Volume 20, Issue 1 August/September 2009

Download September 2009 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

  • Aug. 28 Golf Tournament
  • Sept. 8 Staff Inservice
  • Sept. 9 Students Return to School 9:00 am
  • Sept. 10 Start of Classes (Day 3)
  • Sept. 11 Grade 6 & 7 Outing
  • Sept. 14 PAC Meeting 7:00 pm
  • Sept. 16-18 Grade 8 Outdoor Education
  • Sept. 17 Photo Day
  • Sept. 21-25 Student Council Spirit Week
  • Sept. 24-25 Spiritual Emphasis
  • Sept. 25 Deadline for Course Changes
  • Sept. 30 Staff Meeting 2:30 Dismissal
  • Oct. 5 Opening Program AGM Meeting
  • Oct. 8 Grade 9-12 Service Day
  • Oct. 9 Deadline for Math Course Changes
  • Oct. 12 Thanksgiving
  • Oct. 22 German Night
  • Oct. 23 SAG - No Classes
  • Oct. 27 Photo Retake Day
  • Oct. 28 Staff Meeting 2:30 Dismissal
  • Oct. 29 Grandparents Day
  • Nov. 2 Fall Band Concert
  • Nov. 4 Take Your Kids To Work Day (Gr. 9)
  • Nov. 9 PAC Meeting
  • Nov. 11 Remembrance Day
  • Nov. 20 End of Term 1
  • Nov. 25 Staff Meeting Noon Dismissal
  • Nov. 27 Report Cards

From the Principal’s Desk

I am once again very excited about our new school year and what the Lord has in store for us. I hope that each of you had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to another rewarding time in our new 2009/10 school year.

In preparation for this school year various sections of the school have received a fresh coat of paint. Our Math classrooms have been renovated and painted and our Grade 8 area washrooms have been remodeled. New computers have been purchased and the school has once again received its summer cleaning.

We have been truly blessed with an outstanding group of teachers at MBCI. Our new staff members will definitely complement this group and add to their enthusiasm and positive energy. We will be welcoming several new teachers to MBCI this fall. Heather Boersma will be teaching Grade 10 English and Bible and also teach Grade 11 English. Laura Hall joins our Science Department and will teach Biology in Grade 11 and 12 along with other Science courses in Grade 9 and 12. Matthew Opalko will be teaching Grade 10, 11 and 12 P.E. and Grade 11 Geography. Laura Dowbenko joins our Music department and will teach both Band and Music in our Middle School. Andrea Neufeld will be teaching Grade 9 and 10 Science and Grade 11 and 12 Math. Adrian Enns joins our staff as our new Campus Pastor. I am looking forward to working with these new staff members and introducing them to you at our Opening Program on October 5.

I sense that we will have another excellent year and look forward to working together with our students, parents and churches. This year our theme verse is found in Colossians 1:10. It reads:

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

My hope is that this year we will “live a life worthy of our God.” God asks us to be Christ-like and put others before ourselves. As teachers, staff and administrators, we are committed to following Jesus’ example in every aspect of school life. As models of Christian living our goal is to continue to offer the best so that each student will receive the Christian education that MBCI offers.

As we begin a new school year, let us set high standards and let us challenge each other to maintain them. We have a wonderful opportunity over the next ten months to work in a partnership of home - school - church to “grow in the knowledge of God.” Our hope is that each student will advance in their spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual development as we move through the school year.

I look forward to meeting many of you as the year progresses. Together, let’s commit MBCI to the Lord and trust Him in all aspects of our school.

Norbert Bargen

Back To School

On September 9th at 9:00 am Grade 9-12 students will meet in their School Life Groups and Grade 6, 7, & 8 students will meet in Jubilee Place. Grade 9-12 students will find their meeting location on their timetable. After the assembly, Grade 6, 7, & 8 students will be instructed to go to classrooms to meet their School Life Group teacher. The orientation session will include the distribution of schedules, Agenda Books and locker assignments. Students will be dismissed at approximately 10:30 am. A tour of the school will be arranged for all new students after the School Life Group meetings.

September 10th, the first full day of classes, is Day 3. Parents and students are asked to read through the Agenda Book and sign the attached page by September 10th. Please take the time to review the school’s policies and procedures with your child. School Life Group teachers will be collecting the signed pages on September 10th.

Students in Grade 6 will receive their schedules on the first day of school, September 9th. Schedules for Grade 7 to 12 students are included with this newsletter.

Course changes can be made beginning September 10 by completing a form and meeting with Mrs. Herr. All changes require parental approval and school approval. Students and parents should keep in mind that class size, course conflicts and course availability may put restrictions on changes that can be approved. The deadline for course changes is September 25th.

