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.

Photo: NAEC N house cheer [N House Spirit booster on Frisky Friday.

Last week, students from grades 9 to 12 and staff of North Addington Education Centre participated in Spirit Week, organized by Mrs Sarah Sproule's Grade 12 Leadership class.

Each day had a costume theme and a lunch time event (duct tape a teacher to a wall, dodge ball and fear factor eating) that could earn House teams points towards the culmination of Frisky Friday; a day of team building games and challenges. Teams started Friday with a very competitive cheer off between Houses, followed by a day of tug-o-war, capture the flag, backboard ball, dizzy bat, three-legged race, an obstacle course and a scavenger hunt. 

OSAID hosted a free BBQ and hot chocolate lunch to keep everyone’s strength up. At the end of a very fun and spirit charged week, N House came out with top points to win Frisky Friday. Students then enjoyed their winter formal hosted by the Students’ Council in Flinton.

Students at NAEC are working hard to help the local Food Bank again this year, with a repeat of the Empty Bowls Project. The Empty Bowls Project will culminate in a supper on November 19 at the Northern Highlights craft show, combining bowls and food produced by NAEC students and sold for $6. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank.

Grade 9, 11 and 12 Art students are making bowls in an array of styles and shapes. While each bowl is clearly individual, students have made an effort to keep the sizes comparable. They are decorating them in a variety of glazes, to make them even more unique works of art. It is estimated that there will be 50 of these one-of-a-kind bowls available.

Meanwhile, members of the Grade 12 Hospitality class are roasting, chopping and simmering to produce soup to go into the bowls. There is a choice of French Onion or Turkey Noodle soup. In addition to the bowl of hearty soup, diners will have a student-made dinner roll as an accompaniment, to make a satisfying fall dinner.

Last time this project ran at NAEC (in 2011), over $250 was donated to the Food Bank as a result of the community’s generosity. As previously, the bowls will be on display at the school in advance, so that interested community members can pre-purchase their bowls.

Principal Angela Salmond is proud of the students’ efforts. “It is always so encouraging to see classes collaborating together on projects,” she said. “It is so much more satisfying when they are doing so for the good of the community. NAEC has a history of helping with the Food Bank, and this continues that tradition.”

On Halloween night, October 31, students from North Addington Education Centre canvassed the community in their costumes; not for candy or treats, but for non-perishable food items. Students and adults were stationed in Flinton, Northbrook, and Cloyne. The response was overwhelming. Most homes had a bag or box of food ready, and were not reluctant to contribute to the community. The event and pick up were supervised by a staff member.

In total, students collected approximately 700 items, which will help the food bank through the winter season. Darian Asselstine, an NAEC student, said, “I couldn’t believe how much fun I had! A lot of people recognized the Campbell’s soup can costumes right away”. School Council chair Sarah Collins said, “I want to do it again next year- I think the supervising adults had just as much fun as the kids.” The items were then taken over to the food bank and unloaded by some of the grade 10 Careers and Civics students.

While this event helped stock the shelves, the winter and holiday seasons are a busy time for the food bank. An attempt was made to go to as many houses as possible, but if your donation was missed, please call North Addington at 613-336-8991 and ask for Candice Bovard; we will pick up your item(s). For those requiring assistance, please contact Land O’ Lakes Community Services at 613-336-8934. Those wishing to donate food, please call Karen Anderson at 613-391-1408 (leave a message if there is no answer).

Angela Salmond, the principal of NAEC, was excited to show her support for the event: “I am so proud of our students and would like to extend my thanks to their families and the community. Our students are able to contribute because of the support we receive from the community. The kids are happy and the shelves are full; that is success. Thank you for investing in our students - I am very grateful.”

Colin Edwards, a long time staff member at the North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne, was not someone who craved the limelight.

However, to this day, he has been remembered as someone who lived his life to the beat of his own drum while also putting NAEC students front and center. It was with that in mind that a special school-wide ceremony was held at NAEC on October 23, naming the school's new Outdoor Education Centre in his honour.

