October, 2006
Principal’s Message:
It is always amazing how quickly time flies as it seemed like just a short while ago that we were eagerly anticipating the return of the school year and welcoming students back after summer and here we are, already in the middle of October! As we head towards November, I would like to remind parents that the pace of a semester school can be quick as each month represents 20% of the term. Support your teen as they strive to achieve their learning goals by helping them stay organized and on top of their school work. Similarly, we will soon be entering the “cold and flu” season and the importance of balance for adolescents can not be overstated - help your teen learn to eat better as well as get enough sleep and regular exercise. Good nutrition, exercise and rest will bolster their immune system and help teens manage the many challenges and stresses they face at school.
Help Us Celebrate 50 Great Years!
This is a very special year for our school as we celebrate our 50th anniversary and we invite interested students, staff, parents, alumni and friends of Steveston High to get involved in helping to plan our celebration. The big celebration will be held on April 27 & 28, 2007 and the 2nd meeting of the "50th Year Celebration" committee will be Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. at Steveston. Everyone is welcome - current Packers, former Packers or those who are just Packer-lovers at heart! Please contact the “50 Year Celebration” committee chairperson Donna Sargent to find out more information: dsargent@richmond.sd38.bc.ca
PAC Update
The role of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is to promote communication and cooperation within the school community, provide a forum for parents as partners in education, discuss school, district and Ministry policies and engage in a dialogue about educational and adolescent issues with other parents and the school principal. Steveston’s PAC is a friendly and relaxed group that meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm. Our PAC is always brainstorming ways to help and encourage more parents to stay connected to the school. On October 12 the PAC welcomed Steveston’s school counsellors Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Watanabe and they explained all the ways counsellors help our students; academically, socially and personally, and answered many questions from parents. Our next PAC meeting is on November 9 and this will be a joint meeting with members of the London Secondary School PAC. All Steveston and London parents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the merger of our two schools next September.
Take Our Grade 9 Kids to Work November 1
The annual Canada-wide Take Our Kids to Work day is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 1. Grade 9 students are to accompany a parent/guardian to their place of work for the day to job shadow and get a glimpse into the world of work. All students participating need to return their completed form to the main office. For more information, please contact Mr. Lancaster at the school.
Post-Secondary Information Evening on November 22
Parents of senior students should mark the evening of Wednesday, November 22 from 7-9 pm off on their calendars as London will host a post-secondary information evening for students from both Steveston and London secondary schools. Representatives from all the key universities and colleges will be present to give information and answer questions on admissions, scholarships, bursaries and other important information for life after high school.
CAREER CENTRE NEWS:
For up to date post-secondary, scholarship and career information, students should bookmark the following Career Center Website.: http://public.sd38.bc.ca/~ccnews/
For student Career Exploration:
www.careercruising.com username: steveston password: career1
educationplanner.bc.ca
whatskey.org
To apply to BC Colleges and Universities: www.pas.bc.ca
Students planning on attending college in September 2007 can start applying at Langara on Oct. 1 and Kwantlen Nov.1. Please note: colleges accept applicants on a first come first served basis, it is a good idea to apply as early as possible.
Reading - A School Goal and the Key to Success!
Improving our students’ reading comprehension abilities is one of the school-wide goals at Steveston. The main reasons to teach kids to become strategic readers is to help them become more thoughtful about their reading. Meaning arrives because we are purposely engaged in thinking while we read. Parents can help by establishing a reading environment in your home. Some Tips:
turning the t.v. and computer off for an hour a day to encourage reading.
Packers Attend Richmond Student Leadership Conference
Eight Steveston students served as “Spirit Leaders” for the district-wide student leadership conference held on Saturday, October 14 at Palmer Secondary School. The keen young leaders were involved in planning a variety of team building, problem solving, organizational and leadership activities with other student-leaders from all Richmond high schools in preparation for the day. They were responsible for welcoming delegates, leading cheers, facilitating icebreakers, directing students and guest speakers to workshops, and organizing and implementing the gym riot. Congratulations to Megan Berry, Joann Tran, Blake Henley, Irene Kwong, Vivian Cheung, Brad Soon, Charmaine Tang and Jared Rudek. Other Packer students attended the conference as delegates and joined the 600 Richmond students in attendance on the day who enjoyed workshops, leadership training and motivational speakers - it was a fabulous event! Thanks to Ms. Hansen for sponsoring this event.
