TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014

Tiger News

Feb. 2014

WALK A MILE IN OUR SHOES IN THIS ISSUE

We are part way into February. The joys

of Christmas have passed. We are all sick

and tired of the cold. Many of us are well

into the February blues. Yet, as I reflect

back upon what has passed since our last

newsletter, I am reminded of the fact

that we are all doing well. Now is the

time to count our blessings and to look

forward to the March Break, spring and

the successful conclusion of another

academic year.

I look back at our most recent “Tiger

Achievement Night” with pride – pride in

the achievements of the numerous

students who were honoured; pride in

the relatives and friends of the students

who attended to give support and

encouragement to those receiving

honours; pride in the staff for being part

of the road to success for these

students; and pride in those who

organized the event – as a result of their

efforts, things went smoothly and the

evening was a great success. I do believe

that we now have a new tradition at

Westgate CVI, which tradition speaks

well of our school and of the school

community as a whole.

Note must be made of the success of the

Westgate sports teams, and especially

the senior football team. They won the

city championship this year and

travelled to Toronto where they

represented us well - with Tiger Pride.

This is the second time in three years

that we have had the opportunity to

enjoy this team’s success.

Congratulations go out to the members

of the team, their parents and guardians

who provided support, and the coaches

and other staff members who gave

willingly of their time and who played no

small part in the team’s success.

On the cultural side of the equation, we

must note the success of the school’s

productions of Cabaret and the

Christmas Carol. Kudos to the staff and

students alike for a job very well done.

On a more practical note, report cards

will be going out shortly. Parents’ Night

is March 19, 2014. * Principal’s Message

continued on next page.

Westgate Staff as Role Models

Carlos Santander-Maturana

Speaking with the local media regarding the Walk a Mile

in Her Shoes campaign at Westgate in early winter.

Page 1

Principal’s Message by Linda Karlstedt, Principal of Westgate CVI

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014 | Issue # 2

BY: CARLOS SANTANDER-MATURANA

By

HTTP://WALKAMILEINHERSHOES.ORG/

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Specialist High Skills Major Arts and Culture Student Project

by Marian Stevenson, Visual Arts Teacher

The Visual Arts students in the Specialist

High Skills Major Program at Westgate

CVI took a large collection of original art

from their portfolios and designed

beautiful window displays in the windows

along Red River Road. “Curating an

accessible gallery of public art like this is a

valuable career exploration as well as a

very open display of art celebration,”

explained Marian Stevenson, Visual Art

Teacher at Westgate.

The Specialist High Skills Major Program represents a bundle of credits in the arts including:

dance, drama, graphic art, music and visual art, combined with experiential learning and industry

recognized certifications. If your interest is in the arts, and you are in Grade 10 right now, speak

with your Guidance Counsellor about joining the Specialist High Skills Program in the ARTS!

Principal’s Message Continued: Please

encourage your parents to come out and be

part of your education. Finally, the OSSLT

Literacy Test will take place on March 27,

2014 for Grade 10 students.

It is always a pleasure to sit back and

contemplate that which has transpired since I

last put fingers to the keyboard and prepared

a Principal’s Message. There have been ups

and downs for sure, but the good stuff far

outweighs the bad. Success is not a process

that is completed in a day. Success requires,

and will continue to require, an ongoing

effort on all of our parts. It is with great

satisfaction that I contemplate my role in this

process, and it is with greater satisfaction and

much pleasure that I contemplate the role of

the staff, the students and the greater

Westgate community.

Westgate Gay and Lesbian Straight Alliance is organizing a “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event at the

school on November 29, 2013 at 12:20 p.m. The “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes”, is an international

program designed to raise awareness regarding violence against women and girls. Funds raised will

be made available to local organizations such as Faye Peterson Transition House and Beendigan Inc.

who are providing services, prevention and remediation to abused women.

On November 29, 2013 Westgate male staff, Lakehead University Faculty of Education placement

students and Student Council leaders will be walking a mile, wearing high heel shoes in order to

highlight the issue and to collect feminine toiletry, non-perishable food items and toys that can be

donated to the local women shelter organizations. Their efforts will be profiled at this year’s WE

Stand Up Event on April 24, 2014.

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014 | Issue # 3

Cultural Tutor Room Activities Students from Lakehead University and Westgate CVI

participated in making leather medicine bags in a

traditional fashion. The Tutor in a Cultural Setting, Ms

Christine Avgeropoulos organizes several of this type of

activity in Room 210. Check it out!

