TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Editor's Note and
2
Acknowledgements Grade 8 Camp
3-4
In School Camp
5-6
Highschool Hacks
7-9
Design.6668
10-13
Teacher Interviews
14-22
1
Editor’s Note Welcome to Press’s 2019-2020 year’s inaugural issue! This year, your Executive team has decided to take on ambitious endeavours to make Press the best it has ever been. Our plans for this year range from collaborating with SLSS’s other amazing clubs to featuring new regular columns and ensuring easier reads. As well, in an attempt to reach out to all Sharks, we now have a WeChat account! September's content is unrestricted — we decided to go themeless — and brings to you a variety of subjects. From covering happenings like grade 8 away camp, grade 8 in-house camp, and to an introduction to SLSS’s new and returning teachers — this issue has it all! The team of this month’s edition hopes you’ll enjoy our work. And if you are just as excited about Press as we are, join us! Shadower applications are available online as a Google Form, but if you can’t find it, message any of the Executives! Meetings will now be on Fridays twice a month, one main meeting and one check-in meeting, in Ms. McBurney’s new room (404). Our first meeting was on October 4th and we will continue having meetings on Fridays. We look forward to seeing you at the meetings!
The Press Executive Team
Acknowledgements Executives: Editor-in-Chief - Krishangi Dandapure Editors - Felix Ma & Jessie Hall Secretary - Janice Chan Public Relations - Leo Li & Grace Xuan Content Directors - Lily Li & Bria Sequeira IT Director - Shirley Li
Front Cover/Art: Gina Guan
2
Grade 8 Camp Outdoor fun? Good food? Interesting activities? Dancing Kings and Queens? Grade 8 camp has them all! Each year a team of students in grade 11 and 12 work hard to organize a camp for the new grade 8’s. The goal is to introduce the grade 8’s to the values we have here at Steveston-London. Camp is a great place to meet new people and to experience new things. Some of the main events at camp are the dance, camp fire, night games and talent show. However, this year due to some ghastly weather the night games were unfortunately cancelled and the camp fire became a traffic cone with a light under it. Despite the rain, the campers and leaders alike made the most of the experience bonding over a sing-along and dancing to YMCA. All in all, everyone made it to and from school in one piece and we are proud to announce that camp was a huge success!
Here are some interviews with some of the campers:
Describe your camp experience in one word or phrase: Davis Lee: Fun! The camp leaders were inclusive of everyone no matter what and adjusted to each person’s personality. Jack Shaw: It was pretty good...except for the rain. Zebee Van Den Boer: A lot of waiting. Mika Sander: A lot of new people. Emma Yee: Fun! Micha Strydom: It was really fun! Niki Gu: Fun!
If you could relive one memory from camp, what would it be? Davis Lee & Jack Shaw: THE DANCE! Zebee Van Den Boer: Eating s’mores!!! Mika Sander: Being with the group. Emma Yee: The hike! Micha Strydom: The dance. Niki Gu: The dance!
3
Now some insight into the leader experience provided at camp:
How would you explain you camp experience in one word or phrase? Trevi Dy: Memorable. The day time we spent with the kids, while the night time we spent with leaders were both equally fun and unforgettable. Kyle Yeung: Legacy.
If you could relive on memory from camp, what would it be? Trevi Dy: Me and the “Best Crew” performing our dance in front of all the grade 8’s, teachers and leaders. Kyle Yeung: Performing with my kids in the talent show.
What was something you learned from being a camp leader? Trevi Dy: I learned that if you are sleep deprived for two nights, the next night you sleep is gonna be the best sleep of your entire life! Kyle Yeung: That I am much more to many people than I think I am.
What are some words you would use to describe your team of leaders? Trevi Dy: Versatile. Shir Dayan: Go with the flow, fun, collaborative, hard-working, good vibes! Miguel Thompson: Diverse!
4
In-House Camp In-house camp is a three day experience for grade 8’s who aren’t able to attend away camp. This year there were 15 grade 12 leaders who planned and led multiple sessions. The team’s goal was to create a sense of community and pave the way to the grade eights’ high school journey.
