Spring Break Update

As students prepare for their spring break (March 16th to April 1st), a number of items are worth mentioning.  While the impending passing of Bill 22 by the provincial legislature should bring some normalcy back to school working and learning conditions, further reaction from the BCTF is possible.  Bill 22 outlines a number of criteria that will have a fundamental impact on how classes are structured, requirements for consultation, and further steps to be taken as part of a process to finalize working conditions for BC teachers, principals and vice-principals and school district personnel.  Some of the key changes are outlined in a document found on the SD 51 website at http://www.sd51.bc.ca/PDF%20Files/An%20Overview%20Bill%2022.pdf
With the potential for further disruptions, we will keep parents up to date through our school and district websites.

After spring break, students in grades 10 and 12 will be completing the annual provincial satisfaction surveys.  These Ministry of Education surveys provide the school with useful information about how students and parents are feeling about many areas related to school functioning.  Some of the information is used for school planning as part of the yearly improvement plan.  Parents of students in grades 10 and 12 are also asked to complete a survey at the following link http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey/access.htm
Parents can access the survey by obtaining a random code from the school either by phone or email (gfss@sd51.bc.ca)

Provincial exam grades have been released for the January examination period.  Students taking Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10, Foundations Math 10, English 10, Science 10, Social Studies 11, English 12, and Communications 12 have now received their marks for first semester exams.  In all subject areas, students performed well with class averages at or above provincial levels.  Thanks to our teachers for preparing students in these areas.

A reminder also to parents to sign and send back their child's course selection sheets.  With timetabling for 2012-13 starting in early April, it is important for all students to have their confirmed selections in to the office to ensure they into the classes they have selected.  There is an incoming grade 8 parent information session scheduled for Monday, April 2nd at 7pm in room 101.  It is a good opportunity to see what courses your child will be taking in grade 8 with the available choices for electives.

For graduating students, they are reminded that deadlines for Grad Transitions are fast approaching.  Students are expected to have completed their packages and exit interviews by the end of May in order to meet the requirements for graduation.  All the package assignments and instructions are posted on the GFSS Moodle site and need to be completed before signing up for the final interview with Mr. Stewart.  Close to a dozen students have completed their Grad Transition requirements and have all had very good interviews.
More details around grad dates, etc will be posted for students after spring break.

A final congratulations to all the winter teams that have finished their seasons and a thanks to the coaches and parents who put in considerable hours supporting these opportunities for our kids.  While all of our teams finished well, a special congrats to the grade 8 girls basketball team who won the west Kootenay zone finals.....great job girls and coaches!

The winning grade 8 girls team at the West Kootenay finals

Semester 2 Update...Feb 29th

Course selections are well underway with all grade levels being completed by Thursday this week.  Students have been entering their course selections starting on Monday, through the BCesis Parent Assistant program.  Students meet with Mr. Lockhart, Mrs. Argue and Mrs. Webster to review their options and the necessary requirements for each grade.  Students can choose from a list of courses and can also browse the course handbook to look at descriptions of courses offered through the grades.  In most cases, students have a number of core course requirements they need to take depending on grade level, and then can select from a variety of elective options.  It is important that parents and students review their selections and return there course selection printout back to the office.  This helps minimize the number of changes that need to be made to students timetables and ensures students get the courses they are hoping for.  When changes take place in June or September, some options may be full and movement is limited.  

Once student course selections are over, we start to look at how many courses in each grade will be needed and begin to assign these classes to teachers depending on their expertise.  The goal is to have timetables in the hands of students by early June. With continued declining enrollment and School Board cutbacks, offering a wide range of courses is challenging, but with some online options and creativity, we have been able to maintain a decent variety of opportunities.  Thanks to Mr. Lockhart and the counselling staff for their hard work in making this process flow so smoothly.  As always, please give us a call or drop us an email at gfss@sd51.bc.ca if you have any questions.

Mr. McKaig's PE 10 class snowshoeing at Marshall lake last week!

On another note, our winter sport season is wrapping up.  Our senior basketball teams have completed their seasons with both groups earning respectable finishes.  The junior boys and girls have their zone finals this coming week and grade 8's next week.  Good luck to our remaining teams and thanks to all the coaches for their hard work and dedication.  I'd also like to thank Mr. McKaig, our athletic director, for his countless hours helping set up schedules, communicating with coaches, helping organize tournaments, etc.  Our spring sports are starting up with rugby, baseball, and girls soccer all now beginning their training sessions.  We also have a small group of drama members going to compete in the regional drama festival this coming weekend under the guidance of Mrs. Grootjes...good luck team!

As for job action, a lot of information is coming out quickly and things are changing on a daily basis.  The government is in the process of drafting new legislation, included in that is items designed to prevent further job action.  As things progress over the next few days, we will try and provide you with an update.  Until then, have a good week and don't forget to check your child's course selection sheet.

February Update

Having started the second semester, I thought I would give parents a quick update on a few items.  As we get closer to spring break, students will be going through their course selections for the 2012-13 school year.  For students, this is a chance to select courses in grades 10-12 as part of their graduation program and determine specific schedules for grades 11 and 12.  For those students interested in pursuing apprenticeship opportunities, it means looking for potential placements and scheduling ahead of time to accommodate a work setting.  Once students have completed their selections, they are asked to take home their record of selections to get parent input.  We also have a few different information sessions planned for parents should they want more information about the graduation program and access to more specific programming such as Secondary School Apprenticeship and Work Experience options.  The first parent information session will take place for all parents on Wednesday, February 22nd at 7pm in room 101 and a second session for incoming grade 8 parents on April 2nd at 7pm in room 101.  Student course selections will take place the week of Feb 27th to March 1st.

Regarding reporting for the first semester, as many of you may be aware, teacher job action has prevented us from sending home report cards for students in grades 8-11.  Parents wishing to access the grades of students at these levels are requested to contact their teachers directly for feedback.  Students in grade 12 will receive a mailed home record of marks that includes final grades from semester 1 without any comments.  These grades have been entered by teachers to ensure students are not prevented from accessing post-secondary entrance and/or scholarships.

Parents are reminded to continually refer to the school website at www.sd51.bc.ca/gfss for ongoing updates, information, and important links.

Before signing off, I thought I would share a piece of student work I had submitted as part of my student's end of semester project for Phys Ed 8/9.  The project involved the students doing some brainstorming about the components of a healthy lifestyle.  As part of their project, they were asked to present their ideas using one of a few different formats.  This example is from one of my grade 9 students who organized his thoughts using an online format called Prezi...he gave me permission to show his work, I hope you enjoy it as I did.
Jonathan's project

Yours in education
Mr. S.