Success
summer 2012
student
A MAGAZINE FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN LANGLEY published by the Langley School District Foundation
Focus on the Arts Foundation summer camp July 9-13
Playcations lots to do in Langley
Kudos to the teachers and their programs
Sports prowess Langley kids excel
summer edition 1
STOP SUMMER LEARNING LOSS Don’t let your child fall behind this summer.The summer brain drain means that without intervention, the achievement gap between successful and struggling students widens in the summer. Students who are already struggling or have learning challenges are at the most risk. While studies have shown students lose 2.6 months of math learning, literacy is the most affected by the summer break in learning. In contrast, if students focus on developing their skills over the summer months they can actually gain ground and feel more confident when they go back in September. Here are some things your child can do this summer to keep learning: Read: Join a library reading program Go on an outing and do a project about it afterwards Journaling: Buy your child a summer journal Learn a new skill; cooking, music, woodwork, knitting, sewing Play ‘school’ and work through a summer workbook that includes math Utilize computer curriculum and online resources Ensure that your student has a summer educational plan; don’t assume it will just happen. It can be difficult to keep a schedule during the summer months, but it could be very beneficial to get your child into the habit of doing a little reading/studying every morning for an hour before play. Tutor Doctor provides in home tutoring and can create an individual student plan for the summer. When putting together a plan we will consider; recommendations from your child’s teacher, year-end grades, results from our assessment, what supplemental curriculum would be the best fit, your summer schedule, and your child’s personality and learning style. Tutoring 2 or 3 times a week in the summer can be a great opportunity to Jump Start for the fall and start the new year with confidence!
778.549.0750 www.TutorDrSurrey.com 2 Student Success
SUMMER
ORING T TU
N FREE SULTATIO CON
With purchase of a new package
AME!
VALUE 5 1 $ TBALL to the June E K S A FREE Bthis coupon receive a Bring istrations & tball. Reg ee baske fr
NAG RE THA
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Your Community League Develop Skills Make Friends Build Character HAVE FUN WHO
Boys & Girls Age 4/5 – Grade 10
WHEN October 5, 2012 – March 8, 2013* (Friday nights) *excl. ProD days & Christmas break WHERE In Langley school gyms. Practice & games on Friday night. WHAT Does a typical evening look like? Positions – warm-up, large group ball control Coach’s Corner – dribbling, driving, shooting and skills training More Than a Game – halftime talk Games – 1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3, 4-on-4, 5-on-5 DIVISIONS Slammin’ Jammers – Age 4/5, Gr. 1/2, 3/4 (Coed) An action-filled introduction to the foundational skills of basketball with an emphasis on FUN. Building the Basics – Gr. 5/6, 7/8/ 9/10 (Coed) Learning the basics with an emphasis on three key skills: dribbling, driving & shooting, as well as learning the rules of the game. REGISTRATION INFO Register at Langley Fundamental Elementary School 10 am – 4 pm 21789 – 50 Ave (from Fraser Hwy go south on 216th; go left on 50th Ave) $120 - Early Bird Registration Saturdays – June 9 & 16 $135 – Fall registration Saturdays – September 8 & 15 604-897-1987 frankt@athletesinaction.com
Joyce Wright Registrar
604-514-1977 joycew@athletesinaction.com
WWW.FRIDAYNITEBASKETBALL.COM
Rosalee Roy Photography www.rosaleeroy.com
FOR MORE INFO Frank Thoutenhoofd Director
summer edition 3
SUMMER IN LANGLEY CITY
Stickin’ around this summer? We have loads of fun programs and events planned for all ages! Check out our website or give us a call and let us help you plan a memorable summer for you and your family.
Day Camps at Douglas Recreation Centre
20550 Douglas Cres. - 604-514-2865
Swimming
at Al Anderson Memorial Pool 4949 207th Street - 604-514-2864
Youth Summer Jam at Timms Community Centre 20702 Eastleigh Crescent - 604-514-2940
Success
student
volume 3 number 3 summer 2 012
Features 6
langley students excell
8
bringing the outside in through art
12
pack up your troubles and send them to camp
14
never doubt the passion of students
18
things to do in langley
20 22
prowess in sports focus on the arts summer day camp
dream believe achieve
staycations into playcations the gift of education
nicaragua philanthropic trip
nature’s classroom
a growing concern for langley students
kudos to our teachers
24
programs of excellence
26
speaker line-up
28
foundation working with the community
30
helping the food bank
parents as partners foundation update hunger pains
on the cover
Track & Field star Georgia Ellwood - Top Female highschool athlete in BC.
CITY OF LANGLEY
www.city.langley.bc.ca ... for community and fun! 4 Student Success
Photo by: Marilyn Richardson
W
elcome to summer, the time of year when idleness gains respectability and if every summer has a story, every summer edition of Student Success has many.
Susan Cairns Editor & Designer
Craig Spence Advertising & Editorial Consultant
Sandy Wakeling Communications Manager
Read about our amazing athletes and their accomplishments on the rinks, courts, fields and mats. Then discover what’s going on in the arts in Langley, both in the community and in the schools. And what would summer be without summer camp? Read about the Foundation’s new Fun Festival Summer Day Camp for kids from 7 to 12 years old. Featuring educational festivals focusing on math, science and literacy, the camp runs from July 9-13 at James Kennedy Elementary School. Also read about the many activities for kids and families in Langley going on throughout the summer. Then cast your eyes on what the teachers are doing and the many incredible programs that they are offering to our kids. For instance, the students who travelled to Nicaragua with Langley Fundamental Middle Secondary School teacher, Ray Sawatsky will never forget the time they spent living with and helping the desperately poor families living in La Chureca (the city dump). They raised the money to not only travel to Nicaragua, but to purchase the necessary materials to build a new school for the children. Other programs that go above and beyond are the Strong Start Program at Parkside led by teacher Tannis Percival; the business class at Walnut Grove who are organizing a marketing event (Gator’s Den) that offers substantial bursaries to students; the junior trades program that takes grade 7 students to Kwantlen University to receive hands-on training in the various trades; and the Langley Picture Book of the Year spearheaded by teacherlibrarian Deb Cowland. And kudos to our students at Gordon Greenwood who organized a food collection for the Food Bank and the Aldergrove students who created a permanent wall mural at Aldergrove Community Secondary School. And finally, read about the Foundation and its activities in 2011-2012. Enjoy.
