http://gss.sd42.ca

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

It is hard to believe September is almost over. We

have finalized our staffing, completed most of our

Bill 33 consultations, and finished handing out lock-

ers and textbooks. As part of the completion of our

staffing, I would like to welcome back Mr. Easby,

who is teaching Math, Science and Planning, as well

as Ms. Palmer, who is teaching English 10. Both of

these teachers are excellent additions to our staff

who make a difference in the lives of our kids.

Phil Boyte was welcomed back to GSS on Thursday

September 22nd and Friday September 23rd for a

number of assemblies and a leadership workshop.

Last year Phil presented an assembly titled Creating

Communities of Care, a message that required our

school community to wonder what would happen if

we cared just a little more about each other.

This past Thursday, Phil presented assemblies titled

„The Power of a Dream.” Phil gave 4 presentations

during the day, and although there were some differ-

ences in each assembly, the main point was the same

in each. Phil‟s website describes this assembly as

follows:

As little kids we have lots of dreams, yet somewhere

between elementary school and high school, many

young people lose sight of those dreams. In a power-

ful way, Phil, takes students on a trip down memory

lane as they remember how they made earlier

dreams come true and how they can do it again.

They will laugh, some will cry, and they will under-

stand again that if others can see their dreams come

true, it is possible to see their own dreams happen.

Phil blends in a message of how the distractions of

cigarette use, drug and alcohol abuse, and negative

self-talk can cause people to lose sight of their

dreams.

As he did last year, Phil hooked each audience with

his first story. This time, Phil told us a true story

Garibaldi Secondary School 24789 Dewdney Trunk Road

Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1X2

ph: 604 463 6287 GSS Homepage: http://gss.sd42.ca

Fax: 604 463 0896

September 28, 2011

about Bopsy, a 5 year old diagnosed with cancer,

whose dream was to be a firefighter. As the assem-

bly unfolded, Phil challenged our students to define

their dreams, and then pursue them. Each audience

left enthusiastic and inspired, with many students

approaching Phil in the hallways to tell him their

dreams. I would encourage you to have ongoing

conversations with your son/daughter about what

his/her dreams are.

On Friday, Phil presented a leadership workshop to

a number of our students, along with a few students

from other SD 42 high schools. Keep in mind that

this workshop was held on a professional day, but

we still had over 55 of our students attend. This 4

hour workshop challenged our students to think

about how they can create memories to last a life-

time while in high school. Many students com-

mented to me that this was the best day of school

they had ever attended.

Our two days with Phil have caused me to reflect on

how important a positive school culture is for our

students. With that in mind, I am hoping to bring

Phil back next year to deliver his renowned program

titled „Breaking Down the Walls.” If you are inter-

ested in finding out more about this program, have a

look at this link: http://learningforlivinginc.com/

programs/breaking-down-the-walls/

October is a busy month and I

would encourage you to read

through this newsletter so you

are aware of all that is going on.

Also, the calendar function on our

new website should be functional

in the next two weeks.

Have a great day!

Mr. Frend

GSS Library: http://schools.sd42.ca/gsslibrary

www.gss.principalsoffice.com

ABLE TO HELP?

Parent help is always required

and appreciated. We are looking

for parents who are able to assist

in the Homework Centre after

school, coaching, score-keeping,

and many other areas around the

school.

Follow us on Twitter: @GaribaldiRebels

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES

Due to the current job action initiated by members

of the British Columbia Teachers‟ Federation, the

conferences previously scheduled for October 20th,

2011, have been cancelled and may be rescheduled

at a later date. The school day for all GSS students

on October 20th will follow the regular block order,

F-Adv-E-H-G, with a regular start and end time.

Parents are advised that you are welcome to

individually contact your child‟s teacher at any time

should you wish to have a discussion on matters

pertaining to your child.

Please note that the Provincial Non-Instructional

Day scheduled for October 21st, 2011, will still be

held.

Garibaldi‟s next PAC meeting, originally scheduled

for October 5th, has had to be changed to October

12th. We hope to see many parents join us as our

guest speaker will be Director of Secondary

Education, Stewart Sonne, who will talk about

district overview of secondary education.

More good news is that Garibaldi has been

accepted to remain on the BC School Fruit

and Vegetable Nutritional Program, which

allows us to distribute different fresh fruits

and vegetables to students several times

throughout the year. To ensure every

student’s health and safety during this

program, you must notify our office if

you do NOT wish for your child to

participate, or if you need to alert us

to certain food allergies. Please find

available forms for this purpose, along

with more detailed information about

this program, on our website

Optional Student Accident Insurance

is available through IA Pacific. Bro-

chures and applications are available in

the office and on our website at

gss.sd42.ca.

