EdCom News February 2015

sd38.bc.ca & richmond-news.com @richmondsd38

february 2015

students take on a global, philanthropic attitude through leadership programsLeadership programs throughout the Richmond School District will be on display March 6 at Aberdeen Centre, as part of Education Week’s Richmond Student Leadership Showcase. And, it’s Hugh Boyd secondary’s Interact club that’s leading the way.

About 160 Trojan leaders participate in the club, which recently garnered international recognition for their work throughout the school, community and world.

“We hit school, local and global (needs) to develop an overall global citizen — someone who understands our

place in the world, but also who fosters leadership,” explained teacher Douglas Park, an advisor of the school’s incentive program.

Last month, Boyd’s Interact club was awarded top spot in an Interact Rotary International video competition and some of the school’s students are featured on the Interact Rotary International Facebook page.

Kyle Gomes produced the video and will visit China this summer to document a group of doctors performing cleft lip surgeries on low-income residents.

Mr. Park said Gomes’ leadership has helped Boyd gain immense recognition.

“By winning this international video award we’re now on the international platform and others are looking at us and saying wow, these kids can make a difference on those levels. We’ve become role models and the face of Interact Rotary International,” said Mr. Park.

Interact clubs foster community engagement and volunteer work. The Richmond Sunset Rotary Club sponsors the Boyd club. Participants take part in

Chairperson’s message ............ 3A Year in Review/Dance .................................... 4-5

Education Week Events ............ 5Leadership (contiuned) ............. 6Popsicle ..................................... 7

Math ...................................... 8-9Science ....................................10

By Graeme Wood

cont. on › page 6

E2 fEbruary 2015 sd38.bc.casd38.bc.ca

7560Minoru GateRichmond, BC604-238-8020

Daily public swimming available.Schedule details atwww.richmond.ca/aquaticsor call 604-276-4300.

14300 Entertainment Blvd.Richmond, BC(Hwy 99 – Exit 32 –Steveston Hwy East)604-448-5353

www.richmond.ca

Enjoy family fun &fitness at the pool

South Arm and Steveston Outdoor Pools open daily July and August.

richmond school board Trustees a message from the chairperson

sandra [email protected]

richmond school district no. 387811 Granville avenuerichmond, bc V6y 3e3 Phone: 604.668.6000fax: 604.233.0150sd38.bc.ca

edcom news: The educate and communicate newspaper is published by the richmond news on behalf of the Communications Department of the Richmond School District No. 38. edcom news us intended for the parents of the Richmond School District students and includes information on upcoming events, district projects and school based activities. edcom news is produced at no cost to the Richmond School District. Commercial advertising in the publication does not imply endorsement by the Richmond School District No. 38.

For more information, or to provide feedback or article suggestions, contact David Sadler, Communications and Marketing Manager School District No. 38 at 604.668.6000 x3399 or [email protected]. All stories written by Graeme Wood & Alan Campbell.

For information on advertising please contact: rob akimow, director of advertising richmond news 604.249.3340 or [email protected]

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5731 no. 3 road, richmond bc V6X 2c9 Phone: 604.270.8031 fax: 604.270.2248Publisher: Pierre Pelletier —[email protected] director of advertising: rob akimow — [email protected]: Eve Edmonds — [email protected]

dr. eric [email protected]

On behalf of the Richmond Board of Education, I am proud to present our latest edition of EdCom to our students, parents and community. This edition of EdCom highlights Education Week, a celebration of public education taking place March 2 – March 8, 2015.

Education Week is an annual celebration hosted by the Richmond School District. It is a time for students, teachers and parents to celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement. 2015 marks the 25th year that the district will be celebrating this annual event.

Education Week also provides an important opportunity for the Richmond community to experience and appreciate the Richmond School District’s public education system. In addition, students and teachers are provided with an outlet to share their work with the public.

On Thursday March 5th, the Trustees of the Richmond Board of Education will be holding a public meeting at the Richmond Public Library to answer questions and greet the community. We look forward to seeing you and hearing from you during Education Week.

