Submitted by Brenda Brewer, Principal, and Breanna Heels, Vice-Principal
Well, here we are – when you read this, it will be the last day of school, and therefore, this is the last Report from the Principal’s Office for the 2021-22 school year.
It’s been another hard year, but we made it! Students and families should all be very proud for making it through yet another year that wasn’t entirely normal yet with a stint of remote learning and continued Covid protocols.
Just a few things that happened this year: Outers trips, lots of Bruce Trail hikes and a partnership with the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club, Drama Production of A Lighter Shade of Noir, Elephants Thoughts workshops, sports returned including Track and Field, soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, Envirothon (and placing 6th provincially!), OEC Trips, Festive Feast, Footprints Conference, beach and community clean-ups, partnership with Learning for a Sustainable Future and a pilot project as a Sustainable Future Schools, lots of end of year Class Trips (Celtic Camp, Sauble Beach, Wiarton Park, Cape Croker Park, Storybook Park), Prom, and of course our Grade 8 and Grade 12 Graduations!
When we look back on the year, there is so much that we have done! There is also so much to look forward to, and after a restful and relaxing summer, we look forward to welcoming everyone back for the 2022-23 school year!
National Indigenous Peoples Day
On June 21, BPDS students took time to recognize and honour National Indigenous Peoples Day. All K-12 students were invited to an Indigenous Peoples Day Gallery Walk, where they could browse through and learn more about Indigenous culture. Payton Lisk brought her regalia down to share and discuss with students and Ms. Rice brought in her drums to talk about drumming. There was also an opportunity to learn about the Seven Grandfather Teaching and throat-singing.
BPDS Students Share Ideas with Municipality about Tourism
The Travel and Tourism and World Cultures class had a visit from Councilor Megan Myles and CAO Peggy Van Mierlo-West to discuss possible future partnerships between BPDS students and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula. Students shared ideas about signage, accessibility, and beautification of our local community. Councilor Myles encouraged students to get involved and stressed that council wants to hear from local youth! Hopefully there can be continued opportunities for BPDS students to collaborate with the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula!
Ms. Peacock’s Grade 3/4 Class Partners with Peninsula
Bruce Trail Club
Throughout the school year, the Grade 3/4 class has partnered with the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club to learn about trail stewardship and develop an appreciation of our natural environment. We truly appreciate the work of Marg Glendon, Outreach Director with the PBTC. She coordinated amazing experiences this year!
• The 3/4 class participated in the Junior Trail Steward Program and completed trail inspections and site reports with Bob and Anita Cunningham.
• They learned about animal behaviours through the seasons with a visit from Madeline Sanagan.
• With the Grade 5/6 class, they learned about cave formations and fossils with a visit from geologist, Beth Gilhespy.
• With the Grade 2/3 class, they participated in a litter audit on the Bannister Hill and William’s Cave Side Trails. They picked up 24 cigarette butts and several bags of dog poop. If you’re hiking the trail, please take those items out with you when you’re done!
By returning to the same location throughout the year, they developed a sense of place and desire to protect these beautiful places.
Mr. Rodgers is Retiring
BPDS’ very own Mr. Rodgers is retiring – it is the end of an era, and the Math and Science departments at BPDS will greatly miss Mr. Rodgers! After 24 years of teaching at BPDS, you will likely find John farming, biking, continuing his work with the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association or looking at the stars! If you would like to come celebrate John’s retirement and wish him well, please join us on Sunday, July 3 at 8pm on the Observation Deck at the Lion’s Head Marina.
Administrator Update for 2022-23
Jodi Naves will be stepping in as the Vice-Principal for Bruce Peninsula District School and St. Edmunds Public School while Breanna Heels is on maternity leave for the 2022-23 school year. Many of you will already know Jodi as a secondary teacher at BPDS, and she has also stepped in as Vice-Principal before. We are really fortunate to have Jodi take on this role next year because she already knows the students and is part of BPDS! Brenda Brewer will continue as Principal, so we will be in good hands with Brenda and Jodi!
Grade 3/4s visited Cape Croker Park in Neyaashiinigmiing
Grade 3/4s visited Cape Croker Park in Neyaashiinigmiing. They began with a guided hike along the Bruce Trail to visit wetlands and learned about traditional medicines, such as balsam fir and jewelweed. After lunch, they searched for crayfish and found some carrying their roe. Jason Johnston taught them about fire making and they made sparks with chert and used flint and steel to set fire to a cotton tinder. The hike was supported through a portion of the Learning for a Sustainable Future grant.
If you don’t already follow our Facebook page, you can follow us at Bruce Peninsula DS to see all of the amazing things happening at the school. If you ever have questions or concerns, give us a call at (519) 793-3211 or by email: Brenda_Brewer@bwdsb.on.ca and Breanna_Heels@bwdsb.on.ca.
Have a wonderful summer and we will see you in September!
–Brenda and Breanna
