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R.E. Mountain Secondary In the NEWS!

Premier educator honoured

 

 

 

Crosstown Metal Industries, based in Surrey, has won a $2 million contract to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air control systems at R.E. Mountain Secondary.

The work is needed to meet WorkSafe B.C. requirements, and because of equipment age and energy conservation issues.

Mountain is the latest on the list of upgrades and the school trustees approved the bid at last Tuesday's board meeting.

"In 2001, the district began a systematic upgrade of our HVAC systems in many of our schools," explained treasurer Peter Greenwood. "Over 20 schools have been completed to date and five schools scheduled for replacement in 2001 have since closed."

The board received information on the six bidders whose estimates ranged from Crosstown's lowest to a $3.5 million offer from Kedco Constructors. All others were in the low $2 million range.

The project will be funded out of the school district's budget. This one's funding will span three school years with the actual work starting this spring and taking a year to complete.

The size of the REMSS project will require allocations of $1 million in the current 2008/2009 school year, $1 million from 2009/2010 and $300,000 from 2010/2011.

The district engaged an expert to assess the project and bids.

"They [Crosstown] have done projects of this magnitude in the past," Greenwood told the school trustees.

The project will include other necessary work such as painting and a lighting upgrade. The district will spend $140,000 on the lighting but will receive more than that back in rebates. Energy upgrades are showing up on the bottom line, he noted.

"Our electricity bill is lower than it was six or seven years ago," Greenwood said.

 

Langley students showed they know their stuff when they won two golds and one silver at the Skills Canada Regionals this past weekend.

About a dozen local students competed in the regionals that were held at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Cloverdale campus on Saturday.

The categories included sumo robots, carpentry, welding and cabinet making.

Jason Midgley, a Grade 10 student from Walnut Grove Secondary, won first place in architecture computer assisted design (CAD).

The other Langley gold went to Mitchell Villebrun, a Grade 12 from RE Mountain Secondary who competed in carpentry.

A silver in the welding competition went to Mark Chretien, who graduated from Walnut Grove Secondary but still qualified to compete under Skills Canada rules.

Skills Canada BC is a branch of the national non-profit organization that promotes trades training and careers. High school students can compete in the regional competitions that test their skills in areas as diverse as computer design, woodworking, animation, graphic design, web design, robotics, welding, and more.

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com

 

Langley Teacher Honoured

 

 

 

Mountain Students On Parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students from most Langley School District high schools took part along with some staff members and at least one parent.

After the day that included a video about peace and exercises to teach about mediation, conflict resolution and other key topics, two students shared how the day impacted them.

Alex Holmes has been part of the restorative action team at her school, Langley Fine Arts, since it started four years ago.

"I've always liked helping other people," she said.

The group initially grabbed her attention as a resume booster but has become more for the Grade 12 student. She said while the initiative may not have made overt inroads with the older grades, she has seen changes in the younger students who have been exposed to it over several grades now.

"I think there's a lot more communication," Holmes said.

The older team members are paired up with classes in the lower grades and can help mediate conflicts that may seem petty or unimportant to older kids or adults but that are a chance to teach the younger kids about not inflicting harm on others and conflict resolution not involving violence, insults or other inappropriate means.

Vrindy Spencer is one of about eight restorative action team members at R.E. Mountain Secondary and joined the team last year after CJI did a session at the school. For the Grade 10 student, the team is a chance to give back.

"We're not telling them what to do and we're not punishing them," she explained. "Instead we are asking people to tell us their side of the story and just listen... We let people come up with their own solutions and try to understand the bigger picture as opposed to focusing on the one event or conflict."

She recalls events she's witnessed in school while growing up that would have been perfect for restorative measures by student teams. It's also changed her life.

"Before when I saw or heard of a fight, I felt helpless," she explained. "Now if I come across confrontation, I know how to handle it."

The students are taking back what they learned during the day to share at their schools.

