December 9, 2009

Report Card

The unit 2 report card for the courses your son or daughter had from October 19th to November 27th shows a separate page for each class. Students in grades 7, 8, 9, and 10 will have a total of six report pages: Math, Science or Humanities, PE, Visual Arts, French and Health & Career Ed or Planning 10. Students in grade 11 and 12 will have five to seven pages depending on their course load.

Please sign and date the envelope to indicate you have seen your son’s or daughter’s report card, and ask your son or daughter to return the envelope to his or her homeroom teacher.

Inter-A Student Society

The Inter-A Student Society thanks everyone who participated in our fall fundraisers. We had over 70 bags of clothes brought in for Big Brothers, we continue to receive dividends from the Mohawk swipe cards, and Inter A students raised thousands of dollars in gift card and Purdy’s sales. Many thanks for supporting our program.

The next Society meeting is Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 7pm. Please feel free to come to the meeting. It is a great chance to hear what is happening in Inter-A.

Student Activity Updates

While the grade 10 and 11 students were in the midst of their work experience the rest of Inter-A participated in a day of theatre. Some students had the chance to attend a Vancouver Theatre production of Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels while others attended the Disney 3-D A Christmas Carol at Metrotown. All students were fantastic representatives of Inter-A and we all enjoyed our afternoon.

The next theatre date is January 20th for students who have season tickets.

Holiday Events

We are busy preparing for our annual craft day on Wednesday, December 16th. Although we have most of our afternoon planned we still welcome family and friends to lead a craft or help out in any way. Many thanks!

Students and teachers have randomly drawn names and are in the process of creating a personalized holiday greeting card for that individual. In the past the cards have been created with great care, effort and thought. We look forward to collecting these on Thursday, December 10th, assessing them (as part of the Visual Arts curriculum) and distributing them on Friday, December 18th.

We are also collecting coins (and paper money!) for two charitable causes. The money raised will help Inter-A in its ongoing sponsorship of Aissiata from Senegal through The Plan, and local families through the Surrey Christmas Bureau. Please encourage your sons and daughters to check for spare change and help us to make a difference in others’ lives.

Inter-A 2010/2011

We are already planning for the upcoming 2010/2011 school year! In January, we take a team of students to local elementary schools to speak about our program. The prospective students and their families are invited to our Parent Information Night on Thursday, January 28th at 7pm. If you know of anyone who may be interested in attending Inter-A next year please let them know about our Information Night.

All students who are interested in attending Inter-A must first spend a day in Inter-A. On Friday, January 29th we invite people to call Ms. Skelin, 604-588-6934 ext. 2210, to book a day to visit. Again, if you know someone who is interested for next year please let them know of this date.

Student Work

Inter-A teachers have noticed a trend where more and more students are not completing their assigned work on time. It is difficult for us to assess student’s progress if they are not handing in their work. It also leads to stressed students when they have overdue assignments and projects piling up. Please talk with your son and daughter and help them set up a regular homework time and location. This will help them to develop valuable study skills and work habits.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to call the school and ask for one of your child’s teachers.

Inter-A Teaching Team: Anthony Jay, Kathy Richardson, Pauline Veto, Chris Wakelin, Melanie Skelin, Roger Blenman, Alyssa Poynter

school phone: 604-588-6934 www.inter-a.org

It’s hard to believe we have reached the end of unit 1 already!  We have had a busy and very successful start to the school year.

Report Card

The unit 1 report card for the courses your son or daughter had from September 8^th to October 16^th is enclosed.  The report shows a separate page for each class.  Students in grades 7, 8, 9, and 10 will have a total of six report pages:  Math, Science or Humanities, PE, Visual Arts, French, Health & Career Ed or Planning 10.  Students in grade 11 and 12 will have five to seven pages depending on their course load.

Please sign and date the envelope to indicate you have seen your son’s or daughter’s report card, and ask your son or daughter to return the envelope to his or her homeroom teacher.

Fundraising

The  Inter-A Student’s Society, run by our parent volunteers, has organized two fundraisers to support the program.  Please look in your child’s report card envelope for the order forms.

The first is a Gift Card purchase fundraiser.  The gift cards are available from a wide variety of merchants and services.  The orders and payment, cheques made payable to the Inter-A Student’s Society, need to be returned to school by November 16^th.