GSS Photo Club is proud to

present our first community

photography show,

"Journeys." The show will

be hosted at the Startbucks

on the corner of 240th and

Dewdney for the month of

October. Please stop in and

check it out. GSS Photo

club is comprised of 20

talented student photogra-

phers from grade 8 up to

grade 12. If you would like to join, please drop by a

meeting; they are held every Thursday after school

in room 2008 or talk to Ms. Messner. If you are a

community member and would like to help our club

out by donating photo equipment, providing a show

display space or hosting a photo workshop at the

school, please email amy_messner@sd42.ca.

Photo by Taylor Hamm,

GSS photo club member

What about spending next

Spring Break in FRANCE?

Registration to participate in

the trip is still open to ALL

grade 11 and 12 students.

Participants will travel from

Nice to Avignon, Loire

Valley Castles, Mont St

Michel, Day beaches and of

course Paris. For more infor-

mation, please go Chef's

Page on the school library web page. http://

web.me.com/lesgau/Spring_2012_France/

Welcome.html

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Garibaldi-Secondary-School-Info-Page/145381672221372

“I always wanted to be somebody but I should have been more specific” Lily Tomlin

A fundamental goal of the Learning Centre is to help develop as many SELF directed learners as we pos-

sibly can. We aim to help students create a receptive mind set to accepting the responsibility of exec-

utively managing their own learning. Specifically this means planning, monitoring, evaluating, and adjust-

ing their approaches to learning.

How do we do this?

One of the educational research “gurus” who has given us a framework for our approach is Rick Sheets

who uses a metacognitive approach to study skills. In the study skills context, this term literally means

“after thinking”.

The first step of this approach to becoming a more efficient learner is to reflect back on past learning

situations. The purpose of this step is to recognize what was done well as a student and what was done

poorly.

Once this ACTIVE mindset “ball” is in motion the next step is guide the student in selecting specific

learning strategies. Rick Sheets helpfully divides such strategies up into four separate but interconnected

SUCCESSFUL LEARNING REQUIREMENTS:

MOTIVATION

“the desire to learn” which incorporates: attitudes, purpose, time management as a student approaches a

new learning situation…in the effort to “want it”

ACQUISITION

“understanding new information being presented/taught” which incorporates active reading, active listen-

ing, in the effort to connect new information to prior understanding…in the effort to “get it”

RETENTION

“the ability to access newly learned information” which incorporates memory, practice, review, essen-

tially… time in contact with the information…in the effort to “keep it”

PERFORMANCE “the ability to apply new information appropriately” which incorporates discussion, composition, assign-

ment completion, test taking…in the effort to “show it”

Let The Learning Centre help you MAXIMIZE your 5 year learning opportunity at Garibaldi Secondary

School

Room 2033

…Everyday AT LUNCH and AFTER SCHOOL

“…a little better all the time…”

Our first Psycho session will

be on October 19th at 7:00.

Tickets will be available at

the door for $5.00. Auditions

for this session will be on

October 12th during the

lunch break and after school.

Please sign-up on the theatre

door.

The theatre department is in need of:

- A chihuahua that can bark on demand.

- We are hoping a local church will be able

to a loan us a dozen choir robes

for one week in February.

- Old nail technician tools.

- An old fashioned hair dryer.

- Chairs from a salon.

- Broken lap tops.

We are delighted to announce

that we received the rights to

LegallyBlonde It will

premiere in our theatre from

February 21 to 25. Tickets and

more information will soon be

available!

THEATRE UPDATES Parenting Information The Family Education and Support Centre have many

programs starting up over the next few weeks.

Pamphlets on these programs are available in the

counseling office or check the Family Education

Centre website at www.familyed.bc.ca

www.parentsupportservicesbc.ca – has a variety of

programs and resources

www.thekeltyfoundation.org – education and support

to help reduce depression related teenage suicide

Graduation 2012 Information All students who are preparing to

graduate in June need to be paying

close attention to regular

information that is made available

to them by the counselling

department. The daily newsletter, the Garibaldi

Gazette, contains a section specifically intended for

Grads. In this section, we include all notices of

current scholarships, bursaries and awards, post

secondary information and opportunities, graduation

requirements, volunteer and job openings, and other

important details for graduates. As well as regular

reading of the Gazette, we recommend that all grade

12‟s take full advantage of the wealth of information

in our Career Centre. The Career Centre is open

during studies and at noon for their convenience.

Counsellors encourage grade 12‟s to see them with

any questions and concerns about current courses,

previous credits, external credits and future

opportunities. Grade 12‟s should be arranging an

appointment with their counsellor to complete a credit

check. If at any time during the year they change a

course, they must be sure to redo their credit check.

Grad Transitions – is a required course worth 4

credits. Students will be required to attend a number

of classes during their study block. Students who do

not have a study will need to see either Mrs. Gould or

Ms. Beyer to receive the assignments. The first

classes will be on October 4, 5 and 6.

