MACC students were treated to a pleasant surprise the last two days before spring break: an afternoon of reading with hot chocolate on the side, and a wee bit of sugar and waffles after math.

When vacation mode kicked in with the students, it was clear that there was no way they could handle two straight days of work. It was then that the teachers dreamed up the perfect plan: how about a fun day?

The buzz of excitement began when the MACC teachers announced a ‘Reading Party’ in the library, hosted by our very own librarian, Ms Trieu. As everyone delved into their books, immersed in literature, Mr Buhler and Ms Moody generously prepared hot chocolate for the enthusiastic readers.

The subsequent morning, after a long and cumbersome math block, the delicious smell of waffle mix kindled the students, who returned to their work with renewed passion (mostly due to the no-waffles-before-math-is-done bribe, anyway).

As Mr Buhler’s waffle maker chirped and whistled, students eagerly lined up for their quarter of a waffle. They were evidently well prepared! Tables were lined with assortments of whipping creams, syrups, sauces, fruits, and a variety of other toppings.

Since it was Mr Buhler’s final day, everyone applauded and cheered enthusiastically as many  gifts and farewell cards were presented to him.’This has been the most wonderful two months of my life,’ Mr Buhler said to thunderous cheers.’Thank you so much.’

Among the gifts were baby products, a hint at the impending excitement of Mr Buhler’s first child. ‘This is awesome,’ he declared.

With all this excitement, MACC students are definitely ready to go for spring break.

On Friday, we celebrated our school wide novel “Every Soul A Star” by Wendy Mass.

1. We skyped with Wendy from New Jersey and had the chance to have some of our questions answered about her writing process, the characters, and how she started her career.  She showed us a roll of rejection letters and explained the persistence required to get a book published.

2. Two members from each community got to compete in a Battle of the Books style trivia contest.  Jennifer and Eunice represented Yellow Community and answered both of their questions correctly.  Well done!

3. Students attended a book talk by two excellent librarians.  The grade 8’s participated in book talks about Unusual Books with Ms. Trieu and the grade 6/7’s participated in book talks aboutGhost/Scary Storieswith Chris Miller from the Coquitlam Public Library. Evan said, “Chris told us this one story about a girl, who’s parents were antique collectors and they got an old bath tub and then when she turned the water on it filled with blood.  A couple of days later, she takes a bath again and she saw steam rising from the tub but when she touched it, it was ice cold.”

4. Several of the activities for the day where based one the Unusual activities featured in the Moon Shadow Campground in “Every Soul A Star”.  One of the activities in the campground is SETI –  a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) by analyzing radio telescope data.  We found extraterrestrial intelligence in ET and Wall-E.

5. Students had the opportunity to sign up for one of FOUR of the other Unusals .  Grade 8’s signed up for sundials and labyrinth walking.  Ms. McKay and Mr. Buhler (SFU student teachers) led the afternoon sessions on sundials and facilitated the construction of several sundials. Sundial Video Clip #1 Sundial Video Clip #2

Rev. Jan led a session on walking the labyrinth and gave some background and history about the labyrinth (cross culture and from different faith backgrounds).  She explained walking etiquette and then we had the chance to experience the labyrinth.

6. Students in grade 6/7 had the opportunity to sign up for the star garden and gold panning.  There was a portable planetarium in the multipurpose room and students were able to go in a get a tour of the night sky and some of the stars and planets in the autumn sky. “The planetarium was a big dome that showed the stars but then connected the dots so you could see the constellations like Leo.   It was really because the dome was around you and the sky was moving,” said Steven.

7. Gold panning with Yukon Dan was amazing.  Students had the chance to look at the minerals in the pans with magnifying glasses, play with Magnetite, and pan for gold. Leah said, “Gold panning with Yukon Dan was educational and entertaining at the same time.”

8.  In the novel, there are characters who practice tai chi and look like they are gracefully dancing.  All 110 students in Yellow Community, attempted to learn some of the basic forms of tai chi.  Lori and Rick (parks and rec instructors) came in a taught us some basic positions and movements.  They demonstrated that moving slowly gives us a much greater balance and stronger stance.

 9. After school the planetarium and labyrinth remained open for parents, siblings and students who didn’t participate in the session.  Many students and teachers took the opportunity to check out the labyrinth.  And many siblings and parents joined us in the planetarium. Walking the Labyrinth Video Clip Kylee said, “Walking the labyrinth was really calming and so quiet.”

10. A group of students from across the school spent the day in the Art House painting our summer window covers for the school (all windows are boarded for the summer).

Huge thanks to all the community groups and people who came in to share with the students.  And to our librarian, Ms. Trieu for organizing and coordinating a pretty cool day.