Category: Upper School
Helping Hands Unite: BVG Community Gives for 20th Year
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Halima Mubaligh, Program Manager of Better Beginnings Now with Leah Kanary, Lower School teacher and BVG lead coordinator of the annual community outreach campaign.
“The impact is great. There is no other word to explain it.”
Halima Mubaligh sums up Bayview Glen School’s annual effort to support children, parents and families in need in a word — but there is so much more.
“A huge difference bringing a smile to the faces of these families.” says the Program Manager of Better Beginnings Now. “We had families with tears, receiving these and opening them — that someone is here thinking of them — especially during this time.”
This past holiday season, Bayview Glen was the only school in Toronto to help the Better Beginnings Now Campaign of Kindness initiative — through a gift card collection and customized hampers filled to the brim.
“The saying, ‘From our family to yours’ truly becomes more than just words at this time,” says Dina Astrella, Head of the Prep School.
It marked BVG’s 20th consecutive year of participating in the program.
“We work with the poor, disadvantaged, high risk, new to the country, single parents, families with special needs,” says Mubaligh, who experienced first-hand the hardship of being a newcomer to Canada.
“The success of our program is because we are there to support them, to listen to their concerns, give them direction and connect them to the resources that help them.”
The need for services provided by Better Beginnings Now “tripled” in 2022 over the previous year, says Mubaligh.
“Families are really going through so much stress. The rent went so high, cost of living is really high, and that’s why definitely there’s an impact on their mental health.”
Better Beginnings Now is among several programs offered through Lumenus Community Services, an agency providing multiple services for free, including treatment programs, counselling and walk-in clinics. Funded by Toronto Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada, the organization serves more than 6,000 families across Toronto.
The process of organizing, filling and delivering hampers to Better Beginnings Now families takes months of detailed planning by several groups. It all kicks off when school starts in September.
“We coordinate from this end, in terms of preparing [family] profiles and looking into the needs of the clients that we provide services to,” says Mubaligh. “We have so many clients, over 1,000 — but we can only do 70 — the most high-needs, the ones that are regularly using food banks, clothing banks and have a lot of financial stressors.”
Subsequent meetings between BVG school leads and program staff help assign family profiles to specific classrooms in the Lower School, Prep School and Upper School, identify which items need to be purchased, quantities, sizes, etc., coordinate collection, pick-up, and delivery.
Along the way, multiple members of the whole school community become directly involved — from students and school staff — who are also assigned family profiles — to parent volunteers and the Parent Association.
Ping DiMenna has been involved in multiple Better Beginnings campaigns during her 17 years as a parent at Bayview Glen.
“I am a parent volunteer helping to sort and pack gift donations to the families,” says DiMenna, who has four children, including three who have graduated from BVG, and one currently in the Upper School. “Better Beginnings involves the whole student population, so it becomes a tradition of giving each year as they progress through the grades. The students can see the donated gift items which makes their contributions more meaningful and personal,” she says.
In past years and led by members of the Better Beginnings Prep School team, students and staff would deliver hampers directly to the home of the family it was collected for, enabling students to witness the impact.
The global pandemic halted that practice.
In December 2022, a group of Prep School students — including student Community Outreach leads — along with staff helped collect all 27 hampers, load them into vehicles, and deliver them to a Lumenus locations in North York.
“The thing that surprised me the most was the honest joy and tears the families had when we delivered the care packages,” says Amy Tsaur, Grade 8 student and Community Outreach Co-lead. “It was crazy how such small acts of kindness seem like they can change someone’s life.”
It was the first time in her three years at BVG that Tsaur was able to participate in delivering the hampers.
“I gained a greater understanding of the idea of philanthropy and how it can help others on a scale beyond measurement,” she says. “Going to deliver the packages and to the foodbank helped me develop a deeper connection and understanding with my community.”
Fellow Grade 8 student, Nikan Nikkhajoei was struck by the process.
“I was surprised about the manner in which we were able to collect every single item that we required for each family,” he says. “This is because it took an abundance of time, effort, and cooperation between the Heads and each Homeroom.”
The service initiative and experiential learning opportunity proved eye-opening for staff too.
“The act of giving without expecting something in return is one of the greatest lessons we can provide our young people,” adds Dina Astrella, who was among three staff to accompany students to drop off the collected items.
During their visit, BVG students and staff were given an overview of Lumenus, taken on a tour of the facility — which was previously a school — and even met some of the families who arrived at scheduled times to pick up their hampers.
“We get a lot of families that are called refugees that come to Canada,” Denise Palermo, who has been with the organization for 30 years, told BVG students.
