Well we are back and glad of it!  The school year began under strange and unusual circumstances but things seem back to normal (whatever normal might be in an environment of 200 exuberant adolescents).   Our extra-curricular programs are in high gear and the athletic teams are showing early promise for a good season.  Mr. Johnson (Health and Phys Ed) and I are the faculty rookies this year.  Please introduce yourselves when you encounter us about town or in the school.  The better we know you, the better we will be able to care for your children.
 On a recent Sunday, the congregation said a special prayer for the “front-row kids.”  Father Keith doubled over with laughter as he recounted a pre-service conversation with several young students who had just experienced their first few days of the new school year.  According to their observations, the teachers placed all the “bad kids” in the front rows so they could keep an eye on them and so it was clear to these children that the farther back you were placed in the room, the “better” you were.  The story had a sad ring of truth to it as I thought about all the subtle ways that we tend to label our students and make judgments on their worth or abilities based on nothing more relevant than the home room in which they are placed, the label on their jeans, where they live, or who they are seen with on weekends.  Like Saint Jude, my patron saint, I have a special interest in “front-row kids;”  I watch out for them and do my best to make sure that they don't get labeled before they have a chance to show us who they are and what they can do.  Since this is my first year in Carlyle, each student is a fresh page to me, a story I have not yet read.  I will do my best to see each of them without labels and biases and give them an opportunity to be the best they can be no matter where they are sitting.
 

Library
   Welcome back, staff and students! I am looking forward to talking with you about your reading preferences as well as meeting all of the new students.
   Please observe the rules of the library.
1. Quiet! At all times
2. No food or drinks allowed.
3. Throw all trash into the trash cans.
4. Stack chairs when the class leaves.
5. Only 3 fiction books out at a time.
6. Return or renew books after 2 weeks
7. All returns must be in good condition.
8. Encyclopedias and magazines do not leave the library.
  Thanks to the talents of Mr. Elliott we now have two computers in the library with internet access. Students using the computers for school research take preference over “surfing” or “Hot Mail”
   Have a great year.
Librarian: Mrs. Richardson
 

SRC; an Inside View
   Another start to another year.  The month of October will be Looney Tunes month.  Our first pep rally this year is going to be Tuesday Oct. 10th.  On that day, we are hoping that everyone will be dressed in Green to show their school spirit.
   Throughout the month there will be different activities for the students to take part in, such as arm wrestling contests, looney spoons (card game), and the "How much human force does it take to wreck a car?"
   As something new and different to the school, we are selling muffins and chocolate milk every morning, and at the last break on Mondays, we are running something called "Monday Sux".  If you are wanting any suckers, you better grab at the chance because 'first come, first serve.'
   This goal for the year is to try to make the school and fun place and to build a school community.
 By: Mary Chan

November Newsletter

Notes from the Principal's Good Book
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Yesterday as I watched the grade 10s attacking and solving accounting problems with great ease I was reminded of the many valuable practical skills our students acquire as part of their high school education.  I was also reminded that I am a terrible personal accountant, grateful to my wife for keeping our books in order.
 Many of us carry another set of books around in our heads where we keep track of the exchanges in our relationships.  Instead of dollars, the currency of exchange is good will or as one sociologist has called it, “social capital.”  For some, the point of relationships is to make those books balance, to ensure that every negative is recorded and balanced by some positive encounter.  The wisest among us have observed that, if you try to apply financial accounting principles to relationships, you will live a life which is both lonely and bitter.  If every perceived hurt must be recorded and countered by a compensating act of kindness, the books will never balance.
 On the contrary, the people who seem to get the most out of life are the ones who spend their social capital freely without a thought to balancing their books, who give good will and acts of kindness without regard to what is ‘in it for them.’  This year I have seen many such quiet and unacknowledged acts among our students and staff at GFK and in the spirit of Solomon’s aphorism, it gives me great pleasure to humbly send some of that bread back home.
 Lyle cheerfully helps Mr. Herman maintain the soft drink and milk supply at school.  Kim faithfully drives down town each morning before recess and returns with the daily muffin supply.  Andrew is present at every Teen Council function quietly getting the job done and watching for opportunities to help out.  Sarah drops by my office on a bad day and does something goofy to cheer me up.  A grade 9 student, whom I have not yet met, pauses in the hallway to pick up a piece of discarded litter and deposit it in the trash.  Mr. Elliott offers early morning tutorials in science, math and life to any student (or teacher) willing to learn.  These and countless other free exchanges of social capital occur each day in our school and I for one am grateful for the opportunity to participate in them.  Thank you students and staff for making your school a joyful place to be.

