Cont’d. Page 2

Home of the Mighty Voyageurs

DATE: September 29, 2011

Principal: Todd Clerkson Vice-Principal: Carmel Smith Community School: Heather Roemer

www.sd43.bc.ca/pittriver Phone: 604-942-0267 Phone: 604-464-0207

CALENDAR 2010 - 11

(Reminder to check your Fridge

Magnet regularly)

Oct. 10 - Thanksgiving Day (no school

Oct. 11 - Picture retakes)

Oct. 14 - Interims home

Oct. 18 - Parent-Teacher Mtgs.

Early dismissal 1:20**

(CANCELLED)

Oct. 21 - Pro D Day (Provincial)

In this edition…. Calendar reminder for

October

From the Principal

Team & School News

Neighbourhood Happen-

ings

Principal’s Message

We have had a great start to the

school year!

Enrolment: Our enrolment is up by

28 students bringing us to 410. We

have welcomed some new staff

members (Mme. O’Grady, Mme.

Manton, Mme. Fenrick, Ms. Lloyd,

Mr. Hashmi, and Ms. Purdy), all of

whom have been fantastic additions!

We also created a 4th team (The

Grizzlies) and added a 17th division.

Eight of our seventeen divisions are

now French Immersion.

Activities: Our staff has been busy

hosting a number of events already,

including a BBQ, pancake breakfast,

Terry Fox Run, Spirit Assembly, and

Activity Day field trips. We have an

incredibly dedicated staff at Pitt; I

am so grateful. The students are full

of enthusiasm and positive energy.

Pitt is always such a fun place to be!

Athletics: Volleyball, Cross-

Country, and Swimming are all un-

der way. Just a reminder that for

Grade 6s, the program is intramural

in nature; kids practice at noon hour

and play in a couple of fun tourna-

ments, whereas Grade 7s and 8s

participate in inter-school competi-

tion.

Band & Choir: Mr. Lambert has

once again attracted a huge crowd!

The Beginner Band has 64 students,

Advanced Band 66, and Choir 39.

Thanks to Mr. Lambert for manag-

ing to accommodate so many kids!

Learning: Classes are in full swing

and fully into the curriculum.

While, at this time, job action will

preclude formal conferences and

reporting, you are encouraged to

keep an open line of communication

with your child’s teachers so you can

be kept up to date on your child’s

progress,

FSA Results: While the merit of

these tests is highly debatable, I al-

ways like to report positive news .

We received last year’s FSA re-

sults and Pitt River students per-

formed extremely well. In the ar-

eas of Reading, Writing, and Nu-

meracy, Pitt River ex-

ceeded the District and Pro-

vincial averages of number of

students meeting expectations

by more than 10%. Well

done Pitt!

Construction Update: The plans

were completed in June and the per-

mit applications are currently with

the City awaiting approval. I have

been in contact with the City and

assured that the process is underway

and that the

Principal’s Message…/cont.

project is a priority. Hopefully we

will see some bulldozers soon .

FRENCH IIMMERSION

All Grade 7 Immersion parents

are invited to the Quebec trip

information meeting on

Wednesday, October 5 at

7:30. This meeting will be held

in Mme Blackburn’s room

(112). Information about

dates, price and itinerary will

be discussed.

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 2

TEAM AND SCHOOL NEWS

FROM THE LIBRARY…..

The Library is pleased to report that there seems to be an increase in the number of students enjoying the Library this year. The Library is open to take out books from 8 am to 3:30pm most days.

The book fair is from Oct.24th to Oct 26th. If you

can volunteer your help for the eve-ning opening I would appreciate it. You only need to help for an hour. Help with advertising and promotions is also need. The jobs that volunteers can do will be on the Library website.

T he Moose Team is off to a great start. All the students have

made and displayed their own Moose.

We are off to the pool in Maple Ridge and then to Meadows Maze for our team activity day on Septem-ber 30.

Please make sure to check the classroom websites for upcoming dates and, of course , daily homework!

