January 2010 ~ Boissevain School Newsletter

Welcome back, we wish one and all a Happy 2010!

PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Parent Advisory Council is to meet on January 11. Please note that everyone is welcome.

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES (Grades 5-12)

Student Led Conferences for Grades 5 - 12 (semester 1) will take place on January 13. The purpose of the SLC is to share your son/daughter’s learning and accomplishments so far in this school year. The Master Portfolio (for High School) allows parents to observe students' mission statements, short and long term goals, career development through career cruising, resume preparation and skill statements prepared with evidence of course work. The dedication and enthusiasm of the parent and child make this evening a success.

CAFETERIA NOTICE

Mrs. Neufeld will be away from Jan. 18 to Jan. 27. During this period of time the regular daily menu will be replaced with a specific SPECIAL each day. Our extracurricular teams will be responsible for organizing these days. A menu used for advanced orders will be sent home as soon as possible.

HIGH SCHOOL SEMESTER 1 EXAMS

Semester 1 final exams and full year mid-terms for grades 9 - 12 students will take place starting January 29. (The Provincial English exam will already have been written from January 5 - 8, Pre-Calculus and Consumer Math will be written in June). The schedule is available in the office or on the school web site. High School classes will not be held during the exam period.

SECOND SEMESTER

Semester 2 will start on February 8. High School students will get their second semester schedules in mid January and are asked to make any necessary changes before the second semester starts. February 8 also marks the date when Kindergarten classes switch from half days to full alternate days.

PARKING

We need everyone to remember the parking procedures at Boissevain School.

East Parking Lot (by the Gymnasium)

It is important that no parking occur in the North /East Parking Lot from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents of Kindergarten students are allowed to park in the North/East Parking lot from 11:30 to 12 noon in order to pick up their children. After 3:30, parking is allowed for after school and evening activities.

South Parking Lot

Staff, Students and Visitors are to park in the designated areas. We have tried to have all other vehicles follow these procedures for the area closest to the school.

√ The lane next to the cement dividers is reserved for parents to stop and enter the school. (5 minute limit). If you know you are going to be in the school longer, please park elsewhere.

√ The middle lane is for parents to stop and wait in their vehicles when picking up their children.

√ The third lane (closest to school) should be kept open to allow for vehicles to exit the parking lot.

One other note to consider is that students are not to be picked up along Highway 10 as this is a traffic violation.

The safety of everyone requires drivers to cooperate with parking procedures. Thank you for your patience at the end of the day as this is the busiest time for the South Parking Lot, but following the procedures a little more carefully will help during these 10 minutes.

WEB PAGES

Boissevain School Teachers are committed to communicating with Parents and Students. In doing so, School staff are using “Wikis” to update assignment and test dates and/or sending out mass emails to keep parents informed. Please feel free to contact teachers by phone or email with any questions you may have. http://boissevain school.ca

WORLD VISION

by Mrs. C. Krowchuk

The Grades 5 and 6 classes are once again raising money to purchase items for needy families around the world. They have put their Christmas gift money towards it and they will be doing other fund raising activities like African Water Carry. Please be supportive of their efforts to provide for others who are less fortunate. Small amounts can make a large difference.

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

by Mr. Bob Birch

Winter Break is over and I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. For students in high school, exams will be occurring from Friday, January 29 to Thursday, February 4. The exam schedule is available at the office or online at boissevainschool.ca. For more information, or if you have any concerns, please contact Mr. Birch at 534-2494 or bbirch@tmsd.mb.ca.

PEER HELPERS

The Peer Helpers continue to meet bi-weekly with the purpose of addressing the needs and concerns of high school students. It is the belief of Peer Helping that peers are more understanding, accessible, and easier to approach than adults. Therefore, students having problems or needing someone to talk to, can connect with a Peer Helper for assistance. So if you are looking for help, the Peer Helpers are available.

Middle School Gym Blast

On the morning of December 18, the Peer Helpers hosted a favorite activity of many staff and students, the annual gym blast. The Peer Helpers, and middle school staff and students from Boissevain and Minto were divided into Team Christmas Tree, Team Santa, Team Snowflake, and Team Coal. Each team completed in the following activities: Human Chain Relay, Stay Out of the Pool, Fear Factor, Bean Bag Toss, Santa’s Sleigh Race, Basketball Blast, Steal the Flag, Tug of War, Spoon Relay, and Team Cheer. In addition to the energy and sportsmanship displayed by the participants, the highlight of the morning had to be the chocolate pudding Fear Factor. The Peer Helpers would like to thank everyone that helped create an awesome event!

Meet the Peer Helpers

How long have you been a Peer Helper and what is your favorite moment in Peer Helping?

Jessica Bell – 2^nd year & when Leanne was super hyper at 2am at the retreat this year

Amanda Boyd – 1^st year & sharing positive things at the beginning of each meeting

Michelle Coupland – 2^nd year & no hands eating spaghetti and the retreat

Pam McMillan – 4^th year & working at the soup kitchen and the retreats

Colin Reimer – 2^nd year & helping in the soup kitchen last year

Dorian Rourke – 3^rd year & middle school gym blast and helping at the soup kitchen

Chelsea Vallance – 2^nd year & getting to know everyone

STUDY SKILLS & TEST TAKING TIPS

To help reduce some of the stress that comes with exams, I have included some information from www.testtakingtips.com. Students with better study methods and strategies score higher on their exams. Everyone is different, and different methods work for different people. The following are only suggestions on improving upon your current studying and test taking techniques.

