Home Based School

We are quickly approaching the end of semester 1. For some of us, we have been able to keep ourselves on pace with our school work. For others, things have slid away from us a bit. No matter where you are at, this becomes an important time to get after the work a little harder, to give a little more of yourself.

Many careers have those moments where your work is going to ask for more of you to make sure everything is on track. For an accountant, that is tax season. For athletes, that is playoffs. For corporations, that is meeting year end goals.

At Outreach and Home-Based, we ask a lot of our students all year long because we want to see you succeed at your goals and we know the courses, the grades, the skills it will take to achieve. But that doesn’t change that we want a little more from you when you are getting ready to write your final exams, to submit last minute assignments.

Use the new year energy to attack your work a little more voraciously, to take one more read through of that essay, to come into the school one more time to ask for clarification. Every little bit extra you can give will make a difference. If you were that accountant, maximize that tax return. If you were with that corporation, do what you can to get that promotion. If you were an Oiler, you want to hoist the Stanley Cup. This is the push to get you there.

Mr. Holbrow

Principal

January 6 - Welcome back! First day of school in 2025

January 13 - Final exams start

January 16 - HBS Special Event! Hot Chocolate & Board Games

January 29 - PD Day - No school for students

January 30 - Semester 2 begins!

February 6 & 7 - No school - ATA Teachers' Convention

February 17 - No school - Family Day!

Did you know that the majestic Osprey is the mascot for the Outreach and Home Based Schools?

The osprey is a unique raptor, standing out for its beauty and choice of prey. A piscivore found on all continents on Earth except Antartica, osprey are a single species in their own genus and family. Some of these majestic birds migrate, while those in warm climates stay in place year-round.

Ospreys possess a large, five-foot wingspan and have brown, black, and white coloration throughout their wings and bodies. These birds of prey are noted for their nests which are built on tall, open tree branches or poles near bodies of water. From superb fishing skills to long migrations, learn more about the incredible osprey.

Ospreys typically live as long as 15 to 20 years, and the oldest known osprey was just over 25 years old. During that long lifetime, these migratory birds can rack up over 160,000 miles of travel.

Researchers tracking osprey migration between Sweden and Africa found birds traveling as far as 4,200 miles over a 45-day period. Another study recorded an osprey that flew from Massachusetts to South Africa, a journey of 2,700 miles, in 13 days.

Happy New Year! Can you believe how fast the first part of the school year has flown by? I hope things are well and the children are enjoying their learning from home choice in education!

It is that time of year again when we must schedule our mid-point meeting In this meeting we get to review your program plans... take a look at what has worked and maybe what we can change. I am booking for December & January. I have a few options available, and it is first come, first served :) These meetings can take place virtually, via Google Meet, or in person here at our Beaumont office. In your reply, please specify if you would like virtual or in person and what date and time.

Here is what is currently available in December & January:

1. Mondays between 10-2pm
2. Tuesdays between 9-11am
3. Wednesdays between 10-11 am
4. Thursdays between 2-3pm
5. Fridays 9am-11am & 2pm-3pm

What to bring:

• Samples of the AWESOME stuff they have been doing
• A project they are proud of (a story they wrote, a science experiment etc...)
• Anything else you would like to show off!
• Please send samples of student work (via photo) so I can upload to your file.

Looking forward to chatting with you soon.

Email Tracy Melnyk to book your appointment now: tracy.melnyk@gshare.blackgold.ca

Starting in January, our popular Young Artists of Beaumont program is being offered as daytime workshops, aimed to provide our homeschool families with a visual art option for their kids. It will be on select Wednesday mornings, for ages 5-7 and 8-10. To make this program successful, the information needs to get out to the homeschool community.

To register go to: www.clickit.beaumont.ab.ca//BEAUMONT/public/category/browse/CHILDTEENWINTER

and for more information, contact community.programs@beaumont.ab.ca.

Join us for "Hot Chocolate & Board Games" on Thursday January 16th from 1 - 2:30.

Cozy up for some fun! Students are encouraged to bring a board game(s) of their choice to play with other students. Hot chocolate and all the fixings will be served!

Click the link to sign up: https://forms.gle/yjXh8i9mTxe2W4Ur7

We will be utilizing our Moodle Capacity this year. Students and parents are required to watch the Moodle Tutorial video below. Please familiarize yourself with the video. The Moodle Site can only be access with the student's Blackgold account. It is the same log-in credentials that you use to check your Blackgold email (same username and password). You can access all of your materials digitally, watch video tutorials, and scan in your work all by using Moodle.

Website https://moodle.blackgold.ca/ . We will also be requesting that work submitted digitally (scanned or pdfs) be uploaded through the Moodle dropboxes. Instructions are found in each

Moodle course. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help!

How to use Moodle to Submit your Assignments.

First, download a free version of Adobe Scan free from the App Store.

Watch a quick tutorial here: Adobe Scan Tutorial

Then, go to your Black Gold Moodle at: https://moodle.blackgold.ca/

Log in with your BGSD login and password.

Here is a quick tutorial to watch: Moodle Video

Remember, we have already added you to your classes. If you are missing a class, email Mrs. Melnyk at : tracy.melnyk@gshare.blackgold.ca

You will be looking for the “Dropboxes” in the menu. That is where you will upload your assignments.

