MULGRAVE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
	1325 EAST KEITH ROAD NORTH VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA V7J 1J3 PHONE 604/984-9030 FAX 604/984-9034

October 25, 1996

Dear Parents

In response to my excerpts from "The Conversation Piece" last week, Glen (K) and Marion (G.3) Turner provided me with the following comments:

From 'THE CONVERSATION PIECE'

(Creative questions to tickle the mind)
by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie

1. If you could acquire a characteristic of one particular animal, what would it be, and why?

(Bunny in Snow White - because they are "gentle". - Marion and because they are "cute" - Glen)

2. What is your favourite day of the year?

(Christmas - Marion, Summer - Glen)

3. If you were to write a book, what would you choose as the topic?

(Adventures - Marion, "Pippy Long Stocking". - Glen

These questions are designed to provide opportunities for creative thinking!..........

4. If you were an entry in the dictionary, under which word would people find you?

(creative - Marion, inquisitive - Glen, "gadget")

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION CROSS COUNTRY MEET

Last Wednesday, 23 October in the most inclement of weathers, twenty-one Mulgravians ran against five hundred or so colleagues from Independent Schools in the Vancouver/Vancouver Island area. This number represents 20% of our total school population, and I am proud of their energy and commitment.

Our runners were:

Next year, we will be an even greater number. Our present greatness of heart, however, could not be bettered. On behalf of us all, I thank our runners, and their coaches, Ms. Straub and Ms. Rees, for representing us so well.

VOLLEY-BALL

Cross Country running is finished for the season. Volley-Ball will be held on Monday after school. at 3:45 p.m. for Grade 5 girls only, in preparation for the upcoming tournament. The first session will begin on Monday, November 4, 1996.

HEAD LICE

Although we have absolutely no reason to be concerned, Mrs. Walsh, our Teacher's Aide, who is a trained nurse, will next week examine the children's hair for head lice. Some of the schools on the North Shore have apparently experienced an outbreak and it therefore seems sensible to be pro-active in this matter.

SKATING

Lunch-time skating has ended for Grade 1. After our mid-term break, the Grade 2 children will have the opportunity to skate until the end of term. If you are able to help Ms. Straub and Ms. Rees on Tuesday lunch-time with your Grade 2 child (and friends!) please let Mrs. Grant know. If you have not yet completed a permission slip for grade 2 skating, please obtain one from the office.

HOMEWORK POLICY

We shall shortly organise a workshop dedicated to this very subject. If you have any concerns regarding your child's home-work load, please address them to their class or subject teachers. We listen well! Comments in the home-work are also appreciated, for our home-work books are also lines of communication, a maintenance and sustenance for our triad.

SCHOOL DAY

We have reached the mid-point in our first school term, and I am interested in receiving your comments, either personally or in written form as to your views on the length of the school day. You may remember that I wrote to you all early in July expressing my concern that our traditional 176 teaching days paled in comparison to Europe's 220 teaching days, and the Pacific Rim countries average total of 250 teaching days. Mulgrave offers, I believe, an extra-ordinarily rich academic curriculum, matched by an extra-curricular programme, which I know to be incomparable.

In order to maintain both the ministry mandated core curriculum, as well as additional non-mandated subjects, none of which I regard as peripheral or frills, we teach the extra daily minutes. There are more ways than one to skin a cat, however, and I would appreciate listening to your opinions.

SCIENCE FAIR

Please note in your undoubtedly busy diaries that our Science Fair will be held on Thursday, April 24, 1997, and on that day, the school will be open until 6:00 p.m., so that you may all gaze in awe and wonder at the exhibits and displays.

BOOK FAIR

This has been an outstanding success, both in terms of content organisation. We thank very much Mrs. Vipond (or Miss Frizzle the perpetually frazzled) for all of her efforts in devising and masterminding the event. I know that we have all benefitted as a community from the Book Fair: it was wonderful to see parents and children browsing over books to-gether. Next week, Mrs. Vipond will report the final sales figures and comment personally upon the event.

LIBRARY DONATION

We received to-day a donation of $1000 from Pictet (Canada) and Company, a Swiss based International Investment company, who are the employers of Melanie Clarance, a sum specifically sent for the enhancement of our own Library, (soon to be formally recognised as our Information Centre). This donation was the icing on an already delicious 'library' cake, and grateful thanks are already winging their way across the ocean.

KIDS CARE CLUB

Following is the up-dated list for the Fall Fair coat and parcel check that the Kids Care Club will run. If your child is a member and has not signed up, perhaps he or she could take one of the spots currently occupied by Marion Turner. Please let one of us know. THE CHILDREN VOLUNTEERING FOR THE COAT AND PARCEL CHECK SHOULD WEAR FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM, INCLUDING BLAZERS. This will make us look official and will give the public a chance to see our beautiful uniforms. If the children want to change out of their uniforms for the rest of the Fair, that is fine.

