New Principal Coming in September!

I’m Daniel Hodges and I’m coming to TJSHS as Principal to start the 2023-2024 school year. I’m originally from England way back when people were still hoping for a Beatles reunion, I did most of my growing up in New Zealand and moved to Canada just in time for the new millennium.

For the last two years, I’ve been Assistant Principal a few kilometres down Highway 39 at Warburg School. Before that, I was a mathematics teacher right here in Thorsby and still recognize a fair few of the faces around the building.

WHAT OBSCURE THING ARE YOU TALENTED AT?
I’m a magician. I can make Skor Bites disappear.

WHAT’S A COMMON SAYING YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND?
“I slept like a baby” should mean “I woke up every few hours crying”.

IF MY DAD WAS THE PRIME MINISTER HIS FIRST LAW WOULD BE…
Buttons on all devices must have a diameter of at least 1 cm.

WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH IN REAL LIFE?
Ron Swanson. We’d not talk all day long.

IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT MY LIFE WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE CALLED?

How Daniel Hodges Won the Lottery IN 2023. I’d like an advance copy too.

What's coming up at THS

May 15: ELA 9 & K&E ELA 9 Part A Exam

May 17: Jr High Track Meet

May 19: No school--PD day

May 22: No school-Victoria Day

Final Exam/PAT/Diploma Schedule - May/June 2023

Please visit this link to access the final exam schedule dates and times. Please note: Exams start in MAY with the grade 9 ELA PAT.

What's up with Grad 2023?

Grad banquet tickets are on sale now. Grads can see Mrs. Raugust in the office to purchase.
Graduation will take place on Friday, May 26 at the Arctic Spas Recreation Complex.

For questions about Grad, contact either of the teacher coordinators. kim.vansteenis@blackgold.ca or shelley.gramlich@blackgold.ca

Grad 2024

We are looking for a couple of parent volunteers to act as fundraising coordinators.

For questions about Grad, contact either of the teacher coordinators. kim.vansteenis@blackgold.ca or shelley.gramlich@blackgold.ca

Dual Credit is filling up!

Dual Credit is filling up in Black Gold! There are a limited number of spots and they are filled on a first come, first served basis. If you have expressed interest in Dual Credit, but have not yet connected with Mrs. Hrytsak about the exact course(s) - see her ASAP!

Post-Secondary and Career Counselling

Mrs. van Steenis is still encouraging high school students to book counselling appointments in the afternoons. She can help them with the following:

Utilize MyBlueprint
Plan for post-secondary
Apply for college/university
Access scholarships and grants
Apply for student loans

For more information come see her in Room 113 or email kim.vansteenis@blackgold.ca

Summer Work Experience and RAP

Mrs. van Steenis has opened enrollment for summer off campus. This program is open from June-August for High School Students. If you're already working...why not earn credits too? Please see her to sign up and receive your application package. She will be taking names and signing up students until May 31st on a first come first served basis.

For more information come see her in Room 113 or email kim.vansteenis@blackgold.ca

The Wellness Beat

Over the course of semester two, we will be looking at different areas of wellness throughout the school. Here at TJSHS, Mr Feil has taken on the Wellness role and is trying to get as many people involved as possible. Keep your eye on the Wellness Beat section for Wellness ideas and information.

Mental Health Month

This month is Mental health month and this past week was mental health week!

We had a number of activities for the students to participate in over the past week.

Monday - Ms. Angela led them through an activity at lunch.

Tuesday - All of the students took part in an assembly where they were put into their houses to do a trivia contest about food and drink.

Wednesday - Dodgeball intramurals and "Hats on for Mental Health" day.

Thursday - Paper airplane contest in the gym. Furthest won.

Friday - The students went through a guided meditation in their first period class.

Athletics

Wahoo! It is super nice outside and that means Track and Field time.

Wednesday May 17 will be the track meet for the junior highs at Thorsby. All students must take part in it as it is part of their track and field unit grade for PE. The students will take part in a minimum of 2/3 throwing events, 2/3 jumping events, ad 2/5 running events. They are more than welcome to do all of the events if the wish!

Those who perform the best will have the opportunity to go to the LDAA track meet in Leduc on May 23.

Senior High track is starting as well. Anyone interested in participating in that are to speak with Mr. Feil or Mr. Gourley. Their NCASAA Zone track meet would be on May 25 at Foote Field.

Dodgeball Intramural

The tournament is underway and it looks to be anyone's game.

We have 5 team's signed up this year (Devious Dusters, The Dodgeball Busters, Spiderman's GF, Team Random, and Mason's Minions). All of the teams have a chance to take home points for their house!

Good luck to all, epecially my own team (Mason's Minions).

Subway and Hot Lunch

Subway subs are available for $5.50 every Wednesday. Orders must be placed and paid for before 10:00am on Monday. Order forms are on your child's Powerschool.. Parents can now order for more than one week at a time. Order forms are available through the middle of June

This year, the Elementary has once again invited us to partake in their hot lunch program. Menu items are posted weekly in our weekly news memo. All items are $4.00. We will also accept TES lunch tokens. Hot lunch coupon forms are now available on Power School. They are available to purchase singularly or in groups of 5, 10, 20 and 30.

Parent Council

Our Parent Council meets monthly at the school. All parents of students enrolled at our school are welcome to attend.! Our next meeting will be held tentavely on Monday, May 15 at 7:00 pm. We are in need of a parent to step up and take over the position of President!

Bus App

Not sure if your child's bus is running? Download the app! Details on how to do this can be found here:

Yearbooks

2021-2022 yearbooks are available in the Office for $40. These can also be paid for on your child's Powerschool account. You can also preorder the 2022-2023 yearbooks online for $40.

Spirit Wear

We have teamed up with Entripy clothing for our Spirit Wear. They have an amazing selection and prompt service. Delivery is free with all orders over $99. Ordering instructions can be found here. The home page for our Entripy shop is here.