Study Skills

• Do not do all your studying the night before the test. By studying everyday, the material will stay in your long-term memory. If you try to study at the last moment, the material will only reside in your short-term memory, which you'll easily forget.
• Find a comfortable and quiet place to study, with good lighting and little distractions (try avoiding your own bed; it is very tempting to just lie down and take a nap).
• Take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material.
• Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains the information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle.
• If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test.
• Have someone test you on the material to find out what your weak and strong areas are.
• Listening to relaxing music on a low volume can relieve some of the boredom of studying.
• Do not study later than the time you usually go to sleep, as you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep. Instead, try studying in the afternoon or early evening. If you are a morning person, try studying in the morning.

Test Taking Tips

• Have all materials necessary. Bring at least two pens/pencils with good erasers, calculator with enough batteries, and any other resources that your teacher allows.
• Keep a positive attitude and stay relaxed throughout the whole test. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths.
• When you first receive your test, do a quick survey of the entire test so that you know how to efficiently budget your time.
• Do not rush, but pace yourself. Read the entire question and look for keywords.
• Do the easiest problems first. Do not stay on a problem that you are stuck on, especially when time is a factor.
• Do the problems that have the greatest point values next.
• If you don’t know an answer, skip it. Go on with the rest of the test and come back to it later. Maybe on another part of the test there'll be something that will help you out with that question.
• Ask the teacher for clarification if you don't understand what they are asking.
• Write legibly. If the teacher can't read what you wrote, it may be marked wrong.
• Do not worry if others finish before you. Focus on the test in front of you.
• If you have time left when you are finished, look over your test. As you proofread, watch out for careless mistakes.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

by Ms. C. Dyck

Back Row - L to R

Brett Batycki, Clayton Boyd, Riley Anderson, Jolene Friesen, Jen Pugh, Jana Scott, Morgan Cowlthorp, Teagan Kinsley, Chelsey Leforte, Beth Tutkaluke, Courtney Hart, Ms. C. Dyck, Advisor

Front Row – L to R

Natalie Forsyth, Kristin De Koninck, Sarah Glover, Angie Choy, Madison Urschatz, Patrick Vandoorne, Caitlyn Megaffin, Jordyn Dickinson.

CTS NEWS

CAREER & TECHNOLOGY STUDIES ~ Learning that builds bridges

Patty White ~ Co-ordinator

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ~ “because education & training is part of good business practice”

QUESTION ANSWERED BY EACH INTERN: How will this experience assist you with your future career planning?

Work Site ~ Boissevain and Killarney Emergency Medical Services

Intern ~ Jeremiah Fuchs

Through completing my internship with the Boissevain and Killarney EMS, I am determined to complete the EMTech course next September during my Grade 12 year.

Work Site ~ Hazlewood Drugs

Intern ~ Angie Choy

For the past few years I have had an interest in both Pharmacy and Teaching. I thought that by completing an internship at the Pharmacy, I would be able to learn more about the work behind the job. My experience will give me a better idea of which career will suit me best in the future.

Work Site ~ Dale Whetter and Joanne Neufeld ~ Music Teachers

Intern ~ Johnathan Klassen

Observing how piano teachers teach their students will have a positive impact on the future of my career of becoming a Piano Teacher. My internship experience will be a step in the “right” direction, having the opportunity to see different teaching methods for all age groups by local piano teachers.

Work Site ~ Goodon Industies

Intern ~ Jennifer Wilbee

I will be attending ACC in the fall enrolled in Business Administration and my internship gave me some insight into what happens in the “real world” of business. By completing my internship at Goodon Industries, I had a chance to work with Tina Patterson in the trucking business operated through Goodon Industries. I learned new skills in this area and also observed in the accounting areas of this complex business.

Work Site ~ Pam’s Home Day Care

Intern ~ Jennifer Kelly

My experience at Pam’s Home Day Care will assist me in my future career plans because it has given me “hands on” experience with pre-school children. I have had the opportunity to see how a day care operates on a day to day basis and how to deal with many situations that arise in this environment. This experience has confirmed my future plans attend ACC next year enrolled in Early Childhood Education.

DATES TO REMEMBER

(for important dates throughout the year, see the school calendar on the web site!)

January 13 - Student Led Conferences (5 to 12)

January 27 - Oak Hammock Marsh Workshops (K to 8)

January 29 –Feb. 4 - Semester 1 final exams & full year mid-terms

February 5 - Admin Day, No Classes

February 8 - Semester 2 starts, Kindergarten begins alternate days

Bronco Basketball - Home Schedule (Games starting at 5:30)

Varsity Girls

Jan. 8 & 9 - Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament – Boissevain School

January 14 - vs. Virden

January 21 - vs. Souris

Varsity Boys

January 14 - vs. Virden

January 21 - vs. Souris

February 11 - vs. Killarney

Junior Varsity Girls (Games start at 4:00)

January 14 - vs. Virden

January 21 - vs. Souris

February 18 - vs. Elkhorn

Feb. 12 & 13 - JV Girls Basketball Tournament – Boissevain School

Bronco High School Hockey Schedule – Home schedule

January 8 - vs. Melita @ 8:00

January 9 - vs. Hamiota @ 8:00

January 15 - vs. Rivers/Elton @ 8:00

February 5 - vs. Dauphin @ 8:00

February 6 - vs. Major Pratt (Russell) @ 8:00