Junior Girls Volleyball
   Congratulations to the Junior Girls Volleyball team for completing a very successful season on November 15 with their bid for the District Championships.
   Record-wise, the girls ended up with a 76% winning percentage (22 wins - 6 losses - 1 tie). Even more important is the skill development and effort that will make each and every team member even better in the years to come. Great job girls, and keep your heads raised high. You can be proud of your efforts and be ecstatic about your “love of the game” Thanks again.
   Lastly I would like to thank all of the teachers, students and, most importantly, parents that provided their time and effort this year. Without you this season would not have been possible or as successful.
Coach; Mr. Johnson

Junior Boys Volleyball
   The Junior Boys Volleyball season ended Nov. 8th with a disappointing loss to Alameda. Despite a season of minimal league play wins, the boys showed remarkable improvement. Their dedication to improving their skills and team play did show through.
   The highlight of our season was a second place finish in a tournament in Estevan. The entire team played their best volleyball of the year. I am proud of this team and look forward to seeing those talented prospects enter the senior ranks next year.
   I would like to thank the parents for their fan support and for driving to all the games and tournaments. I would also like to thank the students and staff who officiated and kept score for our games. A final thank-you goes to the team - you are a wonderful group of young men and I have thoroughly enjoyed being your coach. Thanks for the hard work and the fun.!
Coach; Ms. Beaver

Cross Country
   The District Cross Country meet was a successful one for the Carlyle runners. In Midget Boys, Colin Wilson came home with a third place medal as did Danielle Steele in the Junior Girls category. Sixth place finishes went to Amy Fleck in junior girls and Jamie Findley in Senior Girls. Bowan Rekken placed seventh in Junior Boys and Devin Johnson placed eighth in Senior Boys.
   The Provincial Championship was held in Muenster. Here aer the athletesand places;
 Colin Wilson - 33rd
Jamie Findley - 51st
Danielle Steele - 14th
Amy Fleck - 17th
Bowan Rekken 73rd
The top four runners’ points were combined to earn Carlyle the team silver medal in the 1A class. Congratulations to all of the runners.
 By; Amy Fleck
Coach; Mr Peterson

Teen Council News:
 October was Spirit Month in the school, where we decorated the school on a Looney Tunes theme.  We started the month playing loud music at lunch hour and at breaks!  That really livened things up.  We sponsored several Looney days:  colour dress-ups where large amounts of candy was distributed!
 Students were surprised by the presence of Looneys under their desks!  And the kidnapping of Tweety Bird prompted a school wide “ransom” hunt!
 Giant colouring posters decorated the walls everywhere!  Kind of a big doodle art event.  Even the grade 12’s got into the act colouring their giant TASMANIAN DEVIL down their hallway!
 The pep rally to challenge the teamwork of the school’s sports teams was a hit, with the boys winning the spirit VOLUME challenge with their creative rendition of “ Head and Shoulders”!  But the girls were definitely coordinated in their cheering!
 The Golf challenge and Cross-Country challenge involved the use of several eggs, many of which did not survive the ordeal!  Mrs. Beaver, Saskatchewan’s long drive champion, made an impressive showing in the competition!
 The volleyball championship ended up as the Rookie girls’ team vs. the Sr. Boys!  The girls made a valiant effort, but were narrowly beaten by the boys.
 Looney Spoons... a dangerous card game, was played  at noon hours.  Some students ( Lyle Z.) played almost every day, braving injury, concussion, nail gouges and pile-ons to grab his spoon!  Ultimately, the Looney trophy was won by April Thomas, admittedly the “fastest spoon in the School”!
 Unfortunately, the arm wrestling championship had to be curtailed because of school liability ( ironic given the violence level of the daily card game!).
 The Teen Council also sponsored a highly successful Elementary school dance, where we had over 150 kids come out.  This was a successful fundraiser, as the Council raised over $500.00 for student events.
 Currently, we’re sponsoring a school-wide fundraiser where students are encouraged to sell magazines.  So far, Afton Elliott won a giant 5 lb. chocolate bar donated by “World’s Finest Chocolates”  for filling out several magazine “post cards” .  Students can still be eligible for Gummi Nerds for filling out 7 cards and turning them in to Ms. Amy.
 The winner of the Mystery Envelope was Riley Mills in Grade Eight.  Unfortunately, he didn’t sell one subscription  by the collection date, so the money goes back to the Teen Council.  Too Bad Riley!  Better Luck next time!
 Just to make life interesting, we’ve added ANOTHER $50.00 to the envelope!  We’ll draw a new name on MONDAY, November 20th.  But it’s only for subscriptions turned in on MONDAY!  If your  name is on ONE subscription turned in on Monday, AND your name is in the envelope, you get the $50.00 that is in it!  WOW.
 Remember, you can also earn individual prizes for selling, as well as helping our the Teen Council!  All money earned eventually goes back to the students in the form of special activities, speakers, dances, contests.  So help us to make life around here interesting and do your part!!!
 Watch for some great activities coming up in December... maybe... a DANCE?  The MOSAIC MEAL?

