October 2009 Boissevain School Newsletter

PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

The next meeting of the Parent Advisory Council is on October 19, at 7:30 p.m., in the Home Ec. room. Elections for the PAC executive and council will take place.

FALL KICK-OFF/MASS REGISTRATION

Thanks to all groups who participated in the Fall Kick-Off/Mass Registration Event! The large crowd was nice to see and hopefully everyone was able to register their children in various events. Thank you for seeing the staff and providing updates on the school registration forms! It is very important that we have current and accurate information for families.

MAGAZINES

One of our major fundraisers is the magazine drive. This campaign is underway and will continue for about 10 days. You can purchase magazines from any high school or middle school student. This important fundraiser helps support student activities, including athletics and student government events. Please remember that it isn’t always about buying new Magazine Subscriptions but also about renewing the ones you have, usually at a discounted rate. Thanks for your support, and if you have any questions or requests, please call the school.

REPORTS

Student Progress will be reported on by October 16. Grades 5 to 8 teachers will be sending a summary report to parents which will go home on October 16. High School Teachers will contact parents before October 16 to discuss the progress of students whose marks are below 60% or students for whom teachers feel parent contact is necessary. This contact will be done through phone calls or email. As always, please feel free to contact teachers about your child’s progress.

ATTENDANCE

Please remember that parents are to let the school know if your children are going to be absent. We have staff in place who will check on students who are absent from K to 8. Therefore, it is very important that you call before school starts. Parents of High School students need to call the school when their children are absent as the office sends an email out to teachers indicating the students who have been excused for the day. Thank you for your help with attendance.

HEALTHY SCHOOL PLAN

Each year schools are to report about their healthy school plan. We do this through our newsletter and focus on the following points.

Students in our school need healthy food for growth and development.

· Students will be taught the principles of healthy eating as part of the school program.

· The meals and snacks students bring to school should provide them with the energy required to learn and be physically active.

· Students will also learn from adult role models.

· Our school environment will support this learning by promoting nutritious food choices in the canteen.

· The Healthy Schools Committee will review the work done towards offering healthier food options and promote activities for a healthier lifestyle.

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

The service will be held in the North Gym on Monday, November 9^th, at 11 a.m. The Public is welcome to attend.

ATHLETICS

The varsity boys volleyball team consists of:  Lance Austin (Captain), Darren Sicinski (Captain), Riley Workman, Patrick Vandoorne, Jagger Thomas, Jeremiah Fuchs, Andrew Albrecht, Frank Hepworth, Justin Schreiner, Bryce Adams, and Clayton Boyd.  The team got their season under way with their first tournament, the Brandon University Boys Volleyball tournament.  The boys finished with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, and a tie.

In their first league match of the season, the Broncos beat the Deloraine Colts 3 sets to 1.  The team was lead by strong performances by Lance Austin and Andrew Albrecht.

Other Reports unavailable at this time.

THANK YOU!

Boissevain School would like to extend a huge Thank You to the Boissevain Fire Department for assisting in the presentation of the Fire Trailer for K to 4 students on October 6th. Their expertise was appreciated by all the students and staff in such a learning environment. Thank you to Don Hole and Martin Paradis for the organizing work they did in getting the trailer to Boissevain.

A Big Thank You goes out to Beta Sigma Phi as the group donated $500 to the school tin helping to purchase sound systems (phonic ear systems) for the primary grades. Also a huge thank you to our group of volunteers who are busy helping out translating German for a new student attending Boissevain School.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT NEWS

by C. Dyck

This year’s Student Government is well under way! We just had our annual planning retreat. At this retreat we plan the activities for the school year.  We have many great ideas to keep our spirits up! Speaking of spirits...we are putting together our annual Halloween Food Drive, which benefits out local food bank. Since Halloween is on a Saturday, we hope to get quite a few students going door to door looking for non-perishable food items. Generally they are in need of small jars of peanut butter, Cheez Whiz, jam/jelly, cereal, pasta, and rice. I will try to get a more complete list out before the date. The students will have tags identifying them as our members. Thank you in advance for your support; it is always a very successful event!  You will be hearing more of our endeavors in upcoming newsletters.

This year the Student Government has chosen The Boissevain Theatre as their public affairs cause. We will be holding fund raisers, within the school, throughout the year to help with the funding of this worthwhile project.

GUIDANCE and COUNSELLING

by B. Birch

The 2009-2010 school year is underway, with the students and staff being very busy. Is your child struggling? If so, the Student Assistance Program can help. The program aims to identify troubled students and connect them with helping services in the school and community. For more information, or if you have any other concerns, please contact Mr. Birch at 534-2494 or bbirch@tmsd.mb.ca.

PEER HELPERS

A new year has started at BCI and a new team of Peer Helpers has been assembled to address the needs and concerns of high school students. The Peer Helping team is made up of Grades 9 to 12 students who meet throughout each month to train and discuss the issues that influence teens at BCI. 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 to talk to someone can connect with a Peer Helper for assistance. So if you are looking for help, the Peer Helpers are available.

