Signing Off

This will be, officially, the last entry of the Grads of 2010 blog - I believe it has fulfilled its historic task in informing you of events happening at the school. I hope, in any way, shape, or form, that this blog has helped answered some of your questions, and has helped your grad year in some ways.
For the grads of 2010 who are reading this, please keep in touch! If you haven't already, you can add me as your friend on Facebook (click here), or follow me on Twitter (click here). If you have any questions throughout the summer, you can always e-mail me at eleung@vsb.bc.ca. Please do not attempt to come to the school during the summer to find me, or call the school number looking for me. You most likely won't be able to - as much as I can, I will try to enjoy my summer vacation away from school, though I know I will be there from time to time.

If you have a younger sibling or neighbour who will be in grade 9 or grade 8 next year, I will continue to maintain a blog, this one with a new address. Come check it out (click here). I don't know about you, but I think this new design looks really, really good.
Other than that, this is the official sign-off from me. For the grads of 2010 - it has been a privilege working with all of you. I wish each and every one of you success in all your future endeavours! Good-bye! Au revoir! Ciao! 再見! さよなら! Paalam!

Several Final Reminders

As the 2009 - 2010 school year draws to a close, here are a few final reminders to you:

1. Report cards were given out this morning. If you did not pick up your report card from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., it can still be picked up at the office (I know they eventually would be mailed out if they are not picked up; I'll update you as to when is the latest you can pick up the report card from school).


2. All yearbooks are sold out. Unfortunately, we cannot order any extra copies. So if you did not purchase a yearbook earlier, you would not be able to obtain one... sorry.


3. As I've mentioned late last week: if you need to re-write your English 12 provincial exam (or several other graduation-requirement exams) but you are not taking summer school classes, you MUST register for the exam at the school board office. This information has been published in this blog, and can also be found in June's newsletter.


4. For students who have completed all graduation requirements and want to take summer courses for upgrading purposes, you can only do that through VLN or adult education free-of-charge. Face-to-face summer school courses for students who have graduated in June will cost you money.


5. Teachers will be on duty at the school Wednesday. After our staff meeting at 11:00 a.m., teachers may be packing materials, moving supplies, or, in some cases, taking materials to their new schools. If you need to find a teacher for any reason, you must do so before 11:00 a.m.

Report Card Pick-up Reminder

Just a friendly reminder to all of you that your final report card from high school will be issued tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in your homeroom.

Teachers would remain in their classes until 10:00 a.m.. If you show up after 10:00 a.m., you would have to go to the office to pick up your report card.

If you notice an error on your report card, you need to see your subject teacher immediately. Because teachers would be supervising exams/cleaning up their rooms/moving teaching materials to another part of the school/etc., it will be a good idea for you to pick up your report card at 9:00, just in case you need to see a teacher for any reason on a mark.

On a personal note: if you have not signed my yearbook, or if I have not signed your yearbook, please come by to see me (or I will be scrolling down the grad hallway). It's your last day of high school, and I hope to say a formal good-bye to all of you. :)

August 2010 Summer Provincial Exams for Non-Summer School Students

This post pertains information that is applicable for students who will NOT be taking summer school classes with VSB, but still wish to take or re-take a provincial exam. (Mr. L's note: this would apply, in particular, to those of you who may need to re-write the English 12 provincial exam to pass English 12 to fulfill your graduation requirement)

Any Temp students who are not registered in summer school, but wish to write one of the following provincial exams in August (between Aug 9 to Aug 13), are required to complete an application form at the Vancouver School Board Education Centre, Summer School Office (Ground Floor, 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver):

• English 10
• BC First Nations Studies 12
• Communications 12
• English 12
• Social Studies 11
• Applications of Math 10
• Essentials of Math 10
• Principles of Math 10
• Science 10

Applications will be accepted from June 11 to July 15, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Students must present in person TWO DOCUMENTS to the Summer School staff to have their applications accepted: i) A student report card for the 2009/2010 year issued by one of VSB's secondary schools with your ministry PEN; ii) a student picture ID (i.e. Go-Card) from the school that issued the report card in i).

You must be present to fill out the application form yourself; telephone or faxed applications would not be accepted.

Please note: students who do not register as detailed above will not be permitted to write the exam. That is, the examination centre will NOT accept walk-in students for the exams.

June 2010 Provincial Exam Schedule

The following is the provincial exam schedule for Templeton's June session. All students writing the provincial exams should arrive 15 minutes prior to the exam to ensure that all registration process and paper work are done prior to the actual start time of an exam. You will NOT be allowed to write an exam should you arrive more than half an hour late. You must also start for at least an hour for each exam session before you are allowed to leave. For the full details of exam regulations and expectations, you can go to the Ministry of Education's website (click here).

