Issuu

FEBRUARY 2020

In Conjunction with

A publication to Educate & Communicate with the parents of Surrey School District.

Students

‘A great accomplishment’ L.A. Matheson’s Govind Deol named Loran Scholar

ut of more than 5,000 applicants, L.A. Matheson Secondary’s Govind Deol has been selected as one of just 36 Loran Scholars for 2020. He becomes the fifth student in Surrey’s history to win the prestigious award, valued at $100,000. “It’s exciting and I’m excited for the opportunities to come,” said Govind. “Before this, it was all about getting to this point, now there’s a lot to look forward to for the future and still so much to do.” Laurie Larsen, chair of the Surrey Board of Education, said the award was well-earned. “The Surrey Board of Education would like to congratulate Govind for this incredible achievement,” said Larsen. “The Loran Scholars Award is one of the most prestigious educational awards in Canada and we are thrilled to see a Surrey student recognized for his accomplishments both in and outside of the classroom. “This award is a testament to all of Govind’s hard work, as well as the amazing team of educators at L.A. Matheson. Congratulations Govind. We wish you all the best!” Peter Johnston, principal of L.A. Matheson, said he hopes Govind’s award will go on to inspire future students not only at his school, but throughout the entire district. “It’s a great accomplishment and speaks to how our students can achieve alongside students from across the Lower Mainland, B.C. and the rest of Canada,” said Johnston. “There shouldn’t be any distinction between what L.A. Matheson students can do compared with other students and it’s a credit to our teachers, Govind’s elementary teachers, his family and the community.” Teacher Manny Sahota, who has

INSIDE HEALTH: Menstrual products are now available free of charge in all Surrey and White Rock schools Page 3

EARLY LEARNING: Parents in Surrey have several options to choose from to support early learning for children before they enter school Page 3 THE ARTS: Exhibit at Surrey Art Gallery showcases 50 pieces of art by Surrey students in Grades 1-7 Page 5 EDUCATORS: Surrey Board of Education honours longtime music teacher Stephen Horning, who has taught at Simon Cunningham Elementary for 30 years Page 7 GRATITUDE: Students show appreciation for the clearing of snow with colourful hand-made cards Page 9 Govind Deol is just the fifth student in Surrey’s history to win the prestigious Loran Scholar award, valued at $100,000. (Photo: Surrey Schools) worked with Govind on his volunteering since Grade 9, said he’s not surprised by Govind’s achievement. “As teachers, we try to create an environment where the students can thrive and excel and we do that in various ways…but Govind has had all the tools from the beginning, he was destined for this and that’s just who he is as a person.” As for his next steps, Govind says

he’s still just taking it all in and will sit down with his parents in the coming weeks to decide where he’ll want to go. In keeping with the work he’s been doing throughout his high school career, the one thing Govind is sure of is that he wants to pursue sciences and medicine, with the goal of being able to help people both within Canada and abroad.

“India recently had a lot of bad flooding, so there was a bunch of doctors on the ground there,” he explained. “So I want to go into that field of medicine so I can go outside of Canada to help others as well.” Pausing slightly, Govind adds, “I just like doing what I can to help people.” Surrey School District

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A publication to educate and communicate with parents of Surrey School District. Email your story ideas to edit@surreynowleader.com

Early learning

Health

Support for children before they enter school

Menstrual products available in school washrooms

Surrey Schools and the Ministry of Education offer a variety of programs to support early learning for children before they enter school. There are several options that highlight the importance of oral language and play-based learning as foundations for cognitive, social and emotional development. StrongStart and Ready, Set, Learn are two options available to young children and their caregivers in the Surrey School District. StrongStart is a free program targeting youngsters from newborn to five years old. Parents learn new ways to support children’s learning at home while making valuable connections with others in the community. There are

Dispensers installed in all Surrey and White Rock schools

enstrual product dispensers have been installed in all Surrey and White Rock schools. More than 260 dispensers are now in designated secondary and elementary school washrooms district-wide, as well as in learning centres, the District Education Centre (DEC) and the Resource & Education Centre (REC). At each site, products are available in one or more gender neutral and/or handicapped access washrooms, as well as female washrooms. Installation of the machines, which provide menstrual products free of charge, was completed during the winter break in late December. Under a ministerial order issued last spring, all B.C. public school districts were required to provide free menstrual products for students in washrooms by the end of 2019. Previously, menstrual products were made available to Surrey students upon request. The dispenser installations allow schools to provide products in a manner that better protects student privacy.

