Principal’s Message

The school year seems to have sped by and now we have only a few more weeks left. All students need to keep focused on the successful completion of their classes, especially those with provincial exams. Students need to note the date and time of their exam and to help them do this, we will post the exam schedule in various locations around the school. To reduce anxiety, they should come to the gym half an hour before the appointed time with the appropriate equipment: pens, pencils, erasers, and a calculator for science and math exams.

We are anticipating our annual graduation events: Graduation Banquet and Dry Grad on June 11, followed by the Commencement Ceremony on June 15. These are wonderful opportunities to recognize the accomplishments of our grade 12 students. The staff and I wish them all the very best! Thank you to Ms. Wilson and her hardworking team of volunteers for organizing these activities and to a small, but dedicated crew of parents who are organizing the Dry Grad.

I recently discovered that some of our current grade 11’s attended an information session where brochures were distributed that advertise a trip to Mexico at Spring Break 2011 organized by a company called S-Trip. You should know that this company is not associated with our school and the trip is not sanctioned by us or the school board. The only grad events sponsored by the school are the banquet, dry grad and commencement. Any other function/event would be entirely private and without teacher supervision.

Extra-curricular activities are a mainstay of our school and I am pleased that so many of our students participated in a wide variety of athletic teams and activities. We will recognize their accomplishment with our annual Athletic Banquet on May 27. We will also recognize the academic and school community endeavors of our grade 8 – 11 students at our annual Awards Ceremony scheduled later in June. Congratulations to our amazing Mustangs on their continued commitment to excellence.

GRAD TRANSITIONS News

Grade 12 students and the Exit Interview Blitz

Congratulations Grads! Most of the Graduates of 2010 have successfully completed the Graduation Transitions Program and have received their RM (requirement met) for their four mandatory credits. The third annual Blitz Exit Interview Day went off without a hitch with more than 200 students completing the program on that day.  The students were prepared for their interviews with their personal growth and transitions plans. They were interviewed by members of staff, retired teachers, District personnel, the business community and a group of seniors from the Kennedy Senior Recreation Centre. The annual event creates a buzz in the school and it was a joy to hear the stories and plans of the students about their past, present and future goals.

Those Grade 12 students who have not completed their Grad Transitions Program, please see Mrs. Spencer ASAP, there is still time!

GRADE 10 AND 11 STUDENTS

Daily Physical Activity requirement
is now past due.

Please pick up a Declaration Form from outside C101, have your parents sign it and hand it in to Mrs. Spencer. Planning 10 students, you should have completed this in your “Blue Book” during class time; if not, please fill in one of the Declaration forms too. Everyone also has a Log in their Agenda, which may be shown to Mrs. Spencer to receive the credit.

Mustang Cafe Weekly Menu
June 1st - June 4th

Monday: June 7th
Macaroni and Cheese $4.00
Carrot Ginger Soup $1.50

Tuesday: June 8th
Grilled Bacon & Cheddar Sandwiches with Fries $4.00
Creamy Chicken with Rice Soup $1.5

Wednesday: June 9th
Beef Stew with a Fresh Green Salad $4.00
Potato & Corn Chowder $1.50

Thursday:June 10th
Chef’s Choice
Broccoli & Cheddar Soup $1.50

Friday:June 11th
Sandwiches, Soup, Salad & Fries

Reminders - Student Info

Medical Alerts :

If your child has a medical problem of which the school should be aware of, please notify the school office ASAP. Medical alert forms are available in the office.

Missing school time :

If your child is missing school due to a family emergency or a family vacation, please obtain a “Student Missing School Time” form from the office. Your child will need to obtain parent and teacher signatures. Completed forms must be returned to the office in advance.

REMINDERS – STUDENT INFO
CONTINUED…

PE locker use :

Students that use the PE lockers inside the change rooms need to bring his/her own lock and lock up their belongings. The school is not responsible if items go missing.

Student fees and outstanding debts :

Students must pay their student activity fee ($20) plus all outstanding debts, by cash or cheque. You can obtain a print out of your child’s outstanding debts from the office.

Student Information :

If your address, telephone number or emergency contact information has changed please let the office know.

Student Pick up and Drop Off Procedures

• When picking up or dropping off your child :

PLEASE do not double park at the front of the school. Cars are not allowed to be parked on the left side of the drop-off area, where the meridian is. Emergency vehicles must be able to get in through that area.

• When waiting for your child :

If you are waiting for your child, please park in the designated “visitor” spots located in our parking lot and have your child meet you there.

Thank you for doing your part in keeping the students and parents of LA Matheson safe.

