Category: Prep School
Hitting all the Right Notes
BVG News, Events, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
The sounds of music — holiday-style — filled the J.T.M Guest Theatre at Bayview Glen School (BVG) once again this month, for a trio of memorable shows.
Performances by musicians and singers in the Lower School, Prep School and Upper School made a triumphant return — after a three-year forced absence.
“For myself, concerts and performances are a place where we as a community can come together for a moment in time when everything stops as we share and celebrate with each other,” says Angela Mantie, Music Teacher at BVG and one of the music directors of the Lower School Winter Concert.
“It seems these moments are far and few between in our every busy lives. Music and the arts are a powerful vehicle for this to happen,” she says.
And there was plenty of evidence of just that on these special evenings.
Mantie, along with fellow Lower School music teacher Ea-Ling Seun directed three different choirs (Grade 2, Primary and Junior) guiding the singing performances of more than 240 young voices.
“We have the pure luxury of working with students pre-K through grade 5, supporting them as they develop and grow through music in a safe, caring environment,” says Mantie, who is in here fifth year at BVG and 26th as an educator.
“Our shows embrace and embody our mission of Whole Child. Whole Life. Whole World. Because of this, students find their place in music making, be it acting/dancing/singing, reflecting who they are, and who they might eventually become,” she says.
During the concert, Seun shared a teachable moment she encountered with her students — while preparing them for the performance. The goal was to help them understand the significance of their time and effort to deliver these live, in-person performances.
“We spend more time at school than our own homes,” Seun said she explained to her students. “And this — BVG — might as well be called our home. This became a lightbulb moment for many of the students and the significance of this night became clear,” she shared.
“Our last winter concert was in 2019,” Seun continued. “While we managed to have virtual performances during COVID to fill the time, they just weren’t the same.”
The Lower School Winter Concert featured 11 songs, including festive-themed pieces, interspersed with performances by the Prep Jazz Band, under the direction Chris Hunsburger, Music Teacher, Arts Curriculum lead in the Prep School and Upper School.
The finale, ‘Coming Home’ by Old Sheppard featured all three choirs on stage.
Interest to attend the Winter Concert from Lower School families was high. To accommodate ticket requests, the Prep School gym was used as an overflow space, where parents, grandparents and extended family members of the performers were able to enjoy the show via livestream.
BVG’s trio of Holiday Concerts kicked off in mid-December with the Upper School performance on December 8. That show featured firsts on a few fronts. Among them, it was the first time many of the students in Grades 9 to 12 had performed in a band on-stage, in front of an audience.
“Their enthusiasm and willingness to try something that they, for the most part, had never experienced,” was particularly striking for Michael Bellissimo, Music Teacher, who is in his 20th year at Bayview Glen.
“The way they jumped back in and performed so beautifully after two and a half years of no concerts,” was a proud moment for Bellissimo, who is currently teaching a full slate of five music classes.
The Upper School Holiday Concert featured more than 10 songs, including O’ Canada, conducted by a student-musician, a vocalist, soloists and ensemble performances.
“It is not only re-teaching students how to perform in a concert, but also bringing a culture of music and concerts back to the school that is important,” he continues. This is the success of the entire Upper school faculty and their support for our program.”
Preparation of the evening’s diverse musical offerings and classic holiday favourites required plenty of preparation and commitment from all involved says the seasoned educator, now in his 32nd year of teaching.
During the Prep School Holiday Concert, which took place on December 15th, the joy of being back on-stage was palpable.
“Ms. [Diane] Drysdale and I have had such a fantastic time in our Prep School, both in the classroom and on-stage [preparing],” Chris Hunsberger, Music teacher told the packed house.
Playing a blend of holiday-themed numbers and classics, most notably from the 1980’s the Prep School Holiday Concert featured music performed by the brass ensemble, Grade 7, Grade 8 and Concert bands.
Added Hunsberger, “Getting ready for a show like this is an incredible experience to get back to!”
