http://gss.sd42.ca

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

January 26, 2012

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

www.gss.principalsoffice.com

Course planning information

Grade-wide assemblies in the café on February 7th

Block E - grade 11’s Block F - grade 10’s

Block G - grade 8’s Block H - grade 9’s

Mr. Frend and Mr. Wiebe will meet individually with

grade 8 students on February 13th and 17th during

Blocks A & B.

Grade 9 students will have these individual meetings

on February 14th and 16th during Blocks G & H.

Grade 10 students will complete their course planning

during the week of February 13 - 17 in their Planning

class.

Course planning for present grade 11 students will be

during their Socials or First Nations class.

Due to the current job action by members of the

British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, the Parent-

Teacher Conference day previously scheduled for

February 2, 2012, has been cancelled and may be

rescheduled at a later date. The school day for all

students at GSS on February 2, 2012, will be a regular

full day. The block order on February 2nd will be F-

ADV-E-H-G, and the block order on February 3rd will

change to A-ADV-B-C-D. 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 relating to your child.

Should you know of any family that is considering

transferring their child to a different school for

September, please see important information on this

topic on page 5 of this newsletter. Additionally,

families looking for information on the IB Program or

our Arts Academy will want to check the Upcoming

Dates section for special information evenings!

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

As January comes to a close, it is time to start

our preparations for the 2012 - 2013 school

year. While staying rooted in our teaching and learning

for this year, it is time to start planning for next year. If

you are concerned about your child’s progress this year,

and you haven’t yet made direct contact via email or

telephone with your child’s teacher, I would strongly

encourage you to do so to get a progress update. Our

teachers continue to offer Math Club, help in the SLC,

and assistance to those students who need it. Please

discuss with your child his / her plans for next year, as

course selections in February help determine course

offerings for September. As well, feel free to contact a

counselor to discuss your child’s post-secondary plans

and the necessary courses for acceptance to trade

school, college, or university.

January saw us host 2 great events: a grade 7 - 9 dance,

and our Senior Winter Formal. Both events were a great

success and were made possible by our hard-working

and dedicated staff! Additionally, all of our basketball

teams are competing well and playing hard every game.

Keep up the good work! Our Ski and Snowboard Club

has trips to Grouse Mountain and Whistler planned for

this month. Hopefully, the great snow conditions on the

mountains continue. Please see some great pics from

previous ski field trips in this newsletter

Recently, the topic of inappropriate use of technology

has made national headlines. As a proactive

step in addressing community concerns,

School District #42 presents a “Parenting in

the Cyberage” workshop being held on

Thursday January 26th, at 7 pm at MRSS.

This workshop will cover many important

topics and offer timely, effective strategies

for teaching our students responsible use of

technology.

GARIBALDI’S FLY FISHING CLUB will be starting

up again this year, with February 3, 2012 being the first

meeting. This club will meet weekly until mid May. Any

student who is interested in learning how to fly tie and fly

fish is welcome to join. There will be several field trip

opportunities to put this knowledge to work. This club

will be meeting every Friday after

school in room 2032 from 3 - 4:30 pm.

If you have any questions, please

feel free to contact Mr. Gubert

in room 2032.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Wednesday, February 1 PAC at 7:00 pm

Friday, February 3 Collaboration Day

- first bell at 9:40 am

Wednesday, February 8 I Day

Thursday, February 9 Grade 7 Parent Information

Evening, 7:00 pm in the gym

Monday, February 13 IB Information Night at

7:00 in the Library

Wednesday, February 15 Pro-D Day

Friday, February 17 Collaboration Day

- first bell at 9:40 am

February 21 - 25 Legally Blonde Theatre

Production

Wednesday, February 29 Open Boundary Registration

for September closes

March 12 - 23 Spring Break

Tuesday, April 3 Arts Academy Information

Night at 7:00 in the Theatre

GARIBALDI’S SKI AND SNOWBOARD CLUB

welcomed the recent flurries with excitement. Their

first trip of the 2011 / 12 season was a successful

journey to their favourite mountain, Whistler, and they

were grateful for perfect conditions: sun, powder and

no line-ups. Students raved about their lessons and all

agreed it was a perfect day. This month saw their first

of four night-skiing trips to Grouse Mountain. Again,

they were treated to perfect conditions after our artic

air snowstorm. This group skied all night, with a clear

view of Vancouver and a breathtaking sunset. If you

are interested in joining the Ski and Snowboard Club,

see any of the coaches: Mrs. Harmon, Ms. Dearman,

Ms. Messner, or Mr. Easby.

DO YOU HAVE A CHILD WITH SPECIAL

NEEDS?

The Inclusive Education Parent Advisory Committee is

an important district group that works to advocate for

excellence for special needs students in the district.