Career Center News

Kwantlen Open House
Explore University. Discover Kwantlen.
-Campus Tour
-Mini-Lecture by Kwantlen faculty
-Talk with instructors and students
-Free lunch
-Win draw prizes
-Free parking

Saturday, April 10 from 11 am to 2 pm
Surrey Campus
Conference Centre – Cedar Building

BCIT’s Aviation Education Info Day

Consider a promising career in the aviation industry.

BCIT’s Aviation Education Info Day .
Saturday, April 10
10 am – 3 pm
BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus
3800 Cessna Drive, Richmond

Coast Capital Savings’ Community Youth Team
Applications are now open if you are interested in being a part of the Coast Capital Savings’ Community Youth Team.
• You must be going into Grade 11 or 12
• Intersted in helping out the community
• Have excellent customer service
• Commit to a one year term
• Able to work full-time during summer, Satrudays and some evenings during the school year

Apply online before Thursday, April 15
Brochures are available at the Career Centre. This program is highly competitive, only short-listed students will be contacted for an interview

SFU Surrey Info Session ~ April 21, 2010
The next SFU Surrey Info Session will be on Wednesday, April 21.
Information sessions are the perfect opportunity to learn more about one or more programs at SFU Surrey. Join us to see the campus and to speak with admission and program advisors. View the event itinerary “April 2010 Info Session” on their website:
http://www.students.surrey.sfu.ca/infosession

Mantej Khangura                            
Automotive Service Technician at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary &
Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Brandon Martyn                              
Automotive Service Technician at
 Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary &
 Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Jason Rocha                                     
Automotive Service Technician at Lord
Tweedsmuir Secondary and Kwantlen
Polytechnic University

Kaleb Slamang                                 
BCIT Electrical program at Princess Margaret

Good luck to you all. We know that you will be great ambassadors of L.A. Matheson!

“LET THE CO-OP’S END…LET THE CO-PO'S BEGIN"

The end of January marked the end of two highly successful Co-ops: Humanities 11 and Math 11 Essentials/Science and Technology 11 Co-ops. These students successfully completed two three-week work experience placements, as well as their academic courses. We would like to extend our appreciation to all of the students and teachers for making first semester’s Co-ops the best yet.

February saw the start of three additional Co-ops being run this year. The Culinary Arts 12, Information Technology 11/12 and Science 11 all began on February 1. The students are excited to go on their first work experience placements and have done much in the way of preparation for them. They have created formal resumes and cover letters and have participated in a two day World Host workshop taught by Ms. Miller and Mrs. Spencer. In March, they will also participate in our annual Mock Interviews in which they simulate an actual interview scenario with various interviewers who range from Surrey School District staff to members of the outside community. With these activities and experiences, we feel that the students will be fully prepared for success at their various work placements.

FIELD TRIPS & UPCOMING EVENTS
SFU is hosting an “Open House” on March 4 from 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm at their Surrey campus. Talk to the Career Centre about signing up for bus transportation, which is being provided by SFU. Deadline for bus sign up is Friday, February 19. If you would like attend the “Open House” you must register on-line at: http://www.surrey.sfu.ca

The Justice Institute is hosting their annual Career Showcase on Friday, March 19 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The Showcase will feature display booths and presentations by current justice and public safety professionals. Come and learn more about career opportunities in the fields of criminal and social justice and public safety. Contact (604) 528-5874 or visit the Justice Institute’s website for more information.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is hosting their annual BIG OPEN HOUSE on Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10 at their Cloverdale Campus. Come and meet current students, faculty, graduates and advisors as you learn about the many programs and services offered on all of Kwantlen’s campuses. There will be campus tours, interactive display programs, information booths, workshop, entertainment and so much more. Come to the Career Centre for more information or visit the Kwantlen Polytechnic website: http://www.kwantlen.ca/bigopenhouse

Multicultural Club News

Eid-Ul-Adah Celebration

The MC club organized an Eid-Ul-Adah celebration on December 2 at lunch. Staff and students dressed up in ethnic clothing and handed out informational brochures explaining the significance of Eid. Samosas were distributed by donation for Franklin, our sponsored African student. Music, Henna and face painting were a main attraction for staff and students. A big thank you to everyone who helped organise this event .

Multicultural Club Meetings

Our Monday meetings have been moved to Room D255 (Mrs. Khaira's room) at lunch. All members must attend.

Upcoming events
                 
Chinese New Year ~ Wednesday, February 17
                 
Black History Day ~ Friday, February 26
                 
Diggin’ the Roots ~ Thursday, April 1

BC Children's Hospital Fundraiser: Teacher's Lip Sync ~ Thursday, May 20

Would you like to join?

New members are always welcome.

Hospital / Homebound Program

What is the Hospital / Homebound Program ?