The Peer Helpers have completed their training, and are ready to help the students of BCI. The training occurred during their annual retreat which took place early in September at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp. We discussed issues facing students, learned new skills, and had an all around great time!

2009-10 Peer Helpers

Grade 9 – Brett Batycki, Ashley Harper, Kelsey Saban & Jewel Stouffer

Grade 10 – Jessica Bell, Michelle Coupland, Mackenzie Crowe, Tiffany Ramsden,

Colin Reimer, Shermaine Spence, Rebecca Turner, Chelsea Vallance & Kelsey Vandoorne

Grade 11 – Jenna Bauman, Dean Coupland & Chelsea Leforte

Grade 12 – Amanda Boyd, Laura Cartwright, Angie Choy, Jordyn Dickinson, Chelsey Halloran, Dorian Rourke & Madison Urschatz

Advisors - Jim Bartley, Bob Birch, Pam McMillan, Evelyn Stouffer & Cathy Workman

Meet the Peer Helpers

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

Dean Coupland – 3^rd year & staying up all night at the retreat

Mackenzie Crowe – 2^nd year & energizers and the retreat

Jordyn Dickinson – 3^rd year & gym blast for middle school and the retreats

Chelsea Leforte – 2^nd year & doing the gym blast for middle school

Kelsey Saban – 1^st year & eating spaghetti at the retreat

Shermaine Spence – 2^nd year & seeing Big Daddy Tazz

Madison Urschatz – 4^th year & winning the paper bag game at the retreat in my blue jeans

Cathy Workman – 2^nd year & saving Evelyn from the corn borer worms while husking corn at the retreat

GRADUATION, POST SECONDARY EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Please be aware that students require 30 credits to graduate, where at least 5 must be at the Grade 12 level. In order to be eligible for Graduation Honour Roll, you must have at least 7 credits at the Grade 11 level and at least 5 credits at the Grade 12 level. The remaining requirements are in the handbook which can be accessed on the school’s website.

Meetings are taking place with all Grade 12 students, where graduation requirements are discussed and a credit check completed. At this time career planning also occurs, and each student will receive an information sheet and a copy of his/her credits received. For more information about career options and scholarships, check out www.careercruising.com (username: manitoba362 password: careers) and www.studentawards.com. P.S. Don’t forget to check out the bulletin board across from Mr. McFarlane’s classroom to find out about new scholarships.

Parents and students, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Birch at

534-2494 or bbirch@tmsd.mb.ca.

LIBRARY NEWS

by Mrs. C. Kentner

I was pleased to attend the David Bouchard (If You're Not From the Prairie fame) workshop at Brandon University in September.  I came home energized and with a number of hints for educators and parents.  Some were:

1.  To value reading as that is a key to success both inside and out.

2.  That reading is a passport to the world and freedom.

3.  That reading is a key to self esteem.

4.  Be a role model.  Let your kids see you reading as well as reading with them.

5.  To have good accessible books.

To provide accessibility to good books, the School Library is holding the annual Book Fair (new books at affordable prices) October 15, 16, 19, and 20th at the School Library. 

Thurs., October 15 Mon., October 19

8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Family Event 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Fri., October 16 Tues., October 20

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

There will be a $50 door prize ($25 to the student and $25 to their classroom with books being chosen from the Fair) on the first day and a $10 door prize on the next three days.  On Thurs., October 15, the Fair will be open until 8:00 p.m. and also on Mon., October 19, until 6:00 p.m. for your convenience.  Profits from the Fair are used to purchase books for the Library.

For the first time, there will be a Library wish list.  If you purchase a book on the list and donate it to the Library, a book plate acknowledging your gift to the Library will be placed in the book.

Did you know that for every $10 you spend at the Library Book Fair, up to $6 comes back to the Library?  Not only does your child benefit at home when you purchase a book, your child benefits from more choices at the Library.

This is a good time to stock up on books for birthdays, Christmas, other special times, or for “Just because...” days.

To make things easier we accept cash, cheques, debit, Visa and MasterCards.

Hope to see you, as all are welcome.

Keep an eye on the Library website (it is found on the left side bar on the Boissevain School site).  Book Fair and book reviews are the highlighted features.  Things change about once per month.

DATES TO REMEMBER

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

October 12 ~ Thanksgiving Day - NO SCHOOL

October 13 ~ Varsity Volleyball vs. Hartney

October 14 ~ JV Boys Volleyball vs. Souris

October 14 ~ 17 ~ Grades 9 – 12 Teacher/Parent Contact on Student Progress

October 15 ~ Varsity Volleyball vs. Souris

October 16 ~ Gr. 5 – 8 Progress Reports

October 15 – 17 ~ Bronco Hockey Tournament

October 15, 16 & 19, 20 ~ Boissevain School Book Fair

October 20 ~ Varsity Volleyball vs. Deloraine

October 21 ~ JV Girls Volleyball vs. Souris

October 19 ~ PAC Meeting - 7:30 pm

October 24 ~ Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Tournament

October 27 ~ Varsity Volleyball vs. Killarney

October 28 ~ JV Boys Volleyball vs. Virden

October 31 ~ JV Boys Volleyball Tournament