February 2015 - River East Transcona School Division

FEBRUARY 2015
Countdown to kindergarten
Is kindergarten just around the bend
for your child? If so, we can help you
stay ahead of the curve, learn a thing
or two about what to expect, and have
fun at the same time!
If your child will be attending
kindergarten in our division in the
2015–16 school year, you are invited
to attend one of our FREE Preschool
Growing & Learning events this spring.
Get a taste of school and meet the
friendly, helpful people you’ll find in it.
Kindergarten, resource and gym
teachers will be on hand with all kinds
of games and activities for you to
enjoy. Meet principals, vice-principals
and student support staff, as well as
clinicians, public health nurses and
other community service providers
who have helpful information for you.
You can even get your child’s hearing
and vision checked.
MEETING HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
By Anastasia Nwakeze, Grade 10,
Murdoch MacKay Collegiate
On Jan. 21, 2015, I was one of only
2,000 people who were lucky enough
to see Hillary Rodham Clinton speak
at a luncheon at the RBC Convention
Centre in Winnipeg.
It began when I returned from the
Christmas break and spoke with
my Canadian History teacher,
Mr. Jean-Paul Rochon, about my
admiration for Mrs. Clinton and my
respect for her courage, determination
and ambition. Without my knowing,
he wrote the Winnipeg Chamber of
Commerce to ask if they’d support my
attendance, as the ticket price was
beyond my means.
Imagine my surprise when Murdoch
MacKay principal John Muller called
me into his office to give me the news
that Mr. David Angus, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, had invited me
as his guest for the event!
On the day of the event, I was taken
into the VIP room and introduced to
dozens of people, including Manitoba
Lt.-Gov. Philip S. Lee and his wife. Being
surrounded by all these people in suits,
I suddenly felt important, as I was the
youngest in the room.
Then, it was time to meet Mrs. Clinton
and I had the amazing opportunity to
talk with her and have my photo taken
with her. I was so excited and, for a
moment, overwhelmed because I was
about to meet a woman whose bravery
and compassion had impacted so many
people.
Afterwards, we all took our seats for
the luncheon and Mrs. Clinton walked
in to a roar of applause and began
her speech. I listened attentively
as she talked about extremism
and counterterrorism efforts, and
suggested that, “We have to show
the world that free people and free
markets, human rights and human
dignity, respect for our fellow man and
woman is our core strength.”
When I think back to her speech, I
cannot believe the confidence she had
to speak without notes in front of 2,000
people and the cameras live-streaming
the event. Meeting Mrs. Clinton has
inspired me to overcome my shyness
and has sparked a dream to become
my school’s valedictorian in 2017.
I would like to again thank Mr. Rochon
for his thoughtful request, Mr. Angus for
the invitation as his guest, and all of the
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce for
allowing me the opportunity of a lifetime!
Registration for these special
kindergarten preparation events begins
March 2, 2015. Call 204.669.4043
or email kinderlinks@retsd.mb.ca.
Information about dates and locations
can also be found at www.retsd.mb.ca
Special budget issue in March
Keep your eyes peeled for the special
two-page budget issue of The Torch,
which will arrive in the March 18 issue
of The Herald.
One of the most important tasks
of trustees is to work with senior
administration to set an annual budget.
We’re Manitoba’s second-largest
school division with over 16,000
students and about 2,400 employees,
so there is a lot to consider.
We heard what you had to say at
the community budget meeting on
Jan. 28, and we welcome further
feedback when you see the final
results. Stay tuned!
Superintendent’s message
I’ve been with River East Transcona
three years this month, and with each
year that passes I’m struck by the
diversity of our student body and how
we manage to meet the needs of such a
varied and interesting group of people.
Salisbury School in 1915.
‘100 Years of Learning’ at SMP
1915 was a big year in Canadian
history.
Canadian troops were sent to the
KEC and Bethania get snap-happy
Residents of Bethania Personal Care
Home played the part of models
recently, and in some cases got to try
some Old Hollywood glamour on for
size.
It’s the second year in a row Grade
12 students from Kildonan-East
Collegiate’s photography program
have visited Bethania to practise their
portraiture skills, and it’s a win-win
situation for all.
The students get experience working
with a senior clientele, setting up
lighting and backgrounds, and doing
the typical digital enhancement
required for portrait images.
physical and behavioural therapy,
social justice, reading and numeracy
initiatives—these are just a few ways
that we acknowledge the individuality
of our students and provide ways for
them to enjoy their school years, grow
and find success.
