Friday June 20

Important Dates to Remember

June

19-25: Senior High Final Exams

20-25: Grade 7&8 Final Exams

21: National Indigenous Peoples Day

26-27: Staff Work Days

Principal's report

Does this picture fill you with existential dread?

That's right it's exam time! Yesterday was our last day of classes for Junior High students and the last day of classes was Wednesday for our seniors.

Over the exam period students will complete somewhere around 1000 final exams, as they complete their full year or semesterized courses. That's a lot of pencil led, eraser shavings, and some (but not too much) red ink. The compensation is, of course, close to two months of vacation or opportunities to work and make enough money to keep them in snacks from the vending machine.

It was a great year. Thank you to everyone that contributed to this experience.

See you in 61 days!

Final Exam Schedule

Check out the final exam schedule here.

Junior High students, the form that allows you to go home after your exams is up on Powerschool. No phone calls will be accepted.

Student Spotlight: Eamon Williams Awarded Prestigious Lord Strathcona Medal

We are proud to recognize Grade 9 student Eamon Williams, who was awarded the Lord Strathcona Medal this past weekend.

The Lord Strathcona Medal is the highest honour that can be awarded to a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in both physical fitness and military training. It is not given lightly—only one cadet per squadron may receive the award each year, and it is only presented when a truly deserving candidate stands out.

Eamon's dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence in the cadet program have clearly made an impression, and this recognition is well-earned.

Congratulations, Eamon! We are so proud of you.

Calmar Collegiate Application Process Now Open

Programs available for 2025-2026 School Year:

For Grade 10 Students:
- Trades Exploration (Year Long): This program will be a day trip program attending several trade training facilities throughout the year. The intent is to allow students to explore 5 - 7 trades throughout the year and earn CTS credits along the way. Students take their grade 10 programming through TJSHS.

For Grade 11 Students (Semester Two ONLY)
- Trade Skills : This program will spend afternoons in the Collegiate shop exploring our three foci: Carpentry, Electrical and Pipe Trades. CTS credits will be awarded as part of this course. Enrollment for this course will be 20 - 25 students and will be based upon the entry requirements laid out in our entry document. Grade 11 core classes taken in the morning at TJSHS.

For Grade 12 Students (Semester Two ONLY)
- Period 1 Trades Training (Dual Credit): In this program, students will be entered into a full day program over the course of 60 days. Each of the 60 programs will be focused on one of our three foci. At the end of this course, students will write their AIT (Alberta Industry and Trades) exam in their respective specialty. This program provides huge rewards to students (completing their first year technical training) but will require them to complete any other required courses in the semester over the remaining ~30 left. Next year, we will be offering Carpentry in the second semester, beginning at the start of the term and extending 60 school days.
If you are interested in any of the above programs, please email Mrs. Hrytsak at trish.hrytsak@blackgold.ca to book a parent & student meeting. Appointments are largely available between 10am and 4pm daily. If there are multiple requests for evening timeslots, she will look to do one night of registration meetings.

Next Chapter Chronicles

Centre Stage: Scholarships

Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities – Apply Now!

Are you planning to pursue post-secondary studies and looking for ways to help fund your education? Check out this fantastic scholarship opportunity open Black Gold Students ONLY.

🔹 Kevin Gaetz Award🔹

- Value: $6,000 per recipient | Awards Available: Three | Deadline: June 30, 2025
- Base Criteria: Graduate of Black Gold, meet the entrance requirements of a chosen post-secondary program, financial need, & perseverance and commitment to post-secondary education.
- How to apply: Visit this link for the criteria and application.
Don’t miss out—take the time to apply and invest in your future!

Program Spotlight: Surveying and Geospatial Engineering Technology Diploma

Do you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and spending time outdoors? The Surveying and Geospatial Engineering Technology diploma might be the perfect fit!