Success
student
Student Success is published and produced by the Langley School District Foundation EDITOR & DESIGNER Susan Cairns scairns@sd35.bc.ca 604-532-1464 CONTRIBUTOR Sandy Wakeling swakeling@sd35.bc.ca 604-534-7891 advertising & editorialconsultant Craig Spence Tel:1-888-345-0065 (toll free) Fax: 1-888-345-0084 (toll free) craig@youcommunications.ca Advertising Traffic Paula Cartwright 604-534-7891 pcartwright@sd35.bc.ca PHOTOGRAPHY Sandy Wakeling Marilyn Richardson Student Success is published 4 times per year with a press run of 10,000. Student Success is distributed to school district families, businesses, associations and municipal offices throughout Langley. © Langley School District Foundation 4875-222nd Street Langley, BC V3A 3Z7
summer edition 5
cover story School Sports
DW Poppy Girls Rugby Team
Prowess fields, rinks & courts on the
I
t’s no secret that students who are more physically active perform better in school. They’re more alert and energetic which in turn improves their concentration and focus. What’s more, students who are involved in school sports have been shown to develop strong bonds with their school communities which make them much less likely to be at risk of dropping out than their non-athletic counterparts. In a recent presentation to the Board, Acting Superintendent Suzanne Hoffman noted how, “the Langley School District’s efforts at building a culture of athletics is one way in which we can engage with students while reinforcing the development of healthy, active lifestyles.” In addition to the direct student benefits, a strong culture of athletics can also develop and enhance school and district pride. Such excitement becomes contagious and begins to spill over into all aspects of school life. In typical Canadian fashion, our district and schools in recent years have been almost shy about tooting our own horns. It’s time for that to change. All across the Langley School District, our students are regularly tearing up the track, owning the court, ruling the rink and leaving it all on the field. From rugby to track and field, hockey to basketball, soccer to volleyball and countless other sports, the coaches, teams and athletes from each of our schools have given us reason to be proud. This year in particular they have shown that School District 35 is no shrinking violet when it comes to athletics, with many of our students and teams going on to regional and provincial championships. Walnut Grove Senior Boys Basketball Team lost ProvincialsChampionship by one point! 6 Student Success
This speaks not only to the level of commitment on the part of our student athletes, but also to the passion and dedication of our many coaches throughout the district whose talents and expertise have inspired our students to succeed. To them we owe a great thanks. Sadly, we simply do not have the space to list all of our noteworthy athletic successes from the current school year. At the time of writing we have several schools and athletes who will be headed to regional and provincial championships in sports such as rugby and track and field who will no doubt be deserving of placement on this list before the year is through. Though incomplete, we offer the following list of some of the most notable athletic achievements at the secondary level and invite you to join us in celebrating our athletic pride.
Langley School District Athletic Success Stories • • • • • • • • • • • • • • From top: WGSS Gators Hockey Team; Foundation presents cheque for $22,000 to sports programs; Brookswood vs. WGSS Junior Girls Basketball; Maddie Millsip -Wrestling Bronze Medallist at Provincials.
• • • • •
Georgia Ellenwood – LSS Track and Field, Top Female High School Athlete in BC Maddie Millsip – LSS Wrestling, Bronze Medal – Provincial Championships Chris Schwarz – LSS Football, Conference All Star - Varsity Football Ashley Windsor – WGSS Cross Country, 1st in Provincial Championships, Awarded Scholarship @ California Polytechnic University Senior Girls Basketball – BSS, District Champions and 4th at Provincial Championships Junior Girls Basketball – BSS, District Champions and 8th at Provincial Championships Grade 8 Football – HDSMS, Silver Medal (Tier 2) – Provincial Championships Senior Boys Lacrosse – LSS, Silver Medal (Tier 2) - Provincial Championships Senior Girls Volleyball – BSS, 16th at Provincial Championships Senior Girls Cross Country – WGSS, District Champions, 2nd in the Fraser Valley and 5th at Provincial Championships Senior Boys Cross Country – WGSS, District Champions, 2nd in the Fraser Valley and 9th at Provincial Championships Junior Girls Cross Country – WGSS, District Champions and 1st in the Fraser Valley Junior Boys Cross Country – WGSS, District Champions and 1st in the Fraser Valley Grade 8 Boys Cross Country – WGSS, District Champions and 1st in the Fraser Valley Grade 8 Boys Basketball – WGSS, District Champions, 2nd in the Fraser Valley and 3rd at Provincial Championships Junior Boys Basketball – WGSS, District Champions, 2nd in the Fraser Valley and 5th at Provincial Championships Senior Boys Basketball – WGSS, League Champions, 2nd in the Fraser Valley and 2nd at Provincial Championships Senior Boys Hockey – WGSS, Tier 2 Provincial Champions Basketball BC Coaching Award of Excellence, George Bergen (Walnut Grove Secondary School) v
summer edition 7
by Craig Spence
Bringing the outside in through There’s nothing like being ‘slobbered on’ by a horse to inspire young artists with a ‘synaesthetic’ appreciation of their subjects says Art Teacher Susan Gorris.
C
ART
olin Mitchell would have been participating in the Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge April 21 with his wife Annamaria Kardos and their two children, but alas as a employee of Opus Art Supplies he had work to do helping organize the event, which saw dozens of artists out in the plain air, capturing nature on canvas.
