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Fees:
The fee for Embarkations is $480 and is paid in four
installments throughout the school year. The fees pay for
all fieldtrips including the Phys. Ed. camping and skiing
trips, general school supplies – paper, duo tangs etc.,
computer maintenance, and a special end of year dinner in
June.
Embarkations and BHS:
Although Embarkations is rather independent from BHS, we are
still a part of the school community. Students are
encouraged to participate in school activities, sports
teams, band programmes, and trips. They are also expected to
follow all school rules that apply to the regular BHS
student. Lunch-time is shared so Embark students are able to
socialize with their friends in the regular programme.
Success Rate:
Embarkations has a proven track record. The programme has
been serving the needs of BHS students for over fifteen
years and has celebrated the graduation of hundreds of
students. The graduation rate for Embarkations students is
very high. Students who do not graduate from the programme
are always assisted in creating a plan that will give them
the credits they need to either apply to CEGEP or to a trade
school.
Testimonials:
“Recently I had
the pleasure of watching the second of my two
children walk up to the stage at Beaconsfield High
School and accept his diploma.
It was my daughter who first came to me over four
years ago and told me about an alternative school
program within BHS, a program that is able to exist
because of the support of the principal, all the
teachers and support staff. It is also a program
that the student alone must apply for and pass an
interview. Commitment on the part of the student is
key.
Embarkations was created for the student who for a
variety of reasons is not able to succeed in a
regular classroom environment. Teachers Marie
Gribbon, Lesley Bobeldijk and Theresa Bingham take
40 students from secondary 4 and 5 and teach them
about responsibility, accountability, working as
part of a team, independently and the stuff they
need to move forward in their lives. Above and
beyond the basic reading, writing and arithmetic
that a high school leaving certificate represents,
the students are also required to learn how to write
a CV and hold down a part time job. With the help of
the teachers, the students decide on a course of
action for the future, like how to choose and apply
to a CEGEP and beyond.
Today both my children attend John Abbott College
with sights on university for the future. I am very
proud of them both. I thank these three women in
helping me teach and even at times to co-parent them
and all the past, current and future students they
will encounter.
Now I can say it. Thank you, Thank You”
Deirdre
Mother of Meagan and Morgan –
Embarkations alumni
“Embarks has
changed my life. I was on a spiraling path to
nowhere, and then I joined. Embarks prepared me for
what goes on inside the school and out. This program
taught me the importance of getting work done and
teamwork.”
Mike
Embarkations student 2005 – 2007
“Going into
Embarkations, you may think that everything is going
to be easy – no homework, getting out of school
early everyday. Most likely that won’t be the case.
To be in Embarks, you need to work hard and be
determined. The past two years have helped me become
more self-motivated and I’ve learned the importance
of priorities. In the end, Embarkations is really
worth all the hard work, I’ve met the high standards
that I set for myself, for example, make the Honour
Roll for the first time in my life.”
“Embarkations is a great program because it offers
one on one student-teacher help. Students also
establish great relationships with the teachers
which motivates them to not only submit their work
on time but also put some effort into the
assignment. The biggest attraction by far is that
the teachers are always there to help you which was
not the case in regular stream. What truly made my
Embarkations stay fun was the trips. The bike and
ski trips were a blast and I will remember them deep
into the future.”
Cody
Embarkations student 2005 - 2007
“Embarks is the
place to be. We have great teachers, great
classmates and great field trips. The most fun I had
was at the ski trip to Mont Sainte Anne. It was a
crazy experience and I have a lot of good memories
from there. As my friend ‘Joe Cool’ says ,”if you
are snowboarding for the first time, use a pillow on
our butt.” The teachers at Embarks are great; as
long as you don’t get on their bad side, you’ll have
a great year. Believe me when I write this, pass
History before coming in, if you don’t…good luck.
Embarks has changed the way I think about school.
Join Embarks, because you can.”
Jon
Embarkations student 2005 – 2007
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