Weekly Newsletter April 21, 2011 - Banting Memorial High School

Weekly E-Newsletter
Stay Connected @ BMHS
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Week eleven ends with very wet and cold weather. It didn’t dampen our Earth Week efforts, though. Thanks to
everyone who got involved during the week. Teachers were busy getting their marks and comments in, as the
mid-semester report is coming out on Thursday, April 28 th . There will be a report card newsletter coming out,
as well and those who get the e-newsletter, will receive this on Thursday night, plus the regular weekly one on
Friday.
Leaving Thursday and returning Sunday of this upcoming week, we have two trips to the Southern U. S.
heading out. Mr. Hunter, Mr. Gibson and Ms. Fairbarn are taking students to Kentucky to go on the Mammoth
Caves tour. Mr. Heeley and Ms. Birnie are taking students and heading to Nashville to be involved in an
international music festival. Travel safely and best of luck to everyone!
Remember, the school is closed for the Good Friday (April 22 nd ) and Easter Monday (April 25 th ).
Previous e-newsletters are available on the Banting website: http://ban.scdsb.on.ca/
I am always open to suggestions and comments, so please contact me at twilkinson@scdsb.on.ca if you have
something on your mind.
What’s Happening at BMHS
60 th Anniversary – NEXT WEEKEND!
This spring, current and former Banting Memorial High School students and staff are invited to celebrate the
school’s 60 th anniversary.
What: Banting Memorial High School, 60 th Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, April 30, 2011, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (dedication to take place in the gym at 2 p.m.)
Where: Banting Memorial High School
203 Victoria St. E., Alliston
“Sixty years ago, Banting Memorial High School opened with 420 students,” says Ann McClure, Principal,
Banting Memorial. “Over the years there have been many additions to the physical building, the student body
has grown by hundreds and countless teachers and staff have supported student achievement. We are very proud
to be a part of this school’s history.”
On Saturday, April 30 th , 2011, current and former students and staff, and any interested community members are
invited to the open house and anniversary celebrations at the school. There will be school tours, refreshments
and a special dedication ceremony in the gym.

Please pass the word and join us to celebrate!
South Simcoe Streams Network (SSSN) – Trees for Streams
In conjunction with Earth Week, and this would be a fantastic volunteer opportunity for your teen for their
Community Involvement hours, or just to get involved in your particular community, I have forwarded on some
information about the 2011 Trees for Streams Events.
SSSN have worked with students from Banting, with Mr. G. Meadley, for a number of years. On Tuesday, May
3 rd , Mr. Meadley’s class is assisting in a field event to help control invasive garlic mustard along Spring Creek
in partnership with SSSN and Honda. On Saturday, May 7 th , SSSN is holding the Streams Annual Spring
Community Tree Planting day in New Tecumseth, at which a number of students have participated in the past.
On Thursday, May 12 th , there is an after school field event to help plant a variety of seedlings along Rosemont
Creek in Adjala-Tosorontio, in partnership with Somerville Nurseries. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact:
Silvia Pedrazzi
Environment Liaison for the
South Simcoe Streams Network
Nottawasaga Futures
705 435-1540 ext. 1027
silvia@nottawasaga.com
The tradition of involving the community to help plant buffers along our local streams continues with this year’s
goal being the planting of 7000 native trees and shrubs together with mulching and maintenance activities.
Consider coming out to one of the many community events listed in the attachments!
Annual Plant Sale
Speaking of planting, Mr. Meadley’s horticulture class and the Alliston Horticultural Society are holding a plant
sale on Saturday, May 21 st , at the Banting Memorial greenhouse (behind the school). There will be perennials,
annuals, roses, a bake table and more. The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Skills Canada Competition - Transportation SHSM Update
Because of the interest in of some contests at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), Skills
Canada holds Qualifying Competitions to ensure that the most prepared students ultimately compete at the
Ontario Technological Skills Competition.
