Happy Holidays 2020

peterloo on December 1, 2020

  Bodwell Bulletin

Dec 2020

Bulletin Highlights

Happy Holidays

+ A Happy New Year

The Year 2020, for all of its promise, will be remembered as the year in which the entire world, on top of all its existing challenges, was threatened by a new health emergency: the COVID-19 pandemic.  The dramatic loss of millions of lives and the long-term impacts on many of those infected will be a worldwide setback felt for generations to come.  Not only this – the interruption of learning by countless students and the loss of livelihoods by vast portions of the global workforce has been significant.

At the same time, the world has come together to try to adapt and overcome this crisis.  We share a deep appreciation for frontline health care workers saving lives, scientific researchers racing to develop vaccines and treatments, and for all the public services and businesses providing essential services in our communities throughout this difficult time, often at their own risk.  We are grateful to parents, students, and educators around the world for renewing their belief in the importance of learning and social development of young people through schools.

Here at Bodwell, we have been exceptionally fortunate.  Safely running a vibrant and engaging school and boarding program this year for many students from around the world has happened thanks to the hard work and resilience of our entire Bodwell team, from program staff to support staff; our brave and cooperative students; and you, our caring and trusting parents.  Without everyone’s courage, adaptability, and determination, we would not have been able to achieve such a successful result this year.

From our “bubble” to yours, we wish everyone a safe, peaceful, and healthy year-end, and a hopeful and restorative new year ahead.

With Care,

Stephen Goobie

Stephen Goobie

Principal

Saturday Alternate Programming

Key Points

As you know, our Saturday Enrichment Program is on pause until Spring 2020 as an extra precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

  • Sports & Physical Health with Mr. Tom Walker
    • Open Gym (Volleyball + Basketball) and Pool Open
  • IELTS Support with Mr. Happy Gosal
    • Students taking the in-house IELTS in Dec or Jan are strongly encouraged to join these prep sessions before their test.
  • Outdoor Recreation with Mr. James Roche
    • Off-campus hikes for small groups to local wilderness sites.

New Changes / Faces

peterloo on November 16, 2020

  Bodwell Bulletin

OCt 2020

Bulletin Highlights

New Changes

+ some Familiar & new Faces

I hope you are doing well and staying safe as we approach the end of October and the middle of the Fall 2020 Semester.  I’m pleased to let you know that the school year—although unusual—is going smoothly and students are studying very hard, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting many of our communities worldwide.

We are a smaller school this year, but we are thankful that many returning students have been able to return here to continue their academic studies this year.  Thanks to all of the safety preparations by schools such as Bodwell, including our special quarantine procedures, the Canadian government has begun to allow more international students to arrive in Canada, and we are now able to announce that “Bodwell High School is a British Columbia provincially approved designated learning institute (DLI) to accept international students” in spite of the border restrictions.  We look forward to welcoming back more returning students as well as new students as soon as possible to benefit from learning and living in-person at Bodwell.

The pandemic has inspired us to find new and innovative ways to do all of the special things that Bodwell students have come to love and benefit from:

  • Our classes make use of online learning tools, allowing some students to join on a Livestream from our Learning Centre.
  • Our new G-Block has offered students extensive academic support
  • Boarding activities have emphasized small group gatherings and outdoor recreation
  • All-school events such as assemblies have been run online, while we are planning for physically-distanced Halloween festivities.
  • Meanwhile, our Saturday Enrichment Program this year has allowed students in smaller classes to have a break from their computer work and to focus on hands-on engagement.

Parents are encouraged to regularly check the MyBodwell App for the latest updates on their child’s studies and engagement as well as for weekly video messages from administrators and other staff.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to keep parents up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 developments here in British Columbia as well as more information on our ongoing efforts to help students improve their academic English in preparation for university studies.