StrongStart programs at 24 Surrey schools and registration is ongoing. Ready, Set, Learn is a Ministry of Education initiative designed to provide three- and four-year-olds and their caregivers with learning strategies and information about programs and resources available to families. Events are scheduled at almost every Surrey and White Rock elementary school. Check under Early Learning > Ready, Set, Learn at surreyschools.ca For more dates, locations and other information about StrongStart, as well as other preschool and early learning options offered through Surrey Schools, visit surreyschools.ca/EarlyLearning Surrey School District

Installation of menstrual product dispensers, which provide menstrual products free of charge, was completed during the winter break in late December. “It’s so important that students have free, easy and discreet access to pads and tampons when they need them,” said Surrey Board of Education chairperson Laurie Larsen. “The board is more than pleased to have made this move. We hope it not only provides barrier-free access, but contributes to reducing and eliminating stigma around menstruation.”

Purchasing and installing the machines and disposal receptacles, in addition to site preparation and signage, cost approximately $193,000. The provincial government contributed $26,0000. You can view the district’s new Provision of Menstrual Products to Students policy at https://bit.ly/38mr9VH. Surrey School District

Early learning programs offer support before school years begin.

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www.surreynowleader.com 2019-20 Surrey Schools calendar

September 3, 2019 September 30, 2019

EDCOM 36

Schools Open Non-instructional day

Past the halfway mark of the year! October 14, 2019

Thanksgiving Day

October 25, 2019

Non-instructional day

November 8, 2019

Non-instructional day

November 11, 2019

Remembrance Day (Stat holiday)

December 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020

Winter break

Though we’re already more than halfway January 6,the 2020 through school year, here are some Schools reopen after winter important February 17,dates 2020for the rest of the year:Family Day

break

February 21, 2020

Non-instructional day

March 16 – March 20, 2020

Spring break

March 23 - March 27, 2020

School closure days

April 10, 2020

Good Friday

April 13, 2020

Easter Monday

May 1, 2020

Non-instructional day

May 18, 2020

Victoria Day

May 25, 2020

Non-instructional day

June 26, 2020

Administrative day/Schools close

If you need to plan even further ahead, you can view the district calendar for the upcoming, 2020-2021 school year at www.surreyschools.ca under ‘Quick Links’ near the bottom of the page.

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EDCOM 36

The arts

Student work on exhibit at Surrey Art Gallery A

rtwork created by elementary students in Surrey and White Rock is currently on display at the Surrey Art Gallery. Art by Surrey Elementary School Students spotlights 50 pieces of art by Surrey Schools students in Grades 1-7. Among the student art featured is a colourful watercolour pencil piece by Claire Bradley that was inspired by artist Robin Mead. “I want people to notice that the waves have the reflection of a city but it is really a quiet city,” Bradley, a Grade 4 student at École Laronde Elementary, says in her artist statement. The elementary show has been hosted by the Surrey Art Gallery since 1983, showcasing the value of art education and the Surrey School District’s art education

The Surrey Art Gallery is displaying work from Grades 1-7 students in Surrey and White Rock. Among the art featured is this watercolour pencil piece by Claire Bradley that was inspired by artist Robin Mead.

I want people to notice that the waves have the reflection of a city but it is really a quiet city.

turing a shoebill stork. Teacher Marc Pelech said the piece began with a “treasure hunt” for 18 natural and/or human-made objects (i.e. feather, sponge, Lego, penny, button, steel wool, and strainer mesh), dipping the objects into India Claire Bradley ink, and using stamping, dry rubbing, and layering techniques. “I discovered that I could proprograms. The gallery is located duce a realistic drawing using ‘unorthodox’ objects, instead of at 13750 88 Ave. more conventional tools like a The elementary exhibit runs pencil, calligraphy pen, or paintuntil May 10. The Secondary Visual Art Ex- brush,” says Balthes about her hibition took place at the Surrey work. Check surreyschools.ca (under Museum in mid-February, with approximately 50 pieces of art by Programs & Services <Arts Education) for more about the viGrade 8-12 students displayed. One of those artists was Lorie sual art, dance, drama and music program in the Surrey School Balthes, a Grade 9 student at Sullivan Heights Secondary, who District. Surrey School District submitted an India ink work fea-

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Board meeting dates - 2019-2020 school year The Surrey Board of Education meets on the following dates, at 7 p.m. in Room #2020 at the District Education Centre, 14033 92 Ave.: z March 11

z April 8 z May 13 z June 10 Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Past and current meeting agendas, plus videos of past board meetings, can be viewed at www. surreyschools.ca (About Us > Board of Education > Board Meetings).

