On The Trail - October, 2003 (Back to Publication Main Menu)
Index
Our school year is well underway and we are excited about the excellent opportunities available to our students. We extend a warm welcome to those of you who are new to our community and encourage you to get involved as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience for your young person. We all look forward to meeting you at one of our school events.
Our extra-curricular program is well underway. Our fall sports teams are representing our school well. Athletes and coaches should be congratulated for their efforts. Our annual Mustang Volley tournament will take place October 23-25. It is a great opportunity for staff and students to enjoy some of the best high school volleyball in Western Canada. The Royal Tip Off Classic Basketball Tournament will take place December 4-6. These large undertakings provide excellent learning opportunities for our students. Our Drama Department has begun rehearsals for the annual Dinner Theatre. This year's production "Baby," will go up on Friday November 28.
The community school council had their first meeting and as a result we now have a number of events planned for the year. The council has representation from our students, our staff and our parent group. Through this re-structuring we are hoping that the group will take on a planning and facilitating role with direction from all stakeholders. A first year goal of Council is to organize two parent evenings. Our first of the year will be held on November 25. Please mark the evening on your calendar and join us at the school to enjoy conversation regarding student opportunities.
We are excited about the Mount Royal Community Circles of Renewal Project. This innovative partnership with the Saskatoon Rotary Club has given us some more flexibility in dealing with conflict resolution in our school. We are the first school in Canada to have such a program and our proud to be "leading edge" in this area. It is our hope that the success we experience with this program will be utilized in other communities within our city and province. Our group of student mediators is excited about making a difference in our school. On October 8, this joint venture had it's media kick-off. We are anticipating great outcomes from this initiative.
The Boys' Gym renovations are nearly complete. We are enjoying the new ceiling with improved lighting, a new paint job and a re-finished floor. This gives us two first-class facilities to utilize when hosting schools from around Western Canada at our two major tournaments each year. It also gives our students a facility they can be proud of for years to come.
Our enrolment was 1584 on September 30, including 225 students at Royal West. Of the total number, 34% or 539 students are of aboriginal decent. We continue to work hard to meet the needs of our diverse student population. Teachers will be involved in professional development activities on October 10 to investigate the various ways our students learn. We also had our annual Community Schools In-service on Monday, September 29 at Bedford Road Collegiate. Teachers attended some very worthwhile sessions.
I encourage parents/guardians to continue to take an active role in your sons'/daughter's education. Our school start-up has been extremely smooth. This is due, in no small part, to the cooperation we have received from each of you. Thanks in advance for your interest and support of Mount Royal, our students and our staff.
On behalf of the staff,
Basil Hughton
Principal
PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS were held on Wednesday, October 8th and Thursday,
October 9th, 2003. Report cards will be issued to students on Friday, November
14th, 2003.
On Wednesday, November 5th, 2003 the Grade 9 students will take part in Take
Our Kids To Work Day. On this day, students in Saskatoon and across Canada
will be spending the day in the workforce to gain a better understanding of
what it means to go to work.
Information packages have been mailed to the student's home. Please fill in
the consent form and return them to your son or daughter's Period 3 teacher.
If you have any questions, please call Heather Puls at 683-7800.
Mount Royal Collegiate and the Saskatoon Rotary Club have joined forces to create an exciting new pilot project. The Mount Royal Community Project will attempt to assist the community and Mount Royal Collegiate in developing a sustainable viable community. A major goal of this year's project is the implementation of an effective restorative justice/conflict resolution program at Mount Royal Collegiate. Through the Restorative Justice component, youth will be assisted and supported in developing skills in how to resolve conflict, increase self-esteem, and respect for each other and their community. The program will allow youth in conflict within the school and community an opportunity to find effective means for resolving their problems within a caring and supportive environment in the school. Other first-year goals include the implementation of a peer mediation group, help staff, students, parents and community members in culturally responsible strategies and conducting victim/offender mediations, peace circles and community conferences. Dean Kabaroff Restorative Justice Worker
Donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated:
CROSS COUNTRY is well underway. Jesus Newsham and Claudia Newsham will be representing our school at City Championships on October 8th, 2003 at Victoria Park. Start time is 4:00 P.M. Join us!
As a special addition to this year's Mustang Volley, we are honouring our first ever "Friend of Mustang Volley", Carol Howlett. A long-time coach, teacher and mentor at Mount Royal from 1967 - 1991, Carol inspired many people, but especially her student athletes. If you had the privilege of playing for Miss Howlett, we would love to welcome you to her induction and to the Mustang Alumni social after the Girls' Final at Mustang Volley on Saturday, October 25th. For more information, contact Paula Patola at Mount Royal at 683-7800 or at ppatola@shaw.ca
MUSTANG VOLLEY will take place on Thursday, October 23rd, Friday, October
24th and Saturday, October 25th, 2003. The tournament will once again feature
top teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
On the girl's side defending Mustang Volley, city and provincial champions
Aden Bowman will face tough competition from the #1 and #2 ranked teams in
Manitoba, Brandon Crocus Plains and Winnipeg River East Collegiate. On the
boys' side defending provincial champion P.A. Carlton will be back to improve
upon its Mustang Volley silver medal from 2002. Winnipeg Dakota Collegiate
the #1 ranked team in Manitoba.
This year at Mustang Volley Carol Howlett, long-time Mount Royal teacher and
coach, will be honoured as a Friend of Mustang Volley. She initiated the girls'
side of the tournament in 1972.
21 Career and Work Exploration are starting their first job placements in
the community business sector. The students have been studying Job Search
Techniques for the past month to prepare them for their first experience in
the workforce. They have learned and prepared cover letters, resumes and applications.
The students are excited and nervous about their work placement. They work
Monday through Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. until October 31st.
We thank the many business partners who make this program possible. Mount
Royal Work Exploration students are placed in the following businesses:
The Commissioners, Tramps, Blue Notes, SMP, Shoppers Drug Mart, Petland, Below
the Belt, Confederation Inn, Superstore, Radisson Hotel, Confederation Day
Care, Athlete's World, Mac's Convenience Store, McKagues Funeral Home, Sport
Chek, A-1 Aquarium and Ruckers.
MDA 09
We have an enthusiastic hardworking group of Grade 9 MDA's students. They
are already selling chocolates, working at school events and completing schoolwork.
We have a myriad of upcoming events in October and November. On September
24th Mrs. Regnier, resource room teacher from Nutana, gave an informative
session on time management and study skills. We all learned valuable tips.
On October 8th we spent the day at Shekinah, working on leadership and group
processing activities. On the same day, students worked at Parent-Teacher
Interviews and hosted a bake sale. This is in an attempt to fundraise for
a spring trip to Banff.
On October 21st we will walk to Persephone Theatre to watch The Tempest. This
is to compliment our Shakespeare unit in grade 9.
On October 29th a well-known Saskatoon author, Shelley Leedahl, will provide
a writing workshop. She provides insight into the world of writing and publishing.
We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend Fire, a multi-media
presentation at the Centennial Auditorium on November 14th. The storyline
reveals the importance of communication as it examines violence and the victims
of violence.
As a class, we have discussed the possibility of a spring trip to Banff. Students
are very excited and sold chocolates in September and are doing a "Pennies
to Dollars" fundraiser in October. They have worked at Parent Orientation
Night and Parent-Teacher Interviews. Thank you to the community and parents
for their valuable support!
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES AT
MOUNT ROYAL COLLEGIATE
Mount Royal Collegiate, located at 2220 Rusholme Road, is pleased to offer
the following courses at no cost. Registration is limited to ten people per
class. Each class will run for ten sessions before Christmas and be repeated
for another ten sessions in the new year. Registration is on a first come,
first served basis. To register, please call Deb Morris at 664-3944.
