October 2008 Dover Bay Secondary School

I. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS: I am pleased to announce that Dustin Trudeau is the winner

of the 2007-2008 Governor-General Award for academic
excellence. Congratulations Dustin.
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I look forward to seeing parents at the report card
We are rapidly approaching the end of the first term of the
distribution on November 20th.
first semester. With the marks cut-off nearly upon us it is
Rob Strachan
important for students to ensure that all assignments, tests,
PRINCIPAL
quizzes and projects are both completed and handed in to
their teachers.
II. WELCOME:
I would like to address an important current issue for the
school. Each year in October elections are held for Parents NEW STAFF
Advisory Council positions. Again this year a number of
parents have put their names forward for different executive We welcome the following new staff to Dover Bay.
positions. Unfortunately, we still have not elected a Kathy Qualizza Office Staff
president or vice-president for the executive. The Leslie Wilson Ab. Ed. Tutor
constituting of a full new executive is important for a
number of reasons. First and foremost is that $30,000 of
annual school funding from Bingo affiliation grants, for III. IMPORTANT DATES:
extra-curricular programs, could be put in jeopardy with no
future chance for recovery of this money. The election of at Nov. 6 PAC Meeting – 7:00 p.m. Library
least a president is essential to the maintenance of this fund. Nov. 10 Pro.D. Day – no students attending
If you are interested in taking on this role or would like Nov. 11 Remembrance Day Holiday
further information please contact Doreen Darwin Nov. 20 Report card distribution/
(dedarwin@shaw.ca) or myself. Thank you for your conferences
consideration of this request.
Dec. 4 PAC Meeting – 7:00 p.m. Library
I have fielded a number of calls from parents of Grade 12 Dec. 11 Interim Reports – Early dismissal –
students regarding this year’s Prom. I realize that there are a 1:50 p.m.
variety of understandings in the community about what is Dec. 18 Last day of school before Winter
happening. I will start by stating that there are three major Vacation
activities normally associated with the graduating class; Dry Dec. 17 Winter ball
Grad, Commencement and Prom. Each of these activities is Dec. 19 Pro.D. Day (school-based) – no
sponsored by a different group. The local community Students attending
sponsors Dry Grad on the last school day in June, the school
sponsors the Commencement exercise on the same day and Jan. 5 School re-opens
parents sponsor Prom on the last Saturday in April. As such,
these sponsorships will continue. The challenge for the
school and indeed the school district has become the liability
associated with the school connection to the Prom event.
The school district is currently reviewing, through the
provincial Schools Protection Branch, an opinion on issues
related to this event. In the meantime a group of parents has IV. STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
held two meetings, under the direction of parent Diane
Chadwick, organizing this year’s Prom. REPORT CARD DISTRIBUTION:

Parents are reminded of the implementation of the Daily Report cards will be distributed on November 20th from 3:00
Physical Activity requirement this school year. Students in – 6:00 p.m. Parents may pick up their student report cards in
grades 8 and 9 are required to complete 30 minutes of the atrium and then go to the gymnasium where staff will be
physical activity a day during the school week. PE, school- available to meet. Students will be dismissed at 1:50 p.m.
based activities, and community activities can be used to
meet this requirement. Grades 10, 11 and 12 are responsible All report cards that have not been picked up at this time will
for engaging in 150 minutes per week of physical activity. be available for students to pick up at 1:30 on Friday,
Similarly PE, school and community activities will meet this November 21st.
requirement. It is important for students to track these
activities with the assistance of their parents. Students were
advised of this requirement during grade assemblies at the
start of the school year. Please contact me should you
require further information.
SENIOR BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL ISLAND
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Dover Bay senior boys’ volleyball team will be hosting
the Island Championships on Friday and Saturday,
November 14th and 15th ,in the Dover Bay gym. It has been
ten years since the Islands were last held here at Dover Bay,
and the players and parents are thrilled to be doing it again.
We are hoping that many of the Dover students, their
parents, and staff, will come out and cheer on the senior
volleyball players.