With Care,

Stephen Goobie

Stephen Goobie

Principal

COVID-19 Updates

Key Points
  • The second wave is here: cases of COVID-19 in some parts of Canada have been rising. In British Columbia, we have seen an increase in recent weeks.
  • So far, no Bodwell student has tested positive for COVID-19. About 10% of students have gone for testing.
  • Students and teachers are now asked to wear masks in all indoor classes.
  • Following the latest science, we are increasing access to fresh outside air in the building. Student need to dress more warmly.
  • If a positive virus case occurs, students will temporarily return to their rooms and learn online until contact tracing is complete.

For the latest research and safety measures for COVID-19, click to the play the video above.

As you may know, certain regions in Canada are having higher case counts of COVID-19 lately, and while British Columbia is not as severe as some other provinces, we have been told that we are now in our “second wave”.  Some additional restrictions in the community are being implemented, such as further limits on social gatherings.  We’ve been tracking virus exposures at schools around our province and in the Vancouver area, with some school districts affected more than others.  Several local schools in North Vancouver, both public and private, have had exposures and some individuals or groups of students at these schools sent to isolate at home.

Here at Bodwell, with our robust safety plan in place, we’ve gone through the first 8 weeks of school without any positive cases in our student population, including all those students who went through quarantine after arriving from overseas.  As a precaution, we have sent any students with new persistent cold symptoms for COVID-19 testing and all have come back negative.  This is about 10% of the student population so far.  Staff have also been very careful and have worked from home whenever any symptoms occur.  It seems our many safety measures have been working and I’m thankful to students for cooperating – although some students need frequent reminders!

We have also been reviewing the latest scientific research on COVID-19 spread through airborne aerosols and “super-spreader” events, so we are updating our safety measures according to this research.  Students and teachers are asked to wear masks throughout all indoor classes.  Additionally, we are increasing ventilation and fresh airflow to the building and all communal spaces.  Given the colder weather, it will mean students will need to dress more warmly, but we feel this is necessary for safety reasons.  Other previous safety measures will remain unchanged.

What would happen in the unlikely situation that a positive case of COVID-19 should occur in our school community?  Out of an abundance of caution, in this scenario, we plan to ask all Bodwell students to temporarily return to their boarding rooms (or homestay/homes) and join their classes live-streamed online until thorough contact tracing has been completed.  Staff will remain on hand to tend to all student needs.  Then, with the help of Public Health Officers, those student groups who have had no exposure risk will be released and may once again attend their in-person classes, while others will continue to self-isolate until the risk has subsided.  Students have practiced this procedure and we feel confident this will keep all groups as safe as possible.  We will keep parents well-advised if this situation occurs.  The flexibility of our “in-person online learning” mode of teaching will help prevent any interruption of classes.

In addition to this research, for your reference, you may also find the following BC Provincial COVID-19 documents useful, as they have informed Bodwell’s safety plans.  Together, we will get through this!

Countdown to the Start of School

peterloo on September 1, 2020

  Bodwell Bulletin

Sept 2020

Bulletin Highlights

Countdown

to the start of school

ARE YOU READY?  The final countdown until September classes is on, and what a thrilling countdown it is!  We are very excited to see many students back in the classrooms at Bodwell again in just over a week’s time, with classes starting on September 8.

It has been an extraordinary year in which as much as 90% of the world’s schools closed due to the global pandemic.  During such a challenging time, Bodwell students have persevered through online learning at a long distance and discovered powerful new ways of preparing their minds for university.  Parents and students have bravely made arrangements to rejoin our school community.  We are proud of you!  Now it is time to refocus on your academic goals and get back on track.  We are sure this is going to be a great year ahead.

This fall, Bodwell has many new program features and exciting ideas to introduce.  We remain committed to Our School Plan announced in July.  Over the past month, there are a few final updates to share.  Please review the information below and feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.  Our amazing team is ready to help you!

