OCTOBER 2015

NEWSLETTER4701-52nd Avenue - Yellowknife, NT - X1A 2N8

Phone: (867) 669-0773 - Fax: (867) 873-3630www.sjf.yk1.nt.ca

principal’s messageWelcome back to another exciting school year! I hope all of you

had a very safe and happy summer. We are very pleased to have so many new and returning students joining us this year. I would like to extend a warm welcome to this year’s exchange students; Julian Linares Martin (Spain), Minami Tsuboi (Japan), Antoine Acacie (France), and Sabrina Dubach (Switzerland).

We are pleased to welcome our new staff , Paul Bennett, Sean Daly, Susan Shantora, Shellie Trimble, Kim Black, Mira Dunn, Kirstin Prescott and Maxine Lacorne. Thank you to those who were able to come to our Open House to meet the staff and to tour our facilities.

The Falcons are off to a great start winning a banner to add to our collection. Congratulations to the Girls’ Outdoor Soccer team who won 1st place in the Hay River Elk’s Outdoor Soccer Tournament. Way to go, Falcons!

The SJF drama department has been working very hard in anticipation of this year’s children’s theatre production of Flat Stanley. Be sure you get your tickets early!

We are proud to announce that we have four Minister’s Award recipients for the 2014-2015 school year. Congratulations to Roman Asmundson, Elizabeth McCullum, Katrina Pearson and Caleigh Matheson on your incredible achievement!

As you can see, so much is already going on. Be sure to stay connected with us through our website, Facebook page and Twitter. If you would like to receive our newsletter electronically, please go to our website (www.sjf.yk1.nt.ca) and subscribe.

Please do not feel that you need to wait for an invitation before you come by and see us. This is your school. Drop in any time if you have a question or concern or just want to visit. Come by and see your child’s classroom or chat with their teacher. Come and see me in the offi ce. You do not need an appointment. I wish you and your children a very safe and happy school year.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the last few days of Fall.

Mr. Dean MacInnisSTAY CONNECTED!Website: www.sjf.yk1.nt.caFacebook: www.facebook.com/yk1sjfTwitter: @sjf_school

IMPORTANT DATES

October 8 PAC meeting

October 9 No school

October 12Thanksgiving (no school)

October 19Board of Trustees Elections

October 26Report Cards sent home

October 28 & 29Parent Teacher Interviews

FOR MORE DETAILS SEE CALENDAR ON LAST PAGE.

Paul BennetPaul is our new Vice Principal at Sir John this fall. Paul has been a high school/junior high/elementary teacher and administrator since 1979. In the past as both a school administrator and teacher for four years in Uluhaktok (1995-‘99) and the past 15 years at École J.H. Sissons, a school that consistently performed with the highest academic standards for an elementary school in the NWT over the last 9-10 years. Paul has always looked at a variety of tools to “measure what we value” in our schools and consequently “value what we measure” in order to attain these high standards. Paul was the Canadian Outstanding Principal 2011 National Winner and looks forward to working with the administration team, staff , students and parents in this most dynamic school, École Sir John Franklin High School.

Shellie TrimbleShellie Trimble, along with her husband and two children, moved to Yellowknife last November from Ladysmith, BC. She has been teaching for 16 years at the high school level,

and is very excited to join the SJF team. She has a wide variety of interests, and looks forward to learning about this great place, especially the good fi shing spots. 

Kirstin Prescot tHowdy! I’m Kirstin Prescott, and I started at SJF in September 2004. I am currently returning to my previous position within the Science Department, teaching Science 9 and 10, and Chemistry 20 and 30. In 2010,

I moved from SJF to Route 51 Learning Institute. Then in 2013, I took a leave from YK1 to go teach in Kuwait, in the Middle East (because a 90 degree temperature change from the NWT is good for anyone!). I am very glad to be home, and to be back at SJF! I look forward to meeting you in Science classes!

Sean DalyMr. Daly is well known as a Yellowknife ‘song, dance and drama’ man. He is keen to see students succeed both on and off the stage. Mr. Daly is a parent of two children who also went to SJF. His daughter has just completed her Bachelor of Illustration at Sheridan and his son is studying at Lethbridge. He has a keen interest in art, live performance, photography, enjoys using his creative skills and has a hammy sense of humour. Mr. D is ready for “lights, camera and action!”

