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STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

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Boys and Girls Ages 3 and Up September to March Fully Accredited Coaching Staff

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Langley's Largest and Strongest Soccer Club Since 1926

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Real value in a changing world STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

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student

Success

v o lu m e 8 num b er 4 a utu m n 2 0 1 7

P.8

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New Beginnings

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Kenya - a cultural exchange

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more than $100,000 in support for students

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we love the tzu chi foundation summer’s cool

intense academics and extreme adventures

summer slide

say good-bye to the reading gap

proceeds shatter previous records

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the community rallies to protect its own

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pa-moja

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editorial

12th annual golf tournament langley rocks

accepting change

change is as good as a rest

butterfly effect

4 kenyan girls and their mentor coming to langley

upcoming events

the foundation has a full slate of activities

what’s hot this year in film

the latest in great movies

ode to frank roberto

the foundation welcomes its newest director

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from the editor

New Beginnings

in the world of education September is the onset of a new year

Autumn to many is a time of melancholy and nostalgia, but in the world of education, it is an optimistic time. The season of new beginnings and new plans, it marks the end of summer leisure and holds the possibility of fresh starts. It’s about looking forward and back,

Susan Cairns Editor & Designer 604-532-1464 [email protected]

appreciating the old and celebrating the new. In this edition of Student Success, we do exactly that as we reflect on the past and plan for the future. Read about PA-MOJA and the Kenyan students who are leaving not just their country, but their region and their community for the first time in their lives to travel 10,000 kilometres to Langley. Their stories are both heart-grabbing and mind boggling. And as we learn in this issue, golf tournaments, given their ambitions and expense, are massive in their planning and detail, but huge in their results – not only in funds raised but in escalating

Peggy O’Brien Advertising Consultant 604-994-1035 [email protected]

good will and awareness. Which brings us to the two prevailing issues that the Foundation is now concentrating on – feeding and caring for hungry and homeless students in our midst. Read about the strides the Foundation, in partnership with its community partners, has made in dealing with these two issues that, in fact should never exist in the Langley School District. Also discover that summer school is no longer an embarrassing ordeal imposed upon students who were supposed to learn all the stuff during the year, but for whatever reason failed to do so. Now, summer school is an adventure. It is a chance to, yes learn about Dickens, sub atomic particles and how to use lie and lay properly in a sentence, but also an opportunity to expand horizons and escape confining comfort zones.

Laura d’Alva Traffic Manager 604-534-7891 ext. 363 [email protected]

As for the future, the Foundation has exciting new plans and events on the horizon, including Shopping Night, Gift Wrapping, Film Festival, West Coast Art Show, Entrepreneurial Initiatives and lots of surprises and extras in store. As always, stay tuned and thank you for all that you do to make learning UNFORGETTABLE for every Langley student!

Paige Kidder Contributing Writer DW Poppy student

Publisher: The Langley School District Foundation Editor & Designer: Susan Cairns Contributors: Paige Kidder Shannon Booth Lenny Yun

Photographers: Raymond Brown Ryk Piche Advertising Consultants: Peggy O’Brien Printing: Langley Advance Traffic Manager: Laura d’Alva


Board of Directors: Susan Byrom Gord Stewart Michael Jackstien Linda Jensen Milt Kruger Peter Luongo Rod Ross Grace Stewart Rosemary Wallace Erin Easingwood

Executive Director: Susan Cairns Editorial: [email protected] 604-532-1464 Advertising: [email protected] Copyright 2017 Langley School District Foundation 4875-222nd Street, Langley, BC V3A 3Z7


7

PA-MOJA

a non-profit with a unique philosophy “Kenyans don’t want charity.” said James, as he stood before a group of Canadians. “If you want to give us anything, give us opportunity!” Profound words from a 17-year-old child from Nanyuki who was suddenly thrust as a spokesperson in front of a vast group of wazungu (Swahili for Caucasians) in a country 10,000 kilometres from his Kenyan village. But, in deference to James, let’s “unpack” what charity as opposed to opportunity means. In order to do justice to the argument, I will speak as a devil’s advocate and perhaps dispel some of the myths. Here goes. First: I’m going to suggest that the whole “give a man a fish thing” may not be all that it was cracked up to be. In fact, the premise has seemed a bit baffling. Let me explain why. WE give a MAN a rod and reel and we feel good. Problem solved! But I often wondered if anyone ever asked the man what he wanted. What if the man does not want to fish? What if no one in the village eats fish. What if the eco-system suffers because people are catching way too many fish that nobody wants to eat. What if the fish sit rotting on the beach? What if, as a result of the rotting fish, the people who provided the rods and reels go away, feeling thwarted? This extends to bright ideas to grow canola or tea or pineapples – whatever, but we’re deciding HOW he should be conducting his way of making a living. (Of course, this is after we’ve plundered his country of its resources and turned fertile, verdant lands into deserts, but of course that’s neither here nor there.) Then WE decide what WE should provide funding for. We introduce non-indigenous plants and the consequences are disastrous, wreaking havoc mainly on the poor – the ones that philanthropists usually like to support. Suddenly, due to deforestation, flash flooding occurs, silt pollutes the water, droughts scorch the land, food crops diminish 8 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