ANNUAL POINSETTIA SALE
This is one of the major fundraisers for our Dry After Grad Celebration. If you have kids who graduated from Steveston School in the past 4 years you will know how much they enjoyed this event. You will also know that they are safe! We need your support in order to provide an evening our current 2007 Grads will never forget. Please buy a poinsettia for your home or workplace. There are some different offerings this year and we are sure that you will be pleased with the variety and quality of these cheerful plants. An order form is included with this newsletter and your order should be dropped off at the school by Monday November 13. Please mark this date on your calendar. Any questions??? Call Linda at 604-271-0946.
Old Clothes? Cleaning House?
As you're putting away summer and pulling out your fall & winter clothes from your closet, please set aside anything you no longer need. The Dry After Grad committee is again collecting bags for Big Brothers Renew Crew. This project helps both “Big Brothers” and Steveston’s Dry After Grad. The drop-off dates/times are the same as the Parent/Teacher conferences (November 29 & 30). Please note the new and used "Soft Goods" that will be accepted: clothing & accessories & footwear, linens (towels, sheets, blankets, cushions) and sleeping bags. Any questions? Please contact Peter Goyert at 604-277-2033 or pgoyert@shaw.ca. Thank you for your continued support of our Dry After Grad!
Student Drop-Off and Parent Driving
We would like to remind all parents that student drop off should not be done in front of the school nor by using the north driveway...even in the rain. We are having problems with staff being held up on their way to school by traffic jams on the north side of the school and in the teacher parking area. This bottleneck is also a safety hazard for kids who walk to school and have to weave their way through bumper to bumper traffic to get to the school doors. Student drop off is to be done using the south driveway and the marked loop in the student parking lot. Parents are also encouraged to drop their kids off on a safe side street near the school and have them walk - they won’t melt in the rain and a little exercise is a good thing! Thank you for your cooperation.
SLSS Update
The construction on the new $19 million addition for the combined Steveston-London Secondary School is well underway and on time. Steveston students in Grades 8-11 will attend the and enjoy access to a state-of-the-art second floor science wing, a new theatre and performing arts centre, a new, second and larger gymnasium, a new library with computer lab, new office and counselling center and many newly renovated automotive & aviation areas and general classrooms and it will be the biggest and newest high school in Richmond when it opens. The students and staff at both schools are now engaged in many conversations about educational, organizational and cultural issues. All the Grade 11s (the first SLSS grads of 2008) from both schools had the opportunity to meet as a large group on October 4 and the Grade 10s will have a similar assembly on November 1. The school is now accepting submissions and ideas from staff, students and community members on the “colours”, “nickname” and “logo” of SLSS - please forward all submissions directly to Mr. Allison in the Steveston office.
Terry Fox update
Congratulations to every Packer student and staff member who participated in the 26th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope organized at Steveston on October 28th. The short run (or walk) was a healthy way to start the day and taking a little time to think about people living with cancer was social-responsibility in action. Our school goal of a “Twoonie for Terry” from each student and staff member was exceeded and the school donated over $1700 to the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research. Days earlier our Students’ Council organized “Pink Day” as a combined school spirit event and to raise awareness and support for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Packers participated by enthusiastically wearing pink to school as well as raising $500 for breast cancer research - well done Steveston!
