Farewell

I once again wanted to extend my sincerest thanks to all of you for the wonderful semester. I can't believe our time together in class is at an end. I have loved and learned every minute working with you all. Your humour, creativity, insight and kindness has made each day a joy, truly. And I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to work with you again. Thank you for all of your hard work.

I wish each and every one of you fulfillment and wild peculiar joy as you set out on your next journey, your next bright, bright horizon.

p.s. remember back to your own Kindergarten years; see how far you've come!

Final Exams Fast Approaching: Tools and Supports to Help You

Your Final Exams are coming up and they are your responsibility.

English 12 Crossgrade Exam is in the library Wed. Jan 16th: 8:30am-11:45am

English 12 Provincial Exam (worth 40%) of your grade is on Monday. Jan 28th in the small gym

English 11 Final Exam: Wed. Jan. 23rd & Thurs. Jan. 24th

English 10 Provincial Exam: Tuesday Jan. 29th, 8:30am-11:30am in the small gym

It is required that you complete practice reads, writes, and use ALL the resources available to you to be expertly prepared for these important final evaluations.

1.) Complete at least one practice exam (including written) each week
2.) Use the answer keys and samples of excellence and failure
3.) Study your literary and poetic devices. Not just memorize the terms, but be able to identify and  analyze them
4.) Switch practice written pieces with friends and edit, revise. Compare your writing pieces to the samples and answer keys provided
5.) Go back through all of your work, all of the feedback, remedy your personal areas for improvement and bring those improved skills into your final evaluations.

Use the following links for practice and preparation:
* The Ultimate Exam Preparation Site: https://www.surreyschools.ca/StudentServices/ExamHelp/Pages/default.aspx

* Provincial Exam Writing Samples Minimal to Excellence: https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/exemplars/english12.htm

* English 12 Provincial Exam Site: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/search/searchResults.php

* Rasul Group: Great Multiple Choice and Written Practice and Help: http://rasullearning.ca/category/blog/exam-preparation/

* Question Bank: The Biggest Practice Provincial Bank of Questions and Written:
http://www.questionbank.ca/

* Poetic and Literary Devices Glossary: http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/glossary/

* Provincial Exam Flash Cards: http://quizlet.com/5165830/leamy-english-10-provincial-exam-terms-flash-cards/

Looking to the Future

Starting the second week of January counselors will be coming to your classes to help you select your classes for the future. It may seem early, but the decisions you make will greatly affect your experiences and opportunities next year and beyond.

Talk to your teachers, your counselors and your parents and seriously contemplate what you want to try next year, what you want to experience, practice and grow in.

See the Career Centre website for a host of opportunities you may not have considered, such as Co-op Programs and District Programs

To see all of the courses and programs available to you explore the L.A. Matheson Course Selection Guide: 

2012-2013 Grade 9 Course Selection Guide

2012-2013 Grade 10-12 Course Selection Guide

Thank You Matheson!

Today the Surrey Urban Mission received mountains of clothing donations thanks to your generosity Matheson! Your help will keep many men, women and children a little drier, a little warmer, and a little more comfortable and cared for this holiday season and beyond. On behalf of the Surrey Urban Mission and Ms. Bertrand's English 10 class, thank you.

Clothing Drive

Our English 10 class is organizing a clothing drive for our local Surrey Urban Mission.

This community organization offers support to neighbourhood kids, single moms, elderly and disabled residents, people who are homeless or vulnerably housed, and those battling addiction and mental illness.

Please send your spare clothing: shoes, socks, sweaters, pants, blankets, jackets, toques, gloves and scarves. House hold and children's items are also welcome. You can send all items to Ms. Bertrand's class as we gather all we can to help those struggling in our community. Thank you for your support

Humanities Co-op Team Building

The Humanities Co-op students came together for some fun and team building before breaking off to their own work experience placements. Check out the video on the link below, water balloons and eggs and blindfolds, Oh my!

Humanities Co-op Team Building Exercise

They are making Matheson proud all over the Lower Mainland working everywhere from animal rescue facilities to Community outreach programs, from Grade 1 classrooms to Surrey Crime Prevention Voluntary Policing.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

This Thursday October. 25th L.A. Matheson is hosting its first Parent-Teacher Conferences of the school year.

Where: Large Gym and Cafeteria

When: 2:15-5pm

Please join us for opportunities to discuss your child's progress, and what we can do to support their learning and assist in their achievement goals.

Students are encouraged to join their parents so that it is a true conversation with all involved.

For students the block order of the day is:

Period 4: 8:30 - 9:40 am

Period 3: 9:45 - 10:55 am

Lunch: 10:55 - 11:40 am

Period 2: 11:40 - 12:45 pm

Period 1: 12:50 - 1:55 pm

Parent-Teacher Conferences: 2:15 - 5pm

Looking forward to seeing you all there