SS Page 6 November 1983 Cassiar Courier In and around TRUSTEE ELECTIONS 1983 Mrs. Dorothy Odian was unopposed as the Trustee for the Atlin Attendance Area at the Annual Meeting held in Atlin on October 13th. The Returning Officer (Mr. D. Best) declared Mrs. Odian elected for the two year period ending November 30th, 1985. Nominations for the position of Trustee for the Cas- siar Attendance Area closed in Cassiar at noon on Tues- day, October 11th. At that time the Returning Officer had received only the nomination of Mrs. Sherry Sethan. Accordingly Mrs. Sethan has been declared as the Trustee for the two year period ending November 30th, 1985. Further elections will be held at Lower Post on Oc- tober 19th and at Telegraph Creek on November 9th. PROVINCIAL EXAMINATIONS UPDATE Commencing in January 1984, students in public sec- ondary schools will be required to write Provincial Exam- inations in Grade 12 ‘academic’ courses. The purpose of this program, according to a recent Ministry of Education Circular, is to ensure that Grade 12 students meet consistent provincial standards of achieve- ment in the academic subjects. The examination program will also ensure that graduating students from all schools in the province will be treated equitably when applying for admission to universities and other post-secondary in- stitutes. An additional purpose of this program is to res- pond to strong public concerns for improved standards in education. * For grade 12 students at Cassiar Secondary this directive means Provincial Examinations in English 12, Algebra 12, French 12 and Geography 12. * A student’s final standing in each subject will be based on the school mark for in-school achievement and the ex- amination mark (50% for each). * Examinations will be held twice a year in January and June with supplemental exams to be held in August. * The exams will be developed provincially by commit- tees of teachers and will be based on provincial curricu- lum. Up to one-half of each exam will consist of open- ended questions, with the remainder being in machine- scorable format; this will vary according to the subject be- ing tested. * Public schools will continue to issue Dogwood Certifi- cates. In February and July, results will be sent directly to students, with copies to respective schools and post- secondary institutions where requested (the Ministry will issue school results, exam results and the final standings). After receipt of results, schools will update statements of marks and issue Dogwood Certificates where warranted. THE TEACHER STRIKE VOTE A special meeting of the British Columbia Teachers Federation Representation Assembly passed this recom- mendation on October ist, 1983. That the B.C.T.F. conduct a vote of its members on the following: That the B.C.T.F. Executive Committee be authorized to initiate province-wide withdrawal of service by teachers as a part of action against the legislation and budget. supe ei rma RS ES mn AGENCIES j General INSURANCE Broker 164 Elliott (Marvel Travel) TUESDAYS 10am. to 5p.m For appointment call 778-7220 HOLT Camper, Vacation, Trailer, Tenant oe In the opinion of the B.C.T.F. Executive Committee the current legislation and budget restaints will: * Cut real spending on public schools by 25% over three years. * Increase class sizes by raising the pupil/ teacher ratio. * Slash teachers’ salaries. * Cut 3,000 teaching positions over three years. * Destroy collective bargaining rights. _ * Remove tenure and appeal rights. * The salaries of administrator members determined by cabinet fiat. * Centralize control over programs, levels of service, bud- gets, taxation. * Limit access to college education. The Board of Trustees has received a lengthy legal opinion from the B.C.S.T.A. solicitors, Messrs. Campney and Murphy. This legal opinion comments on: * The legality of Withdrawal of Services. * Legal remedies. * The position of the Principal. * Salary for Teachers during a withdrawal of service. * Effect on non-teaching employees. * Closing Schools. * Safety of Pupils. This opinion has been distributed widely throughout the District and will be discussed at a later meeting between the Stikine Teachers’ Association Executive and the Dis- crict Administration. AMENDMENTS TO BILL NO. 6, EDUCATION INTERIM FINANCE AMENDMENT ACT In a letter dated October 7th, 1983, the Minister of Education informed school boards of several significant changes to the Act, which controls the setting and disposi- tion of educational budgets for B. C. School Districts. For S.D. No. 87 Stikine, the significant changes are: 1. The district may now transfer some of its Isolation and Dispersion Funds into Function 4—District Administra- tion. This means that the District can maintian the district administration service level which it feels best meets its particular needs. 2. The district may now carry any surplus funds ant 1983 up into 1984 as an additional part of its operating budget. 