Building changes at Rivers Collegiate
- Details
- Published on Thursday, October 16, 2014
By Jessie Bell
Rivers Collegiate teachers and students who began the fall term expected to see a new shiny floor in the gymnasium. They were disappointed to learn that for a lengthy period, the room would be inaccessible.
The tile-on-cement flooring had been patched many times; Rolling River School Division (RRSD) finally made the decision to replace all the tiles. This work revealed a crumbling cement base; several construction inspectors visited the site. The cement must be removed and this chore means finding a way to get equipment in and out of the room.
School athlete programs have continued by using gymnasiums at Rivers Elementary and busing students to Forrest. Teacher Taryn Luhowy has been conducting outdoor sports as weather permits, and has varied the athletic program. Phys ed credits will still be awarded, as long as students complete the redesigned/alternative course requirements.
Collegiate principal Mike Klassen is editor of RCI Rambler, the school newsletter. It that issue he announced the introduction of five new courses: hockey academy (Grades 7-10), wetlands management (Grade 12), solar and wind energy (Grade 9), outdoor education (Grade 10), textiles and design (Grades 11 and 12). Several grants have been received from partners in education, namely Thomas Sill Foundation, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manitoba Hydro, Education for Sustainable Development and RRSD. Hydro grants will be used to develop the Wetlands Centre of Excellence project and collegiate beautification projects which include trees, community gardens, planters, picnic tables and in-house improvements.
As previously reported in this paper, there are more than 30 students enrolled in the Hockey Skills Academy. Town of Rivers played a major role with the cost by donating use of Riverdale Community Centre. Bruce Helgeson is a new staff member at Rivers Collegiate; he will teach the academy.
Other teachers new to staff at Shauna Price, who has worked for RRSD for 18 years and last term was principal at Rivers Elementary while Krista Reynolds was on maternity leave. Jaimee Vander Velde is a new educational assistant. The total enrolment at RCI this term is 139, including teachers and support staff; this number is an increase of 10 from June 2013.
Take our Kids to Work day is Nov. 5. This is intended to have students explore possible career paths. It is a national program for Grade 9 students to help them connect school, the world of work and their own futures.
RRSD is conducting its annual vision and hearing screening program for the next two months. It involves kindergarten students and those in odd-numbered grades from one to 11. It is designed to uncover signs of possible vision or hearing difficulties that may interfere with school progress.
Band teacher Angela Roberts has met with parents of band students and they have set concert dates for Dec. 9 and June 9.
The breakfast program is continuing; lunch menus will be added later. There are two annual fundraisers to assist with the breakfast program, along with recent donations from The Honey House Bakery and Cafe, John and Shirley Russell and Riverdale District Health Auxiliary.
Jordan Vander Velde and Kaysi Dziver were congratulated in The Rambler on having their polar bear artwork displayed at Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Zoo polar bear exhibit. Their art was previously displayed in Ottawa in 2012 as part of a national contest. Readers may recall a story from then, complete with a picture of their drawing which had been converted into a cloth banner flown at Major’s Hill Park.
Serving on student council this term are: Nikoda Holopina, president; Ilse Verbruggen, secretary; Connor English, treasurer; Alli Radcliffe, sports rep; Riley Lamb and Riley Shamray, activities co-ordinators.
