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Don Lanslcoil
MESSAGE FROM THE MA YOR
This may be the pre-Christmas season to most people, but to municipal staff and council it is the time the 1988 provisional budget is worked out. When passed by councn in early December it goes to rote-payer groups, Chamber of Commerce and business interests for scrutiny and comments.
It will be available to the public for scrutiny in the reference deportment of the Memorial Library. following input and any changes~ the budget is ready for council approval in April.
Please note: council has approved a tax payment instalment plan that allows taxpayers to go on a pre-authorized cheque system, similar to payment of B.C. Hydro fees~ beginning in August 1988. Details are on page 2 of this issue. 1988 BUDGET
The 1988 budget for services will be guided by inflationary changes. Additional consideration will be given to several items such 0~ enumeration~ rood sweecing~ sewer
~;;~:~~~:~e·c:n7ri:.cs ~ob~~re::,~r~;;~ program, coordinator for arts and special events, expanded library services, funding for an expanded local improvement program.
Top priority .. one-time items in the prov-isional budget include:
• Ambleside landing - our new nome fort he Foot of 14th Street- work has already started on the $820,000 project. This hopefully will prevent future sand ero-sion on the beach.
A walking pier for recreational use will go on the westerly groyne; a tile-paved plaza will front the pier; there will be im-provements to Ambleside park as well.
This is the initial step in our major Ambleside-by-the-Seo park project. Future years will see the north/south streets land-
~f~he!'~:ai~:::~~~~~~~:~~h;i:~:21~h to Ambleside pork, extension of John lawson park and people plazas at the foot of 15th a nd 16th streets.
We will apply to the West Vancouver Foundation foro recent $200,000 bequest
Continued on page 3
WEST VANCOUVER E P ~ R T i
In This Issue MUNICIPAL
Mayor's Message - 1988 budget • revitalization • request for boat-la, :-rching ramp at Fisheries
Research station • future planning • library expansion • tax instalments
• Dundaraue park expansion Community business - details of tax instalment payments • review of new seniors' accommodations
• lane paving rules • Memorial Library news • housing policy • racoons • youth party study •
unsung heroes in our 75 years of history
WEST VANCOU ER SCHOOL
Chairman's Message - review of restraint • students' record • change in teacher-labour
legislation • School Ne ws • work experience program • scholarships • super achievers
• pioneer program • new look in kindergartens • performing arts graduates
NEED A STOCKING STUFFER?
How about a copy history book
available at many municipality bookstores
of our West Vancouver 11 A Place of Excellence 1
'
outlets in the Memorial library
Municipal Hall
$10 pe r copy hard cover
The Corporation of the District of West Vancouver OUR DIAMOND JUBILEE Dec. 1987 Vol. 9 , No.3
George Suart
MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD
Vancouver in October summar-
izing my views on our school system. As some of you know, I took a sabbatical from being a trustee for 11 yean, serving from 1971 to 1975andretumingin 1986.1nthat sense, I hope that mine is a fresh but still credible look at what we are doing and how we compare.
I feel very good about our schools. We ore not perfect but we are in good shape, particularly when one considers the period of change and restraint that we have just gone through. DID RESTRAINT HURT?
Surprsingly, restraint has not been a s
~~r~~~:h:su~~~~~~~:.:~t~ ~:me:~h~; is not to say that there have not been harm-ful effects. Class sizes have increased and teachers have been frustrated by our ina-bility to provide salary increases competi-tive to other professional groups. Never-theless, it is my judgment that when one looks at the pidure as o whole our children ore getting a good education. STUDENTS ELITE GROUP
I provided the Chamber with some statistics comparing British Columbia, West Vancouver and other parts of the world, both in quality as best as it con be judged~ and cost. I would like to shore these with • •U here:
• In o 1987 school evaluation project carried out by the Ministry of Education, West Vancouver at the grade four level scored about 10% higher in science, moth and reading assessments compared to the other distrids in the province. At the grade 1 0 level we were about 8% higher than the overage.
• In the some evaluation our gradua-tion rate was running at abovt 92% com-pared to a provincial average of 76%.
• In 1986 the pupil-teacher ratio in West Vancouver was 17.7, right on the provincial overage.
• In the 1986 scholarship examina-tions, West Vancouver students consistently scored significantly above other B.C. districts in participation, success and 'A 1
level achievement. Continued on page 6
2 WEST VANCOUVER REPORT DECEMBER 1987
COIVUVll.JI'IITY" Bl.JSII'IESS
MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Memorial library is now open again on Sundays, hours l p.m. to 5 p .m.
Regular hours during the week ore Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m .; Saturday, 10 a.m . to 5 p.m.
The library has recently upgraded its computerized catalogue and now it is even easier to locate material.
For those hesitant to try the new tech-nology and would like personalized one-to-one instruction, free classes are offered every Friday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. No need to register, iusf drop in.
BOOK LISTS To help patrons make their selections,
the library is continually producing book lists on a variety of subjects. Just ask for them at the desk, or find them on a table in the lounge area near the computers.
Here ore just a sample of some recent
General Interest: 75 Years of Best-sellers: Of Interest To Seniors; You and Your Health.
For Parents & Children: You and Your Child; Books to Begin With; Read Aloud Favorites.
For Young Readers: Teen Tales of Mystery and Suspense; If You liked Nancy Drew, Try These ... ; Grins ond Chuckles.
Complimentary copies of these and other book lists are available at the library - at the information desk or on o table in the lounge near the computer bank.
Please note the Memorial library offers a variety of programs for both adults and children. These include Author and 1/us-trator visits, Classical Music and Coffee Time, Storytimes, Art Exhibits and Reading Clubs. For information about upcoming pr.ogram please coli the library at 926-3291.
SPACE CRISIS The Memorial library is currently suf-
fering a space crisis. According to a library consultant's report received in 1986, it is 15,000 square feet short and on additional 1,000 square feet is required each year in order to accommodate the g rowing collection.
As a temporary solution, the library expects soon to begin storing port of the collection at another location and, looking to the future, the library board recently hired on architectural firm to investigate the feasibility of expanding the existi ng building.
NEW BOOKS New books recently added to the
library:
Presumed Innocent- by Scott T urow -a brutal murder creates a crisis among o big city's politicians and lawyers in this fascinating crime novel.
The Making of the African Queen-by Katharine Hepburn- she recounts her experiences with Humphrey Bogart, lauren Boca II and John Houston while filming the classic movie.
Tales To ld In Canada - by Ed ith Fowke- a collection of folk tales that cap-tures on important port of Canada's literary heritage and will delight anyone who enjoys o good story.
Rick Hansen: Man in Motion -by Rick Hansen and Jim Taylor. Hansen tells the inspirational story of his rehabilitation, his success as a world-doss athlete and his triumphant global wheelchair tour.
Dundarove Park will see face-lifting in 1988 with paved entrance to pier, extension of park west with seawalk between 24th and 25th.
LANE PAVING REQUESTS UP
Requests for lane paving hove set a new record this year and fo r good reasons: one to lay the dust, o problem in our 'd rought' year, and the other- it is a real bargain with the municipality picking up 30 per cent of the cost.
If you hove hod your application in for some time, and the work has not started, please hove patience. It tokes some weeks to check out the position and schedule the work and today there is a lengthy waiting list.