Annamaria and the kids were at Brydon Lagoon, where turtles, red-winged blackbirds, mallards, garter snakes, blackberries, and the general effusion of nature was twittering and sighing in a gentle spring breeze, just waiting to be captured in broad strokes and bright colours. “They’ll learn a little bit about drawing from life and observational skills,” Colin said of the experience he was missing. An artist himself – as we talked during his morning break he sketched a potted plant in the Langley Mall parking lot – he understands how artistic exploration brings the world into sharp focus for kids. “It makes them a lot more sympathetic towards nature and animals. They just love living creatures in general and this makes them more conscious of what’s going on around them, and they’re more conscious of their behaviour with regard to nature and how they interact with it.”
8 Student Success
for fast hool king c Boo Main S S! r& AMP Junio MER C 13th & SUM - July 4th -2 9th July ust 20th Aug
• • • • • •
the MUSiK SHOP Guitar Piano Saxophone Voice Violin Drums
We offer the most trusted program for your child, newborn to age seven.
A dynamic studio offering private lessons in classical and comtemporary styles at all levels
Convenient location in Brookswood
No Obl ig at io n In troduc to ry FR EE LES SON
www.theMusikShop.com
604-530-8270
summer edition 9
A balance between art and nature is something to be nurtured, but like any growing thing, not forced. “Don’t push ‘em,” Colin advises parents who want their children to engage artistically. “They’ll do it if they want to. Just give them the support and don’t belittle what they’re doing, don’t begrudge it and don’t try and direct it too much.” Aldergrove Community Secondary School Teacher Susan Gorris, who runs an art workshop called Art in the Country, which immerses kids in the outdoors, echoes that advice. Kid’s art is a magnificent genre that can be crushed by critics whose best intentions can lead to stultifying results.
register for
spring & SUMMER Clay & Sculpture
camps
ARTS & LETTERS CLUB
DRAWING
artist of the month
stop motion animation
mixed media
star force
4Cats Clayton Heights 114–6820 188th St, Surrey
(778)-57-4CATS • 4cats.com/claytonheights
4Cats Arts Studio 4cats.com
TM
Art is good!
summer sessions for youth and adults
Art in the
Country
new It’s all about Colour new A Symphony of Clay & Light new Taiko drumming Animals in Art: Painting & Sculpture Watercolour:The Grammar of Space The Classical Art of Egg Tempera Wheel-Throwing basics & Beyond
July 7 July 14 July 21-22 July 23-27 July 28-29 Aug 11-12 Aug 18-19
Sessions by certified teachers and professional artists Susan Gorris, Santo Mignosa, Michael Kluckner, Karanata Saranaka and Tamotsu Tongu 604-856-0634 www.susangorris.com uu3sgorris@shaw.ca 10 Student Success
Susan has a degree in Synaesthetic Education from Syracuse University in New York. Kids don’t learn by sight alone she says, they have to touch things, smell them, taste them, then bring those non-visual experiences into their interpretation of the world. “Children learn much more effectively if you can engage all of their senses,” she said. Allowing kids at a very young age to explore their environment synaesthetically is important because “… it’s harder to do when kids get older because at some point they become more interested in societal norms of prescriptive behaviour.” To her eye there’s a noticeable difference between art based on real, synaesthetic experience and art that’s copied from a copy of nature. “You can always tell somebody who paints a cat, who actually owns a cat and has been around cats, from someone who hasn’t and has merely lifted the image or is creating an imaginary image of what a cat would be like,” she said. “There’s a world of difference between the two.” The importance of that perspective goes beyond art. Immersion in nature, which leads to the best art, also leads to a deeper appreciation for the subject an artist – especially a young artist – is expressing stroke by inspired stroke. “That experience, if it’s a positive one, can carry over to every other aspect of their life so that they now all of a sudden have a renewed appreciation for a tree,” Susan explained. “They have a renewed appreciation for when someone comes along and chops down a tree to broaden a road, that was a part of their environment and not just something to swallow and forget about.”
Above: Turtles on a log at Brydon Park in Langley. Left: Red winged blackbird at Brydon Park in Langley.
students not only paint what they see but what they feel, hear and smell Expressing ourselves synaesthetically through art leads to a richer appreciation of life, Susan claims, and settings like her farm in south Aldergrove are ideal places to foster that kind of deep awareness. “One of my mantras in my teaching has been connecting kids in a synaesthetic way so that they smell things, they touch things, they feel things, they taste things,” she said. “Children learn with all of their senses. So an experience is far more rich, far more permeable and for more longlasting when any one of us – adults too – experience all of these things, and this is a perfect environment to do that.” Like Colin she cautions against trying to teach kids the ‘right way’ of doing art. In fact, all we might be doing is discouraging children from expressing their true wonder for the world around them. “So the child draws a tree that satisfies the adult’s need to teach the child the adult’s vision of a tree when in point of fact one of the most exciting things about working with kids is they know darn well what a tree looks like, but it’s not their issue.” Their issue is expressing the wonder of what they are seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling and – yes – even tasting in nature. “That’s so rich!” Susan said. “That’s an experience that you can build tons of artwork around.” v summer edition 11
fundraising Summer Day Camp
Pack up your troubles and
send them to CAMP Don your life jackets. Dust off your flying carpet. Hop on your chariot of fire and get ready for a journey of a lifetime. Unravel the mysteries of math, discover the paradoxes of science and explore the history of literacy throughout time and around the world.