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Educators

Longtime music teacher honoured The Surrey Board of Education has recognized longtime teacher Stephen Horning for his many years of commitment to Surrey students and invaluable contribution to music education. Horning has been a music teacher at Simon Cunningham Elementary for 30 years. “In that time, he has really made his mark on their music program,” said board chair Laurie Larsen at the Feb. 12 public meeting, where Horning was recognized. Trustees also congratulated Horning on being a recent recipient of the British Columbia Music Educator Association’s 2019 Outstanding Educator Award. The provincial award, which he received in late October,

recognizes an educator who exemplifies a high standard of achievement and professionalism in music in the public education system. In addition to teaching, Horning is also director of the Surrey Children’s Choir, which performed at the meeting. Larsen noted that prior to coming to Surrey, Horning taught in Campbell River. “We are so fortunate that he chose to move and teach in Surrey,” she said, congratulating him on the BCMEA award. “It is very well deserved and thank you for all that you do for the students of Surrey.” Horning received a framed certificate and an indigenous carved spoon from the board. Surrey School District

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Procedures

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What happens when severe weather hits?

n the event of inclement weather, families, students and staff are reminded where to find information and how Surrey Schools makes decisions to cancel classes, delay school openings or alter bus service due to weather. All schools in the Surrey School District will remain open, except under extreme circumstances. How are decisions made? The Surrey School District covers a large geographic area, so conditions at individual school sites may vary. A variety of factors are considered before a decision is made, including: z Road, sidewalk, school and parking lot conditions; z Issues such as power outages and other emergent matters. Designated staff members travel predetermined routes to assess conditions, and a recommendation

to close schools or cancel buses is discussed with key district personnel, as well as neighbouring school districts. Student and staff safety are always the top priority. When will I know? A decision to close or delay opening schools districtwide will be made by 7 a.m. at the latest, based on the best information available at that time. How will I be informed? Except under extreme circumstances, no announcement will be made that schools are open. Only cancellations, closures or delayed school openings will be announced. The district will communicate this information as soon as it’s available through the Surrey Schools Twitter and Facebook channels, the district website and individual school websites, and Lower Mainland media outlets.

A Surrey Schools facilities worker shovels a school’s stairs during the city’s last heavy snowfall. Families always have a choice Student safety is the school district’s first priority and a shared responsibility. Parents may choose

to make other arrangements if they don’t feel it’s safe to travel to school. Parents are asked to contact the school if their child

will not be attending and student absences under these circumstances will be excused. Surrey School District

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École Woodward Hill Elementary

Students thank staff for clearing snow No good deed goes unnoticed – not when students at École Woodward Hill Elementary are involved. Staff at the District Facilities Centre recently received handmade thank-you cards from the school’s Grade 3, 4 and 5 students, in recognition of their hard work clearing snow throughout the district in mid-January. Vice-principal Bronwen Howden took on the initiative with her students, teaching them gratitude and appreciation through the fun and creative exercise. “I often look for ways to model for students how we can show gratitude in simple ways to people who don’t often get recognized,” said Howden. “That was the premise behind it.” The colourful cards depict

One of the home-made thank-you cards École Woodward Hill Elementary students made for staff at the District Facilities Centre. a winter wonderland with snowflakes, Christmas trees, hot cocoa and shovels next to piles of snow, all while showcasing the students’ artistic abilities. “They’re just really creative kids,” said Howden. “I’d shared a few of the photos of the amount of

snow and work being done, and they were really excited in wanting to show that gratitude.” The DFC has posted the cards on their internal TV monitors to share with staff and highlight the thoughtfulness of the Woodward Hill students.

“Thank you for everything, all of you. Thank you for shoveling our school’s sidewalks and keeping Woodward Hill safe,” wrote Olivia. “All of you deserve a hot chocolate.” “We really appreciate your hard work. You guys are awesome!” wrote Seanna. “Oh, I hope you didn’t hurt your back muscles!” Howden said she hopes the activity will instill in her students a continued appreciation for the hard work of others, in the district and beyond. “Any opportunity we can take to be positive is modeling for the kids, and hopefully when they’re out on their own, they’ll do the same thing,” she said. Surrey School District Students at École Woodward Hill Elementary said thank you with cards.