During the tournament, the parents of the team will be
selling programs with prize coupons inside, so we are
appealing to the parents of all Dover Bay students in the
hope that someone may be able to donate these prizes. Any
contribution would be greatly appreciated, and can be
dropped off at the office with “senior boys’ volleyball
donation” attached. You will be recognized in our
tournament program. Thank you in advance on behalf of the
senior boys’ volleyball team and the player’s parents!
STUDENT COUNCIL: Mrs. Mazzarotto
Camp Qwanoes: 42 student council members attended our
annual leadership retreat at Camp Qwanoes Oct 3rd and 4th.
We are looking forward to a great year!
Student cards have now been distributed to all Dover Bay
students. Student cards with a school district 68 logo on the
back are eligible for discounts at many Nanaimo stores and
businesses as well as discounts at students council events
such as the Winter Ball
Your move: A strong contingent of Dover Bay students
council students attended this amazing event on Saturday
October 18th at Diana Krall Square. This was a fundraising
and awareness day for youth in Africa.
BC Student leadership conference: A total of over twenty
Dover Bay students will be participating Oct 23-26 at
Nanaimo's new VI conference centre as Spirit leaders,
delegates or crew. Over 350 participants from all over BC
will attend.
Hallowe'en Parade: Friday Oct 31st at lunchtime in the
multipurpose room. Wear a costume to enter the parade.
Remember: dress code applies!
Can Drive: Block C this year! Keep posted for the kickoff
pancake breakfast!
Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child: Block D Starts
October 27 and ends Nov 28. Bring your shoeboxes to your
block D class or see your grade rep.
Winter Ball: Wednesday December 17
COUNSELLING DEPARTMENT: Mrs. M. Smith
The 2008/2009 Language Challenge Information is available
from your School Counsellor. The Delta School District on
behalf of the Coast-Metro Consortium is again offering
Language Challenge Exams for Grade 11 and 12 Language
Courses. This year Language Challenge Exams are available
for the following courses: German 12, Japanese 11/12,
Korean 11/12, Mandarin 11/12, Punjabi 11/12 and Spanish
12. The purpose of Challenge is to permit students to obtain
credit for a Grade 11 or 12 course who have already acquired
the appropriate learning elsewhere.
Student applications for the Language Challenge are
available in the Dover Bay Counselling Department and are
due November 14, 2008. This includes fee and endorsed
recent school photo. December 12 is the last day for
cancellation, withdrawal, or changes. Requests must be
made in writing. February 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2009 Language
Challenge examination dates (see your counsellor for exam
schedule). The results are mailed to students and to schools
in April 2009.
Any questions or concerns see your School Counsellor.
DRAMA NEWS: Mr. Anderson
Two months in, and the pace never slackens!
In class, Ms. Schwarze’s grade 8’s have just completed their
unit in Readers Theatre—working intensively with voice
projection and colouring, presenting a stage picture, and
practicing critical thinking in the process of giving their
peers feedback. Mr. Anderson’s 11/12 Acting class has
worked through improvisation, to character creation, with
emphasis on physical acting, and finally solo performance of
monologues. It never ceases to amaze us to see the progress
of these students from shy grade 8’s to confident grade 11’s
and 12’s . Company 10/11 has also been focusing on vocal
work at a high level, preparing pieces for the spring’s Speech
Arts competitions. The Performance 9/10 class has created a
50 page script, How to Grow Like a Teen, and is in the final
stages of rehearsal.
Which brings us to our public performances. Once again,
Variety Night was a huge success, sending audiences away
amazed at the talent that abounds in this school. The show
raised a total of $1300 for the department. Of particular note
this year were the number of acts, especially songs, that were
created or written by the student performers.
That creative ability shows up again in the Performance 9/10
show, which opens on Nov.6th and runs until the 8th. A series
of sketches, songs and monologues written by the students
and dealing with the changes of adolescence, How to Grow
Like a Teen is full of chuckles as we recognize ourselves in
such bits as How to talk to your parents, or Mom! You’re
embarrassing me, or our own kids (and maybe an earlier
self or two) in How to do your homework or How to double
date. It’s a great evening of entertainment for the whole
family. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students, and
will be available at More Than Movies and the school office,
as well as at the door.
