Photo: Josh Goodfellow and Tammy Steele at the new Snoezelen room at Sharbot Lake High schoolAfter two years of fundraising efforts an official ribbon cutting ceremony opened the new Anoezelen Room at Sharbot Lake high school on Oct. 12.

The 7x15 foot room offers a controlled multi-sensory environment designed specially for students with developmental disabilities, autism and attention deficit disorders.

It will be used by the students in the school-to-community class, providing them with a safe and controlled environment that offers them visual, tactile, audio and aromatic stimulation.

The goal to acquire the room was the brainchild of Josh Goodfellow, an educational assistant in the school-to-community class who has been working at the school for three years. In February 2009 he put forth a proposal that was accepted by the Community Foundation of Kingston who funded the initial $2000 of the $15,000 project.

After that Josh, with the help of many volunteers, spearheaded a number of fundraising events in the school and the community, which enabled the school to purchase all of the equipment before school ended last year.

The room was constructed courtesy of the Limestone District School Board during the summer break and Josh himself installed all of the equipment housed in the room. The room was just completed and has already been used by students at the school.

Inside the room are various pieces of equipment through which the students can freely interact and receive various types of sensory stimulation. These include a vibro-acoustic chair which moves to music, an interactive spiral sensory panel that students can freely manipulate, an interactive maxi-bubble tube (in the photo), an aroma diffuser, a fibre optic light spray, and two projectors that project different visual environments on the walls.

Josh is thrilled with the new room and sees his students benefiting greatly. “For some students the environment provides the stimulation that they need and cannot get from a regular environment, and for others it provides redirection and a chance to calm down and become more focused. It enables them to concentrate and do better work.”

In years past, students at Sharbot Lake traveled to North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne to use the Snoezelen room there, which logistically was difficult and only allowed for infrequent visits. Josh continued, “With our own facility right here all of the students who can benefit will have ongoing access to the room.”

Tammy Steele, one of two teachers in the school-to-community class, added that the room will also be offered free of charge to others in need in and around the community.

“For those in the community with special needs this room can fulfill an important need that is often unavailable in a rural communities. It offers users a safe and self-directed environment from which they can greatly benefit.”

Josh Goodfellow lit up the maxi bubble and activated the film projector, which spread glowing stars all over the four walls and added, “I have had the benefit of seeing first-hand how much this room can really help students.”

Photo: Jody Lemke made the valedictory address at Sharbot Lake's 2010 commencement ceremony on Oct. 8

Jody Lemke was chosen as the class of 2010 valedictorian and made her speech at the end of the commencement ceremony held in the school’s cafeteria on Oct.8.

Lemke at first jested with the school’s mascot Panther and presented him with a number of special mementos but later got down to basics, highlighting her career as a student at the school. She recalled her most memorable experiences at the school through which she and her fellow graduates made life long friendships. Some of those memories included grade 9 orientation at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, winter carnivals, numerous school dances and coffee houses, school trips and leadership camps, inter-murals, sports teams, student council, school band and the proms. Lemke spoke with conviction and humour adding, “All these years of torturous essays, fetal pig dissections, science projects and exams have finally paid off.”

She thanked the ongoing support of the teachers and all support staff at the school, plus family and friends stating, “Without your help we wouldn’t be who we are today.”

“Our high school graduation is a big accomplishment but is in no way the end,” she continued, pointing out that many graduates will be setting out on new and diverse paths that include continuing studies at various universities and colleges, entering the work force and attending one last “victory lap” at the school. After wishing her fellow graduates luck she looked beyond. “Our future is not something that just happens to us but is something that we have to create.” Lastly she addressed her fellow graduates directly, stating with confidence, “We have the power to do anything, to achieve everything and to soar beyond all expectations.”

Photo: Viking Spirit!  Photo by Shenice Farmer

N.A.E.C. held their elementary soccer tournament on October 18. North Addington, Land O' Lakes, Hinchinbrooke and Sharbot Lake Public Schools all had two teams in attendance for a terrific day of play. The tournament is for fun only - no prizes are awarded, but valuable practice and a good deal of fun is had by all!! The following students represented N.A.E.C. at the tournament: Josh Blackwell, Austin Fuller, Jordan Brough, Jordon Freeburn, Wyatt Keller, Will Cruickshank, Deven Lessard, Kayden Smith, Johny Badour, Kody Kuruc, Andre Tryon, Brodie Munro, Robert Anderson, Nick Keller, Brandon Lloyd, Darian Flieler, Izaak McFadden, Andrew Freeburn, Randy Shire, Shane Arney, Hannah Cote, Allya Garey, Deanna Allen, Noah Thibodeau, Darian Asselstine, Haily Whitelock, Cayley Wilson, SarahOliver, Nick Flood, Carter Van Riel, Kassandra James, Brittany Wood, Bre Tryon, Cassidy Turk, Cassidy Wood, Megan Brzoska, Taylor Salmond, Brandon Lloyd, and Dwayne Rosien. Thanks to everyone for a short but great soccer season!