If you are interested in knowing more about the other events, please visit www.edweek.sd38.bc.ca

eric yung Chairperson, Richmond Board of Education

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fEbruary 2015 E3sd38.bc.ca

7560Minoru GateRichmond, BC604-238-8020

Daily public swimming available.Schedule details atwww.richmond.ca/aquaticsor call 604-276-4300.

14300 Entertainment Blvd.Richmond, BC(Hwy 99 – Exit 32 –Steveston Hwy East)604-448-5353

www.richmond.ca

Enjoy family fun &fitness at the pool

South Arm and Steveston Outdoor Pools open daily July and August.

no one’s hating on this competition


The synchronized hand claps and foot stomps echo through the McRoberts gym as music from the likes of 50 Cent, Ludacris and Drake cause vibrations over the hardwood floor. A whole lot of hustle and attitude produces the sweat and smiles that’s synonymous with a good set.

The McRoberts dance teams are getting ready for what’s fast becoming one of the most popular hip-hop dance competitions for young people in Metro Vancouver.

Notorious 2015 is the third annual Notorious Urban Dance Competition and event that sees secondary school students participate in three categories: senior, junior and duo/trio.

The event is held during Education Week and will be hosted at McRoberts secondary on March 6.

This year three Richmond school dance teams will be among the 34 total teams from around the region. The event continues to grow each year.

The dancers range from seasoned amateurs to those who simply want a chance to express themselves.

“I like the whole teamwork and togetherness of it. I’ve been dancing for a long time so it’s fun to come back and keep doing it,” says Serena So, a Grade 11 McRoberts student and long-time gymnast who says

hip-hop affords her more freedom of expression and movement.

For Grade 12 McRoberts student A.J. Gonzales, dancing to hip-hop is a way to express his emotions. “I’m passionate about dancing. It’s been a way of expressing my feelings and being on a team improves my life skills,” says Gonzales, who is performing on the senior team and with the stylistic know-how and original choreography of Maverick Killbride and Mica Cobarrubia, who have put together an impressive Charlie Brown routine.

Notorious was such a success last year for now-graduate Cobarrubia that she returned to train with

her younger McRoberts classmates for Notorious 2015.

“I returned because last year I had so much fun and I didn’t want to give it up just yet. It’s always fun to watch the younger ones take over as well,” says Cobarrubia.

The competition takes an immense amount of time to prepare for. For example, junior choreographers Rhea Nelle Casido and Daryll Poserio have spent countless late nights practicing their routine.

Hip-hop is a blend of music, dance and visual effects (such as background art, lighting and clothing) that manifests itself in various ways across different cultures, although its history lies within the Latino and African American subcultures of the 1970s and 1980s. It often employs rap music but can draw inspiration from soul, funk and blues. Broadly speaking hip-hop can promote individuality and inclusiveness, and can now be widely interpreted.

Notorious organizer Wasanthi Naidu, a secretary at McRoberts, says dance clubs featuring hip-hop are becoming more popular across the Richmond School District.

“It boils down to decompressing after an academic day and having something fun to do. It’s just like a basketball team or a soccer team but dance gives kids a different output,” says Ms. Naidu.

By Graeme Wood

She adds that while Notorious is a competition, all the kids expect to gain more than a simple victory, they expect to gain camaraderie.

“Seeing the environment and the positivity and the fact kids praise each other and it’s not so much a competition — you’d expect them to hate on each other because they want to win, but they don’t, they love each other,” said Ms. Naidu.

“It’s satisfying and fulfilling to see the circle of life take place within your high school, especially when alumni come back to mentor current students,’ she added.

The Notorious 2015 competition is judged by prominent members of the dance community. The event will have dance vendors and experts on hand to share the latest innovations and ideas.

Tickets are pre-sale only through the McRoberts office for $10 each and children under five are free. Proceeds go back into the dance teams. There will be no tickets at the door, so organizers urge interested guests to plan ahead.

Improving performance through performing artsLearning isn’t confined to the classroom. We believe that experience of theperforming arts helps children become more confident and creative learnersand a recent study* found that parents agree with us!

