit from partici-pating in an organized sport development camp. Two awards of $250 each will be given to an Olds High student. Any interested students can pick up an application form from Mrs. Statchuk or check the school website. Deadline is June 3.

Encounters for Young Ca-nadians

Spend a week with Encounters with Canada - Canada's largest youth forum! Every week of

the school year, 120 or more teens from across Canada (ages 14-17) come to Ottawa, where they discover their country through each other, learn about Canadian institutions, meet famous and accomplished Cana-dians, and explore exciting career options. Each week will focus on a different theme. Interested students must see Mr. Christensen as soon as pos-sible if you are interested in attending in 2016-2017 as spots are limited. For more infor-m a t i o n v i s i t h t t p : / /w w w . e n c o u n t e r s -r e n c o n t r e s . c a / e n /o u r _ y o u t h _ p r o g r a m /index.html.

Scholarship Update

Reminder to grade 12 students to apply for the following local scholarships:

Woodrow Judkins Scholar-ship deadline is Mon-day, June 15, 3:30 pm to Mrs. Statchuk (you must apply this year even if you are not attending post second-ary in the fall)

Chinook's Edge Alberta Teachers Association Local #17 Scholar-ship

(6 different scholar-ships: for students whose parent(s) are teachers in CESD; students attending university; and stu-dents attending col-lege, fine arts, trades and technical schools) due September 15

Murray and Inga Owens

Scholarship for stu-dents pursuing study in nursing, occupa-tional or speech thera-py, EMT, CT, MRI, ultrasound or radiolo-gy. See Mrs. Statchuk for application forms.

AON Consulting (for members of the Al-berta Federated Gas-Cooperatives) due August 30

Application forms are available on the Scholarship Directory on the school website.

Within the next month, grade 10-12 students will be required to complete an OHS Awards Application Form to be eligible for the awards at the school Awards Ceremony in Septem-ber. The information sheet will be posted on the school website in mid-May as we have a few new scholarships to confirm. Check your email as there are scholarship opportunities sent on a continuous basis.

Student Ser v ices ScoopStudent Ser v ices ScoopStudent Ser v ices Scoop

PAGE 7

MAY 2016

Important Dates to Remember

May 6 — no school for students

May 11 — Fair Trade Banana Split Day

May 20 — PD Day — no school for students

May 23 — Victoria Day — no school

May 27/28 — OHS Graduation

Olds High School PO Box 3709

4500 50 Street, Ralph Klein Centre

Olds, AB T4H 1P5

Phone: 403-556-3391

Fax: 403-556-3375

E-mail: olds.high@chinooksedge.ab.ca

www.oldshigh.ca

www.chinooksedge.ab.ca