and it becomes abundantly clear that no one can live on canola or tea alone. That brings me to my second point. Perhaps instead of an organization or individual – Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, World Vision or that guy that owns Facebook, deciding on what gets funded and how, maybe the recipient should have some say in how the funds should be spent. There’s an argument to be made that a universal basic income might be right not only for people with little or no income, but for you, me and everyone else in the world. Cash donations are way more valuable than in-kind. A family starving in a Kenyan village has little use for hand-me-down computers that end up in land-fills and contribute to pollution. Container ship-loads of shoes and clothing only serve to put Kenyan shoe and clothing manufacturers out of business. According to the New York Times, many popular forms of aid have shown to work abysmally. Play-Pumps – merry go round contraptions that let children pump water from underground wells as they play– may have sounded like a brilliant idea to western philanthropists as they brainstormed in an air-conditioned boardroom– but it did little to improve access to clean water. Buy-a-cow or goat programs, percolating all over social media networks, have sadly saddled families with animals inappropriate to their environment and with no means to care for them. Skills training and microfinance programs, as one 2015 World Bank study found, have shown little impact on poverty or stability, especially relative to program costs. Huge amounts of money have been wasted on unnecessary stuff – stuff that ends up in land-fills or disposed as garbage along the side of the roads. School groups from western countries continue to arrive en masse, build a school in the middle of nowhere and leave. The experiences for the western students are profound.

Life-changing is the new cliché. The photos shown to friends and family are compelling. But not so much for their third-world counterparts. Follow-up or impact assessments if they were done, would show that students who in good faith came to build and contribute, took jobs from locals and in many cases, because of little consultation with communities, the buildings sit abandoned like a poached elephant, rotting in the sun. A clear majority of aid – 94% – is non-cash and this is probably because of donor resistance. It’s not easy to persuade American, Europeans, Japanese or Canadians to fork over their money to the extremely poor, for the poor to use as they see fit. “Anybody who has millions to give is certainly smarter than you or me,” said one well-educated and wellintentioned friend of mine. (I presumed that she felt the donors were also smarter than the recipients). “They should be able to support who they want and in any way they want.”

Top: Sanovar chatting with her neighbours where she lives in Nanyuki Bottom: Sanovar’s mother Pauline standing in front of her store


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On one side is a life of relative prosperity and opportunity; on the other is poverty, prostitution, childhood marriage and despair. Admittedly hard to argue with – it’s that whole give the man a fish thing. The philosophy prevails – welfare dependency only serves to perpetuate idleness and disincentiveness. But, much to our surprise and in some cases dismay, this is not the case. Cash transfers take the choice of what goal to pursue out of the hands of the donors and give it to the recipients. That is what ends welfare dependency. Evidence abounds that charities should be giving cash instead of fertilizer. One estimate generated by a large American charity recently calculated that the global poverty gap – meaning how much it would take to get everyone in the world above the poverty line was just $66 billion. That is considerably less than what North Americans spend on lottery tickets every year, and it is about half of what the world spends on foreign aid. So, when James talks about opportunity instead of charity, he’s talking about what he is entitled to as a member in good standing on this planet. The planet’s resources and riches do not belong to 1% of the population to disperse or not, as they see fit. Everyone has a say in the distribution, including a very intelligent, caring, empathetic, courageous, albeit poor Kenyan boy.

Cases in point Sanovar’s story is one that should be heard by all who want to contribute to any child in a third world country. Here’s her story: The students were all energetic, enthusiastic and engaging but one girl stood out. She was clearly the head of her class, the leader and spokesperson. She made me smile and I thought as we left the school – that girl will go far. The year was 2015 and I was travelling with PA-MOJA. As part of our agenda, we visited schools that the Langley School District had developed relationships with, either as a sister school or through the cultural exchange initiative known as the Butterfly Effect. The next day our group was walking through a dismal slum in the village of Nanyuki. Tin shacks crammed up 10 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

against each other and families lived in dark spaces with dirt floors, no furniture, no electricity and no fresh water. Raggedy children scampered about and vendors appeared on laden-down bicycles selling everything from ginger cookies to rolls of toilet paper. Suddenly a beautiful girl appeared out of nowhere and quickly ducked away. It was that girl at the school. “Wait – aren’t you supposed to be in school,” we cried as we ran after her down the narrow, dusty corridors of the desperately poor neigbourhood. “I was kicked out,” she said when we finally caught up with her. “I can’t pay the school fees.” We were clearly shocked. “How much are the fees,” we blubbered. It turned out that they were just $50 in Canadian currency. That is the thin line in Kenya – the crack. On one side is a life of relative prosperity and opportunity; on the other is poverty, prostitution, childhood marriage and despair. The beautiful girl with everything going for her lived in one of those dismal shacks. Her name is Sanovar and her mother is Pauline who we first met as she sat on a piece of splintered wood, the only stick of furniture in the tiny, dark space. She was making bits of porridge to sell at the market. PA-MOJA paid Sanovar’s school fees. The group then asked Pauline what they could do to help. Pauline asked for a loan of $300 to buy product to start up her own store. In 2017 we again travelled with the amazing PA-MOJA. “We have a surprise for you,” they said as we drove up to a funny little store in the midst of a familiar-looking neighbourhood. Pauline’s Store stood out as a beacon of hope along a dusty, dirty street. The raggedy children were still there, the tin shacks looked the same, but Sanovar and Pauline’s house now had some furniture and Sanovar, thanks to the proceeds from the store can now afford to go to university. “Do you need anything else,” we asked. “No”, said Sanovar and Pauline in unison.