Transportation Lead Teacher, Derek Smith has been working with students after school to prepare for the
Qualifying Competition that took place April 16 th .
Scott Forest placed 1 st over all, beating 20 students from over 9 different boards. Matthew Ashley got a
Certificate of Achievement, which means that he got over 75% at the competition. Only two students received
this which will mean that he placed 4 th or 5 th . Well Done!

Senior Concert Band
Congratulations to Banting’s Senior Concert Band! They earned a Silver standing at the South Simcoe Arts
Festival. Banting hosted 6 different schools for their performances in the festival and put our recording
equipment to good use, producing CD’s of all the performances. Banting placed very well, and is in an
excellent position to perform splendidly at their upcoming competition in Nashville. Thank you to all the
students who helped organize and run the festival day.
Arts Department Trip to New York
The Arts Department is planning a trip to New York City in May of next year. The trip is open to all students
who will be in grade 11 or 12 next year and will have an arts focus. If you are interested in seeing Broadway
shows, visiting world famous art galleries, and/or exploring the streets Greenwich Village, Chinatown and
Central Park, then your teen should have attended a very important meeting Wednesday, April 20 th , in room
249, right after period 5.
Dental Health Worker Visits
Does your child need dental work and you are unable to afford it The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
provides a dental health worker for students in need. Inge MacNamara of the Unit will be coming to Banting
May 26 and is now accepting appointments for that day by calling: 705-721-7520 ext. 7309. Please contact her
directly and she will ensure your child will have a time. Students with an appointment will also receive a kit
consisting of toothpaste, toothbrush, floss and other items for dental care.
Vimy Ridge Field Trip
Canadian and World Studies are taking students on an international field trip to Vimy Ridge, in April, 2012.
Presently, the trip is approximately half full and seats for the trip are going fast. The deadline for the
completion of the on-line application and submission of trip application forms is Monday, May 2 nd .
This 11 day tour of England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands will take place around the 2012 Easter
holiday. It is open to ALL Banting students but space is limited.
For more information, please see Mr. Engelhardt, Mr. Howatson, or Mrs. Wright in room 216.
Accommodation Review Area 2010:03 - Notice of Public Meeting
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Re: Accommodation Review – Alliston Union Public School, Ernest
Cumberland Elementary School
The accommodation review process includes a series of working sessions and four public meetings. Please click
here to view the schedule of working sessions and public meetings for this ARC. Please note all meetings are
open to the public. The following is notice of the second of four public meetings required as part of the ARC
process:
What: Second Public Meeting for ARC 2010:03
When: Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Where: Ernest Cumberland Elementary School
160 Eighth Avenue, Alliston
The Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) invites the public to attend this public meeting to learn about
the pupil accommodation review and the alternative accommodation option proposed. Comments from the
public are welcomed and will be received for consideration by the ARC.
If you wish to present a delegation at this meeting, please contact the ARC Chair, Superintendent Paul Sloan,
through Executive Assistant Rita England, (705) 734-6363 ext. 11366 before 4 p.m. on, Thursday, April 28,
2011.
Further information about this accommodation review process and the schools under review is available online
at www.scdsb.on.ca and in print at each of the schools under review and at the Education Centre.
Is Your Teen Canada’s Best Athlete
On June 11 th , 2011, a fitness decathlon is being held at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. The competition is
open to the first 128 males and 128 females to register. Registration deadline is May 14 th . It costs $35 to
register. Register online at www.canadasbestathlete.com.
The Dr. J. M. Ramsay Scholarship Award 2010-2011
1. The Committee of Award invites applications for this award.
2. The purpose of the Award is stated in the Trust Declaration as follows:
It is hereby declared that this trust fund has been settled and established for the purpose of
providing such scholarships, merit prizes, trophies, awards and education assistance as the Committee of
Award shall deem advisable for a student or students who has attended a public secondary school in
Simcoe County for at least one full year immediately preceding the Award and who has been accepted
into a post-secondary program which might normally be expected to lead to a degree or diploma in the
performing or creative arts and a career in the arts or teaching. This award is available to students in all
Simcoe County secondary schools.
