Mission Statement:
To provide students with equitable, quality, educational opportunities in a safe, supportive environment through the efforts of a caring, professional team in cooperation with students, parents and communities.
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR
The Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) and its employees would like to welcome all returning and new students to the 2010/2011 school year.
To assist with either your introduction or reintroduction to the school system, we are providing you with the following information. If you require additional information, please contact your neighborhood school or the School District Office at 426-4201 (1-866-489-4201 Toll Free) or check our web page at www.sd5.bc.ca.
For a copy of the 2010/2011 school calendar outlining the days-in-session, non-in-session Fridays and the non-instructional days please refer to the school district’s webpage or pick one up at the school district office, 940 Industrial Road No. 1.
School Opening
School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) welcomes students of Cranbrook, South Country, Jaffray, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford back to School on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. All schools will be in session from 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. on that day. Secondary and middle schools may have alternate start times on opening day. Please contact your local school directly.
For hours of instruction for Kindergarten and bus pick up times, please contact your neighborhood school.
New Registrants are asked to register at their neighborhood school during the week of August 30th. Please check with your neighborhood school for their hours of operation during that week. French Immersion is available at T.M. Roberts Elementary, Parkland Middle School, Mount Baker Secondary and Isabella Dicken Elementary in Fernie.
Attention: Home Learners
For parents who wish to educate their children at home or outside of the traditional school setting, School District No. 5 provides support for those parents through the “Kootenay Discovery School”. The Kootenay Discovery School follows the BC curriculum and provides teacher support to parents and students. Please call 250-489-5838 in Cranbrook or 250-423-4919 in the Elk Valley for more information.
Amy Woodland's Aboriginal Day
Students and staff of Amy Woodland Elementary School celebrated and recognized National Aboriginal Day.
Valedictorian 2010 Sparwood Secondary School, Tyrel Musil
"We are about to take our futures fully into our own hands and experience the real world. It won’t be easy, and there will be a lot of tough times no matter what we choose to do. I am confident that every one of us has what it takes to overcome these hardships. Life is yours to do what you will with it. Try to live your life to the fullest. Don’t hold back; don’t be afraid to be different. Make sure that when you are old and look back on your life there are plenty of exciting, unique, fulfilling, and even crazy experiences that come to mind. To the class of 2010 – good luck and thank you."
Valedictorian 2010 Fernie Secondary School, Amber Christenson
“So fellow grads, this is it - the end of an era - or at least a decade. And you haven’t come through that decade alone. Your parents, guardians, friends, counselors, and yes, even teachers, have been with you the entire way. These people care about you and your success in life. … if you remember anything you learned in high school, remember this:
Live every moment like it’s your last; dream like the moment will never end; and, don’t stop believing. Congrats grad 2010. We did it!”
Valedictorian 2010 Elkford Secondary School, Kaitlyn Unwin
“On behalf of our grad class, I’d like to thank all our teachers, and the support staff of ESS, RMES and EES who have contributed to our years of schooling. It is because of your efforts we are here today. Not only because of your nagging and due dates, but because you made sure we had the resources we needed and never gave up on us. We celebrate today, but anxiously look to the future, so here are some words of advice: live your own life. Have your own spunk and personality and do not be afraid to show it. Standing out is always much more fun! If that is not for you, just make sure you live big and dream big at least some of the time. I’ll miss you all and I wish each and every one of you all the best. Good luck with wherever the path leads you and keep in touch.”
“RAY’S LAST RUN!”
Ray White pulls into the Cranbrook Bus Shop after his last school bus run of the school year and his career. Ray has been a bus driver for our School District for 27 accident free years. Thank you and congratulations on your retirement, Ray.
Adapted Technology Class at MBSS
The Adapted Technology Work Skills class at Mt. Baker Secondary School with their roasting sticks and planter boxes which they fabricated and sold as part of their workplace readiness training.
Math Olympics at FJMES
Students at FJ Mitchell Elementary School recently participated in their first annual Intermediate Math Olympics.
School District 5 Honours Retirees
Over 70 people came together to celebrate and recognize the many years of service by this year’s retirees to the students of School District 5.
TM Roberts Elementary “Violin Club”
The TM Roberts Elementary School’s ”Violin Club” performed at the school’s recent 2010 Year-End Music Concert. The well-attended concert also featured the Grade 6 Concert Band.