Procedure: • To launch the project a sponsor (one
of the residents in the block) must send o letter to the Cle rk's office stating the block number and requesting a petition, to have the lane blacktopped.
• The petition is prepared by staff, list-ing nome and address of each p roperty owner in the block
• The petition is returned to the sponsor who must get two-thirds of the property owners' signatures, accou nting for at least 50 per cent of assessed val ves of properties fronting the lone.
• The petition is returned to the clerk's office ot the municipal hall for assessment
~~:t~;~~;~i~:u~~:lht~ do:C~~~~;i~~ ~~~j:ct goes ahead after consideration of such things as budget, etc.
Co st-five years t o pay: A lo ne·poving p roject in Ambleside
sow p roperty owners on a 600 ft . lone agree to the project and cost to them was $6,250 . They could pay $75 per year for five years or a one-time payment of $300
HOUSING POLICY
A task force to examine and make rec-omendotions on West Vancouver's housing poli cy has been set up with a December 15 dead line to report to council.
The task force will examine housing policies based on balanced housing goals for the community with emphasis on the demand for seniors' accommodations and
:~~~t~go fl:o{~~~;.t~=~~~:~s~~d~~r~~~; flats', for example.
The task force is o sub-committee for the Community Service Advisory Commission, chaired by Gary Sutherla nd with Diona Hutchinson, vice-chairman. Representatives from the CSAC incl ude Rev. W. Perry and Valeri Vopni. Members appointed by coun-cil ore John Elton, Crawford Laing, Doreen Black burn, Dave Bakewell, Dr. Penny Jones, Allan Jessu p~ John Millard and Andy Hubinette. Grohan Stallard, planner, is muni cipal staff rep resenta tive a nd older-man C.R. Day, council lia ison.
MUNICIPAL HOUSEKEEPING
Do you feel strongly enough about the appearance of your neig hbourhood to pick up obiects that det ract fro m its neat look, a nd pop them into a garbage co n? Mayor Don l onskail hopes you will - while out ~trolli ng or jogging- in a d rive underway to tidy up the municipality .
Park & Lighting Gifts To West Van Foundation
The Ambleside-by-the-Sea project may be one of the main beneficiaries of the $200,000 gift from the late Ray Wrigley, leading businessman and long-time resident of West Vancouver.
Former mayor Derrick Humphreys hod arranged for the 102-yeor-old Wrigley to visit municipal hall to view the model of the Ambleside project. Wrigley was so
~~~~~s;::; ~C:s~~~~~~:~:~ ~~:!cJ":t~~~~ suggestion to participate with a generous
as t~ecc~~~i~J~~~~~steb:~~~ ~~~ ~~~~eJr;i~~~e J!~~:~·t~ebfo~se=~~e5rf~~:;o;::k development within the municipality." If is anticipated that various areas, including the foot of 14th Street project or the secwolk extension, may benefit from the gifl
Foundation chairman, Keith Duncan, announced the receipt of a gift of S50,000 from Foundation director Mrs. Kay Meek, with her request that it be used for an attractive lighting project on the waterfront. Mrs. Meek some years before hod given a $30.000 gift to put the decorative lights on Dundorove Pier.
The Foundation Board of directors, for 1987/88, elected Keith Duncan, chairman; Peter Finch, vice-chairman, Stu Fraser, secretary-treasurer. Bob Annable, Charlie Hopkins, Derrick Humphreys, Jim Humphries, Mayor Don lonskail, Bill McQuaid, Kay Meek, alderman Gordon Rowntree and Norma Sorenson were elected for the 1987188 term.
Retiring Mary Pa tti son was tha nked for her work on behalf of the Foundation, with Moh Faris named to fill the vacancy.
TAX INSTALMENTS
West Vancouver taxpayers will be able to pay their foxes on on instalment basis beginning in August, 1988.
The basic concept is for a pre-author-ized cheque system, similar to payment of B.C. Hydro fees, that wou ld allow the muni-cipality to withdraw equal monthly amounts from the taxpayer's bank account for 11 months of the year and the balance owing in the 12th month of the year- July of that year.
Interest would be paid on a doily basis, at a rote to be established which would
:O:~d~~~ ~= t~~~tF:!~~~~:~;~~sei;~:r~~ a uthority of on inte rpretation bulletin from Revenue Canada which sees the interest as a ' reduction in tax'.
Other municipalities who have imple-mented this type of program have seen lox-payer participation in the range of ten per cent in the first year, growing to 15 to 20 per cent in later years.
The plan wlil be in place for the 1989 tax year beg inning with initial withdra wals from the bank accounts fo r August 1, 1988.
Inform a tion a nd pa rticipation forms will be forwarded with the annual tax notice in May, 1988 .
AVOID UTILITY PENALTIES Homeowners will receive their utility
statement for sewer, ga rbage and water services in January.
To ovo id discount loss, ma il ing a post-doted cheque well befo re the dead line is the easiest way to ensure pa yme nt is remembered. Please do not sta ple or pin cheques with your payment copy.
Mail cheques to District of West Vancouver, 750-17th St., West Vancouver, V7V 3T3.
RACOONS: DON'T FEED THEM
Counci l can offer no quick cures to rid . your p rope rty of prowling racoons, other than trapping them or using p rivate trap-pers. Complaints to the municipal hall ore heavy this year.
West Vancouver is dose to forested areas and streams, first choice of residence for ra coons, ma ki ng control here very difficult.
Racoo ns will roll bock your lawn to get to theirfavorite grubs beneath. A home in Horseshoe Boy sow their newly laid turf lawn unrolled each morning and even steel netting did not deter the animals.
But racoons come to eat, and homes with aging fruit trees that ore not cleared of their fruit, either o n the g rou nd or on the tree, ore choice locations. Mak ing pels of and feedi ng racoons will only b ring them out in force. Keep garbage tightly covered.
WEST VANCOUVER REPORT DECEMBER 1987 3
COIVUVli.Jii'IIITY" BI.JSIIi'IIESS
John Lawson
J!Drk will hove
extension in
Ambleside-by
the·Sea plan and connection with
extended seawalk. A auiet,
treed park �opular with apartment
residents.
RECENT SENIORS' HOUSING
HOLLYBURN HOUSE:
Project Description: This project was initiated by the Munidpality in 1986. The property had been acquired several years previous with the specific purpose of providing housing for seniors with core or supportive services provided. The property was sold to Laing Properties, who developed the project. It is a fully staffed managed rental facility comprising two components: Intermediate Core and independent apartments. Each apartment has its own "convenience" kitchen to promote independent living. Rental rates include dining, housekeeping service, use of all amenities, etc.
location: 2000 block Marine Drive. No. of Units: 66 apartment units and 37 Intermediate Core units (private,
non-subsidized). Rental Rates: Apartments: $1,560 per month to $2,340 per month. Core
Centre: $2,080 per month to $2,370 per month single occupancy and S 1,685 per month per person for double occupancy. Building Type: Low-rise apartment. Parking: 42 underground, 3 surface. Amenities: Two dining rooms, weekly maid service (apartments). 24-hour room
service, common lounges, convenience shop, beauty parlour, health clinic, whirlpool, exercise equipment, crafts/hobby room, mini-bus, social coordinator.