Whilst many of the parents believe that children have poorer social skills than20 years ago (68.7%) and are concerned that technology has had a negativeimpact on social skills (76.6%), the overwhelming majority have seenimprovements in their child’s social skills thanks to Stagecoach.

Parents feel that the performing arts education their child receives hascontributed to improvements in their child’s ability to:

express opinions to adults they don’t know (93.6%)actively contribute to conversations with people they don’t know(93.5%)listen attentively (89.4%)perform in an interview situation (87.1%)find innovative solutions to problems (91.1%)make new friends (92.2%)

Since participating in Performing arts education, parents have seenimprovements in their child’s:

academic performance (85%)empathy (87.5%)confidence at school (93.7%)imagination (94.7%)general happiness and well-being (95.1%)

*online study of 1499 parents conducted by Opinion Matters in Aug 14

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Fun, confidence-building, educationalclasses in acting, singing and danceRegister today for our Spring Term!April 11 - June [email protected] www.stagecoachschools.ca

fEbruary 2015 E5 sd38.bc.ca

her younger McRoberts classmates for Notorious 2015.

“I returned because last year I had so much fun and I didn’t want to give it up just yet. It’s always fun to watch the younger ones take over as well,” says Cobarrubia.

The competition takes an immense amount of time to prepare for. For example, junior choreographers Rhea Nelle Casido and Daryll Poserio have spent countless late nights practicing their routine.

Hip-hop is a blend of music, dance and visual effects (such as background art, lighting and clothing) that manifests itself in various ways across different cultures, although its history lies within the Latino and African American subcultures of the 1970s and 1980s. It often employs rap music but can draw inspiration from soul, funk and blues. Broadly speaking hip-hop can promote individuality and inclusiveness, and can now be widely interpreted.

Notorious organizer Wasanthi Naidu, a secretary at McRoberts, says dance clubs featuring hip-hop are becoming more popular across the Richmond School District.

“It boils down to decompressing after an academic day and having something fun to do. It’s just like a basketball team or a soccer team but dance gives kids a different output,” says Ms. Naidu.

education week events

9:00am

9:30am

10:00am

11:00am

12:00am

1:00pm

1:30pm

2:00pm

3:00pm

4:00pm

4:30pm

5:00pm

6:00pm

7:00pm

8:00pm

9:00pm

10:00pm

TIME MON 2 TUES 3 WED 4 THU 5 FRI 6 SAT 7 SUN 8

Science Jam(4:00-6:00pm) Culture Club Diversity

(4:30-6:00pm)

Board Meeting(7:00-10:00pm)

Fine Arts Fair(2:00-4:00pm)

Ready Set Learn(9:30-11:am)

Skills Canada Competition

(10:00am-3:00pm)

Student Leadership Showcase

(4:00-7:00pm)

Notorious(6:00-10:00pm)

Meet the Board (1:30-4:00pm)

Popsicle Bridge Building Competition

(11:00-5:00pm)

static display Rolling Art Boards

richmond libraryaberdeen

board office

mcroberts

grauer school

She adds that while Notorious is a competition, all the kids expect to gain more than a simple victory, they expect to gain camaraderie.

“Seeing the environment and the positivity and the fact kids praise each other and it’s not so much a competition — you’d expect them to hate on each other because they want to win, but they don’t, they love each other,” said Ms. Naidu.

“It’s satisfying and fulfilling to see the circle of life take place within your high school, especially when alumni come back to mentor current students,’ she added.

The Notorious 2015 competition is judged by prominent members of the dance community. The event will have dance vendors and experts on hand to share the latest innovations and ideas.

Tickets are pre-sale only through the McRoberts office for $10 each and children under five are free. Proceeds go back into the dance teams. There will be no tickets at the door, so organizers urge interested guests to plan ahead. McRoberts secondary students perform a Charlie Brown hip-hop routine. Grade 12 student A.J. Gonzales, centre, is Charlie

Brown as he plans to take part in the third Notorious dance competition during Education Week.

