Grüß Dich von Landstrasser Gymnasium, Österreich

Team building is what camp Zajac is all about

Henry Kang, Misato Hamanaka and Vanessa Wattamaniuk try on thenewly designed Green Shirt T-shirts.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Sometimes it helps to drive awaythe butterflies by getting a headstart on things. Over the summer,the Green Shirts and Leadershipstudents at Riverside secondaryspent two nights at Camp Zajac towork on team building and to comeup with ideas to make the newgrade 9’s feel welcome, andcomfortable about high school life. The Leadership volunteers spentthe majority of their stay at CampZajac brainstorming ideas to makethe first few days of school morefun and less stressful for the grade9’s. This year, in September, theyhad a grade 9 Previews Day, wherethe grade 8’s came to Riverside forhalf a day before school started. They got a tour of the school,were given their schedules, andthey had hot dogs, chips, cookies,and pop for lunch. During the first

week of school, there was anactivity and a treat for every grade9 each day. They had cupcakes,freezies, and ice creamsandwiches. “ I thought thepreviews were a great way to makethe grade 9’s feel more comfortableabout Riverside and less stressedout about the transition andchanges,” said grade 9 studentEmily Chan. The Green Shirts and LeadershipStudents didn’t just brainstormideas for the grade 9’s at camp,they also discussed projects thewhole school could take part in. This year there is a carnivalplanned for spring for the wholeschool, and a lounge wherestudents and teachers can relaxduring exams. The Leadership crew also tookpart in the activities that CampZajac had to offer, which included

low ropes in the woods, kayaking,canoeing, archery and hiking. They also worked on some teambuilding activities. Riverside staffhas worked closely with theLeadership program and believesin its benefits. “They are workingtogether to become a group ofsocially responsible students,”said vice principal Laurie Ebenal. A typical day at camp Zajac waswaking up, eating breakfast, teambuilding activities, brainstorming,working with groups, eatingdinner, and sitting around the campfire. Students’ favorite activities atCamp Zajac this year were planningand doing skits, and enjoying thecamp fire. “My favorite activity atcamp probably had to be thebonfire,” said grade 11 Green ShirtVanessa Wattamaniuk. The responsibilities at camp were

basically representing Riversidesecondary school, and leaving thecamp in better shape than whenthey got there. “I joined Leadership because Iwas amazed by how many people

wanted to help out around theschool,” said grade 12 Green ShirtAdam Kveton. Students alsojoined leadership because theywanted to make a difference, meetnew people and become leaders.

Selena Banser - staff reporter

Riverside carried on its traditionwith its sister school in Austria byhosting 26 students and three staffmembers from LandstrasserSecondary inVienna. The yearlyexchange ishosted bycounsellor BrianKenny and isdesigned to allowstudents toe x p e r i e n c ecultures andtraditions inanother country. The Austrian students arrived inthe Riverside library MondaySeptember 17 to stay nine dayswith Riverside students and theirfamilies. Next March, 25 Riversidestudents will travel to Vienna tovisit the families of the studentsthey hosted this September. When our students visitLandstrasser in March, They willget a chance to see if Austria is asdifferent to them as Canada isdifferent to the Austrian students.

One of the first positiveimpressions the Austrian studentsreceived was the sheer size ofCanada. “In Canada everything isso much bigger and better,” said

Julian Trubel. The studentsvisited downtownVancouver, to seeall of the differentcultures, and theywere amazed atthe variety.“Vancouver hasmore culturesthan Vienna.

Commercial Drive and Chinatownwere great,” said Raoul Bruck. In preparation for the Austrianstudents’ arrival, Riverside hung alarge banner in the foyer, and putinformation on the school’swebsite. The Landstrasser students’ firstday was spent accompanying theirhosts to their classes to get an ideaof what school routine in Canadais like. Class schedules are differenthere with the main differencesbeing the slightly shorter days andour semesters versus their all year

Vancouver has morecultures than Vienna.Commercial Driveand Chinatown weregreat.-Raoul Bruck

”

Taylor Campfield - staff reporter

Austrian students and their hosts pose for a souvenier photo before boarding the bus to start their journeyhome. Students spent nine days with Riverside families and explored cultural sites of the Lower Mainland.

