by Valerie Allan

On April 8, NAEC students and staff once again celebrated the International Day of Pink. An assembly was held, in which the whole school participated, and it was a sea of pink. Students wore pink clothes, accessories, and/or pins. The assembly was led by Madi Lemki, Cassandra Parks, Lucas Parks and Selena Pelicos. These students had recently returned from the “Dare to Stand Out” conference in Kingston, and were eager to share their message with their peers and the staff. The group outlined the origins of the Day of Pink, and then stressed that “A pink shirt doesn’t stop bullying – you do!” Their message was that a bystander is contributing to bullying, if they don’t stand up for their fellow students. At lunchtime, the Grade 8 class joined Secondary students to play “Pop the stigma”. Pink balloons were attached to the wall with common stigmas or stereotypes taped to them. A student would read the stigma, then pop the balloon and read the answer which was inside. It was a fun, if noisy, activity. Students also signed posters which had the pledge “A pink shirt doesn’t stop bullying – I do!” This is the fourth year in a row that NAEC has observed the International Day of Pink.

Submitted by NAEC

For the past few weeks students at NAEC have been preparing for the annual Limestone Skills Competition, held at St. Lawrence College. This competition tests the knowledge, in theory and practice of students for the skilled trade event that they have chosen. Nineteen students at North Addington Education Centre stood up and accepted the challenge.

In 2D Animation, Team of Two, Lucas Parks and Nickolas Wood won bronze medals for their excellent animation.

In the Digital Photography competition, Haily Whitelock, Summer Andrew and Bree Gillingham completed an editing test and then a photography task, finishing strong and with beautiful photographs.

In the Graphic Design Presentation event, Natalie Reynolds, Emma Fuller, Cassidy Wilson and Ryan Cruickshank presented posters and postcard design advertising the Ontario Skills Competition that they created beforehand along with their portfolios.

In the Electrical Systems event, Matt Crigger and Shane Arney competed wiring outlets and other electrical tasks. Shane won a bronze medal in this event.

In the Graphic Design Studio Production event, Shannon Delyea, Brittany Wood, Terri-Lynn Rosenblath and Brittany Delyea competed by creating a package design for a product as well as a full page advertisement for this product. Brittany Wood won bronze, Brittany Delyea won silver and Terri-Lynn won gold.

In Small Engines, an event that tests mechanical, technical and electrical skills, Jarrett Malcolm won bronze, Andre Tryon won silver and Wyatt Keller won gold.

In the Work Place Safety event Kameron Armstrong had to present a brochure on a safety issue and go on a workplace safety inspection. Kameron won silver.

Wyatt advances to the Regional Qualifier Competition at St. Lawrence on Saturday, April 18for Small engine repair.

Terri-Lynn and Kameron automatically advance and will represent Team Limestone at the Provincials in Waterloo, May 4 to 6.

The North Addington Education Centre community is very proud of all of the students who competed.

by Derek Maggs

The Friends of Bon Echo Park are pleased to announce the presentation of two $500 bursaries to Jared Salmond of Flinton and Abby Follett of Omemee, Ontario.

The Friends of Bon Echo Provincial Park have been providing bursaries to deserving students of the North Addington Education Centre and summer employment students at the Park. Eligible candidates must be engaged in a post- secondary program that resonates with the goals of the Friends. In recent years the bursaries have been donated by the McLaren family in memory of Doris and Keith McLaren, long time volunteers with the Friends.

Jared Salmond graduated recently from the North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne and is currently studying Engineering at Queen's University.  Jared's knowledge and commitment to Bon Echo Provincial Park began many years ago.  From the time he was a young child, Jared has spent many weeks every summer camping with his family. As soon as he was old enough, Jared was involved with the Mazinaw Lake Swim Program, first as a student, then as a volunteer, an instructor and as the Program Supervisor.  For the last three years, Jared has worked at Bon Echo--initially as the Wood Lot Attendant and most recently as a Gate Attendant.  For Jared, summer has meant Bon Echo.  He understands the importance of community and volunteerism and has spent countless hours working with community children in a variety of activities. Although pursuing further education has taken Jared out of his community, his hope is to return and continue this contribution in new ways.  Whatever the future brings for Jared, one thing is certain. The roots he has in Bon Echo have enriched and encouraged his genuine interest in people and the environment.   

