Principal’s Message Self- Esteem vs. Self Control – Which is More Important?

If you happened to raise your children through the 80’s and 90’s, you undoubtedly heeded the experts’ advice to ensure that your child’s self-esteem remained intact. The harsh parenting styles of mid-century left a lot of angry kids, who, when they decided to have some kids of their own, were certain to parent in a more democratic, empathetic manner.

This is a good thing. Research in the late 70’s and early 80’s discovered that the issue of self-esteem was very important. Many experts lauded the notion of improving a child’s self-esteem, mostly through a bombardment of positive affirmation, as the most important consid-eration for raising healthy productive citizens. Their research, and subsequent extrapolation to all aspects of life, however, was generally shoddy, based on small sample sizes, and not true to form. Unfortunately, it did spawn a “self-esteem movement” for over 20 years, and frankly, many of its conclusions have since been discounted.

Don’t get me wrong. Personal self-esteem is important, as it feels good, and improves initiative and confidence. But raising a child’s self-esteem alone does not cure the ills of society as once thought. Here is what we know:

Bullies and criminals in general do not suffer low self-esteem. In fact, most suffer unrealistically high self-esteem

Artificially and ineffectively boosting self-esteem does not improve academic performance

High self-esteem does not make adults perform their jobs better

High self- esteem does not reduce violence

High self-esteem is not a predictor of good leadership (uh oh!)

So what does this mean? Well, it turns out that high self-esteem is really the result, not the cause, of many things which are important. Self-esteem is the result of success, of happiness, of accomplishment, not the cause.

What is much more important than self-esteem? Self Control. Children with good self control:

Do better at school

Are more popular with their peers

Grow up to earn higher salaries

Are less likely to be arrested

Are more likely as adults to have deeper relationships and fewer psychological problems

And, the best part? Self-control can be taught with a firm, empathetic and authoritative parenting style.

Everybody does not always have to be a winner and it is okay to be critical of children, to not let them run the show, and to say “no”, as long as the adult involvement is not harsh and abusive, but done in a supportive, authoritative, and constructive manner. We want our children to pick themselves up, be resilient and move on to the next challenge, and we must be willing to help them through adversity.

In the end, a child with self-control will be able to:

Keep in check destructive behaviours

Have control over all aspects of their life

Keep in check over- emotional responses

Control moods, negative feelings and thoughts

Strengthen self-esteem and confidence

Eliminate feelings of helplessness

Who wouldn’t want a life like that? Well, my Dad for one. He used to say “You have to put the stick next to the tomato plant when it is small, because if you do it when it grows up, it’s already crooked”. Firm parenting, wrapped in love, certainly has its benefits.

Robert Zambrano, Principal

Read our daily newsletter “Centennial Today” at http://cent.sd43.bc.ca

April, 2012

PROGRAMMING FOR 2012-13 Students who are returning to Centennial for the next school year have now completed their sign-up for next year’s courses and our administration is working on next year’s timetable of courses. Any student who is planning to return

to Centennial – and has not yet submitted a course planning sheet for next year – should see his/her counsellor immediately.

CAREER PROGRAMS There are a variety of career programs available to students in grade 10, 11 or 12. These programs can allow students to gain school credits through work but the school district also provides opportunities for students to gain

their first year apprenticeship in 11 different trades during grade 12. Students who work part time during the school year or who have a fulltime summer job in an apprenticable trade, should visit Mr. Miller, transition coordinator/ counsellor, to assess whether it is possible to gain school credits for the work. For more information on these opportunities please check out the district website, http://www.sd43.bc.ca/CareerPrograms, or contact Mr. Miller. FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS Grade 12 students who are planning to attend a post-secondary institution in the Fall should be researching scholarships, awards and bursaries. The Counselling Department has sponsored a Scholarships and Financial Aid Information Session in October and will be holding an additional information session on local Scholarships and Financial Aid on Thursday, April 12. Do note that there are varying sets of criteria and that a number of bursaries are based on financial need not just academic achievement. Check out the Counselling page of the Centennial School website at http://www.sd43.bc.ca/secondary/centennial/ProgramsServices/Counselling/Pages/default.aspx for further information on Financial Aid and for updates and deadlines. Please note, scholarship and award recipients should fill out a “Have You Received a Scholarship?” form so that we can pub-lish the information in our Commencement Ceremony booklet and in local newspapers. Forms for scholarship recipients are located on the table in the counselling area. POST-SECONDARY PLANNING Grade 12 students who have completed applications for admission to local universities should receive their admission letters in early May. All Grade 12 students should have signed the on-line Post-Secondary Institutions Choices form - this form gives permission for marks to be released to post-secondary institutes. Any student who is hoping to attend a post-secondary institute next year and has not signed the form will need to provide the post-secondary with final transcripts. Now is a good time for Grade 10 and 11 students to check out the educational, career and job search resources available in our Career Resource Centre (Room 121) and begin to make some preliminary post-secondary plans. Ms. Nathanson, our Ca-reer Resource Facilitator, has many resources to help students begin their career planning. LPI EXAM AT CENTENNIAL—THURSDAY, APRIL 19 @ 3:00 PM Grade 12 students who are planning to attend SFU, UBC, Douglas, Langara, UVic, or Capilano College in September can register to write the LPI exam at Centennial on April 19 by registering on-line at www.lpi.ubc.ca before midnight on April 10. The $109 fee (+ HST) can be paid by credit card, cheque or money order. For more information, contact Ms. Morissette in the counselling department. ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION The key ingredient for student success is regular attendance. At Centennial, attendance is entered into the computer every day. If you wish to verify your son’s or daughter’s attendance, please do not hesitate to call the counsellor. We can give you a quick update on the day’s or week’s attendance. SUMMER SCHOOL Please note that the School District is still anticipating announcements from the Ministry of Education around Summer Learn-ing, and program changes may occur subject to these announcements and/or the district review process. Information will be posted on the School District website at http://www.ce43.com

