4-Leaf Clover Winner!
WINNER OF THE FOUR-LEAF CLOVER WORD CONTEST: ZAFFRAN KHALIL, GRADE 12
- Unbelievable. She won the dance tickets at the beginning of the year too!!! >< She must be one lucky girl. Incredibly lucky. Her prize? A copy of Dan Brown’s “Angels and Demons,” soon to be a major motion picture! Thanks to everyone who participated. Better luck next time! – Jenn Lin & Chitha Manoranjan.
Go _ _ _ _ _ Go!
By Emily Chan
What has 8 letters altogether and rhymes with “Pike Lest?” In hearing the announcements, no doubt you’ve heard their catchphrase: GO BIKES GO! One more hint – it starts with BIKE and ends with FEST. If you’re thinking Bike Fest, then you’re right!
Bike Fest was originally introduced two years ago, by the ACTION team. Since then, the event has grown before our very eyes. It used to be composed of having one huge celebration in June, but now Bike Fest is now composed of THREE mini bike trains (plus the June celebration). For only $2.50, you get to ride in the bike train, eat a free nutritional breakfast, be entered into a draw to earn your own bike, and have access to a free bike and helmet rental for the day!
To Whom it May Concern:
We are competing in the BC Green Games. It’s an opportunity for the Windermere Organic Garden to get funding and we could win $1000 for just having the most votes out of all the competing schools. That’s why we are asking you, our amazing, fabulous, supportive friends of the garden, to go to www.bcgreengames.ca/ and register as a supporter and then vote for our project at http://bcgreengames.ca/component/project/?id=116.
Thank you so much for your support. If you would like to further support our cause, you can spread the word to your friends and family as well!
Every vote counts and with an extra $1000, the garden would be able to provide more food for the cafeteria to use. So get voting!
Sincerely,
Neelam Khare & Chitha Manoranjan
- The Organic Garden
The Future of Ethical Science
by Jenn Lin
Stem-cells have the potential to literally become any type of cell within the body; the very nature of cloning is derivative of these types of cells and can be found in multi-cellular organisms. Scientists have strived to further stem-cell research because it could also lead to “treatments for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s” (Payne, 2009), as well as spinal cord injuries by replacing those damaged or lost brain cells, vital organs, nerve tissue, etc.; the remedies for the aforementioned are all highly sought after. Yet the pursuit of stem-cell research is only one example of how scientific advancement at the disregard for ethics could potentially lead to the most frightening realities of tomorrow; when the preservation of one thing at the destruction of another is at stake, there’s no telling what the repercussions could be – Frankenstein, anyone?
Burrard Street Bridge Two Lane Trial
By: Kevin Chan, Alumni
On March 3rd 2009, Vancouver City Council will have to decide whether or not to implement a trial that will test new bike lanes across the Burrard Street Bridge starting this spring and running late into the fall. “City Council has set a list of transportation priorities in the following order: pedestrian, bicycle, transit, movement of goods, and private automobile,” clearly placing alternative transportation ahead of the automobile, according to the city website. The plan keeps with the city’s goal of having bicycles used for 10% of all trips by 2010.
Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love
By: Jessica Luu
The first time I saw Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was at a friend’s house. It was placed noticeably on the ground (among a few other things). Since then, I remembered it as the cover with the pieces of pasta that formed the title. A few months later, I was recommended the novel, having been told that it is an account about a woman traveling to three different countries: Italy, India, and Indonesia. I immediately bought the book afterwards, but months flew by again, and decided to read the synopsis once more. The realization that the book is nonfiction displeased me. I’m not fond of nonfiction novels (even the great ones), as it doesn’t really provide that “imaginary escape”. Even so, I gave Eat Pray Love a try and fell in love with it.
Movie Review: Coraline
By: Max Miller, Grade 9
By the time a dismembered, spider-like hand tried to force its way through a tiny crack in Coraline, I realized I hadn’t really walked into a kids’ movie after all. It may not be something you’ll want to bring your little brother to, but Coraline is still one of the most entertaining animated movies I’ve seen in years.
You’ve probably daydreamed at one point or another about a ‘perfect’ family, where the parents are never on your case, the food is always good, and the days are all about having fun. For Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning), this becomes a reality when she enters a parallel world through a door in her drawing room. Coraline is greeted by her ‘other’ Mother (Teri Hatcher), but it’s soon clear she has more sinister intentions.
Beauty Around the World
By: Farrah Bui Turcotte, Grade 9
I was intrigued at this topic the other day while channel surfing and finally found myself watching The Oprah Winfrey Show. Today’s society focuses so much on appearance and it’s different around the world. What we may think is beautiful here in Canada, may be totally the opposite in another country. Beauty truly and really is in the eye of the beholder.
Windermere Organic Garden
By: Cassandra Ly, Grade 10
There is nothing better than being able to walk outside into the school’s courtyard to see the wide variety of fresh and organic vegetables and fruits that are being grown. In only 2 years, the organic garden has flourished with potatoes to broccoli to tomatoes and even raspberries and blueberries. With the dedicated work of students and teachers, Windermere’s organic garden has become very, very successful. Recently, 7 new beds were built, adding on to the previous 5. These 12 beds will be the holders of parsley, cilantro, onions, lettuce, and many other vegetables, coming soon in the spring. On top of that, a salad bar will be in the cafeteria very soon, giving students the opportunity to make their own salads. The organic garden also has a great composting system, where students empty out the distributed bins throughout the school every few days.
The Shame of Canada
By: Mitchell Agostinho
Canada has a lot to be proud of. We invented basketball, the snowmobile, and half of Superman. We made Margaret Atwood and James Cameron; but those accomplishments are in the past. Our shame is the present.