Opening only a few weeks after How to Grow, our major
production of the year, with a budget in excess of $10,000, is
Finian’s Rainbow. This 1947 Tony Award Winner was
ahead of its time, tackling the issue of Racism and Bigotry,
as well as taking some prescient digs at political process.
Take a Bigoted state senator threatening to throw a group of
sharecroppers off their land, add a pixilated Irishman with a
stolen pot of Leprechaun gold, add the aggrieved Leprechaun
and you have a recipe for laughter with a strong message of
tolerance. The show runs from Nov. 26th to Nov. 29th
Audiences can pick up tickets at the office, or at More than
Movies (Dover Road). Prices are $8 for students and seniors
and $10 for adults (please make cheques payable to Dover
Bay PAC). Doors open at 6:30 and the curtain goes up at
7:00 p.m.
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION: Mrs. Moody and Mrs.
Beaton
New Aboriginal Tutor:
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new
Aboriginal tutor, Leslie Wilson. Leslie will be working at
Dover on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She will be working
with students in classrooms, and will be available for extra
assistance over the lunch break.
Cultural Group:
We are running a youth cultural group this year. We have
already done the following activities: made both fried and
baked bannock, made cedar bark friendship bracelets, and
played slahal. Over the next five weeks we will be making
button blanket wall hangings, doing some traditional Metis
finger weaving, and making dream catchers. Please
encourage your kids to come out and join the group! We
meet Wednesdays at lunch in C103.
We have been lucky to have several members of the Snaw-
Naw-As community come to Dover recently to help with the
cultural and leadership activities. This has been excellent!!
If you, or someone you know, would like to run an activity,
teach a traditional skill, tell a story, share a song etc., please
let us know. We welcome you into Dover Bay and look
forward to seeing you. Please contact Erin Moody or Wendy
Beaton, at 756-4595, if you are interested.
Aboriginal Youth Leadership Group:
The Leadership Group meets Mondays at lunch in C103.
Come out and help to plan and implement a variety of
activities and events this year.
Wrestling Team:
Wrestling is a traditional Aboriginal sport. We are lucky to
have an Aboriginal wrestling coach at Dover Bay. He is
looking to take an Aboriginal wrestling team to the North
American Indigenous Games in Wisconsin in 2011, so come
out and join the Dover Bay Wrestling Team! Practices start
on October 20 and will run on Mondays – 6:30-8:00pm and
Wednesdays – 3:30-5:00pm.
COLLECTIVE BRAIN ROCKETS TO A NEW
RECORD WEIGHT
The concept of the Collective Brain was shared with the
students of the Dover Bay Secondary peer tutoring program
on Oct 4, 2008. The students from this program were very
receptive to the ideas presented.
We are excited to announce that the Collective Brain has
grown
Current Weight 198 Pounds.
What is the Collective Brain?
• People helping students achieve their full potential
as lifelong learners.
• People interested in improving the capacity of their
school(s).
• People interested in improving learning for
students.
How can I get involved?
You can help by supporting the school wide theme
calendar. Current brain research suggests that optimal
neuron growth in the brain is positively influence by
common teaching strategies and common ideas. The experts
have brain scans to prove it!
Learning Centre
Heart of the Collective Brain
BRITISH COLUMBIA “150 YEARS” 2008 CALENDAR
In December 2007, the Ministry of Education assisted in the
distribution of the “British Columbia – 150 Years” calendar
on behalf of Historica Foundation, the calendar’s publisher.
Since then, it has been brought to the attention of the
Ministry and Historica Foundation that factual information
was omitted from the entry for October 27. We have been
provided with a corrected sticker for the October 27 section
of the calendar and students using the calendars can pick a
sticker up from the principal in the office. Sufficient copies
of the calendar were distributed to each school for
distribution to all Grade 10, 11 and 12 students last year, so
students currently in grades 11 and 12 (as well as June 2008
graduates) who may be using the calendar can access this
corrected information. Thank you for your attention to this
matter.
FRANCE CANADA EXCHANGE
Summer exchange (July-August 2009) and 11-week school
year exchange (2009-2010) programs available Registration
now until April, 2009. Flyers available from Ms.
Mazzarotto (E211) at the school.
