We have at Leila 575 students enrolled , 110 enrolled in French immersion with 72 staff. We will be losing 67 students in January to Amber

Trails along with 5 staff members.

We had 35 students compete in Cross Country this past fall

We have over 175 students involved in extra-curricular Volleyball and our Divisional boys team have only lost 1 game this year in the finals

of a grade 9 tournament they entered. Otherwise they have brought home 3 championship trophies this fall. Our divisional girls’

team has finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their tournament’s this year and remain undefeated in league play as well

We have more than 100 students involved in the cast of Annie which will run in March from the 2nd-6th

We have over 352 students enrolled in our band program at Leila

We sent 21 students to WE Day

We have 222 students enrolled in choir

We have 20 students in Manitoba young Readers Choice Awards and growing every meeting, we had 15 students published last year in

“The Rivers Song”, “Honey Bears and Bumblebees” and “The Wishing Well” all books from the Young Writers of Canada.

We are offering “drop in” Cricket on Sundays at Leila between 11 and 1 p.m.

By the Numbers at Leila

Philanthropy at Leila We raised for Terry Fox

We contributed over 460 lbs for Winnipeg Harvest through our door to door drop off campaign

Our community contributed in our Change for Brains campaign

Look for our annual Buy a Brick campaign after

Christmas

Dinnertime Conversations

I have two daughters that are middle school age and at the end of every day I ask, “How was school?” The response I usually get is

“good”. I always follow that up with,” What was so good about it?” It then becomes a more informative conversation about what was

going o in the school. I am going to give you some statements of things we have been doing here at Leila that you can discuss with your

son or daughter.

What are Wellness Wednesdays? What activities have they done so far?

What are some of the choices for you at lunch?

What are some of the choices for you to participate in if you get to school before 8:40?

What are the ambassadors of the school?

Fall Newsletter

PRINCIPALS THOUGHTS Ecole Leila North

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Authors:

Amber Alupay

Dante Bjornson

Carl Calaje

Bea Catalla

Isabella Echavia

Stella Garcia

Kismat Gupta

JC Ocampo

Riana Recones

Alyssa Sampang

Hazel Wallace

Editor:

Sarah Wiebe

Contents:

Unite to Change: P 1 and 2

Terry Fox: P2

Feeling Kinda Dumb: Lumosity Review:

P3

Book Review: Word Nerd P4

Book Review: Sea of Masks P5

Book Review: Klute Hood P6

Poem: P7/8

Short Stories: P8/9/10/11

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Unite to Change

On October 1st, 2014, 5 leadership students went to the Unite to Change conference and this is

what we did. Firstly, we went to the Seven Oaks Board Office where we got snacks and got to

tour around the board office and see the superintendent. We also listened to a speech from the

superintendent.

Afterwards, we took a bus to the Wayfinder’s Circle Garden where they had 6 activities. Before

we went to our stations we did Tai Chi, and our instructor was the vice principal of the new

Amber Trails School. Afterwards we went to their first activity where we learned about Healthy

Body, Mind, & Environment. The person who was actually hosting it was Ms.Prazeres (Now she

goes by Mrs.Friezen) who was a grade 6 teacher last year. We meditated and talked about how

Healthy Body, Mind, & Environment are linked.

Next we went to a different activity called “What is Sustainability” where we wrote on pieces of

paper what we thought sustainability was and when we were done we shared our ideas of what it

was and how we could have sustainability. Before we went to their third activity, we got snacks

from the wood-fired oven at the Wayfinders garden which were really delicious! Afterwards, we

signed our names on the graffiti board, and then we went to the third activity.

Our third activity was sitting inside the circle garden/fire pit and we talked about what

represented the seven sacred teaching and what they meant such as the wolf and the wolf,

represented humility. The fourth activity we went to was drumming where we went inside a tipi

and did a song with the drums. The fifth activity we went to was a Compost Presentation. Where

a non-profit organisation talked to us about composting and what composting does. Basically,

composting is where you put your unwanted food scraps and you put it all in a bin, and in a few

weeks, it turns into compost although, you have to keep it wet by just pouring regular water in it.

