News and Updates -9
by Pre-Departure Meeting: February 20th
My apologies, the livestream did not work as my microphone was muted. Please send me an email if you have any questions: Elixa.Neumann@burnabyschools.ca
Iceland Pre-Departure Meeting_February 20
Here is the updated powerpoint with corrections on weight for carry-on bags (22lbs) and 3 person rooming charts.
If you have any concerns with the rooming, please come see me in person next week or send me an email.
Thank you!
Pre-Departure Meeting January 23
Iceland Pre-Departure Meeting_Jan23
Above is the complete power point of information from our meeting. Please contact Elixa Neumann at Elixa.Neumann@burnabyschools.ca with any questions.
Iceland Fundraiser: Buy a t-shirt!
https://www.bonfire.com/iceland-alpha/
Support our students traveling to Iceland by buying a t-shirt for yourself or your friends! They come in Premium Unisex T-shirt and Yourth Unisex T-shirt. The design was made by Lochlan Dopson from our grade 8 cohort.
Iceland Update!
Dear Iceland Travellers, Parents and Guardians,
It is crazy to believe that we will be leaving for Iceland in 2 months! With so little time left, we have arranged several upcoming meetings to ensure that every traveler is well prepared for our trip and that as many questions are answered as possible. I will be emailing any important updates to students Outlook emails, alongside the emails provided when students signed up for the EF Tour. Additional information, PowerPoints, and reminders of upcoming meetings can also be found at: https://blogs.sd41.bc.ca/beta-minischool/
Wednesday, January 23rd, 7:00 p.m.: Parent Meeting for Iceland Trip
- Mandatory meeting for Parents whose children are attending the Iceland Field Trip. The meeting will take place in the learning commons at 7:00 p.m. We will cover pre-departure topics including packing, behavior expectations, emergencies, rooming, and more! Come with your questions.
Wednesday, February 6th, 11:40 a.m.: Student Luncheon for Iceland Trip
- Mandatory lunch for students traveling to Iceland. Come meet your fellow travel companions and pick rooming arrangements.
Wednesday, February 20th, 7:00 p.m.: Parent and Student Meeting for Iceland Trip
- Mandatory meeting for all parents and students who are attending the Iceland Field Trip. This meeting will take place in the learning commons at 7:00 pm. We will review the final trip information, itinerary, departure and return day schedules, introduce chaperones, and review essential travel information. Students will also receive their EF backpack and meet their designated chaperone for the trip!
Wednesday, March 6th, 11:40 a.m.: Student Luncheon for Iceland Trip
- Mandatory lunch meeting for students traveling to Iceland. We will provide a pizza lunch!
These meetings are mandatory. If for some reason you are unable to attend, please contact Elixa Neumann at Elixa.Neumann@burnabyschools.ca. We will do our best to livestream the meetings for future viewing, should there be any additional questions.
Thank you very much,
Elixa Neumann
Elixa.Neumann@burnabyschools.ca
Reminder about Monday, October 22nd: Japanese Students Visiting
I hope you are all enjoying your long weekend. Grade 9’s who see this, please let your classmates know about the P1 timeline! Thank you in advance.
On Monday, October 22nd, Minischool students will be student ambassadors to our incoming visiting Japanese Students. Here is the timeline:
8:40: Check in with your Period 1 class. All grade 9 students should do attendance then go directly to the Learning Commons. Only designated grade 8 students will go to the learning commons on Monday. Ms. Neumann will inform which grade 8 students will be going.
10:12: Take your student to your block 2 class. The teachers have all been contacted. Be sure to encourage them and help them with any barriers, such as seating and language.
11:34: Return your buddy to the Learning Commons.
12:35 – 1:10: Grade 9’s will be attending the cultural fair in the Learning Commons.
Thank you for all of your help and support welcoming in the Japanese Students to Alpha Secondary School.
Colonizing Outer Space Due Date
by Hello Minischool 9,
I hope everyone has been working hard on their Colonizing Outer Space projects and you have all your logs well on their way. As we discussed in class, we will review progress on Wednesday October 17th with the proposed due date of Monday October 22nd. Please make sure you have any filming done soon so you have time to edit and also, be ready to present that morning (no later). If you have any concerns please see me. Thank you and best of luck!
Mr. Murray
Parent Teacher Interviews – Mr. Murray
Hello Minischool parents,
As you may or may not have noticed, Mr. Murray is unavailable on the Parent Teacher Appointments. If you knew this already or not, I am still recovering from a cycling accident in June. Due to recovery from my accident, I am unable to physically attend these meeting although I am progressing well. If you would like me to send an update please feel free to contact me via email and I will do my best to accommodate everyone’s request in a timely fashion. Thank you all for understanding and I hope they are still enjoying Humanities! Take care,
Mr. Murray
sam.murray@burnabyschools.ca
Colonizing Outer Space
Here is a copy of the Colonizing Outer Space assignment. 
At least 3 logs needed and again whatever format is acceptable.
Thanks,
You will be evaluated on each section individually in relation to the following assessment guidelines.
Evaluation:
Transforming: The student can independently demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the concepts and competencies by transforming knowledge in creative ways.
Applying: The student works independently, demonstrating a complete understanding of the concepts and competencies.
Developing: The student demonstrates a partial understanding of the concepts and competencies.
Emerging: The student demonstrates an initial understanding of the concept and competencies.
Mr. Murray
BETA Minischool Classroom Roles
You will be tasked with completing one of the following roles each term. These jobs range in variety and will aid in making our BETA Minischool classroom experience as awesome as it can possibly be. Best of luck to you all!
BETA Bits of Business:
Minimum Role Expectations:
- Document what we are doing in class during the month. Your goal is to make our learning visible for the greater community including for parents, staff, and other schools.
- In your postings, try to explain what we did, how did we do it, why did we do it, and what the activity did to enhance your learning.
- The group is expected to submit one posting each month.
- There are many possible forms of submission, however they must be made in a form that can be submitted to our blog. (Examples: news report, video, podcast, newspaper article, letter, animation, etc.)
Field Trips Planner:
Minimum Role Expectations:
- Your goal is to find local opportunities for our class to experience the content or curricular competencies we are studying. The group is expected to find and book 2 field trip opportunities for the class that relate to curriculum, are safe for students, and are financially feasible for our class.
- Please create a write-up on the trip, costs, schedule, contact information, what students will learn from the trip, and any other information you can provide. Submit this to Ms. Neumann.
- Ms. Neumann will help make contact to book the fieldtrip and submit a field trip request to the board.
Jumpstart Challenges:
Minimum Role Expectations:
- Students are expected to lead a pick/create/invent a jumpstart challenge every two weeks on Mondays (or Tuesday if there is a holiday).
- These should be fun and lively ways to get the brain and body moving to start the week off right.
- The activity should run for approximately 10-15 minutes of the start of class and can include things such as (but not limited to): Outdoor activities, Brain Games, Jeopardy etc.
Tech Liaison/Town Crier:
Minimum Role Expectations:
- Your goal is to make sure all of the iPads and Laptops are put away safely and are charging in the appropriate places in the carts each day.
- Students will also be the Minischool’s Town Crier every 2 weeks and will bring out all of the important news from Alpha, our city and globally to the masses of the classroom.
- You can choose to present this whatever way you please but must be presented to the class. You are encouraged to try alternative types of performance including adding in costumes, skits, and props to develop your performance.