The second is a Purdy’s Chocolates fundraiser.  These are always popular treats.  Please return one order form and one cheque (if possible) for all orders, made payable to the Inter-A Student’s Society by November 17^th.

The gift cards and chocolates will be available for pick up on November 26^th at 2:30pm.

Inter-A also has an ongoing Mohawk fundraiser, please let Mr. Jay know if you would like one or more Mohawk cards.  These cards can be swiped with any purchase at any Mohawk or Husky gas station in Canada and a portion of sales are donated directly to the Inter- A program.  There is no additional expense for the purchaser.

Stay tuned for an upcoming Big Brothers fundraiser.  This is a great chance to clean out spare closets and donate any linens, clothes, etc.  More information will follow.

Multicultural Day October 22 – South Asian Festival

A very hard working group of students organized an excellent set of seminars about various South Asian festivals.  Their peers were treated to great seminars and presentations.  The day ended with a fantastic fashion show and Nepalese and Punjabi dance lessons.

Inter A Play

This year the Inter-A play is “Really, Marvin!” It is a comedy about a boy who liked to tell stories.  Students, parents, friends and family are invited to evening performances on November 5, 6, and 7^th at 7:00pm at Kwantlen Park Theatre.  The story is great fun for the whole family.

Parent Meetings

If you have any questions or concerns about your son or daughter’s progress, at any time during the school year, please phone the school at 604 588 6934 and leave a message for any of the Inter-A teachers.  We will be happy to schedule a meeting time with you and your son or daughter to discuss his or her progress.

If you are trying to reach your son or daughter during the school day please call the office at 604 588 6934 and leave a message.  The office staff pages students to pick up messages at lunch and at the end of the day.   Please remember that cell phones are not permitted to be used during class time.

Important Dates:

October 21, 2009 Vancouver Playhouse

Senior students, who purchased season tickets, attended the first play of the season entitled The Miracle Worker. The next play date is December 2, 2009.

November 4, 2009 Grade 9 Take Your Kids to Work Day

Grade 9 students, who have returned their permission forms, will be participating in this national event where students spend a day job shadowing a family member to see what a day at work is all about.

November 5, 6, and 7^th.  Inter-A Play

Bring your friends and family to the evening performance.  Tickets are available at the door for $5.

November 12 and 13, 2009 Non instructional days

Students will not be in session at school.

November 16, 2009 Early Dismissal

Students will be dismissed at 1:26 pm.

November 26, 2009 Fundraisers arrive

Please make sure to pick up any gift cards or Purdy’s that you ordered.

November 27, 2009 End of Unit 2

Unit 2 report cards will be sent home with students approximately 2 weeks after the end of the unit.

November 30 – December 18  Work Experience

Grade 10 and 11 students start their work experience placements on November 30^th.  Grade 10 students have a 2 week placement and Grades 11’s have a 3 week placement.  This is a great opportunity for students to experience a full time placement in an area they are interested exploring.

December 16, 2009 Winter Craft Day

This year our annual winter craft day will take place on December 16^th.  If you are available to help lead a craft or supervise a student lead craft please contact Ms. Skelin at the school phone number.

Inter-A Teaching Team:  Anthony Jay, Melanie Skelin, Roger Blenman, Chris Wakelin, Kathy Yoon-Richardson, Pauline Veto, and Alyssa Poynter

school phone: 604-588-6934                                                                www.inter-a.org

Inter-A Students Society
6:30 pm – Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Kwantlen Park Secondary Gymnasium
(Inter-A Awards to follow)

The Inter-A Students Society is the non profit Society comprised of the students, teachers and families of Inter-A whose purpose is to support the Inter-A program.

Each year a parent Board of Directors is elected to work with our students and teaching team on decision making for the program and collaborate on fundraising and program events. The Directors meet monthly with students and teaching team representatives to conduct Society business and discuss ways to support the program.

Traditionally, the Society has provided financial support to Inter-A events such as the Annual Fall Retreat, Holiday Craft Day, Seasonal Activity Days, Grad Banquet, and Year-End Barbeque as well as providing assistance to the Inter-A play, Destination Imagination, and Kwantlen Park Ultimate teams. The Society has also purchased equipment and supplies for the program and has provided funds for Graduation Scholarships each year.