Related links:
See Photo Galleries:
Lower School Winter Concert
Watch Video Recordings:
Upper School Holiday Concert 2022
Year-Round Giving: A Family and School Community Inspired to Impact
BVG News, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School
Grace and her sister Madelyn, Grade 8 student at BVG display the school supplies collected from various sources.
Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time.
When it makes a meaningful, lasting difference, it can become a gift that keeps giving.
Just ask the Cunha family.
“Our journey started with one single, broken pencil,” says Melissa DeCaria Cunha, mother of two Bayview Glen students.
DeCaria Cunha is a Special Education and ESL teacher for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, working in what she describes as, “a very underprivileged and underserviced area of Toronto.”
When a student asked her for an eraser “because his broken pencil didn’t have one,” DeCaria Cunha was moved to write a new story.
That very night in September of 2020, DeCaria Cunha filled up “an entire pencil case full of gently used school supplies — ones that had been shoved in various drawers around our home,” she says. “That single broken pencil set off a lightbulb – if I could fill an entire pencil case with gently used school supplies, how many other households could do the same?”
That act of kindness grew and so did her vision to inspire greater giving within her own home and beyond.
“I was shocked because I thought that having something as simple as an eraser was something every student would have,” says Madelyn Cunha, Melissa’s eldest child and a Grade 8 student at BVG. “When I found out that not every student has one, it showed just how privileged we are to never have to think of these things.”
The branches of their giving tree grew quickly after Melissa started an Instagram account and outreached to her family and friends for school supply donations.
“Word spread to people I didn’t even know wanting to help,” says DeCaria Cunha. “Small businesses donated office supplies. I drove anywhere in Toronto to do a pickup!”
The response to that original ask gave birth to Mosaic School Supplies.
And the need has only grown since that student-teacher encounter more than two years ago.
“Many Toronto communities have been greatly affected by the pandemic,” says DeCaria Cunha. “Some families barely have enough to feed their children. On average, per student, basic school supplies (including a geometry set, scientific calculator, and binder) can cost each student $64. Having daily access to school supplies is one less purchase they have to make,” she says.
Inspired by her mother’s efforts, Grace Cunha, a Grade 4 student, helped her family’s giving tree sprout new branches at Bayview Glen.
“I am often surprised by the retention of knowledge and the lessons my girls learn from their weekly BVG assemblies,” says DeCaria Cunha. “It was here where Grace was inspired to do a Mosaic School Supplies drive at BVG. She wrote a proposal to Mr. [Jesse] Denison, who immediately said yes, and had Madelyn and Grace showcase Mosaic at assembly,” she says.
“This is an initiative by students for students which I always like,” says Mr. Denison, Head of the Lower School. “It aligned nicely with the end-of-the-year purge when students clean their desks.”
During a three-day campaign at the end of June 2022, DeCaria Cunha says BVG “students were given the opportunity to donate their supplies. Sorting supplies is a tedious process, yet every classroom teacher did the hard work for us! When the drive was complete, BVG donated almost an entire trunk full!”
Fiona Fenili, Head of the Upper School says, “what struck me most was the demonstration of empathy in action. Seeing an inequity and acting on it, then passing this level of personal accountability on to her two young daughters truly reflects the values of BVG.”
The giving continues and so does the impact.
“This past June, a family with five children was given backpacks full of school supplies, which came directly from the BVG collection,” says DeCaria Cunha. “Historically, the family puts aside money monthly to purchase supplies every August. Because of our giving, Mom was able to redirect the funds and take a three-day camping trip with her family — something she has not done since arriving in Canada 12 years ago,” she says.
DeCaria Cunha says she regularly takes her daughters to work to witness the impact of their efforts and that of the Bayview Glen community.
“I see how truly happy my mother gets when she tells us stories of those students who she has donated to and how they are not afraid to ask any more for the supplies they need,” says Madelyn Cunha. “I knew it was personally important to my mom, so I jumped on board and started helping out and haven’t stopped since!”
Deeply inspired by the experience, Madelyn decided to expand her own giving roots this year at BVG, signing up as the co-head of community outreach for the Prep School student council.