Vol.12 No. 2 Port Coquitlam, B.C.

photo R.Pope/Eddy

photo Bryony Edward

4Soccer

The boys are tearing upthe league. Is this their

year?

3Parent Barbecue

Riverside’s staff andstudents host a meet &

greet for parents.

Dance Futures?Will a few Bozos ruin it

for the rest of thestudents

2

programs.................. Students were given a variety oftours that allowed them to see asmuch of the Canadian environmentas possible. “The funniest experience that the

Austrian students had was whenthey were canoeing [WidgeonCreek]. They were carrying theirrafts because of the low tide andthey saw a mother bear and hercubs up close on the shoreline.

They all took their pictures, butthen a couple of girls walking pastthe bears screamed. The bears ranaway, but then came back.Everyone got a chance to seethem,” said Mr. Kenny.

Twenty-six students and staff spend nine days visiting Riverside and exploring the Canadian cultural landscape

Opinion/EditorialOpinion/EditorialOpinion/EditorialOpinion/EditorialOpinion/Editorial22222

Goodbye dances?

Shirley Bond wants to be your mom

Thurday, October 4, 2007 - Vol. 12 No. 2

Welcome to the 21st

century, where leadinga healthy lifestyle

seems to be becoming law. Theprovincial education ministry ismeddling again and has declaredthat students will all be required tohave 30 minutes of exercise daily.Junk food will also be banned frommiddle and high schools bySeptember 2008. Educationminister Shirley Bond wants to beyour mom. What will this mean for studentsin B.C? For elementary schoolsthere won’t be much change.However, for middle school andhigh school students it means nomore A&W on Wednesdaysunless you’re willing to walk 15minutes to get it.

But what about the minimum of30 minutes of exercise a day? Whatis the school board planning to do,interrupt science class to take awalk around the field? Sure it’s easyto make sure that everyone who’sin grade ten or under has thataverage of 30 minutes a day: it’scalled P.E., but it’s not that easyfor grades 11 and 12. Do we extendthe school day? If the thirtyminutes aren’t monitored they’ll beignored. The only way of making sure thegrade 11 and 12 students reach therequirement is if they give up anelective. That’s not so bad for agrade 11 student but what aboutthe grade 12’s? In grade 12students take courses they’regood at in order to post a goodGPA for university entrance. So ifthey are required to take P.E. andthey’re not the athletic type, won’tthat result in a drop in their GPA?That’s not exactly what the districtwants, and its certainly not whatthe senior students want. The district has already set inplace a way for grade 11 and 12

students to get exercise. They haveto have 80 logged hours ofphysical activity in order tograduate, but that’s just anotherineffectual ministry initiativebecause kids just fudge the data. It’s not just about the physicalactivity. After all the ministry isalso banning junk food. Theprovinces efforts are lost if as soonas kids leave the school they hitthe local convenience store forsome chocolate and Slurpees or assoon as kids get home all they dois eat junk food and watch TV.That’s not healthy either. If by grade ten a student doesn’thave good exercise habits, is twomore years of P.E. or some type ofexercise program going to changethat? The answer is no. Theministry of education should stopdressing their windows withuseless, politically motivatedinitiatives and work on making P.E.enjoyable enough in years 1-10 sothat students will take the joy ofphysical activity into their senioryears. Leave the important lifeskills to the real moms.

The Eddy has been the independent voice of the students of Riverside Secondary since1996 and is produced monthly by the Journalism 11 class. Journalistic styles and standards conform to those of the Canadian Press. The Eddywelcomes letters to the editor. Letters, however transmitted, must be signed and free oflibel. Additional articles, writing, and opinon pieces are accepted and will be published asspace allows. The Eddy reserves the right to edit all submitted material for brevity, and style.Advertisers can reach the Eddy at eddy@sd43.bc.ca or by contacting Riverside Secondary.