3. The following documentation is required for each submission:
(a)
(b)
(c)
letter of application (two-page maximum) from the student outlining his or her accomplishments
and future plans in an appropriate field;
letter in support of the applicant from a current teacher;
statement from a guidance counsellor describing the applicant's academic standing and
co-curricular involvement. (NOTE: A student transcript is not required.)
4. Please send applications before FRIDAY, May 20 th , 2011 to:
The Committee of Award
Dr. J. M. Ramsay Scholarship
c/o Lena Robyn, Director’s Office

You’re Invited!
Simcoe County District School Board
1170 Highway 26
Midhurst, Ontario
LOL 1X0.
All parents and guardians in Simcoe County are invited to the Eastview Cafetorium on Thursday, June 2 nd , at
7:00 p.m., to hear Dr. Ian Brown speak about the topic “Boys Adrift”. Dr. Brown will be discussing the five
factors driving the growing epidemic of unmotivated boys and underachieving young men as identified in
Leonard Sax’s book Boys Adrift. This event is a must-attend for any parent/guardian of boys. Come and hear
an explanation for why some boys are failing at school and disengaged at home. Dr. Brown will present ideas
and strategies for parents about how to help boys achieve their full potential. Please register your intent to
attend this event by leaving a message at 705-728-1321, ext. 40895.
Homework Help for Simcoe County
Over 236,000 grade 7 to 10 math students now have access to live, interactive online math help through the
expansion of a pilot project funded by the Ministry of Education. Homework Help
(http://www.homeworkhelp.ilc.org) is free, real-time math tutoring by certified Ontario teachers.
Students can log in from Sunday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST for 20 hours a week of individualized
confidential math tutoring. There are discussion rooms for each grade where students can join in and see what
questions other students are asking, watch the tutors draw on the whiteboard – and ask their own question for
on-the-spot help.
If they can't wait until the discussion rooms open, videos of best tutorials and commonly asked questions are
available anytime. Other online math resources include math games and a virtual locker, where students can
save their work.
Announcements
See Mrs. Whidden in the library if interested in joining the Comic Committee. It meets Mondays during the
last half of third and the first half of fourth.
Banting’s Drum Circle meets on Tuesdays from 2:45 until 4 in room 241.
The Beyonders Club meets on Wednesdays. See Mrs. Quint-Garrett, in room 130, for more information.
Archery Club meets on Thursdays in gym 161.
The Improv Troop meets Mondays in the Drama room after school.
The Movement for Change group meets on Tuesday’s first half of period four lunch in room 232.
The Amnesty International Club meets on Wednesdays after school in room 247. See Mr. Johnson for more
information.

Badminton Club meets Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 until 9. Juniors on Wednesdays and Seniors on
Thursdays.
Anime Club meets on Tuesdays after school in the Library.
The Gay, Straight, Alliance group meets Tuesdays at 2:45 in room 245.
The Glee Club meets Mondays after school in room 170.
Chess and Checkers Club meets in the cafeteria, every day, during period 3 or 4 lunch. No experience
necessary.
Volunteer Information
Check volunteer activities out on www.myvolunteerpage.com.
1. The Alliston District Chamber of Commerce has volunteer opportunities for teens at our upcoming South
Simcoe Home Show April 8-10 at the New Tec Recreation Centre. You can get up to 18 hours in 1
weekend. Please contact the Alliston Chamber at 705-435-7921, or info@adcc.ca .