We love the

Tzu Chi Foundation Since 2012 the Foundation has contributed more than $100,000 to support our students You know you’re having a good day when the Tzu Chi Foundation comes calling. They did just that five years ago when they arrived at the school board office on October 31, 2012. As it happened I was dressed as a wannabe pirate (easy Hallowe’en costume). Boots, tights, blousy shirt, vest, eyepatch, big wide belt with a long sword swashbuckled in and for some reason a crow perched on my shoulder. I was happy with my pirate attire and relieved that I could participate in the dreaded Hallowe’en costume ritual without having to go through the day dressed as an eggplant, the rear end of a donkey or some horrible facsimile of Donald Trump. But then I got a call, “There are some lovely people here to see you,” said the Godzilla dressed receptionist. “They are from the Tzu Chi Foundation and they look a little bewildered.” Tzu Chi, tzu chi, my tiny neuron was snapping like crazy – OMG. Finally realizing who they were and at the same time understanding that my office attire was less than professional, I began ripping off the elements of my wannabe pirate costume. Eyepatch gone, pirate hat and bandanna gone, dreadlocks gone. Okay, nothing I could do about the tights, boots, belt, blousy shirt and vest. I look a little ridiculous I thought as I walked into the meeting. But, I should say I felt a little better when the superintendent of schools walked in behind me. She looked equally uncomfortable in her boots, tights, blousy shirt – but she forgot to take off her dreadlocks. We sat across from five very professional looking men and women. Crisp, clean in dark suits and white shirts. They didn’t seem the least bit fazed so we quickly settled into the conversation and immediately forgot about our attire. Things were going well until my crow – yes that same stupid crow perched on my shoulder took a nose dive right into my blousy shirt. Without missing a beat, the

superintendent casually reached down and pulled the crow out and re-positioned him on my shoulder. The Tzu Chi Foundation continues to support the Langley School District Foundation donating more than $100,000 since 2012. Tzu Chi Supports Summer School Programs In 2017, we received funds to support two of the district’s summer programs. Designed to help vulnerable 12-14 year-old students make the transition from elementary or middle schools into the sometimes scary environs of secondary school, the programs combine academics with intense outdoor adventures. Students walk away from the 6-week program with never-before-felt confidence, new respect for themselves and others and determination to attend and do well in school. The programs would not be possible without the support from the Tzu Chi Foundation.

The Langley School District Foundation is holding a thank you ceremony on September 28 from 12:30 - to 2:00 at James Hill Elementary.


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In Langley since 1999

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Rosalee Roy Photography www.rosaleeroy.com

FOR MORE INFO Joyce Wright Registrar

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www.langleyukes.com/!/0ckets:/60463406UKES/(8537)/ STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

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Summer’s Cool There was a time not long ago when summer school was far from cool. Those days are long gone, now existing only in the archives of history. Here’s what’s happening now at Walnut Grove Secondary and HD Stafford Middle School. Photos by Ryk Piche

This page: Survivor HD Stafford students surfing at White Rock Beach Next page: Walnut Grove Gators working on the electronic mask competition; banana tattooing & T-shirt stenciling; at the Funny Farm; and fishing at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery. 14 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

Explore, discover, thrive, survive, learn and excel are the buzz words that define summer school programs in 2017 “ I just had the best summer

of my life and it is because of you guys and everything I learned this summer. Together, we competed in challenges and overcame obstacles. We went on cool trips all with C.P.R. (cooperation, participation and respect).” This quote was from Josh’s final speech before he claimed the title of The Extra Degree Survivor: Season 3 at HD Stafford’s Summer School Program. Developed three years ago, the Extra Degree is a summer outreach program designed to teach 12-14

year-olds how to thrive instead of just survive at school. Throughout the years the program has been crafted and tweaked to help students overcome many of the obstacles that can and do emerge and to encourage them to outwit, outlast and outplay by being courageous, having integrity, using creativity and developing respect for themselves and others. Teacher and instigator of the concept, Mindy Janzen described this year’s program with a theme based on the TV Survivor series as the best ever.