The complete Transition Plan is due February 1;

Physical Activity Log for grade 12 – May 1. The

package includes a few big items that students should

be working on throughout the year: 80 hours of physi-

cal activity log; post secondary plans; 30 hours of

work experience or volunteer work and 1 reference

letter.

Individual assignments will be due the week after the

presentation.

COUNSELLING STAFF

Ms. Beyer - Grade 11 and 12, IB

Mrs. Davies - Grade 8, 9 and 10

Mr Cowie - International students

Included in our counselling team

are Mrs Gould, work experience

and career prep coordinator; Ms. Piocza, aboriginal

support worker; Mrs. Tibando, youth and child

careworker; and Mrs. Ward, career centre coordi-

nator. Parents and guardians are welcome to con-

tact any of us with questions or concerns.

Work Experience Opportunities

RCMP Youth Academy

The RCMP Youth Academy is designed for students

aged 16 to 18 years who are interested in police

work and law enforcement as a possible future

career. This year‟s Youth Academy will be March

15 – March 23.

The Academy will be held at the Stillwood

Conference Centre, at the south end of Cultus Lake,

at Spring Break. This program is designed to place

the students in an RCMP academy situation. Once

selected, the students will experience everything a

police cadet would experience but in capsulated

form. Students will receive instructions on law,

police tactics, social skills, physical training, self

defence, and have lectures from various police

specialists.

Students will also be expected to make a

presentation to the group, complete various reports,

partake in all planned activities and work with other

students as part of a team.

Meals, lodging, uniform clothing and stationary will

be supplied. A list of rules will be supplied to the

successful applicants and any students not

complying with these rules will be sent home at

their expense. Transportation to and from the work

site will be the candidate's responsibility.

A fee will be required from each candidate.

This academy is meant to be both a fun and a

learning experience but will be mentally and

physically challenging. If you have any questions,

please contact either your career counsellor or your

school liaison officer from you local police agency.

Students completing the Academy will receive 4

credits for Work Experience 12A.

O

THER OPPORTUNITIES - see Mrs. Gould

BCIT - Broadcasting - four days at BCIT

Science World

Vancouver Aquarium

Ghost Ridge - October 21, 22 & 27 - 30

Take Our Kids to Work Day - Grade 9 Students

Wednesday, November 2

Take Our Kids to Work Day is a national initiative

that encourages grade 9 students to spend a day at

work with a parent, relative or adult friend. The three

main objectives are:

- to offer students a view of the work world and to

give them an understanding of its demands and

opportunities;

- to allow students to see their parents or other host

in different roles to understand what they do to

support a family;

- and to emphasize that education goes far beyond

the walls of a classroom.

Students in grade nine will soon receive more

information about this day. Students are encouraged

to start thinking about who they would like to go to

work with and check if this is possible.

Information will be available from their PE

teachers. The assignments from this day will be part

of their Health and Careers mark. Students who are

unable to participate must be at school.

Post Secondary Directions Graduates are encouraged to consider seriously

which post secondary directions they wish to pursue,

because many post secondary institutions open their

registration services soon:

UFV - October 1

Douglas College - October 15

Kwantlen - November 1

The Career Centre has information on post secon-

dary institutions and application procedures.

Post- Secondary Visit – November 16, 2011 November 16 is an important morning for all grade

11 and12 students, as this is the time when post

secondary representatives from across BC come to

Garibaldi to meet with students in small groups, pro-

viding information and answering questions.

After small group presentations, there will be a

career fair in the cafeteria. This will allow students

to circulate and speak with representatives from a

variety of post secondary schools. Parents and

guardians are welcome to attend the career fair

format from 1:25 – 2:40 AM in the cafeteria.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Friday, September 30 Collaboration Day - first class commences at 9:40

Friday, October 7 Terry Fox Run

Monday, October 10 Thanksgiving Day Stat

Wednesday, October 12 PAC at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 19 Photo Retakes

Psycho Session at 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 20 Regular classes - block order F - ADV - E - H - G

Friday, October 21 Pro-D Day (no regular classes)

Wednesday, October 26 Music Concert at 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 27 Halloween Dance from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Friday, October 28 Collaboration Day - first class commences at 9:40

Saturday, October 29 Scrapbooking in the Cafe - please contact Mrs. Fewer in the

cafeteria for more information on this fund-raiser

November 1 - 3 Grad Photo Sittings (by appointment only)

Wednesday, November 2 Take Your Kids to Work Day (grade 9 students)

Friday, November 11 Remembrance Day Stat

Monday, November 14 Altered Calendar School Closure

Wednesday, November 16 Post Secondary Visits at Garibaldi

Friday, November 18 Collaboration Day - first class commences at 9:40

December 19 - 30 Christmas Vacation