EditorsEditor-in-Chief.............................................................................. Tara MacklinFront Page Editor............................................................................ Tara MacklinOp/Ed Editor.......................................................................... Megan South-FlettNews Editors.......................... .......................................Elliot Kim, Bryn FrayneSports Editor................................................................................... Tara MacklinEditorial Cartoon....................................................................Megan South-FlettAdvisor.................................................................................................. R. Pope

News StaffSelena Banser, Callum Beales, Taylor Campfield, Tori Dove, Bryony Edward, Holdum Grant, Erika Grosset,Sulmas Mosleh, Devin Pruden, Jasmin Ross-Smith, Megan South-Flett

Multiple winner of the Quill and Scroll Society’s George H. Gallup Award and International FirstPlace Award s for Journalistic Excellence

Riverside Secondary2215 Reeve Street, Coquitlam, B.C.

Canada, V3C 6K8(604) 941-6053 local 221

fax (604) 941-2639http://www.riverside.sd43.bc.ca/

One in four already at health risk

Last year we saw popular principal Chris Kennedy leave to acceptan assistant superintendent position in West Van., and this year wehave yet another new principal, Mr. Scott Robinson. DuringRiverside’s 11 years it has gone through 16 different administratorsincluding five different principals. With so many administrativechanges there is bound to be confusion, anxiety, and frustration.Fortunately this year that may not be the case. Principal Robinsonintends to keep things running the way they were when Kennedy wason the job. Robinson understands how unsettling these frequent changes canbe for everyone and doesn’t want to change anything in an alreadyproductive environment. He plans to observe and evaluate andsupport the many successful initiatives Riverside has going. Right now his main objective is to get a feel for Riverside and itscommunity, meeting and interacting with the Leadership students,student council, the staff, and the student body as a whole in order tolearn from all perspectives. Continuing with what Kennedy started isthe right thing to do - Riverside’s reputation will remain that of amodel school with an excellent staff. Hopefully principal Robinson willbe afforded enough time to make this his school.

School officials are considering putting a stop to Riverside’s dancesunless steps are taken by some students to reform their behaviour.The last couple of dances have been Gong Shows with fights,drinking, and vandalism. Its one of the things that trouble adults the most: the possibility ofviolence. When brawling it out on the dance floor there are not onlyrisks for the combatants, but for those around them. Just stop.Horsing around was unacceptable throughout elementary and middleschool, its no different here. Next concern, inappropriate conduct: no matter how hyped you areor how alive you are feeling, please refrain from doing anything thatwould make a longshoreman blush – at least not on the schoolgrounds where everyone can watch. Students do appreciate the dances, “They’re great opportunities forthe students to plan an event; Leadership and the marketing students.they work together to make the event happen,” says Kristina Morgan,grade 12. “It’s a good place to hang out with friends,” says KylePackham, grade 12. All too true; experience can only help a personlearn and grow, and a dance can provide an evening like no other; itsan opportunity to practice social skills, revamp dance steps, and justhave fun. So far the Winter Ball is still a go, but unless Riverside gets its acttogether that will be the only dance this year. One important factremains: dances are not a right. Dances are held because staffmembers are willing to help organize them and give up their own freetime in order to supervise. Riverside is in fact one of the fewsecondary schools left that still supports dances. What can you do? Be responsible and if your friends are planningsomething inappropriate, remind them that it’s not just their fun that’sat risk. The principle is the same: if you abuse it, you lose it

It is time to bite the bullet andaccept the inevitable. Startingin September 2008 the B.C.