Abby Follett is in the Environmental Science/Studies program at Trent University, currently completing her third year. Her courses are focused on environmental law and species-at-risk with the hope of going into one of these fields once she completes her degree. This past summer was her first at Bon Echo. She served as a Natural Heritage Educator and found the experience amazing and very fulfilling. She hopes to return this summer. Abby was fortunate enough to spend the majority of her childhood summers traveling across Canada with her family on camping trips. She loved being outside, taking part in programs and activities where she could help the environment. She was a junior member of the horticulture society, and helped plan Earth Day clean up programs in her neighbourhood. In high school, she was part of the Green Team and initiated recycling programs. Abby is committed to do her part to enhance awareness and to motivate others in efforts to serve the  

by Valerie Allan

On Jan. 16, 24 students from Grades 3-7 presented projects in a Science Fair held in the library of NAEC.

Preparations started in June, when Ms. Randle (a Secondary Science teacher) collaborated with Elementary teachers (Ms. Beeg, Mr. Rewbotham, Mr. Pelow, Mr. Hill and Ms. Cuthill) to design a Science Fair modeled after the regional Science Fair (FLASF).

The purpose of the fair was to provide students with a unique opportunity to engage in scientific investigation. Ms. Randle remarked, “Science Fairs are a great way to promote critical thinking skills. Science Fairs allow students to explore and investigate things they are interested in, process information using critical thinking skills, and create something they are proud of. It allows them to learn about the scientific method in a hands-on way.”

Students chose experiments, studies or innovations as a basis for their projects, and were judged by a panel of judges for Top Project, and by visitors for Fan Favourite. The top project for Mrs. Beeg’s class went to Abbi Woods and the Fan Favourites for Mrs. Beeg’s class went to Bella DeSa and Owen Bright.

The top project for Mr. Rewbotham’s class went to Sarah Reed and the Fan Favourites for Mr. Rewbotham’s class went to Hayden Riley and Ryan Kay.

The top project for Mrs. Pelow’s class went to Josie Heyman and the Fan Favourites for Mrs. Pelow’s class went to Amanda Clancy and Beth Shiner.

The top project for Ms. Cuthill’s class went to Sierra Baldacchin and Fan Favourites for Ms. Cuthill’s class went to Jessie Cumming and Riley Kay.

According to Youth Science Canada, which is a big supporter of science fairs, “Every year, over 500,000 young Canadians participate in project-based science…encouraging them to get their hands dirty and develop scientific and technological knowledge and skills through project-based science.”

For their annual drama production this year, grade nine and ten students in the drama program at the North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne chose "Aw, Shucks!" as the play that they most wanted to see performed.

Judging by the reception the play received at its inaugural performance on January 13 they made the right choice. The play, written by Toniann Guadagnoli, tells the tale of one large and way over the top "countri-fied" family. The plot focuses in on son Roscoe (perfectly portrayed by Matt Emslie) and his choice of his wife-to-be, Brooke, (aptly played by Brianna Bolduc). The problem is that Brooke hails from Brooklyn, New York, and Roscoe's “Maw”, hilariously portrayed by Selena Pelicos, is not having any of it. Instead Maw sets her sights on her preferred choice, Georgian belle Savannah, played with aplomb by Terri-Lynn Rosenblath.

Spurred on by the family matriarch, the family decides to hold a country-style contest where the two dueling possible brides-to-be face off in an attempt to corn shuck and cotton pick their way to the altar.

Of course the bridal hopefuls, being the wisest of the bunch, become friendly in the process, forcing Maw to take the outcome into her own hands. Maw hatches a sneaky countrified Princess and the Pea plan to curtail Brooke's win, which fails. Still, in the end it takes Elmer the horse to make Maw see the backwardness of her ways and realize that it is Brooke whom her son should ultimately marry - and of course Roscoe gets his city girl.

The actors each nailed their characters, with the countrified family members not only sounding like typical back woods southern hillbillies (I was informed that many accomplished the task by watching numerous reruns of the Dukes of Hazard), but also delivering their lines with the precise comic timing required to meet the mark.

The music in the play was lively and the line dancing scene at the family hoedown was one of the play's most memorable scenes.

