The Ministry of Education is seeking to better understand the various factors which have led to an increase in demand for French Immersion programs across the province. If interested, please see link below to the survey.
Belmont Leadership is excited to announce that we will be hosting our annual Relay for Life fundraiser. Why is this so important? Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. We have a week of fun activities planned for the whole school – distanced and virtual of course!
To make this possible we need your help! Our goal is to help support the Canadian Cancer Society and fundraise to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Please use the link below to donate to the Belmont Relay for Life by the week of May 17 – 21, 2021. Our team name is “Belmont Secondary School” and any amount helps!!
PISE is pleased to assume operations of the Canadian Sport School from Canadian Sport Institute Pacific and applications are now open for the 2021/22 school year!
The Canadian Sport School program at PISE is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year! An important program delivered across the province of BC, Canadian Sport School provides athletic and academic support for high school students balancing both educational and high performance training demands. Canadian Sport School helps to alleviate the pressures experienced by young athletes and ensures that future Olympians, Paralympians, and National Team members have all the skills and resources needed to continue their development.
The school welcomes approximately 30 students each year from a variety of sport backgrounds and schools in the Greater Victoria area (School Districts #61, 62 and 63 all participate). The student athletes spend half of their day at their regular high school taking required academic courses, and half of their day with the Canadian Sport School at PISE.
With Spring Break in the rear view mirror, we set our sights on the “finish line” at the end of June as we do every year. This year, similar to 2020, has not been what our staff or parents had hoped for for our students, especially our grade 12s who would usually be looking forward to Prom and Commencement as the completion of their K to 12 journey. Our student and staff Grad Committee continues to meet to discuss what we can possibly do to celebrate this year’s graduates and our hope is that we can at the very least, offer a school based Commencement which we have scheduled for June 12 & 13. A reminder all grade 12s and their parents have access to our school’s Grad Google Classroom.
We are very proud of all of our students and staff for demonstrating the resilience, care, and compassion for each other as we navigated the recent COVID exposures which have affected many of the schools across the Island and Province. We realize the anxiety and stress these exposures, and the communication that follows can cause, however please know Belmont continues to be a safe place to learn and grow especially due to the efforts of our Custodial Team who disinfect and clean our school at least 2x a day.
Recently many families would have observed the Easter holiday and as Belmont continues to be a diverse and inclusive school community, I’d like to acknowledge our Muslim students and families who will be observing Ramadan beginning April 13 and to our Sikh students and families who will be observing Vaisakhi on April 13/14. We truly value the multicultural mosaic our school and community has become!
Mr. Lamond
New Elementary & Middle School Site in Westhills
This recent photo shows the progress of the new Pexsisen Elementary School and Center Mountain Lellum Middle School scheduled to be open in September 2022.
Culinary Students
We would like to share the wonderful work the culinary students have accomplished. Thanks to Chef Andrea & Chef Jamie for all their efforts in helping our students learn to create wonderful dishes. We’re hopeful we can get back to serving students in September!
Phyllo Pastry Cup Salad
Athletics
Track & Field
The Track and Field Season is going to start the week of April 20th. If any students are interested, please join Google Classroom code kgyfh5b for all the information and schedule of events this year. Please note that COVID protocols will be strictly followed to ensure a safe season. Track & Field will begin on Tuesday for students who have signed up and filled out the proper forms for practice and competitions. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Tiffany Evans tevans@sd62.bc.ca.
Belmont Golf Team
Any student interested in joining the Belmont golf team for the virtual challenge against other local schools, please send Mr. Lowe an email for more info. Klowe@sd62.bc.ca
Challenge is 9 holes at Highland Pacific and 9 holes at Cedar Hill in the month of May.
Drum-Making Project
Natasha Parrish, ABED teacher & Annilee Guy, Art teacher along with students from art and music classes participated in the Belmont Secondary drum-making project. The project encompasses both First Peoples’ principles of learning and the new B.C. curriculum outcomes for art and music. This long-awaited drum-making project at Belmont school is teaching students about various aspects of Coast Salish culture through music and art.
The attached article from Indiginews is written by Catherine Lafferty.
The Cosmetology 9 and Hairstyling 11/12 classes have been showing great potential with their braiding, updos, and haircutting skills. If you are interested in adding Hairstyling or Esthetics courses to your timetable, contact Ms. Rachael at rsandberg@sd62.bc.ca or check out our website https://belmont.web.sd62.bc.ca/programs/cosmetology/.
