Casey Council Creates a Sense of Community

In 2006, grade 10 student Jennifer Smulders noticed that that there wasn’t a lot of school spirit taking place at Bishop Carroll High School, so she decided to do something about it.

She created the Casey Council, with the sponsorship of teacher (and her mother) Mrs. M. Smulders. The council started out with only seven members, and was named after the school’s mascot, Casey the Cardinal. Together, these founding members started the Casey Council tradition of providing scorekeepers, linesmen, a chain gang and a concession at all Cardinal home games as well as getting members to attend away games to support Cardinal athletes.

This self-funded council is dedicated to promoting school spirit. At all sports games, fan bleacher seats, pom-poms and door prizes are given out. Every person who works at the games as linesmen, scorekeepers or in the chain gang earns $10, but every member of Casey Council has agreed to donate that money right back into the council. That money is used to pay for the bleacher seats they give out, the programs and the cost of materials for the Casey Council sweaters, among many other Casey Council-related events.

Kate, a grade 10 member of the council says, “I like helping the school... if you can't be an athlete, be athletic support.” Meanwhile, Michelle, a grade 12 student says, “It's fun helping out our athletes!”

Aside from supporting Cardinal athletics, the Casey Council also helps with the blood donor clinic, organizes pep-rallies, and last year organized the first successful school dance in 12 years. The new president of Casey Council, grade 12 student Kaleigh Jamieson says, “I am an active member of this school through Casey Council and I love making a difference at the school I attend.”

Bishop Carroll now has a strong school community that is proud and eager to support its school. Members of Casey Council acquire the tools needed to become leaders of today and tomorrow.

Founder and former president of Casey Council Jennifer Smulders, now a returning graduate, says, “Casey Council has made my high-school experience worthwhile. I am proud to be a Cardinal... cooking those hot dogs, putting up the last of the decorations, or wearing that Casey Council sweater [personally knitted by Mrs. Smulders] makes a difference to everyone at Bishop Carroll.”
This year, there are over 60 members in the Casey Council and even more Cardinals in the stands actually supporting their school on the field. This is a council that makes a difference to the school.

Le Carnaval de Colonel Macleod

A French carnival - or "carnival" in French - is held every year at Colonel Macleod School in Calgary.

Sled races, snow shoeing, bingo, obstacle courses, ice castles, and lots and lots of cotton candy are just a few things that students can enjoy at the event! One of my favourites is something called the sugar shack, where you can get taffy that is made out of maple sap, and you roll it in snow to eat - using clean snow of course! It's a common treat to eat in Quebec and it is so good!

I have to say, the carnaval keeps getting better every year!

Hearts for Haiti

Ever since the horrific events that have taken place in Haiti, students at the Calgary Science School have been finding ways to help.

The volunteerism elective class organized a Valentine’s Day bake sale and a movie night featuring Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs with all proceeds going to Canadian organizations helping Haiti. From these two incredibly successful events, the school raised just under $1,800.

Even then, it was not enough. The grade 9 teachers, along with the volunteerism elective teacher, organized a group of students called "The Hearts For Haiti Planning Committee" and together, they came up with another brilliant idea. Recently, a whole day was dedicated to educational activities around the school. Small pink hearts were the tickets to get into the many games, scavenger hunts and skits organized around the school. Students received the pink hearts in exchange for their donations, and as a result, the school had a fun day of giving filled with much hope for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Heroes for Haiti

Last month, a massive earthquake in Haiti rendered millions of adults, families, and children homeless and without the bare necessities. People around the world have rallied to contribute time, effort and money to assist in the recovery.

At St. Martin de Porres High School in Airdrie, concerned teachers and students have established the Heroes for Haiti fundraiser. With a goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the month, the school has sent out a challenge to all schools in Airdrie and the Calgary area to either match or beat their donation amount.

So far, Bishop O' Byrne High School in Calgary has contacted the school and has informed them that they have raised $2,000, with more money on the way. St. Gabriel the Archangel in Chestermere has also expressed interest in helping to raise money for the earthquake relief.

Meanwhile, at St. Martin de Porres, teachers and students are raising money to reach their goal through various fundraisers. The main fundraiser will be the 24 Hour Famine, to be held on February 26th. Each student who wishes to participate must raise $200 in sponsorship money for Heroes for Haiti. Minor money raising events have also been scheduled for those who are not able to participate in the main event. One teacher who has been vital to the development of the school’s fundraisers, Robert Braile, is selling Heroes for Haiti pins and buttons, as well as t-shirts with the phrase "Heroes for Haiti" printed on the back.

