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Stanley Humphries in January: drum making, bridge breaking, and dodgeball

Castlegar’s high school had a busy January.
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Grade 12 Physics students test how much weight their spaghetti bridges can support. Photo submitted

Basketball in full swing

SHSS basketball teams were very active in January, with 13 games scheduled and many more practices. Congratulations to the Grade 8 and junior boys teams, who both won one game! The junior/senior girls teams and Grade 8 girls teams have also been active this season. Though many games were cancelled due to poor weather conditions, our teams continue to achieve, lead, and succeed.

Indigenous drum making

workshop

Indigenous staff and students were able to participate in a drum making workshop led by community elders. Students and staff learned how to assemble the drums, made of elk and deer skin, on the 13th, then the drums were left to dry and spiritually awaken for four days. On the 17th, the group gathered again to learn how to use the drums and to make medicine pouches.

The workshop was open to Indigenous staff and students of all ages, all of whom appreciated the opportunity to learn their heritage and make important cultural connections. SHSS would like to extend a big thank you to those who participated as well as those who made this workshop possible!

January dodgeball tournament

The lunchtime dodgeball tournament returned by popular demand! Organized by the SHSS Student Council, the tournament was a round-robin style where students formed teams and faced off against each other in intense five minute matches. Four junior teams and six senior teams participated. Congratulations to the senior bracket winners, the Dodgefathers, and to the junior bracket winners, the Red Solo Cups!

SHSS Got Talent auditions

Auditions for the annual talent show, SHSS Got Talent, were held in the activity room on Jan. 16. The talent show will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13. Students and staff will perform a variety of spectacles, ranging from musical numbers and dances to comedy skits.

Grade 8/9 Project Week

In lieu of exams, our Grade 8s and 9s were tasked with creating various projects to showcase what they have learned throughout the year. Some were given the task of redesigning SHSS, and presented their designs as a website using Google Sites.

Through this task, students learned to use various graphic design software to achieve the desired result. Other students were tasked with contributing to a class booklet on the periodic table, combining art and graphic design skills with scientific research. These projects were displayed at our learning showcase on Jan. 21. We would like to thank students and teachers for their hard work during this busy week!

Learning Showcase open house

Spirit is alive and well at Stanley Humphries! SHSS held an open house on Jan. 21 to acknowledge various students’ projects and efforts throughout the year. The band held a fundraising raffle and performed for spectators. It’s Just Sope, SHSS’ newest entrepreneurs, sold beautiful, hand-crafted soaps.

Mr. McKay’s Physics 12 class held a bridge-breaking contest, where students put their final projects — bridges made of glue, spaghetti, and wood — to the test. The arts classes displayed a portfolio of students’ work, with some art students painting live on-scene. The culinary arts and foods classes served delicious student-made creations.

Other highlights of the night include escape rooms built by the Grade 8 and 9 students, Rube Goldberg machines built by Grade 8s and 9s, SH media productions, and English and French visual projects on display throughout the school.

Visitors also had the option of meeting and connecting with Selkirk College, CDCSS, and the local Interact Club. We are incredibly proud of our students’ excellent work, and would like to thank all the parents, staff, students, and volunteers that made this night possible!

Last day of first semester

Jan. 22 was the last day of the first semester. Classes were not in session on the 23rd and 24th, but the school remained open for those taking exams. Second semester classes began Monday.

Stanley Humphries student Jenni Buskas writes here once a month.

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The final senior game of dodgeball played this month as part of a lunchtime tournament. Photo submitted
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Mr. Wall and Mrs. Reid’s Grade 9 class produced an in-depth look at the elements of the periodic table. Photo submitted
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It’s Just Sope: Lucy Walters (left), Reneet Kang (centre), and Sarah Cousins (right) are Grade 11 entrepreneurs selling handcrafted soaps. Photo submitted
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Students Grace Woodcox (left) and Sian Spiller-Tisserand (right) with their drums and medicine pouches. “I just think doing this is such an important step forward,” Woodcox said of the workshop. “Forty years ago, this would have been illegal.” Photo submitted
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Examples of rooms at Stanley Humphries as re-designed by Grade 8 and 9 students. Photo submitted