Arlene Perry
Principal
Georgia Sigvaldason
Assistant Principal
Phone: 204-376-2605
Fax: 204-376-5160
Email: aci@esd.mb.ca
Important Dates to remember
ACI
December 2013 Newsletter
December 13th – Concert @ 7pm at the Riverton Hall
December 20th – Last day of School, noon dismissal
December 23rd to January 3rd – Christmas Break
January 6th – Classes resume
ACI requests that Students please bring in
Food Items for the Christmas Cheer Board.
Thursday – Protein Products
Friday – Juice or Drinks
Monday – Canned Food
Tuesday – Boxed Items (rice, pasta, etc.)
Wednesday – Baby Food Items
Principal’s Message
Winter took a long time to come but has come with a vengeance. We are nearly ready for it
to be over already. Hopefully we will get some milder weather for the holiday season so that
we can all enjoy the outdoors: skating, ski doing, ice fishing, cross country skiing, building a snow
fort or any other ideas you may have. It is easier to like winter when we can do fun outdoor
activities, but reading, puzzles and playing games can be a lot of fun as well.
As I reflect on the first four months of this 2013-14 school year I am impressed with all the good
things that have happened so far. September began with a smooth start to the year. Enrollment
is down slightly but we had several new students join the community. We had a great turn out
for our Open House and Awards Presentations. The grade 9 students had a very successful and
lucrative Terry Fox Event exceeding their goal and having me Dye my hair pink which is still in
and doesn’t want to go away. Won’t even bleach out. Oh well it was for a good cause.
October was a beautiful month with an abundance of geese decorating the river banks. ACI
students volunteered their time and expertise on their annual Service Day for a monetary
donation in place of student fees. Volleyball dominated the athletic minds as they worked hard
to improve their skills and took part in several tournaments. Many staff members attended a
variety of professional development events to improve their skills as well. Forty students and two
staff attended WE DAY and have developed an Action Group to support people in need. The
graduating class had an excellent Haunted House with over 700 people attending and several
students collected over 370 food items for “We Scare Hunger” which was donated to the local
food bank.
November had all grade nine students involved in “Take Your Kids to Work”. The grade 12
students were engaged in Remembrance Day material to present to the school, Student Led
Conferences and Edsby access. All grade 11 & 12 students attended a Career Fair in Gimli.
Students also presented at the Evergreen School Division Meeting and at the Division Planning
Day on the 29th. All in all it has been a very busy start to the year.
With December sliding away quickly I need to remind parents and students that attendance is
very crucial. For grade 12 students this cannot be over stated. Provincial exams begin on
January 7th and continue throughout the month. ELA January 7-10th, Applied Math January 21st,
Essential math exam January 22nd and Pre-Calculus exam on January 23rd, 2014. This in no way
indicates that their classes are finished. Both Math and ELA classes continue until the end of
January. The time now in December is very important as teachers are preparing students for
the examinations and these exams are worth 30% of their final grades. Shopping, haircuts and
not feeling like coming are never good choices for students to make anytime, but especially
not now. Attendance very much affects a student’s progress and keeps everyone informed of
what is happening. Do not put yourself in this negative predicament.
Attendance is very important for all grades not just grade 12’s. There is no such thing as we
aren’t doing anything important or all my work is complete. Parents should not buy into those
comments because that is not what is happening. New work continues until the holidays and
assessments do as well. The Evergreen School Division is collectively raising money to build a
school in Nicaragua. The location was selected by the Evergreen School Division Student
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Council in consultation with each school student council. The cost of a school is $10,000.00. The
student leadership team has issued a challenge to each TAG to bring in spare change. The
TAG with the largest donation will win the December prize.
With the freezing weather upon us it is very important that all students, but especially bus
students have a warm jacket, hat, mittens and boots when riding the bus. We may get a bit
complacent with the good buses that we have but if one quits half way through its route, the
students will be very cold as the bus cools down quickly. Please be prepared to prevent any
frost bite or other cold affect. If you do not have a toque or mittens please discretely come to
the office as we have a few pairs donated by the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary. They
are beautiful and hand made. I would also like to remind students that you need to walk on
the sidewalks. With the street being so slippery the chance of being hit by a vehicle increases
significantly. This is something I do not wish to have happen.