Improving performance through performing artsLearning isn’t confined to the classroom. We believe that experience of theperforming arts helps children become more confident and creative learnersand a recent study* found that parents agree with us!

Whilst many of the parents believe that children have poorer social skills than20 years ago (68.7%) and are concerned that technology has had a negativeimpact on social skills (76.6%), the overwhelming majority have seenimprovements in their child’s social skills thanks to Stagecoach.

Parents feel that the performing arts education their child receives hascontributed to improvements in their child’s ability to:

express opinions to adults they don’t know (93.6%)actively contribute to conversations with people they don’t know(93.5%)listen attentively (89.4%)perform in an interview situation (87.1%)find innovative solutions to problems (91.1%)make new friends (92.2%)

Since participating in Performing arts education, parents have seenimprovements in their child’s:

academic performance (85%)empathy (87.5%)confidence at school (93.7%)imagination (94.7%)general happiness and well-being (95.1%)

*online study of 1499 parents conducted by Opinion Matters in Aug 14

•

••••

•

••••

•

Fun, confidence-building, educationalclasses in acting, singing and danceRegister today for our Spring Term!April 11 - June [email protected] www.stagecoachschools.ca

you’ve all done it.

Either in your parent’s car or on the Canada Line, you’ll have crossed the Fraser River – thanks to a bridge, whether it was the Arthur Laing, Oak or Knight.

But have you ever wondered how that bridge was designed and then constructed?

And what factors did the engineers have to consider during that process to ensure the structure withstands thousands of tons of traffic at one time?

As part of a prize-winning contest, Richmond students of all ages are being challenged to imagine, design and create their own bridge across the Fraser – made entirely out of Popsicle sticks!

Okay, your bridge won’t have to support the weight of rush-hour traffic, but it will have to stand up to a pressure test to have a chance of winning.

The goal of the March 8 Education Week contest — split into Grade 11 and 12 and Grade 10 and under categories — is to construct the strongest bridge possible with only 75 Popsicle sticks and Aleene’s Tacky Glue or Titan School Glue.

The bridge must span a 400 mm gap with a maximum height of 200mm, and a matchbox car must be able to traverse the bridge on a construction paper deck.

“The design process is the most important,” said

a sweet competition for tomorrow’s engineers


By Alan Campbellcommunity events such as local food bank drives, seniors’ tea and clothing drives. Another goal is to help others around the world, such as organizing polio fundraisers, participating in the model United Nations and sponsoring third-world orphanages.

This summer, six students will go to South Africa to help a daycare at a small village.

As Mr. Park notes, the students are engaged at every level of each project.

“We use funds and make concrete differences on the ground. The students take the money, go there, and they talk to the foster parents and children and ask what they need. Then they go to Johannesburg and buy the materials to bring back to build book shelves, roofs, whatever it is they need,” said Mr. Park.

Some students enjoy taking on global challenges, such as Grade 11 student

Anushka Kurian, who participated in the model UN in San Diego last year.

“It was really eye opening. It’s possible for a multitude of different viewpoints and countries to share an opinion and a common goal and to reach that common goal,” she said.

Others also enjoy bonding within their community, such as Kurian’s classmate Karly Lim, who led the charge at last year’s food drive for the Richmond Food Bank.

“I felt like it got all of our community to come together. It wasn’t just one big event it was a collective effort to get all the cans from different neighbourhoods to bring to the food bank,” said Lim.

Jim Ling, chair of the showcase, notes many other groups will be presenting their leadership programs at Aberdeen.

For instance, to name just a few, the Richmond Youth Foundation, St. John Ambulance Brigade and Richmond Chinese Community Society Youth Group will join several other Interact clubs from around Richmond.

Leadership programs foster an under appreciated set of skills, said Ling.

“It is important that our students are taught and excel in academics, arts, music, and athletics, but it’s also important that they also have compassion, and are loving and caring with strong leadership skills in organizing, negotiations, team players, public speaking, communication and high ethical standards,” explained Ling.

“By having all the top youth leaders together and sharing their knowledges and networking to each other with experienced mentors, the synergy and value in learning and development in youth leadership can be realized,” added Ling.