Here are some pointers to make life easier for you as parents and for us at MBCI:

  • READ the attendance policy as outlined in the student agenda book. Early in the year, parents will be asked to sign a statement saying that you have read and agree with the guidelines.
  • CALL US as soon as possible if your student will miss class. A note including the name of the child, the date of the absence and a parental signature is also acceptable. Contact Sandy Malech any time (day or night) at 667-8210 ext. 3110 or fax a note to 661-5091 or email to smalech@mbci.mb.ca.
  • Send a LETTER two weeks in advance if you are planning a family vacation during the school year. Keep in mind that we discourage family vacations that require students to miss class. Absences during a vacation count as part of the 12 allowed per course.
  • REMIND your Grade 6, 7 or 8 student that more than 2 lates each month will result in an after school detention, to be served regardless of appointments, practices or games. Detentions will be served the day after they are announced to the students.

Grade 8 Outdoor Education

MBCI’s annual Grade 8 Outdoor Education experience will take place from September 16-18 at Red Rock Bible Camp in the Whiteshell. This is a program where the Grade 8 students spend 2½ days at camp together with MBCI staff.

The Grade 8 students have already been made aware of this program in a letter sent home in June. The approximate cost is $125 per person of which a portion will be subsidized by MBCI. A fundraising program will be initiated in the second week of September to help the students raise funds for this event.

Please watch for a registration package that will be sent home with your student at the beginning of September. We want to work together to ensure a good experience for everyone involved.

Harold Kroeker
Grade Eight Outdoor Education September 16-18

Dress Code

We expect students to be discreet, modest and clean in appearance. While interpretation of these terms is necessary and community standards change through time, our expectations are the following:

  • Shirts promoting individuals involved in bizarre, occult or demonic activity are unacceptable as are liquor or cigarette commercials.
  • Shorts must be hemmed and of mid-thigh length or longer.
  • Skirts should be no shorter than 5 cm or 2” above the knee.
  • Cutoffs and clothing with holes or tears are not to be worn.
  • Muscle shirts, halter tops, tank tops and tops that are too short, exposing the midriff, or with necklines that are too low are unacceptable.
  • Special uniforms are required for school concerts and music performances.
  • Caps and other types of ‘headwear’ are not to be worn in the school.
  • Any visible body piercing, with the exception of earrings and small nose studs, is not allowed.
  • Hair colour, if artificial, must be within the natural, human range.

The dress code is similar to what one would expect for most informal working environments where the public is served. We believe that it is reasonable and allows for a wide range of expression. Students who do not comply may be asked to return home to change.

Student Council Members (2009-2010)

Presidents: Caleb Olfert & Caitlin Popowich
CEC: Kelly Binda, Cullen Klassen & Zach Wall
Publicity: Meaghan Giesbrecht & Cloe Wiebe
Sports: Noah Derksen & Steve Klassen
Music: Andrew Brown & Andrew Regehr
Social: Sarah Baker, Kristen Froese & James Froese
Treasurer: Jessica Geddert
Secretary: Holly Goossen

Please forward any change of address, church affiliation (becoming a member of an MB church), new work/home phone number as soon as possible to Darlene Jackson (ext. 3108) at the school office.

Parent Advisory Council

The MBCI Parent Advisory Council welcomes all students and staff back to school. All interested parents are invited to join us one evening every two months to discuss issues related to school life. The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is the group that acts as a liaison between administration and other parents.

The first meeting of the MBCI PAC is Monday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the staff room at MBCI. The staff room is located off the cafeteria (use Red Gym entrance). The first meeting will be an organizational time of planning for the new school year. Meetings for the rest of the year are November 9, January 11, March 8 and May 10 at 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions about PAC please contact the school office. We are looking forward to a good year and would appreciate your involvement.

Board Meetings for 2009-2010

  • September 21 February 22
  • October 19 March 22
  • November 16 April 19
  • December 1 May 17
  • January 18 June 14

Staff Meetings 2009-2010

  • September 30
  • October 28
  • November 25*
  • December 16
  • January 27
  • March 24
  • April 28
  • May 26

Sports Corner

Cross Country

There will be a small RETSD meet after school at the end of September. The divisional meet with take place in October at Birds Hill Park. Check announcement for further details.

Volleyball

MBCI has volleyball teams competing at a wide range of levels, all the way from our developmental team in grades 6-7 to our varsity teams. Teams from grade 6-9 compete in the River East Transcona School Division (RESTD) while our senior high teams compete in the Kilcona Peguis Athletic Conference (KPAC). Tryouts for all teams will occur shortly after school begins in September and all students are encouraged to come out regardless of their previous experience. Practice times will be posted on the bulletin boards in both gyms, on our hallway monitors, and on MBCI's website.

River East Transcona School Division (RETSD): League Play and playoffs - October 1 - December 5.

  • Grade 6 & 7 Girls
  • Grade 6 & 7 Boys
  • Grade 8 Girls
  • Grade 8 Boys
  • Senior Girls - Grade 9
  • Senior Boys - Grade 9

Kildonan Peguis Athletic Conference: League play and playoffs - September 21 - November 30.