For more information go to: www.osef.ca or e-mail to
almcfarland@shaw.ca
DRY GRAD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Dry Grad Society is in need of Parent volunteers to help
organize the June 26th 2009 event. We have several key
positions that are still unfilled, food chair, co-chair for
fundraising, co-chair for volunteers and a secretary. Our
next meeting is October 30th at 7:00 p.m. at Wellington
school library, all parents and students are welcome. To
volunteer or for more information please call Gwen at 758-
1803.
ATTENTION GRADE 12 ART STUDENTS
The Dry Grad Society is sponsoring a T-shirt logo contest.
The contest is open to all grade 12 students. The logo is to
be put on the left front chest of the T-shirts. The
specifications are:
-maximum size 3”high by 5” wide
-up to 3 colours used (one being either the black or grey
T-shirt colour)
-wording to include: Dry Grad 2009 or A Night to
Remember 2009. Aspengrove, Dover Bay, Cedar, John
Barsby, Malaspina U.C. High School, Nanaimo Christian
School, NDSS, Wellington, Woodlands
The deadline for the contest is April 30. Please submit your
design to your School office. The winner will receive 5
sweatshirts with their logo to share with their friends!
CRAFT FAIR:
18th Annual McGirr/Randerson Ridge
Christmas Gift and Craft Fair
Dover Bay Gymnasium, 6135 McGirr Road
Friday, November 7th – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 8th – 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.
For more info: Sharon @ 250-758-9598
STUDENTS FIRST: CANADIAN MEDICALERT
FOUNDATION®
The StudentsFIRST program is a new program developed
to ensure children and teenagers across Canada, with medical
conditions, allergies or special needs are protected by the
Canadian MedicAlert® Foundation.
With the rise in childhood asthma, diabetes and allergies, it
is estimated that one in five children has a medical condition,
allergy or special need that should be communicated in an
emergency. The StudentsFIRST program has been created
to provide kids ages 4-18 with the 24-hour protection of the
MedicAlert® emergency medical information service.
Throughout the day your child or teenager will interact with
many children and may be under the care and supervision of
several different adults. This could be during recess, at
lunch, in the classroom or even after school at a friend's
house or at a summer camp. Parents want to ensure their
child or teenager is safe and protected at all times, especially
if they have a medical condition.
The initial enrollment fee is $45. The fee includes a
MedicAlert bracelet or necklet custom engraved with your
child's medical condition, wallet card, electronic health
record and a one-year membership. This amounts to a
savings of $30 or more and also includes Extended
Emergency Services.
There is an annual fee of $30 per year to maintain your child
or teenager's membership in the StudentsFIRST program.
This is a savings of $19 for each year your child is enrolled
in the program.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in the
StudentsFIRST program, contact MedicAlert at 1-866-
734-9423.
October 2008
Open Monday to Thursday 8:00 – 3:30. Fridays 8:00 – 2:00
Mr. McDonough Mr. Dendes
250-751-3419 250-751-3446
rmcdonough@sd68.bc.ca edendes@sd68.bc.ca
Training Courses
The Careers Centre arranges for training courses when there is
sufficient interest. Students show their commitment by paying
in advance. Cheques should be made payable to School
District 68. *Any family who cannot afford fees may have
them waived.
FoodSafe
This course is designed for all food handlers and covers food
borne illness issues and prevention, worker health and safety,
personal hygiene and health, receiving and storing food, food
preparation and protection, serving and dispensing,
handwashing and dishwashing. The cost of training is $25.
Next Foodsafe Session: November 5/6 6:00-9:30pm
First Aid – WorkSafe BC Level 1
This is a one-day certificate course offered by St. John
Ambulance. Lessons include dealing with Emergency Scene
Management, Shock, Choking, Bleeding, CPR, minor wounds
and medical conditions. The cost of this course is $50.
Date: November 10(Pro-D Day) - 8:30am- 4:30pm.
Post Secondary Planning
A Scholarship and Information Evening for Dover Bay
students and parents will be held on Wednesday, November
12 at 7 pm. Guest Speaker, Doug Beech, has won a number
of scholarships and will share his strategies.
$$$$$$$ Scholarships and Bursaries. $$$$$$$
The following scholarships are due in the next few weeks:
Wendy’s Classic Achiever Scholarship Awards –Nov.3
Millennium Excellence Award –December 12
BC Cowboy Heritage Society Scholarship –December 31
These are only a few of the many offered. Please check the
scholarship binder in the Careers Centre for websites.