June 21, 2010 (Monday)
Physics 12: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Principles of Math 12: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

June 22, 2010 (Tuesday)
English 12 (Mandatory exam): 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Social studies 11 (Mandatory exam): 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

June 23, 2010 (Wednesday)
Communications 12 (Mandatory exam): 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Chemistry 12: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
History 12: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

June 24 (Thursday)
French 12: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Biology 12: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

June 28, 2010 (Monday)
Geography 12: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

June 29, 2010 (Tuesday)
Mandarin 12, Spanish 12: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

I have only listed the exams that our current grade 12s may be writing. You may have a sibling/friend who needs to write a grade 10 exam, for the full exam schedule, you can check the Ministry's website (click here).

All exams are two hours in length. You may stay up to 1 additional hour to finish the exam.

Please mark down especially the dates and times for the English 12 and Communications 12 exam - they are mandatory, and are needed for your graduation, regardless of what school mark you currently have.

If you want practice exams, the Ministry has posted at least three exams per subject online. Click here to choose a subject, and a sample exam, to download for your own reference. Answer key and, where applicable, resource packages, can also be downloaded.

Yearbook Signing Times

In case you haven't read the dozens of Facebook updates on the signing times for this year's yearbook, I'm posting it here for you, just in case:

Grade 8s: 10:00 a.m.

Grade 9s: 11:00 a.m.

Grade 12s: 12:00 p.m.

Grade 11s: 12:30 p.m.

Grade 10s: 1:00 p.m.

Yearbooks can be picked up and signed at the small gym and cafeteria. Please bring your student ID with you. If you have not paid for a lost school item and/or if you have not returned a library or textbook, you will NOT be allowed to pick up your yearbook even if you have paid for it already. To avoid delays, please make sure all outstanding fees have been paid.

To the best of my knowledge, all yearbooks are sold out now. The office is keeping a waiting list for students who still wish to purchase a yearbook. If you want to buy a yearbook but didn't pay for it, please visit the office early to see if you can get on the wait-list.

Lastly, bring your sharpies, bring your cameras, and bring a big smile with you - this is arguably the last time we will be gathering together. Let's sign away, and take lots of pictures with each other to mark the end of a wonderful five years for you, the grads of 2010!

FYI: Official Information on Provincial Exam Scholarships

I have received several e-mails asking for clarification regarding the requirements for the provincial examination scholarships since the last post. The following is taken straight out from the Handbook of Procedures for the Graduation Program from B.C.'s Ministry of Education. You can also read P.97 of the handbook yourself by clicking here:

Qualifying for a Grade 12 Graduation Program Examinations Scholarship

A student will receive a $1000 Examinations Scholarship if he or she:
• meets the basic eligibility requirements
• achieves at least a “B” final mark (provincial exam and school mark combined) in English 12, Français langue premiere 12, or English 12 First Peoples
• achieves 86% or higher on each of his or her three best Grade 12 provincial exams (can include the English 12 provincial exam) (Mr. L's note: this means, if you use English 12 as one of the subjects, then you'd need two more exams; if you don't use English 12 as one of the subjects, you'd need three optional grade 12 exams)
• fulfills the graduation requirements of either the 1995 Graduation Program, the 2004 Graduation Program or the Adult Graduation Program.

A student will receive a $2500 Examinations Scholarship Award if he or she:
• qualifies to receive an award (above)
• ranks among the top twenty scholarship students (based on his or her percentage score).

Any student who achieves a perfect score (100%) in each of three Grade 12 provincial exams will also be awarded an Academic Medal of Excellence.

When a student has two different percent scores for the same Grade 12 provincial exam, the higher percent score will be used. Scholarship scores do not have to be earned in one school year.

I hope this information is crystal clear to all of you now. If you are still unsure, please come in to see me.

Urgent Info on Provincial Exams

I hope this information will be able to reach you BEFORE the first provincial exam begins next Monday. Please help pass this information along to all of your grade 12 friends.

If you choose to write any of the optional provincial exams for your grade 12 courses, a blended mark that includes your provincial exam results WILL APPEAR on your official transcript, whether the exam’s results would help your school mark or not.

To the best of my knowledge, this does NOT affect your application and/or your registration chances for UBC and SFU; both have told secondary counsellors very specifically that they will look at your BEST mark (school % or blended %). However, the blended mark, whether it is higher or lower than your school percentage, will appear on your official transcript that is a part of our permanent student record.

The following diagram would illustrate my point (click on image to see an enlarged version):

In this scanned image of an actual transcript from 2009, this student had chosen to write two optional provincial exams, biology 12 and Principles of Math 12. He had also chosen to NOT write his optional exam for Mandarin Chinese 12. In Biology 12 (circled in red), his school percentage was 76%, and his exam mark was 49%. As you can see, his final percentage, a blended mark, appeared as 65%, which was substantially lower than his school percentage. Had this student applied to UBC, UBC would have looked at and used his school percentage of 76% for all application and registration purposes. However, the 65% would remain on his permanent transcript. Had this student chosen to apply for a post-secondary institution outside B.C. and/or a school advised him that his final mark would be used to determine whether he would have been admitted into a program, his decision to write the provincial exam can have a significant consequence.