“I have been able to have the satisfaction and happiness of seeing someone get excited over something as simple as a pencil,” she says. Knowing that you’ve helped them even if it was a small amount.”
Bayview Glen Winter Concerts 2022 – Recordings
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History in the Making: BVG Robotics Teams earn Provincials Berth
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ConnecTech Team in action!
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program at Bayview Glen (BVG) is on the cusp of making history!
“It is so amazing to see a large group of students engaged and inspired to explore, discover, design and problem solve at such a high level,” says James Lee, Head of School. “Their commitment and dedication, supported by a talented team of faculty and staff that continue to provide these opportunities in STEM at our School, are truly commendable.”
Three robotics teams, from across all Divisions (Lower School, Prep School and Upper School), finished in first place in their individual categories during regional competitions held in November and December.
With their Champions Award performances, the ConnectTech, Operation CREATE, BV3 and Ctrl-Z teams, comprising students from grades 5 to 8 and multiple Upper School mentors, have earned a place at the provincial championships in January 2023.
A new rookie team, BV3 (mostly of Grade 5’s), led by Mr. Crimp, won a major award at their competition, ‘The Motivate Award’ securing a spot at the provincials.
Ben McCord helps as a facilitator for both ConnectTech and a second team, Smart Ramen.
“I am not an expert programmer,” says McCord, who is a certified teacher and FLL Robotics Coordinator. “Many of the kids know far more than I do. My job is to make sure we are on track to accomplish all our tasks and learn and have fun along the way.”
If Smart Ramen wins its next competition, the team would also qualify for the provincial competition, potentially giving BVG its largest showing at an Ontario Championships level in school history with five teams.
All of our BVG teams, coached by our BVG Robotics Coaching Team, are part of FIRST® LEGO® League which, according to its website, “introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning.”
McCord, who taught STEM in California and has been part of BVG’s co-curricular robotics programming since 2021 says, “FLL is a well-rounded program that is far more than just robotics. It also has the students develop an in-depth project guided by the FIRST Core Values (Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun). There’s really a place for anyone on the team, regardless of their unique interests and skill sets.”
He credits a small army of as many as eight dedicated moderators, parents, former BVG robotics team alumni and other volunteers with providing key guidance to both the teams he helps coach.
“I was surprised at the level of commitment from my team members,” he says. “They all have heavy school and extracurricular loads but dedicate at least seven hours per week to the team.”
Bayview Glen’s strong robotics programming began more than 12 years ago, aligning with the school’s inquiry-based, hands-on approach to learning — across all grades. This model enables students to ask questions, make well-informed assertions and develop solutions to real-world problems.
BVG students are taught basic coding skills in Grade 1.
Read more about Bayview Glen’s STEM program in The Glen newsletter.
Annual Fund 2022 – Thank You!
Alumni, BVG News, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
The joy and anticipation of the upcoming holiday season was on full display this evening during the Bayview Glen Upper School Holiday Concert!
If you were able to attend, we hope you enjoyed our talented musicians and singers, as well as the behind-the-scenes efforts of our students, faculty and staff.
This annual celebration is always a cherished highlight on our school calendar, showcasing the breadth of artistry and creativity at Bayview Glen.
Your continued support, in many different ways, is what helps our community grow and flourish!
Thank you to everyone who has made a gift to our Annual Fund.
Your contribution is vital in enhancing our students’ experience and school life at Bayview Glen.
The impact of your generosity is immeasurable in helping us deliver on our mission of
Whole Child: Whole Life: Whole World.
With gratitude and appreciation from all of our students and staff, THANK YOU!
Pathways to Professional Life: Career Breakfast Spotlights Media
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Their paths were distinctly different following high school and none of them was a straight line to their current roles. Those were among the perspectives shared by three Bayview Glen (BVG) alumni invited to speak at the second Career Breakfast of the school year.
The commonality? The impact of their BVG experience on their life and career journey.