Canadian University Events – November 11 & 14
Representatives from over 30 universities from across Canada,
including McGill, Queens, University of Alberta, RMC, etc.
will be at Shawnigan Lake School on November 11 or Bear
Mountain Centre on November 14. This is a great chance to
get up-to-date information. Let Mr. Christianson know if you
need a ride to the November 14 presentations.
Post-Secondary Institute Day – December 2 (AM)
Representatives from several BC universities, colleges and
institutes will gather at Dover Bay to speak to Grade 12 and
interested Grade 11 students on December 2 in the morning.
Students can hear presentations from some the following
institutions: UBC, SFU, UVIC, BC Institute of Technology,
Camosun College, Thompson Rivers University, University of
Northern BC, and Royal Military College.
Trinity Western University, a Christian liberal arts
university, will be making a presentation to Grade 12 students
of Dover Bay on Monday, November 24 at lunch time. Sign
up in the Careers Centre for a pizza lunch.
Register early for Vancouver Island University
Students who apply to V.I.U. early have the best chance to
reserve their place for September 2009. Applications are
usually made on line at www.viu.ca and choose the “become a
student” link. You will need your PEN# (not your school
student #) which can be found on your report card. Have a
credit card number ready to pay the $30 application fee.
Careers and Graduation Centre
Mrs. Monaghan
250-751-3424
lmonaghan@sd68.bc.ca
Upcoming Field Trips for Grade 11/12’s.
Grade 11/12 Day at V.I.U - November 18.
A great opportunity to hear about programs, go to mock
classes in an interest area, ask questions of advisors, get a tour
of the campus, win prizes and much more.
Permission slips for this field trip and others to UVIC
(Nov.13), Capilano (Nov. 20) and UBC (Nov. 26) are
available in D202. Get your permission slips in as soon as
possible to reserve a seat on the bus.
Self Reporting Marks –University of Victoria
Current Grade 12 students are able to report their final Grade
11 marks from September to November 30, 2008 and
potentially receive a conditional offer of admission for
September 2009.
It's simple. Apply on-line for admission to UVic. Then visit
www.uvic.ca/self-reporting: before November 30, 2008 to
self-report your marks. Don't forget to also apply for housing
if you want to live on campus. Check out their entrance
scholarship information by clicking on Student Awards &
Financial Aid.
Opportunities
S.W.E.A.T. 2008
The Art Institute of Vancouver, a private post-secondary
institute offering programs in entertainment technology,
design, media, culinary arts and fashion design is offering the
“Structured Work Experience and Training Program”. This
hands-on experience, during Spring Break is led by industry-
trained professionals. Apply by December 15. Download an
application at www.aiv.aii.edu. See Mr. Currell or Mr.
McDonough for details.
Shad Valley
This is an innovative summer leadership program (4 weeks in
July) focusing on science, technology, leadership and
entrepreneurship for Grades 11 and 12 students. Participate in
university-level challenges that focus career aspirations.
Twelve select universities across Canada host this program for
600 select students. Apply online at www.shad.ca before
December 11.
Lattitude Global Volunteering
(Gap)
Volunteer abroad after graduating from
school. There are many opportunities in
every continent, and depending on the
program, students can choose a volunteer
placement from two weeks to eleven
months in length. A representative from Lattitude will make a
presentation to students on November 28 at lunchtime in
D203. For more information visit the website:
www.lattitudecanada.org.
Take our Kids to Work Day – November 5
This federal government program is a job-shadowing
experience for grade 9 students. It gives them a chance to
connect what they are learning in school with what happens in
the workplace and may start young people thinking about
various career options. Participating students should pick up
the information package from their CAPP teacher or the
Careers and Graduation Centre.
Need Help with Homework?
The Homework Crew is available to help with homework on
Monday to Friday in the morning from 7:30-8:20 a.m. and
after school on Monday to Thursday, 3:05-4:30 p.m. Come to
the Learning Centre (D203).