http://gss.sd42.ca

MESSAGE FROM MR. FREND

Welcome back, Rebels! I hope you have

enjoyed your summer as much as I have

enjoyed mine. I am eagerly anticipating

a fantastic year and I would like to

thank our clerical staff and custodial staff

for doing such wonderful work in prepar-

ing the school for opening day.

Our School Improvement Plan will continue to focus on

improving literacy as well as reducing the number of I’s

students receive. You will probably notice we are also

continuing to focus on incorporating technology into our

school as well. Our new website is up and running and you

will find it packed with information about all aspects of

our school. We will continue to expand our website and

add more sections as the year progresses. You can also

find us on Twitter using the name @GaribaldiRebels. We

will use Twitter to send out short blurbs about important

dates and events. Please update your email address / cell

phone numbers with our office so we may communicate

important updates with you. Many of our students will be

in classes where technology is integrated with learning on

a daily basis. Our grade 8 E-POD program is starting this

year and Mr. Ludeman and Ms. Messner have an IPAD

research project that will start in September. We also have

sets of laptops teachers can sign out and use in their class-

room. We have also purchased FLIP cams and we will be

purchasing GPS devices to provide exciting learning

opportunities for our students. Remember, these projects

are in addition to the outstanding teaching and learning

already occurring in our computer labs and in our library.

We will introduce 2 new and exciting parent events this

September. First, on September 14th at 7 pm we will host

our first Parents-Back-to-School Night. The focus of this

evening will be to provide you with strategies to help en-

sure your child enjoys a great year. We will cover topics

such as: communicating effectively with teachers, moni-

toring your child’s progress, managing your child’s online

behavior (learn about Facebook, Twitter, and privacy is-

sues), and other important topics. I strongly encourage you

to attend this very informative evening. Our second parent

event will be our Student Support Services Parents–Back-

to-School Night on September 28th at 7 pm. This evening

is targeted at providing parents of students on an Individ-

ual Education Plan with strategies to ensure a successful

year. My hope for both of these events is that we not only

Garibaldi Secondary School 24789 Dewdney Trunk Road

Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1X2

Phone: 604-463-6287 Fax: 604-463-0896

August 29, 2011

give you important information, but we also make you feel

welcome in the school.

I believe that a primary purpose of a public secondary

school is to help prepare students for either a job or post-

secondary learning experience. To this end, I am asking

staff to focus this year on teaching students the importance

of communicating in a respectful manner. It is important

for students to reflect on how important communication is.

As adults, we know that how we communicate with others

builds our reputation. I am committed to working with our

students to ensure they understand how important it is to

communicate carefully both in person and online. I would

encourage you to have a conversation with your son /

daughter about this topic on a regular basis.

I am looking forward to this year with great anticipation. It

is an honour to be Principal at Garibaldi Secondary

School. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have

any questions or concerns.

STAFF CHANGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS As Ms. Baldasso recently announced her decision to retire,

we wish to thank her for her years of dedicated service to

Garibaldi and wish her much happiness in this exciting

phase of her life. We also welcome two staff who are re-

turning to Garibaldi - Ms. Dearman, who will be teaching

in the languages department, and Mrs. Mckinley, Special

Education Assistant.

PAC

September 21 at 7:00pm in the

Cafeteria

Parents are reminded of our

Parents’ Advisory Council

which usually meets on the first

Wednesday of every month.

You are invited to attend and be an

active part of our community. This is not a fund raising

group, but an opportunity for parents to be involved in

constructive improvement of the school by assisting in

many of the positive experiences held here. We host spe-

cial guests, offer sessions on specific topics, and discuss

issues. Please mark this date in your calendar.

TEXTBOOKS / UNIFORMS / FEES

We ask that students with outstanding

textbooks / fees / uniforms (and their

parents / guardians) please check their

homes for these resources and return

them to the school. Every textbook that

we get back means more money that we can spend on

other things (athletic uniforms, field trips, art / shop

supplies, etc.) as we will not need to purchase replacement

books. Thanks for your help with this.

Students are reminded that they are responsible for the

textbooks that are issued to them and at the end of the

year, they must be returned in the same condition as when

they were issued.

Outstanding fees can be paid, and textbooks and uniforms

can be returned to the main office. Once these issues have

been taken care of, students can receive their report card

from June in addition to their timetable and locker for this

year.

SCHOOL OPENING

Opening Week

It is very important for students to be

in their advisory on September 6th.

