Argyle Students Achieving

Students grow flowers & herbs for Outdoor Classroom

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:20:52 -0500

Argyle Alternative High School,(Argyle) is presently developing an outdoor education classroom. As part of the initiative, students are using hydroponics systems to grow plants which will be placed in the outdoor classroom environment.
Hydroponics involves growing plants in nutrients solutions.
Argyle’s environmental studies class has been testing a variety of plants suitable for transplant into the outdoor educational classroom environment.
Chantal has used the hydroponics system to grow a variety of flowers and herbs. These include Marigolds, Delphinium, Sun flower, Lupins, Pansy, and Garlic chives.
To date three Marigold plants have sprouted, and are about 2 1/2 cm in height. The rest of the plants are dormant.
Hopefully, in about two weeks, the rest of the plants will have sprouted.
Once the plants have matured, they will be transplanted into the outdoor educational classroom. This should happen in the latter part of May.
Students, staff, community members, and the general public will be able to enjoy the beauty of the plants for the Summer and Fall seasons.
In this introduction to Hydroponics, students have learned the important practices of growing plants. The three practices are: first plant the seeds in the rock wool, second, check the pH of the water, third, set plants under correct lighting in hydroponics system. Adding the right amount of nutrients at specific times is also very important.

Lt. Governor’s Youth Experience

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:17:28 -0500

Lt. Governor’s Youth Experience Program is in full swing! Many students were acknowledged for their achievement in the April evaluation. They received a lanyard, $10 subway gift certificate, a journal/pen set, and highlighter. Our school was picked for a $50 cheque and Chris Almario was the lucky recipient. Keep up the good work everyone!

Aboriginal Youth in Governance

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:10:46 -0500

Empowering Aboriginal Youth in Governance and Leadership (EAYGL) in association with the Aboriginal Leadership Institute, Inc. Fundraising Luncheon.

Four students were sponsored by the North West Company to attend this networking luncheon and to listen to four prominent keynote speakers. All proceeds going towards youth programs and creating opportunities for EAYGL. The four students included: Jessica Canard, Stephanie Kent, Melissa Keno and Danielle Beauregard.

Argyle Receives National Recognition for Environmental Projects

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:07:51 -0500

Argyle Alternative High School was chosen as one of three winning schools across Canada for the 2007/2008 edition of the Youth Eco-Parliament. An Argyle student (Tyler Aho) and staff member (John Danko) will represent Manitoba at the European Eco-Parliament 2007-2008 International Meeting for Delegates from May 12th to May 18th, 2008, in Prague, The Czech Republic. At this meeting, the “YEP Report for the environment: let’s change our daily habits!” will be presented to representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

World Culinary Cuisine a Success!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:06:21 -0500

Our cooking extravaganza was a colossal success with food from Thailand, India, The Middle East and China. Thanks to all those who participated; Caitlin Johnson as head Chef, and to Clay and Dave T for their interesting photos of far away places.

Sam Unrau win Manitoba Association of School Trustees Citizenship Award

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:05:25 -0500

Chamber of Commerce
Woos Students at Lunch

On April 23, Leadercon ‘08 was held at Canad Inns Polo Park. The Chamber Of Commerce, on a few occasions prior to this conference, had been trying to reach out to the teens of today, who are becoming the workers of tomorrow.
The morning of the conference consisted mainly of receiving the teens’ feedback about a new upcoming website, “The Next Generation.” Detailed information about a wide range of career choices will be portrayed on this site, as well as ways to contact people in the work force for feedback on each of the jobs. These are just some of the ideas solicited for helping the website launch to be a success for everyone still searching for their career path.

Guest speaker, former Mayor Glenn Murray, presented his speech, which got a well deserved standing ovation, to everyone during the lunch buffet, provided by the Canad Inns. Leaving the teens with the message to never give up on your dreams even through the worst of your struggles, because as long as you’re trying, you can never be a failure.
Near the end of the conference, The Chamber Of Commerce tried to receive feedback on what teens want and expect from their city. A wide range of ideas were shared and recorded, anything from trying to save the environment and go green, to “in with the old and out with the new”, fixing, maintaining, and rebuilding the heart of our city. We were left with an inspirational plan of the new upcoming attraction, the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. A video was shown which shared the past and looked toward the future
By Aurora Harrold

Of Mice and Men

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:03:53 -0500

With the permission of the John Steinbeck estate, Argyle’s video production class is recreating a modernized version of the classic novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ written by nobel prize winner John Steinbeck.
After obtaining the rights to make the film in November of 2007, students produced 3 drafts of the screenplay, immediately following came the preproduction in early January and casting calls in late January. And in early March filming began of the feature length film in an elaborate set in a warehouse on Gomez Street.
Sixteen students make up the cast and crew for the film as well as having the help of 6 professional film-makers, although, roughly 40 students will be involved in the Of Mice and Men production in some way such as the health and food class will be responsible for a menu on set. The art class will be involved with decoration for the set. Drama students will be playing extras in the film.
The main cast for the film is Stan Wood who plays the part of George, John Cook playing Lennie, Matt Montour playing Candy, Kyle Hudlin-Whelan as Curly, Albert Flett as Crooks, Veronica Zorn-Chandler as Curly’s Wife, Beau Sweatman as Slim, Tyler Menzies as Whit, Darrion Anonychuk as Carlson and lastly Dave Taylor-Young playing the Boss.
With about 1/3 of the film complete there have been “a lot of interpersonal conflicts between cast and crew making things slow and frustrating” says Tyler Menzies who plays Whit but was also quick to mention how much fun it has been on the set. Filming is supposed to be complete in June 2008 and the editing will take place in the fall. The video will be screened at the Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival in November.
By Adam Gillespie

Take Pride Winnipeg! Mentor Program

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:38:34 -0600

Four conscientious Argyle students are paired up with two classrooms at Niji Mahkwa school were they deliver lessons on civic pride, litter, graffiti and the environment. Danielle, Melissa, Daisy, and Teresa are our school ambassadors participating in this program. They are having a great time with the young students!

Pinkham Volunteers

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:34:17 -0600

Pinkham Volunteers -- Giving a Helping Hand Where Needed!
Pinkham is a small elementary school for students in nursery to grade six, and they really appreciate our students helping them with reading, arts and crafts, or just to hang out with a “Big Person”. Argyle students are proud to be part of the achievements that Pinkham students make. Megan Pimentel & Rhiannon Lightfoot are in the Kindergarden room. Terri Nenka & Georgia McDonald are in the Alternative classroom. Tanya Muswagon & Erin Beres are in the Reading Recovery program.

Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:26:23 -0600

Argyle Student Achievements
Argyle Alternative High School continues to provide amazing opportunities for students. From sending students to other provinces, or giving them the chance to have a job right out of high school with the Assiniboine Credit Union program, the school never fails to give students the chance to have advantages in life.
Melissa Keno has been selected to be a member of AYAC (Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee). From filling out paper work to writing a biography, her hard work paid off. It will help her build her resume as well as help her gain knowledge about other issues around the city.
The program’s purpose is to help Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centers (UMAYC) with proposal reviews for funding recommendations. The proposals go to the Department of Canadian Heritage-Manitoba office to help out the Aboriginal community of Winnipeg.
Melissa will be helping AYAC to decide on who gets funding. Her main concern is to help inner-city kids. She is interested in funding Rossbrook House is a 24-hour place where kids can go, and it keeps them off the street and out of trouble.
By:Samantha Tkachyk

Community Service Award

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:55:52 -0600

Thanks Kat for participating in the community!

The following is from the United Way Youth page:

Last night, the Youth Relations Council hosted a reception to honour the recipients of United Way’s 2007 Student Community Service Award. The award is our way of celebrating the great things that young volunteers are doing in Winnipeg.
Every year we get to present the SCSA to about 50 Grade 11 students from all across the city. The reception was a chance for us to bring them all together into one room and say “thank you!” It was also a great way for them to connect with other young volunteers.
Katrina Olson is one of the cool people we met last night. (She’s in the photo above, along with YRC member Michael Champagne). The award recipient from Argyle Alternative High School, Katrina has participated in a long list of volunteer activities: the school’s Aboriginal group, the MTS Allstream mentorship program, the Terry Fox Run, and United Way fundraising are just a few examples. She also served as the research coordinator for the school mural and she produced a video on student diversity in the work place.
We got to know Katrina a little bit back last spring, when she was one of the students who organized a BBQ/Games Day for the children who go to Pinkham Elementary School. Katrina and her peers ended up getting a Youth Connections grant to help them pay for their project.

Aboriginal Achievement Award

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:00:51 -0600

Stanley Wood is the winner of the Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award based on artistic merit. Stanley won the award based on three movies he helped make. Stanley wrote and acted in one of the movies, and was the cinematographer for the other two. Watch video of the event on this page.

Cardboard Boat race

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 09:17:41 -0600

Argyle Alternative High School students participated in a cardboard boat race on November 5, 2007. The event was sponsored by Skills Canada Manitoba, and was held at the 17th Wing Recreational Centre on Whytewold. The boat designed by the students did extremely well. It held the second most weight and placed second in the race (within 15 seconds of the winning team). Click here for slideshow.

Students Show movies @ Cinematheque Theatre

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:43:07 -0500

The Visionary and Z is for Zombies showed at the Cinematheque theatre on June 21. The movies will be entered into film festivals throughout the next year.

Students Produce EarthBeat CD

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:23:24 -0500

The Argyle Aboriginal Drumming group have published a CD of their music. The CD is now on sale. Please phone 942-4326 and ask for Chris Krucko or email ckrucko@wsd1.org

For a sample song please click for mp3: Old Moccasin Song.mp3

Young Humanitarian Award for Argyle Student

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:28:20 -0500

Vanessa Kozak received a Young Humanitarian Award from the Manitoba Teacher society on April 25. Way to go Vanessa!

Students Win Plan Winnipeg contest

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:00:53 -0500

The Urban Institute of the University of Winnipeg in conjunction with the Winnipeg Free Press initiated a contest to find new ideas for our fair city. Bonnie Caron and Shaina Paulizyn two Argyle students came up with a crackerjack concept to place a pedestrian bridge across the Red River near the school and link it to a co-housing project in Old St. Boniface. Their efforts won them the prize of $500.00 and the possibility of developing the idea with the institute. Click to see their video.

Students Win Podcast Contest!

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 15:07:04 -0600

Argyle’s students took part in the national My Media podcast contest where students across Canada created 2 minute videos about media awareness and stereotypes in the media. Krystyn Eastman and Samantha Tkahchuk submitted “What gay means in the media”, (see video above) which earned them 2nd place and Stephanie Johnson submitted “Not all media is truthful”, earning her 3rd place! (see video below) The students appeared on A Channel’s Big Breakfast. There was a short article in the Free Press on Feb. 28 (see below) and a longer article will appear later this week.

Argyle Podcasters on A-Channel

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 11:34:39 -0600

Krystyn Eastman, Samantha Tkahchuk and Stephanie Johnson won a national podcast contest (click to see their videos) and together with principal Rob Riel were invited onto A Channel’s Big Breakfast. (watch show above)

Student Organize Anti-Racism Event

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 15:24:22 -0600

Students learnt about the Holocaust by watching a presentation put together by Gavin Chamish and Spencer Fernando. Following their succinct overview, Mrs. Fela Schwemer, a Holocaust survivor, spoke of her experiences and survival in concentration camps. Her presentation was touching, gripping and hopeful in that Mrs. Schwemer came out of such a horrific experience without bitterness and much generosity of heart.
Following this was a special effects movie written and directed and produced by Joe Bachynsky. (See movie above) The theme of her movie was the trial of Louis Riel. Students from the school starred in her production. Don Robinson, a Cree social worker,who was also another invited guest spoke of his experiences with racism growing up in the Prairies. The question and answer period addressed many pertinent questions brought forth by our students. This was a successful event in which many students participated and learned about historical events that they may have not known about.

Homelessness presentation Volunteering @ Agape Table & Siloam Mission

Tue, 5 Dec 2006 11:36:47 -0600

On Dec. 4, 2006 Argyle students gave Keynote and video presentations on homelessness to the students in the multi purpose room. On Dec. 5, students and staff volunteered at Agape Table and on Dec. 7 at Siloam Mission. These events were all student initiated, student driven and student produced. Way to go Argyle students. Above you will see the video presented by Joe. She went to Siloam Mission and interviewed staff and patrons (homeless people) regarding the issues of the homeless.

Finding Joe CBC Newspot

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:49:21 -0600

On Thusday Nov. 23, 2006 CBC did a news spot on Stan Wood and his involvement in the Argyle film Finding Joe.

Finding Joe Wins at Aboriginal Film Fest

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:27:18 -0600

On Saturday November 25, 2006 Finding Joe, a film about addiction, won Best New Talent at the Aboriginal Film Festival. Congratulations to all the cast and crew.

River Valley Film Festival

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:48:06 -0500

The River Valley Film Festival judges had encouraging words for Argyle students and their entries.

Argyle Students @ Urban Shaman Downtown Gallery

Wed, 31 May 2006 11:10:48 -0500

Argyle students displayed their art at the Urban Shaman Art Gallery in downtown Winnipeg in 2006

Finding Joe in Theatres

Wed, 3 May 2006 09:24:09 -0500

The movie was shown at Cinematheque theatre on April 27. Congrats to students who showed the movie & answered questions at R.B. Russell Film Fest on April 20.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TRAILER

Student Advisory

Wed, 3 May 2006 09:21:37 -0500

Congratulations to Joe Bachynsky and Spencer Fernando for participating as student reps to the Winnipeg SB Student Advisory Committee

Samantha Tkachyk-Findlay

Wed, 3 May 2006 09:19:08 -0500

Congratulations to Samantha Tkachyk-Findlay who was a student representative at the Youth in Philanthrophy National Conference in Saskatoon.

Teen Touch Luncheon

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 15:14:44 -0500

Argyle Student presents video at Teen Touch Fall luncheon  Congratulations to Cierra Giesbrecht for speaking at the Teen Touch Fall luncheon which was at the Winnipeg Convention Centre and attended by the Minister of Education of Manitoba. Cierra presented her video on bullying which which can be viewed on the Video Program page. Her interviews on City TV and CBC were shown on November 24, 2005. Watch the video (but first download iTunes )

Big Bite in Theatres

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 15:14:21 -0500

The Big Bite, a feature film made by Argyle Sox Productions was shown at the Globe theatre in Winnipeg on March 16 & 17, 2006. Approximately 250 people where at the Friday showing. It has also been selected to be shown at the travelling Freeze Frame Festival in towns across Manitoba.
Watch the trailer!

The Big Bite at the Aboriginal Film Festival
The Big Bite was shown at the Aboriginal Film Festival in Winnipeg. It was nominated along with professional productions.

The Big Bite at the Park Theatre
The Big Bite was shown at the Park Theatre in Winnipeg during October 2005.

The Big Bite at Cinematheque Theatre
The Big Bite first hit the big screen at the Cinematheque Theatre in Winnipeg in June of 2005.