T
he Langley School District Foundation is holding a 5-day summer day camp for 7- 12 year-old children from July 9-13. Featuring educational festivals that celebrate math, numeracy, science and literacy, the summer camp is meant to be both educational and fun for your children. Set up like Science World, the kids travel from station to station playing games, doing activities, completing fun quizzes, participating in contests, winning prizes and above all having FUN. They will play the MAYAN Game of War, investigate crime scenes, discover the mysteries of the hive and learn about Leonardo da Vinci. They will print their names in hieroglyphics and Braille, build towers and discover the secrets of sound, magnets and electricity. They will explore the earth, outer space and the deep sea. They will go shopping, they will compete in scavenger hunts and much, much more. There are almost 80 stations with hundreds of activities. To register online go to www.thinklangley.com. Click on Langley Foundation and Fun Festival Summer Day Camp. Registration forms are also in your schools. If you would like to volunteer at the camp or require more information contact Susan Cairns at 604-532-1464. Email: scairns@sd35.bc.ca. v All proceeds from the summer day camp go to support programs in your schools.
12 Student Success
Math ARCADE Educational Festivals featuring games, activities, contests, prizes and FUN!
Langley SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION www.langleyschooldistrictfoundation.com
pe $18 rc 5 hi ld
TheLangley School District Foundation presents
Fun Festival for
day camp
ages 7-12
July 9-13 from 9-3 James Kennedy Elementary School 9060-212th Street All proceeds go to support school programs for Langley students
science JAM
science ALLEy
TiME TUNNEL
an adventure in literacy
Learn about math, science, literacy and more at a 5-day summer camp
Phone 604-532-1464 for more information
Look for registration forms in your schools
CoRNER sToRE
Register online starting in May. Go to thinklangley.com. Click on “Foundation Events” summer edition 13
feature Student project
Dream Believe Achieve by Sandy Wakeling
Members of the 2012 ACSS Ceramic Mural Team are: Tiffany Robichaud, Jimmy Qiu, Evelyn Gao, Taylor Jack, Rebecca Sawatzky, Vera Chen, Chelsea Ko and Hannah Toman seen with master ceramist Santo Mingosa..
Never Doubt the passion of students
T
wo years ago, students at Aldergrove Community Secondary unveiled a clay mural community art project that continues to delight local residents and visitors alike. Guided by master ceramist Santo Mingosa and ACSS art teacher Susan Gorris, the mural is described as a snapshot of motion, and youth, and bright irrepressible dreams. The ACSS student ceramic team took such pride and joy in their creation, that when many of them began what would be their graduating year last September, they decided they wanted to attempt a
14 Student Success
second project. This time however, they would work during their Ceramics 11/12 class to create a permanent work of art that the team could gift as a legacy for their school. Under the guidance once again of Susan Gorris, an image was designed that would reflect the ACSS School motto, DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE, along with an accompanying image that would reflect each of these for the ACSS student body. The Team members individually proposed each of their ideas to the group; finally one image was agreed upon and constructed
taking in many of the ideas of the Team. From the outset, Gorris saw the project as a valuable learning opportunity. “As a teacher of ceramics, I also wanted to offer the students an opportunity to work on a public artwork that would entail an above and beyond level of commitment and technical skill. Among many of the lessons learned in this project I am hoping that collaborative skill-building, clay preparation, application of clay onto a large wall, the creation of a low-relief art work on a large scale,
students create a legacy for their school discussions on public vs. private art-making, an understanding of this mural’s historical precedents around the world and the use of the design elements to effectively create a symbolic image are some of the important issues retained long after these students leave ACSS.”
While another guest appreciated being in the company of the students, “Thank you for a very enjoyable morning of ceramic slides with Santo!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great watching slides with so many young people that are interested in the same thing I am.”
To assist with the historical context of the work, Gorris and the students turned once again to Santo Mignosa who was invited to give a presentation on ceramics around the world. The talk was opened up to interested members of the community as well, many of whom raved about the discussion afterwards.
Equally impressed were the students such as grade 9 student Kennedy who shared, “He was awesome.....so many different ways to use clay !” The sentiments were echoed by a grade 12 senior ceramics student who came away inspired, “I learned so much from Santo.......he loves what he does and has helped me with some ideas about our mural.....”
Said one attendee, “Santo’s presentation was a real treat, very inspiring! Fun and entertaining free speech...he is a real artist with passion.”
Following the inspiration provided by Santo Mignosa’s slide lecture, the Mural Project Team at ACSS worked
diligently at completing the project. The entire wall of clay was cut into 183 tiles that were carefully stored for drying. Once dry the tiles will be fired in the Art Department kilns, then fired a second time after each one has been glazed. By the time you’re reading this, the completed clay mural will be installed in the courtyard at ACSS. The eight students who made up the ACSS ceramic mural team are to be congratulated for the hard work they put in this spring, successfully creating the most beautiful mural depicting two hands laying bricks onto a very expressive wall of many more bricks. The work represents the students’ depiction of building achievement on the belief of our dreams. v
Your Passport To Summer $45.00!
Fun for “Kids” ages 4 - 15 for only days of adventure July 1st – August 31st! Including September Dates!
65+
Celebrating our 20th Anniversary e event/activity A different & uniquy of the summer every da
Park; t Railway Heritage Playland; West Coas age Museum; Vill by rna Bu y; log Museum of Anthropo Cannery m; Gulf of Georgia Honeybee Centre Far ; ms Far od wo e; Maple National Historic Sit Dairy Centre; res Ac or Ald r; Tou Rogers Arena der The Stars; of Prey; Theatre Un Raptor Ridge Birds hop; rks Wo era Op m; seu Vancouver Police Mu n Tours; aw -Dr rse Ho k anley Par Harbour Cruise; St CirKids … – st We cus orts Day; Cir Kidtopia Family Sp and the list goes on!
RLD membership, With a $45.00 KIDSWO both ALL events are FREE for nt! re pa e the child AND on
To register your kids, complete the form below, clip & mail to the KIDSWORlD office:
323 East 6th St. North Vancouver, V7l 1P7 with a cheque payable to KIDSWORlD @ $45.00/child Please Print Clearly Child’s Name ________________________________ Age _______________ 2nd Child’s Name _____________________________ Age _______________ Address____________________________________ City _______________Postal _____________ Phone # ____________________________________ Parent’s Signature _____________________ (add more names on separate sheet of paper) limited Memberships Available!