Inter-A parents can often be found helping out with and enjoying many of the program’s activities with the students and teaching team. By participating as a Director of the Inter-A Students Society you will get first-hand and up-to-date information on what is happening at school, not just what your child remembers to bring home. You will get to know the program and its teaching team, other parents, and students personally as you work together on the
common goal of sustaining Inter-A as an excellent educational program for all students.

Please join us on June 24th and consider becoming a part of the Students Society team or nominating another person. We are actively recruiting for these Board of Directors positions:

• President: Chairs all Director’s meetings; represents the Society at various meetings and events; oversees the work of the Society and its Directors.
• Vice President: Carries out the duties of the President in his/her absence.
• Secretary: Conducts correspondence of the Society; issues notice of meetings; keeps minutes of all meetings; has custody of the records of the Society except those kept by the Treasurer.
• Treasurer: Keeps the financial records of the Society; provides financial statements when required; completes necessary reporting according to the Society Act.
• Directors: Attend monthly meetings; assist in decision making and special events; assist Board members in carrying out duties as required.

For more information about Board positions or to make a nomination, please call Chi-chi Rasmusens at 604-582-9038. Additional information about the Inter-A Students Society is available on Inter-A’s website at www.inter-a.org.

See you at 6:30 pm on June 24th!

2009 AGM Notice PDF

Welcome

Agenda Additions & Approval

• Motion to approve agenda with addition of Audits and Spreadsheets under New Business: EK; Second: DH. Carried

Approval of Minutes:

• Motion to approve minutes of April 7, 2009 :EK; Second: DH. Carried

Treasurer’s Report

• Reviewed financial statement dated May 12, 2009. Discussion of presenting financial statements depicting the school year as opposed to the financial year for Director meetings. Agreed. Statements for financial year will be presented at AGM.
• Will move forward with Society filing cabinet at school and will determine with an accountant what records need to be kept and for how long.

Student Executive Report

• No report. AG is the new student fundraising representative .

Important Dates

• May 5^th – Students on field trip to Seaforth Armoury to assist in Emergency Response Training.
• Ultimate – Senior team took third at Regionals; Junior team in first place. Provincials in two weeks.
• Grade 10 Physics class attended Playland field trip for force and motion studies.
• May 13^th – Final Playhouse field trip of the year.
• May 29^th – Professional Development Day: no school.
• June 5^th – Inter-A Grad Dinner at Morgan Creek. CR will attend for the Society. Motion: DH – Society to invite and cover the cost of attendance of Shawn Wilson and Dr. Andrew Schofield to the Grad dinner. Second: EK. Carried.
• June 9^th – Kwantlen Park Athletic Awards night.
• June 15^th – Composite Exams begin in morning followed by Year-End BBQ and Apple Awards. June 16-17 – Provincial Exams
• June 17 – Kwantlen Park commencement.
• June 19^th – KP Dinner/Dance and Dry Grad.
• June 24^th – Inter-A Awards night and Society AGM.
• June 25^th- KP Awards night
• June 26^th – School closes

Teachers’ Report

• Inter-A will have 7 full time teachers next year. Working on getting 7 teaching spaces.
• Teaching team wish list as requested by Society:

1. Food Safe Course: Two teachers to take course at estimated cost of $300;
2. First Aid Course: Two to three teachers to take course at estimated cost of $400;
3. Five DVD players and mounting equipment for classroom TV’s at estimated cost of $1500;
4. Honourarium for VV to do a fine arts option next year – $300;
5. Proxima projector and mobile cart for classroom use at estimated cost of $2500.

• Motion: CC – Society to cover the estimated costs of wish list items as indicated above, to a maximum of $5000. Second: DH. Carried.

PAC

• New Principal Rick Breen attended PAC meeting and Inter-A parent information meeting.
• Dry Grad online auction has begun.
• Projected KP students for next year is 1424. Enrolment is declining and some portables are to be removed.

Fundraising

• No report.

New Business

• Year-End BBQ June 15^th: Action: Review food supplies left from May Day to determine purchases needed. Look into having the Lions Club do the BBQ for us for a donation of $150 and seek parent volunteers to assist.

