Volume 20, Issue 4 February/March 2010

From the Principal’s Desk

The school year is at the midpoint and I am thankful for the way everything has gone thus far.  I trust that the Christmas break was a refreshing time for each of you and your families.  The year 2010 will be filled with many challenges and I am excited about the events that are being planned for the next few months at MBCI.

It is a privilege to be part of a school that has so many good things taking place.  We have just concluded Spiritual Emphasis Week.  Sam Dick was our speaker. He is the Mobilization Coordinator for MBMS International. Sam challenged our whole MBCI community on the theme  “Created to Shine”. Together with Adrian Enns, our Campus Pastor/Chapel Coordinator, Shane Cooney, our Drama Instructor and various musicians, the week provided all of us with the opportunity to grow closer to God.

Our graduates this year are a gifted group of students.  We want this last year of their high school experience to be special for each of our grads.  They just returned from their Grad Retreat at Camp Cedarwood.  Randy Carter of Straight Talk Ministries in Calgary ministered to our graduates there.  Further plans for our grad activities are well underway.  The banquet will be June 22 at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg and the ceremonies are planned for North Kildonan MB Church on June 24.

This is an important time in our school year because our students are busy with schoolwork.  Term two classes are over toward the end of February.  Students are challenged to work hard at their studies.  It is encouraging for me to visit classes and see the learning that happens each day.  Teachers make concerted efforts to prepare their students and challenge them in their learning.  I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all MBCI students to do the best they possibly can to make term two a success.

MBCI is an exciting place with all kinds of meaningful activity happening for our students.  The Lord has blessed us with a tremendous opportunity to provide them with a Christian education.  The mission of MBCI is to create an environment that fosters the pursuit of excellence and that nurtures physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  With this goal in mind, the ministry of our school is focused on providing a Christian atmosphere for our students in all aspects of their school life.                                                           Norbert Bargen

Music Notes

The second $300 payment for Music Tour 2010 (Concert Choir and Concert Band) is due Friday, January 29.

On Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12, African drumming specialist Jay Stoller will be visiting MBCI to work with the Gr. 6 and 7 students.

Provincial Junior and Intermediate Honour Band auditions are due on Monday, March 8. Please see Mr. Klassen or Ms. Dowbenko if you would like help preparing your audition CD. Audition music is available at www.mbband.org.

The Mom’s Pantry and Sobeys fundraisers will be held for the second and final time starting February 1-15 (Mom’s Pantry) and February 22 to March 8 (Sobeys).  Make sure you take advantage of these opportunities to raise money for your trips!

Both Gr. 8 and Gr. 9 Bands and Choirs recently returned from separate overnight workshops at Circle Square Ranch near Austin, Manitoba. Students engaged in a variety of activities and rehearsals that took each ensemble to a new level of performance and left them with many fond memories and shared experiences, enriching them emotionally, spiritually, and of course, musically.  A special word of thanks goes out to our parent chaperones who were invaluable during the event! 

The Gr. 9 Band and Choir will perform in a chapel at WMES Agassiz on Friday, January 29 at 9:00 a.m.

Our Gr. 6 Band will represent the band program at the MBCI Open House, Monday, February 1, performing on the Jubilee Place stage from 7:00 to 7:15 p.m.  The call time is 6:15-6:30 pm in the Band Room. The Gr. 6 Band will also appear at the MBA Level 1 Band Festival at North Kildonan MB Church, some time during the school day between April 13-15, exact date tba.

The Gr. 7 Band will perform at the MBA Level 1 Band Festival, April 13-15, in a category called Level 1b, exact date and details to be announced.

The Gr. 8 Band will be performing at the Optimist Band Festival on Friday, February 26, 10:30 a.m. 

The Gr. 9 Band will perform at the Optimist Band Festival on Tuesday, February 23, 1:40 pm at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

The Concert Band will perform at the Optimist Band Festival on Thursday, February 25, 7:50 pm at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Parents are welcome to come watch these performances!

The Concert Choir and Concert Band took part in leading worship at Portage Avenue Church on Sunday, January 24. 

The Chamber Singers will be the featured vocal ensemble at the MBCI Open House from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Jubilee Place.