government will be issuing amandatory 30 minutes of physicalactivity a day, as well as removingjunk food sold in school cafeteriasand vending machines. Now hold on a minute, let’s thinkthis through. So those of you whodread P.E. can catch your breath;you are not required to takeanother P.E. class. If you arealready in P.E. for grade 11 and 12,kudos to you, keep up the goodwork. But for the rest of the studentbody we have some shaping up todo. And yes, you may not be ableto buy as many sweets or deep

fried snacks that you are used to.But this is all being done to helpprevent serious risks like diabetesand heart disease, becauseaccording to stats; one in four ofus is obese. What’s 30 minutes out of yourday? Could it really do any harm?No. Is it a pain? Yes.Obesity; everyone’s heard of it, it’sa mainstream issue. Statistics showthat as close to one in every fourchildren is obese or on the vergeof becoming obese. What doesthat say to you about thesituation? If you pair this up withthe fact that only 20% of studentswalk to and from school todayopposed to the 1980’s 50%, it’s notall that surprising anymore. Instead that little extra exercise aday is being exchanged for sittingin front of the computer and thetelevision. As a society we areslowly becoming more ignorantwith each generation. I can alreadysee our life expectancy dropping.What exactly does obesity do to

your body and mind? The list isendless, but here’s a small exampleof what one could experience:depression, possible developmentof type II diabetes, increased riskof developing cancer and heartdisease, and premature death Education minister ShirleyBond’s long-term goal for thisprogram is “…to embed the habitsof regular activity and healthyeating in students in hopes they’llkeep up the lifestyle as adults…”She is trying to succeed wheremany families have failed. As little as walking to schoolcould be enough; making yourway to and from on foot couldeasily make up that 30 minutes aday.This new provincial initiative willno doubt help British Columbiaestablish its reputation as havingthe highest health standards inCanadian schools. We would notonly live in one of the most desiredplaces to live, but in one of thehealthiest.

The editorials that appear in this space represent the opinion of the Eddy. Theydo not necessarily represent the personal views of the writer. The positionstaken in the editorials are arrived at through discussion amoung members ofthe Eddy staff.

Megan South-Flett - Op/Ed Editor

Change the only constant

“It’s a good school with lots of clubs andsports teams to join,” said grade 12, SandyQuan. On a sunny September’s evening,Riverside welcomed parents, teachers andstudents to a barbecue. Riverside is a big school, but luckily,parents had their son or daughter to helpguide them around after they had been fedand listened to a welcome from principalRobinson. Operating the barbecues were members ofRiverside’s PAC, Jeff Harrison, RobynCambrey, Donna Josephson and JuliaHarrison. Most of the parents had never metthe staff or been inside the school so theschool hosted a barbeque as an opportunityfor parents to look around and meet theirchild’s teachers. “Everyone’s been superfriendly and welcoming,” said Mr. Robinson. At the beginning of the event, teachers,

students and parents enjoyed food togetherbefore moving into the cafeteria whereprincipal Robinson, vice principals LaurieEbenal and Todd Clerkson welcomed guests. Principal Robinson was happy with thenumber of people that came to the barbequeand hopes for even more next year.

Riverside fires up the BBQ for new parentsBryony Edward - staff reporter

Down by the RiversideWhat was your first impression of Riverside?

Alex Dumaine Anastasya Shults Tyler Shaw Erin Balzer Tyler Toscani“I’m liking the babes, andthere’s a lot more to do.”

“It’s big and it’s cool.” “It rocks my socks off.” “At first I didn’t like it, but nowthat I’m used to it, it’s good.”

“Lots more kids, and it’s a lotbigger than middle school.”

On the evening of October 19th,band teacher Carol Sirianni hasdecided to throw a Southside“Socktober” Celebration to celebratethe year 1957. The fun goes from 5 o’clock - 10o’clock p.m. in the musicdepartment. Elementary schools, middleschools, parents, students, post-graduates, teachers, and the wholecommunity is invited. The celebration’s focus is on thefood, music, culture, and historyof the ‘50’s. Tons of games, contests for peopleto compete in like a hula hoopcontest and a bubble blowingcontest, music, and performancesfor people to watch, tasty food, acake walk, and costumes. Tons offun for the whole family. Purchase tickets through all of theSouthside schools. The ticket saleproceeds remain with the PAC of theselling schools. For more information about theSouthside Socktober Celebration,you can contact Carol Sirianni atcsirianni@sd43.bc.ca or BrendaSeaman at breanseaman@shaw.ca

Staff reporter- Selena Banser

Southside SocktoberCelebration

Thurday, October 4, 2007 - Vol. 12 No. 2

And here’s to you, Mr. RobinsonRiverside welcomes new principal Scott Robinson, its 5th principal in 11 years.

