A News Update From MAPLE RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL ECOLE SECONDAIRE DE MAPLE RIDGE Winter 2017/2018 www.mrss.ca

The decision whether or not to close schools due to inclement weather conditions is the responsibility of the Superintendent who must balance safety with the need to provide learning.

The Superintendent will use her best judgement to make a school closure decision. The decision making process is complicated by the fact that weather conditions can vary significantly between neighbouring communities, may change and may differ from original forecasts. A

final decision is made by 6:00am so that a timely communications process can be i n i t i a t e d . T h e decision is posted on the d is t r ic t website and sent to major radio and

television outlets such as All News1130 and CKNW 980.

School Closure - Inclement Weather

Ridge Wrestlers dominated the 7 team competition November 28th. Going undefeated were Jacob McClure, Ivy Threatful, Haider Al-Lami, Raiden Thibodeau and Adrian Truong. Adrian was later named MRSS Athlete of the Month. Special recognition to first match

w r e s t l e r s , Gr. 8 athlete G a b e Fitzpatrick and Gr. 12 international s t u d e n t Vittorio (The M o n s t e r ) Versura for t he i r ve ry impressive start.

Ridge Wrestlers Off To A Strong Start

Congratuations to 26 MRSS 2017 Grads who each received BC Achievement Scholarships of $1250. The award is given to the top students in the province with an ‘A’ average in all courses on their BC Transcript of Grades (grades 10-12). Congratulations to Katie Balaban, Elise Carelse, Yuan Chen, Emily Christensen, Che Ming Chung, Maggie Coles Lyster, Arshpreet Dhillon, Sophia Dobischok, Katelyn Fisher, Jamie Hennessey, Natasha Hurst, Sangeetha K a s t u r i , C e c i l e K w o n , Bryanne Lane, Kate Liversidge, Brianna MacDonald, Georgia Masaki, Aimee Milliard, Elijah Otwey, Hannah Park, Jacob Pauls, Kim Petraschuk, Miki Rowbottom, Rebecca Trembath, Katie Watson, and Kelsey Williams. Wow! That’s quite an achievement!

MRSS Celebrates Academic Success

MRSS is excited to host our annual Drive Thru Food Drive on Thursday, December 7 from 7:30-8:30 am. It couldn't be easier! Just drive up and we'll have volunteers who'll be happy to take your donation of non-perishable food items - you don't even need to get out of the car! All donations go directly to the Maple Ridge Friends In Need Food Bank to help families in our community. Mark this date on your calendar. Thank you in advance for your support!

Drive Thru Food Drive - December 7

Students can get extra help - no appointment is necessary. Come only once, come as a repeat customer as you work through a difficult concept or chapter or come every day if you need to - everyone is welcome.

The Homework Club m e e t s M o n d a y t o Thursday from 2:40 to 3:30pm in the Library. This is not a social club but rather a voluntary group of professionals w a n t i n g t o h e l p students. Please join us - our doors are open!

We’re Here To Help

Dec. 21 Term 1 Report Cards IssuedDec. 22 Last Day of ClassesDec. 25-Jan. 5 Winter BreakJan. 8 Classes ResumeJan. 16 & 17 Grade 9 ImmunizationsJan. 24 PAC Meeting @ 7pm - All Parents WelcomeJan. 26 Non Instructional Day - No ClassesFeb. 1 Transfer Application Phase 1 BeginsFeb. 8 Student Conferences 1-4pm & 6-8pmFeb. 9 School Closure Day - All Schools ClosedFeb. 13 Non Instructional Day - No ClassesFeb. 26 District Scholarship Applications DueFeb. 28 PAC Meeting @ 7pm - All Parents WelcomeFeb. 28 Phase 1 Transfer Application DeadlineMar. 12-16 School Closure WeekMar. 19-23 Spring BreakApr. 6 Term 2 Report Cards IssuedApr. 25 PAC Meeting - All Parents WelcomeApr. 30 Non Instructional Day - No Classes May 22 Non Instructional Day - No ClassesMay 23 PAC Meeting @ 7pm - All Parents WelcomeMay 27 Show ‘n Shine Classic Car ShowMay 30 Gr. 7 Full Day Visit - Gr. 8s stay homeJune 13 Awards NightJune 28 Final Report Card Pick Up 9-12June 29 Schools Closed for Summer

Important Dates

Cold and flu season has arrived. Fraser Health Authority remind us to wash our hands with soap and water frequently, and cough into our sleeves (not our hands). If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer is a good substitute.

If students are ill they should stay home. Parent or guardians should contact the school to advise of their absence.

Cold and Flu Season

Our Parent Advisory Council reminds parents that you are very welcome and are indeed encouraged to attend their monthly meetings. They have much to offer and welcome your ideas. Unlike elementary school, the PAC focus is not fundraising.

Upcoming PAC meetings take place on the follow-ing Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the library: January 24, February 28, April 25, May 23 and June 6.

PAC Message

We want to remind students and parents who take trips during school time that students are responsible for missed assignments and tests. Students should give teachers ample notice that they will be away.

We value the time we have with students in class to provide them with the best learning experience possible.

Taking a Holiday?

Student Conferences

Our second student conferences will be held on Thursday, February 8 from 1:00-4:00p.m. and 6:00-8:00p.m. Parents need to use our online booking system to book appointments with teachers. We will send an email to parents with the link as soon as it is ‘live’ Appointments book up very fast.