In the case of Mandarin 12 (circled in green), this student had chosen to not write his optional exam. Therefore, his 93% mark from school would be the only mark that is available for anyone to see.

In light of this, I would urge you to consider very carefully whether to write an optional provincial exam or not. Here are some points worthy for consideration:

• You need to write English 12 and AT LEAST TWO other provincial exams to qualify for provincial scholarships (two if you use your English 12 mark too; three if you don't use English 12). If you want a provincial scholarship, then you must write two (or more) of these optional exams in addition to English 12.
• If you have been advised by a post-secondary school that your admission would be based on your final mark, and you fear that your current school mark is not high enough, writing a provincial exam can potentially help you achieve that mark.
• If you have already been accepted, unconditionally or conditionally, into a post-secondary program, and you want to write one or two provincial exams “just to see how well you can do,” you will take the risk of having a lower final percentage appear on your permanent student record, but this will not affect your admission into UBC and SFU.

Please come in to speak to me, or e-mail me, if you have any questions on this. I hope I have explained things clearly to all of you here. Please also urge others in your grade to take a look at this post.

U Vic's Registration 101 Workshop

University course registration is one of the many challenges students need to face when entering a post-secondary institution. Representatives from U Vic will be coming to Vancouver June 2 to conduct a workshop called Registration 101. In this workshop, you will learn:

• the next step in getting organized for the registration process
• how to choose the right courses for your program
• how to build a timetable that fits your preferences and needs
• learn the ins and outs of UVic's online registration system

The advisor, Leah, will also be able to answer any last-minute questions you may have about UVic, your academic goals, or life in Victoria in general.

You do not need to pre-register. Just show up and attend!

Date: Wednesday, June 2
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Hilton Vancouver Metrotown - 6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby
Questions: contact Leah at stoneld@uvic.ca

Updated Info on VLN's Summer Courses

I have just received an e-mail from VLN's grade counsellor. She confirmed that current grade 12 students who meet the graduation requirement this June can still register for VLN courses online to upgrade or to add courses to your portfolio free-of-charge.

What this news means is: if you are currently in grade 12 and are on pace to complete the 80 credits required for graduation, there are several ways to which you can upgrade for a course you have already completed and/or add a course that you have not taken before:

1. Take the course online with VLN (click here to go to its summer school course site)
2. Register as an adult education student (i.e. you must attend the adult education information session next Wednesday - see my entry on Monday for details)
3. Attend a VSB summer school course, but you would have to pay for the course
4. Explore summer school options at other school districts

Because summer school course availability is really scarce this year, I would encourage you to act very quickly (colleagues from Richmond told me that many of Richmond's summer school courses are already full).

If you have any questions, please see me ASAP.

New Info for Summer School (Important)

I was just told by the administrators that grade 12 students who have acquired graduation requirements will NOT be allowed to register for summer school courses with VSB free-of-charge. The only grade 12 students who can still take summer school courses at a summer school center are those who do not have sufficient credits to obtain a graduation diploma by June.

I have written to VLN to inquire if this change applies to VLN courses as well, but have not received a response from VLN's counsellor. I will update you with more information when it becomes available.

The implications for this change include:

• For students who are NOT graduating in June, you would need to obtain a letter from either me or Mrs. Roberts to confirm that you need to register for a particular summer school course to fulfill your graduation requirement.
  
• For students who have sufficient credits to graduate, you can only take a summer school course at an adult education center for the purpose of upgrading your marks and/or adding a course to your portfolio. Information on adult education can be obtained by attending the adult education information session next Wednesday, May 26 (see my blog entry yesterday for details).
  

Adult Education Information Session (May 26)

A number of you will not have sufficient course credits to graduate this June. While summer school remains an option for those who will not have sufficient credits to graduate, you are only allowed to take a maximum of two courses in the summer. It also does not allow for students who will graduate, but wish to upgrade course marks or add courses.

If you fall into any of the above categories, you may be eligible to enroll into the school board's adult education program. Academic advisors will visit Templeton on May 26 (Wednesday) to speak to you about the adult education program. They can also meet with you individually after the general meeting to discuss YOUR SPECIFIC program.

There are a number of forms that you need to sign to attend this meeting. I also have an information sheet that would tell you the documents that you need to bring to this meeting. Please come to see me some time this week to pick up all the needed documents.

Volunteers Needed for Franklin's Sports Day

Sir John Franklin Elementary School is in need for volunteers for their sports day on May 21 (Friday). Approximately 30 volunteers are needed in total. This would be a good opportunity for those who are still in need to acquire community service hours towards graduation.