Surrey Hospital / homebound teachers provide instruction to students of all grade levels who are unable to attend school for medical reasons. The goal of the program is to have students return to their regular classroom with as little educational interruption as possible. Instruction is available at Surrey Memorial and Peace Arch Hospitals, or in the student's home.

When is a student eligible for the program ?

Students registered at a public school in Surrey may be referred to the Hospital / Homebound program when they are expected to be absent for five days or longer. They may be referred by the principal, teacher, counsellor, attendance secretary, parent, doctor or nurse. Some of the reasons for referral include: surgery, accidents, infections, diseases, intestinal program, cancer, repiratory problems, pregnancies, mental health problems, or immune deficiency problems.

Students hospitalized for either a short or long term can be referred upon entering the hospital.

What work is assigned to the student ?

The Hospital / Homebound teacher contacts the student's classroom teacher(s) to arrange for work to be assigned, then make appointments to teach the student at the hospital or at home. In some cases the Hospital / Homebound teacher may, in consultation with the classroom teacher, modify the assignments to take in acount the illness, injury or effects of the medication. Students then work at assignments that they would do if they were attending regular classes in school, using texts, worksheets, workbooks and exercises assigned by their classroom teachers.

For more information about education in Surrey

and support for students and parents, visit www.sd36.bc.ca

Surrey Schools . . . Keeping Learners at the Centre

Peer Counselling Info

The Peer Counselling Class for the 2009/2010 year is made up of the following grade 10, 11, and 12 students:

                      
     Peer counsellors are available to meet with students to help them deal with problems and to mediate conflicts. The peer counsellors will be meeting every grade 8 student to welcome them to L.A. Matheson and to check in with them to see how things are going.

Matheson Athletics

Welcome back for another year of athletics here at L.A. Matheson. Once again, we look to field teams in various sports this year.  We hope that you participate in as many sports as possible. The fall season is about to begin and we will have teams in boys soccer, boys and girls volleyball, and swimming. Tryouts for our fall teams will start soon.

Please listen to the announcements, watch the TV monitors, check the Athletics Bulletin Board outside the PE office and surf the web and our athletics website for the latest information about tryouts, practices, games, scores and other events.

http://fcweb.sd36.bc.ca/~mah_s/Athletics

The athletic season at L.A. Matheson is coming to an end.

The basketball season was exciting. We fielded six teams and witnessed great games.

Highlights this year included:

• The second annual Boys Basketball Bonanza where all three boys teams played on the same day against the same school (Delview) on November 30.  Matheson won 2 of 3 in this series.
• The Senior Boys’ basketball team travelled to San Diego over the winter break and had a top eight finish at the Surrey RCMP basketball tournament in January.
• The Junior Girls’ basketball team advanced to the Surrey Championships. 

Thank you to our coaches:

Grade 8 Girls – Ms. B. Peckham
Junior Girls – Ms. L. Compton and Ms. S. Hogg

A special thank you to Mr. B. Sutter and Ryan Shastri for refereeing this season.

The spring season saw teams in Ultimate, Cricket, Grade 8 and Junior Badminton, Junior Boys Rugby and Senior Girls Soccer. We saw great battles on the court and on the field. As of press time, all teams, with the exception of Ultimate and Cricket, have concluded their seasons. 

Senior Girls Soccer – Ms. L. Compton
Junior Boys Rugby – Mr. J. Lee and
                                   Mr. K. Jones
Grade 8 Badminton – Ms. J. Smith

Welcome back for another year of athletics here at L.A. Matheson.  The fall season is starting and we are running a full slate of volleyball teams, boys soccer, cross country, and swimming.

Coaches and sponsors for our fall teams are:

Grade 8 Boys Volleyball: Mr. J. Willie (Student Teacher), Ms. D. Storey Gray and Mr. B. Gray.
Grade 8 Girls Volleyball: Mr. B. Sutter and Ms. M. Kenkel.
Junior Boys Volleyball:  Ms. B. Peckham
Junior Girls Volleyball:  Ms. J. Halls
Senior Boys Volleyball: Mr. S. Mah
Senior Girls Volleyball: Mr. K. Stockdale
Junior Boys Soccer: Mr. J. Judson
Senior Boys Soccer: Ms. C. Bell (Student Teacher)
Cross Country: Ms. S. Hogg and Ms. M. Smith.
Swimming: Mrs. D. Dillon

Keep up to date with the latest athletic information by checking out the athletic website. The website can be found on the school website or you can link directly at: fcweb.sd36.bc.ca/~mah_s/Athletics.  Also, this year look out for our athletic newsletter, "Matheson on the Run", created by the PE Leadership 10 class. The newsletter will be posted on the school website. The first publication should out sometime in October.