“For some perspective, if you woke up tomorrow morning and your family said we’re leaving, it’s not safe for us here now, put everything in a bag about this big that you can carry and we’ll go to the airport where it’s very chaotic, hopefully get on a plane and go to a new country. When you get here, you won’t have a home, you won’t have any money, you won’t have any access to services and you won’t understand the language, the culture and you won’t understand the systems,” Palermo continued, painting a picture of the bitter reality many of their clientele endure.
“Often, they have to make very, very hard decisions — if I pay my rent, I will not have enough money to feed my children,” Palermo added. “All those things that you put together in those hampers are going to support those families in meeting their needs,” she says.
In all 27 bins filled, 70 families supported and more than $30,000 in gift cards collected from preschool to Grade 12.
Leah Kanary, Lower School teacher and lead BVG staff coordinator of the initiative shared this note with colleagues following the campaign, “At a time of year where making personal, meaningful connections is so important, please know you have made a lifelong connection with the family that you helped fill a basket of love and care.”
Community impact that will likely remain in the minds of all involved.
“Even after all these years,” says Dina Astrella, “the Better Beginnings Campaign continues to unite our community in ways that very few other occasions do.”
A Window on the World: Model United Nations Club Travels to New York
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The opportunity was unique on multiple fronts for members of the Model United Nations (UN) Club at Bayview Glen School (BVG).
“The club has traditionally gone on one big trip per year (usually Montreal) while attending smaller events in Toronto,” says Tom Osborne, one of two staff advisors to the club. “This year, we wanted to try something different.”
And they did just that.
Eleven BVG students from Grade 11 accompanied by two teachers embarked on a four-day trip to New York City — home to UN headquarters, in mid-January.
Their focus? Attending a Model UN Conference at Columbia University that immersed students in a simulation of the United Nations, where delegates are encouraged to develop solutions to problems via committees.
The trip also included a visit to the Slovenian mission, where they had they met and interacted in-person with staff who work for the United Nations for their home country.
“This was a unique and interesting experience that you do not get to partake in every day,” says Leela Bhide, Grade 11 student and Head of Model UN at BVG. “It taught us a lot about governance and diplomacy, which were relevant to our conference.”
The BVG contingent also met with Slovenian ambassadors.
“They taught us about why the United Nations is beneficial to our society and discussed Slovenia’s ideals and goals inside the General Assembly,” adds Arman Momeni, fellow Grade 11 student and Model UN club member. “Contrastingly, the representatives also educated us on some of the inequalities that plague the UN and showed us that the United Nations still has a long way to go in terms of creating an equal voice for all countries,” he says.
Model UN is among more than 30 clubs students in the Upper School can take part in.
“Students learn about diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations while working on their researching, public speaking, debating and writing skills,” says Mr. Osborne, who teaches Business Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities in the Upper School. “It’s also great with critical thinking and leadership,” he says.
“I did not know much about the club when I joined, but from hearing older peers positively reinforce it and tell me about their experiences, I thought it was something I might be interested in,” says Bhide, who is now in her second year as a club member.
“The variety of topics that you get to research and learn more about [are interesting], as some of these topics are not things you would typically think about,” she says. “On this trip, I enhanced my collaboration skills and got to apply them in conference sessions — whether it was forming alliances and friendships with fellow delegates or having to help choose where to go for dinner that night with my classmates! We learned to collaborate with people from all around the world, who each have their own perspectives and experiences.”
Interactions with fellow students was also a key highlight for Arman Momeni who described the trip as “surreal.”
“The conference was an excellent opportunity to meet many like-minded individuals and to build powerful and lasting connections,” he says. “During committee sessions, all the students at the conference were very well-spoken, which allowed for intriguing and fruitful debates, taking the conference to another level. The most beautiful thing about meeting individuals from all over the world was that each student offered a new and insightful outlook on global issues, which opened up my perspective on the world both culturally and politically.”
Apart from the mission, students also had a chance to explore the most populous city in the United States.
“Our various adventures in New York City also acted as great learning opportunities,” continues Momeni. “During our visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), our group was immersed in ancient art that went back several millennia. I used my time at The MET to explore the Iran section of the museum and learn about my country’s deep and rich culture,” he says.
There were also walking adventures through Times Square, and a jaunt or two to Shake Shack!
“The trip would not have been possible without our amazing teacher supervisors, Mr. Osborne and Ms. Alison Rowland,” says Momeni. “Their hard work allowed for an organized trip that was balanced with educational and recreational activities, and their support allowed us to excel during the conference.”
