October 2008
I. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS: Dear Parents and Guardians: We are rapidly approaching the end of the first term of the first semester. With the marks cut-off nearly upon u uss it is important for students to ensure that all assignments, tests, quizzes and projects are both completed and handed in to their teachers. I would like to address an important current issue for the school. Each year in October elections are held for Parents Advisory Council positions. Again this year year a number of parents have put their names forward for different executive positions. Unfortunately, we still have not elected a president or vice-president for the executive. The constituting of a full new executive is important for a number of reasons. First and fforemost oremost is that $30,000 of annual school funding from Bingo affiliation grants, for extra-curricular programs, could be put in jeopardy with no future chance for for recovery of this money. The election of at least a president is essential to the maintenance of this fund. If you are interested in taking on this role or would like further information please contact Doreen Darwin (
[email protected]) or myself. Thank you for your consideration of this request. I have fielded a number of calls from parents of Grade 12 students regarding this year’s year’s Prom. I realize that there are a variety of understandings in the community about what is happening. I will start by stating that there are three major activities normally associated with the graduating class; Dry Grad, Commencement and Prom. Each of these activities is sponsored by a different group. The local community sponsors Dry Grad on the last school day in June, the school sponsors the Commencement exercise on the same day and parents sponsor Prom on the last Saturday in April. As such, these sponsorships will continue. The ch challenge allenge ffor or the school and indeed the school district has become the liability associated with the school connection to the Prom event. The school district is currently reviewing, through the provincial Schools Protection Branch, an opinion on issues related to this event. In the meantime a g group roup of parents has held two meetings, under the direction of parent Diane Chadwick, organizing this year’s Prom. Parents are reminded of the implementation of the Daily Physical Activity requirement this school year. Students in grades 8 and 9 are required to complete 30 minutes of physical activity activi ty a day during d uring tthe he school week. PE, school based activities, and community activities can be used to meet this requirement. Grades 10, 11 and 12 are respon responsible sible for engaging in 150 minutes per week of physical activity. Similarly PE, school and community activities will meet this requirement. It is important for students to track these activities with the assistance assistance of their parents. Students were advised of this requirement during grade assemblies at the start of the school y year. ear. Please contact me should you require further information.
Dover Bay Secondary School
I am pleased to announce that Dustin Trudeau is the winner of the 2007-2008 Governor-General Award for academic excellence. Congratulations Dustin. I look forward to seeing parents at the report card distribution on November 20th. Rob Strachan PRINCIPAL
II. WELCOME: NEW STAFF
We welcome the following new staff to Dover Bay. Kathy Qualizza Office Staff Leslie Wilson Ab. Ed. Tutor
III. IMPORTANT DATES:
Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 20
PAC Meeting – 7:00 p.m. Library Pro.D. Day – no students attending Remembrance Day Holiday Report card distribution/ conferences
Dec. 4 Dec. 11
PAC Meeting – 7:00 p.m. Library Interim Reports – Early dismissal – 1:50 p.m. Last day of school before Winter Vacation Winter ball Pro.D. Day (school-based) – no Students attending
Dec. 18 Dec. 17 Dec. 19
Jan. 5
School re-opens
IV. STUDENT ACTIVITIES: REPORT CARD DISTRIBUTION:
Report cards will be distributed on November 20 th from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Parents may pick up their student report cards in the atrium and then go to the gymnasium where staff will be available to meet. Students will be dismissed at at 1:50 p.m. All report cards that have not been picked up at this time will be available for students to pick up at 1:30 on Friday, November 21st.