If you are interested in helping out, please let me know as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please see me or Mr. Mustapich for details.

Culturathon 2010

You have probably watched the popular TV show "Amazing Race" and have wondered about what it would feel like to be competing in a race around the world for clues, overcoming road-blocks and detours (yes, I watch the show frequently myself). What about a race that takes place right here in Vancouver, with a multicultural twist?

Sponsored by the Enoch Outreach Society, Culturathon 2010 is an engaging event where you and your teammates would have to complete a route through various checkpoints within Metro Vancouver. During the race, you will have to dicipher clues, complete tasks, and overcome challenges. The aim of this event is to challenge your perception of our city and our country, broaden your horizon of various cultures, and enrich your sense of responsibility and identity as Canadians.

This year's Culturathon will take place on June 26, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Registration fee for a team comprising 3 to 5 people would be $50. Registration deadline is June 12.

For more information, you can call Enoch Youth Outreach Society at 604-233-1800, or e-mail them at info@enochyouth.org. You can also learn more about Culturathon 2010 by clicking to its website (click here).

Volunteers Needed for Lord's Sports Day

A.R. Lord Elementary School is looking for approximately 20 students to help with their sports day on May 21 (Friday) from 8:30 to 12:30. For students who are missing a few community service hours, this is a great opportunity to acquire four of them.

If you are interested, please come in to see me A.S.A.P.

If you have any questions about this, you can see me or Mr. Mustapich.

Graduation 2010 Valedictorian Nomination

The Graduation 2010 Valedictorian nomination form can be picked up from my office right now. To qualify as this year's valedictorian, you must meet the following qualifications:

• A "B" average on all your courses (73% or above)
• A good citizen inside and outside of the school
• An ability to speak well in front of a large audience

You need to find FIVE people (Templeton Staff and/or grade 12 students) who support your application. On the application form there are five lines where you can enter these people's information. Please have them sign and write their names. Your application can be voided if we cannot make out who those people are.

All the nomination forms will be collected. Templeton staff then will select a number of finalists, and then, students will be allowed to vote. The student who receives the most votes will be Templeton's Valedictorian at the graduation ceremony on June 8.

The application deadline is Tuesday, May 11 at 3:30 p.m. Completed forms can be submitted to me, or Mr. Mustapich. If you have any questions, please come and see either one of us.

Langara College Entrance Bursaries

The Langara Entrance Bursary is a $500 bursary given to two students from feeder secondary schools. Any student who plans to attend Langara in September, 2010, is eligible to apply.

Selection on the bursary will be based on relative financial need, and on acceptance and enrollment at Langara College.

The application deadline is June 18, 2010.

Please come to see me for an application form.

Calendar of Important Dates (May)

It is getting closer and closer to THE DAY now. Graduation is just around the corner, and I know this is going to be a very, very busy time for many of you. Don't give up, don't slack off - make your final push for another month or two, and you will be there!

There are a lot of events happening in May. For those of you who have applied for post-secondary institutions, you may have received admission notices by now. Please be extremely mindful for deadline dates for i) accepting an admission offer; ii) paying the registration deposits; and iii) meeting faculty-specific deadlines. Unlike that in high school, you would not be given a "grace period" for being late - if you fail to accept an admission offer, for example, your seat at a university/college may be taken back!

Here are some general dates to remember:

• May 1: TWU's admission deposit and early housing deadlines
• May 1: UBC's housing application deadline
• May 1: VCC's music application deadline
• May 7: Non-instructional day at Templeton - school not in session
• May 11: Valedictorian Nomination Forms due at 3:30 p.m.
• May 14: VCC's digital graphic design application due
• May 15: TWU's course registration opens
• May 20: Instructional Planning Period
• May 21: June's Lunch Envelopes due
• May 24: Victoria Day - school not in session
• May 25: Year-end Music Concert
  

Also, a reminder: post-secondary schools will begin verifying your interim grades through their electronic PSIs. If there is an error, you should contact the post-secondary institution directly to rectify the situation. Be proactive.

May's Buss Pass

Just to let you know that your bus passes for May have arrived. You can come to my office at your convenience to pick one up.

If you have submitted an application for a buss pass but is not receiving one, you need to speak to Mr. Mustapich to review and/or to appeal. As mentioned in the past, students may request for a bus pass if they are in a District program, if they live more than 4.8 km from the school, or if there is a financial need. Not providing the necessary documentation and information on your application form may result in you not receiving a bus pass.

Student Loan Information Session Reminder

Just a friendly reminder to you all that there will be an information session on student loan Wednesday at lunch (April 28th) in the library.

Bring all your questions; bring your lunch; bring a pencil and a few pieces of paper - there will probably be quite a lot of information that would be of interests to you.