June 4, The Chronicle
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
From September 25th, 2019
If I asked what the key to healthy living is, I am sure many of you would say: MODERATION.
If this is true in other aspects of our lives, why shouldn't it be when it comes to technology as well? If you are like me, a device is glued to your body from when you wake up until you fall asleep at night. More and more research is showing us that this constant availability to the digital world is not healthy for us or our kids. (If you are looking for research, this website has many links). The answer once again is moderation.
With this in mind, last year CCS mandated that students should not be on their device during break times. Instead, we expect them to stay unplugged so that they can interact in person with their fellow students. When I think about the amount of times we need to remind students of this rule comparative to the amount we had to when first instituted, I would have to say this has been a resounding success! It is our hope that this has also moved into your home, and your children are limited on the amount they are on technology before bedtime too. Being away from their screens before bed is important for their REM sleep cycle, and we all know how joyous sleepy kids can be in the morning!
This year, I also wanted to look at how much our staff is connected through technology. After speaking with them about their habits, most of our staff admit to staying connected to work via email and other means from the time they get up in the morning right up until the time they go to sleep at night. This is NOT healthy for them. When teachers are "on" 100% of the time, there is no ability for them to refresh and reflect on their practice and craft. A 2018 study has shown that teacher burnout is an international epidemic, reporting 41% of new teachers leave the field in the first 5 years. A separate 2015 study in the U.K found that 91% of teachers have reported severe anxiety within the last two years tied to the substantial workload. The statistics are alarming.
Therefore, I have now asked our staff to unplug from their email between the hours of 7:00 pm - 7:00 am. During these times they need to spend time with their own families, unwind with hobbies, go to small groups, Bible studies, eat dinner, SLEEP - in short, live their lives in moderation. Our technology helps us become a community, but by being away from it, it also helps us stay a community and live the life God has intended for us.
I challenge you to try this in your own lives. (If my wife actually has read this far, yes I am going to do my best to follow this too!) I am also asking you to "schedule" your evening emails to our staff to come in at 7:00 am. For most things, they will not be able to deal with it until the next day anyway, but they may internalize and stress over it all through the night. Waiting to hit send might even help us clarify our thoughts as we are writing those 10:00 pm "mind dump" emails. Let's keep each other healthy, and keep our technology use in moderation!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Can You Crack the Code? The Mystery Theatre Teasers Begin!
Hey students! Think you’ve got what it takes to guess next year’s play? Starting this week, we’re dropping one mysterious image every week in the Chronicle. Each picture is a sneaky clue about our upcoming production!
Think you've solved it? Head over to the STUDENT-ONLY guessing form (grade 4-9) and submit your best guess:
https://forms.gle/QNr8AMjadLvVgzvm9
Rules of the game:
ONE guess per week. (or face disqualification that week)
Guess correctly before the big reveal next month and you might just score a prize from Mr. J’s exclusive sticker stash!
Parents may not enter but can email Mr. J to volunteer their support for next year! (You can have a sticker too!)
This week’s clue is below. Let the guessing begin!
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART
Our Jump Rope for Heart event was a huge success—we raised an incredible $2,976!
A huge thank you goes out to Mrs. McDonald for organizing this fun and meaningful event.
Way to go, CCS community!
CCS Parents, Join Us in Supporting Our School Community!
Transportation Registration
Parents, BGSD school transportation registration for 2025-26 school year is open!
Register your child by June 30 to:
- Save money with our Early Bird Fees
- Guarantee your child’s spot on the bus for Day 1 of school
- Don’t wait, register now! www.blackgold.ca/apply-for-transportation-Black-Gold-Students
Important Notice for Parents Driving Behind the School Buses
Please be aware that when our school buses turn off Highway 2A onto Township Road 492, they are required to make a full stop at the railway tracks. This includes opening the bus door and checking for oncoming trains, which takes longer than a typical stop.
If you're driving behind a bus at this location, we kindly ask that you wait on Highway 2A until the bus has fully cleared the railway tracks. This helps ensure everyone's safety and prevents unnecessary congestion near the tracks.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
TEACHING FOR TRANSFORMATION
Each week for the next ten weeks we will share a resource that highlights one of the Throughlines. These are great for guiding conversations at home and developing a deeper understanding of the Biblical connections. This week will focus on Beauty Creating.
THE COUGAR CANTEEN
The Cougar Canteen isn’t just about snacks; it’s an empowering project designed to equip our students with essential life skills.
Operating Details:
🗓️ The Cougar Canteen will be available 1x/month for each division (announced in each week’s Chronicle).
🕰️ The Cougar Canteen will be open during afternoon recess (2:00-2:15) on Thursdays.
💰 If students wish to purchase a snack, $1-$5 is plenty!
Snack Menu:
🥔 Chips: $1.00
🥤 Cans of Pop: $2.00
🍭 Candy Bags: $1.00
Schedule:
June 5 - Div. 3
June 12 - Div. 2
HOT LUNCH
Hot Lunches will be on Wednesdays.
June 11 - Subway
June 18 - KFC
You can find the forms for Hot Lunch in your student’s PowerSchool account. Orders will close on the Tuesday prior to the following week’s hot lunch at 11:59 pm. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Hot Lunch, you can reach our Hot Lunch Coordinator, Mrs. Toogood, via email at: [email protected] All orders must be placed online, and payment must be made with form submission to be processed. (No cash or cheques are accepted). Please check your email for a confirmation receipt to ensure that your order went through.
CELEBRATION
We hold weekly assemblies, which we call Celebration. We alternate between Wednesday and Thursday mornings each month so our kindergarten students are each able to join us every other month.
Celebration will be held on Thursdays in June.
ATHLETICS
- Come Cheer On Our Junior High Soccer Team in the GOLD MEDAL GAME! Our amazing junior high soccer team has worked hard all season—and now they’re playing for GOLD! Where: William F. Lede Park, Field #12 When: Tomorrow (June 5th) at 4:00 PM
- June 6th, BGSD Track Meet
LSCE NEWS
CUSTODIAN JOB OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a part-time custodian for 3 hours/day to start in late August 2025. Please forward a letter of application and resume to Lisa Gatzke at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until June 13th at 4:00 pm.
5th Annual CCS Golf Tournament
CLICK HERE for more information and to register your team.
We are also seeking some volunteers to help the event run smoothly. Each volunteer will be provided a t-shirt, snacks and dinner. To sign up please click here.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Baking to the Maxx
I want to start this business because I love to bake and it's a very big passion and hobby of mine. I want to save up for a standard mixer, set of chef knives, cake pans and a full set of chef's pots and pans.
Please support me in my baking business and passion!!!
I have the following items that I am baking:
- SOURDOUGH BREAD………………………………………………………………$12.99
- CARAMEL BANANA BREAD LOAF………………………………………….$6.99
- GARLIC AND HERBED FOCACCIA………………………………………….$8.99
- LEMON BLUEBERRY MINI PIE………………………………………………..$4.50
- STRAWBERRY RHUBARB MINI PIE………………………………………..$4.50
- CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 1 DOZEN………….…………………………$8.99
Please contact Maxx at [email protected], or 780-819-4341 for all your baking needs and orders.
Thank you for your support in my baking passion!!!
CCS OFFICE FORMS (Volunteer, Sign In, Sign Out)
Volunteering? Visiting? Signing your child in or out? Please stop at the office to use our Office Chromebook or fill out the forms HERE.