SPRING IS HERE!

Well, Spring is here! By now, you have made your course selections. I am now requesting that any changes to your selections wait until the week after Spring Break.

The Term 2 report cards will go home with students tomorrow and I encourage parents/guardians to attend parent/teacher night on April 7th to discuss any concerns with teachers directly.

Have a great spring break!

Course Planning Information Night

The Counselling Department will be hosting a 'Course Planning Information Night' for parents on Wednesday, February 25th from 6-8pm. During my presentation for Grade 8 and 9 parents, I will review the 2004 Graduation program and how it relates to your child's course selections. I will also describe the available electives and pre-requisites. I look forward to seeing you there.

For Grade 9's going into Grade 10, more information about the Graduation requirements can be found at the BC Ministry of Education:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/grad2004.htm

Course Planning, a Message to Parents

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year. In the school year, January and February marks the beginning of planning for the upcoming year. During this time, I visit classes and discuss the course selection process with all grade 8 and 9 students.

Most of our elective course offerings are directly impacted by the student course selection process and this, in turn, can impact our staffing. Therefore, it is very important for students to make thoughtful and informed course selections. Our course planning guide is available online at http://tupper.vsb.bc.ca/, please review and discuss your child’s course selections with them.

Students who do not complete/ pass a required course will have to attend summer school remedial or repeat the course the following year. I strongly advise summer school when available. Registration and information regarding summer school will be available at the school after spring break.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding course selection or any other related matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can also be reached via email.

Honour Roll Assemblies Next Week

Honour Roll Assemblies will be held on Monday, January 12th at reading break (Grade 8) and Tuesday, January 13th (Grade 9). Congratulations to all who have made Principal's List and Honour Roll!

Attention Grade 9 Outdoorsy-types!

The Trek Program is a unique one year outdoor education experience open to all prospective grade 10 students across the district. If you are interested in this program, you should attend one of the info nights with your parents/guardians or come and discuss with me ASAP.

Trek Info Nights

• Tuesday January 13th at 7pm--at Prince of Wales
• Thursday, January 15th at &pm--Gladstone Secondary

The application deadline is February 20th

more info can be found at the http://www.vsb.bc.ca

Happy Holidays!

Be safe and enjoy the break. I'll see you in 2009!

Greeting Grade 9's!

Greetings class of 2012!

I have had a chance to re-connect with many of you and am very happy to be back.

In the next couple of weeks I will be visiting your Socials classes to discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol and new research about the links between drugs and psychosis. We will look at crystal meth and how it can age you by 20 years. We will also discuss ways to improve our resiliency. (Resiliency being your ability to bounce back from life's ups and downs and to say 'no' to drugs and alcohol)

The bottom line here is, your brain is yours for life and drugs and alcohol pose a threat to your young, developing brains :)


Another issue that has come up in our discussions is attendance. I am pleased to say that the majority of Grade 9's are roarsy and responsible. However, students who continue to miss classes without a valid reason will have to start giving back time in school service (AKA garbage duty). Notes from parents excusing absences need to get to the office in order to be properly excused.

As you know, I'm available to talk about these and other issues.

Ms. H