Elaine Ho, chair of the Richmond Youth Foundation said a big aspect of her group is philanthropy.

“The foundation acts as a hub for youth philanthropy in Richmond. We do this by connecting youth with a variety of local non-profit organizations,” said Ho.

All the groups will have posters and are inviting the public to ask questions, starting at 4 p.m. on March 6.

To see the video of Boyd’s Interact club, go to Facebook.com/InteractOfficial.

‹ from page 1

Fastball, sometimes referred to as fastpitch, is the largest participation sport inNorth America, with over 40 million players. Richmond Boys Fastball provides a safe, fun,and enjoyable opportunity for children to experience team sports in both competitive andnon-competitive levels. Our coaches are well trained and encourage enjoyment,participation, and fair play. The season runs from March to June, and games areplayed at Merrell (formerly Palmer) fields—centrally located at Blundell andGarden City in Richmond. You are never too old to join up and learn the sport of fastball.

For information call 604-418-9762,email [email protected], or

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Courtesy & Respect

If you have any questions, or wish to sign upyour child, please call the RCC Golf Centre at

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2015 Annual Junior Golf Program(starts in March)

Our programs aim to introduce and develop correct swing fundamentals togetherwith an understanding and appreciation of the core

values that are important not only in this great game, but in life as well.

PGA of Canada professional golf instructors promote active participation in a positive learningenvironment with fun-oriented games, friendly competitions, easy to follow practice drills, anddefined learning outcomes. Programs will also include the basics of golf etiquette, rules andsportsmanship, designed to help encourage juniors to feel confident to take up the game.

$595 Full Season JUNIOR GOLFMEMBERSHIP PROGRAM for boys & girls ages 11 - 18$139 (6 sessions) Junior Clinic for boys & girls aged 5-9$149 (6 sessions) Junior Clinic for kids aged 8-12

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Weekly Full-Day 9:00 - 3:00• Non-Members: $330

Weekly Half-Day 9:00 - 1:00• Non-Members: $225

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Richmond Country Club campsare open to all children ages 5-12who are looking for a variety ofactivities from wacky science,

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You Pick:Choose from a variety of both hot and cold lunches

We Make:Lunches are made fresh daily

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email [email protected] toregister child or go online@ www.novafood.ca

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delivered to school

you’ve all done it.

Either in your parent’s car or on the Canada Line, you’ll have crossed the Fraser River – thanks to a bridge, whether it was the Arthur Laing, Oak or Knight.

But have you ever wondered how that bridge was designed and then constructed?

And what factors did the engineers have to consider during that process to ensure the structure withstands thousands of tons of traffic at one time?

As part of a prize-winning contest, Richmond students of all ages are being challenged to imagine, design and create their own bridge across the Fraser – made entirely out of Popsicle sticks!

Okay, your bridge won’t have to support the weight of rush-hour traffic, but it will have to stand up to a pressure test to have a chance of winning.

The goal of the March 8 Education Week contest — split into Grade 11 and 12 and Grade 10 and under categories — is to construct the strongest bridge possible with only 75 Popsicle sticks and Aleene’s Tacky Glue or Titan School Glue.

The bridge must span a 400 mm gap with a maximum height of 200mm, and a matchbox car must be able to traverse the bridge on a construction paper deck.

“The design process is the most important,” said

Fardin Barekat, of competition organizers, the Richmond/Delta branch of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.

“Your bridge is going to be tested and the bridge that holds the maximum weight will be the winner.

“We have an electrical system which will press down on each bridge from above,” Barekat said.

Most bridges should take at the very least a couple of days to build, but he advises entrants taking more than that to give them the best chance possible.

“It takes at least 24 hours for the glue to properly dry,” he added.

This is the fourth year of the contest and Barekat said he learns something new every year from some of the amazing bridges designed and constructed by the students from Grade 12 right down to elementary school age.

“Taking six hundred and sixty pounds of weight is the record and that was in the kids’ level of the contest,” said Barekat.

“The majority of the students’ designs come straight from their own imagination and I’ve never seen two bridges the same.”

