REPTILES WELCOME Move to Mission a success for Reptile Guy
TOWING ON TELEVISION Mission Towing now part of Highway Thru Hell
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96-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT PAGE 5
Shows his support at annual Terry Fox Run
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2012
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Friday, September 25, 2015
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
Enrolment increase unexpected Single high school may have turned tide, Mission administrators say Tyler Olsen Abbotsford News
Preliminary figures from the new school year have shown a startling reversal in a long-standing trend at the Mission school district. For the first time in recent memory, enrolment is up, bringing with it excitement and hope among administrators.
Heading into the year, Mission Public Schools had budgeted for 50 to 55 fewer students in the current year, reflecting the fact that, as Superintendent Bill Fletcher said, “We’ve always been on the decline.” But this fall, a preliminary count by school officials has shown an increase in enrolment of 115 students among the total school
population of around 5,500. The increase is up in elementary and middle schools, and in the newly created Mission secondary school. If the count holds through an annual audit by the province, the increase in enrolment will bring with it an uptick in funding. While they’ll be watching to see whether this year’s increase continues next fall, Fletcher and sec-
retary-treasurer Wayne Jefferson say the increase in students may be in response to the district’s move to create a single high school that can offer expanded programs for which students had previously been leaving the district. “We think that is a signal that people saw a change being made and it allowed us to retain some
students,” Jefferson said. “This is a change and I think it’s students who have reacted in the change in a delivery of programs.” Jefferson said there was also an increase in interest among international education students, who are among those who would be attracted by increased programming at the high school. Continued on 3
Hike For Hospice Showing support for a good cause Mission Record
More than 60 people came out in the wind and rain to support the Mission Hospice Society. The annual Hike For Hospice event took place on Sunday morning at Fraser River Heritage Park, as business representatives and other individuals donned coats and braved the wet weather to donate money and enjoy a brisk walk through the park. The annual Hike For Hospice supports palliative and bereavement programs for the Mission Hospice Society. “The turnout was pretty good today considering the weather conditions,” said executive director Angel Elias. “We had probably about six corporate teams and altogether we had about 60 people come out.” Organizers are still tabulating a
total of funds raised. There was a fun atmosphere at the walk and some participants even attended dressed in costumes. Prizes were awarded for the best team and for the person who raised the most in pledges. Elias said the event is extremely important for the society’s programs. “Without this event, we wouldn’t be able to offer the services we do.” In the past few years, the annual hike has generated “tens of thousands” of dollars for hospice. This year marks the 30th anniversary for the Mission Hospice Society and the 10th anniversary of the Christine Morrison Hospice, a 10-bed facility located at the Mission Hospital. See next week’s edition of the Mission Record for a special section on the hospice.
More than 60 people braved the wet, windy weather on Sunday to participate in the annual Hike For Hospice event. The event is a fundraiser for palliative and bereavement programs offered by the Mission Hospice Society, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. KEVIN MILLS PHOTO
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