On The Trail - April, 2005 (Back to Publication Main Menu)
Index
Happy spring. As I compose this item for the newsletter it is a beautiful spring day that is long overdue.
We have just completed another successful round of parent teacher interviews and it will soon be time for marks and report cards. You should watch for these important progress reports on April 22nd. We decided to try something new with this round of parent/teacher interviews by scheduling a drug awareness presentation from the Saskatoon Police Service. We look forward to trying something similar at next year's interviews. On Tuesday, April 12th the Community School Council will be presenting it's second parent information evening of the year. This time the event is entitled "It's your turn to learn." A number of sessions have been planned by our staff to allow parents and guardians the chance to learn a new skill. Please come and enjoy the evening. Specific information is included elsewhere in this newsletter. I continue to be impressed with the contribution that students and staff make to our school. The enthusiasm displayed by our students in school activities is worthy of commendation, and helps to further our reputation as a school with lots to offer. We value this commitment and we count on it.
Over the past few months, a number of our school teams have represented our school community extremely well. Basketball has come to an end and our teams had very enjoyable seasons. Congratulations to all players and coaches involved. Our cheerleading squads hosted a very successful "Mustang Mania" competition on February 26th. This was an outstanding event again this year. We look forward to more of the same in the future. The Cheerleaders also enjoyed a successful trip to Edmonton to complete their season. The Wrestling team culminated their season with Tyler Boszak, Joseph Nifasha and Troy Lange winning individual gold medals at the Provincial Championships in Regina.. For Troy it was the fourth consecutive year he accomplished this feat. Well done Troy! The Mustangs finished third in the Province. Badminton is well underway and Track and Field is just around the corner. Thanks to the coaches and supervisors for their hard work and dedication to our athletic teams.
We have just completed our annual Folkfest where we highlighted the multicultural talents of our school and enjoyed foods from many lands. Thanks to the S.R.C. and to the staff's Cultural Diversity Focus Groups for their good work in organizing this event. The next highlight in the Arts area will be our Dessert Night where we will be entertained by music, literary and drama groups. This exciting evening will take place on Friday, April 30th beginning in the library. Get your tickets early, as it is always a popular event.. June 27th is our graduation date this year. Grads and parents will be hearing more about things in the upcoming weeks. Planning for the ceremony, banquet, dance and after-grad are well underway.
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto to attend a seminar sponsored by the Learning Partnership. At this event, Canada's Outstanding Principals were honoured and more importantly our school's students and staff were recognized for the innovative programs and program delivery that we champion. Events like this verify that, while we are not always perfect, we are certainly on the right track in providing the necessary programming for our diverse population.
Thanks to all of you for your continued support of our school and community. Please feel free to drop in or give us a call. We always look forward to hearing from you. Together we will make a difference.
For the staff, Basil Hughton, Principal
Junior badminton season has started again. We have 24 students participating this year. Thirteen grade 10's and eleven grade 9's. We play seven league games and have our city championship April 19th. We are looking forward to a great year!
In celebration of the International Woman's Day on March 8th, the Diversity Club had a daily trivia quiz for a week on famous Canadian woman. The Diversity Club also made lesson plans for the Grade 9 mentor classes to raise the social consequences on issues of equality in Canada and in other parts of the world. It continued to bring awareness to the grade 9 mentor classes on racism and racial discrimination in preparation for March 21st, the United Nations Day for elimination of racial discrimination.
Royal West Campus is currently accepting registration for students 18 years and older who are interested in obtaining their Grade 12. Please contact Royal West Campus at 683-7532.
The Life Skills Work Study Program would like to thank the following businesses for their participation in our Work Education Program: Canadian Tire: Shipping and Receiving; Quality Hotel: Maintenance; Sheraton Cavalier: Housekeeping; Market Mall: Maintenance; Gregg's Plumbing and Heating; Sarcan; Cosmo Civic Centre: Maintenance; Crestview Auto Service; OK Tire and Auto; Safeway; YMCA and Saskatchewan Abilities Council. These businesses provide a valuable opportunity for our students to work and are greatly appreciated by the staff and students.
A major pre-occupation for counsellors this past month has been th pre-registration of students for the 2005/2006 school year. at MRCI. First, it was grade 8's in our 10 elementary schools then our own "inhouse" students. Although preliminary enrolment numbers have been determined the way is still open for continued pre-registration. NOTE: Students who are planning to be at "Royal" this fall and who haven't yet pre-registered are urged to do so as soon as possible at Student Services.
Two reminders to Grade 12's
"Nature is so complex that human beings are incapable of understanding all of it." The preceding quote from Kim Archibald is highly indicative of the life, learning and experiences that truly exemplify Outdoor School. For the past five months, a group of grade eleven students from various public high schools around the city have embarked on an academic, physical and emotional journey to better understand valuable aspects of nature through exploring Saskatchewan's eco-regions. Trips to the Churchill River, Grasslands National Park and trekking the streets of Saskatoon allowed students to explore both the scientific and philosophical aspects of ecology and geography. In addition to this, students were given the opportunity to work with environmental and scientific professionals for a work education credit. Teri Clark, the other Outdoor School teacher, organized these placements which enabled students to travel as far as Grasslands National Park and Blue Mountain, as well as participate in equally enriching placements such as the Canadian Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited.
For the Outdoor School students, this program has been a means of exploring one's self and the natural world. Students from Mount Royal included Matthew Bridgewater, Alex Leavitt, Nicole Sanderson and Courtney Wall.
MOUNT ROYAL FINE ART DEPARTMENT
Mount Royal art students are gearing up for several art shows. The best of Graphic Arts was shown in the library. This art show consisted of airbrush, billboard and magazine designs from last semester. Well done to Kirk Robinson, Mike Maruk, Everette Laliberte, Laura Kobach, Dean Sopher, Stacey Folk, Heather Kitchen, Kourtney Henderson, Cody Johnson, Ashley Nelson, Susan Troung and Candace Turner.
For the next six weeks is the Cool Art Show at the Mendel. Tammy Poorman, Heather Kitchen and Stacey Folk are our representations. The art will be on display March and April. Please watch for the Royal Showcase 2005 formerly known as Arts Fair. It will be on June1st to the 3rd. We will have displays from all areas of the school such as: Sewing, Cake Decorating, Interior Design, Woodworking,Welding, Drafting, Media Studies, Animation, Graphic Arts, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Literary Contest, and much more. We hope to have our musicians and choral group participate as well. Please come and see our students who do the best work in the system.
TRADITIONAL POWWOW - Craft Fair
Saskatoon West Intertribal traditional POWWOW - The Gathering of Communities.
Attention artisans, craft persons, vendors. Friday May 13th 2005 - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Mount Royal Collegiate. The following information is important if you are interested in renting a table at the POWWOW vendor craft fair. $20 per table. The tables are 6ft by 2ft. Table clothes are not supplied. If you have any questions or if you wish to book a table please call Carol Kivell @ 683-7385 or Terri Belanger @ 659-7770 on or before Mat 1st, 2005.
MEMOIRS - A BOOK OF ANTHOLOGIES
A Centennial Project in Partnership with Mount Royal Collegiate and Oliver Lodge
"Memoirs, A Book of Anthologies" is a project being undertaken by students and staff at Mount Royal Collegiate and the staff and residents at Oliver Lodge during Saskatchewan's 2005 Centennial Year. Th purpose of the project is to:
During the spring of 2005 selected students from Mount Royal Collegiate will go to Oliver Lodge to interview approximately 60 seniors who are either Oliver Lodge residents, Oliver Place residents, or participants in the Community Day Program. These seniors, whose average age is 86, will be interviewed regarding their lives in Saskatchewan. Students will take this information and write short stories, poems or narratives that will be published in a book. the interviews and written literature will be completed by the end of June 2005. Next fall, students from Mount Royal Photo-Graphics and Visual Arts programs will design the cover of the book and other graphics and layout for the body of the text. The book will be printed by the end of 2005 and copies will be distributed to all residents at Oliver Lodge, students involved in the project, and other interested agencies.
Any parents, grandparents, or elderly community members who would like to be involved in this project can contact Nina Henry at 683-7822.
Saskatoon West Intertribal traditional POWWOW - The Gathering of Communities.
Friday May 13, 2005; 11:00 am - 3:00 pm; Mount Royal Collegiate, 2220 Rusholme Road
The Saskatoon West Intertribal Traditional POWWOW is a joint effort of the following Public and Separate Schools in Saskatoon: Mount Royal Collegiate, E.D. Feehan Catholic High School, Pleasant Hill Community School, Princess Alexander Community School, St. Maria Goretti Community School and Westmount Community School.
FIRST NATION'S SONG & DANCE PROGRAM
We would like to thank Wanuskewin Heritage Park which, in partnership with Mount Royal Collegiate offered a First Nation's Song and Dance Program right at our school! Participants learned traditional dance styles, singing and drumming and had the opportunity to make their own dance regalia. The program was led by professional First Nation Song and Dance instructors as well as First Nation seamstress. Many thanks to Sanford Strongarm for organizing the Program. We would also like to thank many instructors who led students through various components of the program (there are just too many instructors to list!) Thanks also go out to Ms. Kailee Gryba, Mount Royal's Cree Teacher, and Mrs. Carrie Berry, Home Economics Teacher, for their assistance with the program.
CHEM-FREE AFTER GRAD JUNE 27TH 2005
The Chemical Free Party is organized for the Graduates and their Escorts following the Formal Graduation at the Centennial Auditorium. It is designed to ensure a safe and memorable graduation
Future grads and their parents have been working to plan and organize activities. We invite you to join us at any of our meetings. We still need more help. Student meetings are held monthly, contact Ms. Lori Gonzalez for times. Upcoming Parent meetings are April 13, May 18 and June 15. They are held in the MRCI Library at 7:00 pm.
Fundraising is well under way and will continue through April and May
Contact Ms. Lori Gonzalez in room 223 for more information or contact Kim or Rose Edelman @ 384-0335. All fundraising must be complete by May 25/05. "Donations of prizes or money gratefully accepted". If you know of a business who would be willing to offer a donation, or if you would like to donate on behalf of your family, please contact Penny @ 683-0429, Karen @ 978-2368 or Leslie @ 382-0888. Donation request form letters are available.
If you have any questions or concerns, and/or would like to help, please call one of the committee executive: Pat @ 384-7075, Glenda @ 382-7655, sally @ 978-1251.
Fundraising will help reduce the cost of your after-grad ticket. Permission forms, ticket information etc. will be handed out in May at the MD Ambulance Presentation. Thank you to all who attended the steak night and special thanks to Mr. bent who donated his entire 50/50 winnings to the after-grad.
Since March 18th, you may have heard and saw radio and TV commercials promoting our school division's Just Read initiative. These community messages were made possible with the support of such groups as grand & Toy, Juxtapose Productions Inc, The Sound Lounge, C95 and Rock 102. These groups deserve many thanks for stepping forward to help build a culture of reading across the city.
The music students have been involved with an evening concert, and performed at Dinner Theatre. They are hoping to do a few more shows and will perform at the Dessert Night on April 29th and also the Royal Showcase.
The drama students are performing a play based on Robert Munch's stories at Dessert Night. Please get your tickets early as they fast.
Traditional African Dance steps made easy and fun! An up-beat rhythmic workout for the whole body, mind and spirit. Jump, shake and dance to the rhythms of live African drums!
Ten-week classes for $85.00 at the YWCA.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PROGRAM
Volunteers, trained by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, can help you complete your income tax and benefit return. To find out if you are eligible or make an appointment, call Terri at 659-7770. You can meet with the volunteers on Friday, April 22nd from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at St. Maria Goretti Community School at 301 Avenue Q North. Bring all your tax papers and forms with you. This service is free!
PARENT EDUCATION GROUPS AND INFORMATION GUIDE
Drop-in Family Centres provide ongoing support and parent education during "Parent talk" drop-in sessions and specific drop-in groups. Phone Saskatoon family Support Centre, 315 Avenue M South, 933-7751
| Friday, April 22 | - Report card issue |
| Monday, April 25 | - No school, Professional Development Day |
| Friday, April 29 | - Dessert Theatre |
| Friday, May 13 | - Mini Traditional POWWOW |
| Monday, May 23 | - No school, Victoria Day |
| Thursday, June 2 | - Academic Awards Banquet, Arts Fair |
| Friday, June 3 | - Arts Fair |
| Tuesday, June 7 | - Athletic Banquet |
| Thursday, June 16 | - Period 1 exams, textbook returns |
| Friday, June 17 | - Period 2 exams, textbook returns |
| Monday, June 20 | - Period 3 exams, textbook returns |
| Tuesday, June 21 | - Period 4 exams, textbook returns |
| Wednesday, June 22 | - Period 5 exams, textbook returns |
| Monday, June 27 | - Grade 12 Graduation |
| Tuesday, June 28 | - Last day of classes, Report card issued at 9:00 am |