For more information as well as Membership Application
visit our website: www.kidsworldprogram.com
summer edition 15
16 Student Success
summer edition 17
feature Fitness
Staycations playcations into
by Craig Spence
As far as the kids in the Township of Langley’s Tumble Time Gymnastics class are concerned, it’s all fun and games, but there’s a serious side to their play as well. There’s dozens of programs available through the Township and City of Langley that can make a ‘staycation’ into a ‘playcation’ for families.
F
or most parents the notion of a ‘staycation’ isn’t entirely new. Our kids are off school for two summer months, which leaves a pretty big shoulder season when moms or dads are back at work and the kids are at home.
Making the most of our own community as a place to have fun while continuing to learn and experience new things is a strategy not only for growth and development, but also for survival. So here’s a few ideas on how to turn that ‘staycation’ into a ‘playcation’ through the parks and recreation programs available in Langley. 18 Student Success
At Township of Langley or City of Langley Parks and Recreation Departments you will find some amazing opportunities for kids to be active in sports, the outdoors, the arts and just having fun. You can find out more about opportunities at the Township of Langley in the Summer Camp Guide, which can be accessed online by clicking the ‘Leisure Guide’ link in the ‘Parks & Recreation’ button at www.tol.ca. Information for the City of Langley can be accessed by clicking the ‘Daycamp’ link under the ‘Recreation
& Community’ menu at www.city. langley.bc.ca. There’s something for just about any child of just about any age in the listings. The City of Langley Spend Your Summer With Us Program lists weekly camps, daily camps and ‘Friday Adventure Days’. The weeks are themed. For example there’s ‘Hollywood Week’, ‘Space and Universe Week’, ‘Jungle Week’ and many more. The Friday adventures include trips to the Colossus Movie Theatre, H.R Macmillan Space Centre, and The Greater Vancouver Zoo, to name a few.
The Township of Langley’s programs run into a 52 page guide. As well as information on summer recreational activities for preschoolers, children and youth, the guide contains everything from facility schedules to tax credits available for kids arts and fitness programs to financial assistance for families. Page 10 lists ‘Parent Participation Camps’ where parents are encouraged to get in on the action with their ‘tots’, making music, cooking, dancing, even playing ball hockey.
SOCCER CAMPS:
Days & Times: Mon - Fri, 9-11:30 a.m. Age: Boys & Girls 4-14 years old Cost: $100 LANGLEY July 30- Aug 3, McLeod Turf Aug 27- 31, Noel Booth Park
On April 21 Student Success dropped in at a Tumble Time Gymnastics session at Walnut Grove Recreation Centre. While the kids engaged in the fun of movement, using a gigantic, multicoloured parachute as a prop, delighted parents looked on.
SURREY July 2-6, Bear Creek Park July 23-27, Newton Athletic Aug 20-24, Cloverdale Athletic Aug 27-31, Bear Creek Park
“The program is awesome,” said Imran Bhaigi. “The teachers are really helpful out there, so it’s a great value for the money as well as it keeps kids occupied.”
WHITE ROCK July 9-13, Centennial Park July 30 - Aug 3, Centennial Park Aug 20-24, Centennial Park
He said that with his kids he’s noticed a carryover from the out-of-school recreation programs into the classroom. “It helps them to coordinate in their class and things like that when they are going into the school.” As for his kids, “They love it!” he said. The kids are having fun, but its serious fun said Recreation Worker Kathy Davidson. “Basically they’re just playing right now and it develops their skills in balance and coordination, and that’s a good base for any sport.” They are also learning important social skills like sharing and waiting in line. “It’s really important for them. At age two they start to get the hang of it; by age three or four, when mom doesn’t have to stay in the class anymore and they’re on their own, they do have those skills by then.” v
Making goals
A reality
ATHLETES EDGE: Youth Achieving Potential For athletes of all ages and abilities who want to develop their physical tools and reach their full potential. Open to youth 10 and over.
KID FIT: Fun Ways to Healthy Habits
Perfect for kids! Never the same workout. Always fun. Trainers helping kids increase competence in 10 fitness domains. For kids ages 6 -10.
MOM & DAD’S TURN: Child Minding Want to push your own fitness envelope. We’ll mind the kids while you take care of your fitness needs.
More Than A Game Early Bird Registrations June 9 & 16 See page 3 for details
HYBRID ATHLETICS 5197A 216 Street, Langley www.hybridathletics.ca
Find out more at 604-514-3455 summer edition 19
the gift of
Education Nicaragua 2012
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hat does it mean to give the gift of education? This has been an oft explored theme of Langley Fundamental Middle Secondary School (LFMSS) Cross-Cultural Global Education trips to Nicaragua. However, in this, our fourth year partnering with the people of Nicaragua, a new answer unfolded before our eyes. Imagine an old school building, without doors or windows, a 50 year old roof with holes and panels flapping in the wind, a latrine completely full and just 5 teachers for over 400 students. That is the story of the Collegio Esperanza (almost ironically named the School of Hope) at Cuajachillo in Nicaragua. The team from LFMSS fundraised almost $13,000 to fund the materials and Nicaraguan contractor to restore the ‘hope’ for this school. Fundraising was a school wide event at LFMSS, with the grade 6 & 7 classes raising almost $2000 in a penny drive. Working along-side the Nicaraguan contractors, LFMSS students completed the Extreme School Makeover Nicaraguan edition. While working on the school, we became great friends of the people of Cuajachillo who opened their community to our team and even contributed financially to the project. Five days later, the Collegio Esperanza had a new metal roof, new doors, new windows, a new playground, and a new latrine. One of the most touching moments came in the completion ceremony where one of the teachers emotionally shared that this was now a school they could be proud to teach in and that she believes students will want to come to school again in this community. Again, a gift of education was shared and will be shared with hope for the future at Collegio Esperanza! LFMSS students participated with their labour, their energy, their passion and compassion. As a teacher, I consider it my great privilege to take this journey with these incredible grade 12 students from Langley. They give me ‘esperanza’ for the future.
