January 2013 - Trochu Valley School

Message from Parent Council Anti-Bullying Committee...
Happy New Year!! We are looking forward to a productive and proactive year for 2013! Our Anti-Bullying wall is up and
running and our youth are doing a wonderful job of decorating! We are recognizing two individuals for the month of December
for their choice to Stand Up. It takes courage to do the right thing sometimes, and these individuals displayed not only
courage, but strength in character as well. We are proud of you! It is with great pleasure that SHAKERS and the Anti-
Bullying Committee award these day passes to Dakota Wohl and Cole Adam.
The new year also brings new amendments to our Education Act—specifically Bill 3. The Parent Council is pleased to
inform you that Mrs. Debbie Barkman will be on hand at the January Parent Council Meeting to talk about the amendment
(specifically) Part 3; Responsibilities and Dispute Resolution. Division 1 Responsibilities: 31) Student responsibilities; 32)
Parent responsibilities … and what it means to us as parents and as students. We also welcome Dr. Jaiyesimi who will be
speaking about the negative impact ‘bullying’ has on the community as a whole, and the disastrous effect it has on our
youth. We encourage you to attend the January 28 meeting of the Parent Council.
Parent Tip: Spotting Signs of Trouble: Bullying can take on many forms, including repeated verbal and physical harassment,
social exclusion, or even online acts of harm—all of which can have devastating effects on a child. Though your
tween or teen may not open up to you about being a victim of bullying, feeling depressed or struggling socially, there are
some tell-tale signs to look for: Frequent Absences: Faking illness or using excuses can be a sign things are not okay.
Even the route taken to school can raise a red flag, since your child may take a longer one to avoid danger. Cyber-bullying:
Modern bullying isn’t limited to schoolyards. Tweens and teens can be at home on their computer or cellular phone and
receive hateful messages or even photos and videos posted online. Monitor your child’s internet use by ‘friending’ them on
social medial sites and checking text activity from time to time. Social struggles: An active social life is a key part of childhood.
If your child is avoiding events, it could point to a larger issue. For those of you who have children on Facebook you
may find this site helpful. http://2passthetorch.com/2009/11/23facebook-contract-for-parents-of-teens/ (copy and paste this
address into your navigation bar).
A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200 he asked, “Who would like this $20
bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.”
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air. “Well,” he
replied. “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it
up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.
“My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it
did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt
by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no
matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not
in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.
Next Parent Council Meeting—January 28, 2013 7pm at Campus 2.