This committee is currently selecting new members for

the 2011 / 2012 school year. If you are interested in

representing parents on this committee, please visit our

Student Support Services Parents Website, under

Programs on the SD 42 Website. More information is

also available by emailing Laurie Smith, at Student

Support Services – Laurie_Smith@sd42.ca

The Connect Parent Groups are looking

for volunteer child minders for one hour a

week over the 10 week sessions. Please

contact Mrs. Tibando at 604-463-6287,

local 2209 for more information.

Parents of graduates: If you would like to be informed

about any upcoming events, please send an email to

kgould@sd42.ca. This will put you on the mailing list.

We are still looking for parent volunteers for Grad:

1. Ticket orders and banquet seating needs 5-7 parents

2. The banquet set-up requires approximately 25-30

parents on June 3rd at 7pm

3. Approximately 15 parents are also required for the

actual banquet (before and after)

4. Dry Grad needs 20—25 parents from 11pm – 6am at

the Greg Moore Youth Centre.

4. Fundraising – Flower Basket Sales, Car wash

Congratulations and thanks to all those who participated

in the bottle drive on January 7, 2012. We raised $1900!

Canadian Tire Money – grads are collecting Canadian

Tire money to purchase gifts for Dry Grad. If you have

money to donate, there is a bottle in the school office.

Grad Dinner & Dance Tickets – Buying grad tickets

has just been made easier. The order form will be availa-

ble in late February. Fill it out and have your son or

daughter return it to the school office. Graduating stu-

dents will be allowed as many tickets as they like at $50

each.

2. Work / Volunteer Hours – 30 hours of paid or

volunteer work, log of hours, self-evaluation,

employer evaluation

3. Physical Activity log – 150 minutes per week

When students have completed the above, we ask that

parents review this with them and comment on the Tran-

sition Plan.

All Transition Plan assignments were due on

January 20, 2012

GRAD EVENTS

January 4 Scholarship booklet available on district

website: www.sd42.ca, or booklets may be

referenced at the school.

January 20 All Transition Plan assignments must be

handed in.

February Banquet Ticket orders will be available.

Orders for flower basket and annual sale.

March Banquet ticket sand flower orders are due.

March 29 Scholarship packages are due to counsel-

ing by 10AM

April Tickets will be available for pick-up

during the lunch break.

Extra banquet tickets will be available for

sale after April 18.

April District Dogwood Scholarship

presentations (tentative date)

May Grad car wash / Flower Basket pick-up

June 6 3:30 PM - Grad rehearsal at Planet Ice

7:00 PM - Banquet set-up, parent

volunteers are still needed

Transition Plan (Portfolio) must be completed by all

grade 12’s.

The plan is divided into three sections:

1. Transition Plan – goal setting, work or further edu-

cation, resume, cover letters, application, financial

plan, healthy living.

LEGALLY BLONDE, the Broadway

Musical, will be our major theatre

production this year. This spectacular

show is scheduled from February 21 - 25

and is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are

only $15 for adults and $10 for seniors

and students. Tickets are selling fast and

are available in Maple Ridge at Little

Cricket Gift Gallery, 102 - 22347

Lougheed Highway, or in the Garibaldi

school office. Should there be any left,

tickets will also be available at the door.

GRADUATION INFORMATION

It’s Scholarship Time!

Grade 12’s should be preparing their scholarship

applications from the directions in the District

Scholarship booklet. Booklets are available on the

school district website, www.sd42.ca. Transcripts for

these will be available after March 26th. Applications

require a minimum of two reference letters. Students

should be taking “Brag Sheets” to their teachers and /

or administration to request the writing of these letters.

Students should allow at least 2 week turn-around for

all reference letters. All application packages are due in

to the Career Centre, no later than March 29, 2012 at

10:00 AM. No late packages will be accepted.

Websites that are helpful for scholarship application

are:

www.scholarshipscanada.com

www.bcawardsonline.sd61.bc.ca

www.studentawards.com

Do you need to pick-up a course or would you like

to get ahead? Second semester night school courses are starting up on

February 6th. If you have failed a course and would

like to get caught up, see your counselor now. Courses

are available at Riverside Center.

Course Selection for 2012- 2013

Course selection will be starting soon. Counselors will

be visiting classes in February to help students make

educated choices for next year. Students in grades 9 –

11 should be visiting the Career Centre to explore pre-

requisites for post secondary programs. Students are

encouraged to start their planning now, by talking to

their teachers and parents. It is essential that students

choose courses that they really want, as the timetable is

built from these choices. Selections for honours classes

will be made based on teacher recommendation.

Grade 10 and 11 students should consider the options

available to them through Career Exploration. These

programs may require the selection of specific courses.