"We are hoping to have the school become more involved with RA [restorative action]," Spencer said. "Our goal would probably be to have everyone at least know what RA is all about and what conflicts we can help address."

© Langley Advance 2009

 

	R.E. Mountain Secondary student such as Michael Dagg, Grade 8, Grade 10’s Stephanie Mufford and Harkeerat Chhina, in Grade 9 showed their solidarity by wearing pink last Wednesday. About three quarters of the students wore pink as part of the second annual Pink Shirt Day. Photograph by : Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance

Michael Dagg must have cleaned out a secondhand store when he and his mom went on the hunt for pink clothing.

The Grade 8 student at R.E. Mountain Secondary turned up last Wednesday wearing pink from head to foot, including pink on his face.

Normally such antics would garner chuckles or maybe even a trip to the principal's office, but on Feb. 25, no one batted an eyelash. After all, at least 75 per cent of the student body was wearing pink shoes, slippers, PJs, T-shirts, accessories, or ribbons: part of the anti-bullying campaign called Pink Shirt Day.

For the second annual Pink Shirt Day, the provincial government even declared Feb. 25 as Anti-Bullying Day in B.C.

"We are sending the message loud and clear that bullying stops here and to ensure everyone feels safe, secure, and respected at school and at work," Premier Gordon Campbell said.

Last Monday, Langley City Councillor Teri James challenged her colleagues on council to buy pink T-shirts with the anti-bullying logo on them, as the money goes to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Langley.

City firefighters dyed some of their white work shirts pink, in a show of support for the cause.

City Coun. Jack Arnold recalled how antiquated attitudes still linger. He wore a pink shirt last year, and was chastised by another man who said that real men don't wear pink.

"I told him, 'Real men wear whatever they want,'" Arnold recalled.

© Langley Advance 2009

 

Karen Larsen has spent her teaching career helping young people prepare for life after graduation.

The R.E. Mountain Secondary teacher been named one of only a handful of recipients of the Premier's Award for Teaching Excellence.

The provincial government announced the winners to kick off Education Week 2009.

Larsen teaches Planning 10 and Grad Transitions 12.

In addition to her work helping students make career and life planning decisions, she provides additional learning opportunities through events such as the Healthy Living and Career Opportunities Conference.

She also works with other teachers on research and programming.

"I am quite pleased to recognize the tremendous contributions that Karen Larsen has made to education in Langley," said Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman. "She is an innovative and inspiring asset to our schools and to our community," Coleman added.

Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point and Education Minister Shirley Bond will present the winning teachers with a certificate of achievement at Government House to honour their commitment to excellence. In addition, each award winner will receive $1,500 for professional development.

Lochiel U-Connect teacher John Harris was presented with the award last year.

 

The Ministry of Education deems that students meet prescribed learning outcomes for Graduation Transitions by participating in career-related activities outside of the school setting.

Yes, governments love their "bureaucratese" but what does that mean to the average student trying to figure out whether to enter the workforce or continue on with their education.

Staff at schools such as R.E. Mountain Secondary have to put those government mandates into action in ways that provide relevance to students.

	On Career Day Feb. 19, R.E. Mountain Secondary students checked out what BCIT offers.

At Mountain, the staff decided there was no better way to help prepare students than with Health and Careers Day and trips to post-secondary schools for the students closest to graduation.

"This is a strategy aimed at increasing our numbers of graduates who attend post secondary," explained vice principal Dawne Tomlinson. "Research shows that if students actually set foot on a post secondary campus they are more inclined to go to post secondary."

The Grade 10s headed off to check out Kwantlen Polytechnic University while the Grade 11s toured BCIT Aerospace in Richmond and the Grade 12s went to the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.

"Each institution prepared a special day for REMSS students including - a campus tour, overviews of program offerings/admissions/registration, meeting post secondary students, and speaking with college instructors," teacher Karen Larsen said.