Surveying and geospatial technologists are the unsung heroes behind our cities, roads, and infrastructure. They use cutting-edge tools—like drones, satellite positioning systems, and advanced software—to measure land, map terrain, and guide the development of everything from property lines to skyscrapers. With hands-on learning and plenty of time spent outdoors, this program is ideal for students who love applied math, technology, and working in dynamic environments.

Career opportunities in this field are growing. As urban development and infrastructure projects expand, skilled survey technologists are needed in construction, environmental management, resource exploration, and even disaster response.

Entrance Requirements:

English Language Arts 30-2
Math 30-2*
Chemistry 20, Physics 20, or Science 30*

If you’re curious about how we shape the world around us—and want to be part of that process—this program offers both adventure and opportunity.

Want to learn more? Come see Mr. Gourley in room 113!

Career Opportunity: Health Care Aide

Earn While You Learn: Health Care Aide Training Opportunity for Graduating Students
Are you a Grade 12 student interested in a rewarding career in healthcare? Alberta Health Services (AHS) offers a unique Health Care Aide (HCA) Training Program designed for individuals in rural and remote areas. This "earn while you learn" program allows students to gain hands-on experience while working towards their HCA certification—with tuition fully covered!
Participants receive professional training, mentorship from healthcare professionals, and a paid position while completing the 12-month program. Upon completion, students commit to working in the role for 24 months, providing essential care and support to patients in various healthcare settings.
No prior healthcare experience is required—just a commitment to learning and making a difference in your community! If you’re interested, check out available positions at ahs.ca/Careers or contact HCA.info@ahs.ca for more details.

careers-hca-training-program-primer.pdf

Student Scholarships Website

This website provides access to thousands of scholarships, bursaries and grants.
Includes a section called "Easy Scholarships." These are all high value awards that take less than two minutes to complete.
Includes a section called "New Scholarships," whereby you can enter a profile and it will select appropriate scholarships that meet your requirements.

Spotlight on myBlueprint: Skilled Trades Pathway Planning

Are you considering a career in the skilled trades? myBlueprint’s Skilled Trades Pathway Planning is an excellent resource to help students and families explore career options, understand different pathways into the trades, and take the next steps—whether you're just starting high school or preparing to graduate.

This user-friendly tool outlines multiple entry points into skilled trades careers, including apprenticeships, college programs, and direct-to-work options. It’s never too early to start planning for the future!

Click on the link below to explore the Pathway Planning Guide and start mapping out your path today.

Skilled Trades Pathway Planning Link

Weekly Round Up

Supporting Mental Health

The holidays can be a time of joy, but they can also bring stress, overwhelming anxiety, or loneliness. It’s important to remember: you are not alone.

We’ve gathered some resources to help you prioritize your mental well-being during this season should you need support.

Take a moment for yourself this season. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out. Help is always available.

Same Website-New Look!

Make sure you check out the TJSHS website! It has a new look and hopefully it will be easier for parents and guardians to navigate. tjshs.blackgold.ca

PTA Corner

Check out the minutes from the PTA AGM meeting here.

Check out the minutes from the May PTA meeting here

Canadian Crisis Helpline - 988

There is a new nation wide suicide crisis helpline that went live Thursday, November 30. You can call or text 24/7/365. Not only is this a great resource for anyone who is having thoughts of suicide, but it is also there for anyone who is concerned about anyone else.

As the holiday season ramps up, we recognize it is not an easy time for everyone. Please reach out if you or a loved one needs support.

More information Below

- https://988.ca/
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/988-hotline-mental-health-canada-1.7043603

myPass - Get signed up!

We are seeking to ensure all grade 11 and 12 students have access by the end of semester one and that grade 10 students have access by the end of semester two!
myPass is essential for students as they enter high school. All students need to create an account so they can:
myPass is an Alberta Education self-service website for students to:
- - Order high school transcripts in English and French
  - View diploma exam marks
  - Register to write or rewrite diploma exams with online payment
  - View and print Detailed Academic Reports (DAR) (can be used as an unofficial transcript)
  - View progress towards a credential (diploma or certificate)
  - Order additional copies of an awarded credential in English or French
  - Receive notifications for important messages
Watch the videos to learn how to get an account AND to ensure you understand what the service is!