by Ray Sawatsky 20 Student Success
TECH, Media & Art Summer camps 2012 www.gateways www.gatewayslearning learning.com learning.com
Abbotsford - Gateways Learning Centre (12 mins from Walnut Grove) July 3rd to 6th 9 to 14 9:00am 12:00pm LEGO MINDSTORMS® 3.1 July 3rd to 6th 9 to 12 1:00pm 4:00pm Video Game Designer 1 July 3rd to 6th 4:30pm 7:30pm iPhone App Developer 15+
$120 $120 $160
LEGO Robotics Beginners 1.1 July 30th to Aug 3rd 6 to 8 9:00am LEGO Robotics Systems 2.1 July 30th to Aug 3rd 7 to 9 1:00pm Video Game Designer 2 July 30th to Aug 3rd 10 to 14 4:30pm -
12:00pm 4:00pm 7:30pm
$150 $150 $150
Digital Arts 1 (3D Cartooning) July 30th to Aug 3rd 9 to 12 9:00am Film and Media 1 July 30th to Aug 3rd 9 to 12 1:00pm -
12:00pm 4:00pm
$150 $150
Langley - Willoughby Community Centre July 9th to 13th 9 to 12 9:00am Ultimate Techie July 9th to 13th 9 to 14 1:00pm LEGO MINDSTORMS® 3.1
12:00pm 4:00pm
$180 $180
Aug 13th to 17th 9 to 12 9:00am Aug 13th to 17th 9 to 14 1:00pm -
12:00pm 4:00pm
$180 $180
Ultimate Techie LEGO MINDSTORMS® 1
Langley - Walnut Grove Community Centre July 16th to 20th Robotics Camp
7 to 9
9:00am -
3:00pm
$250
Aug 13th to 17th
7 to 9
9:00am -
3:00pm
$250
Robotics Camp
“Check out our website for the complete list of camps” *SIGN UP BY THE 1ST OF JUNE AND BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE! info@i-gate.ca , 1-604-756-0375 (Abbotsford) *Surrey, Abbotsford, and Langley camps only
summer edition 21
community Programs
Nature’s classroom
T
a growing concern for Langley students
heir hands are dirty, they’ve got soil under their fingernails, they are soaking wet from the pouring rain ... and they don’t want to leave!
This spring, five classes from the Langley School District participated in Nature’s Classroom, an innovative program created by Langley Environmental Partners Society and the Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op, made possible by a grant from Envision Financial. Over the course of 12 weeks, students from Langley Fine Arts, RC Garnett, Langley Meadows and Alex Hope elementary schools arrived at the gardens rain or shine (but mostly rain!).
Above: Langley students enjoy a day of learning about plants and how to grow them. Right: Students gather to take part in the salmon release at Maple Gardens.
Students created their own pots out of newspaper and planted seedlings. They weeded a garden plot, shoveled wheelbarrows full of soil and bark mulch, and planted their seedlings, learning about biodiversity, biology, and chemical-free gardening along the way. Stephanie Captein, (Agriculture Program Director Coordinator with LEPS) instructed Nature’s Classroom, in partnership with Bruce Van Garderen, (Coordinator of the Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op). One student, with his boots covered in muck and his clothes soaked through with rain, exclaimed, “I love this!” Bruce Van Garderen smiled and responded with equal enthusiasm, “I love to hear that!” The only complaints came from the students when they were told it was time to go.
22 Student Success
In early May, students from the Nature’s Classroom program, along with students from Apex Secondary, helped release 5000 baby salmon into Latimer Creek, located at the Maples Gardens. Tynehead hatchery provided the fish. The students were joined by Mayor Jack Froese, council member Charlie Fox, and other dignitaries such as David Leavers (Director of Recreation, Culture and Parks), and Susan Byrom, (Corporate Citizenship of Envision Financial). Natch Lekeyton of the Kwanten First Nation blessed the ceremony with traditional drumming and gave a heartfelt message to all who were in attendance.
it’s a garden in the middle of urban langley with flowers, trees, vegetables and an menagerie of birds and animals - even bats “The only way to teach our children about environmentalism is through example,” Lekeyton said, cupping his hands together as though he was holding a baby salmon. “When we kneel down and put a fish in the creek, our children learn and do not forget.” Although the Nature’s Classroom program comes to an end in June, the Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op has plenty of opportunities for children and their families to enjoy year-round. The Gardens has recently started a new chapter of the Young Naturalists’ Club, with plans to create an herb garden, a composting program, and a recycling program. Families are always welcome to visit the gardens. Kids love to see the chickens, sheep, koi fish, ducks, honeybees and even bats! Garden plots and greenhouse tables are available for rental, and members of the public of all ages and abilities are encouraged to ‘adopt’ and care for various areas in the botanical gardens. v
The Maples Discovery GarDens co-op is located at 7743 200th street (across from from langley events centre) and is open everyday to the public. For more information on the gardens, rentals and its many programs for your family, visit their website at www.maplesliving.ca.
Affordable Tutoring Stop the summer brain drain! One to One Literacy or Math Tutoring Available in central Langley during July and August Limited spaces available! Register soon for summer programs starting in July
604.591.5156
The Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op is located at 7743 200th Street, and is open everyday to the public. For more information on the gardens and its many programs for your family, visit their website at www.maplesliving.ca.
www.ldafs.org
LDAFS is a not-for-profit organization offering affordable programs for families of children with learning and attention difficulties aged 6 to 14. We also offer many other children’s programs, and seminars and workshops for parents and professionals. Please contact us for more information.