Cultural events, individual education
plans, sports and clubs, adapted
programming and technology, travel,
skilled trades, languages, creative arts,
In this issue of The Torch, you’ll read
about some of the programs that help
our students meet their potential and
you’ll have the chance to see a few
of the things that are piquing their
front lines for the First World War,
the Canadian National Railway line to
Vancouver was completed, and Nellie
McClung was demanding women’s
suffrage.
building was demolished in 1987. Two
newer schools—Salisbury and Morse
Place—were merged to make the
current structure with its adjoining
hallway.
While history was being made, it was
also just beginning as the cornerstone
was laid for Salisbury School and its
first principal, Mr. Moir, prepared for
the inaugural group of grades 1–8
students.
But the spirit of the original building,
along with its cornerstone, still
remains, and the school invites former
students and staff members to attend
its 100th anniversary celebration on
April 23, 2015.
The school, now named Salisbury
Morse Place School, has seen many
changes over the decades. The original
The celebration may be of particular
interest to students who attended
in 1989–90. A time capsule that was
interest and keeping them busy this
school year. From photography and
spelunking to the cello and robotics,
there’s a little bit for everyone at
RETSD.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for
our special budget issue of The Torch,
which will arrive in the March 18 issue
of The Herald.
Kelly Barkman
Superintendent/CEO
tucked away that year will be opened
and its contents explored.
All celebrations will take place at
Salisbury Morse Place School at 795
Prince Rupert Ave. on April 23, 2015,
and the schedule will be as follows:
1:30 p.m. Musical performance,
refreshments & archive displays
5 p.m. Open house— walk through the
decades of change at SMP
7 p.m. Formal program, incl. musical
performance, special guests &
commemorative presentation
Meanwhile, the seniors have an
enjoyable experience and receive an
8x10 print, along with a CD containing
all the images from their photo shoot.
“At first I was nervous, but once we
set up and began having conversations
with them I felt very comfortable,” says
photography student Sarah Wolbaum.
“There was one couple in particular I
really connected with—I could have
visited with them for hours.”
It’s especially rewarding to find projects
like this that provide students with
connections with their community and
vice versa, says photography teacher
Deanna Michaleski. She looks forward
to more portrait sessions with Bethania
in the future.
Bethania residents Lotty and Peter, photographed by KEC photography students
Majenta Mason and Sandra Skorupski, respectively.
high grades on multiple choice final
exams would be the goal. “We often
have to study till 1 or 2 a.m.”
This was the route Ray’s older sister
took, but she urged him to become an
international student, having heard
appealing stories about Canada from
friends who had studied abroad.
From Taiwan to Miles Mac
Ray Wang certainly has focus.
He readily admits, however, that his
focus would have been considerably
different had he stayed in his home
city of Taipei, Taiwan, to complete high
school.
Ray is a student in River East
Ethics team to represent Canada
Most people think of “ethics” in its
simplest form—knowing right from
wrong.
But River East Collegiate teacher Anita
Maharaj Kumar works with a group of
seven students to delve deeper into the
study of moral philosophy. And their
mental gymnastics have earned them
the exciting opportunity to be the first
team to represent Canada at the U.S.
National High School Ethics Bowl in
Chapel Hill, N.C., in April.
First, in December, the REC group
competed against and bested five other
RETSD high schools in the Manitoba
Regional High School Ethics Bowl, a
pilot opportunity presented by the
Manitoba Association for Rights and
Liberties, the University of Manitoba,
and Manitoba Education.
An ethics bowl is a collaborative yet
Transcona’s International Education
Program and this is his third year
studying at Miles Macdonell Collegiate.
The hours and study goals differ greatly
from back home.
“We have school from 7:30 to 5:30
every day,” says Ray of school in Taipei,
where academic subjects would be the
sole focus of his studies, and where
competitive event in which teams
analyze a series of wide-ranging ethical
dilemmas. Ms. Maharaj Kumar believes
students benefit in a number of ways
from the process of learning and talking
about ethics.
Ray is a talented cellist and liked the
prospect of being able to focus on his
music while in high school; plus, Miles
Macdonell has an excellent music
program. In Taipei, he’d only be able to
practise the cello during his very limited
free time.
“I can do homework for an hour and
go play my instrument,” says Ray. “So,
I have time to practise and I’m on the
varsity basketball team, too. And I play
with the Winnipeg Youth Symphony
Orchestra. There’s just more extra time
to do things I want to do.”