 News Flash...
Other incentives for working together:

At 200 subscriptions, the grade 12 boys have volunteered to dress in drag for the day!  And the school gets to wear hats in class for TWO days!.

 At 300 Subscriptions, Mr. Shakatko will let the sellers duct tape him to a wall... and we’re not sure when we’ll let him down!

 At 400, Mr. Howe will SHAVE the MOUSTACHE, and Mr. Johnson will GO BLONDE!

And for or a mere 550 subscriptions, Ms. Amy has volunteered to SHAVE her head!    So ... with a little parent help... who knows what can happen!

Field Trip:
On December 1, the grade ten class will be travelling to Regina to see the Globe’s production of “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien.  In addition they will get to visit Laser Quest and “learn” about the workings of lasers and mirrors and mazes!  Maybe we’ll even get in a little shopping as well.
    On  January 16th, the grade twelve's will be going to see live theatre as well.

Band Concert
    The band students of the Souris-Moose Mountain School Division will be presenting their annual Winter Concert on Monday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the G.F. Kells High School Gym. Come here the Beginner Band demonstrate their new skills and sit back and enjoy as the older students perform contemporary band works in styles from around the world. Dainties will be served following the concert. All are welcome.

RADDfest
    On October 20, two members of the Carlyle S.A.D.D. Chapter , accompanied by supervisor, Mlle. McIntyre, attended the annual S.A.D.D. Conference in Regina.
    There they participated in enthusiastic cheers, listened to motivational speakers, and gathered ideas to bring back to GFK.
   A day later, six other members joined them to attend the second annual RADDfest where they heard a great speaker, listened and danced to Wide Mouth Mason, and hung out during the big dance put on by the local radio stations.
By; Brienne Maher -S.A.D.D.

Bits & Bytes
Some of the works in progress in the Computer lab at GFK.
   Mary Chan is in the process of creating a school web site as part of her senior Information Processing class. The web pages will be published on our local network until all of the bugs have been worked out. Once it has been perfected we will make it available on the world wide web. Keep your eyes open for the URL. It will be published in a later newsletter.

   Computers for Schools, a federal government program, has responded to our application for surplus government equipment. At last word, they were intending to give GFK 12 Pentium computers between 66 and 133 MHz as well as 2 laser printers. Once these computers have been delivered and configured to work on our network we will have enough units to make a computer available in every classroom. Students and teachers will then be able to do research and work on projects right in the classroom.

