MILES MACDONELL COLLEGIATE April 2011 - Retsd.mb.ca

MILES MACDONELL COLLEGIATE757 Roch St, Winnipeg, MB R2K 2R1Ph: 667-1103Principal: V. LaurieVice-Principals: D. Finlay, K. Jacobwww.mmc.retsd.mb.caApril 2011Principal’s MessageWith approximately seven weeks remaining until our June exams, we still have much to do to complete our studies for thisschool year. The month of May will see our finishing IB students writing their examinations. We wish them much success.As well, we are beginning our plans for the new school year 2011 – 2012 and are establishing our priorities for this new year.On Friday, April 29, there will be no classes as we are setting our school plan.The Mid Term Report card has been distributed to our students today, April 27, 2011. You will also have received an attendanceprofile for your son/daughter attached to the report card. If you have any concerns about the progress of your son/daughter, I would ask you to contact the Teacher Advisor that a plan may be put in place to assist him/her in a timely fashion.For the grade 12 graduating students who will be receiving Scholarships and / or awards, Miles Macdonell Collegiate will behosting a Scholarship and Award Ceremony on Friday, June 24 th at 10:00 am in Gym B. All of the recipients and their familieswill be contacted by a school representative at the beginning of that week (on June 20 th or 21 st ) to receive a special invitationfor this event. Last June 2010, Miles Macdonell Collegiate graduates received over $150,000.00 in scholarships and bursariesfor their dedication to excellence. We are looking forward to this celebration.As always, if you have any questions or concerns, I would invite you to contact your son/daughter’s Teacher Advisor, thevice principals - Mr. Finlay or Mr. Jacob, or myself.V. LaurieRUN, MRS. KAEGI, RUN!Congratulations to Mrs. Christine Kaegi, who worked so hard to qualify for the Boston Marathon and then fulfilled her goal by runningthe Boston in 3:28:43, finishing 7275 of 26964. We are very proud of her hard work and ongoing determination!Dress Code at Miles Macdonell CollegiateAs we approach the close of the school year and the weather warms, I would remind our students of the expectationfor appropriate dress at MMC. I would appreciate your reviewing with your son/daughter the protocoland I thank you for your continued support of our practices at MMC.RIVER EAST TRANSCONA SCHOOL DIVISION DRESS CODE“Students shall dress in a manner that is appropriate for a learning and working environment. Parents andstudents are responsible for appropriate student attire. In keeping with the division’s objective to make allstudents and staff fell safe, welcome and comfortable in the River East Transcona School Division, offensiveimages such as inappropriate slogans, racist, sexist or demeaning pictures and/or words on clothing, handbags,backpacks, etc, are not permitted. School administrators will have the authority to address inappropriateattire in their schools.”DRESS CODE AT MILES MACDONELL COLLEGIATE“Clothing should reflect our code of good taste and respect and not be a source of distraction to the academicatmosphere of our school. This means that shoulders, chests and abdomens must be fully covered andunder wear not exposed. Jackets, hats or headwear are not to be worn in school with the exception of culturalrequirements. Short shorts and short skirts are not reflective of this work environment.”Parent AdvisoryCouncil atMiles MacdonellCollegiateOur last ParentAdvisory Councilmeeting will takeplace on Tuesday,May 31 st at 7:00pm in our library.All parents aremost welcome toattend.Miles Macdonell Collegiate 1 April 2011

FRANCE and SPAIN TRIP!Over spring break this year, 40 students and 4 teachers travelled to France and Spain.The students were excited to practice their language skills and to immerse themselvesin French and Spanish culture. Our fast-paced trip included 4 days in Paris, 2 days inBarcelona, and 2 days in Madrid. Some highlights include: Notre Dame, the Eiffeltower, the Louvre, les Champs Elysées, Sacré Coeur, an overnight train ride, F.C.Barcelona, Parc Guell, the Sagrada Famillia, the Gaudi Museum, Las Ramblas, PalacioReal, El Prado, Museo Reina Sofia, and tapas in a restaurant that used to be a realdungeon during the Spanish Inquisition! The students are now proficient at ridingthe metro, turning away street peddlers, walking miles every day, and shopping inthree major European cities. The students really enjoyed their time, and appreciatedthis wonderful opportunity!Miles Macdonell Angling Club-Kids Fishing for a cure!The Miles Macdonell Angling Club is back for its second year. Last year, we had over 30 students partake in the club. Theclub started with a few sessions in the classroom where we learned about conservation, safety, knot tying, lures, and environmentalissues. At the same time, the students in the club decided to use this club as a vehicle to raise funds for a family witha child who is undergoing cancer treatments. In 2010, we raised over $800 for this family. Students in our club asked theirfriends and family members to sponsor them to be a part of our club. They either asked for a one time donation of a dollaramount per fish caught.The club then partook in two on-site practice sessions at the Red River in Lockport, MB as well as three competition dates,where we caught, recorded, and released all fish caught. This helped us determine some of the monies our friends and familieswould donate to our cause. All students who fundraised over $35 took home a Miles Macdonell Angling Club T-shirtthat was sponsored by MIG insurance. Students who fundraised the most money, caught the biggest fish, and caught themost fish won fishing rods, generously donated by Don Lamont, a local pro fisherman.Each on site session at Lockport ended with a riverbank cleanup by the students. We had always left the area cleaner thanwhen we arrived and we were proud to take care of one of our local resources.If you are interested in joining the club this year, please see Mr. Au or Mr. Kapilik. Meetings begin the last week of April andit is never too late to join! If any parents or community members have any resources that can assist our club with donationsor prizes, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Mr. Au or Mr. Kapilik at tau@retsd.mb.ca orckapilik@retsd.mb.caMMC “CONCOURS D’ART ORATOIRE”This past month, all students in Basic French and French Immersion programs competed in aschool-level French language speaking competition. They prepared their own opinion speeches ontopics of their choosing, ranging from describing favorite trips to discussing political and social issuessuch as separatism and immigration laws. The students chosen at the school level were ourrepresentatives at a divisional level competition, which took place on April 13 th , 2011 held at JohnHenderson School. Those individuals were:Basic French: Grade 10: Ana K., Kevin M. and Tony Y.Grade 11/12: Gabriela G., Elvina M. and Camille P.French Immersion (Early and Late Immersion programs)Grade 11/12: Giezi A.Late ImmersionGrade 11/12 : Natalie K.From all of the divisional candidates who had very impressive speeches, Miles Macdonell was able to secure four firstplace finishes: Ana K. in Grade 10 Basic French; Camille P. in Grade 12 Basic French, Natalie K. –Grade 11 Immersionand Giezi A.- Grade 11 Late Immersion. These students will be representing the division at the provincial level Concoursd’art oratoire which will take place on May 7 th , 2011 at Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface. Students in grades 11 and12, have the chance to win a free trip to Ottawa to compete at the national level, should they win first place in their categories.Félicitations et Bonne chance à tous nos participants!Students interested in registering for the Summer or Fall (September - December)Driver Education coursesshould refer to the MPI website www.mpi.mb.caon or after May 2nd for important information and changes in the registration process.Miles Macdonell Collegiate 3 April 2011

