V S S A D M I N

Robert Principal

Fraser

Scott Administrator

Kelly

Mcleod Administrator

TRUSTEE

Joel Hertz

SCHOOL

COUNCIL

CHAIRS

Karen Vernon

Suzanne Jordan

Voice of the Vaughan Voyageurs T U E S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 4 T H , 2 0 1 2

Message from the Administration Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying

Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learn-

ing environment.

During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – November 18-24, 2012 – Ontario students,

school staff and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student

learning and well-being.

Bullying is defined as a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an in-

dividual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress

and/or harm to another person's body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a

context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.

The York Region District School Board has developed the following philosophy of bullying pre-

vention:

a. Bullying is a societal issue which has taken many years to evolve into its current

form. Changing the perceptions and the realities related to bullying behaviour is

a cultural shift which will take time to complete.

b. The effects of on-going bullying can be devastating to an individual. Support,

patience and understanding are required to convince the target that successful

resolution is possible and worth working toward.

c. Changing the relationship in which the target is involved from a negative one to a

positive one is a lengthy, difficult but most worthwhile process.

d. Bullying is an intentional behaviour that is capable of destroying the learning

environment for a student and therefore the student’s chances for successful

learning.

e. Success in reducing the frequency of bullying incidents comes from treating

bullying as a relationship problem that requires a relationship solution. ‘Name,

blame and shame’ has been proven internationally to be less effective in

reducing the frequency of bullying.

f. Success in reducing the frequency of bullying incidents comes from changing

bystanders/on-lookers into heroes/champions of bullying prevention.

g. Bullying prevention is an educational activity with social/emotional overlays as

opposed to being strictly a disciplinary tool.

h. Bullying prevention is an integral part of the school plan for continuous

improvement.

i. Bullying prevention is most successful when approached from a whole school

perspective.

j. Bullying prevention is not accomplished through isolated activities. It is

successfully dealt with as part of on-going and sustained awareness/educational

activities.

k. One size does not fit all. Our schools within the YRDSB are unique. Each

school must develop the preventative and intervention strategies that will bring

success to that school’s student population and their unique behavioural issues

l. Our knowledge of what constitutes successful bullying prevention is continuously

growing. As such, the links in this document reference material that is not static,

but that is being continuously developed and updated.

m. Bullying prevention is one means of supporting the development of a positive

climate for learning in our schools. Other York Region District School Board initiatives work

hand-in-hand providing the best possible learning and teaching environment for our students

and teachers.

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Upcoming Events December 2012

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Vaughan Secondary School

Here at Vaughan Secondary School we have established a student lead anti-bullying committee. This group of

dedicated students responds to incidents of bullying using restorative practices as a way to discuss and share

feelings amongst students and staff. Lead by trained staff these students and others have had the opportunity to

attend the following conferences to learn more about Ministry and Board initiatives: Stomping Out Stigma, The

Quest for Increased Student Achievement and Well-Being: Realizing Equitable, Inclusive and engaging schools

and Speak Out.

We understand for many speaking out about bullying is sometimes difficult however there are many resources

that are available to students and parents. We encourage everyone to stand up be heard and stomp out bully-

ing.

Recourses:

www.StopABully.ca

Safe@school website

www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

click on “Report It”

The following educational

partners have developed

extensive resources that

are in line with the

York Region philosophy

of a whole school approach

and a relationship focused

solution to bullying

C.A.Y.R.E

Canadian Safe Schools Network

The Canadian Public Health

Association

Child and Youth Friendly

Ottawa

Information and Privacy

Commissioner/ Ontario

Kids Help Phone

Ontario Ministry of Education

Ontario Teachers Federation

PREVNet

Red Cross RespectED

Roots of Empathy

York Region Community

and Health Services

York Regional Police

Respectively submitted by

Kelly McLeod

Administrator

Vaughan Secondary School

Updates From Guidance

December’s WSI ( Whole School Initiative) for Grade 12 Students will include a session on

“Mental Health Myths” presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association

The Lunch and Learn session this month for all students, will be on Apprenticeships, presented by

the Thornhill Employment Hub

A reminder that online College applications are due February 1, 2013 and University Applications

are due January 16, 2013, although we encourage students to apply over the break in Decem-

ber!! University students require a PIN number which must be picked up in Guidance.