2. On May 21 st and 22 nd , Mansfield Outdoor Center will host Victoria’s 100: Canada’s first 100 mile mountain
bike race along with a variety of other events. The course will cover 4 properties in both Dufferin County
and Simcoe County. This would be an excellent opportunity for students to accumulate volunteer hours and
participate in an international event in their own backyard. We hope that by being involved students will
learn about the value of outdoor recreation both for personal fitness and enjoyment as well as environmental
stewardship and local economic development. Riders are registering from around Ontario and Northern
USA. Volunteers are needed to assist in parking management, timing, and feed zone/course marshal
stations. While there are activities on Saturday, Sunday will be the busiest time. Events start at 6 a.m. and
continue until 9 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the start but would be appreciated all day for any portion
they can commit to. Duties would involve handing out drinks and food at feed zones, helping with the
BBQ, writing down numbers at marshal stations and cheering on participants. All volunteers would receive
a free BBQ meal and other refreshments throughout the day. Event details can be found at
http://substanceprojects.com/event/victorias-100-mansfield and www.facebook.com/victorias100 . If you
have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Dan Marshall at 416-274-1911 or
info@substanceprojects.com .
3. If you are interested in environmental causes in the area, and would like to be involved with the South
Simcoe Streams Network, see near the beginning of the newsletter or contact:
Silvia Pedrazzi
Environment Liaison for the
South Simcoe Streams Network
Nottawasaga Futures
705 435-1540 ext. 1027
silvia@nottawasaga.com
4. We are looking for students to help with Banting’s 60 th Anniversary celebration. This event is being held on
Saturday, April 30 th , from 1 until 4. Students will be needed to assist in the preparation of the event, during
the event and after the event. If your teen is interested in participating, please have them sign up in
Guidance as soon as possible.

Sports News
The scores and schedules across the County are on www.hometeamsonline.com; type “scaa ‘your sport’” in for
league (i.e. scaa volleyball).
For schedules not on the above website, try the following: get to the Board website by going to:
http://www.scdsb.on.ca; click on Student Street tab; click on Secondary Athletics from the drop down list; scroll
down and choose the Spring Sports Schedule; scroll down to whatever sport you are looking for and click on
schedule; check for BANT.
Next week’s sporting events look like:
April 25 th April 26 th April 27 th April 28 th April 29 th
EASTER MONDAY
– no school sports
RUGBY – GIRLS –
BCK @ BANT
RUGBY – BOYS –
BCK @ BANT
BADMINTON – Sr.
GB’s, Georgian
College
SOCCER – GIRLS
– BANT @ EAST
BASEBALL –
Vaughan Grove
Tournament
RUGBY – GIRLS –
BANT @ INN
RUGBY – BOYS –
BANT @ INN
BADMINTON – Jr.
GB’s, Huntsville
BASEBALL –
Vaughan Grove
Tournament
SOCCER – GIRLS
- TAQ @ BANT
(JR)
ENA @ BANT (SR)
TRACK & FIELD –
Investors Group
Meet @ STT
The Girls’ Gymnastics team had another successful meet at OFSAA. Notable performances were by: Ally
Belanger – 2 nd on bars, 1 st on floor; Melissa Conforzi – 2 nd on bars; Kristen Marcus – 3 rd on vault; and, Abby
Proper – 3 rd or bars and beam. The novice aerobics gymnastics team placed 2 nd overall. Well done!
Junior and Senior Badminton players – best of luck at GB’s!
The Senior Badminton team had a very successful day at Regionals on Tuesday, April 19 th . We had 3, 4 th
place finishes with these players narrowly missing qualifying for GB’s: Heather Hollands in Singles, Kaitlyn
Foster and Angela Theobald in Doubles, and David Arnold and Conor Cicci in Doubles. The following
players did qualify for GB’s: Vivian Chau and Michael Lam-Dang placed 2 nd in Mixed Doubles, Mitchell
Lam-Dang placed 3 rd in Singles, Tyler Bourke placed 2 nd in Singles, and Valerie Gagnon won the gold in
Singles.
Tryouts for Banting’s Ball Hockey teams took place this week. On Tuesday, April 19 th , the boys’ tryouts were
at 4 and at 5:45, the girls had their tryouts. This took place at the New Tecumseth Rec. Centre. See Mrs.
