Author Archives: dpedro

The Kitimat Museum’s Canada 150 exhibit is now over at the Kitimat Museum. MEMSS students from Mrs. Atkinson’s class that had participated, in showing their work, can pick up their paintings at the Museum.

The Museum is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

For more information, or if you have any questions,  call the Kitimat Museum at 250-632-8950 or email info@kitimatmuseum.ca

GRADE 10-12 students need 30 hour of documented work/volunteer/community service in order to graduate.  All 30 hours need to be complete by the end of grade 11.  For general info, visit the Ministry of Education website:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/policy/policies/work_experience_req.htm

Please contact Mr. Jones, 632-6174 or richard.jones@cmsd.bc.ca  for more information.

 Acedemic Success Tips Website, click here to open.  Read more below:

During elementary school, most parents are very involved in their child’s schooling. They know and meet with teachers and administrators, are aware of their child’s progress and behavior, help solve problems, and see to it that kids spend enough time on homework.

Unfortunately, when children enter middle/high school, some parents stop being as actively involved, as if their help and support are no longer needed. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Although your middle/high-schooler is becoming more independent and is increasingly involved in activities outside the family, you should and must remain the most influential person in his life. Through your involvement in school and extracurriculars, you can do much to help your child believe in the value and importance of education, be enthusiastic about learning, and achieve academic success.

Here are some valuable tips for parents of pre-teens and teens:

1. Contact counselors, administrators, and teachers periodically. Find out what your child should be learning, how she is progressing, and how you can help.  Go on “my gradebook” with your child to go over assignments due and marks.  Be a full partner in your child’s education.
2. Be sure that he/she attends school on a regular basis. Even if he is absent for illness or another valid reason, he needs to keep up with his studies. Call the school if your child will be missing a day, and find out what he needs to do to make up for it.
3. Encourage her to pursue interests and make friends through extracurricular activities. Be certain, however, that she selects no more than a few activities so she has adequate time for schoolwork.
4. Know his friends. Who does your child hang out with? Follow up on any suspicions that you may have. It is better to be safe than sorry at this time of his life. I can’t emphasize this enough. Know where your child is at all times. Be clear and consistent with discipline. Work with the school on your child’s conduct. Understand that children will become leaders and followers and can be easily influenced by you and peers. This a wonderful time of their lives but you must be the parent and adult and lead them through it.
5. Make it clear that she must follow school rules and policies. Teach her to respect people as well as property. Help her know right from wrong and what she must do when negative temptations come her way.
6. Encourage him to get to know his counselor and to maintain contact throughout his middle/high school years, if possible. Not only will the counselor be invaluable in supporting his academic path, he’s also one of many potential adult role models for your child.
7. Attend parent meetings, open houses, PAC meetings and other activities for parents. Stay involved and informed!
8. Volunteer at school. Both your child and the school will benefit from your involvement and help. Schools solicit volunteers to help in a variety of ways:  PAC meetings, fund raising, chaperoning, etc.
9. Consistently acknowledge and reward efforts at school. While schools may have some motivation programs, parents need to recognize their child’s successes too. When your child works hard, your acknowledgment motivates him to persist. Kids love monetary rewards, but you can also try a special trip together, a favorite dinner, or something else unexpected but valued. Your recognition helps your child develop a sense of competency and self-worth, a willingness to try new tasks, and a feeling of satisfaction in doing a job well. When you use this technique consistently, over time, your child eventually begins to reward himself for by feeling good about himself and what he has done. This ability to reward ourselves serves as a powerful motivation throughout life.

None of us are perfect and we sometimes make mistakes in raising our children. But your child needs your love and respect. She needs to become independent, responsible, and self-sufficient to succeed in most of her endeavors in school and at home. The best way to help her in all aspects of development is to try to ensure that her emotional needs are consistently met. Your understanding, common sense, adult judgment, and good sense of humor can make these middle/high school years a joy for both you and your child.