The year is off to a great start with the normal first-term buzz of co-curricular activities. The sports teams are practising and competing, the musical instruments are in fine tune, and the choreographers and models are already planning our spring fashion show. As events unfold, the yearbook staff take notes and pictures!
Courtyard Clean-up
Our Environmental Club, with the help of boys on the Junior Football team worked diligently one Saturday morning in our courtyard and cleared the "jungle".
Commencement 2002
Commencement was fun as we welcomed back 222 graduates and their parents. It is most rewarding for us to hear of our grads' successes. So many grads spoke informally to their Richview teachers to express how well our school had done in preparing them for their university courses. The high expectations and demands we put on them are all worth it, they said!
Main Floor and Office Painting/Upgrades
Last spring the Design and Construction department of the TDSB offered to paint the main floor of Richview using money generated by what the Board calls a L.E.E.P. grant (Learning Environment Enhancement Program). Under government and Board funding, money is "enveloped". This means that it is not possible to use L.E.E.P funds or Site Improvement Funds for items such as student textbooks or computers. We chose to accept the funding for its designated use rather than see it spent at another school.
The electrical wiring in the main office had become dangerous, giving shocks to staff, and causing accidents as people tripped over the old wires that had been strung across the floor in conduits many years ago. The desks were crumbling as well, and we were shoring them up with stacks of books. Under the Board's designated "Site Improvement Funding", the office was made safer.
Unfortunately, the Board was not able to schedule all of their work in the schools for the summer months, and so staff and students at Richview suffered from the paint fumes. We apologize for any discomfort that your sons/daughters may have experienced as a result.
Test Results
We are extremely pleased with Richview's standing in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test written by our grade ten students last February. Of all the students who wrote the test at our school, 96% passed. This places us at the top in our school board and in the province. We anticipate similar results on this year's test.
Gala Fundraiser
Enclosed is a summary of the items that were purchased with the $19,000 raised by last year's School Council through the Gala and silent auction held at the Weston Golf and Country Club in February. We tried to spread the funds around so that many curricular and co-curricular areas would benefit from the parents' generosity.
This year's Fundraising Committee has some new and exciting plans for fundraising. You can speak to the members at our Parent Interview evening on December 5.
| Purchases from Gala Fundraising |
Science - Electronic Balance
Ticker Timer Machine | $ 856.75
$1,645.44 |
| Student Leadership - Harnesses | $ 1,723.28 |
| Student Presentations Digital Projector | $4,217.05 |
| Physical Education - Tumbling Mats | $ 953.81 |
Music-Band
2 Clarinets, 1 Trombone | $2,386.25 |
| Music-Strings | $2,248.25 |
Track & Field - Singlets
Javelins, discus, shotputs, etc. | $1,449.00
$ 818.43 |
| Mathematics - Graphic Calculator | $ 143.70 |
| Technology-Photography | $2,395.14 |
| Drama | $ 604.86 |
| Total: | $19,441.96 |
Richview School Council
Please click the following link to view an IMPORTANT fundraiser letter - WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
SUPPORT
Guidance
Students are well into the process of finalizing their choices for post-secondary education. This year Richview Collegiate students will be applying to Ontario universities on-line and each student will receive their PIN number the week of November 25. We are asking that students submit their applications by the end of December although the application deadline is January 15, 2003. Community College applications will also be done on-line. Grade 12 students are reminded that the completion of 40 volunteer hours is a requirement for the Ontario Secondary Diploma. The deadline for submitting documentation of these hours is May 30, 2003.
Ms. L. Turner
Music Department
This is another exciting year at Richview for the music department. We have had a great start to the year with many ensembles rehearsing and preparing in the early morning and lunch hours for our upcoming concerts. Holiday Opus will be Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 7:30 pm in the auditorium. Symphonia will be Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 pm. There are many positive things happening in our program. This year, Mrs. O'Brien has started a Marching Band. This group has had much success with their performances at the football games and they are looking forward to their upcoming performance at the Mississauga Santa Clause Parade on December 1 st. A week ago, the students had the opportunity to participate in a very valuable workshop with a professional who taught them technique and performance for Marching Band. Furthermore, this year our students will be participating in the following festivals and competitions.