Photo: Grade 5 students on the campaign trail at Prince Charles PS in Verona

Students at Prince Charles Public School in Verona had their say and cast their votes in a parallel mock municipal election that took place in schools province-wide this last week.

A program called Student Vote, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works with educators in 1500 schools in Ontario, representing 255 municipalities, partnered with Local Government Week and the Ministry of Education this year and brought municipal politics into classrooms across the province. The aim of the program is to engage youngsters in the democratic process, inform them of the roles of municipal government and school boards and give them an opportunity to investigate their local candidates and local issues

Ms. Janet Revell, Grade 5 teacher at PCPS, was the Student Vote Team Leader at PCPS, and she and her class facilitated the program at the school where students from grades one through eight had a chance to vote.

Student Vote provides the team leader with all of the necessary education tools and information, including lesson plans designed to teach students the democratic process, and other exercises that build critical thinking and decision-making skills.

In mid-October Ms. Revell invited the four candidates running for council in South Frontenac's Ward 1: Bill Robinson, Jim Hicks, Doug Lovegrove and John McDougall, to speak to students in her class about their reasons for running, their related experience and their views on local issues. Students then could either choose to represent those or other candidates, or become officially involved in other election-related roles and tasks. After the visit students interviewed the candidates, and prepared speeches, which they presented to each class in the school.

I spoke to a few of the students involved and asked each what they learned. Destiny Ritchie, who chose to represent Councilor Bill Robinson said,“ I learned about the councilors’ personal histories which was really cool... like the fact that Bill Robinson was in the war.”

Sara Fitzgerald, who acted as the official announcer, introducing the school candidates to the other classes and explaining the voting process to them, said, “You have to know a lot about leadership and what people want and you have to learn how to communicate with people.”

Max Orser, who acted as the returning officer looking after the ballots said, “I learned that taxes are really important and that the government involves much more than just one person.”

Asked if any might consider running as candidates in the future Destiny replied, “Yes but first I want to be a teacher, so maybe after I retire.” Max said, “It depends what the issues are and why you are wanting to run. That changes all of the time.” Sara said, “I might, but it’s something I would not consider doing without learning more about it.”

Dalton, who ran as mayoral candidate John Fillion, said, “I might consider it. You need to know a lot but I might want to take a shot at it because it might be fun.”

The Student Vote program at PCPS proved to be popular and engaging - so much so that Ms. Revell definitely plans to run it again. “It was a great experience for the students. They were all extremely keen and interested and all did really well. Many of them even ended up attending the actual candidates’ meetings that took place.”

This was Janet's first year facilitating the program and she is already thinking of how she might do it differently. “Next time I think I would invite the candidates to come to the school at the same time and have a bit of a debate. I would also invite more students from the school to sit in so that they are more aware of the real people that the students from the school are representing.”

For the record, after all the students’ votes were tallied at Prince Charles, John Hicks and John McDougall won the day as councilors, beating out Doug Lovegrove and Bill Robinson, and John Fillion was elected mayor with Suzanne Ruttan voted in as school trustee.

Photo:Joan and Roy Shepherd (front far right) present a cheque to Ms. Julia Schall and her class in support of the Hinchinbrooke School of Rock music program

On October 28 Joan and Roy Shepherd, founders of the Frontenac Old Time Music Championships (FOTMC), which just completed its third successful year this past summer at the Bedford Hall, presented a $500 cheque to staff and students at Hinchinbrooke Public School.

One of the goals of the championships is to raise awareness and promote old time country music in the community and every year the organizers makes a donation to a music program in an elementary or primary schools.

This year the FOTMC presentation was made to HPS teacher Julia Schall and her grade 7/8 class in support of the Hinchinbrooke School of Rock, a structured extra-curricular music program that Ms. Schall founded in 2005. Participating students at HPS are taught to play one or more instruments and learn traditional rock music.

The program received its first jump start with a $5000 grant from the Limestone Learning Foundation though which it acquired a number of instruments, recording and video equipment.