With a curriculum focussing on the 6 S’s of success (school survival, soaring, solving problems, stress management, skill development and seven habits of highly effective teens) the students participated in a vast variety of academic, athletic and adventurous activities. “It is our hope that students developed new skills and character traits that will serve them well in their up-coming school year and even into adulthood.” said Mindy.

continued on next page... STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

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And while the Summer Survival Program was going on full steam at HD Stafford, the Walnut Grove Gator Program was percolating throughout the district with dozens of students experiencing dozens of life-changing events. Developed and led by teachers, Tanya Kerr and Michelle Fiola, the more than 30 participating students did things like banana tattooing, t-shirt stencils, and electronics mask competition. (I think you had to be there). They visited the amazing Funny Farm, did Omada Team Building at Trinity Western University and went ice skating. They fished at Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery and hiked the Golden Ears. “The students were friendly, helpful to one another and willing to take some risks,” said Michelle and Tanya. “If our entire grade 8 population is anything like the group we got to know at summer school then WGSS is extremely fortunate.” Pic: Walnut Grove Gators daring to go outside their comfort zone during the Omada Team Building Exercise at Trinity Western University.


by Lynie Tener

Students eagerly choose their own books

Summer Slide

to take home to read over the summer

comes to a screeching halt

F

Providing books to children to cherish as their own and read over the summer

or children, the summer holiday means fun in the sun, from camping trips to water slides. For teachers, the summer means that some students’ reading skills will decrease: the dreaded “summer slide.”

The reality is summer reading can increase the reading gaps among children. This summer setback accumulates over time. Thus, children from families who may not have exposure, for whatever reason, to books, reading materials, and experiences, lose two to three months of reading performance over the summer holidays. By grade 12, this can result in a four-year reading gap. The effect on student achievement is enormous. Dr. Allington, former president of the International Literacy Association, says, “Just like hockey players lose some of their skills if they stay off their skates and off the ice for three months. What we know is that children who do not read in the summer lose two to three months of reading development while kids who do read tend to gain a month of reading proficiency…Every two or three

years the kids who don’t read in the summer fall a year behind the kids who do.” Statistics show that children do not read over the summer because they lack easy access to books. However, a threeyear study by Dr. Richard Allington and Anne McGillFranzen showed that providing these children with free, self-selected books for the summer significantly closed the gap. For the first time, Langley School District has partnered with the Langley School District Foundation and the Sunrise Rotary Club to pilot a three-year program. All grade four students in three inner-city schools received eight free books of their choosing to read over the summer. The books included fiction and non-fiction across a variety of genres. Self-selection increases the likelihood of students reading during the summer, so it was very important to give the children a wide variety

continued on next page... STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

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“

There is no substitute for books in the life of a — May Ellen Chase child.

“

of titles from which to choose. The children were so excited to participate in this initiative, eagerly making their choices and tucking them into bags supplied by the Fraser Valley Regional Library. As well, the Langley School District Foundation and School District has supported a similar initiative for children in seven elementary schools, but at the grade one level. The first two years of the pilot-project have been completed. Each of the students received eleven free books of their choosing for summer reading. For some of the children, these were the first books they ever owned. The results from the first year were promising and we hope the trend continues.

Strong reading skills are key to student success. Students who find joy in books expand their horizons in so many ways. As Garrison Keillor says, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

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Langley school district foundation

golf tournament raising funds to support hungry and homeless students

Fundraiser shatters

previous records

$200,000 raised to support school meal programs

I

t all came together, not like a perfect storm, but rather like a Goldilocks day. Not too hot and not too cold. Just right for the Langley School District Foundation to raise an unprecedented amount at their 12th Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament. Here’s what happened. The multitudes gathered to register. They bought tickets to participate in chipping and putting contests; to

buy mulligans (parlance for getting good scores); keys to open doors to win cruises to far off places; and chances to win coolers or crates filled with craft beer or vintage wines. The golfers made their way around Redwoods Golf Course enjoying smokies, frozen yogurts and sliders. They answered trivia questions and participated in Fantasy Golf. They shot a cannon sponsored by


Envision Financial and vied to win a basket of vintage wine courtesy of CHP Architects. They shot to get an ace to win money, cars and cruises. They then gathered to have a steak and salmon dinner provided by Freybe’s Gourmet Foods and to partake in the renowned Foundation Silent Auction featuring a huge array of au courant items offered at “holy cow” discount prices!

Amazing things happened throughout the day and during the dinner. Freybes in partnership with Canuel Caterers announced that they would be supporting the breakfast program at Langley Secondary School, feeding 120 students every day for two years. Starline Windows and Vitrim Glass Products donated $10,000 each to support our programs and the Township of Langley Firefighters Charity put in $7,000 towards the cause. At the same time Doug Ramsay of Freybes won the $10,000 cruise donated by the Foundation and Expedia Cruise Lines. He then re-donated the cruise back to the Foundation. It was then auctioned off. Mark Halvorson of Viaduct Sheet Metal purchased it. The transactions resulted in a double downing of funds flowing into the Foundation’s Food for Thought and Homelessness Initiatives. “It’s like this,” says Susan Cairns, executive director of the Langley School District Foundation. “When a kid with tattoos, metal and an attitude swaggers into your space

and quietly confesses that weekends and holidays are the scariest time for him or her, it’s time to slap your head and say Oh My God!” You suddenly realize, while looking at a flush-faced child, whose tears are slowing and reluctantly escaping from defiant eyes, that even Langley has kids who are poor and desperate. The youngsters hate to admit it and we tend to deny it. But it is the reality! When everything was said and done the 12th Annual Golf Tournament raised almost $200,000 with proceeds going to help support the Foundation’s Food for Thought Campaign and the Youth Homelessness Initiative. Thank you to the sponsors, golfers, contributors, committee members and volunteers who continue to make learning UNFORGETTABLE for every Langley student.