IMPORTANT DATES April 16 Secondary Spring Choral Night 7:00 pm April 20 District Professional Development Day May 7 PAC Meeting 7:00 pm May 17 Term 5 Reports Cards available for pick up May 18 School Based Professional Development

CENTENNIAL TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT The Centennial Technology Education Department would just like to take this opportunity during these difficult times to let you know that we continue to provide the very best experience possible for all of our students. All shops are running full speed ahead. The Technology department at Centennial School is looking for your assistance in gathering new and exciting materials for our students to create and experiment with. We realize that in this day and age Recycling is very important and we feel stu-dents would benefit greatly from the opportunity to re-use any used or surplus materials. If you have any items on the following list you would like to donate we, the staff and students, would much appreciate your support.

Materials List: Wood: Metal:

Sheet Stock • Angle Iron

Construction grade lumber • Tube stock

Hardwood • Solid stock • Sheet stock

General: Plastic Piping

Used Computers and other electronics (VCRs, printers, small electric motors, walkmans, stereos and old CD’s

Please no TVs or monitors (safety concerns)

Toys that have good wheels, gears, motors and electronic parts

Gears and pulleys

Gasoline engines like old lawn mowers (working or not) or anything that could be attached to a small gasoline engine (outboard motors, motor bikes, water pumps, etc.)

Magnets

Wheels and casters for school projects

Tools that are repairable

We can be contacted at: spope@sd43.bc.ca

HELP NEEDED

The Centennial Technology program is in need of a Hydraulic Shop Press, either a bench or floor standing press, it does not matter, nor does the strength—2 tones to 20 tonnes. If you are able to help or know someone who might, please contact Mr. Pope at spope@sd43.bc.ca

REPORT CARDS AND PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Report Cards were distributed to students at a homeroom at 3pm, on Wednesday April 11th. If your child has not yet received their Report Card, they can pick it up at the office during regular school hours. As a result, discussions and agreements prior to the end of the teacher’s strike, the Parent Teacher Interviews for April 18th will not occur, that is, it will be canceled. As always, you can contact your child’s teacher by phone or by email to discuss the progress of your child, or to set up and individual meeting.

eport cards and parent teacher interviews:

COQUITLAM PRINCIPALS’ AND VICE-PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION

11th Annual In Motion Event for Cancer Research

The Coquitlam Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association 11th Annual In Motion for Cancer Research event will be held Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 9:00 am at Terry Fox Secondary School. There are three routes for par-

ticipants: 2km, 5km, and 10km.

Come run, walk, ride or roll with us!

This 11th anniversary year’s event will be the best yet, with individuals and teams participating on behalf of members of the School District 43 families who have been affected by cancer. We have always enjoyed good

staff and student participation and we are hoping for another large turnout this year. In 10 years we have contributed over $75,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society. Donations received at the door or online will be

matched by Scotiabank up to $5000!

Online donations can be made at:

http://cancerevents.kintera.org/cpvpa

Registration information can be obtained at local schools or by visiting the School District Website at: www.sd43.bc.ca

For more information contact Darlene Proulx by e-mail at dproulx@sd43.bc.ca or by phone at 604-941-3408.

A Night of Classical Music with Gene Emerson

Date: Saturday, April 14, 2012

Time: 2pm Matinee; 8pm Evening

Location: Heritage Woods Secondary School Theatre

Tickets are available at the school and the door

$10 for students/seniors

$15 for adults

All proceeds go towards Unicef Canada

Heritage Woods Secondary Students are honoured and pleased to present Gene Emerson and her latest com-positions.

Grade 10 Heritage Woods Secondary Students, Gene Emerson will be performing alongside some Vancouver Symphony Orchestra members 25 of her original piano works. Her work is unique and very thought provok-ing. Each composition is attached to a poet (Rumi and Omar Khyan) or a global topic (global warming, war and peace, Spring, etc.). Her caring nature for humanity, nature, all living beings and global peace and well-being shines through all of her compositions in a deep and meaningful way. She is recognized internationally and works with professional musicians on a regular basis.

Gene and her music is truly a gift. We hope you can join us for this unique classical evening of music. Call 604-461-8679 to buy or reserve your tickets.

We are pleased to announce next year’s EUROTOUR 2013. During Spring Break 2013, we will explore parts of GREECE AND ITALY.

During our 2 week tour, we will visit many of these countries most famous landmarks. In our experience as teachers, we have found that the benefits of travel for students are extensive. Not only do they experience new places and cultures, but they also gain confidence in themselves and a new perspective on the world. Travel experience can also prove helpful when applying to colleges and universities.

We have chosen to travel with EF for the past 21 Eurotours because they have been in business for over 40 years and have offices around the world, which makes us feel secure. The cost of the tour includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, a full-time EF Tour Director, daily breakfast and dinner, entrance fees to select attractions and guided sightseeing.

Many applications have already been processed. Please ask your child to see Mrs. R. Ciardullo or Mrs. M. Thomas for a copy of this exciting itinerary.

Warm regards,

Rose Ciardullo and Maria Thomas

EUROTOUR 2013