Are you a Grade 12 Graduating student that can communicate in both official languages and would

like to be a House of Commons Page? Find out more information and access the online appli-

cation which is due December 20, 2012 @ www.parl.gc.ca/hocpage.

VSS Library Updates

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NEW READS AT OUR LIBRARY

White Pine Selection: Austen, Catherine. All good children. Castellucci, Cecil. First day on earth. Coakley, Lena. Witchlanders. Crewe, Megan. The way we fall. Mac, Carrie. The opposite of tidy: how do you come clean when your life is a mess? McDonald, Abby. Getting over Garrett Delaney. Ostlere, Cathy. Karma. Roberts, Jeyn. Dark inside. Ryan, Tom. Way to go. Walters, Eric and Teresa Toten. The taming. Orca Soundings Series: Choyce, Leslsy. Breaking point. Frizzell, Colin. Chill. Grant, Vicki. B negative.

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Vaughan Secondary School Grant, Vicki. Comeback. Mac, Carrie. Crush. Ross, Jeff. Coming clean. The Seven Series: Brouwer, Sigmund. Devil’s pass. McClintock, Norah. Close to the heel. Peacock, Shane. Last message. Scrimger, Richard. Ink me. Staunton, Ted. Jump cut. Walters, Eric. Between heaven and earth. Wilson, John. Lost cause. Fiction: Blount, Patty. Send: it only takes one click. Brahmachari, Sita. Jasmine skies. Budhos, Marina. Tell us we’re home. Coyote, Ivan E. One in every crowd. Diffenbaugh, Vanessa. The language of flowers. Genova, Lisa. Love Anthony. Gulledge, Laura Lee. Page by Paige. Hosseini, Khaled. The kite runner (graphic novel). Kagen, Lesley. Whistling in the dark. Kerbel, Deborah. Lure. LaFleur, Suzanne. Eight keys. Lester, Joan Steinau. Black, white, other: in search of Nina Armstrong. McClintock, Norah and Mike Deas. I, Witness. McClintock, Norah. Guilty. Myracle, Lauren. Shine. Noble, Elizabeth. When you were mine. Peterson, Lois. Disconnect. Richler, Nancy. Imposter bride. Ryan, Darlene. Pieces of me. Stampler, Ann Redisch. Where it began. Tolstoy, Leo. Anna Karenina. Walker, Karen Thompson. The age of miracles. Zevin, Gabrielle. All these things I’ve done.

Non-Fiction: Baker, Stuart. Climate change in temperate zones. Baker, Stuart. Climate change in the Antarctic. Baker, Stuart. Climate change in the Arctic. Baker, Stuart. Climate change in the tropics. Cain, Susan. Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. Covaleski, John. Hacking. DiPiazza, Francesca Davis. Friend me! 600 Years of networking in America. Earl, C. F. Black Eyed Peas. Earl, C. F. Jay-Z. Earl, C. F. Kanye West. Earl, C. F. Drake. Espejo, Roman (ed.). Social networking. Hasday, Judy L. Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. Jakab, Cheryl. Ecological footprints. Jakab, Cheryl. Environmental pollutants. Jakab, Cheryl. Global Issues: food supplies. Jakab, Cheryl. Protecting natural environments. Netzley, Patricia D. How does cell phone use impact teenagers? Rose, Simon. Tim Hortons. Rowell, Rebecca. YouTube: the company and its founders. Samuels, Charlie. Propaganda. Sapet, Kerrily. Google founders : Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Simons, Rae. You and the environment Smith, Chris and Marci McGrath. Twitter: Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams. Whiting, Jim. Identity theft.