Thirty or so students entered the Popsicle bridge contest last year and Barekat is bracing for even more this year with prizes of $150 for each age category.

Contestants may participate as individuals or as teams, however teams are encouraged.

All entries must be registered in advance. Contact [email protected] for details. Individuals or teams should complete a registration form to enter competition. Info will be provided by return email when your registration is confirmed. Participants should buy their own material from craft stores or dollar stores. Standard wooden Popsicle sticks 11.3 cm long and 1 cm wide must be used. No other type of glue is accepted.

a sweet competition for tomorrow’s engineers

Popsicle bridge contestants from 2014 gather for a group photo

fEbruary 2015 E7sd38.bc.ca

By Alan Campbell

“It is important that our students are taught and excel in academics, arts, music, and athletics, but it’s also important that they also have compassion, and are loving and caring with strong leadership skills in organizing, negotiations, team players, public speaking, communication and high ethical standards,” explained Ling.

“By having all the top youth leaders together and sharing their knowledges and networking to each other with experienced mentors, the synergy and value in learning and development in youth leadership can be realized,” added Ling.

Elaine Ho, chair of the Richmond Youth Foundation said a big aspect of her group is philanthropy.

“The foundation acts as a hub for youth philanthropy in Richmond. We do this by connecting youth with a variety of local non-profit organizations,” said Ho.

All the groups will have posters and are inviting the public to ask questions, starting at 4 p.m. on March 6.

To see the video of Boyd’s Interact club, go to Facebook.com/InteractOfficial.

Richmond Country Club (RCC) WEEKDAYSJULY TO AUGUST

Space is Limited,Register Today

Sportsmanship

Responsibility

Rules & Behaviour

Honesty & Fair Play

Courtesy & Respect

If you have any questions, or wish to sign upyour child, please call the RCC Golf Centre at

604.241.3700

2015 Annual Junior Golf Program(starts in March)

Our programs aim to introduce and develop correct swing fundamentals togetherwith an understanding and appreciation of the core

values that are important not only in this great game, but in life as well.

PGA of Canada professional golf instructors promote active participation in a positive learningenvironment with fun-oriented games, friendly competitions, easy to follow practice drills, anddefined learning outcomes. Programs will also include the basics of golf etiquette, rules andsportsmanship, designed to help encourage juniors to feel confident to take up the game.

$595 Full Season JUNIOR GOLFMEMBERSHIP PROGRAM for boys & girls ages 11 - 18$139 (6 sessions) Junior Clinic for boys & girls aged 5-9$149 (6 sessions) Junior Clinic for kids aged 8-12

RICHMOND COUNTRY CLUB HAS A ZERO TOLERANCE BULLYING POLICY

9100 STEVESTON HWY | RICHMOND | V7A 1M5 | 604.277.3141

Weekly Full-Day 9:00 - 3:00• Non-Members: $330

Weekly Half-Day 9:00 - 1:00• Non-Members: $225

REGISTER TODAY! [email protected]

Richmond Country Club campsare open to all children ages 5-12who are looking for a variety ofactivities from wacky science,

professional golf & tennis lessons,art, leisure games and more!


skills put the test at aberdeen centre richmond boasts first-class first nations work With a flurry of competitions happening simultaneously in front of a large public audience, and medals being handed out to those judged best in their category, you can see why the annual Skills Canada regional event draws comparisons to one of Olympic-sized proportions.

“It’s a lot of fun, too,” said Rene Ragetli, director of Skills Canada’s B.C. region which will be hosting the competition — one of several held across the province — on March 5 at Aberdeen Centre, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the second year in a row.

Ragetli explained event is designed as a way of encouraging young people to look at careers in trades and technology by showcasing the skills required in around 50 different vocations — from aircraft maintenance to welding.

While the event at Aberdeen Centre — which is expected to draw about 130 students — is primarily focused on those in Grades 10 to 12 there will be some challenges for junior level competitors. And they involve a pair of demanding and entertaining problems where teams are tasked with building a bridge made from spaghetti, and constructing a car powered solely by gravity.