Occupancy: November, 1987. Contact: Carol Homestead, Manager, 922-7616.
LINCOLN GARDENS:
Project Description: This project is privately developed and initiated by Buran Housing. The property was rezoned in 1987 to accommodate lowrise seniors' apartments. There will be three separate 3-storey buildings on the site. The
units will be strata-titled and the market is aimed at middle income seniors. location: 2100 block Marine Drive
(south side). No. of Units: 56 units: Unit Size: Approximately 730 square feet to 1, 140 square feet Sale Price: Not known. Building Type: 3 buildings, 3-storeys each. Parking: 7 4 underground, 4 surface Amenities: Common lounge and patio area, balconies for each apqrtment and
wood-working area. Expected Construction Start:
November, 1987 Contact: John Nicholls, Buran Hous
ing, 736-8031.
AMBLEVIEW PLACE
Project Description/background: This cooperative proiect was initiated by the municipality in 1986. The land hod
been acquired several years earlier specifically for the purpose of providing low or moderate cost housing for seniors.
The land is leased to the Cooperative on o 60-yeor prepaid lease basis. The Cooperative is operated on a non-profit basis, but there is provision in the lease for market-equivalent appreciation on the resole value of the units, but there ore resole "ceilings" built in.
Location: 606-l4th Street (between Duchess & Esquimolt). No. of Units: 42 units: bachelor, 1 ·bedroom, and 2-bedroom. Unit Size: 615 to 947 square feet. Cost of Units: Range between $55,000 and $86,000 Building Type: low-rise apartment. Parking: 42 underground stalls. Amenities: All units ore wheel-chair
accessible, balconies, exterior terraces, common meeting room with kitchenette. Completion: January 1, 1988. Contact: Bud Anderson, 926.5750. Note: the project is fully subscribed
and at lost count there were 77 names on the waiting list. W.V, UNITED CHURCH
Project Description This project is currently unde� con· sideration by Council. The project has been put forward by the church and it is for low income seniors. The project, if approved, will be subsidized under the provincial government's B.C. Housing Management Commission. Preliminary approval has already been granted by the province. The rezoning and development permit application is now under consideration.
NOTE: the rezoning and development application for this project was �ee:�����Ja��
unn������h��j�/b;
i;'�c�r�
������� �et�:s:;:�e0d�ot���e;���;!, t��
council's request, a task force has been formed to study housing needs in the community with emphasis on the needs of seniors and young families with children.
Location: 1900 block Esquimalt (north side). No. of Units: 44 units (including 2 dis
abled units). Unit Size: 515 square feet to 600 square feet. Building Type: low-rise apartment. Parking: 13 underground, 8 surface. Amenities: Common lounge, activity room. Contact: Bruce Scott, c/o West Vancouver United Church, 922-2013.
YOUTH PARTY STUDY
Following a youth party in West Vancouver this summer that ran out of control, mayor Don lanskail called for o task force to study the situation and make recommendations.
It was set up under the Community Services Advisory Commission with a twofold purpose:
• To develop guidelines, recommendations and strategies aimed at avoidin g problems arising from youth parties that get out of control, resulting in disruption to the neighbourhood and damage to personal property.
• To foster community awareness about the issues surrounding this problem.
The task force is o sub-committee of the CSAC, chaired by alderman Pat Boname with members chosen from the community. They include: Jane Baynham and Fran McDowell, CFAC; Brion lynch, WV Family Court; Jean Ferguson, School Board; Richard Wagner, WV Social Planner
As well, 17 appointments hove been mode representing police dept., parent organizations, secondary school students and family services
HOUSE REPAIRS
1f you can qualify by an income ceiling and your home is in need of major or minor repairs or locks a basic facility, there could be a financial benefit by using the federal government R RAP program.
This is the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. loons up to a maximum of S 10,000, with a portion forgiveoble, are available if
all criteria is met. As loons go out on a first come, first serve, basis it would be wise for those inter
ested to contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation early in the new year to see if and when funds ore available and how to apply.
WEST VANCOUVER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Don lanskail ALDERMEN
Pat Boname Alex Brokenshire Rod Day Dave Finlay Gordon Rowntree Mark Sager
Terry Lester, Municipal Manager
Editor: louise Spratley
Mayor's Message Continued from page 1
mode by Roy Wrigley in his will that stipulates the money be used for waterfront park development.
We have also approached the federal government for the type of funds many other municipalities have received for similar projects.
Revitalization projects- of the estimated $4 million cost for the Ambleside revitalization, roughly one-half is needed to rebuild Marine Drive. It was built on a peat bog, the rood is sinking and we will hove to go down to stabilize the road.
This is a municipal/landowner project. There is provincial help in such revitalization projects and we are hoping the government wilt increase its cost shoring percentage.
Dundarave Revitalization - cost here is $700,000 with completion in 1988. Items include demolition of municipallyowned houses to the west that will extend the pork itself and provide additional parking; a paved turnaround at the foot of 25th (entrance to restaurant and pier) and parking to be excluded; intersection at roil crossing to be levelled to improve driving sight lines. SENIOR GOVERNMENTS We hove met with elected represento-��il�n�� ��d!;a!;
sJe:��rR;����d�����;�,��(.
to press priorities we feel strongly about. Provincial: Replacement of the bridge over the Copilano river; build a parking strudure at Keith Rood and Boy Street to toke parking off side streets and tidy up
parking lots; flood control assistance. Of the two major issues, flood control and o new bridge (first promised in 1950).
we have yet to be given a positive response. Federal: We would like permission to develop a boat-launching ramp on the Fish
eries Research site and the use of the former grovel pit across from the site where ample parking and trailer storage is available. FUTURE ITEMS
• Upper levels fireholl; computer dispatch system for the fire deportment; major plan for parks; creek trail system to connect Morine Drive with the BadenPowell trail; possible arts and cultural facility.
The arts facility, long under discussion here, now has a North Shore cultural committee engaged in a study to examine the merits of having the facility serve the entire North Shore, not one municipality. Our representative is alderman Pat Boname, who has an extensive background in this field SHORT-TERM CONCERNS
• Plans ore in progress for a muchneeded expansion of the Memorial library to extend the building east to the creek bonk on properly owned by the municipality
The 1980 Community Plan is under complete review and a draft will be ready for council by the end of the year.
A tosk force is already at work on a housing policy for West Vancouver -details in this issue. A committee has been set up to ex·
amine all aspects of the problem of youth parties that get out of control. Details in this issue.
Perhaps you have some items of your awn you would like to see on our 'futures' list. If you hove I would like to hear about then. Drop me a line here at the municipal hall, 750-17th St., West Vancouver, B.C. Y7V 3T3
One last reminder. Our annual report for 1986 is available, free, to residents. Pick up a copy at the hall, it contains de· toiled information on some of the topics I hove outlined here. It is on interesting and s�ma,tly designed booklet. _
LANSKAIL MAYOR
4 WEST VANCOUVER REPORT DECEMBER 1987
U .. SU .. C5 ... ERC»ES ... C» ...