Fall Fair coat and parcel check schedule, draft #2:

10:00-10:30 Kailey Spooner Fiona Rayher

10:30-11:00 Natalie Staff Tessa Clarance

11:00-11:30 Aliya Bhatia Hilary Ison

11:30-12:00 Ashley Jones Alexandra Todd

12:00-12:30 Jaclyn Wierenga Elyssia Patterson

12:30-1:00 Marion Turner Hilary Smyth

1:00-1:30 Olivia Vipond Marion Turner

1:30-2:00 Gabrielle Reed Denise Pao

2:00-2:30 Krystle Funston Brandon Ayers

2:30-3:00 Andrew Langridge William Larose

See you at the fair!!

~Ms. Millerd and Ms. Tuck

REMINDER RE EARTHQUAKE COMFORT KITS!

If you have not yet completed your form which was in last week's newsletter, please so do - if you have mislaid that form, please complete the duplicate contained herein, and return to Mrs. Grant. Mrs. Houghton, (Geoff, G.3, Alyssa, G.3) who has kindly co-ordinated this effort would like to place a Mulgrave School order as soon as possible. I am extremely grateful to Mrs. Houghton and to Ms. McQuaid (Olivia & Rebecca- K, Natalie -G.2) who has created an Emergency Preparedness Plan (to be shared with you shortly); their essential and invaluable work for our children is much appreciated.

BC ON SHAKY GROUND!!

Well, we never know, and for that reason all Mulgrave students will be required to have an earthquake comfort kit that will be assembled this year and perishable items will be replaced yearly at a minimal cost (approximately $2-3). I have done some research in pricing these kits and found the most reasonable and complete kits to be provided by Schoolmate Comfort kits. These will be bought as a classroom pack. Included in this will be the following.

1 kit per class

Teachers equipment

Guidebook
Note Pad
23 labels
Marker
Whistle
Help/OK Sign

5 year shelf life

23 Safety Light sticks
48 Emergency Drinking Water Pkgs. *
48 Straws (for above) *

Non Perishables

23 I.D. Information Tags with around neck plastic casing *
23 Heavy Duty Garbage Bags (as Poncho etc.) *
23 Emergency Blankets *
66 Wet Nap Towelettes *
1 box Tissues
23 Shower Caps *
23 Dust Masks *
23 Safety Pins *

Comfort Foods

23 Sesame Snaps *
66 Fruit Leathers *
48 Granola Bars *
48 Lollipops *

Mini Medical First Aid Pack

First Aid Information Card

4 Finger Tip Bandages
6 Adhesive Bandages
2 Gauze Pads 4"
4 Sterile Gauze Pads 2"
1 roll Gauze 2"
1 roll Gauze 1"
1 roll Adhesive Tape
10 Antiseptic wipes
2 Compress Pressure Dressing 4"
1 Triangular Bandage with pins
6 Providone - Iodine Prep Pads

Each child will have items marked with * in individual kits with their names. All items will be stored together in a bin of sorts, and kept in their classrooms.

The cost for each child is $15.00 and this should be returned with the form attached to the school by October 25, 1996 as the kits will be ordered by November 1, 1996.

Thank you

Tara Houghton (Alyssa, G.5, Geoffrey, G.3).

MEG HICKLING

The Sexual Development of Children

October 30th, 1996

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

This is a two hour presentation for parents, teachers and others who care for children from preschool age through adolescence.

We begin by looking at the five stages of sexual development through which children grow as they come to understand sexuality in a mature way. We examine what they need to know at each stage and how to present the facts at various levels of interest and ability.

Secondly, we look at puberty changes, the early and late starters, childrensÕ worries and concerns, what is normal and ways of providing information and comfort.

Questions and concerns from those attending are welcome and handouts listing helpful books and videos will be available.

Meg Hickling (R.N.) has touched the lives of thousands in her work as a Sexual Health Educator. Her ability to convey difficult and controversial material with sensivity, gentle humour and warmth distinguishes her as a remarkable teacher and role model. Her early work became the prototype for the Provincial Life Curriculum. Her commitment to issues like violence against women and pornography is evident in her leadership of conferences (Extending Family Violence), and in her presentations to children on sexual health and sexual abuse prevention. She has voluntarily trained and inspired dozens in the field. She has addressed single mothers, immigrant women, church groups and medical conferences. Her vision and influence have contributed to a healthier local and national community.

1992 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Health & Education
1994 RNABC Award of Excellence
1994 BC Council for the Family, Distinguished Service to Families Award.

A reminder that there is no school Monday October 28 or Tuesday Oct. 29. Do enjoy your mid term break.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Hamer

Headmistress

B.C. ON SHAKY GROUND!

Please fill out this form and return to the school by October 25, 1996.

SURNAME ___________________________________________

CHILD'S NAME _______________________________ GRADE _______

CHILD'S NAME _______________________________ GRADE _______

CHILD'S NAME _______________________________ GRADE _______

CHILD'S NAME _______________________________ GRADE _______

Payment of $15.00 per child paid by cheque ___________

cash ___________

MEG HICKLING

I (we) plan to attend the information meeting Yes __________ No __________

Name (s) ______________________________________