Highlands Elementary School’s Annual Bike Trip
Mr. Stocknow’s Grade 6 class from Highlands Elementary School stops for a brief break on the annual bike/camping trip to Wycliffe Park.
Fernie Secondary's Drama Production Oklahoma
The Persian Peddler, Ali Hakim, has Laurey under his spell as he sells her a bottle of a "magic potion" (really smelling salts) which the unscrupulous peddler guarantees will reveal her true love in the Fernie Secondary School’s drama production of Oklahoma. The play entertained sell-out audiences at all three performances.
District Parent Advisory Council Thanks Cheryl McCann
At the last DPAC meeting of this school year Chair Tracy Adams thanks Cheryl McCann for her 12 years of service to parents, students and the School District as a member of the District Parent Advisory Council. Cheryl has held many executive positions on DPAC and has been a key link to the BCCPAC for all our school’s PAC’s.
SPARWOOD SECONDARY GRADUATION
Sparwood Secondary graduates Stephanie Neben, Kaethel Sauerborn, Jaclyn Dixson, and Justin Hanlon present the 2009/10 grad photo to Principal, Jason Tichauer at their recently held Graduation Ceremony.
MT. BAKER STUDENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP
Katelyn Knudsgaard (Grade 12 student) at Mt. Baker School is the recipient of the prestigious Seymour Schulich Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarship from the University of Calgary. She will be studying Chemical Engineering. Katelyn will receive $20 000 in her 1st year plus a cost of living of $2600. If she can maintain a 3.5 GPA she will also be awarded $15 000 in both her 2nd and 3rd years at the University of Calgary plus the cost of living of $1995 during these years. Congratulations and good luck, Katelyn. With Katelyn in the photo is Debra Empson, Principal of Mt. Baker Secondary and Bill Gook, Superintendent of Schools.
ANNUAL KIKOMUN RUN
Members of the FJ Mitchell “Wolves” cross country team celebrate the school’s impressive team effort at the annual Kikomun Run. The FJ Mitchell Team won the girl’s race, boy’s race and the overall competition. Well done FJ Mitchell.
CANADA-WIDE SCIENCE FAIR RECIPIENT
Congratulations to Keltie Murdoch, Grade 9 Parkland Middle School, for receiving an Honourable Mention for her science fair project, “Temper Trap” at the Canada-Wide Science Fair held in Peterborough, Ontario. Keltie’s project investigated the efficiency of air tempering (geothermal energy) as a means to create quality living spaces. This was Keltie’s 3rd year in a row of qualifying to represent the East Kootenay’s in the Canadian competition and her first time as an award recipient. Two other School District 5 students, Curtis Hall, Mt. Baker and Chris Lavery, Laurie Middle School also attended the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Thank you to Corey Conroy and Sandi Lavery of the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair for accompanying the students to Peterborough. In the picture with Keltie is Principal of Parkland Middle School, Brent Reimer and Superintendent, Bill Gook who was at Parkland to offer his congratulations.
BCSTA LONG-TERM SERVICE AWARD
The BCSTA Long-Term Service Award was recently presented to Bev Bellina and Chris Ellis both Trustees with School District 5's Board of Education. Also in the picture is Frank Lento, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Rob Norum, Secretary-Treasurer and Bill Gook, Superintendent of Schools.
PARADE FOR FERNIE'S EMILY BRYDON
Isabella Dicken Elementary school students proudly carry the Canadian Flag at the front of the parade celebrating Fernie's three time Olympian and World Cup Alpine Skier Gold Medalist Emily Brydon.
SETBC CELEBRATES STUDENT REPORTERS
On Friday, May 7, Special Education Technology BC (SETBC) celebrated the achievements of three student reporters who attended the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics. The students, who have been working towards this goal for over 3 years, each gave a wonderful presentation of their once in a lifetime experience. Frank Robertson, grade 12 student at Mt Baker, is shown here talking about his Olympic adventure. Read his thought-provoking essays at www.fyicanada.ca Type “frankearl” in the search field to find them.
PROJECT HEAVY DUTY
For the first time Project Heavy Duty was offered in both Cranbrook and in Sparwood this year. Students in grades 11 and 12 who are interested in a career in heavy equipment operation were encouraged to be involved in Heavy Duty. The program involves specific training in Industrial Work Safety through WorkSafeBC and the College of the Rockies and two days of guided instruction on the operation of construction or mining equipment. The program in Sparwood included a tour of the Tech Coal mining operations.