Susan ShantoraJust starting my fourth year with YK1, I am excited to be teaching General and Instrumental Music at Sir John. I have started a lunch-hour band and choir and continue to support the voices in the drama department. I also teach Pre-K to grade 8 music at K’alemi Dene School in N’Dilo. To my job at Sir John I bring a wealth of performing and teaching experience and continue to be active in the Yellowknife community music scene.

Kim BlackMy name is Mrs. Black and I’ve recently moved back to Yellowknife (and back to the school I graduated from!) from Red Deer, Alberta. My biggest passion is travelling – I’ve visited over 20 diff erent countries and have lived in Ireland, Australia, Germany and Mexico. In my spare time I enjoy working out and training in Muay Thai kickboxing. I’m very excited to be back at Sir John!

Mira DunnMrs. Dunn is Sir John’s newest EA. She enjoys sailing, roller skating and standing awkwardly close to people until they put their cell phones away!

Maxine LacorneMaxine is South Slavey Dene fromFt. Providence, NT and recently started at Sir John as an Aboriginal Urban

Advocate. I have worked with residential school survivors and their families to strive towards healing and wellness,

sharing my personal healing journey. My story is part of the Residential School Curriculum for Northern Studies. I found a great passion for working with our young people.

meet our new staff !k

“Take chances, make mistakesand get messy!”

Ms. Valerie Frizzle, The Magic School Bus

FAMOUS TEACHER QUOTE

yoga

grade 9 life map

On Monday, September 14th, Ms. Maureen Tonge's Yoga 15 class had the good fortune to have visiting guest instructor, Melissa Fraser from Fredericton, NB teach a Yin Yoga class. Melissa is the 2nd in front from the left...and yes, she looks as young as the students but has well over a decade of experience. Not all participants wished to be included in this photo op, but all thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to practice a new-to-them style of yoga!

On Tuesday, September 15, Mrs. Ferreira’s Grade 9 English Language Arts class had the chance to share

some of the details from their fi rst major project - a ‘Life Map.’ This assignment required students to explore

a variety of paragraph types and later compose paragraphs that connected to four events from their

life. Students were also challenged to include a visual representation of the main idea that was explored in each paragrpah. Some students created power point

presentations, others created bristol boards with photos, and others brought in props! Not only did

students learn more about their classmates, but they had a chance to edit their work prior to submitting it.

A boy asks his father, “Dad, are bugs good to eat?” “That’s disgusting. Don’t talk about things like that over dinner,” the dad replies. After dinner the father asks, “Now, son, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” the boy says. “There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.”

Students in the High School Prep Class attended a Leadership and Team Building Day on Friday, September

11th at Long Lake. The activities throughout the day focused on developing leadership qualities and learning

to work together as a team in an eff ective and effi cient way. Students also learned to recognize strengths

in themselves and others while working together to accomplish a common goal. It was a beautiful day spent

outside with an eff ervescent group of grade 9’s!

long lake retreat

On Friday, September 4th the Northern Studies classes had a special session outside with Deneze Nakehk’o. Deneze is Denesuline and Dehcho Dene from Denendeh.

He has over a decade’s worth of Northern media and broadcasting experience and is the Director of Radio for CKLB, part of the Native Communications Society of the

Northwest Territories. While we fed the fi re we listened to Deneze talk to us about the importance of our names and identities.

nort hern studies

freefree foods programThere are a number of food options available to you for FREE at Sir John.

Sandwiches

Foods room all day

Guidance area at lunch

Fruit and granola bars

Foods room,room 26 (Mr. Knox)

& room 42 (Mrs. Roach)

Chef Stewart’s door is always open, please come and grab food or water at any time during the day ifyou are hungry. The food at Sir John is funded by Breakfast for Learning and Healthy Food for Living.

free breakfast free all day8:05 - 8:25am

Foods Room (rm 1)

We have free bagels,

cream cheese, jam, cereal,

milk, coff ee, yogurt,

granola bars & fresh fruit

Ice - Chef Stewart has an

ice machine in his class which

is available for students and

staff all day. Please bring

a reusable water bottle

so we can avoid extra

garbage production.

silver medal

We would like to offi cially congratulate Mark Epelon for winning a silver medal at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games this past summer. Mark is a friendly student who loves music and swimming.He is a hard worker and a fi erce competitor.