Outdoor Education
The Outdoor Education Belmont Students partnered with Shelby Newcombe and the Langford Parks and Recreation Department to clear invasive species on the hill in front of Belmont’s forest. The day long event was very successful and everyone involved learned why invasive species of Scotch Broom and Gorse are very problematic for the native species of our forest. Thanks so much to the Langford Parks and Recreation for lending us the necessary tools to make this day such a success. There was an article posted in the Goldstream Gazette over Spring Break at https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/langford-students-banish-broom-from-forest-at-belmont-secondary-school/.
Belmont Wear Updates
Belmont & Grad Wear have been distributed to students in their classes on Wednesday April 14th. Due to health and safety regulations, students can only receive their orders via their classroom teacher. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Grainger at tgrainger@sd62.bc.ca . Our volunteer team appreciates everyone’s patience with supplier delays and a longer delivery process to keep everyone healthy.
Belmont Grade 11’s (Class of 2022)
Grade 11 students, please check the “Belmont Grade 11s (Class of 2022)” google classroom this week. Ms. Sandberg has started the process of deciding what color you want for your grad pinnies next year.
Scholarship Information
Now that SD62 award deadlines have come and gone we are moving forward to our Belmont based Scholarships and Elementary and Middle School PAC Bursary deadlines. The following scholarship applications are due APRIL 30TH, 2021 AT MIDNIGHT – NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
BELMONT SCHOLARSHIP SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIPS – Students pursuing trades, academics, have financial need, are athletes, basketball players, are pursuing sciences or health science next year, have shown community or school service/spirit.
WESTSHORE ROTARY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP – Students who are headed into academic post-secondary programs OR trades next year and have community/school service.
MYLES MANSELL SCHOLARSHIP – Students in reserves or cadets and are headed to post-secondary in September
GAETZ DESIGNS SCHOLARSHIP – Students who have excelled in visual or media arts and are headed to post-secondary in September
AVID 12 MEMORIAL BURSARY – Graduating students in AVID 12
METCHOSIN FIRE DELANEY DUNLOP MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Students graduating from Belmont, preference given to those headed to Uvic, studying poli-sci, and/or live in Metchosin
WESTSHORE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP – Graduating students who have been involved in school and/or Westshore basketball either as player or volunteer
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PAC BURSARIES – Students who have attended any of the following schools for varying number of years – application requirements vary (Colwood, Crystal View, David Cameron, Dunsmuir, Ecole John Stubbs, Hans Helgesen, Happy Valley, Lakewood, Millstream, Ruth King, Sangster, Savory, Spencer, Willway, Wishart)
All of these applications are in the grad google classroom and on the Belmont Scholarship Website https://belmontscholarships.weebly.com/. They are to be turned in via grad google classroom, OR emailed to Ms. Hoskins (choskins@sd62.bc.ca), OR paper based applications can be dropped off to Ms. Hoskins in Room B112. Please make sure all necessary attachments are included and have open sharing settings before submitting. As always, if there are questions, or if support is needed please contact Ms. Hoskins.
WELCOME TO BELMONT’S SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE – Home PREPARING TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES Most scholarships and bursaries require a scholarship resume. Use this template to get started – Click Here Some of you may have already created a scholarship resume in your Careers 12 class. belmontscholarships.weebly.com
Other important scholarship deadlines (not applications run through the school) can be found on the scholarship website https://belmontscholarships.weebly.com/.
“Relay for Life” Virtual Event
Belmont Leadership is excited to announce that we will be hosting our annual Relay for Life fundraiser. What is Relay for Life you might ask? Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society and hosts events at schools across the country. This year it looks a lot different than in years prior but we are ready to bring you a week of fun!
We are hosting a week-long virtual Relay for Life Event, May 17 – 21 2021. Each day there will be a different 10-20 minute video presented to classes who are signed up to participate. Videos include guest speakers, music performances and a luminary ceremony. In-person activities will also take place within your cohort!
This past week we had an Aboriginal Territorial Acknowledgement mounted as a center piece in our cafeteria. We will be hosting an “official” unveiling on National Indigenous Peoples Day which falls on June 21st this year.
Harmonius by Connie Watts is now a focal center piece in our cafeteria. Thanks to our PAC for their support as well as our District Ab Ed team for their insight.