New principal Scott Robinson plans tosupport many of the positive programs thatRiverside offers and also plans to observeand consult before making any significantchanges. His priorities are working on students’transition from middle to secondary,supporting technology initiatives, improvinggraduation rates and working to curbvandalism. Mr. Robinson cites one of his biggestchallenges as getting to know the unfamiliarcommunity. “I’ve only been here for a fewweeks and my plan is to talk to as manystudents, teachers and parents as I can andtry to find the areas where we are havingproblems and working on them.” Mr. Robinson was born in Victoria andgraduated from the university of Victoria.While at university, his interest in teachingwas kindled by his experiences working withteens in a group home. Currently in his ninth year as anadministrator, he taught for six years at theelementary and middle level (Vanier andKwayhquitlum) before becoming a viceprincipal at Monty junior/middle, thenprincipal of Leigh elementary, and principal

Elliot Kim - staff reporter

New principal Scott Robinson is looking forward to getting to know thecommunity and supporting Riverside’s many successful programs.

After Grad Chair Mr. Jeff Harrison helpscook for Riverside’s guests.

photo B. Edward/Eddy

of Maple Creek Middle before coming toRiverside. In his spare time, Mr. Robinson loves tokayak and hike, listen to music (rock andclassical) and read a lot. He also enjoystravelling. “I spent a week in Torontoand and a week in New York City this pastsummer.” Asked about influences in his life he cites

his mom as his personal hero. “Before shedied of leukemia, she taught me the value ofbuilding strong relationships by beingrespectful and kind to those around you.” Favorite foods include Thai cuisine andturkey with all the trimmings. He’s currentlyreading Good to Great by Jim Collins, a bookabout improving already well functioningorganizations.

It was easy to tell that this yearwas going to be special after theRapids soccer team trouncedCharles Best 5-0 to start leagueplay. This year’s Rapids’ style ofplay relies on quickness and tightball control. “There is some goodspeed on this year’s team and theboys are starting to mesh,” saidcoach Mario Luongo. Many of the lads have beenplaying for Riverside since gradenine, most notably The TwinTowers Dustin and DavisWallington and forward/midfielderMatt Rosenlund. Dustin’s solid play in midfieldprovides the anchor for a verystingy defense. His balldistribution is always on themoney allowing quick breaks byRapids’ slick forwards. Quite often the target of hispasses is his twin brother DavisWallington whose impressive ball-handling and toughness has beengiving defenders fits. Newcomer striker Josh Viegas isslicker than oil on a rain puddledashing around opponents for

Holden Grant - staff reporter

Sporty Shorts

Thursday, October 4, 2007 Vol.12 No.2

Sr. girls young but remain strong

Captain Davis Wallington streaks around a Centennial defender to set up Josh Viegas for the Rapids’ firstgoal. Riverside defeated arch rivals Centennial 2-1.

Sr. boys volleyball rebuildingSR. Boys VolleyballSept 14 Prince of Wales LossSept 14 McRoberts LossSept 14 Burnaby North LossSept 15 Port Moody LossSept 15 J.N. Burnett WinSept 15 Prince of Wales LossSept 20 Heritage Woods LossSept 21 Brooks LossSept 21 Windermere WinSept 21 David Thompson WinSept 22 Templeton WinSept 22 Gulf IslandsWinSept 22 Templeton LossSept 27 Garibaldi WinSept 28 Crescent Heights ( MedicineHat ) LossSept 28 Kelowna LossSept 28 D.W. Poppy WinSept 29 Mt. SentinelLossSept 29 Porter Creek (White Horse)Loss

Boys SoccerSept. 13 Win vs Best 5-0Sept. 20 Win vs Centennial 2-1Sept. 25 Win vs Fox 5-0Sept. 27 Win vs Maple Ridge 4-0Oct. 2. Win vs Pinetree 3-0