Describe your in-house experience in one word: Kalie: Great. Kara: Memories. Ethan: Serendipity. Favourite activity? Tilika: Campfire and s’mores. Kevin: Table tennis. Emerie: All activities were great; meeting people.
What’s one memory you’ll take away from camp? Kevin: Participating in activities, it was fun!
Caroline: Cooking tacos! I enjoyed the cooking experiences and creating the meal along with a team.
What led to in-house? Melody: Having gone to away-camp last year, I felt it was another fun way to have the camp experience while working with kids at school who are unable to attend away camp.
Enrico: What led me to in-house camp was not being cut from away camp itself, but it was because I knew that I wanted to help kids who wouldn’t get the same experience as they were going to get if they were to go away camp. I still wanted to be involved with the incoming grade 8’s even though I wasn’t at away camp and to be honest it’s easier to make a connection with the kids at in-house due to smaller numbers. The biggest takeaway is knowing that I made these kids smile over the past 3 days.
5
Biggest takeaway? Lisa: The biggest takeaway was probably spending time with all the grade 8’s and realizing in-house camp is just as valuable as the away camp experience. Brandon: I really enjoyed the taco making session where all members built on teamwork and communication. All the kids also enjoyed making the food and eating it afterward.
Favourite memory: Kyle: I enjoyed the eggdrop session because it was a fun experience. Not only did the kids experience teamwork but seeing the kids’ reaction when the egg didn’t crack was priceless.
Ben: I enjoyed playing mafia since the leaders who led the session were almost as excited as the kids. Everyone participated well and the game brought a sense of community. I believe we all got closer in the end.
6
Highschool Hacks For Grade 8’s By: Lily Li
High School in its beginnings is extremely intimidating; you feel like Alice after drinking the potions and suddenly everything around you is foreign and gigantic compared to elementary school. You don’t even know where you’re going and you have no idea how you even ended up there. All of us at SLSS Press have been there, hence why we have this amazing article for you! Here are some helpful tips on ways you can “hack” high school.
1. Save the map or the bell schedule as your lock screen! Then when you get lost and freak out, there’s always a copy of the map with you. It’s also less noticeable that you’re lost because you’re just looking at your phone!
2. Budget your time and plan ahead. Planning ahead is such an important aspect of high school. For example, if I am in the 400 wing at lunch, my next class is science and I also need to go to my locker first. I should probably get going and say bye to my friends at 1:25! This way you won’t be running in the hallways in fear of being late for class.
3. Get to class early. Although this tip is related to the last one, it is a little different. By being early to class, not only do you get to find a good spot to settle in, but it also allows you room for error in case you’ve forgotten to bring anything from your locker!
4. Be nice to your teachers!! Simply saying“good morning”and“goodbye”is a really nice way to make your teachers feel acknowledged and appreciated. We have to remember that teachers have feelings too and they are not as scary as they seem!
5. Erasable pens. Erasable pens are great for neat and clear printing. Taking notes in different coloured erasable pens is just so much more fun and it allows you to change mistakes without whiteout!
6. Use your agenda. Even if it’s just for writing down homework and assignment due dates. It may seem easy to remember all your homework, but it is much better to be safe than sorry. A lot of teachers will deduct marks for late work, some may not even accept late assignments.
7
7. Memorize your Student Number, or have it somewhere on your phone, it can come in handy as we need it for a lot of things that require documentation in high school!
8. Take note of your teachers’ email addresses, so that when you have questions about an assignment, you know how to reach them. In the event that you lose it, teacher emails can generally be found on the SLSS website!
9. Use a legible and professional font such as Times New Roman on your essays or formal assignments. Don’t ever use comic sans or a font that is too difficult to read. Illegible work will likely decrease your chances of getting a good mark.
10. Invest in reinforcement stickers. Reinforcement stickers are doughnut-shaped stickers that prevent the holes on important handouts from being ripped.