3. The District Non-shareable Capital Budget has been limited to a maximum of $10 per F.T.E. pupil. Mobile Home, Homeowner, Commercial J School! District 87 (Stikine) By Owen Corcoran In 1982 and 1983 the district set this section of the budget at approximately $39,000. In 1984 the maximum allowable will be $6,000, a reduction of $33,000. This section of the budget is used to purchase new equipment for district schools, maintenance and central office. Accompanying the Minister’s letter was a list of revi- sions to the service levels in the Fiscal Framework System —the funding formula. The district’s major concerns with these revisions are the service levels funded for district ad- ministration and the extent of funding to accommodate the isolation and dispersion of the Stikine’s schools. These concerns will be addressed by the Chairman of the Board in a further letter to the Minister. BUDGETING AND FUNDING UPDATE The district has completed categorization of its 600 students and this information has been forwarded to Vic- toria. The Ministry will apply this information to the ser- vice levels in the Fiscal Framework System and will pub- lish an updated budget for the Stikine on November 15th. In the meantime, it’s business as usual in District No. 87. The struggle goes on and each day sees a new educa- tional hope for each of our students. The system and its stewards are under restraint. They are not restrained how- ever, and are determined to maintain educational integrity as their watchword. ’ AN APPARENT CONTRADICTION In the September issue I indicated that ‘no program re- ductions are envisioned at this time’. This comment was made in reference to the distribution of the 1984 Operat- ing Budget. Also in the September issue it was indicated by the Principal of Snowridge that ‘starting in January, a reduc- tion in staff which will reduce the amount of time the Learning Assistance Teacher can work with students who require remedial instruction beyond that which can be provided within a classroom context. The two statements are not related. The Snowridge re- duction is a product of reduced enrolment not a product of budgetary restraint. Parent Advisory CHRISTINE SHEPHERD The Parents Advisory Council meeting was held at Snowridge Elementary School on the 12th of October. Chris Shepherd was unanimously elected as the new Secretary. The subject of Block Parents was raised but no new developments for instigating this programme were forth- coming at this time. The R.C.M.P. and the Town Council are to be approached about this matter. Mr. Al Davies was approached by the Mine Safety De- partment which has recommended that children should be encouraged to have reflector tape sewn to their clothing during the winter months. The tape is now on order and will be available through the school store or Retail Store. Riddle, Sonja Slana, John Gwilliam, Al Davies, Carmen Bondesen, Chris Shepherd and Mary Elhorn. The Teacher Representatives are Shirley Vickery and Kees Van der Pol. Please contact any member of your Council if you have any concern you would like discussed or any or to ask any questions about school related matters. Specific problems, ‘Thowever, should be presented to the teacher or principal first. os By Mary Elhorn Members of the Advisory Council this year are: Pat Cassiar Courier November 1983 Page 7 In and Around Cassiar Secondary School SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS Student photographs were taken on Monday, October 3rd, by Golden North Studios of White- horse. The pictures should be available by late November. SPORTS DRAW TICKETS The Cassiar Student Society is actively canvass- ing the town selling Sports Draw tickets as a major fund raising project. To date they have raised approximately $1,800. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM On Wednesday, October 5th, a member of the Apprenticeship Programs Branch was in the school to talk with all the students in Grades 10, 11, and 12 and provide information on the Pro- vincial Apprenticeship Program. FALL CONFERENGE School was closed on October 6th and 7th while teachers attended a very worthwhile confer- ence in Whitehorse. Some of the workshops of- fered included Time Management, Rural Schools, Primary and Intermediate Computer Literacy, The New. Social Studies Curriculum for elemen- tary and secondary, etc. CANADIAN ARMED FORCES Two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were in the school on October 13th to talk to the 10’s, 11’s and 12’s regarding career opportunities in the Armed Forces. It was a very worthwhile presentation and the officers indicated that the student response was the best that they had seen in their most recent tour of the North. CASSIAR STUDENTS’ SOCIETY The Cassiar Students’ Society is off to a fantas- tic start this year! We’ve had several executive meetings. The first was an “Eating Meeting” pro- vided by the Grade 12 Foods - Yum! Yum! To start the year off we had an Initiation Dance,which was a smash. Eighty percent of the total student body turned out in full force. Sept. - and Oct. have been filled with the sales of baking, student slaves, and Sports Draw Tickets. We think the people of our town are the best in British Co- lumbia. Watch the newstands for our latest publication of “For Kids By Kids’, a recipe book put out by all the students of Cassiar Secondary. We plan to launch 1984 with a television auction. By the way, if you see any strange characters lurking around on October 28, 1983, they will be on their way to our Hallowe’en Dance. A great beginning to a successful year!! Tracie Sethen SCHOOL DANCE Friday, September 23rd, was a very successful and interesting