SENIOR BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS
VOLLEYBALL
ISLAND
DRAMA NEWS: NEWS: Mr. Anderson Anderson
Two months in, and the pace never slackens! The Dover Bay senior boys’ volleyball team will be hosting the Island Championships on Friday and Saturday, November 14 th and 15th , in the Dover Bay gym. It has been ten years since the Islands were last held here at Dover Bay, and the players and parents are thrilled to be doing it again. We are hoping that many of the Dover students, their parents, and staff, will come out and cheer on the senior volleyball players. During the tournament, the parents of the team will be selling programs with prize coupons inside, so we are appealing to the parents of all Dover Bay students in the hope that someone may be able to donate these prizes. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated, and can be dropped off at the office with “senior boys’ volleyball donation” attached. You will be recognized in our tournament program. Thank you in advance on behalf of the senior boys’ volleyball team and the player’s parents! STUDENT COUNCIL: Mrs. Mazzarotto Camp Qwanoes: 42 student council members attended our annual leadership retreat at Camp Qwanoes Oct 3rd and 4th. We are looking forward to a great year! Student cards have now been distributed to all Dover Bay students. Student cards with a school district 68 logo on the back are eligible for discounts at many Nanaimo stores and businesses as well as discounts at students council events such as the Winter Ball Your move: A strong contingent of Dover Bay students council students attended this amazing event on Saturday October 18th at Diana Krall Square. This was a fun fundraising draising and awareness day for youth in Africa. BC Student leadership conference: A total of over twenty Dover Bay students will be participating Oct 23-26 at Nanaimo's new VI conference centre as Spirit leaders, delegates or crew. Over 350 participants from all over BC will attend. Hallowe'en Parade: Friday Oct 31st at lunchtime in the multipurpose room. Wear a costume to enter the parade. Remember: dress code applies! Can Drive: Block C this year! Keep posted for the kickoff pancake breakfast! Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child: Block D Starts October 27 and ends Nov 28. Bring your shoeboxes to your block D class or see your grade rep. Winter Ball: Wednesday December 17 COUNSELLING DEPARTMENT: Mrs. M. Smith
The 2008/2009 Language Challenge Information is available from your School School Counsellor. The Delta School District on behalf of the Coast-Metro Consortium is again offering Language Challenge Exams for Grade 11 and 12 Language Courses. This year L Language anguage Challenge Exams are available for the following courses: courses: German 12, Japanese 11/12, Korean 11/12, Mandarin 11/12, Punjabi 11/12 and Spanish 12. The purpose of Challenge is to permit students to obtain credit for a Grade 11 or 12 course who have already acquired the appropriate learning elsewhere. Student applications for the Language Challenge are available in the Dover Bay Counselling Department and are due November 14, 2008. This includes fee an and d endorsed recent school photo. December 12 is the last day for cancellation, withdrawal, Requests must be made in writing. February or 14,changes. 15, 2 21 1 & 22, 2009 Language Challenge examination dates (see your counsellor for exam schedule). The results are mailed mailed to students and to schools in April 2009. Any questions or concerns see your School Counsellor.
In class, Ms. Schwarze’s grade 8’s have just completed their unit in Readers Theatre—working intensively with voice projection and colouring, presenting a stage picture, and practicing critical thinking in the process of giving their peers feedback. Mr. Anderson’s 11/12 Acting class has worked through improvisation, to character creation, with emphasis on physical acting, and finally solo performance of monologues. It never ceases to amaze us to see the progress of these students from shy grade 8’s to confident grade 11’s and 12’s . Company 10/11 has also been focusing on vocal work at a high level, preparing pieces for the spring’s Speech Arts competitions. The Performance 9/10 class has cre created ated a 50 page script, How to Grow Like a Teen, and is in the final stages of rehearsal.
Which brings us to our public performances. performances. Once again, Variety Night was a huge success, sending audiences away amazed at the talent that abounds in this sschool. chool. The show raised a total of $1300 for the department. Of particular note this year were the number of acts, especially songs, that were created or written by the student performers. That creative ability shows up again in the Performance 9/10 show, which opens on Nov.6th and runs until the 8th. A series of sketches, songs and monologues written by the students and dealing with the changes of adolescence, How to Grow Like a Teen is full of chuckles as we recognize ourselves in such bits as How to talk to your parents, or Mom! You’re embarrassing me, or our own kids (and maybe an earlier self or two) in How to do your homework or How to double date. It’s a great evening of entertainment for the whole family. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for for students, and will be available at More Than Movies and the school office, as well as at the door.