The advantages may include: certification along with

your Dogwood Certificate; a study focus in a specific

area; additional course credits; reduced tuition;

advanced placement in some post secondary programs;

along with work experience in a specific area of study.

Students should carefully read the Career Exploration

section of the Course Information Booklet 2012 - 2013,

which they will receive in February. Programs availa-

ble to grade 10, 11 and 12 students are in the next

column.

Counsellor’s Corner

School Arranged Work Experience

On site work Experience

Job shadowing

Career mentoring

Career seminars / camps

Career Preparation Programs – work experience

related to courses studied. It is unpaid work in the

following focus areas.

Business and Applied Business

Fine Arts, Design and Media

Fitness and Recreation

Health and Human Services

Liberal Arts and Humanities

Science and Applied Science

Tourism, Hospitality and Foods

Trades and Technology

Secondary School Apprenticeship Programs Register as an apprentice and begin trades work

hours

Complete up to 480 hours of paid work experi-

ence, and receive 16 credits

$1000 scholarship for continuing 6 months after

grad

Post-Secondary Partnership Programs

Complete grade 12 requirements

Complete post secondary courses in grade 12

Acquire job-ready skills to enter job marker

Reduced tuition for these post secondary courses

Partnerships:

Automotive Assistant – Westview – WSS

Automotive Technician Foundation - GSS

Carpentry – Samuel Robertson - SRT

Culinary Arts - SRT

Electrical – GSS

Hair Design – SRT

Metal Fabrication – SRT

Residential Construction Framing

Technician - ARC

Integrated Trades – ARC

Passport for Trades- ARC – Grade 9

Information meeting for PARTNERSHIP

PROGRAMS will be February 22, 2012

at Samuel Robertson Technical,

10445 -245 Street, Maple Ridge at 7 PM

Student Transfer Guidelines Secondary & Students Moving Into Grade 8

2011/12

While it is important that every student is afforded the opportunity to attend their school of choice, it is equally important that each

of our secondary schools are safe, caring, and orderly. Managing our schools in terms of student population, class size, and staffing

requires that students, working with their parents, plan accordingly should they wish to change schools. To this end, the following

process has been designed to allow our schools to best plan for student success.

Transfer Phase #1

This first phase allowing students to apply for a school transfer occurs between January 30, 2012 and February 29, 2012. Students

will receive a transfer form from the school office, complete all required information including parent/guardian signature, and meet

with the school’s Counselor. The Counselor will sign the form and deliver it back to the main office. A decision will be made be-

tween Principals and students will be informed by March 9, 2012.

The best chance to transfer schools will occur during Phase #1.

Transfer Phase #2

In the second phase students who were not successfully transferred in Phase #1 will be considered again between March 26, 2012

and May 31, 2012.

A second round of decisions will be made between Principals and students will be informed by June 8, 2012.

Grade 7 students and their parents, wishing to transfer schools are entitled to complete a transfer form through the process

outlined above. For grade 7’s only, a review of transfer requests will be determined on May 18, 2012.

Transfers at this phase will only occur if both schools are not negatively impacted. Chances of a successful transfer are not as likely as Phase #1

Transfer Phase #3

The third transfer window occurs between June 8, 2012 and August 27, 2012. A decision will be made between Principals and

students will be informed about their transfer status by August 31, 2012 allowing for the school and student to plan for the first day

of classes.

Students wishing to transfer during this time may apply but should understand that the school’s staffing, class sizes, and structures

may not allow for the transfer to be accepted. Good common sense decisions will be made balancing the needs of the student and

the school.

Chances of a successful transfer are not as likely as Phase #1 or Phase #2.

Students wishing to apply after the first day of school should note that transfers at this point may occur when there is a change of

residence, where it can be demonstrated that it is not in the best interest of the student to return to the home school, or the home

circumstances have changed. Chances of a successful transfer are not as likely as Phase #1, Phase #2 or Phase #3.

Light Refresh-

ments

Guest Speaker

¶

Lots of door

prizes

Are you a student or young adult with extra support needs who is searching for career & resource options?

Post Secondary Institutions

The Ministry of Housing and Social Development

Community Living BC

Employment Agencies

Ministry of Children and Family Development

Recreational and Leisure Services

TRANSITION

RESOURCE FAIR

Tuesday, April 3rd 7 - 8:30 pm AT: Rotunda / Cafeteria of:

Thomas Haney Secondary

23000 116th Avenue

Maple Ridge BC

Sponsored by: School District 42, Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living,

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadow’s Community Services, Triumph Employment Services,

and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Who will be there?

For more information or transportation to the event - contact: Dennis Lacroix @ 604-626-1156