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Growth

Surrey Now-Leader

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EDCOM 36 Fraser Health

Planning, construction underway on all four new schools in Surrey

Submit your child’s immunization records, Fraser Health urges

Surrey Schools is growing – again. Surrey’s is the largest and fastest growing school district in the province. With nearly 74,000 students currently enrolled in our schools, and an additional 1,000 students projected for the next school year, classroom capacity is top of mind as the district strives to keep up with the exponential growth. At a recent Surrey Board of Education meeting, progress on four new schools was shared with trustees: z Site 180 (17325 2nd Ave.) z Site 206 (16666 23rd Ave.) zMaddaugh Road Elementary (19405 76th Ave.) z Regent Road Elementary (18711 74th Ave.) Planning and/or construction is well underway for all four sites, including finalizing catchment boundaries for each of the new schools. These catchment boundaries were reviewed and refined through a comprehensive engagement process this fall that included online and in-person

Fraser Health is urging parents and guardians who have not done so to submit their child’s immunization records to Public Health as soon as possible. The health authority is missing records for 35 per cent of school-age children in the region, and Surrey Schools has sent a reminder letter home to parents on Fraser Health’s behalf. Records can be submitted in-person at your local health unit or online at www.fraserhealth.ca/immunizationform. Check http://www.immunizebc.ca/tips-locating-immunization-records if you are unsure whether your child’s immunization record is complete. The Fraser Health letter also includes helpful links and information about what to do if your child requires additional immunizations, where to get them and why submitting your child’s immunization status is important. You can read the full letter from Fraser Health at surreyschools.ca. Surrey School District

Maddaugh Road Elementary (19405 76th Ave.) is one of four new schools being built in Surrey. consultations with more than 350 parents, students and staff. The district has shared these catchment boundaries with parents who reside in the communities affected. For more informa-

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Computer Sciences

Internships prep Surrey students for ‘career of the future’

tudents in Fleetwood Park Secondary’s computer science co-op program are testing their newfound skills in the real world, thanks to internships with local tech companies. This year, the co-op program has started offering three-week work experiences with Lower Mainland companies, including in Surrey, in which students gain valuable insight to working in the tech industry. “We wanted to give the students the opportunity to go into work placements and get some experience in tech-related placements,” said teacher Brianna Stusiak. “We have some amazing companies that are popping up and so they don’t necessarily have to move to Silicon Valley.” The co-op teaches related elements of physics and math to give a more well-rounded understanding of computer science, which proved important for Grade 12 students Ryan Chen and Jerry Chen (no

relation). The pair interned together with Safe Software, a Surrey-based company that processes vast amounts of data with more than 400 partners. “All the skills that are required for a programming job, 99.9 per cent of the skills I have gained in this school,” said Ryan. “The work that I’ve done at Safe Software was related to graphing data, visualizing data, and it just so happened to be we were taught exactly how to do that in Python.” “On the job, it was basically just writing code all day and knowing at least one language,” said Jerry. “Also, teaching efficient ways to code. There are many different ways to code and knowing the proper ways and being more efficient – that’s something the course has taught me.” Both Ryan and Jerry said their internship with Safe Software taught them about their strengths and weaknesses in

programming, and exposed them to seemingly endless career potential in an industry that has more than piqued their interest. “I’ve been told by many people that computer science is a career of the future,” said Ryan. “This work experience taught me two things: I probably will love a computer science- or programming-related job in the future, and it taught me how important interpersonal, communications and planning skills are in the workforce.” “When my code works, you just get a feeling of self-accomplishment that you can’t get anywhere else,” said Jerry. “It really sold me on this career path. I’ve done some research to see if what I did at Safe Software is what a real job looks like and the setting is really the same. I think every student should consider computer science as a path for them.” Surrey School District

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Grade 12 Fleetwood Park Secondary students Ryan Chen and Jerry Chen (no relation) stepped out of the classroom and into meaningful computer science internships with Surrey-based tech company Safe Software. The two seniors received valuable experience in coding and programming, as part of their school’s comp sci co-op program. (Photo: Surrey Schools)

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