12th Annual

Golf Tournament Sponsors Breakfast Club of Canada

Lordco Autoparts

Township of Langley Firefighters Charity

Torque Branding

Freybe’s Gourmet Foods/Premium Brands

Magellan Law Group

Craven Huston Powers Architects

Facet Advisors

Envision Financial/First West Credit Union

Rocky Pointe Engineering

Super Save Group

Langley Times

On Line Collision

Langley Advance

Valley Traffic Systems

Kins Farm Market

HCMA Architects

Fraser Valley Vending

Unitech Construction

Canuel Caterers

Re/Max Treeland

Investors Group

Mercedes-Benz Langley

Original Joes

Expedia Cruise Ship Centres

Menchies

CSI Leasing

Jonker Honda STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

21

...once the people of

langley become aware of a need within their midst, they

I

t’s been said that we do not see things as they are, we see them as WE are. The quote, suggesting a universal lack of empathy, while indicative of many, does not ring true among the clear majority who live and work in the City and Township of Langley. Even though most Langleyites have never experienced hunger, homelessness or suffocating poverty, they have an uncanny ability to empathize with those who have. Once they become aware of a need within their midst, they immediately rally to provide help in any way they can. What is it about Langley that sets it apart from other towns? Is it its history and heritage? Is it a generational connectiveness to the land and community? Is it the unique juxtaposition of rural and urban; of small town and suburb; of inner city and vast farmland; of First Nations and refugees? Whatever it is – Langley is a symbiotic entity and one that, much like a mother bear, protects and nourishes her own. This culture of generosity and profound understanding flourishes throughout the neighbourhoods, schools (including students), churches, associations, businesses and corporations. I have travelled to many places throughout the world and lived in several towns and neighbourhoods and I have never seen anything quite like it. One thing I do know – Langley is relentless in its caring which makes my job as Executive Director of the Langley School District Foundation an absolute pleasure and joy to engage in every day. The 22 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

people of Langley definitely ROCK!! Thank you for all that you do. Hungry and Homeless Langley Students If ever there was a rallying cry it came when we realized that more than 3,000 of our 19,000 students were coming to school hungry every day and 170 were actually homeless. We were stunned by the numbers. When we started investigating we discovered abandoned and neglected children living in cold, dark basement suites. We saw homes where the cupboards were bare and the parents were desperate. We saw children who were kicked out and living on the streets. We heard about kids who dreaded weekends, summer holidays and most of all Christmas. School was safe; home wasn’t. When the people of Langley heard of such circumstances, they immediately took action. Now thanks to our community partners, the Foundation is able to support breakfast clubs in 20 schools, lunch programs in two schools, snack programs in 13 schools and backpack programs (Starfish and Weekend Fuel Bag) serving 100 families in 15 schools.

Langley Rocks The Foundation first became aware that students were coming to school hungry in 2014 when a principal

offer

help in any

way they can


23

Brookswood students

helping to fill backpacks

with food for kids to take home to their families.

phoned asking for help to feed her students. She said over 100 were coming to school without having had any breakfast and without a packed lunch. We then heard of another school and another and another. The numbers were staggering! We knew we had to help so we reached out to the community. Breakfast Clubs of Canada stepped in and provided funding to start up programs in six schools. They then expanded the program to nine schools. Starline Windows and Vitrum Glass Products were next, providing funding to support lunch programs at one secondary school for three years and they have just renewed their funding for another three years. The Township of Langley Firefighters Charity took on the buying and delivery of nutritious snacks to 13 schools. Recognizing that hunger does not stop on Friday, the Aldergrove, Central Langley and Sunrise Rotarys in partnership with the United Churches of Langley and the Shewan Foundation funded the purchase of backpacks filled with food for students to take home to their hungry families every Friday. Other breakfast programs started coming on stream at more and more schools with more and more donors making it possible. The Walnut Grove Business Association, Poppy Estates, Re/Max Treeland, Southridge Fellowship, Freybe’s Gourmet Foods, Canuel Caterers and others emerged out of nowhere with a desire to help.


One lone person, Lilianne Fuller, began a campaign to fund a lunch program at one of our inner city schools and three students¬Emma, Katrina and Brady started the Weekend Fuel Bag Program which is now sending bags of food home every Friday to 60 families. Thanks also goes to Silverman Mortgage and Robels Real Estate, A&A Automotive, IGA Foods, BUY-Low Foods and Save-On Foods. And finally, a huge shout-out to the Langley leadership students led by teachers Lara Petrie and Lenny Yun who took on Youth Homelessness. Realizing that the homeless kids were their friends and peers, the students developed an awareness strategy that was the envy of many social service agencies. They gave presentations to municipal and provincial governments and associations. They invited the media and were thoroughly prepared for their questions. They were everywhere – spreading the word and demanding action. Suddenly youth homelessness could no longer be ignored. In just eight months the issue went from “Yeah, we’ll get to it someday” to “This is an emergency!” Now, the resource, offering counselling and medical services, an activity centre, meals and five beds is under construction, scheduled for completion in November 2017. Thank you to Langley associations, businesses, individuals, churches, teachers AND students.