LIBRARY NEWS

L. A. Matheson Library welcomes its new teacher-librarian Ms. Cauduro. Ms. Cauduro was one of Matheson’s French teachers for many years. Students are encouraged to drop by and meet Ms. Cauduro in the library.

Ms. Finch has retired, and is busy reading all the books she never had time to read; "So many books, so little time". She wishes the very best to our new teacher librarian, to all Matheson students, and especially to the voracious readers who made her days happy.

Home Access to Destiny Library

The District has provided a wonderful resource for helping our students do their homework. While at home, students can now access the library collection catalogue, to see which titles we have in our school library, and which resources are available. In addition to books and resources information, "WebPath Express" is also available. A student can use WebPath Express to connect to educationally-chosen websites to research their topics. Instructions for this program will be provided in September/October during library orientation classes. Students can also obtain assistants by asking the teacher librarian for help.

Remote (Home) Access to Destiny
Library Program

http://library.sd36.bc.ca
or
http://www.sd36.bc.ca
 Students.Resources>School Library Catalogues> choose L. A. Matheson Library

School District #36 Programs

District Partnership Programs:
Twelve grade 10 and grade 11 students have applied for various District Partnership Programs which will begin in 2009/2010 school year. The application process is quite involved, in that the students have to:

•meet specific academic pre-requisites
•do a site visit of the facility that they would be attending
•pass the District Math Assessment
•have a good attendance record
•have two references, one from a teacher and one from a community member
•include their resume and a cover letter

Once the application package has been sent in, the students are interviewed by a district official and a post-secondary instructor. These programs are highly competitive; there are a limited amount of spots available for all secondary schools in Surrey.
We wish the following students all the best in their application process:

•Automotive Service Technician Applicants:
Mantej Khangura, Joshua Manimtim, Brandon Martyn, Jason Rocha and Bobby Sandhu.

•Electrical Applicants:
Mark Luporini, Pritesh Patel, Parmvir Shergill and Kaleb Slamang.

•Hairdressing Applicant:
Hilary Rustin

•Millwright Applicant:
Brandon Foster

•Parts and Warehousing Applicant:
John George

•Welding Applicant:
Aaron Goundar

Post-Secondary Information Collected on one Website

Students can plan an academic career and seek the appropriate information to make informed decisions. The site is at www.educationplanner.bc.ca

How to save your files @ home

Click on the the Office Logo

Then select the Word 97-2003 Document

Adobe Software for students up to 85% off. The Adobe K-12 Licensing Program is available through http://www.software4students.ca and can be purchased by a Grade 6 - 12 students.

Examples of pricing:Web Standard CS4 regularly $999.99, just $229.93 Cdn. Design Standard CS4 regularly $1399, just $229.93 Cdn. Photoshop Element 8 & Premiere Elements 8 bundle regularly $149, just $129.93 Cdn. Production Premium CS4 regularly $1699, just Cdn 349.93. Check website for info on how to purchase items.

JUNE 2010
PROVINCIAL EXAM SCHEDULE

GENERAL STUDENT FEES

Student Activity Fee
Includes student council fee and student agenda (payable when students receive their locker assignments)

$ 20.00

Graduation & Commencement Fee (Grade 12 only)

$ 50.00

Athletic Fee - Basketball and Volleyball *

$ 50.00 each

Yearbook

TBA

Athletic Fee – all other sports *

$ 30.00 each

Ice Hockey Fee **

$200
Minimum

OTHER FEES
(enhancements to materials, experiences and/or personal resources)

Accounting 11 Workbook ***

$15.00

Graphing Calculator
(refundable deposit)

$ 50.00

* Student athletes are charged on a per sport basis to a maximum of $80 in one school year. For example, if a student plays volleyball in the fall, they will pay $50 and then basketball in the winter, they will only pay $30 (as they have reached the $80 cap) and if they also play badminton in the spring, the $30 fee is waived.

** Fees for the Ice Hockey Team are separate from the athletic fees. The hockey program, organized by Surrey Parks & Rec., determines the cost on a year-to-year basis. The fees will be a minimum of $200.

*** Please note that purchasing a workbook is optional. Students have the option to borrow a workbook and return it at the end of the semester as they would any other textbook. Students who choose to borrow a book may not write in the book and must return it in the same condition as it was issued or they will be charged for damages.

Field Trips – unless otherwise specified, participation in field trips is optional and there will be a charge.

STUDENT DEBTS
                                                                                                                                   
Students will be assessed a cost for lost or damaged school property (books, lockers, jerseys, etc.). Charges are based on the replacement cost of the items. Students must return the same textbook loaned to them in order to receive credit and should, therefore, treat their books with care.