11. Bring lots of lined paper! Always having extra lined paper is never a bad thing, you never know when you might be expected to hand in your in classwork. It is a great way to make friends as well!
12. Talk to someone new! Everyone your age is new to high school, talking to someone in your class who didn't go to your catchment elementary school can really make a difference, especially if they don’t know anyone at all.
8
Must Have Items: Stationery Binders and dividers Pen recommendations Lined paper Hole-punch stickers A RULER!!
Miscellaneous Hand sanitizer Water bottle Separate Drawstring bag for PE Extra lock for PE (if you want)
What should I do if... I have to be absent because I’m sick, I have an appointment, etc? Get a note from your parents and let the teachers know ahead of time, on the day of the appointment if you have to leave early, sign out at the office first. If you are sick in the morning, ask your parents to call the office for you and rest up!
I can’t remember if there was homework! / I have a question about my homework and I don’t know what to do. The first thing you should do is check Edmodo or your teacher’s website if there is one. If that isn’t an option, then you can ask a friend! If none of those work, you can always email the teacher. I am sure they are happy to help, just don’t email them at 10:30 pm.
I feel out of place and I don't fit in Talk to your camp leaders, or reach out to a counsellor/teacher that you like.
9
DESIGN.6668 Observing students of Steveston-London and their growing interest in arts and design, Acknowledging that many Instagram feeds are in need of new additions, Guided by a desire to show the students of Steveston-London the beauty of our surroundings, no matter how intricate or grand, 1. Publishes monthly issues on relative design and Instagrammable topics 2. Stands as its own column on the SLSS Press website 3. Encourages students to send suggestions for features at a. slsspress@gmail.com, b. @slsspress — Ig, c. @slsspress — Sc.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
September Issue. By: Leo Li September. The start of a season of falling leaves and rainy days. This season, which signifies the start of another school year, may come as a signal to many that the days of enjoying life are over, and while that may be true, SLSS Press believes that everyone can always make time to appreciate the environment around them. Metro-Vancouver may seem like a dull city of translucent glass buildings, but there are many notable pieces of architecture that can be discovered if one only takes the care to notice. Architecture is one of the primary ways of expressing the spirit and thinking of the people in this city. By taking a moment to consider the history of these buildings and the effort it took to build them, we can gain a greater understanding of the scenic city we call home.
10
Vancouver House Everyone has seen it. But what is it? The twisted building that is known as the Vancouver House spirals above Granville Bridge and is the most notable building entering the city. Designed by the worldrenowned Architect Bjarke Ingels, known for his tetrahedron-shaped VIA 57 West in New York, this gravity building offers a dynamic introduction to the translucent city that is Vancouver. Fully embracing the clean colour palette of raindrops and snow, the building embodies “Vancouverism,” a term used to describe Vancouver’s architecture phenomenon characterized by slim high-rises sitting on commercial podiums, generous of green spaces and efficient transportation. Sitting at 151.5 metres, this 49 storey building is sure to anyone and is Vancouver’s newest architectural wonder.
Image by Cadmakers: The Vancouver house Photo by Langan: VIA 57 West By Bjarke Ingels Group
11
DOMINION BUILDING AND THE SUN TOWER With an exterior that matches the autumn trees with a golden beige and a pale maroon, the Dominion building was once the tallest tower in the British Empire standing at 53 meters. Its completion in 1910 signified Vancouver’s status as a city daring in its pursuit for architectural excellence, something that was lost after the early 1900s but is now being rediscovered. Though it stands steady, this building also has the unnerving story of being haunted by the ghost of its architect, J. S. Helyer, who was rumoured to have met his end by falling down the stairs in this building. However, such a story is not true as the designer was recorded to die later in 1919 due to a stroke. Located on the edge of gastown on 207 West Hastings Street, the building is categorized as a class “A” Provincial heritage site.