Here and around the world, we can expect that the ups and downs of cases of COVID-19 will go on for some time.  British Columbia had much success in “flattening the curve” from March until June.  In the past few weeks there have been some increase in cases of COVID-19 in local communities around the province, especially among young adults.  In response, BC has aggressively scaled up its testing capacity, contract tracing, and penalties for those who are not following safety regulations.  Here at Bodwell, our safety measures are in full effect as we take every possible precaution to safeguard students and staff.

For some international students, travel remains challenging.  For those students who are unable to return to school on time for the start of classes, we will do our best to ensure students can smoothly resume their studies as soon as they safely arrive.  Your patience is appreciated.

Six months ago, we said “We will get through this together.”  I am very grateful to all parents and students for your support, patience and encouragement these past six months.  It is because of you that TOGETHER we have had the strength as a school to push forward.  Safe travels and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Stephen Goobie

Stephen Goobie

Principal

Safety First

  • Bodwell has submitted its Stage 2 Restart Plan to the BC Ministry of Education
  • Student quarantine is going well.
  • Students will be living in cohorts to allow more comfort.
  • Masks will be used on campus.
  • Bodwell will continue to work with BC public health authorities.
campus_restart2020-covidresponse.20200810184238073

After much work, British Columbia is moving to Stage 2 of its Education Restart Plan.  We have submitted our plan to the Ministry of Education and it has now been approved. We are ready to commence classes.

We are pleased to report that our 2-week mandatory quarantine for students arriving has been going well here on campus, in homestays and at the University of British Columbia (UBC).  Students have been receiving close support while isolated in their individual rooms, keeping healthy and busy, and those who have finished have been very happy to rejoin the boarding community!

One important additional safety measure for all schools in BC to follow this fall is the introduction of Learning Cohorts.  Learning Cohorts allow students to interact with one another in limited numbers, and to reduce their contact with others outside of their regular group.  At Bodwell, we have chosen “Living Cohorts” as groups of students based on their living location.  Students within a Living Cohort will be able to closely interact with each other in boarding spaces, but will maintain a safe distance from anyone outside of their cohort.  This means that students will keep a safe distance from one another and from teachers during class time, utilizing the power of an online platform in the classroom.

The Plan Going Forward

peterloo on July 30, 2020

  Bodwell Bulletin

JUly 2020

Bulletin Highlights

The Plan Going Forward

Recently we asked parents and students for their feedback on our response to the pandemic.  We have put together these ideas with ours, as well as by working with other boarding schools across British Columbia.  While we will continue to focus on our school mission and tradition, we are excited to present to you a renewed Bodwell for the new school year, with more support and exciting opportunities for our students.

At Bodwell, we provide “Education for a Changing World”.  We know that in the past half-year, the world has changed.  The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has made us all quickly rethink how we live, travel, and learn.  We have learned a lot about how to do these as safe as possible.

As parents, you have our assurance that we will do our best to keep students actively learning in-person, living together in an inclusive campus, and following all necessary safety steps for the school year. We hope that BC continues its progress in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We are also ready to adjust our safety measures should cases in the community rise – without the need for students to return home. We are confident our plans will allow us to work through any changes in guidance from government authorities.

This is a new world we are living in. Together, with a spirit of courage, creativity, and adaptability, we are committed to the safety and success of your children. Thank you for your support and partnership as we move forward to the new school year! Please do reach out with any questions or ideas you may have.

Sample Survey ResultsResponse From Parents
How would you rate the safety measures taken by Bodwell?Average Score: 4.5 / 5
During online learning, how accesible was your child’s teacher?Average Score: 4.15 / 5
Which online strategies worked best?During online learning, how accesible was your child’s teacher?

Sincerely,

Stephen Goobie

Stephen Goobie

Principal

FUlly Running School

This Fall, we are planning to fully run our school. For Bodwell, this means that our students are:

  1. Learning in-person in the classroom with teachers, supported by technology
  2. Receiving additional support in academics and English language improvement toward post-secondary success
  3. Living together in a vibrant and safe boarding community
  4. Enjoying engaging and unique week-round activities on and off-campus
  5. Receiving close support from a dedicated team of caring adults.