Edwards, who succumbed to cancer in 2006, began teaching at NAEC in 1973. He later became vice principal, but then he asked to go back to the classroom since it was teaching that most inspired him.

The special ceremony was led by Sarah Sproule, lead student success teacher at the school, and included words from school principal Angela Salmond, who summed up the opening of the center as the final culmination of an innovative outdoor education project called “Learning From Our Roots”.

Seed funding from provincial government paid for some of the construction materials for the building. Over the years though, most of the funding required to complete the project came from numerous and very generous donations from the local community and the ongoing fund-raising efforts by students and staff at the school.

The project, which got underway several years ago, included the planting of seedlings on school property; the purchase of numerous outdoor learning materials such as camping equipment, top of the line archery equipment; and finally, the construction of the outdoor education centre. The centre is a one and a half storey post and beam structure that is just under 400 square feet. It which was designed and constructed by former NAEC teacher Mr. Rasenberg and his construction students with the help of Ms. Sproule and Mr. Sissons.

It is now the hub of the school's outdoor education program, housing houses all of the school's brand new camping and archery equipment, and it is where receive instruction prior to heading out into the great outdoors.

A sign in front of the building has a loon, a maple leaf and the Bon Echo rock - three things that Ms. Sproule said she felt Edwards would have appreciated and been proud of.

Principal Salmond said that the school's outdoor education program enables all students at the school to access “not only the 80 plus acres of the school property but also the multitude of lakes and other outdoor learning opportunities in the area.”

She spoke of Colin Edwards as a “teacher, colleague and a friend, someone who believed in tapping into students' interests so that they could reach their full potential, while also providing opportunities and second chances to students that extended beyond the classroom.”

Colin's widow, Grace Edwards, also spoke at the event and expressed her gratitude and surprise at the honour. “This school meant so much to that man,” she said. “He lived and worked in the area and he gave back to the area. He always felt that if you wanted to make a change you had to do so from the inside out and in education, that meant not forcing a square peg into a round hole.”

NAEC students Amey Sauvageau, Jared Salmond, and Taylor Salmond spoke about their own personal growth as a result of the outdoor education at the school. Student Lucas Parks-Delya read the testimonial of a younger student involved in the school's archery program. It is one of the best archery programs in the country and NAEC is the first school in Ontario to become a part of it. Following the ceremony, an official ribbon cutting at the new building. Conservationists of Frontenac Addington President Ron Pethick and grade eight student Tim Shire performed the honours. Following that, a number of students demonstrated their prowess with bow and arrow.

Ms. Sproule, along with fellow teacher Mr. Sissons, raised $7,000 for the project and she was also instrumental in bringing the national archery program to the school. She said she is thrilled to have the new center up and running.

“I am very passionate about outdoor education and believe that students should spend as much time as possible outside. I really believe that some students do not necessarily learn best in a conventional classroom and the goal here is to reach out especially to those students. These programs give, especially to those students, a reason to come to school and something that they can be successful at.”

Staff also hope to purchase snowshoes in the near future.

Photo: Sierra's dad, Sean Baldacchin assists in her Locks for Love donation at NAEC

At the NAEC's final Pride Assembly for 2011, which took place on December 16, four young students were invited by the school's vice principal Mr. John Mooney to present a cheque to Carolyn Hasler, Chair of the Flinton Relay for Life. The cheque for $1734 will benefit cancer research, and represents the total amount that the 219 elementary students at the school raised at this year’s Terry Fox run, which took place in October. Cheque presenters included: from grade two, Emma Mc Fadden; from grade three Sasha Berndt, and Jakob Acosta-Vlasic; and from grade four Sierra Baldachin. The four students were chosen to make the presentation, since together they have raised close to $3,000 by cutting and donating their hair to either Locks for Love or Angel Hair for Children, two organizations that make wigs for patients who have lost their hair while undergoing cancer treatment.