Being a Catholic school, St. Martin de Porres has taken into account that Pope Benedict XVI has called for international generosity and solidarity towards the people in Haiti who are suffering and need help. He has given his assurance that the Catholic Church will provide immediate and urgent assistance. For this reason, St. Martin de Porres has decided to donate all profits generated from the events to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, an organization which has been contributing funds to emergency Haiti relief.

There is so much we can do to help these suffering people in Haiti. Just like the people at St. Martin de Porres, we each need to play our part and be part of the solution.

Langley Leo Club Pledges to Serve

On January 29, 2010, the Langley Leo Club, which seeks to serve the people and focus on the under-privileged, was created. The highly anticipated night held at the West Langley Hall featured the induction of a group of passionate youth dedicated to serving the community.

Comprised of 50 members, all members are currently students at R.E. Mountain Secondary School. While it may seem like a school-based group, the club has no desire to restrict its members to only people from that particular secondary school.

In association with Lions Clubs International, the Langley Leo Club is now one of the many 5,700 Leo clubs in 140 countries.

Focusing on issues regarding local and international communities, the Langley Leo Club raised over $13,000 for the Christmas Bureau through their kettle drives and have planned future events including making lunch for the people of Gateway of Hope (a new-based homeless shelter in Langley), as well as possibly sponsoring a child in Africa.

Langley Leo Club president Yoon Won Son gave a moving speech, saying, “Truly I believe that the most significant life one can lead is to influence goodness [in] others.”

To become a member of the Leo Club means to ally with those who take action in order to comfort those in need.

For inquiries, email us at: langleyleoclub@gmail.com

Peace Day

The International Day of Peace, or “Peace Day” was originally established by the United Nations with the intent of providing an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and nations to create outstanding acts of peace on a shared day. Despite this knowledge, few members of the Bishop Carroll High School community knew this day existed until a group of students took the initiative to inform everyone.

The main event took place on September 21st. To celebrate this day devoted to harmony the school gathered in the field to create a human peace sign. Upon entering the field students saw brightly coloured pylons indicating the general shape of a peace sign covering the majority of the field. Everyone found their place and became a part of the rounded symbol for peace. Students helped direct the participants and fill the outline in equal proportions. Finally, everyone held hands and smiled for the cameraman, situated conveniently on our schools roof. It didn’t matter if you were standing beside your best friend or a complete stranger. Still, everyone felt connected and content during a moment of tranquility.

Because participation in the event was not mandatory, some people questioned whether or not it would be successful. In spite of people’s doubts a large quantity of interested students came out to support the event, proving that many young people support the implementation of peaceful actions and relationships in our school and world.

What set Bishop Carroll’s Peace Day celebration apart from other school related events was that it was initiated by a group of devoted students. It was planned in a short period of time, yet still turned out successful. The beauty of the human peace sign was in its sudden arrival, and from the fact that in a short amount of time and planning students could come together simply to breathe in a moment of sincere calmness in support of non-violence around the world.

Calgary Flames Parking Fundraiser

School is in full bloom these days. But with the arrival of every September came shopping for the right stationary and the right clothes, unbelievably early mornings and astounding amounts of homework. School also brought another dreaded task: fundraising.

Whether it’s for a club, a team, or the general school finances, we can all recall trudging door to door, desperately trying to sell yet another coupon book or box of chocolates to yet another grumpy neighbour. Fundraising doesn’t have to be such a torturous nightmare, though.

I attend St. Mary’s High School, which is strategically located a mere 10 minute walk from the Calgary Saddledome. During Flames games, which there are many, we rent the staff parking lot to spectators at $10 a car. This fundraiser doesn’t require much time or effort, and it’s pretty simple in design. Cars that are looking for parking stop by the school and pay $10. They receive a printed ticket that informs them that the parking lot closes at midnight. They leave, enjoy the hockey game, return before midnight and pick up their car.

This activity can raise over $1,000 in a single night, and we don’t have to pay royalties to any company the way we would if we were selling cookies or chocolate. The best part is that the customers come to US! This fundraiser is used by our school’s Music Council to pay for band and choir activities such as festivals and camp. This fundraiser is also used by St. Monica’s Elementary and Jr. High school, located down the block from St. Mary’s, and at every well-located school.

If your school isn’t located near anything more popular than a McDonald’s, there’s still hope. This year, instead of selling candy, have your school apply to the government for a financial bailout!

Students and Teachers Rally as "Agents for Africa"

Henry Wise Wood High School in Calgary has launched a year-long campaign to encourage the awareness of an issue that continues to plague the African continent: HIV/AIDS. Students and teachers will fundraise in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, playing the roles of campaigners, ambassadors and ultimately – as the program’s moniker reads – “Agents for Africa.”

A major aim of the campaign is to involve Wise Wood’s many faculties and clubs in the education effort – many teachers are infusing HIV/AIDS into their subject curriculums. The school’s Fine Arts program will produce several art sales, drama shows and dance performances geared towards awareness – all put on by the students themselves.