MyBlueprint Parent Fact Sheet copy.pdf

myBlueprint Parent Accounts

Stay connected with your child's future planning by creating a family account on myBlueprint! This interactive tool allows you to view your child's goals, career interests, and progress toward graduation. With read-only access, you can follow their journey and offer support by leaving comments and receiving updates from their teachers.

Hot Lunch

The Hot Lunch program is changing next year. TEPA is moving to an online ordering system. Once we have all of the details, we will share with our THS families.

If you have any hot lunch tickets left that you bought at THS, return them to the school and you will receive a credit on your account.

School Zones In Effect

Morning drop off and afternoon pick up can be frantic at times; we have had several near misses this week that we would like to prevent moving forward.

Please remember the following in the school zone to ensure the safety of our students:

The High School side is solely for drop off by busses.
If a student is injured and needs easier access to the school, please pull into the high school parking lot for drop off at the parking lot door.
- Subsequently, students, please be patient in the parking lot.
Please do not U-Turn in the school zone. Utilize the key at the top of the road to turn around.
Please ensure students have fully crossed the street before proceeding to drive across the crosswalk.
Please do not let your child(ren) out when you are stopped for the students crossing the crosswalk. Please ensure you are pulled over to avoid further delaying traffic and for pedestrian safety.
Everyone must cross the road at the crosswalk.
Students are not to cross in front of busses or between busses. They are to proceed to the elementary crosswalk and then across the high school crosswalk.
Please yield to busses.

Neighbourhood Driveways

Around the school there are several driveways and areas where bylaw has said they will ticket people parking. For example, on both sides of the street at the entrance to our cul-de-sac, and now also on the high school side of the road outside the new house.

It's also important for student safety, at pick up and drop off time especially, that the area on the town side of the crosswalk is kept free of cars to allow for maximum visibility of students crossing the street.

Please keep this in mind when making your parking decisions around the school.

Student Accident Insurance

Black Gold School Division's insurance company provides a student accident plan that parents/guardians can purchase on a voluntary basis.

For more information about the type of coverage offered on this please check out the link below.

https://mailchi.mp/dab1b0ba2260/kick-off-the-school-year-with-some-peace-of-mind-4087032?e=2f866b99a1

Health and Safety in Our School

Vaping is of particular concern, not only at our school but in schools across the world. Our hope is that together with parents and other stakeholders we can increase knowledge of the effects of vaping and, by doing so, reduce their consumption

I have included links to several resources below as well as a link to our statement of fair notice regarding the consequences for failing to adhere to the rules related to illegal substances I have outlined above.

Fair Notice on Vaping For Thorsby Junior Senior High School

Gov't of Canada: Consequences of Vaping

What we do and don't know about vaping

What vaping does to the body

Vaping and Teens GoA

Tobacco and Vaping AHS

Tobacco and Vaping Resources for Teachers AHS

Tip sheet for parents

Bus App

Not sure if your child's bus is running? Download the app! Details on how to do this can be found here: Bus Status 4

Cellphone Changes 2024-2025

On June 17, the Minister of Education for Alberta announced the ban of cellphones in kindergarten to grade 12 starting in the fall via ministerial order #014/2024. Black Gold Schools have been developing policies and guidelines to support this announcement over the summer and we know parents will need to be partners in making this happen.

Some ideas to become accustomed to this reduced screen time can be:

Using the “Do Not Disturb” or "Airplane" mode to help you set boundaries and signal that it may take you a while to respond.
Do not charge your phone in the bedroom. This will improve sleep quality and reduce screen time.
Turn off notifications.
Remove distraction-based apps from your home screen.
Identify triggers that cause you to open and/or check your phone.
Log each family members screen time and reward the person with the lowest screen time each week.
- Alternatively, reward anyone who reduces their screen time.
Create a phone free zone somewhere in the house.
Electronic free mealtimes.
Use the phone only as a phone. Make phone calls. That's it.