Despite our best efforts, there will be teacher(s) who are fully booked by the time you try to make your appointments. Please feel free to contact teachers via email for a progress report. You can find their email address on our website at: http://mrss.ca/contact-us/

There will be no classes on this day. We will not be issuing a report card at this time.

Grade 12 students should mark Monday, February 26 on their calendars. Application pack-ages for District Scholarships and Bursaries are due in the Ca-reer Centre by 3:30 pm that day. Students are encouraged to visit the grad webpage of the Ridge website to review the criteria and specifics for each award. SD42s Scholarship Book and applica-tion forms can be downloaded by visiting the Career Centre web-page at: https://mrsscareercentre.wordpress.com

Drop by the Career Centre if you have any questions.

District Scholarships & BursariesJanuary 29 Grads A-M measured for caps and gowns. $50 grad fee due (non-

refundable). January 30 Grads N-Z measured for caps and gowns. $50 grad fee due (non-

refundable). April 3 – 27 Banquet and dance ticket sales begin – ticket sales limited to

one per grad. Seating requests taken. Maximum capacity is 350 people.

May 1 – 11 Banquet and dance ticket sales continue. ONE additional ticket for those requiring more than one ticket.

May 1 – June 9 Dry Grad tickets on saleMay 14–June 1 Ceremony ticket sales begin. $5 per ticket, maximum seating

capacity 1440. Tickets limited to five per grad. June 4 – 8 Unlimited ceremony tickets available until we sell out.June 6 Grad rehearsal at MRSS main gym from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Attendance is mandatory to participate. Caps and gowns distributed.

June 8 Grad Ceremony at Chandos Pattison Auditorium at 7pmJune 9 Grad Banquet and Dance at Swan-E-Set Golf Course followed by Dry Grad @ MRSS

Important Grad 2018 Dates

Attendance For Grads

Excessive absences can inter-fere with participation in the graduation ceremonies.

Our guidelines limit absences to the equivalent of 15 days per year.

If you have any questions or want to review your attendance records, please contact the office. We will do our best to keep parents in-formed.

The Ministry of Education is encouraging British Columbians to sign up for a $1,200 grant for their children’s post-secondary education and training. To be eligible, the child applying must have been born in 2006 or later and must be at least six years of age when they apply. The child parents/guardians must both be residents of British Columbia. Signing up for the grant is as easy as stopping in at your local financial institution and following these simple steps:• Bring social insurance number (SIN) cards for both the child and the parent/

guardian.• Sign the child up as the beneficiary of a Registered Education Savings Plan.• Complete the application at your financial institution.No additional contributions are required. Learn more at the Ministry of Education website: https://goo.gl/ep8bgJ

BC Training & Education Savings Grant

Our Dry Grad Parent Committee is starting to get prepared for our annual Show 'n Shine on Sunday, May 27. This free, family event is always a big hit and everyone is welcome! Anyone from our community or indeed from anywhere is welcome to join us.

There will be fantastic cars to view, vendors selling unique items, a concession stand and live entertainment. Mark this date on your calendar - tell your friends and neighbours and plan to join us.

Dry Grad News

MRSS students have the opportunity to get involved in three very unique student exchange programs: a 9 or 11-week exchange with a high school student from France, Belgium, or Spain through OSEF (www.osef.ca); a 10-week exchange with a student from Germany (www.bchla.net); or a 12-week exchange with a student from Québec (www.gov.bc.ca/QuebecExchange)

Student exchanges are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that allow students to expand their cultural horizons, make new

friends, improve their second language skills, grow in their self-confidence, and become more independent. Exchange students also gain a new family and a host of new connections that would otherwise be out of reach for them. The best time to

Multicultural Week

Multicultural Week is coming to MRSS two weeks before Spring Break, our school will be filled with tastes, sounds, and activities celebrating the diversity of languages and cultures experienced at MRSS. There will be a Hispanic Day, an Asian culture Day, a Germanic Day, an Aboriginal Day, and a French Canadian Day. Tasty ethnic food will be available for purchase in the cafeteria, and mini-cultural activities will take place there during the lunch break. To top it all off, a cultural group will make a presentation or perform for the students each day. Most of the cultural sessions will take place in the library during the second or third block of the day. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

Student Exchange Programs

participate in such an exchange is when the student is in grades 10 or 11. They must apply between November and February of their previous school year.

Each year, several MRSS students take the courageous leap to pursue part of their school experience in these faraway places. This school year, six MRSS students are involved in these exchanges. They have already completed the first half of their exchange experience by hosting an overseas student in September, October, and part of November. In February, three of these students will be traveling to France and in March, three will be traveling to Germany. All of them will be attending school in Europe for about two and a half months.

Taking part in a student exchange program is one of the best enrichment opportunities available to high school students. The skills they learn stay with them for the rest of their lives.

For further information, please contact Hella Beckmann (Hella_Beckmann@sd42.ca

“I have been accepted at a college or university but what happens next?” Is this question on your mind? Grade 12 students are encouraged to look for information posted on the Career Centre bulletin board or visit their webpage at: mrsscareercentre• Check your email account constantly for any updates from the college or university you have applied to• Check the date and time you will register for courses for September• Review what courses you should be taking in September• Make a sample timetable• Visit the college or university and/or register for a “Course Registration Information Session”

Post Secondary 2016?