Over 80 students in four ensembles will be heading out to the Brandon Jazz Festival (March 18-20).  The Junior and Senior Jazz Bands, along with the Junior Vocal Jazz and Chamber Singers will leave on the Thursday and return Saturday afternoon.    Each ensemble will present their programs on Tuesday, March 9 at 7:30 pm in Jubilee Place.  A letter and forms with more details about the Brandon Jazz Festival will be distributed soon.

The Junior Jazz Band is preparing for a concert at Concordia Place seniors home on Tuesday, January 26. The ensemble will play a program of big band jazz tunes interspersed with additional solo and chamber performances from students within the ensemble.

A select number of students from MBCI will perform at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s, Musicians in the Making series at the March 26 and 27 concerts.

Check the MBCI Music web page as well as the teacher web pages for handouts and letters with further information on all Music Department activities.

Tim Taves, Music Director

* Important Re-registration Information *

Returning Student Application forms and Course Registration forms for the 2010/2011 school year will be mailed home the second week of February. 

The following must be received by Friday, March 5 to ensure placement for the 2010-2011 school year:

1.  Returning Student Application form

2.  Course Registration form

3.  Registration Fee of $50.00

4.  Confirmation Fee of $150.00

Our Student Services staff will visit Grade 6 to 11 classrooms and explain credit requirements and the registration process.    Students will receive a course catalog containing a brief description of specific course content.  You may also check the website (www.mbci.mb.ca) for this information. 

Students in grades 9 & 11 will take a career matchmaker quiz using the “career cruising” program, which will help guide them in their course and career selections.  Parents are welcome to access this program at home at www.careercruising.com (user name: manitoba201; password: careers).

Parents, please discuss course selections with your students.

Host Families Needed

Are you interested in learning about another culture without leaving home? We are looking for families who can provide a caring home for a high school international student, starting September 2010. Suitable families will support the ideals and goals of MBCI, bring the student to church or youth group weekly, and make the student feel like a part of their family. Remuneration is provided. For more information, please contact Darryl Peters at 667-8210 ext. 3002 or dpeters@mbci.mb.ca.

Grade 9 Immunizations

On Friday, March 12, Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to be immunized for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis.

If you have any questions, please contact the Access River East Public Health Office at 938-5328.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Students will receive their report cards on Friday, March 6.  Parents have the opportunity to schedule a 10-minute interview with three teachers for each child at MBCI. 

Requests for appointments will be accepted from Monday, March 15 to Wednesday, March 17 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.  Appointments can be made by:

·         Emailing djackson@mbci.mb.ca or

·         Calling 654-5788 and leaving a voice message

Please include the following information in your email or voice message:

m       Your Name

m       Your student’s name and grade

m       The three teachers you would like to meet

m       The date and preferred time for the meetings

m       A call back telephone number for telephone requests

You will receive an email or telephone message with your appointment times.

Additional appointments may be made on the day of interviews by signing up on the form at each teacher’s location.  Teacher locations are shown on the back of the report card.

MBCI Sports - Basketball

The cold has not prevented our basketball teams from heating it up with intense practice sessions and emotionally inspiring if not sometimes emotionally draining competitions.  Our basketball teams are practicing and playing hard under the careful and dedicated guidance of our coaches.

We currently have nine teams competing in league and tournament competition.

Team Coaches are:

Grade 6/7 girls:    Richard Klassen (‘86)

Grade 6/7 boys:    Richard Rempel(‘80) and Tim Herr

Grade 8 girls:       Rob Visch (‘80)

Grade 8 boys:       Andrew Fast (‘96)

Grade 9 girls:       Martha Wiebe (’76) and Paul Dempster

Grade 9 boys:       Dave Pinto (‘01) and Dan Pinto (‘07)

JV boys:                 Matt Opalko (‘03) and Adam Janzen (‘03)

Varsity girls:       Angela Wiebe (’98) and Ruth Zimmermann

Varsity boys:       Jon Goossen and Ken Opalko

The basketball season, which so many of our student athletes have looked forward to, is here with all of our teams participating in tournaments and league play.  Our youngest athletes in Grades 6-7 are competing in mini-tournaments, while practicing at least twice a week, while our senior athletes practice almost everyday of the week while competing against the top teams in the province.

Early season results indicate that our junior high teams are very strong and that there is good reason to believe that our varsity boys’ team should be in a position to challenge for top spot as well.