On behalf of the staff of the Arborg Collegiate I would like to wish you and your family a
Wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season. May you all keep well and safe and the Best to All in
2014!
NEWS FROM THE GYM
Volleyball season came to an end with the varsity boys attending zones in Riverton and the
varsity girls getting the opportunity to be the host team here in Arborg. Both teams played well,
the girls were first place going into the finals and the boys were tied for first going into the
playoffs. The boys’ zones ended in the quarterfinal and the girls zones ended in the final.
A big thank you to all the coaches this year, Mr. Chwaliboga, Mr. Sigurdson, Mr. Belcher, Mr.
Stadnek, Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Zahariuk. Your time and dedication were much appreciated.
The basketball and curling season has started. Basketball is on Mondays and Wednesdays after
school and the curling schedule with be announced. Mr. Belcher, Mr. Sagan and I will be
coaching basketball this year and Mr. Stadnek will coach curling.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas break.
Barb Ashby
Physical Education
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The Christmas season is well underway and the music groups of
Arborg and Riverton Collegiate have been busy performing at a variety of
local and non-local events throughout the past month. Please join us for our
final show of the season…
Arborg and Riverton Christmas Concert
Friday December 13th, 2013
Riverton Hall @7pm
Silent Auction
Dessert Reception to Follow
Featuring the Arborg/Riverton Concert Bands, Concert Choir, Vocal
Ensemble, Divisional Chorus and special music by Paul and Susan Hammer
Admission: $10 – adults, $5 – youth,
children 5 years and under - free
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‘Tis the Season for Colds and Flu
It’s that time of year again. Colds and Flus are making their way through schools from coast to
coast. Absences due to illness can have a huge impact on student academic success. Here
are some ways to help boost your immune system this winter hopefully leaving you illness free.
1. Keep your immune system strong by eating foods that are high in vitamin C such as
lemons, kiwi and broccoli. Also ensure your diet includes plenty of lean meats, fish,
poultry, low-fat dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds and whole grains.
2. Exercise is vital to keeping your body healthy. Even though the temperatures are
dropping it is important to keep a regular workout regimen.
3. Just because it is cold and flu season doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself in your
house. Socialising with friend actually helps strengthen your immune system because you
are keeping active and reducing stress levels.
4. Hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. During winter we tend to
cough and sneeze more frequently so it is important to lather up to avoid the spread of
illness.
5. Take advantage of the extra hours of darkness. Lack of sleep will weaken your immune
system and can make you more vulnerable to catching colds.
Grade11 History
Students have completed units on Canadian Identity, First Peoples, New France, and are
writing British North America tests this week. We will begin our look at Canada’s contemporary
history in the week before the break, as well as after we return. We will undertake one more
major project before the term is up; likely involving several forms of social media. Stay tuned!
All materials covered will be on the final exam at the end of term in January. Remember
that it is the responsibility of the student to catch up on missed assignments for things such as
choir/band/illness. Please check Edsby for what was done in class the day you were away. As
always I am available after class or school and during lunch for extra help. I can also be
messaged on Edsby or emailed with any questions!
Media Representations
Students have completed their unit on the News, and are working toward wrapping up
their Advertising unit with a poster to draw attention to a change or cause they see as
worthwhile in our world today. There have been several good discussions and ideas floating
around the room. I look forward to these turning out really well, and some of them making it in
to the next newsletter. Students have viewed films such as Supersize Me and The Island while
keeping a keen eye out for marketing techniques and product placement respectfully. We will
be moving in to our next topic/theme in the week before break so keep an eye out for what we
are up to next!
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Planning on attending Red River College in the near future! Then makes
plan to attend Get a Head Start Advance College Preparation for Grade 10 & 11 Students which will
occur on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and will be held at Roblin Centre, 160
Princess Street.
This session is for Grade 10 and 11 students and their parents. You will become familiar with the
admission process, getting on waiting lists earlier, starting the career exploration process, the
importance of registering for the correct Grade 11 and12 courses and learning about student
support services. Parents will learn about ways they can support their children through this process
to set them up for the success at RRC!
If interested, please register online before Monday, January 13, 2014 at www.rrc.ca/advanceprep
Grade 12 students - Post-secondary registration deadlines* are quickly approaching.