Opening only a few weeks after How to Grow, our major production of the year, with a budget in excess of $10,000, $10, 000, is Finian’s Rainbow. This 1947 Tony Aw Award ard Winner was ahead of its time, tackling the issue of Racism and Bigotry, as well as taking some prescient digs at political process. Take a Bigoted state senator threatening to throw a group of sharecroppers off their land, add a pixilated Irishman with a stolen pot of Leprechaun gold, add the aggrieved Leprechaun and you have a recipe for laughter with a strong message of tolerance. The show runs from Nov. 26th to Nov. 29th Audiences can pick up tickets at the office, or at More than Movies (Dover Road). Road). Prices are $8 ffor or students and seniors seniors and $10 for adults (please make cheques payable to Dover Bay PAC). Doors open at 6:30 and the curtain goes up up at 7:00 p.m. ABORIGINAL EDUCATION: Beaton
Mrs. Moody and Mrs.
New Aboriginal Tutor: We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Aboriginal tutor, Leslie Wilson. Leslie will be working at Dover on Wednesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays. Thursdays. She will be working with students in classrooms, and will be available for extra assistance over the lunch break. Cultural Group: We are running running a youth cultural group this year year.. We have already done the following activities: made both fried and baked bannock, made cedar bark friendship bracelets, and played slahal. Over the next five weeks we will be making button blanket wall hangings, doing some traditional Metis finger weaving, and making dream catchers. Please
encourage your kids to come ou outt and join the group! We meet Wednesdays at lunch in C103. We have been lucky to have several members of the Snaw Naw-As community come to Dover recently to help with the cultural and leadership activities. This has been excellent!! If you, or someone you know, would like to run an activity,
teach a traditional skill, tell a story, share a song etc., please let us know. know. We welcome you you into Dover Bay and look forward to seeing you. you. Please contact Erin Moody or Wendy Beaton, at 756-4595, if you are interested. Aboriginal Youth Leadership Group: The Leadership Group meets Mondays at lunch in C103. Come out and help to plan and implement a variety of activities and events this year. Wrestling Team: Wrestling is a traditional Aboriginal sport. We are lucky to have an Aboriginal wrestling coach coach at Dover Bay. He is looking to take an Aboriginal wrestling team to the North American Indigenous Games in Wisconsin in 2011, so come out and join the Dover Bay Wrestling Team! Practices start on October 20 and will run on Mondays – 6:30-8:00pm and Wednesdays – 3:30-5:00pm.
COLLECTIVE BRAIN RECORD WEIGHT
ROCKETS
TO
A
NEW
The concept of the Collective Brain was shared with the students of the Dover Bay Secondary peer tutoring program on Oct 4, 2008. The students from this program were very receptive to the ideas presented. We are excited to announce that the Collective Brain has grown
Current Weight 198 Pounds.
DRY GRAD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Dry Grad Society is in need of Parent volunteers to help organize the June 26 th 2009 event. We have have sseveral everal key positions that are still unfilled, food chair, co-chair for fundraising, co-chair co-chair for volunteers and a secretary. secretary. Our next meeting is October 30th at 7:00 p.m. at Wellington school library, library, all parents and and students are welcome. To volunteer or for more information please call Gwen at 7581803. ATTENTION GRADE 12 ART STUDENTS
The Dry Grad Society is sponsoring a T-shirt logo contest. The contest is open to all grade 12 students. The logo is to be put on the left front chest of the T-shirts. The specifications are: -maximum size 3”high by 5” wide -up to 3 colours used (one being either the black or grey T-shirt colour) -wording to include: Dry Grad 2009 or A Night to Remember 2009. Aspengrove, Dover Bay, Cedar, John Barsby, Malaspina U.C. High School, Nanaimo Christian School, NDSS, Wellington, Woodlands The deadline for the contest is April 30. Please submit your design to your School office. The winner will receive 5 sweatshirts with their logo to share with w ith their friends! CRAFT FAIR:
What is the Collective Brain? People helping students achieve their full potential as lifelong learners. People interested in improving the capacity of their school(s). People interested in improving learning for students.