For example, “Assignment 1A” goes in the “Assignment 1A Dropbox”.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE UPLOADING THE CORRECT ASSIGNMENT IN THE CORRECT DROPBOX

Please note Mrs. Melnyk will enroll you in the courses - you are NOT required to self enroll - ignore that part in the video.

1. Help others by volunteering

Volunteering your time or doing something to help others is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden friendships. For example, consider dropping off a meal at a friend's home or delivering baked goods to a neighbour during the holidays – particularly for those who may be alone.

2. Avoid overspending

Set a limit for presents and schedule low-cost outings. Make a budget and stick to it.

3. Maintain healthy habits

Avoid overindulging in food, and keep up exercise routines as much as possible. Although drinks may be flowing over the holidays, it’s important to moderate alcohol, which can have a negative impact on mood and affect your motivation around healthy habits like exercise. Getting enough sleep is also important for physical and mental health.

4. Practice gratitude

Even when you're going through rough times, there are still things to be grateful for during the holiday season. Look out the window and take the time to appreciate the colours. Notice the wind in the trees. Indulge your sense of wonder in this world. There is strong evidence that documenting the things you are grateful for can lift your mood.

5. Be intentional about how you spend your time

Devote time to being intentionally present by taking deep breaths, observing your surroundings and being in the moment. Take a break from worrying or focusing too much on challenges. Moderate screen time; take a break from the constant news cycle and social media, and avoid binge watching TV.

6. Spread positivity

Share good old fashioned greetings with people you come across; a chipper word or two creates community and reduces isolation. “Hello,” “Hi,” “Good morning,” “After you,” and “Happy holidays!” help us feel connected.

7. Reach out if you are feeling lonely or sad

Talk to a friend or family member – if you can't visit, try reaching out with a text, a call or a video chat. Schedule an outdoor activity with loved ones – go for a walk, bike ride or snowshoe outdoors. Or engage in community, religious or other social events, support groups, social media or virtual events that can provide support and companionship.

8. Don’t romanticize holidays past

The holiday season brings expectations and stress for many people, and it's rarely perfect. The season won’t always be merry and bright, even at the best of times – and that is OK.

9. Start new traditions

Find creative ways to mark the season – they may even become new traditions. Take a stroll through the neighborhood to view the lights, surprise loved ones with baked goods, or host an online "watch party" with friends and family, complete with popcorn, eggnog and a classic holiday movie.

Kickstand Connect is a virtual walk-in clinic for Albertans aged 11-25 (but they said their age range is soft; kids will not be denied if they are older or younger than that). Their services are provided by Alberta-certified providers, and there is NO COST associated with them.

There is NO limit to how many times a kid can access the walk-in services; they will be directed to further support if their needs are more intensive. This program has a TON of connections to other mental health support programs in the province.

https://mykickstand.ca/connect/

Beaumont Library Calendar - Art Escapes, Book Clubs, Chess, Teen Resume Help

Beaumont Public Library Scavenger Hunt!

Loaner BSRC Family Membership - Want to borrow a family membership for a week? Contact the HBS!

CARC Virtual Webinars (Link) - Free & online!

Leduc City Guide

Leduc Fieldhouse Schedule

Leduc County Calendar - Family Paint Nights, PD Day Hangouts, Family Fun Sports Days, Grief Support
Leduc Library Calendar

Telus World of Science Edmonton - https://telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca/

Royal Tyrrell Museum - link for more info

https://telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca/visit/camps/wintercamp/

Happy Holidays!

The November 27, 2024 Board Highlights are attached and have been posted to our website - www.blackgold.ca - at: News. They are also posted to our Board Highlights website section.

The Board Highlights are a summary of our Board of Trustee meetings to communicate pertinent information to our staff, school councils, parents, students and stakeholders. To be environmentally friendly, paper copies are not provided to the schools and School Council Chairs. The minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees are also posted to our Division website.

School phone: 780-929-5784

Principal - Mr. David Holbrow - David.Holbrow@gshare.blackgold.ca

Coordinator - Mrs. Tracy Melnyk - tracy.melnyk@gshare.blackgold.ca

Secretary - Mrs. Jennifer Hay - jennifer.hay@gshare.blackgold.ca

Grades 1-6 & Personalized - Mrs. Marla Kniesel - marla.kniesel@gshare.blackgold.ca

Grades 7-9 - Mrs. Kristen Gilchrist - kristen.gilchrist@gshare.blackgold.ca

Curriculum Developer - Mrs. Najibe Kirameddine najibe.kirameddine@gshare.blackgold.ca

Educational Assistant - Mrs. Kiran Shaikh kiran.shaikh@gshare.blackgold.ca

Black Gold is a leading school division in creating innovative programming to inspire and create success for students. Black Gold Home-Based School is committed to providing flexible learning options so every student can achieve. Home-Based education choices work in cooperation with students, parents and Black Gold Schools to ensure quality program planning and transition. Home-Based School provides opportunities for Parent-Directed or Teacher-Directed programs and is respectful of parent choice and collaboration. We believe to achieve their full potential, children must be the center of all decisions related to learning and provide course work online or in print in a variety of environments. Home-Based education allows for a personalized learning opportunity for students who require flexibility.