25

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The British Columbia

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Mental Health Conference TOPICS INCLUDE: • Oppositional Defiant Disorder • Anxiety • Self Regulation • Eating Disorders • Emotional Disorders

• LGBT 101 • High Functioning Autism • Yoga & Mindfulness • Reading & Writing Disorders

NOVEMBER 20–22, 2017

3 Days | Monday–Wednesday | 8:30am – 4:00 pm

LANGLEY, BC

Coast Hotel Langley City | 20393 Fraser Highway

CHILD AND YOUTH FOCUSED MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS

WORKING WITH HARD -TO-ENGAGE CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS I Don’t Want to Talk About It Vancouver | October 26, 2017

THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY OF READING & WRITTEN LANGUAGE DISORDERS Victoria | November 21, 2017

EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS Vancouver | October 27, 2017 LIANA LOWENSTEIN, msw, rsw 26 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

STEVEN G. FEIFER, d . ed , absnp

Fall & Spring Gymnastics Programs at

FLIP CITY

We offer:

in Walnut Grove Teaching Kids Since 1998

• GYMNASTICS for all ages and abilities • Trampoline and Tumbling Classes • Interclub and Pre-Competitive • Parent and Tot • Field Trips • Home School • Camps • Kids & Adults/Teen Drop In • Birthday Parties • Hybrid Movement #4 – 20279 97 Avenue, Langley, BC

604-888-3366 Want to join our amazing team of coaches! email: [email protected]

Register online www.flipcitygym.com

FUN • FITNESS • FUNDAMENTALS • FUN • FITNESS

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Dr. Aly Kanani & Associates Certified Specialists in Orthodontics

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE AN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTATION TO REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS

604.533.6696 LANGLEYORTHODONTICS.COM

SUITE 201-19978 72ND AVENUE | LANGLEY, B.C. V2Y 1R7 STUDENT SUCCESS autumn edition 2017

27

Musings of a teenager by paige kidder

Accepting Change One of the most intelligent choices you can make Change is powerful. The dictionary simply defines it as an act to “make or become different”, but, I would argue that it is so much more than that. Change is not something you can fit into a box or definition because it’s different every time and can engender so many different emotions, thoughts and feelings for people and instances. It can bring about good things and bad things, sometimes both at once. One of the most common things I hear others claim about change is that it’s scary. Well, guess what? They are absolutely right. Change can be


scary because it’s unpredictable, and unless you can see into the future, more often than not it’s impossible to correctly estimate what it may bring. However, change is important in human growth. Our world doesn’t run on sameness. Everything changes and that’s what we need to maintain a steady flow of change to learn, grow and understand. You never stop learning. Life is one giant lesson that can only be taught through advancements and discoveries. In the span of a year, you can learn so much about yourself and who you are

Change your thoughts and you change the world through change, and that’s exactly what I did. So here is how I learned to accept change, and how it shaped me into who I am today. If you told me two years ago that my view of life and aspirations were all going to change, I’d probably have just sighed and rolled my eyes at the thought. How much could one’s life possibly change when every day is the same? You wake up at the same time, go to the same school, get back to the same house and sleep in the same room. How could things possibly change? Well, I actually used to very much frown upon the thought of change because of a fear of the unknown. In my opinion that is not the way to live. With every chance I get to talk about how different everything is now I always make sure to add in the statement “be bold”. I now live to take chances and accept change and adapt to upcoming things. I live to make a statement. I live to inspire and to be inspired. I live excited for change. It’s funny how one simple turn of events can change your life. After I decided to go to Encounters with Canada and meet students from all over Canada, my personality changed. I came back from the trip more friendly, more outgoing and more passionate about life. Throughout the year I’ve continued to take chances and stand out. I write articles and find it easy to talk to people. My opinion changed on general life as well. I now appreciate every single thing, person and event that is or has been in my life. Of course, not every bit of change that I’ve gone through has been easy. Like everything in life there’s ups and downs. You have to work hard and fight for who you are. This year has been a roller coaster with a plethora of turns. And every turn represents change. Since all of this has occurred, I’m the Paige Kidder my friends and family know today. Allowing change to happen is an incredible act of wisdom, intelligence and bravery. In

order to live life to its maximum, you’re going to have to go through all kinds of change. It’s all worth it, because it shapes you into who you really are and helps you learn valuable lessons that are important for the development of your responsibility and character. Progress is impossible without change, and the best secret to life is to stop focusing on the old, and start building on the new. Change doesn’t have to be big, in fact little changes happen every day. The day changes, your clothes change, and you change your mind. You change classes and subjects at school, or you might even change schools. To improve you change things. Maybe you want to improve your room so you change the colour. Maybe you want to improve your grade so you change the amount of time you spend on homework. Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that make the most impact in the long run. So, whoever you are and whatever your lifestyle is like, I urge you to not be afraid of change. Take chances and change what you want. In this life nothing is permanent. Change your hair, change your style, change your views and change your mind. Don’t make the mistake of fearing the unknown, because to change is to grow, to grow is to improve, to improve is to learn, and learning is what life is all about, and life itself is incredibly beautiful and unique for each individual. Change often and live boldly to inspire your world.