Image by Scout Magazine: The Dominion Building
The Dominion Building did not last long as the tallest building in the British Empire. That honour was taken away from it just two years later by the 82-Meter Sun Tower. Originally named the World Tower for being the headquarters for the Vancouver World Newspaper, the tower was renamed after the change of its owner to the Vancouver Sun. Though the Vancouver Sun has left the building as well, its distinctive name, which is reminiscent of Vancouver’s period economic boom when the building was erected, was kept by the building. This piece of history, distinct with its bright turquoise roof actually fabricated with painted steel, can be found on 128 West Pender Street.
Image by Skyrise Vancouver: The Sun Tower
12
IG FEATURE: CORDOVA PARKADE
Image by HT Celebration This unknown parkade is truly perfect for an instagram shot. Whether it’d be looking up into a blue sky or capturing its mesmerizing azure walls, a photo of this parkade would elevate any instagram feed. Located in Gastown, the building that houses this parkade looks decrepit and sketchy from the street, but it is not dangerous. However, the SLSS Press will not take the responsibility should anyone be harmed in this spiral parkade! An elevator can also be used to be transported to the top of the building to obtain an elevated view down. This out-of-this-world parkade can be found at: 151 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1E1 Photo by: Christopher Grabowski View of the Dominion building from the entrance of the parkade, the parkade building
13
New and Returning Teacher Interviews Conducted by: Various Press Execs
Ms. Cantwell Ms. Cantwell is a new counsellor at SLSS! She jokes about not needing to worry about having hair combs or lipstick on. Q: What student body are you a counsellor for at SLSS? A: Ms. Cantwell: I am the student counsellor for the international students. Q: What are you looking forward to the most this year? A: Ms. Cantwell: Oh! Well — getting to know the school and my fellow colleagues. I’m looking forward to is getting to know the international students that are on my caseload because there are close to one hundred students, and I’ve only met a handful so far— just the new students that have come in. I haven't had a chance to meet all the other international students that have been here for a few years, so I’m looking forward to having the time to do that. Now that things are beginning to settle down, I can start meeting my students.
Q:Where and when can students find you if they need help? A: Ms. Cantwell: I am here (at school) typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays; those are my days to be here, and I put up a schedule on my door where they can come sign up for a time. Sometimes I’m available more on some days than other days, for example this morning was a morning of meetings, so I didn’t get to meet with students. If students come by, I’ll always post the schedule for the next couple days so that they know when they can find me. Press Exec: That’s so great because I know it can be really hard to find counsellors sometimes. Ms. Cantwell: The other part is that it’s always good to just stop by because sometimes a student signs up and then they don’t come. I always try to keep some time at lunchtime available because students often have questions that are five-minute-questions, and they don’t need a thirty minute appointment with me. Students can always come by at lunchtime and ’m happy to answer questions! I tend to get here pretty early in the morning, well, by eight o’clock, so I’m always around to answer questions in the morning, or after school too! That's just kind of drop in time!
14
Ms. Valiquette Bria: Actually it might be fun to ask you how do you pronounce your last name? Ahaha yeah it’s valley - ket. It’s french, yeah it’s my mom’s last name. Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A: I’m teach ELL social studies 3, ELL 4 English, and English 10. Q: Have you taught at any other school before? A: I was teaching in China actually, before I came here. Press Exec: Oh what city? In Shenzhen. Yeah, I was there for 2 years, I was teaching grade 7, 8, and 9. I was teaching English ELL, ESL. So they were varying levels, cause’ yeah they’d take English and I’d reach four classes… And then another Chinese teacher came in so we kind of shared. Press Exec: Is it different from teaching here? Yeah! Well everyone has uniforms and stuff, like, the classes are really big, like 55? Kinda crazy. Q: What’s your favourite subject to teach? A: I was actually an elementary school before, I don’t know if I have a favourite. I like english because creative writing because everyone can bring in their own ideas, science is fun, but I definitely couldn’t teach high school science I’m not at that level haha. But yeah I don’t think I really have a favourite. And I like art too.