With careful planning, each one of these aspects of running our school is possible.

Staying the Course, Looking Ahead

peterloo on June 10, 2020

  Bodwell Bulletin

JUNE 2020

Bulletin Highlights

Staying the Course, Looking Ahead

While the world continues to struggle with COVID-19 and many other issues, recently we’ve also been saddened to see unrest in our neighbouring country spurred on by ongoing examples of anti-black racism, and are reminded that the struggle for a more tolerant world free from discrimination continues everywhere.  At Bodwell, our motto remains “Strength in Diversity”.  Clearly, diversity is difficult, but with effort, a diverse society and school are ultimately stronger and more vibrant places of mutual learning.  As a multicultural school, we are a reflection of the world with all its imperfections and challenges, but we pledge to stand against racism together with those who strive for societies in which people are not treated differently based on the colour of their skin or their cultural background.  In words and real action, I hope we will all unite for peace and kindness.

Here in North Vancouver and around the world, by working together over these past many months I feel proud that we as a Bodwell community have accomplished something extraordinary.  Faced with a global crisis, we have been able to:

  • Continue students’ learning in their academic courses toward graduation, through effective and creative delivery of online courses
  • Keep students safe and healthy, and protect our boarding population despite COVID-19 affecting many other residential care institutions across Canada and around the world
  • Maintain student support through our counselling and administrative teams, even across great distances
  • Sustain a strong school community, despite our school population being separated
  • Keep parents informed of school updates and urgent developments as the situation quickly evolves, through regular newsletters, video messages, online meetings and personal communication
  • Build even stronger relationships with our school-community partners throughout BC and Canada.

While students and teachers are focusing on finishing their courses and preparing for final assessments over the next few weeks, I am sure that many parents are eagerly looking forward to the new school year in September and wishing to confirm their child’s travel and study plans.  Planning is not easy when there is uncertainty in the world, and I can understand parents’ timely questions and concerns.

At the start of the year 2020, none of us could have imagined that this calendar year would bring such fear, challenge, and change to nearly every country in the world.  This pandemic has certainly caused uncertainty and worries about travel and studying away from home.  We recognize that parents deeply care for their children, and wish for them to stay safe while they pursue their goals and dreams.  We hear questions like “What if there is a second wave of COVID-19?” and understand the concerns.

From here in North Vancouver, we thank you for your cooperation, patience, and support these past many months!  As we prepare to end our special live-in boarding staff model next week, I’m confident that we can continue special safety measures for months ahead as we return to school operation.

In the months ahead, I look forward to welcoming back many returning students, as well as welcoming new students to Bodwell High School, to continue your rich learning and living experiences, albeit with some necessary changes to keep everyone safe.

Over the past few months, we all have gained a better understanding of this virus and how to keep safe while continuing about our lives.  We are also thankful for parents’ questions about safety.  It is important for you to know and understand all the measures we are putting in place to keep our students (and staff) safe and healthy.  Although unlikely, if there are beginning to have more cases of COVID-19 in BC, we will follow public health directives and may put into place additional safety procedures and restrictions, however, we will endeavor to keep students living on campus and learning in-person.  We will continue to do our best to communicate our plans so you can plan your child’s travel and learn accordingly.  You trust your children with us – and we take this responsibility very seriously.  Please continue to reach out if you have questions or concerns and we will do our best to communicate as soon as possible.

I hope that this newsletter allows you to plan ahead with more certainty, to anticipate some campus changes, and to communicate your plans and preferences with the school.  Please carefully review the information provided and submit your Arrival Planning Form by June 15.

Sincerely,

Stephen Goobie

Stephen Goobie

Principal

Arrival Procedures

Arrival Information

To keep our school and community safe, we need to ensure that students who arriving to campus have not contracted the COVID-19 virus.  This challenge of this virus is that it can be spread even before the onset of symptoms.  After a “safety window” of 2 weeks, we can be assured that someone living in isolation from others is not carrying the virus.