The students enjoy the camaraderie in the Tutor’ Room

FAST FACTS

Parents’ Night MAR. 19

The Santa Shuffle Dance was postponed due to the Snow Day early in December

however, it did get re-scheduled for the following week. The students contributed

non-perishable food items for Christmas Cheer in addition to their admission fees.

Great work, Tigers!

Graduating in June? Make sure you have

finished and documented 40 hours of Community

Service Hours!!

A Christmas Carol ~

December 18, 2013

By: Kim Buoncore, Dramatic Arts

Teacher

The Westgate students with a

passion for theatre, vocal and

dance worked since early fall to

produce “A Christmas Carol”, a

story written in 1843. One

hundred and seventy years later,

the story and its characters

remain relevant and engaging.

“A Christmas Carol remains

popular - having never been out

of print– and has been adapted

many times to film, stage, opera,

and other media. Our students

felt it was a timeless story to tell

this year,” explained Ms. Kim

Buonocore, Director and Drama

Teacher at Westgate.

“We were delighted at the

response of our school

community, the families, the staff

and more,” expressed Ms. Tina

Vieira, Dance Teacher at

Westgate. “People really step up

to help us out every year and this

year was no different!”

Class of 2014 Grad

Clothing On Sale

SOON!!

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Lakehead University Science Olympics 2013 by Wayne Berlinquette

Need Some Help With Your Homework?

Homework Help is a web site where Lakehead math students in

Grades 7 through 10 can obtain personalized math tutoring from

certified Ontario teachers.

This live, interactive website is free and safe. Tutors are online and

waiting to help you Sunday to Thursday evenings between the

hours of 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Students can ask their own homework

questions online over an interactive whiteboard.

Find the link at www.lakeheadschools.ca

Two teams from Westgate CVI participated in the Lakehead University

Science Olympics in November 2013. The Junior Science Olympic Team

placed second based on their work on 4 Science Challenges. One such

challenge was called “Star Wars.” Mr. Berlinquette described this challenge:

“Teams position mirrors to use a low-powered laser to illuminate a hidden

target, which is behind a barrier. Teams have 2 minutes to set up their

mirrors before the laser is turned on. Teams make 2 attempts, one to the

left of barrier, one to the right. The team with the best two attempts gains

the highest score. “

Another challenge was called “Needling”. Mr. Berlinquette described it :”

The participants were provided with a selection of fruit and vegetables

(fresh or dried) in sealed boxes. Each box had series of pre-drilled holes

through which you put a knitting needle. Students probed using the knitting

needle to explore and describe the structure of the fruit or vegetable with

the greatest possible detail, and identify of the contents of the box.”

The Senior Science Olympics teams were challenged with activities such as

“Dante’s Peak.” Mr. Berlinquette described this challenge: “Your research

team has been conducting an aerial survey of an active volcano and has

crashed into the side of the mountain. You must reconstruct your aircraft

from the parts in the crash (which, although completely dismantled, have

miraculously not broken). The mountain is expected to erupt in 40 minutes.”

He added, “The Science Olympics make science fun and engaging – it is an

opportunity to be creative, work as a team and explore science in hands-on

ways.” Congratulations to the Senior Team for their Fourth Place Finish, in

this city-wide competition.

“A NIGHT IN OLD HOLLYWOOD”

THE WESTGATE SEMI-FORMAL ON

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

REGENCY BALLROOM ~ VICTORIA INN $40

PER PERSON

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014 | Issue # 5

JIMMY WORKED AS ROARY AT THE GRADE 8 TOUR!

This is our annual Open House for grade 8 students who are going into grade

9 along with their parent/guardian, to obtain important information to help

prepare for high school in the September 2014.

At WESTGATE WAY, you will hear about our proud tradition of excellence,

focusing on the school’s full range of programming, including Academics, the

Arts, Athletics and Technology. For example, you will learn about our

Advanced Placement Program which is recognized by universities

throughout North America. The Advanced Placement Program assists

university-bound students to develop the skills, knowledge and critical

thinking they need for rigorous academic learning.

You will also learn about the three Specialist High Skills Majors at Westgate:

Arts and Culture, Sports and Recreation and Transportation Service. The

Specialist High Skills Major programs allow students to focus their high

school learning in a specific sector while meeting the diploma requirements.

Students earn valuable industry certifications and gain important job skills as

well. Contact the school at 577-4251 for more information.

The Westgate

Way

Feb. 12, 2014

Dog River-Matawin High School Youth

Rep.

Do you hike, fish, hunt, trap or camp on Crown land?