Hawton, in the co-op office, if you have any questions.
If your teen is in grade 9 or 10 and they are interested in tennis, they should sign up for the Junior Tennis team.
There is a sign up list on the door of room 205. Practices start on Tuesday, April 26 th at the G. A. Wright courts
after school.
Last Thursday, the 14 th , the Junior Girls’ Rugby team travelled to Brantford for their first games of the season.
The girls played hard all day showing skill, commitment and heart. Great work by all players led the team to a
second place finish.

Important Dates
Friday, April 22
Monday, April 25
Tuesday, April 26
Thursday, April 28
Thursday, April 28 – Sunday, May 1
Thursday, April 28 – Sunday, May 1
Good Friday – no school
Easter Monday – no school
School Council Meeting, 7 p.m.
Mid-Semester Reports
Mammoth Caves trip
Nashville Music trip
Positively Speaking
Facing Our Fears: The Fear of Failure
We have talked about “the fear of people” as one of the major ‘fears’ we face on the road to success. Another
one of our major fears is the ‘fear of failure’.
All our lives we have been primed to think and feel that to fail at something is ‘the end of the line’ and we must,
at all costs, avoid. However, failure, or the possibility of it, is an important ingredient in the success recipe.
In order to be successful, we must be prepared to fail. As in all worthwhile endeavours, there has to be an
element of risk. Our ultimate success does not rest on the number of failures we experience, but haw many
times we pick ourselves up and try again.
To risk failure is to tempt success. In the risks we take and the failures we experience are the lessons we need to
learn to assure our success.
Someone once said, “You only get one chance.” They were wrong! We can have as many chances as we want
– it is all up to us. In his book, “Think and Grow Rich”, Napoleon Hill says “most so-called failures are only
temporary defeats”. We have to be prepared to grasp the opportunities, take the chance, overcome the fear of
failure and we will be successful! Don’t let fear fool you, because fear is only:
F alse E vidence A ppearing R eal
Source: The Perkolator, Barrie 1, # 251, Apr. 2 – Apr. 16, 2010
Parent’s Corner
Don’t let your teen’s work begin to slide as nicer weather arrives
As soon as the days become longer, students’ attention spans become shorter. It’s like there’s something in the
air besides pollen that entices kids of all ages to skimp on studying in favour of extra time outdoors.
To make sure your teen is still finishing their homework:
Talk about it Ask questions about their assignments – which is the most interesting Which one is the most
difficult This will remind your child that even if they don’t care about their homework, you still
do.

Time it If your teen averaged three hours of homework per night during the winter, a new 15-minute
average should make you suspicious. A comment like, “Your teacher sure let up on the
homework suddenly,” might be enough to fix the problem.
Combine it Suggest that your teen do their reading on the front steps. That way, they can enjoy the sun –
without sacrificing homework time.
Source: “Don’t let your teen’s work begin to slide as nicer weather arrives”, April 2008, Vol. 15, No. 8, High school parents still make the difference!,
www.parent-institute.com
Parent Pointer Calendar for the following week
April 26 th - April 29 th
April 25 th April 26 th April 27 th April 28 th April 29 th
EASTER
MONDAY
Enjoy the weekend!
Happy Easter!
Help your teen use
an atlas, globe or
Google Earth, to
find places in the
news today.
Terry Wilkinson
Vice-Principal
Banting Memorial High School
Stop fighting with
your teen about
clothes. Give them a
budget and let them
take responsibility.
Cut the title off a
story from today’s
paper. Have your
teen give it a title.
Compare the titles.
Do you have a
home improvement
project to do Let
your teen help.
P.S. (Positive Statement):
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having
positive results.”
- Willie Nelson (American country western singer)
P.P.S.: If you like what you have read so far, please tell another parent/guardian, get them to e-mail me,
and I’ll add them to the e-mail list.