BAND AND CHOIR NEWS

Band and Choir has started for all

Grades. By now your child should have

chosen his/her instrument. Below is a

schedule for band and choir. Please

post this at home:

Band 6 practices on Tuesday & Thursday

mornings at 8:00am

Band 7/8 practices on Monday, Wednesday

and Friday mornings at 8:00 am

Choir practices on Tuesday and Thursday af-

ternoon from 3:05—3:45 pm.

EMAIL ADDRESSES

We will be using parent emails occasionally to send out

information, especially for PAC events, Newsletter re-

minders, and any urgent information that needs to be

passed on. Please ensure that we have the correct ad-

dress as we have noticed in the past that some emails

addresses come back on a consistent basis..

If you find that you do not ever receive emails, please

give us a call at 604-942-0267 or email dpear-

son@sd43.bc.ca. We would hate for you to miss out on

important stuff!

Trading Post: We are pleased to offer a great breakfast

program in the Trading Post every morning to ALL of

our students! Breakfast Clubs of Canada provides us

funding to offer this program which provides a healthy

meal to students each morning. The program is run by

our Youth Worker, Ms. Deb Van Veen. Kids are also

welcome to come by the Trading Post at Nutrition Break for

a snack. We do not offer a formal lunch program.

In addition to supporting the nutritional needs of our students,

Ms. Van Veen has established the Trading Post as a place for

students to gather before school, at Nutrition Break, and at

lunch. A variety of activities such as board games, foosball,

pool, video games, crafts, cards and reading materials are

available for students to enjoy when visiting the Trading Post.

The Trading Post philosophy involves a give-and- take ap-

proach to community membership. If you, as a community

member are in a position to give to the Trading Post then do-

nations are welcome and if your son or daughter, as a commu-

nity member would benefit from resource support during the

school day, then the Trading Post is a place they can turn to. If

you have any questions or would like to find out more infor-

mation please do not hesitate to contact the main office to

speak with Mr. Clerkson, Mrs. Smith, or Ms. Van Veen.

Mr. T. Clerkson

Principal

.

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 3

YEARBOOK INFORMATION

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 4

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT PITT RIVER IN THE FALL 2011 BROCHURE

By now you should have received the brochure containing details about the upcoming Fall after-school programs. Below is a list of programs offered. If you did not receive one, extra copies are in the office area.

WORLD CHEFS GR 5 - 8 Tuesdays 3:15-4:45pm Oct 11 – Nov 29th Pitt River 8/ $50

SPRING FLOOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Grade 5 - 8

Beyond The Bell - In Partnership with Port Co­quitlam Parks and Recrea-tion

Fridays 3:00 to 4:30 pm Oct 15 – Dec 9th 7/$20.00

Glee Jazz and Hip Hop GR. 6 - 8 Wed 3:30 - 4:30 pm Oct 12 – Nov 30th 8/$40

Red Cross Babysitter Certificate Course 11-15 YRS

Saturday November 19th 9 am to 4 pm $50.00 Contact Colin, at 604 723-4082 or comckay@shaw.ca for more informa-

tion

Twisted Thursdays The Art of Weaving Free Thurs Lunchtime Sign up Drop In Free

Mixed Media Art Lessons Gr 6-8

By “Wallflowers and Beyond” Art Gallery Mondays 330 – 5 pm Oct 17 / 24 / 31 Nov 7 / 21/ 28 6wks/$60.00

Room 201 (Includes all supplies)

Adult Group Fitness Training Tues/Thurs 4 – 5 pm Starts Oct 18th Pitt River Mini Gym $50/ month

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 5

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR YOUR CHILD TO DO? WELL,

CHECK THESE OUT!!!!!!!

NEIGHBOURHOOD HAPPENINGS

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 6

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 7

COQUITLAM RCMP COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SURVEY ONLINE

Do you live, work or go to school in Anmore, Belcarra, Kwikwetlem First Nation, Coquitlam or Port Coquitlam?

Are you 18 or older?