Teachers will provide updates and

give important information during this time.

Fees will no longer be collected in advisory classes. All

students should now have received a letter mailed to

their home, outlining school opening procedures and a

fee sheet . This fee sheet was to be returned with pay-

ment when students received their timetable, locker, etc.

First Week Schedule

Tuesday, September 6

9:30 Advisory

10:00 - 11:00 School wide Assembly

11:00 Dismissal

Wednesday, September 7 - Friday, September 9

PLANNERS AND CODE OF CONDUCT

A previous extensive survey we conducted revealed that

the vast majority of our students do not use a paper-based

planner. As such, planners this year will only be distrib-

uted to incoming grade 8 students, new students to

Garibaldi, and new international students. Our belief is

that current students have a good understanding of our

school systems and policies, while new students will bene-

fit from having a planner. Returning students wishing to

purchase a planner may do so at the Rebel Mart at a cost

of $7.00. All students will receive a copy of our Code of

Conduct in their advisory. As well, the Code of Conduct is

available online at gss.sd42.ca.

TIMETABLE CHANGES

During the first week of school (September 6 – 9 ), only

students with incorrect or incomplete timetables may re-

quest a change. Please see Mrs. Ward to schedule an ap-

pointment.

Once staffing is finalized, students will be called to the

cafeteria by grade to make changes where possible. This

should improve wait times for changes and enable us to

use less paper. Counsellors will not be available for ap-

pointments in their office.

TIMETABLES

Indications are that our enrolment may be up from our

original staffing estimates. This could mean an increase of

several additional blocks of staffing. If this does occur, it

will mean that many of our students may receive new

timetables at some point in September. While this is an

obvious inconvenience, it is unavoidable when new staff-

ing is added. A definite benefit of this is that it generally

means smaller class sizes and improved learning condi-

tions. Thank you in advance for your understanding in this

matter.

PARENTS OF THIS YEARS GRADUATES

This year’s grad parents meeting will be held

on Tuesday, September 20th at 7:00 pm in

the This informative meeting will outline

grad requirements / college and university

applications and new

information on the grad banquet and dry grad.

ATHLETICS

With the opening of our new field and renovations com-

plete, there will be a wide offering of sports available

this year. Please contact Mr. Urquhart, our

athletic director, or our new

website, for details. We strongly

encourage all Garibaldi students to

become involved in athletics.

YEARBOOKS

Students may also wish to make the optional purchase of an

Annual. You may order online at jostenyearbook.com or

order forms are available from Ms. Henry in the office. The

production cost is greater than $50, but due to advertising

revenue and student government support, it is initially sold

to students at this reduced rate. You may want to get your

order in early as the price will increase to $56.00 in January.

Annuals will be withheld at the end of the year from any

students who fail to pay their fees, or have other outstanding

debts owing to the school. When ordering an annual, please

make payment separately from regular school fees and keep

your receipt in a safe place.

BELL SCHEDULE Our bell schedule will remain consistent every day, with the exception of Collaboration Days (please see upcoming dates section). On Collaboration Days, students may receive assistance from senior students at 8:30 and general supervision will be provided by administration and noon hour supervisors. Regular Schedule Collaboration Days

Warning Bell 8:25 8:25 Warning Bell Period 1 8:30 - 9:45 8:30 - 9:40 “X Block” Collaboration time SSR / Advisory 9:49 - 10:09 9:45 - 10:45 Period 1 Period 2 10:13 - 11:28 10:50 - 11:50 Period 2 Lunch 11:28 - 12:01 11:50 - 12:30 Lunch Period 3 12:06 - 1:21 12:35 - 1:35 Period 3 Period 4 1:25 - 2:40 1:40 - 2:40 Period 4

LUNCH CARDS After a highly successful introduction last year, the cafete-ria will continue with the lunch card program. The lunch card looks like a debit card and can be used only at the Garibaldi Secondary Cafeteria. The card will give a dis-count on some items sold at the cafeteria, for example on Healthy Food items. Instead of carrying cash, students can use the lunch card. If the card is lost or stolen, it can be deactivated right away and the balance of any dollar value transferred to a new card. To purchase one of these new cards, please ask any Cafeteria / Kitchen staff. As this is a safer option than carrying cash, we hope many students will take advantage of this oppor-tunity.