18th Annual McGirr/Randerson Ridge Christmas Gift and Craft Fair Dover Bay Gymnasium, 6135 McGirr Road Friday, November 7th – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8th – 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. For more info: Sharon @ 250-758-9598
How can I get involved? You can help by supporting the school wide theme calendar. Current brain research suggests that optimal neuron growth in the brain is positively influence by common teaching strategies and common ideas. The experts have brain scans to prove it!
STUDENTS FIRST: CANADIAN MEDICALERT FOUNDATION®
•
•
•
Learning Centre Heart of the Collective Brain BRITISH COLUMBIA “150 YEARS” 2008 CALENDAR
In December 2007, the Ministry of Education assisted in the distribution of the “British Columbia – 150 Years” calendar on behalf of Historica Foundation, the calendar’s publisher. Since then, it has been brought to the attention of the Ministry and Historica Foundation that factual information was omitted from the entry for October 27. We have been provided with a corrected sticker for the October 27 section of the calendar and students using the calendars can pick a sticker up from the principal in the office. Sufficient copies of the calendar were distributed to each school for distribution to all Grade 10, 11 and 12 students last year, so students currently in grades 11 and 12 (as well as June 2008 graduates) who may be using the calendar can access this corrected information. Thank you for your your attention to this matter. FRANCE CANADA EXCHANGE
The StudentsFIRST program program is a new program developed to ensure children and teenagers across Canada, with medical conditions, allergies or special needs are protected by the Canadian MedicAlert® Foundation. With the rise in childhood asthma, diabetes and allergies, it is estimated that one in five children has a medical condition, allergy or special need that should be communicated in an emergency. The Students FIRST program program has been created to provide kids ages 4-18 with the 24-hour protection of the MedicAlert® emergency medical information service. Throughout the day your child or teenager will interact with many children and may be under the care and supervision of several different adults. This could be during recess, at lunch, in the classroom or even after school at a friend's house or at a summer camp. Parents want to ensure their child or teenager is safe and protected at all times, especially if they have a medical condition. The initial enrollment fee is $45. The fee includes a MedicAlert bracelet or necklet custom engraved with your child's medical condition, wallet card, electronic health record and a one-year membership. This amounts to a savings of $30 or more and also includes Extended Emergency Services.
Summer exchange (July-August 2009) and 11-week school year exchange (2009-2010) programs available Registration
There is an annual fee of $30 per year to maintain your child or teenager's membership in the StudentsFIRST program. program. This is a savings of $19 for each year your child is enrolled
now until April, 2009. Flyers available from Ms. Mazzarotto (E211) at the school.
in the program.
www.osef.ca or e-mail to For more information go to: www.osef.ca
[email protected]
If you are interested in enrolling your child in the StudentsFIRST program, contact MedicAlert at 1-866734-9423.
October 2008
Careers and Graduation Centre Open Monday to Thursday Thursday 8:00 – 3:30. Fridays 8:00 – 2 2:00 :00 Mr. McDonough 250-751-3419
[email protected]
Mr. Dendes 250-751-3446
[email protected]
Training Courses The Careers Centre arranges for training courses when there is sufficient interest. Students show their commitment by paying in advance. Cheques should be made payable to School District 68. *Any family who cannot afford fees may have them waived.
FoodSafe This course is designed for all food handlers and covers food borne illness iissues ssues and prevention, worker health and safety, personal hygiene and health, receiving and storing food, food preparation and protection, serving and dispensing, handwashing and dishwashing. The cost of training is $25. Next Foodsafe Session: November 5/6 6:00-9:30pm
Mrs. Monaghan 250-751-3424
[email protected]
Upcoming Field Trips for Grade 11/12’s. Grade 11/12 Day at V.I.U - November 18. A great opportunity to hear about programs, go to mock classes in an interest area, ask questions of advisors, get a tour of the campus, win prizes and much more.
Permission slips for this field trip and others to UVIC (Nov.13), Capilano (Nov. 20) and UBC (Nov. 26) are available in D202. Get your permission slips in as ssoon oon as possible to reserve a seat on the bus.