   Rumour has it that SaskTel and the Government of Saskatchewan have reached an agreement to provide high speed access to provincial schools. If or when this program comes into being, GFK will be in a good position to make use of it. Carlyle as a community and the school itself have most of the necessary infrastructure to use the high speed technology. We will keep you updated on further developments.
   As usual, the school is making an appeal for any outdated software that can be provided by the community. Our lab is currently using DOS and Windows 3.1 for the main operating shell and we need licensed software for student use. Any Word Processing, Desktop publishing and Graphics software would be welcome.
   Resident Geek Mr. Elliott

Senior Girls Basketball
   Senior girls basketball has nicely gotten underway at Gordon F. Kells. Practices are on Tuesdayas and Wednesdays and games will be held on Thursdays after school from now until March. Come on out and watche the Cougars in action at their first Game on December 14. Check upcoming newsletters for game dates.
   Coach Mlle. McIntyre

Game Dates
Dec 14 Arcola at Carlyle
Jan 10 Carnduff at Carlyle
Jan 11 Carlyle at Redvers
Jan 17 Carlyle at Oxbow
Feb 1 Carlyle at Arcola
Feb 7 Carlyle at Carnduff
Feb 8 Redvers at Carlyle
Feb 15 Oxbow at Carlyle

Junior Curling
   Approximately 20 enthusiastic curlers from grades 7 to 9 have been practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A tentative schedule for the season is outlined below;
   January Form teams
   February  Exhibition games against other schools
   March 5 & 6  Division Playoffs in Carlyle
   March 17 Championship Spiel in Carlyle
Coaches Mrs Beaver, Mr. Johnson

SADD
   SADD has been getting more active as the year progresses. December is Drinking and Driving Awareness Month. Other awareness topics will follow throughout the course of the year.
   December 13 was “White Out Day”, students were randomly selected throughout the day to be ‘whited out’. By the end of the day 14 students were chosen to represent the number of Canadians killed each day in alcohol related accidents.
   SADD would like to give a special thank-you to Renaissance Productions for bringing The Fourth Wall, an examination of the effects of peer pressure on the decisions made by youth. The feedback we recieved was very positive. We would also like to thank Power to Change for sponsoring this presentation.
   Please help support SADD by purchasing Red Ribbons for the holiday season. They are available in manyn of the local businesses.
  Have a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
   Advisors Ms. Hauck and Mlle. McIntyre

Thank You
   The students and staff of Gordon F. Kells High School wish to thank Power to Change,  the Carlyle businesses, and private individuals who sponsored the 4th Wall production at our school on Monday, December 4th.  The message of positive lifestyle choices was clear and eloquent; thank you for your support of our school.

Teen Council News
   Five school days left and we’ll be outta here. In our first attempt at magazine sales, our school sold about 295 magazine subscriptions and earned around $2400 for the school. Way-da go!!
  For the end of the month and lastt day before the holidays, the SRC is hosting a Mosaic meal. For those who are not sure what a mosaic meal is, every class is responsible for providing dishes from a different ethnic group. Each student will bring enough servings of a particular dish for 5 - 6 people;
 Grade Food Examples
 7A Mexican  -Chili, Taco Salad
 7B Asian -Fried Rice, stir fry
 8/9 Desserts  -Cake, pie, pudding
 9 Italian -Spagetti, pizza
 10A Italian
 10B Asian
 11A Ukranian
 11B Desserts
 12 Mexican
   On December 22nd remember to have your forks and knives ready.
   After our meal there will be a movie at the theatre. “Big Momma’s House.
  Other activities in December include; door decorating contest won by the grade 10B class, Secret Santa (send a candy cane to that special someone), and, for those who sold subscriptions, prizes.
   In January we can look forward to a dance on the 12th.
By: Mary Chan

SRC Fundraising
   Thanks to all who helped run the canteen at Provincial volleyball!
   Special thanks to Paula Richardson for helping organize the food, Gisele Carriere and Will Elliott  for their work in getting the fridge working,  the Sr. Volleyball girls and mothers for phoning around for food donations,  the parents who donated food. Thanks too to Mac Fletcher  and the IGA staff for their help with the taco salads!
   An extra thanks to the workers who donated their time to help work.  ( Ben , Brittany,  Dexter, Rebecca, Julie, Kristen, Andrew  and Gillian Maher... sorry if I’ve missed anyone.)  You all did a great job!
    We had lots of compliments : on the food , on the prices, and especially on the great helpers. In total, we made about $600. over the weekend, and a lot of goodwill around the province.
   By: Michele Amy

From the Language  Arts Room!
 On December 1st, 32  grade ten students , accompanied by Ms. Amy and Mary Currin travelled to Regina to see the Globe’s production of the Hobbitt.  The highlights of the show included the marvellous set design and the costuming. ( not to mention a little “street theatre” in the mall!) We also had a bit of fun with the actor’s rendition of  “Smaug”   In addition to the theatre, they also enjoyed an “Ironman” game of Laser Tag at Laser quest and a little Christmas shopping.
 Since we’ve returned, we’ve been working on some “staged fighting” of our own, enjoying the effects of strobe lights and music on creative movement!  Wait for the videos to come out!
  Michele Amy

http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/~gfkells1/ .