Keep up the great work, Mark!

in swimmingMark Epelon - Grade 10

Nicolas Bennett - Grade 10

“ “

I was the third youngest team member to go to LA for the entire team. I was the second youngest swimmer for team Canada.I was also the only person chosen from NWT. I beat every oneof my personal bests.

I got to go to an LA Angels game with the entire team.I lost my voice twice cheering on the rest of my swim team.

And last but not least I got to meet people from165 other countries and got to meet Michelle Obamaand Justin Bieber and Avril Lavigne.

gold medals in runningCongratulations to Nic Bennett

who spent the summer competingin races, winning gold medals and beating his own personal records.

First was Victoria, BC where he participated in a track meet earning

him a spot on the Westerns team.Second was Colorado where he

won two gold medals one in the800 metre and one in the 1500 metre.Third was Westerns in Fort MacMurray

and although he didn’t win a medalhe ended beating the NWT record

that was previously held byOlympian Brendan Green.Nic plans on competing in

Canada Summer Games in 2017 andthe Arctic Winter Games in 2018.

Good luck Nic!

published poetsCongratulations to the following Grade 10 students who have been accepted for publication in this year's Creative Communication publication titled, "A Celebration of Poets"!

The sun takes me on a journey,The stars show me the way,On a cold day, frost is like coffi n nails,The forest is my pathway,to another world.- Luke Heal

Bravo ELIZABETH!

En juin 2015, ÉLIZABETH McCULLUM, étudiante de 11e année en Immersion française à Sir John Franklin High School, a obtenu la plus haute note dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest lors de l’examen de diplôme en BIOLOGIE 30F. L’univers scientifi que est une des passions d’Élizabeth! D’ailleurs, dans quelques jours, elle participera à une expérience unique! Elle rejoindra des chercheurs et des scientifi ques dans le cadre d’études scientifi ques en biologie marine dans les eaux froides du grand nord. À son retour, elle partagera avec nous les moments magiques et inoubliables de cette exceptionnelle aventure. Elizabeth sera une excellente ambassadrice pour notre école, pour Yellowknife et pour les Territoires du Nord-Ouest.

Bravo KATRINA!

En janvier 2015, KATRINA PEARSON, étudiante de 12e année en Immer-sion française à Sir John Franklin High School, a obtenu la plus haute note dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest lors de l’examen de diplôme en FRENCH LANGUAGE ARTS 30. Encore une fois, félicitations Katrina!

A teacher asked her students to use the word "beans" in a sentence. "My father grows beans," said one girl. "My mother cooks beans," said a boy. A third student spoke up, "We are all human beans."

french awardsBack row (l to r): Hunaifa Malik, Jillian Riles, Taylor Lake, Christina Johnston Front row (l to r): CallieGargon, Summer BigCharles, Luke Heal, Ross Ogilvie Missing: Meghan Newberry, Latetia Ehaloak

From September 30th - October 12th, Elizabeth McCullum will be participating in the Schools on Board program. During this time, she will be onboard the Canadian Coast Guard ship with scientists and other high schools students from across Canada studying climate change in the Arctic. The group will be boarding the ship in Resolute and disembarking in Pond Inlet. We are looking forward to learning more about the research and Elizabeth’s time onboard the ship when she returns.

schools on board

Two boys teams and one girls team attended the tournament in Hay River September 18-20th. The weather gods were not on our side for most of the weekend but the teams had a great time and played hard. Our boys AA team ended up losing 2-0 to St. Pats in the fi nals

while our boys A team ended up losing 3-1 to Fort Simpson in the semi-fi nals. Both teams played strong and should be proud of how they placed. As for the girls, it was a tense fi nal game against St. Pats. Sir John won 1-0 to win the banner in a shootout. Lindsey

Mailloux was the 6th shooter up and crushed the ball sending it out of reach of the goalie and sailing into the net. Sahara Laff erty had a stellar performance in net allowing only 2 goals in all weekend Great job to everyone who participated!

soccer - hay river

We are so proud to call Lauren Seabrook a Falcon. She recently spent four weeks in Kenya where she handed out mattresses, pillows, new clothes and school supplies to young Kenyans.

