My name is Ms. Lisa Marples, and I have the pleasure of being the Grad Coordinator for this year's grad. I am very excited to be working with this group of Grade 12s! I will be sending emails periodically throughout the year, and encourage you to continue to check here for updates as well.
If you have not been receiving any email updates from me, or your child is unable to access the 'CLP GRAD 2024' Google Classroom page, please email me as soon as possible so we can rectify that error.
THANK YOUS/ SHOUT OUTS:
- Cory and the crew at IGA for donating apples for the grad retreat to Oyama Zipline Adventure Park.
- GESS staff involved in making the grad breakfast run so smoothly.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
December 2 – Community Christmas Event volunteer opportunity @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm in the GESS foyer. More details below.
December 6 – Caravan Farm Theatre trip. Students depart GESS @ 3:30 pm and return at approximately 8:00 pm. Itinerary in the 'DOCUMENTS' tab.
January 17 – Sr. Winter Formal @ 7:00 - 9:00. Only GESS students in grade 11 or 12 may attend.
February 2-4 & 7-11 – REVISED Grad Photo dates. Previous dates were listed as Jan. 29 - Feb. 9. There is an initial $60 fee that is refundable if grads choose not to purchase photos. The initial sitting is necessary for composite and yearbook photos.
1. DECEMBER 2 (THIS SATURDAY) - COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENT:
On Saturday, December 2 from 12- 3 pm, the District of Lake Country will be hosting a Community Christmas Event at GESS. As they have done in years past, the grads will be running a café in the foyer. While the event itself runs from 12 -3 pm, volunteers are needed between 10 am - 5 pm in order to assist with setup and take down afterwards.
If any grads are interested in volunteering to assist with the café, please let me know ASAP! If any grads are interested in assisting with other aspects of this event, they should go see Ms. Boisvert in the Career Center. For more information, you can contact Melissa Sbrega at (250)-869-5752.
2. DECEMBER 6 - CARAVAN FARM THEATER ITINERARY + SLEIGH GROUPS:
As a reminder, the Caravan Farm Theatre trip is next Wednesday, December 6 after school from 3:15 - 8:00pm. A Google Doc has been posted to the ‘CLP GRAD 2024’ Google Classroom page showing how students have been assigned to each sleigh. Additionally, attached to this email is a digital copy of the itinerary. This PDF will be posted to the GESS grad website under the ‘DOCUMENTS’ tab, and physical copies can be picked up in Ms. Marples’ room (302 in the annex).
Please remember that this is an OUTDOOR event in the evening. As such, it is important that everyone dress appropriately! Students are encouraged to bring hats, gloves, jackets, scarves, boots, and even blankets in order to ensure they are warm and comfortable.
3. JANUARY 17 - SR. WINTER FORMAL – THEME:
The Sr. Winter Formal is fast approaching! This year, the date is set for January 17, 2024. That being said, the grad council would like to begin planning, and are looking for input on a theme.
Using the Google Form posted to the ‘CLP GRAD 2024’ Google Classroom page, students are encouraged to vote on their choice from the options provided. For some visual inspiration, a Google Slide set is also attached to the Google Form post. The deadline to complete this form is Friday, December 15 at MIDNIGHT.
4. GRAD WEAR - ORDER PICKUP:
There are still a few grad clothing orders that haven’t yet been picked up from Ms. Marples’ room (302 in the annex). A list of names has been posted to the ‘CLP GRAD 2024’ Google Classroom page. If your name is on that list, please swing by ASAP to grab your order.
As a reminder, there will be another opportunity to order grad wear in the new year (possibly around the beginning of February, but the exact date is still TBD). I will send out reminders when the digital storefront opens back up.
5. GRAD AWARDS:
On the 'CLP GRAD 2024' Google Classroom page, I have posted a Google Form where students can self-nominate themselves for a grad award. In the Spring, submissions will be reviewed, and all eligible students who have submitted nominations will receive an award.
Students are NOT limited to just one award! If they feel they meet the criteria for multiple awards, then they are encouraged to nominate themselves for all that apply. However, in order to receive multiple awards, the Google Form must be submitted multiple times, as responses are limited to one award per form submission.
6. GRAD PARENT FACEBOOK GROUP - UPDATE:
If you are looking to connect with fellow grad parents, please check out the “GESS Grad Parents 2024” Facebook group. This will help you stay in the loop about upcoming fundraising events you may wish to participate in, as well as other relevant information to keep you connected. Please note that this is a CLOSED group. In order to verify one’s identity, and protect against spam accounts, there are security questions that MUST be answered in order to be approved to join. The answer to the question regarding the number of grads for this year is 147.
7. LAKE COUNTRY BOTTLE DRIVE FUNDRAISER:
Don’t forget that the Lake Country bottle depot is collecting donations for GESS grads. Just tell them that you would like your bottles donated to the 2024 GESS Grad fund, and they will do so. Every little bit helps!
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Grad Council meetings are EVERY Tuesday morning at 7:30am in rm. 129. All Grade 12s are welcome.
- If any grade 12 is NOT a part of the 'CLP GRAD 2024' Google Classroom page, they MUST join ASAP. Code = 74ktw7p
Please email me at lisa.marples@sd23.bc.ca if you have any questions.
Regards,
Lisa Marples
Below, I have included three PDFs:
1. A copy of the newsletter sent home with the first email. It outlines some general information for the year.
2. A copy of the slides from the September 12th Grade 12 Parent/ Guardian Information Night.
3. A copy of the rules for the Fall iteration of Sting.
1. A copy of the newsletter sent home with the first email. It outlines some general information for the year.
2. A copy of the slides from the September 12th Grade 12 Parent/ Guardian Information Night.
3. A copy of the rules for the Fall iteration of Sting.

2.5._email_home__first_days__pdf.pdf |

2023_grade_12_parent_information_night.pdf |

2023_gess_sting.pdf |