Currently, Canada requires any arriving traveler to self-isolate for two weeks.  Bodwell will need new and returning students arriving for Fall 2020 via an airport to isolate for two weeks prior to joining our regular boarding population.  This is to ensure our school upholds the highest safety standards for your children. Students who are living locally or who are travelling with their family members may apply for an exemption (see below); if approved, these students may immediately join our boarding population after a health check.

Our quarantine plan
  • Prior to the first day of fall classes on September 8, our boarding facility will be operating throughout July and August for any arriving new or returning students, as well as students who cannot go home during the summer months while studying.
  • We are planning to have a number of school-arranged quarantine spaces in July and August, both onsite and offsite as needed.
  • On-campus spaces for quarantine are limited and will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Students are encouraged to arrive early.
  • Should on-campus spaces be full, students will be placed to a homestay family or an offsite residential facility for the quarantine.BC and Canada.
Fees during quarantine + July/August:
  • To assist parents, boarding fees in July and August will be 50% of the regular fee, to be charged on a weekly basis. There will be an additional quarantine service fee of $500. The school will provide safe airport transfer, meal service, health check, supervision and meaningful activities and routines.
  • Current students who are already on campus and staying through for the Fall Term will be charged 50% boarding fees for July and August. However, students who are already on campus staying in July and August but leaving Bodwell before September will not enjoy the 50% fee reduction.
  • Students reporting to school later and if all options become unavailable, students will be placed to a nearby hotel for quarantine, which will be much more expensive and parents will need to be charged for the difference.
IMPORTANT: Arrival Planning

Due to limited quarantine space, we need to work closely with parents on travel dates and times.  Parents are asked to book flights only on our designated arrival dates as much as possible.  Parents are asked to fill out and submit the Arrival Planning Form by June 15.

For parents applying for a quarantine exemption, please indicate your plan for the two weeks prior to your child arriving to campus.  We will need evidence of flight tickets and residential status/location, showing that the student has been staying at home here in the Vancouver area for two weeks prior to arrival to campus.  Students are not permitted to stay by themselves in hotels or other accommodation without family supervision.  Students with quarantine exemption may come into boarding at 5 intake times:  July 1-5, August 1-3, August 30-September 1, September 5-7, and September 12-14.

Looking on the Horizon

peterloo on May 1, 2020

  Bodwell Bulletin

May 2020

Bulletin Highlights

Looking On the Horizon

Key Points

  • Good news: British Columbia has lower numbers of COVID-19 infections compared to other places in Canada and other regions.
  • Our campus will continue an isolation model, however we are looking for gradual ways to help students and staff to enjoy the outside community and work together in the coming weeks.
  • BC has a plan to relax some restrictions this summer, but we need to keep some safety steps in place.

In the past weeks, it has become clear that our world has changed in very significant and real ways. With cases of COVID-19 surpassing more than four million worldwide, including nearly 300 000 tragic deaths, we are seeing a heavy toll on human life, as well as on our personal well-being and local and national economies. We are all worried about the health and safety of our loved ones.

While medical workers work tirelessly to save lives in hospitals, citizens have joined together to do their part in communities around the world by staying home whenever possible, keeping a distance from one another, and taking many other steps in order to slow down the spread of the virus. Humans are social creatures, so these sacrifices have not been easy, especially for young people who are out of regular school life.

The good news is that in many places, these extreme steps are working to prevent too many people from getting sick at the same time. Here in British Columbia, we have been fortunate that the public health measures have kept the number of infections much lower compared to other places in Canada and elsewhere. While we still need to be cautious, for now, our curve has been “flattened”.