It’s not the only charity work Lauren has done. After winning $10,000 in 2014 for her fundrasing work she divided her winnings between the SPCA and the Ronald McDonald House.

studentgives backgives back

Lauren Seabrook - Grade 10

Keep it up Lauren!

gradWe have elected ournew grad counciland here they are from left to right:

Lauren Eggenberger, Kirstyn Falck,Samantha Sanderson, Kirianne Ashley, Abigale Coade, HoumishaNunkoo, Laureena Hodgins, RaeleenVillebrun Missing: Melissa Mugonigrad council

Remember to check the Grad board at the top of the stairs for reminders

The fi rst meeting was Wednesday, September 23rd. The next day the council met where they discussedwhat makes a good leader and what makes a good working group. They brainstormed ideas for grad themes, activities and ways to give back during the year. Questions about grad? Please contact Cynthia Roach atcynthia.roach@yk1.nt.ca

2016

The program is well under way. We have a great group of student athletes that are making their mark early. To date, we have completed our fi tness testing and baseline skill

analysis and we have begun the process of developing the whole athlete though speed training, jump training and

on-court technical skill training. We look forward to seeing the heights to

which these athletes can grow!

The Sir John Volleyball Academy is a program with a holistic approach to training young volleyball players.

There will be three main focuses to the program this year. Of course, there will be technical training of volleyball skills,

olympic weightlifting and plyometric training (lead by Personal Trainer, Devin Madsen), and classroom sessions where we will focus on things such as sport psychology, nutrition for sport,

anatomy and the principles of physical training.

volleyballacademy

It's "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr." and adaptation of a classic school book by Jeff Brown.Stanley becomes fl at and is able to travel through the mail on some international adventures.

The show is $15 a seat (available at NACC Box Offi ce) and will have fi ve public performances fromNovember 4 - 7 nightly at 7:00 p.m. as well as a Saturday Matinee on the 7th at 2:00 p.m.

The show is 1 hour and 15 minutes in length and features great songs, dancing and lots of fun and laughter.

SJF CHILDREN’S THEATREFun for the Whole Family

Sir John drama students are hard at work, under the directionof Mr. Sean Daly, preparing their fall show.

Hope to see you there!

Chemistry 30 works with molecular model kits to build isomers (molecules that have the same chemical formula but a diff erent molecule shape) of carbon compounds.

molecular models

to the following students who continue to excel academically!

AP CALCULUS

Roman AsmundsonJayden FlemingJoshua LeeSyed Raza Rivzi

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE

Brooke DwyerKyra HanninenEmily KrauseAlly MacInnisEmily SabourinLinnea StephensonIsabel Wilson

2014-2015 MINISTER’S AWARD

Elizabeth McCullum Biology 30-1Roman Asmundson Math 30-1Caleigh Matheson English Language Arts 30-1

Social Studies 30-1Katrina Pearson French Language Arts 30

Congratulations

Chad Martin recently had the privledge of starringin a movie! Chad’s scene was set in Weaver & Devore. He had a couple of lines and had to fl irt with thelead actress. The director of the movie, Kirsten Carthew (a former Falcon), said Chad had natural talent and she was impressed that he even cameout to fi lm on his birthday. The movie is called“The Sun at Midnight” and is produced byAmos Scott (another former Falcon!)For more information about the movie visit:www.thesunatmidnightmovie.com

aspiring actorchad mart in

Congrats Chad!

Colleen has been teaching in the north since the early nineties. She has taught at École Sir John Franklin High School, École William McDonald Middle School and Mildred Hall Elementary School. She is currently teaching at Sir John in the Falcon Sport School of Excellence program.Colleen played varsity volleyball at the

University of Saskatchewan. She has an extensive athletic background as an athlete and also as a coach. Throughout her years of teaching, Colleen has and continues to coach various school teams. Recently, she obtained her NCCP level I Instructional Olympic Weight Lifting certifi cation. Colleen has been a paramount contributor to the development of Sport School. Her colleagues looked to her for guidance as she is well planned, experienced and knowledgeable. Sir John is happy to recognize Colleen

as this month's Staff Spotlight!