Northern Alberta should be filled with rich, lush boreal forests – but it isn’t. Instead, it is covered in a flat, barren landscape all because of one thing: oil. The Athabasca Oil Sands (better known as the Athabasca Tar Sands, even though there is no tar), contain massive natural deposits of heavy crude oil that is necessary for making cars “go” and creating plastics. These oil sands consist of a mixture of crude bitumen (semi-solid oil), silica sand, clay, and water. The Athabasca Oil Sands are the largest natural bitumen deposits in the world. The oil reserve is second only to Saudi Arabia, and its cultivation has quickly begun to destroy our world by poisoning the environment. The sands are roughly the size of Florida and pose a huge threat to our future.
Upcoming Events
- Spring Break
March 14 – 22
- First Mini-Bike Train
March 26
- WCP Workshop “games games and more games!”
March 5
IMOVE
iMOVE
Need to get into shape? Need motivation? Need physical activity hours?
Then Join iMOVE for a group workout!
o Want to train for the Sun Run?
Join us for a 10 km run at the seawall
Next meet on March 7th at 9:30AM (free)
o Want to work on your flexibility, balance or core?
Join us for yoga at the Windermere dance studio
Next meet on March Xth, afterschool (free)
o Want to run faster and jump higher?
Do Plyometrics at the Windermere weight room
(Must be a weight room club member; membership available at 10$ )
EMAIL iMOVE@LIVE.CA for more details!
Gateway: Followup
By: Emily Chan, Grade 10
The Gateway Project, first introduced in 2005, was created with the idea that increasing roads will decrease the congestion and therefore reduce pollution. The Government’s plan was to expand Highway 1, twin the Port Mann Bridge, and expand the Delta Port shipping terminal. Along with this, the North Fraser Perimeter Road (NFPR) would be constructed to connect Port Moody and Maple Ridge, and the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) to connect Surrey and Langley to South Delta.
Farewell Ms.Devilla
Some of you may have already heard or noticed, but Ms. Devilla has recently left her post as Head Secretary at Windermere. As students who have received her assistance on several occasions (especially with the photocopying machine), as well as her utmost support with The Word, Chitha and I felt that the least we could do to thank her is to interview her! Her joyful spirit and good nature will always be remembered at Windermere. So on behalf of the students and staff at Windermere, thank you Ms. Devilla for all your hard work and I hope you enjoy your new position at the VSB. For the rest of you readers, enjoy!
Spring Sports
Windermere Sports Update
By Nathan Dinh, Grade 11
Hey Warriors! With basketball season coming to an end and spring just crawling around the corner, a new season of sports is coming! There are different variety of sports including full contact sports, team sports, individual sports, sports involving only your feet, sports involving only the arms, and sports involving both! All grades have opportunities to get out there and play the sports that interest them!
Eco Tips
By: Jenny Ho, Grade 10
When preparing for school lunches, consider these simple ways to reduce waste.
- Use a lunchbox, re-usable container, or thermos to hold lunches instead of paper bags.
- Avoid anything that is disposable, including paper napkins, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, Styrofoam (contain CFCs which contribute to ozone depletion => more UV rays => greater chances of skin cancer), and plastic forks/spoons.
- Opt for aluminum/stainless steel water bottles. Over long-term use, plastic water bottles will release deadly chemicals and collect harmful bacteria.
- Dispose of fruit peels into the grey compost bins at school! In landfills, food takes much longer to decompose and often get locked in by layers of plastic, which takes thousands of years to naturally break down!
http://www.globalstewards.org/lunch.htm
http://www.marinefm.org/
http://www.ghchealth.com/people-who-frequently-reuse-their-water-bottles-may-be-risking-their-health.html
Warrior of the Month
The March Warrior of the Month is Neelam Khare, who was nominated for being an outstanding leader in the school and community. She greets everyone with a smile and is usually singing some tune at the most random of moments. Neelam is and has been extremely involved in the school since grade eight. Some of her interests include sustainability issues and social justice. And of course, she takes enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Q: How do you feel about being nominated for Warrior of the Month? And winning!
Well can’t say I’m surprised… Just kidding! It feels good and I’m honestly surprised because there are a lot of other people who are doing a lot in Windermere who deserve to be recognized as well… like you!
{Stylewatch
By: Cheryl Loh
What are you wearing today?
What? Well, there you go! Can you see? I’m wearing runners…what do you call these kind of pants? Corduroy? No, jeans. [I'm also wearing] white socks, a dress shirt, zipped jacket and another heavy jacket.
Describe your style.
I have no style. Can’t you see? No, of course not.
Do you think that your style says a lot about you?
Casual? Sloppy? Solemn? How can you be casual and solemn at the same time? I subject myself to the force of circumstance, and my feel, too. Like tomorrow, I feel like wearing dress pants.
Canucks Update
By: Gurjita Gadey, Grade 11
All aboard the Canucks Bandwagon! As the Canucks turned things around in February, boasting a record of 9-2-0, there have been a lot of quiet “fans” coming out and showing their presumed support. Where were these so called fans in January?
Mini-Bike Train
Mini-Bike Train
By: Jonathan Fung, Grade 12
Hello and howdy do! March has arrived, and so has spring! As the sun begins to break out (hopefully) in the coming months, there are many exciting things happening from here and onwards. One of such things is the Mini-BikeTrain!
Spring Breakz
Spring Breakz
By: Jemar Ebreo, Grade 11
Goodbye to snowy paths, and welcome to the warmth of the sun,
Spring is approaching, so that means better weather fun.
March break will arrive too, which means a time of relaxation,
No more worries or stress, a week of no frustration.
March also brings us St.Paty’s day, so of course green is the new black,
Its time to stock up on the clovers and leprechauns to keep you on track.
So don’t let the departure of winter get you feeling down,
Embrace the coming of spring and turn that frown upside down.