Quinn Dombroskie is the high school youth representative on

the Dog River-Matawin Citizens' Advisory Committee. The

committee's purpose is to provide advice to the MNR District

Manager (Thunder Bay District) on issues pertaining to natural

resource planning and management of Crown lands in the Dog

River-Matawin forest. This means that the committee gives

recommendations on how the natural resources (rivers, lakes,

plants, trees, and wildlife) of the Dog River-Matawin Forest

Area are being taken care.

If students have any input, suggestions or concerns

about what is happening or what they would like to see

happening to the Dog River-Matawin natural resources on

Crown land, or are interested in learning more about how the

forest area is being managed, stop by student services and

leave a message for Quinn Dombroskie.

The Dog River-Matawin forest area runs from Shabaqua to

English River and Quetico Park, From the top end of Northern

Lights Lake up to Graham.

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014 | Issue # 6

December 6, 2013 the male students and

staff of Westgate Collegiate and Vocational

Institute are standing up to gender based

violence by promoting the White Ribbon

campaign.

The White Ribbon campaign is designed to

commemorate “The National Day of

Remembrance and Action on violence

against Women.” The day established in 1991

by the Parliament of Canada, marks the

Community Involvement

40 Hours Did you know you must complete 40 hours of

volunteer work to graduate?

Students entering grade 9 must complete 40

hours of volunteer work as one of the Ministry

requirements for their high school diploma. The

aim is to encourage students to become actively

involved in making positive contributions to their

community. Students can now begin

accumulating their 40 hours during the summer

before they enter grade 9.

Students are encouraged to complete the 40

hours of community involvement as early as

possible in high school--ideally by the end of

grade 10. Ministry guidelines have established

eligible and ineligible activities for the

community involvement requirement. Students

and parents must follow these guidelines.

Graduating students are especially encouraged

to complete their Community Service Hours and

all students are invited to speak with their

Guidance Counsellor regarding ideas for earning

their hours.

Westgate CVI Travel Club 2014 Spanish Fiesta A group of 51 Westgate Students and Staff are preparing to depart on their March Break

Trip to Spain to experience Spanish culture in all its forms. They will admire the country’s

bold and unique architecture, from the unfinished Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to the

Alcazar in Seville. They will feel the emotive rhythms of the flamenco and enjoy a paella

dinner in Valencia. In Madrid, the Royal Palace shows off Spain’s regal side, while the Prado

features the country’s most celebrated artists.

“This was my third EF tour, and it was just as amazing as the two beforehand. The guides

are informative and friendly, and the sights are spectacular. Definitely recommend this

trip!” explained a student traveler.

Westgate White Ribbon Campaign December 6, 2013, the male students and staff of Westgate Collegiate and Vocational

Institute were standing up to gender based violence by promoting the White Ribbon

campaign. The White Ribbon campaign is designed to commemorate “The National

Day of Remembrance and Action on violence against Women.” The day established in

1991 by the Parliament of Canada, marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14

young women at l’Ecole Polytechique de Montreal. Young men from the Westgate

Student Advisory Council and the Junior and Senior Football Teams sold the White

Ribbons during lunch throughout the week and working as mentors to all.

“As a senior and a member of the football team, I felt strongly about standing up as a

role model to the guys at school. I feel strongly about preventing violence against

women.” Explained Tucker Arnold, left.

Your Individual Pathways Plan – the IPP

All Ontario secondary students will create their own individual Pathways Plan. This will be their primary planning tool for use as they proceed through

high school. The IPP will be a learning archive and a catalogue of valuable resources. The Career Cruising Pathfinder is an online course selection tool

that will help students set up a program of courses in alignment with graduation requirements and career goals. Student Services remains a valuable

resource for searches, course selections, career exploration, support and so much more. Students are always welcome to talk to their Guidance

Counsellor about their ideas, goals and dreams. Career Cruising Course Selection will be presented in Home Room classes beginning in mid-February

by members of the Student Services Department.

February 27, 2014 SemiFebruary 27, 2014 SemiFebruary 27, 2014 SemiFebruary 27, 2014 Semi----FormalFormalFormalFormal ~~~~Tickets are $40 or

two for $75 and will go on sale Monday, February 10 2014 in

the main hall at lunch.

Symposium at 6pm, dinnner at 6:30 followed by a dance until

11pm in the Regency Ballroom at the Victoria Inn.

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014 | Issue # 7

Tiger Athletics "Our Tiger Athletic teams have carried the success of our Fall

Season Teams into the Winter. The Senior Football team

finished the fall season representing NWOSSAA in the OFSAA

Football Bowl game held in Toronto. The team battled a tough

Pickering team coming up just short in a 20-13 loss. However,

the players and coaches should be proud of their effort, and the

championship season that they had. Congratulations to all of

the players and coaches!