Learning Disabilities Association | Fraser South www.ldafs.org
|
604.591.5156
|
info@ldafs.org
summer edition 23
Kudos to our
teachers & their programs The Langley Picture Book of the Year Students from Kindergarten to grade three, from 27 Langley elementary schools, particpated in the inaugural Langley Picture Book of the Year event. Students read all of the ten nominated books and voted on the one they liked best. Initiated by teacher-librarian Deb Cowland, the progam promotes reading and appreciation of books in primary students.
Strong Start Program at Parkside elementary Parents and children rave about the Strong Start program at Parkside Elementary and teacher Tannis Percival
Students from Kindergarten to grade three from Dorothy Peacock Elementary happily display the winning book, Press Here by Hervé Tullet, as the first ever Langley Picture Book of the Year.
gator’s den Junior Trades program
Grade 7 students travel to Kwantlen University and receive hands-on training in the trades, thanks to Career Ed teacher Pat Rosen in collaboration with 22 Elementary & Middle school teachers. 24 Student Success
The brainchild of Walnut Grove Business teacher, Bruce Young in collaboration with the Walnut Grove Business Association, Gator’s Den is an event involving students and local businesses in the spirit of entrepreneurship. Fashioned after the TV show, Dragon’s Den students will present their ideas and innovations to a panel of judges (all bankers) with chances to win $600, $400 and $250 bursaries. The event is open to the public and takes place on May 31 from 1:30 to 2:30 at the WGSS library.
summer edition 25
Feature Parents
parents as partners the speaker line-up by Craig Spence
P
arenting has never been easy, but in today’s world of dual income families, the internet, organized sports and rapid social change the job is more complex than ever. Which is why Parents as Partners in Learning (PAPL) still has an important role to play in Langley School District.
“Parents are busy, they’re stressed, they don’t have as much time necessarily to be connected to a school as they might like,” said Trustee Alison McVeigh, who has sat on the PAPL committee for many years.. “The more involved a parent is, and the more support that a parent has, the better a child will do in school. It’s ultimately about helping kids do well at school, and coming at it from a social-emotional parenting place as much as an academic place.”
The presentations put on by Parents as Partners in Learning are specifically chosen because they deliver information parents need to know, and because the material is presented in ways that parents can understand and put into practice. In October Parents as Partners will also launch My Tween and Me, a six week program “unearthing the full potential of parents’ relationships to their pre-teens.” Dates and times for the program will be announced so check the Parents as Partners website at www.parentsaspartners. wordpress.com.
the 2012-2013 speaker program • Building Resilience in Children – Laying a Foundation of Core Values, Wednesday, October 24, with Fran Kammermeyer • Anxiety in Children and Teens, Wednesday, November 14, with Dr. Lynn Miller • Managing Conflict With Your Child’s Brain in Mind, Wednesday, January 23, with Raj Dhasi • The Elephant and the Rider: The Nature of Self-control & How to Help Kids Achieve It, Thursday, February 21, with Dr. Glen Davies
26 Student Success
PAPL committee member Kristine Ketter said the committee wants first hand experience when it is selecting speakers for the annual series. “Our main goal is for one of us to have seen that person present somewhere before so we are personally confident that they are what we are looking for,” she explained. Parents as Partners evenings are about two hours long and are delivered by professionals from all sorts of backgrounds. There have been presentations on discipline, managing conflict, understanding boys, bullying, keeping kids close, safety on the Internet, mental health… the list is as varied as it is long. What’s common about all the speakers, though, is their parent-friendly approach to delivering information. The format includes a presentation then an opportunity for parents in the audience to ask questions. “Parents want information that they can understand, that speaks to the issue, and then some tangible ideas, solutions and concepts that they can take away and try to implement in their family,” Trustee McVeigh said. PAPL is determined to continue providing just that type of program at an affordable price Ms. Ketter said. “It’s
There is only one perfect child in the world, and every parent has it.
hard to find good parent education without spending a lot of money sometimes. To me it’s a really important part of educating parents and helping us work with our kids.” Parents as Partners in Learning takes registrations and payments online and support for the programs is critical to keeping them going. “We work really hard at keeping the fee nominal, all we do is cover our costs, so the speakers are usually fifteen dollars per person,” Trustee McVeigh said. Bring a friend or go as a couple, and the price is $25 for two. v
Abbotsford International
AIRSHO OW W Langley’s International Festival Saturday, August 25th & Sunday, August 26th, 2012 at Willoughby Community Park (next to Langley Events Centre) 7888 - 200th St., Langley
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.internationalfestival.ca info@internationalfestival.ca
604-514-2294
Admission by Donation
“FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!”