DVD: The Pursuit of Happiness. Anne Kossowsky December 2012

P A G E 5 I S S U E I I I

Vaughan Secondary School

To live successfully in today's and tomorrow's world students need qualities that will help them under-stand and respond constructively to change. One of the most important of these qualities is the ability to apply existing skills and knowledge in new ways in order to meet the need and solve problems as they arise. What skills, knowledge, attitudes and values will a student need in the 22nd century? With the incredible advance in technology it makes it impossible for us to know what skills will be important in the future. Students are expected to be self-directed, self motivated, problem solvers

who work independently and in co-operation with others. Students learn by being actively involved in something that is meaningful and relevant. If they learn by doing we should provide hands-on learning experiences and assess the doing through per-formance assessment. In technological education the students will experience com-puter applications, open-ended problem solving, co-operative group work, individual work, self, peer and teacher evaluation. This course is an integrated course that will use as interdisciplinary links Mathematics, Science and Technology to help the stu-

dents see the connections between each as they are applied to everyday life. Gentlemen what say you? “This project was really fun and we learned ALOT from it. We learned all about different types of cars such as propeller car and how a car can travel at fast speeds using only such tools as propellers and gears. We also learned how to attach axles to wheels from watching. Although we did not finish the pro-ject on time it was an amazing experience and taught us that we can’t take everything lightly. Overall this project was a valuable experience and I would want to do it again or something similar in the future.” “To me, the entire assignment was a learning experience. I made mistake along the way but I was able to fix the problem to get my car to work.” “I learned many things from this project about designing and building a car and how it doesn’t matter how complicated your design is its about how effective your design is. Overall I was very happy with my car and the entire Zoom-Zoom project.” “ Over all the project was very fun, passing the paper work we learned many things from how a battery works to connecting the battery and the propeller, the project was really fun and we hope to do it again.” Don’t change that dial and stay tuned for next month and hear what the professional are saying about Technological Education!

COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING. KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS!

Tech KNOWLEDGE y – don’t leave home without it!

techKNOWLEDGEy

P A G E 6

Vaughan Secondary School

ESL Field Trip- Immigrant Youth Centre

On Tuesday October 23rd, 2012 the ESL students went to the Immigrant Youth Centre with Stefania Ventura, Pat Weismiller, and Bohdanna Bakay. They attended two workshops. The first workshop was on Conflict Resolu-tion. Then, the second workshop was on Pre-employment necessities. Students participated in activities to revise the learning during the workshops. They had a great pizza lunch and a fun game break!

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs These programs are rapidly expanding throughout the York Region District School

Board. We now have 28 of 31 secondary schools offering these valuable programs

and next year, we hope to see 30 of 31 schools running one or more SHSM programs.

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) allows students to specialize in a specific

economic sector (e.g. Health and Wellness, Business, Manufacturing, Arts & Culture,

etc) while fulfilling all requirements for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma

(OSSD). 100% of students in SHSM programs have had an enhanced educational

experience with contextualized learning, and additional experiential learning to enable

them to make more informed post-secondary destination decisions. Grade 7 & 8 stu-

dents and their families are encouraged to browse through the SHSM literature to in-

vestigate some programs that may be of interest to them.

Vaughan Secondary School is currently offering a Business SHSM Program and is

looking to introduce a new SHSM Program for 2013-2014.

Secondary schools will be sharing SHSM information at their Grade 8 Open Houses

for families.

To learn more about SHSM, please visit:

www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/shsm OR www.ontario.ca/shsm

I S S U E I I I

P A G E 7 I S S U E I I I

Vaughan Secondary School

SHSM Students in Action!

Vaughan’s Specialist High Skills Major Business students have been busy reaching

ahead and exploring the world of business! Many grade 11 and 12 SHSM students

have recently had the opportunity to network with professionals from CIBC and

Cadbury Canada. In addition, SHSM students attended the YMCA’s Glen Cedar

Outdoor Education centre where they participated in two certification training ses-

sions in Customer Service and Leadership Management. There are many more

opportunities yet to experience and certifications to earn. These experiential learn-

ing opportunities in the Business sector empower Vaughan’s SHSM students with

the information and insight needed when making post-secondary destination deci-

sions.

SHSM Student Voice:

Cadbury Canada: Experiential Learning

On November 20th, SHSM students (and Ms. Ellis’ Marketing class) attended a tour of the Cadbury

Chocolate Factory. During the duration of the tour we learned about the change in advertisement

throughout Cadbury's years of service. We also experienced first-hand the chocolate being packaged

which showed us how a large factory operates. The trip also informed us about the history of Cadbury's

business and how it grew from a small shop to a large company. We learned about the different compa-

nies that also connected and helped Cadbury throughout the years and how they are impacted by Cad-

bury now. The trip was a very worthwhile experience for SHSM students by giving us an inside-look on

how a large business is run and with teamwork and strong leadership skills, Cadbury is a very success-

ful business today.