“I think the reason I did so well at Bayview Glen and really enjoyed it is because the teachers — you really get to work one-on-one with them — and those are fantastic resources and really inspiring,” shared Kate Dingwall ’11 Emmy award-winning writer, editor and photographer. “I could start listing off teachers who really impacted my career, who brought out my love of art, music and sports, and how much they went out of their way to bring your passions out of you was really cool, really inspiring,” said Dingwall who is also a sommelier.
Covering topics that intersect spirits, business, travel and culture, Dingwall’s work as appeared in Forbes.com, Toronto Life and the Toronto Star.
“I would not be who I am today if I did not have teachers who put a lot of time and effort out of their own schedule to push their students,” Dingwall added during the question-and-answer portion of the agenda, in front of a packed Learning Commons at Moatfield Campus comprised of current students, parents, faculty and staff.
Organized by the Academic and Career Counsellor and the Director of Alumni Relations at BVG, the December Career Breakfast event focused on the theme of media.
Alumnus Goldmond Fong ’15, an accomplished film director, editor and visual effects specialist, joined the panel in the wee hours of the morning, remotely, from his home in Los Angeles.
“In high school, I remember I wasn’t the most confident in myself,” Fong shared via Zoom. “I just remember you guys [teachers] made me feel worth it, like I was doing something important, and that meant a lot to me at the time.”
A graduate of Emerson College in Boston with a BFA in Film Production, Fong’s professional reel includes directorial, editing and graphics work for studios, agencies and clients including YouTube.
“I just remember them [teachers] teaching me the forms of art, the foundations of art and just how to analyze art,” said Fong recalling key learnings from BVG. “That really taught me to look at everything, to take in the surroundings, and how the surroundings play into the story.”
For Layla Ahmad ’10, the path to her current role as a Producer at CTV ‘Your Morning’ included a BA in Sociology from U of T and a post-graduate degree in Public Relations from Humber College.
“In looking back, I was never really the strongest math or science student, but when it came to Arts, that’s where I always had a huge passion,” Ahmad told the audience of close to 100 — including current Bayview Glen students from Prep School and Upper School.
“It was one of those things where you were allowed to make mistakes and it felt like a safe environment,” shared Ahmad, who previously worked at the CBC. “You could mess up one but your teachers would be there to reassure you that it’s not the end of the world,” said Ahmed, whose resume includes various types of writing including creative and hard news copy, adding, “I don’t think I would be where I am today without our teachers at BVG.”
The Career Breakfast events are designed to support Bayview Glen students explore various industries, career pathways and professional avenues.
“Our alumni go beyond the walls of Bayview Glen making their mark in the world and having them share their stories of success not only engages our students but allows them to draw connections between their current education and the alumni’s field of expertise,” says Daniella Brown ’10, Director of Alumni Relations. “This allows for the students to see themselves in each alumni’s shoes.”
The first Career Breakfast of this academic year, held in October, also featured the highest turnout ever recorded for the event with more than 100 in attendance.
“Our BVG Alumni panels have been very inspiring,” said James Lee, Head of School at Bayview Glen, attending his second Career Breakfast. “These events truly connect their Bayview Glen experience to who they are today, within their respective career pathways and the successful roads going forward in their lives as professionals, responsible global citizens and wonderful human beings.”
The event was particularly impactful for Adrian Dybala, Academic and Career Counsellor and teacher, who has been at BVG for more than 20 years.
“It is a positive affirmation to see the work that we do here as educators is appreciated and having them find their purpose, which leads to their happiness,” says Dybala, who taught each of the three alumni panelists during their time at the school.
“It affirms what we are doing as educators and we’re doing the right thing,” she says. Adding, “We are in the field of human connection, recognizing students for who they are, treating them with dignity and respect. They always remember that.”
The next Career Breakfast at BVG is scheduled for February 28, 2023.
Giving Tuesday 2022 – Thank You!
Alumni, BVG News, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
We are overwhelmed with gratitude!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday at Bayview Glen!
Your gift will further enhance the world-class education we provide.
From all of our students and staff, THANK YOU for making an impact!
Storyteller and Sports Broadcaster Addresses Bullying
BVG News, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
On the final two days of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Weeks at Bayview Glen, students and staff across much of the school welcomed a guest speaker with an informed lens on the subject.