The Culinary Arts program is planning a field trip to France during Spring Break 2012. This trip is open to any student in grade 11 or 12 this school year. The trip will include a visit in Paris, Normandy (Mont Saint-Michel) and South West of France known as Périgord. More info to come....

STUDENT PHOTOS

All school photos, including Grad photos, will be by

Mountain West. Jostens will continue to publish our

yearbook.

A service provided by Garibaldi Secondary for all stu-

dents, is their photographs for the yearbook and their

student card. Students must have their photographs taken,

even if they are not purchasing a package, or a student

card can not be generated for them. Families have the

option of purchasing a specific photo package from the

photo sitting. Students must pay the photogra-

pher at the time their photos are taken if purchas-

ing any of these packages. A cheque or

money order is recommended over cash

as payment to secure orders.

Student photos will be taken on

Wednesday, September 14 and

retakes are scheduled for

Wednesday, October 19.

Grad photos will be scheduled at a later date for sittings

from November 1 - 3.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT SCHOOL Here are some reminders of activities for students and parents to ensure a productive and less stressful school year.

Make sure that you are up to date in each of your courses. Hand in all assignments on time If you are having difficulty in a subject, see your teacher for extra help If you have a study block, use it effectively Attend all of your classes. If you have to be absent because of illness, make sure that you have a buddy to collect handouts as well as to teach you what you have missed Form a study group if you work best when studying with others Develop a study routine and stick to it Make sure you have balance in your life. If you have a job, make sure you leave enough time for studying and completing assignments

UPCOMING DATES

Tuesday, September 6 School Opens

Wednesday September 14 School Photos taken

Parents Back to School Night 7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 20 Grad Parent’s Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Café

Wednesday, September 21 First PAC Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Café

Thursday, September 22 Grade 6, 7 & 8 Dance

Friday, September 23 School Growth Planning Day (no regular classes)

Wednesday, September 28 SSS Back to School Night

Friday, September 30 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

Monday, October 10 Thanksgiving Day Statutory Holiday

Wednesday, October 19 Photo Retakes

Thursday, October 20 Student Led Conferences (no regular classes)

Friday, October 21 Pro - D Day (no regular classes)

Friday, October 28 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

November 1– 3 Grad Photo Sittings (by appointment only)

Friday, November 11 Remembrance Day

Monday, November 14 Altered Calendar School Closure

Friday, November 18 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

Friday, December 16 Report Cards Issued

December 19 - 30 Christmas Vacation

Monday, January 2 New Year’s Day Statutory Holiday

Friday, January 20 Pro-D Day

Thursday, January 26 I Day

Friday, January 27 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

Thursday, February 2 Student Led Conferences (no regular classes)

Wednesday, February 8 I Day

Thursday, February 9 Garibaldi Open House & Grade 7 Information Night

Wednesday, February 15 Pro-D Day

Friday, February 17 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

February 21 - 25 Major Theatre Production

Friday, March 9 Report Cards Issued

March 12 - 23 Spring Break

Wednesday, March 28 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

Friday, April 6 Good Friday Statutory Holiday

Monday, April 9 Easter Monday Statutory Holiday

Friday, April 20 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

Thursday, April 26 Pro-D Day

Friday, May 11 Collaboration Day-classes start at 10:00

Monday, May 21 Victoria Day Statutory Holiday

Tuesday, May 22 Pro-D Day

Wednesday, May 30 Grade 7 Exchange Day (present grade 8 students stay home)

Friday, June 8 Graduation Ceremony, Banquet & Dry Grad

Maple Ridge Fire Department - Youth Academy This program is designed for students 16 - 18 years old

that are interested in the Fire Service as a possible career.

Students must be in grade 11 or 12, have a minimum C+

average last year, have a good attendance record, be

physically fit and display a willingness to work.

The academy will be on Thursday afternoons from

2:00 - 5:00 from October to June. Students com-

pleting the academy will receive credit for

Work Experience 12.

Applications are available from Mrs. Gould

and are due by September 19.

Volunteen - Ridge Meadows Hospital

Volunteen is a good opportunity for students to be exposed

to the hospital setting. Applications are available from Mrs.

Gould and are due by the end of September, exact date to

follow.

Students that are interested in participating in

the school job-shadowing program at the hos-

pital, should be considering doing volunteen.

The two programs together would complete

the requirements for Work Experience 12.

For further information on these programs,

please see Mrs. Gould.

WORK EXPERIENCE / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES