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The Rocky Mountain Goat News PM42164515
Thursday November 3rd, 2016
Serving Valemount, McBride & the Robson Valley since 2010. Locally owned & operated.
Volume 7 Issue 44
Valemount schools aren’t clowning around by EVAN MATTHEWS
Subdivision A02 plans
Hwy text stops?
A03
Letter: MCFC troubles A05
Less than a month after school lockdowns linked to “creepy clowns” uttering threats via social media toward Prince George schools, staff at Valemount Secondary School are empowering kids to carry some social responsibility into the scariest of holidays. There is no formal School District 57 policy in place referencing clown costumes on Halloween, according to Valemount Secondary School’s Principal, Dan Kenkel, but the administration posed a question to the kids: is dressing up as a clown this year a respectful and socially responsible decision, given recent events? “It’s practice as opposed to policy — we emphasize the fun and the leadership aspects to the holiday — the treat over the trick,” says Kenkel. “This is a real positive community event, and we want to continue that,” he says. Many other schools across the district were following Valemount Secondary’s lead, according to Kenkel, in taking a proactive practice approach rather than policy or punishment. And it shouldn’t be Cont’d on A07
Video game aims to save lives
by EVAN MATTHEWS
Hockey night in Robson Valley A09 Listings on A15! P15!
Prince George
Pianos duel
A10
January 31, 2016 will mark one year since the death of Jade Davis’ good friend, who despite having years of backcountry snowmobiling experience, died in an avalanche. After his friend’s death, Davis — who has been snowmobiling since childhood, and has been riding in the backcountry for the last 10 years — started going to free avalanche education classes held in his hometown of Couer d’Alene, Idaho, as well as searching for free, online education. Which is how he came across Backcountry Ascender. “Allan’s death is just proof that accidents can happen to anybody,” says Davis. “You can never have enough education when it comes to avalanches.” He came across Backcountry Ascender about a month and a half ago, and says he really enjoyed it. Launched in September, Backcountry Ascender is a 2-Dimensional computer video game, according to one of its founders, Chris Mayer, and is described as a free and Cont’d on A02 Photo: Beth Russell IGA staff Lisa, Jessica, Cathy and Fern were ready to put a smile to your face on Halloween Monday.
Photo: Laura Keil Adalie Anthony was on the race car circuit on Monday with fellow student Stewart (pushing) at the annual Valemount Elementary Halloween Parade. See more photos A08.