Valerie Allan, who teaches drama at the school and stage managed the play, said the choice of play really fit the students. “They just seemed to naturally get the whole country thing really very well right from the start.”

Allan said that the fact that NAEC is a country school was a big reason why the students chose the play and added that the fact that the play presents a problem that is ultimately resolved, while poking fun at a number of typical stereotypes is a great learning experience both for these young thespians and the audience alike.

The response by the full house audience at Tuesday's performance proved that not only can these young dramatists do exactly what they set minds to, but that in the process they can entertain a full house of delighted viewers. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew who put one a very memorable performance at the NAEC for 2015.

Submitted by NAEC

On Dec. 12 at North Addington Education Centre, over one hundred elementary and secondary students with their teachers, participated in the Hour of Code. This is a global event that has people of all ages from over 180 countries write lines of code to promote computer science. This event was organized by Darren Sissons, a secondary teacher at NAEC. Students used the Hour of Code website for this event, learning how to program simple games on computers, iPads or their own hand held devices. One student commented, “It was a lot of fun, I didn’t know I could do that!” To find out more, visit http://hourofcode.com/ca

submitted by Joel Hasler

For the first time in ten years, North Addington Education Centre is sending a team to OFSAA. The Senior Boys’ Volleyball team, coached by Mr. Hasler, will be travelling to Welland on Wednesday, November 19 to play in the OFSAA Single “A” Volleyball Championship. Our games will be played on Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21. The Senior Boys’ Volleyball team qualified for OFSAA after earning a silver medal at COSSA in Port Hope last Thursday. The team’s success demonstrates the nearly three years of dedication from many of the team members and coaches. Not only does this team have a strong group of senior-aged players, the team is privileged to have a great group of grade nine students. The future certainly looks bright for North Addington volleyball teams.

by Valerie Allan

Five NAEC students attended the 7th annual Four Winds Festival of Aboriginal Cultures on October 29. at the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. The students were escorted by Mrs. Sproule, who is from the Chippewaas of Georgina Island.

Students attended a variety of workshops. Emma Fuller and Mackenzie Johnson (M.J.) attended an Ojibwe Traditions workshop, where they received a bracelet and learned about traditional ways to greet people and to pray. They also participated in a Corn Husk Doll Making workshop, and came away with a corn husk doll they had made themselves. Emma enjoyed some traditional stories in Algonquin Story-telling, while M.J. made a wampum belt in the Wampum Belt workshop. She also learned that on a traditional Wampum Belt, the owner had to remember the story associated with every single bead.

Madison Lloyd, Mackenzie Wilson and Luc Desrosiers did some high energy Metis Jigging. The workshop leaders taught them that it was important to use the traditional names, rather than the names used by colonialists. They reported that they learned that there was no Metis word for “goodbye” or “thank you”. They said the workshop was packed with learning opportunities and they really enjoyed it. The three students also attended a hand-drumming workshop, in which there was vocalization accompanying the drumming, but no actual words. They were taught that hand-drumming with vocalization is a form of prayer.

Madison and Mackenzie went to the Social Dancing workshop, where they learned about types of dance and their social significance. Luc went to a Sacred Medicine workshop, where he learned that the Medicine Wheel encompassed life’s cycle, starting with East and moving through South and West and ending with North. He also learned that native peoples use sage, sweetgrass and tobacco as medicine, and learned how to make cedar tea. Cedar tea is to help breathing and stress, and is made by boiling water, adding a cedar stick, and letting it steep for 10 minutes.

Students were able to attend the conference because of funding provided by the Limestone Board of Education. Unfortunately, a lot of secondary students were on a science field trip, so were unable to attend, so the festival was opened up to some elementary students. All participants said that it had been a great learning experience, and that they would love to go next year. NAEC is hoping that a greater number will be able to attend next year.

In a special touring show highlighting the issues of youth poverty and homelessness, members of Theatre Complete captured the hearts and minds of students at the North Addington Education Centre (NAEC) on October 24.

Theatre Complete, a theatre focus program that runs out of QECVI in Kingston, invites high school students from Kingston and the surrounding area to come together for one semester of intense theatre study. The program includes a drama in the community segment that has the students choose, research, and create a show centered on a relevant youth topic of their choice. Past productions of Theatre Complete have included the topics of bullying, mental health and addiction, and this year the program's 11 students chose youth poverty as their subject after receiving a special request from the Youth Diversion Organization in Kingston to cover the topic.