2nd. WEST VAN SCOUTS
TEENAGERS 1963: CANOED 800 MILES
The ghost of Alexander Mackenzie must hove been surprised by the sound of paddles breaking the silence on the treach-erous Churchill river . Instead of the French-Canadian voyageurs he hod led along the perilous water highway in search of beaver pelts, eight teenaged Soy Scouts from West Vancouver were earning their canoeist badges. They won them, too, on a voyage not attempted by man since the brawling, roaring days of the fur trade.
They shot rapids, or portaged, with modern fibre gloss canoes and completed the 800 miles across Saskatchewan's desolate north country in just 21 days.
Scoutmaster Malcolm Hicklenton of Second West Vancouver troop, led the group. David Prentice, father of one of the scouts, went along . The scouts were Peter Macek, 17; Tim Stiles, 15; Mike Smalley, 16; Bruce Prentice, 15; Dove Dickey, 17; Rob Block, 15; Ken Robinson, 16, a nd Rick Bond, 16.
At home in West Vancouver, Hicklenton and his gong traced a water route from Cold lake, Alberta, across Saskatchewan to flin Flon, Manitoba. They reckoned it at 800 miles. They divided it by 20 days and set a schedule of 40 miles a day. They were to recoil this airy optimism later on the vast rivers and lakes .
Hicklenton was blunt about the dangers. " There will be fast water, dangerous rapids, animals and mon-otony/' he told them. "There will be no help if anyone is in jured . There are no hospitals dotting our route, only the odd Indian settlement."
The scouts trained like athletes~ with canoe trips in a ll kinds of weather. They visited the canoe factory and learned how their canoes were made and how to patch them with gloss doth.
Everyone had o medical check-up; supplies were packed, canoes and luggage freighted to Cold lake, and Hicklenton, Prentice and the eight scouts left Vancouver by train Aug. 9.
Scout leaders from Cold lake areo and RCAF personnel stationed there met the group and trucked them to Pierce lake. They sow the little fleet into the water on Aug. 10 with grim foreboding.
''If you wont to back out when you get up to Lac !le-o-la-Crosse we could get h:i~t~~~~ flown out," the flight officer said
" I was relieved to get into the canoes and leave him and civi li zation behind at this point," Hicklenton confessed.
The five brightl y4 colored canoes spread out over the vast lake. Each hod o ca rgo of two, a .404 pound pock of gear containing slicker, heavy sweater, complete
f~~dt~;! ~~o~h~~ra~~"r:~:tfi~~-:~d~i~~ Everyone wore o life-jacket and there was one unbreakable rule: it must not be token off.
"We hod never known such fatigue," Peter Macek confessed. " The trip seemed
d~v:i~~~nJin~~ e~dFe:~· st~~,~~:s ~f~i~;e:: sloshing our way through scrub and small trees to make a portage. And those long 10 hours every day kneel ing in the canoes to put .40 miles behind us.''
Wot:~hfn~~!e:~~~;n1 t~~~~~~~~sa~:~:~ ~I ~I ""I I
COLD LAKE
We have honoured our early pioneers in this anniversary year, but there are many later unsung heroes who should be remembered. On these two pages are deeds of courage: WV scouts canoed 800 miles in 21 days to win canoeist badge * service: volunteer firemen on 24-hour call for 38 years to protect community * achievement: the librarian who made our library famous * vision: the Englishman who set development standards for British Properties and shopping centres.
Eight tired West Van scouts eat d inner at Needle Rapids on the Cambrian Shield.
And Today .... 1987 looking back, Malcolm Hicklenton, now in Victoria, says it was one of the
highlights of his life. "While it looked dangerous, we were well prepared. We canoed o trial run
in Wells Gray Pork lakes the previous year and pradised incessantly in Deep Cove." Dave Prentice, in West Vancouver, the father who went on the trip os a fill-in
without the physical training taken by the Scout group, has memories he will never forget. jHe lost 10 pounds and was in top shape at the end).
"I wasn't conditioned and after the first afternoon on the lakes I didn't think I would ever make it. I was scared when the fleet was badly scattered, we hod difficulty in rough rapid waters grabbing bushes to stop and line the canoes. But not a kid was sick or injured on the trip.
Mol;~~~e on~dej~~~t'ki~;:b~i:.i~~e bJa~.eTt~: 1~11~:rp~~~dr ~;~:~~~~~~:~~p bbudo~:~ us for the next day's trials.
"The most beautiful spot was Hauhoin Marsh, the moon come up, not o ripple on the water and the loons in full chorus," he recalled.
Mrs. Ruth Smalley, West Vancouver, will neverforgel the trip. Michael was
~:~kl:t: l~~ie~ ~~~d,rd:!c~i~~~g~h;:~;o~~i:f sfxb~d~~h::n°:~:r:~~;~e~~::e~ from east in 1956, down the Churchill and Sturgeon-Weir rivers . It emphasized the dangers of the rapids and what would happen if canoes turned broadside in 'white water'.
"We parents hod to let our sons go.lt was important and they were ready. I see it now as a sort of prior 'outward bound' experience," she said.
river August 1.4. They could hear Grand rapids in the distance, on ominous roar, and it was here they were to face a near-tragedy. The lookout could see no real peril as they approached the rapids. The river was shallow and brown, but so were the boulders that lurked unseen beneath. Too late they realized holes were being scraped in the bottoms of their canoes and hair crocks radiating along their lengths.
They dragged the canoes ashore and surveyed the damage. The trip could hove ended right there for lock of transportation, but luckily fibre glass is the answer to rough water. I nsteod of crushing as cedar canoes would hove done~ the fibre gloss would bend to the pressure. Gloss patches were applied after the canoes were dried.
As they neared the Churchill river the rapids took on power and speed. When a hollow, eerie thunder filled the air, the g roup knew it was the famous Drum rapids.
"This was the only time I was really scored," confessed Peter Macek. ''As the thunder rose to an a ngry roar I could see the white-capped waves rising and falling a nd the flow become swifter. We were carried into the main stream so quickly we could not turn bock. I sow the lead canoe disappear beneath a four-fool wave. My heart froze in my throat and after what seemed o very long time, it rose on the crest of the next wove. Then it was our turn.
"All the experience we hod hod in 'white' water the firsl 100 miles probably saved our lives at this point," he continued. "We paddled as though our lives de-pended on it, praying we would not hit the big boulders under the surface."
" But this was just the beginning of the Drum. The first section was thrilling, the second hair-raising. Some canoes hit rocks and were crocked and holed . Others shot to left or right and escaped.
The third section hod to be portaged, a nd by this time dusk hod come. The g roup hod been 12 hours in the canoes and the portage was heartbreaking.
" There was no path and we hod to chop down trees six inches in diameter to get through," Hicklenton recoiled . "It took three hours to do one-quarter mile, then we hod to come bock and pack in the supplies. It was midnight before we got to bed."
Now the path led to frog Portage, where the water highway branches from the Churchill river to the Saskatchewan river. The group hod to pull ashore and climb four feet up the rocks, then hike 900 feet with the canoes on their shoulders too slough. This path led into the Saskatchewan watershed to the Sturgeon Weir river.
Pelican Narrows was passed Aug. 27, o half-day ahead of schedule, and spirits were high. Snoke rapids followed with a two-mile portage, the longest of the trip . August29 they camped in the echo of their lost rapid a nd the next day soiled into Amisk lake, the Cree nome for beaver. This was the end of the journey and Flin Flon o short cor trip from the shores.