As we near the end of the winter regular season our Westgate

teams have had many successful results that we need to

highlight.

Our Wrestlers have been working hard on the mat and their

hard work has already paid off with some medal results at the

SSSAA Championships held in January. Austin Bour at 83kg,

Austin Hayes at 64kg, Lauryn Gowanlock at 51kg and Alyssa

Mueller at 61kg all won gold in their respective weight classes.

Bobby Poulter earned the silver at 77kg with Braiden Heerema

taking the bronze. Cole Bour finished just out of the medals in

4th place at 64kg. Congrats wrestlers and good luck at

NWOSSAA!

On the basketball court both of our boys teams have been

having great success. The Junior Varsity team is sitting in first

place with a record of 10 wins and 0 losses! They have also

captured the "Trojan Shootout Tournament" title and were

finalist in the St. Ignatius tournament in January. Great job

boys and good luck in the playoffs! At this point the Varsity

Boys team has a record of 5 wins and 5 losses, finishing the

regular season in 4th place. However, the team has competed

well in both the tournaments that they have entered getting to

the finals of both the "Tiger Tip-off" and the "Falcon

Invitational". The team looks to improve on their tournament

results as they move to the playoffs. Go for it Tigers!

In volleyball both of our girls teams have been working hard as

they gear up for the playoffs. The Junior Varsity Girls have

continued to develop and come together throughout the

season. They are looking to improve on their regular season

results as they enter the playoffs. The Varsity Girls ended the

regular season in 2nd place with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses.

This combined with quarter final results in two tournaments has

put them in a great position to make a run deep into the

playoffs. Good get 'em Tigers!

Finally, our curling and Cross-country Ski teams are preparing

for their first competitions and we expect some great things

from them as well. We are proud of all of our Tiger Athletes as

they continue to represent us with pride and demonstrate the

Westgate ideal of "Always Only the Best!".

Grade 11 Preview Day at

Lakehead University

Designed for Grade 11 students, this event allows students who

will be selecting courses for their Senior year an opportunity to

preview programs offered at Lakehead University, gain valuable

information about university life, enter contests, win prizes and

be treated to an all-you-can-eat lunch! Transportation to and

from the schools will be provided for this event.

Date: Friday, February 21, 2014

Time: 12:00 pm - 2:45 (Public Schools)

Location: Lakehead University

See Student Services for more information and to collect a

Registration Form. All completed paperwork is due in

Student Services by Feb. 13, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. NO LATE

FORMS ALLOWED.

TIGER NEWS FEB. 2014

Tiger News Feb. 2014

Do students' course

choices have an

impact on future

options? Yes. The type of courses a

student takes in grades 9

and 10 (academic or

applied) affect their

choices in grades 11 and

12; and those choices

affect students' post-

secondary options. Many

students take applied

courses because they

think they will be easier,

but data from Ontario's

Education Quality and

Account- ability Office

(EQAO) suggests that

students in applied

courses are less likely to

succeed on the grade 9

math assessment",

regardless of their prior

academic performance.

Choosing between

Academic and Applied

courses is a very

important decision and

should be considered

very carefully by

students and their

parents.

Students who want to

keep all post-secondary

options open should

choose academic courses

in grades 9 and 10.

What can parents do to help their children make good course choices?

• Pick up or download the course lists from Westgate CVI or read the school profile on the school board's website.

• Go to high school information nights and Open Houses with your child. You can also make an appointment for a

school tour.

What course choices do students have in grades 9 and 10? In grades 9 and 10, students must take English,

mathematics, science, geography, history, physical education, art, civics, careers and one year of French or Native

Language.

There are five types of courses:

1. Applied - focus on practical applications and concrete examples;

2. Academic- focus on theory and abstract problem

3. Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement

4. Locally Developed (also called Essentials)- compulsory credit courses for students who need more

flexibility and support or, in some cases, who are in special education programs; an

5. Open - optional courses that prepare students for further study and enrich their education.

What course choices do students have in grades 11and 12? In grades 11 and 12, students choose courses based on

their destination after high school: Workplace. College, University, College and then University, an Apprenticeship

or Open (any destination).

What kinds of programs are available for high school students?

There are many ways for students to earn high school credits. Check individual schools for information on programs

such as:

• Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) are for students who want to explore specific career goals and make

informed choices about their next steps after secondary school.

• Cooperative Education: Students learn in a workplace set ting combined with In-School Pre-Employment

learning.

• Dual Credit Programs: available in some schools. Students can earn a maximum of 4 credits towards both a high

school and college diploma or apprenticeship certification.

Tips for Parents

Always only the best.