INA VANDAROUND SNOWE UND SNOWRIDGE E! ELEMENTARY TARY SCHOOL ae Julie Mackae nes WELCOME ABOARD! We’re really happy to see everyone back safely and happily from their summer but we'd also like to say a special welcome to the following new faces at Snowridge: MRS. YAKIWCHUK, the new Grade 7 Teacher MR. WOLFE, the almost-new Grade 6 Teacher MRS. BECK, our new School Aide We're especially pleased by the presence of our new Kindergarten students: JARED ARNOLD, SEAN CONNOLLY, CHRISTINE CREYKE, SHAWN CROSS, DEVON GLEASON, CAN- DACE GORSKI, MICHAEL MCGILL, NEIL MERCER, CANDACE SHIPLEY, JAMES STUMP, BRENTON WILCOX AND NATHAN WOLFE. and also: AGNES QUOCK, MELISA QUOCK and TANYA BOONE in Grade 1, EMIKO VAN- DERPOL in Grade 2, CHRISTOPHER BOONE, SCOTT LANDUCCI, HENRY DRAGOJEVICH and LINO OSORIO in Grade 3, CHRISTOPHER LANDUCCI in Grade 4, SYLVAIN JACOB in Grade 6, and DANIEL VERRET and TREVOR WHITT in Grade 7. We hope you'll all enjoy your time at Snowridge and we're certainly glad to have you ‘‘on board”. There’s a great year ahead!! OPEN HOUSE AND SLIDE SHOW We hosted our annual Open House for parents on the evening of Thursday September 22. Parents and community members were invited to visit our classrooms and meet the teachers, who explained their programs and planned activities for the school year. The evening began with a slide presentation in the gym of some of last year’s activities. OPEN HOURS A reminder to all that classes start promptly at 9:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. daily. Kindergarten students may enter the building at 8:35 A.M., Grades 1 - 3 at 8:50 A.M. and 12:50 P.M., and ee Grades 4 - 7 at 8:55 A.M. and 12:55 P.M. Dis- missal times are at 11:30 A.M. for Kindergarten, 2:30 P.M. for Grade 1 and 3:00 P.M. for Grades 2-7. CAN YOU HELP? We've been experiencing problems with stray dogs on our playground. Since even the nicest pet is apt to get excited around 140 children, we're soliciting your assistance in keeping your pets under control. Remember, once an injury or accident occurs, it’s too late to “‘play it safe”’ - so please keep your dogs away from our play- ground! NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS The following is a list of non-instructional days and school holidays prior to the Christmas Vacation: Monday October 10 - Thanksgiving Day Thursday and Friday October 13 and 14 - Stikine Teachers Asso- ciation Conference Friday November 11 - Armistice Day Wednesday December 7 - Parent-Teacher (Afternoon only) Interviews We hope you'll find this information helpful in planning family trips and out-of-town medical appointments. STIKINE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE The annual Stikine Teachers Association Con- ference will be held in Whitehorse on Thursday and Friday October 13th and 14th, 1988. Teach- ers will spend one day learning about Project Wild, an environmental protection and conserva- tion program about to be introduced in our schools, and another on Teaching for Thinking, and Community Schools. School will be dismissed early at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12th to facilitate teacher travel to the conference. AND AROUND CASSIAR SECONDARY SCHOO SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL The newly-elected council members for the 1988-1989 school year are: Gayleen Connolly Sandra Wilcox Sonja Slana Melanie Wolfe John Cavanagh Claudia Huber Wenndee Quinn Shirley Howard Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. in Cassiar Secondary School, and all parents are encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be on October 19, 1988. SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED We are presently updating our substitute teacher's list. If you enjoy working with and/or have had previous experience with working with groups of children, and you are available for work on short notice, please call the school and arrange an appointment with Mrs. MacRae. REPORTING DATES FOR 1988 - 1989 The following is a list of our report card and interview dates for the upcoming year: First Term Second Term October 7, 1988 December 2, 1988 Interviews December 7 March 10, 1989 Interviews March 15 June 29, 1989 Third Term Fourth Term Please note that while there are only two sched- uled interview dates, interviews are available at any mutually convenient time upon parental request. If you have a problem, concern or even a compliment, please phone and arrange a meet- ing time to discuss it! A brochure is available entitled ‘Partners in Lear- ning’’ which includes some suggestions on how you can help your child enjoy learning. Please take the time to read it - and share some of the activities with your child. You are, after all, the most important partner in learning your child will ever have. —Se SS SS Se Se BOB WILSON ce I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all students, both old and new, to Cassiar Secondary. In particular, I would like to welcome those students who have recently moved to the Cassiar area, including (as of September 16): Grade 8 Grade 9 Stephen Morrow Joely Blackburn Mae Quock Lisa Payne Grade 10 Grade 11 Stefan Bilodeau Brenda Brown Riky Bilodeau Teri McGill Eric Verret Rhoda Quock .Louine McPhee Rosemary McCutcheon Grade 12 - Frances Jacob Proving that there is some truth to the saying “‘it’s never too late”, I would like to welcome the following adult students who are taking courses for credit or simply for interest or to upgrade their educational skills: Mme. Pierette Jacob Mrs. Mary Ryan Ms. Mickey Johnston . Mrs. Kathy Spracklin Ms. Michelle