   The web site designed and built by Mary Chan, a grade 12 student, includes school information, a calendar of upcoming events, current and past newsletters, and links to staff email addresses.
  The web pages will be updated and maintained by staff and students. If you have any comments or suggestions you can pass them on by phone 453-2500, through email to gfk.admin01@sk.sympatico.ca or log on to the web pages and click on the nifty links.
   Thanks Mary.

The best thing about teachers’ convention is that it gives us a chance to take a step back at one of the most intense times in the school year and look at the education process from a different perspective.  Sure it’s nice to get a break from lesson preps and study hall supervision, but the opportunity to take a fresh look at what we do and why we do it always sends me back to school smiling.  And the students never fail to live up to my expectations.  So, in the spirit of our popular culture, here is my salute to the students of GFK.

From the home office in beautiful downtown Wauchope, the top ten things that made me smile this week.

10.  Jesse meeting me in the hallway at least twice a day with a mischievous smile and a predictable “I didn’t do it!”

9.  Singing “Happy 526th Birthday” to Nicholas Copernicus, lead by Rhonda, Courtney and the entire grade 10B class.

8.  Catching Cameron, Kent, and Shane in the midst of some devilish noon-hour prank involving a water fountain and a toilet plunger borrowed from the janitor’s room.

7.  Cara explaining the pre-grad party protocol to 18 frustrated and vociferous classmates.

6.  Mike arriving at school after the break with a new hairdo that would put Dennis Rodman to shame.

5.  Watching Mr. Jarvis’s grade 7 “engineers” construct freestanding support structures for golf balls, from a sheet of paper and a length of tape.

4.  Taking bets with Mrs. Mitchell on what time Garrison will arrive at school.

3.  Listening to the Senior Division Band practice on Monday afternoon.

2.  The smile on Dana’s face just after she hits the 12 foot jumper.

1.  Alton’s toque.

Principal; Don Shakotko

The regular season concluded just before the break.  Our girls had a great season finishing in 4th place with a 4 and 4 record.  We had a young but very enthusiastic team; there was remarkable improvement in the team’s play this year and I am looking forward to a great season in 2002.  Our first playoff game is at home to Carnduff on Tuesday, March 13; come out and support your athletes.
Coach; Mr Shakotko

April 27th will bring Lazer tag to our school!  Watch for promotions of this exciting event!!!
Sometime in May:  The Video Dance..... we hope!  Watch for contests... let us know what you’d like.
Advisor: Ms. Amy

   Come one, come all to a dance on Friday March 9 hosted by the GF Kells  SADD chapter. The dance will run from 9 pm to 1 am. We hope to have a great turnout. Be prepared for awesome music and a great light show.
   If you are in the school, be sure to check out our SADD Banner hanging above the Gym doors. Everyone in the school has signed it and we hope to add new students each year. In the years to come this banner will remain as a testament to the responsible decisions that the students of GFK are making.
 
 