The four students’ efforts, along with the cheque, brings the school’s total to just under $5,000, something the school can definitely be proud of. Following the presentation, student Sierra Baldachin invited her dad Sean to the stage to assist her in cutting off her 86 cm waist-length locks, which she has been growing since birth. Sierra’s grandmother died from cancer, and Sierra recalled the self-consciousness her grandmother experienced due to hair loss while undergoing her treatments. So for Sierra, cutting off her own locks made perfect sense. “I'll miss having long hair and I won't be able to do as much with what is left but I know that getting it cut will definitively change some people’s lives and that makes it all worth while.”

NAEC Vice Principal Mr. Mooney had nothing but praise for the efforts of the students at the school. “Part of the education we teach today is character education, which is all about helping students to see how they can make a difference and be a positive force in society. So by publicly recognizing and celebrating both the students’ group and individual efforts, I feel that we are showing them that they can indeed make a positive difference in the world.”

The school held their annual Christmas concert on Dec. 21, and guests were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the local food bank.

On October 31, 11 students from North Addington Education Centre canvassed the community in their costumes; not for candy or treats, but for non-perishable food items.

At least two students were stationed in each community: Flinton, Northbrook, and Cloyne. The response was overwhelming. Most people had a stack of food, and were not reluctant to contribute to the community. Throughout the collection process, students were asked to perform tricks, and they sang, danced, and recited poetry. There was a pick up location in each community, as the food was collected on Halloween night. The event and pick up were supervised by a staff member.

“It’s such a great idea. It’s incredible to see the kids out there supporting their community and having fun, and it makes it a lot easier for people to donate when the food is picked up at your front door. I hope this program continues”, says Cheryl Hartwick, a community member who graciously told many people about the campaign.

In total, students collected 431 items, which will help the food bank through the winter season. Kendra Wilson was excited to share that she’d definitely be doing this again next year. Students visited the food bank to see the stocked shelves and the effects of their actions. Taylor Salmond said, “I got a warm feeling when I saw all of that food. I can’t believe we helped do that”. Salmond also suggested that students dress up as soup cans next year, so the community knows right away who they are, and collaboration with staff has already taken place to make these costumes for next year.

John Mooney, the vice-principal of NAEC, was excited to show his support for the event: “North Addington is a part of the community and we are so appreciative of this partnership because it allows us to support the food bank. I am extremely proud of our students and grateful for the support our students have received”.

On November 16, the Northern Highlights Craft Show will be taking place at NAEC. Staff and students are participating in the ‘Empty Bowls’ project. Between 3-6pm, soup will be sold and the proceeds will be donated to the local food bank. Students in the art class have created bowls that the soup will be served in. For a minimum donation of $5, you can enjoy dinner, take home the bowl, and support the food bank!

While this event helped stock the shelves, the winter and holiday seasons are a busy time for the food bank. An attempt was made to go to as many houses as possible, but if your donation was missed, please call North Addington at 613-336-8991 and ask for Ms. Bovard; we will pick up your donation. For those requiring assistance, please contact Land O’ Lakes Community Services at 613-336-8934. Those wishing to donate food, please call Karen Anderson at 613-336-8934 (leave a message if there is no answer).

Photo: Tracy and Sandi Hook of Hook's Rona Store in Northbrook

Students at NAEC are working together to run an Empty Bowls Project on Nov. 16 at the Northern Highlights craft show at the school.

Students from the Grade 11/12 Art classes have hand-made and glazed a variety of ceramic bowls. Ms. Sproule’s Grade 9 Science class and Ms. Bovard’s Grade 9 French class will be making chili and soup to fill the bowls. Ms. Kellar’s School to Community class will be making bread to go with the meal.

Members of staff and the community will offer a minimum donation of $5. They will choose a bowl and have it filled and accompanied by a roll. All profits will go to the local Food Bank. Visitors with large families or fixed income will be able to purchase the meal in a regular take-out container for a lower sum.

NAEC has made the Food Bank a priority in the last year. “We are pleased with the way so many groups have pulled together to help our local Food Bank over the last few months,” remarked principal Angela Salmond, “and this project is another way to help.”