We also got to touch the compost, which wasn’t very different from regular soil, except it looked

a bit different. Of course, before we went to our last activity, we had more snacks, which was

again, very delicious. The last activity we went to was a Yoga workshop, where we did several

yoga poses like the mountain pose, the bird pose, and the tree pose.

For lunch, we had a beef or vegetable stew, some bannock, more of the delicious pizza bread,

and a juice box. For dessert, we got a delicious apple crisp, although some (and by some I mean

all of us) of us just went for a bunch of vanilla ice cream, which was very sweet!

When we were done lunch we went on a school bus to James Nisbet, where we were greeted by

the principal. We sat outside, and used fruits given to them by the teacher to make a picture, with

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the different juices from the fruit. Afterwards, we went to go take a walk around the school and

then we played grounders on the playground. Afterwards, we went back to the classroom where

we were told to tell our teachers that they should take us outside, because we were told that kids

don’t get enough sun and activities inside so they should be more active and go outside with their

classrooms.

Afterwards, they got back on the bus to the Seven Oaks Office where we walked back to

Mrs.Wiebe’s car and drove back to the school. We learned a lot of things on that day and it was a

really fun experience.

Carl, Grade 7

Terry Fox

Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958 in Winnipeg, and he died on June 28, 1981 in New Westminster. He

was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (Bone Cancer) on his right leg, and in 1977 he had his leg

amputated 15cm above his knee.

When he got his leg amputated he wanted to run across Canada, but when he got to Ontario he got really

sick that he had to go back to the hospital, that is where they found out that he had lung cancer.

Every year, schools all around Canada donate and run in honor of Terry Fox. This year every single class

in Leila North ran 3 Km on September 27, and we raised $790. Good job Leila North!

Riana Recones Grade 6

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FEELING KINDA DUMB Lumosity.Com Review

Hey lions, welcome back to learning (ugh, I know). This summer has been lots of fun but, it’s

time for it to end and to start working our brains. After a whole summer, studies show that

student’s lose over 25% of their knowledge from the past school year! So I have a question for

you Leila Lions, are you feeling kind of dumb?

If so, I have found this wonderful free app called lumosity.com its trains your brain while

playing games! Fantastic! Right?

I know on the commercials it sounds like a bunch of baloney, but, it actually works; I have tried

it out and honestly, I was surprised on how well it worked. It only takes 5 minutes for amazing

results. Here are the steps to downloading this app:

1. Go on your app store ( App store, Google play)

2. Search Lumosity

3. It is free so go ahead and download it

4. Once you are on the app fill out all this information then tell lumosity which parts of

your brain you would like to train (I said all of my brain because YOLO)

5. After that do your daily training and go on with your day.

Overall, this app will really help you get back onto that learning routine! So have a wonderful

school year with your newly trained brain!

Hazel Wallace, Grade 8

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BOOK REVIEW: WORD NERD

Word Nerd is a book about a boy named Ambrose. Ambrose is a twelve year old boy who is being

bullied at school. He is a kind person and loves to play scrabble with his mom. Ambrose and his mom are

also struggling with money and have moved a lot for a better job.

After being bullied for a while by the “three stooges” he decides to tell his mom and doesn’t go to

school anymore. He ends up in a computer school. Ambrose’s mom is very overprotective since

Ambrose’s dad had passed away.

Ambrose and his mom are renting a house from Mr and Mrs Econopoloses and their son who has

come back from jail, he is very curious as why their son Cosmo was in jail. Ambrose wants to join a

scrabble club with Cosmo but he refuses, he then agrees when he sees a pretty girl named Amanda. They

are both a scrabble lover but Cosmo loses every game and gets better to impress Amanda.

I chose this book because it looked very interesting and the summary on the back made me really want

to read it so I did. I would recommend this book for ages around 10-13 it is really a book that makes you

want to keep reading.

-Alyssa Sampang, Grade 6

.

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The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters is an adventurous, thrilling, emotional comedy written by #1 New York's

best time selling author Rick Riordan. The Sea of Monsters is the second book in the "The

Lightning Thief" series. The Sea of Monsters was published on April 1, 2006 and is a popular

book in the world.