The new funds will be used to purchase acoustic guitars so that students can expand their repertoire to include country music as well, which Schall said “is something the students have been really looking forward to.”

She continued, “This is a real honour for us and we are thrilled that the School of Rock program is being recognized throughout the community.”

For Joan and Roy Shepherd, supporting local school music programs has always been an important goal of the FOMTC. “That has always been one of our main mandates,” said Joan “but we are also hoping to encourage children to participate and interact in a safe place and to learn music skills that they can carry with them throughout their lives. I look forward to coming back and seeing some of these young people perform.” The Hinchinbrooke School of Rock will give a public concert at the end of the school year at the IOOF hall in Parham.

As of Nov. 8, a bald-headed vice principal for one. In an effort to raise funds for the School to Community program at SLHS the student council organized their second annual Teacher Torture event.

In mid-October four jars were put out in the school’s cafeteria and students were invited to donate to the jar of their choice. This year’s winning jar led to Vice Principal Gary Greer undergoing a full head shave by manufacturing teacher Lyle Young at lunch on stage in the crowded cafeteria on Nov. 8.

Greer was happy to lose his locks in this student council fundraiser for a worthy cause and the event raised $170 for the School to Community room. The program’s educational assistant Josh Goodfellow said the money would either be used to purchase a smartboard or else more equipment for the classes new Snoezelen Room.

Also new at the school this year is a wall-mounted defibrillator. The defibrillator is used on anyone experiencing cardiac arrest and can go along way in saving lives, especially when emergency services are not immediately available. Sudden cardiac arrest or SCA can happen to anyone anywhere at any time and it is for that reason that defibrillators are appearing at many public arenas school, and other locations.

Last year a program headed up by MP Scott Reid allowed the school to acquire four training defibrillators for school staff and students in the grade 9 Phys. Ed. program in last year’s second semester. Because an actual defibrillator never arrived following the training, Principal Heather Highet applied on line to the Mikey Young at Heart School Defibrillator Program and one arrived at the school just three weeks ago. Highet explained, “So at our last meeting all staff were trained how to access and use it. We're very excited to have one here at the school and now all grade nine students as part of their Phys. Ed. program will not only get First Aid and CPR training but will also learn how to use the defibrillator.” Highet also pointed out that the new unit will be beneficial to all the community organizations who use the school facilities. Now at every exit in the school, little red signs read that there is a unit on site.

Physical Education teacher Bryan English and grade 10 student Cadence Cumpson (photo right), who was trained in using a defibrillator last year showed me the wall-mounted unit. It can be accessed by anyone in need and includes recorded instructions and diagrams for operators who have never received prior training.

Cadence said, “ It's a great thing to know so that if a student is ever down and in cardiac arrest and no other adults are around, we can use it ourselves. Having one here at the school definitely makes you feel safer.”

Bryan English agreed and added that from now on all grade nine students will be trained how to use it.

Photos: 22740 teacher Lyle Young shaves vice principal Gary Greer at SLHS

22746 grade ten student Cadence Cumpson and phys-ed teacher Bryan English with SLHS new defibrillator.

Photo: Golden Eagles running back Josh Thompson completes one of many passes on Tuesday against Cornwall. At the KASSA final last Saturday, Thompson was named MVP.

After winning the KASSAA (Kingston region) finals in Kingston on November 13, when they came back from a 14-1 deficit to beat the Holy Cross Crusaders 15-14, Sydenham's Senior Golden Eagles dug in their claws again at home against the St. Joseph's Panthers of Cornwall on Tuesday in the EOSSAA (Eastern Ontario) final.

Sydenham took an early lead mid-way through the first quarter after Sydenham running back Josh Thompson recovered a fumbled punt. The Panthers came back and took the lead 9-8 early in the second quarter, and it seemed as if the game might go down to the final whistle.

Things were more tense because the Golden Eagles starting quarter back Steve Knapton was hit hard, suffering a shoulder injury and was out for the rest of the game, which looked to be a strong point in the Panthers. But just minutes into the second quarter Brett Irwin, the back up quarter back for the Eagles, showed his mettle and took control of the offense.

The Eagles pushed back hard early in the second half, thanks to their superior special teams. The Golden Eagles recovered their own opening kick-off at the Panthers 40 yard line, leading to Josh Thompson scoring a touchdown, which brought the score to 15-9.