- Rawiyya M., Grade 11

CIBC Financial Service and Career Planning: Reach Ahead Experience

The CIBC Seminar was an extremely valuable, SHSM reach ahead experience. Julia and Kimberley

from CIBC Human Resources Development provided the students with great information about career

planning, and job opportunities within the financial services sector. They included information on uni-

versities, such as which to choose and why, and some information on what companies such as CIBC

look for when hiring for a job position.

-David G., Grade 11

Customer Service and Leadership Management Training: Certifications Participating in the customer service and leadership workshops at the Cedar Glenn Outdoor Center

was an overall success and great time. The day was packed with team building activities, informative

sessions and a delicious lunch to keep us energized! I'm so thankful to have been given the opportunity

to be a part of this experience and will definitely use the information that I have learned today in the

future.

-Ksenia M., Grade 11

For more information on the SHSM Business Program, please feel free to contact:

Ms. Alati, Special High Skills Major Coordinator at ext. 345

P A G E 8 I S S U E I I I

Vaughan Secondary School Our Trip to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory

On Tuesday November 20th, the Grade 11 Introduction to Marketing students in-

cluding 12 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Business students visited the Cad-

bury Museum and Tour Centre on Gladstone Avenue in Toronto. Our

students were exposed to the variety of career opportunities available

in the confectionary industry and the ingenious marketing strategies

that keep this company growing and diversifying for over 100 years!

The students, Ms. Alati and I, dressed in hairnets and gowns,

toured the Chocolate Factory where we were able to witness the

Cadbury Chocolate Mini Eggs being packaged using robotic hands.

Long gone is the famous Chocolate scene from the 1950’s television

series, I Love Lucy.

The students were able to see, touch and taste some of the

ingredients used in the processing of the famous Dairy Milk bar.

The museum room was fascinating to me, as I recall many of the

products that I enjoyed as a child, including the Rosettes, which were

25 cents back then!

Our last stop provided us with the opportunity to purchase Cadbury chocolates in

the Factory store at great prices.

Thank you Cadbury for the Caramilk and Wunderbar Chocolate Bars generously

distributed to the students and teachers who attended the tour.

Maureen Ellis, Business Teacher

Monday, December 3rd, Mrs Barrett’s class held a silent auction in the atrium from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. They auc-

tioned off 7 Holiday Spirit Creations by Room 227. Planters were awarded to the highest bidder at the end of the

day. Proceeds from this auction will go towards the students Holiday party. We thank you all in advance for your

continued support of our students.

P A G E 9 I S S U E I I I

Vaughan Secondary School

Halloween Harvest The week of Halloween, the World Issues Club organized Halloween Harvest, a massive food drive benefiting the Vaughan Food Bank. Between October 27th and November 2nd, students were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to their homeroom classes, with the chal-lenge of collecting more items than any other class in the school. The week was kicked off with a large heart made of food cans set up in the atrium, to send out the word about the food drive. The display, as well as the competitive aspect of the event, worked their magic, and the drive was extraordinarily successful. Vaughan succeeded in collecting over 1000 food cans, sur-passing our goals and expectations. Great job, Vaughan!

Piggy Pennies Throughout the first two weeks of November, the World Issues Club hosted “Piggy Pennies”, a penny rive benefiting We Create Change, a Free the Children initiative. All proceeds from the fundraiser contributed to Clean Water projects, and through this initiative, 2500 pennies (or $25.00) is enough to provide clean water for one person for one year. To run this fundraiser, WIC set up seven piggy banks in the cafetorium throughout all three lunches every day. Each piggy bank had its own personality, and students had the option of “voting” for their favourite piggy by donating their pennies. There was Guss, the pig-venturer; Cole, the environmentalist; Cocoa, the ballerina; Chopsitcks, the flyer; Babe, the calm pig-gy; Pigachu, the electrifying piggy-mon; and Humphrey, the aristocrat. Students were very ex-cited to see how their favourite piggy is progress-ing, and in the end, it was Pigachu who gathered the most pennies. However, the real winners of this event were those in need of clean water. We managed to collect over 20 000 pennies for the cause, representing that eight people would have access to clean water for a year because of Vaughan’s generosity. Great job, Vaughan!