For Tom Osborne, who has been involved as an advisor for three years, the interest shown by current club members has been a highlight.
“I’ve been really impressed with their maturity and overall engagement in the club,” he says. “It really is a lot of work (they have to write position papers, research, etc.). It is not a passive club but is super fun. There are tons of different committees students can participate in. Some are historical, some fictional. They are all simulations. It’s really pretty cool and there is always something for everyone,” he says.
And the impact for students continues to be felt.
“Being in Model UN has inspired me to pursue a career that pushes me to be diplomatic, collaborative, communicative, and resourceful,” says Leela Bhide. “All skills that were attained/enhanced throughout being a member of Model UN.”
Arman Momeni agrees.
“I encourage all Bayview Glen students to join the Model UN club if they are able to,” he says. “It is an excellent opportunity to build public speaking skills that will be beneficial to all students no matter the career path they choose.”
Related links:
Learn more: Clubs and Activities
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
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!
Reaching New Heights: Bayview Glen Student sets sights on The Worlds
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There was plenty on the line as she navigated the winding terrain over six kilometres at the 2022 Canadian Cross Country Championships in Ottawa in late November.
Still, Muriel Lovshin, a Grade11 student at Bayview Glen took it all in stride.
“My mindset for this race was to give it my all and race every moment as hard as I could, to end my season strong,” says the 16-year-old, who was running in an older age category — u20 — against 98 competitors.
“I thought about all the training and hard work this season and trusted my training to carry me through the race,” she says reflecting on running against some of the top high school and university female distance runners from Canada and the US.
The stakes were high for all competitors, with a potential berth in the World Cross-Country Championships in Australia in 2023, awaiting.
“She ran a very smart race the whole way, and executed her race plan perfectly,” says Brian Lovshin, Muriel’s Dad, who watched it all unfold live. “She pushed the pace on the final lap and had a very strong finishing kick.”
Her plan and perseverance paid off. Lovshin finished 5th at the Nationals, earning a spot at the upcoming Worlds and making it into Bayview Glen Athletics’ record books!
“This is far and away the best result we have had in BVG history,” says Kristin Carpenter, teacher at BVG, and one of Lovshin’s cross country and track coaches at the school since Grade 9.
“We have had a few students medal at OFSAA in track in the past, but we have never had a medal in both cross country and track in running, from the same student, and definitely never had a world qualifier,” says Carpenter. “For the Canadian Championships she ran up a level (u20 rather than u18) in order to try for a spot on Team Canada. Her 5th place finish is especially impressive as a result of that, and she was the second 16-year-old to cross the line at nationals,” she says.
“I am so proud of Muriel,” adds Colleen Hennessy, Upper School Social Sciences and Physical Education teacher, who has also coached Lovshin in track at Bayview Glen over the past two years.
“This is a huge accomplishment and shows her immense dedication to her sport,” says Hennessy. “With every race this season, she has made improvements to her strategy and time. She understands what it means to work hard, set big goals, and be a supportive teammate all while being an incredibly kind and thoughtful student and friend – we are incredibly proud of Muriel’s achievements this season and are excited to see her wear the red maple leaf!”
A biology and psychology teacher at BVG, Carpenter adds, “she has learned a lot about running a smart race – she sticks with the front pack and doesn’t always need to run in first place. She has learned to be patient and waits to make her move and has worked on her finishing kick as well. Race strategy is a big part of distance running and Muriel has improved a lot in that regard in conjunction with her strength and speed,” she says.
This latest accomplishment propels Lovshin to a new level.
“I was very surprised about how I finished the race and the overall result, but I was extremely excited about my placing,” says Lovshin, who trains at the Toronto Olympic Track Club in addition to Bayview Glen.
“My week is usually split between managing my schoolwork, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities outside of school with my training,” says Lovshin, whose parents and sister are also runners. “Though my training does take a lot of time out of my week with running and strength workouts, time management is an essential part of being able to keep up with the activities that I am part of. BVG has allowed me to continue to train at a high level while supporting me to achieve highly in my academics. All my coaches have had a huge impact on my workouts and races and have helped me to believe in what I can achieve if I put in the hard work,” she says.
After a short week off following the fall season, Lovshin’s preparation for the biggest competition of her young life is well underway.
She will be a member of Team Canada at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia in February — taking the lessons learned on and off the track at Bayview Glen with her to a global stage.
“I am very grateful for all the support from all my teachers, friends and classmates at BVG,” she
says. “It means the world to me!”
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
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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.