• Scholarships: As determined in June 2008, two Telus Employee scholarships of $260 each will be awarded to 2009 graduates based on academic and athletic achievement. The final scholarship of $260 from that fund will be awarded in 2010. Discussion carried forward from June 2008 to establish a scholarship based on excellence in an area other than academics.
• Motion: EK – Society to provide $250 annually as funds permit toward a non-academic grad scholarship, criteria to be determined each year by the Inter-A teaching team. Second: DH. Carried
• Motion: DH – Society to provide $600 to be disbursed in two 2009 scholarships called the Harper/Vollrath and the Vollrath/Harper scholarships, criteria as described and selection made by the Inter-A teaching team. Second: CC. Carried.
• Motion: EK – Society to provide funds for a $250 Alumni Scholarship, selection criteria to be determined by Inter-A alumni and presented by alumni to a 2009 graduate. Second: DH. Carried.
• Awards night and AGM – EK will prepare AGM announcement to be sent home with students. All Directors will speak to parents as potential board members to solicit nominations. Next Directors meeting will be held June 2^nd in order to work out details of Annual BBQ and AGM.
• September ‘welcome back’ event – Thursday, September 10^th was selected. Discussed possibility of doing a pancake breakfast instead of a lunch if it can be worked out with the Lions Club.
• Audit – Discussed possibility of doing an audit of Society accounts. CR will find out from an accountant if it is recommended. EK will look for information to assist CC in tax filing.
• Spreadsheets – DH has spoken to Dr. Schofield who thought that grades could be pulled out of the school’s recording software at any time. Inter-A uses a different system of excel spreadsheets from the rest of the school. AP will work with DH to provide the information requested.

Adjourned at 8:45 pm

Next meeting: Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:00 pm

Mayday begins at 4:00pm and goes until 8:30 at Kwantlen Park Secondary. See you tonight!!

Agenda Additions & Approval

• Motion to approve agenda: EK; Second: LZ. Carrie

Approval of Minutes

• Motion to approve minutes of March 10, 2009 :UD; Second: LZ. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

• Reviewed financial statement dated March 27, 2009. Discussion of a place at school to keep Society documents. CR will speak to teaching team and look into cost of filing cabinet.

Student Executive Report

• Nik reported on progress of donations for May Day. ND and AP will finalize a donations letter, have it approved by administration, and forward to Society to use. To date ND has approached Tim Horton’s, Wendy’s, Vancouver Aquarium, Strawberry Hill theatres, and has also had some art paperweights donated.

Teacher’s Report

• Raj Puri will be leaving the school in September; the new principal will be Rick Breen from Lord Tweedsmuir.
• April 14^th and 23^rd will be early dismissal at 1:26 pm.
• Europe trip for next year will hopefully be Italy and Greece. A mandatory meeting for those wishing to attend will be on May 5^th and parents must attend.
• The Irish Dancers at the Celtic Festival were very good and the students say ‘thank you’. The mainstream theatre group were also able to attend.
• May Day April 30^th: Students coming up with a booth or activity with an ‘under the sea’ theme. Tickets will be sold to participate in games and purchase food. Hours will be approximately 4-8 pm plus clean up. Could be up to 300 people attending. Will need to distribute food order forms by April 20^th.
• Follow up on reporting procedures: At this time, teaching team is unable to add individual unit marks to report cards due to the way the spreadsheet system is set up – it would have to be done manually and would be too time consuming.
• Grad dinner at Morgan Creek June 5^th: Will Society subsidize as in the past? Motion: Ute Doll – “to support Inter-A Grad Dinner by contributing $500.00 toward the attendance cost for eight (8) teachers and one (1) Society representative.” Second: Donna Hanson. Carried.
• District Advisory Committee meeting Thursday April 9^th. Confirmed Inter-A attendance of 163 and possibly 167 for September. Will be trying to push for the 7 FTE’s and 7 classroom spaces and will remind about promise of laptops.

PAC

• District Volunteer Appreciation February 14^th at the Bell Centre – we have been given 2 invitations. CR will send an email to see if anyone not present would like to attend.
• Tuesday May 19^th from 7-9 pm – BCAA workshop for parents of new drivers.

