May 21, Dear Parents/Guardians:

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1 May 21, 2015 Dear Parents/Guardians: You may or may not be aware of concerns that have arisen from a camping trip in Harrison over the Victoria Day long weekend that appears to have involved at least some teenagers likely grads from our school. As I m sure you know, over many decades at many secondary schools, groups of graduating teens often decide to celebrate their impending graduation by going camping together. Often younger students and previous graduates attend as well. These camping trips are not school-sanctioned events, are not supervised, and have nothing to do with the school except to the extent the teens attend one. From evidence in photos and other online posts, it appears a large group of teens who attend Earl Marriott camped at Big Silver near Harrison Lake. On Thursday morning, I received a call from a member of a local 4- wheel drive association regarding concerns about the litter left behind as you see in the photos below. Put simply, the camping teens were irresponsible and rude in leaving a huge mess. Clearly, the evidence shows these teens are likely grads from our school. Just as the many public users of the campsite are affected by the mess left behind, our school is also affected and embarrassed by association with the actions of these teens. Throughout the day I received several phone calls from angry members of the public, members of the Earl Marriott parent community, and numerous messages. Images of the mess left behind are widely circulating on social media. There are many concerns regarding the negative impact on the environment as well as the impact on surrounding wildlife. There were concerns about the safety of our students and the impact on other users of the area. These concerns are justified and real.

2 Earl Marriott Secondary School Page 2 While the school had no knowledge of this camping trip and has no control over what teens do when they are not attending school, the incident clearly reflects on our school and all our students. Social responsibility is a school goal; we need to address the situation and demonstrate that the vast majority of our students appreciate and understand their civic responsibilities. We are requesting that students do the right thing and volunteer to return to Big Silver to clean it up. We will put together a clean-up team of students and staff to travel to the campsite to help restore the area. We are asking students who went camping and students who would like to display their social responsibility to the environment and to our school, to join us. I know you have received and read letters sent to you earlier in the school year; Graduation Expectations and Community Youth Activities/Grad Pranks. I encourage parents to take this opportunity to talk to your sons or daughters about grad celebrations, as well as making good choices and avoiding dangerous situations. It is important that students and parents understand the potential dangers involved. Finally, I will add that we always want our students, whether on school sanctioned events or not, to act respectfully and appropriately. Their actions impact their own reputations and safety as well as the reputation of the larger school and parent community. If you have further questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by phone, , or by , hignell_k@surreyschools.ca Yours sincerely, Mr. Ken Hignell Principal

3 Earl Marriott Secondary School Page 3 Earl Marriott Grad 2015 Newsletter Expectations to Graduate Congratulations on reaching the final stages of high school life! Grade 12 is a time of significant decisionmaking, considerable learning, and celebration. We look forward to your final year at EMS to be exciting and memorable. Like every graduation class, I will challenge you to demonstrate leadership with the rest of the student body at the school. We will continue to challenge all students to consistently strive to be their best. In order to participate in the Graduation activities, EMS grads must be in a position to pass their courses and meet Ministry of Education Graduation requirements by the end of the school year. Student attendance and behavior throughout the year is also taken into consideration. It is also our expectation that all student debts, including the $50 grad fee (covering the cost of venue rental, gowns and grad composite photos) be paid. We expect senior students to demonstrate leadership and good judgment in the classroom, hallways, and at school sponsored events. The graduation events during this upcoming year are intended to build community among the members of the Class of 2015 and to contribute to the development of positive school culture and traditions. It is very important that we remind parents and grads that all events organized and sponsored by the school must be alcohol and drug free. Everyone should understand that this is for the safety of students. Students need to be able to behave appropriately and act with good judgment at all times. All students participating in grad events should be aware of the consequences if they are involved with drugs or alcohol. They face suspension from school and put their participation in future grad events, including the Dinner/Dance, in jeopardy. It is a huge risk, with implications for students, families, and other members of the grad class. It is our hope that students, fully aware of the consequences and the reasons behind school policies, will make good choices. In the past, members of Earl Marriott Grad classes have planned their own Grad Activities. These activities have been unsafe and have directly interfered with learning because of missed class time. The school does not sanction these activities in any way. Activities have included: Wearing inappropriate Welcome Grade 8s t-shirts Grad Class Ski/Snowboarding trips to any mountain (S-TRIP) Grad Class trips out of country, ie. Mexico, Hawaii (S-TRIP) Grad Class camping in late May GRAD CLASS KIDNAP/RUN THROUGH If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the school s administration. In addition, please refer to the website and our twitter for information on upcoming events and dry grad meetings. Don t forget to download the Mari-Time app for your phone and subscribe to the Grade 12 class to get all the latest notifications regarding grad and other school events. Ken Hignell, Principal

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