STAFF SPOTLIGHTCOLLEEN PURA

Sports School Athletes will be;• exposed to training methods used by

elite athletes, • enhancing their physical performance

in the areas of strength, speed, power, agility and refl ection

• developing their knowledge in the areas of training, nutrition, sports psychology, injury management and the musculoskeletal system

Athletes, regardless of the type of sport, will be given the opportunity to improve their performance and their ability to compete in high level competition.

Training FacilitiesTraining facilities include a unique partnership with Yellowknife’s Gymnastic Club, Sir John Franklin’s Fitness Center and our soon to be created Olympic Weightlifting Center.

InstructorsAll instructors are in training to complete Olympic Weightlifting Certifi cation.

COLLEEN PURA is a three-time Canada West fi rst team all star and two-time University of Saskatchewan Female athlete of the year Varsity Volleyball player who has also competed in two Arctic Winter Games Hockey Championships and three National Golf championships. She is presently the reigning NWT'S Women’s Golf Champion. For the past 28 years, Colleen has coached athletes from K-12 in the

sports of Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Track and Field and Gymnastics. She was an Assistant Coach of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Volleyball team in 1989-1990 and has a level 2 NCCP coaching certifi cation in Indoor Volleyball.

PAUL SHEARME is the Canadian Men’s National Sitting Volleyball team assistant coach. This is a Paralympic sport with eyes on qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympics. A former University level volleyball player, Paul is the lead instructor of the Sir John’s Volleyball

Academy and Director of the Potential Volleyball Club. Paul is in-training to complete his level 3 NCCP coaching certifi cations in Indoor Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. Additionally, he has more than 7 years experience as a personal trainer. Paul has also coached Sir John’s Track & Field team (with a focus on sprinting and jumping) and basketball teams.

MARK KILBRIDE is in training as a NCCP Soccer Coach, is currently coaching the Boys and Girls Hockey teams at Sir John, plays hockey with the Weaver and Devore Marauders, Mountain biking enthusiast and coaches the Sir John Track and Field Team.

SHANNON FERREIRA is in training as an NCCP Track and Field Coach, a marathon runner, yoga enthusiast and Sir John's cross country running and track and fi eld head coach.

This program was inspired by the keen athletic enthusiast Evelyne Straker who continues to provide administrative and technical support. Our Administrators, Dean MacInnis and Al McDonald are instrumental to the program’s success as is Greg Skauge who is helping us create the Olympic Weight Lifting Center. Finally, our guidance team of Arnold

Krause, Pam Monkman, Doreen

Cleary and technical advisor Lindsay

Chiasson have all been key in helping us to provide our student athletes with this once in a lifetime experience.

How do I sign Up?High performance athletes, who compete in athletics beyond the high school experience and who missed the opportunity to register for the program at the beginning of the year, are encouraged to see their counselors to sign up for our second semester programs which are fi lling up quickly. We still have a few spaces available in our period 2 and 4 Sports School Programs.

Corporate SponsorshipsWe are pleased to be working closely with Yellowknife’s Gymnastic Club, Yellowknife Education District #1 and The Canadian Olympic Weightlifting Association. We look forward to forming new partnerships as our program continues to grow and train high performance athletes.

Falcon Sport s School of ExcellenceEcole Sir John Franklin High School is pleased to off er a one-of-a-kind opportunity for High Performance Athletes.

Soar...

Soar,HIGH PERFORMANCEATHLETES,

OCTOBER 2015

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

PAC meeting12pm - 1pm

NO SCHOOL

ThanksgivingNO SCHOOL

AssemblyVolleyball

TournamentFort Smith

NWT Cross CountryChampionshipsFort Providence

VolleyballTournamentFort Smith

NWT Cross CountryChampionshipsFort Providence

Board of Trustees Election

10am - 8pm

Parents!Don’t forget

to vote!

Report Cardssent home

Pizza Day

Pizza Day

Pizza Day

Pizza Day

Parent Teacher Interviews6pm - 9pm

Senior Spike It

online calendarOur web designers have added a new feature to our online school calendars where parents import the school calendar to their personal google (gmail) calendars by going to their schools online calendar and clicking on the "view on google" link below the calendar. From there, all you need to do is click on the +googlecalendar button at the bottom of the calendar.