What did it cost? Hicklenton pulled out a diary in which
every penny hod been recorded. It cost exactly S 1 ,564.23. This included train fares, freight and food.
) l --r:------SA_S_K-AT_C_H_E_W-AN------------,
~ Story on this page contains excerpts from feature in the ~ Toronto Star Weekly, national edition, published follow·
ing the epic voyage. Photos by Malcolm Hicklenton, original feature written by Louise Spratley in 1963.
WEST VANCOUVER REPORT DECEMBER 1987 S
"75 ..,..E~RS C»F ... ISTC»R..,..
ELIZABETH
MUSTO
It was 1950 when Elizabeth Musto come to open o new library in the young municipality of West Vancouver, then 38 years old with a population of l 4,000. The community hod fought for a nd raised
~~d~~~~r~~~~ •;~:~~d~e~;~e~s8t~'h~;~e~ the cost.
It was a new and dari ng venture For the community, climbing out of toug h economic times following the wa r. It was to be a new and daring venture for Elizabe th Musto. She held library and archivist degrees from England a nd hod worked in the Bo th
~~::;s~;:~s ~~f~~e st~ffm~f~~~a~~~~:e~ Public library for seven years.
She was interviewed by the first library board seeking their first librarian. The ven-ture al most collapsed at the first meeti ng.
chil:;:ea;dn!,d~~e;~~~~;~;eo~0; b:~~~ member explained. ''Then I must refuse the posit ion~" rep lied Mrs. Musto.
It was Ji mmy Inkster, popula r West Vancouver Secondary School principal, who saved the day. He told board members it hod to be a w o r t h w h i l e ~ modern library to serve everyone and they had to stand behind on experienced librarian qualified to give it to them.
" They did," Mrs. Musto recalled . "Jimmy gave me wonderful support a nd later let me help build up the school librar-ies. Elmer Barnes, the municipa l manager, was another whose help and understanding
;h~!e~8~~h:s;~o ti~~~~t :~~bo~kofi~~t; cents a day in that era, and in time it multi-plied into enough hard cash to finance one of the $25,000 library additions," she continued.
Sa, architect a nd builder in her own right, Mrs. Musto welcomed the first library membe rs. There were 2,000 books on the shelves, some borrowed from the Van-couver Public l ibrary. A multitude of mega · zines covered the empty shelves. There was a staff of three.
She said not every single resident was in love with the library.
" There hod been pressure for a fi reholl a t the time, and that wa s understandable. O ne day o woman walked arou nd the library pulling a little red fire engine on o string, crying out 'this is what we wanted, not a library!
" If someone had told me then that we would have a circula tion of 600,000 books in 1966, three ad ditions to the building and the highest per capita circulation in North America, I would have said he was mod," she reca lled.
And how does El izabeth Musto feel about the Memorial library today?
" It has almost reached ih peak," she ::~;·:t:nd~:T_es are unbelievable and
" But a vibrant and expanding lib rary like Memorial has a life of its own and its need is space. That is coming, I understand, a nd I know the completion of th is major additio n will be a d a y of celebration for West Vancouver."
PERRY
WILLOUGHBY SET STANDARDS
In recounting the history of British Pacific Properties, th~ spotlight has usually been on the charismatic Guinness family, the brother and sister, lord Mayne and lady Normanby, who controlled the com-pany. Rarely did the nome of the shy, aris-tocratic Englishman, Perry Willoughby, come to mind.
Yet it was this man who was sent to West Vancouver by the Guinness family in 1939 when their th rust into the wilderness on the side of the mountain was a frozen and doubtful monument. He raised it to its peak of excellence
The company hod purchased 4,000 acres stretching across the mountainside to Horseshoe Boy. By the terms of the agree-
Volunteer
on o ur 75 years of history.
ment, the eastern section had to be devel-oped first, and S 1 mil ion spent.
When Mr. Will oughby arrived, more than $2 million hod gone into the first sub-division, the lions Gate Bridge was under construction, less than 20 lots had been sold. The company found itself with a nightmare real estate problem on its hands. It owned a first-rote subdivision de-velopment but with hardly o saleable lot. There was o magnificent system of roods winding through dense forest. O nly one-third of the lots were serviced by both water oAd power.
The transformation of British Properties from a paradise for non-existent mi ll ion· a ires too fine residential district for people in a wide range of income brackets was the result of Willoughby's leadership. He broke up the 450 lots, heavily treed and without a view, to a tota l of 1300. His de-cision to clear out the trees shocked the countryside but it did let the healthy wind of economic reality bring the subdivision to life . The result was the first real estate project in Canada with contoured roods and a subdivision that was to set the highest standards, not only For West Vancouver, but the province.
With the first subdivision established, Willoughby moved into the shopping centre field, first North Pork Royal, fo llowed by the south enclosed mall, a first in Canada and on the west coast, and the Park Royal Towers apartment complex.
Perry Willoughby came to West Van-couver to adopt West Vancouver as his own. His legacy is here For all to see.
Gisby, assistant chief, (holding door); Frank Harrington; Fred Murray; Fred Titcomb; Bob Rhodes; Dick Tearoe; Ed Tearoe; chief Bill Thompson (partly obscured by truck on extreme right).
FIRE BRIGADE
VOLUNTEERS 1916-1954-38 YEAR SERVICE
West Vancouver didn't always ha-. e bright red fire engines and o permanent force of firefighters. In 1916, only four years into its municipal status, it hod no organized firefighters at all. There were 400 buildings in the young community and 1,560 citizens in wooden houses heated by wood-burning stoves.
When the District of North Vancouver hod to be ca lled in to put out a difficult fire (and sent a bill for $40), the pressure mounted for a fire brigade. The West Von· couver Volunteer Fire Deportment was born.
The Ambleside brigade grew into o close-knit~ energetic, free·wheeling force, protecting the community For more than four decodes. It ran on 24-hour ca ll, hit-or-miss training in the early years a nd mi niscule pay - $2 for o run ond supply you r own transportation.
l ater b rigades were established in Caulfeild a nd Horseshoe Boy. What was it like to be a volunteer fire man in those early days? A fire hod the first dema nd on his lime. It called him at his home, often in the middle of the night. Or at his place of busi* ness or a social gathering. If the Iotter, and his best suit was ru ined chopping a ho le in a burning roof, there was no replacement cost .
There was no centro\ command station either. Cries for help were funneled through the local drug store or the police station and the siren triggered. Volunteers phoned in for the fire's location .
The fire truck with its hoses and reels waited in a dirt-floor shed at the foot of 14th Street for a volunteer to drive it to the fire. One sod day, in o human-error mixup, it waited in vain to be picked up whi le the brigade stood, white-faced, around the blazing fire. But accidents were o rarity and the high record of the force was reflected in the fire insurance roles- they were never out of line.
Walter T earoe, one of seven sons of the pioneer construction family that come to West Vancouver in 191 0 , served for more than two decades on the Amblesidc brigade. His brothers Ed and Dick were there too, making it the biggest one-family volunteer contribution.