The team is fundraising for the trip,
which will cost $8,000, but Ms. Maharaj
Kumar is hoping there may be sponsors
interested in providing some support
The opportunity to have a balanced
school day consisting of academic,
vocational and recreational pursuits
is one of the attractions that draws
students from around the world to the
International Education Program. As
well, many come to RETSD to become
more fluent in English.
After almost three years in the
program, Ray is quite comfortable
speaking English. And under the
tutelage of Miles Mac music teachers
Zane Zalis and Garth Remple (Mr.
Remple is also Ray’s homestay parent),
his skills as a cellist have garnered him
a scholarship and acceptance to the
prestigious Berklee College of Music
in Boston, Mass. He plans to study
to become a studio musician for film
scores and will start there in September
2015.
“I’ll be in the class of 2019,” he says,
already one step ahead into his future.
for the team. If you, your organization
or your business are interested,
please contact Ms. Maharaj Kumar at
akumar@retsd.mb.ca.
“My students are having a chance to
evaluate their own line of thought,”
she says. “Then through the education
and the process I’m able to provide,
they’re moving to a deeper level of
thinking—critical thinking. They’re
problem-solving, not from a black and
white binary perspective but from an
open continuum that delves into the
grey areas.”
The regional bowl allowed them to
flex their ethics muscles and the win
has given them a healthy boost of
confidence, both of which may be
helpful when heading to the bowl in
North Carolina, where they’ve heard
they’ll face some fierce competition.
(left to right) Jayda Hope, Emmanuel Cardozo, Udit Suryavanshi (alternate), Kartik
Sachar, KEC principal Diana Posthumous, James Pither, Quiana Kumar and teacher
Anita Maharaj Kumar (missing: Kaela Rampersad, alternate)
Reading Recovery teacher Jennifer Awang assists a student at Polson School.
Reading Recovery program
gives students a boost
If you can read this article from
beginning to end, count yourself lucky.
A surprising 42 per cent of Canadians
between the ages of 16 and 65 have
low literacy skills. What’s even more
surprising is that 88 per cent of
Canadians over the age of 65 appear
to be in that situation. So, while
we’ve made substantial progress
over the years, there is still room for
improvement.
Without being able to read, people
are helpless to understand such vital
information as prescriptions, or food
safety and baby formula instructions.
They cannot decipher directions, write
a resumé or fill out a job application.
The words on omnipresent computer
screens are meaningless.
River East Transcona School Division
recognizes the critical role literacy
plays in the well-being and success of
its students and provides students who
need help with the early intervention
necessary to bring them up to speed. It
does this through Reading Recovery®,
a program that’s proven to be a
successful intervention strategy for
young readers. The division currently
offers Reading Recovery in each of its
early years schools.
Students who require the assistance
enter Reading Recovery in Grade 1.
The goal is to greatly reduce the
number of Grade 1 students who have
acute difficulty learning to read and
write.
RETSD students participated in a VEX Robotics Competition at Chief Peguis Junior
High on Jan. 9. The students designed and controlled their own robots.
It involves daily 30-minute individual
lessons, for 12 to 20 weeks. The
lessons are geared to each student’s
particular needs and centre on reading
comprehension and communicating
through writing. The student and
teacher read books, write stories
and draw from the student’s own
experience to develop strategies to
help the student become a better
reader and writer.
Lessons are discontinued when
the Reading Recovery teacher and
classroom teacher agree that the
student has reached a sufficient level
of independence to be able to learn
along with their peers in the classroom.
Students who have not been able to
reach this point after 20 weeks of
individual teaching are referred for
further, long-term support.
With this and other supports, RETSD is
doing its best to ensure students have
the literacy levels necessary to keep
pace with the escalating demands of
society in the information age.
Grade 1 student Erynne Ocampo explores the mobile spelunking tunnels that were
set up for two weeks in the École Centrale gym by phys-ed teacher Gilles Boulley.
YOUR TRUSTEES
Ward 1 • Colleen Carswell • ccarswell@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 1 • Jerry Sodomlak • jsodomlak@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 2 • John Toews • jtoews@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 2 • Rod Giesbrecht • rgiesbrecht@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 3 • Eva Prysizney • eprysizney@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 3 • Wayne Ritcher • writcher@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 4 • Brian Olynik • bolynik@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 4 • Peter Kotyk • pkotyk@retsd.mb.ca
Ward 5 • Michael West • mwest@retsd.mb.ca
We would love to hear from you!
Send questions and comments regarding The Torch to: communications@retsd.mb.ca