15
Ms. Leung Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A:Multi and digital media. Q: Have you taught at any other school before? A: Yes. A Canadian school from china. Q: What’s your favourite subject to teach? A: Art. And also cooking as well. Q: What’s your homework policy? A: The policy is like um, I’m checking for all the progress. I have a rubric for every single step, and then they need to fulfill all the steps and then they get the mark. I don’t focus on the final mark, I focus on the progress. Q: What are you looking forward to most this year? A: The assess of my students of course. I’m looking for all of their work, and I’m hoping that I can put all of their work in here (on this website page) so that all of their websites that they’re working on can be seen from here. Q: Pineapple on pizza? A: I like it!! Yeeeahhh… Are you going to give me one piece?!!! Hahahahaha! Q: Where can students find you if they need help? A: In here (my room). Shirley: Like afterschool or lunch, or whenever you’re in your room…? She answered my question hahahaha.
16
Mr. Thompson Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A: I teach art and photography. Yeah, so I have a ceramics and a sculpture class with graphic design and printmaking, I have two art 8’s, and I have photography level 1. Q: What is your homework policy? A: Mr. Thompson: My homework policy? *chuckles* Do you mean… Press Exec: Do you usually leave a lot? Mr. Thompson: No! You know it’s a studio class. There is usually enough time to get stuff done in class time. Yeah yeah! I try not to overload with homework. You have enough science and math, you don’t need art homework as well. Maybe don’t write that! *Laughs* Q: What are your thoughts on putting pineapple on pizza? A: Mr. Thompson: I love it! I’m all for it. The more pineapple the better! And anyone who says it isn’t, it’s just ...they’re wrong! Having pineapple is classic! Press Exec: It’s such a great combination! Mr. Thompson: It’s delicious. I’m a fan of pineapple. Good question! Q: Where can students find you if they need help? A: Mr. Thompson: I’m usually in this room, room 201! Usually every lunch, unless I’m trying to find me way somewhere… this school is very large. Where is [room] 502? I had to find 502 yesterday...I was so lost. Press Exec: Its by Gilbert. Mr. Thompson: I eventually found it! All the numbers go up! So I’m either here or wandering around the school, but usually in 201. Yeah!
17
Mr. Cox Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A: Mr. Cox: I teach marketing and economy Press Exec: So what grades would that be? Mr. Cox: Well they are both grade 11 and 12 courses, but I've seen a few grade 10 students too. Q: Have you taught at any other school before? A: Mr. Cox: Yes and no, this is my first year as a fully qualified teacher, I did teach during my practicum last year in Kamloops, and I taught english as a second language in Spain for two years. Q: What’s your favourite subject to teach? A; Mr. Cox: TO teach? Um that's a hard one. I really enjoy teaching business courses in general. During my practicum I had fun with the Theory with knowledge just because it was so different. Q: What’s your homework policy? A: Mr. Cox: Well I don't have a policy, generally I don't give homework very often, but if students don't use class time wisely, they may need extra time (outside of class) to catch up. Q: What are you looking forward to most this year? A: Mr. Cox: For me, just getting to know more students and staff. Press Exec: How you finding it so far? Mr. Cox: Really really good, everyone is really friendly, nice, and helpful. Q: Pineapple on pizza? A: Mr. Cox: I'm definitely pro pineapple. Press Exec:: We have a press member who is NOT down for pineapple on pizza *haha* Q: Where can students find you if they need help? A: Mr. Cox: I'm in room 301 teaching for block C and D. I do share it with Mr. Stoddards, so email is definitely the best way to contact me - gcox2sd38.bc.ca
18
Mr. Parker Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A: Mr. Parker: Mathematics! Q: Have you taught at any other school before? A: Mr. Parker: Steveston Secondary School. Then, Steveston-London. Q: What’s your favourite subject to teach? A: Mr. Parker: Spanish Q: What’s your homework policy? A: Mr. Parker: I assign lots for people to work on, people choose their own way through it. If I were to assign five pages, people would work in class, and then continuing with it at home. But I'm not going to collect them. That's why we have quizzes, they are guides to how much you should do. So you get a feeling of how you are doing. Q: Where can students find you if they need help? A: Mr. Parker: Right here and almost all the time, especially in the mornings. Press Exec:: So before school starts? Mr. Parker: yup, I'm here in the morning guaranteed, 7:30 on Press Exec:: That's quite early, wow! Mr. Parker: I'm a morning person though, so I do all my work in the morning. I used to be Spanish teacher. Press Exec:: That reminds me, can you elaborate more on why you like to teach Spanish? Mr. Parker: I love the language and when I teach Spanish there are a lot of games, it's a lot like french I don't know if you guys have studied french, and it's one of the most important languages in the world.