  • Junior Varsity Girls & Junior Varsity Boys Grade 10
  • Varsity Girls & Varsity Boys Grade 11 & 12

Any questions contact Brian Plett at 667-8210 Ext. 5202

Parents of Prayer

“We are called by God to pray His heart for the schools of this land”. We extend a warm welcome to all interested parents to join us for 1 hour of prayer every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in the MBCI office.

Come join the many new faces every year that believe: “The best gift we can give our children is to pray for them and their school”. Hope to see you there. For more information, please contact Darlene Jackson at 669-4614 or Ann McKenzie at 237-9115.

  • Students in Grade 6 & 7 do not need to purchase music uniforms for their compulsory music classes.
  • Those students who wish to sell their music uniforms should put a note on the Riverton Bulletin Board with the following particulars: Name, Phone or email contact, what you are selling, size and the price for each item.
  • Please do not drop off any uniforms at the school. You are responsible to sell and deliver your uniform to your purchaser.
  • Students wishing to purchase used uniforms have until Thursday, Sept. 10 to arrange for purchase.
  • All advertising will be taken off the board on Friday, Sept. 11 in the morning.
  • Students who have not purchased a used uniform by then must be sized by Mallabar at lunch or after school on Sept. 11th. Watch the morning announcements for specific details.
  • If a student is sized by Mallabar for a new uniform the cost will be billed to the student’s account.

General Supply List

  • Binders
  • Looseleaf Paper
  • Dividers
  • Pens & Pencils
  • Pencil Crayons
  • Glue Stick
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Eraser
  • Pencil Case

Planning for 2009-2010?

  • Teacher In-service - No classes
    October 23
  • Christmas Break - No classes
    December 21 - January 1
  • New Statutory Holiday - No classes
    February 15
  • Staff In-service - No classes
    February 17-19
  • Spring Break - No classes
    March 29 - April 2

*Early dismissal is 2:30 p.m. except for November 25 which is a noon dismissal. Please make arrangements for your children to return home at that time.

Wednesday, September 9th

Specific supply lists for Grade 6, and 7 can be found on the school website or by contacting the office.

Sometimes work, family or other kinds of responsibilities seem to leave little time for reading and discussion, and at any rate, it’s hard to find or work through certain kinds of books alone. However, the fact that other people are reading the same books and there is an opportunity to take this material up with those people creates interesting possibilities. Take and Read participants read four recently published books during the fall and winter. Sessions begin with an analysis of the book, followed by fantastic dessert, coffee, and small group discussion with other readers.

Paul Doerksen will again lead the sessions, which will include a book by Kathleen Norrisn entitled Acedia & Me, which creatively discusses the pervasive condition of spiritual malaise. The cost of the four meetings will be $120, which includes books, dessert and coffee (if two people share books, the second person will be charged only $40). Contact Karin Friesen at 667-8210 Ext. 3111 or kfriesen@mbci.mb.ca Monday – Friday (12:30 – 4:30 pm) to register.

Preparing for a Pandemic - Parents

In response to recent news reports of a possible Pandemic influenza occurrence, MBCI feels it is appropriate to advise parents that our school will continue to operate as normally as possible in order to lessen potential disruption to society at large.

School will remind students and staff to take precautions to improve general hygiene in order to prevent becoming infected and from spreading infection to others. At the same time we would also advise parents to take steps at home to limit the spreading of infection.

These included:

  • Washing your hands often and teaching others to do the same
  • Keeping your hands away from your mouth, nose & eyes
  • Not sharing eating utensils or drinks, or school supplies such as pencils, rulers or musical instruments with mouthpieces
  • Covering your cough or coughing into your elbow
  • Staying home if you are sick

Parents can access further information online by consulting H1N1 Flu: Questions and Answers for Schools and Parents. The website address is www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/flu/index.html.

GRANDPARENT DAY 2009

In September 2009, all Grade 6, 7 and 8 grandparents will receive an invitation to MBCI’s Grandparent Day to be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009. (Information is also on the website at www.mbci.mb.ca.) The day will include chapel, classes and lunch with their grandchild. It promises to be a great day! Please inform the grandparent(s) about this special day and ask them to mark it on their calendars!

Mary Unruh Special Events/Alumni Coordinator

Volunteers Needed: Many hands make light work so we want to hear from you if you will be able to lighten our load by assisting with a new library project. If you can devote between 15 and 40 hours this fall to this project, please phone Sylvia Mason, 667-8210, ext 6100 or email her

PANDORA POETRY CONTEST

Each year the Manitoba Association of Teachers of English sponsors the Pandora Poetry Contest for students across Manitoba. This year's winner of the grade 5/6 contest is our very own Hannah Doerksen! Congratulations Hannah for winning this prestigious award! Hannah's poem entitled "The Ocean" will be published in the MATE's Chapbook.

Monica Ulrich/Heather Lange

MBCI ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009
6:00 p.m. in the Drama Room

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