Submitted by Emily Cameron
The fact that February 2024 was a leap year suited Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) just fine because we leapt into all sorts of activities the past few weeks.
February 28 was Pink Shirt Day, and staff and students threw on their various shades of pink to show their support of anti-bullying initiatives. In fact, Elementary students have been focused on UN Goals related to inclusion by exploring how to reduce inequalities. They created a kindness board on which students can take or leave a kindness note to brighten someone’s day. For Valentine’s Day, Elementary students created a display filled with hearts and kind messages.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, Secondary students also got in on the theme of spreading kindness by selling candygrams at lunch. Staff and students could purchase a small envelope of treats and write a kind note to the receiver. Candygrams were delivered at the end of the day by members of the Student Council, along with a complementary cup of hot chocolate. There was also a friendly staff vs student volleyball game at lunch for grades 6-12 – which was a lot of fun!
There have been so many extracurricular activities, it has been hard to keep track of them all – but let’s try! On February 22, James Wheeler participated in OFSAA skiing and placed 11 out of 121 skiers. Way to go James! On February 7, several secondary students attended an ‘After Graduation’ event at Georgian College with Mrs. E Cameron where they got to tour the college and learn about some of Georgian’s state-of-the-art programming. There was an Elementary Winter Carnival held on March 1, and on March 3 the Elementary Choir sang ‘Oh Canada’ at the Lion’s Head Skating Club’s year end Showcase. Secondary Outers went to Winter Camp at the OEC from February 21-23 and the weather was fantastic! The secondary gym class went Curling on March 5 and would like to give a big shout out to the Lion’s Head Curling Club for volunteering their time and expertise. On March 6, we held our first annual Pawprints Festival at which students in grades 7-12 could try out a variety of skill-based activities and learn about different careers including trades, policing, theatre, textiles, art, and fitness. We would like to thank Kiem Barnes, Constable Belanger and Constable Linthorne, Michelle Mink, and BWDSB and the Grey Bruce OYAP Trades Trailer for running sessions. Both Students’ Councils participated in March Madness dress up days leading up to the March break including Matching Monday, Tropical Tuesday and Western Wednesday. We wrapped it all up with the Crepe Breakfast Fundraiser for the Secondary 2025 Europe trip and Elementary skating. We sure have been busy!
and learn about different careers including trades, policing, theatre, textiles, art, and fitness.
On March 5, students participated in the annual Legion Public Speaking competition. There were so many great topics. Thank you to Kim White and Legion members, as well as our judges.
The following students placed:
Primary:
1st – Carmen Lyle
2nd – Kellie Thomson
3rd – Cora Stewart and Tucker Tackaberry
Junior:
1st – Mabel Cameron
2nd – Trent Lyle
3rd – Owen Cameron
Intermediate:
1st – Veer Choudray
2nd – Scarlet Whittaker
3rd – Kaylin McAfee
1st place winners are off to the next competition March 23 in Owen Sound.
In athletics, Elementary boys and girls Basketball teams have started practicing. BPDS will be hosting the North Bluewater Girl’s Tournament in the coming weeks. Both Elementary and Secondary Badminton have started up and the gym is a busy place these days.
We have over 40 Secondary Co-op students this semester completing a variety of work placements in fields such as construction, welding, culinary, education, and administration. We are thankful to all local businesses who lend their time to our students and provide opportunities to learn valuable skills. THANK YOU!
Play rehearsals are well underway! Mark your calendars for Heist Quest for the weekend of April 18-21. More information about this hilarious comedy and ticket sales will be published in the next BPDS submission for the Bruce Peninsula Press.
Other upcoming dates/events include:
• March 18 – Elmira Chicken orders are due (to support the grade 7/8 Ottawa Trip)
• March 21 – Special presentation and wilderness workshop hosted by Wyatt Black who was the second-place contestant on this year’s season of the tv show Alone.
• March 21 – Let is Sow orders are due (to support the 2025 Europe Trip)
• Friday March 22 – Secondary Interim Reports will go home
• March 26 and 27 – Secondary Outer’s First Aid Training
• March 27 – Secondary Parent Teacher Interviews PM
• March 29 and April 1 – Easter Weekend (no school on either of these 2 days)
Please continue to check the school’s Facebook Page for more updates and pictures.