19
Mr.Gordon Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A: Mr. Gordon: What do I teach? I teach English 10 and Career life ed 10. Q: Have you taught at any other school before? A: Mr. Gordon: Uh I’ve taught at every school in the district as a teacher on call, but no I haven’t. I’ve been at Home for 3 months for a maternity leave so I guess I’ve been there for awhile. Q: What’s your Favourite subject to teach? A: Mr. Gordon: English because you get to read…. Novels and poetry and stuff. Q: What’s your homework policy? A: Mr. Gordon: Ah, you see, I like to give students just enough time to finish their work in class if they don’t mess around, and if they don’t finish it, it’s homework. Q: What are you looking forward to most this year? A: Mr. Gordon: Uhh starting a skateboard club! So, yeah, I haven’t looked too much into it but it’s a plan. Press Exec: “Ah yeah there’s some around with their boards” Mr. Gordon: Oh yeah I’ve met some of them! I showed them a kick flip and they were pretty impressed, so I was like we gotta do more of this. Q: Pineapple on pizza? A: Mr. Gordon:Love it. Hahahaha the best! Hawaiian’s my favourite. Q: If students need help, where can they find you? A: Mr. Gordon: Uhh I’d say in my room but you’ve been looking for me! In my room. (Room) 103. I’m normally in there if there isn’t a meeting which there often is. It’s just such a convenient room because it’s so close to the office.
20
Ms. Jackson Q: Have you taught at other schools before? A: Ms. Jackson: Yes. I was at SLSS before my maternity leave, and before that I spent 12 years at Burnett, and before that, when I first started teaching I was at Cambie, so I’ve taught at 3 different high schools. Q: What is your favourite subject to teach and why? A: Ms. Jackson: Textiles. Hands down textiles. My degree is in fashion design technology, and I used to work in movies before I became a teacher, so I really like seeing my textiles students going into that field. I also really like working with my hands, sewing, cutting, designing, it makes me really happy. Q: What’s your homework policy? A: Ms. Jackson: I don’t like homework at all. I will give you as much class time as needed, and if you choose not to use it wisely, then you have homework. Honestly it’s very rare if I assign real, outside homework. You guys have enough to worry about. Q; Thoughts on pineapple on pizza? A: Ms. Jackson: Well I actually love pineapple, but I’m missing the genetic component to break down pineapple, it makes me sick, but I love pineapple so it’s a love-hate relationship for me. If I saw the pineapple I would probably still eat it, but I know I shouldn’t. Q; Where can students find you if they need help? A: Ms. Jackson: I’m usually always in the foods room at 305, or at 410. I’m usually in the foods room with a cup of tea, and I make the students one too, and make them tell me about whatever’s going on, if they need help or anything.
21
Ms. Girard Q: What do you teach at SLSS? A: Ms. Girard: I teach social studies and learning strategies. Q: Have you taught at other schools before? A: Ms. Girard: I’ve taught at Cambie, McMath, Palmer, and here. Q: What’s your favourite subject to teach and why? A: Ms. Girard: Social studies, because it’s the best. Q: What’s your homework policy? A: Ms. Girard: I try not to have too much homework, but if it’s necessary, students have to get it done at home. Minimal homework. Q: What’re you looking forward to most this year? A: Ms. Girard: Making new connections, and seeing some of the familiar faces from 2 years ago. Q: Thoughts on putting pineapple on pizza? A: Ms. Girard: Yay. Where can students find you if they need help? Room 405 or 600.
22
SEE YOU NEXT ISSUE SLSSPRESS@GMAIL.COM, @SLSSPRESS