May 2001
 

Notes from the Principal’s Good Book
      For me, the month of May will always be track month.  Having two sons who love the sport, I find myself anticipating the smell of cut grass and wet clay long before the frost has left the ground.  Distance runners particularly understand that the month of May is the “bell lap” of the school year.  The bell lap is the final lap of the race when runners are forced to test their limits in that gruelling push to the finish line.  It is also the lap where runners with less perseverance always “pull up lame” and walk off the track rather than risk the humiliation of a poor finish.  Our students have just begun the bell lap and it is now that they need the encouragement of their families the most.  Any day in the month of May proves to me that our students have no plans of pulling up lame this year.
   8 am:  I walk into the school, numbed as usual from 20 miles of bad road, to find Mr. Elliott hunched over his desk with Andrew and David.  They need help finishing up a correspondence course by the end of May and who do you turn to at such a time but Himself, the Resident Geek.
   9 am:  The day opens with a cacophony of sound from the IA shop.  Petey’s Grade 10 carpenters are busy with the annual garden shed construction project.  Amy raises her hammer in salute as I poke my head in to check on the noise.
   12 noon:  The smells of pizza and perogies from Delores’ Diner have been wafting through the halls for half an hour and the hallway fills with hungry students before the bell has finished ringing.  Lucas and Colin, always first in line, are already holding court in front of the hallway TV, catching up on the latest hockey news.  Just down the hall, Kim, Nola, Jason, and Lliana are hunkered down in the SCN room for their daily noon hour Calculus lesson.
   2:20 pm:  It’s recess for most students but not for the six Law 30 students who gather each afternoon for a distance education Law 30 class.  Joey, the acknowledged class administrator, makes sure that the assignments and notes are always processed and dispatched on schedule.
   3:30 pm:  Most students have already left the school; look in the Yearbook room, however, and you are likely to find Rheanne and Mary standing over a half-finished page while Mr. Grossman suggests a layout plan.
   9 pm:  I step out the side door of the school into warm, incandescent moonlight so bright it makes me squint.  Around the corner near the gym, I hear the laughter and shuffling feet of several young people.  “What’s up?” I shout into the shadows.  Three figures emerge; Connor, Tyson and Dylan are out for a late night training session on the track.  “Is it OK for us to be here?” they ask politely.  Is it OK??  Of course it’s OK!!  Run the bell lap full out and get to bed early.  Tomorrow is one day closer to the finish line.

Parents: FYI
1.  This year, final exams for all students run from June 21 to 26.  It is an unusual schedule, running from Thursday of one week to Tuesday of the next, but we are at the mercy of the Department of Education in this regard.  Please note that all students are required to write at least two exams regardless of their academic performance and that we only make exceptions to the exam schedule for very extraordinary cases.  We appreciate your commitment to the academic program and ask you to respect this schedule by encouraging your students to study hard and write their very best.
2.  Do you know where your children go for hours on end when they pass through the magical gateway of the internet?  Their physical presence in your home is no guarantee that they are not encountering forces that are as immoral, illegal, and evil as anything they might experience in the real world.  Please be aware of where they go when they log on and tune out.
Principal; Don Shakotko
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Teen Council News
   Milk and muffin sales have been continuing , with a new milk promotion sponsored by Dairy World with scratch and win prizes for everyone who purchases milk.  This has had great success, and has been a steady source of income!
   We’re proud to report that last years’ yearbook has been completely paid off, and this year’s yearbook will be mostly paid off by the end of June!  To celebrate, the Teen Council is sponsoring a couple of “high powered events”.

   May 24th:  Lazer Tag in the gym!  This will be a really fun activity available to grade 7,8 9 students during the afternoon ( for a small charge) and to everyone in the community after school and into the evening!  Lazer Tag is an exciting “new age” version of the Tag game, where competitors are equipped with vests and lazer “guns” and attempt to score points by de-activating their opponents!  Mostly, it’s a lot of good, clean fun!

   May 26th:  YES.... the VIDEO DANCE that everyone has been asking for!  We will be selling advance tickets for $8.00 and at the door tickets for $12.00.  Be sure to buy in advance and ensure a great time for everyone!

   Also in the planning stages is an end of the year school-wide camp-out!   Tentatively planned for June17th , we want to camp at Kenosee Overflow from 1:00 on the Sunday, and have a giant sleep-over, then go to the waterslides the next day with the entire school!     With the Teen Council providing the food ( and the costs nominal) it’ll be a great way to hang out with your friends, and all you have to bring is your tent and sleeping gear!  Look for posters and sign up sheets in Early June!