While the Grades 10-12 were touring schools, the school's Grade 8 and 9 students were also given a helping hand on the career path. They heard from various guest speakers about health and career issues, part of the instruction schools must now give to help young people prepare for a quickly changing world and work environment.

© Langley Advance 2009

 

R.E. Mountain Secondary is going big for its Spring Pops Concert on March 11, 7 p.m.

More than 100 student musicians will perform, as Disney music takes the spotlight.

"Even students from Willoughby and Langley Meadows Elementary will get in on the act," said REM music director David Mills.

"The concert is really shaping up," he said. "The new choir teacher, Jen Williams, has done amazing things with the choir."

The evening will also feature door prizes, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction in addition to an expanded munchie selection.

A gourmet platter (dessert, with tea, coffee or cold drink) will be included with admission, plus a pizza counter and a popcorn booth.

"The money goes to the Mountain Parent Music Society, which provides funding for the students' music festivals, uniforms, and new instruments," Mills explained, adding, "The concert will feature popular music, including classic Disney music performed by our gold award winning concert bands, jazz bands, our 90 voice concert choir, senior and junior vocal jazz groups, and our outstanding senior chamber choir also, the woodwind choir, trombone factory, and more."

The $25 tickets give people front row tables. Other ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Call 604-888-3033.

"Tickets will be available at the door, but we strongly suggest picking up your tickets at the school ASAP," he said.

© Langley Advance 2009

High school students today will be graduating into a world sharply changed from bling-based excesses of the last several years. The global economic crisis will impact job choices, whether they can attend post secondary, and whether they can afford post secondary.

The Langley School District helps prepare its students for they world they will encounter when they leave school.

Recently R.E. Mountain Secondary teacher Karen Larsen brought in financial experts from VanCity Credit Union for her Planning 10 class, and a session on money, loans, credit ratings and more.

VanCity's Vic Sohi and Katherine Krogfoss showed just how much month would be left at the end of the money if a young person worked 40 hours per week for $11 per hour. The students had a quick lesson in how taxes, rent, food, and other living expenses eat through income, leaving little for entertainment, a car, or other niceties.

The VanCity guests also asked the students how do they make money and what they do with their money, encouraging them to think about where their money goes and how their spending could impact their futures.

Sohi noted that they see many young people in that 20-24 age bracket who have overextended themselves. Many have consistent pay in their first full-time jobs and get trapped into what seemed like easy credit.

Krogfoss explained how credit, good or bad, follows a person and impacts whether they can make many purchases such as vehicles, homes or even household furniture. She noted that information on people's credit reports stays there for seven years. If a young person gets into financial trouble and assumes declaring bankruptcy clears the slate, they may be shocked to find that decision impacting them years down the road.

The lessons in this essential life skill are opening students' eyes.

"I always figured I would go get a normal job and have lots of money, but realized you have to go through university and work for what you want," said Krystal Stelter, who wants to study psychology.

Mitchell Burgess, who plans on going to the Justice Institute of B.C. then into the RCMP, had planned on moving out on his own and going to university. That may no longer be an economic option.

"I think it's going to be a lot harder to get through," he said about life after graduation.

He's looking for a part-time job and is awaiting word on a job stocking shelves at a grocery store where he would like to work about 12-16 hours each week. At this point, the money he receives and any future job is still about saving up for a treat. For him that's a trip to Winnipeg.

Student Laura Henrey dreams of being an English teacher. Her parents provided her fiscal knowledge so the material being learned in school supplements what her family taught.

"We have looked at various scholarship ideas and student aid programs that we can use for post-secondary education, and now we are learning about loans and interest," she explained about the class.

The money she makes tutoring elementary students is divvied up between an RESP and typical teen spending.

Stelter did have a job giving ponyrides to children but isn't working now. She said any money she makes gets socked away.

The students are aware of the global financial situation. Burgess chalks it up to "wars in the past decades" contributing to America's economic crisis.

For Stelter, the situation is new enough and far enough away that it doesn't occupy her thoughts while Henrey sees how everyone has a role in it.

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