Hello Hillcrest MACC community

Hello Hillcrest MACC community!

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A few weeks ago I found out I will be teaching the Grade 8 MACC class this year. I am very grateful to be in this position as I love the creative options this program offers in curriculum and team teaching. Last year, I worked at Hillcrest as a member of Orange Team and taught Humanities 8.  I have taught in the Coquitlam School District at the Secondary and Middle School level for 8 years now. I also taught for one year at a BC School in Wenzhou, China. My teaching career actually started at 16 years old when I started my first job as a swimming lesson instructor and lifeguard for the City of Coquitlam.

In my personal life I have several passions: firstly, being a husband and father. My daughter, Gabriella, who is one and a half years old, is currently teaching me so much about learning. She is picking up new words every day. In fact we just went for her first ride on the Sky Choo Choo (Skytrain). My wife is due in March so this should be a big year; new job, and another new family member.

I also enjoy international travel. I have spent a lot of time backpacking to places such as India, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Ecuador and Peru. On weekends I try to spend my time on one of the many mountain ranges or inlets of this beautiful province. Finally, I also have a passion for fitness and you may see me slowly working my way up Thermal on my bike in the mornings; not quite at Mr. Utting speed though!

I am looking forward to working with Ms. Abbot and Ms. Ruhr this year. They are very strong teachers with lots of experience.  I use the slogan ‘Win the Day’ to encourage my students to make the most of every moment. I can’t wait to see how this will look and sound for my students this year.

See you in September,

Mr. Wiskar

Greetings, Hillcrest community!

Hi there,

Ms. Ruhr in Lisbon this past summer

Ms. Ruhr in Lisbon this past summer

My name is Michal Ruhr (aka ‘Ms. Ruhr’) and I am thrilled to be teaching one of Hillcrest Middle’s Grade 6/7 MACC class this year!

I am going into my 8th year of teaching and have taught in several schools, the last 3 years having been at Como Lake Middle. In 7 years, I have taught pretty much every subject and level from Kindergarten to Grade 8. I have worked with gifted students before but am excited to do so within a classroom setting!

When I am not working, I can usually be found spending time outdoors, hiking or doing some other sort of physical activity (but hiking – and snowshoeing, in the winter – are my favourites). 🙂

My other loves include: family & friends, photography, film, reading, chocolate, and traveling. I was born in Peru and moved to Canada when I was almost 6 years old, and the travel bug bit me then, I’m sure. I have been fortunate enough to explore parts of North & South America, Africa (only Kenya…so far), and Europe. I think it’s magical that there is so much to see and do in this world!

I look forward to meeting my new students & their families, as well as continuing to build upon the lovely community at Hillcrest Middle. And with Ms. Abbot and Mr. Wiskar – both of whom I have had the great privilege of knowing for the past few years – at my side, this is bound to be a terrific year!

Hope this message finds you all well,
Ms. Ruhr

The new MACC 8 teacher is…

Hi everyone,

I’m excited about joining you this year at Hillcrest! I’ll be teaching the MACC 8 class, as well as French for the MACC 6 and 7 classes. I imagine you are curious about who your teacher will be for the year so I thought I would tell you a little bit about myself.

The last few years I have taught at Gleneagle, Heritage Woods and Riverside. At those schools I have taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Math from grades 9 to 12 and French 9. Before I started teaching I worked as an Immunologist in a couple of biotech companies and in an academic research lab.

When I’m not teaching you can probably find me playing with one, two or three of my kids (all boys!), running or riding my bike, or cleaning up toys one or more of the boys left on the floor.

Looking forward to meeting you all. Enjoy the last couple of weeks of your summer vacation!

Mr. Utting

 

My boys and I this summer

My boys and I this summer

Saying Goodbye to Our Grade 8’s

It is with some saddness and as very proud teachers we celebrated the accomplishments of our grade 8s as the leave middle school for secondary school.  We have students going on to accelerated programs in Vancouver, some are going on to IB programs, some are going on to local gifted programs and local schools.  The grade 8’s will be dispersed at 5-6 different secondary schools.

This group of students is a special group of talented young individuals.  They are the first group of grade 6’s that walked into our classrooms three years ago.  Their parents trusted us to start their middle school journey in a new pilot program.  Not only have these students grown and matured, they have shaped and molded the way we teach and the way the MACC program runs.  We thank them for the gifts and talents they shared with us in our classes and look forward to hearing about their future adventures.

 

School Year Wrap Up – 3 additional Great Things to Talk About

Catching up on the last weeks of the school year.  Here are some highlights:

1. The 6/7 classes went swimming with Green Team

2. Then we went swimming with Yellow Team and had a BBQ….

 

3. The Odyssey of the Mind team held a final chocolate fundraiser to raise money to pay off some of their expenses from the trip to World Finals including shipping their props, travel and expenses for the team to attend the competition.

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Parenting Workshop in Coquitlam

STEPS with Effective Parenting (of children 11-17 years) 

STEP offers a down-to-earth and practical way to meet the challenges of raising teenagers today. It’s a group discussion program that paves the way to improved parent-teen relationships; more responsible teenage behaviour in home, school and community; and teenage self-esteem and self-reliance.

Place: Gleneagle Secondary School Time:  7p.m. – 9p.m.               

Dates: Thursday Oct. 18th, 25th, Nov. 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th,   2012 {This is a seven week program}                                                                     

Facilitated by: Marilyn Abram    Itinerant Youth Worker

To register: Phone:  604-230-1563         E-mail: mabram@sd43.bc.ca

Books may be purchased at the first class – cost $20. Register by October 15th, 1012 Register early as there are a limited amount spots available. Click here for the flyer –>Steps to Effective Parenting notice teen