Why not check our web site, look at the upcoming RETSD or KPAC schedule and take in some action involving our MBCI teams.  The action is great, it may bring back memories of your own school sports experience, and our teams will really appreciate having your support.

Upcoming Sports Opportunities

KPAC Indoor Track Meet

Hawks Club Volleyball (Sanctioned by MBCI but not an official part of our Athletic Program)

Badminton

Soccer

Track and Field.                   Brian Plett Athletic Director

 Global Focus

This year’s Global Focus is a first for MBCI.  We plan to study and learn more about ITALY.  Throughout the year, we’ll take time in some of our classes to do project work focusing on this great country.  Posters are up in the school hallways created by Ms. McDowell’s gr. 7 classes.  Some contests and school assemblies will bring attention to Italy.

The Global Focus Committee (GFC) is going to change things up a bit this year.  Instead of taking a whole day, we are going to spread out activities over the entire week.  We will still have a special assembly on Global Focus Day which is Wednesday, March 24^th.  However, we’ll have other events such as a drama at other times during that week.  It will be more of a Global Focus “Week” rather than just a day.  We definitely want to bring in some good Italian food for one of the lunch periods. There is still a lot of planning to be done so we can’t say more at this time. Our GFC (Teachers: Ms. Hodder, Mr. Neufeld, Ms. Unruh, Mr. Visch, Students: Katie Binda, Jessenia Fleming, Mike Jonasson, Kyle Martens & Scott Park) is working hard to make this a memorable year.  Contact anyone on the committee with your suggestions or questions. 

                                             Submitted by Rob Vischt 27, 2010 at Larter’s

Call Mary at 667-8210

May 7, 2009 Fundraiser at MBCI …….. All welcome!

Helping Haiti

There have been a number of student-teacher initiated fundraising efforts in the last week.

m       The grade 7 students and Mrs. McDowell raised over $700 for MCC relief.

m       Mrs. Boersma and her students raised $150 for Absolute (Relief organization in Haiti) with a bake sale.

m       A group effort of Bible teachers & students raised almost $1000 for MCC during our Spiritual Emphasis Week.

We are encouraged to see the generosity of our students as they look beyond themselves with a desire to help those less fortunate.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER: On March 12, MBCI is hosting a famine fundraiser for a children's home in Kenya called the Nest. Events, including a battle of the bands, inspirational speakers, and a worship service, promise to make this event, running from 4:00-midnight a memorable experience. Registration is $20 for the evening and all the fees will go directly to the Nest. Youth groups from around the city are invited to come and make it a great evening. For more information, contact Mike Neufeld at mneufeld@mbci.mb.ca.

OPEN HOUSE

Feb. 1/10 @ 6:30 pm

See insert for details

Career Education Program

I am looking for potential placements for students who are enrolled in our grades 11 & 12 Career Education courses. If you are willing to have a student complete 45-90 hours of voluntary work at your place of  business, please call Mrs. Dorothy Herr at 667-8210 ext. 5203).i

Friday May 7, 2010

Primary Email Address Request

From time to time MBCI will be providing information to parents via email.  Please provide one primary address per household.

Please email:   djackson@mbci.mb.ca 

Provincial Volleyball Champions

A very exciting final happened in front of a full house at the U of M, with hundreds of MBCI supporters decked out in red. MBCI defeated Dakota 3-2 to capture the 2009-2010 MHSAA ‘AAAA’ Provincial Volleyball Championship.  Congratulations to the team for this tremendous accomplishment and to the MBCI administration and supporting community for making that evening one that our students, both players and spectators, will never forget. (Copies of Shaw’s telecast are available from Mr. Plett).  Congratulations to Evan Jackson and Jon Picicci selected to the All-star team and to Devyn Plett selected as MVP.

SPRING BREAK TOURS FOR 2010 - 2011

Tour of England March 25-April 3, 2011

Grade 11 and 12 students.  To sign up, or for more information, please contact Reynold Buhler at 667.8210 ext. 5208 or rbuhler@mbci.mb.ca.

American History Tour

Grade 10-12 students.  For more information please contact Brian Plett at 667-8210 ext 5202 or bplett@mbci.mb.ca.

European Tour - France, Germany and the Alps

Grade 10-12 students.  For information please contact Leona Rew at 667-8210 ext. 5104 or lrew@mbci.mb.ca.