This week is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. It’s an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about their intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In other words, it’s a week to fight censorship. Come by the library to see our display which features many books that have been banned in Canada or the United States over the past 50+ years.

Or check out this list of books that have been challenged (someone has tried to ban them) either in a library or at a school. Many of the books on this list are now considered classics, like Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird. How many have you read?

Interested in learning more? Come to the library this week and check out a banned book. Or visit the freedom to read website.

Grade 8s & 9s – BC Lions, Lions Pride – Large gym
Grade 10s – Sleep Hygiene with Mr. Bermann – Drama studio

Our Semester 2 Parent-Teacher Conference is on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Interview times are available from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The online booking system can be accessed at http://alpha.schoolappointments.com. Please note that you will not be able to start booking appointments until Monday, February 24 at 9:00 a.m. The system will remain open for booking appointments until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020. Please click here for instructions on how to use the online database.

If you are unable to book an appointment during this time, please contact the teacher directly to make alternate arrangements. Teachers can be reached through email, using the format firstname.lastname@burnabyschools.ca. You can also use the MyEducation database to send an email to those teachers. For instructions on how to use this feature, please click the “Family Portal Instructions” link under the “Quick Links” section of our school website. You can find out who your child’s teachers are by logging into your MyEducation account or by asking your child.

You may contact Jacqueline Duff at 604-296-6865 (extension 601006) or at jacqueline.duff@burnabyschools.ca if you are experiencing any difficulties booking appointments on-line.
Please note that to accommodate these interviews, we will have an early dismissal on March 12th and 13th. You can view the bell schedules here.

Gr 8s & 9s – Jack Talks, Mental Health – Large gym

Gr 10s – Crimestoppers, Drugs, alcohol, gang involvement – Drama studio

Can’t find the email?  Here is the link to the PowerPoint for Flextime Feb.13th.

https://sd41-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/e14810_burnabyschools_ca/EfOua0_bvUxKlsCTckQ65koBMWNUVBl12eM4SWecSHPYxw?e=3azwUb

And the link to the lesson plan

https://sd41-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/e14810_burnabyschools_ca/ETnU-LfUSdBGmqrChZ4GXXYBjAhsWEG6ca8RR64U6r2z0Q?e=JbLRx3

Grade 10 and 12 students will participate in the BC Ministry of Education’s Student Learning Surveys, which will be administered this month. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the survey. Please click here for further information.

Grade 8s – Course Selection with Mr. Bermann – Small gym
Grade 9s & 10s – Drug Addictions, Consequences & Choices – Large gym

Alpha won “Top School” for debate at the Regional competition last weekend!

• Top Novice Team (David Dorland and Elliot Schmechel)
• Top Novice Speaker is David Dorland (G8)
• Top Junior Team (Zayn Bhimani and Nica Fleming)
• Top Senior Speaker is Catherine Wang (G12)

Novice:

1st Team – David Dorland and Elliott Schmechel (Advancing to provincials)

3rd Team – Paria Khakban and Cameron Bertrand (Advancing to provincials)

5th Team – Ziya Merchant and Riana Bhimani

• 1st Speaker – David Dorland
• 3rd Speaker – Paria Khakban
• 4th Speaker – Elliott Schmechel
• 6th Speaker – Cameron Bertrand
• 8th Speaker – Ziya Merchant
• 10th Speaker – Riana Bhimani

Junior:

1st Team – Zayn Bhimani and Nica Fleming (Advancing to provincials)

3rd Team – Lilah Williamson and Isaac Trenton (Advancing to provincials)

6th Team – Vijay Tupper and Cam McConnell (Advancing to provincials)

• 3rd Speaker – Lilah Williamson
• 4th Speaker – Zayn Bhimani
• 5th Speaker – Isaac Trenton
• 6th Speaker – Vijay Tupper

Senior: 

3rd Team – Catherine Wang and Maja Grandinetti (Advancing to provincials)

6th Team – Lachlan Holbrook and Adam Shivji

• 1st Speaker – Catherine Wang

Congratulations, Debate Team! You make Alpha proud!