Korhonen Mrs. Louise Creyke Ms. Vickey Poulsen STAFF AT CASSIAR SECONDARY Mr. Kees van der Pol has returned to Cassiar Secondary School after a year’s graduate studies at the University of British Columbia. Mrs. Marlene Shipley has replaced Mrs. Mercer as Library Aide. In addition, Mrs. Shipley has taken over the res- ponsibilities of noon-hour supervisor from Mrs. Linda Beck, who has transferred to Snowridge Elementary. For those of you who may not know the C.S,S. staff and their curricular and extra-curricular responsibilities, I hope the following information will assist you if you have any questions regarding the operation of the school. MR. BECK - Commerce, Math, Science, Learning Assis- tance, Special Education, Family Management, Grade 12 homeroom, Parent Advisory Council, Staff Social Coor- dinator, and basketball. MS. DIMSDALE - Commerce, Computer Literacy, Com- munications 11/12, Grade 10-B homeroom, hot lunch program and students’ society. MR. COCKING - District Resource Centre, Library, Art. MR. HICKMAN -1.E. Department, Math, Grade 11 home- room. MS. KUECHLE - Counselling, Peer Tutoring (new course), Learning Assistance, English and graduation organization. MR. TRASK - P.E., Science 9, Science and Technology Consumer Education 12, Grade 9 homeroom, and intra- mural and extra-curricular athletics. MRS. TRASK - Special Education, English, Choral Music (new course), Drama, and Division 13 homeroom. MR. VAN DER KAMP - Senior Algebra, Senior Computer Science, Grade 8 homeroom, and extra-curricular athletics ( volleyball). MR. VAN DER POL - Counselling, Learning Assistance, Social Studies, extra-curricular athletics (volleyball). MR. VICKERY - Biology, P.E., Ereach? Grade 10-A homeroom, extra-curricular athletics (basketball), scholar- ship committee, Principal’s Designate. MR. WILSON - Ones Special Education, History 12. MRS. JUNE EVANS - Secretary (da boss). MS. MICKEY JOHNSTON - Custodian MRS. MARLENE SHIPLEY - Library, Noon-hour Super- visor. INTRAMURALS The Cassiar Intramural season will commence early in October, with the first sport being indoor (big net) soccer. In order to give a better balance to the league, this year players will be selected from a “pool”. This process has been initiated in order to break up the in- famous ‘‘Becker’s Wreckers”. DATES TO REMEMBER OCTOBER 10 - Thanksgiving | OCTOBER 13-14 - Stikine Teachers Association Confer- ence in Whitehorse. All district schools will be closed. OCTOBER 11-15 - Interim reports will be sent to parents. In an attempt to improve school spirit and physical fitness, the P.E. department of Cassiar Secondary (Mr. Trask, Mr. Vickery) initiated the first annual school climb to the Twin Lakes immediately south of town. As the photos indicate, we had fantastic MEMBERSHIP: Available to everyone, you do not need to be a member of the Cassiar Community Club. All that is required is a $10.00 book deposit which is refundable upon termination of membership if no materials are out- standing. One membership is good for the entire family. HOURS: Monday 7-9 p.m. Tuesday 2-4p.m. Wednesday *3:30 - 5:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. * Thursday 2-4p.m. Friday 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday Closed * This is a new time slot to which we particularly invite the younger members of the library. Now that we have been receiving Young Adult pocket novels on a regular basis, many more YOUN people have been visiting the library. VOLUNTEERS: The Library works on a volunteer system and we are always looking for new people to help out. -If you are interested in volunteering on a regular basis, or just once in a while, please contact the librarian or any member of the Library Board. At the last Board Meeting we asked our Director of Instruction, Judith Knapp, to give us a mini-workshop on the changes to the Grades 1-8 Math curriculum. This was precipitated by the questions asked of me by you, the parents, as well as my own need to understand the new approach. One of the most controversial areas is the intro- duction of calculators at the primary level. This was one area that IJ as a parent and citizen in today’s world, as well as a student of repetition, needed enlightenment on. I feel much more confident that tomorrow’s citizens will be able to do simple “ciphering”’ without the assistance of a calculator. Let me explain. The curriculum, in fact, stresses the need for learn- ing to add and subtract, know the multiplication tables, and do dividing without the use of a calculator prior to using a calculator. That does not mean that they may not be using both concepts at the same time. However, a calculator is more than an adding machine. Part of the program is to teach students how to properly use this new tool, It can actually, if taught properly, encourage a child to experiment with math concepts that he “nor- mally” would discard as too difficult. When used to check their. manual computations, it also gives instant. feedback. that again.” K Another part of the curriculum that thrills me is the additional emphasis at all levels on word problems. Any parent who has tried to help his child through the maze of solving an algebraic word problem knows that a block toward this portion of math may be developed at a very early age, and once put there, is very hard to overcome. “Hooray, I’m correct.”” “Oops, I’d better try this an annual event. OUR COLLECTION: The Library has approximately 5,000 volumes which can be borrowed for a period of 3 weeks. A quick glance at any best seller list over the last couple of years will