Paige Kidder is a grade 11 student at DW Poppy Secondary School and an aspring journalist. Student Success welcomes articles from students for potential inclusion in the magazine.


29

REGISTER NOW FOR CLASSES Dance that inspires personal growth, achievement, confidence and friendships. COME JOIN OUR FUN HIGH ENERGY CLASSES FOR ALL LEVELS AND AGES

If your child is working too hard in school, we can help. Call today.

• Qualified & Experienced Instruction

E-201, 20159 88th Ave, Langley, BC 604-455-0477 www.visiontraining.ca

• Performance Opportunities

For Information & Schedule:

[email protected] www.celtichighlanddance.com

Developmental Eye Care, Vision Training, Visual Processing Assessments, Handwriting & Sensory Processing Training

778-865-8676

PRESCHOOL, DAYCARE & OUT OF SCHOOL CARE Operating out of Topham and West Langley Elementary Schools

Dr. Darren Sass • Dr. Oliver Chong Mina Lee Thomas, OT

FUN FITNESS GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS FOR ALL AGES & LEVELS Classes / Drop In / Camps / Birthdays / Teen & Adult / Tumble Kids Preschool / Parent & Tot / Competitive / Interclub

REGISTER NOW Preschool Classes Ages 2.5-4 Don’t wait until they are 4; join early to open the door... to early learning!!

www.kidsinthegrove.com

604-619-0267 30 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

in the Langley Events Centre at 7888 200th st LangleyGymnastics.ca 604-455-8845 [email protected]

Butterfly Effect FOUR KENYAN GIRLS AND THEIR MATRON COMING TO LANGLEY IN NOVEMBER, 2017

T

heir stories are heart-grabbing and mind-boggling. They talk of poverty, abandonment, abuse and sickness. They speak matter-of-factly in voices barely above a whisper. But their stories are not of despair. Instead they resonate with hope, resilience and a powerful desire for an education. Meet Agnus, Jackline, Nasibu, Trizah and their matron and mentor, Judy. Thanks to PA-MOJA and the Langley School District, they are coming to Langley in November, 2017. This represents a huge opportunity for global exchange both for Kenyans and Canadians. PA-MOJA creates sister school relationships with schools in Kenya in order to give students in Kenya and North America the opportunity to interact with one another’s cultures. PA-MOJA breaks down stereotypes by engaging in regular skype calls, providing online learning communities (See PA-MOJAButterfly.com) and taking part in organic exchanges such as letter writing, art projects and hand-crafted gift exchanges.

In 2015, six Langley students visited Kenya and in 2016, seven Kenyan students flew to Canada. This gave Kenyan and Canadian students the unique opportunity to engage one on one with other cultures and develop leadership skills. In November, 2017, PA-MOJA will be welcoming our first Kenyan girls who will enroll at Langley Fine Arts School for two months. Up until just a couple of years ago, the girls had never heard of such a place as Canada. They spent their school days learning, by rote, numbers and letters. The curriculum had no room for critical thinking, creativity or collaboration. It wasn’t unitl the Butterfly Effect was introduced and PA-MOJA made possible the purchase of computers, that the girls were exposed to a whole new world beyond their tiny village. Now, thanks to their hard work and dedication to learning and expanding their horizons, they will see Canada, learn about a culture much different from their own and take home a cache of knowledge to spread among their peers.


31

LANGLEY OLYMPIANS

SWIM CLUB 2017-2018 REGISTRATION 2 WEEKS

FREE For New Members only (Limitations apply)

“In Pursuit of personal Excellence and Olympian Fitness”

PROGRAMS OFFERED AT Walnut Grove Community Centre & W.C. Blair Recreation Centre • Fun, ﬁtness & make new friends • NCCP certiﬁed coaches • After school / evening programs • Adult programs offered

• Once a week or more • Children age 6-18 years • Ongoing registration available

604-532-5257 • www.langleyolympians.com

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Play Drums! Robertson Drum School

Register Now! All school ages and adult beginners welcome!

Call 604-916-0558 Available for clinics and workshops Facebook/Robertson-Drum-School www.drumschool-langley.com

VOLUNTEER FOR THE ADVENTURE

You can help keep Langley beautiful.

Fun isn’t just for the youth! Volunteering with Scouts Canada is fun and rewarding because volunteers go on the adventures too.

If you would like to be a youth mentor, facilitate programs and adventures, plan events, or be part of the administrative team, contact Viki Fanous at [email protected] or 604-220-8381

Adopt a street, park, creek, or trail in your neighbourhood today. Call 604.532.7300 or visit tol.ca/adopt to learn more.


