For information on the status of school closures due to heavy snowfalls, continue to check the school district website at www.sd43. bc.ca. It's up to parents to make the final decision as to whether they feel conditions are safe to send kids to school, the district says. If students will not be attending classes, parents are asked to notify the school.
FINE ART AT BEST
Enjoy an evening of fine art tomorrow (Thursday) at a two-hour show hosted by Dr. Charles Best Secondary.
The school's fine arts department will present jazz performances and drama selections, as well as drawing, painting, sculpture and photography. The free evening includes a chance to win door prizes. Light refreshments and baked goods will be available for a small charge.
The Best Perspectives - A Night of Fine Arts event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the school, 2525 Como Lake Ave. in Coquitlam.
LEARN TO COOK
Tri-Cities youth can learn to cook and get a free meal every Wednesday during the Offside Youth and Seniors Dinner Nights at Wilson Centre.
Youth, seniors and staff from the Offside Youth Centre work together to prepare dinner and dessert each Wednesday at 4 p.m. At around 5: 30 p.m., they share the meal together, along with others in the community.
Meal tickets cost $2 for youth and $4.50 for adults. However, youth and seniors can eat for free if they sign up a week in advance to volunteer to cook. Tickets are for sale until noon on Tuesday at the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex.
For more information, contact youth services worker Sarina Mawji at 604-927-7938 or [email protected].
YOUTHS PROMOTE ANIMAL WELFARE
A Chance to Choose participants will host a dinner on Feb. 2 to raise awareness about the need to end animal cruelty.
These youths have launched a project to help Tri-Cities animals by supporting two Coquitlam-based non-profits: Pets Matter Foster Care Society and Network for Animals. At the dinner, they will provide information about the non-profits and collect donations of pet supplies.
The dinner is Feb. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1504 Sprice Ave. in Coquitlam. Tickets are available at the door or at the A Chance to Choose office at 80 Kyle St. in Port Moody.
For more information, call 604-931-5889.
ART ON DISPLAY
Some the region's most talented young artists are strutting their stuff at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre, and their works will be highlighted in a festival-type atmosphere later this month.
The 15th rendition of the annual Emerging Talent Exhibit is on display through Feb. 18, featuring creative works from students across School District 43.
The monthlong exhibit will be highlighted by the Emerging Talent Festival on Jan. 22, featuring a juried film festival, premiere screenings of two short documentaries and live theatre and music.
The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m.
For more info, see www. evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
PROGRAMS IN CHINA REVIEWED
Douglas College is undertaking an independent review of the policies and procedures of its partnership programs in China.
After an internal review in 2010 of partnership programs with China's Heilongjiang Institute of Science and Technology, changes were made to raise admission standards, reduce class sizes by half and add English-language instruction to the second year of studies. As well, policies about supplemental exams were modified.
The current independent review, conducted by Deloitte and Touche, will ensure these changes have been effective and sufficient to meet Douglas College standards.
Conclusions of the report will be available in March.
"We are committed to international education as part of our strategic plan," said Douglas College Board Chair Paul Wates in a press release. "We are also committed to academic excellence, whether our programs are in Canada or around the world."
Since 1998, Douglas College has provided Chinese students with the opportunity to earn business administration diplomas or certificates. After 2008, they have also had the chance to earn degrees. Students can study in Shanghai or Harbin, where they follow a Douglas College curriculum taught in English by Douglas College faculty and Chinese faculty.