Kiwanis Music Festival - February 2003
High Notes Music Festival - June 2003
Toronto International Music Festival - April 2003
Please feel free to come out and watch our students perform at these festivals! Next year our music students hope to embark on another music trip. To assist the students with this trip financially, we would like to start some fund-raising initiatives. One thing we would like to start is a Parent - Music Council to assist with fund-raising for the trip and the music department. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Kayfetz in the music department at 416-394-7980 eA 20100. We thank you for all of your continued support and look forward to seeing you in December at Holiday Opus. Happy Holidays! -Mrs. J. Kayfetz
Urban Voices
The fourth annual publication of original poetry in English and French by elementary and secondary students in the TDSB is beginning its selection process. We invite all students to submit their creations to Mr. Retter or their English teacher as soon as possible. Each poem must be legibly printed or handwritten or typed in 12 point font. Each poem must have a title. Black and white illustrations are also welcome, one of which may be selected as the cover design. Entries should be given to your English teacher by January 1 O'h , 2003. -Mr. C. Retter
Out to Launch!
The Grade 12/OAC Physics students were assigned their first major project last month. Their mission was to design and build a launcher capable of launching an aluminium foil ball to a target that was a certain distance away. This posed a huge challenge ... not only did they have to build an entire launcher from scratch, but they also had to calibrate it accurately because they were not given the actual target distance until the day of the contest! After hours of hard work and some failed attempts, the students succeeded in bringing their best launchers for contest day. They were truly impressive indeed. From ballistas to trebuchets to the most complex of designs, all of the launchers were definitely something to be proud of. A big congratulations goes out to all the students for their outstanding efforts and a special mention to the winning team of Jeremy Green, Patrick Dyke and Robert Pauksens for only missing the target by a mere 5 cm. Way to go, guys! Next up, watch for us as we start building some roller coasters! -Ms. P. Duong
Girls' Hockey
Richview's Girls' Hockey Team experienced tremendous success last year winning the City of Toronto Championship over Birchmount Park and going on to OFSAA competition in Peterborough as the city's only representative. As a result, expectations will be high for this year's squad and despite the graduation of four of the best girls' hockey players R.C.I. has seen, this year's team looks very capable of succeeding in what is clearly Toronto's toughest division. We would like to welcome our newest players Margaret Batten, Marlena Mancini, Anna Maxymiw, Julia Smith, Kelly Townshend, and Dunya Zia and also to welcome the return of coaches Tony Klemencic and Jim Wilkes. Mr. T. Dingwall
Swim Team
The swim season has begun and the Richview Saints are off to a fantastic start. The team went to its first meet at the McMaster Invitational and put forth a tremendous effort, walking away with outstanding results! Each of the team's 36 swimmers consistently demonstrates the kind of enthusiasm and spirit that lies at the heart of Richview's values. A positive attitude and a willingness to attend 7 am practices each week are the only criteria necessary to become a member of the Richview Swim Team. With two upcoming swim meets before the holidays, the team is looking forward to bringing home more good results of which Richview can be proud. -Ms. C. Waller
Cheerleading
For the first time in many years, Richview has a cheerleading team. The squad is made up of a talented group of students who both tumble and dance, in grades nine to OAC. This year has already been a success for the team as they have cheered at many football games for their season. In the upcoming months, our team looks forward to possibly doing a segment on Much Music, cheering at more sports activities and participating in some competitions. In the month of April, the students may participate in a Toronto District Competition. Furthermore, in the month of May, the team looks forward to competing with other teams from across Ontario at Canada's Wonderland. Keep your eyes open for us at upcoming games and events in the near future. -Mrs. J. Kayfetz