Sabre News
Friday, December 20
Important Dates to Remember
December
23: Christmas Break Begins
January
6: Classes Resume
15: Social 30-1/30-2 Part A Diploma Exam
17: Math 30-1/30-2 Diploma Exam
21: Social 30-1/30-2 Part B Diploma Exam
21: Last Day of Classes - Senior High
22: Biology 30 Diploma Exam
22: Last Day of Classes - Junior High
22-28: Senior High Final Exams Semester One
23-28: Junior High Midterms
29: Professional Learning Day (No Classes)
30: Day One - Semester Two
31: Staff v. Students Hockey Game
Merry Christmas!
From all of us at TJSHS, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2025.
Enjoy your break and we welcome you back on Monday January 6.
Principal's Report
Many happy returns of the season!
Supporting Mental Health Through the Holidays
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.
Staff vs Students Volleyball Game
Check out some pictures from last Friday's Staff vs Students volleyball game. As it was reported in the last newsletter, the students were victorious over the staff!
Around the School
Check out some pics from our last week of school before Christmas Break
Sr High Foods Cake Decorating
Awesome job on decorating, Sr Highs!
School Wide Hot Dog Lunch
Check out some pictures from our school wide hot dog lunch.
Thinking about what comes next...
Next Chapter Chronicles: Funding Your Future
Centre Stage: Scholarships
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.
Scholarship Value: $1,500
Area of Study: Short-term courses, workshops, certificates, necessary equipment or books
Awards Available: 100
Award Deadline: December 31, 2024
Scholarship Value: $500
Area of Study: Manufacturing Industry
Awards Available: 3
Award Deadline: December 31, 2024
Work Ex and RAP Programs
If you are interested in the RAP or Work Ex Program, come see Miss Powlik. She has all of the paperwork and can answer any questions you might have.
Active Fundraisers
Subway Fundraiser
We are once again offering Subs on Wednesdays. Order forms are up on Powerschool. Please place your orders online on Mondays. Subs are $5.50 each for a 6" sub. Next sub order day is January 8 orders are due January 6
Grad 2025 Battery Drive
Our grad class has begun a battery drive as their next fundraiser. Please contact Kaleb deBoer at 825 995 5043 if you have any batteries taking up space in your yard or shop.
Weekly Round Up
Ski Club
Ski Club is back again! Our next ski night will be on Monday, January 13.. Fees and Forms are up on Power School. Deadline for each ski night is 3 days prior to the night. Deadline for the the next ski night is Friday January 9 at noon. This year, we will leave by 3:30 pm and will return to the school by 8:45 pm.
Ski Nights are on: January 13
February 3 and 13
March 20 and 21
The Marmot trip will be March 20 and 21.
(dates are subject to change in event of snow days, extreme weather)
Transportation: $18 (mandatory)
Lift Pass: $28.00
Ski Rental $23.00
Snowbaord Rental $23.00
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
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.pdfmyBlueprint 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
We are fortunate to be able to participate in the hot lunch program offered by the Elementary School. Hot lunch coupons are available on Powerschool. No cash will be accepted this year.
January 7: Cheeseburgers
January 10: Taco in a Bag
January 14: Meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy
January 17: Grilled Cheese
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.
Coaching Volunteers
Calling all enthusiastic parents! We are excited to invite parents who are passionate about sports and mentoring to consider coaching opportunities for our junior boys' basketball team this upcoming season, running from December through mid-March. Additionally, depending on player interest, we may also be seeking a coach for our boys' volleyball team. Sports play a vital role in our school community, fostering teamwork, discipline, and school spirit.
If you're interested in shaping young athletes and making a difference, please contact Dakota Heise at dakota.heise@gshare.blackgold.ca. Your involvement will make a significant impact on our students' athletic journey! Whether you're interested in basketball, volleyball, or assisting with any other team, we are happy to have you join us.
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.
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
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.
Yearbooks
2023-2024 Yearbooks are here!! Please come and get one from the Office or on your child's Powerschool account today. $35
Community Events