Internet
Thursdays, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Room 233
Session 1: October 9 - December 11, 2003
Session 2: January 8 - March 25, 2004 (no classes February 5 & 19, 2004)
Come use our C.A.P. Computer Lab During the Day and Hone Your Skills
All community residents are invited to use our Community Access Program (C.A.P.) Computer Lab during each school day from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon and 1:00 - 3:30 pm. An assistant will be available 17 hours per week to help community residents as needed. Exact hours of assistance will be posted. The CAP Computer Lab is located adjacent to the Student Services Office on the main floor. Please use the main entry on Rusholme Road when coming to use the computers. We hope to see you in our building. If you have any questions, please call Nina at 683-7822.
Classes will be held at 510 Cynthia Street from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fees for one-day workshop are $75/person or $125/couple or co-parenting team.
Lunch and handouts included.
For description and registration
visit our website at: http://saskatoonadleriansociety.org or register by calling
975-0885
In June 2003 approximately 80 students participated in a Student Forum at Mount Royal. Students spent the afternoon addressing a number of topics in small group sessions that were led by trained student facilitators. Student ideas were recorded and compiled into a seven-page report. Here are some highlights from the report:
Students were asked, "What Do You Value Most About Mount Royal?"
The top ten responses were:
1. Classes are good, curriculum is excellent and there is lots of curriculum
choice;
2. Sports programs - we have so many;
3. There are great teachers at Royal;
4. The atmosphere in the school is good;
5. The Student Lounge area is a good idea (games and TV are great);
6. The student Forum is a good opportunity to voice opinion and meet new people.
It's good to know that
student opinion is valued and wanted;
7. "Welcome Week" is a lot of fun;
8. Dances are great;
9. The people are great - we have many different races and cultures at Royal;
10. There are lots of programs and clubs at the school.
Students were then asked "What New Programs or Supports Should We Start at Royal?"
In regard to facility improvement, the top six responses were:
1. Build a student parking lot - with security measures;
2. Have an Automated Teller Machine at the school;
3. Have more food choices, better hours of operation and "quality food"
in the cafeteria;
4. Have more security in the school;
5. Move the Infant Care Centre away from the smoking area;
6. Renovate the washrooms and clean them more often.
In regard to school policies, the top five responses were:
1. Students should be allowed to wear hats in class;
2. Teachers should read student notices to their class instead of using the
intercom;
3. Students should be allowed to eat in the hallways;
4. Students should be allowed to use discmans and walkmans while working in
class;
5. As a school, we should review the school day (start time, lunch hour, etc.).
In regard to Academics and Courses, the top five responses were:
1. Start a cosmetology program;
2. Have more out-of-school opportunities and field trips;
3. Have more language classes (Japanese, Spanish, Islam, Italian, Greek);
4. Use "hands-on" and "fun-focused" teaching methods.
Subject material is easier to remember if it's memorable;
5. Offer a "Futures" course to prepare students for University or
for work.
In regard to Clubs and Teams, the top five responses were:
1. Develop a fundraising group for the school - hold more fundraisers;
2. Organize an outdoor lacrosse team;
3. Set aside a place in the school for hacky sack players to practice in the
winter;
4. Start a chess club;
5. Organize a swim team.
During the 2003/04 school year, staff, students and the Community School Council will begin to address many of these issues and look at the possibilities for making recommended changes at Mount Royal. Watch for updates in future newsletters.
Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Time: 6:00 pm - Supper
6:30 pm - Information Sharing
Location: Mount Royal Collegiate Cafeteria
2220 Rusholme Road, Saskatoon, SK
Cost: Free
Activities for the Evening
Supper........ enjoy chilli, bannock, refreshments and dessert
"Strength of Spirit" Video ....... Aboriginal student perspectives
Information sharing and moving forward
· What are the issues in Aboriginal Education?
· What are we doing well at Mount Royal?
· Should there be changes to academic or extra-curricular programs?
· How can we better meet the diverse needs of Mount Royal Students
and the community?
We welcome you to come, connect with community members and school staff, share ideas, and help to make Mount Royal the best possible educational experience for our youth. For information call Nina Henry at 683-7822.