33

upcoming events

It’s the beginning of a new year and the Foundation has dozens of events planned for 2017 and 2018

Tzu Chi Foundation Thank You Ceremony September 28 at 12:30 James Hill Gym

Every Shade of Blue

For every pair of jeans you take into the Willowbrook Shopping Centre the Langley School District Foundation receives $1.00 for our Food for Thought Campaign August 30 to October 8


Pre-Christmas Shopping Night Tuesday, November 14 Willowbrook Shopping Centre

Foundation Gift Wrapping Centre December 6 – December 24 Willowbrook Shopping Centre

Langley International Film Festival February 9, 10, 11 Chief Sepass Theatre

West Coast Art Show

March 11, 12 & 13 Yorkson Creek Middle School

13th Annual Grand Prix Gala Thunderbird Showpark TBA

13th Annual Golf Tournament Wednesday, August 29, 2018 Redwoods Golf Course

VOTED BEST DANCE SCHOOL 2015-16-17 Enroll Now online for RAD, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theature, Acro, Tap, Hip Hop EXCLUSIVE NEW exciting program features ballet, tap & jazz training for 2 to 5 years!

You can help keep Langley beautiful.

NEW STATE OF THE ART facility at 20215 62 Avenue www.camerondanceacademy.com

PACIFIC COAST AFTER SCHOOL TAEKWONDO & HAPKIDO

Fun • Safe • Effective ~ Serving Langley Since 1988

Adopt a street, park, creek, or trail in your neighbourhood today.

Transported After School Martial Arts

Picking Up: • Walnut Grove • Willoughby • Murrayville • Central & South Langley

Call 604.532.7300 or visit tol.ca/adopt to learn more.

Now In Willoughby!

Try Us Out For FREE!

Evening Classes For Adults, Teens, Children

Master Witt - 8th Dan Black Belt, President

Intro Special $25.00 $40 1 month, free T-shirt & DVD

#803 - 20381 - 62nd Avenue

604-533-7855 • www.taekwondo.bc.ca • 604-818-7859


35

Their Finest

The Commune

UK / Sweden

Denmark / Sweden Netherlands

September 13

th

th

September 27

An Inconvenient Sequel USA October 11

I, Daniel Blake

th

UK / France / Belgium October 25

th

Loving Vincent UK / Poland November 1

Marguerite France / Czech Rep. November 15

th

st

All movies are screened at Colossus Theatre located at 20090 91A Avenue, Langley. (near 200th St. and 88th Ave.) Tickets available at the door: $10 Contact us: www.shotinthedark.com Shot in the Dark – Langley Film Nights is a not for profit organization and a member of Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group. We are dedicated to showing independent, Canadian and foreign language films in the Langley community. We have been doing this since 1999. As one of the original five groups who got started that year with the Film Circuit, we now have a membership of over 180 communities dedicated to this same goal, across Canada.



37

Director Profile

An Ode to Frank Roberto

The Clansman of field are fearsome you see

He teaches and reaches the kids in his school

Their tales are of brave derrin do

To ensure they get all they deserve.

But the worst of the best, he explodes from the rest.

So as a teacher he’s grand as a coach a firebrand

His number a big twenty-two!!

As a golfer he stands quite apart

The heroes were plenty and well known to their fame in the troops that were led by one coach And the bravest of all, Frank Roberto his name A man who’s beyond all reproach. As full back he fought and tackled and caught He thrust, he side-stepped and cussed Roberto was fine as he crossed oer the line While the away team gasped with disgust. But a splat in the fray one sunny fall day Made ripples that spread far and wide The crowd was alert, Roberto was hurt It was the day that his dreams nearly died. Football was out now a career he did need,

He smashes the ball and swears to Saint Paul And he’s gone in a flash with a wave and a dash He rides off in his speedy golf cart. Now I’ve known Frank for a decade plus two And I know him to be a great bloke With a phalanx of friends on whom he depends He was born to be a star among folk. He’s a husband to Sandra. And a father of two Rachelle is his daughter. And his son is Matthew His heart is as huge as a pumpkin, I swear He’s a friend to the end and hugs like a bear. He’s gentle and kind and really does care For kids and his staff and all he makes laugh Frank will be missed, but please don’t despair.

So he turned to re-education With his grit and his wit, you have to admit

He’ll be around on the Foundation’s ground

That teaching was a fit avocation.

He’s now our newest director.

So he moves through the schools with a glorious grace and ensures that all is sublime When a child explodes or a teacher implodes Frank is there to make peace every time. Each day this bold giant gives all that he has and musters his endless reserve 38 LANGLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

In his new role he’ll continue to thrive He’ll watch out for us with his usual drive As a collector and student protector. So Frank with all your quirks and all your charms We welcome you with open arms.


39

! n o i t c a o t n i Fa l l 8 ter 2017/1 Fall • Win arch M r e b Septem

Leisure Guide volved |

e | Stay In Stay Activ

lthy

Stay Hea

Register now for fall programs!

View the Fall • Winter 2017/18 Leisure Guide online at tol.ca/guides or pick up a copy at any community, cultural, or recreation centre.

tol.ca/guides Closed for Fall Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre 26770 - 29 Avenue 604.533.6144

George Preston Recreation Centre 20699 - 42 Avenue 604.530.1323

Langley Centennial Museum 9135 King Street 604.532.3536


W.C. Blair Recreation Centre 22200 Fraser Highway 604.533.6170

Walnut Grove Community Centre 8889 Walnut Grove Drive 604.882.0408

Willoughby Community Centre 7888 - 200 Street 604.455.8821

Willowbrook Recreation Centre 20338 - 65 Avenue 604.532.3500