In the spaghetti bridge challenge, teams must adhere

to design criteria to construct in two hours a 50 cm span that is able to carry a one kilogram weight for 60 seconds. In the event of a tie, the lightest structure is deemed the winner.

“The winning bridges will weigh in around 78 grams, so they are very light, and to carry a one kilo weight is very impressive,” Ragetli said. “They will have to be engineered and constructed carefully.”

While it’s quite a challenge for the teams, onlookers are traditionally treated to some high drama, too, as the efforts flex and bend under the test weight.

“It’s a lot of fun as the teams have to watch the clock as their creations flex and then break, turning into a mass of broken spaghetti,” Ragetli said. “It’s quite exciting.”

In the gravity car challenge, teams have to build — without using any materials from kits — a vehicle that uses just the power of sliding down a two-metre high ramp to see which one travels the fastest.

“Sometimes, the competition comes down to the difference of a 100th of a second,” Ragetli said.

Older students are given “real world” problems to solve in their areas of expertise during a three to five-hour time span.

For example, in fashion design, contestants have to complete a garment from scratch. All entries then take part in a fashion show near the close of the day.

Efforts in all categories are judged, with the winners at the regional level qualifying for the provincial competition, which is set for April 15 in Abbotsford.

Those lucky enough to progress can attend the national championships in Saskatoon at the end of May. And there’s even a world finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil in August.

But to get there, they must of course turn in a winning performance before not only an audience of their peers, but a large mass of spectators in the mall.

“Aberdeen Centre is an unusual venue,” Ragetli said. “Typically, these events are held in a post secondary school or in a number of high schools.”

Last year’s event in the mall was seen as a test of how the competitors managed to perform in front of a large audience which produces its own challenges.

“The mall was wonderful. And we decided to do it again,” Ragetli said. “It provides a real growth experience for the kids.”

Unique work by Aboriginal students in the Richmond School District will be on display at Brighouse Public Library during Education Week.

Digital displays will show a wealth of academic and artistic work _ such as history projects and moccasins — by some of Richmond’s 225 self-identified Aboriginal students.

Furthermore, a special drum ceremony will take place on March 3 at 7 p.m., outside the library where everyone is welcome.

As District Administrator responsible for Aboriginal Education in the Richmond School District, Andrea Davidson notes it’s important to recognize First Nations in Richmond granted Canadian history had long-failed to do so.

“Part of our moral responsibility is to support all learners. Data tells us Aboriginal learners aren’t finding themselves reflected in current curriculum because its Euro-centric,” she said.

By Philip Raphael By Graeme Wood

Richmond Lacrosse REGISTER NOWONLINE @ richmondlacrosse.com

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richmond boasts first-class first nations work Unique work by Aboriginal students in the Richmond School District will be on display at Brighouse Public Library during Education Week.

Digital displays will show a wealth of academic and artistic work _ such as history projects and moccasins — by some of Richmond’s 225 self-identified Aboriginal students.

Furthermore, a special drum ceremony will take place on March 3 at 7 p.m., outside the library where everyone is welcome.

As District Administrator responsible for Aboriginal Education in the Richmond School District, Andrea Davidson notes it’s important to recognize First Nations in Richmond granted Canadian history had long-failed to do so.

“Part of our moral responsibility is to support all learners. Data tells us Aboriginal learners aren’t finding themselves reflected in current curriculum because its Euro-centric,” she said.

“With the new redesigned provincial curriculum that reflects Indigenous contributions locally and globally,” said Davidson.

“There is an expectation that teachers incorporate Canadian Aboriginal perspectives as well as linking Indigenous cultures around the world,” she noted.

The new curriculum has been designed to embed “The First Peoples Principles of Learning” which are guiding principles that help build community, personalize learning, foster positive self-identity, and strengthen relationships with family, community, land and ancestry.

She notes that Richmond presents itself with a good opportunity to do this given its large immigrant population; there’s a lot of opportunity for students to understand one another because everyone is “indigenous to somewhere.”