Wolter, later a member of council for 17 years, headed the fire committee that sow the permanent force appointed in 1954 with Flint McKim as its first professional fire chief . Even then it needed o core of volun-tee rs to augment it.
Wolter remembers his vol unteer days on the Ambleside b rigade with nostalgia. "II was o brotherhood," he recalls, "the community was young and so were we . Our efforts were often hampered by inadequate equipment. It could be dangerous . There was o moral obligation to be on call -weekend pleasures, evening engagements, b usiness demands - these were secondary to thi s commitment. But it wa s fu n.
11W e hod top-notch chiefs , like Bi ll Thompson who started with the g roup in \925 . The volunteer roster around I hot time included Bert G isby. Fronk Harrington, fred Murray, Art Rid ley_, Ed Robinson, Ross Forrester, A. Thorpe, Bill Orr, Fred Titco mb, my two b rothers and myself,
" There were colorful pe rsonalities you wo ul d not find anywhere else," he con tinued, "Fred Titcomb, for example, o
~~:':.0~:::d~ aa f~:~~r ~~~~ ~~~~u~:~ fireha ll, mo unted it on a truck a nd d rove it in the Moy Day parade - o reminder to council of the need in West Vancouver.
"Basil Colins was another. He 5erved in the 1960's ond his interest in the workings and trappings of the fire/police/bus depart-ments is legend. His home today is o n elob-
h~o~~s ~~":~~d h~~~~~e'~:a~:~o ro bilio
6 SCHOOL NEWS DECEMBER 1987
• WV SCHOOL REPORT •
Message from School Boord Conti n ue d from page 1
• In algebra, tests taken in several countries in 1984, B.C. students in grade 8 did not score as well as students in Japan or France, but better than students in Ontario, U.K. , U.S . and Sweden.
In the some tests at the grade 121evel, B.C. students did not match the success of the high achiever~ in Japan, U.K. or Sweden but based o n all students, scored significantly better than all participants .
• In 1986-87, on o cost per pupil basis, West Vancouver costs were $3,700, very slightly above the provincial overage of $3,600. The difference was primarily due to maintenance which was $40 higher and health, $80 higher. Administrative costs were slightly lower than the provincial overage.
EDUCATION: THE FUTURE Now pe rhaps a few words a bout the
futu re. Some serious challenges and oppor-tunities are a head of us.
The mo ior potentia l problem/oppor-
:~~~:rel~~~~~~~~:~~;i:~~~~f~~~~~~~~ 198 8, teachers in the province have o choice as to whether they wish to remain as o non-union association o r become a certi-fied union.
There o re several diffe rence s in approach between the two options but in my view the mai n difference, as it might affect schools, is that under the union model o prolonged school strike is a possibility in B.C. fo r the first ti me. I am not suggesting that certification necessa rily means strikes I om simply pointing out that a new condition now exists which mig ht "'r might not have o major impact on our schools.
In West Vancouver our teachers ha ve not yet determined the organizational model they prefer. We hove responsible teachers, a nd the relationship between their executive, our senior administrative staff and the trustees has been excellent. This gives me some confidence that, notwith-standing the provincial changes, our situa-tion should go on a s before.
BUDGETS/TAXES/SALARIES Another issue is schoo l board bud gets
k~~~~7~ :;f:~~0~ft:::h~jb:a~~ b~Jg0e~ is devoted to personnel a nd thei r sala ries. Teachers' salaries, as is the case in other public groups, have been held down by provincial legislation during the post five years.
Th is leg islat ion is ter minated this coming spring and teachers o re like ly to look for some catch-up in next yea r's nego-
~~~~ds~~i~~i~~o;~re~~~n ~i;~i~~h~~~sn:~i make for tough negotiations for all school districts
CLOSING SCHOOLS The lost issue that I want to bring to
your attention is the apparent over-capo-city in our secondary schools. At the time
i~:~~d:~:."1;;i~:~~~~~e~0th'r:euro;,F:~~ which hove been discussed broadly in the community but no decision hod been token ,
The potentia l dosing of o school is perhaps the most d ivisive issue a trustee con face d uring a term of office. We are cog· nizont of th is and the trustees o re paying very careful attention to the views of all West Vancouver citi zens whethe r they be parents or only taxpayers, I believe that by the time you are rea ding this letter. a deci-sion on the subied will have been mode.
I urge you to read about our schools in this issue . Please to ke every op portu nity to visit your schools. Our principab would be
~~d !~~~S::~ ~~-s~~~ {u~~ ;~~~k:r ~~:~ visit, you will be pleased with your in vest-ment in W est Vancouve r educatio n.
Every student in the Bowen Island Community School is now a member of the Bowen Is land Public Library . Pictured from left, Jennifer Loree and Adrean Passmore, looking over the books. Project was initiated by the librarian Lois Meyers-Carter.
~ NEW POSTS FOR SIX PRINCIPALS ,
Rick Mark, Sentinel Secondary School
Brian Junek , Pauline Johnson Elementary School
Mo ri a Jo nes, Ha llyb urn Elementary School
Sylv ia Royer, Chartwelll Elementa ry Schaal
Mike Arnott, Bowen Island Community School
WORK EXPERIENCE
Work experience is a priceless option in our West Vancouver schools because it gives st udents an opportunity to hove o 'hands on' experience with a variety of jobs in the work world .
This is o well-estab lished program for grade 11 and 12 students and placements ore mode by the work experience counsel-lor. These must suit the interests of the student and the demands of his timetable .
A total of 238 students were involved by the end of the 1986 year under co-o rdinator Barbara Hunter, with 151 dif-ferent employer-/sponsors. West Vo n-
~~u;:d ~h:i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:~o~~~~t~~; sponsors while 22 were in North 'tancouv-er, five on Bowen Island, 25 in Vancouver and four in Bu~noby.
The choice for students is extensive -bonking, deportment stores, restaura nts, automotive and car ind ustries, construction,
~ff~~~~~k, cb;~t~~C~~~td~an~~:!~· ~:;~: animals, hospitals, daycore, hotels, theatre, real estate, dubs, bakeries, interior
~~~~h~~;h';;r~~h~~~ s~~~~~s~~~~ ~~~cs~ ho memaking activities, to name a short range of choice.
Students must be 15 years of age o r older and hove written permission from school staff and administration . They are fully covered under Workers' Compensa-tion while on the worksite.
In the next issue we will interview stu-dents who hove taken and been stimulated by the opportunity to study the workplace.
SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS
Achievement of West Vancouver students in provincial exams continues to be we ll above provincia l averages and on o proportional bas is, West Vancouver students receive more "A"s than the ir peers provincially.
Twe nty-seven students, six percent of West Vancouver's 1987 graduates, received provincia l scholarships compared to three percent provincially
These are the win ners, each awarded the S 1,000 scholarship prize.
HILLSIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL Andrea Leigh Hunt Brett A. Korteling Megan Shelley Oliver Anita F. Parkinson Sora Slinn Michael Wolkey Cordulo H. Wiegand
SENTINAL SECONDARY SCHOOL Steven M. Komm Angelo l. Morfitt T ra9 Elizabeth Stone Eloin } Sze-Sze Wai Pamela J . Yurkowski Martin C. W. Chung
WEST VANCOUVER SECONDARY SCHOOL
Monique Andria MikeS. Chen Juliet Craig Charles Andrew Day John W. Driedger Stephen Grant Roger A.M. Greger Bryn D. Joh ns Anna Elin Kemble Cameron S. MacQueen Scott D. Mowdsley Mark Melville Mohammad Rezo Motomedi Karl P. Uhrich
SCHOOL NEWS DECEMBER 1987 7
• WV SCHOOL REPORT •
SUPER ACHIEVER PROGRAM
At Sentinel secondary school in British Properties there ore 101 students enro lled in what is called the Super Achievers program.
These students are fulfilling their dreams within the normally rigid structure of basic education- completing their aca-demic and outside athletic and artistic goals as credit courses within regular school hours.
In other words, the best of all worlds In school. studying English, French, alge-bra, moth etc. and some elective coun.es, then out to the ski slopes or skating rink or piano or gym apparatus.
The schedule is set up and monitored closely by staff. Students must maintain high academic standards or drop out of the program.
LEADERS In charge of the program ore Kathy
Grant, counsellor, transferred from Hillside and assigned to the program with Chris Georges, head of social studies at the school and program coord inator.
Chris has a special interest in the pro-gram. He excelled in sports but his goal was Olympic standard ski racing which could not be realized in the school structure of his doy.
PIONEER PROJECT The pioneer proiect in West Vancouver
may come as a shock at first glance. Parents con well remember when academic excel-lence was the only goaL Today at Sentine l super achievers corry five compulsory aca-demic courses and a two to ten hours o week training schedule outside the sc hool in the discipline that is their major interest.
Some students ore also enrolled in two or three non-academic courses depending upon their schedule.
And what ore these 101 students doing in the hours out of school? There ore 43 in a ski racing program; skating lessons, 18; swim competition, 14; tennis lessons, 10; gymnastics classes, 7; ballet, 4; modelling, 3; one in donee and one in music.
One student, Michelle Mores, was in the program for three years with piano as her major and recently returned from Paris where she continued her studies to be o con-cert pianist.
THE CRITERIA What type of student con qualify for
the program? Admittance is based on o pri-vate interview and this is the criteria:
• Student must be o high-ca libre artis-tic or athletic performer seriously committed to his or her education and training.
• A record of academ ic achievement must be submitted and details of artistic or athletic achievements must stole re!oults of post performances or competitions.
• There must be a coach's o r instruc-tor's recommendation.
Students do not rush off in the new hours at random. They are under the spot· light to perform. There ore checks and balances all along the way. They ore placed on probation if their academic or othleticlartistic standard is less than satisfactory.
Students on the program and their parents or guardians must sign a contract; parents pay transportation and all training costs; parents acknowledge the school is not responsible for students when they ore invo lved in private training programs.
HISTORY The history of the program reaches
back to the early 1970's when Jim Corter, the fo rmer Deputy Ministe r of Ed ucation, was principa l at Sentinel. He enrolled o small number of high calibre swimmers from
Anna Mann, secretary and coordinator at Bowen Island Community School, readies helmets for sale to students. A serious bicycle accident involving a young student brought parents and school staff together in a project to find and sell helmets. So far more than 100 hove been sold .
Tor onto, Edmonton and other areas who hod come to the lower Mainland to swim with the Dolphins dub, along with a couple, notional level figure skaters who trained at Hollyburn. They were g ranted credit for physical education in recogn ition of their commitment and given o study block for training use.
From that beginning sprang the fina l, highly organized and successful program. In 1983 Sentinel's principal, Doug Player, and vice-principal Arnie Smith developed a model fo r a ski-training prog*:_om; in 1984 Grouse skiers come into the p rogram; in 1985 it expanded to include ballet dancers, a concert pianist and gymnasts . In 1986 it reached on enrolment of 59 and by this fall has soared to 101 students. Of these 37 ore living in West Vancouver and 64 from out of the d istrict.
PRO AND CON There ore advantages and disadvan-
tages in such a d iverse program.
Disadvantages to students: virtua lly no elective courses; work missed must be
made up; pressure increases during perfor-mance times; minor lock of continuity in school hours.
Advantages to students: special
~i:e~~~~~~;~a~i::i~r~~~~~v:euer~s~~:ne~ u~; e.ducotion; ability to graduate with univer-sity entrance requirements met; full transfer-abi lity to other programs in other schools.
Disadvantages for sckool : complex ti metobling, inconsistent attendance, com-plex teacher load, potential to develop a status group.
Advantages for school: increase in number of students to the district (offsets falling enrolment); satisfies parent/ community need; increases teacher options; prestige in having top athletes and artists attend school.
Has the program been o success? Only one student has been dropped because he foiled to live up to his contract. It gives the artistic or athletic student the prestige end training opportunities he has been denied under the old system; it g ives a new mea ning to the word 'education' and brings o force and vitality to the school that is fresh and stimulating .
ELAINE WAI: SCHOLARSHIP FROM McGill UNIVERSITY
Elaine Wei culminated o brilliant high school career at Sentinel Secondary this post June with a scholarship to McGill University where she is enrolled in the engineering program.
Her academic awards include school book awards for outstanding achievement in biology, chemistry, physics, history, senior English, algebra (shored) and geo-metry (shared) .
District and provincial awards include the Science Teachers of B.C. Award, Univers ity of Tor onto Notional Book
Award, West Vanco uver Firefighters' Award for combined academic and athletic excellence, West Vancouver Rotary Club Award for outstanding achievement, and the British Properties Homeowner's Award.
While taking time between studies to tutor other students and involve herself in student leadership activities, Elaine wos also on outstanding competitor in athletics. In grade 12 she led both Sentinel's senior girls' volleyball team and the senior girls' basketball team to the provincial tourna-ment. She was named Senior Female Athlete of the Year at Senti nel.
SPECIAL EDUCATION IS MAGIC
Special education is a stream that has the magic to touch all !otudents in their school years. It supports ond helps build self-e!.teem in students with learning disabilities. II challenges gifted students to reach their full potential.
Marion longdale, resource teacher at Hillside Secondary for the gifted student end coordinator of the International Boccoc lau reate program, pointed outthot it is only in recent years the Ministry of Education has recognized the need to provide special education courses for the gifted student.
The disodvonroged student and his needs ore well understood and looked after. Programs include speech therapy, English os o second language, hospital and home instruction, social adjustment in-struction, work activity program, special needs program, aid for slow learners and visually impaired and hearing impaired students .
THE GIFTED STUDENT
vate~~t:di!~: :~~h t~h~e~~~s ~ifg~Za~~!~ and task commitment who is enriched under the Challenge Program . It is available in every school and grade, structured to the age and needs of the student. Programs include:
• Independent research - highly motivated students research topics that interest them. They may be paired with creative people who hove spe<:ial talents in their professions.
• Seminars- established to provide secondary students with the opportunity to learn from and interact with highly qualified professional people. Outstanding com-munity leaders may lead meetings and serve os role models.
• Brainstorms Club - o place that stimulates the flow of ideas that will help students solve spontaneous and long-term problems. Mony of these students take part in the Odyssey of the Mind competitions, bosed on the premise that mental games con be played with the some enthusiasm os physical games and that the mind con be trained to reach its top potential.