   Teen Council will be running the canteen for the Track and Field events upcoming!
1/3 of the proceeds will be directed towards the grade 11 Canoe Trip.  The Grade 12’s have been given the hamburgers to sell as one of their graduation fundraisers. Even if you’re not competing, be sure to come out and eat!
SRC Advisor: Ms Amy
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Teen Council Applications:
   These will be available in the Library from Mrs. Richardson by May 14th.  If you’re interested in working on next year’s teen council, planning activities, being responsible for the overall flow of activities within the school, then be sure to apply today!
   Talk to the existing Teen Council for pointers and to find out what leadership in a school is really all about!  Currently, we need some existing grade 11’s ( especially for some positions of responsibility like finances and accounting ) and we’re really excited to welcome some of the New grade 7’s into these positions.
   The application process is anonymous and simple:  pick up the guidelines, type out your ideas and reasons for wanting to be on Teen Council, and submit them to Mrs. Richardson.
   Your application will be reviewed, and you may be interviewed for the position.
   The Council is pretty small, so not everyone who applies will be granted an interview... but there are no elections within the school!  See Ms. Amy if you are curious about more details.
SRC Advisor: Ms Amy
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Grad Decorations
will be starting immediately.  The first planning meeting will take place at the school on MONDAY, May 14th at 3:15.  This is open to anyone who is interested in planning or helping to create the decorations for the Graduation ceremonies.  All grades are welcome!
Bring your ideas,
 your enthusiasm
and your energy
.... you’ll need it!

Talk to Ms. Amy if you want to help but can’t be there on that day!
Advisor: Ms. Amy
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Thank You
   During the past term Home Economics students have been working in businesses in the community.  The students completed the Food Safe course and received certification from the Health Inspector.  Then they practised their skills in businesses where food is sold and prepared.
   Special thanks go to each of the businesses involved in the program: Arcola Health Centre, Food Town, and Coteau Place in Arcola.  In Carlyle the following businesses assisted Parkside IGA, Co-op Foods, Pooles, The Office, Cornerstone Foods, Subway, Dairy Queen, A & W, Skyline, and Moose Mountain Lodge.  Pat’s, IGA, Deerview Lodge, and The Inn worked with students in Wawota.
Home Ec Teacher; Mrs. Segal
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Media Studies
   Media Studies classes  have been busy air brushing their own faces,  creating billboards and are now embarking upon an exciting video production.
   If you see students around town during school hours, pointing a video camera, they’re probably working in a class!
   Their products are becoming very professional by using the advanced technology present within the school.
   With the help of Mr. Elliott, and by combining Info. Processing and Media Studies, the students have been handling sophisticated digital video and editing, adding music, special effects and creating dynamic results.   Watch for an official showing of their products in early June!
Media Guru: Ms. Amy
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They’re Here!
   In April, the Students and staff of Gordon F Kells welcomed the arrival of 12 computers 2 laser printers and a flat bed scanner provided, cost free, by the Computers for School program.
   Computers for schools, co-founded by Industry Canada and the Telephone Pioneers, is a national, volunteer based initiative that collects, repairs and delivers surplus computers - donated by governments and organizations - to schools and public libraries across Canada. Computers for schools is a part of the government’s Connecting Canadians agenda to make Canada one of the most connected countries in the world to information technology and the benefits it brings.
   In Saskatchewan the program is operated by Saskatchewan Technology Renewal, a non-profit organization made up of members from the provincial government, the education community and the business and volunteer sectors.
   These computers have made it possible to increase the minimum standard of our computer lab work stations to Pentium 100 and make it possible to create mini-labs in both grade 7 class rooms and the library.
   The Computers for Schools program relies on the generosity of the community to maintain its operations. To find out how you or your organization can help, contact:
Brenda Simons
phone:  (306) 975-4034
fax:: (306) 975-4231
email: simons.brenda@ic.gc.ca
web site:www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/~cfs
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Bits’n Bytes
   The digital revolution has reached GF Kells. In preparation for next year’s Computer Production Technology (CPT) course, the high school has acquired a Sony digital video camera and StudeoDV an entry level video capture and editing package. The grade 11 IP class has already had a try at filming and editing a staged brawl between Jordan and Cameron. It is hard to decide which part was most fun; filming the video, editing the video (and adding descriptive sound effects) or watching Jordan get beat up over and over as the scene was filmed from various angles. In the end, more than twenty takes were required to produce a 30 second video.
   In addition to the work stations provided by Computers For Schools, we have received the five new work stations allotted to GF Kells in the school division’s technology purchase plan. One of these work stations will be upgraded for use in the CPT class and the others will be placed in the computer lab. With these new stations we will have enough work stations to provide mini labs in the grade 7 classrooms and Library.
  Resident Geek: Mr Elliott
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