By Graeme Wood

Various projects by Aboriginal students in the Richmond School District will be display at the Richmond Public Library during Education Week.

science Jammers look at the future of energyGrade 4 Woodward elementary students Edrian Atienza-Vergara and Jason Chu are set to impress all of Richmond at Science Jam with their projects on sustainable energy.

“I think I’ll make a car,” says Chu, who is learning what energy is, where it comes from and how it can be used in a sustainable way.

His classmate Elijah Morrison is also considering making a car.

“I think I’ll use the car’s potential energy and turn it into kinetic energy. I’ll use a crank and drop it from up high so it goes fast,” says Morrison.

While still in the ‘development stages,’ their teacher, Braunwyn Thompson, is encouraging all of her Grade 3/4 Woodward students to become inventors and innovators in their own right — they will be tasked to create their own energy models and explain them to the public at Aberdeen Centre this March at Science Jam during Education Week.

“Their big task here is to talk about energy conservation, and they’re trying to build models to show how energy

works and how we can save it, so a lot of them are focusing on renewable energy and making distinctions between wind, solar and water energy, versus fossil fuels,” says Ms. Thompson.

An important aspect of the project is working in teams. Students pair up to discuss different ways of going about their project, in turn solving problems and answering questions they may not have been able to do on their own.

“This is the model of learning we’re trying to get the kids to participate in. It’s very inquiry-based so the questions are coming from them. We talk about the big ideas, but they come up with questions, which drives the learning. And that’s important. It allows them a lot of ownership in their project and when they show up at Science Jam, it gives them great pride,” explains Ms. Thompson.

Already, the kids are beginning to see the light, so to speak.

“They all (initially) just wanted to put batteries in something, just because there’s no (power) cord, but we’re starting to think about where that energy comes from, now,” says Ms. Thompson.

Science Jam is one of the premiere events held by the Richmond School District each year. It exemplifies the district’s commitment to inquiry-based learning and makes teachers, and leaders, out of students.

As district teacher consultant Janice Novakowski explains:

“Science has always been an inquiry-based discipline but in the last several years, the use of inquiry as a framework for thinking and learning as a scientist has become even more prominent.”

In other words, kids aren’t just repeating scientific discoveries, they’re making them — such as the time students took water samples at Garry Point to learn why a ‘no swimming’ sign was erected at the beach.

Sustainability is a key mantra within the district, and educators aim to ensure students are part of turning that mantra into action.

Every year, Science Jammers impress the public, which is, of course, encouraged to pose questions.

As it’s only February and the

Woodward students are working hard conceptualizing their projects, you can bet that come March you’ll see the future before your eyes — we’re talking wind, solar, and tidal power, not nuclear, oil and gas.

One hundred years from now, civilization will thank these kids.

Science Jam will involve 16 schools and over 800 students in Richmond. This year the three themes are: Environmental Sustainability; We are the Fraser; and Creativity and Innovation in Science.

The themes meld local and global sustainability and environmental initiatives together under an investigative and innovative learning framework.

Ms. Thompson said an inspirational trip to Science World helped spawn the students’ imaginations.

There, they learned not only about the basic tenants of energy, but also how they can think outside the box.

At Science Jam, you’ll see that box wide open.


By Graeme Wood

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richmondoval.ca | 778.296.14006111 River Road Richmond BC

* Maximum 2 complimentary child (ages 6-12) annual memberships with the purchase of every youth, young adult, adult or senior membership.Children 0-5 years receive complimentary admission.

** Applies to Fundamental Movements School (ages 0-9) and Multi-Sport Explorer programs (ages 3-9) for children with Oval Memberships and toddlers with a parent orguardian that is an Oval Member.

FREECHILDMEMBERSHIPS*

$25FLATFEEONPHYSICALLITERACYPROGRAMS**

PRESSPLAYRESSPLAYP5451No.3Road,Richmond,B.C.

Tel:(604)-273-4427

www.imperialhobbies.ca

Email:[email protected]

Comics,Models,Games&More!

Offer expires March 20, 2015

15%Off

any

instOre

iteM

E12 fEbruary 2015 sd38.bc.ca

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EdCom News February 2015

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