Fundraising

• Big Brothers not as successful – 30 bags. Discussed possibility of sending garbage bags with notices next year.
• Decided to go with M&M’s for May Day BBQ. We will purchase pop, chips, and veggies and do both pre-sales and on-site dinner package sales.
• We will continue to solicit donations for a basket raffle.
• CR and UD will look after licensing for raffle and a 50/50.

Adjourned at 8:00 pm: Next meeting: Tuesday, May 12^th at 7:00 pm

Attending:            CW, CR, DH, BH, CC, EK, JM, TB, YY, AVR, LZ

Welcome

Agenda Additions & Approval

• Motion to approve agenda with Inter-A Reporting Process added as 9.1: EK; Second: LZ. Carried

Approval of Minutes

• Motion to approve minutes of February 10, 2009 with the following corrections: Add CR to attendance; adjust spelling of ‘Garriock:’ EK; Second: JM. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

• Reviewed financial statement dated February 28, 2009.

Student Executive Report

• No report.

Teacher’s Report

• KR has returned from maternity leave and MB is now working elsewhere in the school district.
• Quebec trip was very successful – 20 students
• Destination Imagination – Our teams took two firsts and a second prize plus two extra awards at the regional competition last weekend. Many students from the teams had just returned from Quebec the night before. The teams are moving on to provincials in Mission on the 18^th.
• Ultimate – lots of response; we have one senior and two junior teams – more mainstream students came out this year.
• May Day Celebration April 30^th; Under the Sea theme; AP is liaison.
• Celtic Festival this Friday will include a dance group. Mainstream blocks will be invited if there is room.
• District Science Fair – Three entries from Inter-A.
• Teaching team will be busy this week interviewing 90 potential students for next year.
• Parents noted that Inter-A was barely mentioned at the KP information night for new grade 8’s.

PAC

• CR attended the last meeting and gave a short report on Inter-A. She also thanked the PAC for the funds provided for our Winter Activity Day.
• The second disbursement of gaming funds has been conducted – $10,957.
• PAC is looking for volunteers to help with an Indo-Canadian festival in April.
• DPAC March 25^th at 7:00 pm: RR will be speaking on gangs – what is really happening and what the district is doing to combat them – Surrey Conference Centre.

Fundraising

• Big Brothers Tuesday March 31^st
• Discussed BBQ for May Day and using M&M meat shop to supply food and cook. Will look into costs of renting BBQ and doing it ourselves in the hope of more profit.
• Raffles – We will get what we can donated and purchase a few things for baskets.
• AVR would like to do a plant sale and needs cuttings/divisions.
• Purdy’s chocolate lollipops will not work for this year – Easter will be over and there is a severe mouse problem at the school.

New Business

• 9.1 Inter-A Reporting Process: BH would like to see a mark shown for student performance for each unit on their report card, rather than an average over several units. Believes it would give students a better idea of progress and facilitate communication between students, parents, and teaching team. CW agreed to bring the suggestion to the teaching team.

Adjourned at 8:30 pm

Welcome

Agenda Additions & Approval

Approval of Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Student Executive Report

Teacher’s Report
Dates and events:

• Feb. 13 & 14: Approximately 25 students volunteering at the Children the Heart of the Matter early childhood conference in Surrey.
•  Feb 18th: Roger and Faith Garriock, creators of Destination Imagination, are visiting Inter-A.
• Feb. 19th: Student’s returning letters expressing interest in returning to Inter-A next year are due.
• Feb. 19th: This year’s School at Night will be a more traditional school day with choice block and possible square dancing. CW organizing pizza order.
• Report cards will be going home tomorrow.
• March 2nd KR will be returning from maternity leave
• March 3rd: Grade 7 & 8 Science Fair – judges needed.
• Mar 3rd: Interviews of prospective students begin. There has been a lot of interest in Inter-A. 158 attended information night resulted in 70 touring students, plus received more than 100 messages for additional tours.
• Mar 4th: Playhouse
• Mar 6th: District Science Fair.
• Mar 13th: Senior students organizing a Celtic festival on the last day before spring break. Would like to have an Irish dance group visit the program at a cost of $125.
• Haven’t heard yet whether SEVEC bursaries have been granted.
• April 30th: May Day will have an ‘Under the Sea’ theme.
• District Advisory Committee met Feb. 4th – showed Inter-A video produced by students; talked about increase in interest in the program-could we go to 7 teachers? Yes, if 170 students we can have 7 teachers. Might need another classroom. Ongoing difficulty booking computer lab – no access at short notice. AM: Inter-A will get a mobile cart with 25-28 wireless laptops by July 1/09 at latest.
• Teaching team has been working behind the scenes to offer a Social Justice 12 credit; would be the first school in Surrey to do it.