Grade 9 Immunizations
Our school hosted the annual VIHA Grade 9 Vaccinations. For reference, the annual vaccinations are for Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, and Meningococcal depending on the needs of individual students. Permission slips were sent home in the fall. VIHA (Vancouver Island Health Authority) was not able to complete all of the vaccinations and will look to complete any remaining ones after Spring Break.
If you have any questions, please contact VIHA through our Wellness Centre at 250-519-3580.
A New Staff Member…
On Wednesdays starting March 31, our newest staff member Draco will be joining our Learning Support Team. Draco is a retired service dog who will call room B204 home. We’re very excited to have him join our team!
Belmont Coast Salish Inspired Drum Project
The Belmont Drum Project is a legacy project for our school. Students in music and art worked together with the Aboriginal department to create 30 beautiful hand drums to be used in our classrooms. We began with tanned elk hides, sinew, and drum rings and ended with 30 exceptional pieces of functional art! Mandart’s Choir 9 students cut out and pulled the drums together on the frames. After drying and curing the drums, Ms. Guy’s art class painted a drum by drawing inspiration from the 13 Coast Salish Moons. Each art student selected a moon that spoke to them and created their master piece to reflect the time of the year. This legacy project celebrates the beauty of Coast Salish culture and students have generously gifted their time and Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen (good mind, feelings, and intention) to future students! Hych’ka to the Learning Commons team for holding a Gallery Walk to share the students finished drums!
Hych’ka to our Role Models for their knowledge and support, specifically Elder Henry, Brother Rick, Alana & Layla Johnson, and Knowledge Keeper Jeff Welch. These drums will be with us for the next 20-30 years!
“This collaboration between many departments, working together towards a common goal – to make drums – through this students have been able to be creative, participate in and recognize the beauty of Salish culture. They have done an amazing job. The Belmont music department will have 30 beautiful drums and be able to learn Coast Salish songs that have been gifted to our school. It shows a lot of respect. I can’t think of the words to express what they have done here together. I was glad to participate in most steps of the process. HYCH’KA!” — Elder Henry
Wow, these drums are AMAZING! The artistry, the process and the meaning behind them…inspirational. https://t.co/qiKsUtcFhY
Skills Canada B.C. is an organization that leads and coordinates youth engagement in trades and technology careers in our province, including organizing and supporting regional and provincial competitions for students in trades.
We are proud to have a number of our talented Belmont students participating this year. For carpentry, the two Belmont students who participated were Mitch B, and Matheus DT. Both students came very prepared on the competition day and both completed the mini-greenhouse in the challenging 6 hour time period. Mat and Mitch advanced to the regional finals and their projects were judged alongside the top projects from districts 61 and 63. In welding, Miko T worked hard all day and showed incredible perseverance and growth in his welding and oxyacetylene torch cutting abilities.
Congratulations to all the participants and a big thank you to the teachers who supported them, and we look forward to having our students compete again next year!
Belmont Leadership
Belmont Leadership has had a busy couple of months since returning from winter break! The students participated in beach clean ups in our school community around Glen and Langford Lake in an effort to keep our community clean!
They also organized a “Share the Love” campaign where leadership students delivered hearts to classes and students shared something they loved on them! If you missed them on the entrances, check out the photos below! It was nice to see some love around the school during this time!
Scholarship Information
All SD62 District Authority Awards, SD62 Awards, Elementary and Middle school PAC Bursary, and Belmont Scholarship Society Scholarship are now up on the Belmont Scholarship website and in the grad google classroom for grads to apply!
3. Paper based applications can be dropped off to Ms. Hoskins in room B112
Deadlines are:
1. Sd62 District Authority – April 13th, midnight
2. Sd62 Awards – April 13th, midnight
3. Elementary and Middle School PAC Bursaries – April 30th, midnight
4. Belmont scholarship society awards – April 30th, midnight
Please note these deadlines are strict and no late applications will be accepted. Make sure all necessary attachments are added before submitting – double check!
Email Ms. Hoskins at choskins@sd62.bc.ca if there are questions throughout the process.
Belmont & Grad Clothing Update
Thanks again to everyone who participated in our school and grad wear sales last month! Our local suppliers will be working over spring break to put all of the orders together and we look forward to getting orders out to everyone in early April. Have a wonderful spring break!
Attention Badminton Players!
The team will begin practicing after spring break. Juniors and Seniors welcome. Please contact Mr. Willing at bwilling@sd62.bc.ca for more information.