Updates From The World Issues Club

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Vaughan Secondary School

Updates From DECA Vaughan

Updates From The Students Activities Council

On November 22nd, Vaughan Student Activities Council hosted its first school dance of the year. This event was a huge success. The students enjoyed the Winter Wonderland theme and danced all through the night! Student Activities Council also set up a lounge area for students to relax, and enjoy their treats from the can-dy bar, their snow-cones and their chocolate dipped goodies from the white chocolate fountain! A huge thank you to Robison Show Services for donating fabulous decorations and making the dance look extravagant! Also a very heartfelt thank you to the administrators, teachers and custodians for supervising, and for supporting and assisting with the set up of the dance! Stay tuned for more exciting events in the near future!

DECA Vaughan has been hard at work in these past few months back at school! In September, after recruiting a great group of new members to be a part of the club, we jumped right into training for the regional compe-tition that took place in November. It is a pleasure working with every member of DECA Vaughan! The prepa-ration process was a learning experience for both the student executive team and the chapter members. On November 1st, DECA Vaughan participated in the regional competition, which consisted of an online testing. We are incredibly proud of our results this year! More than half of those competing qualified to move forward to the provincial competition, which will take place in February. On behalf of the entire executive team and our advisors, we would like to congratulate all competitors for their success in the regional testing and are ecstatic about the current training for the upcoming provincial competition! Furthermore, alongside the training in our weekly meetings, DECA Vaughan is also selling Krispy Kreme do-nuts to raise funds for the competitors who will be attending internationals in late April. The Krispy Kreme donuts will be delivered to students just before the winter break and make the perfect holiday treat! Please be sure to purchase your box of a dozen and show your support to our school! Thank you!

P A G E 1 1 I S S U E I I I

Vaughan Secondary School

Senior Boys Basketball

Vaughan Secondary School hosted the Senior Boys Basketball Tournament on November 29th to De-cember 1st. The team played very well and the bleachers were filled with supporting and enthusias-tic students! The Vaughan Voyageurs made it to semi-finals, then lost against Campion Secondary School. Keep up the good work boys, VSS is proud of you all!

I S S U E I I I P A G E 1 2

New Bike Racks

They are here at last!!

We are pleased to tell you that 5 new bike racks have been installed around the school. Please encour-

age your child to make use of them and to refrain from locking their bikes to poles and trees around the

school.

1401 Clark Avenue West

Thornhill, Ontario

L4J 7R4

Phone: 905-660-1397

Fax: 905-660-0318

E-mail: vaughan.ss@yrdsb.edu.on.ca

School Office Supervisor

Bethany Carruthers

Extension 323

Assistant Head Secretary

Responsible for the Student Management System

Mary Peard

Extension 352

Attendance Secretary

Rosemary Valentino

Extension 300

Guidance Secretary

Diane Jarvis

Extension 353

STAR Secretary

Domenica Pereira

Extension 320

Budget Secretary

Carly Styles

Extension 318

Vaughan Secondary School VSS Office Staff

mary.peard@yrdsb.edu.on.ca in

order to update our Student

Management System accordingly.

Please reference the student

name, your name, your relation-

ship to the student.

The “Voice of the Vaughan Voya-

geurs” is available via email and

our website. If you know of any-

one who is not receiving our

publication please have them

contact Mary Peard at

E-Bulletin Distribution List

For all school bus information and a daily “Late Bus Report”, visit www.schoolbuscity.com

For further information, visit our school website www.vaughan.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Student Transportation Services of York Region

The E-Bulletin is one of the ways our school maintains regular contact with parents, the community

and other educators. If you have information that you would like to share such as sporting events,

community news, awards, or any other information you feel appropriate, please forward your

submissions for consideration to Bethany Carruthers at bethany.carruthers@yrdsb.edu.on.ca by the

15th of every month.

E-Bulletin

Submissions

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