summer edition 27
making learning unforgettable for every Langley student
W
hen John Lennon said, “A dream you dream alone is just a dream. A dream you dream together is reality”, he could have been talking to the Langley School District Foundation. Without the support from the community, the Foundation’s dream to make learning UNFORGETTABLE for every Langley student would not be possible. Our community partners help out in many ways and we couldn’t do what we do without them. First, they provide sponsorships, volunteers and participation to support our two major events – the Grand Prix Gala and the Golf tournament, helping us to raise more than $100,000 each year to provide vital and innovative programs to our students. For example, we were able to purchase 65 online Kurzweil 3000 licenses to be used in classrooms throughout the district to not only help students with learning disabilities, but to open up whole new worlds of learning for all students. We were also able to present a cheque
28 Student Success
for $22,000 to the school district to support sports programs in secondary and middle schools and an additional $15,000 to purchase leading edge technology for schools. Thanks to our Willowbrook Shopping Centre, with the Denim Do shopping event and the gift wrapping fundraiser, the Foundation raised more than $33,000 to support dozens of school programs. Our partners also hold several fundraising events of their own throughout the year with proceeds going to the Foundation. For example, the Langley Rotary hosts the annual
Big-R Pumpkin Days at Apex Secondary to support our meal programs; the Resource Training Organization of BC sponsors the annual Pumpkin Run to support apprenticeship programs in the schools; Peninsula Runners holds the Golden Ears Run to support students; and the Lavrova Ballet Company holds a concert with proceeds to the Foundation. This year the Walnut Grove Business Association (WGBA) is partnering with us to host the Gator’s Den on May 31 at Walnut Grove Secondary and the Sunrise Rotary and WGBA are hosting a Family Day on June 23 with proceeds going to the Foundation. Individuals and corporations also come through with scholarships and bursaries. For instance, Britco just committed $15,750 for scholarships; the Shewan Family Foundation committed $8000, Langley Central Rotary another $7500 and the Knackstedt family have established a $25,000 scholarship in memory of Shannon and Jemma Knackstedt. This is just to name a few of the more than 57 trust scholarships in the Foundation and the additional $300,000 awarded each year. One of the most amazing examples of community coming together to make a dream come true, was the completion of the Langley Meadows Playground. In less than 18 months the Langley Meadows parents and principal, together with the Foundation and dozens of community individuals and businesses raised more than $100,000 – enough to build two brand new, state-of-the-art playgrounds for the Langley Meadows students and surrounding community. Upcoming fundraisers include our two signature events - The 7th Annual Grand Prix Gala on Sunday, June 3 from 1-5 pm at Thunderbird Show Park. Spend a sunny afternoon tasting award-winning wines, munching on gourmet hors d’oeuvres and enjoying delicious desserts, while watching an international Grand Prix horse jumping competition, all for a good cause. All proceeds go towards the purchase of Do The Math Kits - designed to help students struggling in math and numeracy. Clearly, this is an event not to be missed. Also coming up is our 7th Annual Golf Tournament at Redwoods Golf Course on Wednesday, August 29 with all proceeds going to support 21st Century learning in our schools. For more information on any of our programs or events check out our website at www.langleyschooldistrictfoundation.com or contact Susan Cairns at 604-532-1464. Emailscairns@sd35.bc.ca
NOW TAKING REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER CARE AGES 5-12 CALL: 604-856-0979
COUNTRY BUMKINS CHILDREN’S CENTRE register Don’t forget to 13 programs for our 2012-20
Preschool and Before & After School Care
Our preschool helps your child develop social skills, independence, and a love of learning. This will build a solid foundation for future learning.
RC Garnett • 604-812-4838 • 7096 201 Street North Otter • 604-856-4834 • 5370 248 Street (Preschool)
Grand Prix
a l a G
2011
Sunday
May 29 • 1 - 5 pM
Thunderbird Show park 24550-72 avenue, LangLey (enTer Through gaTeS on 248Th)
ThE LANGLEy SchOOL DiSTRicT FOUNDATiON pRESENTS
heart heart 6th Annual fundraising gala to
to provide innovative technology for langley StudentS making learning UNFORGETTABLE for every Langley student www.langleyschooldistrictfoundation.com
summer edition 29
a large pile of food which they proudly displayed near the school’s main entrance. But the students didn’t stop there.
Gordon Greenwood students battle
Hunger Pains H
unger is a concept that is familiar to far too many children throughout the world, and though Canadian families fare much better by global standards they are by no means immune to the pains.
Each year Hunger Awareness Week attempts to raise awareness of the solvable problem of hunger in Canada, and this year the students of Gordon Greenwood Elementary took the message to heart.
30 Student Success
As Hunger Week drew to a close, the student leadership group approached their principal Peter Luongo, to request an opportunity for them to further develop their understanding of hunger through a direct experience. Many of the students were aware of the 30 hour famine concept occasionally undertaken by secondary students. Though their principal expressed initial concerns about students of their age participating in a famine of long duration, as a result of the passion expressed through their discussion the group received approval to lead the grade six and seven students in a five hour famine during the school day. According to Principal Luongo, “It was important to the students that they try to experience a level of hunger first hand, to approach a real sense of awareness of what those less fortunate might experience on a daily basis.”
As the school’s grade 7 student leadership group reflected on how they might make a difference in their own community, it occurred to them that supporting the Langley Food Bank was a good place to start. According to student Rachel Lamborn, “Everyone thinks about giving to the food bank at Christmas time, so we wanted to do something to make people aware of the need for donations throughout the year.”
For more information on how to donate to the Langley Food Bank, or to download their current wish list of items, please visit www.langleyfoodbank.com or contact 604-533-0671.
All week long the students rallied their schoolmates to the cause, collecting non-perishable items and cash donations each morning. By the end of the week, the students had
The Gordon Greenwood student leadership group (pictured left to right) include: Rachel Lamborn, Andria Coulbourn, Darian Wickstad, Zach Jennejohn, Lauren Kimoto and Brianne Christensen.
Following the famine, the students took part in a reflective activity where they could share their thoughts and experiences from the previous week. Luongo’s pride in the leadership group’s initiative is evident, “Through their actions, the students gained a better understand of the implications of hunger not only in third world countries, but also right here in their own community.”
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summer edition 31
We wrote the book on fun!
Register now at RecExpress.ca
or at any community recreation centre.
tol.ca Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre 26770 - 29 Avenue 604.856.2899
Langley Centennial Museum 9135 King Street 604.532.3536
W.C. Blair Recreation Centre 22200 Fraser Highway 604.533.6170
Walnut Grove Community Centre 8889 Walnut Grove Drive 604.882.0408
Willoughby Community Centre 7888 - 200 Street 604.455.8821
Willowbrook Recreation Centre 20338 - 65 Avenue 604.532.3500 RCP12-061
32 Student Success