Percy and Annabeth are on a quest to save their camp's magical borders when it gets poisoned by

a suspicious enemy. They must get The Golden Fleece from the island of a Cyclops who has

captured their friend Grover to cure the borders. In order to get the fleece they must cross the sea

of monsters, but most people don't survive.......... On the other hand, Luke, their enemy is trying

to get Kronos back from Tartrus. But will their friend Clarisse from camp stop trying to steal

their quest and will Percy be fine by finding out that he has a new brother? Find out by reading

this fantastic book, but don't forget to read the other four books in the series. You don't want to

miss out on this fabulous journey in the Sea of Monsters. I would recommend this book to

people who like to go on an adventure and a little mystery! This book is perfect for all age

groups. I bet once you get started you wouldn’t want to stop reading!

Kismat Gupta , Grade 6

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Book Review: Klutz Hood

Klutz Hood is about a boy named Arlo. He was mad at his mother because his mother took a job in

a small town called East Bend. When he arrived at his new school in a manure truck, he didn’t want to get

out because people were staring and some laughing until the bell rang.

When he and his mom arrived at his new school, he met his principal, Mr. Butterworth. Mr.

Butterworth asked some questions and then Arlo’s mom filled out some paper work. After his mother left,

Mr. Butterworth took Arlo to his class, then Arlo became nervous and had the feeling that he was going to

throw up. The principal opened the door and introduced him to his new teacher and his new classmates.

Suddenly, he throws up over Mr. Butterworth’s shoes and on the floor. Everyone stared at him

very shocked and the principal took him to the bathroom to clean up. After that, he quietly went to his

classroom and Ms. Armstrong took him to his seat, then she passed some work and they started.

He did his work easily because he learned them at his old school. Suddenly, a girl right beside him

asked if he would want to play ice hockey. Then he thought that he would make a fool of himself and he

didn’t reply. The bell rang and his classmates ran outside, but he just stayed inside until his teacher told

him to go outside. After that, he went outside; it was very windy so he went to the dumpster. Then the

bell rang and everyone went inside, then he felt something banging inside the dumpster. He thought it was

a monster and there was another one banging.

Read more to find out for yourself what happens next…

Bea, grade 6

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I'm never going to meet "Them"

The more I think about it the more it hurts

There's always that voice in my head saying

You're never going to meet them

You're never going to meet them

Every time I see "them" on t.v. I get weird butterflies

in my stomach but there goes that voice again

You're never going to meet them

You're never going to meet them

Once I saw them on a talk show

talking in that cute little accent

while the hosts asks them questions

That accent makes me go crazy

There goes that voice again

You're never going to meet them

You're never going to meet them

"They" are my heroes

My saviors

My inspiration

but I guess I have to listen to

that voice in my head and face

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the fact that I'm never going to meet

"THEM"

BY: Stella Garcia, Grade 7

Forever: A Reflection on Love

Before

We’d run through the tall grass in the meadow hand in hand. Then when we would get far

enough we’d whisper into each other’s ears. Every day I would ask if it would always be like

this. How we would always come here and run through the meadow, and he always answered

“forever” I never knew what that meant until…the night.

Now

It’s done. He is gone, leaving nothing behind but a tear in my heart. He was swept away by the

river that flowed through the meadow gracefully. Harmlessly, I’m done, gone. I too will be

swept by the river. I run through the meadow its quiet, the moonlight shines beautifully onto the

river. I am tempted to jump though I don’t. He is here holding my hand once again he was here

throughout the years, and will be.

Forever.

Amber Alupay, Grade

10

The Day of School: Am Amusing Short Story

School, I’ve been thinking about it, they ask you questions, you answer them. But, does school mean

something else? Well, I’ve asked this question to myself about a thousand times. I decided to find out

myself.

At the end of the day I went and hung out at the door of the staff room. This is what I heard. “Operation

S.C.H.O.O.L. is at its peak!” Who was that? I didn’t recognize the voice. “Indeed it is Mr.Forower.” said

Mrs. Allison. Wow I never thought that Mrs. Allison was on THEIR side. “That’s Mrs.Allison!” declared

Andrew. “Thanks, but we noticed that already!” whisper-yelled JC. Oh, I should mention. JC is another

person who noticed the S.T.A.F.F. room was strange and so did Andrew, after we told him.