Metro Vancouver Japanese Bowl
For the first time ever, Belmont has 3 teams participating in the Metro Vancouver Japanese Bowl where high school students are challenged on language and culture. Good luck to the three teams who are Team 1: Bach N., Dasol K., Chompoonake P. Team 2: Andrea-Marie O., Ela E., Gabriel L. Team 3: Abby I., Dakota K., Jeremy H. This full day event will take place on Saturday, March 13. Good luck to all our teams.
March 8 – Student Gr. 10-12 Learning Surveys Start
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 9 – PAC Mtg. 7pm – MS Teams
March 10 – Gr. 9 Immunizations
March 12 – Report Cards Published
March 12 – Sooke Teachers Association Scholarship – Due
March 15-26 – Spring Break
Pink Shirt Day
In 2007 in Nova Scotia, Grade 12 students David Shepherd, Travis Price and a few friends saw that a Grade 9 student was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school.
They knew they had to do something to show that this kind of behavior was not OK.
They decided to go out and buy a bunch of pink shirts and hand them out to other students to wear.
By the end of that week, most of the students in the school were wearing pink shirts to show support for the Grade 9 student who was bullied.
“You Will be Found” was created by our Belmont Concert Choir to promote Pink Shirt Day. Check it out!
See our website for details regarding how to register, linked above
The following students will be registered:
All students in Semester 5 and Semester 6, English 10 and Math 10 classes.
Grade 11 or 12 students who require the Numeracy 10 to complete their graduation requirements however, these students need to contact Mrs. Gunn at agunn@sd62.bc.ca by noon, Tuesday 9th March 2021 to be registered for the April assessment session.
Grad Song & “O’Canada” Auditions
Dear Grads,
Anyone who is considering auditioning for the Grad song, please contact Ms. Dawson no later than March 12.
“O Canada” auditions will take place on May 19 – please contact Ms. Dawson at gdawson@sd62.bc.cac.ca no later than March 12.
Gr. 9 Immunizations
Grade 9 Immunizations will be resuming at the school. If you did not complete a consent form for immunization in the fall or have question’s regarding immunizations for your child please call West Shore Health Unit and ask to speak to a school nurse. You can complete telephone consent with a nurse at this time as well. 250-519-3490.
Although a child may be immunized with the consent of a parent/guardian or representative, a grade 9 student can make an informed decision regarding immunization regardless of parental consent or refusal. This is referred to as “mature minor consent.”
A short video presentation on mature minor has been created for grade 9 students. It is available at: https://vimeo.com/231149258 or by going to www.islandhealth.ca/immunization-info à Immunizations à Additional resources à View our video on grade nine immunization and mature minor consent.
Contact the local Health Unit at 250-519-3490 to discuss further.
Optional: Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 9 students on Wednesday, March 10th.
Scholarship Info Night Presentation
Scholarship info night presentation! Important info on how to access applications and upcoming deadlines below:
West Shore students put best foot forward for creative writing class. Belmont assignment explores empathy through a stranger’s shoes. Check out the attached article below from the Goldstream Gazette.
The video below is to a project by our students in the Visual Media Design classes 10-12, and in collaboration with our Belmont Concert Choir classes that was inspired by Black History Month. Enjoy!
Visual Arts
Ms. Guy’s Senior Visual Art classes have been learning about Coast Salish culture, and were visited by Knowledge Keeper and role model Jeff Welch earlier this week. The Belmont Music Department built Elk hide drums, which the Art classes had the opportunity to paint as a legacy piece to be used by students for the next 20-30 years! The school community is invited to enjoy a ‘gallery walk’ in the Learning Commons on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Due to COVID-19, Gallery walks have been divided by the following zones/days:
TUESDAY- FIRST FLOOR
WEDNESDAY- SECOND FLOOR
FRIDAY- THIRD FLOOR
Thanks for your support!
Athletics
Football
Please see link below to an article in the Times Colonist of 5 players from the Belmont Bulldogs who have been recruited to various teams post graduation. Congrats to Riley S., Hayden T., Sterling M., Riley B., and Gerren H!
The EMCSS is offering a pretty are some opportunity for kids this spring break. This program is being heavily subsidized (I think kids will only pay approx. .1/3 of the cost). We have about 7 registered, but have 12 places. Could you please share – either with your schools at large, or with students who would benefit?