After intense research, which included interviews with youth who have faced issues of poverty and homelessness, the students presented a show that was based on the real life experiences of the people they interviewed.

The show included music and dance and the stories included one girl, who along with her mother faced numerous challenges after their economic situation changed dramatically following the death of their father/husband. Another story tells of a teenager who fathered a child, and faced a number of challenges including the decision to give the child up.

Much of the factual information presented in the show challenged the common myths about youth poverty and demonstrated how youth can easily fall into the clutches of poverty and homelessness. Canada's child poverty rate is 15.1%, four percentage points higher than a 17 country average. Many people are shocked to find out that 50% of homeless youth come from upper and middle class households and have left their homes as a result of unhealthy living situations that often include various forms of abuse and neglect. The fact also that one in five Canadian youths are either homeless or living in poverty is another eye opening statistic, as is the fact that children who experience persistent poverty are at a higher risk of experiencing health problems, developmental delays and behavior disorders.

One of the goals of the Theatre Complete program is to demonstrate how theatre can directly impact the world and facilitate discussion about important issues facing youth. Ryan Clement, who heads up the program, said he hopes the show will “make people more aware of the these issues, while also offering help to those living in these circumstances and encouraging them to share their experience and to seek out the many supports that are available to them. “This is something that can happen to anyone anywhere at any time,” he said.

Clement said that given the fact that students who drop out of school are 10 times more likely to end up homeless than those who graduate is one reason that he is also encouraging schools to set up funds for post-secondary schooling to help students secure deposits for tuition and student residence accommodations. “For many students the fact that these deposits are required before their student loans kick in can be a barrier to their securing a spot in a post-secondary school program”.

Students experiencing homelessness and/or poverty should know that there are numerous resources available to them to assist with accommodations so that they do not have to live on the streets. These resources include: Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868); Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000); the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) 1-613-546-4266; Home Base Housing in Kingston (613-542-6672); Kingston Youth Shelter (613-766-3200); Youth Diversion Organization (613-548-4535 ext. 223, as well as Employment Ontario Service, Youth Initiative Canada and Pathways to Education. These organizations all have websites with helpful information and resources.

The performance at NAEC was the final one of this year's Theatre Complete show and NAEC Principal Angela Salmond was pleased that students had the opportunity to see it. “As a rural school we can tend to be insulated and sometimes don't see the challenges facing youth in other areas. For these students to see the production presents an opportunity for them to better understand these particular issues and to see how they might affect their own particular situation here,” she said.

Fifteen North Addington Education Centre students competed at the Limestone District School Board, Skills Competition, held on April 3 at St. Lawrence College. “Build something that lasts,” was this year’s Skills Competition motto, and that is exactly what they did.

Training hard leading up to the competition, the NAEC Skills team competed against students from Limestone District, the Upper Canada and Algonquin Lakeshore boards.

The competition hosts many different hands-on, curriculum-based events that fall under the skilled trades sector.

Mike McEwen & Devon Salmond (Silver Medals), Devon Deruchie & Lucas Parks-Delyea competed in 2D Animation team of two, a competition that has competitors using a program called Flash to generate a computer animation.

Summer Andrew, Allya Garey competed in Graphic Design Presentation, completing their advertising materials for Skills Canada before the competition and then presenting it to a team of judges.

Drake Murphy (Gold Medal), Zack McQuigge (Silver Medal), Brittany Wood (Bronze Medal), Brody Munro, Tristen Veley competed in Graphic Design Studio, which consisted of designing packaging and marketing materials for a product.

Amey Sauvageau represented NAEC in the Photography event, bringing a portfolio of work, completing a Photoshop task and shooting and editing photographs on site.

Andre Tryon (Gold Medal), Josh Blackwell, Wyatt Keller competed in the Small Engines competition where they had to diagnose electrical circuit issues, write a test and tear down and reassemble an engine.

A bus full of NAEC students also attended to cheer on their school mates as they took on the day’s challenges.

Andre competed at the Regional qualifier held at St. Lawrence College on Saturday, April 12th, placing second. Both Andre and Drake Murphy now advance to the Provincial Skills Competition representing Team Limestone in Waterloo, Ontario on May 5, 6 & 7.