Grad 2011On Friday May 6 th the 2011 Grad Committee invites all students and staff to attend the 3 rd annual Grad BBQ just outsidethe Chelsea doors between 12:00 and 1:00 (weather permitting). Buy a hot dog, chips and a drink for $3 (just a “loonie” anitem)…it’s an offer too good to refuse!!We are looking forward to the Grad Breakfast on Friday May 20 th (slot 1). After breakfast, Grads will be invited to assemblefor the annual “rooftop” photo. Tickets will be sold from May 5 th to 13 th . Anyone with food allergies must identify theirspecial meal requirements when the ticket is purchased..In partnership with Keystone Ford, the MMC Grad Committee, Music Program, and Buckeyes Football Team will co-hostDrive One 4UR School on Saturday June 11 th . Join us for the Test Drive (9am to 5pm) and Car Wash and BBQ (10am to2pm). Anyone over 18 years of age with a valid driver’s licence is welcome to take a car for a test drive and earn a $20 donationto the school (maximum one donation per household). The proceeds of both the car wash and the BBQ are also donatedin full by Ford and Lincoln. We are very grateful for the support being offered by Keystone Ford and look forward toseeing many students and parents on the lot at 1300 Regent Ave West. We need grads who are willing to volunteer their timeto publicize the event, register test drivers, wash cars, and sell food. We will also need parent volunteers to help us supervisethe event. Please let us know if you are available to help.Please remember that the parents and family friends of our grads are most welcome to come to the graduation Dinner andDance on June 29, 2011. Ticket prices will be posted soon.Parents who are able to volunteer their time to help with Safe Grad are invited to contact Delmar Giesbrechtdirectly at dgiesbre@ford.com.Important DatesMay 6, 12:00 p.m.Grad BBQMay 5-13Grad Breakfast Ticket SalesMay 20, slot 1Grad BreakfastMay 20Designated Driver forms dueMay 30, 7 p.m.Parent Information Meeting (7 p.m.)June 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Drive One 4UR School (Keystone Ford on Regent West)June 14-21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dinner and Dance/Safe Grad Ticket Sales, Souvenir Pickup: room 32June 22, 2:00 p.m. Convocation Rehearsal (Gym A)June 24, 10:00 a.m.Grade 12 Scholarship and Awards Ceremony (Miles Macdonell)June 27, 9:30 a.m.-12 a.m. Convocation Ceremony (Centennial Concert Hall)June 29, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Pictures in the Park (Kildonan Park)June 29, 6 p.m.-midnight Dinner and Dance (Fairmont)June 30 12-5 a.m.Safe Grad Party (Alive Night Club)June 30 9 a.m.-Noon Checked Clothing Pickup (Gym B)Apply yourself. Get all the education you can, but then, DO something.Don't just stand there, make it happen. -- Lee IacoccaMiles Mac Jazz Band at the Brandon Jazz FestivalThis past March the Miles Mac Jazz Band performed at the Brandon Jazz Festival. They putin hours of rehearsal to prepare for the performance. And it paid off! They played three selectionsand performed in typically outstanding Miles Mac fashion. The first words the adjudicatorsaid to the Band were, “Holy cow! You guys were better than my first cup of coffeethis morning!” He then went on to lavish praise on the quality of the Band’s performance.Richard N, the drummer, also received a scholarship to the U of M Summer Jazz Camp asan outstanding drummer of the Brandon Jazz Festival. With over 150 ensembles performing,this is truly an honour for him and for our Jazz Band.Congratulations Richard and to the entire Jazz Band for an outstanding performance and forrepresenting our Music Program with excellence!-G. KostyraMiles Macdonell Collegiate 4 April 2011