day and school dance. The dances in the previous years have had success but not the same feeling as Friday’s Dance. It all got rolling in an enthusiastic and exciting atmosphere. Every- one was in high spirits and thrilled with the dance. To add to the dance were extra ‘little’ in- teresting novelties, such as a squat dance, spot dance, games for the grade eights and Ian the disc jockey. Last, but not least, was the Kangaroo Court which was amusing for everyone. If the future dances have as much enthusiasm, school dances should continue to be a great success! Julie Walters Grade Nine THE INITIATION DANCE The Initiation Day Dance was a very big suc- cess. Most of the grade eights attended. We were treated with respect, and we were also having tricks played on us. The grade elevens and twelves were the ones who had planned and who made us do the things that they planned. Anyway, we didn’t argue, we just did them and kept our mouths shut. I’m sure we all had a great time. Andy Gowan SLAVE DAY On Friday, September 21, 1983 I had to go to school as a slave. In the morning I put a dress on and walked over to my master’s house. When I got there I had to put on make-up. At school everyone was laughing and having a good time. Mr. VanderPol called me Mrs. Meers. The first thing I did after school was change. My opinion of that day was due! it was fun and for a good cause. Ron Meers WORKING This Sunday I went to work with my Dad. He started the loader, then showed me how to oper- _ate it. | was nervous at first, but when | got used to it I was fine. It was the first. time I had ever driven a loader and it was extremely exciting. Lyle Miese Grade 8 CHANGES The weather has a way of dampening my mood and although cold and wet, it reveals the smells of nature, especially here in the mountains. You can feel the seasons changing before your eyes, from green to yellow and red. Then, all of a sudden the amber colours have disappeared and the snow on the mountains comes closer and closer until your feet are buried in it. The air becomes colder and the lake begins to freeze over. Each day is a fight between you and the below Zero conditions. Pro- tection from the cold that stiffens you like a piece of ice comes.only when you are in a warm home with a fire burning. / Kerri Steadman ROCK STAR Last night I sat around and listened to David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Billy Idol and many other singers. I was wondering what it would be like to be a.rock star. Wondering how much money I would make and all the other things I would have such as nice cars, a very big house, a recording studio and whatever else rock stars have. I imagined being swamped for autographs and having people buy my records and tapes: As a rock star my name would be an everyday word. Mike Santos LOOKING FORWARD My feeling about the dance is that it is going to be great. This school we just came to is going to accept us. This is the first year that they are going to have an initiation dance and we are the proud ones who they are holding it for. They are making a lot of changes this year. It seems they are doing it just for us, but really it is for the whole school - and the ones that will be coming into this school in the following years. It’s nice to think that they are holding the dance just for us. It is good to see older students who really care for the younger ones below them. It helps us to look up to them. Patricia Quash HAVING A LOCKER BETWEEN MARIE AND CHARLIE It’s a tough life having a locker between Marie and Charlie. They have friends who crowd around and block my way. But it’s a tough life in grade ' eight. In grade nine I wonder if it will be the ~ same? Edo Carin RUNNING FOR TERRY Yesterday after school, a couple of my friends and I participated in the Terry Fox Run. We felt that if Terry could run halfway across Canada on one leg, then for sure we could run the three kilo- meter route already set up for us. After we finish- ed the run, I, myself had a great feeling in my heart I was very proud. Amarjit Athwal | In and Around onowridge Elementary school Ms. Jan Dale’s grade threes and fours toured the Cassiar Mine on Thursday September 29th with Mr. Cooper, Mr. Greenway and Mrs. Cartwright. While on the trip, the students had the opportun- ity to travel the mine road in the Mine’s bus. On the way_up the mountain, they stopped to view the town site, waste dump and road winding up the mountain. At the mine site, Mr. Cooper explained how the ore was brok- en up by blasting and transported to the smelter. The class then en- tered the crusher and visited the operator's control station. After their visit to the crusher the class had to leave the mine site because of the day’s blasting operations. At school the next day, Ms. Dale and her students discussed their trip, drew up lists of things they had questions about, and il- lustrated their trip to the mine in several posters. That afternoon, Mr. Greenway visited the class and answered the students’ many questions. The students, Ms. Dale and the parents who accompanied the class all wish to thank the mine and its staff for making the tour possible. It has been a very worthwhile learning experience for all concerned. “YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE STUFF THEY FIND IN VN A GARBAGE CAN!!”