Do you have opinions about crime, safety & policing in your community?

Then the Coquitlam RCMP needs to hear from you.

Please visit www.coquitlam.rcmp.ca to fill out a brief survey.

The survey will be live from August 29 to September 23.

Survey results will help us plan police services for the next three years.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT PLACE DES ARTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS

1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam | 604.664.1636 Place des Arts Family Open House Saturday September 10, 2 to 4PM Admission: Free!

Discover the world of art at Place des Arts annual Family Open House. Enjoy fun arts & crafts activities, take a tour of the centre, participate in hands-on teacher demos, win fabulous door prizes and get a $10 discount on class registration during the event. Programmers will be available to answer questions. Family Day at PdA: A Canada Culture Days Event Sunday, October 2, 1:30 – 3:30PM Admission: FREE! Gather up the family and celebrate Canada Culture Days at Place des Arts. View exhibitions and hear exhibit-ing artists discuss their inspiration and process; discover the talents of Place des Arts’ teachers and staff in the annual Art Feats exhibition; then participate in drop-in style visual and performing arts workshops designed for all ages! Yummy treats will be available in the Van Gogh Café. Don’t be intimidated by art, get engaged in it! Place des Arts Fall Session Classes Place des Arts has many great fall session classes geared towards middle school youth in music (guitar, fid-dle, taiko drumming, drum set, singing fundamentals), theatre arts (Drama Club, Mask & Physical Theatre, Instant Theatre, Circus Arts, Speech Arts, Next Stage), visual art (drawing & painting, cartooning, animation, mixed-media, fibre fun, pottery wheel throwing) and creative writing. Registration is now open and may be done by phone at 604.664.1636, in person at Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam or online at www.placedesarts.ca where you may also view the full 2011/12 program guide. Class highlights for youth Upcoming Events at Place des Arts…/contd. Mask & Physical Theatre Class 10-13 & 14-17 years Saturdays, Sept 24 – Dec 10

Curious about Commedia Dell’Arte or dazzled by Cirque du Soleil? Training in masks and physical theatre is fundamental to any acting program and provides actors with powerful tools for imagination and creative thinking. Create magical environments, explore movement and connect with the present moment through mask work. Each session builds upon the last, but new students are welcome to begin in the fall, winter or spring session. Teacher: Emilie LeClerc.

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 8

Drama Club 11-13 years Wednesdays, Sept 21 – Dec 7

Join the Drama Club! This class takes a multidisciplinary approach to acting – without losing the fun! Read scenes, write scenes, create characters and even get ready for your close up with on-camera audition train-ing. Don’t dream it – be it! Teacher: James O’Shea. This class takes place at the Evergreen Cultural Centre; register at Place des Arts.

Next Stage* 13-17 years

Wednesdays & Saturdays, Sept 21 – Jun 23

Were you born to perform? Next Stage is a new theatre program with an emphasis on live performance. Train using elements of movement, improvisation and voice. Be an integral part of a team of young actors committed to the production of an exciting published script. A performance of the play in our black-box theatre rounds out the season. Teachers: James O’Shea and Emilie LeClerc.

*This class runs twice a week: Wed at Evergreen Cultural Centre & Saturday at Place des Arts.

Fantasy Writing for Teens 13-19 years

Mondays, Sept 19 – Dec 5

Magic, shape shifters, wizards or vampires – the fantasy genre is as popular as ever. Learn how to write be-lievable characters with plots that are fresh and interesting. Explore mythologies and learn how to seek out who publishes what you write. Teacher: James McCann

Fibre Arts Sampler Workshop 12-17 years

Mondays, Sept. 19 - Oct 24 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Learn about fibres and their uses while creating beautiful handmade crafts. You will explore a variety of tech-niques such as spinning and dyeing, weaving on a table loom, felting, and more. Returning students will be offered new challenges. Teacher: Catherine Dumaine.

Pitt River Middle School, 2070 Tyner Street, Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 2Z1 604-942-0267 Page 9