On The Trail - August, 2003 (Back to Publication Main Menu)

Index

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

On behalf of the staff, welcome back to our Grade 10, 11 and 12 students and a big Royal welcome to all our new Mustangs. We are extremely excited about the upcoming school year and have many exciting events planned. We extend a sincere welcome to all parents and guardians new to our school and look forward to getting to know you.

We are now entering our third school year as a designated community school. Our Community School Council began meeting in the spring and will be meeting monthly throughout the school year. This group, consisting of parents, students and staff, is charged with the task of overseeing activities funded by community school dollars. One of the mandates of the council is to plan some parent events during the school year. Please watch the newsletters for events that will be of interest to you.

Another exciting happening at MRCI is the kick-off of our restorative justice program. Through a unique partnership with the Saskatoon Rotary Club we will be initiating a program entitled "Circles of Renewal." We welcome Mr. Dean Kabaroff as our project leader in this area and look forward to the opportunities this initiative will provide our students. A small group of students took part in some peer mediation training in June at Shekinah. Mr. Arnie Neufeld, Mr. Brad Smith, Mrs. Nina Henry and Ms. Stephanie Cawood from our staff led this workshop and provided students with a glimpse of what we hope to provide over the next years at our school. Expect more news on this throughout the year.

After a very successful first year, our program for adult learners at Royal West is well known and respected in the community. It is an excellent place for students 18 or older to complete their grade 12 in an environment with similar aged students and smaller class sizes. We have added additional staff to this program and look forward to another great year at our satellite school. If you know of someone who might be interested in completing their grade 12 this way call Royal West at 683-7532 or Mount Royal Student Services at 683-7825.

The S.R.C. has a number of activities planned for Welcome Week, September 2-5. These opportunities are intended to help our new students feel comfortable at Mount Royal, to get to know their teachers and to help them get to know some of their fellow students. Please encourage your students to take part in these events and get involved in school activities. We have a multitude of things to chose from, all of which help make necessary connections to our school.

We say farewell to Ms. Doreen Seidel and Mrs. Anne Browne. Ms. Seidel, one of our secretaries, has temporarily moved to Lester B. Pearson. Mrs. Browne will be joining her husband in Lethbridge, Alberta where he has accepted a new position. Best wishes to each of them in their new roles. We would like to welcome Michelle Lukenoff to our secretarial staff. She comes to us from Aden Bowman. Mr. Dan Clarke will join our teaching staff. Mr. Clarke was with us on a part-time basis last year and will be teaching Drama and English classes.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all Grade 9 students and their parents/guardians to join us at the school on September 10 at 7:30 P.M. for our annual Grade 9 parent orientation evening. See you then.

It is my hope that your summer has been enjoyable and that your students will return to school rested and focused. Please stay in touch and feel welcome at the school anytime. We sincerely value your ideas, questions and support of our school and programs.

We look forward to our association in the coming year.


For the staff,


Basil Hughton
Principal

REGISTRATION TIMES

All students will register at 8:45 A.M. on Wednesday, August 27th, 2003. Student fees can be paid to the homeroom teacher during the registration period.

Students are asked to attend their Period 2 class (homeroom class) at 8:45 A.M. on this date. Lists will be posted in the main hallway indicating homerooms. The registration period will extend from 8:45 to 10:15 A.M. Following the registration period, students will move to their Period 1 class. The following is the schedule for WEDNESDAY ONLY.

Period 2 (extended) 8:45 - 10:15Period 1 10:20 - 10:55Period 3 11:00 - 11:35Break 11:35 - 11:50Period 4 11:50 - 12:25Period 5 12:30 - 1:05

NOTE: ALL STUDENTS WILL BE DISMISSED AT 1:05 P.M. ON THIS DAY.

The regular schedule occurs on Thursday, with school being out at 3:15 P.M. Note the following Thursday and every Thursday thereafter students will be dismissed at 1:05 P.M. The following schedule will occur throughout the remainder of the year:

BELL TIMES
Period Warning Bell 8:40
1 8:45 - 9:45
2 9:50 - 10:55
Break 10:55 - 11:10
3 11:10 - 12:10
LUNCH HOURWarning Bell 1:05
4 1:10 - 2:10
5 2:15 - 3:15
SCHOOL PHONE NUMBERS

Main Switchboard 683-7800Attendance 683-7805Student Services 683-7825We ask that if you are phoning to report a student's absence, that you contact the Attendance line directly.

GRADE 9 PARENTS
For many grade 9 parents, this year may be the first contact with a high school. To familiarize parents with the operation of Mount Royal, we will be holding an ORIENTATION NIGHT on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:00 P.M. Parents will have the opportunity to follow their students' timetables to get a sense of a typical day at Mount Royal.

The format for the night is an assembly in the Girls' Gym beginning at 7:00 P.M. After short introductions, we will proceed to your student's Period 1 class.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity we are providing. We look forward to meeting you at that time.

TEXTBOOK RENTALS
Students are required to make a one-time deposit of $30.00 to Textbook Rentals for the use of textbooks. Students new to the school may pay by cheque, payable to the Saskatoon Public School Division. (Note: This cheque should be separate from any cheque for school fees.) If all books are returned, students will be refunded the $30.00 fee upon graduation or leaving the school.
LOCKS & LOCKER INFORMATION
Grade 9 and new students must purchase a lock from the school.
Lockers will be assigned by school personnel. Students who are returning to Mount Royal
and who were enrolled until the end of June will retain the same lock and locker as last year.
PHOTOGRAPHS
We remind parents that student photos will be on Monday, September 8th. Please have students come prepared with their best smiles for the occasion. There is no charge for the sitting and students will be offered a choice of two poses from which they may select prints.
Please note that if photos are not taken, the student's name will not appear in the yearbook.
Student photo ID cards will be linked to our student bus passes for this year.
BUS PASSES
The Saskatoon Public School Division is again providing students with a bus pass for a reduced rate if the family lives within the subsidized area. If you live more than 3 km. from your nearest high school, you will be eligible for this subsidy. All students must apply each year by completing a registration form, which is available in the main office. Subsidized passes are $18.00 per month, regular passes are $36.00.
INTERNET USE AT MOUNT ROYAL LIBRARY
Students may access the Internet at Mount Royal Library for class work and other use approved by supervising staff. Students are not to access e-mail or chat groups at any time. Inappropriate use of the Internet will lead to suspension of Internet privileges and/or other consequences deemed appropriate by staff.

At any time, parents or guardians are free to ask that their students no longer be given Internet access. Removal of Internet privileges by a parent or guardian must be indicated by contacting Mount Royal Principal, Mr. Hughton, or Teacher-Librarian, Mrs. Godin at 683-7800.

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE
Mount Royal has the only Gay Straight Alliance in Saskatchewan high schools. Its purpose is to defuse homophobic language and anti-gay behavior and to make Mount Royal a safe place for everyone. If you are interested in becoming involved, listen to the school notices in September.
ACT NOW
Anti-Racist Cross-Cultural Training World citizen? Living in harmony?

Be part of a club that organizes activities and events that promote tolerance, understanding and an appreciation of our diversity.

Teacher Advisors are Ms. Budd, room 235 and Mrs. Cummings, room 103.

STUDENTS AGAINST DRINKING AND DRIVING
Associated with Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving
Dedicated to saving lives and preventing injuries caused by drinking and driving collisions.
Join us to encourage and organize events and activities to educate youth about all the risks associated with impaired driving.

Teacher Advisors: Mrs. Cummings, room 103
Ms. Budd, room 235

"If the thought of dying doesn't stop you from drinking and driving,
imagine losing your license!"

NATIONAL BLOCK PARENT WEEK October 19th - 25th
Watch for more details in October in the Star Phoenix-Sun

Help us to continue to make our community a safe place to be and our best assets - OUR CHILDREN safe. If you would like to make a donation to the Block Parent Program, please mail your cheque to Saskatoon Block Parent Program, P.O. Box 7488, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 4L4

Your most valuable donation is of your time. We encourage you to get involved in your community by displaying your sign, being a contact for your neighbourhood, or joining the executive. Your level of participation is your choice, we only need what you can offer! Please contact us at 373-2323 if you are interested or need more information.