Self Reporting Marks –University of Victoria
This is a one-day certificate course offered by St. John Ambulance. Lessons include dealing with Emergency Scene Management, Shock, Choking, Bleeding, CPR, minor wounds and medical conditions. The cost of this this course is $50. Date: November 10(Pro-D Day) - 8:30am- 4:30pm.
Current Grade 12 students are able to report their final Grade 11 marks from September to November 30, 2008 and potentially receive a conditional offer of admission for September 2009. It's simple. Apply on-line for on-line for admission to UVic. Then visit www.uvic.ca/self-reporting: before November 30, 2008 to self-report your marks. Don't forget to also apply for housing if you want to live on campus. Check out their entrance entrance scholarship information by clicking on Student Awards & Financial Aid. Aid.
Post Secondary Planning
Opportunities
A Scholarship and Information Evening for Dover Bay students and parents will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 7 pm. Guest Speaker, Doug Beech, has won a number of scholarships and will share his strategies.
The Art Institute of Vancouver, a private post-secondary institute offering programs in entertainment technology, design, media, culinary arts and fashion design is offering the “Structured Work Work Experience Experience an and d Training Program”. This hands-on experience, during Spring Break is led by industrytrained professionals. professionals. Apply by December 15. Download an www.aiv.aii.edu.. See Mr. Currell or Mr. application at www.aiv.aii.edu McDonough for details.
First Aid – WorkSafe BC Level 1
$$$$$$$ Scholarships and Bursaries. $$$$$$$ The following scholarships are due in the t he next few weeks: Wendy’s Classic Achiever Scholarship Awards –Nov.3 Millennium Excellence Award –December 12 BC Cowboy Heritage Society Scholarship –December 31 These are only only a few of the many offered. Please check the scholarship binder in the Careers Centre for websites.
Canadian University Events – November 11 & 14 Representatives from over 30 universities from across Canada, including McGill, Queens, University of Alberta, RMC, etc. will be at Shawnigan Lake School on November 11 or Bear Mountain Centre on November 14. Christianson This is a great chance to get up-to-date information. information. Let Mr. know if you need a ride to the November 14 presentations.
Post-Secondary Institute Day – December 2 (AM) Representatives from several BC universities, colleges and institutes will gather at Dover Bay to speak to Grade 12 and interested Grade 11 students on December 2 in the morning. Students can hear presentations from some the following institutions: UBC, SFU, UVIC, BC Institute of Technology, Camosun College, Thompson Rivers University, University of Northern BC, and Royal Military College.
Trinity Western University, a Christian
liberal arts university, will be making a presentation to Grade 12 students of Dover Bay on Monday, November 24 at lunch time. Sign up in the Careers Centre for a pizza lunch.
Register early for Vancouver Island University Students who apply to V.I.U. early have the best chance to reserve their place for September 2009. Applications are usually made on line at www.viu.ca and choose the “become a student” link. You will need your PEN# (not y your our school student #) which can be found on your report card. Have a credit card number ready to pay the $30 application fee.
S.W.E.A.T. 2008
Shad Valley This is an innovative summer leadership program (4 weeks in July) focusing on science, technology, leadership and entrepreneurship for Grades 11 and 12 stude students. nts. Participate in university-level challenges that focus career aspirations. Twelve select universities across Canada host this program for www.shad.ca before 600 select students. Apply online at www.shad.ca December 11.
Lattitude
Global
Volunteering
(Gap)
Volunteer abroad after graduating from school. There are many opportunities in every continent, and depending on the program, students can choose a volunteer placement from two weeks to eleven months in length. A representative from Lattitude will make a presentation to students on November 28 at lunchtime in D203. For more information visit the website: www.lattitudecanada.org www.lattitudecanada.org..
Take our Kids to Work Day – November 5 This federal government program is a job-shadowing experience for grade 9 students. It gives them a chance to connect what they are learning in school with what happens in the workplace and may start young people thinking about various career career options. Participating students should pick u up p the information package from their CAPP teacher or the Careers and Graduation Centre.
Need Help with Homework? The Homework Crew is available to help with homework on Monday to Friday in the morning from 7:30-8:20 a.m. and after school on Monday to Thursday, 3:05-4:30 p.m. Come to the Learning Centre (D203).