PAC
• Mr Bedard is the new Vice Principal, trading places with Mr Lamond who has gone to Panorama.

Fundraising

• Will do raffle for May Day – UD will make a poster and sign-up for School at Night. DH will look into M&M’s for food service, otherwise we will do a BBQ dinner as in the past.
• Big brothers March 24th

New Business
9.1 District Parent Advisory Committee

• Meetings are the 4th Wednesday of the month at the District Conference Centre
•  Next meeting is a multicultural theme with the following meeting focussing on lobbying for Surrey’s share of provincial funding.

Adjourned at 8:20 pm Next meeting: Tuesday March 10 at 7:00 pm.

Please call after 8:00 am on February 4th to book a touring date. This will be a day in February for your son/daughter to spend a day in Inter-A and experience our program.

More about the application procedure.

Welcome

Agenda Additions & Approval

• Motion to approve agenda with District Advisory committee meeting added as 9.1: DH; Second: UD. Carried

Approval of Minutes

• Motion to approve minutes of November 12, 2008: UD; Second: DH. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Student Executive Report

Teacher’s Report

Dates and events:

• Teachers and students from Elgin and Johnson Heights visited in early December to observe and get ideas on how to integrate English and socials in their schools.
• On Dec 12th CSL students brought 130 students from K.B. Woodward Elementary in to do the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.
• Dec 17th Craft Day was a great success, organized by MS.
• Playhouse and swing dance instruction January 14th.
• Touring elementary schools has already begun by 3 teams of students. It seems more successful when the teachers are contacted directly.
• January 29th – Information evening for potential students and their parents. DH and EK will attend to make coffee and be there as Society representatives.
• Feb 4th – Parents call begin calling to book touring days for their children to start the following week. Interviews will start the first week of March and we should have numbers of students for next fall by March 25th.
• January 19th – RB is organizing a wrestling tournament from 4-7 pm for up to 70 high school wrestlers and their coaches. He was hoping that the Society would run a small concession and make coffee for the coaches. Shopping is not a problem but will check in the next day or so if there would be volunteers available during that time and will report back to RB.
• Feb 5th – Tentative date for Winter Activity Day: There is great support for a day trip to Whistler/Blackcomb to ski and snowboard, instruction and supervision included. With travel grant from PAC and excellent discounts from the tour company, the cost per student is $58 +$12 for rentals. Discussion that funds should also be available to use toward a winter activity for those students choosing not to attend the Whistler trip. Motion by DH: that Society fund up to $500 toward the Inter-A Winter Activity Day to be used at teaching team discretion toward general expenses or individual student need. Second: UD. Carried
• Destination Imagination – Our school will not be hosting the March regional competition after all because many of the students involved will be on the Quebec trip. CW hoped that the Society could assist with annual DI registration fees for the four DI teams. Motion by EK: Society to cover 2008/09 registration fees of up to $400 for the four Kwantlen Park Destination Imagination teams. Second: DH. Carried.
• SEVEC Quebec exchange – Tentative dates for our students going to Quebec Feb 28-Mar 7; student visiting here April 4-11. SEVEC covers the cost of airfare. Two students will not be able to attend due to finances and teachers have applied for assistance through SEVEC. Could Society cover the shortfall. Motion by EK: That Society support the Quebec exchange through a bursary of up to $400. Seconded by UD. Carried. Recognized the possibility of additional request if funding through SEVEC is not granted.

PAC

Fundraising

• Gift cards quite successful – noted that 95% of orders came in the first round. Maybe do again in the spring?
• Discussion of May Day fundraising. Silent Auction student volunteer didn’t pan out. Will wait till May Day theme is decided January 31 before choosing what type of fund raising the Society will do for the event.

New Business

Adjourned at 8:45 pm Next meeting: Tuesday February 10th at 7:00 pm