“To be generous, to be a good teammate, a good friend, to get people to follow you, you have to first invest in them, invest in those relationships,” shared Donnovan Bennett, moments before addressing grades 3, 4 and 5 in the Lower School, at the end of November. “Whether we’re talking about successful businesses, successful teams, successful families, having some grace and some empathy goes a long way. Essentially, that is the message I’m looking to share.”
And he did just that during multiple addresses over two days.
Bennett, a host and writer at Sportsnet, producer, podcaster and married father of two young children tailored his message across 10 grade levels, engaging students through relatable anecdotes and his lived experience.
“I think I’ve learned a lot and been fortunate to meet a lot of high achieving highly competitive individuals, given the nature of my job in sports,” says the St. Andrew’s College and Western University graduate. “So, I’m always trying to selfishly learn what it is about them that makes them unique, special and successful.”
During the Lower School presentation in a packed atrium, students enthusiastically participated when prompted by Bennett about how to be supportive and encouraging of others.
“So, when we treat other people with respect, when you encourage them, when we share with them, and we include them, it’s not just great for them — it’s great for you, and it’s great for everybody,” he told the more than 150 Lower School students in attendance.
That was followed by a smaller, more intimate gathering of 30+ student leaders from the Prep School and Upper School, in the Learning Commons. The question-and-answer session was moderated by Antoinette Morgan, Director of Student Well-Being at Bayview Glen.
“In my role, I provide emotional and social supports to students and bullying is a common theme,” says Morgan, who is in the first year at BVG. “I was familiar with Donnovan Bennett’s presentation to students of all ages and how well it resonated with them, so I decided to invite him to our school. Since a lot of students are either involved with sports as active participants or just cheering on their team, I felt his presence as a sports personality could mesh the world of sports with school life beautifully, and get the students’ attention,” she says.
This year’s theme for the two-week campaign was stronger together, focused on emphasizing allyship, building and maintaining healthy relationships, empathy and kindness and good communication.
Students asked questions on a variety of related topics including leadership. One question elicited this response from guest speaker Bennett.
“Differences are something that we shouldn’t shy away from, change, try and conform to, or be more like — whatever the norm is,” said Bennett. “Specifically, if you come from some sort of marginalized group, whether it’s based on gender, or race or ethnicity, or potential disability that you may have — whatever the case may be — I would say whatever it is that makes you different, lean into that, accentuate that because ultimately that’s an intrinsic advantage.”
As a speaker who visits different schools, among other environments, and whose media work often touches on the intersection between sports, race, gender and culture, Bennett is keenly aware of both the medium and the message. Being a father to two boys (three and 10 months old) further deepens the significance of addressing kids on topics including: allyship, inclusivity, leadership, values and diversity, among others.
“These are all things that no matter the age group, I wish I was more cognizant of when I was their age,” he says.
Adds Morgan, “To stomp out acts of bullying requires more than treating others as we treat ourselves. I hope students remember to work towards being people of integrity who will stand up for others and are willing to do the right thing even if no one is watching.”
The conversation continues.
Toronto Public Health Letter November 15, 2022
BVG News, COVID-19, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper SchoolToronto Public Health Letter, Re: Reducing Spread of Respiratory Viruses, November 15, 2022
Dear Parents,
As we head into colder weather, the number of cold/flu cases and respiratory viruses among children have increased according to Toronto Public Health. At this time, masks are strongly recommended indoors. We will continue to follow the guidance of Toronto Public Health, The Ministry of Education and communicate any updates, where necessary.
As a reminder, if your child is sick, it is paramount that you keep them at home until they are feeling better and follow the steps outlined in this document from Toronto Public Health, upon returning to School.
Thank you for your cooperation and your support as parents in keeping our community safe and healthy for everyone.
Respectfully,
James Lee
Head of School
Remembrance Day Ceremony 2022 Recording
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On November 10, 2022, we gathered as a Whole School for our Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Join us in honouring the legacies of our veterans, watch the recording here.