SENIORS' CONNECTION Diploma candidates in the Interna-
tional Baccalaureate program must engage in some form of active social service. The major project is the 'generation connection' that brings IS students to seniors centres and hospitals to interact with the older generation.
"This has been a tremendous success," Marion, said. ' 1Students hove found it o fascinating and rewording project. They ore touched by our elder citizens, their reminiscences, their courage. Many hove been moved to put their thoughts into poetry, some poems ore really beautiful, and ore read aloud to the seniors. Through
~~d~t;~t~~~Jfn~1~17:~~v~J~~~f:~~ ~~~: ~~ during o different time in history."
TV PROGRAM A year ago challenge students and
members of the West Vancouver Senior Centre were involved in a Knowledge Net-
;r~Ju~~~b~g~o~fl;~eh~c:;~t~?~~~~ E~~~ Mourer.
"Because the interaction between these two groups was so positive, the executive director of the North Shore Volunteer Organization, Wendy Hannah, and myself planned a community program where our young people could assist elder members of the community. With a grant from the federal ministry of Health and Welfare, senior memebrs hove set up o board of directors to oversee o pilot project between Hillside and the West Vancouver Care faci lity."
8 SCHOOL NEWS DECEMBER 1987
• WV S~HOO~-REPORT _ _.
Students on the Hillside Secondary School's Challenge Program have an enrichment session in French from UBC student teacher, Susan L'Heureux . Pictured from left, counter clockwise, are Damon Mathews, Tieg Martin, Shoun DeSai, Dona Witzel and Susan .
Three~~=~~~~t~~~t~~~;:~~ at Sen~inel Kerri Wyse. with them are program Kathy Grant, counsellor, and Chris Georg as, coordinator. Program was pioneered at Sentinel and allows highly motivated students to complete their academic courses along with artistic and athletic goals . See feature on page 7 .
SCHOLARSHIP FROM QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
Anita Parkinson, with her post-second-ary ob jective to go from Hillside Secondary to Queen's University to study engineering, graduated in Ju ne with an impressive list of honours and the e ntrance scholarship from Queen's.
Academic awards: su bject awards for Foods and Nutrition II; Physics 12. 'Gold Pin', representing honours standing for grades 8 through 12; Governor Gen· ero l's Bronze Medal, awarded to the top academic stude nt .
Scholarship, sp ecial a wards: Prov· incial Scholarship, S 1 ,000; Pork Royal Scholarship; top grade point a verage for arts/sciences courses; Hillside Parents' Group Book Awa rd for academic excellence: Howe Sound lions Club award for community service; Q ueens' University Entra nce Scholarship.
Extra -curricula r activities: Synchro· nized swimming, treasurer for the Ra ngers orga nization, Recreation Centre vol untee r, zone mana ger for the Heart Fund, pa rtici· pont in the Sha d Va lley program for gifted students at UBC.
PERFORMING ARTS XMAS PRODUCTION
O n December 15, West Vancouver Seconda ry School's performing arts deportment will sta ge its an nual Christma s show and in the spring its major work, six performances of the musica l Oklahoma .
"These ore highly professional produc· lions," said Peter Vanderhorst, de portment head . "We have a wea lth of stude nt talent to d raw from- courses available to them include music theatre, d rama and acting, orchestra and stage bond classes. We also hove two stage croft classes for students interested in set buildi ng - all these are credit courses."
Ne,; this yea r is the career preparation
ih:~~d:r~~~~huea~ee~~r;~"Je~7~' ~~dn1 ;~ This is fo r students seriously considering a career in theatre. Now they have the opportunity in their senior year to work with local professional people in Vancouver and the lowe r Mainland.
Vanderhorst looked bock on the history of music courses in the school.
"When anyone talks of what we ore do ing now in the music field a nd how it a ll started, there is one man who gave a new name to music in the schools - Dr. Don Bristow. H~ came here from the United States in 1966 a nd brought o momentum fo r music education in the schoo l district that was the springboard for all that followed.
"We owe him a great debt," Vanderhorst said. (Dr. Bristow teaches orchestra and stage bond at three West Vancouver schools .)
Graduates of the deportment are
~~p~::d~o~k~~dgL:~~:~~~~n~i!~~~R~{ ~nr~~se,s:~~n~0i~inh~~~:j:~:n~~~c~~h~~j years a nd on through high school at WVSS, is now a principal conductor of the Regina Symphony. He left UBC after two yea rs to study in Tokyo a t the institute whe re the famous conductor Akiya ma is a n al umnus.
WEST VA NCOUVER SCHOOL BOARD
CHAIRMAN George Suart TRUSTEES Jean Ferg uson Margot Furk Barbara Howard Mike Smith
Bill May, District Superintendent School photos by Holly Lynch
PROFILE: LORI McCRADY
Lori McCrady has been teaching kinder· gorten for six years - five of the m in the West Vancouver school system. She re-ceived her Bachelor of Education degree at UBC, has token extensive training in the Orff music program, 'Moth, Their W ay ' program, as well as movement, Fre nch a nd Science. She a ttends the Kindergarten In-stitute each summer "to keep up with things," she sa ys.
Lo ri teaches at the Bowen Island Com-munity School a nd fee ls it is a privilege to be port of the child's world, to see what they see. She has strong fee li ngs about the role of the kin dergarten.
"Kinderga rten introd uces these very
y~~~i~ Fee~~~ :?. t~h;c~~~l~i~~~-in,~~te ~e: Fearning environment specially designed for them.
COMPUTERS IN KINDERGARTEN
W est Vancouver was one of the first d istricts in the province to incorporate kinderga rten into the school system in the 60's. Kindergarten, at tha t time, was o gentle transition from home to school because pre·school attendance was not nearly os prevalent as it is now.
Today kinderga rten is an exciting place fo r both teachers and you ngsters. There is a choice of English or French Im-mersion kindergarten classes; liHie fingers ore on computer keys; many ore reading books. The structu re is wide open for socia l and and intellectual g rowth and the pupils absorb it quick ly.
''Ma ny ch ild ren entering kindergarten in West Vancouver have come from nursery schools and homes whe re they are encouraged to converse a nd think, where they ore read to and hove access to books, and where they o re given stimu lating experiences and trips. These children ore ready to push ahead in their learning," lesley Spry, deportment head, explained.
Lesley outlined the kindergarten of today in West Vancouver:
• Children must be five years of age by December 31 to enroll.
: ~~~~~~: ~~j,:~:t~!~~~~ ~~~lsh or French Imme rsion classes. (One-third choose French) .
In the laHer childre n hear no English, only French is spoken. By the end of !he term it is foun d these ch ildren cope well, end up bilingual, hove no problems a nd show no pressure.
and • F~;~~hr~~~:~si~~o!:r~~~~~ ~n:~~~~ social, emotio nal, p hysical , ar tistic, intellectua l. and language development.
Children e ntering kindergarte n thi s year will graduate in the year 2,000. Staff is presently assembling a time ca psu le which will be opened a t the graduation festivities in 2,000. It will tell this year's ki ndergarten story.
"It will be interesting to compare the two years," lesley Spry sa id, "We know the world will be greatly changed and even more cha llenging than it is todoy.l n West
~h~tdc;:~v~~ ~!n~~J;7~~~;:. r, lon for our