Then, with the Panthers backed up to their own goal line and trying to punt the ball away, pressure from the Golden Eagle front line forced the punter to try and run the ball out of the end zone. A hard tackle dislodged the ball and it was recovered by Sydenham’s Chris Shibley for another touchdown. The score was now 22-9.

For the remainder of the game the Golden Eagles defense shut the Panthers down and the final score was 27-11.

Sydenahm is now off to the OFSSAA (provincial) semi-finals at Minto Field in Ottawa on Saturday (Nov. 20) where they will go head to head with Ottawa's St. Peter's Knights.

The winner of that game will face off at the OFFSSA finals at the National Capital Bowl in Toronto at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday November 24.

Prince Charles Public School in Verona has embraced floor ball, the latest international fad in hockey, and judging by the students, it’s a big hit. Billed as “the world's most popular indoor hockey game", it is played by millions of people in over 50 countries world-wide and is also used by many European-born NHL hockey players for their dry land training.

Not only does the game have its own world championship, it is a provisional member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its governing body, the International Floorball Federation, is hoping that it will become a sport in the Summer Olympics in 2020.

Regardless, students at PCPS are enjoying the fast-paced game, which closely resembles floor hockey and ball hockey but is designed as a safer, faster low-cost game. It is played with light-weight plastic sticks and an official hard plastic ball that is also light weight (23 grams to be exact) and similar to a whiffle ball. There is no special equipment required; players can dress in gym shoes, t-shirts and shorts and need wear no other protective clothing except for plastic glasses or goggles.

Photo: Sydenham's Golden Eagles

Although going to print on a Tuesday leaves us here at the News hanging regarding the outcome of the Eagles’ final game at the National Capital Bowl, which was played in Toronto at the Rogers Centre yesterday, Wed. Nov. 24 against Peterborough's Crestwood Mustangs, I thought I might brief fans regarding the last nail-biter of a game that got them there.

The Golden Eagles had to be the underdogs going into Saturday’s game. The St. Peter’s Knights were the defending champions; Sydenham’s starting quarterback Steve Knapton was out for the season; they were playing their third game in a week; and the game was being played in Ottawa, the Knights’ home town.

The Golden Eagles’ grade 11 quarterback Brett Irwin, who took over from Knapton, stayed calm and cool, not causing any turnovers in the game and connecting with Ben Fisher for a long touchdown pass that put Sydenham up 8-0 at half time.

The Knights came on in the second half, scoring a single early on, and with four minutes left they finally scored a touchdown to bring the score back to 8-7. The turning point in the game came when Sydenham’s Hayden Peters, a kicker himself, partially blocked the St. Peter’s conversion kick attempt, forcing it to bounce off the crossbar and out, keeping the score at 8-7.

Sydenham then recovered the onside kick. A few plays later Brett Irwin handed the ball off the running back Josh Thompson, who reared back and threw a touchdown pass to Ollie Moyse. The game was put completely out of reach when Kieran Doyle intercepted a St. Peter’s pass and returned it for another touchdown, bringing the final score to 21-7.

Sydenham’s coach Mike Love said that Brett Irwin deserves a lot of credit for the win. “Brett played a great game even with a strong wind blowing constantly on the field,” Love said. “Overall it was a pretty hard fought game. The Knights are physically a very big team and their running back played a great game gaining 200 yards.”

In the run up to Wednesday’s game Mike Love suggested the team will just try to continue to ride the wave that has seen them win eight games in a row after stumbling with losses in their first two games at the beginning of the season.

“We've played five games in 15 days and so have not had a lot of time to regroup. Our plan is to go in just doing what we've been doing. We've had a really great season and the guys have played better every single week and have come a long way. If we do end up taking the cup on Wednesday, all I know is that it will be a pretty fun bus ride home.”

(P.S. If you don’t know what happened in Toronto yesterday, just ask any teenager or any parent of a teenager living south of Parham)

Photo:  Heidi, Kayla, Rebecca and Dallas sell stickers designed by the NAEC Graphic Art class at the Northern Highlights Show.

The Northern Highlights Arts, Crafts and Community Fair held at North Addington Education Centre on Nov. 17 was a huge success this year. We received a lot of student, parent and community support throughout the entire event. A significant amount of money was raised for the school and for the various school groups present at the event. A big thank you to anyone who donated items for the silent auction and to anyone who came out and supported our local artisans, community groups and school groups. This event would not be successful without the support of everyone involved. Please check the school website next September for the date of the 2011 show. Anyone wishing to be involved with next year’s show please contact Melissa Randle at NAEC.