Erika Grosset - staff reporter The senior girls volleyball teamhave lost all their seniors. Theplayers that helped them place inthe top five in BC last year havenow graduated. It won’t be as easythis year. They’ve had early success at theUBC tournament, beating FraserValley Christian, Eric Hamber, andSouth Kamloops, in long three setmatches. The Rapids’ tournamentscore was four wins and twolosses. This year, the senior girlsvolleyball team is working on

rebuilding. Last year the Rapidshad an overall record of 47 winsout of 55 matches. Their coach,Bryan Gee, has said he is confidentabout how the girls are going toplay this season. “These girls area young team that will challengemany of the stronger schools,” saidGee. The girls are enthusiastic andworking hard to accomplish theirgoal this season. “This year is verydifferent than last year because lastyear it was mostly grade twelves,and this year it’s mostly gradeelevens,” said #6 Kate Gyorgy.

The senior girls are rebuilding after losing all their seniors and coach Lawrence Vea

Tori Dove - staff reporter The sr. boys volleyball team arealready off to a good start in whatis for them a rebuilding year. Theteam is working extremely hard tomake up for the grade 12’s thatgraduated last season. This year the team has only fourgrade 12 players where last yearthe team was mostly made up ofseniors. The team started off theyear playing against Prince ofWales. Prince of Wales took thelead 2-0. On September 15 the team’s luckturned around and they conqueredJ.N. Burnett 2-0. Then a steadywinning streak, with the teamwinning four games in a rowagainst Windermere 2-1, DavidThompson 2-1, Templeton 2-1andGulf Islands 2-0. On the weekend of September 21-22 the Rapids came third in thetough Capilano College

Invitational Tournament. The teamdefeated Windermere, DavidThompson, Templeton and GulfIslands Secondary. The team is also without manyof the year round club players thatgave them an edge. Even thoughthis is a set back, coach Carlo Murobelieves that the main purpose ofbeing a part of a team is to not winall the time but to learn to work with

other players. “Even if we don’twin, we will still feel good aboutourselves,” said Muro The team faces some toughcompetition this year fromCentennial, Port Moody andHeritage Woods. “These schoolsall have players who playvolleyball year round and areextremely committed,” said coachMuro.

Rapids beat Centaurs to start streak

Sr. Girls VolleyballSouth Slocan TournamentSept. 29, 30Win vs Selkirk College 25-20Win vs Rutland Secondary 25-28Loss to Mount Sentinel 14-25Win vs Rutland Secondary 25-10Win vs Selkirk College 25-23Loss to Mount Sentinel 16-25

blasts on net, or nutmegginghapless midfielders to lay offpasses to other forwards. Matt Rosenlund is back for hisfourth year and has matured into a

very smart player. Alwaysdangerous, Rosenlund’s strengthis anticipating the flow of play anddishing passes into holes whereteammates magically appear. His

wicked shot is often unexpectedby keepers and he’s found the netmore than once this year fromoutside the 18. The most impressive victory this

season might have been againstarch rivals Centennial. Stackedwith Metro players, the Centaursare perrenial league champions butfell 2-1 to the Rapids. Goals came from Evan Sinclairand Josh Viegas who neverstopped running at the Centaurdefence. The Rapids’ defeat of Terry FoxRavens saw forward CoryNightingale pot two goals en routeto another 5-0 drubbing. The Rapids are getting regularscoring from the Wallingtons,Rosenlund, Viegas, and EvanSinclair but a variety of otherplayers take turns contributing. Brad Bruneski scored twiceagainst Maple Ridge. “We have avery balanced attack. All the boysare dangerous regardless of wherethey play,” said Luongo. Rapids defeated Pinetree 3-0, andMaple Ridge 4-0. At press time theRapids faced their toughestopponents Moody senior. TheBlues are having as successful aseason as the Rapids and theshowdown will be between theonly two undefeated teams in thesenior league.

Matt Gerwing 10, and Pat Hay 9, block during win over Garibaldi.

Jessy Fisher digs in 2-1 lossagainst Centennial.