Packer Teams Doing Well
Our fall sports seasons are well underway and over 100 students are currently representing our school by wearing Packer purple and gold with style and class. The grade 8 girls’ volleyball team got off to a great start winning their first league game and coach McBurney is thrilled with the enthusiasm and skill of the girls on the team. Packer volleyball is happy to welcome back knowledgeable and experienced coach Hansen to the Packer dome as she leads our talented junior girls’ volleyball team. This skilled group has been working hard practicing and playing 4-days a week and have chalked up several early season wins. Veteran Packer coach and guru Mr. Miyazaki is mentoring our senior girls’ volleyball team and he has had the Grade 11s and 12s training hard since late August and the team is playing well. In senior boys’ volleyball, Packer grads and coaches Karen Jacob & Jenny Sargent and sponsor Sandy Jung have been doing a great job and the boys’ have also been playing well early in the season. In badminton, Mr. Chen’s (sponsored by Mr. Bridal) junior and senior teams are both building on last season’s end-of-year success and they have been involved in several exciting singles and doubles matches this season. In the pool, the impressive 33-member swim team is coached by Mrs. Christie and the student-athletes have been training diligently 4 days a week (including 7 am practices at the Minoru pool) in preparation for their upcoming meets. Our senior boys’ soccer team has played fairly well but there is great parity in the senior league and coach Adrian knows they are in for a battle as they prepare to defend their Lower Mainland AA championship title from last season and make it back to the Provincials. For more information on Packer athletics - please contact athletic-director Mr. McBurney.
Steveston Music Update
‘The halls are alive with the sound of music’ at Steveston as our new director Mr. Dave Dewald has inspired both the Grade 8 band and Steveston Sings! choral group early this year. Steveston Sings! performed brilliantly at the “Richmond Sings” on October 3. This was a fundraising concert organized by the Richmond Orchestra & Chorus Association for the Richmond Dream Auction supporting children and families living in poverty. Similarly, the choral group and the Grade 8s played at lunchtime concerts on October 17 and 19 before large and appreciative crowds at Steveston. Upcoming events include the Remembrance Day Assembly, Carolling with Steveston Sings! (malls, senior's homes, Steveston Village) and the Christmas Concert at the school.
Packer 50th Clothing Available Now
Please see the insert in this newsletter to order a custom piece of “Packer 50th” clothing - some of the items currently available include hoodies and short & long sleeve t-shirts.
What is your teenager doing this Halloween?
Halloween is a tradition that many young children eagerly anticipate for weeks. It is an opportunity to dress up in costume with family and friends, go trick or treating and have some fun. However, the evening of October 31 has also been marred by needless acts of vandalism and arson. The sight of large groups of teenagers and young adults, igniting fireworks and small explosives while roaming the neighbourhoods, parks and school yards is becoming far too common on Halloween. The resulting carnage can often include broken windows, countless small fires and other unnecessary acts of vandalism. Behaviour that our society would normally never tolerate seems to become acceptable on this one night and the RCMP aren’t always able to cope with all the calls they receive. Recent changes in the City Fireworks Bylaw created the following ticketable offences. The City advises that enforcement will be vigorous this year:
• Possession of fireworks by a person under 18
• Giving, selling or offering fireworks to a person under 18
• Igniting fireworks on any property (public or private) without the consent of the property owner
• Igniting fireworks except between 5PM and 11PM on Halloween (Except for professional displays)
We strongly encourage parents to speak with their teenage children - find out what their plans are for Halloween - encourage and insist that they behave responsibly and safely or simply stay home.
Intramural Beach Volleyball Hot!
Currently 12 co-ed teams are playing intramural volleyball every day at lunch and having a blast and keeping fit. To introduce intramuralsl to our youngest Packers, we also have a “Grade 8 play day” every Monday - Grade 8s can just show up and play - they do not need to be on a team. Intramural indoor soccer will be next - all students, female and male, are encouraged to see Mr. Bridal to sign-up and get in on the fun!
Important Dates:
October 24 Photo Retake day
October 29 Daylight Savings Ends - set your clock back!
October 31 Halloween - BE SAFE.
November 1 Steveston-London Day 1 pm dismissal
November 1 Take Grade 9s to Work Day
November 9 Joint Steveston - London PAC 7 pm
November 10 Remembrance Ceremonies
November 13 Remembrance Day holiday (school closed)
November 14 Block Order Change
DCBA on M,W,Fridays - ABCD on Tu, Th.
November 22 Post-Secondary Info @ London - 7pm
November 24 First Term Report Card Home
Nov. 29 & 30 Early Dismissals at 1:00 pm
November 29 Parent-teacher conferences 2-4 pm
November 30 Parent-teacher conferences 2-4 and 6-8 pm
December 1 Pro-D day