As of May 6th

BC has kept the number of COVID-19 cases lower than the rest of Canada (Most cases in Ontario & Quebec)

British Columbia has announced plans to reduce some restrictions throughout this summer. However, this is not yet a return to normal. Until there is a widely-available vaccine or widespread immunity, many restrictions, including physical distancing, will need to remain for many months ahead. This is to ensure that cases of COVID-19 do not suddenly begin to rise again and overwhelm our hospitals. For now, people in BC need to continue to do our part by staying close to home, avoiding large gatherings of people (especially indoors), and paying attention to our hygiene and cold/flu symptoms.

Here on campus at Bodwell, with the support of our Live-in Boarding Team, we continue to live in a strict isolation model in order to keep safe the boarding students who could not return home. As some restrictions slowly reduce in the community, for safety we will continue to maintain an isolated campus going forward as much as it is reasonable to do, and at the same time we are planning to find more ways for students and staff to safely enjoy some summertime together out in the community, and to gradually find ways for more staff to work together here with students on campus. We have also been preparing additional steps here on campus in the unlikely event that cases of virus should appear despite our prevention measures. This includes holding “room isolation drills” for boarding students, and preparing “room isolation kits”, as well as ensuring there are reliable ways for staff to communicate with students if they need to be in their rooms during an actual health emergency. These steps will help us practice and prepare our campus for a “new normal”, so we can continue to operate safely even when in-person classes eventually resume. On a more lively note, the student-run “Bodcast” has been waking us up each morning all over campus! 

Meanwhile, in the North Vancouver community, our homestay and day students have been spending time at home with their local families. Many students have been helping around the house (and even earning volunteer hours), keeping fit, and practicing their English at home. We thank our homestay families for taking such good care of our students as if they were their own children. This Thursday, May 14 at 5 pm, our homestay and day students will be joining a special meeting with Mr. Nissen, Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Goobie to go over some updates and reminders.

Finally, on April 27, our entire school community came together in our first-ever online All-World All-School Assembly. Thank you to some of our Student Parliament members for sharing their messages from both Vancouver as well as from their home countries. Please check out the replay in this short version or the full version. Please read and review the important information below, including an exciting announcement about Graduation 2020! 2020 will be a challenging year that no one will forget, but the future remains bright. We need to stay united, as one school. Students and parents, we are with you all the way.

Now more than ever do we need an Education for a Changing World. We are called as global citizens to be courageous, caring, patient and determined to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Bodwell students, parents and staff, we will get through this… together.

Sincerely,

Stephen Goobie

Stephen Goobie

Principal

Online Learning

Distance Learning Updates

Key Points

  • Midterm assessments finished. Midterm report cards to be ready this week.
  • Many students are highly engaged in online learning.
  • Students need to keep on gaining their Career Exploration 30 hours.
  • Students need to be active and follow all online learning instructions.

No matter whether students are still on campus, living in the local community, or are back home in cities all over the world, they are continuing their learning. Everything about our new system can be found in the Bodwell Online Learning Handbook. You will also find it useful to view two videos about online learning at Bodwell.

Recently, online midterm assessments were held, and teachers have been busy giving students feedback, compiling grades, and writing midterm report card comments. Parents can expect report cards this week.

Online learning is more challenging than in-person learning, especially when done over different time zones. However, we are pleased that many students are asking frequent questions and reaching out to teachers for one-on-one help, including quieter students who don’t normally ask for assistance. Some recommendations for students to improve:

  • Watch all teacher weekly video recordings very carefully
  • Pay careful attention to step-by-step instructions
  • Pay more attention to reading teachers’ feedback on their assignments
  • Ask questions and let your teacher know right away if you cannot meet deadlines.

Finally, students are reminded to continue focusing on earning their Career Exploration Hours (sometimes called “Volunteer Hours”). It is important not to wait too long, as 30 hours are required for graduation and offer good ways to gain valuable skills and real-world experience. There are many options that can be done from home, homestay, on-campus, or in one’s community while observing physical distancing measures. Contact Mr. Robert Sanzalone (By E-mail or on MS Teams) for more ideas and support.

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