If you are considering registering for University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg or Brandon
University visit the following websites for further information –
University of Manitoba
http://umanitoba.ca/student/admissions/application/index.html
From the Direct Entry Options section, click on the faculty you are applying to and complete the
online application. Deadline for students who are eligible for entrance scholarships is February 21,
2014. There is an $80 application fee required in order to complete and submit your application.
University of Winnipeg
https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/future-student-apply
Deadline for students who are eligible for entrance scholarships is March 1, 2014. There is an $80
application fee required in order to complete and submit your application.
Brandon University
http://www.brandonu.ca/canadian-undergraduate/how-to-apply/
Deadline for students who are eligible for entrance scholarships is March 1, 2014. There is a $63
application fee required in order to complete and submit your application.
*Registration deadlines vary depending on the faculty you are applying for. Registration is still open
after the above deadlines but students who apply after the above registration deadlines will not be
considered for university entrance scholarships.
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Dance and Yoga Club
Starting in the January, Mrs. Johnson will be leading a dance and yoga club every Wednesday
at lunch.
Who: Open to students of all grades and dancing abilities.
What: Hip hop, funk, and break dancing as well as other kinds of dance will be practiced. If
there is an interest in yoga, it will be offered as well.
When: The club will run Wednesdays 12:30 to 1:00 pm.
Where: In the gym, unless there is a small group.
How: Ms. Johnson will lead you through a series of videos and original steps.
For grade 11 and 12 students you may use dance hours for credit. I hope to see you!!! Please
see Mrs. Johnson for more information.
LIBRARY NEWS
Season’s Greetings from the Library! It is the time of year when I create a “Naughty List” outlining
the people who have overdue books. This list is posted on the library doors so you can easily
check to see where you stand. Please visit me in the Library with your book returns and we can
wipe your slate clean! If you need your library book for school assignments I need you to come
with the book so we can renew it and get your name off of “The List”. I will allow books to be
borrowed over the holidays, once all overdue books are accounted for. The due date for any
books taken out before the Christmas Break will be January 6, 2014. Hopefully the holidays will
provide you with some down time to enjoy some pleasure reading.
I have just ordered our second of four installments of new books. I suspect they will be available
for borrowing during the first week back at school. Something to look forward to in the New
Year! I’ll start a new “wish list” shortly thereafter in case I or Santa neglected to provide you with
the books you really wanted to read.
As I try to get the “most bang for our buck” with the library budget, I have decided not to
subscribe to any magazines this year. Instead, I was hoping that people might be willing to
donate their magazines to us, once they are finished with them. We’ll do a trial run, and assess
the results. I think this could be a win-win-win: good for our budget, good for preventing a large
heap of magazines piling up in your homes, and good for the environment. We would certainly
appreciate your “re-gifting”. After the rush of the holidays, the frosty weather may provide us
with a reason to stay inside and get a jump start on our Spring Cleaning! How’s that for
optimistic?
Wishing you peace, contentment and joy Penny Helgason
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Stage Struck!
ACI and RCI students have begun another fabulous year of theatre productions at The
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. In October students saw Harvey, a comedy well
enjoyed.
At the beginning of December, we experienced the stage adaptation of the popular
holiday season film, A Christmas Story. Students and staff were thoroughly impressed
with the elaborate and creative set and talented child actors.
On January 21, students will once more board the bus to Winnipeg to see Jane Eyre.
MTC’s synopsis found on its website reads:
ROMANTIC CLASSIC
“He made me love him without looking at me."
-
Jane
After a destitute childhood, Jane Eyre finds work as a governess,
only to fall in love with her employer – the unattainable Mr.
Rochester. Amid rumours of a mysterious presence at Thornfield
Hall, Jane embraces love on her terms and finds her own unique
voice. In this fresh adaptation, Charlotte Brontë’s well-loved
characters invite us into the very heart of the classic novel.
http://www.mtc.mb.ca/Current-Plays/Hirsch/Jane-Eyre.aspx
There are extra tickets available for this show. Please see Mrs. Orbanski if you are
interested.
ACI has started to take
A.C.T.I.O.N.
a change towards improving our nation
Over 30 students have united to work towards making positive change and become leaders in
social justice. We meet every Thursday at lunch to join in group activities, such as tie-dying and
gingerbread house making. We also plan fundraisers that focus on making a change locally
and globally, like Koats for Kids and helping to build a school in Nicaragua. Watch for updates
throughout the year, and for more information on how you can help us to make a difference.
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