Non Native Species

Liam Stevens created this voicethread about the introduction of non native species in our ecosystems.

Environmental Tips

The voicethread below was created by Jessie Fuller for a unit on the environment.

A British Sonnet

Frances Bryon, an exchange student from England attending the Red Mountain Academy, created this sonnet and movie for English 11.

Scratch Writing Challenge

Create a work of fiction 3000-5000 words: start at the beginning, or the end, whatever works for you. Just make sure the story takes place somewhere in the Columbia Basin and has appealing characters, a dynamic plot, a mind-blowing theme and a magnificent style.

How To Submit

• Create your original, unpublished 3000-5000 word fictional story.
• Prepare your 150-200 word author's bio that explains the essence that is you or how you came to write your amazing story.
• Think about the visual cues to go with your story.
• Go to scratchonline.com/challenge/submit and complete the submission form.
• Upload your story.
• Print your Consent To Use form and return it to CBT.
  *signed by a parent/guardian if you are under 19 years of age

Contest starts Dec. 1, 2009 and ends March 31, 2010

This challenge is open to youth between the age of 15-29 who are residents of the Columbia Basin Trust region.

Skiing, boarding, snowmobiling in the backcountry

You can feel the excitement mounting as the snow continues to fall across the Koots. Getting into the backcountry is high on the agendas of many living in our communities. As tempting as it is to want to ski those prime lines, conditions are sketchy out there. Always be prepared and well informed before heading out. Get in the habit of checking the avi bulletins put out by the Canadian Avalanche Centre at www.avalanche.ca.
Interested in an avalanche course? Check out Rossland Mountain Adventures website.

The library has Avaluator cards and many books on avalanche safety. Learn as much as you can to play safe in the backcountry.

Geist Magazine 6th Annual Postcard Poetry Contest

Geist Magazine is running its 6th annual literal literary postcard story contest. Simply write a story on the back of a postcard that is someway related to the image. The connection can be as tangible as you like. For more details follow the link to Geist Magazine.

FREEDOM

Interesting insight into the quest for freedom. Sam Brown had the desire to live life to its fullest but his story teaches freedom can not be bought. Watch the video and share your thoughts.

A stream of new books

With over 50 new titles to choose from there is bound to be something just for you. From award winners and graphic novels to memoirs and series, the library is the place to find them all. Check out the virtual Shelfari bookshelf on your right to browse the new titles and read reviews. Don't forget you can place a hold if the book you want isn't in.

7 steps for effective researching

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

7 steps for effective researching

View more presentations from nkuhn.

Human Impacts on the Environment

Fish farming

View more presentations from nkuhn.

Environment

View more presentations from nkuhn.

Science 10 Research Project - Ms. Waage
Human interactions with the biosphere can sometimes produce catastrophic results.
These links will help you with your research.

The library in a digital age

Stephanie Rosalia, a librarian at Public School 225 in Brooklyn, teaches Internet skills.
Read the New York Times article about the changing role of the school librarian.

Author of The Week - Kenneth Oppel

Log on to Kenneth Oppel's website to see an interview with the author, book trailers and blog.

LIbrary Thing

LibraryThing is a great website that contains book reviews and summaries, author interviews and recommended books. By joining LibraryThing you can add your favorite reads to the website.

Google Docs

Watch this short video to learn about Google Docs. It is a web based application that allows you to create and share documents and presentations. You can invite collaborators to work with you. Best of all, by using Google Docs you will no longer run into problems trying to open email attachments at school.

Dave Watson skis K2

In July 2009 Dave Watson climbed and then skied the world's 12th tallest mountain, K2. Checkout the story on K2 Expedition 2009.

Welcome Back

WELCOME BACK TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

This year's library orientation will be happening during English. We'll cover such topics as how to find a good read; using the library online databases and Web 2.0 tools that will help you with research, formatting, bookmarking and file sharing.

Xmas in May?

It wouldn't be too far off to say Xmas has arrived early.  There was fresh snow on the ground this morning and it continued on well into the morning.  Xmas does bring gifts and the library has received its fair share this week.  With thirty five new books on the shelves there is something for everyone.  You will find autobiographies, science fiction, lots of vampire series, Giller and Commonwealth Writer's prize winners, along with non-fiction writings by the Dalai Lama and a survivor of Darfur.  Come in soon as the books are disappearing off the shelves as we speak.  Remember you can always reserve a book if it isn't available right away.  

Young Visions 2009

Thursday May 7, 2009 at 7pm, the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar will be hosting the annual exhibition of art of students and teachers from SD 20.  Come out for the opening reception and meet the artists.

The original Book of Negroes measures about a foot-and-a-half by a foot-and-a-half and runs just over 150 pages. Though known to just a handful of scholars, this remarkable hand-written ledger is a historical treasure. Detailing names, ages, backgrounds and often degrading physical descriptions (“stout wench”), it’s the first public documentation of black people in North America — specifically, the 3,000 freedom-seekers who left New York for Nova Scotia and other British colonies near the end of the American Revolutionary War. In exchange for their service to the empire, Black Loyalists were promised liberty and land. What they received was little better than the circumstances they left behind: poverty, hunger, disease and servitude. (See the rest of this story and an interview with Lawrence Hill on cbc.ca)

Ellen Hopkins' books now in the library.

We can't seem to keep these on the shelf.  Ellen Hopkins writes about very real issues concerning drugs, abuse and the role of religion in a young teen's life.  These three books are all written in verse.  A must read.  You can also check out her blog.

Teen Reads

Teenreads.com is the site to check out new releases, book reviews,  author interviews, podcasts, videos,  and much more.  

Magnum in Motion

Magnum In Motion online essays add new dimensions to to the traditional photographic narrative, using a combination of photos, audio, video, graphics, and interactivity.

These essays cover current events around the world using stunning pictures.  It is well worth a peak.

30 Hour Famine

Congratulations to all the 30 hour famine participants who raised 

$2, 689.00 to help feed hungry children around the world.  Some of the reasons RSS students chose to partake in the fundraising campaign:

"... because I am rarely hungry."

"... because I wanted to make a small difference."

"... to help end global inequality."

"... to raise awareness."

Slumdog Millionaire (click here to watch trailer)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When Ram Mohammad Thomas, an orphaned, uneducated waiter from Mumbai, wins a billion rupees on a quiz show, he finds himself thrown in jail. (Unable to pay out the prize, the program's producers bribed local authorities to declare Ram a cheater.) Enter attractive lawyer Smita Shah, to get Ram out of prison and listen to him explain, via flashbacks, how he knew the answers to all the show's questions. Indian diplomat Swarup's fanciful debut is based on a sound premise: you learn a lot about the world by living in it (Ram has survived abandonment, child abuse, murder). And just as the quiz show format is meant to distill his life story (each question prompts a separate flashback), Ram's life seems intended to distill the predicament of India's underclass in general. Rushdie's Midnight's Children may have been a model: Ram's brash yet innocent voice recalls that of Saleem Sinai, Rushdie's narrator, and the sheer number of Ram's near-death adventures represents the life of the underprivileged in India, just as Saleem wore a map of India, quite literally, on his face. But Swarup's prose is sometimes flat and the story's picaresque form turns predictable. Ram is a likable fellow, but this q&a with him, though clever, grows wearying. 
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. 

Spinning the truth?

" We are truth mongers. We are the destroyers of spin." - SpinSpotter

" If you don’t trust the news media, what are your options? You can fume about bias, wonder what you’re missing and suppress the urge to throw things.

But what if there were a device that objectively flagged questionable elements in online news articles, poking and parsing words and phrases, and letting you contribute your own critiques? Well, a Seattle company called SpinSpotter has produced a piece of software — a free download that works within a Web browser — that tries to do just that." - Read rest of article from The New York Times

BC Book Prizes

The finalists for the 25th BC Book Prize  have been announced.  Check out the link to see who has been nominated and get ideas for the next book you want to read.

The Watchmen is now in.

Considered the quintessential graphic novel by fans and critics alike, Watchmen is Dave Gibbons's and Alan Moore's dark and complex tale of superheroes and vigilante justice.

"A work of ruthless psychological realism, it's a landmark in the graphic novel medium. It would be a masterpiece in any."
-TIME, TIME MAGAZINE's 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present 

Pink Shirt DAy

PINK SHIRT DAY FEB. 25, 2009

Bullying Stops Here.  Wear a pink shirt on Wednesday to show you won't tolerate bullying. Log on to www.pinkshirtday.ca for more information on how you can make a difference.

Water For Elephants

Water For Elephants digitalbook talk created by Laura Davis.

BookMooch

This is a fantastic way to get books you've always wanted to read in exchange for books you've already read.  You don't have to pay and you receive points for every book you send away.  You can use points to get other books or you can choose to donate your points to a charity.  For more details follow this link:  BookMooch

Me To We

History shows us that every great social movement began with one incontestable truth: somebody did something.

Do you want to make a difference?  It could be just one simple act within the school or community that could lead to change.  Find out how you can make the world a better place everyday.

We are fortunate to have the Me to We speaking tour come to RSS on Tuesday February, 24 2009.  The keynote address will be for all RSS students.  In addition, there will be an interactive leadership workshop for 25 student leaders.  

We are currently seeking students in Grades 8 - 10 to attend the workshop.  If you are committed to making social change then pick up an application form from Ms. Lavender or Mrs. Kuhn.  This is a unique opportunity to make a difference.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Digital Book Talks

Ms. Smith's English 12 class produced some outstanding digital book talks.  Watch the videos and come to the library to check out the books for a great read.

Helping you find what you WANT to read

Here's a site that provides reviews on books that you WANT to read.  

Getting ready for your provincial exams

Provincial exams start January 26, 2009.  Here is a useful link to practice exams and answer keys.  E-exams are also available.  Try logging on to StudyBuzz for additional study tips and practice questions.  All you need is your PEN, available at the office.  You can access live tutors and get exam prep 24/7.

Helping the environment

This voicethread was produced by Megan Heximer for her Science 7 project on biodegradable products.

A message about our environment

Check out the voicethread created by Kaycee McKinnon for her Science 7 project on biodegradable products.