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.