The Empty Bowls Project started at a secondary school in the U.S. and has spread to many countries. L to R) Gabrielle Gagne-Balcacchin, Natasha McIsaac, Heidi Hawley and Shayla Newton show off some of the bowls they made for the Empty Bowls Project.

Photo: Bill Campbell presenting the bursary to Katelyn Ronfeld

The Friends of Bon Echo Park announced the winners of the 2011 Bursary Awards at their Annual General Meeting on September 3. The bursary award program has been in place for over 15 years and provides up to two $500 bursaries to winning students. The bursaries are open to graduating students of the North Addington Education Centre (NAEC) in Cloyne and to students working at the park.

NAEC graduate Katelyn Ronfeld has had a long-time relationship with Bon Echo and a wealth of experience in a volunteer capacity in the Northbrook-Cloyne area. Among her skills and strengths are her willingness to serve, her inter-personal relationships and organization. She has served the 1st Cloyne Girl Guide program for seven years. Annual campouts at Bon Echo with the Guides encouraged the girls to learn about the wildlife, plants and trees and how to preserve the natural habitat around them. As a member of the NAEC Eco Team she assisted in enforcing new recycling programs and energy audits and in providing every student with a re-usable water bottle, helping not just the community but the entire school to be ecologically friendly. At graduation she received the Lieutenant Governor General’s Community Volunteer Award. Katelyn has been accepted into the University of Ottawa Bachelor of Social Sciences program with a major in Sociology/Co-Op where she will focus on the interaction of young children within society, mentoring them as a role model.

Colin Sutherland has worked in the Natural Heritage Education program at Bon Echo for two summers. A native of Ottawa, Colin has camped at Bon Echo since he was six years old. Colin’s first year on the Bon Echo staff caused him to rethink his major, changing from Journalism to joint honours programs in Geography and Sociology. One project that he is interested in developing is interactive trail guides. The end result could be self-guided tours using a tablet computer. The Friends have expressed interest in this in the past and are keenly aware that it is a significant way to open up the park’s excellent trails to more people.

The Friends of Bon Echo also support other student programs related to the natural world. Each year they contribute $500 to the Ontario Parks Partners Bursary Program in recognition of summer park employees across Ontario who are outstanding in their service to park visitors. On September 23-25 the Friends will be sending two local high school students to the Youth Summit on Biodiversity and Sustainable Living sponsored by Ontario Nature.

 By Devin Gagne-Baldacchin, Grade 8

The students and staff of North Addington Education Centre have been busy bringing in non-perishable food items. The local food bank has been low on food and financial resources are limited, so the elementary students responded with a school-wide food drive during the last week of school.

In total, over 1300 items were brought in and $180.00 was raised. Classroom teachers used various incentives to encourage students to bring in items. The homeroom who brought in the most items (per student) was awarded with a ‘Make Your Own Sundae’ party. Ms. Buck’s class was the winner, bringing in a record-breaking 386 items (14 items per student). The response was so incredible that second and third place also received a sundae party (Mrs. Beeg and Mrs. Hackett’s classes). In addition, many teachers also matched the number of items brought in by students and/or offered to have an ice cream party for the class even if they did not have the most items.

A special thank you goes to Mrs. Hackett’s grade eight class. Taylor Salmond and Cayley Wilson went around to homerooms each morning, collecting, tallying, and unloading the food. Robyn Cornish was responsible for posters. The class helped box the items up, load them in the van, and unload them at the food bank. The class also used 1/3 of their graduating funds (over $100) to purchase non-perishable items. They played an enormous leadership role in the undertaking of this event.

Students were excited to participate and give back to the community. Angela Salmond, the principal, would like to thank the students, their families, and staff for their generosity: "We have shown what wonderful results can come about when we pull together. This is such a good opportunity for students and the fact that we have gathered so much is almost unbelievable".

This time of year is especially low for the food bank, as children are home for the summer. Those wishing to donate items can call 613-391-1408 (leave a message if no answer), and to receive help from the food bank, call Land O’ Lakes Community Services at 613-336-8934.