Belmont Leadership class has organized “Share the Love” project. Each student and staff have been given a cut-out paper heart to decorate as they wish, and write something they love on it. Once finished, they will be put up on all the school entrances for everyone to enjoy.
Scholarship Info Night #2
Grade 12 grads and parents, please feel free to attend the meeting below for information on applications and deadlines for SD62 Scholarships, Elementary and Middle School PAC Bursaries, and Belmont Scholarship Society Scholarships
Date: Thursday, February 25th
Time: 6:00PM-7:00PM
Click the link below to join (make sure you have MS Teams app!)”
The Entrepreneurship 12 class, Mr. Grainger, Mrs. Cleland and Mrs. Fenn would like to thank everyone for being so accommodating with our move to online-only ordering for school and grad clothing in this unique school year! We hope to have orders to students by spring break and will keep everyone informed with updates. As a reminder, we are unable to accommodate order changes after February 16th so please check your receipts carefully. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Grainger. Thank you!
Scholarship Support
Ms. Hoskins is available for scholarship support. Students can book appointment times or email her directly for virtual support: choskins@sd62.bc.ca or choskins@sd62learns.org
Important upcoming deadlines include:
Sooke Teachers Association Scholarship – Due March 12th
SD62 District Authority Awards – Due April 7th (Waiting on applications)
Applications and Deadlines are posted on the Scholarship Website and Grad Google Classroom – please have grads check back regularly to both for updates!
Gr. 9 Immunizations
Due to the ongoing pandemic and initial rollout of COVID vaccine, public health has postponed some Grade 6 and 9 immunizations originally planned for January and February. This delay is temporary and follows the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) guidelines for the school age immunization program. Immunizations will resume in the coming weeks and continue until the end of the school year, resulting in immunizations being offered to all Grade 9 students before the end of June. If you have any questions, please contact your local public health unit at 250-519-3490 and ask to speak to a School Nurse.
Parenting in a Pandemic
Parenting in a Pandemic Parenting at any time can be challenging; parenting during COVID-19 can be even more stressful. Both you and your children may be feeling worried and overwhelmed. It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about COVID-19; how to best support your child as we all navigate disrupted routines and changes to home, school, and work life; and how to make sure you are taking care of yourself during this difficult time.
On this page you will find some information and strategies for parents and caregivers, as well as some links to resources you might find helpful. You can also contact the Kelty Centre if you are a parent or caregiver looking for mental health information, resources, or peer support related to your child’s mental health.
Parents and caregivers are essential to helping young people navigate change and build resilience, which supports physical and mental health and development. Join three UBC experts from the Faculty of Medicine as they share their insights for how to guide the children and teens in your family to thrive in the abnormal world of the pandemic.
Stress strategies for teens (and the rest of us)
According to a 2018 survey of SD62 grade 7-12 students, 34% report experiencing quite a bit or extreme stress and I suspect if youth are like us, they too are feeling even more stressed during this crazy time. While stress can be a helpful thing, its effects can add up and take their toll. Check out this page that has tips and strategies geared to helping teens (et al) learn how to manage life’s inevitable ups and downs. And remember, basics like eating well, getting some activity, managing screen time and getting enough sleep are also great stress management strategies.
The Teenage Experience – what to expect and how to help your teen (and them you!)
Teen Mental Health, a world leader in helping provide evidence-based resources for educators and parents, has developed two great resources that help parents and teens gain more insight in to adolescent development, including their mental health. Check them out here.
Helping Kids Cope with Disappointment
While most young people are coping pretty well with this crazy COVID time, it’s hard not to feel disappointed with what’s not happening that typically is. So, what can you do to help your children deal with their disappointment? How can you turn these situations into learning experiences that help foster resilience so that your children are better able to cope with life’s challenges? This article provides helpful, evidence-backed, practical tips specific to the times we’re living in.
Talking about Mental Health
Finding accurate information and appropriate resources can be hard. Jack.org, School Mental Health Ontario and Kids Help Phone have partnered to bring you all the information needed in one easy-to-access hub so that youth mental health remains top of mind, and our communities are able to easily access the education, tools, support and reliable information they need.
Asking for help is a really good thing!
It is a crazy time and with the help of some SD62 youth, we’ve created this poster that connects readers to available (and free) resources that exist in our community, nearby and online. This poster is plastered on our school’s walls, please help extend the sharing.
The Belmont Bulletin 