“I teach a little bit about it in art, too,” says Lil Molstad, the art curriculum leader at Wise Wood, of the Africa-themed work she does with her students. “In order to give the students impetus to do something special, they need to know why they’re doing it. And so the work that they do ends up being really strong,” she adds.

The Art Sale for Africa occurred from November 23rd to 27th at Wise Wood, while drama shows took place on the 26th and 27th. However, volunteering students will also be selling handmade bracelets during the coming months. The students and teachers organizing Agents for Africa plan for it to culminate with a Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) guest speaker, tentatively slotted for May 2010.

SLF has funded over 300 grass-roots initiatives in 15 countries during the last three years. These community-based programs focus on providing HIV education, counselling to the affected, as well as the distribution of medication and other essential supplies. SLF brings considerable aid to the regions of Africa most ravaged by the disease – a feat which Wise Wood students are steadily growing to appreciate.

“We can all get so wrapped up in ourselves sometimes; it’s nice to broaden the perspective and become more aware. What we’re doing this year really does matter,” says grade 11 art student Rebecca Hay of the process. The work of all Wise Wood’s students will be helping to combat one of the foremost global issues today.

We Got Spirit! Yes, We Do?

Today is game day; the bleachers are crowded with cheering students as the players sprint up the court. The sound of footfalls deafening against the floor, the basketball is a blur passing from hand to hand. The excitement is palpable and electrifies the gym to standing as the shooting guard positions himself to take the shot that might make or break the game. The mascot bounds up and down and the coach shouts and all the noise rises to a single, collective mosaic of consciousness…!
Such powerful sentiment and reaction is a byproduct of a healthy and well-functioning school culture.

Spirit in secondary schools, however, is a tenuous thing; many factors, both internal and external, directly relate to how integrated a student feels to their school’s identity. Instead of your athletic teams, it is easy for apathy to become reigning regional champion.

Russell Blower, a grade 12 at Thomas Haney Secondary School, can see this trend happening. “The idea of the school as a single entity is nearly non-existent,” he says, “given the lack of school specific clubs and groups.” He believes that besides the general athletics and artistic departments, the lack of more specified extracurricular gatherings outside of schools, such as debate clubs, chess clubs and environmental action groups, are what is making it difficult for students to band together as an unified body.

Caitlin Stickelmann, another grade 12 from THSS, attributes decline of school spirit to outside pressure. “So many people, myself included,” she says, “have jobs, music, sports and volunteering outside of school; the stress of which has come out in the form of not wanting to add anymore to their plate, especially when schoolwork has piled so much on top already.” She says that the lack of grade representation in school clubs, especially in the younger levels, contribute to a decrease in participation. She says of the lower grades: “Grade eights can be intimidated by the seniors, whether they give them reason to or not.

As they grow and move up the academic ladder, some will 'come out of their shell' and contribute and participate in the many school events planned during the year. However, because we come into the high school culture with this mindset [of detachment] many do not, and are content with watching from afar.”
How healthy a school’s spirit is relies heavily upon the quality of years of precedence and maintenance. Russell believes that should a renaissance of academic, artistic and athletic culture in secondary schools ever be conceived, an attitude overhaul of what school is about will be in order. “In order to raise school spirit, the school as a whole would need to start being more vocal and more involved. Stop treating school as a place solely to prepare for post-secondary, and give it the respect it deserves.”

Cops for Cancer at Oak Bay High School

Every September, a group of students from Oak Bay High School in Victoria get together to organize a huge fundraiser in support of Cops for Cancer’s Tour de Rock and the Canadian Cancer Society. The Tour de Rock is a team of police officers and media figures who gather from all over Vancouver Island and cycle the length of the island over a period of 15 days. On their tour, they stop in almost every community to raise money for pediatric cancer research, as well as Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp for children affected by cancer.

Some of the events that were organized this year by a dedicated team of students at Oak Bay included a community barbeque, a school dodge ball tournament, a bottle drive, and, of course, our annual head shave and pie toss. The bottle drive alone raked in a total of $3,000 in one single day of collection. Many students volunteered their time during this campaign to go canvassing from door-to-door, while others were involved in the planning process of our hugely successful auction. Eleven students volunteered to have their heads shaved on September 29th in support of children suffering with cancer, and several other students, who were not so willing to part with their locks, decided to wax their legs instead.

By the time the riders arrived at our school on October 1st, the hard working team had raised a grand total of $25,192.90. This is a record for the Oak Bay High School Cops for Cancer Campaign, and, being the shortest campaign in its history due to the late start of school this year, the students who spent the majority of their September putting an incredible amount of effort into this project truly deserve to be congratulated.