“S.C.H.O.O.L.? You mean Sad Concrete House of Oblivious and Odd Lullabies?” asked Mrs. Lain.

“Obviously we discussed this in the Store of Tame Adults of Forower’s Fate.” said Mrs. Allison. Click

clack

Click clack. “What’s that?” I asked “Don’t know.” J.C. said. CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK. “HELP M-

“Andrew got cutoff. “Oh! They were footsteps!” J.C. said. “Then we need to follow them!” I yelled. We

found him the wood working room. “Over there. He’s stuck!” I yelled. We tried to get him out but it was

no use. “It’s not working!” I yelled. “I noticed that!” J.C. yelled back.

All of a sudden Mr.Vanderhooft grabbed him out of his terrorizing doom. “You saved him!” I exclaimed.

“Does that mean you’re against them?” asked J.C. “I’ve been trying to stop them for years. We could try

together but it’s no use any way. Parents are under their control. It’s in the ink; paint, pencils, wood,

everything!” He said. “I guess we’ll have to keep this a secret.” I said as I dramatically turned my head

towards, well, nowhere. “Resist them no matter what.” J.C. said.

“Resist the teachers? Why?” asked Andrew. “He’s under their control now. Trust no one.” said

Mr.Vanderhooft. “I understand.” I said as this book trails off in a dramatic end.

BY: DANTE BJORNSON, Grade 6

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The School! Short Story #1: An Imaginative Story

I’ve been doing school work like Math, ELA and more and sometimes I’ve noticed this is boring! I

walked around the school until I found out there was no one else but me, Dante, Andrew and the teachers.

I asked the teachers, “Hey! Where are all the students?” They said, “There is no more school.” so I left

school and walked with Dante to my house.

Just as we were about to leave the building I heard HEELLPP!! We rushed back and saw a kid hiding: it

was Andrew; he got stuck in a locker and right before our eyes he disappeared. Dante and I were

frightened! We ran to the gym and took the hockey gear, we played some hockey until we saw a monster

hanging on the roof. Dante and I took more gear and tried to fight him off.

We saw Andrew and he got hurt really badly. We went to the science room and mixed some chemicals

together. We had learned how to make an antidote for helping people who were hurt. I threw the antidote

at Andrew, we then carried Andrew to the hospital and he survived so me and Dante waited for another

adventure.

By: J.C. Grade 6

The Lonely Girl

Kayla was an only child. She liked being an only child because it was peaceful and quiet,

although, sometimes she felt very lonely. Without a brother or sister to play with and talk to,

Kayla got bored easily. Most of her friends had little brothers and sisters. Alexi, her best friend,

had three brothers! She was older than all of them. Alexi said that they’re very annoying at

times, but she still loved them. Kayla was sometimes envious of Alexi. Kayla always wished she

had someone to talk to. Kayla constantly asked her parents if she could have a sibling.

Sometimes, her parents would joke around and say “Maybe we can find one at superstore!”

Even though Kayla found it funny, she would still be sad about it.

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One day, Kayla’s mother came home from her monthly check up and called a family meeting.

“So, what’s up?” Kayla’s father asked curiously.

“Well as you know, I went to get my check up today!” Kayla’s mother exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes.” Kayla and her father said in unison.

“Kayla’s going to have a sibling!!!”

After she heard this, Kayla jumped for joy. Kayla was only seven, so there was not going to be

much of an age gap. Kayla was very excited. She was no longer going to be lonely.

On Kayla’s ninth birthday, Jamie, her two year old sister, woke her up.

“Kayla! Kayla wake up, it’s your birthday!” Jamie was ecstatic, because she had made a very

special card for her sister. Kayla’s eyes started to flutter open. She smiled as soon as she saw

Jamie holding a card. She opened it and began to read.

Dear Kayla,

You’re the best sister ever! Happy birthday! I love you!

“Thanks Jamie! I love you too!” Kayla said, happily hugging her sister.

Kayla and Jamie spent the day playing and talking. At night, Kayla asleep happily thinking

about how much she loved her sister, the one she had been wishing for all her life.

Isabella Echavia, Grade 7