tell you that the collection is fairly up to date. We receive new hardback and paperback books on a monthly basis. We also receive a block loan of ap- proximately 300 books which rotate every 4-6 months. These are the books marked with green dots. The Library subscribes to 20 different magazines, hopefully something to appeal to a wide variety of interests. All of the back issues of these magazines are also available to be loaned out for a 3-week period. The biggest news at the Library this year will be our acquisition of approximately 5,000 books. Library Services Branch in Dawson Creek has been closed, and its assets are being distributed. We will also be receiving some new shelving. So, as space allows, we will be putting out this new material. Look for the books with pink dots on their spines!. LIBRARY BOARD MEMBERS: Brock Taplin, Chairman Sandy Crawford Allan Studd Christine Normand Sonja Slana Denise Clark Liz Creyke Peggy Brohman Library 778-7753 Home 778-7409 LIBRARIAN: Calculators in the Classroom °*°"** Through the new curriculum, emphasis is being placed on manipulative skills to “de-mysticize” the mys- tery of math. That is to say, hands-on movement of tangible objects from one place to another (such as blocks, etc.), help the student “see” why 3 times 3 equals 9. : One of the concerns that I brought up was how some clerks handling money can not seem to give change from a $10 bill for a $3.50 purchase, without the use of a calculator. Judith assured us that this would be im- proved through the new curriculum, rather than abro- gated, because not only will the students still know how to “cipher” but they will know what a calculator is for, and not misuse it: As your trustee I ask you to take the time to look at the new curriculum. (Phone Judith and set up an appointment or go talk to your child’s teacher.) It will make you feel a lot better about the whole system. The following quote is taken directly from the curriculum guide. Pamphlets on this are available through the Board Office or the school. “It must be strongly emphasized that calculators do not replace the need for students to learn basic facts and skills. In fact, the need for proficiency with basic facts, mental arithmetic, and estimation skills will in- crease --students need these skills and a thorough under- standing of mathematical processes if they are to be able to determine the reasonableness of answers obtained with the calculator. ' “At the primary level, the calculator should be used for exploratory activities. In the intermediate grades, the calculator should also be used regularly for checking computations, doing complex computations, and assisting with problem solving. ” Cae Courier Renten heels: 1988 Page 9 SCHOOL ACTIVITIES - VIEWF ROM THE TOP weather for the hike on Friday, September 16. Unfortunately, Norma Ray could not maintain the pace and had to be left behind at the bridge crossing at Troutline Creek. We sincerely hope that Norma can make it to the “top”’ next year, as our goal is to make SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL The School Advisory Council is made up of eight elected representatives who work as a liaison between the community and its schools. Also attending the council meetings are the Principals and Teacher Representatives from each school. All of our meeting are open to the pub- lic and we encourage you to attend. Our primary purpose is to be a communications vehicle between the community and the schools. In this way, we are able to bring the concerns of the parents to the schools, as well as allowing the teachers to express their concerns. We are here to make the schools better for our children. Next month we have invited Sherry Sethen, our School Board Trustee, to the meeting. We will discuss the ongoing search for a Speech Pathologist for the Stikine District. The, report from the Royal Commission on Education is now available for reading. We want your input! Please. bring your comments and concerns to any member of the Council or any of our meetings. Thank you, and we look forward to your involve- ment! Our next meeting will be on October 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the Secondary School Library. School Advisory Council: Gayleen Connolly 778-7515 Wendee Quinn 778-7580 Sandi Wilcox 778-7 262 Shirley Howard 778-7661 Melanie Wolfe 778-7209 Claudia Huber 778-7567 John Cavanagh 778-7433 Sonja Slana 778-7550 Playgroup News Well, the playschool room has been scrubbed, the toys are all clean, the walls painted and the carnet steam cleaned. All we need are all the bundles of joy and energy to make use of everything! We wish to welcome Laurie Storch as our teacher this year. Laurie worked with the Girl Guides for seven years, has experience with the handicapped, taught pre-school Sunday school and has also substitute taught here in Cassiar. She was also President of the Figure Skating Club here. 4 Corinna Maki will be our teacher’s assis- tant. She did a work experience program with playschool last year and helped for three months with the Kindergarten children. As to the controversial subject of increased fees this year . . . there will be a slight increase due to the hiring of the teacher’s assistant. We hope to possibly have her two days a week for the safety and continuity of the playschool pro- gram. We still will have duty days for all of us committed parents. Hours of the Playgroup will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9- 11 a.m. and 1 - 3 p-m. So let’s all work together to make this a successful year for our future scholars.